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23 April 2026
Final Defendant Sentenced in Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Batavia, Ohio, woman, Stephanie Marie Terrell, 39, was sentenced on Thursday to 78 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for aiding and abetting the attempted possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to her plea agreement, on May 23, 2025, the United States Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package containing over 220 grams of methamphetamine that was addressed to a residence in Covington and mailed from Houston, Texas. On May 27, 2025, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the Covington residence, and Scott Baxter, Terrell’s co-defendant, retrieved the package from the porch and brought it to a nearby vehicle driven by Terrell. Terrell began driving away from the residence, but law enforcement initiated a traffic stop. Dereco Lamont Evans, the front seat passenger and another co-defendant, opened the passenger door and threw the package out. Evans and Terrell were detained.
Terrell admitted that she was retrieving the package, that the intended recipient was Timothy McCay, another co-defendant, that she knew the package contained drugs, and that she had facilitated McCay receiving the drugs from Joseph Felix Garza of Houston, another co-defendant.
Terrell’s co-defendants were previously sentenced to the following:
- Joseph Felix Garza was sentenced to 132 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release
- Timothy J. McCay was sentenced to 123 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release
- Harry Smith was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
- Scott Baxter was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
- Dereco Lamont Evans was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
- Stephanie Marie Garcia was sentenced to time served (4 days) and 3 years supervised release
Under federal law, Terrell and her co-defendants must serve 85 percent of their prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, Terrell will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years.
Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division; and Scott Hardcorn, Director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by USPIS and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Felon Convicted on Drug-Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon has been found guilty by a federal jury for drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby.
The jury returned a guilty verdict against Dimarcus DeSean Hodge, 34, of Birmingham, after two days of testimony before U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke. Hodge was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to evidence presented at trial, between October 26, 2023, and February 15, 2024, Hodge sold more than 140 grams of methamphetamine and a gram of fentanyl to a law enforcement source over a series of controlled purchases. On February 21, 2024, a search warrant was issued for two of Hodge’s vehicles. Officers recovered 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine, over an ounce of heroin, three firearms, a bag of 9mm ammunition, two iPhones, digital scales, and $1,790 in cash.
Hodge is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions in Jefferson County, Alabama.
HSI investigated the case, along with the Leeds Police Department. Irondale Police Department and Birmingham Police Department assisted in executing the arrest warrant. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan S. Kirk and Ryan S. Rummage prosecuted the case.
Federal jury convicts registered sex offender of sexually exploiting two minorsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A federal judge convicted a Gum Spring man yesterday on charges of production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), possession of CSAM, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and commission by a registered sex offender of a felony offense involving a minor.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Richard Scott Tyson, 57, was convicted in 2002 of rape involving a child, for which he received 99 years of imprisonment with 86 years suspended. Between 2021 and 2023, Tyson sexually exploited two minor victims.
Tyson met the first victim, identified as Minor Victim 1 or MV1, in 2021 and developed a relationship with MV1 and his family members. Tyson soon began taking MV1 on trips and paying for items such as video games, clothing, or activities on his behalf. MV1 then began staying overnight and on weekends at Tyson’s house. During a trip with MV1 to a trampoline park, MV1 met and befriended Tyson’s second victim, identified as Minor Victim 2 or MV2. Tyson communicated with both victims through Snapchat.
MV2 joined Tyson and MV1 during activities and trips to hotels, resorts, and amusement parks, for which Tyson paid. During these activities and trips, as well as at Tyson’s home, Tyson engaged in sexual relations with MV2 and took pictures of both minor victims while they were nude or mostly undressed and posed in sexualized positions in exchange for money.
Tyson faces a mandatory minimum of 35 years and up to life in prison when sentenced on July 29. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Richmond Field Office and the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case with assistance from the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shea M. Gibbons and Thomas A. Garnett are 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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-34.
This release was revised on April 30, 2026, to correct the headline.
Federal Prisoner Sentenced for Assaulting a Bureau of Prison’s NurseRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – On April 22, 2026, a Washington D.C. man was sentenced in federal court for one count of assault on a Bureau of Prisons’ nurse at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners.
Lawrence C. Boykin, 72, was serving a prior sentence from 1991 for his conviction on multiple counts of sodomy on a minor and indecent acts with a minor when he assaulted a nurse on duty at the Bureau of Prisons in Springfield.
On December 21, 2024, while serving his prison sentence, Boykin began verbally abusing staff and then threw a food tray at the victim. The food tray struck the victim causing a broken nose, laceration, and concussion.
U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool sentenced Boykin to 46 months imprisonment, run consecutively with the remainder of Boykin’s 1991 prior sex offense conviction, followed by one year of post-release supervision.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons.
Eight Indicted for Illegal Gambling BusinessRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – On April 23, 2026, a federal Grand Jury in Fort Wayne, Indiana, approved an indictment charging Rodney L. Naylor, Bruce Naylor, Chae David Naylor, Jawauna P. Davis-Parker, Michael L. Carter, Douglas W. McKinney, Christian R. Naylor, and Paul G. Rowan with conducting, financing, managing, supervising, directing, and owning an illegal gambling business in violation of Title 18, United States Code section 1955.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana Gaming Commission, the Indiana State Police, and the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Dawn Ransom.
Eastern District of Texas observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, continues vigorous prosecution of firearms-related offenses sentencing 17 defendants to over 261 years in federal prisonRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs joins the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and the Executive Office for the United States Attorneys (EOUSA) in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year’s theme is “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.”
“Firearms are a staple in the world of drug trafficking, street gangs and cartels, and other criminal enterprises,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “We are committed to making our communities safer by keeping firearms out of the hands of violent offenders. The cases below highlight our work to eradicate gun violence in the Eastern District of Texas.”
On April 15, 2026, Israel Sanchez Arciga, was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine. Arciga, an illegal alien, was in possession of a firearm when he was arrested.
On April 7, 2026, Brandon Elliot Bennett was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for robbing a licensed firearms store in Plano of more than 60 guns, which he sold to others.
On March 24, 2026, Jaquallon Tyjuan Hargett was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for robbing an individual of $100 at an ATM machine in Daingerfield. Hargett was armed with a pistol outfitted with a machinegun conversion device, also commonly referred to as a Glock-switch.
On March 10, 2026, William Charles Fincher was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm during a domestic violence disturbance. As a convicted felon, Fincher is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.
On March 5, 2026, Charles Bernard Byrd, a Houston gang member, was convicted by a jury in Beaumont in connection with a violent crime spree that included multiple burglaries, auto thefts, and the armed robbery of two ATM repair technicians. Three of Byrd’s fellow gang members had previously pleaded guilty. The defendants are awaiting sentencing and face from 20 to 45 years in federal prison.
On February 26, 2026, Victor Manuel Navarette Roman, an illegal alien, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and trafficking methamphetamine.
On January 22, 2026, Abigael Colin Saldana, an illegal alien, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to traffic firearms from Texas to Mexico.
On January 5, 2026, Victor Heredia was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for a string of convenience store robberies, during one of which he discharged a firearm in the ceiling of the store.
On December 11, 2025, Naiyme Kidd was sentenced to 117 months in federal prison for the armed robbery of a game room in Beaumont.
On December 9, 2025, Santana Deangelo Powell was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after law enforcement discovered a hidden compartment in his vehicle full of methamphetamine and cocaine. Powell was also found to be carrying a firearm during his drug trafficking activities.
On October 2, 2025, Charleston Jamal Washington was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for two armed bank robberies.
On September 16, 2025, Jahtaya O’Dayjah Hamilton was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after being stopped for a traffic violation and found in possession of four stolen handguns.
On August 26, 2025, Victor Guardado Zepeda was sentenced to 231 months in federal prison for leading a violent crime spree which included robbing two convenience stores at gunpoint and severely beating a store employee. The stores were robbed of over $100,000.
On July 29, 2025, Carly Melana Fowler was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, her co-defendant, Cole Ethan Schroeder had already been sentenced to 114 months in federal prison. The Jefferson County couple attempted to rob a convenience store armed with a rifle.
On July 9, 2025, Brian Keith Murphy was sentenced to 85 months in federal prison after firing shots at individuals in a gas station parking lt. Murphy was identified by police after monitoring a live-stream video of the incident.
On May 30, 2025, Keandre Marquis Robinson was sentenced to 405 months in federal prison for robbing a Beaumont convenience store and killing the store clerk. After shooting the clerk twice in the chest, Robinson stole cigarettes from behind the counter and fled with co-defendant Larry Nathaniel Hagan. Hagan was sentenced to 420 months in federal prison.
Achieving justice for victims and protecting their rights is our highest duty, and we are honored to participate in the national observance of this special week to honor victims and victim advocates.
For additional information regarding National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and resources for victims, please visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/.
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Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Threatening Federal OfficialRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a man from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, convicted of Threatening a Federal Official. The sentencing took place on April 20, 2026.
Joseph Lafferty, age 68, was sentenced to four years of probation and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Lafferty was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025. He was convicted following a jury trial in federal district court in January 2026.
The evidence presented at trial established that on July 21, 2025, Lafferty threatened to get his gun and kill a federal official employed by Indian Health Service, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The Defendant made the threat in Eagle Butte, in the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Jorge Junior Alvarez Rodriguez, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2026. Alvarez was charged in May 2025.
On May 3, 2025, upon arrival at Boston’s Logan Airport from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Alvarez was flagged for secondary screening. During a review of Alvarez’s cell phone, files depicting CSAM were found. Multiple files depicting children as young as four to seven years old were discovered.
The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant may be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Boston Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Julissa Walsh of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Diamond District Fence Sentenced to 46 Months in Connection with Large Scale Transnational Stolen Property OperationRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy was sentenced by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II to 46 months in prison for conspiring to receive stolen property that had been transported in interstate commerce. In addition to the terms of imprisonment, Judge Kuntz ordered the defendant forfeit $2,500,000 and restitution will be determined at a later date. The defendant and his co-defendant Juan Villar pled guilty in July 2025. Villar was sentenced in February 2026 to 46 months’ incarceration along with restitution and forfeiture.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James C. Barnacle, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) announced the sentence.
“Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar used the cover of their Diamond District store to encourage, coordinate, and profit from theft groups conducting burglaries nationwide,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The defendants tried to make a quick buck by buying stolen valuables from transnational criminals, and in doing so, bought themselves lengthy prison sentences.”
“Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar facilitated the sale of stolen goods obtained from criminals for profit. The goods stolen came from across the United States, impacting victims nationwide. The FBI and its partners have worked diligently to bring charges against these two individuals for their unlawful activity,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
“What started with criminals trying to commit burglaries in Nassau County, has now ended in multiple arrests and guilty pleas; including these defendants,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder. “When you try and buy stolen goods that were taken from hard working people, we will work with our great partners to find you, and hold you accountable. Today, that accountability came.”
“For years, the defendant participated in a large-scale transnational operation of brazen burglaries,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “This international pipeline targeted residential homes and commercial vendors to receive and purchase stolen property, contributing to dangerous criminal activities. Thanks to the work of our detectives, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, we have shut down this enterprise, and this sentencing ensures those responsible are being held accountable.”
Nezhinskiy and Villar regularly served as “fences” for burglary crews from South America, who traveled around the United States, including the Eastern District of New York, committing burglaries, typically targeting wealthier neighborhoods in Nassau County and elsewhere or jewelry vendors, and stealing luxury accessories. According to court filings and statements Nezhinskiy made at his earlier guilty plea, between approximately 2020 and 2025, he conspired with Villar and others to receive and purchase stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags, and assorted luxury items that had been stolen and transported into New York. Nezhinskiy and Villar’s operation, which consisted of purchasing stolen property from these crews for cash, provided an essential market for the stolen goods, perpetuating the dangerous criminal activities of the burglary and theft crews composed largely of foreign nationals. Evidence linked Nezhinskiy and Villar to residential and commercial burglaries around the country, including burglaries from at least one professional athlete.
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division and the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Maffei, Katherine P. Onyshko, and Sean M. Sherman are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Special Assistant United States Attorney Marsalla M. King with respect to forfeiture matters.
The Defendants:
DIMITRIY NEZHINSKIY
Age: 44
North Bergen, New JerseyJUAN VILLAR
Age: 48
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-40 (WFK)
Detroit Man Sentenced to over Two Years for Selling Cocaine While on Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Detroit Man Sentenced to Over Two Years for Selling Cocaine While on Federal Supervised Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on April 23, 2026, Terry Dawayne Catchings, 31, of Detroit, Michigan, a/k/a “Biggs” was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 30 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. On March 10, 2026, Catchings pleaded guilty to two charges of distribution of cocaine and cocaine base in December 2025, as well as a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in January 2026. Catchings was still serving a federal sentence of supervised release at the time of the distributions of cocaine in 2025.
According to court records, in a prior case in 2024, Judge William K. Sessions III sentenced Catchings to 18 months of incarceration and a year of supervised release for an offense related to drug distribution in Vermont. At the time, Judge Sessions specifically warned Catchings that if his criminal activity continued, “it’s only a matter of a short time before you get arrested” and “you find yourself in a prison setting for longer and longer periods of time.” While on supervised release from that sentence in December 2025, Catchings was caught selling cocaine and cocaine base in Vermont and was then arrested after returning from New York with over 100 grams of cocaine to sell in Vermont concealed in the fabric ceiling of his car. In imposing sentence today, Judge Lanthier acknowledged the fact that Catchings sold drugs while on supervised release and reminded Catchings of the warning Judge Sessions had given him after his first sentence.First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Vermont Drug Task Force, FBI, Morristown Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Vermont State Police.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill. Catchings was represented by Kevin Henry, Esq.
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.
Department of Justice and United States Attorney Honor Crime Victims and Survivors During 2026 National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa will commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 19–25, 2026.
This year’s NCVRW theme is Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities. The weeklong initiative promotes victims’ rights and honors crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. “This week gives us a chance to thank the people and organizations whose tireless work comforts victims of crime in Iowa, giving them support, life-saving services, and, most importantly, hope,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson.
NCVRW 2026 is commemorated in Iowa with many events across the state, including:
· Sioux City Community Awareness Event: A large gathering at the Sioux City Convention Center featuring 30+ agencies to support survivors and share resources.
· 17th Annual “Go the Distance for Crime Victims” 5K: Held at Thomas Park in Marion to support victims’ costs.
· Iowa Department of Corrections Annual Crime Victims’ Rights Week Commemoration: A presentation honoring deceased crime victims, their loved ones, and those that supported them through the criminal justice system.
Olson also announced winners of awards given to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to crime victims in Iowa. The Award for Victim Services honors individuals or groups working in a victim-service role. The Law Enforcement Victim Services Award is the highest federal honor for victim services presented to law-enforcement officers in Iowa.
Receiving the Victim Services Award is Sarah Harms, victim-witness coordinator of the Statewide Prosecution Section of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. Receiving the Law Enforcement Victim Services Award are Deputy Erin Bennett, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office; Special Agent Holly Witt, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation; and Detective Christopher Wuebker, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.
NCVRW began in 1981 to honor victims and survivors of crime, raise awareness of victims’ rights and services, and recognize the dedication of those who work with crime victims.
For additional information about this year’s NCVRW activities and more ideas on supporting crime victims, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov.
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Davenport Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced on April 22, 2026, to 137 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Ricky Edward Kirk, Jr., 39, fled from officers during an attempted traffic stop in July 2024. During a foot chase Kirk repeatedly reached toward the firearm in his waistband, before being tased and falling to the ground. Officers recovered Kirk’s firearm from the ground after it fell out of his waistband while he was being handcuffed. Kirk has multiple felony convictions, including a 2022 conviction for possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine in the Iowa District Court for Scott County which he was on parole for at the time of this offense.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Kirk will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Convicted murderer already serving life in prison sentenced to additional 35 years for running drug distribution and money laundering operation from state custodyRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Jarvis Matthews has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for his role in leading a multi-million-dollar drug trafficking and money laundering operation from the confines of Calhoun State Prison. After a trial in October 2025, a federal jury found Matthews guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, five counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and money laundering conspiracy. When he committed his federal crimes, Matthews was already serving sentences of life with possible parole for murder and felony murder convictions, following fatal shootings in 2001 and 2002 in Atlanta. The murders occurred during robberies at apartments where Matthews had lured victims expecting to buy tire rims and marijuana.
“This convicted murderer brazenly used contraband cell phones behind prison bars to distribute millions of dollars of illegal drugs in our community and launder drug money for criminal cartels,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “The dogged work by our Homeland Security Task Force team of federal investigators, state officers, and local partners dismantled Matthews’s network and helped ensure the safety of our community.”
“Georgia and the rest of the country is safer now that Jarvis Matthews will be locked away in federal prison, unable to run his vast drug and money laundering operation,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham. “FBI Atlanta will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that career criminals like Matthews and those who conspire with them are brought to justice.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Jarvis Matthews, while imprisoned at Georgia Department of Corrections facilities, used contraband cellphones to coordinate the distribution of illegal drugs at houses in the Cleveland Avenue neighborhood of Atlanta. Matthews directed his fiancée, girlfriends, nephew, and two adult sons to distribute drugs and collect and launder money on his behalf.
In early 2022, FBI agents identified a social media account that Matthews used to facilitate dozens of drug deals. In April of 2022, FBI agents made a controlled purchase of two kilograms of methamphetamine from Matthews through his son Charvis Harris, who previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in this case. Ultimately, the FBI obtained a wiretap on Matthews’s phone and conducted surveillance at one of Matthews’s drug trap houses, which was operated by codefendant Alvin Edwards. With these tools, the FBI was able to apprehend Matthews’s drug customers after they met with Matthews’s sons, Harris and Javaris Mathews, to obtain drugs. Matthews conspired with others, such as codefendant Shabreya Brown, to transport drugs, and codefendant Miriam Modesti, to launder money.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Matthews distributed hundreds of kilograms of illegal drugs in the Atlanta area and laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds, including for drug suppliers in Colombia and California.
On April 21, 2026, U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Geraghty sentenced Jarvis Matthews, 47, of Atlanta, Georgia, to 35 years in federal prison for his role in leading a multi-million-dollar drug trafficking and money laundering operation from the confines of Calhoun State Prison. Judge Geraghty ordered that the federal sentence run consecutively to Matthews’s state sentences of life imprisonment.
The following defendants were previously sentenced in this case:
- Charvis Harris, 22, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Javaris Dasan Mathews, 24, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to six years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
- Alvin Edwards, 53, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
- Miriam Modesti, 53, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Shabreya Brown, 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Johnny Baer and John DeGenova prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is also part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
City Man Sentenced to 11½ Years in Prison for Philadelphia, Upper Darby CarjackingsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Legend Hall, 20, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 138 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and $7,400 in restitution by United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez for committing two armed carjackings.
Hall was charged by superseding indictment in April of last year, in connection with a September 2024 carjacking in West Philadelphia, and charged separately by information with an October 2024 carjacking in Upper Darby, Pa.
In July of last year, Hall entered a plea of guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Jose R. Arteaga to two counts of carjacking and one count of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
As described in the superseding indictment and other public filings, on September 17, 2024, Victim #1 parked on the 300 block of 62nd Street in Philadelphia and reported being immediately approached by three males, later identified by investigators as Hall and co-defendants Kristian Jackson, 20, also of Philadelphia, and Jalaal Claitt, 20, of Atlanta, Georgia.
One of the defendants asked Victim #1 to drive them somewhere. When Victim #1 refused, two of the males took out handguns and told Victim #1 to get out of the car. The three males then got into Victim #1’s black Chevy Malibu and drove off with Victim #1’s iPhone 14 and approximately $500 that was in the car.
As further detailed in court filings, on October 1, 2024, Hall, Claitt, and others placed an order for a pizza delivery at Slices and Moore in Upper Darby. When the delivery driver (Victim #2) attempted to make the delivery, the defendant and others pointed guns at him and took Victim #2’s wallet, phone, car keys, the proceeds of the pizza shop, and the rest of the money that Victim #2 had on him at the time. Hall and the others then jumped into Victim #2’s vehicle and fled the area.
Co-defendant Jackson pleaded guilty to the West Philadelphia carjacking and was sentenced in February to eight and half years in prison. Co-defendant Claitt pleaded guilty to both the West Philadelphia and Upper Darby carjackings and is scheduled to be sentenced in July.
This case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department, with assistance from the Upper Darby Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert E. Eckert and Samantha A. Arena.
Chinese National Arrested at JFK International Airport on Federal Charges for Illegally Photographing Military Aircraft at Nebraska Air Force BaseRead the Press Release
Tianrui Liang, 21, of China, was charged by complaint for conduct related to illegally documenting Air Force planes located at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, announced United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.
