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Monday 2 February 2026
Illegal Immigrant from Mexico Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Bertoldo Alcaraz-Ortuno, who was previously convicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, will spend the next 136 months in federal prison after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
On December 3, 2024, Alcaraz-Ortuno, 37, of Guerrero, Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a four-count Indictment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. On August 7, 2025, Alcaraz-Ortuno pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Moody also sentenced Alcaraz-Ortuno to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that after receiving a tip that Alcaraz-Ortuno was a source of supply, law enforcement officers went to his known residence and spoke with Alcaraz-Ortuno. He stated that he had a kilogram of methamphetamine in the shed. Officers obtained a search warrant for the property and located 1,726 grams of methamphetamine, a .40 caliber firearm in the shed, a 9mm firearm, and $10,445 in Alcaraz-Ortuno’s wallet. Immigration officials confirmed that Alcaraz-Ortuno was not in the United States legally and had been previously deported on May 18 & 27, 2015; June 18, 2015; and July 31, 2020.
Alcaraz-Ortuno’s criminal history includes a October 3, 2019, federal drug conviction where he received a sentence of 48 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. At the time of his arrest in this case, Alcaraz-Ortuno was on supervised release for the 2019 federal conviction.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Little Rock Police Department with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacy Williams.
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Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
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@USAO_EDAR
Huntington Woman Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Madison Grant Sergent, 27, of Huntington, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 23, 2024, Sergent directed another individual to distribute approximately 24 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $180 in Huntington. As part of her plea agreement, Sergent admitted to arranging the transaction after the confidential informant contacted her seeking to buy methamphetamine.
Co-defendant Rakai Travall Hawkins, also known as “G,” 31, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced on November 3, 2025, to eight years and one month in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Co-defendant Jeremiah Telmon-Isaiah Hand, also known as “Joey,” 30, of Inkster, Michigan, was sentenced on December 15, 2025, to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), an enforcement surge that has sought to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.
This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-51.
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Honduran National Sentenced to 31 Years in Federal Prison for Multiple Armed Robberies in AustinRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Honduran national was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 375 months in prison for multiple armed robberies, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, on Dec. 31, 2023, Christian Lopez-Burgos, 27, used a black-over-tan pistol during an attempted robbery of a fast-food restaurant on Interstate Highway 35 in Austin and a convenience store robbery on North Lamar Boulevard in Austin. From the convenience store, Lopez-Burgos and two other masked, armed males stole approximately $6,000 while Lopez-Burgos pointed his pistol at an employee working the cash register.
On Jan. 23, 2024, Lopez-Burgos was caught on security video driving the same vehicle from the two previous robberies as he and four co-conspirators robbed another convenience store on North Lamar Boulevard, brandishing firearms at two employees and stealing approximately $5,000 from the store’s cash register. Later that day, Lopez-Burgos arrived in his previously noted vehicle at a vape and smoke shop in San Marcos. He returned four days later, on Jan. 27, 2024, with three other individuals to rob the business, stealing CBD and kratom items, as well as glass pipes, while one of the robbers pointed a shotgun at a store employee and ripped a necklace from the victim’s neck.
Lopez-Burgos was also identified as one of three individuals who robbed another convenience store on Lamar Boulevard in Austin on Feb. 3, 2024. In that robbery, Lopez-Burgos and a co-conspirator entered the store brandishing firearms while the third robber served as a lookout at the front door. Lopez-Burgos demanded money from the store employee in a check-cashing room and fired three rounds at the victim in response to an alarm being pressed beneath the employee’s desk. Two other employees in the store then provided approximately $3,000 to the robbers.
Lopez-Burgos was arrested in Houston on Feb. 15, 2024, after he attempted to evade police in the same vehicle with which he committed most of the string of armed robberies. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of multiple articles of clothing and items both worn during the robberies and stolen from the robberies, including glass pipes and the necklace stolen from the vape and smoke shop employee. Searches of Lopez-Burgos’s phones revealed a photo of the black-over-tan handgun and internet searches related to robberies in Austin on Dec. 31, 2023.
Lopez-Burgos pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; two counts of Hobbs Act robbery; two counts of discharge of firearm in furtherance of crime of violence; and one count of brandishing of firearm in furtherance of crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman presided over the case.
The FBI along with the Austin, San Marcos, and Houston Police Departments investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Henneke, Thomas Parnham and Gabriel Cohen prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Homeland Security Task Force Gathering to Sign Documents to Acknowledge PartnershipRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle attends Homeland Security Task Force Regional Meeting. We aim to collaborate closely to deepen and strengthen our partnership.
Hensley Mother Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison After Being Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—April Adams will spend 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
On April 2, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Adams, 62, and her daughter, Amber Church, 38, both of Hensley. Both women were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. In addition to the 20-year federal sentence for the fentanyl conspiracy, Judge Moody sentenced Adams to 20 years in federal prison for her conviction for distribution of methamphetamine. Both federal sentences will be served concurrently. Judge Moody sentenced Adams to serve three years’ supervised release following the completion of her federal sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
The evidence presented at trial showed that on April 16, 2023, law enforcement officers from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence on Crab Apple Circle in reference to multiple overdoses. Once law enforcement officers arrived, they located four individuals who overdosed. After medical personnel administered Narcan, three individuals survived, but one individual died at the scene.
During the trial, two witnesses who survived overdoses testified that after arriving at the residence on Crab Apple Circle, Adams offered methamphetamine, to the witnesses, Church, and the victim who died. After smoking the methamphetamine, Church asked Adams if she could provide to the group what Church said was the “cocaine” that Adams had in her room. Church then got the substance from Adams’ room and provided it to the group, using some herself. The substance was in fact fentanyl.
Nearly immediately after ingesting the fentanyl the four individuals who used the drug began passing out, including Church. Adams, who did not use the substance that caused the other four individuals to overdose, waited approximately 45 minutes before notifying anyone about the overdoses, and then called a friend rather than emergency services.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock comprises agents and officers from Saline County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The investigation was conducted by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Edward Walker and Jordan Crews prosecuted the case.
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Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
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Guatemalan nationals extradited to the Eastern District of Texas to face international drug trafficking chargesRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – Three Guatemalan nationals have been extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Adelfo Federico Valdez Santos, aka “Lico Valdez,” 43; Pedro Pablo Oliva Catalan, aka “Peke,” and “Peques,” 36; and Kelvin David Beron Ramirez, aka “Catracho,” and “Crunchi,” 37, were extradited from Guatemala to the United States on January 30, 2026, after being named in separate federal indictments in the Eastern District of Texas charging them with drug trafficking violations.
The indictments allege that Valdez, Oliva, and Beron conspired with and assisted other international drug traffickers to manufacture, distribute, and transport significant quantities of cocaine into the United States for further distribution.
These cases are 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.
If convicted, Valdez, Oliva, and Beron each face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
These cases are being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Dallas Field Division in conjunction with DEA Guatemala City Country Office; DEA Bogota Country Office; DEA Cartagena Resident Office; DEA Panama Country Office and DEA San Jose Country Office.
The Justice Department extends its gratitude to the Government of Guatemala and its prosecutorial and law enforcement authorities for making the extradition possible. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions from Guatemala.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Rattan.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Grand jury indicts Buffalo man for attacking postal carrierRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jacob D. Ortiz, 34, of Buffalo, NY, with assaulting a federal employee, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on September 9, 2025, a United States Postal Service (USPS) Letter Carrier, dressed in full uniform, approached the mailbox of a residence on Columbus Avenue in South Buffalo. Ortiz exited the residence. The Letter Carrier believed he was a resident coming to get his mail. However, without warning or provocation, Ortiz lunged toward the Letter Carrier and began punching him in the face and head with his fists. The Letter Carrier suffered cuts, bumps and bruises to his face, behind his left ear, on the back of his head, on his left elbow and below his right knee.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Nicholas J. Bucciarelli.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Gainesville Man Federally Charged for Unlawful Possession of a SilencerRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Dean Allen Harper, 55, of Gainesville, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of an unmarked and unregistered firearm/silencer. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Harper appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry in Gainesville, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 25, 2026, at 8:30 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Gainesville, Florida.
Harper faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Founder of Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club Stockton Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Dealing in Firearms and Possessing a Machine GunRead the Press Release
Jashanpreet Singh, 27, of Lodi, pleaded guilty today to unlawfully dealing firearms and unlawfully possessing a machine gun, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, Singh was the founder of the “Punjabi Devils” Motorcycle Club, a Stockton-based outlaw motorcycle gang associated with the Hells Angels. On June 6, 2025, Singh attempted to sell several weapons to an undercover officer, including a short-barreled rifle, three assault weapons, three machine gun conversion devices, and a revolver. A search of Singh’s residence resulted in the discovery of additional firearms, including a machine gun, another machine gun conversion device, and a silencer.
Firearms (including machine guns and a short-barreled rifle), firearms parts (including a silencer and high-capacity drum magazines), and other items seized from Singh’s vehicle and residence on June 6, 2025.
Officers also discovered a single “pineapple”-style capped and fused hand grenade, as well as what law enforcement believed was a military electronic capped “claymore” mine. The Explosives Ordinance Detail of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department bomb team destroyed these items at the scene.
Singh initially faced state charges in San Joaquin County related to these offenses. On July 21, 2025, he failed to appear in court, and the state court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. On July 23, 2025, the FBI received an alert from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that Singh had booked a ticket to India and was scheduled to depart from the San Francisco International Airport on July 26, 2025. On that date, officers located and arrested Singh at the airport before he could flee. Singh remains in federal custody.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Enforcement and Removal Operations; Homeland Security Investigations; the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office; the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Detail; the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit; the Stockton Police Department; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Cárdenas and Adrian Kinsella are prosecuting the case.
Singh is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. For his conviction for unlawfully dealing in firearms, Singh faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For his conviction for unlawfully possessing a machine gun, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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.
