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Thursday 5 March 2026
Two Wild 100s Gang Members Convicted of Murder for Hire Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that Ronnell Bowman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Houston, Texas, and Lawrence Turner, of Milwaukee, were convicted yesterday after a week-long jury trial. Both Bowman and Turner were convicted of murder for hire resulting in death, conspiracy to commit murder for hire resulting in death, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. Bowman also was convicted of conspiracy to commit violations of federal firearms laws, attempted witness tampering, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
At trial, the evidence showed that between March 15, 2021, and April 5, 2021, Bowman and Turner, both members of the Wild 100s gang arranged the murder of N.B. in exchange for Bowman’s offer to pay $10,000. Turner and another gang member, who has already plead guilty to the April 5, 2021, murder of N.B. who suffered more than two dozen gunshot wounds. The evidence showed that Bowman and Turner targeted N.B. and murdered him, because of his believed association with a rival of the Wild 100s gang. Both men face mandatory life imprisonment. Bowman and Turner also were convicted of using, carrying and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, namely, the murder for hire. That count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.
Trial evidence further showed that Bowman agreed with others to violate federal firearms laws including possession of machineguns, the transfer of firearms to felons, and the possession of firearms by felons. Bowman also attempted to intimidate, threaten or corruptly persuade witnesses and conspired with others to attempt to obstruct justice and impede the jury trial in this case. The conspiracy to commit violations of federal firearms laws carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and the witness tampering counts each carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison.
Before trial, both Bowman and Turner pled guilty to participating in a mail fraud conspiracy to defraud the Department of Labor through the submission of false and fraudulent applications for benefits under programs such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and other unemployment insurance programs. In total, Bowman, Turner and their other conspirators wrongfully obtained millions of federal dollars through their fraudulent activities and used the funds to purchase, among other things, firearms, controlled substances, jewelry, and vacations, and to solicit murder for hire.
“Our community will now be free from the terror inflicted by these violent gang members, and N.B.’s loved ones will finally get the justice for which they have been waiting for years,” said United States Attorney Schimel. “The senseless violence perpetrated by this gang was financed in large part by truly shocking fraud in which these defendants and their fellow gang members stole millions of dollars from a COVID-era benefits program. The convictions in this case were made possible by the very strong collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement partners. I have been stunned since my appointment as U.S. Attorney at the extraordinary amount fraud committed against the hard-working taxpayers of this nation that has been uncovered by our law enforcement team. Taking down violent offenders and fraudsters will continue to be our top priorities.”
“The FBI is committed to aggressively investigating and dismantling violent criminal gangs. Based on evidence presented at trial, Ronnell Bowman and Lawrence Turner were involved in a murder-for-hire scheme in 2021 that resulted in a man’s death. Bowman and Turner were members of the Wild 100s, a violent Milwaukee street gang that used millions of dollars in fraudulently obtained COVID relief funds to support purchasing guns and drugs,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI is fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to destroy the ability of violent gangs to operate in our communities.”
“This case exposed the extreme violence and lawlessness behind this gang’s actions,” said Joseph Persails, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “These defendants arranged a murder-for-hire, trafficked firearms, possessed machineguns, and attempted to intimidate witnesses to escape justice. I’m proud of the work by ATF special agents and our law enforcement partners who followed the evidence and ensured those responsible were held accountable.”
“These convictions are another step closer to making our community safer for everyone to live, work and play,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. “I am proud of all the hard work of everyone involved in holding these violent individuals accountable.”
These defendants were charged based on a joint and collaborative investigation by law enforcement officers from FBI, ATF, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), and Department of Labor-OIG, and prosecutors from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office. This case was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Kwaterski and Michael Schindhelm.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
Follow us on XTulsa Man Sentenced for Admittedly Strangling GirlfriendRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa man was sentenced today after admitting to strangling his girlfriend, announced U.S. Attorney
Clint Johnson.Donny Ray Spencer, 36, was sentenced for Assault of an Intimate/Dating Partner by Strangling and Suffocating in
Indian Country. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell ordered Spencer to serve 56 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.In July 2025, Spencer was heavily intoxicated and fell, reopening stitches on his head. A relative called 911 to request medical assistance. Court records show that Spencer became belligerent with medical personnel, and they had to leave until police arrived to assist. When officers arrived, Spencer’s girlfriend met officers on the front porch with their three-year-old. While officers spoke with the girlfriend, Spencer approached officers while yelling and making threats. Officers de-escalated Spencer and continued speaking with the girlfriend. When officers questioned her about the visible bruising on her body, she disclosed that Spencer was very intoxicated, and they argued earlier in the day. During that argument, Spencer strangled her and struck her with a broom in the presence of their child.
Tribal court dockets show that Spencer had a pending arrest warrant after failing to appear for a hearing. He was on
bond after being charged in April with Domestic Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon and Felony Resisting Arrest.
Officers arrested Spencer on his outstanding tribal warrants. While being transported to booking, Spencer admitted to strangling his girlfriend.Spencer is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Flynn prosecuted the case.
Torrington Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Cocaine Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN MARTINEZ RIVERA, 29, of Torrington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force identified Joseph Giovanni Soto as the leader of a cocaine trafficking operation that involved the shipment of parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine from U.S. Post Offices in Puerto Rico to various “drop addresses” in New Britain and Meriden, Connecticut, as well as addresses in Holyoke and West Springfield, Massachusetts. The organization used “runners” to pick up the parcels from the drop addresses and deliver them to Soto’s residence in Bloomfield and the residence of Soto’s uncle, Ramon Soto, in New Britain. Typically, Ramon Soto, at Joseph Soto’s direction, then delivered the cocaine to individuals in the Bronx, New York, and elsewhere, in return for payment.
During the investigation, task force members intercepted and seized 10 suspicious parcels, each of which contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine, and identified approximately 280 suspicious parcels likely containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been delivered to the various drop addresses.
Joseph Giovanni Soto was arrested on May 1, 2023. In August 2023, investigators saw a reemergence of suspicious parcels coming from Puerto Rico to the New Britain and Meriden areas, and then to a Waterbury address where Jatniel Morales Gonzalez was living. Investigators determined that Morales Gonzalez and Soto had worked together prior to Soto’s arrest, and that Morales Gonzalez had assumed control of the Connecticut side of the cocaine trafficking network after Soto’s arrest. Investigators identified several new drop addresses for suspicious parcels and observed Morales Gonzalez, Martinez Rivera, and others retrieving the parcels and bringing them to Morales Gonzalez’s residence before they were ultimately delivered to the Bronx. During this part of the investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service identified more than 90 additional suspicious parcels, 11 of which had been shipped to Martinez Rivera’s residence in Torrington. Court-authorized searches of four seized parcels found that they each contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine.
Martinez Rivera was arrested on December 19, 2024. On August 21, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He has been detained since October 2, 2025, when his bond was revoked.
Joseph Giovanni Soto, Ramon Soto, and Morales Gonzales pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison terms of 14 years, 10 years, and 10 years, respectively.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Plainville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Levick and Konstantin Lantsman.
Third Man Pleads Guilty for Role in $10 Million International Fraudulent Market Survey ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Third Man Pleads Guilty for Role in $10 Million International Fraudulent Market Survey Conspiracy
CONCORD – A Texas man pleaded guilty today for participating in an international scheme to sell fabricated market survey data, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Ryan Stoudt, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2026.
According to the public record, Op4G and Slice were market research companies based in New Hampshire and Illinois, respectively. Clients would hire the companies to conduct market research surveys. As part of their business model, Op4G and Slice maintained “panels” consisting of individuals potentially eligible to take surveys. Stoudt initially worked for Op4G before moving over to Slice.
In 2014, several conspirators, including Frank Hayden and Daniel Harriman, decided to increase company revenues by generating fabricated survey data. Stoudt then joined the conspiracy. To execute the scheme, the conspirators recruited “ants,” who pretended to be legitimate survey takers but instead were paid a nominal fee for completing surveys that produced false market research data. Some of the conspirators even served as “ants” and fraudulently took large quantities of surveys themselves, receiving significant payments.
To evade detection, the conspirators exchanged instructions with each other and the “ants.” These instructions included directions on how to answer survey screener questions, provided parameters on how long “ants” should remain on surveys, and encouraged the use of virtual private network (VPN) services to conceal real IP addresses.
Between 2014 and the beginning of 2025, Op4G and Slice billed over $10 million to clients for work tainted with fraudulent survey data. In more recent years, false market research data was used to generate approximately 90% of Op4G and Slice’s revenues.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The FBI led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
Co-defendant Frank Hayden pleaded guilty on February 2, 2026 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12, 2026. Co-defendant Daniel Harriman pleaded guilty on February 24, 2026, and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2026.
Staten Island Man Convicted of Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
Earlier today, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Brandon Nudelman on all three counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with firearms trafficking conspiracy, firearms trafficking, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The charges relate to the defendant’s participation in a scheme to manufacture and sell untraceable ghost guns in Staten Island and Pennsylvania. The verdict followed a six-day trial before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly. When sentenced, the defendant faces up to 30 years in prison.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the verdict.
“Brandon Nudelman was the money man behind a ghost gun factory printing lethal weapons in Staten Island,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The defendant and his co-conspirators manufactured and sold guns and converted machineguns at marked up prices to people who should not have them. Law enforcement then thwarted the defendant’s effort to cover up his crimes. Today’s verdict is an important victory in our Office’s work to hold accountable those who seek to profit from the scourge of 3D-printed guns and underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to reducing gun violence.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the United States Secret Service and the NYPD Intelligence Division’s Major Case Team and Intelligence Analytical Team for their work on the case.
“This conviction shows that individuals who finance and support illegal firearms trafficking will be held accountable. The defendant helped facilitate a dangerous scheme involving privately made firearms and machine gun conversion devices, distributing weapons outside lawful channels,” stated ATF New York Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo. “ATF NY remains committed to disrupting illegal firearms trafficking and reducing violent gun crime. Thanks to the collaboration of ATF’s Crime Gun Enforcement Team (C-GET), NYPD Intelligence Division’s Major Case Intelligence Team, the United States Secret Service New York Field Division’s Digital Forensic Laboratory, ATF Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Together, we will continue working to protect the public and keep our communities safe.”