Offutt Air Force Base is a key base in the Air Force’s Strategic Command. Liang was allegedly present at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in the days leading up to his visit to the Air Force installation in Nebraska. Liang crossed the Canadian-United States border on March 28, 2026, from Vancouver, Canada, to Washington on a valid B1/B2 visa.
A complaint affidavit filed in the District of Nebraska alleges that Liang drove to New York after being confronted by the FBI in Nebraska. The FBI obtained an arrest warrant for Liang who was subsequently arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
Following Liang’s arrest on April 7, Liang appeared in a federal magistrate court for the Eastern District of New York on the Nebraska federal charge. The magistrate judge released Liang and refused a government request for a stay to allow federal prosecutors in Nebraska to appeal the release to a federal judge in the District of Nebraska. Federal prosecutors in Nebraska then successfully appealed Liang’s release and he was then taken back into federal custody on April 10, 2026, by order of the Chief District Court Judge for the District of Nebraska. Liang is presently in the custody of the United States Marshals Service and is being brought to the District of Nebraska for further proceedings in the case.
“Any individuals who unlawfully attempt to acquire sensitive information about military aircraft located in the District of Nebraska will be held maximumly accountable under federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods.
The criminal complaint is only a charge. Liang has not been convicted and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he is subject to a term of imprisonment of up to 1 year. The investigation into whether more serious charges are implicated by the facts in this case is ongoing. The arrest warrant was pursued to prevent Liang fleeing the country while the investigation was ongoing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donald Kleine and Matt Lierman with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Brendan P. Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Chinese National Arrested at JFK International Airport on Federal Charges for Illegally Photographing Military Aircraft at Nebraska Air Force BaseRead the Press Release
Tianrui Liang, 21, of China, has been charged by complaint for conduct related to illegally documenting Air Force planes located at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, announced United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.
Offutt Air Force Base is a key base in the Air Force’s Strategic Command. Liang was allegedly present at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in the days leading up to his visit to the Air Force installation in Nebraska. Liang crossed the Canadian-United States border on March 28, 2026, from Vancouver, Canada, to Washington on a valid B1/B2 visa.
A complaint affidavit filed in the District of Nebraska alleges that Liang drove to New York after being confronted by the FBI in Nebraska. The FBI obtained an arrest warrant for Liang who was subsequently arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
Following Liang’s arrest on April 7, Liang appeared in a federal magistrate court for the Eastern District of New York on the Nebraska federal charge. The magistrate judge released Liang and refused a government request for a stay to allow federal prosecutors in Nebraska to appeal the release to a federal judge in the District of Nebraska. Federal prosecutors in Nebraska then successfully appealed Liang’s release and he was then taken back into federal custody on April 10, 2026, by order of the Chief District Court Judge for the District of Nebraska. Liang is presently in the custody of the United States Marshals Service and is being brought to the District of Nebraska for further proceedings in the case.
“Any individuals who unlawfully attempt to acquire sensitive information about military aircraft located in the District of Nebraska will be held maximumly accountable under federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods.
The criminal complaint is only a charge. Liang has not been convicted and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he is subject to a term of imprisonment of up to 1 year. The investigation into whether more serious charges are implicated by the facts in this case is ongoing. The arrest warrant was pursued to prevent Liang fleeing the country while the investigation was ongoing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donald Kleine and Matt Lierman with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Brendan P. Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
California Men Charged with Trafficking Controlled Substances in Cumberland CountyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jonathan Martinez, age 28, and Christopher Martinez, age 25, both from Adelanto, California, were charged in a criminal information with drug-trafficking offenses, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the Information alleges that on or about October 6, 2025, Jonathan and Christopher Martinez possessed with intent to distribute five kilograms and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, also a Schedule II controlled substance.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney K. Wesley Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalties upon conviction are life imprisonment, as well as a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and the imposition of a special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by a court after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Information only contain allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Burlington Man Sentenced to over 25 Years in Federal Prison for Meth ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man was sentenced on April 21, 2026, to 310 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Jason Lee Ringold, also known as “Ringo,” 47, sold over 600 grams of methamphetamine in the Burlington area between April and June 2024. Ringold displayed a gun and threatened one of his customers during a drug transaction. In 1999, Ringold was convicted in federal court for a drug conspiracy involving the manufacture of methamphetamine.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Ringold will be required to serve a ten-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Burlington Police Department investigated the case.
Browning man sentenced to over 15 years in prison for multiple assaultsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Browning man who over a three-year period separately assaulted 2 different individuals and sexually abused a woman was sentenced today to 188 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
A jury found Kevin James Trombley, 28, guilty of one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in October 2025.
A separate jury found him guilty of one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence in March 2026.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents and at trial in October 2025 that in June 2022, Trombley and Jane Doe were both at a house party outside Browning at the home of mutual family members. Late that night as the rest of the house slept, and while Doe was trying to make her way to bed, she encountered Trombley in the kitchen. There, he used force against Doe, pushed her into the bathroom, and engaged in non-consensual sex. Doe escaped the bathroom and immediately reported the assault.
Law enforcement officers responded to the scene and interviewed Trombley. He denied having any contact with Jane Doe, then recanted and admitted being in the bathroom with her but only for a moment. He denied having any sexual contact with her.
In July 2023, Jane Doe’s father saw Trombley at a rodeo in Browning, Montana. He approached him and told him something to the effect that he was going to prison for what he did. Trombley assaulted Jane Doe’s father, hitting him so hard he sustained a head injury and required a medical procedure to repair the injuries to his face.
The government alleged in court documents and at trial in March 2026 that John Doe was drinking with friends and family in the late hours of March 22, 2024, and early hours of March 23. Early in the morning on March 23, Trombley and some friends entered the same residence without permission.
Once inside, a fight broke out between Doe, Trombley, and others. After the fight caused damage, the homeowner ordered everyone to leave and grabbed a pellet gun to make her point.
The fight migrated outside into the driveway that abuts the house. Trombley retreated to his truck that was parked on the street. Doe, meanwhile, stood in the driveway. According to witnesses, Doe was unarmed and had his hands up, saying something to the effect of, “What are we going to do?”
At that point, Trombley—who was seated in the driver’s seat of his truck—leaned across the passenger seat and fired a gun through the truck’s window. The shot hit Doe in the abdomen, and he fell to the ground. Trombley fled in his truck. Doe was taken to Blackfeet Community Hospital before he was transferred to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, where he underwent surgery for injuries to his internal organs. Law enforcement spoke with several witnesses who identified Trombley as the shooter.
Law enforcement went to a residence in search of Trombley. They found him sleeping in a back bedroom, and they found a Smith & Wesson 40 caliber pistol—later confirmed to have been purchased by Trombley—between the box spring and the mattress on which he slept. When Trombley’s truck was later searched, officers found a spent shell casing on the passenger side floorboard. When law enforcement interviewed Trombley, he did not deny being at the party but denied knowing how Doe was shot.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the cases. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Billings man sentenced to over 13 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamineRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Billings man who distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine was sentenced today to 168 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
Vincent Lee Bell, 33, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in August of 2025, law enforcement learned from a confidential source that Bell was distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine in Billings. On August 28, 2024, utilizing a confidential source, law enforcement arranged a purchase of methamphetamine from Bell. Bell sold the confidential source 154.1 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On September 20, 2024, law enforcement conducted a second controlled purchase using a confidential source. Bell sold the source 102.3 grams of actual methamphetamine.
After his arrest, law enforcement searched Bell’s vehicle and seized an additional 582.4 grams of actual methamphetamine.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.
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Armed Career Criminal Who Shot His Kneeling Victim in the Chest Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Today, Aaron Height, an armed career criminal, was sentenced to twenty-five years in federal prison on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm, after shooting an innocent man in the chest, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced. According to court records, this shooting was part of a crime spree committed by Height over a six-week period between late 2022 and early 2023 during which Height also shot into one home three separate times, hitting a resident in the head, and shot into another home once.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Detroit Field Division, Chief Todd Bettison, Detroit Police Department, and Chief Davis Nelson, Detroit Fire Department.
Height’s shooting spree began when, in October 2022, he shot into a home, hitting a resident in the head. Two months later, Height shot into the same home on two additional occasions. After the third shooting, Height was arrested by Detroit Police officers later that day when a traffic stop resulted in police finding a firearm in Height’s car. The state court system granted Height a bond with a tether and house arrest. But Height violated this bond by threatening a witness to the house shooting. After a state court hearing, Height was again released on bond.
Just two days later, Height got into an argument with a man over a pair of shoes and struck the man in the head with a liquor bottle. Height then poured Comet household cleaner into the victim’s head wound and ordered the victim and an eyewitness to their knees at gunpoint. Height then shot the victim in the chest and fled on foot. The victim suffered life-threatening and permanent life-altering injuries but survived. Height was arrested and, inexplicably, given bond again with a tether and house arrest. The case against him was eventually dismissed by the state but later adopted for federal prosecution which led to his federal conviction and sentencing today.
Height has an extensive and violent criminal history spanning from 1998 to 2023. He has convictions for felonious assault, assault and/or battery, arson, and unarmed robbery. He also has multiple convictions for property-related crimes and four convictions for drug crimes.
“The failure to keep vicious criminals off the street has led to notorious murders in Charlotte and Chicago. The same failure happened here. This defendant spent decades committing crimes and hurting people and a state court still set this menace free to terrorize us. But thanks to the hard work of Detroit Police, the ATF, and my office, this man will spend the next 25 years in a federal prison,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
“Height is a poster child for ATF’s mission, to protect the public. Height was an urban terrorist who, freely roamed the streets of Detroit and preyed upon our community members. He habitually harmed Detroit residents with senseless acts of gun violence —firing into homes, ambushing residents, torturing victims, and nearly killing a man,” said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “With today’s sentence, the message is clear: Shooters beware - ATF and its partners are coming for you with one-way tickets on the accountability train destined for an extended stay in Federal prison. ATF and our law enforcement partners are relentless in taking violent offenders like Aaron Heights off our streets and out of our Michigan communities.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction with the Detroit Police Department and Detroit Fire Department. The case is being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew R. Picek and Ranya Elzein.
Antitrust Division Approves Department of Energy Defense Production Act Consortium’s Updated Voluntary Agreement and Plans of ActionRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, after consulting with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), published approvals for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Defense Production Act (DPA) Consortium’s updated Voluntary Agreement and related Plans of Action.