Former anesthesiology resident sentenced for stealing and using narcotic pain medicine while on dutyRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 36-year-old former anesthesiology resident at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Harborview and University of Washington Medical Centers was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to one year of supervised release including 200 hours of community service for diverting narcotic pain medication to his own use while treating patients, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Andrew Voegel-Podadera, of Seattle, was arrested in June 2025 and charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud. Voegel-Podadera pleaded guilty in October 2025, admitting he secretly took fentanyl, hydromorphone, and other medications over the course of a year while working in the UW Medicine system. He sometimes used the diverted substances while still at the hospital, meaning he was under the influence of potent narcotics while treating patients.
At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson said, “This was a serious offense… the consequences of which could have been more serious and tragic.”
“This defendant was entrusted with caring for patients, including young and vulnerable patients,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “It is chilling to think that he took powerful narcotics while a tiny baby needed his full and unimpaired attention. This case should serve as a message that nobody is above the law and healthcare professionals will be held accountable when they divert narcotics and put patients in harm’s way.”
According to records filed in the case, between 2022 and 2024, Voegel-Podadera worked as a resident anesthesiologist. He did rotations at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Harborview Medical Center, and the UW Medical Center. On December 27, 2024, Voegel-Podadera saw three patients at Children’s – the youngest was just 11-days old. From the beginning of his shift, Voegel-Podadera began stealing and using pain medications that were meant for patients. He consumed fentanyl and hydromorphone and then returned the vials to the pharmacy with saline in them, claiming it was “wastage.”
Fortunately, the attending physician found his behavior odd and reported it to others at Children’s. Ultimately, Voegel-Podadera admitted stealing and taking drugs while on duty as far back as January 2024.
In asking that Voegel-Podadera do prison time, prosecutors wrote to the court, “Anesthesiologists administer precise doses of potent medications and perform delicate procedures like intubations…. Voegel-Podadera’s behavior put [his patients] at risk. An intoxicated doctor is far more likely to make mistakes, and mistakes in this setting can be costly.”
“Dr. Voegel-Podadera selfishly diverted powerful pain medication away from patients, including young children and infants, while he worked as an anesthesiologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Dr. Voegel-Podadera violated both his oath and the law. We are proud that DEA and our partners could stop him from endangering young patients. DEA remains unwavering in our commitment to saving American lives.”
“The diversion of controlled substances by medical professionals is a serious breach of public trust and patient safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Los Angeles Field Office. “The defendant’s actions not only violated federal law but also placed vulnerable pediatric patients at risk. The FDA is committed to protecting the integrity of our healthcare system and ensuring that patients receive the safe and effective medications they deserve.”
Voegel-Podadera’s attorney said the consequences for the former physician have been significant: he was terminated from the anesthesiology training program, had to surrender his DEA registration that allowed him to prescribe medications, and has had his medical license surrendered for at least five years.
Speaking to the court Voegel-Podadera said he wished he had sought help for his addiction earlier. He has been speaking to groups of medical residents about the danger of addiction.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip Kopczynski and Amanda McDowell.
Former Gloucester Police Officer Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former police officer with the Gloucester Police Department has been sentenced for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Alexander Aiello, 34, of Gloucester, was sentenced on Jan. 23, 2026 by U.S. Senior District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In October 2025, Aiello pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
On several occasions in 2024 and 2025, Aiello accessed a website on the dark web that was dedicated to downloading, viewing, advertising and distributing CSAM. Searches of Aiello’s person and residence on April 28, 2025 resulted in the seizure of the defendant’s cell phone and laptop as well as a USB thumb drive, which was found in Aiello’s nightstand in his bedroom.
An examination of the devices revealed that a TOR Browser – an application that provides anonymous web access and access to dark web hidden services – was installed and actively running on Aiello’s laptop with evidence of downloaded files consistent with recent use. The USB drive was thoroughly encrypted and Aiello contained more than 200 files consistent with CSAM.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Gloucester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Basketball Coach Admits Sending Sexually Explicit Photos to StudentsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former high school basketball coach on Monday admitted sending sexually explicit photos to students and engaging in sexually explicit conversations with them.
Lee Anthony Bogan Jr., 29, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of attempting to receive child pornography. He admitted using a social media application to contact high school students beginning in the spring of 2024. In these messages, Bogan expressed romantic and sexual interest in the students, seeking to gauge their responses. He also sent photos of his genitals, believing that the app would cause the messages to disappear shortly after they were received, his plea agreement says. Bogan, who worked at a St. Louis area high school and was known as “Coach Teejay,” was unaware that the minors took screen shots of the explicit photos before they disappeared.
Bogan, of Jennings, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6. The charge carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20.
The Ladue Police Department and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice 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 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.
Florida Man Sentenced to 327 Months in Prison for Sex Trafficking Two Women in DaytonaRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL — Delon Richard Smith, 47, of Daytona, Florida, was sentenced Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to 327 months in prison after pleading guilty in October 2025 to two charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit the same. Smith was ordered to pay the two victims $4800 in restitution.
“This sentence reflects the abhorrent acts of violence the defendant used to exploit the victims for his own personal profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Commercial sex trafficking depends on the systematic dehumanization of its victims and debasing victims by treating them as commodities. The Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section will prosecute those who, like Smith, use people like disposable products for an illegal business and violate them in endless ways when doing so.”
“The manipulation and brutality used by the defendant in this case against his victims was egregious and reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Due to the hard work and diligence of our local and federal law enforcement partners, and courage of the victims, this criminal was brought to justice.”
“Sex trafficking is a violent crime, not a business,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. “This defendant deliberately used force and coercion to control and exploit vulnerable women to line his own pockets. Crimes like this are not victimless. They cause lasting trauma and undermine the safety of our communities. The FBI will continue working with our partners to investigate those who use violence and exploitation to profit and ensure they are held fully accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, Smith used threats and physical violence to compel the two victims to engage in commercial sex in the Daytona Beach area. Smith recruited the two victims separately in 2021 and 2022 by offering them narcotics and an opportunity to make money. He posted online commercial sex advertisements featuring one of the victims’ photographs. He then transported the victims to various locations to meet commercial sex buyers.
Smith kept all the money or payments for the commercial sex acts and would routinely force the victims to continue engaging in commercial sex for his profit by inflicting severe physical harm on the victims. Smith would regularly punch and choke the victims, while talking about his gang membership in the Bloods, to threaten and coerce them. On one occasion, to punish the victim for not bringing in enough money, he discharged a firearm and held the hot barrel of the weapon to the victim’s face. In another instance, when one victim left the hotel room without Smith’s explicit permission, he hit one of the victims in the head with the butt of a gun and dragged her into his car by her hair.
The FBI Jacksonville Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Daytona Police Department.
Trial Attorney Leah Branch of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Testerman and Kaley Austin-Aronson for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Florida Man Sentenced to 327 Months in Prison for Sex Trafficking Two WomenRead the Press Release
Delon Richard Smith, 47, of Daytona, Florida, was sentenced Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to 327 months in prison after pleading guilty in October 2025 to two charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit the same. Smith was ordered to pay the two victims $4800 in restitution.
“This sentence reflects the abhorrent acts of violence the defendant used to exploit the victims for his own personal profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Commercial sex trafficking depends on the systematic dehumanization of its victims and debasing victims by treating them as commodities. The Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section will prosecute those who, like Smith, use people like disposable products for an illegal business and violate them in endless ways when doing so.”
“The manipulation and brutality used by the defendant in this case against his victims was egregious and reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Due to the hard work and diligence of our local and federal law enforcement partners, and courage of the victims, this criminal was brought to justice.”
“Sex trafficking is a violent crime, not a business,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. “This defendant deliberately used force and coercion to control and exploit vulnerable women to line his own pockets. Crimes like this are not victimless. They cause lasting trauma and undermine the safety of our communities. The FBI will continue working with our partners to investigate those who use violence and exploitation to profit and ensure they are held fully accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, Smith used threats and physical violence to compel the two victims to engage in commercial sex in the Daytona Beach area. Smith recruited the two victims separately in 2021 and 2022 by offering them narcotics and an opportunity to make money. He posted online commercial sex advertisements featuring one of the victims’ photographs. He then transported the victims to various locations to meet commercial sex buyers.
Smith kept all the money or payments for the commercial sex acts and would routinely force the victims to continue engaging in commercial sex for his profit by inflicting severe physical harm on the victims. Smith would regularly punch and choke the victims, while talking about his gang membership in the Bloods, to threaten and coerce them. On one occasion, to punish the victim for not bringing in enough money, he discharged a firearm and held the hot barrel of the weapon to the victim’s face. In another instance, when one victim left the hotel room without Smith’s explicit permission, he hit one of the victims in the head with the butt of a gun and dragged her into his car by her hair.
The FBI Jacksonville Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Daytona Police Department.
Trial Attorney Leah Branch of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Testerman and Kaley Austin-Aronson for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Florida Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for Threatening to Assassinate President TrumpRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – Christopher Davies (32, Cape Coral) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sheri P. Chappell to 27 months in federal prison for making a threat to assassinate the President of the United States. Davies pleaded guilty on October 29, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Davies wrote a letter to an official at the Charlotte Correctional Institution stating that he had “orchestrated the most daring Presidential assassination that this country has ever seen,” and that “Donald J. Trump must perish.” During questioning by agent from the U.S. Secret Service, Davies admitted to writing the letter and explained that he wanted to kill the President. When asked hypothetically what he would do if President Trump was near him, Davies claimed that he would attempt to kill President Trump with his bare hands.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.
Floresville Man to Spend Decade in Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Floresville man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $90,000 in restitution to 18 victims for receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, Nathan Corey Van Zandt, 47, used file sharing software to find and download video and image files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On March 24, 2024, ICE Homeland Security Investigations seized Van Zandt’s cell phone, which contained more than 6,000 images of CSAM, including images depicting prepubescent children being sexually assaulted. A seized laptop revealed more than 9,000 images and 400 videos depicting CSAM, including infants and toddlers and files depicting bondage, sadistic, and masochistic conduct.
