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28 January 2026
Billings woman sentenced to 5 years in prison for distributing methamphetamineRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Billings woman who trafficked methamphetamine was sentenced today to 60 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Stephanie Marie Nava, 37, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on June 26, 2023, the Billings Police Department determined an apartment belonging to Stephanie Nava was used for storing drugs by Nava’s co-defendant. A state search warrant was executed. Nava was present and said she didn’t know what her co-defendant stored at her place. During the search, officers located 7 grams of fentanyl pills and 16.7 grams of meth in a back bedroom.
Law enforcement officers served a search warrant on a hotel room in Billings where approximately 2.77 pounds of methamphetamine was seized. Officers determined this was originally 8 pounds, but the rest had been distributed to others. Law enforcement executed another search warrant at a residence and seized eight ounces of meth. The original 8 pounds and the redistributed quantities were coordinated through Stephanie Nava and a co-defendant, both of whom were in Mexico.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Arizona Man Who Shot at Border Patrol Agents Charged with Assault on a Federal Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office Seeks Full AccountabilityRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – An Arizona man has been charged with Assault on a Federal Officer after he shot at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter that was assisting in his apprehension.
“There is no ambiguity here, shooting at any law enforcement officer—including federal agents—is a violent felony that attacks the rule of law and undermines universal American values. We will pursue every available charge to ensure the subject is held fully accountable under federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “The quick and coordinated reaction to the threat posed by this subject from all levels of Arizona law enforcement was key and demonstrates why local and federal cooperation keeps communities safer.”
According to the criminal complaint, filed in federal District Court on Jan. 27, U.S. Border Patrol agents were involved in a reactive human trafficking pursuit in rural southern Arizona, near Arivaca, when the suspect allegedly opened fire on the helicopter, manned by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent.
A Border Patrol agent on the ground then engaged and shot at the suspect, Patrick Gary Schlegel, 34, of Sahuarita. He was taken into custody, treated for his wounds and transported to a local hospital.
Through the cooperative efforts of federal and local law enforcement, it was determined that Schlegel was also wanted on a federal warrant for escape from custody, was convicted of multiple felonies—including alien smuggling—and has an order of protection against him in Pima county.
The complaint alleges violations of 18 USC 111 (Assault on a Federal Officer), 18 USC 922(g) (Prohibited Possession of a Firearm), and 8 USC 1324 (Transportation of an Illegal Alien). The United States Attorney’s Office is continuing to investigate further violations of federal law.
A criminal complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI, Tucson office, is investigating the incident with assistance from Pima County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
CASE NUMBER: 26-01491MJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-010_ Schlegel
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
27 January 2026
Woman Who Posed as Licensed Registered Nurse Sentenced to 75 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
Leticia Gallarzo Repeatedly Assumed the Identities of Licensed Registered Nurses to Work at Health Care Facilities in Michigan and Other States
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that Leticia Gallarzo, age 51, formerly of Wayland, Michigan, was sentenced yesterday to 75 months in prison for creating false medical records indicating that she was licensed as a registered nurse. She was also sentenced for committing aggravated identity theft after fraudulently assuming the identity of a real nurse licensed in Michigan.
Between August 2022 and May 2023, Gallarzo worked as a registered nurse at a nursing home in the Western District of Michigan. Gallarzo obtained her employment through Indeed.com by assuming the identity of a registered nurse licensed in Michigan. Gallarzo created a fake nursing license, diploma, and identification documents to make it appear to the nursing home that she was in fact an individual trained and licensed as a registered nurse. After obtaining employment, Gallarzo applied for and obtained a promotion to the position of unit manager, meaning she supervised other health care professionals in the care they provided to the nursing home residents. Gallarzo performed patient assessments, administered medications, started intravenous lines, and carried out other nursing duties. As Gallarzo’s performance as a nurse faltered, the nursing home demoted her, and she began to look for another nursing job. Fortunately, her prospective employer uncovered her real identity and reported her to authorities.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan charged Gallarzo with fraud and aggravated identity theft on September 26, 2023. She pled guilty in October 2023. After entering a guilty plea and while awaiting her sentencing hearing, Gallarzo fled the jurisdiction and again fraudulently obtained employment as a physician assistant and registered nurse in Illinois and California. She was finally apprehended near Los Angeles, California, and transported back to the Western District of Michigan for yesterday’s sentencing hearing.
The current case represents the third time Gallarzo has been convicted of falsely representing herself as a nurse. This was not the first time Gallarzo had committed this crime. In 2016, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office convicted Gallarzo of fraudulently impersonating a licensed nurse. In 2017, Gallarzo was convicted of this again by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. Despite her convictions by those authorities, Gallarzo was not deterred.
U.S. Attorney VerHey said, “This is far more than a fraud case. Nurses make life and death decisions for the people under their care, and everyone has the right to expect that their health is being attended to by a person with extensive medical training. It is shocking that Gallarzo would repeatedly put herself in such a position, without any of the necessary training, just because she wanted money. I am very happy to say that our investigation has not disclosed anyone physically harmed by Gallarzo’s conduct, but that is just a happy accident and not because of anything she did. Gallarzo richly deserved the 75-month sentence imposed by Judge Maloney.”
"This 75-month federal prison sentence sends a clear and unmistakable message: no one gets to lie about their credentials, falsify medical records, or steal identities without facing serious consequences,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Leticia Gallarzo abused the trust placed in medical professionals and put patients at risk. Because of the relentless work of the FBI Grand Rapids Resident Agency, she can no longer fraudulently perform patient assessments or endanger this community. I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan for its strong partnership and successful prosecution."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, Grand Rapids Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Stella prosecuted the case.
Undocumented Immigrant Who Stole $161,000 from Stores Across the Country SentencedRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Tuesday sentenced a Romanian national who has repeatedly entered the United States illegally to 27 months in prison for stealing $161,000 from stores across the country with a sleight-of-hand fraud.
Judge Ross also ordered Adrian Stoica, 47, to repay the money.
Stoica conducted at least 170 transactions in stores in 20 states between November 2021 and March 2025. After cashiers scanned merchandise, prepaid gift cards, and electronic money transfers, Stoica would count cash into piles to trick cashiers into believing that he was paying the full price. He collected the piles and then slipped bills from the bottom of the stack into his pocket, short-changing the stores by hundreds of dollars or more in each transaction. Stoica would then move on and victimize a different store. On Feb. 17, 2023, he shortchanged the cashier of a Chesterfield store by approximately $860. On Sept. 7, 2023, his scheme cost a store in O’Fallon, Missouri about $690. The next day, he cost a Fenton store about $660.
Stoica has illegally entered the country three times since 2016. He was ordered removed from the country in May of 2018 and deported in February of 2020. Stoica has used the names Boeri Kvec, Borri Kvec, Boeri Stoica and Adrian Anghel.
Stoica pleaded guilty in September in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to three counts of wire fraud and one count of illegal entry into the United States.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations handled the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects Nearly $27 million for Federal Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2025Read the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Leif Olson announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa collected almost $27 million on behalf of federal taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2025. This amount is made up of civil and criminal debts owed to the federal government, restitution to be paid to victims of crime, and assets forfeited because they were used in criminal activity.
The Office collected $2,675,113.02 in criminal actions, $23,640,993.02 in civil actions, and $647,230 in forfeited assets. The forfeited assets, $9,163,842.42 in civil cases, and $2,668,589.60 in criminal cases were recovered by the Office alone. The remaining amounts were recovered jointly with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice.
“Holding wrongdoers responsible for their actions is a crucial part of our mission,” Olson said. “That means making sure that people make good on the amounts they owe to the federal government, especially criminals who’ve been ordered to pay fines and victim restitution. We will continue to work diligently to collect money for the federal treasury and return money to victims of crime.”
U.S. Attorney’s Offices are among the Department of Justice components responsible for enforcing and collecting debts owed to the federal government and criminal debts owed to victims of federal crimes. Those convicted of certain federal crimes must pay restitution to victims who suffered a physical or financial injury. Criminal fines and assessments go to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes funds to federal and state victim-compensation and victim-assistance programs. Forfeited assets go to the Department’s Assets Forfeiture Fund, which is used for crime victims and a variety of other law-enforcement purposes.
Two Bangor Area Men Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: On November 12, 2025, a federal grand jury sitting in Bangor indicted Agasha Carvalho and Donovan Miller on charges related to child exploitation and sex trafficking.
According to court records, Carvalho, 45, of Bangor, was indicted for production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Miller, 38, of Milford, was indicted for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and production of child pornography.
On November 18, 2025, Carvalho appeared in the U.S. District Court for an arraignment and pleaded not guilty. Miller appeared in U.S. District Court on November 20, 2025, for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty.
The FBI investigated the case with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bangor Police Department.
