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Tuesday 2 December 2025
Dominican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national in state custody at Souza-Baronowski Correction Center in Lancaster, Mass., has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Carlos Alexander Martinez-Jimenez, 48, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Martinez-Jimenez currently is serving a state prison sentence and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging documents, in February 2017, Martinez-Jimenez was convicted of Furnishing a False Name or Social Security Number as well as Identity Fraud in Fall River District Court, for which he was sentenced to 134 days in state prison.
He was subsequently removed from the United States in April 2017 after serving his sentence.
On Jan. 31, 2024, Martinez-Jimenez was convicted of Trafficking 18 grams or more (Less Than 36 grams) of Heroin/Morphine/Opium/Fentanyl in Essex Superior Court. He was sentenced to three-and-a-half to five years in state prison and is currently serving that sentence.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan C. Cleary and Zachary Stendig of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
District of Arizona Charges 190 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from November 22, 2025, through November 28, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 190 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 106 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 71 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 11 cases against 13 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Recent matters of interest include:
United States v. Miguel Angel Marcos: On November 24, 2025, Miguel Angel Marcos was charged by complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien. Marcos was pulled over by a Yuma Police Department officer for traveling twenty miles per hour over the speed limit. After stopping the vehicle, the officer observed driver Marcos and one passenger in the front seat. The passenger claimed to have been walking in the desert before being picked up by Marcos. Immigration checks confirmed that the passenger is a citizen of Mexico, unlawfully present in the United States. Case number: 25-2138MJ
United States v. Jairo Manzur Rodriguez-Nieblas: On November 26, 2025, Jairo Manzur Rodriguez-Nieblas was charged by complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien and Reentry of a Removed Alien. Yuma County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from an individual stranded in the desert and notified Border Patrol. A Border Patrol Agent located the individual, who was wearing camouflage, in the desert. The individual did not have any documents that would allow him to be lawfully present in the United States. The following day, Border Patrol Agents located Rodriguez-Nieblas and another individual, both of whom were wearing camouflage, in the desert. Agents determined Rodriguez-Nieblas acted as a guide for the two other individuals apprehended by Border Patrol Agents to travel from Mexico into the United States. Immigration checks confirmed that Rodriguez-Nieblas and the individual he was found with are citizens of Mexico, unlawfully present in the United States. Record checks confirmed that Rodriguez-Nieblas had been removed from the United States on a prior occasion. Case number 25-2143MJ
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-169_November 28 Immigration Enforcement
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Pandemic Loan Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – Two defendants were sentenced to serve more than five years in prison each and pay more than two million in restitution for their roles in a wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds, using the money on luxury cars and other personal items.
James Frank Austin, 51, of Americus, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 63 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and pay $2,185,175.72 restitution to the Small Business Administration (SBA), $1,106,499.62 of which is owed jointly and severally with codefendant Way. Austin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and two counts of money laundering on Aug. 27.
Rosalend Way, 40, of Milledgeville, was sentenced to serve 63 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and pay $1,106,499.62 restitution to the SBA jointly and severally with codefendant Austin. Way was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of money laundering on Sept. 24, following a three-day trial that began on Sept. 22.
U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell handed down the sentences on Dec. 2. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Using stolen taxpayer dollars to purchase a Bentley and other luxury goods at a time of national emergency is wrong, pure and simple, and won’t be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Our office and our law enforcement partners will hold fraudsters accountable for profiting at the expense of honest and hard-working citizens.”
“Frank Austin and Rosalend Way are two of many people who took advantage of COVID-19 Economic Relief programs intended to provide critical assistance to millions of Americans during one of the deadliest pandemics in history,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “The sentences they received today send an important message that IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue investigating and holding those who committed fraud on the COVID-19 programs accountable.”
“Austin and Way chose to commit fraud, further depleting funds designed to help people who struggled to survive during the pandemic,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue criminals who cheat federal health programs and profit at the expense of American taxpayers.”
According to court documents and evidence submitted at trial, on June 21, 2020, Austin and Way applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan on behalf of Propel Opportunity Fund, a business established to raise capital through investors and use the funds to conduct pre-development work in underserved neighborhoods, preparing them for future development. The PPP loan application indicated that Propel had 18 employeeswith an average monthly payroll of $420,558, and they needed the funds to make payroll, as well as to pay their mortgage interest and utilities. They also submitted a fraudulent W-3 that indicated Propel paid $4,999,789 in wages in 2019. Way claimed 100% ownership of Propel on the PPP loan application.
IRS records from Propel’s 2019 corporate tax return showed that the company did not pay any salaries or wages, nor did Propel’s bank statements reflect payroll as suggested in the PPP application. The loan was approved and Propel received $1,051,395. Approximately $500,000 ended up in bank account’s belonging to Way and was spent on personal items including dining, retail, gas, groceries and cash withdrawals. Additionally, Austin used approximately $30,000 in funds from another fraudulently obtained PPP loan to pay off Way’s Mercedez-Benz.
Austin submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application on May 9, 2020, on behalf of the Austin Smith Center for Community Development (ASCCD). As a result of this fraudulent application, ASCCD was awarded a $654,315.00 PPP loan. Austin also obtained another fraudulent PPP loan for Propel and received $372,500 on March 15, 2021. Instead of these funds being spent for authorized expenditures under the PPP program, Austin used the money for personal expenses, including $119,840 on a Bentley. Austin obtained a total of $2,078,210 in fraudulent PPP loans.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The FBI and the IRS investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Howard and Hannah Couch prosecuted the case for the Government.
Dallas Business Owner Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison for Failing to Pay over Withheld Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
A Dallas business owner convicted at trial of failing to pay over employment taxes that she withheld from her employees was sentenced yesterday to more than eight years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Heaven Marie Diaz, 57, was indicted in 2023 and convicted by a jury in June 2025 on five counts of failing to pay over trust fund taxes. She was sentenced yesterday to 97 months in federal prison by Senior U.S. District Judge David Godbey, who also ordered her to pay $799,033.47 in restitution.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Diaz was the owner and CEO of Pursuit of Excellence, a staffing company based in Dallas. From 2015 to 2017, she withheld payroll taxes from her employees’ paychecks but failed to remit more than $3 million to the IRS as required by law.
Former employees and Diaz’s former accountant testified that they repeatedly warned her about her obligation to pay employment taxes. Despite those warnings, Diaz continued to withhold the taxes and kept the funds in her company’s bank accounts. Evidence showed she used those funds to cover personal expenses, including international travel, luxury goods, and $10,000 monthly rent on a home in Dallas’s Preston Hollow neighborhood.
“The defendant lied to her employees and embezzled employment taxes due to greed. The substantial prison sentence of eight years reflects the seriousness of the offense and the collaborative investigative work by our AUSAs and IRS-CI,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will continue to fully pursue these offenses to protect the federal fisc and ensure that tax dollars are being spent as intended instead of to fund a defendant’s lavish lifestyle.”
“Heaven Diaz stole from her employees and the American taxpayer to fund a lifestyle she didn’t earn,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation Dallas Field Office. “She ignored repeated warnings, misused her position, and treated trust fund taxes like a personal bank account. Today’s sentencing is the result of IRS-CI’s relentless investigative work. The women and men of IRS-CI will continue working to uphold trust in the tax system and support those who do the right thing.”
IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan P. Niedermair and Joshua D. Detzky prosecuted the case.
Citizen of the Dominican Republic Sentenced to Prison for Fraud and Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KELVIN PRADO-ROBLES, also known as FRANKELY ROBLES-GUZMAN, 49, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment for fraud and immigration offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Prado-Robles has never held legal immigration status in the U.S. In January 2008, he was sentenced in the District of Delaware to 24 months of imprisonment for false representation of citizenship, passport fraud, and identity theft offenses. He was deported to the Dominican Republic in February 2009. In February 2011, Prado-Robles was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Newark, New Jersey. He was again deported in September 2011.
Prado-Robles illegally reentered the U.S. and, beginning in late 2017, conspired with Domingo St. Hilaire Rosario and Jamie Pinto to use stolen identities to obtain vehicles and motorcycles at dealerships in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. As part of the scheme, Rosario arranged for a car or motorcycle to be purchased or leased from a dealership in the name of an identity theft victim, and Prado-Robles or Pinto impersonated the identity theft victim at the dealership to complete the paperwork. Rosario supplied his co-conspirators with fraudulent identification documents bearing the victim’s personal identifying information, and with a fraudulent photo identification that contained the identifying information of the victim and a photograph of a co-conspirator. The conspirators intended to sell or export the vehicles.
Through this scheme, they acquired at least 13 vehicles and attempted to acquire at least two more. Some of the vehicles were recovered by law enforcement and returned to the dealers. The thefts caused more than $200,000 in losses to the dealerships.
Rosario and Prado-Robles fled to the Dominican Republic in approximately 2018.
Prado-Robles was arrested in New Mexico in June 2023 and, under the name “Kelvin Prado-Roble,” was charged in the District of New Mexico with illegal reentry. He pleaded guilty to the offense and, in November 2023, was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment. He was transferred to the District of Connecticut in June 2024 and is currently detained.
On August 8, 2025, Prado-Robles pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of reentry of a removed alien.
Rosario was extradited from the Dominican Republic in May 2020, pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft offenses and, on October 20, 2021, was sentenced to 65 months of imprisonment.
Pinto pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and identity theft offenses and, on October 27, 2021, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with substantial assistance from the Vernon Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.
Canandaigua man charged with making threats to kill attendees at a holiday Christmas marketRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Michael J. Keitz, 56, of Canandaigua, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with interstate transmission of threats to injure the persons of another, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on the afternoon of November 5, 2025, the Director of the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum received an email from [email protected] with the subject line “$20,000 donation consideration.” In the body of the email, the sender stated that he would like to donate to the museum but wanted to visit the museum before making any donation. Over the next few days, the Director and the sender exchanged emails regarding upcoming events at the museum and a potential visit. Late in the morning of November 7, 2025, the Director received another email from [email protected], but the subject line read “DEATH TO THE JEWS.” The email contained a threat to “bring death and destruction” to an event scheduled at the museum that weekend. The email also stated that “we will bring a swift justice worse than OCTOBER 7th.” The threatening email resulted in the cancellation of the event, which resulted in a loss of approximately $10,000 in expenses and a substantial amount of revenue.