Van Zandt was arrested on March 28, 2024, and charged with one count of receipt of child pornography along with one count of possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the receipt charge on Aug. 25, 2025. In addition to the imprisonment and restitution, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced Van Zandt to 10 years of supervised release. Van Zandt is also required to register as a sex offender.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
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Federal Jury Finds Mission Man Guilty of Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Frank White Thunder, age 38, of Mission, South Dakota, was found guilty of Second Degree Murder, Commission of a Crime of Violence While Failing to Register as a Sex Offender, Robbery, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender following a four-day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota. The jury issued its verdict on January 30, 2026.
The charge for Second Degree Murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charge for Commission of a Crime of Violence While Failing to Register as a Sex Offender carries a mandatory minimum five years in federal prison up to a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charge for Robbery carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charges for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charge for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
White Thunder and co-defendants Jesse White Thunder, age 40, and Michael Leader Charge, age 25, both also of Mission, South Dakota, were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024.
At trial, the evidence established that on the evening of October 22, 2024, Michael Leader Charge drove Frank White Thunder and Jesse White Thunder to a residence in the Antelope housing community, near Mission. Frank White Thunder confronted the victim outside the residence and stabbed him in the torso with a martial-arts style sword, mortally wounding the victim. Jesse White Thunder was standing nearby and immediately took from the victim’s pockets two imitation pistols. Surveillance video showed the defendants’ vehicle leaving the scene and all three men were located the next day. Frank White Thunder was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in 2008. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration within three business days of any change in residence. At the time of the murder, he had an active federal arrest warrant for failing to register as a sex offender.
On October 6, 2025, Jesse White Thunder and Michael Leader Charge each pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact to an Assault With a Dangerous Weapon. They are each awaiting sentencing.
“This was a senseless, intentional killing,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “We will do our best at the upcoming sentencing to make sure this defendant never has the opportunity to murder again.”
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the United States Marshals Service, and the FBI. Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has not yet been set. Kucera was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Federal Jury Convicts Two Brothers and a Public Official Who Orchestrated Elaborate Fraud and Bribery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A federal jury has convicted two brothers and a public official for their roles in a multi-layered, elaborate fraud and bribery conspiracy that spanned across multiple states and countries.
After a more than two-week-long trial in front of U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent, Zubair Al Zubair, aka Zubair Mehmet Abdur Razzaq, 42, recently of Bratenahl, Ohio; his brother Muzzammil Al Zubair, aka Muzzammil Ibn Muhammad, 31, recently of Pepper Pike, Ohio; and their associate Michael Leon Smedley, 56, of Cleveland, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and Hobbs Act conspiracy. The Al Zubair brothers were also both found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, several counts of money laundering, theft of government funds, and aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. Zubair Al Zubair was also found guilty of willful failure to file tax returns.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court before the jury, from June 2020 through August 2023, the Al Zubair brothers used several deceptive strategies to obtain money and property from victims. Their schemes involved investment fraud, a fraudulent Small Business Administration COVID emergency business loan, cryptocurrency mining investments, and commercial and residential real estate transactions.
The Al Zubair brothers’ ill-gotten proceeds allowed them to acquire a trove of jewelry, luxury timepieces and vehicles, as well as more than 80 firearms including a custom made, gold-plated AK-47 style rifle. Luxury vehicles they acquired with the proceeds of their illegal activity included a Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes, and Range Rover. Domestic and international travel to multiple places—such as Aspen, Miami, London, Bucharest, and Madrid—included the use of private jets, staying at high-end hotels, and going on shopping sprees. Zubair Al Zubair also leased a residential property in an upscale neighborhood in Bratenahl, Ohio, before being evicted in August 2023.
The two brothers made exorbitant claims about their extraordinary wealth and government connections. Zubair Al Zubair claimed to be married to a United Arab Emirates princess. His brother, Muzzammil, claimed to be a hedge fund manager even though his only education on hedge funds was the result of watching YouTube videos. Under the illusion of being extremely educated, successful, and well-connected, the brothers befriended Smedley, a public official employed with the city of East Cleveland.
As the chief of staff to the mayor of East Cleveland, Smedley used his position to benefit the Al Zubair brothers. To reward and influence Smedley, the Al Zubair brothers bribed him with suite tickets to Cleveland Browns games, cigars, prized Japanese wagyu beef, and meals at high-end restaurants, as well as offers of future employment. There was also evidence presented at trial that the Al Zubair brothers were paying Smedley. In return, Smedley helped the Al Zubair brothers by attempting to secure state funding for their business; securing official letters on the city’s letterhead; having Zubair Al Zubair appointed as an International Economic Advisor to the city and obtaining business cards in his name; and providing the brothers with official police badges from the city of East Cleveland.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 5. The defendants face the maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison for each of the most serious offenses.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division and the IRS−Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Joseph H. Walsh for the Northern District of Ohio.
Federal Inmate, who smuggled heroin into the FDC resulting in fatal overdose, sentenced to ten years in prisonRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 38-year-old Grays Harbor County, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to ten years in prison for two counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Gabriel Armas was on federal supervised release for a prior conviction for heroin and methamphetamine trafficking when he was arrested for again distributing narcotics. After he was incarcerated at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, he again distributed heroin, resulting in the overdose death of another inmate. At the sentencing hearing today U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “There can hardly be any offenses more serious than one that resulted in the death of (the victim), which happened here. And it happened in what was supposed to be a safe environment. The FDC is supposed to be safe, but it wasn’t safe for (the victim) because you made the decision to introduce drugs into this environment and as a result someone who was loved by his family died.”
“A federal arrest and incarceration can be the first step towards getting clean and sober, but not when other inmates scheme to deal drugs while imprisoned,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “In this case a family was touched by tragedy when their son died of an overdose caused by this defendant. It is a priority for our office to prosecute cases of contraband in jails and prisons.”
According to records in the case, on November 14, 2023, Armas was found slumped over the wheel of a car in a parking lot in Ocean Shores, Washington. When an officer knocked on the window, Armas drove away at a high rate of speed. Law enforcement stopped the pursuit due to Armas’ reckless driving.
The car Armas was driving got stuck on a bridge that had not been designed for vehicle traffic and the bridge collapsed. Armas left the area, but a drug detecting dog found things he had abandoned in the area such as baggies containing fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, and crystal methamphetamine. They also found identity cards in Armas’ name.
A few days later, Armas was found in the area where the car was abandoned and was booked into the Federal Detention Center. Initially he was booked for violating conditions of his federal supervision for a 2014 drug trafficking conviction. Armas was housed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) on the night of November 19, 2023. On the morning of November 20, 2023, the person sharing the cell with Armas was found unresponsive and died despite lifesaving efforts. An autopsy revealed the man died from acute heroin, olanzapine, and mirtazapine intoxication.
On November 23, 2023, authorities found heroin hidden in Armas’ cell. It was wrapped in a jailhouse note offering heroin for sale to inmates. A few weeks later more heroin was found in the top of a pill bottle in Armas’ cell. On January 25, 2024, Armas admitted to another inmate that he made money selling heroin to other inmates and that his cellmate overdosed and died from the heroin. Armas said he swallowed some of the heroin to hide it from staff after his cellmate’s overdose.
“In the space of just over a week, Mr. Armas’s series of reckless actions contributed to his cellmate’s overdose death; endangered the community by fleeing law enforcement at high speed; and collapsed a bridge not designed for vehicles during that pursuit,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “He has clearly not learned his lesson from his last drug trafficking conviction, as he was also found to have fentanyl and heroin in his vehicle and prison cell. This sentence holds Mr. Armas accountable for his dangerous conduct and sends a message to all would-be drug traffickers: the FBI and our partners take these crimes seriously.”
In asking for a ten-year sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “By selling drugs in the FDC, Armas demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety of other incarcerated individuals, many of whom have significant addiction issues that have contributed to their being detained. By aiming to provide drugs to other inmates, Armas took advantage of a captive clientele of drug users, many of whom were likely in the process of withdrawal due to their incarceration, rendering them more vulnerable to the harmful effects of opioids.”
Armas was ordered to be on supervised release for eight years following prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Ocean Shores Police Department and Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Shiner.
Eastern Panhandle Man Admits to Having Cocaine, FirearmRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Kearneysville, West Virginia man has admitted to possessing large quantities of controlled substances for distribution and a firearm in relation to that crime, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Bradley Allen Wilt, 44, pled guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. According to court documents and statements made in court, a traffic stop of Wilt’s vehicle led to the seizure of 63.51 grams of cocaine, 169.54 grams of cocaine base, 282 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 12 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride. Officers also seized a .45 caliber handgun from the car. Wilt pled guilty to possessing the firearm in relation to his drug crime.
Wilt faces at least five and up to 40 years in prison for the drug charge and faces at least 5 years and up to life for the firearms charge. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Drone Operator Charged with Violating Temporary Flight Restrictions in Area Surrounding Levi’s Stadium During NFL GameRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – A San Francisco man was charged in a federal criminal complaint for flying a drone within restricted airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium during a National Football League (NFL) game in violation of a temporary flight restriction (TFR) imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to the criminal complaint and court documents filed today, Junwei Guo, 27, operated a drone within the airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025, during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. As court documents describe, the FAA has issued a TFR that prohibits all aircraft, including drones, from operating within a three nautical mile radius of any stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more people during, among other events, regular or post-season NFL games. The “stadium TFR” classifies the airspace defined in the restriction as “National Defense Airspace” and remains in effect for a specified time period before, during, and after the qualifying event.