“Today’s guilty verdict is yet another example of how the NYPD is working to remove dangerous weapons from the hands of criminals and keep communities across New York City safe,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “The defendant illegally manufactured and trafficked ghost guns – weapons that are just as dangerous as traditional firearms and only exist to evade law enforcement. NYPD detectives worked tirelessly to investigate and shut this dangerous operation down, and I am grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s office and our other partners for their work on this case.”
As proven at trial, between approximately January 2023 and September 2023, Brandon Nudelman conspired with others to illegally manufacture and traffic firearms. Co-conspirators Ronnie Mershon, Michael Daddea, and Justin Nudelman, who is the defendant’s brother, used so called “Polymer 80” kits and 3D printers and parts sourced from online retailers to assemble privately made and untraceable firearms, commonly called “ghost guns.” These 3D-printed firearms included at least nine devices called “auto sears” or “switches” which convert semi-automatic guns into fully automatic weapons and are considered machine guns under federal law. The defendants made the untraceable ghost guns that they assembled available for sale without obtaining a license or otherwise notifying government authorities. On September 7, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Justin Nudelman’s residence and recovered multiple homemade firearms, nine switches, 3D printers, and over 100 rounds of ammunition. The evidence at trial included videos showing the defendant and co-conspirators firing weapons equipped with these machinegun conversion devices.
On September 7, 2023, following the search at Justin Nudelman’s residence, law enforcement officers sought to seize Justin Nudelman’s phone pursuant to a judicially authorized search warrant. The defendant conspired with Justin Nudelman to conceal the phone and render its contents inaccessible to law enforcement by deleting messages and cracking the phone in multiple places.
All three of Brandon Nudelman’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Justin Nudelman pleaded guilty to gun trafficking conspiracy and conspiracy to obstruct justice in January 2026. Ronnie Mershon pleaded guilty to gun trafficking conspiracy and unlawfully possessing a machinegun in December 2025. In December 2025, Michael Daddea pleaded guilty to gun trafficking conspiracy.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. As part of the program, U.S. Attorney’s Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is currently partnering with the SCPD, the NYPD, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ATF, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in its PSN mission.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Trial Attorney Arun Bodapati and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Rackear are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist David Harrison.
The Defendant:
BRANDON NUDELMAN
Age: 33
Staten Island, New YorkThe Defendants Previously Convicted:
JUSTIN NUDELMAN
Age: 31
Staten Island, New YorkRONNIE MERSHON
Age: 28
Staten Island, New YorkMICHAEL DADDEA
Age: 30
Tampa, FloridaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-437(S-2) (AMD)
St. Louis Tax Preparer Admits Stealing Client FundsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A tax preparer from St. Louis on Thursday admitted stealing at least $52,000 in clients’ tax refunds and COVID-19 stimulus payments.
Mark A. Murphy, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property. Between 2016 and 2020, Murphy prepared tax returns for clients but did not list himself as the paid return preparer, instead making it appear that the taxpayers themselves had submitted the returns. He also signed the taxpayers’ names and opened bank accounts for clients without their knowledge or authorization. Murphy then used these unauthorized bank accounts to collect his tax preparation fees from clients’ tax refunds.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Murphy stole Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) that were issued by the IRS to his clients. The EIPs were issued directly to taxpayers and deposited into the bank accounts designated on the 2018 or 2019 federal income tax returns. Murphy withdrew the EIP funds in cash from the bank accounts he had secretly set up and used debit cards linked to the accounts to make personal purchases. During this period, Murphy also kept some clients’ entire tax refunds for himself. Murphy stole a total of at least $52,080 in EIPs and refunds from clients from April 2020 to March 2021.
Murphy is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9. The theft charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. He will also be ordered to repay the money.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and IRS – Criminal Investigation handled the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.
St. Louis County Woman Who Had Her Fiancé Murdered Sentenced to 225 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Thursday sentenced a woman who secretly took out insurance on her fiancé before having him killed to 225 months in prison.
Victoria Rena Williams, 67, pleaded guilty in September to one count each of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, aiding and abetting murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Michael Grady, 70, was convicted by a jury on Monday of the same three counts.
Charles Harris III, who worked for an alarm company, was described in court as a churchgoing man who was about to open his own clothing store when he was killed.
According to Williams’ plea and the evidence and testimony at Grady’s trial, the conspiracy began in 2010. It was at that time that Grady suggested obtaining a $250,000 accidental death policy. Williams did so in 2010 without Harris’ knowledge and after confirming that it would pay out if he was killed during a robbery.
In October of 2011, she arranged a meeting between Harris, who sold suits out of his home on the side, and two potential customers. She told jurors at Grady’s trial that she backed out twice, but Grady told her it could be “bad for you,” when she tried to back out again.
Harris was fatally shot in his home on Langford Drive on Oct. 5, 2011. After a dispute with the insurance company, Williams eventually received $224,444 and then obtained a cashier’s check for $110,000 payable to Grady’s wife. Williams also received $175,762 from another insurance policy.
The shooter or shooters, who were hired by Grady, have not been identified, according to trial testimony.
Grady is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4 and faces life in prison without parole. He is already serving a 226-month federal prison sentence for aiding a large-scale, violent drug conspiracy by trying to determine who was cooperating with investigators and prosecutors.
The St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Finlen, Nino Przulj and Donald Boyce are prosecuting the case.
St. Louis County Tax Preparer Admits $1.2 Million in Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A tax preparer from St. Louis County on Thursday admitted fraudulently obtaining a total of least $1.2 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans for herself and others from 2020 to 2021.
Nacole M. Taylor, 43, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in an unlawful monetary transaction.
Taylor submitted at least 15 fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of eight corporations registered with Missouri for which she was the registered agent. Only two, Accurate Tax LLC and 4th Generation Home Care Services LLC, had any income. Taylor created the other businesses and opened bank accounts for them for the sole purpose of applying for PPP loans. She submitted fraudulent applications with inflated payroll and income figures and fraudulent tax forms purporting to have been prepared by Accurate Tax. Taylor obtained approximately $255,114 in PPP loans. Taylor then submitted applications for loan forgiveness for many of the loans, falsely claiming that she’d spent the loan money on payroll. Taylor spent the PPP loan proceeds on personal expenses, including luxury items from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Vincent’s Jewelers, Fendi and Nordstrom.
Taylor also recruited others, including clients of Accurate Tax, to allow her to submit fraudulent applications for PPP and EIDL loans in their names in exchange for kickbacks. Taylor and her co-conspirators either used a pre-existing business or created a fictitious business to apply for the loans. She fabricated payroll and income information and supplied fraudulent tax forms to bolster the applications. In all, Taylor submitted at least 24 fraudulent applications and obtained at least $986,659 in loans for coconspirators. She was paid at least $152,205 in kickbacks.
Taylor, of Breckenridge Hills, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9. Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and the unlawful monetary transaction charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. She will be ordered to repay the money.
IRS – Criminal Investigation and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.
Slidell Man Charged with Cares Act FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On February 27, 2026, MARCEL GROSS, age 51, of Slidell, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
A bill of information alleges that GROSS fraudulently obtained a $350,272 Paycheck Protection Program loan, which was a form of assistance authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such loans were forgivable and designed to enable businesses to meet payroll expenses. It is alleged that GROSS complied with a coconspirator’s instructions to pay the coconspirator 40 percent of the loan amount in the form of numerous checks that would be negotiated over multiple weeks so as not to “flag.”
If convicted, GROSS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, which may be followed by up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
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Sex offender sentenced to prison for distributing child sexual abuse material while on supervision for previous convictionRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, on March 31, 2015, David Christopher Schaefer, 38, was convicted of possession of CSAM and was sentenced to over eight years in prison and a life term of supervised release. Among the conditions of supervision were a restriction to use only computers or cellular devices approved by the Probation Office. Schaefer was allowed to have a flip phone without access to the Internet and a laptop computer with installed monitoring.
Law enforcement notified Schaefer’s probation officer that Schaefer was issued a summons on March 21, 2025, in the City of Newport News for texting and driving. Probation officers searched Schaefer’s residence and located six unauthorized Internet-capable devices and three unreported storage drives. Among these were three smartphones, which Schaefer admitted to using to access, view, download, and exchange CSAM. On one of the phones, investigators found hundreds of images and videos of CSAM. Schaefer was attributed with over 25,000 CSAM images.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa R. McKeel prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. 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. 4:25-cr-51.
Sex Offender Sentenced for Failing to RegisterRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nicholas Hammer, age 47, formerly of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to thirty-eight months in prison for one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender.
The charge arose from an investigation by the United States Marshals Service and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service.
On March 25, 2025, Hammer pleaded guilty to the charge. Hammer was convicted of Rape—First Degree on January 4, 2001, in the State of Oklahoma and is required to register as a sex offender. According to investigators, Hammer failed to register and update his registration from October 10, 2024, until November 4, 2024, despite entering, leaving, or residing in Indian country, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Hammer will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Wittlinger represented the United States.
Second Member of Dallas-Based Methamphetamine and Heroin Trafficking Cell Sentenced to Twenty Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Dallas-area man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distributing narcotics, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Victor Manuel Gaona, 29, pled guilty in July 2024 to one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced on Tuesday, March 5, 2026, to 240 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Ada E. Brown.
According to court documents and statements made at sentencing, Gaona admitted that on or about June 18, 2024, federal agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at a residence on Ben Hur Street, Dallas, Texas, which agents had previously linked to drug-trafficking activity associated with Gaona and co-defendants Omar Castro-Sandoval and Epifanio Flores Magana. During the search, agents located a clandestine methamphetamine recrystallization laboratory in the residence’s back room along with two minor children residing at the 952-square foot location. The clandestine laboratory contained liquid, intermediate-stage, and finished methamphetamine along with a propane tank, large burner, sieves, gloves, and large Ziploc baggies. Additional finished methamphetamine was also found in a bedroom shared by Gaona and Flores Magana. Heroin, which was bagged for distribution, was located in a utility closet underneath children’s luggage.
