Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
2 February 2026
Recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention MonthRead the Press Release
OXFORD, MS – Last month the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi observed National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) in reaffirming the administration’s commitment to combating all forms of human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors. Human Trafficking Prevention Month presents an opportunity for DHS and DOJ, through Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) to intensify operational efforts, raise public awareness, and strengthen partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt trafficking networks, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure traffickers are brought to justice.
“This Department of Justice is working tirelessly alongside our partners to dismantle human trafficking networks, help survivors, and protect vulnerable populations from being exploited,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under this administration we have seen an increase in human trafficking prosecutions, and during Human Trafficking Prevention Month we reaffirm our commitment to prosecuting traffickers and encourage Americans to report instances of human trafficking in their communities.”
“Through the Homeland Security Task Force, President Trump is taking the fight directly to human trafficking networks and disrupting their modern-day slave trade while seizing their assets and arresting their kingpins and foot soldiers. The American people should not have to live in fear of cartels, gang bangers, and foreign terrorists preying upon the most vulnerable among us,” the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement. “The Homeland Security Task Force is the largest coordinated campaign against transnational criminal organizations in U.S. history, and I’m proud to co-lead it with Attorney General Bondi.”
“During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the FBI reiterates our work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and national victim-based advocacy groups in joint task forces to protect our communities across the country,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The horrifying reach of human trafficking spreads far and wide. Homeland Security Task Forces are fighting back to disrupt these perilous networks and put a stop to that reach. The FBI will continue our investigations and bring justice to those exploited by human traffickers.”
“Law enforcement must remain vigilant in combating human trafficking,” says Scott F. Leary, U.S. Attorney. “If we relax, for even a moment, our most vulnerable fall victim to the most abhorrent of crimes. Human exploitation can never be viewed as just another crime. It is unconscionable. We work for the citizens of the Northern District of Mississippi. I want them to know that, historically, we have had great success prosecuting human traffickers and that we will continue to root out and push for the harshest punishment for these perpetrators. Human trafficking will remain a top priority for this office.”
Resources are available for trafficking victims and includes response by local, state, and Federal law enforcement. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, assistance is available 24/7 immediately from local law enforcement and through the National Human Trafficking Hotline. A confidential report can be made by visiting https://humantraffickinghotline.org/, calling 1-888-373-7888, or sending a text to BeFree (233733).
Though this a crime occurring globally, trafficking is present at the local level. The United States Attorney’s Office urges citizens in the Northern District of Mississippi to report suspected trafficking.
In Mississippi, you can make a report to the statewide human trafficking coordinator by emailing [email protected] or calling 601-987-1671. Any report involving a victim under 18 being trafficked must be reported to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services online at https://reportabuse.mdcps.ms.gov/ or by calling 1-800-222-8000.
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Section 6 of this order directed the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly establish HSTFs in every state nationwide. The HSTF objective is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) throughout the United States; dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks; end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children; and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States.
In January 2026, DHS and DOJ are surging resources to fight and raise awareness about human trafficking, including:
- Identifying ongoing investigations and prioritizing featured operations across 45 federal locations and 10 state locations with an emphasis on border states.
- Coordinating with FBI Human Trafficking Squads and multi-agency Human Trafficking Task Forces to conduct victim recovery.
- Partnering with AMTRAK and FAMS to increase law enforcement resources and distribute posters with QR codes for reporting human trafficking in all station bathrooms and trains.
- Running advertisements related to $250 million recovery from Backpage to distribute to victims and additional victim restitution efforts by DOL-OIG.
- Organizing Human Trafficking seminars and outreach events with DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking at high schools and colleges to highlight the role of HSTFs in addressing human trafficking.
On August 25, 2025, HSTF officially launched its effort to protect the Homeland with a September Surge encompassing 400 operations nationwide. In just 43 days, HSTF nationwide operations resulted in 3,266 arrests and seizures including:
- 1,041 Sinaloa members,
- 856 Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (“CJNG”) members,
- 641 MS-13 members,
- 456 Tren de Aragua members,
- 1,067 weapons
- More than $3,250,000 in currency
- Approximately 91 metric tons of narcotics
Rapid City Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Obstructing Justice by Retaliating Against WitnessRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, woman convicted of Obstructing Justice by Retaliation Against a Witness. The sentencing took place on January 30, 2026.
Vanessa Highpipe, 31, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Highpipe was indicted for Obstructing Justice by Retaliation Against a Witness by a federal grand jury in May 2025. She pleaded guilty on November 10, 2025.
Highpipe assaulted the victim in April 2025 with a closed fist causing minor injuries after encountering the victim in Rapid City. Highpipe’s victim previously testified in a federal jury trial where Highpipe’s romantic partner was convicted of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death in March 2025. Following the assault, Highpipe made statements to others admitting that she assaulted the victim because of the trial testimony.
This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET). UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case.
Highpipe was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Previously Removed Undocumented Mexican National Indicted for $1M Ponzi Scheme that Defrauded Approximately 30 Investors in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed and an undocumented Mexican national living in Utah was taken into custody after he allegedly collected approximately $1 million from approximately 30 investors in a securities fraud scheme, when he was not licensed to sell securities.
Christian Montiel-Caleit, 45, of Mexico, was living in West Valley City, Utah, when authorities took him into custody on January 29, 2026, following a federal grand jury indictment a day prior.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning about 2021 and continuing to about December 2024, Montiel-Caleit, fraudulently obtained money by deceiving investors into thinking he was licensed to sell securities and successful at making large returns. For example, to secure investments, Montiel-Caleit would lie to investors by promising 100% returns in 12 months, when in fact he did not generate returns as represented; payments made to investors were derived from other investors instead of actual returns, and on a routine basis for years, investors did not timely receive their principal and investment returns as promised.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Montiel-Caleit is in the United States illegally and was previously removed on March 2, 2006.
Montiel-Caleit is charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and illegal reentry of a previously removed alien. His initial appearance on the indictment was January 30, 2026. A 10-day jury trial is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 7.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Utah Division of Securities, FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Woolf and Jacob Strain of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Permanent Resident of the United States Sentenced to Prison After Defrauding the Government through the Diversity Visa Lottery SystemRead the Press Release
A man who came to the United States in 2013 and claimed asylum was sentenced Friday for his involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the government.
Joseph Longanga Okoko, age 69, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, received the prison term on January 30, 2026, after a guilty plea to conspiracy to defraud the United States.
In June 2013, Okoko entered the United States on a visa and later applied for asylum. He then petitioned for several of his children, who were living in Congo, to join him in the United States. In his application, Okoko listed one of his children as unmarried. In a plea agreement, Okoko admitted that in May 2019 his child married Bienvenu Saido Binyangi prior to coming to the United States. Okoko never updated his petition to show that his child was married. Additionally, when filing out an application to adjust his status, Okoko falsely stated that he had never been charged with, committed, or convicted of a crime. However, on December 5, 2019, Okoko was convicted of disorderly conduct, fighting, or violent behavior, in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
Okoko also admitted to assisting individuals in the Congo to illegally enter the United States. Okoko provided false information in immigration paperwork, and assisted diversity visa lottery winners in entering fake marriages so they could enter the United States illegally. Okoko also paid for people to enter the United States but then required repayment at a hundred to three hundred percent of his cost.
Okoko was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Okoko was sentenced to 3 months’ imprisonment and fined $10,000. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Okoko was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on a date yet to be set. Medard Lotahe Elonge, Joseph Onolenga Okamba, and Bienvenu Saido Binyangi, who were charged in the same indictment and have also pled guilty to crimes in the indictment, have yet to be sentenced.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. Cole and Nicole L. Nagin and was investigated by the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, the United States Postal Inspection, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Waterloo Police Department, the Sioux City Police Department, and the Iowa Department of Transportation.
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.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-2052.
Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
One leader of violent home invasion robbery crew pleads guilty to racketeering conspiracy involving robbery, kidnapping, and murderRead the Press Release
Seattle – One of the leaders of an armed robbery crew that carried out a series of home invasion robberies in 2022, today pleaded guilty to racketeering and conspiracy to commit RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Christopher Johnson, 24, faces up to life in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lauren King on May 6, 2026. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both the prosecution and defense will recommend a 25-year prison term.
According to the plea agreement, Johnson admits he was involved in a pattern of violent crimes allegedly committed by codefendant Kevin Thissel, 29, and their co-conspirators. The plea agreement describes how in the summer of 2022, the men targeted certain families for robberies. To create a climate of fear, the robbery crew burst into homes in the middle of the night, dressed in black, claiming to be police, and with guns drawn. They wore masks and used zip-ties to restrain the victims – including children as young as nine. They would steal any valuables they could ransack from these homes. Tragically, they shot and killed one young mother as her 7-year-old child lay next to her in bed.
Each member of the robbery crew had a certain job: identifying potential victims based on social media posts about their wealth or collections; surveilling the target homes; serving as a driver; kicking in the door; corralling the family; holding the victims at gunpoint; and ransacking the homes for valuables. Some of those participating in this violent robbery scheme were juveniles.
The crimes admitted in the Johnson plea agreement include:
- May 24, 2022, the armed robbery of a family in Mount Vernon, Washington.
