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Friday 13 February 2026
Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the CountryRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after a prior removal.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Alfredo Gonzalez-Peleaz, 43, to time served. Gonzalez-Peleaz had been incarcerated since November 11, 2025.
According to court records, in November 2025, a Border Patrol agent encountered Gonzalez-Peleaz and his brother, Isidro Gonzalez-Peleaz, leaving a jobsite in Calais. The Border Patrol agent conducted a field immigration inspection of the two men and determined that they were Mexican citizens and did not have any documentation to be in the U.S. legally. A review of immigration records confirmed Gonzalez-Peleaz had been removed from the country in January 2012, at Calexico, California.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case. Isidro Gonzalez-Peleaz also received a sentence of time served, which Judge Woodcock imposed earlier today.
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.
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Mansfield Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Child Exploitation After Producing Explicit VideosRead the Press Release
A Mansfield woman who produced sexually explicit videos of a child pled guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of children this week, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Marisa Witkop, 31, was indicted on the charges by a federal grand jury in October last year. For each count, she faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, for a total maximum sentence of 120 years’ imprisonment. According to court documents, Witkop produced four videos of a nine-year-old child, some of which she distributed using a social media application. Sentencing is scheduled for June 9, 2026, in Fort Worth before Senior United States District Judge Terry R. Means.
The U.S. Secret Service and Mansfield Police Department handled the investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was 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 Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for 2020 Shooting of Girlfriend’s Former FriendRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Daniel Cary, 31, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was sentenced today to nine years in prison for charges stemming from the shooting of his then-girlfriend Chantel Stewart’s former friend in July 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Cary pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on November 20, 2025, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Today, Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Cary to serve nine years of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Co-defendant Chantel Stewart, 34, also pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and received a one-year suspended sentence.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 22, 2020, as the victim was driving near 108 Atlantic Street SE, Stewart pulled her car up to the victim’s car and warned the victim, “he’s about to shoot you.” Cary, Stewart’s boyfriend, then pulled a mask over his face, got out of the passenger seat of Stewart’s car, and fired a semi-automatic weapon 5 times at the victim’s car. One shot went through the victim’s car door and struck her in the back. Stewart then drove Cary away from the scene.
The victim, through sheer force of will, drove herself to the hospital, where she underwent multiple surgeries and survived.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miles Janssen, who investigated the case; former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel Brower and Ella Gladman, who prosecuted the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Claire Hoover, who handled the case.
2021 CF3 002662
2021 CF3 002658
Macomb County Man Sentenced to 10 Months for Threatening to Assassinate Michigan Governor and Shareholders of DTE EnergyRead the Press Release
DETROIT – A 40-year-old male from Center Line, Michigan, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for posting online threats to assassinate Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and making calls threatening shareholders of the DTE Energy Corporation, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced today.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
In January 2025, Steven Conway called a DTE Energy call center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and threatened to “hunt down” and “target for assassination” the shareholders and members of the energy company.
A few days later, Conway posted threats to kill Governor Whitmer on an online dating website, claiming the governor was on a list “marked for assassination.” Conway has a prior conviction for threatening to kill a judge and police officers in Macomb County, Michigan.
U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. White imposed the sentence following Conway’s guilty plea to two counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce and included a two-year term of supervised release for Conway.
“Threats of political violence and retribution are an attack on the rule of law. We will protect our public servants and the regular citizens who make our country free and prosperous,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
“Threats of violence of this nature, whether directed at a public officials, private citizens, or company shareholders, are serious crimes and will be treated as such," said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. "The FBI will not tolerate any attempt to intimidate, endanger, or coerce individuals through online platforms. We will continue to aggressively investigate these offenses and work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue those who make such threats, so they are held fully accountable under the law.”
This case was investigated by the FBI’s joint terrorism taskforce with the assistance of Task Force Officers from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office,West Bloomfield Police Department and the Centerline Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Carr and Catherine Morris.
Leader of Tijuana-based Fentanyl Trafficking Organization SentencedRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Alejandro Salinas of Tijuana, Mexico, was sentenced in federal court today to 240 months in prison for leading an organization that trafficked large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico.
Salinas previously pleaded guilty to participating in an international conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The case is part of an investigation of a drug trafficking organization referred to as “The Office,” which operated a convenience store for illegal drugs in Tijuana, open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, for mostly American buyers. The Office sold a variety of narcotics at its Tijuana store, including fentanyl and methamphetamine. At the same time, The Office sent drugs into the United States, acting as a drug wholesale and delivery service for users and distributors in San Diego County and elsewhere. The organization employed “runners,” typically U.S. citizens, who smuggled drugs across the international border to fill orders.
Investigators estimate The Office operated for at least five years and made several million dollars during that time, moving hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl and other controlled substances into the United States. Salinas held a leadership role in the organization from approximately 2020 to 2022, a time period during which he and his co-conspirators took advantage of the rise in demand for fentanyl during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the indictment of Salinas and his co-conspirators in April 2023 and coordination with Mexican authorities, the Attorney General of Mexico seized and closed The Office’s Tijuana storefront in January 2024.
“The Office operated as a 24-hour storefront for spreading addiction and death,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “We showed them it was closing time.”
“The leader of this organization was responsible for the smuggling of deadly narcotics, including fentanyl into our community and throughout the United States for years,” said Kevin a Murphy, HSI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge. “HSI San Diego remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting our community and our nation by identifying, disrupting, and dismantling these criminal organizations.”
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Salinas.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 23cr618
Alejandro Salinas Age: 48 Tijuana, MX
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
International Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 959, 960, 963
Maximum penalty: Life in prison
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation
Drug Enforcement Administration
San Diego Sheriff’s Department
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
Kansas City Man Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was charged with child pornography offenses in a now-unsealed federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Missouri.
Luis Leony Valentin, 34, was charged by federal criminal complaint with production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography over the internet, and possession of child pornography. Following his arrest today, Valentin had his first appearance in court.
An affidavit filed with the complaint alleges that Valentin communicated over the internet with a 14-year-old to obtain depictions of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Valentin possessed numerous videos of child pornography of minor females.
The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the "resources” tab.
Justice Department Sues Harvard University for Withholding Race-Related Admissions DocumentsRead the Press Release
Note: View complaint here. The release has been updated to reflect that the action took place today, February 13.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division (DOJ) filed a lawsuit today against Harvard University (Harvard), accusing Harvard of unlawfully withholding from the United States admissions data information necessary to determine whether Harvard is continuing to discriminate in its admissions process, even after the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice is demanding better from our nation’s educational institutions,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Harvard has failed to disclose the data we need to ensure that its admissions are free of discrimination — we will continue fighting to put merit over DEI across America.”
“The Justice Department will not allow universities to flout our nation’s federal civil rights laws by refusing to provide the information required for our review,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Providing requested data is a basic expectation of any credible compliance process, and refusal to cooperate creates concerns about university practices. If Harvard has stopped discriminating, it should happily share the data necessary to prove it.”
The lawsuit alleges that Harvard repeatedly slow-walked the pace of production and refused to produce pertinent data and documents requested by the DOJ, including individualized applicant admissions data, admissions policies, and correspondence related to race; ethnicity; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and Students for Fair Admissions. The suit alleges that Harvard — a recipient of DOJ funding — violated Title VI by failing to comply with the DOJ’s request for sufficient document production for compliance review. The suit also notes that by failing to make timely and complete document productions or otherwise permitting the DOJ to access Harvard’s applicant-level admissions data, Harvard breached a material term of DOJ federal financial assistance.
The lawsuit seeks only to compel Harvard to produce documents related to any consideration of race in admissions and does not accuse Harvard of racial discrimination.
2026.2.13 Harvard Access Complaint-v.pdfJustice Department Opens Investigation into Lincoln Memorial University for Discrimination Against Jewish StudentsRead the Press Release
Yesterday, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched an investigation into Lincoln Memorial University to determine whether the university is engaged in discrimination against its Jewish students. Among other concerns, the investigation will determine whether the university’s DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is intentionally preventing Jewish students from completing their exams during the Spring semester.
“This Department of Justice is fiercely committed to shutting down the concerning outbreak of antisemitism that has been spreading on college campuses since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When colleges and universities single Jewish students out for adverse treatment, they are in clear violation of our civil rights laws and of this nation’s promise of equal opportunity for all Americans.”
“All students should be free to learn and train in environments free from discrimination,” said Paula M. Stannard, Director of the Department of Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR). “Antisemitism has no place in our nation’s educational or medical training institutions, and OCR will work to ensure that federal civil rights laws are fully enforced.”
This investigation will be conducted pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. Lincoln Memorial University receives substantial federal financial assistance and is therefore subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557. Title VI and Section 1557 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Antisemitism can be a form of discrimination on the basis of race or national origin, according to federal precedent. Lincoln Memorial University is based in Harrogate, Tennessee, and its DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine has campuses in Knoxville, Harrogate, and Orange Park, Tennessee.
Neither the Civil Rights Division nor the Office for Civil Rights has reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigations.
Jury Convicts Tuba City Man of Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault, and RobberyRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Feb. 5, 2026, a federal jury found Derick Lee Myron, 45, of Tuba City, Arizona, guilty of one count of Second-Degree Murder, three counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, two counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, four counts of Discharging a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence, and one count of Robbery. The guilty verdict followed an eight-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi. Sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
On April 29, 2024, Myron shot and killed an unarmed victim and shot and seriously injured two others, on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. Myron then stole a truck, ran over the victim he had killed, and fled the crime scene. He later disposed of the truck in a canyon in Cameron, Arizona. Over the next two days, Myron hid the firearm he used to shoot the victims, and evaded arrest by hiding in the Moenkopi Wash.
A conviction for Second Degree Murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of $250,000, and not more than five years of supervised release. The remaining convictions include additional penalties that could amount to more than 10 years in prison.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Flagstaff office and Navajo Nation Police Department jointly conducted the investigation in this case, with assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Flagstaff Police Department, and Coconino County Sherrif’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Genevieve A. Ozark (Phoenix) and Dimitra H. Sampson (Flagstaff), District of Arizona, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-24-08050-PCT-MTL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026- 026_Myron
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Jonathan D. Frost Pleads Guilty to Three Felony Charges Related to $70 Million Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. On February 11, 2026, Jonathan D. Frost, 42, of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, entered pleas of guilty to three felonies at the federal courthouse in downtown Chattanooga.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Christopher H. Steger, Frost waived his right to indictment by a grand jury and entered guilty pleas to all counts in the charging document. The specific charges include Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and Conspiracy to Defraud the United States.
According to the facts laid out in the written plea agreement, Frost participated in a scheme in which investments were solicited for the purpose of building and operating a facility that would use solar power to extract hydrogen gas from water. However, the funds that were raised were never used for building a hydrogen plant but were instead converted to the personal use of Frost and his co-conspirators. In the plea agreement, Frost agreed to a monetary judgment being taken against him of not less than $70,000,000.
The plea agreement filed with the court indicates there is no agreement regarding the sentence to be imposed. It will be determined by the judge at the time of sentencing. A sentencing hearing before Chief United States District Judge Travis R. McDonough is currently set for August 7, 2026. Frost faces up to a combined 45 years in federal prison.
