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26 February 2026
West Columbia Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Gun, DrugsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Cedrick Exzavius Reese, 45, of West Columbia, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for possession of crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that a Richland County deputy observed a car speeding and running a stop sign. The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, driven by Reese. After failing to provide a driver’s license, Reese gave consent to the deputy to search him. The deputy located suspected methamphetamine in a clear plastic bag in his waistband. He stated the narcotics were for “personal use.” When the deputy searched the vehicle, he found a gun and ammunition in the car, along with crack cocaine and fentanyl.
Reese had prior convictions for multiple drug offenses which prohibit him from possessing a firearm.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Reese to 36 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision on each count, to run concurrently. Reese must also pay a $5,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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Washington State Man Found Guilty After Escape from Federal CustodyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland, Oregon, found Brandon Charles Nelson, 40, guilty yesterday of escape after failing to report to the Northwest Regional Re-entry Center (NWRRC) in Portland.
According to court documents, Nelson was convicted of felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 36 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. On Feb. 25, 2025, after violating his release conditions for a third time, Nelson’s supervision was revoked, and he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 18 months of supervised release. While in custody at Victorville Federal Corrections Institute (FCI), Nelson met criteria for placement in a residential re-entry center and was referred to the NWRRC. He was approved to travel unescorted and required to report no later than Nov. 20, 2025. Nelson absconded and failed to report as directed and required. Victorville FCI reported Nelson as an escapee to the United States Marshals Service (USMS) on Nov. 21, 2025, and the USMS arrested him on Dec. 5, 2025, without incident.
On Dec. 16, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Nelson with escape from custody.
Nelson faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on June 8, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
The USMS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin Heinz prosecuted the case.
Virginia Man Found Guilty of Pointing Firearm at Woman Who Got into A Fight with His Romantic Partner in October 2023Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Gerald Day, 34, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was found guilty on all counts yesterday, by a Superior Court jury for charges stemming from an altercation that occurred in October 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Day was found guilty of one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of carrying a pistol without a license, and one count of felony threats on February 25, 2026. Sentencing is scheduled for May 1, 2026, before Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. Possession of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum of five years of incarceration.
According to the government’s evidence, shortly after midnight on October 29, 2023, at the intersection of O Street and Carrollsburg Place, SW, the victim arrived at the location of a party when she saw a romantic partner with another woman with a larger group of people. Unbeknownst to the victim, there was another woman in the group—the defendant’s girlfriend—with whom she had prior hostility. The victim and the defendant’s girlfriend began to fight, during which other members of the larger group joined in. Shortly after the exchange, the victim deployed mace at a woman in the group. After doing so, the victim took several steps away from the group when Day produced a black handgun with a tactical flashlight attachment and pointed the firearm at the victim, stating words to the effect of, “I’ll blow you’re a** up.” The victim and the group continued to exchange words, during which the victim attempted to deploy mace again. The victim eventually got into her vehicle just seconds before Day ran up to her car, kicked her car door shut, and slammed the firearm against the window.
The victim drove past the group when she heard three gunshots, fired by co-defendant Paul Poston, another member of the group who pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon on April 23, 2024. The victim’s vehicle sustained gunshots to the driver’s side rear door, the driver’s side rear window, and trunk. The victim was not injured and drove away before pulling over and calling 911. Prior to the incident, the victim had never met Day or Poston.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
The case was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys William Gandy and Samuel Ison. The case was investigated, indicted, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara Hanson, Michael Lee, Hannah Skopicki, and Katerina Qesari.
Vienna man sentenced to over 18 years in prison for travelling to Colombia for commercial sex with a minorRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Vienna man was sentenced today to 18 years and four months in prison following his conviction for sex trafficking a child and engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on Nov. 1, 2024, Michael Jamie Inofuentes, 45, a U.S. citizen with residences in Virginia and Colombia, flew into Miami International Airport on a return flight from Colombia, where he was flagged for secondary inspection based on suspicious payments he made to an individual suspected of involvement in child sex trafficking in Colombia. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a border search of Inofuentes and his belongings. During an inspection of his cellphones, agents identified messages between Inofuentes and a 15-year-old Colombian girl showing he had solicited the victim for commercial sex. Inofuentes, who knew the victim was a minor and was frequently hungry and at risk of homelessness, solicited and paid the victim for sex on at least three occasions in 2024.
When interviewed by law enforcement, Inofuentes initially denied having sex with the victim but later admitted to having a sexual relationship with her. Inofuentes also admitted that he has children in Colombia and the mother was a minor when he impregnated her. Inofuentes was allowed to return home after the interview. On Nov. 4, 2024, while attempting to board a flight at Dulles International Airport bound for Colombia, Inofuentes was stopped on the jet bridge and taken to secondary inspection. He admitted that he offered the victim money for sex at a hotel.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., investigated this case with valuable assistance from the HSI Miami Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Halper and Laura D. Withers prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-5.
Victoria man sentenced for laundering nearly $600,000 in drug proceedsRead the Press Release
VICTORIA, Texas – A 48-year-old local business owner has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to commit money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Jason Ashley Brannan pleaded guilty Nov. 5, 2025.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Brannan to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $25,000, and Brannan agreed to a forfeiture of $590,290.44.
Brannan owned and operated J & B Cleaning Inc. and Hills Lawn & Tree Service in Victoria.
From September 2023 to May 2024 Brannan laundered approximately $590,000 and recruited two others to assist him in the scheme. He believed he was acting on behalf of a cartel involved in heroin trafficking.
Brannan issues business checks with false memo lines such as “Poker Cash Game,” “Mexico Deer Lease” and “Carbonia Duck Lodge Mexico.” He planned to claim the deposited cash came from gambling winnings if audited and also tried to obtain kilogram quantities of cocaine.
IRS Criminal Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patti Booth and Tyler Foster prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito to Announce Sentence of Ex-Law Firm Office Manager for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito will address the media this afternoon at the Sidney L. Christie U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Huntington following the sentencing of Todd M. Chapman.
Chapman, 58, of Huntington, pleaded guilty earlier to bank fraud, admitting that he embezzled at least $602,000 from a now-defunct Huntington law firm while its office manager.
WHO: United States Attorney Moore Capito
WHAT: Media Availability
WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Sidney L. Christie U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building
845 Fifth Avenue, Huntington*** NOTE: the media availability is contingent upon the completion of the sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ***
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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U.S. Attorney Dunavant adds Additional Attorneys and Support Staff to U.S. Attorney's OfficeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, is pleased to announce the recent hiring and assignment of five (5) new Assistant U.S. Attorneys, one (1) new Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (JAG SAUSA), and two (2) new support staff positions in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “With the dramatic increase in our case filings since October, these new positions are much needed, and a welcome addition to our outstanding staff who effectively represents the United States, enforces the rule of law, and protects public safety in West Tennessee every day,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant.
Jennifer Collins, Assistant U.S. Attorney, is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law and is licensed to practice in Mississippi and Tennessee. She previously worked at Webb, Sanders & Williams, PLLC in Tupelo, Mississippi and for the Memphis City Schools district as Associate General Counsel. Prior to becoming an AUSA, she worked at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee as a Paralegal Specialist for the Appellate Division and Homeland Security Task Force. She will be assigned to the Civil Division of the Memphis office.
Meghan Fowler, Assistant U.S. Attorney, obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has been a prosecutor for over 16 years in Tennessee and Mississippi, handling all levels of State criminal prosecutions. She served as an Assistant District Attorney in Shelby County, Tennessee and worked as a Senior Trial Assistant in the Special Prosecution Unit as well as the Domestic Violence Unit. She also served as an Assistant District Attorney in North Mississippi before serving as an Assistant District Attorney General Pro Tem for the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. She will be assigned to the Organized Crimes & HSTF Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.
Brooke Greer, Legal Assistant, is a graduate of Union University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Prior to this position, she worked as a civil paralegal for a private law firm in Jackson, Tennessee. She is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina and is excited to begin working in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Jackson, Tennessee.
Raven Icaza, Assistant U.S. Attorney, obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Loyola University Chicago and her Juris Doctorate from University of Memphis. She began her career in the 25th Judicial District of Tennessee as an Assistant District Attorney. and litigated a variety of cases throughout the district, primarily Fayette County. She was a member of the Child Protective Investigative Team and the Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigative Team. She currently serves as Secretary on the board of Fayette Cares, a local non-profit dedicated to helping those affected by homelessness, domestic violence, or otherwise in crisis. She will be assigned to the Organized Crimes & HSTF Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.
Darrius Samples, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, earned his Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. He is admitted to practice law in Maryland where he gained foundational experience in criminal procedure and courtroom litigation. He joined the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps and served as a Military Justice Advisor, Chief of Client Services, and Defense Counsel, which included an overseas assignment in South Korea. He advised commanders on complex military justice matters, oversaw legal services operations, and represented service members in serious criminal cases. He will be assigned to prosecute criminal cases arising from the Memphis Safe Task Force Operation.
Gavin Smith, Assistant U.S. Attorney, attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. He served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office in Memphis, where he prosecuted violent crimes and homicides. He was a member of the D.A.’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) and also served as the Chief Prosecutor over a vertical team of prosecutors in both general sessions and criminal courts. He will be assigned to the Firearms & Violent Crimes Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.
Berina Suljic, Paralegal Specialist, earned her Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After relocating to the United States, she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, Tennessee. Following graduation, she worked at an immigration law firm as a paralegal and applied her international legal background and technical expertise to support case strategy and client advocacy. She joins the U.S. Attorney's Office with extensive experience handling complex legal matters and a wealth of knowledge in immigration law. She will be assigned to the Firearms & Violent Crimes Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.
Irris Williams, Assistant U.S. Attorney, is a lifelong Memphian and graduated from Memphis Harding Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Spelman College and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. She began her career as an Associate Attorney at Becker Law Firm practicing family law. She served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office prior to joining the Firearms and Violent Crimes Unit at the U.S. Attorney's Office. She will be assigned to the Firearms & Violent Crimes Unit in the Criminal Division of the Memphis office.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Two Members of the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples Indicted for Murders in Brooklyn in 2012 and 2015Read the Press Release
Earlier today, a five-count superseding indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn that includes new racketeering charges relating to defendants Kwyme Waddell and Paolo Alfarobarber, who, along with co-defendant Joel Myrie, are alleged to be members of the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples (GD). The superseding indictment charges both Waddell and Alfarobarber with racketeering conspiracy including predicate acts of murder, robbery, fraud, and narcotics trafficking. Waddell is charged with the murder of Franklin McPherson in September 2012 and Alfarobarber is charged with the murder of Armani Thomas in November 2015.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James C. Barnacle, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jessica Tisch, Commissioner, New York Police Department (NYPD) announced the charges and arrests.
“Today’s superseding indictment charging two murderers demonstrates our Office’s commitment to seek justices for all victims, regardless of how long it takes,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “We intend to eradicate street gangs and hold their members accountable for senseless acts of gun violence that endanger our communities.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force for their outstanding work and assistance in this investigation and prosecution.