Court records reflect that Gaona was ultimately held responsible for nearly 100,000 kilograms of narcotics calculated in converted drug weight. Co-defendant Castro-Sandoval, who was present at the time of the execution, was sentenced by Judge Brown to 168 months imprisonment on January 20, 2026. Co-defendant Flores Magana’s sentencing is scheduled for April 14, 2026.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force 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 Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Sarasota Lab Agrees to Pay $980,000 to Resolve False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida– Allin IP DX LLC, a laboratory located in Sarasota, Florida, has agreed to pay $980,000 to resolve allegations that the company violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act by unlawfully paying a marketing service for referrals of Medicare beneficiaries. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
The United States contends that, between January 2 and June 15, 2023, Allin paid remuneration to independent marketers in exchange for the referral of lab specimens to Allin in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute resulting in the submission of false claims to the Medicare program in violation of the False Claims Act. Allin voluntarily self-disclosed this conduct to the United States and cooperated with the government’s investigation by providing the United States with a detailed disclosure statement and other supplemental information to assist the United States in its investigation.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded healthcare programs. It seeks to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.
“This settlement is a reflection of our commitment to protect our healthcare programs and deter those who violate federal laws at the expense of our taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “Laboratory testing is important to our beneficiaries, and we will hold providers accountable to safeguard our programs and ensure the provision of appropriate lab services to patients.”
“Medicare beneficiaries rely on the integrity of the Medicare program,” said Special Agent in Charge Isaac M. Bledsoe of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s resolution demonstrates our continued commitment to holding providers accountable and ensuring that medical decisions are driven by patient needs, not illegal incentives.”
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. It was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sean Keefe.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Steinhatchee Man Faces Federal Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – David Christopher Jensen, 54, of Steinhatchee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for two counts of distribution of marijuana, four counts of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, two counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and one count of possession of an explosive by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Jensen appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick, in Tallahassee Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for April 6, 2026, at 8:15 am before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Jensen faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment on each count of distribution of marijuana; up to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance; up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count of distribution of cocaine; up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana; up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the count of possession of an unregistered firearm; and up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the count of possession of an explosive by a convicted felon.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo.
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.
SDNY U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Settlement Agreement with Spring Valley to Increase Supply of Affordable HousingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced the settlement of a lawsuit against the VILLAGE OF SPRING VALLEY (“SPRING VALLEY”), which will result in the completion of 22 units of affordable rental housing within the Village over the next five years.
The settlement under the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) resolves a claim that SPRING VALLEY breached a Voluntary Compliance Agreement and Conciliation Agreement (“VCA”), which it entered into in 2018 with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). The lawsuit remains pending as to ROCKLAND COUNTY, the other defendant in the action, which was also a party to the VCA.
“I applaud the commitment of the Village of Spring Valley to build more affordable housing as part of this resolution,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Local regulations, including restrictions on new construction and unduly burdensome permitting processes, are driving housing construction costs out of sight. It’s basic economics: if it costs too much to build new homes, the cost of existing homes is only going to go up. This agreement shows there is a way forward, and we appreciate the commitment of Spring Valley to lower the costs of, and time it takes, to build affordable housing.”
According to the Complaint filed in White Plains federal court and the Agreement entered by the court:
The VCA between HUD, SPRING VALLEY, and ROCKLAND COUNTY resolved a prior HUD investigation into allegations regarding a private developer who used HUD funds overseen by SPRING VALLEY and ROCKLAND COUNTY to build affordable housing, but unlawfully designed and marketed the resulting units almost exclusively for sale to White Hasidic Jewish prospective homebuyers, in violation of federal law. Administrative complaints made to HUD alleged that SPRING VALLEY and ROCKLAND COUNTY became aware of allegations that the developer was excluding interested homebuyers based on protected characteristics, but failed to ensure that appropriate remedial steps were taken before the project was completed and the units were sold.
In 2018, SPRING VALLEY and ROCKLAND COUNTY entered into the VCA with HUD to resolve those administrative complaints. The VCA required SPRING VALLEY and ROCKLAND COUNTY to build 62 units of affordable housing, meeting specified criteria for affordability by specified deadlines. However, only four affordable units qualifying under the VCA were built by the time this lawsuit was filed in 2025, despite an amendment of the VCA in 2021 that provided SPRING VALLEY and ROCKLAND COUNTY additional time to complete the required units.
The resolution between the United States and SPRING VALLEY, in the form of a court-approved settlement agreement (the “Agreement”), was entered yesterday by U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel. The Agreement requires SPRING VALLEY to ensure the completion of 22 affordable rental units by December 1, 2030. These units are required to be occupied by households with incomes at or below 75% of the Area Median Income for Rockland County, with deed restrictions or other legal measures to ensure continued affordability for at least 50 years. The Agreement also requires SPRING VALLEY to ensure appropriate monitoring of HUD grantees and institute training for the Village’s employees regarding the FHA and related federal requirements. SPRING VALLEY also agreed to pay a $15,000 civil penalty.
As stated previously, the lawsuit against ROCKLAND COUNTY remains pending.
Mr. Clayton thanked the staff of HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity for their assistance in this matter.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Civil Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Dolinger is in charge of the case.
Russian Citizen Charged with Laundering over $1.2M Connected to $400M in Fraudulent Medicare ClaimsRead the Press Release
A Russian national made his initial appearance in Houston, Texas, today on a charge that he laundered over $1.2 million derived from a health care fraud scheme that targeted Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) that administer Medicare Part C.
According to court documents, Nikolai Buzolin, 38, formerly of Houston, Texas, and originally of Tyumen, Russia, established Verisola, Inc. in Houston and registered it as a durable medical equipment (DME) company in July 2025. Over the course of just nine days from July through August 2025, Buzolin allegedly opened six different bank accounts in the name of Verisola at six different financial institutions. He opened an additional two bank accounts at two other financial institutions in September and October 2025. To disguise the true ownership and control of Verisola, Buzolin allegedly submitted false documentation to these financial institutions listing himself as the sole owner, member or president, when in fact he did not have beneficial ownership or control of Verisola.
From August 2025 through January 2026, Verisola allegedly submitted over $400 million in false and fraudulent claims to MAOs for DME, including orthotic braces and glucose monitors that were never actually provided to patients. Based on these fraudulent claims, the MAOs collectively reimbursed Verisola at least $1.7 million, which was deposited into the various Verisola bank accounts that Buzolin opened. Buzolin then allegedly moved these fraud proceeds between bank accounts for no legitimate business purpose. Buzolin and his co-conspirators wired at least $1.2 million of fraud proceeds to overseas entities and bank accounts.
According to the indictment, after Verisola wound down its fraudulent billing scheme, Buzolin traveled from Houston, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, where he purchased a same-day airline ticket for a one-way flight to Moscow, Russia. The FBI arrested Buzolin before he boarded the flight, and he remains detained pending trial.
Buzolin is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering by concealing and disguising the true nature, location, source and ownership of the fraud proceeds and by engaging in financial transactions greater than $10,000 knowing that they involved the proceeds of unlawful activity. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas; Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason M. Hudson of the FBI’s Houston Field Office; Chief William Marlowe of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; and Commissioner Amanda Crawford of the Texas Department of Insurance made the announcement.
HHS-OIG, FBI, the Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Texas Department of Insurance are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Andrew Tamayo and Emily Reeder-Ricchetti of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Richmond felon returning to prison for federal firearms convictionRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to five years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on July 10, 2024, a Richmond Police officer responded to a call reporting a subject who matched the description of a robbery suspect from earlier in the day. The officer arrived on the scene and called out to Waheed Richardson, 23, who fled on foot. During the pursuit, Richardson discarded a handgun and loaded firearm magazine, then laid down on the ground. The officer detained Richardson, who was still in possession of another loaded magazine and a baggie with counterfeit oxycodone "M-30" pills containing fentanyl. The officer then recovered the handgun and magazine Richardson had possessed. The handgun was equipped with a machinegun conversion device, rendering it capable of automatic fire and considered a machinegun.
In 2021, Richardson was convicted of malicious wounding and discharging a firearm from a vehicle. Richardson was released from prison on Feb. 12, 2024, five months before being arrested for the offense for which he was sentenced today. As a previously convicted felon, Richardson cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division and the Richmond Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. McGorman prosecuted 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 protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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-146.
Repeat Offender Guilty of Armed Drug Trafficking in ColumbusRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Georgia man with a violent criminal past whose supervised release was revoked for a prior federal conviction for assaulting a law enforcement officer was found guilty by a federal jury of possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin while illegally possessing seven firearms and ammunition.
Nimesh Vijay Desai, was found guilty of one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of fentanyl, one count of possession of heroin, one count of possession of a firearm and one count of possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon on March 4, following a three-day trial that began on March 2, before U.S. District Clay Land. The defendant faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. A sentencing date will be scheduled by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Violent offenders will face justice at the federal level in the Middle District of Georgia, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Working alongside law enforcement, we will use every available resource to track down and hold accountable repeat criminals with firearms, fentanyl and other deadly illegal drugs.”
“This defendant callously picked up right where he left off from prior convictions,” said FBI Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis. “The FBI will continue to investigate anyone who repeatedly violates the law by illegally arming themselves and committing crimes that continue to harm the community.”
According to court documents and statements referenced at trial, law enforcement executed two searches on Feb. 28, 2024, at a Columbus apartment and a storage unit leased to Desai, resulting from an ongoing investigation into armed drug trafficking in the community. During the searches, agents seized 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and 800 grams of fentanyl and heroin, along with scales and grinders often used in the distribution of illegal drugs, and $12,800.