If you believe that you may be a victim of the alleged crimes, please reach out to the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force by filling out this short form. If you have information or questions about this investigation, or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking or child exploitation, please contact the FBI using this link.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Three California Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Prison for Transporting Six Kilograms of Methamphetamine and A Kilogram of Fentanyl in Checked LuggageRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Three drug traffickers from California who were arrested after they tried to smuggle six kilograms of methamphetamine and a kilogram of fentanyl through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport have been sentenced to prison, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Dericc Milford Adams, 35, of Long Beach, California, was sentenced to 132 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Anthony Quintin Boyd, 30, of Compton, California, was ordered to serve 120 months in prison followed five years of supervised release. David Anton Stallworth, 37, also of Compton, California, was sentenced to 108 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents and court proceedings, on August 1, 2023, Adams, Boyd, and Stallworth boarded a flight from California to Charlotte, with fentanyl and methamphetamine hidden in luggage. When they arrived at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a drug detecting canine alerted the presence of narcotics in two checked suitcases. One of the suitcases was checked by Boyd and the other by Adams. Law enforcement discovered hidden in the luggage more than six kilograms of methamphetamine and nearly a kilogram of fentanyl. Included in the seizure were gallon-sized plastic baggies of methamphetamine hidden in Welch’s Fruit Snack boxes.
In addition to the conduct described above, Stallworth was also convicted and sentenced for trafficking approximately three and a half kilograms of methamphetamine and 100 grams a fentanyl in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Adams and Boyd pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Adams also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Stallworth pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. One count for the North Carolina conduct and a second count for the Arkansas offense. The defendants are in federal custody and will be ordered to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Field Office in Arkansas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte handled the prosecution.
Tacoma man who persisted in drug trafficking despite being stopped with more than 25 pounds of meth sentenced to 66 months in prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle –A Tacoma man who continued to distribute large amounts of fentanyl pills even after being found with a large load of methamphetamine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 66 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Rogelio Pena, 22, is one of thirteen people who was indicted in the case in May 2024. The 18-month wiretap investigation revealed that Pena was a trusted member of the conspiracy both for delivering drugs and for having access to the group’s stash house. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson said, “This was a lot of drugs and a large conspiracy… The impact on the community is significant.”
“Whether riding with 28-pound load of methamphetamine, or attempting to deliver 20,000 fentanyl pills, this defendant did not let intervention by law enforcement stop him,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “Those who deliver these poisons to our communities face significant time in prison.”
In the wiretap investigation law enforcement seized approximately 81 kilograms of methamphetamine, 49 kilograms of fentanyl pills, and 15 kilograms of cocaine. On June 28, 2023, Pena was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by law enforcement that contained more than 25
pounds of methamphetamine. But even after this traffic stop, Pena was heard on the wiretap arranging the delivery of 20,000 fentanyl pills. Pena was so trusted by the drug trafficking organization that he managed the possession of keys to the storage area where the group kept its drug supply.
As more rental cars were stopped with drug loads on the way north, conspirators began bringing drugs to the Seattle area via bus. On April 11, 2024, the Portland Police Department seized 7.5 kilograms of fentanyl laced pills from a bag that had been abandoned at a bus station by one of the coconspirators. In early May 2024 law enforcement moved in and made arrests.
In asking for a 66-month sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “Pena, along with his co-conspirators, were responsible for flooding these highly dangerous and addictive substances into the community for profit and contributed to the addiction of an unknown number of individuals. The drugs that Pena was peddling caused irreparable harm to the community in general as well as to the families whose members are addicted to controlled substances. During 2023, when Pena was actively engaged in drug trafficking, there was an overwhelming 1,340 fatal overdose deaths in King County alone.”
“This drug trafficking organization flooded the Pacific Northwest with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The fentanyl alone seized in this case contained enough lethal doses to kill more than 200,000 people in Western Washington. The Drug Enforcement Administration is thankful to our Federal, state, and local partners who worked with us tirelessly on this case to help save American lives as we work together to make America Fentanyl Free.”
“Pena and his co-conspirators were caught trafficking kilogram quantities of illegal drugs into Washington state on multiple occasions in 2023 and 2024," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "Today’s sentence holds Mr. Pena accountable for his role in this conspiracy that threatened our communities with dangerous drugs and high-powered firearms. FBI Seattle is grateful for the many federal, state, and local partners, including those in other states, who work with us to protect the people of the Pacific Northwest.”
This investigation 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 Seattle comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), The United States Marshals Service (USMS), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the United States Secret Service (USSS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Seattle Police Department, Oregon State Police, Portland Police Department, California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Strike Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Centralia Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Casey Conzatti and Elyne Vaught.
Syracuse area man pleads guilty to operating kickback scheme involving Medicare and MedicaidRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Timothy Klein, 49, of Fayetteville, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Franz M. Wright and Paul E. Bonanno, who are handling the case, stated that between February 2017, and September 2018, Klein conspired with others to defraud Medicare and Medicare drug plan sponsors. Klein, who operated JRS Group, LLC, and his co-conspirators enriched themselves by, among other things, submitting prescription drug claims to Medicare and Medicare drug plan sponsors for items that were medically unnecessary and procured through kickbacks and bribes, and diverting fraud proceeds for their own personal use and benefit. As part of the conspiracy:
- Klein through his company, JRS, recruited insurance brokers to contact Medicare beneficiaries and offer them prescription medicines at no cost, without regard to any actual medical necessity. Klein paid kickbacks and bribes to the insurance brokers, for Medicare prescriptions paid for through the beneficiaries' Part D plan, a federal funded program.
- Klein paid an individual and their company, Advanced Telehealth, to provide doctors to perform telemedicine visits with the beneficiaries recruited by insurance brokers. Following the telemedicine visits, the doctors would sign prescriptions for the beneficiaries, which prescriptions had been preselected and/or filled out by Klein.
- Klein entered into agreements with ProRX and SunRise Pharmacy, whereby the pharmacies paid Klein a sum of money for each filled prescription. For instance, on or about September 17, 2018, the defendant received a check totaling $95,479.05 from ProRx representing payments for prescriptions referred to ProRx.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Naomi Gruchacz, the New York State Department of Financial Services, under the direction of Acting Superintendent Kaitlin Asrow, the U.S. Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher M. Silvestro, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Nicholas J. Bucciarelli.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 2, 2026, before Judge Vilardo.
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Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 48 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a MinorRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 48 years in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
TERCALO E. THOMAS enticed, persuaded, and used a prepubescent minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct, which he recorded. Thomas then trafficked the images as barter to amass a vast collection of images of other children’s sexual abuse. At the time of his arrest in April 2022, Thomas possessed on his cell phone more than 1,500 images depicting child sex abuse.
Thomas, 35, of Park Forest, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger imposed the 48-year prison sentence during a hearing on Jan. 22, 2026, in federal court in Chicago.
The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.
“Defendant was an avid collector of child exploitation images, particularly of prepubescent children,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly Moheb argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Unsatisfied by his depraved collection, he created his own. The seriousness of this offense cannot be overstated.”
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Southwest Georgian Faces 30 Years in Prison for Teenage Sextortion CrimeRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Berrien County, Georgia, man is facing up to 30 years in prison for attempting to sextort a teenager he met over Snapchat.
Cenobio Olguin, Jr., 24, of Lenox, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted production of child pornography before Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on Jan. 27. Olguin, Jr. is facing a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison up to a maximum of 30 years in prison to be followed by a maximum lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Sextortion of children on social media is a serious crime that requires constant vigilance from parents and caregivers,” said U.S. Attorney William R “Will” Keyes. “Law enforcement will aggressively pursue online predators, and our office will seek the toughest penalties for those who exploit children. We urge everyone to stay informed about online dangers and to report any suspected sextortion or exploitation immediately.”
“This defendant used fear, manipulation and threats to sexually exploit a minor, causing real and lasting harm,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Sextortion is a predatory crime, and the FBI will aggressively pursue anyone who targets children online. We urge parents, teens and caregivers to report suspicious or coercive online behavior immediately—
early reporting can stop abuse and protect victims.”
According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Olguin, Jr. met a 16-year-old female on Snapchat in 2024. He requested that she send snaps of herself at various stages of undress, and she complied. She then blocked Olguin. Months later, Olguin contacted the teenager on Snapchat and sent her the nude photos she had previously shared with him. Olguin threatened to release the photos to her high school friends if she did not continue sending him nude photos.
Olguin, Jr., continued to make various threats to the teenager, including posting her nude photos as a public story on Snapchat. In addition, Olguin, Jr., mentioned another girl he previously extorted. He claimed he sent the nude photos of this other victim to a few boys at her school and ordered the boys to rape her.
The 16-year-old then complied with Olguin, Jr.’s threats and sent additional nude and explicit images on Snapchat. Olguin, Jr. told her if she ever blocked him, un-added him, reported him or talked to the police, she “knew what would happen.”
