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6 January 2026
Manderson Man Sentenced to 1 Year and a Day in Federal Prison for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on January 2, 2026.
Victor Afraid Of Hawk, age 41, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Afraid Of Hawk was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2025. He pleaded guilty on September 29, 2025.
Based upon his 2006 federal conviction for Abusive Sexual Contact, Afraid Of Hawk is required to register as a sex offender for life. He last updated his address on September 26, 2024, at Manderson. He then began living in Rapid City in November 2024. Afraid of Hawk had over 175 contacts with the Rapid City Police between November 2024 and July 2025 but never updated his address. Afraid Of Hawk was aware of his obligations to register and knowingly failed to do so.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth handled the prosecution.
Afraid Of Hawk was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Justice Department Sues Arizona and Connecticut for Failure to Produce Voter RollsRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced that it has filed federal lawsuits against the States of Arizona and Connecticut for failure to produce their full voter registration lists upon request. This brings the Justice Department’s nationwide total to 23 states and the District of Columbia.
“This Department of Justice has now sued 23 states for failing to provide voter roll data and will continue filing lawsuits to protect American elections,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Accurate voter rolls are the foundation of election integrity, and any state that fails to meet this basic obligation of transparency can expect to see us in court.”
“Accurate voter rolls are essential to ensuring that American citizens’ votes count only once, and only with other eligible voters,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to safeguarding fair and free elections, and will hold states accountable when they refuse to respect our federal elections laws.”
According to the lawsuits, the Attorney General is uniquely charged by Congress with the enforcement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which were designed by Congress to ensure that states have proper and effective voter registration and voter list maintenance programs. The Attorney General also has the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (CRA) at her disposal to demand the production, inspection, and analysis of the statewide voter registration lists.
Jury Convicts Seven Defendants in 2023 Carjacking SpreeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jaelen Jordan, 20, and Warren Montgomery, 21, both of Washington, D.C., and Bryon Gillum, 20, Isaiah Flowers, 20, Jahkai Goff, 21, Taj Giles, 20, and Irshaad Ellis-Bey, 20, all of Prince George’s County, MD, were found guilty today in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on charges pertaining to three armed carjackings on February 27, 2023, April 27, 2023, and May 16, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The jury deliberated for approximately four days before finding the defendants guilty of multiple charges including armed carjacking.
“Stop lusting over other people’s cars and keep your hands to yourself unless you want to spend the next 15 years eating cold sandwiches in a correctional facility with likeminded lusters,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Specifically, the jury found Goff guilty of armed carjacking, armed robbery, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for his role in the February 27, 2023, armed carjacking.
The jury found Flowers guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, trafficking in stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle during a crime of violence, receiving stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, for his role in the February 27, 2023, and May 16, 2023, armed carjackings.
The jury found Ellis-Bey guilty of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle during a crime of violence, armed carjacking, armed robbery, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for his role in the February 27, 2023, armed carjacking.
The jury found Montgomery guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, trafficking in stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his role in the April 27, 2023, and May 16, 2023, armed carjackings.
The jury found Giles guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, trafficking in stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle during a crime of violence, receiving stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his role in the February 27, 2023, and April 27, 2023, armed carjackings.
The jury found Jordan guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, trafficking in stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of armed robberies, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and three counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for his role in the February 27, 2023, April 27, 2023, and May 16, 2023, armed carjackings.
The jury found Gillum guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, trafficking in stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of armed robberies, and two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for his role in the February 27, 2023, and April 27, 2023, armed carjackings.
The jury also found that the May 16, 2023, carjacking was committed against a senior citizen.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 27, 2023, Goff, Flowers, Ellis-Bey, Giles, and Gillum carjacked the victim at gunpoint in the Dupont Circle area. The defendants used a Dodge Charger, carjacked in Maryland the day before, to commit this carjacking. After the carjacking, the victim’s vehicle, a 2013 Porsche Cayenne was brought to an apartment building parking garage in the 1300 block of Florida Avenue NE. Jordan subsequently sold the victim’s Porsche from that parking garage on March 1, 2023.
On April 27, 2023, Montgomery, Giles, Jordan, and Gillum carjacked another victim at gunpoint at the intersection of 8th and K Street NE. After the carjacking, the victim’s vehicle, a BMW X6, was brought back to the same apartment building parking garage in the 1300 block of Florida Avenue NE. Jordan subsequently sold the victim’s BMW to undercover police officers on April 27, 2023.
Finally, on May 16, 2023, Flowers, Montgomery, and Jordan carjacked a senior citizen at gunpoint in his driveway in the 600 block of Butternut Street NW. After the carjacking, the victim’s vehicle, a Porsche Cayenne GTS, was brought back to the same apartment building parking garage in the 1300 block of Florida Avenue NE. Jordan subsequently offered to sell the victim’s Porsche to undercover police officers on May 17, 2023.
Jordan was arrested on May 17, 2023, and the remaining defendants were arrested between October and December of 2023 as law enforcement identified them.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Pirro commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). She also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Prince George’s County Police Department. She also acknowledged the work of Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory Evans and Emily Clarke who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Justice Department Awards over $477,000 to the Louisiana Department of JusticeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has awarded $477,943 to the Louisiana Department of Justice (LA DOJ) to support the Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force by providing training and technical assistance to affiliate agencies and supporting LA DOJ investigator positions to conduct proactive and reactive investigations of technology-facilitated crimes against children. LA ICAC Task Force computer forensic examiners and investigators will attend training regarding digital forensic examinations and cell phone investigations, as well as conferences such as the Dallas Crimes Against Children Conference and the National Law Enforcement Training on Child Exploitation. Funding will enable the LA ICAC to focus its efforts on investigations, forensics, prosecution, capacity building and public education. The Louisiana ICAC Task Force will continue to combat technology-facilitated child exploitation by identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting child sexual predators.
United States Attorney Wall stated, “President Trump and the Department of Justice have made protecting our children a top priority. I am excited to see these resources awarded to Attorney General Murrill’s ICAC Task Force. Clearly her team is making a real difference on a daily basis to protect the children of Louisiana from child predators and our office will continue to support those prosecutions in any way possible.”
“As part of our continuing effort to combat the exploitation of children in the State of Louisiana, we are thankful to once again be awarded grant funding from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,” stated Attorney General Liz Murrill. “This grant is vital to the continued growth of the Louisiana ICAC Task Force and ensures our ability to bring to justice those who seek to harm the children of Louisiana.”
For more information about this award, please contact the OJP Office of Communications at 202-307-0703 or [email protected].
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Ersy Gregorio Umanzor Lopez, a/k/a Ersy Gregorio Umanzor, a/k/a Ersy G. Umanzor, age 33, a Honduran national unlawfully present in Bryan County, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The Indictment alleged that on November 17, 2025, Lopez, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on October 20, 2017, on September 8, 2017, and on January 12, 2018.
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 Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Lopez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Hernando County Man Arrested for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the arrest of Richard Joseph Edstrom (40, Hernando) on an indictment charging him with possession of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Edstrom faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, between March 2024 and October 2025, Edstrom possessed and accessed material that contained child sexual abuse material.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case 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 Attorney’s 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.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
Hartford Man Who Defrauded Amazon Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TERRELL KIMBLE, 45, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for defrauding Amazon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Kimble was employed by Amazon as a Regional Fleet Specialist and an Area Manager, based in Connecticut. Amazon operated an employee reward program called Peak, administered through a procurement portal called Coupa. Coupa allowed certain employees, including Area Managers, to reward other employees on their work team for superior performance by ordering an item from Amazon for the employee at no cost. Between approximately July 2021 and December 2022, Kimble placed more than 200 Coupa orders fraudulently representing that they were to reward employee performance, but had the products, mainly high-end electronic goods, delivered to his mother’s residence for his own use. The electronic items included Apple iPad Pro, Apple AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch devices, and Nintendo Switches.
Judge Williams ordered Kimble to pay $167,115.69 in restitution to Amazon.