- May 24, 2022, the kidnapping of a young boy in connection with the Mount Vernon robbery.
- May 24, 2022, attempted robbery on Mercer Island – one robber fired a gun but did not hit one of three victims inside the house.
- May 27, 2022, burglary of an unoccupied Kent, Washington residence.
- June 19, 2022, the attempted burglary of an occupied residence in Kent. One of the residents fired at the robbery crew causing them to flee
- July 14, 2022, the armed robbery of a couple in Burien, Washington.
- July 28, 2022, the armed robbery of a woman in Kent, Washington.
- July 28,2022, the abduction of the victim in the Kent robbery to force her to obtain cash from ATMs.
- August 12, 2022, the robbery of two Kent residents who were locked in a closet while their home was ransacked.
- August 19, 2022, the Everett armed robbery of a couple and their child.
- August 19, 2022, the murder of one of the Everett robbery victims.
Some of the criminal acts described in the plea agreement have not been formally charged. They can be considered by the judge in determining the sentence and for purposes of restitution.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Johnson will plead guilty to second degree murder in Snohomish County Superior Court for the August 19, 2022, fatal shooting of Irah Marcello Sok. Both sides will also recommend a 25-year sentence to run concurrent with the federal sentence. Johnson is asking that the judge recommend he serve his sentence in the Washington State Prison system. However, Judge King can decide whether or not to make that recommendation.
The case is being investigated by the FBI with significant assistance from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the Mount Vernon Police Department, the Kent Police Department, and the King County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Greenberg and Brian Wynne are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen Hobbs and Michael Lang worked closely with the Snohomish County Prosecutors Office on investigating and charging this case.
Ohio Couple Sentenced for Arson in Profit Scheme to Fraudulently Collect Millions in Insurance PayoutsRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – A husband and wife from Willoughby Hills, Ohio, have been sentenced for devising a scheme to collect more than $2 million dollars in insurance money by conspiring to set insured houses on fire.
Lonnie White, 48, was sentenced to 53 months (4 years, 4 months) in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi after pleading guilty in August to the following charges as outlined in the indictment:
- Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud
- Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering Offenses
- Conspiracy to use Fire in Commission of a Felony
He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,375,861 in restitution. Chief Judge Lioi imposed the sentence Jan. 23.
White’s spouse, Lisa Ogletree, 48, was sentenced to five years of probation and 810 days of location-monitored home confinement after she pleaded guilty last August to Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud. Chief Judge Lioi imposed the sentence Jan. 28.
“It’s traumatic for people to see a house in their neighborhood go up in flames, and these defendants shamelessly utilized devastating fires just to line their pockets with money,” said United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “Additionally, insurance companies paid out millions in claims—in good faith—only to learn that they were deceived by these fraudsters. We commend the outstanding efforts of the ATF agents on the case and their regional partners who spent countless hours connecting the dots which eventually led to justice being served.”
According to the indictment, White and Ogletree, either personally or through others, bought houses on the east side of Cleveland, transferred the properties to nominal owners with fake renters, insured the property for hundreds of thousands of dollars, arranged to set the house on fire, and submitted fraudulent insurance claims on the destroyed property. White arranged to intentionally set these houses ablaze to make them appear as if the fires were accidental.
After receiving the insurance payments for the fire damage, nominal owners distributed the funds to White and Ogletree, who then transferred the money to other bank accounts for their own benefit and to further their scheme. According to court filings, the scheme involved at least six fires and more than $2.3 million in fraudulent claims from 2013 to 2019.
The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Cleveland Field Office.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam J. Joines and Brian M. McDonough for the Northern District of Ohio.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio would like to acknowledge and thank the Cleveland Fire Investigation Unit; the Cuyahoga County Fusion Center; the Ohio State Fire Marshal; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Office of the Inspector General for their assistance with this case.
ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson. Anyone who has information about an incidence of arson should contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283- 8477). Individuals may also email [email protected], or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.
New Haven Man Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Gun and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIEGO EZEQUIEL GARRO, 24, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 90 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for firearm and drug trafficking offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 18, 2023, West Haven Police arrested Garro after he was found sleeping in a parked vehicle that had a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine containing 34 rounds of ammunition on the passenger seat. During the arrest, Garro attempted to flee from officers in his vehicle and dragged one officer several feet. After Garro was taken into custody, officers retrieved the firearm, and a search of the car also revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana; drug packaging materials and scales; and approximately $1,300 in cash.
Subsequent investigation revealed that, in December 2022 and January 2023, at Garro’s direction, an individual had purchased the seized handgun, and at least four other semi-automatic handguns, and provided them to Garro in exchange for narcotics.
Garro has been detained since October 3, 2024. On August 29, 2025, he pleaded guilty to four counts of firearm trafficking and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the West Haven Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Michigan Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Aaron Dequawn Hardy, also known as “Detroit J” and “John,” 30, of Pontiac, Michigan, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 10, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a controlled delivery of a package to its mailing address in Huntington. Officers found the package had contained 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and removed the methamphetamine before the controlled delivery. Officers arrested Hardy when he showed up at the mailing address to retrieve the package.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-49.
###
Mexican National Without Legal Immigration Status Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Sex Offense Against a MinorRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Luis Velez was sentenced by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen to 12 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor. Velez has no legal status in the United States and will be deported after serving his term of imprisonment. Velez pleaded guilty in July 2024.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“The defendant preyed on children, manipulating and threatening them into creating sexually explicit images for his own sexual gratification,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office is committed to holding accountable such sexual predators and I urge parents and caregivers to discuss with their children the dangers of communicating online with strangers and anyone else who may exploit them.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Boston Police Department for their work on the case.
“Luis Velez repeatedly forced multiple minors to create and send sexually explicit images by threatening to harm their families. Velez preyed upon his victims’ fear to satisfy his perverted desires. The FBI will continue to defend our city’s children from sexual predators, especially those residing unlawfully in this country,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
As set forth in court filings, in 2022, Velez—a 26-year-old man at the time of the charged conduct without legal immigration status in the United States—posed as a 14-year-old boy and began communicating with an 11-year-old girl (Jane Doe 1) through Instagram. At Velez’s insistence, Jane Doe 1 electronically sent sexually explicit images of herself to Velez, and then Velez threatened to hurt Jane Doe 1’s family if she did not send additional sexually explicit images. Velez communicated with various other minors on Instagram, at times posing as a girl and at other times as a boy in order to obtain—as he had done with Jane Doe 1—sexually explicit images from these minors.
This prosecution is 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca M. Schuman and Stephen H. Petraeus are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
LUIS VELEZ
Age: 29
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-235 (PKC)
Mexican National Sentenced to Prison TimeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Eli Martinez-Martinez, age 39, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Martinez-Martinez was sentenced to time served, based upon his detention since his arrest on September 5, 2025.
According to documents in the case, Martinez-Martinez was previously removed from the United States in 2011 and 2022.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin F. Wolff.
Lowell Man Convicted of Directing the Robbery of a Mail Carrier Sentenced to 18 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
Lowell Man Convicted of Directing the Robbery of a Mail Carrier Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison
CONCORD – A Lowell resident was sentenced today in federal court for aiding and abetting the robbery of a mail carrier in order to steal mail in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Tyler Savinon, 19, was sentenced by U.S. District Chief Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 18 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In April of 2025, Savinon pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the robbery of a mail carrier.
According to the charging documents and statements made in court, Savinon directed two co-conspirators to rob the mail carrier to obtain a proprietary key that would unlock blue mail collection boxes in the Nashua area. Investigators determined that Savinon had used the stolen key to access at least two collection boxes in Nashua—one on Dunstable Road and one on Spring Street.
“Mail carriers perform an essential public service, and they deserve to do their jobs without fear of violence or intimidation,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for knowingly aiding a crime that put a federal employee and the public at risk.”
“Combating mail theft and violent crimes targeting postal employees is of the highest priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” said Acting Inspector-in-Charge Nicholas J. Bucciarelli of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “As the law enforcement arm of the Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service leads the Postal Service’s efforts to protect all postal employees, including letter carriers, and ensure the secure delivery of mail to the American public. Today’s sentencing highlights our dedication to keeping our employees safe.”
The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department and the Lowell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case.
Lennox Woman Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine in the Sioux Falls AreaRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Lennox, South Dakota woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on January 26, 2026.
Ashley Mortimer, 39, was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, fine, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Mortimer was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in November 2024. She pleaded guilty on October 14, 2025.
For several months in early 2024, Mortimer operated as a sub-distributor for a California-based drug trafficking organization operating in the Sioux Falls area. Mortimer purchased large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from the organization, which she then re-sold. At sentencing, Mortimer was attributed to distributing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the DEA, the. U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Mortimer was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Last of Eight Defendants Sentenced in $7.7 Million Pandemic Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
DETROIT– Timothy Boyle, the last of eight defendants in a $7.7 million pandemic fraud scheme targeting the Small Business Administration and numerous state unemployment programs, was sentenced today, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Michigan Division, Megan Howell, Special Agent in Charge United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Great Lakes Region, and Acting Special Agent-in Charge, Michelle Blank, Small Business Administration-Office of Inspector General.