The complaint alleges that Guo flew the drone as high as approximately 2,300 feet above ground level, an altitude that raises significant concerns for public safety and the potential disruption air traffic control in the area. Guo allegedly did not register the drone with the FAA, obtain a remote pilot’s certificate with the FAA, obtain FAA authorization to fly the drone in national defense airspace, or comply with the requirements of the FAA’s recreational use exception.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.
Defendant is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Jose on Feb. 27, 2026, for an initial appearance.
A complaint merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the charged violation of national defense airspace under 49 U.S.C. § 46307. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Liu is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Natachiana Burney. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Santa Clara Police Department.
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The FAA, in coordination with the FBI, has established a “No Drone Zone” for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, 2026, with additional drone restrictions surrounding Levi’s Stadium and in downtown San Francisco during the days leading up to the event. For more information, please visit: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-and-fbi-announce-strict-no-drone-zones-super-bowl-lx.
Detroit-Area Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Maliciously Setting Fires to Commercial Truck TrailersRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – A Michigan man was sentenced Thursday to 120 months in federal prison for maliciously setting fires to three semi-trailers belonging to a major commercial trucking company, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine.
Viorel Pricop, 67, of Allen Park, Michigan, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker.
At the conclusion of an 8-day trial, a jury found Pricop guilty of three counts of Arson of a Vehicle or Property in Interstate Commerce on Aug. 21, 2024.
“This defendant left a nation-wide path of destruction that threatened lives, property, and critical infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Thanks to the dedicated work of federal prosecutors and ATF agents, the DoJ brought him to justice. This case is proof that the federal government will bring its full weight to bear in order to stop dangerous and destructive criminals.”
"The ten-year sentence handed down to Pricop marks the culmination of a multi-year, multi-state investigation into a dangerous campaign of targeted arson,” said Shawn Stallo, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Phoenix Field Division. "This successful outcome was made possible through the exhaustive use of ATF resources, including our K-9 units, the Fire Research Laboratory, and the technical expertise of our Certified Fire Investigators who methodically linked these fires across the country. By leveraging these specialized tools to hold this serial arsonist accountable, we have ensured that he can no longer threaten the lives of drivers or the safety of our nation's interstate commerce.”
Pricop set fire to three semi-truck trailers belonging to Swift Transportation, a Phoenix-based commercial trucking company, as part of a larger pattern of arsons targeting Swift. Two of the arsons occurred in Willcox, Arizona, and one occurred in Holbrook, Arizona.
Pricop set at least 16 additional Swift Transportation semi-trailers on fire in multiple states between October 2021 and September 2022. These arsons occurred at locations spanning from Barstow, California, to McCalla, Alabama, with most occurring along Interstate 10 and Interstate 40. Federal criminal charges associated with some of the fires were filed against Pricop in several districts and were the basis of a 2024 criminal trial in the Central District of California, where Pricop was found guilty of six arsons.
Pricop was convicted in 2018 in the Eastern District of Michigan for a tax offense and transportation of stolen goods, charges stemming from an investigation conducted by Swift. Pricop was sentenced to time served in that case, amounting to approximately 26 months’ imprisonment. His term of supervised release ended in June 2019, approximately two years before the arsons in this case began.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Phoenix Field Division, led the investigation in this case, with significant assistance from the ATF Fire Research and Forensic Laboratories, ATF Certified Fire Investigators, and Special Agents from the ATF National Cellular Analytics Program. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
Willcox, AZ fires.
CASE NUMBER: 22-CR-02747-JCH-EJM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-015_Pricop
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Department of Justice Opposes Unfair Class Action Settlement Involving Accessibility of Website under the ADARead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest arguing that a proposed class action settlement involving an apparel company’s website would afford little value to consumers with vision disabilities while generously compensating attorneys.
Plaintiffs in the case, Alcazar v. Fashion Nova Inc., alleged that Fashion Nova Inc., a California-based apparel retailer, operated an online clothing website that was not accessible and denied blind users full and equal access to its goods and services in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under a proposed settlement reached between the parties, Fashion Nova agreed to pay approximate $2.43 million divided evenly among class members in California who timely filed a valid claim. Plaintiffs seek over $2.52 million in attorneys’ fees and costs. The settlement also provides for injunctive relief generically requiring Fashion Nova’s website to be accessible.
“A class action under the ADA should, above all else, secure greater accessibility for consumers with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Congress intended the Department and Courts to be skeptical of settlements that instead enrich private counsel.”
The proposed agreement is unfair because the proposed injunctive relief for class members is not meaningful — it is a mere recitation of the obligation to make visually delivered materials available to individuals who are blind or low vision with no confirmation or enforcement mechanism. As proposed, the agreement does not ensure Fashion Nova takes concrete steps to make its website accessible. The case is pending in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which must approve any settlement.
The Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 provides the Attorney General and state officials an opportunity to review federal class action settlements before district courts grant final approval.
The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the ADA’s goals of equal opportunity, and full participation for people with disabilities, including people who are incarcerated. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit ADA.gov.
D.C. Public Schools Employee Charged with Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Dandre Eric Davis, 31, a Maryland resident and employee at Luke C. Moore Opportunities Academy in Washington, D.C., was charged with distribution of child pornography in a complaint unsealed today, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
According to court documents, starting on January 12, 2026, Davis communicated with a user on an online dating application regarding his sexual interest in children. Over the week, Davis stated that he was a “kinky perv,” and that he was interested in children between 7-15 years old. Davis eventually moved the communications over to Telegram, an encrypted messaging application where Davis distributed two videos depicting sexual acts involving prepubescent boys.
Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office.
This case is being investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Kelley.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Charges in a complaint are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cuban National Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A federal jury in Del Rio convicted a Cuban national for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Alejandro Ortiz-Mastrapa, 31, drove from Abilene to Del Rio on Aug. 9, 2025, to transport illegal aliens. He was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents prior to making contact with the illegal aliens he intended to pick up. Evidence found on Ortiz-Mastrapa’s phone revealed a series of messages with a facilitator, who coordinated the event.
Co-defendant Edian Orlando Ruiz-Cedeno was also charged in the conspiracy but pleaded guilty on Jan. 20.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nallely Duarte and Amy Greenbaum are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Colorado Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Creation and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Justin Welsh, 32, of Peyton, Colorado, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. Additionally, Welsh will serve a 20-year-term of supervised release and is ordered to pay a $10,000 special assessment pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (AVAA).
According to the plea agreement, the defendant came to the attention of law enforcement after an internet service provider submitted a Cyber Tipline Report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in July 2024. The resulting investigation revealed that the defendant had created sexually explicit pictures and videos of a three-year-old minor victim and distributed the content he created to another individual. According to the plea agreement, the defendant also memorialized sexual contact he engaged in with a second minor and distributed that content as well.
“This defendant committed horrific crimes against young people in his care. This sentence puts him exactly where he belongs for the next several decades,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly.
United States District Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys Alecia L. Riewerts and Dustin André-Vandenberg handled the prosecution of the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Cleveland Career Criminal Sentenced to 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Cleveland-area career offender has been sentenced to prison for his role involving the distribution of controlled substances while he was out on parole for a previous offense.
Lamont Johnson, 43, was sentenced to 210 months (17.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after pleading guilty last October to the following charges in an indictment:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance; these included fentanyl, cocaine, and xylazine.
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm; prior convictions include Drug Trafficking in 2022 and 2012.
He was also ordered to serve eight years of supervised release after imprisonment. Johnson received a significant sentencing enhancement as a career offender. His criminal history dates back to 2001 and he was previously convicted of a number of drug and violent felonies. He also consistently failed to follow the conditions of his supervised release after previous imprisonments.
According to court documents, on Nov. 15, 2023, agents observed suspected drug activity at a gas station on East 55th Street in Cleveland, involving a black Mercedes SUV driven by Johnson. Upon seeing this activity, agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle Johnson was driving. As the agents approached, Johnson put the vehicle in reverse but then fled on foot and was later apprehended.
During the investigation, agents observed a handgun in plain view on the driver’s seat of Johnson’s vehicle, cash on the center console, and a clear plastic bag with suspected controlled substances. A second bag with suspected marijuana was located on the ground at the gas station where Johnson fled on foot. During a search of the vehicle, the agents recovered the firearm they saw on the driver’s seat, which was a loaded Glock, 9 mm caliber pistol. The clear plastic bag contained multiple baggies with powdery substances. Agents also located a box of sandwich bags, a digital scale, and $53 cash. The powder substances were submitted for lab analysis and were confirmed to be fentanyl, xylazine, and cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Agents of Ohio Investigative Unit, assigned as Task Force Officers to the ATF Crime Gun Intelligence Center. Task Force Officers work violent crime reduction initiatives Statewide. These initiatives target violent high crime areas as well as armed violent offenders and drug traffickers.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott Zarzycki for the Northern District of Ohio.
Cincinnati woman admits to stealing more than $158,000 from elderly or ill veteransRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to misappropriating money that she was managing on behalf of four United States military veterans.
Ishwanzya Rivers, 46, was charged federally and arrested in August 2025.
According to court documents, Rivers stole more than $135,000 from one elderly, dying veteran who lived at the VA hospital in Cincinnati. Rivers admitted she misappropriated the victim’s money at least 45 times from June 2021 through November 2022.
Rivers stole smaller amounts of money from three other elderly or infirm veterans totaling more than $23,000.
The defendant used the money for shopping, restaurants and to travel to New Orleans, Montego Bay, Cancun, London, Panama, Zurich, Vienna and Maldives.
Misappropriating funds as a fiduciary is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Central Field Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is representing the United States in this case.
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Chilean National Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Knowingly Enticing Teenage California Girl to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Chilean national was sentenced today to 135 months in federal prison for enticing a 14-year-old girl he met online – and traveled to Southern California to meet in person – to engage in criminal sexual activity and for possessing sexually explicit images of the victim on his cell phone.
Daniel Andrés Aravena Oliva, 22, of Santiago, Chile, was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald, who ordered him to pay $3,000 in restitution.
Aravena pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of possession of child pornography.