As alleged in the superseding indictment and in court filings, GD is a violent gang that engages in murder, robbery, narcotics trafficking, fraud, and counterfeiting. GD members elevate their statuses in the gang by engaging in these types of criminal activities. Specifically, GD members are known to engage in violent acts against rival gang members to enhance their reputation in the gang. Waddell and Alfarobarber were previously charged with their alleged participation in a drive-by shooting on Father’s Day in 2022 in a rival gang neighborhood during which a victim was shot and injured.
The superseding indictment charges Kwyme Waddell for the murder of Franklin McPherson on September 25, 2012, Waddell’s birthday. Waddell shot and killed McPherson while McPherson was sitting on his front porch outside of his home in East Flatbush, New York. The superseding indictment also charges Paolo Alfarobarber with the murder of Armani Thomas on November 10, 2015, while Thomas was hanging out in the stairwell of his apartment building located in Brooklyn, New York.
The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Dana Rehnquist, Sophia Suarez, Daniel Marcus, and Rebecca Urquiola are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Elizabeth Reed.
The Defendants:
KWYME WADDELL
Age: 34
Brooklyn, New YorkPAOLO ALFAROBARBER
Age: 34
Bridgeport, ConnecticutJOEL MYRIE
Age: 28
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-351
Two Individuals Convicted of Operating Illegal Multimillion-Dollar Pyramid SchemesRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, convicted an Illinois woman and man for running illegal multimillion-dollar pyramid schemes in at least four different states.
“Today’s verdict holds Candice Cunningham and Joseph Johnson Jr. accountable for their lies to steal from victims through their pyramid schemes,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendants stole millions of dollars from victims across America with false guarantees of earnings and refunds. This trial conviction reflects the dedicated work of the prosecutors and agents who brought this case to vindicate the victims. The Criminal Division will continue to investigate and prosecute those who prey on, trick, and defraud people.”
“The defendants ran illegal pyramid schemes in multiple states over several years that caused millions of dollars in losses to victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office. “The losses sustained by the victims resulted in financial and emotional devastation that will bring lasting harm. The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to working with our partners to combat financial fraud schemes."
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Candice V. Cunningham, 38, and Joseph E. Johnson Jr., 53, both of Chicago, operated a series of pyramid schemes that were advertised to victims under various names including Wealth Partners Publishing, Wealth Wise, Zero to Profit, 30 Day Success Formula, Lav Label, Beckett Group, and Dreams To Reality Group. Marketing materials for the pyramid schemes misrepresented that if a victim-participant invested money in one of the schemes, that victims would receive payments from other participants he or she recruited.
The materials also falsely promised that if a victim did not receive payments from other participants, the victim was guaranteed that his or her initial investment would be fully refunded. Most victims did not receive any payments from other participants and were denied the return of their initial investment. Cunningham, Johnson, and others generated $5 million in proceeds as a result of these schemes.
Cunningham and Johnson were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and six counts of mail fraud. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count. They are scheduled to be sentenced on June 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Trial Attorneys Christopher Berridge and Kashan Pathan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Two Defendants Charged Following Shootout with DEA Agents and Seizure of Approximately 50,000 Suspected Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Eduardo Valenzuela Lopez, 33, of Cajeme, Sonora, Mexico, and Jael Gonzalez Banuelos, 22, of Phoenix, Arizona, were arrested on the morning of Feb. 24, 2026, by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for conspiring to distribute fentanyl. Valenzuela Lopez and Gonzalez Banuelos were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Valenzuela Lopez and Gonzalez Banuelos had their respective initial appearances on Feb. 25, 2026.
From early February 2026 through February 24, 2026, Valenzuela Lopez allegedly negotiated and coordinated the sale and delivery of approximately 50,000 fentanyl pills. Law enforcement officers became aware of the deal and tried to arrest Valenzuela Lopez and Gonzalez Banuelos as they delivered the pills. When agents approached their vehicle, Valenzuela Lopez, who is illegally present in the United States, allegedly opened fire on law enforcement officers. In response, law enforcement officers returned fire. No injuries or fatalities resulted, and law enforcement officers subsequently arrested Valenzuela Lopez and Gonzalez Banuelos. Investigators discovered a firearm on the ground by the driver’s side of the fentanyl pill transport vehicle, as well as approximately 50,000 fentanyl pills in the passenger compartment.
A conviction for possessing 400 grams or more of fentanyl for distribution carries a 10-year minimum-mandatory sentence, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five (5) years, up to life.
The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
CASE NUMBER: 2:26-mj-5079-DMF
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-038_Valenzuela Lopez, Gonzalez Banuelos
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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.
Tommy Schaefer Is Returned to Chicago to Face Federal Charges for the 2014 Murder of U.S. Citizen in Bali, IndonesiaRead the Press Release
Tommy Schaefer, 32, of Chicago, was arrested in international air space on a flight back to the United States yesterday to face a three-count indictment in the Northern District of Illinois charging him with one count of conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, one count of conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national, and one count of obstruction.
Schaefer is alleged to have conspired with his girlfriend, Heather Mack, to kill Mack’s mother, Sheila Von Weise, while Mack and Von Weise were on vacation in Bali, Indonesia, in 2014. Court documents allege that Mack arranged for Schaefer to travel to Bali for the purposes of killing Von Weise. The indictment alleges that before the murder, Schaefer exchanged messages with his cousin, Ryan Bibbs, regarding different ways to kill Von Wiese.
In December 2016, Bibbs pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Foreign Murder of a U.S. National for providing advice to Schaefer for how to kill Von Weise. Court documents in that case reveal that Mack had also asked Bibbs if he knew anyone who would kill her mother in exchange for money. The indictment alleges that Schaefer and Mack discussed how and when to kill Ms. Von Weise and eventually followed through with the plan on Aug. 12, 2014, in her hotel room. It is alleged that immediately following the murder, Schaefer and Mack placed Von Weise’s body inside a suitcase that they loaded into the trunk of a taxi.
In 2015, Schaefer and Mack were convicted in Indonesia of criminal charges related to Ms. Von Weise’s murder. Mack was sentenced to 10 years in prison. After Mack was released from the Indonesian prison and returned to the United States, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kill a U.S. national and was sentenced to 26 years in prison in June 2023. Schaefer was sentenced in Indonesia to 18 years in prison. Schaefer was returned to the United States yesterday after completing his sentence, which was reduced by the Indonesian authorities due to remissions and general good behavior.
If convicted, Schaefer faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for counts one and two, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for count three, and a maximum fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Chicago Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Acting Deputy Chief Frank Rangoussis of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Marie Ursini of the Northern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tommy Schaefer Is Returned to Chicago to Face Federal Charges for the 2014 Murder of U.S. Citizen in Bali, IndonesiaRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Tommy Schaefer, 32, of Chicago, was arrested in international air space on a flight back to the United States, to face a three-count indictment in the Northern District of Illinois charging him with one count of conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, one count of conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national, and one count of obstruction.
Schaefer is alleged to have conspired with his girlfriend, Heather Mack, to kill Mack’s mother, Sheila Von Weise, while Mack and Von Weise were on vacation in Bali, Indonesia, in 2014. Court documents allege that Mack arranged for Schaefer to travel to Bali for the purposes of killing Von Weise. The indictment alleges that before the murder, Schaefer exchanged messages with his cousin, Ryan Bibbs, regarding different ways to kill Von Wiese. In December 2016, Bibbs pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Foreign Murder of a U.S. National for providing advice to Schaefer for how to kill Von Weise. Court documents in that case reveal that Mack had also asked Bibbs if he knew anyone who would kill her mother in exchange for money. The indictment alleges that Schaefer and Mack discussed how and when to kill Ms. Von Weise and eventually followed through with the plan on Aug. 12, 2014, in her hotel room. It is alleged that immediately following the murder, Schaefer and Mack placed Von Weise’s body inside a suitcase that they loaded into the trunk of a taxi.
In 2015, Schaefer and Mack were convicted in Indonesia of criminal charges related to Ms. Von Weise’s murder. Mack was sentenced to a term of 10-years in prison. After Mack was released from the Indonesian prison and returned to the United States, she pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to kill a U.S. national and was sentenced to 26 years in prison in June 2023. Schaefer was sentenced in Indonesia to a term of 18 years in prison. Schaefer was returned to the United States yesterday after completing his sentence, which was reduced by the Indonesian authorities due to remissions and general good behavior.
If convicted, Schaefer faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for counts one and two, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for count three, and a maximum fine of not more than $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros of the Northern District of Illinois, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Chicago Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Acting Deputy Chief Frank Rangoussis of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Marie Ursini of the Northern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Toledo Man Indicted for Pointing a Laser at a Flying AircraftRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio - A 41-year-old Lucas County man was indicted in federal court for flashing a laser pointer at an aircraft while in flight.
In January, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Branden Jay Lounsbury, of Toledo, with one count of Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft or its Flight Path. Lounsbury was arrested in Michigan on Feb. 10. According to a recently unsealed indictment, he allegedly aimed a laser pointer at an Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter while on its flight path on June 2, 2025. Because the helicopter was flying in United States’ airspace, this alleged action is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 39A(a). Pointing a laser at an aircraft while in flight can create a risk of permanent injury to the pilot’s eyesight and can cause the aircraft to crash.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Tangeman, following an investigation by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Toledo Police Department.
If convicted, Lounsbury faces up to five years in federal prison. The sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Telemedicine Company Owner Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for $56M Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
The owner of two telemedicine companies was sentenced today to 7 years in prison and ordered to pay $27.9 million in restitution for his role in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for unnecessary durable medical equipment.
“Instead of connecting patients with legitimate care, Reinaldo Wilson used his telemedicine companies to exploit Medicare and line his own pockets,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He stole over $27.9 million by submitting false and fraudulent claims, robbing a program designed to provide medical care to America’s seniors. The Criminal Division will aggressively prosecute those who defraud Medicare and exploit taxpayer-funded programs meant to serve the people who have paid into the system.”
“Over the span of only two years, Wilson amassed over $56 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, through a cadre of crooked medical providers and co-conspirators, leveraging durable medical equipment for personal financial gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy of the FBI’s Newark Field Office. “When criminals defraud Medicare, they undermine the U.S government. The FBI will always work to apprehend theses fraudsters and put an end to their schemes.”
