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9 September 2026
Illegal Alien from Mexico Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug, Immigration ChargesRead the Press Release
HARRISONBURG, Va. – An illegal alien from Mexico, who had been removed from the United States on at least two previous occasions before illegally reentering the country, pled guilty recently to distributing thousands of grams of methamphetamine and violating the immigration laws of the United States.
Miguel Alberto Sandoval Arellano, 41, a citizen of Mexico living illegally in Marshall, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of reentering the United States after having previously been removed, with an aggravated felony conviction before removal.
According to court documents, Arellano conspired with others to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in and around Clarke County from approximately 2024 and 2025. Specifically, Arellano made drug sales to confidential sources working with the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force. During multiple transactions, Arellano provided the confidential source with methamphetamine ranging in weight between 725 grams and 1,485 grams. In all, Arellano made at least five sales to the confidential source.
As a result of these transactions, task force members obtained a search warrant for a farm property in Clarke County operated by Arellano. In a barn on the property, investigators located 4,631 grams of pure methamphetamine.
A second search warrant was executed at Arellano’s home in Marshall, Virginia. Investigators recovered $15,495 in cash. Some of that cash was identified as being the same money given to the confidential source to be used to purchase drugs from Arellano. In addition, Arellano admitted he worked for an individual in Mexico who sent him methamphetamine to distribute. Arellano would then wire the proceeds back to Mexico at the individual’s direction.
Further investigation revealed that in 2012, Arellano was federally convicted in the District of New Jersey for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine. He ultimately served 37 months in federal prison. Following that sentence, and on at least two other occasions, Arellano was removed from the United States – once in 2013 and again in 2015. Following both removals, he unlawfully returned to the United States.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration Winchester Resident Office.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Endres is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Illegal Alien Faces Federal Charges for Identity Theft, Producing and Selling Counterfeit Social Security Cards, and Unlawful Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE – Derly Alvarez-Rodriguez, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly trafficking counterfeit Social Security cards bearing information of real victims and possessing a pistol.
“Social Security fraud and identity theft strike at the heart of public trust and economic security. This alien’s alleged conduct not only jeopardized the integrity of our nation’s borders, but it also exposed unwitting victims to significant financial and legal issues stemming from the unauthorized use of their personal information,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “My office remains committed to protecting victims and holding accountable anyone who seeks to exploit them.”
“Counterfeit identification documents, including social security cards, are instruments of fraud that can upend victims’ lives, fuel criminal activity, and erode the integrity of our immigration, employment, and financial systems,” said Ellen Johnson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI will continue working alongside our partners to disrupt fraud schemes designed to profit from stolen identities.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Between March 11, 2026 and on May 19, 2026, Alvarez allegedly sold an undercover agent three Social Security cards in exchange for $750 per card. Following the transactions, Alvarez allegedly sent the undercover agent the corresponding birth dates for the individuals listed on the cards.
Agents set up an August 5, 2026 meeting with Alvarez to purchase two additional Social Security cards. When Alvarez arrived to complete the transaction, agents arrested him on a federal criminal complaint and seized four additional Social Security cards from him. During a subsequent federal search warrant executed at Alvarez’s residence, agents found a semi-automatic pistol. Federal law prohibits illegal aliens from possessing firearms.
The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (“SSA-OIG”) determined that all the cards purchased or seized from Alvarez were counterfeit. SSA-OIG further confirmed the Social Security numbers on each card were legitimate and associated with real people.
Following his arrest on the complaint, a federal magistrate judge denied the United States’s motion to detain Alvarez. The United States immediately filed an emergency motion to stay and revoke the release order, arguing that there was a serious risk that Alvarez would flee. U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story granted both motions and ordered that Alvarez be detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service without bond through the conclusion of the case.
On September 1, 2026, a grand jury returned an 18-count federal indictment charging Derly Alvarez-Rodriguez, 41, of Mexico, with seven counts of Social Security fraud, seven counts of production of false identification documents, three counts of transfer of false identification documents, and one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Today, a grand jury added two counts of aggravated identity theft, each of which carries a mandatory minimum of two years’ imprisonment.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with valuable assistance from the SSA-OIG.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Honduran Illegal Alien Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry of Removed AlienRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DAVID VILLADARES-MONTOYA, a/k/a “Alex Montoya,” a/k/a “David Alexander” (“VILLADARES-MONTOYA “), age 39, a native of Honduras, was indicted on September 3, 2026 for illegal re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to the indictment, the defendant was found in the United States on August 27, 2026, having reentered the United States without authorization from the Attorney General of the United States, after being previously deported on August 14, 2023.
VILLADARES-MONTOYA faces up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00 for re-entry of a removed alien.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Homeland Security Task Force Investigations Lead to Sentencings for Drug TraffickersRead the Press Release
Memphis Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Trafficking 20 Lbs Of Meth To Marshall County
OXFORD, MS. – United States Attorney Scott Leary announced two separate convictions resulting from Homeland Security Task Force investigations.
Albert Ardell Scott, 38, of Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced today to ten years in prison for delivering 20 pounds of methamphetamine to Mississippi.
The DEA conducted this Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation. According to court documents, Scott made the methamphetamine delivery from the Memphis area to Byhalia, MS, in May of 2025. Scott was part of a multi-defendant conspiracy which operated in Tennessee and Mississippi. Several members remain currently charged by indictment, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Chief United States District Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Scott to 120 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Addison prosecuted this case.
Tupelo Man Sentenced To Over 15 Years For Possessing Hundreds of Meth &Fentanyl Pills
In another case, James Homan, 44, of Tupelo, was sentenced today to over 15 years in prison for possessing with intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The FBI conducted this HSTF investigation, which resulted in the seizure of more than 600 grams of methamphetamine and over 100 grams of fentanyl. Homan had a lengthy criminal history.
Chief United States District Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Homan to 188 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Addison and Sam Stringfellow prosecuted the cases.
U.S. Attorney Scott Leary stated, “Homeland Security Task Forces were created by Executive Order in 2025. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels and drug trafficking organizations operating in the United States and abroad. We are again seeing the great law enforcement results from the HSTF initiative. Methamphetamine is among the most addictive and destructive drugs this country has ever faced. Likewise, one fentanyl pill can be fatal, and in this case enough fentanyl was seized to create thousands of pills. The FBI and DEA took these drugs off the streets of the Northern District of Mississippi, and today our communities are safer. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Addison and Sam Stringfellow prosecuted the case. They are valuable assets to the Northern District of Mississippi.