This case is prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Dale, Christopher Poole, and Frank Clark represent the United States.
The Eastern District of Tennessee Victim Witness Program has established the following website to provide victims of the scam with important notifications and updates concerning the case: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/victim-witness-assistance. The FBI encourages anyone who invested money as part of this scheme to contact [email protected].
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Jefferson County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Fentanyl Sale that Resulted in a DeathRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Charles Town, West Virginia man was sentenced for selling fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Clark Grove Corbin, 50, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Corbin sold fentanyl to an individual who later died from ingesting the fentanyl. During a search of Corbin’s home, investigators seized more than 9 grams of fentanyl and 2 grams of cocaine. Corbin has prior convictions, including involuntary manslaughter/DUI that resulted in death.
“Those who are selling poison in our neighborhoods and putting profits over life will face severe consequences,” said U.S Attorney Harvey.
Corbin will serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Jamaican citizen pleads guilty to wire fraud for sweepstake scam that defrauded elderly victim of more than $550,000Read the Press Release
Tacoma – A Jamaican citizen pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to wire fraud for his lottery scheme that cost an elderly victim more than $550,000, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Roshard Andrew Carty, 34, was arrested in Jamaica on August 21, 2025, and arrived in the Western District of Washington for arraignment on October 23, 2025. Carty will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright on May 14, 2026.
According to records filed in the case, Carty first contacted the 73-year-old Vancouver, Washington victim in 2020. He posed as an employee of Publisher’s Clearinghouse and claimed the victim won $22 million and a car in the lottery, but that she needed to pay taxes and fees to access her winnings. He convinced the victim that the FBI was recording the call and told her she was not to tell anyone about the big win. Between August 2020 and February 2024, he convinced the victim to send more than $550,000 to various money couriers throughout the United States, who ultimately sent the money to Carty in Jamaica.
Carty’s requests for cash started small and grew over time. He had the victim remove small amounts of cash from her accounts and send them to a U.S. location via FedEx. Carty told the victim the money was lost or stolen and demanded more. Carty told the victim to borrow against her home so she could send more money. Carty convinced the victim to sell her home to cover additional “costs and fees” to claim her prize. In all, Carty stole more than $550,000 from the victim by having her mail the money to various couriers in the U.S.
Carty was relentless in contacting the victim using various phone numbers and texting programs. He contacted her thousands of times throughout the fraud. When she tried to cut off contact, he tried sending tow trucks, and pizza deliveries, and asked her landlord for a welfare check to try to get back in touch with the victim.
Carty was indicted in November 2024. Following his August 2025 arrest in Jamaica, Carty consented to extradition to the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica has a page devoted to lottery scams based in that country. Find it here. The bottom line: You never should pay to receive a prize and any request for advance fees is a scam.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend no more than 41 months in prison and the defense is free to recommend any sentence. Judge Cartwright is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Watts Staniar and David T. Martin. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Government of Jamaica to secure the arrest and extradition of Carty.
Indian National Pleads Guilty to Plotting to Assassinate U.S. Citizen in New York CityRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence and Espionage Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Roman Rozhavsky, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Terrance C. Cole, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced that NIKHIL GUPTA, a/k/a “Nick,” an Indian national, pled guilty to all three counts contained in the Second Superseding Indictment, charging him with murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in connection with his efforts to murder a U.S. citizen in New York City. GUPTA pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero on May 29, 2026.
“Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “He thought that from outside this country he could kill someone in it without consequence, simply for exercising their American right to free speech. But he was wrong, and he will face justice. Our message to all nefarious foreign actors should be clear: steer clear of the United States and our people.”
“Nikhil Gupta was a key participant in a murder-for-hire plot against a U.S. citizen, a murder that was prevented thanks to the actions of U.S. law enforcement,” said FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky. “The U.S. citizen became a target of transnational repression solely for exercising their freedom of speech. The message from the FBI should be clear—no matter where you are located if you try to harm our citizens we will not stop until you are brought to justice.”
“It is often a slippery and dangerous slope from drug trafficking to deadly violence, as demonstrated by the murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by international narcotics and weapons trafficker Nikhil Gupta,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “This case is a stark reminder of the ruthless lengths criminals will go to in order to further their illegal enterprises. I commend the men and women of DEA’s New York Task Force Division for their outstanding investigative work successfully foiling Gupta’s assassination plot. Let there be no doubt: DEA remains steadfast in its mission to protect America. We will continue to leverage our superior investigative expertise and unmatched intelligence capabilities to dismantle the drug trafficking networks that threaten our safety and well-being of our communities.”
“At the direction and coordination of an Indian government employee, Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a United States citizen on American soil, facilitating a foreign adversary’s unlawful effort to silence a vocal critic of the Indian government,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “The FBI will continue to aggressively defend the homeland against any foreign adversaries who target our citizens for exercising their constitutionally protected rights.”
According to the allegations contained in the Second Superseding Indictment, other public court documents, and statements made in court:
In or about 2023, GUPTA worked together with others in India and elsewhere, including, as alleged in the Second Superseding Indictment, co-defendant VIKASH YADAV, who was at relevant times an Indian government employee, to plot the assassination of an attorney and political activist (the “Victim”) on U.S. soil.[1] The Victim, who is a U.S. citizen of Indian origin, is a vocal critic of the Indian government and leads a U.S.-based organization that advocates for the secession of Punjab, a state in northern India that is home to a large population of Sikhs, an ethnoreligious minority group in India. The Victim has publicly called for some or all of Punjab to secede from India and establish a Sikh sovereign state called Khalistan, and the Indian government has banned the Victim and his separatist organization from India.
GUPTA is a citizen and was a resident of India, and he has described himself as an international narcotics and weapons trafficker in electronic communications with YADAV and others. YADAV was employed by the Government of India’s Cabinet Secretariat, which houses India’s foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing.
In or about May 2023, YADAV recruited GUPTA to orchestrate the assassination of the Victim in the United States. At YADAV’s direction, GUPTA contacted an individual whom GUPTA believed to be a criminal associate, but who was in fact a confidential source working with the DEA (the “CS”), for assistance in contracting a hitman to murder the Victim in New York City. The CS introduced GUPTA to a purported hitman, who was in fact a DEA undercover officer (the “UC”). YADAV subsequently agreed, in dealings brokered by GUPTA, to pay the UC $100,000 to murder the Victim. On or about June 9, 2023, YADAV and GUPTA arranged for an associate to deliver $15,000 in cash to the UC as an advance payment for the murder.
In or about June 2023, in furtherance of the assassination plot, YADAV provided GUPTA with personal information about the Victim, including the Victim’s home address in New York City, phone numbers associated with the Victim, and details about the Victim’s day-to-day conduct, which GUPTA then passed to the UC. GUPTA thereafter provided YADAV with regular updates on the assassination plot, including surveillance photographs of the Victim. GUPTA directed the UC to carry out the murder as soon as possible, but GUPTA also specifically instructed the UC not to commit the murder around the time of the Indian Prime Minister’s official state visit to the United States, which was scheduled to begin on or about June 20, 2023.
On or about June 18, 2023, approximately two days before the Indian Prime Minister’s state visit to the United States, masked gunmen murdered Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia, Canada. Nijjar was an associate of the Victim, and, like the Victim, was a leader of the Sikh separatist movement and an outspoken critic of the Indian government. On or about June 19, 2023, the day after the Nijjar murder, GUPTA told the UC that Nijjar “was also the target” and “we have so many targets.” GUPTA also added that, in light of Nijjar’s murder, there was “now no need to wait” on killing the Victim.
On June 30, 2023, GUPTA was arrested in the Czech Republic and subsequently extradited to the United States.
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GUPTA, 54 of India, pled guilty to murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI’s New York Field Office. Mr. Clayton also thanked the DEA’s Special Operations Division, the DEA’s Vienna Country Office, the FBI’s Prague Country Office, the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, and the Czech Republic’s National Drug Headquarters for their assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Czech authorities to secure the arrest and June 2024 extradition of Gupta.
This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit, Violent Organizations and Crime Unit, and Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Camille L. Fletcher, Ashley C. Nicolas, and Alexander Li are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and A.J. Dixon of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
[1] YADAV has been charged in the Second Superseding Indictment but has not yet been arrested in connection with those charges.
Illinois Man Charged with Interstate Transmission of Text and Voicemail Threats to Injure Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota Federal Grand Jury returned a one-count Indictment, charging Jose Alberto Ramirez, age 29, with interstate transmission of threats to injure a federal law enforcement officer on January 15, 2026, United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today.
According to court documents, on January 14, 2026, in response to an immigration enforcement action, a large group of protesters in Minneapolis vandalized and significantly damaged FBI-owned vehicles, stealing weapons and ammunition, seizing government-owned equipment, and taking documents containing federal employees’ phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and driver’s license numbers. FBI personnel were on scene to investigate an officer-involved shooting and not for any immigration enforcement. One of the individuals whose personal information had been compromised and broadcast on the Internet was an FBI Special Agent, who began receiving a series of threatening texts and voicemails on their government-issued cell phone on January 15, 2026, and for several days thereafter.
A subsequent investigation identified the phone number associated with one particular voicemail and two particular threatening text messages sent to the Special Agent as belonging to Jose Alberto Ramirez. The messages asserted that the caller/sender knew where the Special Agent’s parents and children lived and advised the Special Agent to “get home safe and fast.”
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent.
Honduran Man Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DENIS EDGARDO BUEZO-ZELAYA (“BUEZO”), age 33, was sentenced on February 3, 2026 after previously pleading guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, BUEZO was removed from the United States on August 13, 2014, and was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on February 3, 2024, and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter.
BUEZO was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Darrel James Papillion to time-served, to be followed by one year of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon M. Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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Healthcare executives guilty in multimillion-dollar healthcare fraud conspiracyRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – Two healthcare executives have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a multimillion-dollar fraud conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Mouzon Bass, III, 60, of Highland Park, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Lance Wilson, 57, of Allen, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The guilty pleas were heard by U.S. Magistrate Judge Aileen Goldman Durrett this week.
According to information presented in court, Bass, the sole owner and president of Vivature, a healthcare billing company, and Wilson, a senior executive at Vivature, were involved in conspiracies to defraud others in connection with COVID-19 testing and an athletic training billing scheme.
The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is up to 20 years in federal prison, a potential fine, and restitution at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is being investigated by FBI, Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anand Varadarajan and Adrian Garcia.
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Georgia Resident Sentenced for Scheme to Steal from Federal Employees’ Retirement AccountsRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the sentencing of a LaGrange, Georgia woman for her role in a scheme to steal funds from federal employees’ Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) retirement accounts.
On February 11, 2026, a federal judge sentenced 31-year-old Tekia Sade Peay to 51 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Peay previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. There is no parole in the federal system.