The Dayton, Ohio, FBI Resident Agency received a tip in December 2024 that the teenager was a victim of sextortion. The victim was interviewed; a subsequent investigation led to Olguin, Jr. A search warrant was issued at Olguin, Jr.’s Berrien County residence in the Middle District of Georgia on May 5, 2025. Agents found 91 images and 29 videos of child pornography on Olguin, Jr.’s cell phone. Agents recovered the Snap messages between the defendant and his teenage victim, including the child sexual assault material Olguin. Jr. sextorted from the victim.
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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The FBI Valdosta Resident Agency and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit is prosecuting the case for the Government.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 2 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Kerry T. Hancock, 34 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to embezzlement by a bank employee, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Hancock was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment followed by 8 months of supervised release with the first 3 months served on home detention and ordered to pay $115,864.84 in restitution.
According to documents in the case, Hancock worked as a bank teller in Mishawaka when he forged the signature of a bank account holder to withdraw $185,864,84 in cash from a rarely used bank account. He then stashed the stolen bundles of cash in his house.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
Slovakian Man Admits Aiding Darknet Market that Sold Drugs and Stolen Personal InformationRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A Slovakian man on Tuesday admitted involvement in a darknet market that sold drugs and stolen personal information.
Alan Bill, 33, of Bratislava, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He admitted involvement in the operation of Kingdom Market, a darknet marketplace that operated between March 2021 and December 2023. Kingdom users sold and bought illegal goods and services, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs, stolen financial information and identification documents, via cryptocurrency and anonymous or semi-anonymous accounts. Bill admitted assisting others in maintaining or operating Kingdom by providing or procuring web-administration services. He also admitted receiving cryptocurrency from a wallet associated with Kingdom, assisting with the creation of Kingdom’s forum pages on websites such as Reddit and Dread, having access to Kingdom usernames that made postings on behalf of Kingdom on social media accounts and communicating with others regarding certain Kingdom transactions.
Beginning around July 2022, undercover federal investigators made purchases from Kingdom market, including fentanyl, meth and a United States passport, that were shipped to the Eastern District of Missouri. Bill was arrested Dec. 15, 2023, at Newark Liberty International Airport after a customs inspection found two cellular telephones, a laptop, a thumb drive and a hardware wallet used to store cryptocurrency private keys. The electronics contained evidence of his involvement with Kingdom.
As part of his plea agreement, Bill also agreed to forfeit five different types of coins in a cryptocurrency wallet, as well as the Kingdommarket.live and Kingdommarket.so domains, which have been shut down by authorities.
Bill is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5. The drug trafficking conspiracy charge carries a penalty of at least five years in prison, with a maximum of 40, and the possibility of a fine of up to $5 million.
IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Missouri Department of Revenue investigated the case. The investigation also involved numerous foreign law enforcement agencies, including the German Federal Criminal Police, or Bundeskriminalamt, the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor's Office - Central Office for Combating Internet Crime (ZIT) as well as law enforcement agencies from Switzerland, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman is prosecuting the case.
Serial rapist to serve 25 years in federal prisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Jacques Jackson, who raped three teenage girls he met on Instagram, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.
“Our community is safer today because law enforcement agencies from around the country collaborated to put an irrepressible sexual predator in prison for a quarter century,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “This case is an important reminder that social media is often an abuser’s preferred means to manipulate, exploit, and victimize unsuspecting children. I urge parents to monitor their kids’ online activity vigilantly.”
“Jacques Jackson’s actions were reprehensible and justice was served,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This predator exploited social media to devastate vulnerable minors, and we will not tolerate such abuse. The FBI, in partnership with local law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue those who prey on our children.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Law enforcement first encountered Jackson in Decatur, Georgia in August 2018, after DeKalb County police officers rescued one of his victims, a 15-year-old girl. Jackson and the minor were at a grocery store when the minor, with the help of a bystander, got the attention of a police officer. Jackson was arrested and confessed to meeting the minor on Instagram, knowing she was 15, blackmailing her to coerce her to meet him out of state, punching her, destroying her cell phone, and having sex with her multiple times. Although officers arrested him then, Jackson was released on bond approximately six months later.
On October 1, 2021, the Elberton, Georgia, Police Department received a report concerning a missing 15-year-old girl. Investigators learned that the missing girl had used her younger brother’s phone to communicate with Jackson. They discovered that Jackson and the minor exchanged sexually explicit videos with each other. On October 5, the minor returned to her family and explained that, after she met Jackson on Instagram, Jackson sent an Uber for the minor and they stayed at a motel where Jackson had sex with her multiple times, knowing she was 15.
Over several months, the FBI tried to find Jackson. In June 2022, agents learned that Jackson was on a Greyhound bus headed west from Atlanta. On June 8, 2022, local law enforcement arrested Jackson at a bus station in Big Spring, Texas. Jackson had a gun and $3,500 cash, and he was accompanied by a runaway child. The child disclosed to investigators that she met Jackson on Instagram and told him she was 16, that they had sex several times at an Atlanta area hotel, and that Jackson recorded a video of them having sex at least once.
The investigation also revealed that Jackson was linked to an unsolved July 2015 forcible rape of a 15-year-old girl in Atlanta. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, DNA samples collected from the victim in 2015 matched a DNA sample taken from Jackson following his arrest in 2018.
On January 23, 2026, U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. sentenced Jacques Jackson, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, to 25 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. On May 8, 2025, Jackson pled guilty to one count of interstate transportation of a minor to engage in unlawful sex and two counts of enticing minors to engage in unlawful sex. Jackson has been in custody since his arrest in June 2022.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with valuable assistance from the DeKalb County Police Department, Baton Rouge (LA) Police Department, Big Spring (TX) Police Department, Elberton (GA) Police Department, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex R. Sistla and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise K. Peters prosecuted this case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Sacramento Man Sentenced to over 19 Years in Prison for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Orest Shaynyuk, 33, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to 19 years and seven months in prison and for distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), United States Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, in 2013, Shaynyuk was convicted of possession of CSAM. After serving his sentence and while on supervised release, his probation officer found him to be in possession of an iPhone that contained CSAM. Simultaneously, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was investigating a tip from an internet communications platform that Shaynyuk was trafficking CSAM. Forensic reports and data from the communications platform showed that Shaynyuk distributed CSAM to other users of the communications platform.
“This sentence reflects the gravity of the defendant’s repeated crimes and the lasting harm caused to the most vulnerable members of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “When individuals continue to exploit children despite prior convictions, they demonstrate a clear danger to the public. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue repeat offenders and ensure they are held fully accountable under the law.”
“This case reflects the strength of coordinated law enforcement efforts focused on protecting children,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “Working alongside our local, state, and federal partners, investigators disrupted criminal activity tied to the sexual exploitation of minors. The 235-month federal prison sentence underscores the FBI’s relentless pursuit of offenders who harm children and threaten the safety of our communities.”
The Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Probation, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Rocky Ford Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Mario Rocha, 27, Rocky Ford, Colorado, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, one count of knowingly being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, and possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun.
According to the plea agreement, in August 2025, investigators learned that Rocha was distributing large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine out of his Rocky Ford home and that he was in possession of numerous firearms. After obtaining a search warrant for his residence, FBI agents recovered 1169.3 grams of cocaine, 4742.3 grams of fentanyl (approximately 45,000 individual pills) and 1,236 grams of methamphetamine, all of which Rocha possessed with the intent to distribute. Agents also found a large amount of United States currency, and seventeen firearms which included a short-barreled shotgun and a short-barreled rifle in Rocha’s home.
Chief United States District Judge Philip A. Brimmer presided over the hearing. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 29, 2026.
The FBI Denver Field Office and the Rocky Ford Police Department handled the investigation.
The Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado handled the prosecution.
Case Number: 25-cr-00265-PAB
Repeat felon sentenced to 10 years for illegal possession of firearmsRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 38-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison for possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Ramsey Guerrero pleaded guilty Oct. 23, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Guerrero to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard about Guerrero’s flight from law enforcement during a traffic stop and his resistance to arrest on a separate occasion while facing active warrants. In handing down the sentence, Judge Ramos cited Ramos’ lengthy criminal history, including three prior state convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On June 10, 2025, authorities conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle Guerrero was driving. They noticed the odor of marijuana and requested to search the car. Guerrero refused, fled the scene and eventually crashed his vehicle into a field near the highway before escaping on foot. Inside the car, authorities found two pistols, a rifle and a shotgun, as well as nearly 300 rounds of ammunition, a full set of body armor, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Law enforcement eventually located Guerrero as the passenger in a parked car and attempted to arrest him based on his active warrants. When officers approached, he resisted, and authorities discovered Guerrero had another loaded firearm located directly beneath his seat.
As a convicted felon, Guerrero is prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of U.S. Marshals Service and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.
Repeat Mail Thief Who Fled to Mexico to Avoid Prosecution Appears in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A repeat mail thief who fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution appeared in court today on new federal charges, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Erik Magana, 41, of Charlotte, is charged with bank fraud and two counts of receipt and possession of stolen mail.