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff said, "Homan intended to distribute massive quantities of deadly methamphetamine and fentanyl pills throughout Mississippi, putting our communities at risk and destroying lives in the process. Today’s sentence should serve as a warning to others who engage in this dangerous and illegal activity: illicit drugs will not be tolerated. The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting public safety and holding those who threaten our communities accountable for their criminal actions."
These operations and convictions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis not only on cartel crimes, but also on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Jackson comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ICE ERO, CBP, CBP OFO, CBP USBP, CBP AMO, CGIS, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS and with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
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Homeland Security Task Force Investigation leads to eight-year sentence for leader of trafficking organizationRead the Press Release
Seattle – The 32-year-old leader of a drug trafficking organization that preyed, in part, on those living unhoused in “The Jungle” and in the Seattle Chinatown International District was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to eight years in prison, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Daniel Ibarra Loera, an illegal alien, living in Kent, Washington, was identified as a leader of a drug trafficking ring in a wiretap investigation in 2024-2025. The wiretap revealed Ibarra Loera was selling pound quantities of cocaine
and fentanyl as well. When law enforcement searched his residence in May 2025, they seized six firearms and ballistic vests that Ibarra Loera admits were used to protect his drug trafficking enterprise. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Tana Lin said, “You were the source of a significant amount of cocaine and fentanyl to some of the most vulnerable in our community. I hope you recognize that what you did contributed to the suffering of a lot of people.”
“Driven by greed, this defendant trafficked both cocaine and fentanyl to some of the most vulnerable in our community while possessing firearms and after entering this country illegally,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “Our office only learned of his immigration status because he was caught trafficking large quantities of drugs. Now he appropriately faces a lengthy prison sentence and removal to Mexico.”
According to records filed in the case, in 2023, after incidents of drug trafficking-related violence in and around homeless encampments in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District and the greenbelt adjacent to Interstate-5, commonly known as the “Jungle,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and the Seattle Police Department (“SPD”) began a narcotics trafficking investigation into individuals distributing controlled substances in these areas. Ibarra Loera was identified as a source of supply of both cocaine and fentanyl for street level dealers.
On May 29, 2025, law enforcement executed 16 search warrants in Federal Way, Vancouver, Everett, Pacific, Tukwila, Kent, Issaquah, Seattle, Woodlake California and Beaverton, Oregon. Investigators seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine, 18 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 57,000 fentanyl pills, and 17 firearms. They also seized more than $353,000 in cash.
Investigators searched Ibarra Loera’s home and a storage unit seizing guns, drugs and luxury cars that Ibarra Loera bought and sold to launder his drug proceeds. Investigators seized a 2023 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, a 2017 Cadillac CTS-V, a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and a 2018 Audi RS3 Quattro.
On May 5, 2026, Ibarra Loera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“As a leader of this drug trafficking organization, Mr. Ibarra Loera supplied kilogram quantities of cocaine to distributors including, irresponsibly, to people he barely knew,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Ultimately, the poison he supplied reached some of the most vulnerable members of the Seattle community. Mr. Ibarra Loera also possessed multiple firearms to protect the proceeds of the trafficking. The FBI and our partners will continue to combat drug trafficking and violent crime in Seattle and across the state of Washington.”
“Mr. Ibarra Loera and his co-conspirators trafficked deadly drugs to some of Seattle’s most vulnerable living in homeless encampments in the Chinatown International District,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division, “DEA, along with our federal, state, and local partners, is working to stop those who profit from poisoning our community. Fentanyl Free America is DEA’s unwavering commitment to protect the United States from synthetic opioids by disrupting the fentanyl supply chain, reducing its availability, and saving American lives.”
Asking for a nine-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Casey Conzatti told the court Ibarra Loera dealt “deadly, addictive and destructive substances… cocaine is one of the top three deadly substances.”
The investigation was led by the FBI, Seattle Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with significant assistance from the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program (HIDTA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program. Investigators also worked with the Oregon State Police and Clark County, Washington Sheriff’s Office.
This investigation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Seattle comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), The United States Marshals Service (USMS), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the United States Secret Service (USSS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Conzatti and Brian Wynne.
HSTF Investigation Leads to Rio Rico Man Being Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Drug and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Hugo Jesus Munoz, 34, of Rio Rico, Arizona, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Rosemary Márquez to 60 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Munoz previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments.
As part of the drug conspiracy, Munoz distributed 4 kilograms of fentanyl and 3.5 kilograms of methamphetamine using the U.S. Postal Service. As part of the money laundering conspiracy, Munoz had $105,000 in drug proceeds deposited into his personal and business bank accounts from his drug distribution customers.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. This HSTF Arizona investigation involved agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration in Detroit, Michigan and Tucson, Arizona, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Border Patrol, United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Petermann, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: 23-CR-2465-TUC-RM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-155_Munoz# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Gregg County tax preparer charged with federal violations related to falsified tax returnsRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Longview man has been charged with federal violations related to falsified tax returns in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Jason Elias Briley, 42, was named in a 19-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in August 2026, charging him with aiding or assisting in tax fraud. Briley appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell on September 9, 2026.
According to information presented in court, Briley owned a tax preparation business in Longview and is alleged to have prepared federal tax returns on behalf of his clients that included false information in an attempt to increase the refund amounts. The documented tax loss is alleged to be approximately $370,000.
If convicted, Briley faces up to three years in federal prison. It is important to note that an indictment or arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Postal Money Order Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Jordan C. Sneed, 32 years old, of Gary, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
McClendon was sentenced to 15 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $41,426.14 in restitution to victims of the offense.
Sneed is the last of five defendants to be sentenced in this case. Anthony Juan McClendon, the leader and organizer of the scheme, was sentenced on December 18, 2025, to 24 months in prison and 4 years of supervised release. On October 22, 2025, co-Defendant Reginald Russell was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for his role in altering the Postal money orders used in the scheme, after having been previously convicted of a similar offense in the Northern District of Illinois. Co-defendants Austin Hartman and Santiago Andrade also received prison sentences for participating in the scheme.