The eight defendants in this case all pleaded guilty to various wire fraud and identity theft offenses before Judge Judith E. Levy. The ringleader of the fraud scheme, DeAngelo Jackson-Portwood, 42, of Detroit, was sentenced to 61 months imprisonment. Anton Greenwood, 39, also of Detroit, and Adartha Tillman, 42, of Roseville, were sentenced to 42 and 40 months of incarceration, respectively. Maurice Brown-Portwood, 35, of Clinton Township received a 22 month sentence, and Taurean Davis, 44, of Detroit a sentence of 12 months imprisonment. Defendant Christopher Lindsay, 38, of Detroit received a sentence of three years of probation, as did Tyrone Boyle, 58, and his twin brother Timothy Boyle, both of Los Angeles, California.
The eight defendants will pay a total of $7,703,549 in restitution to the SBA and various state workforce agencies.
According to court records, between early 2020 and approximately May 2021, DeAngelo Jackson-Portwood orchestrated a scheme to defraud state workforce agencies by illegally obtaining millions of dollars in pandemic unemployment assistance funds. Jackson-Portwood, aided by his seven-codefendants, obtained the names, social security numbers, and other personal identifying information of numerous unsuspecting individuals. Without those individuals’ knowledge or consent, Jackson-Portwood and his co-conspirators used their names to file over 1,000 claims for pandemic unemployment assistance across 17 states and territory of Guam. The co-conspirators obtained over $5.6 million on these bogus unemployment claims, with most of the losses being borne by the Michigan and California workforce agencies.
DeAngelo Jackson-Portwood’s scheme also targeted pandemic loan assistance programs managed by the SBA. The co-conspirators filed over 575 fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans in the names of various businesses. The loan applications contained all manner of false statements. In some instances, the businesses did not exist. In others, the supposed proprietors of the businesses were in fact identity theft victims. Jackson-Portwood and his co-conspirators obtained approximately $2.1 million from their fraudulent applications targeting these pandemic loan assistance programs.
United States Attorney Gorgon stated, “Today’s sentence concludes one of the largest pandemic fraud cases in our state. Jackson-Portwood fleeced the American taxpayer through a brazen fraud scheme. And we thank our partners at the FBI, Department of Labor, and Small Business Administration for uncovering this crime.”
“The sentencing of the final defendant in this multimillion-dollar pandemic fraud scheme brings long-overdue justice to more than 900 victims whose lives were disrupted by greed and deception,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Among those victims was a nurse working 12-plus hour shifts on the front lines during COVID-19, who then had to fight to clear her name after her identity was stolen. These defendants did not just steal money; they stole peace of mind from hardworking Americans during a national crisis. This outcome was made possible through the relentless work of members from the FBI Detroit Area Corruption Task Force, alongside our federal partners at the U.S. Department of Labor – OIG and the Small Business Administration – OIG. Our office will continue to pursue those who exploit national emergencies for personal gain and ensure they are held fully responsible under the law.”
“The defendants stole from unemployment insurance programs that exist to help American workers during a once-in-a-generation global pandemic,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. “That kind of fraud directly harms workers and taxpayers alike. Our team will relentlessly protect the integrity of these critical benefit programs and pursue accountability for anyone who tries to game the system for personal gain. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and our law-enforcement partners for their strong collaboration and commitment to justice.”
“This sentencing serves as a reminder that fraud is not a victimless crime, and it has no place in SBA lending programs,” said SBA-OIG Acting Special Agent-in Charge, Michelle Blank. “SBA-OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and pursue those who use stolen personal information to obtain disaster and relief funds.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John K. Neal and Alyse Wu.
Justice Department Sues to Revoke Naturalization of California Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
On Jan. 30, the Department of Justice filed a civil complaint to revoke the citizenship of Erwin Galindo, who committed several unlawful sexual acts with minors prior to naturalizing and, later, withheld his illegal acts throughout his naturalization process.
Galindo sexually abused an 11-year-old child, and he sexually abused and raped a 14-year-old child. After naturalizing, Galindo was convicted in California of two counts of lewd or lascivious acts upon a child and was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison. His acts and his concealment of these material facts warrant revocation of Galindo’s 2015 naturalization under 8 U.S.C. § 1451.
“This Department of Justice will continue to strip citizenship from those who commit heinous crimes and conceal them during the naturalization process,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “American citizenship is a great and sacred privilege that must be earned honestly.”
“A monster who commits horrific acts of sexual abuse against children should not ever have become a U.S. citizen,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This Administration will not hesitate to take his citizenship back.”
This case is being civilly prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation, Affirmative Litigation Unit, with assistance from ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Justice Department Seeks to Denaturalize Convicted RapistRead the Press Release
Today, the United States filed a denaturalization action in the Eastern District of New York against Gurmeet Singh, a native of India, who, according to the Department of Justice’s complaint, concealed and misrepresented in his naturalization application that he had previously kidnapped and sexual assaulted a female passenger of his taxicab. After his passenger fell asleep in the backseat, he drove her to a side street and the passenger awoke to find Singh on top of her with a knife to her throat, telling her to stop resisting if she wanted to live. Singh then bound and gagged her, blindfolded her, removed her clothes, and raped her.
Singh concealed these acts throughout his naturalization proceedings and naturalized as a U.S. citizen on Oct. 19, 2011. After naturalizing, Singh was convicted in New York of Rape in the First Degree and Kidnapping in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
“This Department of Justice will continue to strip citizenship from those who commit heinous crimes and conceal them during the naturalization process,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “American citizenship is a great and sacred privilege that must be earned honestly.”
“This individual’s vile acts prove that he should not have been granted U.S. citizenship,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Singh entered our country through family-based immigration laws, then committed horrible crimes before lying about them to become a U.S. citizen. We will now correct this injustice.”
“The defendant in this case secured U.S. citizenship through deceit, and on the heels of committing the heinous crimes of rape and kidnapping,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr for the Eastern District of New York. “This case, brought to strip the defendant of citizenship that he did not earn and to which he was not entitled, demonstrates our Office’s commitment to protecting the American people and defending the sanctity of U.S. citizenship.”
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized U.S. citizen’s citizenship may be revoked, and his certificate of naturalization canceled, if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.
This case was investigated by the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The litigation is being handled by Trial Attorney Christopher Lyerla and Assistant U.S. Attorney Layaliza Soloveichik for the Eastern District of New York and reviewed by John Inkeles, Chief, Office of Immigration Litigation, Affirmative Litigation Unit.
The claims made in the complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Justice Department Seeks to Denaturalize Convicted RapistRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY — Today, the United States filed a denaturalization action in the Eastern District of New York against Gurmeet Singh, a native of India, who, according to the Department of Justice’s Complaint, concealed and misrepresented in his naturalization application that he had previously kidnapped and sexual assaulted a female passenger of his taxicab. After his passenger fell asleep in the backseat, he drove her to a side street and the passenger awoke to find Singh on top of her with a knife to her throat, telling her to stop resisting if she wanted to live. Singh then bound and gagged her, blindfolded her, removed her clothes, and raped her.
Singh concealed these acts throughout his naturalization proceedings and naturalized as a U.S. citizen on Oct. 19, 2011. After naturalizing, Singh was convicted in May 2014 in New York of Rape in the First Degree and Kidnapping in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi; Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; and Brett A. Shumate, Assistant Attorney General, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division announced the filing of the civil complaint.
“This Department of Justice will continue to strip citizenship from those who commit heinous crimes and conceal them during the naturalization process,” stated Attorney General Bondi. “American citizenship is a great and sacred privilege that must be earned honestly.
“The defendant in this case secured U.S. citizenship through deceit, and on the heels of committing the heinous crimes of rape and kidnapping,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “This case, brought to strip the defendant of citizenship that he did not earn and to which he was not entitled, demonstrates our Office’s commitment to protecting the American people and defending the sanctity of U.S. citizenship.”
“This individual’s vile acts prove that he should not have been granted U.S. citizenship,” stated Assistant Attorney General Shumate. “Singh entered our country through family-based immigration laws, then committed horrible crimes before lying about them to become a U.S. citizen. We will now correct this injustice.”
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized U.S. citizen’s citizenship may be revoked, and his certificate of naturalization canceled, if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.
This case was investigated by the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The litigation is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Layaliza Soloveichik of the Eastern District of New York with Trial Attorney Christopher Lyerla and reviewed by John Inkeles, Chief of the Affirmative Litigation Unit of the Office of Immigration Litigation.
The claims made in the complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Jury Convicts Gun-Toting Drug DealerRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Grifton man for conspiracy to sell and selling cocaine and crack and possessing guns as a convicted felon and while selling crack.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Kevin Tyrone Eure, AKA “Boo Dro”, 37, was a drug dealer in the Craven County area. Law enforcement confirmed this by covertly purchasing of cocaine and crack from him. They followed up by executing a search warrant at his home in Grifton. Investigators found crack and packaging materials: digital scales and vacuum sealed bags, that he used to package his drugs for sale. Investigators also located a bullet proof vest, over 37 pounds of ammunition, and 12 guns of various sizes throughout his home. He hid the guns in random spots around his home, including in the slot of a toaster and Draco hidden inside a dryer. When interviewed, Eure admitted to selling cocaine and crack for the past eight years throughout eastern North Carolina.