Law enforcement also recovered seven firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition, including magazines, all belonging to Desai. At the time of the searches, Desai was on federal supervised release for his 2012 convictions in the Middle District for distributing methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and assaulting federal agents with a deadly weapon. Desai is currently serving 60 months in federal prison because of a revocation of his supervised release for these prior convictions.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Criminal Chief Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Repeat Drug Trafficking Offender in Moses Lake Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice has sentenced Gregory Wilson, 55, of Moses Lake, Washington to a 15-year term of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of court supervision upon his release stemming from his repeated drug trafficking activities.
According to court documents and information discussed during the sentencing hearing, in 2015 Wilson was convicted of selling large quantities of methamphetamine and sentenced to 120 months in federal prison; however, he was released a few years later pursuant to a compassionate release motion, over the United States’ objection, after serving less than half of his initial sentence (1:15-CR-2065-SAB). In his compassionate release motion, Wilson assured the Court he was a changed man—he just wanted to be with his elderly parents and minor child. His term of supervised release was terminated early, over the United States’ objection.
Within 6 months of the termination of his supervised release, the Moses Lake Police Department received information Wilson was again engaged in significant drug trafficking activities and began the current investigation. A state investigation was initiated in 2023 at which time Moses Lake Streets Crimes Unit conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Wilson and a search of his Moses Lake area residence. He was arrested on state charges and soon bonded out. From evidence obtained during the 2025 federal investigation, it became clear Wilson had never ceased his drug trafficking activities. As the federal investigation progressed, law enforcement was able to locate him traveling from Yakima with a drug load of methamphetamine and fentanyl bound for the Moses Lake community. Based upon the evidence from both the state and federal investigations, he was indicted for his pervasive drug trafficking activities from 2023-2025. This sentence reflects the seriousness of his criminal conduct.
“Prolific drug traffickers like Mr. Wilson have proven that they will deceive the Court to obtain benefits and reductions they are not entitled to in order to be set free to continue harming our communities,” said First Assistant Pete Serrano. “Reduction programs only work if they are applied to those who are truly qualified. Sadly, what occurred here was the early release of a dangerous Defendant into the community with no safety measures in place to monitor his activities. Thanks to the tireless dedication of our state and federal law enforcement partners and the commitment of our office to bring this Defendant to justice, we were able to remove this threat from the Moses Lake community.”
“Drug traffickers who repeatedly choose to profit by distributing dangerous narcotics in our communities will face the full force of the United States justice system. Let this serve as a clear message to anyone who traffics in deadly drugs: ATF and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue you, dismantle your networks, and hold you accountable for the harm you inflict on our communities. ATF and the Moses Lake PD Street Crimes Unit remain ever vigilant in our fight to keep our Eastern Washington communities safe,” stated Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais.
“I am proud of and thankful for our partnership with ATF as it allows us to amplify our Street Crimes Unit and pursue pervasive drug dealers who choose to distribute their poison into our community,” said Moses Lake Police Department Chief Dave Sands.
This case was investigated by the Moses Lake Police Department Street Crimes Unit in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard.
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Ramah man sentenced for federal assault and firearm charges after shooting into vehicleRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Ramah man was sentenced to nine years in prison for shooting into a vehicle occupied by three people after a near-collision.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on March 18, 2025,John Doe swerved his vehicle to avoid colliding with a blue Jeep driven by Leon Garcia, 42, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. After the near-miss, John Doe followed Garcia to a residence on the Ramah Navajo Reservation in Cibola County. When the vehicles stopped, Garcia exited his Jeep armed with a rifle, pointed the firearm at the three occupants and fired multiple shots into the vehicle with intent to do bodily harm. Garcia continued shooting as the victims attempted to turn around and again as they drove away.
Garcia pleaded guilty to three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Upon his release from prison, Garcia will be subject to three years of supervised release.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Ramah-Navajo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case.
Portsmouth man sentenced to over two years in prison for auto loan fraud schemeRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison for bank fraud.
According to court documents, on July 23, 2021, Deviyon Nichols, 33, submitted an application to obtain an auto loan from a credit union to purchase a 2014 BMW X-5. Nichols used a fraudulent South Carolina driver's license under the name “Davyion Martin” as well as a false social security number to obtain the loan, as his felony criminal history and poor credit score would have made a loan unlikely. Based on his use of the false name and social security number, the credit union approved the loan and provided Nichols $31,718.24 to complete the purchase.
Nichols lost the vehicle when it was impounded after a traffic stop and the credit union lost money on the transaction. When Nichols was stopped, he attempted to flee. Inside the vehicle, police found narcotics and a firearm.
In April 2021, Nichols used the false name, ID, and social security number to obtain an auto loan from another bank to purchase a 2014 Honda Accord. Based on this false information, the bank approved the loan and provided Nichols $15,684.60 to complete the purchase. Nichols lost the vehicle when it was wrecked in a traffic accident and the bank lost money on the transaction.
The FBI’s Norfolk Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky prosecuted the case.
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. 2:25-cr-88.
Plains man sentenced to 7 years in prison for illegal firearm possessionRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Plains man who was prohibited from owning firearms was sentenced today to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
Graham Anthony Bowden, 49, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of an unregistered silencer.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in the fall of 2024, law enforcement officers encountered Bowden in several instances in which they either observed him to be armed with a firearm or with firearms accessories. Based in part on those incidents, a federal search warrant was obtained to search Bowden’s residence, which was a camper parked on the property of Bowden’s friend. Also on the property was a freestanding home belonging to Bowden’s friend.
Agents located eight firearms belonging to Bowden, along with two silencers and assorted ammunition.
Law enforcement interviewed Bowden and he admitted he owned the firearms had been meaning to register them. Bowden acknowledged he had signed paperwork related to his California convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms but said he thought his rights had been automatically restored at some point. Bowden produced no paperwork to support that assertion.
Bowden also admitted to possessing the two silencers, saying one came with a firearm he purchased and that the other was a blank. Bowden said he didn’t know suppressors were federally controlled and needed to be registered. The silencers were not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
On January 6, 2012, Bowden was convicted of six counts of robbery in the second degree with a firearms enhancement in Orange County Superior Court of California and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was paroled from custody in 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. The ATF, Plains Police Department, and Sanders County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.
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Placerville Man Pleads Guilty to Interstate Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Stephan James Evanovich, 46, of Placerville, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to transport stolen property and to interstate transportation of stolen property, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, Evanovich worked with co-conspirators Trevor Fountain, 38, of Sacramento; Jonathan Matthew Curl, 36, of Sacramento; and Andrea Carter, 35, formerly of Sacramento, to illegally enter communications towers and steal rectifiers and other communications equipment. Rectifiers are a power source necessary to maintain power at communications towers. Fountain, Carter, and Curl were responsible for stealing equipment and transferring it to Evanovich, who then paid them for the stolen equipment. Evanovich sold the stolen property to legitimate third-party vendors in California, Illinois, Colorado, and Texas. The conspirators stole, sold, and shipped more than 485 stolen rectifiers across state lines.
As part of the scheme, Evanovich instructed other conspirators to create invoices in the name of false businesses. These false invoices were used to make it appear as though Evanovich had obtained the stolen rectifiers from legitimate businesses.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from Weld County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Delaney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nchekube Onyima are prosecuting the case.
Carter pleaded guilty and was sentenced on June 5, 2025, to 29 months in prison. Fountain pleaded guilty on Sept. 25, 2025, and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21, 2026. Curl pleaded guilty on Jan. 8, 2026, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2026.
Evanovich is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta on June 11, 2026. Evanovich faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Fountain and Curl face maximum statutory penalties of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Pittsburgh Woman Sentenced and Ordered to Pay over $54,000 in Restitution for SNAP Trafficking at Her African Food StoreRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on March 4, 2026, to two years of probation, including 90 days of home confinement, and ordered to pay over $54,000 in restitution on her conviction of food stamp fraud, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Bolaji Michael, 46, who pleaded guilty on October 7, 2025, to one count of food stamp fraud.
According to information presented to the Court, Michael owned and operated an African food market where she knowingly allowed individuals to exchange their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp, benefits for cash. SNAP benefits may only be used to purchase eligible food items and cannot be exchanged for cash. In addition to exchanging SNAP benefits for cash herself, Michael also authorized others at her store to make such exchanges, despite knowing that doing so was a violation of the SNAP program’s rules and regulations. The monetary loss associated with Michael’s conduct for the charged timeframe totaled $54,996.05.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and Pennsylvania State Police Organized Crime Unit West for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Michael.
Parkersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kevin Wayne Gardner, 42, of Parkersburg, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 16, 2025, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Gardner in the Parkersburg area of Wood County. Officers seized approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine during a search of the vehicle.
Gardner is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Parkersburg Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force and the Wood County Sheriff's Office.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-190.
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Over $12 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme Leads to 14 Years of Prison for Substance Abuse Facility, Owner, Compliance Officer, and Office ManagerRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal judge has handed down more than 14 years in federal prison to participants in a $12.7 Million Medicaid fraud scheme that paid more than $1 Million in kickbacks to drug addict patients. The case also resulted in the permanent closure of the fake substance abuse facility that carried out the crime, a $15 Million dollar fine, and the seizure of more than $6 Million in criminal proceeds, including cash, cars, and homes.