“Today's sentence underscores the serious consequences for those who exploit Medicare for personal gain,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “This sentence reflects our commitment to holding individuals accountable when they manipulate providers, target vulnerable patients, and attempt to conceal fraud behind complex schemes. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure anyone who abuses federal health care programs is exposed and brought to justice.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, Reinaldo Wilson, 57, formerly of Richmond Hill, Georgia, owned and operated two telemedicine companies located in Bayonne, New Jersey between 2017 and 2019. Through these companies, Wilson and others paid illegal kickbacks to medical providers to sign orders for orthotic braces for Medicare beneficiaries, even though the beneficiaries did not need the braces. Wilson and others illegally sold the signed orders to purported marketing companies that often re-sold the orders to brace companies, which in turn submitted claims for the unnecessary braces to Medicare. Wilson and his co-conspirators at marketing companies cajoled beneficiaries into accepting as many braces as possible. Providers working for Wilson’s telemedicine companies signed orders for four or more orthotics a piece for over 3,000 beneficiaries, and more than 40 beneficiaries received orders for 10 or more orthotics. Wilson also attempted to conceal his crimes by creating a new telemedicine company and convincing a member of his church that it was an investment opportunity. He took $20k from this member and had her open the company and bank accounts in her name, which he then took control of.
During the conspiracy, Wilson and others submitted over $56 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, of which Medicare paid over $27.9 million.
In March 2021, Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud.
The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Darren C. Halverson and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Tallahassee Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Federal Gun Charges Stemming from Shootings in QuincyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Sincere M. Perkins, 25, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after having previously been convicted at jury trial of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a machine gun. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office continues to produce successful prosecutions under Operation Take Back America, which was launched by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to devote the full might of the Department of Justice toward removing violent felons like this defendant from our communities. Our residents deserve to feel safe on our streets, and that is exactly what we will accomplish by aggressively prosecuting violent thugs who threaten our communities and sending them to federal prison.”
Evidence at trial demonstrated that members of the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force located the defendant at an apartment in Tallahassee because of an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Officers attempted to call out the defendant, who eventually emerged from the apartment and was taken into custody. During a subsequent search of the apartment, officers found multiple firearms, including a pistol that had been modified to fire as a machinegun.
Ballistics from two of the recovered firearms matched shell casings from a shooting that had occurred a month and a half earlier in Quincy, Florida, in which two teenagers were shot. The defendant’s DNA was found on both firearms that had been used in the shooting, and a recorded jail call indicated that the defendant was knowingly in possession of the firearms. At sentencing, the judge found that the defendant had been one of the shooters.
Acting U.S. Marshal Greg Leljedal remarked, “The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force goes after the worst of the worst. Working with law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal level, our mission is to quickly locate and apprehend dangerous felons like Sincere Perkins before they can victimize anyone else. The evidence in this case clearly demonstrates that the community is safer with Perkins behind bars.”
This sentence was the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Marshal Service, the Quincy Police Department, the State Attorney’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit, and the Tallahassee Police Department, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain 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.
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.
Sturgis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Sturgis, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on February 23, 2026.
Kaine Sander, 22, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Sander was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in September 2025. He pleaded guilty on October 31, 2025.
In June of 2025, in Meade County, Sander was the passenger in a car stopped by a police officer for having a cracked windshield. Sander possessed a revolver along with ammunition and THC. Sander had previously been convicted of a felony and as a result, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. To do so constitutes a federal felony crime.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sturgis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.
Sander was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for $300,000 Kohl’s Cash ScamRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Thursday sentenced a man who stole nearly $300,000 worth of online merchandise from Kohl’s to 87 months in prison.
Judge Autrey also ordered Marshall Lampkin, 36, to pay the retailer $301,713 and forfeit the stolen items that have been recovered.
According to evidence and testimony at Lampkin’s trial in August, Lampkin carried out his scheme by first using Kohl’s Cash to purchase merchandise in a Kohl’s store, generally for more than $1,000. He would then immediately use the same Kohl’s Cash to order merchandise online, knowing that the in-person transaction had not yet registered. Lampkin returned the items he bought in the store for Kohl’s Cash so he could repeat his scam. Lampkin used the scheme hundreds of times at dozens of stores in more than a dozen states, evidence and testimony showed. Kohl’s asked Lampkin to stop, deactivated his online account and alerted stores, but Lampkin continued by recruiting multiple accomplices, Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf said during Thursday’s hearing.Lampkin had $293,000 in online purchases, which included flooring, furniture, small appliances and other items, shipped to storage units in St. Louis and a relative’s house in Illinois. He then sold or tried to sell those items by advertising them on Facebook.
The Kohl’s Cash scam was part of a series of escalating scams lasting nearly 20 years, Ladendorf said. Lampkin began by illegally selling MetroLink tickets in 2007. He shoplifted from big box stores from 2010-2011 and then targeted a national pharmacy chain’s rewards program beginning in 2013 and continuing through 2023, Ladendorf said. When confronted by store staff, Lampkin would become violent, he said.
The U.S. Secret Service and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Ladendorf and Derek Wiseman prosecuted the case.
St. John the Baptist Parish Men Guilty of Cocaine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ANDRES CRUZ GARCIA (“CRUZ GARCIA”), age 33, DARIEL HERNANDEZ GARCIA (“HERNANDEZ GARCIA”), age 33, and RICARDO JIMENEZ RAMOS (“JIMENEZ RAMOS’), age 58, residents of Laplace, Louisiana, plead guilty before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion to conspiracy to possess, and possession with intent to distribute, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 846, and possession with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
For each count, the three men face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, on September 10, 2023, St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office deputies seized 69 kilograms of cocaine from the Laplace residence of co-conspirator, EDEL FREYRE-SOTO. Continued investigation by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the deputies revealed that CRUZ GARCIA, HERNANDEZ GARCIA, JIMENEZ RAMOS, and others, conspired to conduct large-scale cocaine transactions utilizing a vessel off the coast of the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico). On March 19, 2024, DEA agents seized 85 kilograms of cocaine from a residence in Laplace where HERNANDEZ GARCIA, JIMENEZ RAMOS, and MARCOS QUINTERO OTERO, another co-conspirator, were living. This cocaine was smuggled in through a marina at Grand Isle, and this organization intended to distribute it throughout the United States.
HERNANDEZ GARCIA and JIMENEZ RAMOS will be sentenced on June 2, 2026. CRUZ GARCIA will be sentenced on June 9, 2026.
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 New Orleans comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the DEA and St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Sarver, now serving with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Schiffman, of the Narcotics Unit for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Springfield Business Owner Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield business owner pleaded guilty today for fraudulently obtaining $316,062 in Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and using the money for unauthorized purposes, including for his own personal benefit.
According to court documents, Jason L. Hemingway, 47, applied for two PPP loans on behalf of his business, Principal Transfer Group, LLC, in February and April of 2021. On those applications Hemingway falsely inflated the number of employees and certified the PPP loans were for eligible business expenses. Additionally, Hemingway used the name of another individual without their knowledge or authorization (due to his own poor personal credit history) to obtain loans designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans that were suffering from negative economic effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Specifically, Hemingway pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering. He agreed to pay $316,062 in restitution and will forfeit to the government any property derived from the fraud and money laundering scheme, including a money judgment.
A federal district court judge will determine Hemingway’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Under federal statutes, Hemingway is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison for bank fraud and up to 10 years in prison for money laundering. The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Sinaloa Cartel Leader Charged with Narcoterrorism, Material Support of Terrorism and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Note: To download a copy of the Wanted Rewards Posters in English and Spanish, click on: René Arzate-García and Alfonso Arzate-García.
A superseding indictment unsealed today charges René Arzate-García, also known as “La Rana,” alleged Tijuana plaza boss for the Sinaloa Cartel, with Narcoterrorism and Material Support of Terrorism in connection with trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana into the United States.
Also today, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced that it is offering up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of La Rana, 42, of Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, and his brother, Alfonso Arzate-García, also known as “Aquiles.” These rewards are offered in coordination with the DEA San Diego Field Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California in a unified effort to bring the brothers to justice.
“Foreign terrorist organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel have spent decades poisoning our children and committing acts of unimaginable violence against innocent civilians -- no longer under President Trump,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This latest indictment, which follows the landmark conviction of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder “El Mayo” on American soil, is a key development in this Department of Justice's ongoing campaign to permanently dismantle these cartels and deliver American justice to their cowardly leaders.”
“To the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel who remain at large: Hide. Run. Fight. Flee. The illusion is that you have a choice. The reality is that you can either surrender to justice or you’ll be brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California.
“Rene Arzate-García is a ruthless Sinaloa Cartel plaza boss who is accused of exploiting U.S. ports of entry to flood our nation with fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine,” said Administrator Terrance Cole of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “He and his brother, Alfonso, are among DEA’s wanted fugitives for these alleged crimes against the United States. This superseding indictment underscores Arzate-García’s role, not only as a cartel operative but as a narco-terrorist who preys on vulnerabilities to flood communities with poison, violence, and fear. I want to recognize U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for his leadership and his aggressive pursuit of those who traffic deadly drugs into our country. His partnership and resolve have been instrumental in advancing this case and ensuring that cartel leaders are held accountable. DEA remains relentless in its mission to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel, a foreign terrorist organization, and bring its members to justice.”
“The FBI and its partners commitment to thwarting the Sinaloa Cartel is unwavering,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We will continue to use everything at our disposal to disrupt their operations and prevent further drugs and violence from coming into our communities. The Sinaloa Cartel, including its leaders, will be forced to face the consequences of their actions.”
“President Donald Trump has made clear that narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to the United States will be tracked down and prosecuted,” said Senior Bureau Official Chris Landberg of the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. “Under the Narcotics Rewards Program, we are offering rewards of up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of René and Alfonso Arzate-García, key figures sustaining the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations at the U.S. border with Mexico in Tijuana.”
“René Arzate-García has progressed up the ranks of the Sinaloa Cartel to become one of the most violent and prolific drug traffickers in the region,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge TJ Holland of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Sinaloa Cartel threatens our national security and the safety of our citizens. FBI San Diego, in coordination with our local, state, federal, and international law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate these transnational criminal organizations and their leaders targeting our neighborhoods with narcoterrorism and other criminal activity until they are eliminated from our communities.”
“Those who traffic in violence, corruption, fear, and addiction destroy lives and destabilize our communities,” said Senior Agent in Charge James Nunnallee of the DEA San Diego. “The DEA remains unwavering in our mission to dismantle Foreign Terrorist Organizations and drug trafficking networks that threaten public safety and national security.”
“This indictment demonstrates the power of financial investigations in dismantling criminal enterprises that fuel violence and terror,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Los Angeles Field Office. “René Arzate-García and his co-conspirators allegedly laundered millions in drug proceeds through complex international transactions designed to hide the source and ownership of illicit funds. IRS-CI followed the money, exposing the financial lifelines that sustain narcoterrorism and global drug trafficking. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure these organizations are stripped of their resources and held accountable for their crimes.”
According to court documents, René Arzate-García is a Baja California, Mexico-based “plaza boss” for the Sinaloa Cartel, along with his brother Alfonso Arzate-García, also known as “Aquiles” (previously charged in case number 14-cr-00722-DMS). René Arzate-García manages the cartel’s drug trafficking operations in Tijuana and the surrounding municipalities and is involved in importing large quantities of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, into the United States. Known to be extremely violent, Arzate-García is also involved in carrying out enforcement operations, such as kidnappings and executions, for the Sinaloa Cartel.