Aravena has been in federal custody since his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in August 2024.
According to court documents, from December 2023 to May 2024, Aravena used internet platforms such as Zoom, FaceTime, a virtual-reality gaming platform Roblox to knowingly entice the victim, a 14-year-old girl, to engage in criminal sexual activity. Aravena’s written messages to the victim often were sexual in nature. Through those messages, Aravena persuaded the victim to have sex with him and to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting herself for him.
In April 2024, the victim’s family discovered the communications, blocked the victim’s ability to communicate with Aravena, and reported the incident to law enforcement.
In August 2024, Aravena flew from Santiago, Chile to Los Angeles to meet and have sex with the victim. Law enforcement was alerted to his travel plans. Upon his arrival – and arrest – at LAX, Aravena knowingly possessed on his Apple iPhone – in the “deleted photos” portion of his phone – approximately 50 images of CSAM depicting the victim.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter with assistance from the Glendora Police Department.
The Major Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
Chadwick M. Elgersma Appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of WisconsinRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma has been appointed as United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Chief U.S. District Court Judge James D. Peterson signed the order on January 22, 2026.
“I am honored to serve as United States Attorney,” said Mr. Elgersma. “I thank the Court, President Trump, and Attorney General Bondi for the trust they placed in me, and I pledge to work closely with my federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.”
As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Elgersma will be responsible for overseeing federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the Western District of Wisconsin. The Western District of Wisconsin encompasses the western 44 counties in Wisconsin.
Chief Judge Peterson’s order can be found in the News & Announcements section of the district court’s website located at www.wiwd.uscourts.gov.
Belarusian Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Gun Possession, Wire FraudRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Belarusian national was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 51 months in prison for wire fraud and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, Pavel Dzmitrenka, 33, engaged in a large-scale, retail return wire fraud scheme, among others, primarily targeting The Home Depot. The retailer confirmed Dzmitrenka’s suspicious, ongoing pattern of high-volume purchase activity via their online store with subsequent product return activity was indicative of return fraud. Additionally, the retailer located hundreds of orders with suspected fraudulent UPS tracking entries identical to those associated with many of Dzmitrenka’s refunded orders.
The investigation revealed that Dzmitrenka manipulated UPS tracking information that would indicate that a parcel was successfully returned or received by the retailer, triggering the completion of the return and the issuance of a refund by the retailer. In these fraud schemes, once a refund is received, the individuals engaged in the fraud keep the item(s), resell them for a profit, or attempt to receive additional refunds on the same item(s).
A search warrant led to the discovery of thousands of emails, iMessages, WhatsApp chats, Telegram messages, photographs, videos, and screenshots showing Dzmitrenka was engaged in a retail return fraud scheme targeting numerous online retailers and services. Agents also discovered screenshots of communications depicting the arrangement of payments and execution of retail return fraud services, arranging for sale and shipment of fraudulently obtained merchandise by Dzmitrenka, and dozens of photographs and videos of large quantities of fraudulently obtained merchandise at his residence being prepared for shipment via USPS, FedEx, and UPS.
The intended loss to the defrauded businesses to-date exceeds $1 million. Dzmitrenka used proceeds from his fraud scheme to purchase a 2023 Ferrari 812 GTS and deposited proceeds into two separate bank accounts. At the time of his arrest, Dzmitrenka, knowing that he was an illegal alien living in the U.S. with an expired visa, was in possession of two pistols and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Dzmitrenka was arrested in February 2025 and named alongside two co-defendants in a four-count indictment. Dzmitrenka was charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit odometer tampering, marriage fraud, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. He pleaded guilty to counts one and four on Aug. 26. His co-defendants, Alexander Scott Berghefer and Gina Elmore, are pending trial.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the Austin Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke and Gabe Cohen prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Bath Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $225,000 from an Elderly Disabled VeteranRead the Press Release
Bath Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $225,000 From an Elderly Disabled Veteran
CONCORD – A Bath man pleaded guilty today to draining disability benefits for years from the bank account of an elderly disabled veteran living in a nursing home, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Donald Estes, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2026.
The victim was an elderly disabled veteran who was living in a nursing home until the time he passed away. The victim was unable to manage his own money or make decisions. Each month, the Department of Veterans Affairs deposited disability benefits into the victim’s bank account. Initially, the victim’s mother served as the victim’s legal guardian until she passed away. After her passing, the victim’s nursing home reached out to Estes asking whether he would serve as the victim’s legal guardian. Estes never applied to serve as the victim’s legal guardian. Instead, Estes had the victim sign an agreement adding Estes to the victim’s bank account. Between August 2020 and December 2023, Estes proceeded to steal $225,200 from the bank account. Estes misspent the stolen funds on personal purchases or deposited the funds into other bank accounts he controlled.
The charging statute for bank fraud provides a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General and U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
Albuquerque man faces federal charges for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man is facing federal charges for knowingly possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material, including images and videos of prepubescent children.
According to court records, in August 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Albuquerque began investigating Julian Alcantar Rodriguez, 35, who was linked to multiple reports of online child sexual exploitation spanning from October 2021 to July 2025. The activity involved numerous social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Google, and investigators identified Alcantar as the individual behind the accounts.
On January 22, 2026, HSI executed a search warrant at Alcantar’s Southwest Albuquerque residence and recovered Alcantar’s cellphone, which contained numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
Alcantar is charged with distribution and possession of child pornography. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Alcantar faces five to 20 years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Ryan G. McRae, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso, made the announcement today.
Homeland Security Investigations - Albuquerque investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico Department of Justice and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
View the Criminal Complaint (Rodriguez).pdfA complaint or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Firearms and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Corderrius Terrelle McShane, 38, of Ocala, Florida, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This substantial prison sentence is a reflection of the incredible threat this violent drug trafficker posed to our community by flooding our streets with fentanyl, a devastatingly deadly drug that President Donald J. Trump recently designated as a weapon of mass destruction. This successful federal prosecution is yet another step toward fulfilling the promise made by President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi when they launched Operation Take Back America to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice to eliminate the threats posed by drug traffickers and violent felons like this defendant. The residents of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe streets and drug-free communities, and that is exactly what my office will continue to deliver.”
Court documents showed the defendant sold approximately 55 grams of fentanyl in November 2024. Also, that same month, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle the defendant was driving, during which officers located over 230 grams of fentanyl and a loaded firearm. The defendant has prior felony convictions for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, resisting law enforcement with violence, possession of cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
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 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Saturday 31 January 2026
Illegal Alien Who Shot Rifle on Crowded Dallas Bridge on Jan. 1 Federally Charged with Unlawful Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
A man who allegedly shot multiple rounds from an AR-style rifle on the Margaret McDermott Bridge on New Year’s Eve has been federally charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm as an illegal alien, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Jose Raul Alarcon Sanchez, a Mexican national unlawfully present in the United States, was charged by federal complaint yesterday. As alleged, just after midnight on January 1, 2026, Alarcon Sanchez and another man were on the Margaret McDermott Bridge amid numerous stopped cars and people at the time of the downtown Dallas firework presentations. While standing on the bridge, Alarcon Sanchez and the other individual took turns filming each other shooting black rifles over the bridge. The approximate location of the shooting is indicated by the red “x” in the map below:
“This type of violent behavior wrought tremendous danger to countless lives on the bridge that night,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I applaud our law enforcement partners’ meticulous investigation and use of ballistic evidence to connect this individual to the violent crime he is alleged to have committed on New Year’s Eve.”“Firing a rifle from a crowded bridge in the middle of downtown Dallas posed a serious threat to public safety. Through close coordination with the Dallas Police Department and the use of NIBIN, investigators were able to connect critical ballistic evidence and advance this case. ATF will continue working with our partners to address violent crime and protect our communities,” said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Brian W. Garner.
According to the complaint, on January 5, 2026, Dallas Police Department officers recovered seventy-nine 5.56/.223 caliber and four 9-millimeter fired cartridge casings (FCCs) where Alarcon Sanchez and the other man were observed firing the rifles. They also recovered an additional sixteen 5.56/.223 caliber FCCs, eight 9-millimeter FCCs, and one .40 caliber FCC under the bridge.
Court records show that Alarcon Sanchez was arrested on January 1, 2026, by Grand Prairie Police Department officers in response to a “shots fired” call to 911. Alarcon Sanchez had multiple 5.56/.233 live rounds in both of his front pockets. During a search of Alarcon Sanchez’s van, officers located additional 5.56/.223 FCCs, along with an AK-47 style rifle and magazines loaded with rounds of a different caliber than those recovered from the bridge in Dallas.During a later search of Alarcon Sanchez’s home on January 28, 2026, pursuant to a federal search warrant, court records show that ATF agents and Dallas Police task force officers located multiple firearms—including what is believed to be the firearm used on the bridge on New’s Year’s Eve—in a space between Alarcon Sanchez’s bed and his closet. As alleged in the complaint, the firearms recovered consisted of a .380 caliber pistol, a 9mm caliber pistol, and three 5.56 caliber AR-15 pistols. The investigation linked one of the recovered AR-15 pistols to the fired cartridge casings found at the Margaret McDermott Bridge.
Agents also found Alarcon Sanchez’s Mexican passport in his room. Court records show that Alarcon Sanchez entered the United States in May 2025 on a temporary visitor visa that expired and that he did not request an extension. As alleged, Alarcon Sanchez decided to stay and live in the United States illegally rather than returning to Mexico.
Investigators also located photographs posted on a social media account of Alarcon Sanchez, dated December 28, 2025, and January 1, 2026, showing a man holding two AR-style rifles, which, according to the complaint, are typically chambered in 5.56/.223 caliber and appear to be the same two firearms from the bridge on New Year’s Eve:
An appearance date for Alarcon Sanchez in federal court has not yet been scheduled.