“This scheme targeted the retirement savings of hardworking employees, including accounts belonging to elderly and deceased individuals,” said Acting United States Attorney Davidson. “Exploiting the identity of someone who has passed away is not a victimless crime. Families should be focused on grieving for their loved one, not discovering that their loved one’s identity has been stolen and their retirement savings depleted. These sentences reflect the seriousness of this conduct and our commitment to protecting employees and their families from financial exploitation.”
“The sentencing in this case holds the defendant accountable for orchestrating an account takeover scheme that targeted elderly and deceased Thrift Savings Plan annuitants,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Scalzo, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Electronic Crimes Unit. “The FDIC OIG will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who target our Nation’s most vulnerable, and threaten to undermine the integrity of our Nation’s financial system.”
“This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to holding accountable those who use their positions of trust to steal other people’s hard-earned money to line their own pockets,” said Daniel Wierzbicki, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division. “We work with our partner agencies every day to identify and bring to justice those who fraudulently access government systems.”
According to court records, in August 2023, the FBI received information regarding fraudulent TSP transactions conducted by an individual identified as Tekia Peay, who was employed by a company that provided recordkeeping services for the TSP.
An investigation revealed that Tekia Peay exploited her knowledge of TSP call center procedures to gain unauthorized access to victims’ online TSP accounts. Using account holders’ personal identifying information, Tekia Peay established online access to accounts without the owner’s knowledge or consent, including accounts belonging to elderly and deceased individuals.
After establishing and verifying online access using the victims’ personal identifying information, Tekia and a co-conspirator made unauthorized changes to the accounts and requested disbursements. The fraudulently obtained funds were deposited into bank accounts controlled by Peay.
Throughout the course of the scheme, Peay attempted to steal a total of $76,544.03 from TSP account holders but ultimately succeeded in obtaining $21,508.32. In addition to her term of imprisonment, the court ordered Peay to pay $21,508.32 in restitution to the recordkeeping company that formerly employed her, as the company had previously reimbursed the TSP account holders for their losses.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General’s Electronic Crimes Unit and the FBI Washington Field Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle R. Turner and Megan A. Kirkpatrick prosecuted the case.
Gulf Breeze Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Meth and Fentanyl with the Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Logan Schoonmaker, 40, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent investigative work of our local and federal law enforcement partners, this defendant was stopped before he could peddle more deadly drugs in our community. My office continues to back up the hard work of our law enforcement partners on the front lines with successful prosecutions to ensure drug dealers like this defendant are kept off our streets. Through Operation Take Back America, President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi made a promise to put an end to the criminal enterprises that have plagued our communities for far too long, and my office will continue to deliver on that promise.”
Court documents reflect that on April 25, 2025, Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gulf Breeze Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Inside the residence, police located approximately 40 grams of crystal methamphetamine and approximately 12.5 grams of fentanyl. Schoonmaker was present at the residence. Electronic devices located at the residence were searched and a video showing Schoonmaker distributing suspected narcotics was uncovered.
Schoonmaker faces a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment and up to forty years’ imprisonment. If Schoonmaker is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, such term could be followed by up to a five-year term of supervised release. Thus, if Schoonmaker were to violate any conditions of his release, he could potentially face an additional period of incarceration related to violating his supervision.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Gulf Breeze Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
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, human and drug trafficking.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Georgia Woman Sentenced to an Additional Twelve Months in Federal Prison After Failing to Surrender for Service of SentenceRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced that U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Thanh Hoa Thi Bui, also known as Xena Bui, age 43, formerly of Valdosta, Georgia, to serve an additional twelve months in federal prison following her conviction for failing to surrender for service of a previously-imposed federal sentence. The Court further sentenced Bui to serve three years of supervised release following her term of imprisonment.
Bui was previously convicted in 2024 of wire fraud and making unlawful monetary transactions. In that case, she was found to have embezzled more than $1.6 million from her employer, a small business located on North Sherwood Forest Drive in Baton Rouge, where she worked as a bookkeeper. Over a three-year period from September 2017 through November 2020, Bui used her access to the company’s bank account to make hundreds of fraudulent transactions, which she used (among other things) to pay the electricity and gas for a large chicken farm that she maintained in Mississippi and to make payments to a company in Covington, Louisiana, to which she owed money for real estate that she had purchased. Bui took extensive steps to conceal her scheme, and as she obtained proceeds from the scheme, she would quickly move the funds through her bank accounts, withdraw the funds in cash, and make other transactions, including at local casinos. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, with valuable assistance from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police.
U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Bui in November 2024 to serve 63 months in federal prison and to pay restitution of approximately $1.69 million to her victim. At the time of her sentencing, she was not in custody. Based on representations made by Bui to the Court regarding her health, the Court allowed her to remain released, subject to the existing conditions, but ordered her to surrender to the United States Bureau of Prisons to begin serving her sentence before 2:00 p.m. on February 10, 2025.
When Bui did not report to prison as ordered, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) immediately initiated an investigation into her whereabouts. On February 26, 2025, she was charged in a criminal complaint with failing to surrender for service of her sentence. On March 20, 2025, the USMS located Bui at a casino and hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, and arrested her. A few days later, she was charged in an indictment with failure to surrender. In September 2025, Bui pled guilty to the new charge, and the sentence imposed today, by law, will run consecutive to the existing 63-month federal prison sentence from the previous case.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alan A. Stevens, who also serves as Senior Litigation Counsel.
Fruitland man sentenced for assaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Fruitland man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for an assault that left the victim with severe injuries.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, on May 6, 2025, Kyle Kee, 34, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, intentionally struck the victim with his fists. As a result, the victim suffered an orbital floor fracture, nasal bone fractures, and facial disfigurement.
Kee pleaded guilty to one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Upon his release from prison, Kee 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 Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jordan is prosecuting the case.
Former Hulbert Schools Encumbrance Clerk Sentenced for Theft of Federal FundsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Rebecca Deanne Morehead, age 55, of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, was sentenced to twelve months and one day in prison for one count of Theft or Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds. The Court also ordered Morehead to pay $178,758.16 in restitution.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Education – Office of Inspector General (OIG).
On November 21, 2024, Morehead pleaded guilty to the charge in federal district court. According to investigators, between June of 2019 and October 26, 2021, while serving as the Encumbrance Clerk and Activities Coordinator for the Hulbert Public School District, Morehead issued herself payroll and miscellaneous payments to in excess of her contracted and authorized salary with no legitimate purpose. Morehead issued these payments with the assistance of then-Treasurer Leslie Shannon Mack. Together, their combined actions resulted in an ultimate loss to the Hulbert Public School District exceeding a half million dollars. On December 11, 2024, Mack was sentenced to twelve months and one day in prison and ordered to pay $372,808.09 in restitution.
“I’m proud of the work of OIG Special Agents and our law enforcement partners for holding Ms. Morehead accountable for her criminal actions,” said John Woolley, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Central Regional Office. “This sentence should serve as a warning to anyone who intentionally steals or misappropriates Federal education funds: you will be caught and held accountable for your unlawful actions.”
“The OSBI appreciates the great work conducted by the United States Department of Education, as well as our local law enforcement partners, who assisted us throughout this investigation. Protecting our school districts against these type of crimes is critical across all of Oklahoma. We want to thank everyone who stepped up and helped obtain justice in this case,” said Hunter McKee, Public Information Manager with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
“The defendants’ misappropriation of public funding stole opportunity out of the pockets of students and families of the Hulbert Public School District,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “This sentence and restitution stand as a warning that crimes against the public trust will be investigated and prosecuted.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Senior District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Morehead will self-report on March 13, 2026, to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara Traster and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Final Two Gang Members Convicted by Jury in Brazen Racketeering MurderRead the Press Release
Following a one-week trial, a federal jury in Memphis convicted two members of the Unknown Vice Lords (UVL) – a violent Memphis street gang – yesterday for murdering by gunshot a fellow gang member who they suspected of betraying the gang.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Edward Allen, also known as E-Money, 42, and Deandre Rodgers, also known as Dre, 29, both of Memphis, were high-ranking members of a criminal enterprise that controlled territory throughout the entire city of Memphis and extended beyond to Arkansas and Mississippi. Members of UVL committed murders, robberies, assaults, human trafficking, and drug trafficking on behalf of the enterprise. When the gang’s Supreme Elite Chief, the leader for the entire state of Tennessee, was murdered, the gang sought retaliation against anyone thought to be involved.
“Members of this gang carried out a calculated and merciless killing, leaving the victim in public to send a chilling message about the consequences of disloyalty,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their repeated acts of violence, including shootings in broad daylight and in residential neighborhoods, demonstrate a profound indifference to human life and pose a clear danger to our communities. We will continue to stand with our law enforcement partners and relentlessly pursue those who bring violence into our communities - street-level violence has no place in this country, and those who engage in it will be identified, arrested, prosecuted.”
“This successful federal prosecution has significantly disrupted the leadership of the UVL street gang here in Memphis, and E-Money, Dre, and V-Slash are no longer unknown,” said U.S. Attorney D, Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee. “If you are a member of a criminal gang committed to a lifestyle of lawlessness, no matter your role or nickname — your days are numbered — there will be a reckoning."
“Violent street gangs such as these that show a blatant disregard for public safety must be held accountable”, said Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division. “Through aggressive investigation, coordinated enforcement, and sustained collaboration, we will relentlessly continue to pursue, disrupt, and dismantle these violent criminal networks. The ATF, along with our local, state, and federal partners, will not rest until the safety and security of our communities are restored.”
As shown at trial, on Jan. 10, 2019, the Supreme Elite Chief and his girlfriend were murdered in broad daylight in a residential neighborhood. The gang immediately sought retaliation that same night against a rival gang, the Traveling Vice Lords, who they initially believed may have been responsible. Multiple Unknown Vice Lord members drove to a known Traveling Vice Lord hangout and committed a drive-by shooting where at least one person was shot. During the next few days, UVL conducted its own internal investigation and came to believe that a fellow UVL member was responsible for their Chief’s murder.
Five days after the Chief was murdered, on Jan. 15, 2019, the implicated Unknown Vice Lord member, the victim for this trial, was murdered at the hands of Allen, Rodgers, and other UVL members. On Jan. 14, 2019, co-defendant Vincent Grant, also known as V-Slash, a keeper of guns for the gang, provided guns to multiple gang members for the purpose of going on a “demo” which is their term for committing violent acts. Early the next morning around 1:00 a.m., Allen, Rodgers, Grant, and another gang member drove the victim to the back of a rundown apartment complex, where Allen and Rodgers took the victim behind one of buildings and executed him with guns provided by Grant.
The jury convicted Allen and Rodgers of causing death by use of a firearm during a racketeering murder. Sentencing is scheduled to be held on May 11. Allen and Rodgers face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Grant was previously convicted at trial for his involvement in the murder and sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.
The ATF investigated the case, with significant assistance from The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, The FBI, Memphis Police Department, and U.S. Secret Service.
Trial Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Sarah J. Rasalam of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence.