On November 9, 2025, Keitz was taken into custody by Canandaigua Police officers on an unrelated matter. During that investigation, Canandaigua officers determined that the email address [email protected] belonged to Keitz, and the emails were sent from the Wood Library in Canandaigua.
Keitz has prior felony state and federal convictions and is currently on federal supervised release based on a 2021 conviction for bank robbery, for which he served 84 months in prison.
“A threat by any individual to harm a large number of people in a public setting is concerning and something that our Office takes very seriously,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. “Residents of the Western District of New York deserve to move around their community freely, whether it be everyday activities or attending a holiday event. The threats made in this case were quickly traced to the defendant, who will now be held accountable for his actions.”
“Today’s federal arrest of Michael Keitz should serve as a warning for those who use the internet to threaten violence and terrorize people.” said Philip Tejera, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “Unfortunately, the FBI continues to see threats of violence all too often – in person and online. The FBI takes all acts or threats of violence seriously and is committed to working side-by-side with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our communities.”
Keitz made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Canandaigua Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mathew Nielsen, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing Firearms and NarcoticsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – John Cody Hawthorne, 32, of Pensacola, Florida was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the outstanding work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners to remove this violent felon from our streets. Keeping our communities safe is our top priority, and my office will aggressively prosecute repeat offenders like this defendant with the full force of the law.”
According to court records, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence in Pensacola, Florida. Law enforcement located eight firearms, including a short-barreled rifle, over 400 rounds of ammunition, ballistic body armor, methamphetamine, marijuana, and other items indicative of drug distribution. The defendant is a convicted felon who is also serving a State of Florida prison sentence for Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle and Aggravated Assault.
“Hawthorne’s seven and a half year sentence reflects both the seriousness of his actions and our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable,” said Sheriff Chip Simmons, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “We are proud of our partnerships and the effect they have on making our community safer.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Etherton.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Buffalo man pleads guilty for his role in credit card scamRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Angel Valentin-Martinez, 34, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that between October and December 2024, Martinez conspired with Daniel Plata Miranda to fraudulently gain access to the credit card accounts of individuals at Synchrony Bank. The two used an account holder’s personally identifiable information to pass Synchrony’s account verification process. Martinez and Miranda then changed the address of record on the accounts to an address that they controlled or had access to. This oftentimes caused new credit cards to be sent to Martinez’s residence in Buffalo, or to a P.O. Box registered to Miranda in Rochester, NY. On one or more occasions, Martinez drove to the Rochester P.O. Box to retrieve mail. Martinez and Miranda then used the fraudulently obtained credit cards to make purchases in the Western New York area, including numerous purchases at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores. In total, Martinez and Miranda used five fraudulently obtained credit cards at six different Lowe’s locations to make more than two dozen purchases, totaling approximately $13,098.
Charges are pending against Daniel Plata Miranda.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Vilardo.
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Alexandria Man Indicted for Bomb Threat to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International AirportRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that COREY JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 35, a resident of Alexandria, Louisiana, was indicted on November 20, 2025, for willfully conveying a bomb threat, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(e).
According to court documents, on November 7, 2025, JOHNSON was arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport after making bomb threats to airport operations following a dispute over unpaid parking fees. JOHNSON called AVCOM twice to announce the presence of a bomb in the airport. Additionally, he threatened to harm the AVCOM operator. This action prompted an investigation by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that identified JOHNSON as the caller from the earlier parking lot incident.
If convicted, JOHNSON faces a maximum penalty of up to ten years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Saint Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
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Afghan National Charged with the Murder of National Guard Soldier Sarah BeckstromRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who resided in Bellingham, Washington, has been charged with first-degree murder while armed for the death of National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom, as a result of the ambush-style shooting, which occurred the day before Thanksgiving, November 26, a few blocks from the White House, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Ms. Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries on November 27, 2025. National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe. 24, was critically injured in the ambush and remains hospitalized.
A D.C Superior Court judge today found probable cause that Lakanwal committed the offenses of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and ordered that Lakanwal be held without bond pending a preliminary hearing. Lakanwal, who was injured during the shooting, remains in a local hospital where he is currently being treated and held under guard.
According to court documents, Lakanwal drove from his hometown in the state of Washington to Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, November 26, Lakanwal arrived at about 2:13 p.m., at 17th and I Streets, NW, near Farragut West Metro Station, and opened fire on two National Guard members without provocation. Fellow guardsmen at the scene responded immediately to engage and subdue the suspect.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Ballentine, Ariel Dean, Christopher Tortorice, and Laura Bach, with special assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough.
These charges are merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Afghan Citizen Federally Charged for Posting Threats to Build Bomb and Kill AmericansRead the Press Release
Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, 30, a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Fort Worth, Texas, has been federally charged for threatening to build a bomb, conduct a suicide attack, and kill Americans and others, in a video shared on TikTok, X, and Facebook. A screenshot of a social media post that shared Alokozay’s Nov. 23 statements is below:
Screenshot of one social media post containing Alokozay's video. From complaint in United States v. Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, number 25-MJ-730 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.“This Afghan national came into America during the Biden administration and as alleged, explicitly stated that he came here in order to kill American citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The public safety threat created by the Biden administration’s vetting breakdown cannot be overstated – the Department of Justice will continue working with our federal and state partners to protect the American people from the prior administration’s dangerous incompetence.”
“We have zero tolerance for violence and threats of violence to kill American citizens and others like those allegedly made by this individual,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “I applaud the rapid response of our federal and local law enforcement partners in identifying and apprehending him. Those individuals who jeopardize the public safety and security of North Texas residents will be swiftly brought to justice.”
“This arrest demonstrates that the FBI remains steadfast in our mission to defend the homeland and protect the American people. Thanks to public reports of a threatening online video, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force apprehended this individual before he could commit an act of violence. We continue to ask that if you see something, say something,” said Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI's Dallas Field Office.
“Our commitment to keep America safe is unwavering. Online threats made by those hiding behind a screen will not be dismissed or taken lightly,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “We will use every resource available to make sure these perpetrators are found, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Alokozay is charged with transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce related to threats he made on a Nov. 23 video call, which was recorded and posted to multiple social media accounts, including TikTok, X, and Facebook. According to the complaint, the video shows Alokozay angrily gesturing and speaking Dari, a language commonly spoken in Afghanistan, while interacting with at least two other males on a video call. A screenshot of a social media post that shared Alokozay’s Nov. 23 statements is below:
As alleged, Alokozay threatened to conduct a suicide attack on the other participants on the call, as well as “infidels” and Americans. He claimed he would build a bomb in his vehicle and talked about a particular yellow cooking oil container favored by the Taliban in building improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan. Alozokay stated the Taliban were dear to him and that he came to the United States to kill those on the call. He also claimed he wanted to conduct a suicide attack on Americans. According to the complaint, Alokozay stated he was not afraid of deportation or getting killed.
Alokozay is currently in custody pending an initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge and further court proceedings. If convicted, Alokozay faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Dallas Field Office through the Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Fort Worth Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent Mazzurco for the Northern District of Texas is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Afghan Citizen Federally Charged for Posting Threats to Build Bomb and Kill AmericansRead the Press Release
A man in Fort Worth, Texas has been federally charged for threatening to build a bomb, conduct a suicide attack, and kill Americans and others, in a video shared on TikTok, X, and Facebook, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, 30, a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Fort Worth, was charged by federal complaint with the offense of transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce related to threats he made on a November 23, 2025, video call, which was recorded and posted to multiple social media accounts, including TikTok, X, and Facebook. According to the complaint, the video shows Alokozay angrily gesturing and speaking Dari, a language commonly spoken in Afghanistan, while interacting with at least two other males on a video call.
As alleged, Alokozay threatened to conduct a suicide attack on the other participants on the call, as well as “infidels” and Americans. He claimed he would build a bomb in his vehicle and talked about a particular yellow cooking oil container favored by the Taliban in building improvised explosive devices (“IEDs”) in Afghanistan. Alozokay stated the Taliban were dear to him and that he came to the United States to kill those on the call. He also claimed he wanted to conduct a suicide attack on Americans. According to the complaint, Alokozay stated he was not afraid of deportation or getting killed. A screenshot of a social media post that shared Alokozay’s November 23, 2025, statements is below:
Alokozay is currently in custody pending an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge and further court proceedings.
“This Afghan national came into America during the Biden administration and as alleged, explicitly stated that he came here in order to kill American citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The public safety threat created by the Biden administration’s vetting breakdown cannot be overstated – the Department of Justice will continue working with our federal and state partners to protect the American people from the prior administration’s dangerous incompetence.”
“We have zero tolerance for violence and threats of violence to kill American citizens and others like those allegedly made by this individual,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I applaud the rapid response of our federal and local law enforcement partners in identifying and apprehending him. Those individuals who jeopardize the public safety and security of North Texas residents will be swiftly brought to justice.”
“This arrest demonstrates that the FBI remains steadfast in our mission to defend the homeland and protect the American people. Thanks to public reports of a threatening online video, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force apprehended this individual before he could commit an act of violence. We continue to ask that if you see something, say something,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
“Our commitment to keep America safe is unwavering. Online threats made by those hiding behind a screen will not be dismissed or taken lightly,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “We will use every resource available to make sure these perpetrators are found, arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Alokozay is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office through the Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Fort Worth Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent Mazzurco.
Monday 1 December 2025
Zuni Resident Charged with Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni resident has been indicted on federal charges for sexually abusing two individuals over a two-year period.
According to court documents, between May 2017 and October 2019, Kyle Whiteeagle, 42, an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin, engaged in and attempted to engage in sexual acts with two different victims.
Whiteeagle is charged with four counts of aggravated sexual abuse and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Whiteeagle faces a minimum of 30 years and up to life 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 FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wilmington Man Charged After Machinegun and Manifesto are FoundRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Delaware – On November 26, 2025, a Wilmington resident was charged with illegally possessing a machinegun, announced Julianne E. Murray, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.