ATF Dallas and the Dallas Police Department, assisted by the Grand Prairie Police Department, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh is prosecuting the case.
complaint_-_alarcon_sanchez_1.pdfA complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Friday 30 January 2026
Wisconsin Man Pleads Guilty After Requesting Person in Philippines Sexually Abuse a Child and Record the AbuseRead the Press Release
Bradley D. Hounsell, 44, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty today to one count of coercing and enticing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Hounsell communicated with an individual in the Philippines on a social media platform, seeking sexually explicit videos and images of children. In November 2023, the individual informed Hounsell that the individual had access to a 13-year-old child, and Hounsell asked the individual to produce and send him a video of the individual sexually abusing the child. Hounsell paid the individual and the child via an online payment platform and in exchange, the individual sent him a video depicting the sexual abuse of the child, performing the acts that Hounsell requested. A later review by law enforcement of Hounsell’s online communications with this individual revealed Hounsell’s repeated requests for sexualized images of minors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel for the Eastern District of Wisconsin made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel R. Humble for the Eastern District of Wisconsin are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office Adds Nearly 200 More Immigration Cases This WeekRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 192 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from Jan. 23 to Jan. 29, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. Charges were brought against human smugglers and illegal aliens with past convictions for violent crimes, DWIs, and multiple prior removals.
Among the new cases, Mexican national Aurelio Murillo-Ruedas was arrested on Jan. 22 in Broadview, Illinois, near Chicago. Murillo-Ruedas became the subject of a human smuggling investigation in El Paso after ICE Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 26 illegal aliens in a stash house on May 1, 2025. A criminal complaint affidavit alleges that Murillo-Ruedas was identified through WhatsApp communications in which he discussed approximately 12 smuggling schemes and sent a video of himself driving in the snow in or near Chicago. Additionally, a foot guide arrested in November 2024 identified Murillo-Ruedas as the individual he worked for. Murillo-Ruedas was allegedly paid around $6,500 to $7,000 for each illegal alien before he paid his associates who carried out his alien smuggling operations. Murillo-Ruedas is charged with bringing in or harboring aliens.
USBP agents arrested Jose Ozuna-Moreno after encountering foot prints of several individuals traveling north in the Calamity Gap area near Sierra Blanca. A criminal complaint alleges that Ozuna-Moreno was found with eight other illegal aliens. Ozuna-Moreno, who was in the country illegally and had prior apprehensions, allegedly admitted to being the foot guide for the group and expected to receive a discount for his own smuggling fees in return for his efforts on behalf of an alien smuggling organization. Ozuna-Moreno is charged with bringing in or harboring aliens.
Jose Angel Alvarado-Reyes, a Mexican national with prior convictions for sexual assault and illegal re-entry, was arrested by ICE Enforcement Removal Operations in El Paso during a worksite enforcement operation with ICE HSI and the U.S. Border Patrol. Alvarado-Reyes has been removed from the U.S. three times, the last being in 2005, and is again charged with illegal re-entry.
Mexican national Fredy Saligan-Perez was arrested near the Ysleta Port of Entry on Tuesday, after been previously removed to Mexico through Calexico, California in October 2025. In March 2025, Saligan-Perez was convicted in Utah for one count of child abuse with injury and one count of assault.
Martin Vaquera-Garcia, also a Mexican national, was arrested at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry when he was allegedly discovered attempting to smuggle a handgun and four magazines from the U.S. to Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred a passenger bus for inspection, and a scan allegedly revealed the magazines in a suitcase belonging to Vaquera-Garcia, who also admitted to concealing a 9mm handgun inside his medical fracture boot. A criminal complaint alleges that Vaquera-Garcia expected to be paid $150 for smuggling the firearm.
USBP agents arrested Salvadoran national Danys Ricardo Martinez-Lazo in Eagle Pass. In August 2025, Martinez-Lazo was convicted in Maryland for negligent manslaughter and sentenced to three years of confinement. He was removed to El Salvador on Nov. 24.
Mexican national Ramon Mendez-Escamilla was also arrested in Eagle Pass and charged with illegal re-entry. Mendez-Escamilla has been removed from the U.S. three times, the last being on Nov. 25, 2025. He has two prior convictions for DWIs and one for assault causing bodily injury to a family member.
In Pflugerville, Mexican national Edgar Martinez Rivera was charged with illegal re-entry after he was arrested for allegedly possessing a fraudulent passport. Pflugerville Police discovered the passport during a traffic stop and notified ICE. Martinez Rivera has been convicted of two DWIs, burglary of a building and, most recently, theft. He has two prior removals, the most recent being to Mexico on Jan. 10, 2025.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Webster Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Crystal MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Webster man pleaded guilty on Jan. 23, 2026 in federal court in Worcester in connection with his role in distributing crystal methamphetamine.
Giang Tran, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (involving 50 grams or more of methamphetamine) and distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2026. Tran was indicted on June 10, 2025.
According to court records, in December 2024, a cooperating witness told law enforcement that Tran was a supplier of pounds of crystal methamphetamine. Undercover law enforcement contacted Tran, posing as the cooperating witness. Through these communications, Tran agreed three times to deliver crystal methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement. On Jan. 2, 2025, Tran personally delivered the drugs at a commercial plaza in Everett. On Jan. 8, 2025, and again on Jan. 21, 2025, Tran sent an associate to deliver the drugs in Worcester. In total, Tran delivered or arranged the delivery of approximately 1 kilogram of methamphetamine.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (involving 50 grams or more of methamphetamine) provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and up to life and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Riverside (Calif.) DEA Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Wagoner County Resident Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexual Abuse Crimes Against Three ChildrenRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Richard Leroy Osborn III, age 48, of Wagoner County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life in prison for five counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, and to two years in prison for two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. The Court ordered the terms to be served concurrently.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On December 11, 2024, at the conclusion of a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted Osborn on all eight counts. According to investigators, Osborn began sexually assaulting three children in 2011. In May of 2022, one of the children came forward to report the abuse. At trial, the United States presented evidence that Osborn had also sexually abused three other victims when they were minors. Osborn, who was convicted in 2005 of Rape in the Second Degree in the State of Oklahoma, was a registered sex offender when he committed these crimes.
The crimes occurred in Wagoner County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservations, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“It’s heartbreaking when innocent people in our communities are victimized, especially our children,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “It remains a priority of the United States Attorney’s Office to pursue justice for crime victims. In this case, the defendant, a convicted sex offender, abused three children and the life sentences imposed by the Court are fitting punishments for his heinous crimes.”
The Honorable Robert J. Shelby, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing. Osborn will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Morgan Muzljakovich and Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
Upton man sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment for planting a destructive deviceRead the Press Release
On Jan. 27, U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson sentenced an Upton man to 30 months’ imprisonment with two years of supervised release for possessing a destructive device. The court also imposed a $300 fine.
David Riggle, 40, of Upton, Wyoming, was arrested on April 28, 2025, for allegedly planting a destructive device inside a storage trailer on a drilling company’s property in Weston County. The device was discovered on Nov. 30, 2024, after a worker noticed the smell of propane emanating from the trailer. Inside, authorities found a battery-powered device with wires, a timer, and a fuse placed next to an open 100-pound propane tank, releasing gas. Investigators believe the timer was intended to delay ignition so the suspect could escape.
The device ultimately failed to ignite but law enforcement said it was otherwise capable of causing serious harm. Footprints at the scene led investigator in the direction of Riggle’s home approximately two-thirds of a mile away. A federal search warrant executed at Riggle’s home on Dec. 11, 2024, uncovered footprints matching those at the scene, along with a 6-volt battery matching the battery connected to the device, safety fuse, wires, and soldering tools consistent with components used in the device.
“This was not a harmless or symbolic act. The defendant placed a functioning propane-based explosive inside a work trailer, putting employees, nearby residents, and an entire community at risk of serious injury or death. While the device failed to ignite, the fear and disruption it caused were real—employees were afraid to return to work, business operations were delayed, and a sense of safety in Upton was shaken. The law does not measure harm only by what detonates, but by the danger created and the lives put in jeopardy,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith.
Riggle waived indictment and pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2025. Weston County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigate the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer prosecuted the case.
Case No. 25-CR-00149
Undocumented Mexican National Indicted in the District of Utah for Alleged Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed today after an alleged drug trafficker, living in the United States illegally on an expired Visa, appeared in federal court after he allegedly possessed and distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine in the District of Utah.
Jose Cesar Paredes-Davila, 33, a Mexican national living in Utah, was charged by complaint on January 20, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in January 2026, the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC) initiated a criminal investigation into Paredes-Davila after receiving information he was distributing large quantities of narcotics. On January 15, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a vehicle believed to be used by Paredes-Davila to traffic drugs. During the search, law enforcement seized 2,196 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl and approximately 615 grams of field-tested methamphetamine. UCMC officers estimated the fentanyl evidence to be approximately 21,000 fentanyl pills. UCMC officers also located $9,124 in U.S. currency and $2,000 in Western Union money orders.
As alleged in court documents, UCMC officers also learned Paredes-Davila was using vacation rentals to receive controlled substances in the mail. A United States Postal Investigator ran a rental property address Paredes had been using in Salt Lake City and postal records showed a parcel enroute to a Salt Lake City address that was addressed to “Cesar Paredes.” A search warrant was obtained and executed, and agents seized 3,562 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine.
Paredes-Davila is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. A two-day jury trial is scheduled for April 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 7.4 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Law Enforcement Assists Bulgarian Law Enforcement in Taking Down Three of the Largest Piracy Sites in the European UnionRead the Press Release
The U.S. government executed seizure warrants against three U.S.-registered internet domains of commercial websites allegedly engaged in the illegal distribution of copyrighted works.
The coordinated law enforcement operation targeted online services that provided illegal copies of copyrighted works—many belonging to U.S. companies and individuals—including movies, television shows, video games, software, e-books, and other content.