This indictment supersedes a 2014 indictment for conspiracy to import marijuana and demonstrates that René Arzate-García is a key member of the Sinaloa Cartel and controls the Tijuana plaza that includes the entire state of Baja California. He has imported thousands of kilograms of drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana into the Southern District of California and laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds. In addition to his drug trafficking, the indictment shows his history of corrupting Mexican law enforcement and public officials, extortion of businesses in the Tijuana Plaza, and his reputation for extreme violence, including numerous kidnappings and murders in Tijuana, Mexico on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. René Arzate-García was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, as a Drug Kingpin in 2023. These indictments follow a storied tradition in the Southern District of California for dismantling leadership and operations of powerful Mexican cartels – from the dismantling of the Arellano Felix Cartel to major strikes against today’s most dangerous, powerful and violent cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and the Beltran Leyva Organization.
If you have any information about René Arzate-García or Alfonso Arzate-García, please contact either
FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or your nearest local FBI office; If you are outside the United States, you may contact the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. You can also submit a tip online, anonymously, at tips.fbi.gov/home; or
DEA by phone (WhatsApp and Signal) at +1-858-298-5670, at Threema ID: PTJ4HS3J, or by email at [email protected]. If you are located outside of the United States, you may also contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are located in the United States, you may also contact the local DEA field office.The superseding indictment is a direct result of President Trump’s Executive Order 14157 which designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the Secretary of State’s subsequent designation of the same on Feb. 20, 2025.
FBI, DEA, IRS-CI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas are conducting the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor and Matthew Sutton for the Southern District of California.
René Arzate-García is charged in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 960a and 841 – Narcoterrorism with a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $20 million fine; Title 18, U.S.C. Sec. 2339B – Providing Material Support to Terrorism with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine; Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 848(a) - Continuing Criminal Enterprise with a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years and $10 million fine; Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 959, 960, and 963 - International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances with a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine; Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances with a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine; Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963 – Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances with a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine; Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h) - Money Laundering Conspiracy with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, whichever is greater.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the California Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs were established by President Trump in 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.
Operation Take Back America is 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 and complaint are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sinaloa Cartel Leader Charged with Narcoterrorism, Material Support of Terrorism and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – A superseding indictment unsealed today charges René Arzate-García, aka “La Rana,” alleged Tijuana plaza boss for the Sinaloa Cartel, with Narcoterrorism and Material Support of Terrorism in connection with trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana into the United States.
Also today, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced that it is offering up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of La Rana and his brother, Alfonso Arzate-García, a/k/a “Aquiles.” These rewards are offered in coordination with the DEA San Diego Field Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California in a unified effort to bring the brothers to justice.
“Foreign terrorist organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel have spent decades poisoning our children and committing acts of unimaginable violence against innocent civilians -- no longer under President Trump,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This latest indictment, which follows the landmark conviction of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder “El Mayo” on American soil, is a key development in this Department of Justice's ongoing campaign to permanently dismantle these cartels and deliver American justice to their cowardly leaders.”
“The FBI and its partners commitment to thwarting the Sinaloa Cartel is unwavering,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We will continue to use everything at our disposal to disrupt their operations and prevent further drugs and violence from coming into our communities. The Sinaloa Cartel, including its leaders, will be forced to face the consequences of their actions.”
“Rene Arzate-García is a ruthless Sinaloa Cartel plaza boss who is accused of exploiting U.S. ports of entry to flood our nation with fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “He and his brother, Alfonso, are among DEA’s wanted fugitives for these alleged crimes against the United States. This superseding indictment underscores Arzate-García’s role, not only as a cartel operative but as a narco-terrorist who preys on vulnerabilities to flood communities with poison, violence, and fear. I want to recognize U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for his leadership and his aggressive pursuit of those who traffic deadly drugs into our country. His partnership and resolve have been instrumental in advancing this case and ensuring that cartel leaders are held accountable. DEA remains relentless in its mission to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel, a foreign terrorist organization, and bring its members to justice.”
“To the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel who remain at large: Hide. Run. Fight. Flee. The illusion is that you have a choice. The reality is that you can either surrender to justice or you’ll be brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon of the Southern District of California.
“President Donald Trump has made clear that narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to the United States will be tracked down and prosecuted,” said Senior Bureau Official Chris Landberg of the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. “Under the Narcotics Rewards Program, we are offering rewards of up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of René and Alfonso Arzate-García, key figures sustaining the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations at the U.S. border with Mexico in Tijuana.”
“René Arzate-García has progressed up the ranks of the Sinaloa Cartel to become one of the most violent and prolific drug traffickers in the region,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge TJ Holland of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Sinaloa Cartel threatens our national security and the safety of our citizens. FBI San Diego, in coordination with our local, state, federal, and international law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate these transnational criminal organizations and their leaders targeting our neighborhoods with narcoterrorism and other criminal activity until they are eliminated from our communities.”
“Those who traffic in violence, corruption, fear, and addiction destroy lives and destabilize our communities,” said James Nunnallee of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) San Diego. “The DEA remains unwavering in our mission to dismantle Foreign Terrorist Organizations and drug trafficking networks that threaten public safety and national security.”
“This indictment demonstrates the power of financial investigations in dismantling criminal enterprises that fuel violence and terror. René Arzate-García and his co-conspirators allegedly laundered millions in drug proceeds through complex international transactions designed to hide the source and ownership of illicit funds,” said Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Los Angeles Field Office. “IRS-CI followed the money, exposing the financial lifelines that sustain narcoterrorism and global drug trafficking. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure these organizations are stripped of their resources and held accountable for their crimes.”
According to court documents, René Arzate-García is a Baja California, Mexico-based “plaza boss” for the Sinaloa Cartel, along with his brother Alfonso Arzate-García, aka “Aquiles” (previously charged in case number 14-cr-00722-DMS). René Arzate-García manages the cartel’s drug trafficking operations in Tijuana and the surrounding municipalities and is involved in importing large quantities of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, into the United States. Known to be extremely violent, Arzate-García is also involved in carrying out enforcement operations, such as kidnappings and executions, for the Sinaloa Cartel.
This indictment supersedes a 2014 indictment for conspiracy to import marijuana and demonstrates that René Arzate-García is a key member of the Sinaloa Cartel and controls the Tijuana plaza that includes the entire state of Baja California. He has imported thousands of kilograms of drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana into the Southern District of California and laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds. In addition to his drug trafficking, the indictment shows his history of corrupting Mexican law enforcement and public officials, extortion of businesses in the Tijuana Plaza, and his reputation for extreme violence, including numerous kidnappings and murders in Tijuana, Mexico on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. René Arzate-García was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, as a Drug Kingpin in 2023. These indictments follow a storied tradition in the Southern District of California for dismantling leadership and operations of powerful Mexican cartels – from the dismantling of the Arellano Felix Cartel to major strikes against today’s most dangerous, powerful and violent cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and the Beltran Leyva Organization.
If you have any information about René Arzate-García or Alfonso Arzate-García, please contact either
- FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or your nearest local FBI office; If you are outside the United States, you may contact the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. You can also submit a tip online, anonymously, at https://tips.fbi.gov/home; or
- DEA by phone (WhatsApp and Signal) at +1-858-298-5670, at Threema ID: PTJ4HS3J, or by email at [email protected]. If you are located outside of the United States, you may also contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are located in the United States, you may also contact the local DEA field office.
The superseding indictment is a direct result of President Trump’s Executive Order 14157 which designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the Secretary of State’s subsequent designation of the same on February 20, 2025.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor and Matthew Sutton.
DEFENDANT Case Number 14cr2122-DMS
René Arzate-García Age: 42 City of Residence: Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
aka “La Rana,”
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 960a and 841 – Narcoterrorism
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 20 years in prison; $20 million fine
Title 18, U.S.C. Sec. 2339B – Providing Material Support to Terrorism
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 848(a) -Continuing Criminal Enterprise
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 20 years; $10 million fine
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 959, 960, and 963 - International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years; $10 million fine
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years in prison; $10 million fine
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963 – Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years; $10 million fine
Money Laundering Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, whichever is greater
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Drug Enforcement Administration
Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation
Homeland Security Investigations
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the California Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs were established by President Trump in 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. Operation Take Back America is 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.
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
Romanian Man Guilty of Card Skimming ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DANIEL IULIAN TEUTOC (“TEUTOC”), also known as “Simon Mikula,” a citizen of Romania, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 1349, in connection with a scheme to use skimmers to steal credit card information, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, TEUTOC and his codefendant, Constantin CALIN, went to Walmart stores across the Eastern District of Louisiana, including Laplace, Slidell, Harvey, Boutte, Chalmette, and New Orleans. TEUTOC and CALIN captured card information at different points of sale, where card skimming devices had been previously installed by other members of the conspiracy. TEUTOC and CALIN used magnets to activate the card skimmers and send the card information electronically to TEUTOC and CALIN’s cell phones. After gaining possession of the customer’s credit, debit, and EBT card information, TEUTOC and CALIN sent the information to another coconspirator with the intent to allow members of the conspiracy to make fraudulent charges with the stolen card information. Under the terms of his plea agreement, TEUTOC agreed to pay over $11 million in restitution to the victims of the scheme.
At sentencing, TEUTOC faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. The Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown set sentencing for June 4, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, New Orleans Police Department, St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, and St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas Moses, Healthcare Fraud Coordinator; Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit; and André Jones, lead OCDETF Narcotics Task Force Attorney, are in charge of the prosecution.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Richland County Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sherman Devine Boone, 29, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm after a conviction for criminal domestic violence.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Richland County deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a home in Columbia. Deputies arrived to find Boone, who matched the description of the alleged shooter, attempting to leave the location with a child, and the child’s mother telling him to give her the child. The deputies could see a firearm in Boone’s waistband. Boone charged towards the deputies while holding the child, repeatedly telling deputies to “go ahead and shoot me” and “just kill me.” Boone eventually gave the child to the child’s mother and surrendered to law enforcement. The mother told investigators that she and Boone got into an argument, during which he pushed her and grabbed her by the throat. She was able to get Boone out of the house, at which time he pulled out the firearm and fired multiple rounds in the air while threatening her.
Boone had previously been convicted of use of a vehicle without permission, grand larceny, common law robbery, strong arm robbery, assault and battery, and criminal domestic violence. He, therefore, could not possess a firearm or ammunition.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Boone to 57 months imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision on both counts, to be served concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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Repeat sex offender from Licking County pleads guilty to new child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A repeat sex offender pleaded guilty in federal court here today to receiving and possessing child pornography.
Christopher McInturf, 56, of Newark, Ohio, faces 15 to 40 years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse material and 10 to 20 years in prison for possessing it.