“Recidivist Jordan Sneed was sentenced to prison because he and his co-conspirators exploited the services of local banks and the United States Postal Service to make money through fraud. They used U.S. Postal Service money orders that had been altered to reflect higher face values than the amounts for which they had been purchased. In total, the conspiracy produced and negotiated over $120,000 worth of altered money orders at financial institutions throughout Northern Indiana. Unfortunately, Sneed engaged in this conduct within a matter of months after being released from a lengthy sentence in the Indiana Department of Corrections. Prior to this offense, Sneed had been incarcerated for approximately 10 years after a 2012 conviction for robbery resulting in serious bodily injury and carjacking in Vigo County, Indiana. Thanks to the partnership of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Porter County Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Munster Police Department, Hammond Police Department, Lansing (Illinois) Police Department, and NDIN AUSA Zachary D. Heater, repeat offenders and fraudsters will be held accountable in the Northern District of Indiana,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Munster Police Department, Hammond Police Department, Lansing (Illinois) Police Department, and others. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs
Former Tax Startup CEO Federally Charged with Conning Venture Capital Funds Out of More Than $13 MillionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Inglewood woman has been arrested on a 15-count federal grand jury indictment charging her with defrauding venture capital funds out of more than $13 million by lying about her credentials and her now-defunct tax compliance startup company’s revenue, then using investors’ money to purchase a home, a Tesla, and pay for her wedding in the Caribbean, the Justice Department announced today.
Shiloh Luckey, 42, a.k.a. “Shiloh Johnson,” was arrested on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before she attempted to board a cruise ship for a vacation. Luckey was released on bond in the Southern District of Florida and is expected to appear in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
Luckey is charged with nine counts of securities fraud, three counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, and two counts of money laundering.
According to the indictment returned on September 1, Luckey founded the Los Angeles-based ComplYant App Inc. in 2019 and presented it as a tax compliance startup company that offered services to small businesses to help them navigate complex tax regulations in exchange for a monthly subscription fee. Luckey was ComplYant’s CEO and exerted managerial control over the company.
From September 2020 to September 2023, Luckey defrauded investors by promoting ComplYant as having existing customers and a significant recurring revenue stream. As part of the alleged scheme, Luckey persuaded victims to invest in the company by presenting them with pitch decks, investor materials, and updates that falsely inflated ComplYant’s revenue, customer base, subscriptions, and cash reserve balances.
Luckey also induced victims to invest by lying to them and representing that she was a licensed certified public accountant (CPA) with deep expertise in tax management, accounting, and compliance, when, in fact, she has never been a licensed CPA.
Relying on these false statements, pretenses, and misrepresentations, victims invested millions of dollars into ComplYant under the belief it was a promising start-up based on Luckey’s representations.
Luckey then used a portion of these funds to pay for personal expenses, including the purchase of her residence, the purchase of a Tesla automobile, and to pay her wedding on the Caribbean island of Anguilla.
By September 2023, ComplYant experienced severe liquidity issues and ceased operations, causing the investors to lose their investments.
In total, Luckey fraudulently obtained at least $13.3 million from her victims, with the victims losing their entire investments.
The indictment further alleges that, in September and October of 2022, Luckey engaged in a check kiting scheme to purchase her Inglewood home by intentionally writing a bad $1.5 million check from a ComplYant account with insufficient funds, depositing it into another ComplYant account at a different bank, and wiring the money to buy her home before the first bank realized the check was worthless.
Luckey then paid off the negative balance caused by her check kiting scheme by repaying the negative bank account balance with fresh proceeds from her securities fraud.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of all charges, Luckey would face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison on the bank fraud count, up to 20 years in federal prison for each securities fraud and wire fraud count, and a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each money laundering count.
The FBI is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Andrew M. Roach of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.
Former Postal Employee Sentenced for Obstruction of U.S. MailRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Lacresha Vining (“VINING”), age 27, of Independence, Louisiana, was sentenced to a one year of probation by U.S. District Judge Nannette J. Brown on September 3, 2026, after previously pleading guilty to obstruction of mail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1701, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The Court also imposed a mandatory $10 special assessment fee.
According to court documents, in September 2023, VINING knowingly obstructed the passage of mail while employed as a postal carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.
United States Attorney David I. Courcelle praised the work of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Kippers of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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Former Nonprofit Executive Who Defrauded the Organization of More Than $1.6 Million Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison, Six Months of Home ConfinementRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that John A. Miller, 77, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 10 months in prison, two years of supervised release with six months of home confinement, and $1,626,556 in restitution by United States District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge for defrauding the nonprofit organization for which he worked of more than $1.6 million and laundering the fraud proceeds.
The defendant was charged by superseding indictment in May 2025 and pleaded guilty this March to one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction involving criminally derived property.
As detailed in court filings and statements, Miller served as the executive director and treasurer of a Philadelphia-based religious nonprofit organization that provided financial assistance to the widows and orphans of deceased clergy members.
From 2015 through 2022, he diverted money to himself by masking wires intended for beneficiaries with personal checks issued to himself. To conceal the payments, Miller made false and misleading records in the nonprofit’s internal accounting ledgers. In total, Miller misappropriated more than $1.6 million.
After Miller diverted the nonprofit funds into his personal accounts, he used the proceeds for personal expenses, including luxury travel and the purchase of a luxury condominium in Philadelphia. After being made aware of the fraud investigation, Miller liquidated the proceeds by selling the property. Despite the sale, law enforcement agents seized the fraudulent proceeds as the transaction took place.
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alisa Shver, J. Andrew Jenemann, and Alexander Bowerman.
Former Navy Civilian Employee Sentenced to 72 Months for Bribery and Tax Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – James Soriano, a former public official at the Naval Information Warfare Center in San Diego, was sentenced in federal court today to 72 months in prison for accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.
According to his plea agreement, Soriano admitted he accepted bribes from defense contractors in the form of lavish meals, employment opportunities for family members and friends, and tickets to premier sporting events. In exchange, he used his position to help the contractors secure and maintain hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts.
Soriano also admitted to filing false tax returns in connection with the bribes he received.
U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson ordered Soriano to forfeit $209,527.51 and pay $18,722.40 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to Soriano’s plea agreement, the defense contractors – acting through their presidents, officers, and employees – gave various things of value to Soriano, including dinners at Ruth’s Chris, Island Prime, and Fogo de Chão; tickets to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, 2018 World Series, and 2019 Superbowl; and jobs for Soriano’s family and friends, including Soriano’s wife and Soriano’s family friend, Liberty Gutierrez, who gave Soriano $2,000 a month in cash from her salary at one of the companies working under a defense contract.
In return, Soriano took official action to aid his benefactors, such as allowing defense contractors to draft government documents in competitive and non-competitive procurements, submitting those documents as part of the procurement process, and advocating for their selection as defense contractors. Soriano also willfully failed to disclose the cash payments he received from Gutierrez on his federal tax returns.