“This is shocking Minnesota-Somali-style fraud right here in North Carolina. For too long, government has allowed grifters to steal taxpayer dollars with impunity. Here, these vultures exploited particularly susceptible drug abusers trying to recover their lives and dignity. Shameful abuse, no remorse. They better learn, and everyone should get the message. Cheaters. Never. Win.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
According to court documents, Keke Komeko Johnson, 53, of Goldsboro; Francine Sims Super, 64, of Kinston; Brandon Eugene Sims, 40, of Manvel, Texas; and Kimberly Mable Sims, 39, of Snow Hill; operated Life Touch, LLC, a purported substance abuse facility operating in Kinston and Goldsboro, and 1st Choice Healthcare Services, a urine drug screening company. Between 2018 and 2023, Inmates Johnson and Super oversaw payments of more than $1 Million in illegal kickbacks to Life Touch’s Medicaid patients, who were drug users. They paid these kickbacks to lure patients to show up for costly substance abuse and lab services that Inmate Johnson billed to Medicaid on behalf of Life Touch and 1st Choice. Inmate Sims, Inmate Super’s daughter, owned 1st Choice Healthcare, and paid Medicaid kickbacks to Inmates Super and Johnson for fake lab services ordered by Life Touch, LLC. Meanwhile, Inmate Brandon Sims, who owned Life Touch and resided in Texas, received Millions in illegal proceeds from the Life Touch operation, but failed to file or pay taxes on that money. The gift card kickback scheme resulted in more than $12.7 Million fake billings to the Medicaid program.
Inmates Johnson and Super deceived the North Carolina Medicaid in multiple audits. They repeatedly lied and falsified documents to make it appear to Eastpointe, a Managed Care Organization, that Life Touch never paid illegal kickbacks to patients when, in fact, they did. Inmate Johnson later lied again regarding the gift cards during a civil investigation conducted by the Medicaid Investigations Division. At the time of these lies, Inmate Johnson served as the compliance officer for Life Touch, and Inmate Super served as the office manager in Kinston.
During the investigation, federal agents seized and forfeited more than $6 Million in assets in the form of cash, real estate, and other assets. In November 2023, after becoming aware of the criminal investigation, Inmate Brandon Sims withdrew more than $1 Million in cash from a bank account, hiding it in a safe at his Texas home. Agents executed a search warrant and seized $1.3 million in cash, a 2021 Rolls Royce Cullinan, a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette, and a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. Agents seized Millions more in other real property.
The Judge sentenced Inmate Johnson, the company’s “Compliance Director,” to six years in federal prison and to pay $15,286,912.91 in restitution to North Carolina Medicaid and $331,851.00 to the IRS. On August 14, 2025, Inmate Johnson pleaded guilty to a health care fraud conspiracy, including making and receiving illegal payments, making and using materially false documents, and failing to file a tax return.
The Judge sentenced Inmate Super, the “Kinston office manager,” to six years in federal prison, and to pay $15,286,912.91 in restitution to North Carolina Medicaid and $373,810.00 to the IRS. She previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay illegal kickbacks, healthcare fraud, and making and using materially false documents. She also pleaded guilty to failure to file a tax return.
The Judge sentenced Inmate Kimberly Sims to two years in federal prison and to pay $1,845,276.95 in restitution to North Carolina Medicaid and $207,383.00 to the IRS. She previously pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to paying illegal kickbacks, healthcare fraud, making and using materially false documents, and filing a false tax return.
The Judge sentenced Life Touch, LLC, to pay a $15 Million fine, to dissolve, and serve five years of probation and repay $12,762,511.30 in restitution to the North Carolina Medicaid program. Life Touch, LLC, previously pleaded guilty to health care fraud, and the owner, Inmate Brandon Sims pleaded guilty to failing to file federal tax returns. The Judge sentenced Inmate Brandon Sims to two and a half years and six months in federal prison, and to pay $1,892,919.40 in restitution to the IRS. Inmate Brandon Sims also forfeit all traceable proceeds of the Life Touch scheme to the United States.
"Healthcare Fraud robs American taxpayers and betrays the very programs meant to protect our most vulnerable citizens. In this case, more than $12 million was stolen by these defendants directly from those who need it most," said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge North Carolina. "These defendants now face more than 170 months in federal prison, over $30 million in restitution to North Carolina Medicaid, and a $15 million fine. This outcome sends a clear message: those who defraud public healthcare programs will be held accountable."
“Fraud against our healthcare and tax systems is a crime and betrays public trust,” said Donald "Trey" Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office. “Tax evasion depletes resources intended for those in need and compromises our communities. IRS-CI special agents, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office and other partners, will continue to target those who exploit federal programs for personal gain, ensuring taxpayer funds are protected."
“These defendants orchestrated an egregious scheme involving illegal kickbacks, placing greed above patient care. Fraudulent operations like this undermine the availability of federal health care program funds intended to support millions of beneficiaries,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “Together with our law enforcement partners, HHS‑OIG will continue to safeguard the integrity of Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The FBI, IRS, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-OIG, and the North Carolina AG’s Office – Medicaid Investigations Division investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Gilmore and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tasha Gardner prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-CR-00025-FL-1, 4:25-CR-00025-FL-2 and Case No. 4:25-CR-00027-FL-1.
North Carolina Man Who Trafficked Fentanyl into Virginia Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A North Carolina man who trafficked fentanyl from North Carolina into Virginia pled guilty this week to federal drug charges.
Semaj Montaque Sledge, 35, pled guilty to one count of distributing 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is a poison that continues to kill our citizens and destroy our communities,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia will continue to work with federal, state and local partners to aggressively prosecute fentanyl traffickers in this district.”
“Drug traffickers like this individual prioritize profit over the lives and families they destroy. They exploit the trust of vulnerable citizens by distributing poisons like fentanyl. DEA is actively working with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain and combat drug trafficking in Virginia and beyond. Together we are working for a Fentanyl Free America,” said DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Goumennis.
According to court documents, on August 26, 2025, Sledge traveled from North Carolina to Virginia to sell an individual approximately 252 grams of pressed fentanyl in exchange for $8,000. The transaction was observed by law enforcement.
Several days later, Sledge once again traveled from North Carolina to Virginia to sell the same individual fentanyl. This time selling 437 grams of fentanyl in exchange for $14,500. This purchase was once again observed by law enforcement.
A few weeks later, officers with the Virginia State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested Sledge along I-64 near Zions Crossroads in Virginia.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Virginia State Police are investigating the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Swartz is prosecuting the case for the United States.
New York Woman Indicted for Allegedly Smuggling Eight Kilograms of Cocaine from the Dominican Republic Hidden in Duty-Free Alcohol BoxesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New York woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly smuggling more than eight kilograms of cocaine in duty-free alcohol boxes via a commercial flight from the Dominican Republic to Boston Logan International Airport.
Stacey Medina Guzman, 24, of Corona, N.Y., was charged with one count of importation of five kilograms or more of cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Medina Guzman appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to court filings, on the evening of Feb. 4, 2026, Medina Guzman arrived at Boston Logan International Airport aboard a Jet Blue flight from Punta Cana. When encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the airport’s Port of Entry for international flights, Medina Guzman was allegedly carrying a duty-free bag containing two boxes of Chivas Regal alcohol. A CBP K-9 screening the duty-free bag alerted agents of the presence of narcotics.
A search of the bag allegedly revealed that the two boxes packaged as Chivas Regal alcohol had been resealed with glue. When cut open, the boxes allegedly contained 12 bricks of cocaine weighing approximately eight kilograms.
The charge of importation of five kilograms or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin T. Missett and Lauren A. Graber of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New Orleans Tax Preparer Indicted for $2 Million Covid Fraud Conspiracy and Making False Statements to AgentsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On February 27, 2026, DENISE DIXON, age 52, was indicted on multiple counts for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and false statements to federal agents, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
Count One of the Indictment charged DIXON with conspiring to commit wire fraud between 2020 and 2022, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349 and 1343. In Counts Two through Seven, DIXON was charged with wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. Count Eight charged DIXON with making false statements to federal agents in April 2023, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.
According to the Indictment, DIXON owned a tax preparation business in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Indictment alleges that DIXON caused the submission of numerous applications seeking over two million dollars in loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program on behalf of herself, her family members, and clients. DIXON and her co-conspirators made false representations on the applications and attached falsified tax documentation.
If convicted of Counts One through Seven, DIXON faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years of imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, per count. As to Count Eight, DIXON faces a maximum penalty of up to five (5) years of imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count is also applicable.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni of the Public Integrity Unit and Edward Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit are in charge of the prosecution.
For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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New Orleans Man Sentenced for Cares Act Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – IRVIN C. FRANCOIS, III (“FRANCOIS”), age 54, of New Orleans, was sentenced by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey, after previously pleading guilty to making false statements, and money laundering related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the CARES Act, which provided emergency assistance, administered by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), to small business owners affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. One of the primary sources of funding for small businesses was the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
According to court records, on or about March 24, 2021, FRANCOIS, on behalf of a business that he owned, made false statements to an approved lender to obtain approximately $144,790 for a PPP loan. FRANCOIS then committed money laundering by using these ill-gotten funds to buy an automobile from a dealership in Kenner, Louisiana.
In addition to three years of probation, FRANCOIS was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and ordered to pay $153,171.95 in restitution to the Small Business Administration and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count.
For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case was investigated by an agent assigned to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. The PRAC was established to serve the American public by promoting transparency and facilitating coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 21 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending. The PRAC Fraud Task Force brings together agents from 15 Inspectors General to investigate fraud involving a variety of programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program. Task force agents who are detailed to the PRAC receive expanded authority to investigate pandemic fraud as well as tools and training to support their investigations.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General (a member of the PRAC) and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit was in charge of the prosecution.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty in Threatening Red Mass Attendees at St. Matthews CathedralRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Louis Geri, 41, of Vineland, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with threatening to detonate more than 100 homemade explosive devices on the steps of St. Matthew's Cathedral during the annual Red Mass attended by U.S. Supreme Court Justices and other senior government officials, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Geri pleaded guilty before Judge Randolph M. Moss to a count of Hobbs Act extortion by wrongful use of force, violence, or fear, and to a count of possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device). Judge Moss scheduled sentencing for July 27, 2026. Geri's final plea will be accepted at sentencing.
“Threatening to detonate devices on the steps of a Catholic church—or any religious institution—is a violation not only of our way of life, but of the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Terrorizing people of faith will result in serious consequences and significant prison time.”
