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Friday 1 August 2025
Mexican National and Convicted Rapist Pleads Guilty to Illegally Re-Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Dimas Gonzalo Contreras-Nolasco, 54, a Mexican citizen and national, has pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the United States after previously being deported.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), Baltimore Field Office.
According to court filings, Contreras-Nolasco voluntarily and unlawfully entered the U.S. on September 18, 2005. On that date, Contreras-Nolasco applied for admission into the United States from Mexico via the vehicle primary inspection lanes in Del Rio, Texas. Contreras-Nolasco orally declared himself a U.S. citizen by birth, but he did not present identification or documentation to support his claim. As a result, United States Border Patrol deemed Contreras-Nolasco inadmissible, so they processed him for expedited removal, and then ordered him to return to Mexico.
On September 9, 2021, law enforcement again found Contreras-Nolasco unlawfully in the U.S. when they arrested him for rape in Rockville, Maryland. Then on March 31, 2022, Contreras-Nolasco pled guilty to second-degree rape and a second-degree sex offense in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. He received a 20-year state sentence, which he is currently serving, with all but 10 years suspended. Contreras-Nolasco also now faces two years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release for the illegal re-entry charges.
Prior to his arrest in Montgomery County, Contreras-Nolasco did not obtain consent at any time from the Attorney General of the United States, or from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, for readmission into the country. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, November 14, at 1 p.m.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney LaShanta Harris who is prosecuting this case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States and Possessing a Firearm as an Illegal AlienRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican National illegally residing in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for unlawful reentry after deportation and possession of a firearm as an illegal alien.
Omar Avila-Ramirez, 38, was sentenced by United States District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 15 months in federal prison without parole followed by three years of supervised release.
On Jan. 23, 2025, Avila-Ramirez pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation and possession of a firearm as an illegal alien. According to government filings, Avila-Ramirez was arrested by Lee’s Summit, Mo., police officers on Sept. 26, 2024, for driving a van with license plates belonging to a stolen truck. Avila-Ramirez gave police the wrong name and claimed to not have any identification. Police recovered from Avila-Ramirez’s possession a Phoenix Arms HP, .22 caliber pistol loaded with six rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, with one in the chamber. Avila-Ramirez has twice been removed from the country. Avila-Ramirez admitted he was in the country illegally and that he was not legally allowed to possess a firearm.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Mahoney. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Lee’s Summit, Missouri Police Department.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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Mexican National Indicted for Attempted Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Cain Matias Godinez (42, Mexico) with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Matias Godinez faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. Matias Godinez is currently detained pending the resolution of this criminal case.
According to the indictment and court records, in May 2025, a detective with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office posed online as a 13-year-old girl (UC). Matias Godinez communicated with the UC, and after learning the UC’s age, engaged in a sexually explicit conversation. Matias Godinez and the UC agreed to meet at a location in Marion County to engage in sexual activity. When Matias Godinez arrived at the location, he was arrested by law enforcement.
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 investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Meridian Man Found Guilty of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A federal jury convicted a Meridian, Mississippi man today of drug trafficking offenses after four days of trial.
According to court documents, Jabreon Deshon Mosley, 34, was found guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. Evidence presented at trial, showed that in January of 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Mosley’s residence where they recovered from him over 87 pounds of methamphetamine, 45 pounds of fentanyl, and 35 pounds of cocaine, 2 different pill press machines, 13 firearms, and 1 suppressor. From at least October of 2023 until January of 2024, Mosley was utilizing an illegal automatic pill press machine to manufacture thousands of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. These counterfeit pills were then distributed to the streets of Meridian, Mississippi and parts of Alabama.
“I am proud of the work and collaboration between my office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics to take this massive amount of drugs off our streets”, stated Acting United States Attorney Patrick A. Lemon.
"The seizure of this massive amount of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, along with illegal firearms and pill presses, is a significant blow to the criminal organizations that endanger our streets," said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw. "This successful outcome is a direct result of the collaboration and dedication of the Mississippi Homeland Security Task Force as part of Operation Take Back America, which is marshaling the full resources of the Department of Justice to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations."
“This case is a clear example of the dangerous impact drug trafficking has on our communities,” said Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “I commend the DEA, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and our federal partners for their tireless work in getting these deadly drugs and illegal weapons off the streets. We will continue to work together to dismantle the criminal networks pushing poison into our neighborhoods.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration Jackson and Birmingham District Offices, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the East Mississippi Drug Task Force are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam T. Stuart and Kabah S. Ealy are prosecuting the case.
This case was investigated by the Mississippi Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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).
Manhattan Man Pleads Guilty to Drug OffenseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sean Christianson, age 45, of Manhattan, New York, pled guilty on Wednesday to possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
Christianson admitted that on February 25, 2025, he traveled from the New York City area to Liverpool, New York, with twenty-two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in his vehicle. Christianson intended to sell the cocaine in the Syracuse area. Law enforcement apprehended Christianson as he arrived in Liverpool.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, another drug dealer and a huge quantity of narcotics are off the streets. Drug dealers will not get away with selling narcotics in the Northern District of New York.”
“Illicit drugs have no place in our communities,” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “DEA New York remains steadfast in our commitment to working alongside our law enforcement partners to target those who poison our neighborhoods with dangerous narcotics.”
At sentencing, Christianson faces a prison term of at least 10 years and up to life, and a supervised release term of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
DEA investigated the case with assistance from the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Syracuse Police Department, and City of New York Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case.
Louisville Man Sentenced to over 15 Years for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Louisville, Kentucky man was sentenced on July 29, 2025, to over 15 years in federal prison for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute of over 50 grams of methamphetamine and distribution of over 50 grams of methamphetamine after having previously been convicted of a serious drug trafficking offense.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
Heuey Kirksey III, 35, admitted in a plea agreement on March 11, 2023, to one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from October 4 to November 13, 2023, and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine on October 19 and November 2, 2023. Specifically, Kirksey was held responsible for distributing 907 grams of methamphetamine which were purchased through law enforcement-controlled purchases. He was arrested following the indictment on these charges on August 29, 2024. Kirksey also admitted to having previously been convicted of the following serious drug felony.
On October 1, 2018, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Kirksey was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the 1st degree greater than two grams of heroin.
Based on this conduct and his criminal history, the Court imposed a sentence of 15 years and 8 months prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
“Kirksey pushed significant quantities of methamphetamine onto the streets of Louisville and will now pay the price by spending more than 15 years behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Bumgarner.
There is no parole in the federal system.
The FBI and LMPD investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Porter prosecuted the case with assistance from paralegal Adela Alic.
This conviction is a 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).
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Louisiana Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Machine Gun on Grambling State University CampusRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook and Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, announced that a Monroe, Louisiana, man was sentenced today for illegally possessing a machine gun and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Tristan Barber, 21, to 180 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and 120 months to run concurrently for possession of a machine gun, followed by three years of supervised release.
According to information introduced in court, on April 16, 2024, Barber was found in possession of a Glock model handgun in a student’s dormitory on Grambling State University’s campus in Grambling, Louisiana. The handgun was loaded and equipped with an extended magazine and a machine gun conversion (MCD) device. MCDs convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns, capable of firing consecutive shots automatically by a single pull of the trigger. Barber was a convicted felon at the time he possessed the machine gun and was therefore not legally allowed to possess any firearm.
The machine gun Barber possessed was analyzed and matched to spent shell casings that were found at the scene of a shooting in Monroe less than three weeks earlier on March 29, 2024.
ATF, the Monroe Police Department, and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Semmes of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Christopher Usher of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section prosecuted the case.