According to Soriano’s plea agreement, from approximately March 2016 through at least October 2019, Soriano and a coworker, Dawnell Parker, received bribes from Philip Flores, the president and CEO of Intellipeak Solutions, Inc., a defense contractor headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Soriano also admitted that from approximately May 2015 through at least October 2019, he separately received bribes from another defense contractor, with offices in San Diego and Stafford, Virginia, who gave him things of value, such as expensive dinners, a job for his wife, and rounds of golf at a private country club.
Further, according to Soriano’s plea agreement, from approximately June 2014 through at least October 2019, Soriano received bribes from Russell Thurston, the Vice President of Cambridge International Systems, Inc., a defense contractor headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. In return for these bribes, Soriano used various methods to steer contracts to these defense contractors and kept his contracting activities hidden from the Naval Information Warfare Center.
“Corruption in federal procurement undermines fair competition and cheats law-abiding businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “This is a strong sentence that proves corrupt officials will be held accountable.”
“The sentencing of Mr. Soriano should serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to enrich themselves through fraudulent contracting practices,” said John E. Helsing, Special Agent-in-Charge for the Department of War Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “This type of criminal behavior undermines the Department or War’s procurement system and erodes public trust. DCIS will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute public corruption affecting America’s Warfighters.”
“Mr. Soriano abused his position of trust to benefit favored contractors and undermine the integrity of the procurement process,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Merkal of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “This sentencing reinforces our unwavering commitment to holding public officials accountable when they betray the public trust for personal gain.”
“This case shows how greed and corruption drive people to exploit public systems for personal gain,” said Darren Lian, Special Agent in Charge with IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. “IRS‑CI’s financial expertise allows us to cut through even the most complex schemes, follow the money, and hold those who betray the public trust accountable.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Swan.
DEFENDANT Case Numbers 23-cr-2282-TWR-1 and 24-cr-341-TWR-1
James Soriano Age: 65 Las Vegas, NV
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Commit Bribery - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371
Maximum penalties (per count): Five years in prison; $250,000 fine
False Statements in Tax Returns – Title 26, U.S.C., Section 7206(1)
Maximum penalties: Three years in prison; $100,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General
Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation
Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General
If you have information regarding fraud, waste, or abuse relating to Department of Defense personnel or operations, please contact the DoD Hotline at 800-424-9098.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Former Marine and New Iberia Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Terrorism ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On September 8, 2026, Micah James Legnon, 29, of New Iberia, pled guilty in federal court to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists, in violation of Title 18, Section 2339A(a)(1) of the United States Code. His sentencing and the plea agreement’s formal acceptance before United States District Court Judge David C. Joseph is scheduled for December 11, 2026, at 2pm.
“Today’s guilty plea reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions and our Office’s commitment to stopping terroristic threats in their tracks—before they can cause harm,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “We are committed to protecting Louisiana citizens from these dangerous actors, and, along with our state and federal law enforcement partners, will hold accountable those who support vicious acts of terrorism and endanger innocent lives.”
“As we know in Louisiana from terrible experience, the threat from home-grown terrorists is real,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New Orleans Field Office. “The FBI is extremely grateful for the quick and decisive actions of our partners at the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office to interdict this threat and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its determination and resolve to prosecute this case. FBI New Orleans is working closely every day with our partners here in Louisiana and across the world to keep the people of this state free from terrorist violence.”
According to court documents, Legnon is a former U.S. Marine and former New Iberia police officer. In early 2025, Legnon joined the “Order of the Black Lotus,” a faction of the Turtle Island Liberation Front. Court filings describe the group as a radical, anti-government faction that used encrypted messaging to coordinate plans for explosive attacks. Members also discussed ways to build improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and use them in a specific, planned attack on a logistics facility in California.
Digital communication records showed that Legnon joined the group with full understanding of its purpose and agreed to use his military tactical experience to advance the planned attack. Throughout 2025, he talked with members about making IEDs and saved a photo of an explosive device with instructions on his phone. Legnon also offered to train others in urban tactics, target accuracy, and combat shooting. To this end, he downloaded and stored extensive combat-related guides, including material related to close-range combat, land navigation, patrolling, ambush tactics, and demolition. Legnon was further found to have kept assault rifles, SWAT and sniper training manuals, and other combat-related items at his home.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI with valuable assistance from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Nickel, with assistance from Executive Assistant Joanne-Henry Mills and Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.
This case is part of the nationwide National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 initiative, which is a White House-directed, interagency effort to integrate federal, state, and local partners in protecting First Amendment rights while targeting individuals and organizations engaged in political violence and is led by the investigative and prosecutorial Joint Task Force Vanguard.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:26-CR-00198.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs: [email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
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Cara Alexander: (337) 262-6704Florida Enforcement Leaders Hold Inaugural Meeting of the Florida Anti-fraud Task Force to Enhance Federal-State Cooperation to Detect, Investigate, and Prosecute FraudRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Today, Florida United States Attorneys Jason A. Reding Quiñones, Gregory W. Kehoe, and John “Jack” P. Heekin, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier convened the inaugural meeting of the Florida Anti-fraud Task Force (“FATF”), a federal-state task force formed with a mandate to eliminate fraud within federal government benefit programs in Florida.
“President Trump has made clear that protecting American taxpayers from fraud is an enforcement priority, and under the leadership of Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald, the Justice Department is building an aggressive, data-driven strategy to do just that,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “The Florida Anti-fraud Task Force puts that strategy into action by bringing federal and state prosecutors, investigators, inspectors general, and data together to identify fraud faster, prosecute those responsible, and recover stolen taxpayer dollars. Florida is once again leading the way, and we intend for this partnership to serve as a model for fighting fraud across the country.”
“The Middle District of Florida is committed to protecting taxpayer-funded programs from fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Our dedicated staff and law enforcement partners will work zealously with the members of the Florida Anti-Fraud Task Force to investigate crimes, enforce the law, and prosecute those who commit fraud against our federal programs.”
“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Department of Justice is committed to fulfilling the fiduciary duty we owe U.S. taxpayers to safeguard their money against fraud, waste, and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, John “Jack” P. Heekin. “My district is aggressively pursuing frauds both large and small, and we are restoring the zero-tolerance threshold for crime that our citizens deserve.”
“The USDA Office of Inspector General is committed to partnering with federal, state, and local agencies to combat fraud in USDA programs that impact our communities,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “Leveraging resources across agencies at every level of government is key. I am proud to participate in the Inaugural Florida Anti-Fraud Task Force meeting which ensures strong collaboration going forward to fight fraud and hold those responsible who steal from Floridians and American taxpayers.”