In 2020, Magana was convicted of stealing thousands of pieces of mail in North and South Carolina, and was sentenced to prison followed by a term of supervised release. Beginning in 2024, after Magana was released from prison and no longer was under court supervision, he allegedly began to steal large quantities of mail, from mailboxes around Mecklenburg, Union, and Gaston Counties, and elsewhere. Magana allegedly stole business and individual checks, credit cards, tax forms, financial statements, packages, and other documents containing victims’ personal identifying information. Magana used the stolen mail to engage in a bank fraud scheme by depositing stolen and forged business and individual checks into bank accounts he controlled and then withdrawing as much of the funds as possible before the fraud was detected.
Magana fled to Mexico prior to being indicted in September 2024. The U.S. Marshal’s Service facilitated Magana’s arrest and return from Mexico to the United States to face prosecution.
Following today’s arraignment in federal court, Magana was remanded into custody. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison for each mail theft charge, and up to 30 years in prison for the bank fraud offense. A federal district court judge will determine the ultimate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their investigation of the case. Ferguson also commended the U.S. Marshals Service for securing Magana’s return to the Western District of North Carolina and recognized the Union County Sheriff’s office for assisting in this case.
The charges against the defendant are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Rapid City Man Sentenced to More Than 2 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on January 26, 2026.
Jonathan Bagola, 38, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Bagola was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in April 2025. He pleaded guilty on October 24, 2025.
On January 25, 2025, in Rapid City, Bagola was discovered to be in possession of a pistol with an obliterated serial number while police officers conducted a traffic stop. Bagola was previously convicted of a crime punishable beyond a year in prison and, as a result, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.
Bagola was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Providence Man Sentenced for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence man has been sentenced in federal court in Rhode Island for trafficking kilos of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.
Eluid Rosa-Escudero, 35, was sentenced on January 21, 2026, by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 24 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release. Rosa-Escudero pleaded guilty on September 10, 2025, to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Court documents reflect that a three-month, multi-agency investigation into Rosa-Escudero’s drug trafficking activities culminated on April 10, 2025, with the execution of a court-authorized seizure of a package containing over two kilograms of cocaine and a search of his Providence residence, resulting in the seizure of over $10,000 in cash and other items associated with narcotics trafficking.
Leading up to the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement intercepted a package containing the cocaine, which was removed from the package. Law enforcement then surveilled the retrieval of the same package (with the cocaine removed) delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to the front porch of a Providence residence. The package was retrieved by an individual who arrived by car and later drove to a nearby gas station, where the driver met with Rosa-Escudero, who was travelling in a separate vehicle. As the two vehicles departed, a law enforcement surveillance team followed Rosa-Escudero to his residence. East Providence Police subsequently conducted an investigative stop of the vehicle driven by the individual who retrieved the package from the porch of the residence, who was identified as a 15-year-old juvenile.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and G. Michael Seaman.
The matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service Contraband Interdiction and Investigations Task Force, with the assistance of the Providence, East Providence and Pawtucket Police Departments, and the Rhode Island State Police.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Prewitt Woman Charged in AssaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Prewitt woman is facing federal charges after allegedly stabbing a man during a dispute.
According to court records, on January 6, 2026, Naomi Martinez, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly assaulted John Doe with a knife during a dispute, causing serious bodily injury.
Martinez is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. She will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Martinez faces 20 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Pahl is prosecuting the case.
A complaint or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Polk County Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to 18 YearsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Wesley Anderson (Lakeland, 46) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Mizelle to 18 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Anderson pleaded guilty on August 20, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, on January 4, 2024, Anderson was arrested outside of a Lakeland hotel pursuant to an unrelated warrant. The hotel manager asked officers to clear the room. The officers encountered a customer who was waiting for Anderson to return to purchase narcotics from him. A search of the room recovered a backpack with over 1,300 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Pensacola Pharmacist and Conspirator Charged with Illegal Drug Diversion ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Douglas Craig Reid Jr., 47, and Martrice Lamar Portis, 47, both of Pensacola, have been charged in federal court with conspiracy to unlawfully dispense and distribute controlled substances and to obtain controlled substances by fraud. The charges were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Trial for both defendants is currently set for March 2, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. According to court documents, this case is related to a prior case that was indicted as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access 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.
Pensacola Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery and Shooting OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Ulysses Robinson, Jr., 41, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for interference with commerce by threat or violence, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I am incredibly proud to deliver yet another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, which was launched at the direction of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to unleash the full power of the Department of Justice to incapacitate violent offenders, like these defendants, who have terrorized our communities with their crimes. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute and send to federal prison every dangerous felon who dares to threaten the safety of our residents.”
Court documents reveal that on December 16, 2024, Robinson and his partner, Ladarryl Paige – who previously pleaded guilty to the same offenses – entered a business on North Davis Highway and held multiple individuals at gunpoint. Robinson and Paige then robbed these individuals of approximately $10,000 in United States currency as well as the marijuana that was present on scene. During the armed robbery, Robinson forced the victims to comply with orders at gunpoint and discharged his firearm. Law enforcement identified both Robinson and Paige through video surveillance and forensically derived electronic evidence. Robinson is a previously convicted felon who served time in state prison.
“This is an incredible public safety win for residents of Northwest Florida,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Harrell. “We’re proud to have leveraged our expertise to help Pensacola Police Department bring this violent offender to justice.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Opa-Locka Aviation Company to Pay $109,618 to Resolve Allegations of Improper Maintenance of Coast Guard AircraftRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Sherwood Avionics and Accessories, Inc. (Sherwood), headquartered in Opa-Locka, has agreed to pay $109,618 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to use contractually required and updated technical manuals when performing repairs on U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) C-130 aircraft landing gear.
“The False Claims Act protects more than taxpayer dollars—it safeguards the integrity of federal missions that depend on safe, reliable equipment,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Our Office will continue working with our partners to enforce procurement standards and ensure accountability in defense and homeland security contracting.”
“The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service is committed to ensuring the integrity of procurements by the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Assistant Director Josh Packer of the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS). “We will continue to work diligently with our partners to protect taxpayer resources and uphold the highest standards in government contracting.”
According to the settlement, in September 2016, Sherwood entered into a contract with the USCG to perform repair and overhaul work on various components of C-130H and C-130J aircraft landing gear in accordance with specific technical and contractual requirements. The USCG relies on C-130 aircraft for a variety of critical missions, including law enforcement operations and search-and-rescue efforts.
From September 2017 through September 2021, Sherwood performed overhaul and maintenance work on USCG C-130 landing gear but failed to obtain and use the most current U.S. Air Force Technical Orders required under the contract. These Technical Orders provide mandatory instructions for conducting repairs safely and properly.
Enacted during the Civil War, the False Claims Act is the government’s primary civil tool to combat fraud and abuse in federal programs and procurement.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Assistant Director Josh Packer, CGIS, Southeast Region, made the announcement.
CGIS, Southeast Region investigated the matter, with assistance from the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ghannam handled the matter.
Note: See the settlement agreement here.
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Missouri Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Tuesday sentenced a sex offender who was caught again with child sexual abuse material to 15 years in prison followed by a life term of supervised release.
Paul Lewis Sanders, 41, of Warren County, Missouri, pleaded guilty in September in U.S. District Court to one count of receiving child pornography. He admitted that after an investigation triggered by a complaint to the Warren County Sheriff’s Department in February of 2023, child sexual abuse material was discovered on Sanders’ cellular phone.
In 2004, Sanders was convicted of the felony offense of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Macoupin County, Illinois.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations handled the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake 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 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.
Mexican National with Multiple Felony Convictions and 11 Prior Deportations Charged for Illegally Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national made his initial court appearance Monday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.
Ulian Ohye-Michiko, 48, is charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 9, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Ohye-Michiko is a citizen and national of Mexico who was previously deported on 11 prior occasions since 2008 and reentered the United States illegally after his most recent removal in 2020.
On December 27, 2025, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Ohye-Michiko for child abuse or neglect, domestic battery, false statement to or obstruct public officer, driving without a driver's license, driving under the influence and operator - proof of insurance required. On January 13, 2026, Ohye-Michiko was remanded to ICE Las Vegas, Nevada, custody on an immigration detainer. Ohye-Michiko also has four prior felony convictions: Aggravated Assault- Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and two more for illegally returning to the United States after a removal.
If convicted, Ohye-Michiko faces the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. After serving his sentence, Ohye-Michiko will be deported to Mexico for a twelfth time.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Brian Henke made the announcement.
The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Member of Makah Tribe sentenced to two years in prison for knife attack on intimate partnerRead the Press Release
Tacoma –A 20-year-old member of the Makah Tribe was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to two years in prison for assaulting an intimate partner with a knife, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Peyton Blaise Watson stabbed his intimate partner in the neck while on property within the Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright said, the assault was “violent and extremely dangerous…” The victim “was stabbed in the neck in a fit of rage that was uncontrolled. It was not due to care or avoidance of more serious injury, but really only a matter of luck that we are not here today on a much more serious charge.”