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Long Beach Man Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaint Charging Him with Sending a Dozen Payments to Suspected ISIS TerroristsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging he sent a dozen payments to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a felony offense that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Villanueva, who is a lawful permanent resident from the Philippines, is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”
“Mr. Villanueva is alleged to have financially supported and pledged his allegiance to a terror group that targets the United States and our interests around the world,” said Patrick Grandy, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. “Thanks to the proactive efforts by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI and our partners safely arrested Mr. Villanueva today and prevented further support and spreading of ISIS ideology.”
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Villanueva communicated via social media with two individuals who self-identified as ISIS fighters. During these communications, Villanueva discussed his desire to support ISIS, and offered to send money to the ISIS fighters to support their terrorist activities.
Villanueva told one of the self-identified ISIS fighters that Villanueva wanted to fight for ISIS himself, stating, “It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven.” Villanueva also stated, “Someday soon, I’ll be joining.” Villanueva told the other individual that Villanueva possessed a bomb and knives. According to prosecutors, during Villanueva’s arrest this morning, the FBI recovered what appeared to be a bomb from Villanueva’s bedroom.
In a February 2025 message with one of the self-identified ISIS fighters, Villanueva offered to send the individual money, and asked whether the money would “cover your equipment and your weapons.” Villanueva discussed sending the money through an intermediary.
According to Western Union records, Villanueva then sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 during a five-month period to two intermediaries who accessed the money overseas.
A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Colin S. Scott of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case, with substantial assistance from Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Leominster Man Indicted for Theft of Government Funds, Bank Fraud and Money Laundering in Connection with Stolen $1,355,000 Tax Refund CheckRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Leominster man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with an alleged scheme to steal $1,355,863 by depositing a forged tax refund check and then laundering the money using cashier’s checks payable to shell companies.
Jesse El-Ghoul, 31, was indicted on one count of theft of government funds, one count of bank fraud and four counts of money laundering. El-Ghoul was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on June 6, 2025.
According to the charging documents, El-Ghoul owned and operated Affordable Motor Group in Leominster, Mass., and owed back taxes for the business. On March 29, 2024, El-Ghoul allegedly deposited a tax refund check for $1,344,863, payable to Affordable Motor Group into his business bank account. It is alleged that the check had been issued by the U.S. Treasury to a Canadian company, based on its 2021 tax return, and the check had been forged and altered to be payable to El-Ghoul’s company.
In the days after depositing the check, El-Ghoul returned to the bank and bought cashier’s checks for $235,280, $223,591, $202,643, and $425,000 payable to shell companies and to a law firm in connection with a third-party real estate transaction, in eastern Massachusetts.
The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of money laundering each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the amount of money involved in the laundering transactions, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Michael Carpenter, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, OIG; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil, Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lancaster County Man Sentenced to 15 years for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tymarious Nydarious Thompson, 24, of Lancaster, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, a quantity of cocaine and marijuana.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Thompson conspired with Mikel Stewart and others to obtain and distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of marijuana. During a search of his home in 2019, investigators found 7 pounds of marijuana, a sawed-off shotgun, a handgun, ammunition, and counterfeit money. Law enforcement also made several purchases of pure ice methamphetamine from him. During a subsequent search of his home in 2020, law enforcement found more than 198 grams of pure ice methamphetamine, marijuana, and crack cocaine along with another firearm and over $4,000. Even after this discovery, Thompson continued to sell more ice methamphetamine to an undercover agent.
United States District Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Thompson to 180 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster Police Department, and the York County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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Lake County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Bryce Fleetwood (26, Clermont) to 25 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Fleetwood pleaded guilty on February 27, 2025.
According to court documents, Fleetwood’s cellphone was seized by law enforcement during an unrelated state investigation. A search of the phone revealed 850 videos and 120 photos depicting CSAM, primarily of very young children. Investigators further determined that Fleetwood had received CSAM over the internet on two occasions in 2022.
“You can’t hide from our Homeland Security Investigations special agents and our law enforcement partners,” said HSI Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “Another child predator off our streets.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Lake County Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that John Don Bannister, Jr. (31, Clermont) has pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Bannister faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison on each count. Bannister is currently detained pending sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, on April 26 and May 4, 2023, in Lake County, Bannister produced CSAM with a 14-year-old child. An investigation by law enforcement showed that Bannister had been supplying vape pens and drugs to minors. In return for these items, Bannister asked the minors to provide him nude images and videos of themselves.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Mascotte Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Lake County Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice A 13-Year-Old to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Kahlil Yanier Amilivia Rodriguez (27, Groveland) has pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Rodriguez faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement and court records, on October 5, 2023, Rodriguez had an online conversation with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. Rodriguez graphically described to the fictional child the sexual acts he wanted to perform with her. Rodriguez was arrested when he arrived at a pre-determined location to meet with the minor to engage in the sexual activity.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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.
Lake County Convicted Felon Facing up to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Kevin Eugene Leeks, Jr. (34, Leesburg) has been arrested on an indictment charging him with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Leeks faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, Leeks has been a convicted felon since 2013. He has two prior felony convictions, including robbery with a deadly weapon. As a convicted felon, Leeks is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. On July 13, 2019, Leeks possessed a firearm and ammunition.
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 investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
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).
Justice Department Dismisses Race-Based 44-Year-Old Consent DecreeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division ended a court-imposed decree initiated by the Carter administration, which limited the hiring practices of the federal government based on flawed and outdated theories of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In Luevano v. Ezell, the Court dismissed a consent decree based on a lawsuit initially brought by interest groups representing federal employees in 1979. The decree entered in 1981 imposed draconian test review and implementation procedures on the Office of Personnel Management—and consequently all other federal agencies—requiring them to receive permission prior to using any tests for potential federal employees, in an attempt to require equal testing outcomes among all races of test-takers.
“It’s simple, competence and merit are the standards by which we should all be judged; nothing more and nothing less,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “It’s about time people are judged, not by their identity, but instead “by the content of their character.””
“For over four decades, this decree has hampered the federal government from hiring the top talent of our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “Today, the Justice Department removed that barrier and reopened federal employment opportunities based on merit—not race.”
Jamestown man going to prison for 30 years for producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Roberto Millan, 36, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of production of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 360 months in prison and 20 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who handled the case, stated that between December 28, 2021, and February 8, 2022, Millan engaged in sexually graphic conversations with a 15-year-old victim over TextNow, a mobile phone application. The conversations included demands and instructions from Millan that the victim take sexually explicit videos and images and send them to him. In addition, the messages exchanged between Milan and the victim indicate that they engaged in sexual contact.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson and Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Grimm.
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Indictment Unsealed Charging a U.S. Navy Sailor Stationed in Georgia with Multiple Child Sex Crimes After Enticing a Teen via Social MediaRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed charging a U.S. Navy service member with multiple federal crimes after he allegedly manipulated a minor victim over social media for months and exchanged sexually explicit photos and videos of her.
Bryce Lucas Stimka, 24, currently stationed in Augusta, Georgia, was arrested on July 30, 2025.
According to court documents, between July 17, 2024 and March 30, 2025, Stimka allegedly began communicating with a 14-year-old girl he met and began manipulating her on social media. Over the course of their communication, more than 15,000 texts were exchanged between Stimka and the minor victim discussing various sex acts, the victim’s age, and their potential relationship. Additionally, sexually explicit images and videos of the victim were exchanged. The social media account was linked to Stimka by subscriber information (including IP addresses) matching Stimka, and photos of himself in his social media account.
Stimka is charged with production of child pornography, coercion and enticement for illegal sexual activity, and receipt of child pornography. His initial appearance in Utah has yet to be scheduled.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by an Officer with the West Valley Police Department assigned to the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Special assistance was provided the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the FBI Atlanta Field Office, Augusta Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain of the District of Utah 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 Justice.gov/PSC.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Horry County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Gun, Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. — Zuri Jaheem Stephens, 23, of Horry County, has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that in October and November 2022, law enforcement conducted a series of controlled buys of fentanyl from Stephens. Following those buys, law enforcement obtained search warrants for addresses in Little River that were associated with Stephens. During the search of one of these addresses, law enforcement found fentanyl and methamphetamine, pills, a pill press, and assorted firearm magazines. During the search of another address, law enforcement found fentanyl, methamphetamine, and two firearms.