“Selling crack and cocaine is illegal. Stashing a bunch of guns in your house while slinging drugs makes the crime that much worse.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “It’s really easy to avoid this type of trouble: stop selling drugs, don’t have guns if you are a felon. I hope he learns his lesson and doesn’t commit any more crimes when he eventually gets out of prison. He will have a long time to reconsider these bad choices.”
Eure faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to approximately 40 years confinement when sentenced in May.
W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. ATF, the North Carolina SBI, the Craven County Sherrif’s Office, and the New Bern Police Department investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Lester and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Kellhofer prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.Click or tap here to enter text..
Illinois Man Pleads Guilty for Role in International Fraudulent Market Survey ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Illinois Man Pleads Guilty for Role in International Fraudulent Market Survey Conspiracy
CONCORD – An Illinois man pleaded guilty today for participating in an international scheme to sell fabricated market survey data, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Frank Hayden, 58, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for May 12, 2026.
According to the public record, Op4G and Slice were market research companies based in New Hampshire and Illinois, respectively. Clients would hire the companies to conduct market research surveys. As part of their business model, Op4G and Slice maintained “panels” consisting of individuals potentially eligible to take surveys. Hayden initially worked for Op4G before moving over to Slice.
In 2014, Hayden and several conspirators decided to increase company revenues by generating fabricated survey data. To execute the scheme, the conspirators recruited “ants,” who pretended to be legitimate survey takers but instead were paid a nominal fee for completing surveys that produced false market research data. Some of the conspirators even served as “ants” and fraudulently took large quantities of surveys themselves, receiving significant payments.
To evade detection, the conspirators exchanged instructions with each other and the “ants.” These instructions included directions on how to answer survey screener questions, provided parameters on how long “ants” should remain on surveys, and encouraged the use of virtual private network (VPN) services to conceal real IP addresses.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The FBI led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
Illegal Immigrant from Mexico Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Bertoldo Alcaraz-Ortuno, who was previously convicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, will spend the next 136 months in federal prison after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
On December 3, 2024, Alcaraz-Ortuno, 37, of Guerrero, Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a four-count Indictment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. On August 7, 2025, Alcaraz-Ortuno pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Moody also sentenced Alcaraz-Ortuno to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that after receiving a tip that Alcaraz-Ortuno was a source of supply, law enforcement officers went to his known residence and spoke with Alcaraz-Ortuno. He stated that he had a kilogram of methamphetamine in the shed. Officers obtained a search warrant for the property and located 1,726 grams of methamphetamine, a .40 caliber firearm in the shed, a 9mm firearm, and $10,445 in Alcaraz-Ortuno’s wallet. Immigration officials confirmed that Alcaraz-Ortuno was not in the United States legally and had been previously deported on May 18 & 27, 2015; June 18, 2015; and July 31, 2020.
Alcaraz-Ortuno’s criminal history includes a October 3, 2019, federal drug conviction where he received a sentence of 48 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. At the time of his arrest in this case, Alcaraz-Ortuno was on supervised release for the 2019 federal conviction.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Little Rock Police Department with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacy Williams.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Huntington Woman Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Madison Grant Sergent, 27, of Huntington, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 23, 2024, Sergent directed another individual to distribute approximately 24 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $180 in Huntington. As part of her plea agreement, Sergent admitted to arranging the transaction after the confidential informant contacted her seeking to buy methamphetamine.
Co-defendant Rakai Travall Hawkins, also known as “G,” 31, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced on November 3, 2025, to eight years and one month in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Co-defendant Jeremiah Telmon-Isaiah Hand, also known as “Joey,” 30, of Inkster, Michigan, was sentenced on December 15, 2025, to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), an enforcement surge that has sought to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.
This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-51.
###
Honduran National Sentenced to 31 Years in Federal Prison for Multiple Armed Robberies in AustinRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Honduran national was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 375 months in prison for multiple armed robberies, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, on Dec. 31, 2023, Christian Lopez-Burgos, 27, used a black-over-tan pistol during an attempted robbery of a fast-food restaurant on Interstate Highway 35 in Austin and a convenience store robbery on North Lamar Boulevard in Austin. From the convenience store, Lopez-Burgos and two other masked, armed males stole approximately $6,000 while Lopez-Burgos pointed his pistol at an employee working the cash register.
On Jan. 23, 2024, Lopez-Burgos was caught on security video driving the same vehicle from the two previous robberies as he and four co-conspirators robbed another convenience store on North Lamar Boulevard, brandishing firearms at two employees and stealing approximately $5,000 from the store’s cash register. Later that day, Lopez-Burgos arrived in his previously noted vehicle at a vape and smoke shop in San Marcos. He returned four days later, on Jan. 27, 2024, with three other individuals to rob the business, stealing CBD and kratom items, as well as glass pipes, while one of the robbers pointed a shotgun at a store employee and ripped a necklace from the victim’s neck.
Lopez-Burgos was also identified as one of three individuals who robbed another convenience store on Lamar Boulevard in Austin on Feb. 3, 2024. In that robbery, Lopez-Burgos and a co-conspirator entered the store brandishing firearms while the third robber served as a lookout at the front door. Lopez-Burgos demanded money from the store employee in a check-cashing room and fired three rounds at the victim in response to an alarm being pressed beneath the employee’s desk. Two other employees in the store then provided approximately $3,000 to the robbers.
Lopez-Burgos was arrested in Houston on Feb. 15, 2024, after he attempted to evade police in the same vehicle with which he committed most of the string of armed robberies. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of multiple articles of clothing and items both worn during the robberies and stolen from the robberies, including glass pipes and the necklace stolen from the vape and smoke shop employee. Searches of Lopez-Burgos’s phones revealed a photo of the black-over-tan handgun and internet searches related to robberies in Austin on Dec. 31, 2023.
Lopez-Burgos pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; two counts of Hobbs Act robbery; two counts of discharge of firearm in furtherance of crime of violence; and one count of brandishing of firearm in furtherance of crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman presided over the case.
The FBI along with the Austin, San Marcos, and Houston Police Departments investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Henneke, Thomas Parnham and Gabriel Cohen prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
###
Homeland Security Task Force Gathering to Sign Documents to Acknowledge PartnershipRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle attends Homeland Security Task Force Regional Meeting. We aim to collaborate closely to deepen and strengthen our partnership.
Hensley Mother Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison After Being Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—April Adams will spend 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
On April 2, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Adams, 62, and her daughter, Amber Church, 38, both of Hensley. Both women were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. In addition to the 20-year federal sentence for the fentanyl conspiracy, Judge Moody sentenced Adams to 20 years in federal prison for her conviction for distribution of methamphetamine. Both federal sentences will be served concurrently. Judge Moody sentenced Adams to serve three years’ supervised release following the completion of her federal sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
The evidence presented at trial showed that on April 16, 2023, law enforcement officers from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence on Crab Apple Circle in reference to multiple overdoses. Once law enforcement officers arrived, they located four individuals who overdosed. After medical personnel administered Narcan, three individuals survived, but one individual died at the scene.
During the trial, two witnesses who survived overdoses testified that after arriving at the residence on Crab Apple Circle, Adams offered methamphetamine, to the witnesses, Church, and the victim who died. After smoking the methamphetamine, Church asked Adams if she could provide to the group what Church said was the “cocaine” that Adams had in her room. Church then got the substance from Adams’ room and provided it to the group, using some herself. The substance was in fact fentanyl.
Nearly immediately after ingesting the fentanyl the four individuals who used the drug began passing out, including Church. Adams, who did not use the substance that caused the other four individuals to overdose, waited approximately 45 minutes before notifying anyone about the overdoses, and then called a friend rather than emergency services.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock comprises agents and officers from Saline County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The investigation was conducted by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Edward Walker and Jordan Crews prosecuted the case.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter
Guatemalan nationals extradited to the Eastern District of Texas to face international drug trafficking chargesRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – Three Guatemalan nationals have been extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Adelfo Federico Valdez Santos, aka “Lico Valdez,” 43; Pedro Pablo Oliva Catalan, aka “Peke,” and “Peques,” 36; and Kelvin David Beron Ramirez, aka “Catracho,” and “Crunchi,” 37, were extradited from Guatemala to the United States on January 30, 2026, after being named in separate federal indictments in the Eastern District of Texas charging them with drug trafficking violations.
The indictments allege that Valdez, Oliva, and Beron conspired with and assisted other international drug traffickers to manufacture, distribute, and transport significant quantities of cocaine into the United States for further distribution.
These cases are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
If convicted, Valdez, Oliva, and Beron each face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
These cases are being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Dallas Field Division in conjunction with DEA Guatemala City Country Office; DEA Bogota Country Office; DEA Cartagena Resident Office; DEA Panama Country Office and DEA San Jose Country Office.