“This case exemplifies our commitment to addressing crime on tribal lands – especially violent crime against vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “This was a shocking and unprovoked assault that easily could have been fatal. A term of incarceration will serve to protect the public and the victim. I hope that time in custody will give Watson an opportunity to reform his behavior.”
According to records filed in the case, in the early morning hours of May 9, 2025, Lower Elwha Police and Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a home on the Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation where a witness called 911 to report that Watson had stabbed an adult female victim in the neck. Officers found the victim standing a few feet from Watson. Once Watson was removed from the victim’s presence, she began crying and identified Watson as her assailant and that he had stabbed her in the neck. The victim was taken by ambulance to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles where she required surgery. Watson was booked into the Clallam County Jail on tribal charges. He has been in custody since the assault.
The FBI joined the investigation and secured items of evidence from the scene including a black folding knife about three inches long, an item identified by the victim and witness as the weapon.
The victim was hospitalized for five days as she recovered from her injuries. At the hospital she was able to describe for investigators how Watson attacked her and allegedly threatened to kill her.
In asking for a sentence at the low end of the sentencing guidelines range, prosecutors wrote to the court, “Crafting a sentencing recommendation in this case is difficult, because Watson easily could have killed [the victim] when he stabbed her in the neck with a deadly weapon. However, this appears to be an isolated incident of extreme violence. Prior to nearly killing [the victim], Watson was not known to be violent. Moreover, at the time of the offense he was (and is) quite young and had no criminal history.”
Watson will be on three years of federal supervision including mental health monitoring and drug treatment following his prison term.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Lower Elwha Klallam Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee. Ms. Lee serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
Middle District of Louisiana Recognizes National Human Trafficking Prevention MonthRead the Press Release
Today the Middle District of Louisiana observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and joins the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) in reaffirming the administration’s commitment to combating all forms of human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors. Human Trafficking Prevention Month presents an opportunity for DHS and DOJ, through Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) 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.
“I am thankful that this President has made the prosecution and elimination of human trafficking such an important priority,” stated U.S. Attorney Wall. “Our office will continue to aggressively support that mission.”
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Section 6 of this order directed the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly establish HSTFs in every state nationwide. The HSTF objective is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) throughout the United States; dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks; end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children; and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States.
Since January 20, 2025, the Middle District of Louisiana has:
- Indicted Maurilio Lazcano-Vargas, age 45, of Mexico; Zabdi Guzman-Diaz, age 40, of Mexico; and Edyn Efrain-Arevalo, age 52, of Guatemala, charging them with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking, and coercing and enticing another to travel interstate for prostitution. Each defendant is an illegal alien who is present in the United States without authorization. If convicted of the sex trafficking charges, each defendant faces a minimum of fifteen years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. They are also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completing any sentences imposed. This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Edward Warner and Stephen Vick, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Allen Ross are prosecuting this matter.
- Indicted Jesus Lopez, age 45; Zaira Lopez-Oliva, age 24; and Kirsis Castellanos-Kirington, age 30, charging them with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking, and coercing and enticing another to travel interstate for prostitution. Each defendant is a Honduran national that is present in the United States without authorization. If convicted of the sex trafficking charges, each defendant faces a minimum of fifteen years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. They are also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completing any sentences imposed. This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Edward Warner and Stephen Vick, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Allen Ross are prosecuting this matter.
- Secured a guilty plea against Josmar Jesus Zambrano-Chirinos, age 25, a Venezuelan national who is present in the United States without authorization, for sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Zambrano-Chirinos’s conviction is punishable by a minimum of fifteen years and a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. The conviction also includes sex offender registration requirements. He is also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completing his sentence. This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Alan Stevens and Benjamin Anderson are prosecuting this matter.
In January 2026, DHS and DOJ are surging resources to fight and raise awareness about human trafficking, including by:
- Identifying on-going 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 the $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, the HSTFs officially launched their efforts 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, and
- Approximately 91 metric tons of narcotics
Long Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Sending a Dozen Payments to Suspected ISIS Terrorists and Illegally Possessing Homemade BombRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for sending a dozen payments to suspected members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and for illegally possessing a homemade bomb.
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Villanueva has been in federal custody since August 2025.
According to his plea agreement, Villanueva began communicating in February 2025 over a social media messaging platform with an individual who represented himself to be an ISIS fighter living in Syria. This individual told Villanueva how to send him money in Syria.
Based on these instructions, Villanueva sent more than $1,600 with the understanding that the money would be spent on ammunition, weapons, and other supplies in order for ISIS to conduct operations. Villanueva also discussed conducting operations for ISIS in the United States.
During a search of Villanueva’s home in August 2025, law enforcement found a manufactured bomb packed with large amounts of ball bearings and other metal objects, including nails, screws, and nuts. At all relevant times, Villanueva knew the bomb was considered a firearm and a destructive device under federal law, and the device was not federally registered as required by law.
At the time Villanueva possessed the homemade bomb, he knew he had been convicted of felony stalking in Los Angeles Superior Court in September 2017 and was prohibited from possessing any firearm.
United States District Judge Anne Hwang scheduled a June 17 sentencing hearing, at which time Villanueva will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for attempting to provide material support to a federal terrorist organization, and up to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Colin S. Scott of the National Security Division is prosecuting this case, with substantial assistance from Trial Attorneys Patrick Cashman and Matt Hracho of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Jury Convicts Omaha Man for Distribution of Fentanyl Causing DeathRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that on January 23, 2026, following a jury trial in Omaha, Nebraska, Paul “Tony” Billingsley, 65, of Omaha, was found guilty of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death stemming from a May 6, 2024, incident, and distribution of fentanyl stemming from a May 24, 2024, incident. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. presided over the trial. Billingsley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison for the distribution causing death charge and a maximum sentence of 20 years for the distribution of fentanyl charge.
Evidence at trial revealed that on May 6, 2024, Billingsley sold fentanyl to co-defendant Elissa Larson. Within the hour, Larson distributed the fentanyl to a victim who overdosed and died. A family member later found the victim. Following the victim’s overdose death, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to conduct a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Billingsley on May 24, 2024. Law enforcement arrested Billingsley on June 3, 2024, and located more fentanyl in Billingsley’s possession.
Billingsley will be sentenced on April 17, 2026, before Chief Judge Rossiter. Co-defendant Larson has pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and will be sentenced on February 20, 2026.
This case was investigated by the Overdose Drug Taskforce comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Nebraska State Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Omaha Police Department.
Johnston County Man Sent to Federal Prison for 10 Years for Child Porn Found During Investigation into Torturing a CatRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Nathaniel Rogers Truitt, 23, to 10 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for Receipt of Child Pornography.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office initially investigated Inmate Truitt for domestic violence. Inmate Truitt called 911 claiming a family member pepper sprayed him. The family member found videos of Inmate Truitt torturing and murdering the family cat. Inmate Truitt confessed that he videoed himself killing the family cat at the request of a stranger on the internet. Inmate Truitt also confessed to killing stray cats and to engaging in sexual acts with these dead animals at the request of an online stranger. Law enforcement seized and searched his digital devices, which revealed child sexual abuse material, along with animal cruelty videos. Truitt’s state charges for crimes against nature and cruelty to animals remain pending.
“This reprehensible crime disgusts every law-abiding citizen. Engaging in this behavior allows spiders to target more children for demonic acts. We will stomp out anyone doing this in Eastern North Carolina, without remorse. Please monitor your family members and don’t let them get entangled in the evil that lurks in the web.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
W. Ellis Boyle U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan presided over the sentencing. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and SBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charity Wilson and Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-329-FL-RN.
Jamaican National Sentenced for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Jamaican national illegally residing in Branson, Mo. was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Akeem A. Sirdine, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to two years imprisonment in federal prison without parole, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
On Aug. 26, 2025, Sirdine pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Sirdine had been issued a J1 (student) visa with authorization to remain in the United States until September 2024. Sirdine unlawfully remained in the United States after that date and, at the time of his arrest in February 2025, he was in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol with an extended magazine. Under federal law it is illegal for any person who is in the United States unlawfully to possess a firearm.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Taney County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Illegal aliens charged with methamphetamine trafficking and firearm possessionRead the Press Release
Atlanta – Juan Carlos Solano Lorenzo and Jorge Luis Ramirez Bibiano, both illegal aliens from Mexico, appeared in federal court earlier today on charges related to their alleged distribution of methamphetamine and illegal possession of a loaded pistol.
“Quick work by our law enforcement partners disrupted this drug trafficking enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Agents seized large quantities of drugs, a firearm, and subsequently arrested the two defendants who are in our country illegally and will face justice here.”
“As part of the DEA’s Fentanyl-Free America initiative, DEA and our state and local partners are united in sending a clear message: trafficking dangerous drugs and carrying firearms will not be tolerated,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “These arrests demonstrate our continued commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations and preventing the violence they bring into our communities.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: DEA agents learned that Solano Lorenzo and Ramirez Bibiano were allegedly distributing kilogram quantities of methamphetamine in the metro-Atlanta area and operating their drug trafficking enterprise out of an apartment near Piedmont Park.