“The Defense Production Act is a powerful tool for addressing issues related to our nation’s defense and preparedness programs. We look forward to working with our DOE colleagues to achieve the DPA Consortium’s goals of energy independence and reliable access to fuel America’s energy dominance,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We applaud the domestic nuclear energy companies involved in the DPA Consortium for their efforts to assist the United States in strengthening the nuclear industrial base while staying within the bounds of antitrust law.”
“The Consortium’s work comes at a pivotal time for nuclear energy growth in our country,” said Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish. “I’m pleased with the dedication of the Committee and am looking forward to rapid progress on near term goals to achieve a robust American-made supply of nuclear fuel.”
In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base, these agreements between U.S. nuclear energy companies take affirmative steps to increase domestic fuel availability, provide increased access to reliable power, and end America’s reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium and critical materials. The agreements will allow America’s domestic industry to work together to ensure that the capacity for the nuclear fuel supply chain – including mining and milling, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fabrication, recycling and reprocessing – is available to enable the continued reliable operation of the nation’s reactors.
DPA Section 708 authorizes industry to enter into agreements necessary to meet national defense requirements. There is a limited antitrust defense available for actions taken to develop or carry out these approved agreements. The Justice Department will be leading efforts with FTC and DOE to continue to monitor the DOE DPA Consortium in its implementation of the approved Voluntary Agreement and Plans of Action.
For more information, please visit DOE’s DPA Consortium project page.
An Ivorian national has been extradited from France to the United States to face charges in the Eastern District of Texas related to a $14 million fraud scheme targeting travel agenciesRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A national of Côte d’Ivoire has been extradited to the United States to face charges in the Eastern District of Texas related to a $14 million fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Christian Marviv Ble, 39, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud; wire fraud; and unauthorized use of an access device. Ble arrived in the United States from France on April 21, 2026, and is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The three-count indictment alleges that Ble and his associates utilized an email phishing scheme to target victim travel agencies with deceptive emails. They sent emails claiming to be from the company that handles airline reservations for the travel agencies, stating there was a security update that required their login credentials. The emails included links to fake websites that closely resembled the real reservation company’s login page. When the travel agency employees entered their information, their credentials were stolen. The group then used the stolen credentials to access the legitimate reservation system and book airline tickets, charging the costs to the travel agencies’ accounts. In total, the scheme caused about $14 million in losses to approximately 430 travel agencies.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of 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.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs secured the arrest and extradition from France of Ble.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Alleged shooter who posted videos on social media faces federal chargesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 36-year-old Michigan man known as Allstar JR, who allegedly opened fire at a Houston restaurant, is now in custody for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Jeremy Christopher Ford made his initial appearance in Detroit, Michigan. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing set for April 27.
Ford allegedly possessed a handgun during a shooting April 8 at a restaurant on Kirby Drive in Houston. According to the criminal complaint, authorities responded to reports of a shooting in progress and discovered two gunshot victims at the scene. Court documents allege gunfire also struck a third person.
The charges allege Ford was involved in a confrontation with several individuals inside the restaurant, during which a handgun fell to the floor. Ford picked it up and began firing as people fled, according to the allegations. He allegedly continued shooting as individuals ran towards an elevator but returned to where one victim lay motionless on the ground and fired additional rounds into that individual.
Law enforcement located a handgun Ford allegedly hid at the scene before fleeing, according to the charges.
The complaint also alleges Ford later posted multiple videos on social media referencing and taunting individuals involved in the altercation and released a music video that referred to the shooting.
Court documents further allege Ford has a prior felony conviction. As such, federal law prohibits him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
If convicted of these charges, Ford faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance of Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keri L. Fuller is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
A-Town Trinitarios Gang Members Charged with Racketeering, Assault, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, and United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York, Ricky J. Patel, announced today the unsealing of a seven-count Indictment charging two individuals, ALEJANDRO COLON, a/k/a “Ale,” and OSCAR OLIVENCIA, a/k/a “Jon-O,” a/k/a “Young O,” with federal crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, and firearms offenses. The defendants are charged for their roles in the “A-Town” set of the Trinitarios street gang and associated acts of violence, including a shooting on February 7, 2023, in the Bronx where COLON and OLIVENCIA, acting together, shot at multiple people, resulting in gunshot wounds to two victims. In a coordinated operation, COLON was arrested last night and OLIVENCIA was arrested this morning. Both defendants will be presented later this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
“As alleged, Oscar Olivencia and Alejandro Colon were members of the A-Town Trinitarios who shot at three individuals outside a restaurant in the Bronx, seriously injuring two of them,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Gang violence is a threat to the safety and security of our neighborhoods, and together with our law enforcement partners, the women and men of this Office will continue to work relentlessly to give New Yorkers what they want and deserve: safe neighborhoods free from the terror of gun violence.”
“These alleged members of the ‘A-Town’ Trinitarios crew used gun violence to further their illicit operations, shooting two people and putting many more Tremont residents at risk,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Today’s indictment underscores the NYPD’s focus on taking down gangs, removing guns, and keeping our communities safe. I thank our NYPD detectives for their hard work on this case and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for its partnership in holding these criminals accountable.”
“The alleged actions committed by these two brazen defendants endangered our communities and required precision in our law enforcement operations to safely take them off of our streets to face justice,” said U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York, Ricky J. Patel. “The United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners’ unwavering commitment to ensure neighborhoods are safe made that a reality.”
As alleged in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court and based on statements made in public court proceedings:[1]
“A-Town” is a criminal organization based in the Tremont neighborhood of the Bronx and affiliated with the Trinitarios. Since at least 2018, its members and associates have engaged in narcotics trafficking, the use of firearms, and numerous acts of violence against rival gang members. A-Town members have also participated in various fraudulent schemes, including stealing checks from mailboxes and altering and cashing them.
On or about February 7, 2023, COLON and OLIVENCIA confronted an individual (“Victim-1”) outside a Bronx restaurant over money Victim-1 owed OLIVENCIA from the sale of stolen checks. As the encounter escalated, COLON brandished a firearm, and OLIVENCIA drew his own firearm and fired two shots—one striking a nearby bystander (“Victim-2”) and the other striking Victim-1. As COLON and OLIVENCIA fled, another individual (“Victim-3”) produced a firearm and fired at them. COLON returned fire in Victim-3’s direction.
COLON brandishing firearm
Firearms recovered
OLIVENCIA firing his firearm into the crowd
* * *
A chart containing the names, charges, and minimum and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative efforts of the NYPD and thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the NYPD Intelligence Division’s Intelligence Analysis Unit for their assistance.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent Organizations and Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Ly and Dominic A. Gentile are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
ChargeDefendantsMinimum and Maximum PenaltiesCount One
Racketeering Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
ALEJANDRO COLON
OSCAR OLIVENCIA
Maximum: 20 years in prisonCount Two
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and (a)(6), and 2
ALEJANDRO COLON
OSCAR OLIVENCIA
Maximum: 20 years in prisonCount Three
Firearms Offense
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), and 2
ALEJANDRO COLON
OSCAR OLIVENCIA
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: 10 years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
Count Four
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2
ALEJANDRO COLON
OSCAR OLIVENCIA
Maximum: 20 years in prisonCount Five
Firearms Offense
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), and 2
ALEJANDRO COLON
OSCAR OLIVENCIA
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: 10 years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
Count Six
Attempted Murder, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Attempted Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), (a)(6), and 2
ALEJANDRO COLON
OSCAR OLIVENCIA
Maximum: 20 years in prisonCount Seven
Firearms Offense
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), and 2
ALEJANDRO COLON
OSCAR OLIVENCIA
Maximum: Life in prison
Minimum: 10 years in prison, which must be consecutive to any other term imposed
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
5 Indicted including SCDC Inmate for $1.1M Wire Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a 13-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging five individuals with wire fraud, aiding and abetting, and destruction of records related to PPP loans.
- Joshua Maiden, 42, an inmate currently incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections
- Julie Connelly, 36, of Milford, Delaware
- Crystal Adams, 48, of Harrington, Delaware
- Jillian Brooks, 38, of Dover, Delaware
- Tessa Hess, 43, of Murrells Inlet, S.C.
The indictment alleges that from January to December 2021, the defendants engaged in a scheme to apply for PPP loans pursuant to the CARES Act, a program through which taxpayers provided relief to businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. In applying for the loans, Maiden, Connelly, Adams, and Brooks each falsely represented that they owned businesses that were eligible for PPP loans and subsequent loan forgiveness. However, the investigation revealed the defendants did not own the businesses they claimed in their PPP applications, and the documentation submitted in support of the loans was fraudulent. Maiden falsely claimed that he owned a landscaping business through which he earned more than $84,000 in revenue the previous year, and he collected a portion of his co-defendant’s fraudulent loans, all while being a state prisoner. The indictment further alleges that Hess possessed identification-making equipment used in the scheme and attempted to destroy the equipment when the FBI requested that she surrender it to authorities.
In total, the defendants are alleged to have applied for fraudulent PPP loans totaling $1,182,832.
Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment per count of conviction. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned before the Honorable Thomas E. Rogers, III on May 5.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
43 Mexican Mafia Gangsters Arrested on Indictments Alleging Racketeering, Drug Trafficking, Kidnapping, Assault, and MurderRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – Twenty-five members and associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang were arrested today on three federal indictments charging them with committing scores of crimes in Orange County, including kidnapping, extortion, trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, running illegal gambling businesses, and murdering a victim last year at a gang-controlled Anaheim motel.
The defendants arrested this morning include:
- Jaime Alvarado, 42, a.k.a. “Junior” and “Brian Barbas,” of Lake Elsinore;
- Karina Cesena, 32, also of Lake Elsinore; and
- Mario Flores, 40, a.k.a. “Happy,” of Anaheim.
Senior gang members already in state custody who are expected to make their initial appearances and be arraigned in the coming weeks include:
- Luis Cardenas, 48, a.k.a. “Gangster,” “Pops” and “Tio,” an inmate at Ironwood State Prison;
- Jose Antonio Ochoa Madrigal, 41, a.k.a. “Sparky,” of Santa Ana, who incarcerated in an Orange County jail.
“Gang members who murder, extort, kidnap, and traffic drugs and firearms are a menace to our communities and our way of life,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Today’s arrests highlight the continuing cooperation between federal and local law enforcement against violent felons and our unyielding determination to crack down on organized crime in our prisons and our streets.”
“The defendants accused of operating their own ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ in Orange County by peddling illicit drugs and carrying out assault and murders, among other crimes, are being held accountable today,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. “Orange County communities should be proud of their law enforcement professionals whose hard work and devotion to this case made the streets of Orange County safer today.”