Final Two Gang Members Convicted by Jury in Brazen Racketeering MurderRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Following a one-week trial, a federal jury in Memphis convicted two members of the Unknown Vice Lords (UVL) – a violent Memphis street gang – yesterday for murdering by gunshot a fellow gang member who they suspected of betraying the gang.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Edward Allen, also known as E-Money, 42, and Deandre Rodgers, a.k.a. Dre, 29, both of Memphis, were high-ranking members of a criminal enterprise that controlled territory throughout the entire city of Memphis and extended beyond to Arkansas and Mississippi. Members of UVL committed murders, robberies, assaults, human trafficking, and drug trafficking on behalf of the enterprise. When the gang’s Supreme Elite Chief, the leader for the entire state of Tennessee, was murdered, the gang sought retaliation against anyone thought to be involved.
“Members of this gang carried out a calculated and merciless killing, leaving the victim in public to send a chilling message about the consequences of disloyalty,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their repeated acts of violence, including shootings in broad daylight and in residential neighborhoods, demonstrate a profound indifference to human life and pose a clear danger to our communities. We will continue to stand with our law enforcement partners and relentlessly pursue those who bring violence into our communities - street-level violence has no place in this country, and those who engage in it will be identified, arrested, prosecuted.”
“This successful federal prosecution has significantly disrupted the leadership of the UVL street gang here in Memphis, and E-Money, Dre, and V-Slash are no longer unknown,” said U.S. Attorney D, Michael Dunavant. “If you are a member of a criminal gang committed to a lifestyle of lawlessness, no matter your role or nickname - your days are numbered - there will be a reckoning."
“Violent street gangs such as these that show a blatant disregard for public safety must be held accountable”, said Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division. “Through aggressive investigation, coordinated enforcement, and sustained collaboration, we will relentlessly continue to pursue, disrupt, and dismantle these violent criminal networks. The ATF, along with our local, state, and federal partners, will not rest until the safety and security of our communities are restored.”
As shown at trial, on Jan. 10, 2019, the Supreme Elite Chief and his girlfriend were murdered in broad daylight in a residential neighborhood. The gang immediately sought retaliation that same night against a rival gang, the Traveling Vice Lords, who they initially believed may have been responsible. Multiple Unknown Vice Lord members drove to a known Traveling Vice Lord hangout and committed a drive-by shooting where at least one person was shot. During the next few days, UVL conducted its own internal investigation and came to believe that a fellow UVL member was responsible for their Chief’s murder.
Five days after the Chief was murdered, on Jan. 15, 2019, the implicated Unknown Vice Lord member, the victim for this trial, was murdered at the hands of Allen, Rodgers, and other UVL members. On Jan. 14, 2019, co-defendant Vincent Grant, also known as V-Slash, a keeper of guns for the gang, provided guns to multiple gang members for the purpose of going on a “demo” which is their term for committing violent acts. Early the next morning around 1 a.m., Allen, Rodgers, Grant, and another gang member drove the victim to the back of a rundown apartment complex, where Allen and Rodgers took the victim behind one of buildings and executed him with guns provided by Grant.
The jury convicted Allen and Rodgers of causing death by use of a firearm during a racketeering murder. Sentencing is scheduled to be held on May 11, and Allen and Rodgers face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Grant was previously convicted at trial for his involvement in the murder and sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.
The ATF investigated the case, with significant assistance from The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, The FBI, Memphis Police Department, and U.S. Secret Service.
Trial Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Sarah J. Rasalam of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence.
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If you have questions, please use the contacts in the message or call the Office of Public Affairs at 202-514-2007.
Former Labor Union Treasurer Indicted for Bank Fraud, Embezzlement, and Falsification of Union Financial ReportsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Clarence Penny, 40, of Pace, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with eight counts of bank fraud, one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, and three counts of falsification of labor union reports. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Penny appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon on February 12, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for April 6, 2026, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
If convicted, Penny faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment for each count of bank fraud; up to five years’ imprisonment for the embezzlement count; and up to one year imprisonment for each count of falsification of labor union reports.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards. Assistant United States Attorneys Brooke DiSalvo and Walter Narramore are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Erie Man Charged with Bank Fraud and Money Laundering in Relation to Falsified Applications for Pandemic Relief FundsRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of bank fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The 16-count Indictment named Aaron B. Collins, 50, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, Collins falsified applications for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds under the Paycheck Protection Program, which was designed to authorize forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indictment further alleges that Collins engaged in a series of monetary transactions involving the funds he fraudulently obtained through his falsified applications.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to over 14 Years Imprisonment for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
STATESBORO, GA: A Toombs County resident with two prior drug trafficking convictions has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl.
Frank Jamal Rashad Curry, age 36, of Toombs County, GA, was charged in May 2025 with three counts of distribution of a fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), said U.S Attorney Margaret E. Heap. On February 4, 2026, following a guilty plea, Curry was sentenced to 155 months of imprisonment by the Honorable J. Randal Hall, District Court Judge for the Southern District of Georgia. Curry was sentenced to an additional, consecutive 18 months for committing the crimes while on supervised release.
“Fentanyl is a horrific and deadly drug. Holding those who distribute it accountable is profoundly important to keeping our community safe.” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Georgia will continue to prosecute those who profit from this deadly substance.”
According to court documents and in court testimony, Curry, who was being supervised by the United States Probation Office for a prior drug-trafficking conviction, distributed pressed fentanyl pills over the course of several months in 2024.
“This investigation targeted a repeat drug trafficker who continued distributing fentanyl despite prior convictions and federal supervision,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “By holding Frank Jamal Rashad Curry accountable, we are reinforcing our commitment to stopping the flow of fentanyl into Georgia communities. The GBI will continue working alongside our local, state, and federal partners to investigate and dismantle fentanyl distribution networks.”
This case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Darron J. Hubbard.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder ChargeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Dearay Wilson, 30, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to second-degree murder while armed for his role in the shooting death of 50-year-old D.C. resident Jeremy Black on the evening of June 29, 2021, in Northwest D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Wilson entered a guilty plea before Superior Court Judge Neal E. Kravitz, on February 13, 2026. Judge Kravitz ordered that Wilson remain held without bond pending sentencing. Wilson will next appear before Judge Kravitz for sentencing on April 10, 2026.
According to court documents, Wilson and three others armed themselves with firearms before driving a vehicle to Johnson Avenue Northwest. Once in the area, they fired multiple shots at a group of people outside an apartment building in the 1400 block of R Street Northwest. Black, the victim, was an innocent bystander walking through the area with his wife and two friends following dinner at a local restaurant. Black and a friend were crossing Johnson Avenue when Wilson and his co-conspirators indiscriminately fired over 45 rounds on a busy public street. Black was struck and killed by a single gunshot wound to his left torso. After the shooting, Wilson and his co-conspirators fled the scene in the stolen vehicle.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Merikas, Kathleen Gibbons, and Sarah Santiago. The case was indicted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sitara Witanachchi.
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DEA Supervisor Arrested and Charged in Bribery Conspiracy and Visa FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Meliton Cordero, a Supervisory Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, was arrested yesterday in Washington D.C. and charged in a complaint unsealed today in U.S. District Court in connection with his role in a bribery and U.S. visa fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“This individual was entrusted by the American people to faithfully execute his duties and represent the American Government abroad as a leader within the DEA,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “Instead, he is alleged to have broken the law, squandered this special trust and undercut the President’s immigration priorities. This behavior by any government official is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Cordero, 47, has been assigned for six years to the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. He is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and visa fraud. According to the charging documents, Cordero allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in exchange for assisting foreign nationals with securing a nonimmigrant visa which would allow them to visit the U.S. for a temporary period.
“The alleged actions do not reflect the thousands of DEA professionals who serve honorably every day dismantling transnational criminal organizations and protecting communities at home and abroad,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to professionalism, transparency, and the rule of law.”
In one instance described in the charging documents, Cordero met with a foreign national and provided them with a passport and visa allowing travel to the United States in exchange for cash. During his assignment at the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, Cordero expedited at least 119 visa applications, at least one of which is alleged to have been fraudulent, often coaching individuals in preparation for their visa interview with U.S. Consular Officers.
A complaint is a document that explains the charges against a defendant. The complaint is not evidence of a crime. All defendants in criminal cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations - Newark Field Office and Homeland Security Investigations – Santo Domingo, the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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Colombian Transnational Robbery Crew Member Pleads Guilty to $5 Million Dollar Organized Jewelry Theft Ring in MiamiRead the Press Release
The last member of a transnational Colombian robbery crew in Miami pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in a series of robberies of and thefts from jewelry couriers that targeted high-end retailers and resulted in losses exceeding $5 million dollars. Defendant Leroy Ortega, also known as “El Enano,” 43, of Miami, was the last of 11 defendants indicted as part of an operation against South American theft groups operating in the Southern District of Florida.
The 11 defendants were each convicted as part of Operation Boujee Bandits, an investigation of a Colombian South American Theft Group targeting jewelry salespersons in South Florida and elsewhere. The investigation resulted in three indictments and an information that charged robberies and money laundering activity from September 2019 to July 2021.
“This transnational theft crew came to the United States to steal from American businesses and preyed upon unsuspecting, hard-working citizens who were just trying to do their jobs as jewelry couriers,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Leroy Ortega played an integral role with other already convicted defendants to execute sophisticated, high-value robberies that caused millions of dollars in losses. The Criminal Division will investigate and prosecute organized theft networks and hold to account those individuals who participated in them at all levels.”
“These defendants operated as part of a coordinated South American theft group that targeted hardworking jewelry couriers and sales professionals transporting high-value diamonds, watches, and other merchandise,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “They followed their victims from jewelry exchanges, used fraudulent identification to rent vehicles, and relied on force and violence to steal valuable inventory. Those who commit organized robberies in South Florida will face federal prosecution and significant prison time. We will continue dismantling theft crews that threaten the safety of our community and the integrity of our marketplace.”
“Eliminating these brazen South American Theft Groups reinforces the FBI’s mission of ensuring public safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor of the FBI Atlanta Field Office. “With our hardworking special agents, analysts, and professional staff triaging leads and sharing threat intelligence with law enforcement partners around the world, we’ve been able to efficiently and effectively disrupt these criminal groups.”
According to court documents, Ortega was part of a group that forcefully took jewelry and other property from victims they believed were in the business of buying and selling jewelry throughout South Florida. To commit the robberies, defendants rented vehicles using false identification documents to follow jewelry salespersons from the International Jewelry Exchanges or the Seybold Jewelry Building. They would then rob victims of the jewelry that they were transporting, sometimes brandishing a knife-like weapon to ensure victims’ compliance.
Ortega admitted that he committed two robberies. On Oct. 16, 2019, Ortega and his co-defendants identified a person they believed was carrying a case of jewelry. In fact, the victim was not a jewelry courier but rather a professional photographer who had been photographing jewelry. Following the victim to a shopping center, co-defendant Allan Lucas, 33, of Miami, pushed the photographer and Ortega grabbed the photographer’s case, which contained photography equipment and a computer. The photographer chased Ortega and Lucas to their get-away car. When the photographer tried to open the car door to get his case back, Ortega reversed the car, causing injury as the photographer was thrown to the ground.