United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III sentenced Stephens to 105 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Horry County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Flynn and Lauren Hummel are prosecuting the case.
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Honduran National Sentenced to Federal Prison for 2 Years and 1 Day for Illegal Reentry, Social Security Fraud, and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Honduran national was sentenced on July 31, 2025, to federal prison for illegal reentry after deportation or removal, social security number fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville, and Sam Olson, Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago, U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement made the announcement.
According to court documents, Vidal Ricardo Murillo-Zuniga, 34, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced on July 31, 2025, to two years and one day in prison for one count of illegal reentry after deportation or removal, one count of social security number fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. On or about January 22, 2025, Murillo-Zuniga was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about May 29, 2013. Additionally, on or about June 13, 2024, Murillo-Zuniga committed social security number fraud in Nelson County, Kentucky, when he used another person’s social security number to obtain employment at Mammy’s Kitchen. On that same date, he committed aggravated identity theft when he used another person’s name, date of birth, and social security number during and in relation to the social security number fraud to obtain employment.
“As part of Operation Take Back America, we are committed to charging illegal immigrants who have previously been removed. That is all the more the case for defendants, like Mr. Murillo-Zuniga, who victimize American citizens by stealing their identities,” said U.S. Attorney Bumgarner.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE ERO.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Ansari prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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Grant Man Sentenced to 36 Months for Transporting Explosives and Possessing a Destructive DeviceRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that United States District Judge Robert J. Jonker sentenced Luke Isaac Terpstra, 31, of Grant, Michigan to three years in prison for possession of an unregistered destructive device. Terpstra also has to pay a fine of $750 and a special assessment of $100.
“The sentence in this case is significant and it reinforces that individuals who build bombs with the intent to injure innocent civilians and destroy property will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey. “This conduct puts us all at risk, and my office will hold those who commit such crimes accountable.”
Terpstra’s sentencing follows his guilty plea in April of this year. As part of the plea, Terpstra admitted that, in September 2023, he traveled from his home in Grant, Michigan to Salem, Massachusetts carrying with him several improvised explosive devices (IED), multiple firearms (including a shotgun and an AR-15 rifle), and ammunition. Terpstra built the IEDs sometime in late summer or early fall 2023. Two of the IEDs were comprised of a container with either coins or rifle ammunition secured to the sides of it and a piece of cannon fuse coming out of the lids of the containers. Terpstra admitted building the IEDs because he wanted to destroy the Satanic Temple by setting it on fire.
“The sentencing of Luke Terpstra sends a clear and powerful message: those who threaten the safety of our nation will be held fully accountable under the law,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “This outcome reflects our steadfast commitment to protecting the American people from bad actors and violence in all its forms. I am proud of the dedicated and diligent investigative work of the members from our FBI Grand Rapids Resident Agency, alongside our law enforcement partners at the Grant Police Department, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, and Michigan State Police. I also want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, whose contributions were vital in concluding this case. We remain fully committed to collaborating with our law enforcement allies to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who pose a threat to our country.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Grant Police Department and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Carowan prosecuted it on behalf of the United States.
Forging Federal Judge's Signature Lands Oklahoma City Woman in Federal Prison for Six MonthsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – AMANDA CHRISTINE DAILEY, 37, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve six months in federal prison for forging the signature of a federal judge, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public records, in August 2022, Dailey filed a petition for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. A year later, in August 2023, Dailey purchased a vehicle from a car dealership, which she financed in part with a loan from a federal credit union. Public records reflect that, in order to be approved for financing, Dailey presented a false order which purported to show the discharge of her Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings. In reality, Dailey had not been granted a discharge, and the false order she presented included the forged signature of Judge Sarah A. Hall, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.
On October 1, 2024, a federal grand jury charged Dailey with forging a signature of a federal judge. Dailey pleaded guilty on January 16, 2025, and admitted she forged a court order with Judge Hall’s signature.
At the sentencing hearing on July 31, 2025, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced Dailey to serve six months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Goodwin noted the seriousness of the offense, and the need to deter Dailey and others from perpetrating similar offenses in the future.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Folsom Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
William James Fitzgerald, 25, of Folsom, pleaded guilty today to one count of sexual exploitation of a child, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced.
According to court documents, between Oct. 15, 2020, and May 4, 2022, Fitzgerald used a minor child he met on Snapchat to engage in sexually explicit conduct with her for the purpose of creating photographs and video recordings. Fitzgerald coerced and persuaded the minor child into creating multiple sexually explicit depictions at least four times by offering and later sending Amazon gift cards ranging in value from $20 to $30.
Additionally, between Feb. 9, 2021, and Feb. 20, 2021, Fitzgerald used a minor child he met on Snapchat to engage in sexually explicit conduct with her for the purpose of creating photographs and video recordings.
Finally, Fitzgerald knowingly possessed more than 1,000 files depicting the sexual abuse of children on his phone and iPad. The files included images of children engaged in sexual activity with adults and other children and adults sexually abusing toddlers.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Folsom Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitnee Goins is prosecuting the case.
Fitzgerald is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins on Nov. 7, 2025. Fitzgerald faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison with a lifetime of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Final week of July sees Southern District of Texas charge 247 defendants in continuing effort to secure Southern borderRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – In support of Operation Take Back America, the Southern District of Texas has filed another 245 cases in immigration and border security-related matters from July 25-31, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Among those cases are 21 defendants charged with human smuggling, 119 charged with illegally entering the country, and another 107 charged with felony reentry to the United States after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felony convictions, including offenses related to narcotics, violent crime, immigration violations, and more. Additional cases filed this week involve other immigration-related crimes.
Of the new illegal reentry cases, four involve Mexican nationals who were removed after prior felony convictions, according to court documents. Juan Carlos De Alejandro-Rosales was previously convicted of possessing more than 50 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds of marijuana before he was removed from the United States on Oct. 22, 2018.
Mario Alberto Almazan-Mata, Bertoldo Lopez-Varillas and Luciano Martinez-Rios, also charged with illegal reentry, are alleged to have prior felony convictions before being removed, to include possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest, as well as multiple convictions for driving while intoxicated. Despite their prior removals from the United States between 2005 and 2025, in the last week, authorities allegedly found all four men in the McAllen area without legal authorization to be in the United States. If convicted, each illegal alien faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Another person charged with illegal reentry after removal this week is Jose Santos Diaz-Valenzuela, a Honduran national. According to the charges, he has a prior conviction for assault on a federal officer and was previously removed from the United States on Dec. 4, 2018. Authorities allegedly encountered him again near La Grulla. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Criminal complaints further allege Hugo Armando Esquivel-Castro and Jose Armando Wong-Lopez with illegally reentering the United States after they were previously removed from the United States in 2022 and 2025, respectively, after each was convicted for harboring illegal aliens. Authorities allegedly encountered and arrested the men near Mission this week.
In addition to the new cases, Jonathan Ray Balderas, of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced this week in Laredo to 41 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for attempting to smuggle 10 illegal aliens. Authorities stopped his truck near the 29-mile marker checkpoint on Interstate 35 and found eight individuals hidden under a tarp in the bed and two more inside. The court cited the risk of serious harm, a loaded pistol on Balderas’s waistband, and his alleged involvement in other smuggling events as factors in the sentence.