According to court documents, in February 2025, the Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crime Center referred an investigative lead regarding McInturf using CashApp to pay for child pornography. Further investigation revealed that McInturf met an individual online who he believed to be in Paraguay. McInturf would pay the person typically $80 or $86 for bundles of child pornography.
In January 2025, McInturf messaged the individual asking for “something new? Rape is good. 10 to 15 yr…”
Investigators discovered child sexual abuse material of prepubescent female victims on McInturf’s digital devices. For example, one video was a 70-minute compilation of 55 children being sexually assaulted who were approximately two to 10 years old.
On a thumb drive, McInturf had an explicit photo of a minor previously identified as the victim in a case against the defendant in Licking County. McInturf was convicted in 2011 in Licking County of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in his local case.
McInturf was charged federally in February 2025. He will be sentenced at a future court hearing.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey, announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Tyler J. Aagard is representing the United States in this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Repeat Felon Sentenced for Possessing a Pound of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – An Afton man was sentenced today for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Zackery True Huddleston, 38, to 120 months imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release.
In June 2025, Bixby Police officers responded to a car wreck that involved injuries. Witnesses told responding officers that a man later identified as Huddleston walked away from the wreck. When officers attempted to speak with Huddleston, he took off running and led officers on a foot pursuit through a neighborhood. Officers found Huddleston and detained him. While being booked, Huddleston began crying on the floor and stated, “I don’t want to go back to prison.” The officer asked why he would go back to prison, and Huddleston replied, “the dope.” After searching his vehicle, officers found more than a pound of methamphetamine stashed, along with Huddleston’s driver's license and marijuana card.
Court dockets show that Huddleston pleaded guilty in several State cases for felonies such as manufacturing controlled substances, possessing a stolen vehicle, or second-degree burglary. When he received a suspended sentence, it ended up being revoked due to non-compliance.
Huddleston will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Broken Arrow Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Jiang prosecuted the case.
Remarks of U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon at La Rana Press Conference - English and SpanishRead the Press Release
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
United States Attorney Adam Gordon
La Rana Press Conference
February 26, 2026
My name is Adam Gordon, and I’m the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California. Joining me are:
- The lead prosecutors on this case, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor and Matthew Sutton;
- James M. Nunnallee, Special Agent in Charge, DEA San Diego;
- TJ Holland, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office;
- Executive Assistant United States Attorney Victor White
- Jason Powell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and
- Homeland Security Investigations SAC Kevin Murphy, together representing the Homeland Security Task Force
At the end of the statements, we will provide an opportunity for questions related to this case and have Spanish language media availability.
Sagitario. Chavo Felix. Flaquito. Payo. Valdez-Ruiz.
They’re here. They’re charged. They’re only the beginning.
Less than 300 days ago, these cartel kingpins were free and unafraid. Now they sit in federal custody in the Southern District of California.
When I told them that they were no longer the hunters, they were the hunted, that wasn’t a threat, it was a certainty. Foreign terrorist organizations may operate across borders – but justice doesn’t stop at them. Recent reports regarding cartel leadership in Mexico underscore a simple truth: criminal organizations built on fear and violence are inherently unstable. Individuals may rise and fall, but the rule of law endures.
Building on these unprecedented successes, today we are announcing a superseding indictment against Rene Arzate Garcia, infamously known as “La Rana,” a high-ranking, ultra-violent Sinaloa Cartel lieutenant who has controlled the Tijuana drug corridor for 15 years through fear and force.
We are also announcing that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is offering up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of La Rana and his brother, Alfonso Arzate-Garcia, a/k/a “Aquiles.” This partnership is a credit to President Trump’s and Attorney General Bondi’s vision of the complete eradication of foreign terrorist organizations.
In 2014, the Arzate-Garcia brothers were charged in the Southern District of California with drug trafficking offenses in separate indictments and have been fugitives since that time.
After that, La Rana has taken a greater role in the Sinaloa Cartel and is one of the cartel’s most prolific drug traffickers and enforcers.
The new indictment unsealed this morning adds far more serious allegations. La Rana is charged with narco-terrorism, material support of terrorism, conducting a continuing criminal enterprise, international conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, and money laundering.
You’ll hear shortly about the specific ways that La Rana has brutally controlled the Tijuana Plazas for the Sinaloa Cartel through intimidation and bloodshed. These charges reflect the devastating harm inflicted on communities on both sides of the border — through violence, addiction, and intimidation.
As we can all see, the remaining free members of the Sinaloa cartel have become liabilities to one another. Each knows too much about the other. In that world, betrayal is not a question of if – but when.
To those cartel leaders that remain at large, here’s the question: Who can you trust when you can’t trust anyone? When the fear you once used to control others now controls you.
Because for those who remain at large:
Hide. Run. Fight. Flee.
The illusion is that you have a choice. The reality is simple: surrender to justice or you’ll be brought to justice.
What unites us in law enforcement is a belief in the rule of law – and in the inevitability of justice. Today, we reaffirm that commitment. The rule of law does not blink. It does not back down.
To describe the indictment in detail, I’d ask Assistant United States Attorney Josh Mellor to come up.
END
Red Lake Woman Found Guilty of Murder and ArsonRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Red Lake woman has been found guilty of five counts of first-degree murder and one count of arson following a two-and-a-half-weeklong trial, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
On March 15, 2024, Jennifer Marie Stately, 37, attacked and killed two of her young children. The evidence at trial showed that Stately, when alone with the children at their home on Red Lake Nation, assaulted the boys causing numerous injuries and attacked them with a knife. Stately fatally stabbed her older son before setting the home on fire. Investigators with the ATF determined Stately used gasoline and lighter fluid to ignite three separate fires, including fires at both exit points of the home. While the older boy died of his sharp force injuries, the younger boy was trapped inside and died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
After setting fire to the home, Stately fled the scene and was missing for several hours. The Red Lake Tribal Police Department issued an AMBER Alert, and, less than an hour later, a motorist spotted Stately in Todd County—approximately 150 miles south of the Stately home. Minnesota State Patrol, the Todd County Sheriff’s Department, and the Long Prairie Police Department responded to Stately’s location. She was apprehended and booked in the Todd County Jail.
Following a two-and-a-half-week trial before the Honorable Judge John R. Tunheim, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all six counts: two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, two counts of murder in the course of committing child abuse, one count of murder in the course of committing arson, and one count of arson. At trial, Stately pursued the affirmative defense of insanity. The jury rejected that defense.
"The FBI is honored to have partnered with federal, state and tribal law enforcement partners to bring justice to these young victims who had no chance at survival while in the care of the one person who should have kept them safe," said Rick Evanchec, the Interim Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Field Office.
“ATF Certified Fire Investigators are experts in fire science and routinely provide expert assistance on cases involving both criminal and accidental fires. We are proud to have provided that expertise in this investigation to honor these young victims and hopefully provide some measure of closure to the community. Our commitment to protecting the public and the most innocent among us is unwavering, and ATF will continue partnering with our federal, state, and local partners to protect Minnesota communities from violent criminals,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Spence E. Burnett.
“We all witnessed the devastating aftermath of Jennifer Stately’s horrific and unthinkable actions that night. We hope that holding her accountable for her crimes will provide some sense of justice for the family and the entire Red Lake community who are forever impacted by the loss of these two young boys,” said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. “We stand with our federal and tribal law enforcement partners in our shared grief and commitment to seeking justice and supporting the community.”
“The guilty verdict this week brings justice to a case that has deeply affected our entire Red Lake Nation community. On behalf of the dedicated men and women of this department, I want to acknowledge the tireless work of our Investigators along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Minnesota BCA Crime Scene Technicians, Todd County Sheriff’s Office, Long Prairie Police Department and lastly the United States Attorney’s Office for their professionalism and determination with such a tragic incident.
Most importantly, our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the victims. No verdict can undo the pain of their loss, but we hope this outcome provides some sense of closure.
The Red Lake Department of Public Safety remain committed to protecting our community, standing with victims and ensuring justice is served,” said Director of Red Lake Department of Public Safety Kendall Kingbird, Sr.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, aided by the ATF, the BCA, the Todd County Sheriff’s Department, the Long Prairie Police Department, and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. The coordination of resources between these law enforcement agencies was imperative to the apprehension of Stately and the ultimate resolution of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel L. Kraker and Garrett S. Fields prosecuted the case.
Real Estate Broker Pleads Guilty to Avoiding Reporting Requirements and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—A licensed real estate broker pleaded guilty Monday after avoiding reporting requirements and drafting fake property leases when her client’s illegal marijuana grow was raided.
Tyra Foxx, 46, pleaded guilty to avoiding reporting requirements and obstruction of justice.
According to court documents, between January 2020 through November 2020, Foxx was a real estate broker for Jose Orozco and assisted with his purchase of agricultural properties to grow hemp and marijuana. When Orozco purchased these properties, Foxx made large cash payments to the property owners outside of escrow, and knowing RE/MAX did not accept cash payments, converted $100,000 into money orders and used a third-party broker’s trust account to transfer over $2 million dollars into escrow accounts.
On October 13, 2020, Foxx received $175,000 from Orozco to purchase agricultural property in Josephine County, Oregon. Foxx did not file a Form 8300 upon receipt of the funds as required, but instead, transferred the money to a client trust account at another real estate office. This caused a Currency Transaction Report to be filed in that real estate office’s name rather than Orozco’s name.
After learning that law enforcement had raided one of Orozco’s illegal marijuana grows, Foxx drafted fake property leases for Orozco and suggested he place phony construction liens to be levied on the property to prevent it from being forfeited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
On February 23, 2026, Foxx was charged by an amended superseding information with avoiding reporting requirements and obstruction of justice.
On count one, Foxx faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. On count two, Foxx faces 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced on May 11, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
Jose Orozco previously pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced April 6, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team, HSI, and IRS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Brassell is prosecuting the case.
Prominent Lawyer Thomas Goldstein Convicted of Tax Evasion and Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury convicted a prominent appellate attorney who argued more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and co-founded the widely read legal website SCOTUSblog, of tax and mortgage fraud.
The jury found Thomas C. Goldstein, 55, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, guilty of tax evasion, assisting with preparing false tax returns, willfully failing to timely pay taxes, and making false statements to mortgage lenders.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the conviction with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Department of Justice (DOJ) – Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox, FBI – Washington Field Office.
“Goldstein chose fraud and deceit over honesty and tried to cheat the American taxpayer while living a lavish lifestyle. He gambled that he wouldn’t get caught – and that gamble did not pay off,” Hayes said. “Our office, along with our law-enforcement partners, is committed to holding those accountable who break the law – no matter who they are.”
“I thank the jurors for their service and careful attention during this lengthy trial,” Duva said. “This verdict holds Thomas Goldstein accountable for cheating the tax system and lying to mortgage lenders. Mr. Goldstein is a sophisticated attorney who concealed millions of dollars in income, manipulated his law firm’s books and deceived lenders – all to fund his gambling and lifestyle. This investigation, prosecution, and conviction reflect the dedicated work of the prosecutors and agents who brought this case to trial on behalf of the United States. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue those who evade their tax obligations and mislead financial institutions.”