Then, on Nov. 7, 2019, Ortega and his co-conspirators, including defendants Andres Barahona Poveda, 51, a national of Colombia, and Edwin Castillo, 45, of Pembroke Pines, robbed a jewelry salesman of approximately $125,000 of assorted jewelry. Ortega and his co-conspirators followed the salesman to his business in Miami Beach. As the salesman sat in the vehicle, Ortega approached and smashed the salesman’s windows while another co-conspirator took the salesman’s backpack containing the jewelry. When the salesman tried to exit the vehicle, Ortega held the salesman’s door shut trapping him inside the vehicle. To conduct the robbery, defendant Carlos Morales, 47, of Miami rented a vehicle using a fraudulent Venezuelan driver’s license.
Ortega pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and two counts of Hobbs Act robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Defendants convicted under this Operation, in addition to Ortega, include:
Allan Lucas, who was sentenced to 168 months in prison;
Diana Grisales Basto, 41, a national of Colombia, who was sentenced to 97 months in prison;
Carlos Morales, who was sentenced to 60 months in prison;
Giovanni Cardenas, also known as“El Mono,” 40, a national of Colombia, who was sentenced to 110 months in prison;
Andres Barahona Poveda, who was sentenced to 87 months in prison;
Edwin Castillo, who was sentenced to 108 months in prison;
Demian Gonzalez Contreras, 30, a national of Colombia, who was sentenced to 74 months in prison;
Victor Fabian Valenzuela, 39, a national of Colombia, who was sentenced to 57 months in prison;
Hernando Rodriguez Mahecha, also known as “Nando,” 42, a national of Colombia, who was sentenced to 60 months in prison; and
Mark Simon, 57, of New York, was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
The FBI Tampa Field Office is leading the investigation of the case with valuable assistance from the FBI Miami Field Office, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami Beach Police Department, Tampa Police Department, Boca Raton Police Department, Palm Beach Sherriff’s Office, Boynton Beach Police Department, Fort Pierce Police Department, and the Jewelry Security Alliance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Office of Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia, provided significant assistance.
Trial Attorneys Lakeita F. Rox-Love and Christopher D. Usher II of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Dobbins for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
Colchester Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Involvement in Swanton HomicideRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on February 13, 2026, Dominique Troupe, 39, of Colchester, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford to a term of 240 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release. Troupe previously was convicted by a jury on May 7, 2024, of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, aiding and abetting the use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense wherein the firearm was discharged, conspiracy to commit robbery, and possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute after a six-day trial. Eric Raymond and Jesse Sweet were previously sentenced to twelve and six years, respectively, for their roles in the case following guilty pleas.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, by at least July of 2021, Troupe was a source of cocaine base (also known as “crack cocaine”) to residents of Swanton, Vermont, with whom he conspired to distribute the drug. During the second half of 2021, Troupe maintained a consistent cocaine base distribution operation in the Swanton area that was trafficking multiple ounces of cocaine base each week. In January 2022, however, a rival distributor of cocaine base moved into the residence at 45 First Street in Swanton, resulting in a significant diminution in Troupe’s sales. To address this problem, two of Troupe’s Swanton-based re-distributors, Eric Raymond and Jesse Sweet, came up with the idea to rob the rival drug dealer of his drugs and money. When Troupe learned of this idea, he turned it into reality. Trial evidence showed that during the early morning of February 2, 2022, Troupe employed Eric Raymond, as well as another unidentified associate of Troupe, to attempt the armed robbery at 45 First Street. Troupe supplied a firearm to Eric Raymond to use during the crime and drove the men to and from the robbery. Tragically, during the attempted armed robbery, Elijah Oliver, 22, of Massachusetts was shot twice and killed. Following the murder of Oliver, Troupe left Vermont for a period of time and instructed a co-conspirator to cancel the cell phone account he had been using. After a couple of months, Troupe returned to Vermont and continued distributing cocaine base, including to a law enforcement confidential source. When Troupe was arrested on September 7, 2022, he was in possession of 188.9 grams of cocaine base.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of Vermont State Police, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Swanton Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Turner and recently retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher. Troupe was represented by Kevin Henry, Esq.
Chester man sentenced to four years in prison for federal firearms violationRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Chester man was sentenced yesterday to four years in prison for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle.
According to court documents, on May 9, 2025, law enforcement searched the vehicle and residence of Christopher Michael Collius, 53, in connection with an investigation relating to firearms trafficking. During the search, law enforcement recovered dozens of firearms and hundreds of pieces of other evidence. Among other items, investigators found numerous privately made firearms, together with parts and kits; two short-barreled rifles, including one without a serial number and another equipped with a silencer; six additional silencers, including one attached to a shotgun; two converted lower receivers modified to install machinegun conversion devices, qualifying them as machineguns; a destructive device; and numerous rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division and the Chesterfield County Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni 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. 3:25-cr-139.
Career Offender Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man with an extensive criminal history who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced February 12, 2026, to 19 years in federal prison.
Otis Lamont Foy, Jr., age 29, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 17, 2025, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine after having been convicted of a serious drug felony.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that between February and April 2025, Foy and others distributed over three pounds of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area. An individual cooperating with law enforcement made multiple methamphetamine purchases from Foy. Law enforcement officers searched Foy’s residence and found marijuana, cash, and drug paraphernalia. Foy was a career offender, who had previously been convicted in 2016 of felony domestic abuse assault impeding normal breathing or circulation of blood, and in 2020 of felony possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Foy was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Foy was sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment. He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Foy is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Webster County Sheriff’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 25-CR-03016.
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Cape Girardeau Man Admits Identity Theft, Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – A Cape Girardeau man on Friday admitted stealing identities to fraudulently apply for pandemic loans, file tax returns and seek state benefits.
Myles Benjamin Depew, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to three counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He admitted using the name of one person to fraudulently apply for and receive an $11,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) in June of 2020. The next month, Depew used someone else’s name to fraudulently apply for and receive a $14,000 EIDL loan. Finally, he used a third person’s identity to open a checking account with a West Virginia-based bank. Depew prepared two fraudulent Missouri state tax returns, triggering a refund deposit of $2,060 into the account in February of 2022 and $8,668.49 in April of 2023.
U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration agents interviewed Depew, who said he stole the identities of 10 to 15 people and used those to fraudulently apply for about $50,000 in benefits from the state of Missouri. Depew estimated that he had spent about $40,000 on gambling at the casino, $5,000 on food and another $5,000 on methamphetamine. Depew worked as a tax preparer and had access to names, birthdates and Social Security numbers.
Depew is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both prison and a fine. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to other charges, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Willis is prosecuting the case.
California Man Sentenced in Connection with Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced a California man to prison in connection with a federal investigation that led to law enforcement seizing more than 100 kilograms of cocaine.
Mario Valencia-Birruetta, 35, of Corning, California, received a 121-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Valencia-Birruetta’s sentence also covers a possession with intent to distribute cocaine charge.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office; Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD); and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).
In 2023, the DEA, HSI, and IRS-CI began investigating a Baltimore-based DTO distributing large quantities of cocaine. As a result of their investigation, in July 2023, investigators learned Valencia-Birruetta was a member of this DTO, so law enforcement placed him on a flight watch list.
On August 14, a commercial airline notified investigators that Valencia-Birruetta purchased a flight ticket destined for Baltimore the next day. Then on August 15, investigators began surveilling Valencia-Birruetta, tracking his movements. While in Baltimore, Valencia-Birruetta stayed at the “Hamilton Residence” in Baltimore City.
From August 15, to August 24, investigators observed numerous drug traffickers meeting with Valencia-Birruetta. The drug traffickers arrived at the Hamilton Residence with bags in connection with drug trafficking activities. Additionally, on one occasion, law enforcement observed Valencia-Birruetta with bulk currency in his hand. He then drove to a bank and appeared to make a deposit.
Then on August 24, Valencia-Birruetta left Baltimore. But a week later, investigators received a second notification from a commercial airline that Valencia-Birruetta planned to travel back to Baltimore. On August 30, investigators set up a surveillance team at Baltimore Washington International Airport where law enforcement observed Valencia-Birruetta arrive, pick up a rental car, and then drive to the Hamilton Residence.
Meanwhile, another group of investigators surveilled the DTO’s stash location in Timonium, Maryland. There, law enforcement observed Co-conspirator 1 (CC-1) carrying bags into the stash location. Prior to the arrival of the duffle bags at the stash location, Co-conspirator 2 (CC-2) left the stash location in his vehicle.
Law enforcement observed CC-2 driving to the Hamilton Residence to pick up Valencia-Birruetta. Investigators then followed Valencia-Birruetta and CC-2 to National Harbor, Maryland, where they met with Co-conspirator 3 (CC-3), who arrived in another vehicle. They then traveled to a Park and Ride lot next to the National Harbor and then parked next to each other. Eventually, both vehicles left the lot with Valencia-Birruetta and CC-2 traveling back to Baltimore unaware that investigators trailed behind them. They later arrived at the stash location and parked.
Upon exiting the vehicle, Valencia-Birruetta and CC-2 began removing duffle bags. As they continued, law enforcement approached Valencia-Birruetta and CC-2. Law enforcement realized one of the duffle bags contained a large tear which enabled investigators to see kilogram packages of drugs.
Law enforcement detained Valencia-Birruetta and CC-2 and then proceeded to seize the duffle bags. Investigators recovered 43 individual kilogram packages of cocaine from the duffel bags in the vehicle. Additionally, law enforcement discovered another duffel bag and backpack containing 32 individual kilogram packages of cocaine in the stash location. Law enforcement also uncovered equipment used to process bulk drugs, including a kilo press, quick cappers, digital scales, and sifters. Additionally, investigators found two heat-sealed bags of suspected marijuana, cash, a money counter, and two firearms. Investigators recovered a third firearm from the Hamilton Residence.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, which seeks to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a collaborative and comprehensive response to the growing threat to public safety and national security. The HSTF integrates personnel, including law enforcement agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, from federal agencies to combat crime in our communities.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, HSI, IRS-CI, BCPD, BPD, and DPSCS for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin Miner and Stanton Lawyer who are prosecuting this federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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California Man Charged with Interstate Transmission of Threats to Injure Five Federal Law Enforcement OfficersRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota Federal Grand Jury returned a five-count Indictment, charging James Patrick Lyons, age 45, with interstate transmission of threats to injure five federal law enforcement officers on January 18, 2026, United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today.
According to court documents, on January 14, 2026, in response to an immigration enforcement action, a large group of protesters in Minneapolis vandalized and significantly damaged FBI-owned vehicles, stealing weapons and ammunition, seizing government-owned equipment, and taking documents containing federal employees’ phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and driver’s license numbers. FBI personnel were on scene to investigate an officer-involved shooting and not for any immigration enforcement. Five of the individuals whose personal information was confiscated and broadcast on the Internet were FBI Special Agents.
On January 18, 2026, those five Special Agents received a series of threatening text messages on their government-issued cell phones. Subsequent FBI investigation identified the phone number associated with one particular threatening text message received by the Special Agents as belonging to James Patrick Lyons. All five text messages used similar language and asserted in part that the sender knew who the Special Agents were and where to find them.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent.