“This type of criminal activity has a direct impact on our neighborhoods and our residents,” said Anaheim Police Chief Manny Cid. “Through strong partnerships, we will continue to identify, disrupt, and hold those responsible accountable.”
“These arrests send a clear message: Organized crime and violence will not be tolerated in Santa Ana,” said Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez. “Through strong partnerships with local and federal counterparts, we will continue to target those who threaten the safety and well-being of our communities.”
Fifteen defendants arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances and be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. Ten defendants arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances and be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles. Twelve additional defendants are in state custody and are expected to make their initial appearances in United States District Court in Santa Ana in the coming weeks.
In connection with this investigation, law enforcement has seized four kilograms (8.8 pounds) of fentanyl, 54.4 kilograms (120 pounds) of methamphetamine, 0.9 kilogram (two pounds) of heroin, three kilograms (6.6 pounds) of cocaine, 25 firearms, and more than $30,000 in cash.
The Mexican Mafia, a.k.a. “La Eme,” is a U.S.-based prison gang that has immense control over Hispanic street gangs in Southern California, directing illegal activities from prisons and collecting a portion of the proceeds from drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and other crimes committed on the streets.
The case’s main indictment charges 40 defendants with a series of felonies, including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, trafficking narcotics such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, and using firearms during a crime of violence.
According to this 66-count indictment, from June 2024 to April 2026, Cardenas oversaw the Mexican Mafia’s criminal activities in Orange County and within Orange County jail and prison facilities. Alvarado, Cesena, Madrigal, and Flores held the position of high-ranking associates for Cardenas.
From his prison cell, Cardenas used an encrypted messaging application on contraband cell phones to direct Alvarado in the operation of the Mexican Mafia’s activities in Orange County.
Cardenas directed others to kidnap and assault people in bad standing with him, and Alvarado, Cesena, and others carried out his directions. Defendants operating for the Mexican Mafia shot at and assaulted victims.
The gang also sold narcotics – including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine – via slap houses (illegal gambling houses), gangs, and drug dealers in Orange County.
It ran illegal gambling businesses within commercial strip malls and private residences. The gang collected extortionate taxes and provided security, including the use of violence, to protect the illegal gambling businesses.
Alvarado oversaw gang-controlled motels and, along with Cesena, directed violent retaliation against slap houses that did not pay the gang’s extortionate “taxes.”
On February 3, 2025, Matthew Kundrat, 29, a.k.a. “Bubba,” of Anaheim, and Manuel Ramos, 45, a.k.a. “Rhino,” of Santa Ana, murdered a victim at the Akua Inn, a gang-controlled motel in Anaheim. Kundrat and Ramos committed the murder for the purpose of gaining entrance to the Mexican Mafia and increasing their standing in the criminal enterprise.
Both Kundrat and Ramos are charged with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and, if convicted, would face a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison and would be eligible for the death penalty.
On March 14, 2025, Cardenas, Alvarado, Flores, and Cesena directed the kidnapping and assault of a victim who was an employee at a Cardenas-controlled slap house in Stanton. The penalty for kidnapping is life in federal prison.
Alvarado and Cesena stored methamphetamine and firearms at a storage unit in Orange County as well as at local private residences.
“When criminal organizations attempt to hide their profits behind violence, intimidation, and complex cash-based networks, IRS Criminal Investigation will uncover the truth,” said Darren Lian, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Our agents followed the money through drug trafficking revenues, extortion schemes, and illegal gambling operations that fueled this enterprise’s power. By tracing and dismantling these financial pipelines, we cut directly into the organization’s ability to operate. IRS CI remains committed to protecting our communities by attacking the financial infrastructure that supports organized crime, no matter how deeply it is embedded.”
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, the defendants would face decades in federal prison.
The FBI; the Anaheim Police Department; the Santa Ana Police Department; the Fullerton Police Department; IRS Criminal Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; and United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Scally, Caitlin Campbell, and Erin Kiss of the Orange County Office are prosecuting this case.
22 April 2026
“F.R.A.U.D. is dope” podcaster sentenced to federal prison againRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Multi-convicted fraudster Jonathan Dupiton has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for using stolen identities to obtain millions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits.
“During the pandemic, while citizens were struggling with job loss and trying to make ends meet, Dupiton stole unemployment benefits by submitting false applications using hundreds of stolen identities,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “His sentence underscores that anyone who seeks to exploit taxpayer-funded programs will be aggressively prosecuted and face substantial prison time.”
“Jonathan Dupiton orchestrated a brazen scheme to steal millions in unemployment benefits using the stolen identities of innocent victims, all while already serving a sentence for fraud,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “At a time when Americans were facing unprecedented financial hardship, he chose to exploit a critical safety net for personal gain. The FBI remains committed to identifying and holding accountable those who abuse public assistance programs and undermine trust in systems designed to help those in need.”
“Jonathan Dupiton stole identities and filed hundreds of fraudulent claims to steal nearly $3 million in unemployment benefits meant for struggling Americans, said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. His sentencing sends a strong message: if you exploit federal programs and steal from taxpayers, my office will relentlessly pursue you. We work hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners and have zero tolerance for fraud. We will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”
“Dupiton’s fraud stole critical unemployment benefits from Americans who needed them most,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Maisha Horton, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS CI special agents remain vigilant in protecting taxpayer dollars and will continue to hold accountable those who exploit public programs for personal gain.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In 2020, while completing a federal sentence at a halfway house for a previous fraud conviction that targeted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Jonathan Dupiton, a podcaster, organized a multi-million dollar fraud scheme that targeted California’s Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) benefits program. The scheme began at least by July 2020 and continued into early 2021.
The UI program was a joint state and federal program that provided temporary financial assistance to lawful workers who were unemployed through no fault of their own. Beginning in or about March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several federal programs expanded UI eligibility and increased UI benefits, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, and the Lost Wages Assistance Program. In California, the Employment Development Department (“CA-EDD”), based in Sacramento, California, administered the UI program.
Dupiton, whose motto was “F.R.A.U.D. is Dope” (acronym for “Finally Rich After Unstoppable Determination”), obtained stolen identities of hundreds of unwitting individuals. He and his conspirators used this information to electronically submit false and fraudulent UI applications to the CA-EDD via the internet, using a virtual private network (“VPN”). The VPN helped encrypt data and masked the actual originating Internet Protocol address, thereby concealing the computer used to submit the fraudulent UI applications and delaying detection by law enforcement.
After UI claims were approved, Dupiton and his conspirators updated the claimants’ information to add mailing addresses in the Northern District of Georgia, including Dupiton’s own address, for the delivery of debit cards containing the UI benefits. After the debit cards were received, Dupiton and others went to ATMs, mostly located in the metro-Atlanta area, and withdrew the fraudulently obtained funds. In total, the CA-EDD was duped into electronically transferring approximately $3,800,000 in UI benefits. Dupiton and his conspirators subsequently withdrew or otherwise spent more than $2 million of the fraudulently obtained funds.
On April 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge Victoria M. Calvert sentenced Jonathan Dupiton, 36, of Atlanta, Georgia, to seven years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Dupiton will be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a future hearing. Dupiton pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft on January 13, 2026.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracia M. King prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
York County Man Indicted for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Vuiller, age 38, of York, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on child exploitation charges.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that between 2022 and 2025, Vuiller knowingly received dozens of images and videos containing the sexual exploitation of children. The indictment further alleges that Vuiller possessed several devices that contained child pornography depicting the exploitation of prepubescent children and children younger than 12 years of age.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen W. Dukes 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 these offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 5 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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USAO-KS marks National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser of the District of Kansas champions National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), an initiative to raise awareness about the importance of providing crime victims with resources and support. Since 1981, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime has designated this time to challenge the nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for victims of crime. The theme for 2026 is:
While NCVRW applies to all victims of crime, U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser is drawing added attention to those victims whose images were used to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) either as actual images or through generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). USAO-KS wants the public to know that federal, state, and local agencies are actively working to bring those who produce, share and/or possess CSAM before a court of law.“Whether the image is real or fake, creating, sharing, and possessing CSAM is a crime. It’s our job to prosecute these offenses, and we will work diligently so that the people engaging in this behavior are convicted and sentenced to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser.
U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser speaks during a press conference in Kansas City, Kansas.USAO-KS is committed to educating the public about the legal parameters surrounding the use of GenAI. In 2025, Congress passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act to protect victims from the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated digital forgeries. This Act includes enhanced criminal penalties when the victim is a minor.
“When it comes to the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes, our office is filing an increasing number of cases against defendants under the age of 25,” said Kriegshauser. “We are encouraging parents to talk to their teenagers and young adult children so that they understand this behavior is not a joke. It’s a felony.”
This week, U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser gave interviews warning of the dangers of CSAM on morning talk radio shows in Wichita and Kansas City. The USAO-KS also held a joint press conference with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) in Kansas City, Kansas. The topics included trends in the numbers of CSAM cases reported to law enforcement and sextortion. Sextortion is when an online predator coaxes victims into providing sexually explicit content then blackmails them by threatening to share this content with the public.
“Thousands of FBI agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff work daily to combat the threat of child exploitation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Berkebile of the FBI-Kansas City Office. “Collectively, these crimes contribute to one of the most pervasive and urgent problems facing our world today: children being targeted and abused online. We must all work together to stop it. What we do, and how we teach our children to recognize and avoid this danger, will make all the difference.”
U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser also voiced a public service announcement on NCVRW that was sent to college radio stations throughout Kansas.
Here are some resources that parents and other trusted adults can use to help protect our children from predators.
- https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect/training
- https://icactaskforce.org/OCEPI#:~:text=The%20Online%20Child%20Exploitation%20Prevention,online%20sexual%20exploitation%20and%20abuse.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Joins Partners in Recognizing 45th Annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 19-25, 2026Read the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— Every April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor crime victims, promote their rights, and recognize victim advocates. This year’s observance, the 45th annual commemoration, takes place April 19-25, 2026, with the theme: “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office joins its federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners in taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of providing necessary services at the earliest possible stages of victimization, investigations, and prosecutions. Early intervention helps prevent further victimization and encourages victim involvement in the criminal justice system, mitigating the cycle of violence and restoring hope for the future.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to protect the rights of crime victims,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “My office will continue to vigorously advocate for crime victims and ensure justice is sought on their behalf.”
Over the last several months, the District of Oregon has prosecuted a number of victim-focused cases including:
- United States v. Hugo Gomez-Soto: A federal jury in Portland found Hugo Gomez-Soto guilty for distributing fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose death of a Portland, Oregon, man.