According to court documents, on Monday, November 24, 2025, at approximately 11:47 p.m., patrol officers of the New Castle County Police Department were conducting a property check in Canby Park West when they observed a white Toyota Tacoma in the parkland, after hours. Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted the driver, and sole occupant, 25-year-old Luqmaan Khan of Wilmington. During the stop, officers developed probable cause to order Khan out of the vehicle, and he refused to comply. Subsequently, Khan resisted arrest and was taken into custody by the officers.
During their investigation, officers discovered in Khan’s vehicle a .357 caliber Glock handgun loaded with 27 rounds. The handgun had been inserted into a microplastic conversion firearm brace kit. Within the vehicle, officers also found all the following: (i) three more loaded, 27-round magazines (one in the storage slot of the conversion kit); (ii) a loaded Glock 9mm magazine; (iii) an armored ballistic plate; and (iv) a marble composition notebook.
In the handwritten notebook, Khan discussed additional weapons and firearms, how they could be used in an attack, and how law enforcement detection could be avoided once an attack was carried out. The notebook referenced a member of the University of Delaware’s Police Department by name, and included a layout of a building with entry and exit points under which the words “UD Police Station” were printed.
On November 25, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and NCCPD executed a search warrant at Khan’s Wilmington residence. Within, law enforcement recovered a Glock 19 9mm handgun equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device, commonly called a “switch.” Law enforcement also recovered a .556 rifle with a scope and a red dot sight, eleven more extended magazines, hollow point rounds of ammunition, and a two-plate tactical vest equipped with a single ballistic plate.
The criminal complaint charges Khan with possessing a machinegun. If convicted of the charge, Khan faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment. If Khan is ultimately convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Castle County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel S. Frey and Kevin P. Pierce, and Criminal Chief Carly A. Hudson, are prosecuting the case.
“This case is a quintessential example of federal and state law enforcement collaborating to neutralize a grave threat to Delaware before the worst could come to pass. I want to thank our dedicated law enforcement partners at the FBI and the NCCPD for their exceptional work. As always, we are proud to work with them to keep Delaware safe,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Murray.
“I commend the devoted officers with the New Castle County Police Department whose exceptional actions led to Khan’s arrest before anyone was harmed. We are grateful for the coordinated and swift collaboration between partners which resulted in this federal charge. The FBI’s Wilmington Resident Agency is dedicated to protecting the people of Delaware and working daily with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and hold accountable those who seek to commit acts of violence,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul.
“Thanks to the proactive work of these patrol officers, a dangerous threat to our community was stopped before it could escalate into violence. Their professionalism, vigilance, and commitment to public safety embody the values we expect and the courage our residents depend on every day. We also extend our sincere thanks to our federal partners, whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing this incident to a safe and successful conclusion,” said Colonel James J. Leonard III of the New Castle County Police Department.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.Wakefield Woman Convicted of Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Wakefield woman was convicted of money laundering conspiracy on Nov. 24, 2025, following a six-day jury trial.
Christiane Fischer, 42, was convicted of one count of money laundering conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for March 5, 2026. Fischer was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2022.
Fischer owns PK Motor Cars, a used car dealership in Peabody that also repairs cars and rents used cars. In 2016, law enforcement began an investigation into a large-scale drug trafficker named Phillip Morose who sold hundreds of thousands of counterfeit fentanyl pills.
Evidence presented at trial established that Fischer conspired to launder Morose’s drug proceeds through her business, PK Motor Cars. In August 2016, Fischer added Morose as CEO of PK Motor Cars and thereafter Morose deposited nearly $1 million in cash into Fischer’s business bank accounts. At the end of 2016, Fischer used cashier’s checks from those same business bank accounts to buy Morose a house in Lynnfield. The house was purchased in the name of Fischer’s business in order to conceal the true ownership of the house and where the proceeds to buy the house came from. Fischer also allowed Morose to use luxury vehicles owned by her business to promote his drug trafficking.
In 2019, Morose was sentenced to 30 years in prison for drug trafficking and money laundering in the Middle District of Florida. In March 2025, Morose was sentenced to 80 months in prison, to be served concurrently to the 2019 sentenced imposed, for money laundering in the District of Massachusetts.
The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of the laundered funds. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the DEA Tampa District Office Task Force 1; Massachusetts State Police; and the Newton, Millis, Waltham, Framingham, Haverhill, Brookline, Natick, Wakefield, Burlington, Lynnfield and Peabody Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea E. Porter and K. Nathaniel Yeager of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Uvalde Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Uvalde man was sentenced in a federal court to 120 months in prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, on Feb. 3, 2021, Gabriel Garcia, 38, used the messaging app known as Kik to upload a video containing prepubescent child sexual abuse material (CSAM). An investigation revealed the account belonged to Garcia, and on Nov. 14, 2022, agents executed a federal search warrant on his home in Uvalde. A forensic analysis of Garcia’s cell phone revealed 67 images and six video files containing prepubescent CSAM that he had received using the Kik messenger app.
Garcia was arrested Nov. 14, 2022, and pleaded guilty June 26, 2023. He was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nallely Duarte prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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United States Attorney Announces Federal Prison Sentences in Recent Federal Firearms CasesRead the Press Release
BOISE – U.S. Attorney Bart Davis announced the results of four separate firearm prosecution cases today.
“As these cases demonstrate, my office will work with all of our law enforcement partners to vigorously enforce federal firearms laws and keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Davis.
- Council Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Unlawfully Possessing an AR-15 Rifle
In one case, Andrew James Solver, 42, of Council, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Solver to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to court records, on January 28, 2025, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ranger patrolling north of Emmett discovered an illegal campsite on public lands. When the Ranger attempted to contact a man at the campsite, the man fled. Through an investigation, the Ranger identified the man as Andrew James Solver. The Ranger also learned that Solver had an outstanding felony warrant and was in violation of his state parole. When the Ranger returned to the area with additional law enforcement officers, Solver was arrested, and officers found an AR-15 rifle. Solver admitted that he unlawfully possessed the rifle, which he had stolen during a burglary of a residence in Gem County.
Solver was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his six prior felony convictions including burglary and possession of controlled substances.
"The Bureau of Land Management is proud to work alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office to uphold the law and protect our public lands,” said Becky Andres, BLM Office of Law Enforcement and Security Special Agent in Charge of Region 2. “This successful prosecution contributes to a safer, more secure community.”
U.S. Attorney Davis thanked the Bureau of Land Management Office of Law Enforcement and Security, Bureau of Land Management Rangers, Idaho Fish and Game, and Gem County Sheriff’s Office for their collaboration in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Booker prosecuted the case.
- Nampa Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a Handgun
In a separate case, Francisco Javier Burgos, 20, of Nampa, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford ordered Burgos to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison.
According to court records, on January 2, 2025, a Nampa police officer attempted to contact Burgos who was in a park after hours. Burgos fled into a nearby neighborhood where he was arrested after attempting to hide a loaded handgun. Burgos, a documented gang member, was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Nampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Booker prosecuted this case.
- Boise Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Possession of Short-Barreled Rifles.
In another case, Christopher Hayman, 39, of Boise, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for the possession of unregistered short-barreled rifles. U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford ordered Hayman to serve three years of supervised release following his conviction.
According to court records, in the summer of 2024, Hayman purchased over 30 firearms from a licensed firearm store. At the time of the purchase, he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a civil domestic violence protection order from California. Hayman was also on pretrial diversion in a domestic violence case in Washington.
The ATF subsequently searched Hayman’s residence pursuant to a search warrant. In his home, agents found numerous firearms, to include two short-barreled rifles, one of which was a privately made firearm, also known as a ghost gun. Hayman had not registered either firearm with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Agents also located a 20-round drum and an extended magazine. Hayman admitted that he knew the California protection order prohibited him from possessing firearms.
“Illegal firearm possession endangers our community and undermines the safety we work hard to protect. ATF is determined to ensure those who choose to break the law face the consequences of their actions, and this sentence shows our commitment to holding those offenders accountable,” said Eric Jackson, ATF’s Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Division.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended ATF for their work on the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Manweiler prosecuted this case.
- Mexican National Sentenced to 60 Months for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
Jesus Cuevas, 36, of Mexico, was sentenced on November 13, 2025, to 60 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered him to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to court records, on January 3, 2024, Cuevas possessed two firearms, one of which was a short-barreled rifle. After being federally indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm, Cuevas was released from custody. While on release, Cuevas was driving a truck that was stopped by law enforcement for traffic violations. Officers searched the truck and found a loaded firearm in the center console.
Cuevas was prohibited from possessing the firearms due to his prior felony conviction for burglary. Upon completion of his prison sentence, Cuevas, an alien born in Mexico and without legal authority to be in the United States, will likely be deported back to Mexico.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Nampa Police Department and the ATF, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Morse and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Manweiler prosecuted this case.
The Hayman and Cuevas cases were prosecuted by a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth.
These cases are 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.
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Union Ex-President Arrested on Theft and Wire Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kye Carbone, 68, of Athens, New York, was arrested on October 17, 2025, on an indictment charging him with 30 counts of wire fraud and theft from a labor union. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.
Between 2003 and 2023, Carbone served as the president of United Federation of College Teachers Local 1460, the union representing faculty members at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. As alleged in the indictment, Carbone stole over $290,000 from the Local between 2011 and 2023, when he was voted out of office. Carbone used the money for his personal expenses, restaurants and travel, and buying and renovating a property in Athens.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “As alleged, Carbone embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union he claimed to serve and used the money to fund his lifestyle and buy a home in the Hudson Valley. Upstate New York is a wonderful place to live. But if you steal money from a union, your next home will be a federal prison.”
Special Agent-in-Charge Mellone said: “An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving labor unions. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of fraudulent activity and protect the American worker.”
Carbone is charged with three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and 27 counts of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 501(c). The wire fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine per count, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. The embezzlement charges carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 per count, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Carbone was arraigned on October 17 in Albany, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista, and pled not guilty. He was released pending trial. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Walter is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney and Federal Law Enforcement Partners Meet with Rensselaer County and Troy Police Department OfficialsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – In September, Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and key federal law enforcement partners met with Sheriff Kyle Bourgault of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office; District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly of the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; and Chief Daniel De Wolf of the City of Troy Police Department.
Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone stated: “Our law enforcement partners in Rensselaer County work tirelessly to keep our citizens safe, and their collaboration with my office and federal investigators has led to countless significant arrests and prosecutions. Together, we are making a difference every day, and I look forward to continuing our important work.”