CBP supervisor among more than 411 new cases filed as part of Southern District’s border enforcement effortsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 413 individuals have been charged in immigration and border security enforcement efforts from Feb. 6-12, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The cases include charges against 17 people allegedly involved in human smuggling. A total of 167 people were charged with illegal entry, while another 227 face charges of felony reentry after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felony convictions such as narcotics offenses, violent crimes and immigration crimes. The remaining four individuals charged this week relate to other immigration crimes and a false statement charge.
One recent case involves Andres Wilkinson, a Customs and Border Protection supervisor charged in Laredo with harboring an illegal alien. According to the complaint, Wilkinson allegedly allowed the illegal alien and her minor child to reside at his home, provided financial support and permitted her to use vehicles registered in his name. The charges further allege he knowingly transported her through Border Patrol checkpoints. If convicted, Wilkinson faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
In additional cases, criminal complaints allege five individuals attempted to unlawfully reenter the country within 10 months of their most recent removals.
According to court documents, Mexican nationals Edgar Madrid-Orozco, Lauriano Santos-Rios and Aaron Nava-Carillo were previously removed April 11, July 9, and August 31, respectively. Authorities removed Belize national Edwin Rene Mancillas-Suriano May 22, while Guatemalan national Juan Dieguez-Nolasco was removed Dec. 30, 2025.
Each defendant allegedly has prior felony convictions, including battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, illegal reentry, aggravated sexual abuse and assault of a family member. Authorities later found all five in the United States without legal authorization. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
In a separate case in Houston, a Belize national illegally residing in Conroe pleaded guilty to assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. During a targeted enforcement operation, Sindi Vanessa Moreno-Flores attempted to flee arrest, scratched an ICE agent’s arm and hands and swung her handcuffed arm at the agent before authorities restrained her and took her into custody.
In McAllen, 36-year-old Mexican national Angel Fabian Moreno-Rodriguez was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison. During a traffic stop in Donna, law enforcement discovered approximately five kilograms of fentanyl concealed in vacuum-sealed packages inside a cardboard box on the front passenger seat of his vehicle. Moreno-Rodriguez admitted he was paid to transport the narcotics.
Also announced this week was the conviction of Gonzalo Chavez for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Law enforcement observed Chavez’s vehicle near the Rio Grande before conducting a traffic stop and discovering four illegal aliens attempting to conceal themselves. At trial, the jury heard evidence showing Chavez coordinated with smugglers in Mexico to transport the aliens after they crossed the river. Chavez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
British National and Former Nuclear Energy Program Director for Oak Ridge National Laboratory Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Child in Two StatesRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On February 12, 2026, Andrew Worrall, 56, a British national currently residing in Knox County, Tennessee, entered a guilty plea to one count of sexual exploitation of a child in the Eastern District of Tennessee and one count of sexual exploitation of a child in the District of South Carolina. Sentencing has been set for June 24, 2026, in United States District Court at Knoxville.
Worrall faces a term of up to 60 years in Federal prison, $500,000 in fines, restitution, forfeiture, special assessments and up to a lifetime on supervised release.
As part of the written plea agreement, Worrall agreed to forfeit his home in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Further, Worral agreed he is a removable alien and will waive any form of relief of removal from the United States after his incarceration portion of his sentence is completed.
According to documents filed in the case, Worrall contacted a 17-year-old minor female on the Snapchat application using the internet in July 2025. Knowing the age of the child, Worrall requested nude pictures of the child. The child complied. Worrall then requested the child insert a foreign object into her body and send a video. The child complied.
On the same day, Worrall contacted another 17-year-old minor female who resided in South Carolina using his Snapchat account. Worrall had similar communications with the child, asking to prove she was real by sending him pictures. After the victim complied he requested the victim masturbate on video for Worrall’s pleasure. The child complied.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling of the District of South Carolina; and Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Lewe Sessions of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General made the announcement.
This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the United States Department of Energy, Office of the Inspector General.
Jennifer Kolman and Dean H. Secor, Assistant United States Attorneys represented the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "resources.”
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Boise Man Sentenced to 24 Months Incarceration for Possession of an Unregistered Improvised Explosive DeviceRead the Press Release
BOISE – Jonathan W. VanCuren, 69, of Boise, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for Possession of an Unregistered Firearm (Improvised Explosive Device “IED”), U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today.
According to court records, on February 8, 2024, and again on February 10, 2024, law enforcement officers served search warrants on a residence occupied by VanCuren in Boise, Idaho. In both a wooden box and a metal box that belonged to VanCuren, law enforcement found a total of seven IEDs that each contained an explosive main charge, main charge container and initiation system. All seven IEDs were assembled and in operating condition.
Chief U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered VanCuren serve 2 years of supervised release following his prison sentence. VanCuren pleaded guilty to the charge on September 18, 2025.
“We are thankful to our law enforcement partners who identified and investigated this threat to public safety,” commented U.S. Attorney Davis. “Their efforts led to a successful prosecution and a safe removal of IEDs from our community.”
"Manufacturing explosives inside a home is not only illegal, but it puts the individual, their family, neighbors, and first responders at extreme risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “With one careless mistake, Vancuren’s blatant disregard for the law and public safety could have ended in catastrophe. The FBI and our state and local partners, who brought us into this investigation, will not tolerate those who threaten our community’s safety.”
U.S. Attorney Davis made the announcement and commended the work of the Boise Police Department, including the Boise Police Bomb Squad, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather S. Patricco and David G. Robins prosecuted the case.
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Berkeley County Woman Admits to Defrauding Employer of Nearly $300,000Read the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Martinsburg, West Virginia woman has admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Brittaney Allura Hall, 36, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. According to court documents, Hall was an office manager and accountant for a business in Martinsburg and had access to the company’s financial information and accounts. As part of her unlawful scheme, Hall conducted financial transactions that caused overpayments of payroll in reimbursements and commissions to which she wasn’t entitled. She also wrote checks to herself without authority and created false invoices which caused unauthorized payments to be made for her own financial benefit.
As a part of the plea agreement, Hall has agreed to pay $258,143.51 in restitution.
Hall faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge would determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The FBI and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Bahamian National Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Kenthen Lavardo Swain (26, The Bahamas) was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara to two years in federal prison for illegal reentry by an aggravated felon. Swain previously pled guilty on November 19, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Swain is a citizen and national of The Bahamas. On or about May 26, 2025, Swain was found by immigration authorities in the Manatee County Jail following an arrest for battery on a law enforcement officer. Prior to being found, Swain had been removed from the United States on three prior occasions and had not received permission to reenter the United States. Swain has previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including for possessing controlled substances with intent to sell.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Arizona Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearms After Communicating Online with Australian KillersRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – An Arizona man who came to law enforcement’s attention as part of an investigation into the murder of two police officers and one civilian in Queensland, Australia, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to three years in prison for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
Donald Day, Jr., 61, of Heber, Arizona, was sentenced on Feb. 12, 2026, by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Day previously pleaded guilty to being a Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition.
“Donald Day Jr. chose to use online platforms to advocate for violence against law enforcement and public officials, disregarding the danger his actions created,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Day regularly shared the same rhetoric with a family in Australia, who tragically took the lives of their neighbor and two constables. Our thoughts continue to be with the colleagues and families of those lost in Queensland. I’m proud of the work done by this justice team to hold Day accountable for his crimes.”
"Donald Day Jr.'s use of social media to encourage attacks on law enforcement officers and government officials around the world was despicable," said Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke. "This case exemplifies the lengths FBI Phoenix will go to avenge law enforcement partners, including those murdered overseas. Day's crimes were as harmful as the attacks they incited. Today's sentence shows that threats posted online will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted, and we'd like to thank the Queensland Police Service and the United States Attorney's Office for their dedication to ensuring justice was served."
“The tragic events of 12 December 2022 will forever be marked as a dark day for the QPS and Queensland communities. The loss of constable Matthew Arnold and constable Rachel McCrow, and neighbour, Alan Dare, continues to weigh heavily on the QPS family and the broader Queensland community, and our thoughts remain with their families, friends, and colleagues,” said Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scalon. “The QPS deeply values the strong partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, whose collaboration has been instrumental in bringing this matter to justice. The sentencing of Donald Day Jr. and legal proceedings highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing serious crimes that transcend borders. We remain committed to working closely with our national and international law enforcement partners to ensure justice for the victims and their families.”
Day, who had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, was residing on a rural property outside Heber, Arizona, when he began communicating anti-law enforcement sentiments via social media with the Trains, three Australian family members who murdered two police officers and a neighbor on their rural Queensland property. In a video post shortly after the killings, the Trains stated “[t]hey came to us, and we killed them. If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward.” They specifically mentioned Day in their video, saying “We’ll see you when we go home. We’ll see you at home, Don. Love you.” The Trains died later that day after a standoff with Australian law enforcement.
When Day learned of their death, he made an online post stating, “[w]ell, like my brother…, like my sister…, it is no different for us. The devils come for us, they [expletive] die.” Day made this statement after publicly posting on a social media platform that he is an “x-con, who’s armed to the teeth”. A later search of Day’s property revealed nine firearms, including a short-barreled rifle, and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition, a shooting range, and an elevated shooting position.
FBI Phoenix conducted the investigation with assistance from the Queensland Police Service, Australia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pimsner, Abbie Broughton, and Glenn McCormick, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-08132-PCT-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-027_Day
# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Antero Resources Corporation Agrees to Settlement to Reduce Health Harming Emissions in West Virginia and OhioRead the Press Release
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice and West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) announced a proposed settlement with Antero Resources Corporation resolving alleged Clean Air Act and West Virginia Air Pollution Control violations involving the company’s oil and gas production operations in West Virginia and Ohio.
Under the proposed consent decree, Antero will undertake various projects to assess, modify, and improve monitoring and maintenance of vapor control systems at 242 of its oil and gas production facilities located in West Virginia and Ohio. These compliance projects, estimated to cost approximately $5.8 million, will result in a reduction of more than 1,100 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions annually.
Antero agreed to pay a $3.8 million civil penalty, divided between the United States and the state of West Virginia, a co-plaintiff in this case.
“Today’s settlement demonstrates the Justice Department’s renewed commitment to common-sense, even-handed enforcement of the Clean Air Act,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “I applaud Antero for taking responsibility to settle these important claims in a way that promotes the public interest and secures cleaner air.”
“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia is proud to have partnered with the State of West Virginia in reaching this settlement,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey for the Northern District of West Virginia. “This settlement exemplifies how a reasonable application of the Clean Air Act can benefit the citizens of West Virginia without posing an undue burden on continued oil and natural gas production.”
“This settlement demonstrates how coordinated enforcement among state and federal partners promotes accountability, reduces harmful emissions, and delivers meaningful environmental results,” said WVDEP Secretary Harold Ward. “The WVDEP and its Division of Air Quality thank everyone involved and are proud to finalize an agreement that brings cleaner air directly to West Virginians through the measures established today.”