According to the affidavits in support of the seizure warrants, the three domains receive tens of millions of visits a year, offer thousands of infringed works, and result in millions of downloads of those works, the retail value totaling millions of dollars. The three domains are among the most popular in Bulgaria—one is often ranked as one of the top 10 most visited domains in Bulgaria —and, given the huge internet traffic they receive every day, seem to make considerable money from advertisements.
The seized domains are in the custody of the United States government. Visitors to the sites will now find a seizure banner that notifies them that federal authorities have seized the domain names and that informs them that willful copyright infringement is a crime. The domain are zamunda.net, arenabg.com and zelka.org.
The Justice Department is grateful for its Bulgarian partners at the National Investigative Service, the Ministry of the Interior’s General Directorate Combating Organized Crime, the State Agency for National Security, and the Prosecutor’s Office, and its domestic partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) New Orleans Field Office, and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center). The Justice Department also acknowledges the critical role of Europol, the HSI Athens office, and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Sofia office in coordinating efforts and providing technical assistance.
The Justice Department is providing intellectual property and cybercrime technical assistance to foreign law enforcement, prosecutorial, and judicial partners in other countries, including Bulgaria, through the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program. Learn more about the Criminal Division’s ICHIP Program, jointly administered by the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section through partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, here.
The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government’s key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. The IPR Center uses the expertise of its member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, and coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public’s health and safety, the U.S. economy and the war fighters. To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of the HSI New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.
HSI is investigating the matter.
Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Meyers for the Southern District of Mississippi are handling the case. The ICHIP based in Bucharest, Romania provided significant assistance.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 86 Border-Related Cases This WeekRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 86 border-related cases this week, including charges of bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).
In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.
A sample of border-related arrests this week:
- On January 23, Maria Luisa Luna-Garduno, a Mexican citizen, was arrested and charged with Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers found a minor undocumented female hiding under a blanket in the trunk of the defendant’s vehicle as she tried to cross the border at the Tecate Port of Entry.
- On January 27, Fernando Martin Cota Sordia, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers found 994 pounds of liquid methamphetamine in the fuel tank of the defendant’s Kenworth Tractor when he attempted to cross the border at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry Commercial Facility.
- On January 28, Adolfo Garcia-Vega, a Mexican citizen, was arrested and charged with Attempted Entry after Deportation. According to a complaint, Border Patrol agents intercepted the defendant about 200 yards north of the border. Garcia-Vega was previously deported to Mexico on January 22, 2026, through Texas.
The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes National Human Trafficking Prevention MonthRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and joins the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) in reaffirming the administration’s commitment to combating all forms of human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors. Human Trafficking Prevention Month presents an opportunity for DHS and DOJ, through Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) to intensify operational efforts, raise public awareness, and strengthen partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt trafficking networks, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure traffickers are brought to justice.
“This Department of Justice is working tirelessly alongside our partners to dismantle human trafficking networks, help survivors, and protect vulnerable populations from being exploited,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under this administration we have seen an increase in human trafficking prosecutions, and during Human Trafficking Prevention Month we reaffirm our commitment to prosecuting traffickers and encourage Americans to report instances of human trafficking in their communities.”
“Through the Homeland Security Task Force, President Trump is taking the fight directly to human trafficking networks and disrupting their modern-day slave trade while seizing their assets and arresting their kingpins and foot soldiers. The American people should not have to live in fear of cartels, gang bangers, and foreign terrorists preying upon the most vulnerable among us,” the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement. “The Homeland Security Task Force is the largest coordinated campaign against transnational criminal organizations in U.S. history, and I’m proud to co-lead it with Attorney General Bondi.”
“During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the FBI reiterates our work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and national victim-based advocacy groups in joint task forces to protect our communities across the country,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The horrifying reach of human trafficking spreads far and wide. Homeland Security Task Forces are fighting back to disrupt these perilous networks and put a stop to that reach. The FBI will continue our investigations and bring justice to those exploited by human traffickers.
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Section 6 of this order directed the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly establish HSTFs in every state nationwide. The HSTF objective is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) throughout the United States; dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks; end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children; and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States.
Since January 20, 2025, the following individuals have been charged with human trafficking-related crimes:
- Carlos Recinos-Valdez and his son Kevin Recinos-Ruano were charged in a criminal complaint for allegedly conspiring with each other to harbor illegal aliens in the Reno area for their personal financial gain. As alleged, Recinos-Valdez orchestrated the illegal smuggling of aliens through a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) with a network of human smugglers and traffickers located throughout Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. Once in Reno, Recinos-Valdez would demand and collect regular payments for smuggling fees from the victims to pay off their debt to the TCO; and he threatened victims with physical violence if payments were not received. Recinos-Valdez is charged with one count of conspiracy to harbor aliens; three counts of harboring illegal aliens; two counts of aiding and abetting attempted interference with commerce by extortion; and one count of aiding and abetting bringing illegal aliens. Recinos-Ruano is charged with one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. A jury trial is scheduled to begin April 21, 2026.
- A grand jury returned an indictment charging Rafael Juan Mitjans for allegedly subjecting three victims from Cuba to forced, confiscating their passports and other identifications, and providing false statements on immigration documents. Mitjans was charged with three counts of forced labor, three counts of unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking and forced labor, and three counts of false statements on immigration documents. A jury trial is scheduled to begin May 19, 2025.
In January 2026, DHS and DOJ are surging resources to fight and raise awareness about human trafficking, including:
- Identifying ongoing investigations and prioritizing featured operations across 45 federal locations and 10 state locations with an emphasis on border states.
- Coordinating with FBI Human Trafficking Squads and multi-agency Human Trafficking Task Forces to conduct victim recovery.
- Partnering with AMTRAK and FAMS to increase law enforcement resources and distribute posters with QR codes for reporting human trafficking in all station bathrooms and trains.
- Running advertisements related to $250 million recovery from Backpage to distribute to victims and additional victim restitution efforts by DOL-OIG.
- Organizing Human Trafficking seminars and outreach events with DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking at high schools and colleges to highlight the role of HSTFs in addressing human trafficking.
On August 25, 2025, HSTF officially launched its effort to protect the Homeland with a September Surge encompassing 400 operations nationwide. In just 43 days, HSTF nationwide operations resulted in 3,266 arrests and seizures including:
- 1,041 Sinaloa members
- 856 Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (“CJNG”) members
- 641 MS-13 members
- 456 Tren de Aragua members
- 1,067 weapons
- More than $3,250,000 in currency
- Approximately 91 metric tons of narcotics
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U.S. Attorney Moore Capito Announces Success of Major Immigration Operation in West VirginiaRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito is commending federal, state, and local law enforcement partners after “Operation Country Roads,” a 15-day enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulted in 650 arrests throughout West Virginia.
More than 550 of the arrests during Operation Country Roads involved West Virginia law enforcement agencies assisting ICE through the 287(g) program. West Virginia law enforcement led the nation in daily immigration arrests by 287(g) program participants during at least four days of the operation, which concluded on January 19, 2026.
“This operation is a clear demonstration of the strength, discipline, and resolve of our state and local law enforcement partners,” said Capito. “We are delivering on our promise to the people of West Virginia: the law will be enforced. I stand unequivocally with the men and women of law enforcement who put in long hours and do the difficult work required to protect our communities, defend the rule of law, and preserve the integrity of our nation’s legal system.”
The 287(g) program delegates to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight. To date, 25 West Virginia law enforcement entities have signed agreements with ICE to participate in the 287(g) program, including three state-level agencies and 11 county and local agencies within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials identified and arrested individuals illegally residing in the United States who present dangers to national security and risks to public safety, as well as those who entered the United States illegally or have otherwise undermined the integrity of U.S. immigration laws and border control efforts. Several of those arrested have serious criminal histories, including convictions for child sex abuse, drug possession and endangering the welfare of children.
“This operation demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Michael Rose. “By training and supporting our 287(g) partners across the state, we’ve expanded local capacity to identify, arrest, and process illegal aliens while ensuring these authorities are exercised professionally and consistent with the law.”
While most immigration enforcement arrests are handled through an administrative process and removal proceeding, multiple arrests during Operation Country Roads resulted in federal criminal charges in the Southern District of West Virginia. These include immigration-related charges against eight individuals resulting from the execution of federal search warrants at a Nitro business and residence on January 16, 2026.
The West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard, and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation are the state-level participants in the 287(g) program. The 287(g) participants in the Southern District of West Virginia also include the Cabell, Fayette, McDowell, Nicholas, Putnam, and Wood sheriff’s offices and the Fayetteville, Hurricane, Oak Hill, Richwood, and Summersville police departments.
“The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is always proud to assist our federal partners in the enforcement of the law,” said Putnam County Sheriff Bobby Eggleton. “Illegal immigrant enforcement actions are a way to make our communities safer and that is my ultimate goal and responsibility.”
“I appreciate and support our federal law enforcement officers and our involvement to work toward a common goal of safely protecting Cabell County,” said Cabell County Sheriff Doug Adams. “By participating in this campaign, we have been able to successfully assist in removing dangerous fugitives. As always, we remain committed to protecting our citizens both native born and legal immigrants who call our community home.”
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia participated in Operation Country Roads in furtherance 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 as well as achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
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Third Georgia State Representative charged with pandemic unemployment fraudRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Dexter L. Sharper, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, was charged today with making false statements to fraudulently obtain thousands of dollars of emergency pandemic unemployment assistance payments.
“While many of his constituents and fellow citizens were losing jobs and desperately needed unemployment assistance during the pandemic, Representative Sharper allegedly pretended to be out of work to collect a share of unemployment benefits for himself,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “When government officials lie to take money, and do it while holding an elected office, it violates the trust of citizens and weakens faith in our elected government.”
“These charges point to some disgraceful conduct at the highest level, which should shock and repulse every citizen”, said Georgia State Inspector General Nigel Lange. “The alleged activities describe a disgusting abuse by an elected official who appeared to trade his integrity for money destined for those in need. Shameful.”