Also this week, a repeat felon and illegal alien was sentenced to serve over three years in federal prison for unlawfully reentering the United States for the fourth time. Rafael Cortez-Gonzalez, of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, had two previous felony convictions for illegal reentry, as well as a conviction for transporting an illegal alien within the United States. He was first removed from the United States in November 2000 and subsequently illegally returned three times. Authorities encountered him again on Feb. 12, 2025, in Kenedy County. In handing down the 39-month sentence, the court noted the punishment was intended to serve to deter him from continuing to commit these crimes.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, United States Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from numerous state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Final defendants plead guilty in Alaska fentanyl, heroin trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The final two defendants in a six-defendant drug trafficking ring pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to traffic large amounts of fentanyl and heroin to Alaska.
According to court documents, Semaj Brown, 34, and Brandon Garrett, 46, both of Anchorage, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Julio Juarez, 32, of Anchorage, Marcelino Juarez, 30, of Anchorage, Shane Murphy, 43, of Wasilla, and Gustavo Sebastian Lopez-Chavez, 24, a Mexican national illegally residing in the U.S., to purchase fentanyl and heroin in California and transport the substances to Alaska through the mail or in checked airline baggage. Marcelino Juarez, Julio Juarez, Brown and Murphy all traveled between Alaska and California on multiple occasions to obtain drugs and contributed money toward drug purchase trips.
Law enforcement’s investigation into the conspiracy culminated on Aug. 22, 2024, when agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) identified a suspicious parcel destined for a residence in Anchorage. On Aug. 26, 2024, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on the parcel and seized over two kilograms of fentanyl powder from the package. Later that day, law enforcement officials conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel at the destined location. Marcelino Juarez was observed entering the residence, which belonged to a third-party, and leaving with the package in a vehicle with Brown. Marcelino Juarez and Brown met with another vehicle at a local gas station before both vehicles were contacted by law enforcement through traffic stops. Marcelino Juarez was arrested during the traffic stop, and Garrett, who was an occupant in the other vehicle, was detained.
Through further investigation, law enforcement also discovered that Brown and Murphy flew from Anchorage to Los Angeles to purchase heroin and fentanyl from multiple sources between July 3 and 5, 2024. Law enforcement later determined that one of the sources was Lopez-Chavez.
On July 6, 2024, law enforcement at the Los Angeles International Airport seized roughly one kilogram of heroin and two kilograms of fentanyl powder from a checked bag destined for Anchorage. When Murphy and Brown arrived in Alaska, they noted that the suitcase did not arrive.
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Alaska U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Alaska.The FBI arrested Lopez-Chavez in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, 2024. He was found to be in possession of roughly 23 kilograms of fentanyl, U.S. currency and counterfeit immigration documents.
In total, law enforcement has seized at least 36 kilograms of fentanyl and roughly 10 kilograms of heroin connected to the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Marcelino Juarez was charged by complaint in August 2024, and indicted along with Julio Juarez, Brown and Murphy in September 2024. Marcelino Juarez and Julio Juarez pleaded guilty in July 2025, and Murphy pleaded guilty in April 2025. Lopez-Chavez was charged by complaint and indicted in November 2024 and pleaded guilty in June 2025. Garrett was indicted in March 2025. The Juarez brothers and Brown were identified as known gang members by the Stockton, California, Police Department.
The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced within the next three months. Marcelino Juarez, Brown, Murphy, Lopez-Chavez and Garrett face between 10 years to life in prison. Julio Juarez faces between 15 years to life in prison due to a prior conviction in California for attempted murder, for which he served 11 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 Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office, Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes and Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Seattle Division made the announcement.
The FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Alaska High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Mat-Su Narcotics Team investigated this case. Special assistance was provided by HIDTA’s Southcentral Area-wide Narcotics Team (SCAN), Fairbanks Area-wide Narcotics Team (FANT), and Anchorage Airport Interdiction Team (AAIT); U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), FBI Los Angeles Field Office, FBI Sacramento Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Los Angeles Special Response Team, Los Angeles Police Department, Stockton Police Department, and California Highway Patrol. The Anchorage Police Department and Alaska State Troopers also provided assistance as part of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Bradley, Jack Schmidt, and Bill Reed are prosecuting the case.
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Federal Jury Finds Registered Sex Offender Guilty of Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Daniel N. Pulley (59, St. Petersburg) guilty of production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), attempted coercion or enticement of a minor, coercion or enticement of a minor, possession of CSAM, and penalties for registered sex offenders. Pulley faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 29, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Pulley was a registered sex offender following a 2009 federal conviction for possession of child pornography. In 2022, he used a social media app to communicate with a teenage minor online, coercing her to produce CSAM for him and detailing different ways he wanted to sexually abuse her. Pulley also possessed various images and videos of CSAM on his cellphone, including depictions of young children.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Probation Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Muriel Moore.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Federal Jury Convicts Wildwood Man of Attempting to Entice A 13-Year-Old Child to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Joseph Dibello (48, Wildwood) guilty of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Dibello faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is set for October 17, 2025.
According to evidence presented at trial, on July 23, 2024, Dibello attempted to meet with a 13-year-old girl for sex. Dibello did not realize that he was corresponding with an undercover detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office who was posing as a minor on a website. After sending multiple text messages in which he expressed his intention to have sex with the minor, Dibello agreed to meet her at a gas station in Marion County. When he arrived, Dibello realized the meeting was a law enforcement operation. He fled the scene, leading deputies on a high-speed chase that exceeded 100 mph. Dibello was later apprehended at his girlfriend’s home in Wildwood. Dibello later admitted that he was the person who had been corresponding with the minor and that he had intended to have sex with her.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie K. Boyer.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Former Soldier for Child Exploitation Offense at Fort CampbellRead the Press Release
Paducah, KY – A federal grand jury in Paducah returned an indictment on June 10, 2025, charging a former soldier with sexual abuse of a minor at the Fort Campbell military installation.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky and Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement.
According to court documents, Zachary Martin Young, 54, of Swansea, South Carolina, was charged with one count of sexual abuse of a minor. Specifically, between March 1999 and February 2000, at the Fort Campbell military installation, Young knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a minor victim who had attained the age of 12 years but had not attained the age of 16 years. According to court filings, Young was a soldier at the time of the offense and later retired from the U.S. Army in 2014.
On July 29, 2025, Young was arraigned before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, he faces a sentence of not more than 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Hopkinsville Satellite Office and the Army CID.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond McGee, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Fatal Shooting in October 2024 Yields 19-Year Prison TermRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Andre Clark, 34, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in Superior Court for the October 2024 shooting of Leonard Taylor, Jr., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Clark pleaded guilty on May 5, 2025, to one count second-degree murder while armed. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman sentenced Clark to 19 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on the morning of October 20, 2024, the defendant walked out of a building in the 1500 block of 19th St., SE and towards the victim, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of a gray sedan parked on that street. Clark walked up to the driver’s side of the car, leaned down towards the driver’s side window, and used his right hand to point a firearm at the victim. As the victim started to drive away, the defendant fired his gun at him, striking the victim in the back and killing him.
Clark was located and arrested in Baltimore, Maryland on December 19, 2024, and has been in custody since.
Joining in the announcement was Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bromwich, who prosecuted the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Two Meridian Drug Traffickers for Conspiracy to Distribute Kilograms of Cocaine from MexicoRead the Press Release
JACKSON, MS – A federal jury convicted Fredrick Dywane Campbell, 51, and Ramonz Payne, 45, both of Meridian, MS, for conspiring with each other and several others to possess cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute those drugs. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from at least November 2019 through at least July 2020, Campbell arranged with separate sources of supply in Texas and in Alabama to illegally obtain approximately 50 kilograms of cocaine imported from Mexico and then sell the cocaine to other drug dealers in the Meridian area for their further sale or distribution to more people. The conspiracy also included the illegal distribution of marijuana. Ramonz Payne likewise was convicted of participating in the conspiracy with Campbell and others to possess the cocaine from Mexico, as well as marijuana, with the intent to distribute the drugs to others.