This settlement resolves Antero’s failure to comply with federal and state requirements to capture and control air emissions from oil and gas production facilities in West Virginia and Ohio. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WVDEP identified the alleged violations through field investigations conducted in 2017 and 2019. As a result of these violations, Antero released VOCs into the air instead of capturing and controlling the emissions using specially designed equipment.
Under the settlement, Antero will take the necessary steps to ensure that its systems to control pollutants from atmospheric storage tanks are adequately designed and properly operated and maintained. Antero’s selected compliance plan includes an innovative automated response when the required tank pressure or combustion control device pilot monitor indicates that there may have been a release of VOCs into the atmosphere. The response system includes an alert to company representatives and temporarily ceases production operations associated with the over-pressured tank or unlit combustion control device. Once the pressure level falls back to normal or when the combustion control device is relit, production will restart. The settlement also requires a third party to verify Antero’s compliance with the agreement. These actions will significantly reduce harmful emissions from the company’s oil and gas operations.
Antero is also undertaking two VOC emission reduction projects to mitigate the environmental and public health harm attributable to their violations. First, it will permanently plug and remediate orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells in West Virginia as part of a $1.5 million project conducted over a period of three years. Second, it will enhance its well unloading operations so that gas that is periodically vented into the atmosphere can be recovered or routed to a control device.
Antero Resources Corporation is a publicly traded company headquartered in Denver and engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of natural gas, natural gas liquids, and oil properties in the Appalachian Basin. It holds more than 500,000 acres of natural gas, natural gas liquids, and oil properties in this area, primarily in the Marcellus and Utica Shales.
The consent decree was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia and is subject to a 30-day comment period. The complaint and the proposed consent decree are available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
Attorneys with ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia are handling this matter.
38-Year-Old Man Who Murdered his Mother Sentenced to 26 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Seth Emmanuel Andrews, 38, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in Superior Court for strangling his mother, Hazel Evans, to death in Northeast, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
On November 26, 2025, a D.C. Superior Court jury convicted Andrews on one count of second-degree murder. Today, Judge J. Michael Ryan sentenced Andrews to 26 years in prison, the maximum recommended sentence under the D.C. Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, followed by five years of supervised release.
The evidence at trial proved that on July 16, 2020, Andrews killed Evans by strangling her while she was inside of her bedroom at her home at 10 35th Street, SE, Washington, D.C. The defendant was arrested on August 20, 2020.
Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Coronado and Marybeth Manfreda, who prosecuted the case.
2020 CF1 006522
27 Members and Associates of Tren De Aragua Splinter Faction Anti-Tren Charged with 2024 Double Murder in the Bronx, and Sex Trafficking, Kidnapping, Racketeering, and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Acting Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), John A. Condon, and Co-Director of Joint Task Force Vulcan (“JTFV”), Christopher Eason, announced a 38-count Superseding (“S4”) Indictment (the “S4 Indictment”) charging 27 members of the Anti-Tren faction of the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (“TDA”) with offenses including racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering in connection with an April 15, 2024, double murder in the Bronx, murder-for-hire conspiracy, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy, and other offenses. 21 of the 27 defendants charged in the S4 Indictment were previously charged in a 12-count Indictment. Of the six newly added defendants, five are now in federal custody. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.
To date, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has charged approximately 38 members or associates of TDA and Anti-Tren.
“As alleged, these members of Anti-Tren, a splinter faction of the terrorist organization Tren de Aragua, planned and carried out a series of horrific crimes, including gunpoint robberies, murders, and the exploitation of vulnerable young women through sex trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Tren de Aragua is in the business of murder, sex trafficking, and intimidation, and they brought that business to New York while being unlawfully present in the United States. Today’s charges reflect our commitment to bankrupt TDA and bring its members to justice. The gang members charged today exerted ruthless control over sex trafficking victims through intimidation, brutality, and threats of violence against them and their loved ones—leaving lasting trauma in their wake. The women and men of the SDNY are unwavering in their commitment to bankrupt gangs that corrupt our neighborhoods, prey on the vulnerable, and pursue violence as a way of life.”
“HSI New York continues to stand at the forefront of investigations against vicious criminal enterprises like Tren de Aragua and Anti-Tren,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon. “Through their use of ruthless tactics and blatant disregard for human life, TdA and its offshoots are among the fastest emerging transnational criminal organizations to encroach upon American soil. HSI New York, through the Homeland Security Task Force, continues to target these gangs that seek to perpetrate destruction and terror in our communities. Together, alongside our law enforcement partners, we are committed to ensuring that no corners of the TdA and Anti-Tren enterprises are beyond the reach of justice.”
“TdA and its faction Anti-Tren grew from a prison gang to a transnational criminal organization to a foreign terrorist organization. The violence and horrific acts as charged here including the double murder, murder for hire, kidnapping, and sex trafficking will be met with the full weight of our justice system,” said JTFV Co-Director Christopher Eason. “The charges against these TdA associates and Anti-Tren members are directly in line with JTFV’s mission: a collaborative, whole of government effort to destroy TdA and its factions. We are grateful for our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to investigate and bring these important charges.”
According to the allegations contained in the S4 Indictment:[1]
Anti-Tren is a criminal organization almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of TDA. Anti-Tren operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, and in New Jersey, and elsewhere around the country, including in Illinois and Washington. The purposes of Anti-Tren included:
- Preserving and protecting the power and territory of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at members and associates of TDA.
- Enriching the members and associates of Anti-Tren through, among other things:
- The unlawful smuggling of individuals, including women and girls from Venezuela, into the U.S.;
- The sex trafficking of young women or “multadas” who had been unlawfully smuggled into the U.S.;
- The trafficking of controlled substances, including “tusi”; and
- Armed robberies.
- Keeping victims and potential victims in fear of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence.
- Promoting and enhancing Anti-Tren and the reputation and activities of its members and associates.
- Providing assistance to members and associates of Anti-Tren who committed crimes for and on behalf of Anti-Tren, such as lodging and interstate transportation for members and associates of Anti-Tren to flee prosecution, or bail money for members or associates of Anti-Tren who are detained.
- Protecting Anti-Tren and its members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by members of Anti-Tren.
Anti-Tren engaged in human smuggling and sex trafficking of young women or “multadas,” into the U.S. in exchange for debts that the young women would pay back by engaging in commercial sex work. And like TDA, members of Anti-Tren enforced compliance among these young women by, among other things:
- Threatening to kill the young women and their families,
- Assaulting the young women,
- Shooting or killing the young women, and
- Tracking down and kidnapping the young women who tried to flee.
Members of Anti-Tren also committed and conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit, acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, to protect and to expand Anti-Tren’s criminal operations, resolve disputes within Anti-Tren, to retaliate against rival organizations, including Tren de Aragua itself, and to maintain control over sex trafficking victims. Anti-Tren members and associates also trafficked controlled substances, committed robberies, and obtained, possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition.
The new charges in the S4 Indictment allege, among other things, that:
- On or about April 15, 2024, YENDER MATA, ERVIN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Coco,” a/k/a “Coquito,” and KERLYN NATALIY PEREZ-LOPEZ, a/k/a “Mou,” conspired to murder and caused the murders of Jhombeyker Jose Bisbal Pina and Adrian Mendoza Isturiz, who were shot to death in the Bronx.
- In or about April 2025, GUILLERMO ENRIQUE FREITES-VELAZQUEZ and ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER conspired to kill an individual in New York (“Intended Victim-1”).
- From in or about February 2025 until in or about March 2025, DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA and JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino” conspired to kill another individual in New York (“Intended Victim-2”).
- In or about April 2025, ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER and others conspired to kill an individual in Florida (“Intended Victim-3”).
- On or about October 5, 2024, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ordered KELLEN JASPE BUSTAMANATE to shoot an Anti-Tren member in the leg as a form of gang punishment. On or about the same day, BARRIOS GARCIA also ordered ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino,” to shoot a different Anti-Tren member in the leg, also as gang punishment.
- In or about January 2025, KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” a/k/a “Inmortalidad,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and YEFERSON PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flacot,” a/k/a “Flacote,” conspired to commit and did commit a gunpoint home invasion robbery of an individual (“Robbery Victim-1”) and Robbery Victim-1’s family in Yonkers.
- In or about January 2025, KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” a/k/a “Inmortalidad,” ANDERSON ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, MARIO PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” Wilfredo Jose AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ, a/k/a “Kabuvy,” and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON, conspired to commit a gunpoint robbery of a drug trafficker (“Robbery Victim-2”) in the Bronx.
- In or about 2024, LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” engaged in sex trafficking of a young woman from Venezuela (“Trafficking Victim-1”) whom VELASQUEZ-HURTADO threatened with a gun, caused to be kidnapped, and whose immigration documents VELASQUEZ-HURTADO caused to be seized.
- In or about 2024, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino,” JESUS RUBEN LOPEZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Lopez,” and DANGER LEONER SANCHEZ ALFONZO, a/k/a “Danger,” engaged in sex trafficking of another young woman from Venezuela (“Trafficking Victim-2”).
* * *
A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI New York, Seattle, Chicago, and Portland, and the NYPD. He also thanked Joint Task Force Vulcan; the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office; the Aurora Police Department in Aurora, Colorado;; the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service (“USMS”); the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s National Gang Unit and New York Human Intelligence Division; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s New York and Chicago Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”); U.S. Marshals Service-District of Oregon; U.S. Customs and Border Patrol-New York; the New York City Crime Analysis Center at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; the Computer Crimes Unit at the NYPD; the King County, Washington Sheriff’s Office; and the Seattle Police Department.