The FATF is a first-of-its-kind task force that answers the call by Justice Department leaders and Florida citizens to build a model of federal-state cooperation to prevent and detect, investigate, and prosecute government program fraud and recover stolen taxpayer dollars. The meeting builds on the Justice Department’s recent announcement of the launch of the Fraud Division’s National Fraud Detection Center (NFDC), a prosecutor-led, multi-agency team designed to investigate the most harmful actors defrauding federal government programs, including illicit actors overseas and those operating fraud schemes across federal programs. The NFDC will bring together law enforcement agencies and analytical capabilities to generate criminal leads to drive more impactful prosecutions and enhance fraud-fighting results for the American people. The NFDC solves for a lack of cross-program visibility that has long hindered efforts to deter fraud on taxpayer-funded programs and has enabled some fraud actors to further perpetrate schemes across multiple taxpayer-funded programs without detection. The NFDC closes this gap by bringing partners across federal and state government together to break down silos and work collaboratively in a whole-of-government approach to eliminate fraud.
The NFDC’s success relies directly on the collaborative strength of partners across state and federal government. To that end, in July, the State of Florida’s Secretary of State and CFO joined several other southern states and entered into data sharing agreements with the Fraud Division and NFDC that provide access to publicly available corporate registration and public benefits payment data held by these state agencies, data which will help enforcers proactively identify connections and patterns across both business entities and public benefits payment activity. And, in August, the Fraud Division and NFDC announced data sharing agreements with fifteen federal agencies.
FATF will use leads generated by the NFDC to drive more impactful prosecutions and enhance fraud-fighting results for Floridians. FATF will also leverage the relationships, tools, and resources of other well-established and highly-effective anti-fraud task forces operating in Florida, including the Florida IG Council and the Florida Strike Force, a joint effort among the Fraud Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, FBI, and the Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Federal and State Partners Represented at the FATF Meeting:
Federal Prosecutors: U.S. Department of Justice, National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
Federal Agencies: FBI, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Education Office of Inspector General, Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General, Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General, FDIC OIG, FHFA Office of Inspector General, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigations, Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Amtrak
Florida Prosecutors: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay, Associate Deputy Attorney General and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Director Kathleen Von Hoene.
Florida State and Local Agencies and Law Enforcement: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Financial Services, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), Miami-Dade Office of Inspector General, City of Miami, Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General, and Broward Sheriff’s Office.
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Felon in possession of a firearm sentenced to nine years in prisonRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Georgia: An Ellabell man has been sentenced to federal prison following a firearms related plea agreement.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker and announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Torrence Veal, 37, of Ellabell, Georgia, was sentenced to 108 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
There is no parole in the federal system. Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition.
According to court documents and testimony, Veal was found in possession of a Glock, Model 48, 9 mm pistol in Chatham County in December 2024. Police officers with the Chatham County Police Department responded to a shooting at a Motel 6 in Savannah where officers learned that an altercation between Veal and an employee of the motel had occurred.
After the initial altercation, Veal left and later returned, located the employee in the parking lot and fired the weapon multiple times in the employee’s direction. Veal then discarded the firearm before fleeing the scene. A Chatham County firearm detection K-9 officer was dispatched to the location and a search of the area resulted in the firearm being discovered in a nearby gutter.
Investigators later determined the firearm was stolen. Veal’s lengthy criminal history includes prior convictions for aggravated assault.
“This significant sentence is a reminder that illegally possessing a firearm is a serious offense,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “Illegally possessed firearms are a threat to neighborhoods far and wide; and those who endanger the public will face the consequences for their crimes.”
“Within minutes of this crime occurring, Chatham County Police Department patrol officers, detectives, and forensic specialists were on the scene to interview witnesses and gather the crucial evidence needed to make an arrest,” said Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley. “We are proud to partner with federal authorities in bringing repeat offenders to justice and keeping the streets of our county safe for everyone.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Chatham County Police Department assisted in the investigation of this case and was prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Makeia R. Jonese
Federal jury convicts three conspirators in $11M Medicaid fraud and kickback schemeRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A federal jury convicted three defendants on charges relating to a Medicaid fraud scheme through a Henrico-based mental health agency. This case is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, twin sisters E'mon and Armone' Ambers, 31, and Traquan Brown, 32, participated in a scheme to defraud Medicaid through a mental health agency known as Divine Youth Counseling, LLC. E’mon Ambers was Divine Youth’s Chief Executive Officer and Armone’ Ambers was Divine Youth’s Program Director. Brown, who was involved in a romantic relationship with E’mon, was employed by Divine Youth and purported to provide counseling services on behalf of the agency.
According to court documents, between January 2022 and October 2025, Divine Youth submitted more than $11 million in fraudulent claims to Medicaid for mental health services known as Crisis Stabilization and Mobile Crisis. The defendants falsely claimed that two mental health professionals simultaneously provided services to Medicaid recipients, when in truth, at most a single mental health professional was present for the service. The false claims that two professionals provided “Team Treatment” services caused millions of dollars of loss to Medicaid.
The defendants also paid more than $470,000 in illegal kickbacks in the form of purchasing hotel rooms for Medicaid recipients. The defendants used the hotel rooms to incentivize recipients to obtain Medicaid services from Divine Youth, a practice the defendants knew and understood was wrong and unlawful.
E'mon and Armone' Ambers were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, health care fraud, aggravated identity theft, payment of kickbacks, and transactional money laundering. E'mon faces a mandatory minimum of two years and up to 92 years in prison, and Armone' faces a mandatory minimum of two years and up to 42 years in prison. Brown was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud. He faces up to ten years in prison. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 15. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Court will hold a separate proceeding on Dec. 14 to address the defendants’ forfeiture obligations. The assets subject to forfeiture include $5,937,156.30 in funds seized pursuant to a federal seizure warrant. Additional forfeitable property includes assets involved in the transactional money laundering offenses, including two matching Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons and a residence purchased in Richmond, Texas.
The FBI’s Richmond Field Office and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Day, Janet Jin Ah Lee, and Leighton Watson are prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:26-cr-24.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Two Men for Illegal Reentry into the United StatesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence returned separate indictments today charging two men with illegally reentering the United States after having previously been removed.
According to the indictments, Edwin Aldana, 45, a citizen of Guatemala, was ordered removed from the United States on November 13, 2006. He later reentered the United States and was removed from the country again on September 7, 2020. On June 1, 2026, Aldana was arrested in Rhode Island. Aldana did not obtain the required consent from the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to reapply for admission to the United States.
In a separate indictment, Kevin Osvaldo Lopez Lopez, 25, a citizen of Honduras, was previously ordered removed by an immigration judge and departed the United States on January 12, 2021. On July 4, 2026, Lopez Lopez was arrested in Rhode Island. Lopez Lopez did not obtain the required consent from the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to reapply for admission to the United States.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Lowell.