Other charged coconspirators have previously pleaded guilty in the case, one of whom have been sentenced, and some of whom await sentencing:
- Americo Aldrete, 57, Houston, TX: pleaded guilty on June 23, 2025, and awaits sentencing scheduled for October 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
- Billy Wilson, 53, Cuba, AL: pleaded guilty on June 23, 2025, and awaits sentencing scheduled for October 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
- James Green, 53, Meridian, MS: pleaded guilty on July 11, 2024, and was sentenced to serve the statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and the $100 statutory special assessment in criminal cases.
- Jeffery Jennings, 42, Meridian, MS: pleaded guilty on July 8, 2025, and awaits sentencing scheduled for November 5, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi; Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Reidell, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Phillip Pope, and Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun, III, made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the East Mississippi Drug Task Force of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carla J. Clark and Samuel P. Goff prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
District of Arizona Charges 134 Individuals for Immigration-Related Conduct this WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from July 26, 2025, through August 1, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 134 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 66 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 57 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 9 cases against 11 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. Felipe Osuna Hernandez: On July 29, Felipe Osuna Hernandez, a Mexican national illegally present in the United States, was charged by criminal complaint with Illegal Reentry and with Bringing an Illegal Alien into the United States for Profit and While Placing Their Life in Jeopardy. On July 26, Osuna was arrested after it was determined he was a foot guide who smuggled two illegal aliens through the desert, from Mexico into the United States, without adequate food or water. The aliens made arrangements to pay to be smuggled into the United States and they were assigned Osuna as their guide. When one of the individuals was in medical distress, Osuna threatened the individual, took the aliens' phones so they could not call for help and, ultimately, left the individual deceased in the desert. [Case Number: 25-MJ-2438]
United States v. Luis Enrique Beltran-Ceballos: On August 1, Luis Enrique Beltran-Ceballos, a citizen of Mexico unlawfully present in the United States, was charged by criminal complaint with Bringing an Alien to the United States and Improper Entry by Alien. On July 30, Beltran-Ceballos smuggled a twelve-year-old girl, whom he had never met before, into the United States by scaling the international border wall using a ladder. After crossing, Beltran-Ceballos attempted to evade detection by hiding with the child in a canal. Beltran-Ceballos was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations agents. The investigation revealed that Beltran-Ceballos had engaged in the smuggling activity with the expectation of financial compensation. [Case Number: 25-MJ-1774]
United States v. Edgar Pedro Hernandez: On August 1, Edgar Pedro Hernandez was charged by criminal complaint with Transporting an Illegal Alien. On July 30, Hernandez was stopped by local law enforcement for driving significantly below the posted speed limit. During the stop, Hernandez provided inconsistent information regarding the identity of his two passengers. U.S. Border Patrol was contacted and ultimately determined that both passengers were unlawfully present in the United States and had made prior arrangements to be smuggled across the border. Hernandez admitted to picking them up at a gas station and agreeing to transport them to Phoenix in exchange for gas money. [Case Number: 25-MJ-6341]
These cases are 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).
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-129_August 1 Immigration Enforcement
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Visits the Western District of North CarolinaRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, United States Attorney Russ Ferguson was honored to host Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina (WDNC).
During his visit, Deputy Attorney General Blanche met with U.S. Attorney Ferguson and the leadership team to discuss key issues and significant cases impacting the district. Deputy Attorney General Blanche also spoke with prosecutors and personnel from the office. In his remarks, he outlined Department of Justice priorities and expressed his appreciation for the office’s work implementing Operation Take Back America, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, addressing immigration and violent crime, and protecting vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. He also thanked the team for their service and their commitment to justice.
Deputy Attorney General Blanche also met with law enforcement representatives to highlight the important role of partnerships in enforcing the rule of law and enhancing public safety.
“It was an honor to welcome Deputy Attorney General Blanche, a veteran of the Department, to the Western District of North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “The Deputy Attorney General got into the weeds and discussed the details of the work we are doing to protect our communities. We are very grateful for his attention to what is important to us here in North Carolina.”
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and important programs and initiatives please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc.
Davis Picnic Day Shooter Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Joseph Allen Davis, 19, of Sacramento, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced.
According to court documents, police officers began investigating Joseph Allen Davis after determining that he was a shooter at the April 12, 2025, shooting at Rainbow City Park in Davis, California, where three people were injured by gunfire. Law enforcement officers conducted a search of Joseph Allen Davis’s apartment and seized a short-barrel AR-15-style pistol. Davis is prohibited from possessing any firearms and ammunition because he has previously been convicted of a felon gun possession offense.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Davis Police Department, the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Davis faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
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 U.S. Department of Justice 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.
Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Procurement of Citizenship or NaturalizationRead the Press Release
According to court documents, naturalized U.S. citizen Carlos Fabian Velez, 54, of San Antonio, plead guilty to 1 count of Unlawful Procurement of Citizenship or Naturalization for knowingly making false, sworn statements on his naturalization application, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1425(a). Specifically, in response to the question “Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested” on his Application for Naturalization, Velez answered, “No”, when in fact, as he then knew, he had committed the crime and offenses of possession, receipt and distribution of child pornography in San Antonio, Texas since at least 2014.
The guilty plea comes after VELEZ previously plead guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography and was sentenced to 210 months in prison. By pleading guilty to Unlawful Procurement of Citizenship charge, Velez is now subject to mandatory denaturalization. U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI’s Field Office in San Antonio, ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, US Citizen and Immigration Services-Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (USCIS-FDNS) and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fidel Esparza III 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.
Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Nearly 50 Years ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Savannah resident has been sentenced to 595 months imprisonment following his convictions for drug, firearm, and jury tampering charges.
Malik Javier McKenzie, 27, of Savannah, was convicted after a two-day trial in U.S. District Court on charges of Possession of Controlled Substances With Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Machinegun in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, said Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. During said trial, McKenzie attempted to contact a juror, through a third-party, to offer the juror payment for a not guilty verdict. This attempt was identified, and the juror was never contacted by McKenzie or any other party. Following McKenzie’s conviction at trial, and an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), McKenzie entered a guilty plea to a one-count information charging him with Obstruction of Justice by Endeavoring to Influence a Juror for this conduct.
On July 22, 2025, McKenzie was brought before Chief Judge R. Stan Baker of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia for sentencing on both cases and was sentenced to serve a cumulative 595 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release. Chief Judge Baker ordered that the sentences in both cases run concurrent to each other, but consecutive to the 71-month sentence McKenzie is currently serving for an earlier drug trafficking conviction, and an 18-month sentence McKenzie received for violating the terms of supervised release following a federal conviction in 2019. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Malik McKenzie is a repeat offender who refuses to learn from his past mistakes,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “This time, he tried to undermine our entire judicial system by attempting to bribe a juror in his trial. We are thankful for our federal and local partners for stopping this attempt and helping put this criminal behind bars for the next 49 plus years.”
“Guns, drugs, and violence are unfortunately all too common tools of the drug traffickers operating in our communities,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Today’s announcement demonstrates DEA’s emphatic commitment to attacking the drug dealers responsible for the devastation.”
"This case exemplifies the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies. By working together, we can effectively combat the threats posed by drug traffickers and keep our neighborhoods safe from violence and illegal firearms," said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, ATF.
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).
This investigation took place under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer.
The case was being investigated by the ATF, DEA, FBI, and the Hinesville Police Department and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley R. Thompson.
For any questions, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.
Coleman man identified by distinctive tattoos sentenced to 720 months in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
A Coleman, Texas man was sentenced to 720 months in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
According to court documents, in July 2024, a foreign partner referred child sexual abuse material posted on the dark web to the FBI’s Victim Identification Program. In the videos, an unknown male subject with several distinctive tattoos – including the word “DABBY” on his chest,” the number “197x” on his left bicep, the words “CAST NO STONES” on his left forearm, and a Texas flag in the shape of a head on his right forearm – can be seen sexually assaulting a prepubescent male. The FBI discovered a Twitter account of Coleman resident Christopher Lynn Driskill, 49, which contained photographs of Driskill and some of these tattoos.