Kimble was arrested on August 15, 2024. On June 30, 2025, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
Kimble’s criminal history includes 14 prior convictions.
Kimble, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 20.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, with the assistance of the Windsor, West Hartford, and Hartford Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
Hardee County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Daniel Juarez (39, Hardee County) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. Juarez was found guilty on September 29, 2025, after a stipulated facts bench trial.
According to court documents, on March 15, 2024, Juarez sold a pound and a half of methamphetamine to an undercover DEA agent. Juarez had a previous conviction for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell in Hardee County Circuit Court in 2020.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
Haitian Nationals Charged with Unlawfully Smuggling Firearms from United StatesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Francesca Charles, 28, a U.S. citizen residing in Florida; Jacques Pierre, 32; and his brother, Jeff Pierre, 34, both citizens of Haiti residing in FL, with conspiracy to smuggle goods and unlawfully ship firearms, smuggling goods from the United States, and unlawfully shipping firearms. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
According to court documents, in February 2025, officials in the Dominican Republic seized 18 rifles, 5 handguns, firearms magazines, over 36,000 rounds of ammunition, and a silencer from inside a container that had been shipped from Miami, Florida. The shipping container was destined for Haiti. The firearms and ammunition were not listed on the shipping manifest, which instead listed household goods. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), learned that the defendants were the purchasers of at least 20 of the 23 firearms seized from the shipping container.
Throughout the investigation, agents learned that the defendants purchased at least 46 firearms between May 2024 and February 2025, most of which were the same make and model as the firearms recovered in the Dominican Republic. Thirty-seven of those firearms were purchased between August 9, 2024, and February 10, 2025. Agents also obtained records that Jacques Pierre purchased two Barrett .50-caliber rifles, which are heavy-duty military-style weapons that are typically mounted to the tops of vehicles and used in furtherance of violence by gangs and cartels. One of the Barrett rifles was recovered in the aforementioned shipment in February 2025.
Travel and shipping records showed that the co-conspirators would facilitate a shipment to Haiti shortly after purchasing a large number of firearms, then would travel to Haiti around the time the shipment was scheduled to arrive in Haiti. Travel records also showed that the defendants traveled to the Dominican Republic three days before the shipping container was intercepted.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the ATF and HSI with assistance from U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince and the United States Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Grand jury indicts Ohio woman on meth chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Celina Serva aka Ce Ce, 26, of Akron, OH, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on March 28, 2025, the DEA, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, and the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force began investigating the sale and distribution of narcotics in the Town of Ellicott. The investigation included surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics. On April 3, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Ellicott, seizing multiple controlled substances, a shotgun, and a large quantity of cash. Subsequent investigation identified Serva as the source of supply. Later in the day on April 3, investigators arrested Serva as she attempted to deliver methamphetamine to the residence. She was found with a total of 975 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine in her possession.
Serva was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and released on conditions.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone, and the Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief Daniel Ingrao.
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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Four Non-Profits Agree to Pay over $3 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Paycheck Protection Program LoansRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced today that it has reached civil settlement agreements with four different non-profit organizations to resolve allegations that the organizations violated the False Claims Act when they applied for and received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).
Our Office has entered into settlement agreements with the following organizations to resolve allegations that they falsely certified eligibility for PPP loans.
League of United Latin American Citizens (the “LULAC”) is a Section 501(c)(4) non-profit organization that bills itself as the largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States. In 2020, LULAC applied for and received a first draw PPP loan in the amount of $122,644 and later sought and received forgiveness of that loan. In 2021, LULAC applied for and received a second draw PPP loan in the amount of $41,710 and later sought and received forgiveness of that loan as well. LULAC has agreed to pay $312,272.60 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by obtaining two PPP loans for which it was not eligible.
National Bureau of Asian Research (the “Bureau”) is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that described its mission as a “research institution” that “helps decision-makers better understand Asia and craft concrete, actionable policy” and referred to itself as “the nation’s Asia policy think tank.” In early 2021, the Bureau applied for a “second draw” PPP loan in the amount of $411,111 and subsequently applied for and received complete forgiveness of that loan. After an analysis of the Bureau’s ability to pay pursuant to a settlement, the Bureau agreed to pay $475,000, plus interest, to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by obtaining a PPP loan for which it was not eligible.
National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (“NCPERS”) is a Section 501(c)(4) non-profit trade association working on behalf of public sector retirement systems. In 2020, NCPERS applied for and received a first draw PPP loan in the amount of $143,412 and later sought and received forgiveness of that loan. In 2021, NCPERS applied for and received a second draw PPP loan in the amount of $118,052 and later sought and received forgiveness of that loan as well. NCPERS has agreed to pay $457,562 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by obtaining two PPP loans for which it was not eligible.
Prosperity Now is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that describes its mission as seeking “policy change at all levels of Government” and engages in public policy research, advocacy, and lobbying. In early 2021, Prosperity Now applied for a “second draw” PPP loan in the amount of $1,532,800 and subsequently applied for and received complete forgiveness of that loan. After an analysis of Prosperity Now’s ability to pay pursuant to a settlement, Prosperity Now agreed to pay $2,081,523.15, plus interest, to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by obtaining a PPP loan for which it was not eligible.
The forgoing organizations were allegedly not eligible for the identified PPP loans based on the statutes and regulations governing the loan program. In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES Act”) was created to provide emergency financial support to Americans suffering economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the PPP, the CARES Act authorized billions of dollars in potentially forgivable loans to small businesses and other entities struggling to pay employees and other business expenses during the pandemic, but the Act also contained important limitations on loan eligibility. For example, the CARES Act permitted certain nonprofit organizations to obtain PPP loans, but organizations organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code were never eligible for such loans. Similarly, Congress prohibited from “second draw” PPP loans those entities primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities, including those entities organized for research or for engaging in public policy advocacy or political strategy or publicly referring to themselves as “think tanks.” The non-profit organizations that entered settlement agreements with our Office were alleged to have falsely certified their eligibility for the PPP loans.
The civil settlements resulted from investigations by Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Tepe and Auditor Timothy C. Hurley. The United States Attorney further wishes to commend attorneys Caitlin J. Kelly and Kandace Zelaya of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of the General Counsel for their assistance in the investigations.
Tips and complaint regarding potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or by submitting a NCDF Web Complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The claims resolved by the civil settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Former Austin ISD Elementary Teacher Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A former elementary school teacher pleaded guilty in a federal court in Austin today to possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, a digital forensic analysis of seized devices determined that Carl David Innmon, 51, possessed more than 16,000 files depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on a laptop computer and an additional 349,728 files depicting CSAM on an external hard drive. Thousands of the images possessed by Innmon involved prepubescent minors under the age of 12.
Innmon was a fifth-grade teacher in the Austin Independent School District at the time of his April 2025 arrest and had previously worked as a substitute teacher at approximately 20 other schools within the district. He faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant Sparks is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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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Forest Lake Man Indicted with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Damien William Quinn, also known as Ryan William Shattuck, age 34, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, was arraigned on an indictment charging Quinn with four counts of Production of Child Pornography, two counts of Attempted Production of Child Pornography, one count of Receipt of Child Pornography, and five counts of Cyberstalking, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. Mr. Quinn was ordered detained pending trial.
Damien Quinn owned multiple pseudonymous Snapchat and Instagram accounts that he used to “catfish” minor victims in order to receive sexually explicit photographs and videos. Quinn used these accounts to cyberstalk women who attended North Branch High School with him, claiming he had nude photos of them and sharing nude photos of one victim. Quinn also modified at least one photograph of a victim to make the victim appear nude. To date, law enforcement has identified eleven total victims of Quinn; six minors and five adults.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Forest Lake Police Department and the Eden Prairie Police Department.
Investigators believe there may be other victims relevant to this investigation. If you attended North Branch High School in North Branch, Minnesota, and have experienced suspicious online behavior from a known or unknown account, or if your child has reported being contacted online by an unknown account seeking sexually explicit material, contact the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Mattessich is 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.