“Dexter L. Sharper, while serving as an elected member of the Georgia House of Representatives, is alleged to have unlawfully enriched himself by improperly obtaining taxpayer funds from the unemployment insurance program intended to assist American workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “These charges reflect allegations, and the case will be resolved through the judicial process. We will continue our efforts to investigate and pursue accountability for those who are charged with defrauding taxpayers by exploiting Department of Labor programs.”
“Nobody is above the law, including elected officials,” said FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis. “Those who violate the public trust and steal from taxpayers to fill their own pockets will be held accountable.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In 2020, in response to the forced closures of businesses and unprecedented economic hardship resulting from the COVID-19 emergency, the U.S. Congress created special unemployment compensation programs to provide cash assistance to individuals who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Applicants had to provide a certification for every week for which they wished to claim benefits, attesting to whether they were actively seeking work for the week and the reason they were unemployed.
Sharper, while serving as the Georgia State Representative for District 177, which includes portions of Lowndes County, allegedly applied for unemployment assistance benefits for April 2020 through May 2021. In his initial application, he stated that he had only one employer, Dexter Sharper Party Rental, which had employed him for 40 hours per week for over seven years, but had not worked since March 13, 2020. Then, in 38 separate weekly certifications, he stated that had not worked or earned any wages, was actively looking for work, and had not refused any work.
Contrary to those claims, Sharper was allegedly working and earning money from at least two—and sometimes three—jobs each week. He received at least $325 every week from the Georgia General Assembly for his position as Georgia State Representative. Sharper’s party rental business was operating and generating income of up to $2,231 of income per week. And Sharper was also collecting up to an additional $275 per week for work as a musician.
As a result of the allegedly false initial application and 38 subsequent certifications, Sharper collected a total of $13,825 of unemployment assistance benefits to which he was not entitled.
Dexter L. Sharper, 54, of Valdosta, Georgia, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard, on federal charges of making false statements to obtain funds administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Members of the public are reminded that the criminal information only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Two other Georgia State Representatives were previously charged with similar pandemic unemployment assistance fraud:
- Karen L. Bennett, Georgia State Representative for District 94 until she resigned on January 1, 2026, pleaded guilty on January 21, 2026, to federal charges of making false statements in connection with receiving $13,940 of pandemic unemployment benefits.
- Sharon Henderson, Georgia State Representative for District 113, was federally indicted on December 2, 2025, for theft of government funds and making false statements in connection with receiving $17,811 of pandemic unemployment benefits.
This case is being investigated by the Georgia Office of the State Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Tangipahoa Man Guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA –GARRETT MCCLAIN JR.(“MCCLAIN”), age 24, of Tangipahoa Parish, pled guilty on January 29, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Barry Ashe, to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), §841(b)(1)(A), and § 841(b)(1)(B), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. Judge Ashe scheduled sentencing for May 7, 2026. At sentencing, MCCLAIN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten (10) years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five (5) years of supervised release.
According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown but continuing until at least June 26, 2025, MCCLAIN, and other individuals, conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washington Parishes region. Law enforcement officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by MCCLAIN after he was seen leaving a residence in Tickfaw, Louisiana. MCCLAIN led officers on a high-speed pursuit before fleeing his vehicle on foot. Ultimately, he was arrested and a backpack in his possession was seized and found to contain 226 grams of pure methamphetamine, 336 grams of marijuana, and 77 grams of fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, 22nd JDC District Attorney’s Office, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana National Guard. FORT was also assisted by the Louisiana State Police, Bogalusa Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.
Surgeon Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on January 29, 2026, Dr. Calvin Eriksen (age: 47) of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Brett H. Ludwig.
Four CyberTips were referred to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) regarding user accounts on the Kik online platform that had received and distributed Child Sexual Abuse Material (“CSAM”). Those tips led investigators to Dr. Eriksen’s home and workplace. Search warrants at those locations revealed CSAM, including images that depicted the abuse of infants and toddlers. Eriksen was also discovered to have been communicating online with an undercover law enforcement agent (“UC”) who was posing as the mother of an 8-year-old daughter. Eriksen repeatedly expressed an interest in sexually assaulting the UC’s daughter and sent a naked photo of himself.
At sentencing, Judge Ludwig noted that Eriksen’s sexually deviant behavior was disturbing and that his conduct contributed to a market which perpetuates the abuse of children. Upon completion of his prison sentence, the defendant will spend seven years on supervised release and will have to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
According to United States Attorney Brad Schimel, “We have no higher priority in the criminal justice system than to protect children, and we will continue to devote substantial resources to catching and punishing those who steal their innocence. This case demonstrates the troubling reality that people who prey on children for sexual gratification can come from all walks of life.”
“This case is a disturbing example of criminal conduct that scars children for life and compromises the feeling of safety and security that all parents, families and communities deserve to enjoy” said Chief Christopher Garcia of the Brookfield Police Department.
“The City of Brookfield Police Department is thankful for the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office. I am proud to have such outstanding criminal justice partners who are committed to protecting our children and holding people accountable for such egregious crimes.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and West Palm Beach, Florida, as well as the City of Brookfield Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan J. Thomas.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Two and a Half Years in Prison for Conspiring to Straw Purchase FirearmsRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for conspiring with his sister to straw purchase seven firearms.
From 2020 to 2023, DERWIN VAZQUEZ, JR. conspired with his sister—JALISSA R. VAZQUEZ—to make false or fictious written statements to three licensed firearms dealers in connection with the acquisition or attempted acquisition of the firearms. Vazquez Jr. often purchased firearms online but falsely used his sister’s name as the purchaser. He then instructed Jalissa Vazquez to go pick up the firearms, knowing that she would falsely certify on federal forms that she was the actual buyer. Other times, Vazquez Jr. provided cash to Jalissa Vazquez or instructed her to purchase firearms with cash on his behalf. Vazquez, Jr. admitted that he intended to unlawfully re-sell the firearms to others on Facebook.
Vazquez Jr., 26, of Waukegan, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to provide false and fictitious written statements to federally licensed dealers of firearms. U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston imposed the 30-month prison sentence during a hearing on Thursday in federal court in Rockford.
The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Kim.
Jalissa Vazquez, 37, of Garden Prairie, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to the same conspiracy charge as her brother. She is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Johnston on April 23, 2026.
Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to tackle a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.
Sitting Judge and Three Others Charged with Scheme to Steal Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars from Vulnerable and Incapacitated WardsRead the Press Release
DETROIT - Four Detroit-area residents, including a sitting judge and a local attorney, were charged for their roles in a years-long scheme to embezzle money from incapacitated individuals, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced today.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Detroit Field Office, and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Detroit Field Office.
Nancy Williams, 59, Avery Bradley, 72, Andrea Bradley-Baskin, 46, and Dwight Rashad, 69, all Detroit residents, were charged via indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The indictment also charges Bradley with one count of wire fraud, Bradley, Bradley-Baskin, and Rashad with several counts of money laundering, and Bradley-Baskin with a single count of making a false statement to federal law enforcement agent.
According to the indictment, probate courts regularly appoint guardians and conservators to manage the personal and financial affairs of adults, known as wards, who have been found by the court to lack the capacity to do so themselves. Guardians and conservators are fiduciaries who are obligated to act in the best interests of their wards. The indictment alleges that Nancy Williams owned Guardian and Associates, an agency that was appointed as a fiduciary by the Wayne County Probate Court for incapacitated wards in over 1,000 cases. Avery Bradley is an attorney, who, along with his daughter (and fellow attorney) Andrea Bradley-Baskin, operated a law firm that often represented Guardian and Associates in Wayne County Probate Court and otherwise practiced regularly in that court. Bradley-Baskin is currently a district judge on Michigan’s 36th District Court. Dwight Rashad operated a series of group homes and residential facilities for elderly individuals, including wards, who needed support and care.
The indictment alleges that the four defendants conspired to systematically embezzle funds from wards, and to obtain and retain money for themselves that rightly belonged to the wards and the wards’estates. The indictment sets forth numerous examples of the co-conspirators working together to misappropriate money belonging to wards. In one instance, Bradley-Baskin is alleged to have used $70,000 in a ward’s funds to purchase an ownership stake in a local bar. In another, Bradley, Williams, and Rashad are alleged to have taken for themselves some $203,000 in funds from a ward’s legal settlement, with none of the money being used to benefit the ward. Williams is alleged to have paid Rashad rent for wards who did not live in one of Rashad’s homes. Bradley-Baskin, in yet another case, is alleged to have used money embezzled from the estate of a ward to pay a two-year lease on a new Ford Expedition for herself.
“We respect the authority that covers a black robe. This state judge and her cronies allegedly abused that high honor for personal gain by preying on the needy protected by the court. This would be a grievous abuse of our public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
“Regardless of a person’s position in society, no one is above the law. These four defendants allegedly conspired to steal from some of our most vulnerable citizens — looting bank accounts, exploiting legal authority, and profiting off those who relied on them for care and protection," said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. "Let me be clear: if you prey on the vulnerable, we will find you and bring you to justice. Finally, I want to recognize our FBI Detroit Area Corruption Task Force, alongside our partners at the IRS Criminal Investigations Detroit Field Office, for their dedicated work on behalf of these victims, as well as the Wayne County Probate Court for bringing this matter to our attention and assisting the investigation."
“No matter who you are, or what your position is, it is entirely unacceptable to help yourself to money that is not yours. What makes these allegations so disturbing is that the victims are part of very vulnerable population and trusted the accused to act in their best interest,” said Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS-CI is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the financial well-being of the vulnerable and root out those who threaten their security.”
If you have information concerning a ward of Guardian & Associates or Tri-State Guardian Services, please visit the FBI website at
— Seeking Information Concerning Wards of Guardian & Associates and Tri-State Guardian Services
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert A. Moran and John Neal.