The matters were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Federal Court Orders Forfeiture of Approximately $7 Million and Three Vehicles Following Conviction of Jamie P. McNamaraRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - On August 21, 2026, United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion entered a Final Order of Forfeiture in United States v. Jamie P. McNamara (“MCNAMARA”), Criminal Docket No. 22-151, requiring the forfeiture of over $7 million dollars in criminally derived funds, and 3 luxury vehicles, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
MCNAMARA plead guilty on May 29, 2026, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349 and 1347, and was sentenced to ten years in prison on October 23, 2025.
According to court documents, MCNAMARA operated several laboratories in Louisiana and Texas, which obtained fraudulent doctors’ orders for genetic testing from telemarketers and call centers that used aggressive telemarketing campaigns to induce Medicare beneficiaries to agree to receive genetic testing. Orders for genetic testing were signed by purported telemedicine doctors who were not the beneficiaries’ treating physicians, did not perform consultations with the beneficiaries, and did not follow up with the beneficiaries after the testing was performed. To obtain the orders, MCNAMARA paid illegal kickbacks and bribes, which he disguised through sham contracts. In furtherance of the scheme, he also shifted the billing between his laboratories to evade scrutiny from Medicare and law enforcement and concealed his ownership and control of the laboratories by falsely listing the names of his family members as owners and company representatives on Medicare and other documents. In approximately one and a half years, the laboratories operated by MCNAMARA submitted over $174 million in claims to Medicare for genetic testing and received over $55 million in reimbursements.
Before MCNAMARA was indicted, law enforcement officers seized several of his assets that had been purchased with the proceeds of his scheme. In its recent order, the Court ordered the forfeiture of the contents of an investment account and a bank account held in the name of a company controlled by MCNAMARA, along with three vehicles purchased with proceeds of the offense, namely, a Land Rover Range Rover, a BMW, and a Ford F-150. In total, the forfeited accounts contained a value totaling approximately $7,051,089.08.
Asset forfeiture is a law enforcement tool that allows the United States to take property derived from, or used to commit, federal crimes. It is designed to strip criminals of the proceeds of their offenses, remove the instruments used to carry them out, and- where victims can be identified- return recovered funds to the people who were harmed.
U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney, Alexandra Giavotella, Asset Forfeiture Coordinator, handled the forfeiture component. Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard and Trial Attorney Kelly Z. Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses for the Eastern District of Louisiana prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Family Workshop Counseling Center and Owner to Pay $350,000 to Resolve Alleged Improper Medicare BillingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Family Workshop Counseling Center, LLC, and its owner, Jeffrey Burrows, have agreed to pay $350,000 to the United States to resolve allegations that they improperly billed Medicare for clinical social worker services provided by individuals who were not authorized to receive Medicare reimbursement.
According to the settlement agreement, between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2021, Family Workshop Counseling Center, LLC, a mental health and behavioral health counseling group with offices in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, and Jeffrey Burrows submitted claims to Medicare for clinical social worker services using the billing credentials of licensed clinical social workers when the services were actually provided by individuals who were not authorized to receive Medicare reimbursement. Under Medicare rules, only licensed clinical social workers may be reimbursed for clinical social worker services.
The allegations arose from a qui tam lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico by former Family Workshop employees under the False Claims Act. The settlement covers only the claims related to the allegedly improper Medicare billing and does not resolve the relators’ separate claims for wrongful discharge, prima facie tort, and libel, slander, or defamation.
To resolve the allegations, Family Workshop and Burrows agreed to pay $350,000 to the United States, including $121,305 in restitution. The settlement does not release potential criminal liability or certain administrative enforcement rights.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.
The matter was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. The settlement and investigation were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Cunniff and Auditors Philip Stella and Julie Chappell.
Dyer County Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession and Discharge of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – A federal judge has sentenced Timothy Adams, 55, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, to 15 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on February 2, 2024, Dyer County deputies responded to a 9-1-1 hang up call. Upon arrival, they encountered Adams hiding behind a shed. It was determined through the investigation that Adams picked up a .38 revolver from the house and fired one round into the headboard near another occupant of the residence during a domestic violence incident. Officers confirmed the bullet hole in the headboard and recovered one spent shell casing from the .38 revolver.
On January 22, 2025, Adams pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Due to his extensive prior criminal conviction history which includes prior violent and serious drug offenses, the Court determined that Adams qualified as an Armed Career Criminal (ACC) and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), resulting in enhanced mandatory minimum sentencing penalties.
On August 19, 2026, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Adams to 180 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Adams’ prior conviction history demonstrates his disrespect for the law, and his lifestyle of lawlessness has finally caught up with him. He has devoted most of his life to repeated criminal conduct, and now the federal system will do what should have been done a long time ago – impose a real consequence that will prevent him from victimizing anyone else for years to come."
United States Attorney Dunavant thanked Assistant United States Attorney Hillary Parham, who prosecuted this case in conjunction with Assistant District Attorney General Andrew Hays, of the Tennessee District Attorney’s Office for the 29th Judicial District, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the case.
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.
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For more information, please contact our Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
District of Kansas releases update on child exploitation cases prosecuted under Project Safe ChildhoodRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas (USAO-KS) provides an update of cases prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood (PSC). PSC is a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), PSC 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.
As part of the commitment to prosecuting cases related to child sexual abuse and exploitation, USAO-KS staffs with federal prosecutors who specialize in seeking justice in these types of offenses.
In June, July, and August, USAO-KS indicted defendants on child exploitation related offenses while achieving substantial sentences for defendants post-conviction.
Indictment
Jonathan Arnold, 47, of Leavenworth was indicted on three counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
Stephen Crook, 34, Leavenworth of was indicted on one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact with a minor under 12 years of age.
David Reno, 58, of Lenexa was indicted on two counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Tyller White, 24, of Parsons was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of a child – attempted production of child pornography.
Colton Wiggins, 25, of Wichita was indicted on one count of distribution of child pornography.
Plea
Cody S. Bingham, 24, of Derby pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.
William “Bill” Bright, 58, of Hutchinson pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography.
James D. Fishbaugh, 53, of Blue Springs, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Dean Glovier, 28, of Topeka, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – possession of child pornography.
Bebak Gurung, 26, of Fort Riley, Kansas, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation-production of child pornography.
Tyson Hale, 26, of Mayetta, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse of minor in Indian Country.
Dylan Jamescupp, 34, of Ottawa pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.