Fifteen-Time Violent Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Quartez Rashad Goodman, a multi-convicted felon and domestic abuser who robbed two women at gunpoint, discharged a pistol near a playground after beating a dog, and engaged police in an armed standoff in a southwest Atlanta park, has been sentenced to federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm.
“While on state probation for another felon-in-possession offense, Goodman repeatedly fired a gun in a city park and used that weapon to rob two women, frighten parkgoers, and threaten police officers,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “The brave men and women of the Atlanta Police Department who apprehended Goodman performed their duty admirably. But because Goodman was undeterred by the state criminal justice system, federal prosecution was necessary to remove this repeat offender from the community and protect the public.”
“Guns in the wrong hands are just plain wrong and will not be tolerated,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “So much trauma and damage has stemmed from the actions of one person. I commend the responding officers for stopping a very dangerous situation.”
“This sentence sends a clear message that violent, repeat offenders who endanger our neighborhoods will be held accountable,” said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. “This federal sentence removes a dangerous individual from our community. Our priority is protecting the community and keeping dangerous individuals off our streets through strong partnerships with our law enforcement partners.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On May 21, 2024, more than a dozen police officers responded to D.H. Stanton Park in Atlanta, Georgia, where witnesses reported that a shirtless individual later identified as Quartez Rashad Goodman was beating a dog and fired a gun in the park. Additional officers arrived and located Goodman near a splash pad with a pistol in his hand. Although he threatened the officers when first encountered, Goodman ultimately tossed his weapon and was apprehended while officers tried to render lifesaving aid to the dog, who had been fatally shot.
Before officers arrived, Goodman assaulted two women who had been bicycling on the Beltline Trail near the park. Goodman approached the women while brandishing a firearm, demanded that one of the women give him everything she had, and stole that woman’s bicycle as she fled from Goodman.
Goodman has a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple convictions for violence against women, violence against law enforcement, weapon possession, and drug trafficking:
- Between 2008 and 2013, Goodman was convicted of selling cocaine, stealing a car and leading deputies on a high-speed chase that resulted in a crash, possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, receiving stolen property, obstructing law enforcement, and using a brick to smash the windows of a woman’s car.
- In 2013, Goodman struck a police officer with handcuffs, choked another officer, hit a third officer in the mouth, fought two others, intentionally hurt his grandfather, and punched another man in the face. Goodman was convicted of five counts of obstructing law enforcement officers by violence, three counts of battery, and one count of family violence battery.
- In 2015, while on probation, Goodman was convicted of battering a woman. A year later, Goodman pled guilty to battering the same woman again. According to the indictment in that case, Goodman struck the woman on the head with a nail gun, dragged her by the hair, pushed her face into the mud, threatened to kill her, and bit her.
- In July 2019, Goodman chased after an ex-girlfriend, stomped on her, pulled her hair, and pointed a gun at her head. When another man intervened, Goodman charged at him with a gun. Goodman was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, battery, and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
Prior to 2024, Goodman had been prosecuted by local authorities exclusively, and he had never served more than one year of confinement for any of his 15 prior felony convictions. Most of his Fulton County Superior Court sentences were probated, suspended, or commuted to time served. By contrast, all federal sentences must be served without the possibility of parole.
U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Geraghty sentenced Quartez Rashad Goodman, 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Goodman was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on April 24, 2025, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Atlanta Police Department. The Georgia Department of Community Supervision provided valuable assistance.
U.S. Attorney Hertzberg prosecuted the case himself.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Dominican National Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Dominican national was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor today for his role in a Massachusetts-Maine fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Alexis De Leon, 30, to 60 months in prison. De Leon pleaded guilty on March 11, 2025.
According to court records, De Leon and coconspirators worked together to transport kilograms of fentanyl from Massachusetts to Maine for distribution. The investigation initially showed that an individual known locally only as “Leon Leon” was using a Facebook account and other means to contact associates and customers in Maine and arrange for drug distribution. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) developed evidence that De Leon was responsible for operating that Facebook page and arranged monitored purchases of fentanyl from “Leon Leon.” The DEA ultimately coordinated a traffic stop in June 2024, with the assistance of Maine State Police, during which De Leon was found in possession of a large quantity of fentanyl enroute to Bangor. The court found that De Leon was responsible for distributing over 20 kilograms of fentanyl in Maine. Co-defendants Ramon De Leon and Mandi Ford have also pleaded guilty in this case and are pending sentencing.
The DEA investigated this case, with the assistance of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Maine State Police.
Operation Take Back America: This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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District Man Sentenced to 16-Year Prison Term for Firing into Crowd with His Three AccomplicesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – James Outland, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 16 years in prison for gunning down a crowd of people in Washington DC, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Outland pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the second degree while armed in April 2025, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Judge Danya Dayson ordered Outland to serve the prison term on January 6, 2026. Co-defendant Bobby Gupton was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison for the same incident.
According to the government’s evidence, on June 28, 2023, in the vicinity of 748 19th Street NE, Washington D.C., co-defendants Bobby Gupton and James Outland, along with two other individuals, ran, in unison, towards a crowd located at a nearby intersection and each began discharging their firearms into the crowd. After discharging their respective firearms, all shooters fled the scene together. An innocent bystander, Ms. Tavonayna Glenn, sustained one gunshot wound to the chest, causing her death. Outland was arrested almost one year after the homicide and was in possession of a rifle-like firearm with 47 rounds of ammunition at the time of his arrest.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Alyssa Schroeder, and Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Allen.
Finally, she commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shauna Payyappilly and Daniel Seidel who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Denver Bank Robber Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Simon Meza, 45, Denver, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison, and three years of supervised release after being convicted at trial in September 2025 on two counts of bank robbery. Meza previously pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in the same matter.
According to the facts presented at trial and to the Court at sentencing, on September 20, 2023, Meza entered the Huntington Bank at 18520 E. Green Valley Ranch Blvd in Denver and robbed the bank by demanding money from the teller. Meza took the money and fled. Eight days later, on September 28, 2023, Meza robbed the PNC Bank on West 32nd Avenue in Denver by, again, demanding money from the teller. Meza took the money, which contained a GPS tracker, and fled. Law enforcement officers were quickly able to track the GPS device to a rented truck traveling near the bank. Denver Police officers tried to arrest Meza in the truck, but Meza led officers on a high-speed chase. During the chase, Meza leaned out of the truck and fired one round from his Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun, striking the pursuing police vehicle in the front bumper. The chase ended when Meza caused a four-car accident at 44th Avenue and Harlan Street in Wheat Ridge. Meza then fled from the vehicle and was chased and arrested by Denver Police. Officers found the stolen money and loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber firearm in the truck.
“This conviction and sentence should send a clear message to anyone considering robbing a bank in Colorado,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “Bank robbery is a serious crime with serious penalties that you will pay. Colorado is safer with this repeat offender serving a lengthy sentence in federal prison.”
“Here we have a previous offender who could have taken advantage of state and federal opportunities to rehabilitate himself. Instead, he robbed two banks and fired on the officer who gave chase when he fled. Clearly the community is safer with this defendant back behind bars,” said Marvin Massey, Acting Special Agent In Charge of FBI Denver. “The FBI Denver Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task force will continue to work with our local partners to get violent offenders like this off the streets.”
United States District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez presided over the sentencing.
This case was investigated by the FBI Denver Field Office, the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, and the Denver Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Dunn and Thomas Minser handled the prosecution.
Case Number: 1:23-cr-00446-RMR
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Ohagee Curry, a/k/a “Gee”, 28, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our state and federal law enforcement partners were relentless in their investigation of this large drug trafficking operation, and it paid off with the dismantling of that network through this successful prosecution. My office continues to aggressively prosecute these crimes to fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the drug traffickers flooding our communities with deadly drugs.”
Curry was one of 14 defendants charged in three different indictments. He was at the center of a methamphetamine distribution organization operating in Cantonment, Pensacola, and Beulah, Florida, that was uncovered by a multi-year investigation conducted by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The defendant obtained packages of methamphetamine from California via the U.S. Mail and by courier from Alabama. He then provided the illegal drugs to others for distribution throughout the Panhandle. Law enforcement seized multiple packages from the mail which contained high purty methamphetamine.