- United States v. Javier Francisco Vigil: Javier Francisco Vigil pleaded guilty on the second day of trial to attempted murder of a police officer, robbery, and felon in possession of a firearm (Armed Career Criminal Act) related to an armed robbery of the Wildhorse Resort and Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in 2022.
- United States v. Misael Flores Ramirez: Misael Flores Ramirez was sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting multiple minors online and receiving sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victims.
- United States v. Daniel Andrew McGee: Daniel Andrew McGee was sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for a federal hate crime after assaulting a victim on the basis of their sexual orientation.
- United States v. Eric Lamont Harris: Eric Lamont Harris pleaded guilty on day four of his jury trial and was sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison for sex trafficking three minors.
- United States v. Steven Daniel Griswold: Steven Daniel Griswold was sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for ordering live-streamed child sexual abuse material from child sex traffickers in the Philippines in exchange for money.
- United States v. Michael Cambalik: Michael Cambalik was sentenced to over 33 years in federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor after he directed the minor victim to send him child sexual abuse material.
- United States v. Harold Charley: Harold Charley was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually abusing two minors on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
- United States v. Kenneth Green: Kenneth Green was sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for ordering live-streamed child sexual abuse and traveling to the Philippines to engage in illicit sexual activity while working as a firefighter for the Lake Oswego Fire Department.
Additionally, in the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Oregon has collected more than $20 million through criminal and civil actions, much of which is used to pay restitution to victims and to fund federal and state victim compensation and assistance programs.
During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local, and tribal agencies host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services.
OVC and U.S. Attorney’s Offices encourage widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year. For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to assist victims in your community, please visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov. For ongoing updates from OVC and ideas for how you can support crime victims throughout the year, please subscribe to OVC’s email notifications at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/subscribe/.
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe you have been the target or victim of a crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency or your nearest FBI field office immediately. The FBI Portland Field Office can be reached at (503) 224-4181 or by submitting tips online at tips.fbi.gov.
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito Encourages Participation in DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026Read the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito is encouraging West Virginians to take advantage of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s latest National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
From 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., more than three dozen collection sites throughout the Southern District of West Virginia will accept old, unwanted, and expired prescription medications for free and anonymous disposal. Collection site locations are available at www.DEATakeBack.com.
“Unused prescription drugs don’t just sit in a cabinet — they become a gateway to abuse, addiction, and tragedy,” Capito said. “Taking a few minutes to dispose of them properly is one of the simplest, most effective steps we can take to protect our families, safeguard our communities, and save lives.”
Law enforcement and other collection site partners will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, is the 30th DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This event has removed more than 20.4 million pounds (10,200 tons) of medication from circulation since its inception.
More information is available at www.DEATakeBack.com.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
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Towson Attorney Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud for Role in Real Estate SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man pled guilty in federal court, today, to bank-fraud charges in connection with a real-estate scheme.
Jacob Rappaport, 41, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Rappaport, an attorney, represented Alexander Schultz, 31, formerly of Pikesville, Maryland and Schultz’s company, Limitless Management — a company that bought, sold, and managed real estate in Maryland — on various real estate transactions.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Edwin Bonano, Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), Southeast Region; and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Pittano, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Mid-Atlantic Region.
According to court documents, in January 2020, Coventry Realty, LLC, an organization controlled by Schultz and others, purchased Coventry Manor, a Baltimore apartment complex, for $5.5 million. Then in March 2021, Coventry Realty, LLC obtained a new loan from Bank B for approximately $6.2 million for Coventry Manor.
In December 2021, Schultz and others agreed to sell Coventry Manor to Buyer #1. According to the agreement, Buyer #1 would assume the Bank B loan instead of seeking new financing. Rappaport, acting on behalf of Limitless Management, prepared two separate contracts for sale.
The first contract given to Bank B reflected that Buyer #1 was purchasing Coventry Manor from Coventry Realty for $7.8 million. Rappaport also drafted a side agreement that he did not disclose to Bank B.
In this side agreement, which Schultz and Buyer #1’s representative signed, it listed Coventry Manor’s true purchasing price as approximately $6.9 million. It also stated that Coventry Realty would provide approximately $847,619.05 in “seller credits” to account for the difference between the fake purchase price of $7.8 million and the actual purchase price of $6.9 million. Rappaport prepared both the $7.8 million contract of sale and the separate $6.9 million agreement.
Rappaport participated in conversations with Schultz, and others to plan the scheme. Additionally, when the attorney who initially represented Buyer #1 indicated that he would not participate in the scheme, Rappaport assisted in identifying a different lawyer who would participate in the fraud scheme.
Prior to settlement, Rappaport and his co-conspirators determined that only $512,251.12 of the agreed upon seller credits should appear on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement as concessions from the seller to the buyer. The co-conspirators agreed to reflect a fictitious “Reno Credit,” for $85,000 on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement to lower the amount owed by Buyer #1 at closing. Bank B was unaware that Rappaport agreed to hold $335,367.93 in his attorney trust account for the purpose of concealing from the bank where the funds would eventually go, namely back to Buyer #1.
On April 14, 2022, Coventry Realty completed the settlement to execute the sale. As agreed upon, the HUD-1 Settlement Statement reflected a fraudulent sale price of $7.8 million, fraudulent a “Reno Credit” of $85,000, and a $335,367.93 “seller fee” that was paid to the law firm where Rappaport was employed.
Settlement Company A initiated a wire transfer to Rappaport’s attorney trust account for $351,617.93. As a result of this transaction, Rappaport received a $16,250 payment. Then on April 19, Rappaport’s attorney trust account initiated a $335,367.93 wire transfer to Buyer #1’s company, which the lender thought was the “seller fee,” payable to Rappaport’s law firm.
Additionally, Rapport negotiated contracts for Shultz and other co-conspirators in connection with a residential homes wholesaling scheme. Through the scheme, Schultz and his co-conspirators identified homes for sale under market value and then placed contracts on these residences. Schultz and others only owned the homes for a short period of time, sometimes for less than a day, and then sold the properties to a third-party buyer at or near market value.
In September 2021, Schultz and other co-conspirators identified 42 residential homes in Baltimore. Rappaport assisted Schultz and the other co-conspirators by negotiating a contract sales price of $87,500 per home or $3,675,000 collectively. As part of the scheme, the homes were sold to Buyer #2 for $112,500 per home or $4,725,000 collectively. Then the co-conspirators agreed to fraudulently inflate the purchase price to $165,000 per home or $6,930,000 collectively. Lender A did not know the true purchase price was $112,500 per home.
On December 9, 2021, the 42 residential homes were purchased for $3,675,000 and then sold to Buyer #2 on the same day for $6,930,000. The HUD-1 Settlement Statement reflected that Buyer #2 provided $1,931,545.96 as a down payment that came from a third-party not affiliated with the transaction, but Lender A believed the funds came from Buyer #2. The co-conspirators, including Schultz, received $2,921,604.09 from the sale that went to Rappaport’s attorney trust account in order to conceal from Lender A the true sales price and the source of the down payment. After settlement, approximately $2 million was wired by Rappaport from his attorney trust account back to the unaffiliated third party. As a result of this transaction, Rappaport received $5,500.
Rappaport faces a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. 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. Sentencing is set for Tuesday, June 23, at 10 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, FHFA-OIG, and FDIC-OIG for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean R. Delaney who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Texas Woman Sentenced for Fentanyl Distribution in Southern New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Texas woman has been sentenced for her role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl into southern New Mexico.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, between January 24, 2024, and February 7, 2025, Mayra Mendivil, 37, participated in a drug trafficking organization operating between Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and southern New Mexico. During the investigation, Mendivil coordinated and completed multiple controlled sales of fentanyl to an undercover agent.
Specifically, on January 24, 2024, Mendivil sold approximately 328 grams of fentanyl for $3,000. On February 28, 2024, she sold approximately 205 grams of fentanyl for $1,000. On February 7, 2025, Mendivil sold approximately 280 grams of fentanyl for $3,000.
Mendivil pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and three counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to time served. Upon her release from prison, she will be subject to two years of supervised release.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez prosecuted the case.
Tacoma grocery store owner indicted for food stamp fraud schemeRead the Press Release
Tacoma – The 64-year-old owner of a small Tacoma market was arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma for multiple counts of wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Manjit Bedi, of Kent, Washington, pleaded not guilty in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa L. Fricke. Trial is scheduled for June 22, 2026, in front of U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright.
“Every assistance dollar lost to fraud, is a dollar that could be feeding hungry children,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “This crime steals from taxpayers -- including our most needy, cutting the dollars they have for food. We are committed to rooting out such fraud so that federal dollars go to where they are most needed.”
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.
According to the indictment, Bedi owned and operated a small grocery store in Tacoma. In February 2024, the store was authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits – formerly known as food stamps. The indictment alleges that beginning in March 2024, Bedi agreed to provide SNAP recipients with cash in exchange for the money loaded on their electronic benefits card (EBT). For example, Bedi would charge $200 against a recipient’s EBT card, providing $100 in cash to the recipient and keeping the other $100 as profit. The indictment alleges Bedi pocketed at least $600,000 in SNAP benefits for food items that were never sold.
Both wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud are punishable by up to twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the FBI, and the Washington State Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Victoria Cantore.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief U.S. District Court Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. The sentencing took place on April 20, 2026.
Milton Galicia-Vasquez was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Galicia-Vasquez was indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering by a federal grand jury in March 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 2, 2026.