According to the plea agreement, on the evening of Oct. 4, 2025, Geri rode his motorcycle to St. Matthew's Cathedral, on the 1700 block of Rhode Island Ave. NW, and erected a tent on the church's front steps. Inside the tent, he assembled more than 100 explosive devices he had manufactured from materials — including nitromethane, magnesium, charcoal, and thermite — purchased in Arkansas and assembled in Virginia. He also carried a nine-page list of written demands.
The Red Mass, a high-profile annual religious ceremony attended by members of the Supreme Court, Cabinet, Congress, and the diplomatic corps, was scheduled at the cathedral for the following morning.
About 5 a.m. on October 5, 2025, Metropolitan Police Department officers approached Geri's tent while patrolling the area before the service. When officers told him he would need to move, Geri refused and threatened to throw one of his explosive devices into the street to demonstrate its destructive power. He told officers that "several of your people are gonna die from one of these" if federal agents did not come to negotiate his demands.
Geri's written demands included hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments to himself and others, extended accommodations at the Mayflower Hotel, an expatriation flight to Japan, and requests that the Supreme Court remove Arizona from the United States and declare it a “foreign enemy.” He also made numerous demands directed at leaders of the Catholic and Jewish faiths.
Law enforcement established a barricade around the tent and apprehended Geri about 5:53 a.m. when he briefly emerged. Officers found one explosive device in his pocket along with a butane lighter. A search of the tent revealed more than 100 additional devices. Testing by an FBI laboratory confirmed the devices were improvised explosive devices in operable condition.
Following his arrest, Geri waived his Miranda rights and described the devices as “grenades” and “rockets.” He admitted that he intended to use the threat of force to coerce negotiations and that he was willing to use the devices to harm people and property — including St. Matthew's Cathedral, the White House, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, and the Supreme Court.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Division, with valuable assistance from the FBI's Washington Field Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Satter for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
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New Jersey Man Flew Home After a Failed Smuggling Attempt in Texas, Now Spending over 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A New Jersey man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for his role in a failed human smuggling event, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
On April 6, 2023, Texas Department of Public Safety agents working in La Pryor pulled over a vehicle and detained one of several fleeing backseat occupants before the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed. The detained individual was determined to be a Mexican national who had no lawful status in the U.S. According to court documents, Cameron Alexander Ford, 23, of Camden, New Jersey, was determined to be the owner of an abandoned cell phone found by the troopers in the same area.
An investigation revealed that the vehicle was a rental from the Philadelphia International Airport, reported stolen two days after the smuggling event, on April 8. The abandoned cell phone contained photos leading to Ford, whose name yielded a warrant for robbery from the Philadelphia Police Department. Ford’s phone also contained location information showing he stayed at a hotel in Eagle Pass on April 5 and 6. Text conversations and other evidence found on the phone revealed a smuggling conspiracy between Ford and co-defendant John Klotz aka “Remy,” who was determined to be the son of the woman that reported the stolen rental vehicle.
The investigation revealed that Ford and Klotz drove the rental vehicle from New Jersey to Eagle Pass in the days preceding the smuggling attempt. After the two conspirators fled from DPS on April 6, they managed to fly from San Antonio to Philadelphia.
Further search warrants identified a third conspirator, Van Donovan Brown aka “Sledge,” as the individual that facilitated the smuggling attempt through a WhatsApp group chat. Records also indicated that Brown paid Klotz through CashApp.
Ford was indicted along with Klotz and Brown on Oct. 2, 2024. He was arrested on April 1, 2025. He pleaded guilty on Sept. 29, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens and placing lives in jeopardy. Ford’s 10-year sentence will run consecutive to a 47-month sentence he received from the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia for carjacking and aiding and abetting.
Klotz and Brown have also pleaded guilty and are both scheduled to be sentenced on April 23. A fourth defendant, Jeffrey Ray Jilpas was named in a superseding indictment on Feb. 11 and arrested on Feb. 20. U.S. District Judge Ernest Gonzalez presides over the case.
“This smuggler thought that he could come to Texas, break the law, flee from law enforcement, and then resume his life back home as if nothing happened,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “Thanks to a lengthy and thorough investigation by our law enforcement partners and federal prosecutors’ dogged commitment to justice, his home for the foreseeable future will be a prison cell.”
“This 10-year prison sentence is a testament to the resolve and expertise of Homeland Security Investigations in confronting the threat posed by human smuggling,” said acting Special Agent in Charge, John A. Pasciucco, HSI San Antonio. “HSI’s special agents worked relentlessly to dismantle a criminal network that showed blatant disregard for human life and the rule of law. We will not tolerate those who exploit vulnerable individuals and undermine our nation’s security. HSI remains committed to pursuing justice and protecting our communities from these dangerous operations.”
Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, the Zavala County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Frio County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Ellis-Dotson prosecuted 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.
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Nashville Man on Federal Supervision Charged with Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE –Jacquise Miller, age 27, of Nashville, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, in violation of federal law, announced United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to court documents, a federal jury convicted Miller in 2019 of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm to further his drug trafficking. He received over six years in prison for these convictions and was ordered to serve a term of supervised release upon his release from custody. He began his supervision in 2024. In October 2025, officers saw Miller engaging in hand-to-hand transactions and arrested him on an outstanding warrant. When they arrested him, they pried bags of cocaine from his grasp and found a loaded firearm in his pants.
If convicted of the drug offense, Miller faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. If convicted of one of the firearms offenses, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. If convicted of the other firearms offenses, he faces a maximum of life imprisonment.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ahmed A. Safeeullah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Napa Man Indicted for Threatening Senior Government OfficialRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury has indicted a Napa man for threatening violence against a senior government official. Haddow Mills, 64, made his initial appearance in federal court earlier today.
According to the indictment filed Jan. 28, 2026, and unsealed today, on Sept. 25, 2025, Mills sent an email threatening to murder a Senate-confirmed federal government official in Washington, D.C. (identified in the indictment as the “Victim”). The email stated, “I will hunt [the Victim] down and kill him.” In the months leading up to the threat, Mills allegedly sent the Victim’s ex-spouse dozens of harassing and threatening emails, including an email that stated, “I still am hunting down [Victim’s first name]. He is a dead man walking.” Mills allegedly sent many other emails that also contained threats against the Victim, the Victim’s ex-spouse, and their children.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Acting U.S. Marshal Peter Marketos for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.
Mills was released on bond. He is next scheduled to appear in district court on May 21, 2026, for a status conference before U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Mills faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for transmitting an interstate communication with a threat to kidnap or injure in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c). Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Moore is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, with assistance from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office and Arlington County Police Department in Virginia.
Mills Indictment and Penalty
Miami Man Sentenced for Installing Card Skimmers on Grocery Store Payment Terminals in Central AlabamaRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today that a Miami, Florida, man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a scheme to install card skimming devices on grocery store terminals in Alabama’s River Region.
On February 25, 2026, a federal judge sentenced 40-year-old Yosniel Sotomayor Rodriguez to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully use a counterfeit access device. Following his term of imprisonment, Rodriguez will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Card skimming devices are designed to blend in, but consumers can protect themselves by staying alert,” said Acting United States Attorney Davidson. “Before inserting or swiping your card, take a moment to inspect the card reader. If the keypad feels loose, the card slot appears bulky or misaligned, or any part of the machine appears tampered with, do not use it. Consumers should also monitor their bank statements regularly for unauthorized transactions. I am grateful for the swift work of law enforcement and store personnel whose quick actions led to the removal of the devices before any stolen financial information could be used to harm unsuspecting victims.”
“The Secret Service is dedicated to going after those who aim to exploit our financial systems and target innocent victims, especially here in Alabama where folks work hard for every dollar,” said Resident Agent in Charge Todd Haralson with the U.S. Secret Service Montgomery Resident Office. “We are thankful for the hard work and dedication of our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, including the pivotal role played by the ALEA Trooper whose traffic stop set this case in motion. With support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will continue to investigate, arrest, and support prosecution of criminals who choose to commit fraud in Alabama and across the nation.”
According to Rodriguez’s plea agreement and other court records, in May 2024, a regional grocery store chain discovered that four counterfeit access devices, commonly known as card skimming devices, had been installed on point-of-sale terminals at locations in Montgomery, Prattville, and Millbrook. Approximately 221 unique card numbers were stolen.
The investigation revealed that Rodriguez entered the stores and used distractions to conceal his installation of the devices over the payment terminals without detection. The devices were discovered and removed before any stolen account information could be used. On October 20, 2025, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge.
The United States Secret Service investigated the case, with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Megan A. Kirkpatrick prosecuted this case.
Mexican national heads to federal prison for transporting child sexual abuse material across state lines to MexicoRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 40-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced for the transportation of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Raul Velasco-Leon pleaded guilty June 16, 2025.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now sentenced Velasco-Leon to 115 months. He must also serve five years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Velasco-Leon will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
On March 12, 2025, Velasco-Leon attempted to cross the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo to enter Mexico. After Velasco-Leon was referred to secondary inspection, agents found what appeared to be a piece of youth-sized clothing with the words “Girl Power” tucked inside a jean pocket. Law enforcement also discovered multiple electronic devices, including 10 USB flash drives, two cell phones, and a laptop. On one of the devices, agents discovered six files containing child sexual abuse material of minor victims of approximately 10 years of age. One of the videos containing CSAM also included Velasco-Leon on a split screen.
Velasco-Leon admitted he had been engaged in a video chat and would screen record the CSAM he viewed. A forensic analysis of the other devices uncovered an additional twenty-three images and twenty-one videos containing CSAM.
Velasco-Leon has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine A. Cortez prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Mescalero man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minorRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, on February 15, 2025, John Albert Carrillo, Jr., 36, a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, used force to commit a sexual act with a minor victim.
Carrillo pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. Upon his release from prison, Carrillo will be subject to 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
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 Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Silvia Delgado is prosecuting the case.
Memphis Gang Member and Convicted Felon Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Cordney Campbell, 25, also known as “Moo Slime", of Memphis, was sentenced to serve 5 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to the indictment returned by a federal grand jury in May 2025, Campbell possessed a firearm and a small amount of narcotics when encountered by police in January of the same year. Campbell pled guilty in October 2025 to a charge of being a prohibited person in unlawful possession of a firearm.