The Justice Department extends its gratitude to the Government of Guatemala and its prosecutorial and law enforcement authorities for making the extradition possible. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions from Guatemala.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Rattan.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Grand jury indicts Buffalo man for attacking postal carrierRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jacob D. Ortiz, 34, of Buffalo, NY, with assaulting a federal employee, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on September 9, 2025, a United States Postal Service (USPS) Letter Carrier, dressed in full uniform, approached the mailbox of a residence on Columbus Avenue in South Buffalo. Ortiz exited the residence. The Letter Carrier believed he was a resident coming to get his mail. However, without warning or provocation, Ortiz lunged toward the Letter Carrier and began punching him in the face and head with his fists. The Letter Carrier suffered cuts, bumps and bruises to his face, behind his left ear, on the back of his head, on his left elbow and below his right knee.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Nicholas J. Bucciarelli.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Gainesville Man Federally Charged for Unlawful Possession of a SilencerRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Dean Allen Harper, 55, of Gainesville, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of an unmarked and unregistered firearm/silencer. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Harper appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry in Gainesville, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 25, 2026, at 8:30 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Gainesville, Florida.
Harper faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Founder of Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club Stockton Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Dealing in Firearms and Possessing a Machine GunRead the Press Release
Jashanpreet Singh, 27, of Lodi, pleaded guilty today to unlawfully dealing firearms and unlawfully possessing a machine gun, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, Singh was the founder of the “Punjabi Devils” Motorcycle Club, a Stockton-based outlaw motorcycle gang associated with the Hells Angels. On June 6, 2025, Singh attempted to sell several weapons to an undercover officer, including a short-barreled rifle, three assault weapons, three machine gun conversion devices, and a revolver. A search of Singh’s residence resulted in the discovery of additional firearms, including a machine gun, another machine gun conversion device, and a silencer.
Firearms (including machine guns and a short-barreled rifle), firearms parts (including a silencer and high-capacity drum magazines), and other items seized from Singh’s vehicle and residence on June 6, 2025.
Officers also discovered a single “pineapple”-style capped and fused hand grenade, as well as what law enforcement believed was a military electronic capped “claymore” mine. The Explosives Ordinance Detail of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department bomb team destroyed these items at the scene.
Singh initially faced state charges in San Joaquin County related to these offenses. On July 21, 2025, he failed to appear in court, and the state court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. On July 23, 2025, the FBI received an alert from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that Singh had booked a ticket to India and was scheduled to depart from the San Francisco International Airport on July 26, 2025. On that date, officers located and arrested Singh at the airport before he could flee. Singh remains in federal custody.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Enforcement and Removal Operations; Homeland Security Investigations; the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office; the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Detail; the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit; the Stockton Police Department; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Cárdenas and Adrian Kinsella are prosecuting the case.
Singh is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. For his conviction for unlawfully dealing in firearms, Singh faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For his conviction for unlawfully possessing a machine gun, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Former anesthesiology resident sentenced for stealing and using narcotic pain medicine while on dutyRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 36-year-old former anesthesiology resident at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Harborview and University of Washington Medical Centers was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to one year of supervised release including 200 hours of community service for diverting narcotic pain medication to his own use while treating patients, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Andrew Voegel-Podadera, of Seattle, was arrested in June 2025 and charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud. Voegel-Podadera pleaded guilty in October 2025, admitting he secretly took fentanyl, hydromorphone, and other medications over the course of a year while working in the UW Medicine system. He sometimes used the diverted substances while still at the hospital, meaning he was under the influence of potent narcotics while treating patients.
At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson said, “This was a serious offense… the consequences of which could have been more serious and tragic.”
“This defendant was entrusted with caring for patients, including young and vulnerable patients,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “It is chilling to think that he took powerful narcotics while a tiny baby needed his full and unimpaired attention. This case should serve as a message that nobody is above the law and healthcare professionals will be held accountable when they divert narcotics and put patients in harm’s way.”
According to records filed in the case, between 2022 and 2024, Voegel-Podadera worked as a resident anesthesiologist. He did rotations at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Harborview Medical Center, and the UW Medical Center. On December 27, 2024, Voegel-Podadera saw three patients at Children’s – the youngest was just 11-days old. From the beginning of his shift, Voegel-Podadera began stealing and using pain medications that were meant for patients. He consumed fentanyl and hydromorphone and then returned the vials to the pharmacy with saline in them, claiming it was “wastage.”
Fortunately, the attending physician found his behavior odd and reported it to others at Children’s. Ultimately, Voegel-Podadera admitted stealing and taking drugs while on duty as far back as January 2024.
In asking that Voegel-Podadera do prison time, prosecutors wrote to the court, “Anesthesiologists administer precise doses of potent medications and perform delicate procedures like intubations…. Voegel-Podadera’s behavior put [his patients] at risk. An intoxicated doctor is far more likely to make mistakes, and mistakes in this setting can be costly.”
“Dr. Voegel-Podadera selfishly diverted powerful pain medication away from patients, including young children and infants, while he worked as an anesthesiologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Dr. Voegel-Podadera violated both his oath and the law. We are proud that DEA and our partners could stop him from endangering young patients. DEA remains unwavering in our commitment to saving American lives.”
“The diversion of controlled substances by medical professionals is a serious breach of public trust and patient safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Los Angeles Field Office. “The defendant’s actions not only violated federal law but also placed vulnerable pediatric patients at risk. The FDA is committed to protecting the integrity of our healthcare system and ensuring that patients receive the safe and effective medications they deserve.”
Voegel-Podadera’s attorney said the consequences for the former physician have been significant: he was terminated from the anesthesiology training program, had to surrender his DEA registration that allowed him to prescribe medications, and has had his medical license surrendered for at least five years.
Speaking to the court Voegel-Podadera said he wished he had sought help for his addiction earlier. He has been speaking to groups of medical residents about the danger of addiction.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip Kopczynski and Amanda McDowell.
Former Gloucester Police Officer Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former police officer with the Gloucester Police Department has been sentenced for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Alexander Aiello, 34, of Gloucester, was sentenced on Jan. 23, 2026 by U.S. Senior District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In October 2025, Aiello pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
On several occasions in 2024 and 2025, Aiello accessed a website on the dark web that was dedicated to downloading, viewing, advertising and distributing CSAM. Searches of Aiello’s person and residence on April 28, 2025 resulted in the seizure of the defendant’s cell phone and laptop as well as a USB thumb drive, which was found in Aiello’s nightstand in his bedroom.
An examination of the devices revealed that a TOR Browser – an application that provides anonymous web access and access to dark web hidden services – was installed and actively running on Aiello’s laptop with evidence of downloaded files consistent with recent use. The USB drive was thoroughly encrypted and Aiello contained more than 200 files consistent with CSAM.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Gloucester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Basketball Coach Admits Sending Sexually Explicit Photos to StudentsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former high school basketball coach on Monday admitted sending sexually explicit photos to students and engaging in sexually explicit conversations with them.
Lee Anthony Bogan Jr., 29, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of attempting to receive child pornography. He admitted using a social media application to contact high school students beginning in the spring of 2024. In these messages, Bogan expressed romantic and sexual interest in the students, seeking to gauge their responses. He also sent photos of his genitals, believing that the app would cause the messages to disappear shortly after they were received, his plea agreement says. Bogan, who worked at a St. Louis area high school and was known as “Coach Teejay,” was unaware that the minors took screen shots of the explicit photos before they disappeared.
Bogan, of Jennings, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6. The charge carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20.
The Ladue Police Department and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Florida Man Sentenced to 327 Months in Prison for Sex Trafficking Two Women in DaytonaRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL — Delon Richard Smith, 47, of Daytona, Florida, was sentenced Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to 327 months in prison after pleading guilty in October 2025 to two charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit the same. Smith was ordered to pay the two victims $4800 in restitution.
“This sentence reflects the abhorrent acts of violence the defendant used to exploit the victims for his own personal profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Commercial sex trafficking depends on the systematic dehumanization of its victims and debasing victims by treating them as commodities. The Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section will prosecute those who, like Smith, use people like disposable products for an illegal business and violate them in endless ways when doing so.”
“The manipulation and brutality used by the defendant in this case against his victims was egregious and reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Due to the hard work and diligence of our local and federal law enforcement partners, and courage of the victims, this criminal was brought to justice.”
“Sex trafficking is a violent crime, not a business,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. “This defendant deliberately used force and coercion to control and exploit vulnerable women to line his own pockets. Crimes like this are not victimless. They cause lasting trauma and undermine the safety of our communities. The FBI will continue working with our partners to investigate those who use violence and exploitation to profit and ensure they are held fully accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, Smith used threats and physical violence to compel the two victims to engage in commercial sex in the Daytona Beach area. Smith recruited the two victims separately in 2021 and 2022 by offering them narcotics and an opportunity to make money. He posted online commercial sex advertisements featuring one of the victims’ photographs. He then transported the victims to various locations to meet commercial sex buyers.
Smith kept all the money or payments for the commercial sex acts and would routinely force the victims to continue engaging in commercial sex for his profit by inflicting severe physical harm on the victims. Smith would regularly punch and choke the victims, while talking about his gang membership in the Bloods, to threaten and coerce them. On one occasion, to punish the victim for not bringing in enough money, he discharged a firearm and held the hot barrel of the weapon to the victim’s face. In another instance, when one victim left the hotel room without Smith’s explicit permission, he hit one of the victims in the head with the butt of a gun and dragged her into his car by her hair.
The FBI Jacksonville Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Daytona Police Department.