On January 21, 2026, agents executed a federal search warrant at the apartment and located approximately 44 kilograms of methamphetamine, 22 “M30” pills suspected to contain fentanyl, and a loaded firearm that was next to Ramirez Bibiano’s wallet. The investigation further revealed that both Solano Lorenzo and Ramirez Bibiano are citizens of Mexico and illegally present in the United States.
Earlier today, Juan Carlos Solano Lorenzo, 30, of Guerrero, Mexico, appeared before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard on a criminal complaint that charged him with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Jorge Luis Ramirez Bibiano, 28, of Guerrero, Mexico, appeared before Magistrate Judge Vineyard on a criminal complaint that charged him with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Both defendants have been remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings.
Members of the public are reminded that the criminal complaint only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with valuable assistance provided by the Marietta-Cobb-Smyrna Organized Crime Task Force Narcotics Unit, the Georgia State Patrol, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, and the Atlanta Police Department.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Schwarzl is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Grand jury indicts Mexican national with prior heroin conviction for new drug, immigration crimesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Luis Cabrales-Guerra, 32, was indicted in U.S. District Court here for allegedly conspiring to distribute fentanyl and for illegally reentering the United States following his previous federal conviction for an aggravated drug felony.
According to charging documents, between January and September 2025, Cabrales-Guerra participated in a narcotics conspiracy involving 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of para-fluorofentanyl. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Columbus apartment and discovered more than a kilogram of narcotics.
Court documents detail that Cabrales-Guerra was previously removed from the United States to Mexico multiple times in 2010 and 2011. In 2016, Cabrales-Guerra was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute heroin in the District of Minnesota. He was again removed from the United States to Mexico in 2019 after serving his sentence in that case.
Cabrales-Guerra’s prior federal conviction for conspiring to distribute heroin is an aggravated felony, which increases his potential penalty in this case to up to 20 years in prison.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant and officials with the Central Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Sheila G. Lafferty is representing the United States in this 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 merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Former Senior Bank Executive, Edward Gene Smith, Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault, Child Pornography, and Obstruction of Justice OffensesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that EDWARD GENE SMITH pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to drugging a female victim (“Victim-1”) with the intent to rape her, enticing another female victim (“Victim-2”) to travel to New York where SMITH drugged and sexually assaulted her, receipt of child pornography, and obstruction of justice. SMITH also admitted to additional conduct relating to other victims. SMITH is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Engelmayer on May 8, 2026.
“Edward Gene Smith is a predator,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “He used money, access, and his influence in our community to identify, lure, drug, and sexually assault young women. He trafficked in images of child sexual abuse. He thought he could evade the law by paying a victim to sign a false statement. This case sends two messages: there is no place in New York for sexual predators, and those who seek to obstruct justice will be brought to justice.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment, admissions the defendant has made in connection with the plea, public documents, and statements made in court:
Between approximately 2015 and June 2024, SMITH, who was during that approximate time period a senior executive of major financial institutions, planned to drug, attempted to drug, and/or drugged numerous women with the intent to incapacitate them and/or render them unable to consent to sexual activity. SMITH did, in fact, engage in sexual activity with multiple of these women, and, in at least some cases, surreptitiously took videos or photographs of his criminal sexual activity.
At least on or about April 23, 2023, SMITH drugged and raped Victim-1 in his Central Park South residence. Specifically, unbeknownst to Victim-1, SMITH gave Victim-1 one or more alcoholic beverages that he had laced with Klonopin, a controlled substance. After Victim-1 consumed the drugged drink, SMITH physically restrained Victim-1 and raped her while she was unconscious. While Victim-1 was still unconscious, SMITH also took a video of himself sexually assaulting Victim-1, and then shared that video with others via an encrypted messaging platform, on a channel that was dedicated to sharing depictions of incapacitated or unconscious women in sexually exploitative positions.
Previously, between in or about 2019 and in or about 2020, SMITH repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted Victim-2. SMITH met Victim-2 in 2019 when Victim-2 was a college student and persuaded Victim-2 to relocate to New York City, which she did. SMITH thereafter controlled Victim-2’s finances, social life, and activities, and repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted Victim-2 over the course of several months. During this time period, SMITH caused Victim-2 to engage in sexual activity through coercion and force, including threatened and physical assault and physical restraint. Additionally, SMITH informed Victim-2 of one or more firearms that he possessed and showed Victim-2 at least one such firearm.
In or about the fall of 2021, SMITH communicated with another victim (“Victim-3”), who was then 17 years old. SMITH followed a similar pattern with Victim-3. While Victim-3 was still 17 years old, SMITH solicited explicit photographs from Victim-3. Shortly after Victim-3 turned 18 years old, SMITH caused Victim-3 to travel to New York City, attempted to drug Victim-3, and then physically and sexually assaulted her. In or about October 2023, SMITH caused Victim-3 to travel to New York City again, which she did, and drugged and sexually assaulted her. Around this time, SMITH also posted Victim-3’s photographs and personal contact information to a website advertising prostitution services, without Victim-3’s knowledge.
Between approximately 2012 and June 2024, SMITH also received via the internet and possessed a large volume of images and videos on his personal devices that depicted children, including prepubescent children, being sexually abused.
In or about August 2024, after a search warrant was executed at SMITH’s residence, revealing that SMITH possessed child pornography on his electronic devices, SMITH paid Victim-1 thousands of dollars to sign a false document in an attempt to obstruct the investigation. Also in or about August 2024, SMITH solicited other individuals to sign false documents in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
If you have been victimized by SMITH in any way or have any additional information about his illegal behavior, please call the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
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SMITH, 50, of New York, New York, was arrested on September 10, 2024 and has been detained since January 8, 2025. SMITH pled guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance with intent to commit rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of enticement to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The mandatory minimum and maximum sentences described above are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Remy Grosbard, Rita Maxwell, Daniel Richenthal, and Joe Zabel are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Olivia Sebade.
Former Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office Employee and Slidell Resident Guilty of Theft and Bribery Conspiracy Concerning Program Receiving Federal FundsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced that KENNETH LAWSON (“LAWSON”), age 39, a resident of New Orleans, and AREION BANKS (“BANKS”), age 33, a resident of Slidell, pled guilty today before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk to conspiracy to commit theft and bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 666(a)(1)(A), and 666(a)(1)(B).
According to court documents, on or about August 10, 2023, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) awarded the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) a $3.907 million Byrne Discretionary Grant entitled “Technology, Equipment, and Programming Improvements to Support People in Custody and Streamline Reentry” (“DOJ grant”). The purpose of the grant was, in part, to “aid in supporting the health and wellness of people in custody.” Grant funding was available to OPSO until the specified grant performance period end date of April 30, 2025.
LAWSON was employed by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) as Grants Manager, in OPSO’s Grants Department, between about August 2022 and November 29, 2024. In that capacity, LAWSON possessed the ability to request grant payments from grant originators and to issue checks from OPSO to companies acting as subgrantees under grants received by OPSO.
LAWSON met BANKS in about March 2024. Shortly thereafter, LAWSON and BANKS devised a scheme in which LAWSON would exploit his position at OPSO to steal checks made out to subgrantees and convert them to cash. LAWSON agreed to accept a portion of the resulting cash in exchange for stealing checks. On one such occasion, on or about August 12, 2024, BANKS paid LAWSON approximately $5,900 after LAWSON successfully diverted approximately $15,000 from OPSO, without authorization, by exploiting LAWSON’s position with OPSO. In total, LAWSON and BANKS diverted, and attempted to divert, funds from OPSO in this manner on at least four occasions totaling more than $45,000, and BANKS made one payment to LAWSON.
Additionally, on about July 30, 2024, LAWSON incorporated an entity entitled “Williams James Assoc. LLC.” (“Williams James”) with the State of Louisiana and thereafter controlled and served as its registered agent and managing member. On the same day, he opened a business checking account at Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. (“Gulf Coast”) in the name of Williams James. Despite Williams James having no relationship with, or providing services to or on behalf of, OPSO, LAWSON in his professional capacity with OPSO, engaged in a digital transaction, requesting that the Department of Justice draw down a portion of the DOJ grant, without authorization, all designed for his personal benefit. Specifically, on or about July 30, 2024, LAWSON stole approximately $7,000 from OPSO by causing the deposit of a $7,000 OPSO check into the Williams James account. On or about August 30, 2024, LAWSON also caused approximately $75,000 from OPSO to be deposited in the Williams James account.