“This successful investigation was the result of great teamwork between our agents and law enforcement partners,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Bobbitt, DEA Miami Field Division. “We will not stop until these criminals are brought to justice.”
“This case highlights the power of strong collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement,” said Sheriff B. Johnson, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. “Together, we are committed to removing dangerous drugs from our communities.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
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.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Jefferson County man has been sentenced for committing child sexual exploitation crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
U.S. District Court Judge Annemarie Axon sentenced Benjamin Ross Norris, 44, of Pinson, Alabama, to 240 months in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release. Norris was also ordered to pay $30,500 in restitution to the child victims of his crimes. Norris previously pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
According to the plea agreement, on May 28, 2022, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency received four CyberTipline Reports (CyberTips) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding two internet accounts that were being used to transmit child sexual abuse material. Both accounts were associated with Norris. On July 22, 2022, state search warrants were obtained for Norris’s residence in Pinson, Alabama, and another location associated with Norris in Trussville, Alabama. Multiple electronic devices were seized from the properties. The two internet accounts listed in the CyberTips were found on Norris’s cell phone. The forensic examination of his electronic devices revealed a total of 179 files of child pornography. At the time of this investigation, Norris had a prior conviction for possession of child pornography.
FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Homewood Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys R. Leann White and Lee Gilmer prosecuted the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Convicted Felon Found Guilty of Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, a federal jury in Charlotte found Mitchell Clydero Patterson, 38, of Spring Lake, N.C., guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, Sheriff Eddie Cathey of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Estella Patterson of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement.
“Felons are prohibited from carrying firearms for a reason,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “Defendants like Patterson wreak havoc on our communities when they continually resort to gun violence and shoot innocent people in the process. We will continue to aggressively prosecute these repeat offenders.”
“The danger of a prohibited individual in possession of a firearm cannot be understated,” said Special Agent in Charge Jones. “ATF and our local, state and federal partners are committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not have them.”
Sheriff Cathey said, "The outstanding work of our deputies and our law enforcement partners made it clear that criminals cannot outrun accountability in Union County. We will not tolerate violent offenders bringing illegal guns into our communities, and we will pursue anyone who thinks they can evade justice by crossing into Union County.”
According to filed documents, trial evidence, and witness testimony, on July 23, 2024, Patterson was involved in an argument in front of a Charlotte-based business. Patterson left but soon returned and fired several shots striking a bystander’s vehicle.
Later, on August 14, 2024, Patterson was involved in another altercation at a take-out restaurant in Charlotte. Following that altercation, Patterson left but returned a short time later and fired several shots striking a young woman in the leg.
The following day, on August 15, 2024, CMPD officers followed Patterson into Union County. Deputies with the Union County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop Patterson’s vehicle, who traveled at a high rate of speed. While fleeing in his vehicle, Patterson threw a bag out of the window before crashing. Deputies recovered and searched the bag thrown from Patterson’s car and found a stolen Smith & Wesson model SD0, 9mm caliber semiautomatic pistol. Lab analysis connected the stolen firearm to the evidence from the July 23rd shooting.
Patterson remains in federal custody. At sentencing, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the ATF, the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
Coal County Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kevin Carter Kieckhefer, age 36, of Tupelo, Oklahoma, was sentenced to46 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Coal County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On June 30, 2025, Kieckhefer pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on July 19, 2023, deputies discovered Kieckhefer knowingly in possession of 25 rounds of .223 ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Kieckhefer will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Charlotte Man Sentenced to Prison for Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Wynn A.D. Charlebois, 55, of Charlotte, was sentenced to six years in prison today for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that caused millions of dollars in losses, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge David Norton also ordered Charlebois to serve two years of supervised release and to pay more than $5.7 million in restitution.
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Rodney Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), which oversees Charlotte, join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making this announcement.
According to court records, from 2015 to 2022, Charlebois used companies he owned and controlled, including WC Private, Wilcox Hybrid, Damon Investments, and others, to perpetrate a multi-million-dollar fraudulent investment scheme. Charlebois used his past employment at a reputable hedge fund to con his victims into trusting him with their hard-earned savings, falsely promising their money would be invested in risk-free investments, subscription agreements, and loans. Contrary to Charlebois’s claims, instead of investing the victims’ money as promised, he used the funds to make Ponzi-style payments and on personal expenditures. Court documents show that Charlebois continued to solicit additional funds even after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission brought an enforcement action against him.
Charlebois defrauded more than 40 victims around the country, including friends, family, fellow church members, veterans, and retirees. The victims, some of whom were in or nearing retirement, sustained approximately $6 million in losses, and as a result have suffered substantially. In explaining the sentence imposed, Judge Norton emphasized, among other things, the “devastating effect” that Charlebois’s fraud had on his victims, both financially and emotionally.
“Those who lie and cheat others out of money will eventually be caught and face the full force of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “As this case shows, fraud carries serious consequences, including significant prison time.”
“Those who seek to maximize profits by misleading investors should expect to pay a heavy price,” said Inspector in Charge Hopkins. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud to work alongside our law-enforcement partners to protect the integrity of our financial markets and bring to justice trusted insiders who abuse their position.”
On July 31, 2023, Charlebois pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He will be ordered to report to a federal facility upon designation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI and USPIS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
California woman sentenced for attempted smuggling of illegal individualRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A California woman who attempted to smuggle a citizen of Great Britain into the United States was sentenced today to 6 months of probation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Tracy Routh Lautenslager, 54, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to one count of conspiracy to bring aliens into the United States at a location other than a designated port of entry.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on April 1, 2025, a vehicle entered the United States through the Roosville, Montana Port of Entry. The vehicle was operated by the Lautenslager, a United States citizen. She was admitted to the United States and proceeded to the Swisher Lake area near Lake Koocanusa. The United States Border Patrol encountered her driving around the area.
Around that same time, the Border Patrol was alerted to a lone male walking across the international boundary line from Canada to the United States. They responded and searched for the man but were unable to locate him and believed he returned to Canada.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) apprehended the man after they found him walking around and seemingly lost. They escorted him to the Roosville, British Columbia (BC) Port of Entry to be identified and processed. The man, Lautenslager’s husband, was identified as a citizen of Great Britain who does not have any lawful status in the United States.
On suspicions of smuggling, Lautenslager was denied entry back to Canada and returned to the United States, where she was interviewed by law enforcement. She disclosed she and her husband planned to circumvent the immigration process and avoid the point of entry because he did not have legal status in the United States. She said the plan was to drop him off at a location on the Canadian side of the border, drive into the United States, and then pick him up. She admitted what she attempted to do was wrong.
Lautenslager’s cellular phone was collected and searched. The phone contained text messages between her and her husband discussing logistics as the conspiracy was unfolding.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Stack prosecuted the case. The U.S. Border Patrol conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Convicted Child Sexual Abuser from Mexico Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering the CountryRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marco Olavarrieta-Beranza, also known as “Marco Leonardo Olavarrieta,” 45, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal reentry into the United States. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This sexual predator was previously deported after committing a heinous sex crime against a minor, and I applaud the excellent work of our federal law enforcement partners who continue to follow through on the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the criminal aliens who have violated our nation’s laws and threaten our communities. My office has zero tolerance for criminal activity of any kind, and we will aggressively prosecute offenders like this defendant to keep our communities safe and our border secure.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant was deported from the United States in 2019 after being convicted of sexual abuse of a minor under the age of fourteen and attempted sexual abuse of a minor under the age of twelve. He illegally returned to the United States and was found in Escambia County, Florida, in November 2025. He now faces up to twenty years in prison followed by removal from the United States.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke DiSalvo is prosecuting the case.