In January 2025, officers with the Memphis Police Department responded to a shots-fired call on Crockett Place. There they encountered Campbell and another man and found Campbell in possession of a firearm and a small amount of narcotics. Campbell was convicted in 2022 for selling crack cocaine on Crockett Place in 2021. Crockett Place is a street in the Smokey City neighborhood of Memphis.
Campbell is an identified member of the Memphis hybrid street gang, the Eric Bizzle Gang or EBG, and had also been identified by the Memphis Police Department as an Aggravated Assault Prolific Offender under an initiative that allows investigators to focus on the most violent criminals responsible for gun violence.
On February 24, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Campbell to 60 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
At the time of his January 2025 arrest, Campbell was serving a Supervised Release term of five years for a 2022 distribution of crack cocaine conviction, also from the Western District of Tennessee. Campbell was also found to have violated the terms of his Supervised Release, which resulted in a six-month sentence that will be served consecutively to his 60-month sentence.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “The citizens of Smokey City deserve to feel safe in their neighborhood, and addressing crime on Crockett Place is a key component to meeting that goal. ‘Moo Slime’ will now do more time, and Memphis is a safer place without him in it.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
Assistant United States Attorney Neal Oldham prosecuted the case and the violation of supervised release on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Marcus Evans, Inc. Agrees to Pay $2.8 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program LoansRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Marcus Evans, Inc. (“Marcus Evans”), a Delaware corporation, has agreed to pay $2,857,081.33 to resolve allegations that it improperly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) for which it was not eligible.
PPP was an emergency loan program established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and administered by the SBA. The program was created to support small businesses and to help them continue to pay employees and meet other business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. To be eligible for a PPP loan, a business was required to certify that it had no more than 300 employees, including employees of all domestic and foreign affiliates.
Marcus Evans is part of the Marcus Evans Group, a global business intelligence and events company that provides management services including conferences, professional training, and business‑to‑business summits across a variety of industries.
On March 17, 2021, Marcus Evans applied for and received a $1,826,000 PPP loan after falsely certifying that it, together with its affiliates, had fewer than 300 employees. Marcus Evans later sought and obtained full forgiveness of that loan from SBA. Marcus Evans was ineligible for the loan, however, because together with its domestic and foreign affiliates, it had over 300 employees.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace announced the settlement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Laksin handled the case, with assistance from Christopher J. McClintock of the SBA.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party—known as a relator—can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. In this case, the relator will receive a share of the settlement.
Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. The settlement agreement is attached to this press release. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-413-CFC.
The claims resolved by the settlement are merely allegations. There has been no determination of liability.
Manager of Investment Firm Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Investors in “Pre-IPO” SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that GIOVANNI PENNETTA pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein to wire fraud for running a scheme to fraudulently induce multiple investment clients to part with millions of dollars in exchange for economic exposure to shares of non-public companies.
“Giovanni Pennetta, manager of a New York-based financial firm, raised millions of dollars by claiming he could give investors access to shares of private companies before they went public,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “That access did not exist. Instead, Pennetta diverted more than $10 million for his own benefit. Protecting the integrity of New York’s public and private financial markets is a central part of our Office’s mission, and for the safety of investors, we will continue to hold fraudsters like Pennetta criminally accountable.”
According to the Indictment, plea agreement, and statements made in court:
Over a period of roughly six years, PENNETTA, the manager of a Manhattan-based investment adviser and private equity firm, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors who had entrusted him with millions of dollars to access shares of private companies. PENNETTA induced investors to contribute capital to his private equity fund by promising them economic exposure to shares of pre-IPO companies. Instead, PENNETTA misappropriated more than $10 million in investor money, moving much of it to his personal bank account.
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PENNETTA, 50, of New York, New York, and Italy, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. PENNETTA is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9, 2026.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra N. Rothman and Samuel P. Rothschild are in charge of the prosecution.
Man Pleads Guilty for Conspiracy to Distribute 900 Pounds of Methamphetamine and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Mexican national who was in the country illegally has pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
According to court documents, Mercado-Chaparro sold a pound of methamphetamine to an undercover police officer. Police followed Mercado-Chaparro after the buy and saw him conduct other drug deals. Several days later, police saw Mercado-Chaparro retrieve two large garbage bags from his pickup truck and place them in a nearby Jeep. Police stopped the Jeep a short time later, and a drug-sniffing dog alerted the odor of drugs in the Jeep. When police searched the Jeep, they found roughly 250 pounds of methamphetamine in the garbage bags and a cooler.
Police then obtained a search warrant for Mercado-Chapparo’s truck, searched it, and seized roughly 630 more pounds of methamphetamine from the truck bed.
Altogether, Mercado-Chaparro possessed almost 900 pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Minnesota Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Ramsey County Crime Enforcement Team, the St. Paul Police Department, the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner is prosecuting the case.
Lieutenant in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Operation Sentenced to over Four Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Lieutenant in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Operation Sentenced to Over Four Years in Federal Prison
CONCORD – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for his key role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Flemin Soto Baez, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 50 months in federal prison. In May, Soto Baez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, namely cocaine and fentanyl. He was charged along with 20 other defendants in April 2023. To date, 15 defendants involved in the conspiracy have been convicted, including the defendant’s brother and leader of the organization, Juan Ramon Soto Baez, who was sentenced to more than 8 years in federal prison.
“This defendant perpetuated a drug trafficking operation that pushes deadly narcotics,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “They profited from addiction and suffering. Today’s sentence demonstrates that every member of these organizations will be held accountable for the damage they inflict on New Hampshire families.”
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who choose to flood our communities with fentanyl and cocaine will be held accountable,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, New England Field Division. “Flemin Soto Baez played a significant role in a large-scale trafficking conspiracy that put countless lives at risk. The DEA and our law enforcement partners remain committed to dismantling these criminal networks and protecting our communities from the devastating impact of dangerous drugs.”
“Fentanyl and cocaine have no place in New Hampshire and neither do the drug traffickers who sell it,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Today’s sentence keeps Flemin Soto Baez behind bars for the key role he played in this multi-state drug trafficking operation. Every sale he orchestrated was a potentially deadly transaction, and the FBI and our partners won’t stop until all drug trafficking operations like this one have been disrupted.”
According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, the defendant was a key organizer in a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in New Hampshire, particularly Manchester, between July 2022 and March 2023. The organization was run like a business, operating “dispatch” telephone lines where customers could call in to order narcotics. As a trusted member of the conspiracy, the defendant would take customer orders on the phone, and then he would send a runner to conduct the drug sale at an arranged meeting location. In connection with the defendant’s arrest in June 2023, law enforcement authorities searched an apartment associated with the defendant and seized more than a kilogram of cocaine from the residence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar A. Vega prosecuted the case.
This effort 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).
Lewes Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Fentanyl ChargeRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – A Lewes man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall accepted the plea.
According to court documents, Brandon Barnes, 38, fled from Lewes Police during a car stop in July 2024. Barnes lost control of his car and struck a utility box before fleeing on foot. Once police caught Barnes, they found numerous blue pills marked “M30” scattered across the floor and driver’s seat of the car, as well as blue pills between the car and where police arrested Barnes. Police ultimately recovered over 500 pressed fentanyl pills.
Barnes pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for July 15, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from Lewes Police Department, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Thurstlic-O’Neill and Samuel S. Frey are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 24-cr-122.
Las Vegas Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Threats Against Two Federal Judges and Probation OfficerRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – Latonia Smith of Las Vegas was sentenced in federal court today to 10 years in prison for threatening two federal judges and a probation officer, all of whom were involved in her previous federal conviction for death threats she made against lawyers in yet another case.
The sentencing hearing took place in Dallas, Texas, where Smith is being detained.
“Threatening the judiciary strikes at the heart of our justice system,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. “These were not impulsive words typed in anger — they were calculated, researched, and designed to terrorize. Today’s sentence makes clear that targeting judges and their families will be met with serious consequences.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a powerful message: the FBI stands firm against threats of violence and is unwavering in our commitment to protect every member of our community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto of the Las Vegas field office. “Acts that endanger others — especially those safeguarding our democratic process — will not be tolerated. We are dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and investigate violent rhetoric, holding accountable anyone who seeks to harass, intimidate, or harm others.”
Smith was originally convicted in 2021 of mailing threats to, among others, certain lawyers involved in a civil case.
In the current case, after a six-day trial in June 2025, a jury found that Smith threatened U.S. District Judge Richard Franklin Boulware, who presided over Smith’s 2021 trial and sentenced her to 36 months in prison for that offense. The jury also found that Smith targeted U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey, who presided over the defendant’s supervised release, and Shawn Mummey, her probation officer.
The trial took place in the federal courthouse in Las Vegas. The presiding judge was Senior District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman, from the District of Oregon, who was appointed to preside over the case by special designation of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
According to court documents, in the weeks and months leading up to today’s sentencing hearing, Smith demonstrated no remorse for her crimes. In June 2025, Smith told Deputy U.S. Marshals “I won’t be locked up forever; I will get out. When I get out, people are going to die.” In February 2026, Smith sent a letter to U.S. Probation to indicate that she “will not be censored” and that she “will continue to wage war” against government officials and that the “road to systemic change has always been paved with blood.”
In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Mosman explained that “community safety” was a significant factor because Smith had “proven to be smart, strong, but dangerous.”
When Smith was released from federal prison in the first case against her, she was sent to Washoe County jail to face allegations related to an October 31, 2019, armed home-invasion in Reno she allegedly committed against another lawyer involved in a prior case..
Smith was granted bail in early June 2022. Upon her return to Las Vegas, Smith immediately began searching Google for information about Judge Boulware along with his wife, Las Vegas City Councilwoman Nancy Brune, and their family. At the same time, she googled “judges should die.”