On or about November 13, 2024, LAWSON again attempted to obtain funds, through misappropriation and embezzlement, from the DOJ grant by directing DOJ to send $100,000 of the grant funds to the Williams James account without the knowledge or authorization of his OPSO supervisors. After a bank representative requested that LAWSON identify an OPSO representative who could verify that OPSO intended to issue such a significant sum, LAWSON and BANKS agreed that BANKS would contact Gulf Coast and pose falsely as the OPSO employee who had approved the transaction. In exchange for conducting this telephonic ruse, BANKS would receive a portion of the ill-gotten proceeds. After LAWSON instructed BANKS on what to say to Gulf Coast, BANKS contacted Gulf Coast, falsely claimed to be the OPSO employee, and told a Gulf Coast representative that OPSO had approved the transaction when, in fact, OPSO was unaware of, and had not approved, the transaction.
LAWSON and BANKS, individually, face up to five years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Sentencing before Judge Africk has been scheduled for May 13, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. U.S. Attorney Courcelle also expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.
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Five-Time Convicted Felon and Domestic Abuser Sentenced After Police Find Him with a GunRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who possessed a gun after having five felony convictions and a conviction for a misdemeanor domestic abuse offense was sentenced January 26, 2026, to seven and a half years in federal prison.
Kirby Joe Truesdell, age 48, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a jury verdict finding him guilty of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The jury verdict came after a two-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
The evidence at trial showed that on November 25, 2024, Truesdell was seen in an unoccupied home in Cedar Rapids. When police officers arrived on scene to investigate, they found Truesdell coming out of the detached garage. Truesdell was not cooperative with officers, and they took him into custody. Officers found a loaded revolver inside a backpack in Truesdell’s possession. Truesdell was previously convicted of five felony offenses, including OWI 3rd Offense, burglary, theft, and forgery. He was also previously convicted of assault causing bodily injury - domestic abuse-penalty enhanced.
Truesdell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Truesdell was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
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.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Nydle and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the US Marshal Service and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-cr-00006.
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Federal Indictment Charges Man with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An 18-year-old man has been indicted by a Charlotte grand jury for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. The formal indictment comes after Christian Sturdivant, of Mint Hill, was arrested and charged on December 31, 2025, by criminal complaint after the FBI learned he was planning to use knives and hammers to execute a deadly New Year’s Eve attack at a grocery store and a fast- food restaurant. Sturdivant’s alleged plan was to harm as many people as possible until he was killed by law enforcement.
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office, joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement.
According to allegations in filed documents and court proceedings, the FBI launched an investigation after receiving information that Sturdivant had been communicating with an online undercover law enforcement agent whom Sturdivant thought was an ISIS member. Over the course of their communications, Sturdivant told the undercover agent he was going to “do jihad soon,” and proclaimed he was “a soldier of the state,” meaning ISIS. On December 29, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sturdivant’s residence, where they discovered handwritten documents indicating he was planning an attack. Law enforcement also seized from Sturdivant’s bedroom two hammers and two butcher knives, a list of targets, as well as tactical gloves and a vest, all acquired as part of the defendant’s alleged planned attack.
Sturdivant remains in federal custody. If convicted, Sturdivant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine the ultimate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Matthews Police Department, the Monroe Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Air Marshal Service, the Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with the assistance of the NYPD, additional FBI Field Offices, the FBI Counterterrorism Division, and the Mint Hill Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Gleason for the Western District of North Carolina and DOJ Trial Attorney Elisa Poteat with the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The charges against the defendant are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal Authorities Warn of Fraudsters Impersonating ProsecutorsRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – Federal authorities are warning citizens of a scammer or group of scammers—potentially outside of the United States—contacting American citizens around the country, posing as prosecutors or federal law enforcement and attempting to defraud people of money by claiming they are possible victims or suspects of a fraud investigation.
“Fraudsters will go to great lengths to steal money from people who, in this case, believe they are dutifully complying with lawful requests by law enforcement or prosecutors,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “No one in the U.S. Attorney’s Office will contact a citizen with demands for bank account information and money. If you receive a similar call or email, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov immediately.”
“These fraudsters are capitalizing on fear and intimidation because nobody wants to be the victim of a crime or the subject of a law enforcement investigation,” said FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis. “The FBI will actively pursue and charge those who participate in such criminal activity.”
According to the FBI, in this specific scam, fraudsters impersonate federal agents or prosecutors. By reaching out via text message, email or call, the fraudster claims you have been a victim of fraud, or you are a suspect in a fraud investigation. There are typically several contacts before personal information is requested, including credit cards, banking and other information. Fraudsters are targeting victims in North Carolina and California, but federal authorities warn people in every state to be vigilant.
Other similar scams exist, such as the jury duty scam, in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers at the local, state or federal level. As with jury duty scams (for more information, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/atlanta/news/jury-duty-scammers-target-georgians or https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/georgia-inmates-found-guilty-nationwide-jury-duty-call-scheme) scammers often provide details like actual law enforcement titles, badge numbers, names, and addresses to increase their credibility. They may even “spoof” phone numbers to make calls appear to come from legitimate government agencies, further deceiving victims.
If someone receives such a call or email, they should not provide any personal information, credit card numbers, prepaid cards or money. Federal authorities do not call victims of crimes or suspects of crimes and ask for money or personal identifying information over the telephone.
Here are some tips to avoid becoming the victim of this type of scam:
Always be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, text messages and emails.
Never give money or personal information to someone with whom you don’t have ties and did not initiate contact.
Trust your instincts: if an unknown caller pressures you, or says things that don’t sound right, hang up.
If concerns remain about the caller’s claims, verify the information with the appropriate law enforcement agency or court officials.
If you believe you have been a victim of a fraudulent scheme, you are encouraged to file a report, including a description of the caller and any available caller ID information, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Florida Airman Indicted for Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Matthew Fooladian, 24, of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with one count of receipt/attempted receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution/attempted distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession/access with intent to view child pornography. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Fooladian appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 23, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Fooladian faces a mandatory minimum 5 years’ imprisonment and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the receipt count; a mandatory minimum 5 years’ imprisonment and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the distribution count; and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the possession count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer and Joseph Ravelo are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Flint Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Possessing a Short-Barrel Rifle Used to Shoot a Flint WomanRead the Press Release
FLINT — Vincent “Vito” Galicia, 37, of Flint was sentenced yesterday to 228 months in federal prison for drug trafficking, possessing a short-barrel rifle, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).
U.S. District Court Judge Shalina D. Kumar imposed sentence on Galicia following his guilty pleas to numerous charges including possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a short-barrel rifle. Judge Kumar also sentenced Galicia to XX years of federal supervised release following his release from incarceration.
According to court documents, in January of 2019, Flint Police executed a search warrant at Galicia’s home where they seized two nine-millimeter pistols, one of which was stolen and equipped with a 50-round drum magazine; nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine; 85 grams of cocaine; and 289 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The police also seized over $8,000 in cash and various drug trafficking paraphernalia.
Galicia was initially charged in the State of Michigan 67th District Court. In March of 2021, while on bond, Galicia, who was armed with an illegal short-barrel semi-automatic rifle, broke into the home of a Flint woman with whom he had a romantic relationship. While inside the home, Galicia assaulted the woman and then shot her in the neck with the short-barrel rifle. Galicia transported the woman to McLaren Hospital after which he fled on foot leaving behind the woman and his vehicle. Galicia gunshot to the neck paralyzed the woman.
Officers from the Flint Police Department and the Michigan State Police responded to the woman’s home where they found Galicia’s short-barrel rifle, which had an obliterated serial number. Special agents from the ATF joined the investigation, and Galicia was subsequently charged in federal court with numerous charges related to both the 2019 and 2021 incidents.
“This armed drug dealer broke into a woman’s home where he shot and paralyzed her. And perhaps most disturbing, he was somehow on bond at the time—even though he had been caught with guns, almost a kilo of meth, and cocaine. This case is an exemplar of the federal/state partnership that prosecutes the most dangerous armed criminals in our community,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
“Vincent Galicia is a violent, heavily armed drug trafficker whose greed led him down a destructive path. He chose a life devoted to peddling poison in our community while armed with an illegal firearm. Rather than self-reflect on his misdeeds after his arrest, he chose to arm himself once again with an illegal firearm while waiting for a resolution on his state case. Then, Galicia chose to engage in a far worse crime - domestic violence. Galicia shot his girlfriend in the neck and permanently paralyzed her. Galicia’s consistent disregard for the well-being of our community members is repulsive” said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Let this be a cautionary tale to all the would-be illegally armed domestic abusers/drug dealers in our community; when you arm yourself with illegal firearms, abuse women, and/or traffic drugs in our communities, you should pack your bags for prison. This sentence should send a clear warning across Michigan—ATF and our partners will find you, prosecute you, remove you from our streets, and send you to a galaxy far, far away called the Federal Bureau of Prisons.”
This investigation was conducted by special agents of the ATF, in conjunction with the Flint Police Department and the Michigan State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Vance.
El Salvadorian National Charged by Criminal Complaint for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced it filed a criminal complaint against an El Salvadorian national in connection with illegal re-entry charges.