Trial Attorney Leah Branch of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Testerman and Kaley Austin-Aronson for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Florida Man Sentenced to 327 Months in Prison for Sex Trafficking Two WomenRead the Press Release
Delon Richard Smith, 47, of Daytona, Florida, was sentenced Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to 327 months in prison after pleading guilty in October 2025 to two charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit the same. Smith was ordered to pay the two victims $4800 in restitution.
“This sentence reflects the abhorrent acts of violence the defendant used to exploit the victims for his own personal profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Commercial sex trafficking depends on the systematic dehumanization of its victims and debasing victims by treating them as commodities. The Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section will prosecute those who, like Smith, use people like disposable products for an illegal business and violate them in endless ways when doing so.”
“The manipulation and brutality used by the defendant in this case against his victims was egregious and reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Due to the hard work and diligence of our local and federal law enforcement partners, and courage of the victims, this criminal was brought to justice.”
“Sex trafficking is a violent crime, not a business,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. “This defendant deliberately used force and coercion to control and exploit vulnerable women to line his own pockets. Crimes like this are not victimless. They cause lasting trauma and undermine the safety of our communities. The FBI will continue working with our partners to investigate those who use violence and exploitation to profit and ensure they are held fully accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, Smith used threats and physical violence to compel the two victims to engage in commercial sex in the Daytona Beach area. Smith recruited the two victims separately in 2021 and 2022 by offering them narcotics and an opportunity to make money. He posted online commercial sex advertisements featuring one of the victims’ photographs. He then transported the victims to various locations to meet commercial sex buyers.
Smith kept all the money or payments for the commercial sex acts and would routinely force the victims to continue engaging in commercial sex for his profit by inflicting severe physical harm on the victims. Smith would regularly punch and choke the victims, while talking about his gang membership in the Bloods, to threaten and coerce them. On one occasion, to punish the victim for not bringing in enough money, he discharged a firearm and held the hot barrel of the weapon to the victim’s face. In another instance, when one victim left the hotel room without Smith’s explicit permission, he hit one of the victims in the head with the butt of a gun and dragged her into his car by her hair.
The FBI Jacksonville Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Daytona Police Department.
Trial Attorney Leah Branch of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Testerman and Kaley Austin-Aronson for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Florida Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for Threatening to Assassinate President TrumpRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – Christopher Davies (32, Cape Coral) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sheri P. Chappell to 27 months in federal prison for making a threat to assassinate the President of the United States. Davies pleaded guilty on October 29, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Davies wrote a letter to an official at the Charlotte Correctional Institution stating that he had “orchestrated the most daring Presidential assassination that this country has ever seen,” and that “Donald J. Trump must perish.” During questioning by agent from the U.S. Secret Service, Davies admitted to writing the letter and explained that he wanted to kill the President. When asked hypothetically what he would do if President Trump was near him, Davies claimed that he would attempt to kill President Trump with his bare hands.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.
Floresville Man to Spend Decade in Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Floresville man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $90,000 in restitution to 18 victims for receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, Nathan Corey Van Zandt, 47, used file sharing software to find and download video and image files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On March 24, 2024, ICE Homeland Security Investigations seized Van Zandt’s cell phone, which contained more than 6,000 images of CSAM, including images depicting prepubescent children being sexually assaulted. A seized laptop revealed more than 9,000 images and 400 videos depicting CSAM, including infants and toddlers and files depicting bondage, sadistic, and masochistic conduct.
Van Zandt was arrested on March 28, 2024, and charged with one count of receipt of child pornography along with one count of possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the receipt charge on Aug. 25, 2025. In addition to the imprisonment and restitution, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced Van Zandt to 10 years of supervised release. Van Zandt is also required to register as a sex offender.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
###
Federal Jury Finds Mission Man Guilty of Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Frank White Thunder, age 38, of Mission, South Dakota, was found guilty of Second Degree Murder, Commission of a Crime of Violence While Failing to Register as a Sex Offender, Robbery, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender following a four-day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota. The jury issued its verdict on January 30, 2026.
The charge for Second Degree Murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charge for Commission of a Crime of Violence While Failing to Register as a Sex Offender carries a mandatory minimum five years in federal prison up to a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charge for Robbery carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charges for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charge for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
White Thunder and co-defendants Jesse White Thunder, age 40, and Michael Leader Charge, age 25, both also of Mission, South Dakota, were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024.
At trial, the evidence established that on the evening of October 22, 2024, Michael Leader Charge drove Frank White Thunder and Jesse White Thunder to a residence in the Antelope housing community, near Mission. Frank White Thunder confronted the victim outside the residence and stabbed him in the torso with a martial-arts style sword, mortally wounding the victim. Jesse White Thunder was standing nearby and immediately took from the victim’s pockets two imitation pistols. Surveillance video showed the defendants’ vehicle leaving the scene and all three men were located the next day. Frank White Thunder was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in 2008. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration within three business days of any change in residence. At the time of the murder, he had an active federal arrest warrant for failing to register as a sex offender.
On October 6, 2025, Jesse White Thunder and Michael Leader Charge each pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact to an Assault With a Dangerous Weapon. They are each awaiting sentencing.
“This was a senseless, intentional killing,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “We will do our best at the upcoming sentencing to make sure this defendant never has the opportunity to murder again.”
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the United States Marshals Service, and the FBI. Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has not yet been set. Kucera was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Federal Jury Convicts Two Brothers and a Public Official Who Orchestrated Elaborate Fraud and Bribery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A federal jury has convicted two brothers and a public official for their roles in a multi-layered, elaborate fraud and bribery conspiracy that spanned across multiple states and countries.
After a more than two-week-long trial in front of U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent, Zubair Al Zubair, aka Zubair Mehmet Abdur Razzaq, 42, recently of Bratenahl, Ohio; his brother Muzzammil Al Zubair, aka Muzzammil Ibn Muhammad, 31, recently of Pepper Pike, Ohio; and their associate Michael Leon Smedley, 56, of Cleveland, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and Hobbs Act conspiracy. The Al Zubair brothers were also both found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, several counts of money laundering, theft of government funds, and aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. Zubair Al Zubair was also found guilty of willful failure to file tax returns.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court before the jury, from June 2020 through August 2023, the Al Zubair brothers used several deceptive strategies to obtain money and property from victims. Their schemes involved investment fraud, a fraudulent Small Business Administration COVID emergency business loan, cryptocurrency mining investments, and commercial and residential real estate transactions.
The Al Zubair brothers’ ill-gotten proceeds allowed them to acquire a trove of jewelry, luxury timepieces and vehicles, as well as more than 80 firearms including a custom made, gold-plated AK-47 style rifle. Luxury vehicles they acquired with the proceeds of their illegal activity included a Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes, and Range Rover. Domestic and international travel to multiple places—such as Aspen, Miami, London, Bucharest, and Madrid—included the use of private jets, staying at high-end hotels, and going on shopping sprees. Zubair Al Zubair also leased a residential property in an upscale neighborhood in Bratenahl, Ohio, before being evicted in August 2023.
The two brothers made exorbitant claims about their extraordinary wealth and government connections. Zubair Al Zubair claimed to be married to a United Arab Emirates princess. His brother, Muzzammil, claimed to be a hedge fund manager even though his only education on hedge funds was the result of watching YouTube videos. Under the illusion of being extremely educated, successful, and well-connected, the brothers befriended Smedley, a public official employed with the city of East Cleveland.
As the chief of staff to the mayor of East Cleveland, Smedley used his position to benefit the Al Zubair brothers. To reward and influence Smedley, the Al Zubair brothers bribed him with suite tickets to Cleveland Browns games, cigars, prized Japanese wagyu beef, and meals at high-end restaurants, as well as offers of future employment. There was also evidence presented at trial that the Al Zubair brothers were paying Smedley. In return, Smedley helped the Al Zubair brothers by attempting to secure state funding for their business; securing official letters on the city’s letterhead; having Zubair Al Zubair appointed as an International Economic Advisor to the city and obtaining business cards in his name; and providing the brothers with official police badges from the city of East Cleveland.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 5. The defendants face the maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison for each of the most serious offenses.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division and the IRS−Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Joseph H. Walsh for the Northern District of Ohio.
Federal Inmate, who smuggled heroin into the FDC resulting in fatal overdose, sentenced to ten years in prisonRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 38-year-old Grays Harbor County, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to ten years in prison for two counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Gabriel Armas was on federal supervised release for a prior conviction for heroin and methamphetamine trafficking when he was arrested for again distributing narcotics. After he was incarcerated at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, he again distributed heroin, resulting in the overdose death of another inmate. At the sentencing hearing today U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “There can hardly be any offenses more serious than one that resulted in the death of (the victim), which happened here. And it happened in what was supposed to be a safe environment. The FDC is supposed to be safe, but it wasn’t safe for (the victim) because you made the decision to introduce drugs into this environment and as a result someone who was loved by his family died.”
“A federal arrest and incarceration can be the first step towards getting clean and sober, but not when other inmates scheme to deal drugs while imprisoned,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “In this case a family was touched by tragedy when their son died of an overdose caused by this defendant. It is a priority for our office to prosecute cases of contraband in jails and prisons.”
According to records in the case, on November 14, 2023, Armas was found slumped over the wheel of a car in a parking lot in Ocean Shores, Washington. When an officer knocked on the window, Armas drove away at a high rate of speed. Law enforcement stopped the pursuit due to Armas’ reckless driving.