Olavarrieta-Beranza’s sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2026, at 10:30 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Bryan County Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Robert Vernon Hardage, Jr., age 47, of Kenefic, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On July 1, 2025, Hardage pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on March 11, 2024, law enforcement discovered Hardage knowingly in possession of one round of 12-gauge ammunition and 17 rounds of .300 Blackout caliber ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. Hardage also possessed an unregistered 12-gauge, break open shotgun.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Hardage will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Broken Bow Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jerry Wayne Shomo, a/k/a Jerry Wayne Shomo, Jr., a/k/a Jerry Wayne Shomo, Junior, age 47, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
On May 5, 2025, Shomo pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on December 9, 2024, a trooper conducting a routine traffic stop pulled Shomo over in Broken Bow. Shomo ran from his vehicle, was apprehended following a short foot chase, and confessed to having an AR-15 in the vehicle. At the time of the traffic stop, Shomo had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of more than one year in prison.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Shomo will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Brian Cole Jr. Charged in Indictment in Planting Explosive Devices Outside the RNC and DNC on Jan. 5, 2021Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Brian J. Cole, Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was charged in a federal indictment returned today in U.S. District Court in the planting of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on January 5, 2021, at the headquarters of both the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee in Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The federal indictment, which supersedes a prior federal indictment returned during the holidays by a D.C. Superior Court grand jury, charges Cole with interstate transportation of explosives and with malicious attempt to use explosives.
Joining in the announcement were U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office, and Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
“Given that Cole crossed state lines and targeted the political leadership of both parties for which there is an inherent crime of federal jurisdiction, handling this in federal court is most proper,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The FBI and my office worked around the clock to ensure that this defendant is charged with the right crimes for his dangerous acts.”
On January 6, 2021, law enforcement discovered the IEDs near the DNC and RNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., both in close proximity to the U.S. Capitol. The same day Congress convened to certify the results of the 2020 election, and U.S. lawmakers were assembled nearby to carry out that constitutional duty.
Neither device detonated, and the U.S. Capitol Police were able to carry out a “render safe procedure” on the IEDs without incident.
According to a complaint filed on Dec. 3, 2025, Cole purchased multiple components consistent with those used to manufacture the two IEDs during 2019 and 2020, at several retailers in northern Virginia.
At approximately 1 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, multiple law enforcement agencies received reports of a suspected IEDs near the headquarters of the RNC in Washington, D.C. About 1:15 p.m. the same day, a second suspected IED was reported just a few blocks away near the headquarters of the DNC.
Video surveillance determined that the same individual placed the devices on the evening of January 5, 2021. The suspect had been wearing dark pants, a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark gloves, Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes, and a facemask that obscured the person’s face. The video showed the individual adjusting eyeglasses and carrying a backpack.
On January 5, 2021, about 7:10 p.m., Cole’s Nissan Sentra was observed driving past a License Plate Reader at the South Capitol Street exit from I-395 South, which is less than one-half mile from the location where the individual who placed the devices was first observed on foot near North Carolina and New Jersey Avenues, SE.
Cell phone records further show that Cole’s cell phone communicated with cell towers in the area of the RNC and DNC on January 5, 2021, between 7:39 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. The FBI’s Cellular Analysis and Survey Team determined that the location of Cole’s cell phone during this period corresponded with the path of the suspect identified by the FBI through analysis of video from that day.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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coleb_indictment_26cr1_20260106pdf.pdfBigfork man sentenced to over 3 years in prison for cyberstalkingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Bigfork man who threatened and harassed his victim through text messages was sentenced today to 46 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Jeremiah Daniel Starr, 25, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to one count of cyberstalking.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
“Protecting victims from harassment and stalking in this highly technical age is a growing concern, particularly in cases like this, where the defendant caused emotional distress to the victim for many years and even discharged a firearm at one point as part of his elaborate ruse. I want to thank the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and staff in our office, and our partners at the FBI, for their hard work on this case.” U.S. Attorney Alme said.
“The defendant exploited the anonymity of the internet to harass and intimidate the victim, inflicting lasting fear and emotional harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin Gerken of the FBI Billings Field Office. “This case reflects the FBI’s extensive and persistent investigative efforts to protect the victim and hold the offender fully accountable.”
The government alleged in court documents that Jane Doe received threatening and harassing text messages from an unknown sender for almost three years. The culprit was not a stranger. Rather, it was Jane Doe’s “best friend,” Jeremiah Starr. When sending the messages by his cellular telephone, Starr masked his identity by using more than 50 unique phone numbers and a NordVPN, which required the FBI to analyze over 1,100 distinct IP addresses.
On February 9, 2025, Starr used a firearm during the offense. Jane Doe was sleeping, and Starr pretended to “return” fire at individuals Starr alleged shot into Jane Doe’s apartment. None of that was true. Instead, Starr used a firearm to shoot rounds into the apartment and shot rounds outside the apartment as well. Starr lied about the shooting to harass Jane Doe and make her continue to think she was in danger. Jane Doe told investigators Starr’s harassment was unbearable and caused her significant emotional distress.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Big Island Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Vernon Santiago, 45, of Mountain View, Hawaii, pled guilty yesterday in federal court to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon and an unlawful user of controlled substances. Sentencing is set for April 22, 2026 before United States District Judge Jill Otake.
According to court records, Santiago has a prior federal felony conviction from 2005 for unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition as an unlawful user of controlled substances, for which he was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison. In January 2024, law enforcement executed a state search warrant at Santiago’s residence. After law enforcement announced their presence, Santiago jumped out of a window while carrying a backpack and fled. He then threw the backpack into bushes in an attempt to conceal it from law enforcement. The backpack contained two firearms, a stolen Colt Government Model .45 caliber pistol and a Ruger P85 9mm pistol, along with ammunition and magazines.
Santiago faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a three-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hawaii Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Belmont Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Belmont man was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for three counts of possessing child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced John Haynes, 28, to 120 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Haynes pleaded guilty on August 5, 2024.
According to court records, between March 2022 and November 2023, Haynes possessed child pornography he had downloaded from the internet on four separate cell phones. Some of the images depicted prepubescent children under the age of 12. He was subject to enhanced penalties due to a prior state conviction for sexual misconduct with a child under 14.
The FBI and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated the case.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.
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Angelina County man sentenced for $9 million fraud schemeRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Lufkin man has been sentenced for federal violations related to a fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Matthew Jess Thrash, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on January 6, 2026. Thrash was also ordered to pay restitution of $8,100,024.
According to information presented in court, in December 2020, law enforcement received a report of suspected fraud. An investigation revealed Thrash obtained over $9 million from over 100 victims through fraudulent means, including sports related investment schemes; a Las Vegas cannabis store scheme; and loans from victims. Thrash also fraudulently obtained money by applying for COVID relief loans to which he was not entitled, including a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The PPP was a Small Business Administration program that provided forgivable loans to qualifying entities. Thrash did not invest or use the fraudulently obtained funds for the intended purposes. Instead, he used the money to gamble, pay personal expenses, and to repay other victims to avoid detection.
This case was investigated by FBI’s Lufkin Field Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety in Lufkin, and the Lufkin Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston.
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5 January 2026
U.S. Attorney’s Office Observes National Human Trafficking Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Wyoming affirms its continued commitment to work with federal, state, and local partners to combat human trafficking, protecting vulnerable victims, supporting survivors, and preventing the proliferation of these horrific crimes.
“Whether it’s forced labor, domestic servitude, or sex trafficking, human trafficking is the exploitation of human beings for profit, and it has no place in today’s society,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith “We remain dedicated to investigating and prosecuting traffickers within the borders of Wyoming.”
The Department of Justice remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing human traffickers to justice, dismantling human trafficking enterprises, and protecting human trafficking survivors.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month serves as an annual reminder of the importance of the fight against the abhorrent crime of human trafficking, but the Justice Department’s work continues every day of the year to combat this vicious crime, bring human traffickers to justice, and protect those at risk of falling prey to these unconscionable crimes of cruelty, exploitation, and greed.
Since passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, nearly a quarter of a century ago, the Department of Justice has served on the front lines of our nation’s fight against human trafficking in all its forms.
Today, we commemorate National Human Trafficking Prevention Month by redoubling our commitment to continue that fight.