Investigators learned that Galicia-Vasquez was involved with a drug trafficking organization that obtained methamphetamine in Omaha and then distributed it in Sioux Falls. During his involvement in the conspiracy, Galicia-Vasquez received money from a co-conspirator and then sent it through wire transfers to people in Mexico. Galicia-Vasquez did this to conceal the drug-related nature of the money and the true ownership of the funds. Investigators concluded that Galicia-Vasquez was responsible for sending approximately $13,000 in drug proceeds to individuals in Mexico on behalf of the conspiracy. Investigators also determined that Galicia-Vasquez was involved in the distribution of approximately three pounds of methamphetamine while working with the drug trafficking organization.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
Galicia-Vasquez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Seven Individuals Sentenced in Central Florida Gun Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Seven members of a gun trafficking scheme have been sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Roy. B. Dalton. Six of the individuals pleaded guilty. Jincheng Shi was convicted by a jury. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. The convictions and sentences are listed below:
Name
(Age, City of Residence)
ConvictionsSentence DateSentence ImposedVictor Manuel LaFontaine Ruiz
(32, Poinciana)
Gun trafficking conspiracy
Brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence
2/6/202617 years, 4 monthsJose Emanuel Maldonado Rodriguez
(33, Kissimmee)
Gun trafficking conspiracy
Possession of machinegun
1/21/20265 years, 6 monthsFreddie Geovani Cruz Batiz
(37, Kissimmee)
Gun trafficking conspiracy
Possession of machinegun
10/28/20257 years, 3 months
Jomar Manuel Lopez Montanez
(31, Kissimmee)
Gun trafficking conspiracy
Felon in possession of a firearm
8/11/20257 years, 8 monthsDerrick Yamil Rivera Robles
(30, Kissimmee)
Gun trafficking conspiracy
Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting
Possession of machinegun
12/4/20253 years, 10 monthsLeonardo David Joseph Guerra
(24, Orlando)
Gun trafficking conspiracy
Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien
2/23/20264 yearsJincheng Shi
(28, St. Cloud),
Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting
Possession of a firearm as an alien admitted under a non-immigrant visa
4/21/20267 yearsAccording to court documents, from at least as early as September 2023 onward, Lafontaine and Maldonado operated a gun trafficking ring involving hundreds of firearms, machineguns, machinegun conversion devices, and high-capacity magazines needed for fully automatic weapons. This operation did not involve any federally licensed firearms dealers. Instead, Lafontaine and Maldonado obtained firearms parts, including from Shi, a Chinese national who was admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa in 2022, which places him in a prohibited class of persons not legally allowed to possess firearms. Lafontaine and Maldonado assembled, manufactured, and modified semi-automatic and automatic firearms using a “ghost gunner” machine and specialized “endmill” drilling devices at a workspace on Maldonado’s property in Kissimmee:
From there, Lafontaine and Maldonado, along with assistance from Batiz, sold firearms, including fully automatic weapons and machinegun conversion devices (“chips” or “buttons”) that are used to convert semi-automatic weapons into machineguns. They sold those items to illegal aliens and convicted felons such as Lopez Montanez, Rivera Robles, and Joseph Guerra, who were often brokered such transactions on behalf of other unknown customers.
On February 7, 2025, Lafontaine sold Lopez Montanez (a convicted felon) two firearms falsely branded to appear as though they were legitimate firearms manufactured with engraved fake sequential serial numbers. When Lopez Montanez was stopped by law enforcement, he fled and attempted to hide the weapons that were eventually recovered.
The next day, Lafontaine delivered five similar firearms to Maldonado.
On February 20, 2025, law enforcement executed five search warrants at various locations associated with this conspiracy. Federal agents recovered five AR-style pistols with sequential and identical serial numbers at Maldonado’s residence (depicted below), along with at least three machinegun conversion devices, machinery used to assemble, modify, and manufacture the firearms and machine guns sold through this operation.
At Lafontaine’s residence, agents recovered a completed rifle, gun parts, gun manufacturing and modification equipment, and drug distribution paraphernalia with a blender and fentanyl, packaged for sale.
At Batiz’s residence, agents recovered a handgun and an AR pistol, four machinegun conversion devices, along with drug paraphernalia.
At Shi’s residence and storage facility, eight handguns, three rifles, and eight AR-style receivers were recovered, as depicted below.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orlando Police Department, the Winter Garden Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Apopka Police Department, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Felicetta and Dana Hill.
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.
Second Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Multiple Robberies Targeting Armored TrucksRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Dante Shackleford, 26, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Gail A. Weilheimer on one count of Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The defendant was charged by superseding indictment in January, along with Mujahid Davis, 24, also of Philadelphia.
As detailed in case filings and admitted to by the defendant, Shackleford, with others, participated in the following crimes:
- the July 15, 2025, attempted robbery of a Brinks truck in Philadelphia
- the July 22, 2025, attempted robbery of a Brinks truck in Elkins Park, Pa.
- the August 12, 2025, robbery of a Brinks truck in Elkins Park, Pa.
- the October 3, 2025, attempted robbery of a Brinks truck in Philadelphia
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11 and faces a maximum possible term of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of seven years’ imprisonment, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $1,500,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Eckert and Kwambina Coker.
Purse Thief Who Targeted Kristi Noem Sentenced to 36 Months for Wire Fraud and First-Degree TheftRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –– Mario Bustamante Leiva, 50, a Chilean national illegally residing in the United States, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 36 months in prison in connection to a string of thefts that included stealing the Gucci handbag belonging to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem as she dined with her family at a District restaurant, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Leiva pleaded guilty Nov. 21, 2025, before Judge Trevor N. McFadden to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft. At the completion of his 36-month prison sentence, Leiva will be subject to deportation.
“Bustamante Leiva came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the District. He methodically targeted women at restaurants, stealing their purses, and monetizing the stolen cards within minutes,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “His pattern of theft ends here. He will serve his prison term and be deported.”
According to court papers, on three separate days in April 2025, Bustamante Leiva targeted female diners at restaurants in the District of Columbia. During the offenses, Bustamante Leiva surveilled his targets, stole purses containing wallets, credit cards, and personal identifying information, and used the stolen cards to make fraudulent purchases within minutes of each theft. During one of those offenses, Bustamante Leiva worked in concert with his co-defendant, Cristian Montecino-Sanzana.
On April 12, 2025, surveillance video captured the defendants pausing outside Nando’s, located in the 800 block of F Street NW, appearing to peer through the front window. Montecino-Sanzana then entered the restaurant while Bustamante Leiva removed his jacket and draped it over his arm. The pair seized a woman’s purse and exited the restaurant. Minutes later, they traveled to a supermarket in the 400 block of L Street NW, where Montecino-Sanzana used the victim’s stolen credit card to purchase a $500 Visa gift card.
On April 17, 2025, Bustamante Leiva entered the restaurant inside the Westin Hotel in the 900 block of 9th Street NW, where families were dining. He used his coat to conceal his theft of a purse belonging to a victim as she sat with her family. Surveillance video captured him walking behind the woman and taking her purse. He returned to the supermarket, where he used the victim’s stolen credit card to purchase wine and a $400 gift card. He later used the gift card to pay for a motel room in the 6700 block of Georgia Avenue NW.
On April 20, 2025, Bustamante Leiva entered Capital Burger in the 1000 block of 7th Street NW, where he deliberately seated himself within arm’s reach of his next victim. Unbeknownst to him, that victim was then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem who was having dinner with her family. Surveillance cameras recorded Bustamente Leiva repeatedly looking down toward Noem’s purse before bending down and snatching it. Noem’s purse contained several credit cards and about $3,000 in cash.
Surveillance photo of Bustamante Leiva with Kristi Noem’s purse and wallet.
After the theft, Bustamante Leiva traveled to a restaurant in the 2900 block of M Street NW, where surveillance cameras recorded him in possession of Noem’s purse, wallet, and at least one of her credit cards, which he used to make an unauthorized purchase.
On April 26, 2025, law enforcement located Bustamante Leiva at a motel in the 6700 block of Georgia Avenue NW and arrested him. A search of his room recovered Noem’s purse and wallet, the gift card purchased with a stolen card, about $3,174 in cash, and other items.
Bustamante Leiva entered the United States at Orlando International Airport on Aug. 16, 2021, on a visa waiver authorizing him to remain until Nov. 13, 2021. He did not leave and continued to reside in the country illegally. He also has active warrants in Utah and New York stemming from 2021 charges involving retail theft, credit card theft, and stolen property.
Co-defendant Montecino-Sanzana was sentenced on March 13, 2026, to 13 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release for his role in one of the thefts. He also faces deportation at the completion of his prison term.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.
25cr141
- Pocatello Man Sentenced to 11 years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child Pornography
Pinal County Man Sentenced to 129 Months in Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – A Pinal County man was sentenced last week in federal court for distribution of child pornography from 2016 to 2017.
James Stacey Porter, 59, was sentenced April 13, 2026, by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 129 months in prison. Porter previously pleaded guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography on Oct. 10, 2025.
“Child Sexual Abuse Material causes significant emotional distress to the children depicted in the images and videos,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Every offender in a file sharing network, like BitTorrent used in this case, is able to grow his collection exponentially with a click of the button at the expense of the minors depicted. We are committed to focusing on not only the producers, but on those who participate in distributing and receiving such illegal materials and bring them to justice.”
“The actions perpetrated by this defendant are reprehensible and will not be tolerated,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge, Rebecca Day. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain resolute in keeping children in our communities safe, and those who prey on children will be pursued, investigated, and held accountable – no matter how long it takes.”
Porter was detected in the BitTorrent file sharing network during a proactive FBI investigation in 2016 through 2017. Law enforcement connected to Porter’s computer in Phoenix, Arizona, and received child pornography files that Porter’s computer was sharing. Porter gave a statement where he admitted to using search terms specific for finding child pornography files. He also stated he had sought out child pornography for several years. Porter was in possession of approximately 3,509 image files and 175 video files of child pornography.
The federal sentence followed a separate conviction in Pinal County Superior Court for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor for a different case, in which he was sentenced in August 2024 to 10 years in prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, local, and tribal resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The FBI’s Phoenix field office, as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, conducted the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: 18-CR-00240
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-066_Porter
(note PR originally sent out as #067 to media)
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Perry Man Indicted for Gun & Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Deontae David Bernard Watkins, 43, of Perry, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for two counts of possession with intent to distribute multiple illegal drugs, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Watkins appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for June 2, 2026, at 8:30 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida.
Watkins faces a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 10 years’, and up to life, imprisonment on the drug possession counts, and a consecutive five years’ imprisonment for carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. He also faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Perry Police Department, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
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.
Pensacola Woman Indicted for Federal Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Dominique J. Stanberry, 33, of Pensacola, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging her with two counts of wire fraud involving Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program funds. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Stanberry appeared for her arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon, in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for May 18, 2026 at 8:30 am before United States District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell II.
If convicted, Stanberry faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Alicia H. Forbes and Thomas S.P. Geeker are prosecuting the case.
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.