The car Armas was driving got stuck on a bridge that had not been designed for vehicle traffic and the bridge collapsed. Armas left the area, but a drug detecting dog found things he had abandoned in the area such as baggies containing fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, and crystal methamphetamine. They also found identity cards in Armas’ name.
A few days later, Armas was found in the area where the car was abandoned and was booked into the Federal Detention Center. Initially he was booked for violating conditions of his federal supervision for a 2014 drug trafficking conviction. Armas was housed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) on the night of November 19, 2023. On the morning of November 20, 2023, the person sharing the cell with Armas was found unresponsive and died despite lifesaving efforts. An autopsy revealed the man died from acute heroin, olanzapine, and mirtazapine intoxication.
On November 23, 2023, authorities found heroin hidden in Armas’ cell. It was wrapped in a jailhouse note offering heroin for sale to inmates. A few weeks later more heroin was found in the top of a pill bottle in Armas’ cell. On January 25, 2024, Armas admitted to another inmate that he made money selling heroin to other inmates and that his cellmate overdosed and died from the heroin. Armas said he swallowed some of the heroin to hide it from staff after his cellmate’s overdose.
“In the space of just over a week, Mr. Armas’s series of reckless actions contributed to his cellmate’s overdose death; endangered the community by fleeing law enforcement at high speed; and collapsed a bridge not designed for vehicles during that pursuit,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “He has clearly not learned his lesson from his last drug trafficking conviction, as he was also found to have fentanyl and heroin in his vehicle and prison cell. This sentence holds Mr. Armas accountable for his dangerous conduct and sends a message to all would-be drug traffickers: the FBI and our partners take these crimes seriously.”
In asking for a ten-year sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “By selling drugs in the FDC, Armas demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety of other incarcerated individuals, many of whom have significant addiction issues that have contributed to their being detained. By aiming to provide drugs to other inmates, Armas took advantage of a captive clientele of drug users, many of whom were likely in the process of withdrawal due to their incarceration, rendering them more vulnerable to the harmful effects of opioids.”
Armas was ordered to be on supervised release for eight years following prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Ocean Shores Police Department and Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Shiner.
Eastern Panhandle Man Admits to Having Cocaine, FirearmRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Kearneysville, West Virginia man has admitted to possessing large quantities of controlled substances for distribution and a firearm in relation to that crime, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Bradley Allen Wilt, 44, pled guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. According to court documents and statements made in court, a traffic stop of Wilt’s vehicle led to the seizure of 63.51 grams of cocaine, 169.54 grams of cocaine base, 282 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 12 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride. Officers also seized a .45 caliber handgun from the car. Wilt pled guilty to possessing the firearm in relation to his drug crime.
Wilt faces at least five and up to 40 years in prison for the drug charge and faces at least 5 years and up to life for the firearms charge. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Drone Operator Charged with Violating Temporary Flight Restrictions in Area Surrounding Levi’s Stadium During NFL GameRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – A San Francisco man was charged in a federal criminal complaint for flying a drone within restricted airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium during a National Football League (NFL) game in violation of a temporary flight restriction (TFR) imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to the criminal complaint and court documents filed today, Junwei Guo, 27, operated a drone within the airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025, during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. As court documents describe, the FAA has issued a TFR that prohibits all aircraft, including drones, from operating within a three nautical mile radius of any stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more people during, among other events, regular or post-season NFL games. The “stadium TFR” classifies the airspace defined in the restriction as “National Defense Airspace” and remains in effect for a specified time period before, during, and after the qualifying event.
The complaint alleges that Guo flew the drone as high as approximately 2,300 feet above ground level, an altitude that raises significant concerns for public safety and the potential disruption air traffic control in the area. Guo allegedly did not register the drone with the FAA, obtain a remote pilot’s certificate with the FAA, obtain FAA authorization to fly the drone in national defense airspace, or comply with the requirements of the FAA’s recreational use exception.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.
Defendant is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Jose on Feb. 27, 2026, for an initial appearance.
A complaint merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the charged violation of national defense airspace under 49 U.S.C. § 46307. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Liu is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Natachiana Burney. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Santa Clara Police Department.
* * *
The FAA, in coordination with the FBI, has established a “No Drone Zone” for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, 2026, with additional drone restrictions surrounding Levi’s Stadium and in downtown San Francisco during the days leading up to the event. For more information, please visit: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-and-fbi-announce-strict-no-drone-zones-super-bowl-lx.
Detroit-Area Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Maliciously Setting Fires to Commercial Truck TrailersRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – A Michigan man was sentenced Thursday to 120 months in federal prison for maliciously setting fires to three semi-trailers belonging to a major commercial trucking company, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine.
Viorel Pricop, 67, of Allen Park, Michigan, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker.
At the conclusion of an 8-day trial, a jury found Pricop guilty of three counts of Arson of a Vehicle or Property in Interstate Commerce on Aug. 21, 2024.
“This defendant left a nation-wide path of destruction that threatened lives, property, and critical infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Thanks to the dedicated work of federal prosecutors and ATF agents, the DoJ brought him to justice. This case is proof that the federal government will bring its full weight to bear in order to stop dangerous and destructive criminals.”
"The ten-year sentence handed down to Pricop marks the culmination of a multi-year, multi-state investigation into a dangerous campaign of targeted arson,” said Shawn Stallo, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Phoenix Field Division. "This successful outcome was made possible through the exhaustive use of ATF resources, including our K-9 units, the Fire Research Laboratory, and the technical expertise of our Certified Fire Investigators who methodically linked these fires across the country. By leveraging these specialized tools to hold this serial arsonist accountable, we have ensured that he can no longer threaten the lives of drivers or the safety of our nation's interstate commerce.”
Pricop set fire to three semi-truck trailers belonging to Swift Transportation, a Phoenix-based commercial trucking company, as part of a larger pattern of arsons targeting Swift. Two of the arsons occurred in Willcox, Arizona, and one occurred in Holbrook, Arizona.
Pricop set at least 16 additional Swift Transportation semi-trailers on fire in multiple states between October 2021 and September 2022. These arsons occurred at locations spanning from Barstow, California, to McCalla, Alabama, with most occurring along Interstate 10 and Interstate 40. Federal criminal charges associated with some of the fires were filed against Pricop in several districts and were the basis of a 2024 criminal trial in the Central District of California, where Pricop was found guilty of six arsons.
Pricop was convicted in 2018 in the Eastern District of Michigan for a tax offense and transportation of stolen goods, charges stemming from an investigation conducted by Swift. Pricop was sentenced to time served in that case, amounting to approximately 26 months’ imprisonment. His term of supervised release ended in June 2019, approximately two years before the arsons in this case began.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Phoenix Field Division, led the investigation in this case, with significant assistance from the ATF Fire Research and Forensic Laboratories, ATF Certified Fire Investigators, and Special Agents from the ATF National Cellular Analytics Program. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
Willcox, AZ fires.
CASE NUMBER: 22-CR-02747-JCH-EJM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-015_Pricop
# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Department of Justice Opposes Unfair Class Action Settlement Involving Accessibility of Website under the ADARead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest arguing that a proposed class action settlement involving an apparel company’s website would afford little value to consumers with vision disabilities while generously compensating attorneys.
Plaintiffs in the case, Alcazar v. Fashion Nova Inc., alleged that Fashion Nova Inc., a California-based apparel retailer, operated an online clothing website that was not accessible and denied blind users full and equal access to its goods and services in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under a proposed settlement reached between the parties, Fashion Nova agreed to pay approximate $2.43 million divided evenly among class members in California who timely filed a valid claim. Plaintiffs seek over $2.52 million in attorneys’ fees and costs. The settlement also provides for injunctive relief generically requiring Fashion Nova’s website to be accessible.
“A class action under the ADA should, above all else, secure greater accessibility for consumers with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Congress intended the Department and Courts to be skeptical of settlements that instead enrich private counsel.”
The proposed agreement is unfair because the proposed injunctive relief for class members is not meaningful — it is a mere recitation of the obligation to make visually delivered materials available to individuals who are blind or low vision with no confirmation or enforcement mechanism. As proposed, the agreement does not ensure Fashion Nova takes concrete steps to make its website accessible. The case is pending in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which must approve any settlement.
The Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 provides the Attorney General and state officials an opportunity to review federal class action settlements before district courts grant final approval.
The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the ADA’s goals of equal opportunity, and full participation for people with disabilities, including people who are incarcerated. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit ADA.gov.
D.C. Public Schools Employee Charged with Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Dandre Eric Davis, 31, a Maryland resident and employee at Luke C. Moore Opportunities Academy in Washington, D.C., was charged with distribution of child pornography in a complaint unsealed today, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
According to court documents, starting on January 12, 2026, Davis communicated with a user on an online dating application regarding his sexual interest in children. Over the week, Davis stated that he was a “kinky perv,” and that he was interested in children between 7-15 years old. Davis eventually moved the communications over to Telegram, an encrypted messaging application where Davis distributed two videos depicting sexual acts involving prepubescent boys.
Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office.