Anyone who has information about a potential human trafficking situation or a person who may be experiencing human trafficking should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
Information on the Justice Department’s work to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking
Teledyne Electronic Safety Products Agrees to Pay $1.5M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving the Sale of Non-Conforming Parts to the Department of DefenseRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department announced that Teledyne RISI Inc., also known as Teledyne Electronic Safety Products (Teledyne ESP), an aerospace and defense electronics company based in Chatsworth, California, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by supplying aircraft parts to the military that did not meet contract specifications.
The settlement resolves allegations that Teledyne ESP, as a subcontractor for U.S. Navy contracts, knowingly caused false claims to be submitted to the U.S. Navy in connection with its manufacture of Digital Recovery Sequencer (DRS) units containing a microelectronic part that did not conform with the specifications reviewed and approved by the Navy. DRS units were a component of ejection seat systems used by various types of military aircraft. Teledyne ESP allegedly obtained the non-conforming parts from a third-party broker that was neither an Original Equipment Manufacturer nor an authorized re-seller of the part. The DRS units with the alleged non-conforming part were delivered to the Navy between November 2011 and June 2012 and installed as part of ejection seat systems in military aircraft.
“Our military aviators rely on defense supply chains to provide them with equipment that they can depend on, even in the most difficult conditions,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those who supply equipment to the U.S. military that does not conform to the contract specifications.”
“Our military should not only expect the correct, conforming parts for the equipment they need to serve and defend our country, they deserve that proper equipment,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to support this multi-agency investigation to protect our servicemembers from risks introduced by non-conforming parts in our military supply chains.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General (OIG), remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the DoD supply chain,” said Special Agent-in-Charge John E. Helsing of the DoD-OIG, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Western Field Office. “Non-conforming parts in the DoD supply chain presents a risk to our warfighters and threaten our Nation’s security.”
“The Air Force Office of Special Investigations remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the warfighter by rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse in the defense supply chain,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrell Freeman of Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Southeast Field Office. “Today’s $1.5 million settlement demonstrates that AFOSI, working shoulder-to-shoulder with our Department of Justice, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Air Force Materiel Command partners, will aggressively pursue and hold accountable any contractor that fails to meet contract requirements that protect the safety and readiness of U.S. military personnel.”
In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that Teledyne ESP took a number of significant steps entitling them to credit for cooperation with the government’s investigation, including identifying witnesses and facilitating their interviews; and providing investigative updates to the United States and other customers, including through the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program. Teledyne ESP received credit under the Department of Justice’s guidelines in Justice Manual § 4-4.112 for taking cooperation into account in cases involving False Claims Act allegations.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, DCIS, AF OSI, and the Air Force Materiel Command Law Office, Procurement Fraud Division. This matter was handled by Fraud Section attorney Richard W. Hagner and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Leventis for the District of South Carolina.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Syrian Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social SecurityRead the Press Release
DETROIT – A Syrian man pleaded guilty today to a felony charge stemming from his theft of thousands of dollars of Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Rodriguez, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.
Samer Succar, a naturalized United States citizen who resides in his native country of Syria, entered a guilty plea this morning, before United States District Judge Gershwin A. Drain, to one count of Theft of Government Funds.
According to court records, the monies were paid out by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to Succar in his capacity as Representative Payee for his mother’s SSI benefits. Under the provisions of the Social Security Act, Succar was required to notify the SSA of any changes that may affect his mother’s eligibility for SSI, including whether she left the United States for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days. Instead, for more than twenty years, Succar knowingly and intentionally concealed from and made false statements to the SSA about his mother’s foreign travel and residency, in order to obtain her SSI benefits. Specifically, Succar provided that he and his mother resided together at homes located in Michigan, when in fact, neither he nor his mother had resided in the United States since at least September 2022 and September 2003, respectively.
“This thief lied about himself and his mother so that he could live in Syria on the back of the hardworking American taxpayer. Americans fund Social Security for our benefit. And Americans are sick and tired of people like this ripping off our country,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
“By hiding his mother’s relocation outside the United States, Samer Succar knowingly continued to collect SSI benefits he was not entitled to receive,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Rodriguez, SSA OIG, Chicago Field Division. “This was a calculated deception, and those who abuse programs designed to support vulnerable individuals will be held accountable.”
Succar entered into a plea agreement, as a part of which he agreed to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $190,825.00. A sentencing hearing has been set for April 22, 2026, at 11 am.
This case was investigated by special agents of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Corinne M. Lambert.
Research Company to Pay $1 Million to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Charles River Laboratories, Inc. (CRL), successor by merger to Explora Biolabs Holdings, Inc., has agreed to pay $1,000,000 to resolve allegations that Explora engaged in the unlawful manufacturing and distribution of controlled substances between 2019 and 2022 in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). CRL also entered into a separate agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that contains provisions to ensure the company’s compliance with the CSA over the next three years.
Explora, a provider of contract vivarium research services, was previously registered with the DEA for its facilities in South San Francisco and San Diego. Both facilities held Researcher registrations, which generally do not authorize the manufacture or distribution of controlled substances.
The United States alleges that Explora nevertheless engaged in those activities at its South San Francisco and San Diego facilities without the appropriate registration. Based on its investigation, the United States contends that Explora unlawfully manufactured and distributed controlled substances in at least 178 instances, in violation of provisions of the CSA that closely regulate the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, importation, and exportation of controlled substances, and that Explora also violated multiple recordkeeping requirements of the CSA.
The United States alleges that CRL has successor liability for Explora’s violations of the CSA, but does not allege that CRL itself violated the CSA.
“Entities that exceed the scope of their DEA license can expect heightened investigative scrutiny and severe civil penalties,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “This Office remains committed to working with the DEA to ensure that registrants who do not comply with the Controlled Substances Act are held accountable.”
“We expect companies utilizing a DEA researcher registration to adhere to the parameters of its permitted practices. This case shows that we will aggressively investigate and hold accountable those who violate the scope of their lawful activities. Research is not an excuse to violate the law,” said San Francisco Division DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. “Explora’s violations of the Act were on over 150 separate occasions. The DEA is committed to protecting our communities and ensuring lawful scientific research.”
“DEA registrants play a critical role in protecting the public and that responsibility starts with strict compliance to the Code of Federal Regulations,” said San Diego Division DEA Special Agent in Charge James Nunnallee. “When or if a company chooses to ignore these obligations, it puts communities at risk and undermines the safeguards designed to keep the public safe. DEA holds registrants accountable and in turn, expects them to keep the public safe.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pyle handled this matter for the government. The investigation and settlement resulted from a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, and DEA Diversion Investigators in San Francisco and San Diego.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
Pilot Mountain Woman Sentenced for Bank EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – A Pilot Mountain woman was sentenced today to 21 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for bank embezzlement, announced Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC).
Sarah Wilson, aka Sarah Cannoy, age 28, pleaded guilty on August 4, 2025, to three counts of embezzlement by a bank employee. In addition to prison time and supervised release, Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. also ordered Wilson to pay restitution totaling $150,450.
According to court documents, Wilson was a teller at the Pilot Mountain branch of First Citizens Bank when, from December 2023 through May 2024, she stole $150,450 in cash from her teller drawer. To hide her theft, she entered numerous fraudulent transactions into the Bank’s computer system – fraudulent buy/sell transactions associated with the bank’s vault and fraudulent withdrawal transactions from the accounts of two elderly customers, then 89-years old and 90-years old, with whom Wilson was familiar. When the 89-year-old customer asked Wilson about the suspicious account activity, she told him the account looked fine. By then, Wilson’s fraudulent entries had effectively depleted his savings and certificate of deposit accounts by $59,700. She moved on to the 90-year-old customer’s certificate of deposit account, effectively depleting it by $42,650. An audit in late May 2024 revealed an imbalance with Wilson’s teller drawer. The bank launched an investigation and discovered the extent of Wilson’s criminal conduct. The bank terminated Wilson and made the customers whole.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General investigated the case, and it was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Jeanne Dildine.