Zachery Leslie, 25, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.
Michael Steven Podrybau, 43, of Alton pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of obscene visual representation of the sexual abuse of children.
Adam T. Umstead, 42, of Independence, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.
Michael Eugene Watley, 58, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
Sentencing
Joshua Craig Abel, 44, of Topeka was sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release, after a jury convicted him of one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – possession of child pornography.
Joseph Donald Dube, 40, Topeka was sentenced to 90 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – possession of child pornography.
Garrett Gayoso, 25, of Baxter Springs was sentenced to 222 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count production of child pornography.
Tommie Earnest Giles, 53, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to 120 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Blake Nolan, 21, of Kansas City, Kansas, was sentenced to 72 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
Gavin Onuffer, 28, of Haysville was sentenced to 121 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.
Dennis Lee Hamilton, 45, of Kansas City, Kansas, was sentenced 360 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of production of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
David Mark Jones, 35, of Shawnee was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Jeffrey T. Lyons, 33, of Olathe was sentenced to 264 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child.
Victor Ortiz, 49, of Junction City was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – production of child pornography
Adam Charles Pfeiffer, 36, of Wichita was sentenced to 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
Ronald Waltrip, 62, of Haysville was sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography.
https://www.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.
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Dallas man who conspired to use interstate facilities to aid a marijuana trafficking enterprise sentenced in Homeland Security Task Force investigationRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Dallas man who admitted to running a multi‑state marijuana distribution operation was sentenced today in federal court for conspiracy to use interstate facilities in aid of racketeering.
U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay sentenced Dian Huang Jiang, aka “Danny Jiang,” to 60 months in federal prison.
“Drug traffickers who exploit interstate networks to pump poison into our communities will be met with the full force of federal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Mr. Jiang built a sprawling, multi‑state drug enterprise that pushed thousands of kilograms of marijuana and funneled millions of dollars in proceeds through criminal channels. The Homeland Security Task Force unraveled that operation piece by piece, and today’s sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal organizations that threaten public safety.”
“This case sends a clear message; drug traffickers do not get a free pass simply because marijuana laws vary from state to state” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “Mr. Jiang moved large quantities of marijuana across state lines and supplied dangerous criminals who fuel violence and threaten our communities. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to dismantle networks and prevent drug proceeds from strengthening criminal organizations.”
According to court documents, Jiang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use interstate facilities in aid of racketeering. From at least January 2020 through August 2023, Jiang led a large‑scale distribution network responsible for moving marijuana from Oklahoma to customers across Texas and multiple other states. Jiang routinely used cellular telephones to coordinate marijuana deliveries, negotiate pricing and direct customers where to drop off large quantities of U.S. currency as payment for drug shipments.
Court records show Jiang acquired multi‑ton quantities of marijuana, often distributing up to 1,000 pounds in a single day, and required customers to purchase between 20 and 300 pounds per transaction. He utilized multiple residences in Oklahoma and Texas to store, distribute and collect proceeds from the illegal drug enterprise. As part of the conspiracy, Jiang and his coconspirators transported drug proceeds between states, sometimes sending substantial amounts overseas to include the People’s Republic of China. On Aug. 8, 2023, federal agents seized more than $2.8 million from bank accounts and safe deposit boxes linked to Jiang’s operation.
In addition to the prison term, Jiang faces forfeiture of several residential properties used in the drug‑trafficking operation as well as more than $4 million in drug proceeds traced by investigators.
The Drug Enforcement Administration – Dallas conducted the investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Oklahoma City), the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Oklahoma, and the City of Mesquite Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph T. Lo Galbo and Rick Calvert prosecuted the case with assistance from AUSAs Phelesa Guy and Jonathan Penn.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, United States Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Secret Service in partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety, City of Dallas Police Department, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement entities. The prosecution was led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
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Couple in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme Sentenced to 97 Months’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today that Mekfira Hussein and Abduljabar Hussein have been sentenced to a total of 97 months in prison for their roles in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Husseins submitted fraudulent claims for meals and ultimately obtained approximately $8.8 million in federal child nutrition program funds.
The defendants were sentenced before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel on September 8, 2026.
Mekfira Hussein, 42, of Shakopee, Minnesota, was sentenced to 57 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She pleaded guilty on January 31, 2025.
Abduljabar Hussein, 45, of Shakopee, Minnesota, was sentenced to 40 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He pleaded guilty on February 5, 2025.
“The Husseins stole money that was meant for vulnerable children. Their sentences today reflect my office’s commitment to holding those who defraud the American taxpayer accountable,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
The case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca E. Kline, Matthew C. Murphy, and Austin L. Bowyer prosecuted these cases. Assistant United States Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.