In December 2025, law enforcement received a tip that Juan Carlos Rivas-Montano, 45, was working in Hyattsville, Maryland. After a positive confirmation, law enforcement took Rivas-Montano into custody. Authorities deported Rivas-Montano on two previous occasions.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the criminal complaint with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.
According to the criminal complaint, in 1990, Rivas-Montano, a citizen and national of El Salvador, entered the United States without inspection by an immigration official. Then in March 1999, the U.S. issued Rivas-Montano a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) card. But in June 2006, the U.S. subsequently revoked Rivas-Montano’s LPR which led to his deportation to El Salvador.
In October 2018, law enforcement encountered Rivas-Montano after he illegally re-entered the U.S. near Falfurrias, Texas. Law enforcement arrested Rivas-Montano and charged and convicted him for re-entry of a removed alien. In February 2019, Rivas-Montano received a15-month sentence in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Then in January 2020, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland, returned an indictment against Rivas-Montanoin connection with several sex offenses. In October 2020, authorities extradited Rivas-Montano to Maryland where he pled guilty to two counts of sexual offense in the third degree. After serving his sentence, Rivas-Montano was again deported and removed from the U.S. to El Salvador in January 2021. But then Rivas-Montano illegally re-entered the U.S. again on an unknown date.
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.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney William Moomau who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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East Hartford Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material While on State Probation for Similar OffenseRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RYAN PERRY, 39, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment and 20 years of supervised release for a child exploitation offense.
In 2013, an investigation determined that Perry used a peer-to-peer file sharing network to trade videos depicting child sexual abuse. Perry was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography in the first degree and was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, suspended after five years, and 10 years of probation. He was released from state prison in May 2018.
In January 2025, Perry was arrested for probation violations following a 2024 home visit. A separate federal investigation identified Perry as a possible user of a darknet site where child pornography was uploaded and shared. In April 2025, analysis of a hard drive seized from Perry revealed approximately 2,900 images and videos of child sex abuse material.
Perry was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 29, 2025. On October 29, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. He has been detained since his arrest.
The penalties in this matter were enhanced based on Perry’s prior conviction.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, the East Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut Court Support Services Division – Adult Probation Services. The Task Force includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a MinorRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on January 12, 2026.
Colton Condon, 24, was sentenced to one year and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Condon was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2025. He pleaded guilty on October 1, 2025.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred between October 1, 2023, and November 14, 2023, in Eagle Butte in the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. Condon, who was 21 years old at the time, had sexual contact with the victim when she was 14 years old.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
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.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.
Condon was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Dupree Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Dupree, South Dakota, man convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. The sentencing took place on January 20, 2026.
Sam Reede, age 38, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Reede was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025. He pleaded guilty on September 10, 2025.
The conviction stems from Reede possessing a rifle and ammunition in his residence while fully aware he was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based on a prior felony conviction he previously attained.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.
Reede was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
District of Utah Recognizes National Human Trafficking Prevention MonthRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Today the District of Utah observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and joins the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) in reaffirming the administration’s commitment to combating all forms of human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors. Human Trafficking Prevention Month presents an opportunity for DHS and DOJ, through Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) to intensify operational efforts, raise public awareness, and strengthen partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt trafficking networks, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure traffickers are brought to justice.
“This Department of Justice is working tirelessly alongside our partners to dismantle human trafficking networks, help survivors, and protect vulnerable populations from being exploited,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under this administration we have seen an increase in human trafficking prosecutions, and during Human Trafficking Prevention Month we reaffirm our commitment to prosecuting traffickers and encourage Americans to report instances of human trafficking in their communities.”
“Through the Homeland Security Task Force, President Trump is taking the fight directly to human trafficking networks and disrupting their modern-day slave trade while seizing their assets and arresting their kingpins and foot soldiers. The American people should not have to live in fear of cartels, gang bangers, and foreign terrorists preying upon the most vulnerable among us,” the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement. “The Homeland Security Task Force is the largest coordinated campaign against transnational criminal organizations in U.S. history, and I’m proud to co-lead it with Attorney General Bondi.”
“During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the FBI reiterates our work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and national victim-based advocacy groups in joint task forces to protect our communities across the country,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The horrifying reach of human trafficking spreads far and wide. Homeland Security Task Forces are fighting back to disrupt these perilous networks and put a stop to that reach. The FBI will continue our investigations and bring justice to those exploited by human traffickers.
“Human traffickers live among our communities throughout the nation, and Utah is not immune to these types of crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “As with this administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to combat the evils of human trafficking. Along with our law enforcement partners, we reaffirm our commitment to investigate and prosecute these horrific crimes and hold these traffickers accountable.”
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Section 6 of this order directed the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly establish HSTFs in every state nationwide. The HSTF objective is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) throughout the United States; dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks; end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children; and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States.
Since January 20, 2025, in the District of Utah:
- Bobby Antwone Jones was indicted in September 2025. Jones is charged with transporting a minor to engage sexual activity, sex trafficking of children, production of child pornography and sale of child pornography. A four-day jury trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, in the District of Utah.
- Aaron Kern was indicted for sex trafficking charges in March 2025. He pleaded guilty to attempted transportation for purposes of prostitution. His sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2026, in the District of Utah. See prior press release: Southern Utah Man Facing Sex Trafficking Charges.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to review human trafficking cases and is committed to charging individuals that exploit victims of human trafficking.
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
Convicted felon pleads guilty to new child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Brett Bedford, 41, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession of child pornography by a person having a prior conviction relating to the possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy, who is handling the case, stated in November 2020, Bedford was convicted in New York State Court of Possessing Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child Less Than 16, and sentenced to serve six months in prison, followed by 10 years of probation. On January 27, 2025, a Monroe County Probation Officer conducted a home inspection at Bedford’s Penfield residence, during which the probation officer found, among other things, an unauthorized cell phone and SIM cards. A review of the phone recovered over 450 images of child pornography, including images of children engaged in sexual acts with adults. Some of the images depicted violence against children.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 28, 2026, before Judge Siragusa.
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Commerce Township man pleads guilty to using AI-generated pornography to cyberstalk social media influencerRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Joshua Stilman, 37, pleaded guilty today to one count of cyberstalking, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon announced today.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Detroit.
From at least February 2025 through March 2025, Stilman created artificial intelligence (AI)-generated nude and sexually graphic images of Victim-1 using publicly available images of her. In private social media messages with Victim-1, Stilman frequently asked Victim-1 about her sexual preferences and made sexual threats of his own. Eventually, Stilman told Victim-1 that he would release the AI-generated images of Victim-1 to her nearly 100,000 social media followers if she did not continue to respond to his messages.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2026. Cyberstalking has a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
"Joshua Stilman's guilty plea makes clear that cyber stalking - especially when amplified through the weaponization of artificial intelligence - is a dangerous offense, not a harmless online act,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. "Hiding behind a keyboard to intimidate and harass another person is an act of cowardice, and today's outcome demonstrates that such behavior will be met with full accountability. I commend the extraordinary courage of the victim, whose willingness to come forward and persistence in pursuing justice made this result possible."
This case was investigated by the Oakland County Resident Agency of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Zurek.
Co-Creator of Dark Web Marketplace Pleads Guilty in Chicago to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Virginia man who co-created and operated “Empire Market”—a dark web marketplace that enabled users to anonymously buy and sell illegal goods and services—has pleaded guilty in Chicago to a federal drug conspiracy charge.
RAHEIM HAMILTON, 30, of Suffolk, Va., entered the guilty plea on Monday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The conviction is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison and a maximum of life. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger set sentencing for June 17, 2026.
The guilty plea was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, Mary Johnson, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melody Wells and Ann Marie Ursini.
Hamilton and THOMAS PAVEY co-owned and operated Empire Market from 2018 to 2020. During that time, the online market facilitated more than four million transactions between vendors and buyers valued at more than $430 million, making it one of the largest dark web marketplaces of its kind at the time. The illegal products and services available on the site included controlled substances, compromised or stolen account credentials, stolen personally identifying information, counterfeit currency, and computer-hacking tools. Sales of controlled substances were the most prevalent activity, with net drug sales totaling nearly $375 million over the life of the site.
Hamilton admitted in a plea agreement that he and Pavey designed Empire Market to help its users avoid detection by law enforcement and to assist users with laundering money from the illicit transactions. Hamilton and Pavey established that all transactions on the site must be conducted using only cryptocurrency. As part of the plea agreement, Hamilton agreed to forfeit certain ill-gotten proceeds, including, among things, approximately 1,230 bitcoin and 24.4 Ether, as well as three properties in Virginia.
Pavey, 40, of Ormond Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty last year to a federal drug conspiracy charge and admitted his role in creating and operating Empire Market. Pavey is awaiting sentencing. He faces the same maximum sentence as Hamilton. As part of his plea agreement, Pavey agreed to forfeit certain ill-gotten proceeds, including, among things, approximately 1,584 bitcoin, two boxes containing 25-ounce gold bars, three automobiles, and two properties in Florida.
hamilton_plea_agreement.pdf