Additionally, Coleman Police Department officers investigated a complaint that Driskill had molested a child. Their recorded interview of Driskill revealed the same tattoos investigated by the FBI. Driskill was arrested on a federal complaint in November 2024, remanded into federal custody, and indicted shortly thereafter for production of child pornography. In February 2025, Driskill pled guilty to two counts of producing child pornography.
In his plea documents, Driskill admitted that videos found on his phone show him engaging in sexually explicit conduct with minor male victims. Driskill also admitted that he coerced or enticed the victims to engage in the conduct so that Driskill could produce a recording of the acts. On July 29, 2025, United States Circuit Judge Andrew Oldham sentenced Driskill to the statutory maximum sentence of 360 months on each count, to run consecutively to each other, for a total of 720 months in federal prison.
“The FBI’s meticulous work identifying this defendant brought an end to horrifying child abuse,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson. “These types of sickening crimes deserve lengthy sentences for the sake of the victims, the safety of our communities, and to see justice served.”
“The sentence imposed in this case underscores the seriousness of the crime. The defendant created child sexual abuse material and distributed it through the dark web for others to view it. A tip from a foreign partner resulted in law enforcement arresting a dangerous predator and preventing future abuse,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI does not tolerate the exploitation of children and works with our law enforcement partners to identify and arrest individuals committing these criminal acts. We will continue to prioritize the safety of the most vulnerable in our communities, which are our children, and ask that the public report any crimes against children to law enforcement.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, with the help of the Bureau’s Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) and the assistance of the Coleman Police Department, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Tusing prosecuted the case.
Chicago Man Charged with Receiving and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A criminal complaint unsealed today in federal court charges a Chicago man with receiving and distributing child pornography.
The complaint alleges that JARON WOODSLEY, 27, shared images of child pornography last fall with another individual on the social media application Telegram. Using Telegram, Woodsley distributed at least thirteen videos and received six videos from the other individual, the complaint states. The other individual was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Colorado last year.
Woodsley was arrested this morning. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Chicago today at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez.
The complaint was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige A. Nutini.
The charge in the complaint is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in a federal prison and a maximum of 20 years. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
woodsley_complaint.pdfCalifornia Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fentanyl Conspiracy Involving Shipments to AlabamaRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today that Shanarion Lee, 32, of La Mesa, California, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Lee pleaded guilty to the charge earlier this year and was sentenced on July 31, 2025. In addition to his prison term, the court ordered Lee to serve five years of supervised release following his release from custody. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records and Lee’s plea agreement, the investigation began in March 2023 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) began investigating a suspected drug-trafficking network transporting fentanyl from California to Alabama. Investigators determined that Lee conspired with others, including 32-year-old Hillary Lewis of Lemon Grove, California, and 35-year-old James Walker of Enterprise, Alabama, to ship illegal controlled substances to various addresses within the Middle District of Alabama.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, federal agents intercepted multiple packages containing pills designed to look like legitimate oxycodone tablets. Laboratory analysis later confirmed that the pills were counterfeit and contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl on March 26, 2025.
Earlier this year, both Lewis and Walker entered guilty pleas to federal drug conspiracy charges for their roles in the operation. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for the coming months.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Enterprise Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Paul Markovits is prosecuting the case.
Caledonia Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting High School GirlsRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey announced that Scott Michael Elam, 43, of Caledonia, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and admitted to exploiting eleven girls.
“Mr. Elam is a sexual predator who took terrible advantage of numerous girls,” said U.S. Attorney VerHey. “This lengthy sentence sends a message about the seriousness of the conduct and the need to protect society from Elam and those like him. My office will continue to prosecute these offenders with all the resources we have.”
Elam admitted to selling alcohol, marijuana, and vape to numerous minors throughout the Western District of Michigan. He offered discounts to girls who made sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves and sent them to him, or had sex with him.
“The sentencing of Scott Elam, a convicted predator, delivers the full weight of justice for the horrific crimes he committed against children,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Mr. Elam's predatory actions are reprehensible and should never be tolerated. The FBI in Michigan will remain relentless in pursuing bad actors who exploit the most vulnerable among us. I want to thank the dedicated men and women of our FBI Grand Rapids Resident Agency, the West Michigan-based Child Exploitation Task Force (WEBCHEX), the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, for their outstanding work and successful prosecution. Our community in Michigan, along with the American public should know the FBI will never waver in our mission to protect children and hold predators fully accountable for their actions.”
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jonker ordered Elam to forfeit the Caledonia home where he had sex with one of the minors and that he used to provide contraband to others.
This case was investigated by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Olivia Ghiselli and Jonathan Roth.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.
Other DOJ programs and initiatives for guidance https://www.justice.gov/our-work.
Bronx Man Charged with Federal Narcotics Offenses Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Frank A. Tarentino, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ESTHERLYN FRIAS, a/k/a “Platinum,” a/k/a “Silver,” with conspiring to distribute narcotics resulting in death in connection with the poisoning death—or “overdose”—of a victim in Greenwich, Connecticut (“Victim-1”). The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Kevin P. Castel.
“As alleged, Estherlyn Frias has been pumping deadly drugs into our communities for years, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and more,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The drugs that he sold claimed someone’s life, and it appears they may have claimed others before. Shockingly, Frias appears to have stored his significant drug supply in an apartment where his two young children lived with him, mere feet away from where they slept. Our communities’ suffering from this kind of personal profit ends now. As the charges in this case show, together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who distribute illegal drugs.”
“Another senseless death at the hands of an individual pushing illicit narcotics laced with fentanyl,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino. As alleged, Estherlyn Frias repeatedly trafficked and sold fentanyl laced products, going so far as to recklessly stash these deadly drugs in a bedroom where his children slept. While today’s indictment against Mr. Frias will not bring back the person whose life was lost; it undoubtably represents a step towards justice and likely saved countless others. The DEA is committed to saving lives and will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners in targeting those responsible for poisoning our communities and destroying families.”
As alleged in the Indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:[1]
From at least in or about January 2023 through at least in or about July 2025, FRIAS and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, cocaine base, cocaine, heroin, and methadone, including from FRIAS’s apartment in the Bronx, New York. FRIAS used that apartment—where his girlfriend and two young children resided—as a stash house, where he stored significant quantities of a variety of narcotics.
As a consequence of the drug conspiracy engaged in by FRIAS and his co-conspirators, Victim-1 died from acute fentanyl and cocaine intoxication on or about July 1, 2025. Victim-1 met FRIAS outside of FRIAS’s apartment the day before to buy drugs. Within about twelve hours of their meeting, Victim-1 died from consuming fentanyl and cocaine purchased from FRIAS. FRIAS had been selling Victim-1 drugs for weeks in the lead-up to dealing the drugs that killed Victim-1. Below are text messages from Victim-1’s phone in which FRIAS, saved in Victim-1’s phone under his alias “Platinum,” sent Victim-1 a menu of the drugs that he had for sale, among them “soft” (heroin), “hard” (cocaine), “down” (fentanyl), and “everything.”
Law enforcement searched FRIAS’s apartment on the night of Victim-1’s death, pursuant to a judicially authorized search warrant. There, they found, among other things: 1,413 white glassine envelopes containing fentanyl; 603 purple glassine envelopes containing fentanyl; two plastic bags containing fentanyl; a third plastic bag containing fentanyl; 585 pink glassine envelopes containing para-fluorofentanyl; a plastic bag containing heroin; a second plastic bag containing heroin; two plastic bags containing crystal methamphetamine; a third plastic bag containing methamphetamine; 777 colored capsules containing crack cocaine; and 20 plastic bottles containing methadone. Law enforcement also recovered various drug paraphernalia, including bulk packages of empty capsules, a digital scale, and a ledger summarizing FRIAS’s drug deals.