“This is precisely the type of conduct IRS Criminal Investigation, and our law enforcement partners are committed to deterring,” Carter said. “Today’s conviction of the defendant sends a clear message, that we have the tools and resolve to protect our tax system by investigating, prosecuting, and holding accountable, those who seek to defraud the United States.”
“Mortgage laws exist to protect lenders and borrowers from fraudsters like Goldstein,” Cox said. “His conviction should serve as a message to all prospective homebuyers: The FBI will investigate and bring to justice individuals who try to cheat the system by lying on their mortgage applications, so we can level the playing field for every hardworking American who wishes to buy a home.”
According to evidence presented at trial, between 2016 and 2023, Goldstein served as sole owner of Goldstein & Russell, P.C., a boutique law firm specializing in appellate litigation, including litigation before the United States Supreme Court. Goldstein was also a high-stakes poker player, frequently playing in games involving tens of millions of dollars.
During that timeframe, Goldstein stopped paying taxes on time, as required by law, and engaged in a scheme to evade paying his taxes for 2016. Goldstein took various steps to carry out the scheme, including concealing millions of dollars in poker wins and losses from the government. He also diverted legal fees, payable to his law firm, to his personal bank account to satisfy poker-related debts; directed people to pay his creditors instead of sending payments directly to him; and used the law firm’s assets to satisfy his poker debts. Then he caused those payments to be falsely classified as “legal-fee” expenses on the firm’s books and records. As a result, Goldstein underreported his income and did not pay all the taxes that he owed. Instead of paying his taxes, he spent millions on personal expenses such as poker, travel, and luxury goods.
In 2021, Goldstein submitted false mortgage applications to two separate mortgage lending companies, seeking financing to purchase a $2.6-million home in Washington, D.C. On those mortgage applications — which required Goldstein to list all his liabilities and debts — he omitted millions of dollars of liabilities, including more than $14 million he owed at the time on two promissory notes, as well as taxes he owed the IRS. His false statements to one of the mortgage lenders enabled him to obtain a $1.98-million loan.
Goldstein faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion, three years for each count of helping to prepare false tax returns, one year for each count of willful failure to pay taxes, and 30 years for each count of making false statements to mortgage lenders.
A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The sentencing date has not been set.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the IRS-CI and FBI for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adeyemi Adenrele, along with Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Emerson Gordon-Marvin and Hayter L. Whitman, DOJ Criminal Division Tax Section, who are prosecuting this federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Prominent Lawyer Convicted at Trial of Tax Evasion and Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Greenbelt, Maryland convicted Thomas C. Goldstein — a prominent appellate attorney who argued more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and co-founded the widely read legal website SCOTUSblog — yesterday of tax and mortgage fraud.
“I thank the jurors for their service and careful attention during this lengthy trial,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Yesterday’s verdict holds Thomas Goldstein accountable for cheating the tax system and lying to mortgage lenders. Mr. Goldstein is a sophisticated attorney who concealed millions of dollars in income, manipulated his law firm’s books and deceived lenders – all to fund his gambling and lifestyle. This investigation, prosecution, and conviction reflects the dedicated work of the prosecutors and agents who brought this case to trial on behalf of the United States. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue those who evade their tax obligations and mislead financial institutions.”
“Goldstein chose fraud and deceit over honesty and tried to cheat the American taxpayer while living a lavish lifestyle,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “He gambled that he wouldn’t get caught, and that gamble did not pay off. Our office, along with our law-enforcement partners, is committed to holding those accountable who break the law, no matter who they are.”
"Mortgage laws exist to protect lenders and borrowers from fraudsters like Goldstein," said Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox of the FBI Washington Field Office. "His conviction should serve as a message to all prospective homebuyers: The FBI will investigate and bring to justice individuals who try to cheat the system by lying on their mortgage applications, so we can level the playing field for every hardworking American who wishes to buy a home."
“This is precisely the type of conduct IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and our law enforcement partners are committed to deterring,” said Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the IRS-CI Washington, D.C. Field Office. “Today’s conviction of the defendant sends a clear message that we have the tools and resolve to protect our tax system by investigating, prosecuting, and holding accountable those who seek to defraud the United States.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Goldstein, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, was the sole owner of Goldstein & Russell, P.C., a boutique law firm specializing in appellate litigation, including litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court. Goldstein was also a high-stakes poker player, frequently playing in games involving tens of millions of dollars.
Between 2016 and 2023, Goldstein stopped paying taxes on time, as required by law, and engaged in a scheme to evade his taxes for 2016. Goldstein carried out the scheme by hiding millions of dollars in poker wins and losses from the government, diverting legal fees payable to his law firm to his personal bank account to satisfy poker-related debts, directing people to pay his creditors instead of sending payments directly to him, and using the law firm’s assets to satisfy his poker debts and then causing those payments to be falsely classified as “legal-fee” expenses on the firm’s books and records. As a result, Goldstein underreported his income and did not pay all the taxes that he owed, while spending millions on personal expenses such as poker, travel and luxury goods.
In 2021, Goldstein submitted false mortgage applications to two separate mortgage lending companies, seeking financing to purchase a $2.6 million dollar home in Washington, D.C. On those mortgage applications — which required Goldstein to list all his liabilities and debts — Goldstein omitted millions of dollars of liabilities, including more than $14 million he owed at the time on two promissory notes, as well as taxes he owed the IRS. Goldstein’s false statements to one of the mortgage lenders enabled him to obtain a $1.98 million loan.
The jury convicted Goldstein of tax evasion, assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, willful failure to timely pay taxes and making false statements to mortgage lenders. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion, three years in prison for each count of helping to prepare false tax returns, one year in prison for each count of willful failure to pay taxes, and 30 years in prison for each count of making false statements to mortgage lenders. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not been set.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI are investigating the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Emerson Gordon-Marvin and Hayter L. Whitman of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adeyemi Adenrele for the District of Maryland, are prosecuting the case.
Potsdam Man Sentenced for Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Richard LaPage, age 52, of Potsdam, New York, was sentenced on February 25, 2026 to 19 years (228 months) in federal prison for one count of Distribution of Child Pornography; one count of Receipt of Child Pornography; and four counts of Possession of Child Pornography. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, LaPage admitted that between December 2023 and October 2024, he used smartphone social networking applications to send and receive child pornography files to and from other users. Investigators also identified more than 150 child pornography images and videos on four of LaPage’s electronic devices. Previously, on April 25, 2010, LaPage had been convicted of the New York State offense of Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, which criminalizes an adult’s attempt to engage in sexual contact with a child less than 13 years old.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The defendant, already a registered sex offender, again engaged in disgusting criminal conduct that revictimized the children whose abuse was depicted in the images he distributed, received, and possessed. Repeat sex offenders should know that this Office will stop at nothing to ensure they are identified, prosecuted, and removed from our communities. I commend our law enforcement partners’ work to keep our communities safe from this dangerous predator.”
Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the HSI Buffalo Field Office, said: "Richard LaPage’s sentencing today is another example of holding repeat child predators accountable for their reprehensible crimes against innocent children. HSI Massena, together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and our local partners, relentlessly pursued this case to ensure LaPage could no longer threaten our communities. We remain unwavering in our mission to protect children and will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to root out those who prey on the vulnerable."
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also sentenced LaPage to serve a 15-year term of supervised release to begin after LaPage is released from prison and ordered him to pay restitution to victims. LaPage will again be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.
The case was investigated by HSI and the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit (CCU), with assistance from the Potsdam Police Department and St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the 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, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Passaic County Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking, Possession of A Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Illegal Possession of A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County man was convicted of firearms and narcotics offenses following a three-day trial, Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello announced.
David Reams, 37, of Paterson, was convicted by a federal jury on January 27, 2026, of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime following a trial before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court. The sentencing date is scheduled for June 30.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On May 6, 2024, Paterson Police Department observed Reams conducting movements consistent with possession of a firearm. When Paterson detectives attempted to stop Reams, he attempted to flee. Paterson detectives ultimately recovered a 9-millimeter pistol, loaded with an extended magazine, as well as over 450 individual doses of fentanyl and crack cocaine from Reams’s person.
The felon in possession charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The possession with intent to distribute controlled substances charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years of imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of imprisonment, which must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence imposed, up to life imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Reams was previously convicted in 2017 of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Judge Chesler sentenced him to serve 103 months’ imprisonment for that offense.
Senior Counsel Lamparello credited with the investigation special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Kalogiros, as well as the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Officer in Charge Patrick Murray, with the investigation leading to this conviction.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Kober, of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit, and Daniel H. Rosenblum, of the Narcotics and International Trafficking Unit.
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Defense counsel: John McMahon
reams.indictment.pdfPalmetto Man Charged with Illegal Disposal of a Deceased BodyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Matthew Edward Zoladz (36, Palmetto) has been charged by federal indictment with a violation of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act and a violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. If convicted on all counts, Zoladz faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, on December 8, 2022, Zoladz illegally dumped the body of Victim 1 into ocean waters.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.
IndictmentPensacola Serial Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Distribution and Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marcel Kamill Mickles, 49, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of distribution of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in close collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, this serial felon has been stopped before he can continue terrorizing our communities and flooding our streets with more deadly drugs. This is exactly the kind of case Operation Take Back America was launched for, as President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi committed the full might of the Department of Justice toward eliminating the threats to our communities from violent, drug-peddling criminals like this defendant. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute violent drug traffickers until our residents get the safe, drug-free communities they deserve.”
Court documents reflect that Mickles distributed cocaine in May and June of 2025. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mickles’ Pensacola residence in June 2025, during which they found five loaded firearms, a bulletproof vest, multiple bags of controlled substances including cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, and other drug distribution-related items. Mickles is a multi-time convicted felon, and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Based on prior convictions, Mickles faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum of life imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Sentencing for Mickles is scheduled for May 19, 2026, at 9:00am, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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.
Oregon Business Owner Sentenced to Federal Prison for Employment Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An owner and president of a collection of healthcare staffing companies was sentenced to federal prison today for willfully failing to pay over employment taxes to the IRS on behalf of the companies he owned and operated.
Jeffrey A. Kruse, 56, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $2.8 million in restitution.
According to court documents, Kruse was the founder, owner, and president of a collection of healthcare staffing companies that provided temporary staffing of medical and healthcare workers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. Kruse was in charge of payroll for the businesses and responsible for collecting and accounting for and paying over to the IRS on a periodic basis employment taxes for the businesses’ employees. Kruse falsely underreported and underpaid his employment tax obligations by creating two sets of tax forms for his employees – a false set of tax forms that he sent to the government that underreported his employees’ compensation and the employment tax due, and an accurate set of tax forms that Kruse sent his employees for use in reporting their own tax obligations.