Sherriff Bourgault stated: “Yesterday’s meeting with Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone reinforced the strength of our partnership. His commitment, combined with the hard work of our deputies and federal investigators, ensures that we are united in one mission—keeping our community safe. I am proud to continue this collaboration to protect the people of Rensselaer County.”
District Attorney Donnelly stated: “Rensselaer County looks forward to a continued partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other federal law enforcement agencies, as we strive to do all that we can to prioritize public safety.”
Chief De Wolf stated: “Police work and keeping our communities safe have become increasingly difficult in recent years. Thankfully, we have great relationships with our federal law enforcement partners, including our U.S. Attorney’s Office. With the help of our federal partners, we have been able to enhance our crime fighting capabilities and arrest those committing crimes in our neighborhoods. The federal, state and local law enforcement agencies of Rensselaer County will always keep the safety of our citizens at the forefront, and our work together only strengthens our resolve.”
Pictured above (from left to right):
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeremiah Healey, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Albany Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli, City of Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf, Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly, Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, Deputy U.S. Attorney Daniel Hanlon, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Chief Cyrus Rieck, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shane Nastoff.
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Tulsa Woman Sentenced for Stealing Disabled Army Veteran's IdentityRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa woman was sentenced today for two counts of Aggravated Identity Theft after stealing a disabled Army veteran's identity, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Monica J. Thompson, 40, to 48 months imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release. Judge Frizzell further ordered Thompson to pay $29,440.39 in restitution.
“Taking advantage of a veteran that served our country will never be tolerated in the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Thompson not only engaged in identity theft but also took advantage of a vulnerable disabled veteran for her own benefit.”
“This sentence sends a clear message that those who would exploit veterans will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s South-Central Field Office. “The VA OIG is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to achieve justice in this case.”
According to court documents, Thompson conspired with her boyfriend to defraud an elderly disabled veteran by arranging a sham marriage. After getting married to the victim, Thompson submitted false applications to the Veterans Administration (VA) to control the victim’s disability payments. Even though the victim was entitled to disability payments, he ended up being housed in an RV without food. Shortly after, the victim attempted suicide and was hospitalized. While the victim was on suicide watch, Thompson kept submitting false documents to the VA. A nurse overheard the victim providing Thompson with banking information and reported it to the authorities.
Thompson was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons at a later date.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Greenough prosecuted the case.
If you suspect fraudulent conduct involving an older adult, don't hesitate to contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline
at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or find additional resources for older adults in Oklahoma.Three western Washington men charged with sex offenses involving child sex abuse imagesRead the Press Release
Seattle – In separate investigations led by the FBI, three western Washington men have been charged over the past two months with internet related child sexual abuse crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Two of the men reside in Snohomish County and one in King County. In each case the defendant used the internet to contact victims or obtain child sexual abuse material.
“The government shutdown did not slow our work to investigate and prosecute those who harm children,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “There is no place in society for those who prey on vulnerable victims – especially children. We all must be vigilant about protecting our children from those who seek to harm them via the internet.”
On October 28, 2025, Anatoli Tony Fefelov, 30, of Lynnwood, Washington was charged by criminal complaint with distribution of images of child sexual abuse and attempted enticement of a minor. Fefelov came to the attention of law enforcement when a 13-year-old victim reported to the FBI National Threat Operations Center that a Discord user harassed, coerced, and threatened the minor to produce child sexual abuse material. Further investigation and reports to law enforcement identified a Kik account distributing child sexual abuse images. The accounts were linked to Fefelov. In a search of Fefelov’s Lynnwood residence law enforcement located an electronic device allegedly containing images of child sexual abuse. The grand jury indicted Fefelov on November 12, 2025. Trial is scheduled for January 20, 2026, in front of U.S. District Judge Tana Lin.
On October 30, 2025, Aqeel Ibn-Khalid Shareef, 28, was charged by criminal complaint with production of child sexual abuse material. In January 2024, Shareef was convicted of state sex crimes including rape of a child. He was ordered to register as a sex offender. Following his prison term he was being monitored by the Washington State Department of Corrections. In October 2025 Shareef’s DOC Community Corrections Officer contacted the FBI regarding concerns Shareef had unauthorized electronic devices. When Shareef was arrested by the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, officers seized two unauthorized electronic devices. The investigation revealed that the electronic devices contained communications with a minor victim and sexual abuse images of that victim. Shareef was indicted on November 12, 2025. Trial is set for January 20, 2026, in front of U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson.
Finally, a 55-year-old Marysville man who is a registered sex offender with sex crime convictions out of California, pleaded guilty on November 21, 2025, to possession of images of child sexual abuse. Robert Anthony Fiore came to the attention of law enforcement when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip report from Dropbox that child sexual abuse material had been uploaded on Fiore’s account. Law enforcement obtained warrants and served search warrants on Fiore’s electronic devices finding 50 videos and 242 images of child sexual abuse. In the plea agreement Fiore admitted that he was chatting online with more than a dozen minors as young as 12-years-old. Fiore is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Tana Lin on February 18, 2026.
“Thanks to the hard work of FBI Violent Crimes Against Children squads and task forces across the country, we and our partners are holding predators accountable for the harm they inflict on young people, including by circulating images and videos depicting sexual exploitation of minors on the internet,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Once online, this content is extremely difficult to remove and re-victimizes these children each and every time it is shared.”
These cases were 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .
These cases are being investigated by the FBI in coordination with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) with officers from the Seattle Police Department and Marysville Police Department, and the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC).
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.
Three Sentenced for Smuggling Methamphetamine, Fentanyl into the Lincoln County JailRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Monday sentenced a former Lincoln County, Missouri jail contract employee, Kevin Childers Jr., to 51 months in prison for his role in smuggling fentanyl and methamphetamine into the jail.
Childers, 38, was one of three people to have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Steven Williamson Jr., 37, and Brittany Spangler, 35, were sentenced earlier this year.
At the time of the offense, Williamson was an inmate and trustee and worked in the kitchen. Spangler was his girlfriend. Childers ran the jail kitchen as a contract employee. All three admitted conspiring to smuggle fentanyl and meth into the jail between the dates of June 27, 2022, and Oct. 6, 2022.
Judge Autrey previously sentenced Williamson to 51 months in prison and Spangler to 37 months in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug prosecuted the case.
Third Individual Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Steal Funds from COVID-19 Support ProgramRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO – WILLIE LEE MOORE, a Montgomery County man, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property in connection with a scheme to steal money from a COVID-19 support program, announced Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act established the Coronavirus Relief Fund which provided payments to states and eligible units of local government to be used on certain expenses in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (“NC DHHS”), using the federal CARES Act funding provided to North Carolina, established the COVID-19 Support Services Program to support individuals in targeted counties who needed care and resources in order to successfully quarantine and isolate. NC DHHS contracted with regional partners to provide and deliver support on the ground in designated counties. Available support services included nutrition services such as home-delivered meals and groceries to individuals in isolation and quarantine, as well as provision of COVID-related over-the-counter supplies, such as face masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies.
According to court documents, MOORE, Jamie Ewings, and Navonne Moore were associated with a not-for-profit community organization called Brutonville Concerned Citizens (“BCC”). BCC was subcontracted to provide support services, including the delivery of healthy food boxes and COVID-related supplies to qualifying individuals. Although BCC provided some food boxes to the community, the three individuals submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices and receipts so that BCC would be reimbursed more money than it was entitled to receive. MOORE, Ewings, and Navonne Moore agreed to divide the reimbursement money among themselves. In total, BCC received about $1,144,649 over five payments between November 2020 and February 2021. Of that money, MOORE received about $369,000, Ewings received about $384,000, and Navonne Moore received about $180,000. The rest of the money was left in BCC’s bank account.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Greensboro, North Carolina, before Chief/Senior United States District Judge Catherine C. Eagles. At sentencing, MOORE faces a maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison, a period of supervised release of up to three years, restitution, and other monetary penalties.
Jamie Ewings previously pleaded guilty to theft of government property and was sentenced to 13 months of imprisonment. Navonne Moore pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor theft of government property and was sentencing to four years of probation.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Waid.
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The Breastfeeding Shop and Its Owner Agree to Pay $1 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Claims for Reimbursement for Breast Pumps and Related Equipment for TRICARE BeneficiariesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that the United States has entered a settlement agreement with Scottie Girl, LLC, d/b/a The Breastfeeding Shop, in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and its owner Patricia Gatter to resolve allegations that The Breastfeeding Shop submitted false claims for reimbursement for breast pumps and related equipment for TRICARE beneficiaries. The Breastfeeding Shop and Ms. Gatter will collectively pay the United States $1 million to resolve the allegations.
TRICARE, managed by the Defense Health Agency, is the health care program for U.S. military service members, retirees and their families worldwide. In 2015, the TRICARE program rolled out a new benefit of breast pumps and related equipment for nursing mothers.
The United States alleged that during the early years of the new benefit, The Breastfeeding Shop billed the TRICARE program hundreds of dollars more per breast pump than it charged to the Pennsylvania Medicaid Program, thereby utilizing a prohibited dual fee schedule. The United States also alleged that The Breastfeeding Shop engaged in prohibited “unbundling,” meaning The Breastfeeding Shop would take breast pump accessories that are pre-packaged and included in the standard breast pump kit and then bill TRICARE separately for each item as a replacement part.
“Durable medical equipment suppliers play a vital role in providing safe and effective medical products to patients in need, and especially to our brave service members and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “As alleged, The Breastfeeding Shop and Gatter prioritized their own financial interests through a billing scheme that was to the detriment of the government. This conduct will not be tolerated by my office.”
“Today’s settlement is a direct result of the relationship we have with our partners at the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Audit component and the Department of Justice,” stated Christopher M. Silvestro, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of Inspector General. He further stated, “Fraud involving TRICARE, the healthcare system for military members and their families, is something we take seriously and will investigate fully.”