Additional records from FRIAS’s phones include two videos, both of which depict FRIAS walking into his apartment bedroom to retrieve drugs. In both videos, FRIAS walks past a bed in which a young child can be seen asleep. And, in both videos, after passing the bed, FRIAS pans the camera to a dresser—mere feet from where his children slept—covered in drugs, cash, and drug paraphernalia, including, in one video, a digital scale on which a plastic bag containing a white substance is resting (depicted in a screenshot below).
* * *
FRIAS, 34, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of conspiring to distribute narcotics resulting in death, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of possession with intent to distribute narcotics, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; and one count of possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The statutory minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and the Greenwich Police Department.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca R. Delfiner and Benjamin M. Burkett are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
u.s._v._frias_indictment.pdf[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Brevard County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Christopher Fitzgerald Spivey, Jr. (41, Melbourne) to 20 years in federal prison for distributing controlled substances. The court also ordered Spivey to forfeit $10,500, the proceeds of his drug distribution. Spivey pleaded guilty on March 6, 2025.
According to the court records, on four occasions between November 5 and December 10, 2024, Spivey distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine to a confidential source. Following Spivey’s arrest, a search warrant was executed at his residence where law enforcement recovered additional fentanyl, drug processing materials, and five firearms. In total, Spivey was responsible for distributing or possessing with intent to distribute more than 1.2 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and over 130 grams of fentanyl.
Prior to Spivey’s conduct in this investigation, he was convicted of a aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer, which subjected him to enhanced penalties.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
Billings man sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession of drugsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Billings man who possessed methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine was sentenced today to 240 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Dustin James Massey, 40, pleaded guilty in April 2025 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on September 20, 2023, agents with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation learned from a source that Dustin Massey was selling drugs in Billings and was known to have guns. Agents learned Massey was on federal supervision due to a prior federal conviction for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
On September 21, 2023, United States Probation officers, along with agents from the Montana DCI, attempted to conduct a probation search at Massey’s residence. Law enforcement went to Massey’s residence and knocked on the door, announcing their presence. Massey did not respond, and law enforcement breached the door of the residence. In response, Massey shot at officers forcing them to return fire, eventually shooting Massey. Officers disarmed Massey and noted the firearm he had been using was a Sig Sauer with an extended magazine.
Agents searched the residence pursuant to a search warrant. They seized approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, more than 12,000 fentanyl pills, and 49.4 grams of cocaine. They also seized three firearms: a Sig Sauer, model P320, 9x19 mm pistol, a Taurus, model G3, 9x19mm pistol, and a North American Arms, Model NAA-22LR, .22 caliber revolver.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case. ATF and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
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176 Immigration Cases Filed in the Western District of Texas This WeekRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas Justin R. Simmons announced today that federal prosecutors in the district filed 176 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from July 24 through July 31, 2025.
In one such case, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers requested assistance from El Paso Border Patrol Agents after receiving information from a concerned citizen about an apartment possibly being used to house illegal aliens. After agents arrived at the residence to perform an investigatory inquiry, an individual later identified as Jose Alfredo MACIAS-Mendoza answered the door and the agents encountered a total of 12 individuals in the apartment. All 12 individuals stated they were in the United States illegally. It was determined that MACIAS was being paid by an organization to oversee and harbor the illegal aliens and he was charged with alien smuggling. Records reveal that MACIAS himself had previously been deported from El Paso to Mexico on April 19, 2024.
Jose REYNA-Aguilera was encountered at the El Paso County Detention Facility by a Deportation Officer assigned to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Criminal Apprehension Program. Record checks revealed that REYNA is a citizen and national of Mexico without immigration documents allowing him to remain in the United States. REYNA’s immigration records established that he had been removed from the United States to Mexico on three prior occasions and was previously convicted of illegal reentry in October 2009 and April of 2011.
Deportation Officers encountered Daniel NAVA-Morales at the El Paso County Detention Facility. Immigration records reveal that he was illegally in the country having first been removed from the U.S. to Mexico on August 4, 1998. That removal order has been re-instated 6 times with NAVA last being removed to Mexico on January 18, 2024. His criminal history includes convictions for illegal entry in 1999 and 2021, where he was sentenced to 3 years probation each time, and impersonating a United States Citizen, where he was sentenced to 11 months imprisonment in 2007. He is being charged once again with illegal reentry.
In Del Rio, Texas, Azaraias Prudencio ALVARADO-Almendarez, a Honduran national who had previously been convicted of a sex offense against a child in Florida, was charged with illegal reentry. ALVARADO has a criminal history beginning in 2007 with convictions for burglary and two “hit and runs,” one of which was a felony resulting in injury. ALVARADO has been deported 3 times, the last time being to Honduras on June 21, 2024.
El Salvadoran National Celso RIVAS-Gonzalez was arrested by Border Patrol Agents on July 26, 2025, for illegal reentry. RIVAS has two prior removals from the United States and a criminal history that includes aggravated sexual assault of a child in 2020, harassment in 2021, and felony indecency with a child - sexual contact in 2024. RIVAS has been deported twice, the last time being on February 19, 2025.
Katia Yolanda SOLANO-Alvarenga, a native and citizen of Honduras, was found 3.29 miles west of Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas without documents allowing entry or residence in the United States. SOLANO was previously deported on October 7, 2024. Additionally, SOLANO was convicted and confined for 300 days for assault causing bodily injury in Dallas Texas, on March 28, 2003.
Honduran citizen Marcos Josue BANEGAS-Castro was found at the 7300 block of Alameda Avenue in El Paso Texas. It was determined that he was in the United States illegally without immigration documents. It was further determined that BANEGAS had previously been deported to Honduras on March 14, 2025.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), 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), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
These cases are 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).
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Thursday 31 July 2025
“Free Money” gang members indicted for committing murder at local shopping centerRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - Two alleged members of a violent Houston-based street gang have been charged for their alleged roles in the murder of one individual and attempted murder of another during a gang-related ambush.
According to court documents, members and associates of the gang known as Free Money engage in robbery, home invasions, drug distribution and murder. Terry Ardoin, 24, and Travonte Ardoin, 27, both of Houston, allegedly committed the murder in connection with an ongoing gang war with a rival group.
On June 24, 2022, in broad daylight, the Ardoins allegedly following a Chevrolet Equinox into a shopping center parking lot in a Black Nissan Altima. As alleged in court documents, the driver of the Equinox entered a nearby store while the passenger remained in the vehicle. When the driver returned, the Ardoins allegedly exited the Altima wearing masks and opened fired on both individuals.
Multiple rounds struck the vehicle’s passenger compartment. Law enforcement responded within minutes and found one victim deceased.
Terry and Travonte Ardoin are charged with murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and causing death through the use of a firearm. If convicted, they face up to life in prison or the possibility of a death sentence.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Brown is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Ralph Paradiso of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Houston. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas have partnered, along with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes gang members and associates have committed through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute violent offenders and prevent further violence.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
“Free Money” Gang Members Indicted for Committing Murder at Local Shopping CenterRead the Press Release
Two alleged members of Free Money, a violent Houston-based street gang, were indicted yesterday in the Southern District of Texas for their alleged roles in the murder of one individual and attempted murder of another during a gang-related ambush.
According to court documents, Free Money members and associates engage in robbery, home invasions, drug distribution, and murder. The defendants, Terry Ardoin, 24, and Travonte Ardoin, 27, both of Houston, allegedly committed the murder in connection with an ongoing gang war with a rival group.