This case is being investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Kelley.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Charges in a complaint are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cuban National Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A federal jury in Del Rio convicted a Cuban national for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Alejandro Ortiz-Mastrapa, 31, drove from Abilene to Del Rio on Aug. 9, 2025, to transport illegal aliens. He was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents prior to making contact with the illegal aliens he intended to pick up. Evidence found on Ortiz-Mastrapa’s phone revealed a series of messages with a facilitator, who coordinated the event.
Co-defendant Edian Orlando Ruiz-Cedeno was also charged in the conspiracy but pleaded guilty on Jan. 20.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nallely Duarte and Amy Greenbaum are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
###
Colorado Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Creation and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Justin Welsh, 32, of Peyton, Colorado, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. Additionally, Welsh will serve a 20-year-term of supervised release and is ordered to pay a $10,000 special assessment pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (AVAA).
According to the plea agreement, the defendant came to the attention of law enforcement after an internet service provider submitted a Cyber Tipline Report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in July 2024. The resulting investigation revealed that the defendant had created sexually explicit pictures and videos of a three-year-old minor victim and distributed the content he created to another individual. According to the plea agreement, the defendant also memorialized sexual contact he engaged in with a second minor and distributed that content as well.
“This defendant committed horrific crimes against young people in his care. This sentence puts him exactly where he belongs for the next several decades,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly.
United States District Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys Alecia L. Riewerts and Dustin André-Vandenberg handled the prosecution of the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Cleveland Career Criminal Sentenced to 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Cleveland-area career offender has been sentenced to prison for his role involving the distribution of controlled substances while he was out on parole for a previous offense.
Lamont Johnson, 43, was sentenced to 210 months (17.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after pleading guilty last October to the following charges in an indictment:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance; these included fentanyl, cocaine, and xylazine.
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm; prior convictions include Drug Trafficking in 2022 and 2012.
He was also ordered to serve eight years of supervised release after imprisonment. Johnson received a significant sentencing enhancement as a career offender. His criminal history dates back to 2001 and he was previously convicted of a number of drug and violent felonies. He also consistently failed to follow the conditions of his supervised release after previous imprisonments.
According to court documents, on Nov. 15, 2023, agents observed suspected drug activity at a gas station on East 55th Street in Cleveland, involving a black Mercedes SUV driven by Johnson. Upon seeing this activity, agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle Johnson was driving. As the agents approached, Johnson put the vehicle in reverse but then fled on foot and was later apprehended.
During the investigation, agents observed a handgun in plain view on the driver’s seat of Johnson’s vehicle, cash on the center console, and a clear plastic bag with suspected controlled substances. A second bag with suspected marijuana was located on the ground at the gas station where Johnson fled on foot. During a search of the vehicle, the agents recovered the firearm they saw on the driver’s seat, which was a loaded Glock, 9 mm caliber pistol. The clear plastic bag contained multiple baggies with powdery substances. Agents also located a box of sandwich bags, a digital scale, and $53 cash. The powder substances were submitted for lab analysis and were confirmed to be fentanyl, xylazine, and cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Agents of Ohio Investigative Unit, assigned as Task Force Officers to the ATF Crime Gun Intelligence Center. Task Force Officers work violent crime reduction initiatives Statewide. These initiatives target violent high crime areas as well as armed violent offenders and drug traffickers.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott Zarzycki for the Northern District of Ohio.
Cincinnati woman admits to stealing more than $158,000 from elderly or ill veteransRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to misappropriating money that she was managing on behalf of four United States military veterans.
Ishwanzya Rivers, 46, was charged federally and arrested in August 2025.
According to court documents, Rivers stole more than $135,000 from one elderly, dying veteran who lived at the VA hospital in Cincinnati. Rivers admitted she misappropriated the victim’s money at least 45 times from June 2021 through November 2022.
Rivers stole smaller amounts of money from three other elderly or infirm veterans totaling more than $23,000.
The defendant used the money for shopping, restaurants and to travel to New Orleans, Montego Bay, Cancun, London, Panama, Zurich, Vienna and Maldives.
Misappropriating funds as a fiduciary is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Central Field Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Chilean National Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Knowingly Enticing Teenage California Girl to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Chilean national was sentenced today to 135 months in federal prison for enticing a 14-year-old girl he met online – and traveled to Southern California to meet in person – to engage in criminal sexual activity and for possessing sexually explicit images of the victim on his cell phone.
Daniel Andrés Aravena Oliva, 22, of Santiago, Chile, was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald, who ordered him to pay $3,000 in restitution.
Aravena pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of possession of child pornography.
Aravena has been in federal custody since his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in August 2024.
According to court documents, from December 2023 to May 2024, Aravena used internet platforms such as Zoom, FaceTime, a virtual-reality gaming platform Roblox to knowingly entice the victim, a 14-year-old girl, to engage in criminal sexual activity. Aravena’s written messages to the victim often were sexual in nature. Through those messages, Aravena persuaded the victim to have sex with him and to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting herself for him.
In April 2024, the victim’s family discovered the communications, blocked the victim’s ability to communicate with Aravena, and reported the incident to law enforcement.
In August 2024, Aravena flew from Santiago, Chile to Los Angeles to meet and have sex with the victim. Law enforcement was alerted to his travel plans. Upon his arrival – and arrest – at LAX, Aravena knowingly possessed on his Apple iPhone – in the “deleted photos” portion of his phone – approximately 50 images of CSAM depicting the victim.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter with assistance from the Glendora Police Department.
The Major Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
Chadwick M. Elgersma Appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of WisconsinRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma has been appointed as United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Chief U.S. District Court Judge James D. Peterson signed the order on January 22, 2026.
“I am honored to serve as United States Attorney,” said Mr. Elgersma. “I thank the Court, President Trump, and Attorney General Bondi for the trust they placed in me, and I pledge to work closely with my federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.”
As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Elgersma will be responsible for overseeing federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the Western District of Wisconsin. The Western District of Wisconsin encompasses the western 44 counties in Wisconsin.
Chief Judge Peterson’s order can be found in the News & Announcements section of the district court’s website located at www.wiwd.uscourts.gov.
Belarusian Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Gun Possession, Wire FraudRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Belarusian national was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 51 months in prison for wire fraud and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, Pavel Dzmitrenka, 33, engaged in a large-scale, retail return wire fraud scheme, among others, primarily targeting The Home Depot. The retailer confirmed Dzmitrenka’s suspicious, ongoing pattern of high-volume purchase activity via their online store with subsequent product return activity was indicative of return fraud. Additionally, the retailer located hundreds of orders with suspected fraudulent UPS tracking entries identical to those associated with many of Dzmitrenka’s refunded orders.
The investigation revealed that Dzmitrenka manipulated UPS tracking information that would indicate that a parcel was successfully returned or received by the retailer, triggering the completion of the return and the issuance of a refund by the retailer. In these fraud schemes, once a refund is received, the individuals engaged in the fraud keep the item(s), resell them for a profit, or attempt to receive additional refunds on the same item(s).
A search warrant led to the discovery of thousands of emails, iMessages, WhatsApp chats, Telegram messages, photographs, videos, and screenshots showing Dzmitrenka was engaged in a retail return fraud scheme targeting numerous online retailers and services. Agents also discovered screenshots of communications depicting the arrangement of payments and execution of retail return fraud services, arranging for sale and shipment of fraudulently obtained merchandise by Dzmitrenka, and dozens of photographs and videos of large quantities of fraudulently obtained merchandise at his residence being prepared for shipment via USPS, FedEx, and UPS.
The intended loss to the defrauded businesses to-date exceeds $1 million. Dzmitrenka used proceeds from his fraud scheme to purchase a 2023 Ferrari 812 GTS and deposited proceeds into two separate bank accounts. At the time of his arrest, Dzmitrenka, knowing that he was an illegal alien living in the U.S. with an expired visa, was in possession of two pistols and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Dzmitrenka was arrested in February 2025 and named alongside two co-defendants in a four-count indictment. Dzmitrenka was charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit odometer tampering, marriage fraud, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. He pleaded guilty to counts one and four on Aug. 26. His co-defendants, Alexander Scott Berghefer and Gina Elmore, are pending trial.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the Austin Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke and Gabe Cohen prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
###
Bath Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $225,000 from an Elderly Disabled VeteranRead the Press Release
Bath Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $225,000 From an Elderly Disabled Veteran
CONCORD – A Bath man pleaded guilty today to draining disability benefits for years from the bank account of an elderly disabled veteran living in a nursing home, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Donald Estes, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2026.
The victim was an elderly disabled veteran who was living in a nursing home until the time he passed away. The victim was unable to manage his own money or make decisions. Each month, the Department of Veterans Affairs deposited disability benefits into the victim’s bank account. Initially, the victim’s mother served as the victim’s legal guardian until she passed away. After her passing, the victim’s nursing home reached out to Estes asking whether he would serve as the victim’s legal guardian. Estes never applied to serve as the victim’s legal guardian. Instead, Estes had the victim sign an agreement adding Estes to the victim’s bank account. Between August 2020 and December 2023, Estes proceeded to steal $225,200 from the bank account. Estes misspent the stolen funds on personal purchases or deposited the funds into other bank accounts he controlled.
The charging statute for bank fraud provides a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General and U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.