This case is a part of JTFV, which was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and is now expanded to target Tren de Aragua. The JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; and the District of Nevada, as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, USMS, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations & Crime Unit and JTFV. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jun Xiang, Kathryn Wheelock, Timothy Ly, and Andrew K. Chan are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Racketeering
conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ,
a/k/a “Mariguana,”
a/k/a “Marijuana,”
JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE,
a/k/a “Mantequilla,”
JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA,
JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN,
a/k/a “Sobrino,”
LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO,
a/k/a “Chito,”
STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO,
GUILLERMO ENRIQUE FREITES-VELAZQUEZ,
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO,
a/k/a “Cachorrito,”
ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN,
a/k/a “Cachorro,”
ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER,
LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA,
MARIO ANDRES PEREDA,
a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ,
a/k/a “Flaco T,”
a/k/a “Flacote,”
JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO,
a/k/a “Negrito,”
YENDER MAYKIER MATA,
KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and
LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON,
a/k/a “Care de Peo”
Life in prison2
Sex trafficking conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1594(c)
REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ,
a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,”
JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE,
a/k/a “Mantequilla,”
JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA,
JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN,
a/k/a “Sobrino,”
LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO,
a/k/a “Chito,”
STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ,
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro,”
LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA,
MARIO ANDRES PEREDA,
a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and
JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO,
a/k/a “Negrito”
Life in prison3
Alien importation and harboring for immoral purpose – conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ,
a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,”
JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE,
a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA,
JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN,
a/k/a “Sobrino,”
LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO,
a/k/a “Chito,”
STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ,
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro,”
LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA,
MARIO ANDRES PEREDA,
a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and
JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO,
a/k/a “Negrito”
Five years in prison4
Drug trafficking conspiracy
21 U.S.C. § 846
REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ,
a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,”
JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE,
a/k/a “Mantequilla,”
JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN,
a/k/a “Sobrino,”
GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ,
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO,
a/k/a “Cachorrito,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote,”
YENDER MAYKIER MATA,
KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and
LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON,
a/k/a “Care de Peo”
20 years in prison5
Firearm use, carrying, and possession
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2
REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ,
a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,”
JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE,
a/k/a “Mantequilla,”
JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN,
a/k/a “Sobrino,”
GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ,
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO,
a/k/a “Cachorrito,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote,”
YENDER MAYKIER MATA,
KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and
LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON,
a/k/a “Care de Peo”
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison
6
Obstruction of justice
18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(c) and 2
LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO,
a/k/a “Chito,”
20 years in prison7
Unlicensed dealing of firearms
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 2
STEFANO PACHON-ROMEROFive years in prison8
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a fugitive from justice and illegal alien
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(2) and (5), and 2
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO15 years in prison9
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2
JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO,
a/k/a “Negrito,”
15 years in prison10
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2
WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON15 years in prison11
Murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2
YENDER MATA,
ERVIN HERNANDEZ,
a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito”
KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ,
a/k/a “Mou”
Life in prison or death
Mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison
12
Firearms use, carrying, and possession
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) and 2
YENDER MATA,
ERVIN HERNANDEZ,
a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito”
KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ,
a/k/a “Mou”
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison
13
Murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2
YENDER MATA,
ERVIN HERNANDEZ,
a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito”
KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ,
a/k/a “Mou”
Life in prison or death
Mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison
14
Firearms use, carrying, and possession
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) and 2
YENDER MATA,
ERVIN HERNANDEZ,
a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito”
KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ,
a/k/a “Mou”
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison
15
Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
YENDER MATA,
ERVIN HERNANDEZ,
a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito”
KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ,
a/k/a “Mou”
10 years in prison16
Murder-for-hire conspiracy resulting in death
18 U.S.C. § 1958
YENDER MATA,
ERVIN HERNANDEZ,
a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito”
KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ,
a/k/a “Mou”
Life in prison or death
Mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison
17
Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
GUILLERMO ENRIQUE FREITES-VELAZQUEZ,
ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER
10 years in prison18
Murder-for-hire conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1958
DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA,
JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN
10 years in prison19
Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA,
JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN
10 years in prison20
Murder-for-hire conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1958 and 2
ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER10 years in prison21
Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2
KELLEN JASPE BUSTAMANTE,
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho”
20 years in prison22
Firearms use, carrying, and possession
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) and 2
KELLEN JASPE BUSTAMANTE,
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho”
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison
23
Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ,
a/k/a “Chino”
20 years in prison24
Firearms use, carrying, and possession
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) and 2
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ,
a/k/a “Chino”
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison
25
Conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(6)
KELLEN JASPE BUSTAMANTE,
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho”
Three years in prison26
Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
18 U.S.C. § 1951
KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO,
a/k/a “Oturache,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
YEFERSON PRIETO GALVIZ,
a/k/a “Flaco T,”
a/k/a “Flacote”
20 years in prison27
Hobbs Act Robbery
18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2
KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO,
a/k/a “Oturache,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
YEFERSON PRIETO GALVIZ,
a/k/a “Flaco T,”
a/k/a “Flacote”
20 years in prison28
Firearms use, carrying, and possession
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii) and 2
KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO,
a/k/a “Oturache,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
YEFERSON PRIETO GALVIZ,
a/k/a “Flaco T,”
a/k/a “Flacote”
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of seven years in prison
29
Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
18 U.S.C. § 1951
KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO,
a/k/a “Oturache,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
MARIO PEREDA,
a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,”
WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON
20 years in prison30
Firearms use, carrying, and possession conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 924(o)
KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO,
a/k/a “Oturache,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
MARIO PEREDA,
a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,”
WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON
20 years in prison31
Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery
18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2
KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO,
a/k/a “Oturache,”
ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO,
MARIO PEREDA,
a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,”
WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON
20 years in prison32
Sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion
18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2
LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO,
a/k/a “Chito”
Life in prison33
Kidnapping in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2
LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO,
a/k/a “Chito”
Life in prison34
Unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking and forced labor
18 U.S.C. §§ 1592(a)(1), (a)(2), (c) and 2
LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO,
a/k/a “Chito”
5 years imprisonment35
Sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion
18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ,
a/k/a “Chino,”
JESUS RUBEN LOPEZ GONZALEZ,
DANGER LEONER SANCHEZ ALFONZO
Life in prison36
Kidnapping in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ,
a/k/a “Chino”
Life in prison37
Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ,
a/k/a “Chino”
20 years in prison38
Firearms use, carrying, and possession
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii) and 2
JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA,
a/k/a “Morocho,”
ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ,
a/k/a “Chino”
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of seven years in prison
[1] The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
22-Year-Old Carolina Man Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Jadhiel Andrés Cedeño-Gómez, a 22-year-old man from Carolina, Puerto Rico, was arrested on criminal charges related to child exploitation, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. On February 12, 2026, Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Cedeño-Gómez.
According to court documents, from December 2025 to February 2026, Jadhiel Andrés Cedeño-Gómez used a cellphone, online instant messaging services, and social media to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 7-year-old male minor to engage in sexual activity. Cedeño-Gómez was also found to possess and receive child pornography material on his cellular device.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elba Gorbea of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force led by HSI is in charge of the investigation.
If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: (1) coercion and enticement of a minor - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life in prison; (2) receipt of child exploitation material - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and (3) possession of child exploitation material - a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. All charges of conviction are to be followed by a term of supervised release after imprisonment of no less than 5 years up to life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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complaint_child_exploitation_2-12-26.pdf
Thursday 12 February 2026
Wood County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Christian Gale Biles, 21, of Vienna, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 4, 2024, Biles took possession of a package delivered to his residence by the United States Postal Service. As part of his guilty plea, Biles admitted that he knew the package contained methamphetamine in advance of his receiving it, that he took possession of the methamphetamine contained in the package, and that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to another individual.
Biles is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Parkersburg Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney D. Keith Randolph 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-164.
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Wolcott Man Indicted for Cryptocurrency Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that ELMIN REDZEPAGIC, 24, of Wolcott, has been charged in a 21-count indictment offenses related to an alleged cryptocurrency fraud scheme.
As alleged in the indictment, between approximately May 2021 and March 2025, Redzepagic held himself out to investors as a cryptocurrency investor who earned high rates of return. Once Redzepagic had victims’ initial investment, he told them they had earned a substantial profit but had to pay additional fees (“gas fees”) to withdraw it. Redzepagic claimed to work as part of a team that included someone known as “The Chef,” who supposedly led the operation and determined who, how, and when investors would receive their profits. In fact, Redzepagic did not invest victims’ funds in cryptocurrency but instead transferred the funds to Stake.com, an offshore gambling platform that Redzepagic used to receive and hold proceeds of the scheme, to generate cryptocurrency addresses for victims to use to transfer Bitcoin to him, and to make large “lulling” payments to victims throughout the course of the scheme.
It is alleged that Redzepagic lost victims’ funds gambling on Stake.com, causing a net loss of a total of approximately $950,000 to multiple victims.
It is further alleged that when Redzepagic was interviewed by IRS Criminal Investigation agents in September 2023, he made several false statements.
On January 20, 2026, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Redzepagic with seven counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; 11 counts of international money laundering, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; and three counts of making a false statement to IRS Criminal Investigation agents, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years on each count.
Redzepagic, who recently resided in Florida, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farris in Hartford, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, and was released on a $500,000 bond.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.
Webster man who committed fraud while awaiting sentencing on a previous fraud conviction sentencedRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Timothy Siverd, 38, of Webster, NY, who was convicted of two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to serve 111 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who handled the case, stated that in November 2021, while employed as a vice president at Tompkins Community Bank, Siverd convinced two victims to invest in fraudulent real estate transactions. Victim 1 paid Siverd approximately $158,429, but after realizing that the transactions were fraudulent, Victim 1 demanded repayment. Siverd returned $108,429 of Victim 1’s funds, using funds fraudulently obtained from Victim 2, who paid Siverd $346,511.55. Siverd never returned any of Victim 2’s funds.
While on supervised release for committing this scheme, between November 2022, and September 19, 2024, Siverd operated and controlled ROC Scrubby LLC, a residential and commercial cleaning services company. During that time, Siverd overbilled ROC Scrubby clients for cleaning services that were not performed. He would manually change appointments on ROC Scrubby’s booking software without client permission to increase the amount each client would be billed, however employees would not perform the more expensive services. He used, without lawful authority, client credit card numbers to overbill his clients.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter.
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Webster Groves Felon Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison After Chasing Teens While ArmedRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Maria A. Lanahan on Thursday sentenced a convicted felon who chased three teens through a Webster Groves neighborhood while armed to eight years in prison.
Leon Joseph Reitz, 54, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in October to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted that on March 7, 2025, he began walking toward a car containing two juvenile males and one 18-year-old male that was parked on Greeley Avenue in Webster Groves. The juvenile males were picking up their friend, who lived on that block. Reitz had one hand behind his back. He then accelerated to a jog before pulling a handgun. The terrified teens fled and Reitz pursued them in a Toyota Camry through neighborhood streets at an estimated speed of 85 to 90 miles per hour. Reitz passed the teens and both cars skidded to a stop within sight of a Webster Groves Police Department officer who happened to be in the area. The teens ran to the officer, who arrested Reitz. Police found a loaded handgun under the front seat of the Camry and a spare magazine for the pistol in Reitz’s pocket.
At the scene, Reitz claimed he believed the teens were going to rob him. In his plea agreement, Reitz admitted that there was no evidence to support his robbery claim. As a convicted felon, Reitz is barred from possession of a firearm.
The Webster Groves Police Department and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Lane 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, 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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Vieques Man Indicted and Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging José Amaurys Torres-Abreu, 28, of Vieques, PR, for child exploitation.
According to court documents, in or about November 2025, José Amaurys Torres-Abreu transported a 14-year-old female minor with intent that the victim engage in sexual activity. The defendant knowingly persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced the 14-year-old female minor, to engage in sexual activity, for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.
Torres-Abreu is facing one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and one count of coercion and enticement of a minor.
The defendant had his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Giselle López-Soler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted for the charges of coercion and enticement and transportation of minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“There are no cases more important for the Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico U.S. Attorney’s Office than crimes against children. Those who prey on our children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We commend the work of the federal and state law enforcement authorities whose thorough work led to these federal charges being filed today.”
“The sexual exploitation of a minor is a serious federal crime that carries significant consequences. There is no gray area and no island too remote when it comes to conduct that violates the law and harms children,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs San Juan Field Office, Claudia Dubravetz. “The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate these offenses and work with our partners to ensure those responsible are identified, charged, and held accountable.”
The FBI is investigating the case with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Elba Gorbea of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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