Kruse’s conduct caused a total tax loss of over $3.6 million.
On June 20, 2025, Kruse was charged by information with one count of willful failure to collect, account for, and pay over trust fund taxes.
On August 6, 2025, Kruse pleaded guilty to count one of the information.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Ho prosecuted the case.
Onarga Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Possession of a BombRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – An Onarga, Illinois, man, James R. Nelson, 40, was sentenced on February 23, 2026, to five years in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for possession of an unregistered destructive device, or a bomb in April 2025.
A federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment against Nelson in July 2025. He pleaded guilty in October 2025.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce, the government played the body camera of the Iroquois County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Office detective who encountered Nelson during a routine traffic stop. Although the detective advised Nelson that he had a warrant for his arrest on an unrelated charge, Nelson refused to exit the car, forcing the detective to reach into the car and attempt to remove him. As the officer did so, Nelson reached into the back seat and pulled out a gray cylindrical device, telling the detective it was a bomb.
Nelson refused to relinquish the bomb and instead sprinted through residential neighborhoods in Onarga with the bomb in his hand while attempting to escape. He made it to his mother’s house, where he barricaded himself for approximately eight hours while police attempted to get him to surrender. Law enforcement eventually forced their way into an attic where Nelson was hiding and arrested him. They found the device, which analysis later revealed to be a functional bomb, near where Nelson was apprehended.
The statutory penalty for possession of an unregistered destructive device is up to ten years of imprisonment, followed by up to three years of supervised release.
The Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case, with assistance from Kankakee County (Illinois) Emergency Response Team and the East Central Illinois Bomb Squad. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Freres represented the United States in the prosecution.
North Hollywood Man Sentenced to More Than 16½ Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery Spree Targeting One Dozen SoCal BusinessesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man was sentenced today to 199 months in federal prison for committing armed robberies of smoke shops, donut shops, and convenience stores in Los Angeles and Orange counties during a two-week crime spree in early 2024.
Antonio Lamar Bland, 36, of North Hollywood, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt, who also ordered him to pay $17,829 in restitution.
Bland, who has been in federal custody since May 2024, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, and during and in relation to, a crime of violence.
From January 29, 2024, to February 14, 2024, Bland and co-defendants Ronnie Tucker, 24, of Long Beach, Abigail Luckey, 50, of North Hollywood, robbed 12 businesses in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The victimized businesses were one smoke shop in Tustin, nine 7-Eleven stores in North Hollywood, Burbank, Torrance, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Glendale, and Pasadena, and two donut shops in Los Angeles and Downey.
The commercial robberies typically occurred late at night and usually involved Bland and Tucker who entered each business wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks. In several of the robberies, a getaway driver, Luckey, waited outside for Bland and Tucker to complete the robbery and fled the scene in a white four-door sedan owned by Luckey.
During the armed robbery spree, on February 6, 2024, Bland and Luckey drove to Las Vegas and were legally married before returning to Southern California for their next robbery on February 8, 2024.
The armed robbery spree ended after Bland, Tucker and Luckey committed an attempted robbery of a donut shop in Downey during the early morning hours of February 14, 2024, when a store employee in self-defense fired a handgun during the crime, hitting a wall of the building.
After the employee fired the weapon, Bland and Tucker ran out of the store. Law enforcement witnessed the attempted armed robbery and, shortly afterward, pulled over a car containing Bland, Tucker and Luckey, and later retrieved a firearm from the vehicle.
“[Bland] did it for the money; he did it for greed,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “Afterward, [Bland] bragged about his crimes, labeling a picture of himself ‘#RobberyGang.’”
Tucker and Luckey have pleaded guilty to felony charges in this case and await sentencing. They remain in federal custody.
The FBI and the Burbank Police Department investigated this matter with assistance from the Tustin, Torrance, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Downey police departments.
Assistant United States Attorney Diane B. Roldán of the Major Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
Nigerian citizen who attempted to unlawfully obtain U.S. residency through fraudulent marriages sentenced in $4 million conspiracyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 40-year-old man who illegally resided in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a romance scam and business email compromise scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Leslie Chinedu Mba pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit false statements in immigration documents Dec. 4, 2025.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now ordered Mba to serve 228 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard that victims were defrauded of over $4 million.
“Romance scams are among the lowest and most despicable forms of fraud because they prey upon the lonely and vulnerable, and disproportionately victimize senior citizens,” said Ganjei. “These online scams Mba and his friends perpetrated jeopardized the livelihood of family-run businesses, the ability of elderly individuals to retire, and exploited the trust that fuels our economy. Even worse, Mba and his confederates committed these crimes while attempting to remain in our country under false pretenses by deceiving immigration authorities. Now, Mba has prison to look forward to, followed by a one-way ticket back to Nigeria.”
“Out of all the frauds perpetrated by Leslie Mba and his co-conspirators, their weaponization of romance scams to deliberately target vulnerable and elderly Americans is most disturbing,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson. “Romance scams cruelly manipulate trust, callously exploit the fear of loneliness, and leave victims both financially devastated and emotionally shattered. The FBI will continue to combat fraudsters whose schemes leave a wake of misery behind.”
From April 2018 to December 2023, Mba and others inside and outside of the United States carried out business email compromise and romance scams targeting unsuspecting victims. The schemes began overseas, where co-conspirators gained unauthorized access to business email accounts and redirected payments to fraudulent bank accounts.
Victims believed they were sending money to legitimate businesses, but Mba and others instead funneled the funds to accounts they controlled. Mba and others acted as money mules, opening or using existing bank accounts to collect and move proceeds from the fraud.
Additionally, Mba tried to obtain U.S. permanent residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after his initial application was denied and he was ordered to be removed from the country.
The scheme resulted in a total loss of $4 million.
Four others had also previously pleaded guilty Grace Morisho, 30, Rodgers Kadikilo, 30, Kristin Smith, 38, and Alexandra Golovko, 36, all of Houston. Morisho, Kadikilo and Smith received sentences ranging between 15 to 25 months while Golovko received five years probation.
Mba will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum prosecuted the case.
New York Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Involvement in a Scheme to Steal Checks and Defraud BanksRead the Press Release
A Brooklyn, New York man was sentenced on February 18, 2026 to 30 months in prison for his role in a scheme to steal and alter checks from the mail and fraudulently obtain funds from banks by depositing the stolen and altered checks into bank accounts fraudulently accessed by others, senior counsel Philip Lamparello announced.
Noah Aranzamendi, 27, of Brooklyn, New York, previously pled guilty in July 2025 before U.S. District Judge Edward Kiel in Camden federal court to a two-count indictment with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and the receipt and possession of stolen mail.
According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in Court:
From February 2020 to February 2022, Aranzamendi conspired with others to steal checks from the mail in Bergen County and elsewhere, which he then sold to third parties or deposited, sometimes in altered or duplicate form, into the bank accounts of complicit accountholders who had provided access to their bank accounts for the scheme. Aranzamendi obtained stolen official USPS arrow keys, which Aranzamendi used to access mail and steal checks directly from USPS boxes. Aranzamendi and his conspirators then targeted the accounts associated with the checks he stole and created false identifications in the names of the accountholders, which he and his conspirators used to make fraudulent withdrawals from those accounts. The scheme resulted in losses to victims of at least $240,213.
This conviction is Aranzamendi’s fifth conviction arising out of similar schemes.
Senior Counsel Lamparello credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; and special agents with the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, Northeast Area Field Office. He also thanked the Teaneck Police Department under Chief Andrew R. McGurr.
The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel for Aranzamendi: Ikram Ally, Esq.
New Boston Woman Arrested and Charged with $4.6 Million Child Modeling Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Today, the FBI arrested a New Boston woman in connection with an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud scheme involving supposed child modeling events, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Chanise Coyne, 46, was charged via indictment with seven counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering.
According to the indictment, Coyne obtained over $4.6 million from a family by claiming that money would be used for advance fees associated with the participation of the family’s young daughter in various modeling events across the country. The indictment alleges that Coyne generated false and fraudulent records relating to the supposed placement of that girl in modeling events and also impersonated a third party as part of the alleged scheme. According to the indictment, the money obtained by Coyne was fraudulently misappropriated for her own benefit and not used in connection with the placement of the young girl in a single modeling event. The indictment alleges that Coyne used her fraud proceeds for significant gambling expenditures, including multiple alleged money laundering transactions involving the online sports gambling platform FanDuel.
“Fraud schemes that prey on the emotional bonds of families are egregious. This defendant allegedly took advantage of a family’s love for their daughter, stole their nest egg, and then gambled it away. We will pursue fraud schemes in all their forms,” stated U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
“Those who think they can scam Michigan families out of their hard-earned money need to think again. The FBI will identify you, investigate you, and arrest you,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The defendant allegedly participated in a fraud scheme designed to deprive a family of millions of dollars under the false pretense the funds would be used for their daughter's future career. FBI Detroit will always work to protect Michigan families from these schemes and will disrupt those who exploit our citizens and betray their trust.”
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.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Yahkind.
Morgantown Man Sentenced for Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Morgantown, West Virginia man will spend the next 20 years in federal prison for multiple counts of receiving and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Christopher Harp, 41, was sentenced today to 240 months in prison. Harp was convicted at trial in April 2024 of three counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
“Despite Harp’s efforts to deny responsibility and place blame elsewhere, a jury of his peers found him guilty as charged. This sentence will ensure that his criminal activity is punished, and the community is protected,” said U.S. Attorney Harvey. “Child predators will be held accountable and face the maximum sentence in the Northern District of West Virginia.”
“Behind every image and every video is real child who has been harmed. Today’s sentence makes clear that exploitation of children in our community will never be tolerated.,” said FBI Pittsburgh Acting Special Agent in Charge Amie Loos. “The FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate these cases, bring every resource available to root out perpetrators, and hold offenders accountable for their crimes.”
FBI agents identified Harp as someone who was sharing and receiving child pornography online. Investigators searched his devices and flash drives, discovering hundreds of downloads, many of the videos and images including children under the age of 12. Evidence showed that Harp had been engaging in this illegal activity for nearly 10 years.
Harp will serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence and was ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to victims of child exploitation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Conklin and David Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Mexican national sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas –A Mexican national been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for drug and gun violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Victor Manuel Navarette Roman, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to a total of 216 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on February 26, 2026.
According to information presented in court, Roman was a high-level source of supply for illegal narcotics, specifically fentanyl and methamphetamine, imported from Mexico for distribution in the United States. A search of Roman’s residence resulted in the seizure of an AR-15 pistol as well as fentanyl and methamphetamine.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. Tatum.
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Mexican man sentenced for illegal reentryRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Mexican man who was illegally in the United States after being removed was sentenced today to time served, 161 days, and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
David Antonio Molina-Mendoza, 38, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to illegal reentry of removed alien.