“Protecting the integrity of the TRICARE program and ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars are top priorities for the Defense Health Agency. This settlement sends a clear message that we will not tolerate practices that exploit the program and inflate costs at the expense of our service members, veterans, and their families. Access to essential medical equipment, like breast pumps, is vital for the health and well-being of new mothers and infants within our TRICARE community. We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their continuing dedication to the pursuit of justice,” stated Dr. Glen Diehl, Acting Deputy Director of the Defense Health Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Judith Amorosa and former Auditor Dawn Wiggins handled the case for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The matter was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Services of the U.S. Department of Defense.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
Texas Woman Sentenced for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An Austin, Texas woman, who currently resides in Massachusetts, was sentenced on November 25, 2025 in federal court in Rhode Island for her role in distributing and conspiring to distribute more than 310 grams of fentanyl, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Patrica Parker, 74, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to two years’ probation with a special condition of nine months home confinement. Parker pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of over 310 grams of fentanyl, equivalent to 150,000 lethal doses of the drug.
According to information presented to the court, Parker engaged in drug trafficking for an extended timeframe. Her drug trafficking activity was discovered during an investigation in May of 2022, during which she distributed counterfeit amphetamine pills containing fentanyl to an undercover Food and Drug Administration Special Agent.
Approximately ten months after the undercover operation, agents executed a search warrant at her residence where they learned that the defendant was in possession of over 18,000 pills, including Schedule II and IV controlled substances, all unapproved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and counterfeit amphetamine pills containing fentanyl. Records obtained by investigators reflect that Parker had distributed in excess of one thousand parcels suspected to be illegal drugs.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The matter was investigated by Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations and US Postal Inspection Service.
Sacramento Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiring to Sex Traffic Woman in San DiegoRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Darell Davis of Sacramento was sentenced in federal court today to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $9,950 in restitution for conspiring to sex traffic an 18-year-old woman by coercion and physical violence.
On September 11, 2025, Davis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion. His guilty plea stemmed from conduct spanning from December 15, 2022, to January 11, 2023, when Davis transported the victim from Sacramento to San Diego to sell her body for his financial gain.
Davis created commercial sex advertisements featuring the victim on an adult website and kept a ledger of all the victim’s prostitution earnings, as well as a ledger on earnings of at least two other women under his control. Davis also kept notes of all the “blades,” the geographical locations for street-based prostitution, in various cities.
On January 10, 2025, the victim contacted the San Deigo Police Department for help and identified her trafficker by his moniker, “Benzo.” The victim told investigators that she first met Davis when she was 17 years old and was introduced to the pimping and prostitution subculture. The victim also stated that Davis explained the prostitution rules, set a daily quota that she was required to earn, and made her work six days a week and up to 10 to 14 hours a day. The victim’s location was even electronically tracked by Davis through a tracking application and all her earnings went to Davis. The victim reported physical abuse and fear based on Davis possessing a handgun.
On January 11, 2023, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Davis outside a hotel in Chula Vista. Upon the execution of a search warrant of the room Davis was staying in, investigators recovered a loaded non-serialized handgun and ammunition.
“The smiles in online ads are a mask,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “Behind the misleading photos are coerced victims being controlled, threatened and abused while traffickers cash in. This is exploitation at its ugliest; victims treated as a disposable product, not human beings.”
“Sex trafficking through force, fraud or coercion is a terrible crime that has no place in California,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The California Department of Justice-led San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to putting a stop to human trafficking, and to holding accountable those who prey on Californians for their own financial gain. I’m grateful to our law enforcement partners for their collaboration, and to the U.S. Attorney’s office for their work to prosecute this case. When we work together, we get results.”
If you are living or working under threat of violence or extortion, or you suspect someone else may be, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center toll free, 24/7 Hotline: CALL: (888) 373-7888 or TEXT BeFree or 233733.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Ko and Lyndzie M. Carter.
DEFENDANT Case Number 23-cr-00549-LL
Darrell Davis Age: 22 Sacramento, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking through Force, Fraud or Coercion – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1594(c)
Maximum penalty: Up to life in prison and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force
San Diego Police Department
San Diego County District Attorney Office
Department of Homeland Security Investigations
Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego
San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force
The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force is a cooperative effort involving the California Department of Justice, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, National City Police Department, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, San Diego City Attorney’s Office, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Probation Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Special Victims Unit. Formed in April 2025, the SVU is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving sex trafficking and child exploitation, civil rights, and labor trafficking. The SVU oversees the Southern District of California liaisons to the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force and Project Safe Childhood.
Sex Offender Sentenced for Federal Child Exploitation CrimeRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – John J. Schugmann, 53, of Niceville, Florida, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for the receipt of online child pornography. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I deeply appreciate the tireless vigilance of our state and federal law enforcement partners who monitor the online activity of sick individuals, like this defendant, who peddle in disgusting child sexual abuse material. This substantial prison sentence should serve as a warning to others who prey upon and exploit our children: my office will aggressively prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
Court documents reflect that in December 2024, an investigation began when law enforcement discovered the defendant was uploading child pornography to an online search engine. Following a search of his residence by law enforcement pursuant to a warrant, the defendant admitted to viewing and downloading child pornography. Law enforcement seized dozens of electronic devices, which contained thousands of illegal images and videos. Some of the images and videos contained the sexual exploitation of victims well under 12 years of age. The defendant is a registered sex offender who spent time in Florida State Prison for a prior child pornography conviction.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of exploiting children online,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno. “Crimes committed behind a screen cause real-world harm, and this outcome demonstrates our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable and pursuing those who use the digital space to abuse our children. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure those who engage in this conduct are brought to justice.”
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see partnerships like this one be able to remove this individual from our community,” said Sheriff Eric Aden. “Every successful outcome like this one is a clear reminder that collaboration is our greatest tool in the fight against those who exploit and harm children.”
The defendant’s imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face an additional period of incarceration. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay restitution to victims, and he will be required to continue to register as a sex offender.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
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 public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Russellton Resident Sentenced to Decade in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Russellton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Michael Rearick, 44, on November 25, 2025, also ordering Rearick to pay $20,000 in restitution to his victim.
According to information presented to the Court, from on or about April 21, 2023, until on or about April 23, 2023, Rearick transported a minor from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Canada with intent that the minor engage in criminal sexual activity.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the West Deer Township Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rearick.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Representatives of the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of New York Meet with Rabbi Joel Friedman and Other Members of Federal Law Enforcement to Discuss Protecting the Jewish CommunityRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – This fall, Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III of the Northern District of New York, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York, and other top federal law enforcement officials met with Rabbi Joel Friedman in Manhattan to discuss the safety and security of the Jewish community.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “As Jewish people across the Northern District of New York observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, they can be sure that law enforcement is taking every action to protect their safety, security and well-being. Everyone has the right to practice their religion in peace. Any violent or threatening conduct, motivated by anti-Semitism, will be investigated, prosecuted, and punished.”
Rabbi Friedman stated: “At a time of increasing antisemitism and horrific attacks on Jews around New York, we are eternally grateful to our law enforcement partners who stand with us against hate crimes and other forms of discriminatory actions. Our federal law enforcement officers work hard every day to ensure the rights of all Americans and we are moved by their desire to protect Jews and minorities from hateful harm. We look forward to continued partnership and we wish everyone a peaceful and successful new year, filled with blessings for all people.”
From left to right:
Sean Buckley, Deputy U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York (SDNY)
FBI NY Assistant Special Agent in Charge Spencer Horn
Patrick Lin, SDNY U.S. Marshals Service, Acting Commander for the New York/ New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NYNJ/RFTF)
EDNY U.S. Marshal Vincent F. DeMarco
Yuri Babayev, Deputy U.S. Marshal for SDNY
NDNY Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone
Rabbi Joel Friedman
Jhovanny Gomez, Acting U.S. Marshal, SDNY
SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton
Homeland Security Investigations NY Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel
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Pojoaque Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing a MinorRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Pojoaque man pleaded guilty to a count of sexually abusing a child over a period of several months.
According to court documents, between December 2021, and February 2022, Alexander John Duran, 31, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque, engaged in a sexual act with a child under the age of 12.
Duran pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact and upon conviction will receive 14 years in federal prison. Upon his release from prison, Duran will be subject to no less than five years of supervised release up to life and must register as a sex offender.
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 Santa Fe Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation Involving Multiple Victims in Different StatesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Trevor Metterhauser, 41, of Pennsylvania, pled guilty on November 13, 2025, to attempted aggravated sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children, and multiple counts of possession of child pornography. The aggravated sexual abuse and sexual exploitation charges involve two toddlers (one located in upstate New York and the other in Texas).
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Metterhauser admitted that he was convicted of possessing child pornography in Pennsylvania in 2011. In November 2022, Metterhauser conspired with Brandon Whitford to sexually exploit an approximately 4-year-old girl in the Northern District of New York. Metterhauser traveled from his home in Pennsylvania to Whitford’s home in New York, where Metterhauser made recordings that depicted the child naked. Whitford sexually assaulted the child shortly after Metterhauser left, recorded that content, and sent it to Metterhauser.
In December 2022, the defendant agreed with Carlos Julian Ruiz to sexually assault an approximately 2-year-old child and to record that abuse. Metterhauser traveled from Pennsylvania to Texas to commit the assault and record his sexual abuse of the 2-year-old child.
When Metterhauser was arrested in the Northern District of New York in early 2023, he had with him multiple electronic devices that contained the recordings of his sexual assault of the Texas victim; child pornography he received from Whitford depicting the New York victim; and child pornography he obtained from the internet.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “The defendant’s admitted conduct is horrendous beyond description. This plea provides much needed finality and certainty for the victims and ensures that this dangerous predator never terrorizes another child. My office and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue pedophiles who target our innocent children for their own twisted sexual gratification.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated: “Trevor Metterhauser is one of the most disturbing predators FBI Albany has investigated. His sinister crimes spanned multiple states, and the details of his abuse are truly horrific. His admission now ensures he will spend the rest of his life locked up in federal prison. Today, our thoughts are with the children he harmed through his appalling actions. The FBI remains fiercely dedicated to aggressively investigating dangerous predators like Mr. Metterhauser who victimize our most vulnerable.”
If the district court accepts the parties’ plea agreement, at sentencing on March 12, 2026, the defendant will receive a term of imprisonment of 80 years, a lifetime term of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, forfeiture of devices used to commit the offenses, must pay restitution to the victims, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Whitford and Ruiz have each pled guilty to offenses related to their roles in the abuse of the victims.