Over the next several weeks, the defendant became increasingly frustrated with judges and anyone involved with her prior federal case. On June 23, 2022, the defendant emailed her probation officer and explained, “Some good advice: Life is short, society should be careful who they piss off.” Below the warning, the defendant sent a link to a YouTube video showing a six-minute compilation of cell phone videos from the October 1 mass shooting at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
Over the next few days, Smith sent a series of emails. Some threatened a mass casualty event: “LET THE SHOW BEGIN. NEVADA IS GOING TO LOVE THIS!!!!” Some were designed to let victims know their loved ones were in jeopardy: “LETS KEEP [YOUR KIDS] IN FOCUS”.
Throughout many of the emails, the defendant made it clear that she had deeply researched the recipients of her threats, accurately identifying where they could be found, either during hobby activities, or in their actual homes. For example, to Judge Jennifer Dorsey the defendant wrote: “Tell Jennifer, Henderson is nice I see why she chose that area. Lots of shops nearby. Smart.” At trial, Judge Dorsey testified that the defendant’s identification of her personal residence was a significant factor in the decision to sell her home and move.
The victims of Smith’s threats testified at trial they were frightened and believed Smith was capable of violently acting on her threats as she had allegedly done in the pending case regarding the armed home invasion targeting the lawyer in Reno.
The investigation, which was led by the FBI, found that Smith, who has a biochemistry degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Googled phrases like “judges die,” “how to become a bomb maker,” “how to be a mass shooter,” “buying a gun,” and “ar 15 for sale.” She also watched the compilation of videos from the October 1 mass shooting 13 times over a three-week period. At the same time, the defendant repeatedly searched the names of her targets, some of their children, and some of their home addresses. The jury deliberated for less than a day before returning a guilty verdict on three counts of cyberstalking for the emails sent to Judges Dorsey and Boulware, along with her probation officer. The jury acquitted the defendant on the other two counts of cyberstalking.
Smith’s prosecution was initiated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, out of their office in Reno. In March 2024, the Department of Justice recused the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and had the prosecution reassigned.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Haden and Francisco Nagel for the Southern District of California, both of whom were named Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Las Vegas after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada was recused.
DEFENDANT Case Number 22CR051-MWM
Latonia Dyshawna Smith Age: 32 Las Vegas, NV
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Three Counts of Cyberstalking – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 2261A
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison, as to each count of conviction
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Laboratory Agrees to Pay More than $200,000 for Improper Billing to West Virginia Medicaid ProgramRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA –IntegraLabs, Inc. (Integra), a Tennessee based corporation, has agreed to pay a combined total of $208,624.40 to the United States of America and State of West Virginia for improper billings made to the West Virginia Medicaid Program. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia and the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, partnered to hold this laboratory responsible for its False Claims Act violations.
“This joint effort between the Department of Justice and the State of West Virginia is an example of a successful federal and state partnership which yielded real results in combatting fraud, waste, and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “I commend the investigative team for its skillful work in this matter and look forward to future cooperative endeavors to protect the West Virginia Medicaid program.”
"We are committed to protecting the integrity of West Virginia's Medicaid program and this settlement reflects that commitment and what is possible when state and federal partners work together. Fraudulent billing robs taxpayers and hurts the patients the program is designed to serve — and we will continue to pursue those who abuse it," Attorney General McCuskey said.
Integra provides laboratory services, including drug testing, and is enrolled in the West Virginia Medicaid Provider network. According to the settlement, the United States and State of West Virgina contend Integra violated the law by repeatedly submitting billings to the West Virginia Medicaid program for medically unnecessary testing ordered by medical providers over a two-year period. Specifically, it is alleged that Integra submitted improper claims for specimen validity testing that were not allowable.
This case was litigated on behalf of the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Prezioso and Jordan V. Palmer. It is the result of a cooperative investigation by the Department of Justice; the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, West Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; and the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
The West Virginia Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $3,094,936.70 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,031,645.56 for FY 2026, is funded by The State of West Virginia.
Kansas man indicted on meth trafficking and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with offenses related to drug trafficking and illegal firearms.
According to court documents, Danny Ray Stano Jr., 44, of Topeka was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Stano allegedly had five firearms that he is not allowed by law to possess, and he is also accused of conspiring to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Jury Convicts Man of Aggravated Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted David Leonard Mayes, 41, of aggravated sexual abuse against a child.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Mayes raped a nine-year-old severely autistic, nonverbal child while visiting her family on Camp Lejeune. The victim’s mother arrived home early and found her daughter’s door closed. Alarmed, she opened the door and caught Mayes in the act. Investigators found a tub of petroleum jelly in her room, with Mayes’s fingerprint on it. Forensic testing showed the victim’s DNA on Mayes’s genitals and a petroleum jelly substance around both of their genitals.
“This monster preyed on the most vulnerable nine-year-old imaginable. He exploited his relationship with the family to violate this defenseless innocent child in the most inhuman ways imaginable. Rather than admit his heinous crime, he further traumatized the family by forcing them to recount what he did before the jury in open court. We will protect the heroes aboard Camp Lejeune and their daughters. We proudly secured this conviction from a jury of American citizens and look forward to advocating for a sentence that will ensure this predator will never hurt another child ever again,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
“Mr. Mayes must be held accountable for targeting and cruelly exploiting a particularly vulnerable child for illicit, selfish gratification,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly Parrish of the NCIS Carolinas Field Office. “NCIS and our law enforcement partners are unwaveringly committed to protecting Department of the Navy warfighters and their families by disrupting and rigorously investigating those who prey on innocent children.”
Mayes faces a mandatory minimum of at least 30 years and up to life in prison at sentencing.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III accepted the verdict. The NCIS investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Haughton and Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-74.
Indian national sentenced for conspiring to sell counterfeit cancer drugRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 45-year-old foreign national has been ordered to federal prison for his role in selling tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of counterfeit oncology pharmaceuticals into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Sanjay Kumar pleaded guilty Oct. 30, 2025, to conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now ordered Kumar to serve 43 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a one-year term of supervised release. In imposing the sentence, the court noted the cruel nature of Kumar’s conduct, commenting that he had intentionally marketed a drug that was intended for people who thought they were extending their lives, and instead, they received “junk.” Judge Rosenthal further ordered him to pay a $58,823 money judgment.
“When a patient takes a drug to treat a medical condition, they expect it to be legitimate, effective, and safe. When victims are instead sold worthless counterfeit medicine, it undermines not only their own health outcomes, but also public confidence in the American medical system as a whole,” said Ganjei. “The conduct in this case was particularly depraved because Kumar was selling false hope to those battling cancer, knowing full well his fugazi drugs would do nothing to help against this life-threatening disease. The Southern District of Texas will find and punish any person who, like Sanjay Kumar, attempts to make a quick buck by endangering patients’ lives.”
From August 2018 to June 2024, Kumar and others arranged the sale of counterfeit versions of the cancer drug Keytruda valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
Keytruda is an FDA-approved immunotherapy used to treat melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma as well as lung, head, neck, gastric, cervical and breast cancers. Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, formerly Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., holds the exclusive right to authorize the manufacture and distribution of genuine Keytruda.
The counterfeit medication was chemically inconsistent with real Keytruda and did not contain the active ingredient necessary for the drug to serve its medical purpose, thereby making it wholly ineffective. The packaging was also counterfeit and closely resembled trademarks registered to Merck.
During an undercover operation, Kumar attempted to sell additional quantities of counterfeit Keytruda. He admitted he knew the drugs would not work to treat cancer and described them as “just like water.”
Kumar and others received approximately $89,268 for the sales of the fake drug.
Kumar has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
ICE-HSI conducted the investigation with assistance from FDA.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman prosecuted the case along with Trial Attorneys Ethan Cantor, Bryce Rosenbower and Jeff Pearlman of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
Indian National Sentenced for Conspiring to Sell Counterfeit Cancer DrugRead the Press Release
Indian national Sanjay Kumar, 45, was sentenced today to 43 months in prison and one year of supervised release for conspiring to sell tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of counterfeit oncology pharmaceuticals into the United States. Kumar pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods.
According to court documents, between approximately August 2018 and June 2024, Sanjay Kumar, with the aid of co-conspirators, arranged for the sale of counterfeit versions of the prescription drug, Keytruda, used to treat cancer to undercover law enforcement agents. Keytruda is a cancer immunotherapy treatment that is approved in the United States for a variety of different conditions, including certain types of melanomas, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, gastric cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC has the exclusive right to authorize the manufacture of Keytruda for introduction into interstate commerce.
Kumar and his co-conspirators sold fake Keytruda that bore counterfeit marks. The medication that Kumar pled guilty to trafficking was chemically inconsistent with real Keytruda, and did not contain the active ingredient necessary for the drug to serve its medical purpose, thereby making it wholly ineffective. Kumar and his co-conspirators received approximately $89,268 for their sales of purported Keytruda with counterfeit marks to undercover investigators.
Before his arrest in Houston, Kumar attempted to arrange for additional sales and shipments of Keytruda into the United States when meeting in-person with undercover law enforcement agents. Kumar made it clear in this meeting that he understood the risks posed by counterfeit pharmaceuticals, explaining that counterfeit Keytruda would not work to treat cancer and was “just like water.”
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Burke, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Lamb of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office made the announcement.
HSI investigated the case with assistance provided by the FDA.
Trial Attorneys Ethan Cantor and Bryce Rosenbower of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case. CCIPS Trial Attorney Jeff Pearlman also provided valuable assistance.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Independence Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Christopher A. Durant, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes to 84 months in prison without parole for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Durant pleaded guilty on Aug. 7, 2025.
In Oct. 2021, Durant was federally convicted of arson for attempting to burn down a church and sentenced to over five years in federal prison. Less than two months after his release from that sentence, at around 2:00am on May 13, 2025, Durant was seen walking through the street in Independence firing a gun in the air. As a convicted felon, Durant was prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. When police arrived, Durant ran. During his flight from law enforcement, Durant threw the gun near the sidewalk on a church campus.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo. Police Department.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.