U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on September 19, 2025, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle driven by the defendant on Interstate 90 near Forsyth. Officers requested a records check on Molina-Mendoza and learned he was in the United States illegally. Records revealed Molina-Mendoza was a citizen of Mexico who had previously been removed from the United States on four separate occasions and had no documentation to reside in the United States legally.
Molina-Mendoza was taken into custody by Border Patrol Agents. In an interview with agents, Molina-Mendoza acknowledged he entered the United States illegally.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. U.S. Border Patrol and Rosebud County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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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Mexican National Pleaded Guilty for Illegally Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Mexican National illegally residing in the Springfield, Missouri area, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal re-entry by an alien after being convicted of a prior felony crime.
Pedro Lopez-Dominguez, 36, entered a guilty plea to U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. to the offense of illegal re-entry into the United States by an alien after having been previously convicted of a felony offense.
On January 18, 2026, deputies from Greene County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department arrested Lopez-Dominguez during a traffic stop after learning that he had an outstanding arrest warrant from Barry County, Missouri, for a previous criminal offense and failing to appear before that court. Upon determining that Lopez-Dominguez was illegally within the United States, local law enforcement contacted agents with the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration Customs Enforcement who responded and determined that Lopez-Dominguez was illegally in the United States after having been removed three previous times – once in 2017, once in 2018, and most recently in 2019.
Lopez-Dominguez had been previous convicted of the felony offense of Illegal Entry Into the United States of a Previously Removed Alien in 2019.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Greene County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to Nearly 16 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Cesar Delfin-Cervantes, 28, of Salem, Oregon, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today.
According to court records, Delfin-Cervantes was a leader in a multi-state and international drug trafficking organization. His father, Juan Carlos-Delfin, was also a member of the drug trafficking organization. Law enforcement’s investigation revealed that the organization arranged for large shipments of methamphetamine to be delivered through a network of couriers from Mexico to California and then to Salem, Oregon, where Delfin-Cervantes and his father resided. From there, Delfin-Cervantes organized delivery of the drugs to the Treasure Valley area. Over a span of approximately five months, investigators seized over 215 pounds of methamphetamine from the drug trafficking organization. Over a period of approximately two years, the organization transported and sold hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine.
Chief U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Delfin-Cervantes to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Delfin-Cervantes’ father was convicted in the District of Idaho of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute after a federal jury trial in December of 2025 and is set for sentencing on April 21, 2026. Delfin-Cervantes’ sister, Esmeralda Delfin-Cervantes, is also alleged to be a member of the drug trafficking organization and has federal drug trafficking charges pending in the District of Oregon.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (the Boise and Salem Resident Agencies), the Nampa Police Department Special Investigations Unit, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Boise Police Department, the Meridian Police Department, the Oregon High Desert Drug Task Force, the Salem Police Department, and the Oregon State Police, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Morse and Christopher Booker prosecuted this case.
The High Desert Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. They are supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
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Memphis Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Preparing False Returns for ClientsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Memphis tax return preparer pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns on behalf of clients. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, announced the guilty plea today.
The following is based on court documents and statements made in court: Rebecca Gilley, 41, who also went by the names Rebecca Green and Rebecca Maxwell, owned and operated a tax preparation business in Memphis. Gilley prepared tax returns for clients for tax years 2018 through 2022 that included false education credits and sick and family leave credits. As a result of these and other false items, Gilley caused her clients to receive fraudulently inflated tax refunds that they were not entitled to receive.
For tax years 2020 and 2021, Gilley filed more than 1,000 tax returns seeking more than $9.25 million in fraudulent sick and family leave credits. She generally added these false items to her clients’ returns without their knowledge and rarely reviewed the final returns with the clients. In total, Gilley’s scheme caused a loss to the United States exceeding $350,000.
Gilley pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2026 before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L Parker and faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
As part of her plea agreement, Gilley agreed to pay $386,661 in restitution to the IRS and to be permanently enjoined from operating as a tax return preparer. She also faces a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Protection of the United States Treasury and taxpayer resources is a top priority for the Department of Justice and this office. Income tax fraud schemes strike at the very heart of our federal government’s financial ability to provide services and protection for our citizens, and we will use all available resources to punish and deter such dishonest criminal behavior.”
IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Caroline Pearson and Max Willner-Giwerc of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Members of a York County Drug Conspiracy Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Cory Martin, 32, of Rock Hill; Travis Queen, 33, of Rock Hill; Brandon Ramsey, 23, of Clover; and Wesley Huffstetler, 31, of York have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a fentanyl and meth drug trafficking conspiracy. A fifth member of the conspiracy, Ashley Daniels, 34, is awaiting sentencing.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit investigated a drug conspiracy in the York County area led by Martin. Multiple witnesses identified Martin, Queen, Ramsey, and Huffstetler as members of the conspiracy. During the investigation, law enforcement used confidential sources to contact Martin to buy methamphetamine and fentanyl. After coordinating the drug sales, Martin sent Brandon Ramsey to deliver the drugs. Huffstetler’s house was used to receive and store shipments of meth for the drug conspiracy. During the investigation, law enforcement intercepted over 3.7 pounds of methamphetamine shipped to Huffstetler’s house.
Martin, Queen, Ramsey, and Huffstetler were eventually arrested on state charges related to the investigation. While incarcerated, Martin spoke to Daniels and instructed her to retrieve fentanyl and methamphetamine from Martin’s home. Queen then spoke to Daniels and instructed her on which drugs to keep and which drugs to sell. Law enforcement intercepted the calls and found the methamphetamine and fentanyl pills after a search of Daniels’ property.
In total, over 26.4 pounds of methamphetamine and over 22 pounds of fentanyl were attributed to the conspiracy.
After Martin was indicted and detained on federal charges, he participated in the submission of false letters to the court in an attempt to mislead the court about his role in the drug conspiracy. As a result, the government charged Martin with contempt of court.
Martin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, and contempt of court. Ramsey, Daniels, and Queen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Huffstetler pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Martin to 276 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Queen was sentenced to 125 months imprisonment, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Ramsey was sentenced to 96 months followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Huffstetler was sentenced to 90 months followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Ashley Daniels has not yet been sentenced.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
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McLean man pleads guilty to sending threatening messagesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A McLean man pled guilty today to transmitting threats in interstate commerce.
According to court documents, on Dec. 23, 2025, Scott Allen Bolger, 33, used Google Voice, which allows users to send text messages to others while obfuscating their phone numbers, to send a threatening message to a public official. In his message, Bolger threatened to put a bullet in the official’s head. Prior to sending the threat, Bogler researched the official’s personal phone number and made contact with him prior to sending the text message.
When federal investigators arrived at Bolger’s residence to investigate the threat, they identified themselves as federal law enforcement officers, and Bolger falsely identified himself as Brian Black. Bolger told them he did not know anyone by the name of Scott Bolger.
During his plea, Bolger also admitted to sending threatening and harassing messages to a second victim (Victim-2) who is not a public official. From at least October 2022, Bolger created multiple fictious accounts on X and Proton Mail to harass Victim-2, and researched Victim-2 on the internet through at least November 2025. Bolger sent Victim-2 private indecent images of Victim-2, and on at least one occasion, made a public facing profile with indecent images of Victim-2.
Bolger will remain detained pending sentencing, scheduled for May 20. He faces up to five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Washington Field Office investigated this case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Mercer and Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L. Carlberg are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-8.
Man Charged with Nine Counts Related to Child Exploitation and Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Brandon Scott Baker, age 39, formerly from Grundy Center, Iowa, has been charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography, and four counts of possession of child pornography. The charges are contained in an Indictment filed on February 24, 2026, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that, over the course of several years, Baker used or attempted to use a minor to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct, transported a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity, and received, transported, and possessed child pornography.
If convicted on all charges, Baker faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison and supervised release for life following any imprisonment.
Baker is next scheduled to appear in court on March 6, 2026, to be arraigned on the charges in the Indictment. He was previously charged via criminal complaint and last appeared in court on February 23, 2026, in Cedar Rapids. Baker is being held without bond.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Telluride, Colorado, Police Department, and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 26-cr-00012. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
MS-13 Clique Leader and Others Indicted on Rico Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Eight individuals connected to a Baltimore County-based MS-13 clique, including the leader of a New Jersey gang, now face a superseding indictment in federal court in connection with RICO Conspiracy charges.
Several members and associates of the MS-13 clique known as “Los Ghettos Criminales Salvatruchas” (LGCS) allegedly committed firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, and robbery crimes associated with the conspiracy.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Christopher R. Heck, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Maryland; Charles Doerrer, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Baltimore; and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).
The indictment charges Luis “Duke” Melendez Serrano, 19, of El Salvador; Kevin Melendez Serrano, 23, of El Salvador; Alex “30” Pena Martinez, 19, of Honduras; William “36” “Midnight” “Oso” Rivera Nolasco, 19, of Owings Mills, Maryland; German “19” “Viejo Raro” “Raro” Lisandro Benites Moreno, 32, of El Salvador; Melanie “Mala,” Pina Verde, 22, of Owings Mills, Maryland; Joshua Palacios, 18, of El Salvador; and Nilson Montecinos, 21, of Honduras with allegedly participating in the conspiracy.
According to the superseding indictment, prior to his incarceration, Benites Moreno led an LGCS clique in New Jersey. Then, since at least December 2024, Benites Moreno continued leading LGCS even though he was incarcerated in a New Jersey state prison. Benites Moreno facilitated the gang’s firearm trafficking, drug distribution, money laundering, and violence. Additionally, Benites Moreno called into LGCS meetings that occurred in Baltimore County and exerted control over the gang when committing assaults and robberies.
As also described in the superseding indictment, throughout 2025, Pina Verde allowed LGCS members to store firearms and narcotics at her apartment and permitted LGCS to conduct its business from her apartment. She also acted as an intermediary between Benites Moreno – who was in prison – and the non-incarcerated LGCS members.
According to court documents, from at least January 28, 2025, through October 16, 2025, Luis Melendez Serrano, Pena Martinez, Rivera Nolasco, and Kevin Melendez Serrano conspired to knowingly traffic firearms to individuals who were ineligible to legally possess them. During this period, Luis Melendez Serrano, Pena Martinez, and Rivera Nolasco also trafficked controlled substances, including methamphetamine and marijuana.
Additionally, in September 2025, Palacios, Montecinos, and other LGCS members committed multiple assaults and robberies as part of their membership and association with the clique. During one of these robberies, an LGCS member racked the slide of a handgun and placed it against the victim’s head. Also, during these robberies, the LGCS members directed the victims to apologize to LGCS leadership, including Benites Moreno.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, which seeks to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a collaborative and comprehensive response to the growing threat to public safety and national security. The HSTF integrates personnel, including law enforcement agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, from federal agencies to combat crime in our communities.
Additionally, 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. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI, ATF, and BCPD for their work in the investigation, along with HSI-Newark and the New Jersey Department of Corrections for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. O’Donohue III and Stanton M.B. Lawyer who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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