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Ocala Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jean-Marie Lubin Celestin, 31, of Ocala, Florida, was sentenced to serve eight years and six months in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our state and federal law enforcement partners are committed to eradicating drug traffickers from our communities, and my office will continue to back up excellent investigations like this one with successful prosecutions to send these peddlers of poisonous drugs to federal prison. The residents of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe streets and drug-free communities, and that is exactly what we will deliver.”
According to court records, the defendant previously supplied pounds of methamphetamine to a drug trafficker operating in the area of Crawfordville, Florida. Law enforcement conducted an investigation wherein the defendant delivered approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, resulting in both his arrest and seizure of the narcotics. The defendant had prior state convictions in Florida, Georgia, and Missouri, and had only been released from the Florida Department of Corrections 15 months prior to his arrest in this case.
“This sentence sends a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Wakulla County,” said Sheriff Jared F. Miller. “Methamphetamine destroys lives, families, and entire communities. I commend our Deputies and our federal partners for their hard work on this case and thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for holding this offender accountable. Working together, we will continue to target those who bring dangerous drugs into our community and do everything possible to keep Wakulla County safe.”
“Methamphetamine is a poison that destroys lives and tears at the fabric of our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingengo. “This recidivist criminal repeatedly chose personal gain and profit by pushing these dangerous narcotics into our neighborhoods, putting countless lives at risk, and contributing to the cycle of addiction and crime. Alongside our partners, we’re committed to protecting the public and holding those who traffic in these deadly substances accountable.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Coody and Former Assistant United States Attorney Harley W. Ferguson.
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.
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.
Natrona Heights Felon Charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Myles Daryl Johnson, 44, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about December 11, 2025, Johnson, as a convicted felon, possessed firearms and ammunition. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Tarentum Borough Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Man charged federally for vandalizing Vice President Vance’s Cincinnati home, assaulting federal officerRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The man who allegedly vandalized Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home now faces several federal charges related to the incident.
William D. DeFoor, 26, is charged by criminal complaint with damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.
According to an affidavit filed this afternoon in support of the criminal complaint, around midnight, United States Secret Service (USSS) agents observed DeFoor running along the front fence of the protected residence. DeFoor allegedly breached the property line at the driveway and attempted to break the driver’s side window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle blocking the driveway entrance. DeFoor was armed with a hammer.
DeFoor allegedly refused law enforcement commands to stop and drop the weapon. Charging documents state DeFoor ignored all commands and began to use the hammer to break glass windows across the front of the protected residence. DeFoor’s hammer strikes also caused damage to the enhanced security assets on each window owned by the United States government and valued at more than $28,000.
The defendant allegedly attempted to flee on foot and was detained by USSS agents and Cincinnati police officers.
Causing more than $1,000 in damage to United States property and engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds are each federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Rees, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, and Cincinnati Police Acting Chief Adam Hennie announced the charges. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Littleton Man Indicted for Filing $3 Million in False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
DENVER - The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Anthony Dattilo, 34, of Littleton, was indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts of wire fraud, three counts of false claims, and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.
According to the indictment, Dattilo devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money from the United States Department of Treasury, namely the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), by making false statements on tax returns which he filed with the IRS. Those false returns caused the IRS to refund Dattilo more than $3 million.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Neff.
Case Number: 25-cr-00345-SKC
La Motte Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sending Threatening Text Messages and Possessing an Unregistered Short-Barreled Rifle and SilencerRead the Press Release
A man who sent multiple threatening text messages to his ex-girlfriend and who possessed an unregistered short-barreled rifle and silencer was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.
Steven Michael Conroy, age 34, from La Motte, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 9, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm and one count of transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce.
In a plea agreement, Conroy admitted that, following a child support hearing on July 19, 2024, he sent threatening text messages to his ex-girlfriend. In some of the messages, Conroy said that he wanted to “pay the child support in lead and flesh,” he told her that her “days are numbered,” and he threatened to shoot her if he ever saw her again. In another text message, Conroy sent her a photograph of himself with a gun. Later that same day, as Conroy was driving towards his ex‑girlfriend’s home in Minnesota, Conroy sent additional threatening text messages to her, including that he would be seeing her and her “bodyguard police officer very soon” and asking if the officer’s “plates are rated for level 4.” On July 22, 2024, officers searched Conroy’s home in La Motte, Iowa. During the search, officers found multiple firearms, including a short-barreled rifle that was not properly registered to Conroy. An unregistered homemade silencer was attached to the short‑barreled rifle.
Conroy was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Conroy was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of 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.
Conroy is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Jackson County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the Iowa State Patrol, the Sabula, Iowa, Police Department, and the Winona County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-1036.
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Justice Department Sues to Revoke Naturalized Citizenship of Individual Facing a War Crimes Arrest Warrant in BosniaRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice filed a civil complaint to revoke the citizenship of Sead Miljkovic also known as Sead Dukic, who hid his true identity to come to the United States in 1996 and, ultimately, to naturalize as a U.S. citizen in 2007. Among other facts, Miljkovic failed to disclose to immigration authorities that he had used more than one name and had listed more than one date and place of birth, more than one name for his father, and more than one woman as his wife in his various applications.
Miljkovic is a former member of the security forces of the short-lived Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia (APZB), who was subject to an arrest warrant issued by a court in Bosnia for war crimes against civilians when the U.S. Government granted him naturalized citizenship.
“This Administration will not permit aliens to come to this country and hide their past to acquire the precious gift of U.S. citizenship,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Decades might pass, but when we find you, we will take action.”
The warrant, issued on Jan. 23, 2007, led to an INTERPOL Red Notice alleging that, on June 18, 1994, and while acting as a member of the APZB security forces, Miljkovic physically mistreated civilians who were opposed to the APZB government. According to the Red Notice, Miljkovic and accomplices beat twelve civilians with wooden bats and locked them in a morgue for five days without access to light or water. Miljkovic has not yet appeared before a Bosnian court on these charges.
This case is being civilly prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation, Affirmative Litigation Unit, with assistance from the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, after investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Former Doctor Sentenced for Stealing Identity to Apply for Medical JobsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Zachary M. Bluestone on Monday sentenced a former doctor who sought medical employment using a stolen identity to 10 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Angela K. Boston sought employment on the medical staff of the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority in Oklahoma in April of 2023 by stealing the identity of a St. Louis doctor. Boston submitted forged diplomas with the doctor’s name and a forged State of Missouri medical license with her application. The victim then discovered that Boston had sought employment elsewhere using her name and personal information.
Boston was indicted as Angela Williams but has since married.
In a sentencing memorandum, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll wrote that the doctor victimized by Boston was the same doctor whose identity she had previously misused to illegally obtain controlled substances. Carroll said Boston spent years victimizing someone who has done nothing wrong.
Boston, now 40 and living in Kansas, pleaded guilty in 2020 to a charge of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery. She admitted using her own prescription pad to write and sign numerous prescriptions for controlled substances using other persons’ names, including prescriptions for the painkillers hydrocodone and oxycodone. Williams then posed as a patient to fill the prescriptions. She also fraudulently used another doctor’s prescription pad, name, and Drug Enforcement Administration number to write herself additional controlled substance prescriptions.
“When a fraudster steals the identity of a physician to secure medical employment, the integrity of our health care system and the safety and well-being of patients are put at risk,” stated Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to thoroughly investigate health care fraud to protect taxpayer-funded health care programs and the many millions of Americans who depend on them.”
Williams pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in October to one count of identity theft.
The HHS-OIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll prosecuted the case.
Final Defendant Sentenced in Case Related to Seizure of over 12 Pounds of Methamphetamine in KalamazooRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that Brandon Lemar Baines, 36, from Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute over 12 pounds of methamphetamine.