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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Passaic County Man Charged in One of the Largest Known Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Seizures in New Jersey HistoryRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County man was charged on Monday with trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine base (“crack”) and firearms offenses in one of the largest known drug seizures in New Jersey history, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
“Narcotics, especially fentanyl, and illegal firearms are a deadly combination that poisons our communities and fuels violence. These charges send a clear message to those who seek to profit by flooding our communities with dangerous drugs: our Office will find you, no matter where you hide or how sophisticated you believe your operation to be. This investigation reflects our commitment to shutting down drug trafficking operations and keeping the people of New Jersey safe from the violence and destruction they cause.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
Nankel Stuardo Solorzano, 46, Clifton, New Jersey was charged in a four-count superseding complaint with possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine base with intent to distribute it, possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes, and unlawfully possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Solorzano trafficked large quantities of narcotics out of a residential apartment complex in Clifton, New Jersey. Following an investigation, on April 17, 2026, Solorzano was arrested while attempting to access his stash following two drug deals. After his arrest, and pursuant to court-authorized search warrants, law enforcement conducted a search of Solorzano’s garages and vehicle and discovered millions of dollars’ worth of drugs. Law enforcement seized over 40 kilograms of fentanyl, approximately 52 kilograms of methamphetamine, and more than 2 kilograms of cocaine base. They also recovered four firearms, including a stolen handgun, an AK-47-style rifle equipped with a large capacity magazine, and a 12-gauge shotgun, as well as a variety of ammunition and magazines. Following the charges in the superseding complaint, a court-authorized search warrant revealed an additional significant stash of narcotics in Solorzano’s apartment. Evidence from the investigation is depicted below.
The two counts charging Solorzano with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances each carry a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The count charging Solorzano with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000. The count charging Solorzano with possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited with the investigation special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Task Force Division Group T-24 under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts in New York; DEA Charlotte Enforcement Group 2, the New York Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Clifton Police Department.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferrara of the General Crimes Unit in conjunction with the Narcotics and International Trafficking Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Eric W. Feinberg, Esq.
solorzano.complaint.pdfPark Hill Teacher Charged with Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Attempted Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Plaza Middle School teacher has been charged in federal court on attempted child exploitation charges.
Richard Villigram, 43, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged in a two-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. on Wed., April 22, 2026. Villigram had his initial appearance this afternoon.
The federal complaint charges Villigram with one count of Attempted use of Interstate Facility to Entice a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity and one count of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Villigram, over the course of several days, engaged in online communications with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing online as a 15-year-old minor. During his communications with the person he believed to be a minor, Villigram arranged to meet that individual to engage in sexual conduct and also asked them to send him pornographic images. Villigram was later arrested on April 21, 2026, after he arrived at the location he had arranged to meet the minor to engage in sexual conduct.
A subsequent search of Villigram’s cell phone by law enforcement located text messages between Villigram and the purported minor. Also located were messages from Villigram to a third person stating, in sexually graphic terms, that he was trying to meet someone to engage in sexual contact. Villigram later told law enforcement officers that he was referring to the purported minor in those text messages.
Villigram is currently in federal custody pending a detention hearing, on Mon., April 27, 2026.
The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Palmetto Man on Federal Supervised Release Indicted for Possessing Ammunition as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Brandon Bernard Williams (41, Palmetto) has been charged by federal indictment for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Williams faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, on March 5, 2026, Williams was in possession of ammunition after having been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including a prior firearms offense. At the time of the offense, Williams was serving a term of supervised release for his prior federal convictions. As a convicted felon, Williams is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
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).
Oklahoma City Man with Violent Criminal History Sentenced to 12 Years for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – IZAVIA MARQUIS SMITH, 29, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 144 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public records, on August 12, 2025, an Oklahoma City Police Department officer pulled Smith over on I-35 after he crossed multiple lanes of traffic without signaling. Officers searched Smith and his car and recovered a small bag of cocaine, a handgun, and nine rounds of live ammunition. On September 2, 2025, a federal grand jury charged Smith with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty to the charge on October 22, 2025.
On April 20, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman sentenced Smith to serve 144 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, Judge Dishman noted the need for deterrence, the need to protect the public, and Smith’s violent criminal history. Public records reflect that he has prior felony convictions in Oklahoma County that include:
- second-degree burglary in case number CF-2013-7722;
- two counts of domestic abuse, assault and battery, and malicious injury to property in case number CF-2015-2399; and
- first-degree burglary, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, pointing a firearm at another, and using a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a weapon in case number CF-2021-455.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Laney Ellis prosecuted the case. SAUSA Ellis is an attorney with the City of Oklahoma City whose position is funded by a federal Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grant awarded to the City of Oklahoma City to enhance efforts to address and reduce violent crime. PSN is a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (OTBA), 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 is also part of “Operation 922,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of OTBA, which prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes connected to domestic violence.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
New Orleans Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KENNELIUS BROWN (“BROWN”), age 36, pleaded guilty on April 16, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to possession with intent to distribute controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, BROWN was charged along with co-defendants in a multi-count superseding indictment with narcotics trafficking and firearms violations. According to the superseding indictment, from late 2022 until May of 2023, the men distributed fentanyl throughout the New Orleans area and possessed marijuana, cocaine, and fentanyl. Moreover, loaded firearms were found nearby the controlled substances located throughout this investigation, indicating the firearms were being utilized to further the drug trafficking crimes.
BROWN will be sentenced on August 5, 2026, and faces the following penalties:
Count 2 - Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances 21 U.S.C § § 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). A mandatory minimum of five (5) years imprisonment up to forty (40) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of not more than $5,000,000.00, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Count 4 - Felon in Possession of a Firearm18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). A maximum of fifteen (15) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
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 case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Mexican illegal alien faces federal charges for trafficking methamphetamineRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Edgar Zamarron-Cobos, an illegal alien from Mexico, faces federal charges after law enforcement seized over 130 pounds of methamphetamine from his vehicle. Zamarron-Cobos was arrested after he fled from troopers and crashed into innocent motorists at a DeKalb County intersection.
“This defendant, who is illegally in our country, allegedly sought to traffic over 130 pounds of deadly methamphetamine and purportedly injured innocent bystanders as he tried to flee from law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to hold drug traffickers accountable in federal court – where there is no opportunity for parole – in order to keep our communities safe.”
“Fleeing from law enforcement with a large quantity of methamphetamine is a blatant disregard for public safety,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “The actions in this case endangered motorists and bystanders alike. We remain committed to holding individuals accountable and protecting the communities we serve.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On April 15, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation, DEA agents observed an individual allegedly place three large black trash bags into the rear cargo area of a Jeep at a fast-food restaurant in Decatur, Georgia. Zamarron-Cobos exited the restaurant and drove away in the Jeep. Shortly thereafter, the Georgia State Patrol attempted to stop the Jeep.
However, Zamarron-Cobos fled from law enforcement, drove in opposing lanes of traffic, and ultimately wrecked the Jeep at the intersection of Covington Highway and I-285, after striking several occupied vehicles and causing injuries to the occupants. During a search of the Jeep, law enforcement located approximately 130 pounds of methamphetamine in the three large black trash bags. The investigation further revealed that Zamarron-Cobos is a citizen of Mexico who is illegally present in the United States.
On April 17, 2026, Edgar Zamarron-Cobos, 30, from Mexico, was named in a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Zamarron-Cobos is currently in the custody of the DeKalb County Jail but is expected to appear in federal court before the end of this week.
Members of the public are reminded that the complaint only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with valuable assistance provided by the Georgia State Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonell L. Lucca 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.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Maryland Woman Sentenced for Role in HSTF Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering Conspiracy CaseRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Hanover, Maryland, woman learned her fate in federal court, in connection with a multi-million-dollar money laundering scheme.
Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Areal Harris, 27, to two years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for conspiring to engage in a large, multi-member, money laundering conspiracy. Additionally, Judge Maddox ordered Harris to pay $3,159,482.83 in restitution. Harris, who pled guilty to participating in the money laundering conspiracy in May 2025, admitted that at least $1.3 million in money laundering occurred pursuant to her direct participation in the conspiracy.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) – Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge George Golliday, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General (EPA-OIG).
According to court documents, beginning in 2021, and continuing into February 2024, Harris conspired with multiple individuals to launder proceeds of a large-scale wire fraud. The co-conspirators engaged in various financial transactions to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the wire-fraud proceeds, while carrying out the conspiracy.
The victims included government agencies, organizations, and companies, including an environmental trust, urban redevelopment program, medical center, transportation and logistics company, school district, college, and county government, among others.
Harris and her co-conspirators worked with each other to create limited liability companies to serve as shell entities; open bank accounts and/or cause bank accounts to be opened in the name of shell entities; and receive and launder fraud proceeds.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland previously charged 14 defendants in connection with the money laundering conspiracy. Thirteen have pled guilty. Faizou Gnora, 28, previously of Alexandria, Virginia, remains a fugitive from justice.
In connection with this prosecution, Yahya Sowe, 42, of Silver Spring, Maryland, Gedeon Agbeyome, 31, of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Victor Killen, 33, of Hyattsville, Maryland, previously pled guilty, admitting to conspiring to commit money laundering.
Additionally, Adanegbe Gift Osemwenkhae, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Emily Gil Arias, 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Fatoumata Boiro, 32, of Largo, Maryland; Lawrence Ogunsanwo, 33; Lakeisha Parker, 33, of Baltimore, Maryland; Martin Ogisi, 37, of Severn, Maryland; Blondel Ndjouandjouaka, 31, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Kevin Colon, 34, of Curtis Bay, Maryland; and Lorena Perez Herrera, 29, of Silver Spring, Maryland, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Agbeyome also admitted engaging in aggravated identity theft and Parker acknowledged engaging in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of their plea agreements, Gift and Sowe admitted that they served as managers or supervisors of the money laundering conspiracy. The overall conspiracy involved more than $20 million of money laundering, involving more than 15 different victim entities.
The District Court previously sentenced:
- Agbeyome to 48 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, along with restitution of $2,938,424.65, and a $2.8 million preliminary order of forfeiture
- Ogunsanwo to 40 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $5,648,816.23
- Parker to 36 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release and restitution of $8,306,930.95
- Ogisi to 33 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $11,077,044.17
- Ndjouandjouaka to 24 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $733,941.48
- Colon to 27 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release and restitution of $2,515,159.63
- Killen to 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution of $7,070,656.46, and a $3 million forfeiture order.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Baltimore comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Maryland; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); the United States Marshals Service (USMS); the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA (W/B HIDTA); the Maryland State Police (MSP); the Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI-led Document and Benefit Fraud/Mid-Atlantic El Dorado Task Force, and thanked IRS-CI and EPA-OIG for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes praised the Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County Police Departments for their assistance. She also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Bijon A. Mostoufi, and Jared M. Beim, who prosecuted the federal case, and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber for her assistance.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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