On June 24, 2022, in broad daylight, surveillance footage captured the Ardoins following a Chevrolet Equinox into a shopping center parking lot in a Black Nissan Altima. As alleged in court documents, the driver of the Equinox entered a nearby store while the passenger remained in the vehicle. When the driver returned, the Ardoins allegedly exited the Altima wearing masks and opened fire on both individuals.
Witnesses reported hearing numerous gunshots and described the distinct sound of a fully automatic weapon, believed to have been modified with a machine gun conversion device commonly referred to as a “switch.”
Multiple rounds struck the vehicle’s passenger compartment. Houston Police Department officers responded within minutes and found one victim deceased.
Terry and Travonte Ardoin are charged with murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and causing death through the use of a firearm. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of life in prison or a death sentence. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department.
Trial Attorney Ralph Paradiso of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Brown for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Houston. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Worcester Psychiatrist Sentenced for Unlawful Distribution of Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester psychiatrist was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally prescribing controlled substances.
Mohamad Och, 69, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to four years of probation and ordered to pay a $30,000 fine. In November 2023, Och was convicted following an 11-day jury trial of three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
Och was a licensed psychiatrist who owned and operated Island Counseling Center (ICC), in Worcester, Mass., and has practiced psychiatry elsewhere in Massachusetts, including Nantucket. Among other services, Och was authorized to prescribe Schedule II-IV controlled substances to patients.
Och repeatedly prescribed a combination of benzodiazepines and stimulants outside of the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Specifically, on multiple occasions between August 2016 and February 2017, Och knowingly issued prescriptions for Adderall (a Schedule II amphetamine) and Xanax (a Schedule IV benzodiazepine) to undercover federal agents. Evidence at trial showed that amphetamines have a high potential for abuse and present serious cardiovascular risks. Evidence also showed the risks presented by mixing Xanax, a depressant, with a stimulant like Adderall.
Och prescribed such highly-addictive medications without doing proper psychiatric examinations, without obtaining prior medical records, and without administering diagnostic tests (including urinalyses or blood tests) – even when faced with facts that the undercover patients may have been participating in drug diversion. Furthermore, the defendant did not discuss or review medication side effects, their conditions’ symptoms, or the risks and benefits of taking drugs like Adderall and Xanax with the undercover agents – despite documenting in medical records that he had done so.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Special Agent in Charge Roberto Coviello of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy and Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Exploiting MinorsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty today to sexually exploiting three minor females.
Antonio Merced, 28, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman, who scheduled sentencing for Nov. 21, 2025. Merced was charged in November 2024. He remains in state custody on related offenses.
In July 2024, Merced exposed two minor victims to pornography and sex toys, and a subsequent investigation resulted in the discovery of multiple videos the defendant produced. Merced admitted to using three minors to create sexually explicit videos on three dates in 2023 and 2024.
Merced was arrested in September 2024 and subsequently charged in Worcester District Court with three counts of dissemination of obscene material to a minor, and one count each of open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior, dissemination of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), intimidation, enticing a child under 16 and two counts of aggravated rape of a child.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a minor provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. 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.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office 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 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.
Watervliet Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Dealing Firearms Without a LicenseRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sean Patrick, age 46, of Watervliet, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison for dealing firearms without a license.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Patrick admitted that between June 2021 and November 2022, he built and sold four non-serialized, semi-automatic pistols without being licensed to do so, filling out any paperwork, or paying any taxes in connection with the sales. On November 10, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant on Patrick’s residence in Watervliet, and recovered four more privately manufactured, non-serialized, semi-automatic pistols, another semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, assorted gun kits and fabrication tools, and over a thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “People need to sell firearms the right way, in accordance with federal law. If you deal firearms without a license, be ready to spend time in federal prison. We will not tolerate the unlicensed sale of firearms in the Northern District of New York.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Patrick’s decision to bypass federal laws and manufacture and sell illegal weapons has landed him in federal prison. The FBI will continue to work with our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office to investigate anyone looking to push illegal firearms into our communities and ensure they are held accountable.”
Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also imposed a 3-year-term of supervised release, a fine of $7,500, and ordered the forfeiture of multiple firearms and ammunition.
The FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force — which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie and Watervliet Police Departments — investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney A.J. Vickey prosecuted the case.
Walker County Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A Walker County man has been sentenced for illegally possessing cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Shannon Wayne Herron, 50, of Jasper, Alabama, to 108 months in prison. In February, Herron pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to the plea agreement, on November 1, 2023, detectives with the Jasper Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant on a residence in Jasper. During the search, officers recovered 366 grams of pure methamphetamine, marijuana, a digital scale, a ledger containing names with dollar amounts next to the names, four cell phones, and approximately $1,800 in cash.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case along with the Jasper Police Department Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Peoples prosecuted the case.
Wainwright man arrested, charged with child exploitation offensesRead the Press Release
A Wainwright man was arrested by the FBI yesterday at his residence on criminal charges related to his alleged attempted enticement of minors in his community to meet for sexual contact. He also allegedly received and possessed child pornography and attempted to entice minors to produce child pornography.
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of AlaskaAccording to court documents, on Oct. 22, 2024, the North Slope Borough Police Department took a complaint from a 15-year-old minor victim about Robert Segevan, 31, allegedly requesting sexually explicit pictures from the minor victim on a digital messaging application. Two other minor victims also allegedly received the same request from Segevan. The 15-year-old victim stated Segevan started messaging them in 2023. Anytime they would attempt to block him, he would allegedly create a new account on the messaging application and continue to ask for sexually explicit pictures.
Court documents explain that on Nov. 7, 2024, the North Slope Borough Police Department received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) detailing that a user account, later identified as Segevan’s, on the digital messaging platform was flagged for child sexual abuse material. The tip detailed Segevan asking a fourth minor victim to meet for sexual contact.
Court documents further detail that on Nov. 14, 2024, the North Slope Borough received a search warrant return from the digital messaging application for two of Segevan’s usernames. Law enforcement reviewed the return and identified several sexually explicit pictures sent from a fifth minor victim. On Dec. 24, 2024, North Slope Borough Police Department executed a search warrant on Segevan’s home in Wainwright and seized electronic devices. These devices are still being processed.
On June 30, 2025, the FBI received a complaint that Segevan allegedly asked one of the previously identified minor victims for pictures of their body, and that he was allegedly harassing several minors in the Wainright community for pictures of their bodies.
Segevan is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of attempted enticement of a minor, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography. If convicted, Segevan faces between 15 years to life 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 Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Anchorage Field Office and North Slope Borough Police Department are investigating the case, with assistance from Anchorage Police Department as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. If anyone has information concerning Segevan’s alleged actions or may have encountered someone in person or online using the name or username Robert Segevan, Ethan Allen, “tukak,” “robertsegevan20,” or “robertsegevan24,” please contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276-4441 or anonymously at tips.fbi.gov.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Wewahitchka Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Matthew Pellerito, 49, of Wewahitchka, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and the carrying of a firearm without written notice. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “I applaud the excellent coordination of our state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies in their detection and investigation of these crimes. My office is committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who unlawfully possess weapons or ammunition.”
Court documents reflect that on September 5, 2024, Pellerito prepared to board a commercial flight in Panama City, Florida. Pellerito’s checked luggage was flagged by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Inside of Pellerito’s luggage, TSA found an undeclared firearm and a 50-round box of ammunition. Pellerito stated that he was traveling to Oregon for a camping trip and had forgotten to declare the firearm with the airline. Further investigation confirmed that Pellerito is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition by law.
Pellerito is scheduled for sentencing before United States District Judge Mark Walker on September 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Tallahassee, Florida. Pellerito faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment on the firearm and ammunition charge, and up to five years’ imprisonment on the carrying of firearm without written notice charge.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Transportation Security Administration, the Panama City Airport Police Department, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.