FBI-Albany and FBI-San Antonio investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Benjamin A. Gillis are prosecuting it with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Pendleton Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Minors on Umatilla Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Pendleton, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today to sexually abusing two minors and engaging in sexual contact with a third minor.
Aaron William Pizer, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact.
According to court documents, on or between July 10, 2016, and July 9, 2017, and on or between August 22, 2019, and August 21, 2020, Pizer sexually abused two minors under the age of sixteen on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. On April 19, 2024, Pizer engaged in sexual contact on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation with a minor under the age of sixteen.
On September 4, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Pizer with Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact.
Pizer faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for counts one and two, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life term of supervised release. He faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison for count three, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life term of supervised release. He will be sentenced on March 12, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Pizer has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victims.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, and Pendleton Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought in collaboration with 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.justice.gov/psc.
Panama City Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Orinthian Frazier, 46, of Panama City, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the guilty plea.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the outstanding work of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, with support from our federal law enforcement partners, to remove this repeat offender from our streets. My office stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement partners in the mission to keep our communities safe, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes to deliver on the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the violent offenders who have terrorized our streets for too long.”
In March 2025, Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigators received information that the defendant, a prior felon with convictions for Sale of Cocaine, Sale of Heroin, Grand Theft, and Burglary, was selling illegal firearms. Investigators negotiated and then conducted a controlled purchase of three handguns. The defendant was arrested immediately after the undercover firearm sale and was found in possession of marked currency used for the purchase.
Sentencing is set for February 5, 2026, at the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Court Judge Mark Walker. The defendant faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment on the charges.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Luring Minor Girls into Sending Him Sexually Explicit ContentRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Lorain County man who pretended to own a modeling agency has been sentenced to prison for grooming children into sending him sexually explicit images through the social media platform, Snapchat.
Joshua R. Glover, 36, of Elyria, Ohio, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster after pleading guilty in July to receipt and distribution of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and to possession of child pornography, which is also known as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Glover was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and to pay $2,000 in assessments toward a monetary reserve for victims of CSAM. Judge Polster imposed the sentence Nov. 25, 2025.
“Glover’s vile and despicable manipulation of underage girls has come to an end. He will no longer commit these heinous and horrendous crimes against vulnerable children,” said United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “We are immensely grateful to the FBI Cleveland for the thorough investigation that led to Glover’s three-decades-long sentence to keep him behind bars where he cannot continue this predatory behavior.”
According to court documents, from January 2022 to January 2024, Glover used Snapchat to engage with hundreds of minor girls under the guise of owning a modeling agency. His typical victims ranged in age from 12-15 years old and were located throughout the country. Investigators found that Glover repeatedly sent requests for sexually explicit photos and videos to young girls with the lure of joining his modeling agency and receiving payment for their images and videos. Glover initiated over 18,000 chats and conversed with some victims for years—building relationships where he directed the type of sexual activity the minors engaged in and offered to meet with them in person to engage in sex.
“Contacting, coercing, and preying on young girls through social media to gain their trust and elicit inappropriate behavior is cold and callous,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “This sentence underscores the commitment of not only the FBI, but also our federal, state, and local partners who will ensure a full and thorough investigation that leads to taking predators like Glover offline and out of our neighborhoods. The FBI will continue to work collaboratively to combine resources and share expertise to identify those who commit these appalling crimes and find justice for the victims.”
Federal search warrants of Glover’s digital devices and online accounts revealed Glover possessed approximately 100 files of CSAM. By his own admission, Glover estimated he received images and videos of CSAM from over 90 different minors.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division.
The prosecution in this case was led by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer King.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 18 Months and Ordered to Pay over $160,000 in Restitution for Health Care Fraud and Unlawful Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III announced today that Anja Salamack, age 50, of Delray Beach, Florida, was sentenced in late October to 18 months in prison and a one-year period of home detention for submitting false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs and for issuing prescriptions for a controlled substance for non-medical purposes and outside the usual course of profession practice. The charges were part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
Salamack, formerly an Albany resident, was a psychiatric nurse practitioner who resided in Florida but claimed to be practicing in Albany. Salamack pled guilty to health care fraud for submitting false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs in New York State for health care services that she never provided, e.g. psychotherapy services, and evaluation and management services. Salamack caused $163,639.58 in losses. Salamack also pled guilty to unlawful drug distribution (also known as drug diversion), for issuing prescriptions for the controlled substance amphetamine (e.g. Adderall) for non-medical purposes and outside the usual course of professional practice. For instance, from November 2018 to May 2023, Salamack regularly prescribed amphetamine in the name of a person who had not been her patient since 2016. Salamack issued these prescriptions (108 in total) at the request of a relative of the former patient.
As part of her sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Ann M. Nardacci ordered that Salamack pay full restitution to the victims of her fraud along with a $10,000 fine and serve a two-year term of supervised release, to begin after her term of imprisonment. And in connection with her guilty plea, Salamack also surrendered her DEA registration (which had allowed her to prescribe controlled substances).
In a separate civil settlement agreement, Salamack admitted that she submitted claims to Medicare for psychotherapy services that were not rendered. She also admitted that she used $48,670 in Provider Relief Funds (PRF) for impermissible purposes. The PRF was money that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act had allocated to healthcare providers to pay for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Salamack agreed to pay $188,850 to resolve her False Claims Act liability.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This medical professional abused the privilege of providing care to others, and now she will pay the price for it. Thanks to a thorough investigation by the DEA and HHS, Anja Salamack is out of business, will have to compensate her victims—including the federal government through her significant civil settlement—and spend over a year in a federal prison.”
“Anja Salamack’s actions were no different from those of any drug trafficker, when she knowingly chose to put profits above the health and well-being of those lives she took an oath to help” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “While Salamack’s sentencing of 18 months sends a message; the harmful effects from her actions of unlawfully prescribing the controlled substance amphetamine for non-medical purposes could last much longer. Health care professionals must and will be held accountable when wrongfully and illegally prescribing controlled substances.”
“The defendant in this case, a nurse practitioner, put patients’ well-being in jeopardy and exploited health care programs meant to benefit her community,” stated Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect essential programs and hold accountable those whose actions could result in potential patient harm.”
The June 2025 charges were a part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and over 15.6 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. In connection with the takedown, the Government seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets.
The DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad (TDS) investigated this case. TDS is comprised of DEA Special Agents and Diversion Investigators, as well as Investigators from the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the Colonie Police Department assisted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph S. Hartunian and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted the criminal case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Moran represented the United States in the civil matter.
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New Orleans Man Guilty of Sending Obscene Videos to an Individual He Believed to Be a Fifteen-Year-Old FemaleRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that MARK BROOKS (a/k/a “Baby Nu”), age 35, from New Orleans, pled guilty on November 20, 2025 before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe to attempted transfer of obscene matter to a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1470.
According to court documents, on or about May 1, 2025, BROOKS contacted an FBI online covert employee who was pretending to be a fifteen-year-old female named “Ava”. Subsequently, after “Ava” told BROOKS that she was only fifteen years old, BROOKS engaged in a sexually charged, text-based correspondence with her. During their correspondence, BROOKS sent multiple sexually explicit videos to “Ava,” including videos of BROOKS masturbating while at work and inside rooms in a residence. During their correspondence, BROOKS repeatedly discussed meeting “Ava” in person to engage in sexual acts. On May 13, 2025, BROOKS proposed to Ava that they meet at a restaurant near his residence and then return to BROOKS’s residence to engage in sexual contact. “Ava” agreed. Law enforcement authorities arrested BROOKS as he walked from his residence to the restaurant.
BROOKS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. BROOKS may also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing before Judge Ashe has been scheduled for February 12, 2026, at 1:30 pm.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.
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Multi-Agency Investigation Results in Convictions of 20 Defendants for Decade-Long, Multi-Million Dollar Marijuana Trafficking and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT– A case that began as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case in Shreveport has resulted in the conviction and sentencing of 20 defendants to a combined sentence of over 87 years in federal prison for a drug trafficking conspiracy involving thousands of pounds of marijuana that the conspirators sold for millions of dollars over the course of more than a decade.
“Organized drug trafficking is a menace to our communities, promoting lawlessness, violence, and addiction,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Dismantling these networks lies at the heart of our mission to make our Louisiana communities safe, and this case shows our Office’s ability to work with state, local, and federal law enforcement partners—here, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Shreveport Police Department—to do precisely that.”
According to documents and testimony presented in court, Hikmat Deeb worked with others, including Brieon O’Neal and Andrew Brown, to obtain and distribute marijuana in the Western District of Louisiana from 2012 until the time of his arrest in September 2023. The defendants originally obtained marijuana on the West Coast, with the men found by law enforcement to possess large sums of cash at airports in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle that Deeb later admitted to be for the purchase of large quantities of marijuana.
By 2021, Deeb began obtaining marijuana from sources of supply in Oklahoma that included his brother, Rshad Deeb, and Hui He and Yichen He, both Chinese nationals. Hui He owned two properties in Oklahoma that he used for the illegal cultivation and distribution of marijuana and was also connected to a larger marijuana distribution organization. After purchasing the marijuana, Deeb used a network of couriers and salesmen to transport and sell the drugs to the Western District of Louisiana and elsewhere, with the marijuana stored in places like apartment buildings, homes, and an abandoned car lot in Shreveport.
In addition, Deeb’s wife, Jerusalia Bell, laundered many of the proceeds of this conspiracy through a retail clothing line, with Deeb giving her cash from his illegal drug sales to deposit into her business bank account. Bell’s business had nearly $1 million in unreported income between 2020 and 2022 alone, representing the proceeds of this laundering activity from that period.