According to court records, on January 23, 2025, officers with the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET), a multijurisdictional narcotics enforcement team working in the Kalamazoo County area, stopped a van carrying over 12 pounds of methamphetamine as it returned from Detroit to Kalamazoo. The van was driven by Baines and investigators found the methamphetamine on the front passenger seat floorboard where co-defendant, Kerriem Ishmael Steveson, Jr., 30, from Kalamazoo, was sitting. On December 8, 2025, Stevenson was sentenced to over 15 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
KVET investigators had been monitoring Baines’ and Stevenson’s drug trafficking for months prior to the traffic stop. In the early morning of January 23, 2025, investigators also executed warrants at two Kalamazoo residences associated with the defendants and seized over 200 grams of fentanyl, a firearm, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia.
At the time of the traffic stop, Baines was on parole with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) after serving a 54-month sentence for methamphetamine trafficking and a firearm offense and was released from prison less than a year before being caught with over 12 pounds of methamphetamine and over 200 grams of fentanyl.
A third defendant, Johnnie Montico McAllister, 30, from Kalamazoo, was also in the van at the time of the traffic stop. In his waistband, McAllister, a felon, possessed a loaded Glock 9mm pistol. He too was on parole with MDOC at the time of the offense after serving a seven-year sentence for armed robbery. McAllister was charged and convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to nearly three years in prison.
“Armed drug traffickers are destroying our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney VerHey. “My office will focus its resources on combatting those who threaten public safety by flooding our streets with guns and drugs.” “Those who have not learned their lessons from the state criminal justice system will face significant consequences in federal court as we continue to work closely with our exceptional state and local partners including KVET.”
“The DEA, alongside our law enforcement partners, will be unwavering and relentless in our mission to dismantle the violent drug trafficking organizations that are poisoning our communities and threatening the safety of the American people. We will pursue them wherever they operate and bring every available resource to bear until these networks are dismantled,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph O. Dixon.
“The distribution of drugs continues to devastate our community by fueling addiction, crime, and long-term harm to families and neighborhoods. This investigation and conviction is just one example of how the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety continues to prioritize our community’s safety. I am thankful for the continued collaboration between our department and our federal law enforcement partners, who work to disrupt trafficking networks, protect residents, and stop the spread of this dangerous substance,” said Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Assistant Chief David Juday
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and KVET. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vito S. Solitro.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Federal Charges Filed Against Man for Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor in PensacolaRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Christopher W. Glover, 47, of Simms, Alabama, has been indicted in federal court on charges of Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor, Attempted Enticement of a Minor, and Traveling in Interstate Commerce to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
At a detention hearing in federal court in Pensacola, evidence was presented that Glover communicated with who he believed to be a 14-year-old female and offered to pay her hundreds of dollars in return for sexual acts. It is alleged that Glover then traveled from Alabama, where he worked for the Baldwin County School District, to Pensacola to meet with the minor. The purported minor, however, was an undercover law enforcement officer. When Glover reached Pensacola to engage in the sexual acts with the minor, he was taken into custody. Glover remains detained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending trial.
Glover is scheduled for trial before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, on February 17, 2026.
If convicted, Glover faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ up to life imprisonment to be followed by supervised release and registration as a sexual offender.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the United States Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access 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.
Dominican Drug Supplier Operating from Abroad Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Dominican Drug Supplier Operating from Abroad Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy
CONCORD – A Dominican man pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Starlin Alexander Valdez De Los Santos, 35, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for April 16, 2026.
According to the charging documents, pleadings and statements made in court, during the course of the conspiracy, the defendant operated a significant drug distribution network, which involved coordination of suppliers and local distributors over an extended period and utilized sophisticated communication methods to avoid detection, all while residing outside the United States. The years-long investigation into the defendant’s activities resulted in the total seizure of more than 750 grams of fentanyl during eight undercover purchase operations in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl carries a sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years’ incarceration, not less than 4 years of supervised release, and a fine up to $5,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Hudson Police Department provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and law enforcement partners in the Dominican Republic assisted in securing the arrest and extradition of Valdez De Los Santos from the Dominican Republic. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vega is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
District of Arizona Charges 135 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from Dec. 27 through Jan. 2, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 135 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 75 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 52 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 8 cases against 8 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. Nolberto Erasmo Bojorquez-Chaparro. Bojorquez-Chaparro was charged by complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien, Dec. 29, 2025. According to the complaint, a Border Patrol agent received coordinates from an air unit of what appeared to be footprints for a group of five individuals. The Border Patrol agent located the footprints traveling south from the coordinates and followed the footprints to five subjects concealed in bushes and wearing camouflage clothing and carpet booties. Immigration checks confirmed that the five individuals were citizens of Mexico, all unlawfully present in the United States. Agents determined Bojorquez-Chaparro was guiding the group through the desert. 25-02214MJ, Phoenix.
United States v. Omar Luna-Silva. Luna-Silva was charged by complaint with Re-entry of Removed Alien, Jan. 1, 2026. Luna-Silva was previously removed from the United States on May 16, 2013, after being convicted of Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale, a felony, in the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County. In that case, Luna-Silva was sentenced to three years of probation. 26-3000MJ, Phoenix.
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.
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: 2026-001_January 5 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 Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Dallas man sentenced for violent convenience store robberiesRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Dallas man has been sentenced to federal prison for a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Victor Heredia, 20, pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on January 5, 2026.
According to information presented in court, on November 6, 2023, Heredia robbed a 7-Eleven convenience store on N. Josey Lane in Carrollton. During the robbery, Heredia discharged a firearm into the ceiling of the store. The next day, Heredia robbed a 7-Eleven on E. Rosemead Parkway in Carrollton at gunpoint.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Carrollton Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.
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Cuban National Charged with Assaulting Federal Officers with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Juan Carlos Rodriguez Romero, age 54, has been charged by indictment with two counts of Assault on a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon and one count of Assault on a Federal Officer, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
On the morning of December 21, 2025, ICE deportation officers attempted to arrest Juan Carlos Rodriguez Romero in St. Paul, Minnesota. Rodriguez Romero is a citizen of Cuba and subject to removal. Uniformed ICE agents initiated a traffic stop of Rodriguez. Rodriguez refused to obey commands and attempted to flee in his car. While fleeing, Rodriguez accelerated his car towards ICE officers who were on foot. Rodriguez sped away but soon hit two parked cars and lost control of his vehicle. ICE officers attempted to apprehend Rodriguez Romero a second time. Rodriguez Romero again accelerated his car towards officers, one of whom fired his weapon towards Rodriguez Romero. Rodriguez Romero struck one officer while trying to flee during this second attempt. When ICE officers apprehended Rodriguez Romero, he bit one of the officers, drawing blood. Two ICE officers were transported to the hospital, suffering from bruised ribs, a dislocated finger, and a bite wound.
Rodriguez Romero is detained pending a detention hearing. If convicted, he faces up to twenty years in prison on the charge of Assault on a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Syngen Kanassatega is 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.
Cleveland, MS Repeat Offender Sentenced for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
Aberdeen, MS – A Cleveland man was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for distribution of cocaine.
According to court documents, Anthony Williams, a/k/a “Big Ant”, 45, of was convicted of sale and distribution of cocaine. Williams was sentenced as a career offender having been previously convicted of two prior felony drug trafficking crimes.
Senior U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson sentenced Williams to 151 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.
“This defendant is a repeat offender who chose to continue to commit crimes in this district, and now he is paying the price,” stated U.S. Attorney Scott Leary. “We will continue to work with our partners to remove career criminals from our communities.”
“The distribution of illegal drugs that poison and destroy our communities will not be tolerated in Mississippi,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to dismantling drug trafficking operations and holding offenders accountable. The FBI would like to thank the DEA and the Cleveland Police Department for their partnership and commitment in apprehending offenders. The message is clear: if you distribute drugs in our communities, you will be apprehended and brought to justice.”
“Through the historic collaboration of the Homeland Security Task Force, we have removed a career drug trafficker from the streets of north Mississippi,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer, New Orleans Division. “This prosecution represents our unwavering commitment under Executive Order 14159 to protect our communities from the criminal elements that drive violence and exploit our borders.”
The FBI, Cleveland Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad M. Doleac prosecuted the case.
This operation and conviction 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 tin 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 Jackson comprises agents and officers from FBI, DEA and Cleveland Police Department with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.