This case led to substantial prison sentences for several co-conspirators, including Deeb, who was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison, as well as Hui He and Bell, both of whom received sentences of more than eight years in prison. The full list of defendants, their conviction and sentences are as follows:
Hui He a/k/a “Kevin,” 42
Norman, OK
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 100 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
Hikmat Jamal Deeb a/k/a “Hek” and “Hector,” 35
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to laundering of monetary instruments
- Sentenced to 224 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
Brieon O’Neal, 37
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 72 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
Andrew O. Brown, 31
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and wire fraud
- Sentenced to 63 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
- Restitution of $22,000
Rshad Deeb a/k/a “Ray,” 39
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 108 months in prison, 5 years supervised release
Modh Fawzi Tbaileh a/k/a “Moody,” 35
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 60 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
Trevor J. Osifo, 30
Aubrey, TX
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 72 months in prison, 5 years supervised release
Jimmy Lee Mays, Jr., 32
Longview, TX
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 41 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
Dajuan Jackson a/k/a “Bando,” 43
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 46 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
Yichen He a/k/a “Brian” and “Lin Lin,” 31
Newcastle, OK
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 60 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
Javarria Linnear a/k/a “Bubba,” 33
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 5 years of supervised probation
- Fine of $5,500
Jerusalia S. Bell, 37
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 97 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
James Troy Phillips, 37
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 60 months in prison, 5 years supervised release
Damarquez Mitchell a/k/a “Quez,” 33
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Sentenced to 84 months in prison, 5 years supervised release
Clarissa Monet Holmes, 31
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 3 years supervised probation
Shakera Stringfellow, 27
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 3 years supervised probation
Hadi Deeb, 26
Bossier City, LA
- Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
- Sentenced to 21 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
Elesia Denee Johnson, 28
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 3 years of supervised probation
Adham Jamal Deeb a/k/a “Polo,” 40
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentencing set for 2/12/2026
Cory David Beasley, 39
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentencing set for 3/12/2026
U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. is scheduled to sentence the two remaining defendants, Adham Deeb and Cory Beasley, in early 2026 after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Shreveport Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and J. Aaron Crawford are prosecuting the case.
The investigation and conviction of these defendants originated as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identified, disrupted, and dismantled the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threatened the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leveraged the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 5:23-cr-00214.
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Minneapolis Non-Profit Director Charged with FraudRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL – Tony Robinson, age 41, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, made an initial appearance today on an indictment charging Robinson with five counts of wire fraud and conspiracy offenses for Robinson’s participation in a fraud scheme with Tezzaree El-Amin Champion, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
Robinson was the operations director at Encouraging Leaders, a Minneapolis-based non-profit organization founded and led by Champion. Champion used the organization to submit fraudulent grant applications and progress reports to government and private grant programs, then misused substantial portions of the grant funding. Participants in the scheme, including Champion and Robinson, retained grant funds for themselves. Champion and Robinson defrauded the U.S. Department of Justice, Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota State Arts Board, and others.
Robinson participated in the scheme from approximately December 2021 until October 2022. Robinson worked with a freelance worker in Africa to draft and submit false grant progress reports to organizations that had awarded grants to Encouraging Leaders.
For example, Robinson prepared false reports for the U.S. Department of Justice, which issues grants focused on juvenile justice and substance-abuse prevention; the Minnesota State Arts Board, which issues grants to Minnesota’s theaters, museums, choirs, and arts organizations; and Non-Profit A, which is a Minnesota non-profit founded by the McKnight Foundation with a focus on youth-learning outside of the classroom.
Robinson’s reports claimed Encouraging Leaders used grant funds to organize events and activities that never occurred, and overstated Encouraging Leaders’ involvement in events that had occurred. Robinson’s reports also falsely claimed that Encouraging Leaders had assisted various students, when in fact it had not.
During Robinson’s participation in the scheme, the fraud and Encouraging Leaders caused a loss of more than $1 million to victims.
Tezzaree El-Amin Champion was charged separately and pled guilty. On November 18, 2025, U.S. District Judge Katherine M. Menendez sentenced Champion to 84 months of imprisonment to be followed by 60 months supervised release, and to pay $3,479,575 in restitution. In sentencing Champion, Judge Menendez noted that Champion’s fraudulent conduct was “relentless” and “reflects a scale and a depth that is disturbing.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson and Matthew D. Forbes are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Michigan Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Adrian Demetrius Ludaway, also known as “A1,” 35, of Wayne, Michigan, was sentenced today to nine years and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl and a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 27, 2025, Ludaway sold approximately 28.5 grams of methamphetamine and 6.79 gram of fentanyl to a confidential informant in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Ludaway admitted to conducting the transaction and to arranging it beforehand.
On May 30, 2025, law enforcement officers arrested Ludaway and executed a search warrant at his 30th Street residence in Huntington. Officers seized approximately 4 pounds of fentanyl and 100 grams of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” a loaded Charter Arms model Undercover .38-caliber revolver, and approximately $20,000 during the search.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
Ludaway’s co-defendant, Scott Burd, 59, of Huntington, pleaded guilty on November 24, 2025, to aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2026.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), an enforcement surge that has sought to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-103.
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Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Demonte Jovon Walker, also known as “DJ,” 26, of Pontiac, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 24, 2024, Walker sold approximately 83 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $450. As part of his guilty plea, Walker admitted that he arranged the transaction beforehand and conducted it in the confidential informant’s vehicle in Huntington.
Walker also admitted to additional criminal conduct. Walker sold approximately 56 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $300 on October 2, 2024, and approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $300 on October 17, 2024. Walker admitted that he conducted both transactions, each time to a confidential informant in Huntington, and arranged for another individual to sell approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $300 in Huntington on October 9, 2024.
Walker is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-100.
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Mexican Citizen Sentenced to Seven Months in Prison for Illegal Reentry; Faces DeportationRead the Press Release
Harrisburg -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Juan Ramos-Abarca, age 49, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced on November 20, 2025 to seven months in prison by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for illegally reentering the country after having previously been removed.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Ramos-Abarca was indicted by a federal grand jury after being arrested for various driving offenses in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in September 2021. Ramos-Abarca had previously been removed from the United States on several occasions and, in 2011, was convicted of illegal reentry. Last month, Ramos-Abarca pleaded guilty to illegal reentry prior to being sentenced.
An ICE detainer is lodged against Ramos-Abarca for deportation proceedings.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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).
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Men Linked to the Disappearance of an 18-Year-Old Nebraska Woman Found Guilty of Drug, Gun, and Obstruction-Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Two men with lengthy criminal histories were convicted by a jury on November 25, 2025, after a 11-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.
Floyd Clifford Coates, Jr., aka Cliff Coates, age 44, from St. Francis, Kansas, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and Drug User, Conspiracy to Conceal Objects with the Intent to Impair Their Availability for an Official Proceeding, and Concealing Objects with the Intent to Impair their Availability for an Official Proceeding. Coates was acquitted of other charges related to threats, and obstruction of justice.
Dennis Lawson, age 65, from Whiting, Iowa, was convicted of Using Threat of Physical Force Against Another with the Intent to Hinder, Delay, or Prevent the Communication to a Law Enforcement Officer and Judge of the United States of Information Relating to the Commission and Possible Commission of a Federal Offense. Lawson was acquitted of other charges relating to drugs, threats and obstruction.
The verdict was returned following about 2 hours of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that in Spring 2019, Coates was a member of a drug trafficking organization that funneled pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado to Strubel, Iowa, among other places, for redistribution, and that Coates possessed firearms to protect his illegal drug operation. Evidence also showed that on Easter weekend 2019, Coates had arranged a drug run to Kansas City, Missouri.
To execute the Easter weekend drug run, Coates had convinced an Iowa woman to drive from Sioux City, Iowa; meet him in Blair, Nebraska; and drive him to Kansas City, Missouri, and back. Coates decided to travel to Blair from Trenton, Nebraska, with another woman, 18-year-old Sunny Sramek. Coates and Sramek left Trenton in his wife’s white Ford Explorer to go on the trip. There is no evidence Ms. Sramek knew Coates was going to Kansas City; in fact, she told friends and family that she was going to be on a day trip to Omaha.
The pair made it to Blair, where Coates went into a home, but Ms. Sramek did not. Coates’s driver arrived from Sioux City and Coates said nothing of Ms. Sramek to the driver. As the driver and Coates left the home, the driver saw Ms. Sramek’s motionless body. The driver testified it looked as if Ms. Sramek had overdosed, and Coates said he had provided her methamphetamine. Coates cancelled his drug run to Kansas City and told his driver to go to the home of his brother-in-law Dennis Lawson near Whiting, Iowa, on the banks of the Missouri River. The driver testified that after they arrived at Lawson’s residence Lawson and Coates disappeared for a time, when they returned, Ms. Sramek’s body was gone. The driver also testified that she and Coates cleaned out the car, and that Lawson threatened her saying if she told anyone, “it would be her funeral.”
Later, Coates told confidants that Ms. Sramek had overdosed. He told other friends a more violent story. In both versions, however, he told people he had thrown Ms. Sramek’s body into the Missouri River to conceal evidence of his crimes. Coates was confident his efforts at concealing Ms. Sramek’s body would insulate him from accountability. He told one person “no body, no case” and asked another “you can’t get charged with murder if there is no body, can you?”
Coates’s confidence was misplaced. Law enforcement gathered a significant amount of physical evidence tying Coates to Ms. Sramek’s disappearance. Forensic analysis indicated Ms. Sramek’s DNA and a significant amount of blood were found in the white Ford Explorer. The forensic findings combined with other evidence provided the proof the jury used to convict Coates and Lawson.
“Sunny Sramek went missing more than six years ago,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson. “But the investigators’ dedication kept her case from going cold. Thanks to them, these two criminals now face judgment for Sunny’s disappearance. Those who believe they can escape justice through threats, cover-ups, or the passage of time will discover they are mistaken.”
“The convictions of Coates and Lawson represent years of tireless, unwavering efforts by a dedicated team of FBI personnel who never stopped looking for Sunny Sramek,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Despite the defendants’ best efforts to conceal involvement in her disappearance, the FBI persisted in our mission to hold these subjects accountable for their actions. We hope these convictions bring some measure of solace to Sunny’s family. The FBI will always use every tool and technique in our arsenal to seek justice for the missing and attempts to hinder those efforts will be aggressively investigated.”
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Coates and Lawson remain in custody of the United States Marshal.
Coates faces a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Lawson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by Hitchcock County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office; the Nebraska State Patrol; the Iowa Department of Public Safety—Division of Criminal Investigation; the Plymouth County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the O’Brien County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner; the Goodland, Kansas, Police Department; and the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case number is 24-4021.
Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Manhattan Man Sentenced for Possessing Twenty-Two Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sean Christianson, 45, of Manhattan, New York, was sentenced today to 151 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Christianson admitted that on February 25, 2025, he traveled from the New York City area to Liverpool, New York, with twenty-two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in his vehicle. Christianson intended to sell the cocaine in the Syracuse area. Law enforcement apprehended Christianson as he arrived in Liverpool. At the sentencing hearing, the evidence also established that Christianson maintained a New York City apartment for the purpose of drug distribution and illegally possessed firearms in connection with his drug activity.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, another drug dealer and a huge quantity of narcotics have been put away for a long time. Drug dealers will not get away with selling narcotics in the Northern District of New York.”
“Today’s sentencing of Sean Christianson sends a clear message to those individuals who are looking to flood our upstate communities with illicit narcotics and violence” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “The DEA and our law enforcement partners understand the harmful effects dangerous drugs have on our communities and we will continue do everything we can to make sure justice is delivered.”
United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release to begin after Christianson is released from prison.
DEA investigated the case with assistance from the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Syracuse Police Department, and City of New York Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.
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Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Student Visa, Other DocumentsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Monday sentenced a Nigerian national to 41 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining a student visa and admission to the University of Missouri as well as a Social Security card, a driver license, a bank account and an apartment.
Mercy Ojedeji, 26, also participated in the money mule activities of Shirley Waller. Waller is serving a 93-month prison sentence after admitting aiding online scammers and committing pandemic and mortgage fraud. The government alleged that Ojedeji and Waller used a fraudulently opened bank account to funnel the proceeds of Waller’s criminal activities to Nigeria. A total of 193 packages were sent to the home Waller and Ojedeji shared, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office argued that the total intended loss of the pair’s activities was more than $1 million, based on the $94,150 contained in the 17 packages seized by law enforcement.
In a letter to Judge Autrey, one victim who lost $47,000 to the scam described being duped by a tale of a lonely, widowed orthopedic surgeon working in in a refugee hospital in Jordan. “It is a terrible shame there are such people existing to steal money from innocent victims such as myself,” she wrote. Another had their water cut off for a month due to non-payment after sending money to scammers.
Ojedeji pleaded guilty in April in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents and one count of wire fraud. He admitted using counterfeit academic transcripts, recommendations, a resume and a report about his English language proficiency to obtain a student visa from the University of Missouri and admission to the chemistry PhD program in the fall of 2023. Ojedeji also obtained a stipend and a tuition waiver worth more than $49,000. Ojedeji presented his student visa and other documents to the Social Security Administration to obtain a Social Security card and used the fraudulently issued Social Security number and other documents to open a bank account. He also used the Social Security number and documents produced by his paramour, Waller, to rent an apartment. After Ojedeji failed to attend classes, his assistantship or join a research group, the university terminated him from the graduate program in January 2024. This also resulted in the termination of his student visa. On Feb. 26, 2024, Ojedeji used his fraudulently obtained and now invalid visa and other documents to obtain a Missouri driver license. The driver’s license was subsequently used to open the bank account through which he and Waller forwarded the proceeds of Waller’s money mule activities.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others in order to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims, including those most vulnerable,” said Inspector in Charge, Ruth Mendonça, who leads the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which includes the St. Louis Field Office.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, with the assistance of the FBI and the Town and Country Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry prosecuted the case.
Madison County Sex Offender Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Sex Offender Registration and Supervised Release ViolationsRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Floyd Wood, age 57, of DeRuyter, New York, was sentenced on October 8, 2025 to a total of 24 months in prison: 18 months for violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a consecutive 6 months violating his conditions of federal supervised release.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia made the announcement.
In 2017 Wood was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, and 15 years of supervised release following his conviction for Coercion and Enticement of a 12-year-old child. He began his term of supervised release in November of 2023 upon his release from prison. Months later, Wood activated a second email account which he willfully failed to register with the Sex Offender Registry, as required by law. For months thereafter, Wood lied to his supervising Probation Officer about his email accounts, and the new account was only discovered when, during a home visit, Wood was found trying to hide an unauthorized smart phone from Probation Officers.
Following the terms of imprisonment, Wood will resume a term of supervised release for 10 years, during which he will again be obligated to follow his sex offender registration obligations.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone, III said: “Sex offender registration laws are designed for the protection of the public. They are simple to understand and follow. Any willful failure to strictly comply will be investigated and aggressively prosecuted by my office to ensure public safety.”
Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia stated: “The arrest of Floyd Wood highlights our continued commitment to locating and apprehending individuals who pose a threat to our communities. The U.S. Marshals Sex Offender Branch works closely with our federal, state, and local partners to track offenders and enforce sex offender registration requirements under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. These efforts are central to the mission of the U.S. Marshals Service. We remain fully dedicated to deploying the necessary resources to locate and apprehend non-compliant sex offenders nationwide, ensuring that those who violate federal law are brought to justice.”
The United States Marshal Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher prosecuted both this case and Wood’s 2017 conviction, as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Lowell Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Steven Estrada Ramirez, 23, pleaded guilty on Nov. 24, 2025, to receipt and possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris who scheduled sentencing for March 10, 2026. Estrada was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024.
Estrada was identified as a participant in multiple groups on a mobile chat application in which the primary purpose of the groups was for users to share and view CSAM. At the time of his arrest, Estrada was found to be in possession of a USB drive containing over 700 video files depicting CSAM, including files depicting children who appeared to be approximately one to eight years old. Additionally, the home screen of Estrada’s cell phone depicted an image of CSAM and the phone contained thousands of images and videos depicting CSAM.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant will also be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Kenner Man Sentenced for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JOHNREN GAINES (“GAINES”), age 28, of Kenner, was sentenced on November 20, 2025, for Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.
According to court documents, from May 2019 through April 2022, GAINES knowingly accessed and converted approximately $49,232.40 in Social Security Administration funds.
United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe sentenced GAINES to two (2) years’ probation, six (6) months to be served in home incarceration, $49,232.40 in restitution, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Anne Flippo.
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Jury Convicts New Rochelle Man of Pandemic Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Aly Kaba, age 30, of New Rochelle, New York, was convicted on October 21, 2025 following a five-day trial of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits using stolen identities. Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before returning a guilty verdict on all counts.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), made the announcement.
The trial evidence showed that in late 2020, Kaba conspired with his former roommate, Tony Brobbey, and fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor worth more than $150,000. To make the fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, Kaba used multiple stolen identities, including a victim named J.F., a victim named J.M., as well as two men who died more than a decade before the pandemic. Kaba’s fraudulent claims sought more than $500,000 in benefits. The evidence also showed that Kaba used fraud proceeds on overseas travel and a Rolex watch.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “Kaba used stolen identities to fleece benefits programs intended to benefit workers during a desperate time. Thanks to the hard work of prosecutors in my office and each law enforcement agency involved in this task force, Kaba’s days of exotic travel on the taxpayers’ dime are over and his next trip will be to federal prison.”
USPIS Acting Inspector in Charge Nicholas Bucciarelli stated: “Mr. Kaba’s conviction should serve notice to anyone hoping to misuse the mail for fraudulent purposes. Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate mail fraud, protect public funds, and bring perpetrators to justice.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Keegan said: "This conviction reinforces HSI Albany's commitment, alongside our law enforcement partners, to protecting communities from fraud and ensuring that relief programs serve those who truly need them. We are proud to have successfully brought justice in a case that safeguards the public by preventing the exploitation of critical government resources."
USDOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan R. Mellone stated: “Aly Kaba unlawfully profited from a scheme that used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain critical taxpayer funds intended for qualified individuals in need of unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safeguarding the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains a top priority for the Office of Inspector General. We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to ensure the protection of U.S. Department of Labor programs and operations.”
Kaba’s sentencing is scheduled for February 27, 2026. The conspiracy and mail fraud charges each carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Brobbey previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. His sentencing is scheduled for January 7, 2026.
This case was investigated by USPIS, HSI, and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New York Field Office and the New York State Department of Labor’s Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting the case.
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Idaho Man Admits to Assaulting Federal Officers in Southern UtahRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Gregory Aaron Farley, 51, of Hazelton, Idaho, pleaded guilty in federal court today to assault of an employee of the United States with a deadly or dangerous weapon after he rammed his pickup truck into two U.S. Park Rangers’ vehicle in May 2025.
According to court documents and admissions made at Farley’s change of plea hearing, on May 3, 2025, while in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Southern Utah, Farley used his GMC Sierra Denali pickup truck to assault two on duty United States Park Rangers who conducted a traffic stop on Farley. During the traffic stop, Farley, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, fled the scene while one of the rangers was speaking to him, nearly hitting one of the rangers. A vehicle pursuit ensued, and at one point, Farley turned his vehicle around and rammed his truck into the driver’s side of the rangers’ vehicle, pushing them into the shoulder of the road, causing their vehicle’s air bags to deploy and rendering the driver’s side door inoperable. See prior press release: Idaho Man Indicted after Allegedly Assaulting U.S. Park Rangers in Southern Utah.
Farley is scheduled to be sentenced February 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge in courtroom 2B of the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
“My office will have zero tolerance for attacks on law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “We are fortunate that these U.S. Park Rangers were not critically injured, but it is a stark reminder of the dangers they face while in the line of duty. My office will prosecute such violent offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph M. Hood and Stephen P. Dent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Illegal Alien Sentenced for Attempted Transmission of Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Khadim Rassol Gueye, 26, a citizen of Senegal, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to attempted transmission of obscene material to a minor. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our federal law enforcement partners are relentless in their work to keep our children safe from sexual predators, like this criminal alien, and my office stands ready to aggressively prosecute these offenses to ensure the most vulnerable members of our community won’t be victimized.”
According to court records, the defendant used a popular cloud-based messaging app to engage in conversation with a person he believed was a 13-year-old female. During the conversation, which lasted for months, the defendant expressed his sexual desires and sent obscene material depicting himself to the purported minor, who was an undercover special agent with Homeland Security Investigations. Following his release from prison, Gueye will be required to register as a sex offender.
“This sentence reinforces our commitment to protecting children from those who use digital platforms to exploit them,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno. “Transmitting obscene material to a minor is a serios crime with lasting consequences for its victims. This outcome reflects the hard work of our investigators and prosecutors and serves as a clear warning that anyone who targets children online will be held fully accountable.”
This conviction was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
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 public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.