Note: Press releases on the defendants’ indictment (October 18, 2022) linked here.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (August 31 through September 4, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of August 31 through September 4, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On September 1, 2026, Álvaro Ortiz-Callejas pleaded guilty to narcotics importation conspiracy and narcotics importation aiding and abetting in Criminal Case 23-085 (PAD). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to import and aiding and abetting the importation of five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. Defendant was arrested on October 18, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for December 7, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 2, 2026, Edgar Santiago-Vázquez pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 25-215 (SCC) and to Counts One and Seven of the Indictment in Criminal Case 25-392 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on September 25, 2026. The court set defendant's sentencing date for December 4, 2026. AUSA R. Vance Eaton is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 2, 2026, Enrique Falcón-Lopez pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 25-275 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with a conspiracy to commit wire, bank and mail fraud. Defendant was arrested on June 17, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for January 12, 2027. SAUSA Vanessa Bonano is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 3, 2026, Lucas José Pérez pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 22-520 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to manufacture or distribution of cocaine for purpose of unlawful importation. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025, in the Dominican Republic and extradited to Puerto Rico on August 21, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for December 2, 2026. AUSA Camille García Jiménez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 4, 2026, Yariel Enrique Morales-Fuentes pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for December 4, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On September 1, 2026, Josué Isaac-Febus, a.k.a. “Tonto/Doble T” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Angongiorgi-Jordán to nine (9) years of imprisonment to be followed by eight (8) years of supervised release for his participation in a violent drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 13, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 2, 2026, Defendant Jesús M. Cruz Martínez, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach to 30 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for a conspiracy to commit bank, wire, and mail fraud. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on June 12, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-275 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on June 4, 2026. SAUSA Vanessa Bonano is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 2, 2026, Ángel Ocasio-Cancel was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to 60 months of imprisonment and eight (8) years of supervised release for a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 3, 2026, in Criminal Case 25-365 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on June 4, 2026. AUSA Andrés L. Orr is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 3, 2026, Jeuris Rodríguez-Payano was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias Maxuach to a term of imprisonment of 118 months and five (5) years of supervised release for conspiring to manufacture or distribute 323 kilograms cocaine for the purpose of unlawful importation. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 5, 2022, in Criminal Case 22-520 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on June 11, 2026. AUSA Camille García Jiménez was in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 3, 2026, Raúl González-Santiago was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to 84 months of imprisonment—24 months as to Count One and 60 months as to Count Seven, to be served consecutively—and six (6) years of supervised release for a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 3, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-365 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on June 10, 2026. AUSA Andrés L. Orr is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 4, 2026, Robert Martínez-Limas was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado Hernández to a term of six (6) months in home incarceration and four (4) years and six (6) months in probation for possessing with intent to distribute 10 kilograms of cocaine. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on August 22, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-280 (PAD), and pleaded guilty on April 20, 2026. AUSA Camille García Jiménez was in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 4, 2026, Rodney Alexis Maldonado-Márquez was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to time served and six (6) years of supervised release for a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 3, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-365 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on June 18, 2026. AUSA Andrés L. Orr is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On September 4, 2026, Barbara Valentín-Rivera was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado to time served and three years of supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and to launder the drug trafficking proceeds. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 29, 2021, in Criminal Case 21-359, and pleaded guilty on May 18, 2026. AUSA Ricardo Imbert Fernández is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Convicted felon pleads guilty to drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Martino Carter, 39, of Sloan, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and being felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
On June 5, 2025, the Buffalo Police Department, ATF and FBI executed a search warrant at Carter’s Jackson Avenue residence in Sloan, during which they seized two loaded pistols and approximately 25 pounds of suspected marijuana. Carter was convicted of felony charges in January 2010, in Erie County Court, and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Police Commissioner Erika Shields, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2027, before Judge Vilardo.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo. man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction.
Semaj Reshod Clark, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 120 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Clark had previously pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, admitting that he possessed a Taurus, model G3, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in Boone County on Aug. 10, 2025.
According to government filings, Clark was found in possession of the firearm after an individual called law enforcement, reporting that Clark was at the individual’s home and was refusing to leave. When officers arrived, Clark fled on foot before being located and arrested with a loaded firearm in his pocket. Clark has prior felony convictions and was not permitted to possess a firearm.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Columbia Business Owner Sentenced for Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Rocheport, Mo., woman who founded and operated Moresource, Inc. in Columbia, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for wire fraud and failure to collect or pay over taxes.
Kathryn L. Cunningham, 66, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to two concurrent sentences of 18 months’ imprisonment. Cunningham had previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, and one count of failure to collect or pay over taxes. Her sentence on these two counts will be followed by three years of supervised release, and includes a $200 special assessment, as well as order of restitution in an amount to be determined by the court.
According to the plea agreement filed in the case, Cunningham’s company, Moresource, contracted with clients to calculate and disburse payroll and income taxes for the clients’ employees. Moresource would collect funds from its clients for payroll and related expenses and maintain them in an account. Moresource was also responsible for generating related tax forms for its clients.
Because this payroll account functioned like an escrow account, collecting money from clients before they were due, the account should never have been in a shortage. By January 2020, however, Moresource owed approximately $1.377 million in payroll taxes on behalf of its clients, despite having less than $400,000 in funds available in its payroll account. Ultimately, investigation revealed that Cunningham had taken funds from Moresource’s operating account and used the funds for personal expenses, had borrowed money from at least two lenders to cover shortfalls and had paid for these loans through Moresource account funds, and had obtained an SBA-guaranteed loan and an SBA line of credit to fund Moresource’s operations and payroll account. Cunningham had also requested that clients make early payments of payroll deposits in order to replace funds that she had embezzled, blaming the shortage on another client’s cash flow issues. Meanwhile, Cunningham had also stopped filing timely and accurate IRS Forms 941 and stopped making regular payments to the IRS for employment taxes owed by the clients.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigations.
Chinese nationals arrested in China as Homeland Security Task Force works to stop drugs imported through the Eastern District of Texas destined for U.S. prisonsRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – Two Chinese nationals have been indicted and charged with federal drug trafficking violations as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Lisa Xing, 36, and Zhanwen Song, 38, Chinese citizens, were charged in a six-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas, charging them with drug trafficking and money laundering violations.
In May, Adell Willis, 43, of Lewisville, and Judy Ly, 30, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were indicted in the same conspiracy. All four defendants have been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; conspiracy to possess contraband in prison; conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances knowing it would be unlawfully imported into the United States; and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Willis was also charged with possession of synthetic drugs with intent to distribute.
“The indictment alleges that a China‑based supplier and a domestic distributor worked together to bring deadly synthetic drugs into the United States for distribution across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “We will continue working with our Homeland Security Task Force partners to pursue and hold accountable those who traffic dangerous drugs into our country.”
“The Homeland Security Task Force was established by President Trump’s executive order to protect Americans from illegal drug activity infesting our communities,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to identify, find, and arrest these criminals who bring drugs to our streets. These two Chinese nationals allegedly trafficked dangerous, synthetic drugs from China into the United States and smuggled them into our prison systems for illicit gain. This HSTF investigation is yet another example, among thousands, of our task forces working throughout the country, every day, to make it safer for everyone. Thank you to FBI Dallas and our great law enforcement partners across the interagency who worked this investigation with us.”
“Today’s announcement underscores DEA’s commitment to attack the entire synthetic drug supply chain and trace these deadly substances back to their source. This investigation led us to China, and thanks to the cooperation of Chinese law enforcement, two Chinese nationals are now in custody and will face justice for their role in supplying dangerous drugs destined for Americans,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “DEA’s global reach and chemical precursor expertise are unmatched. We are proud to bring those capabilities to the Homeland Security Task Force as we work together to identify these networks, dismantle their supply chains, and build landmark cases.”
The indictment alleges that beginning in March 2023, the defendants conspired to possess synthetic opioids, synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic stimulants, and other controlled analogues, in correctional institutions. It is alleged in the indictment that Willis purchased synthetic drugs from Xing and Song in China and had them shipped to his residence in the Eastern District of Texas and Ly’s residence in Michigan. It is also alleged that once Willis and Ly received the synthetic drugs, they would convert the drugs to a liquid before soaking sheets of paper in the drug mixture. Once the sheets of paper were saturated, they were then delivered to inmates at various federal and state correctional institutions across the country.
China’s Ministry of Public Security arrested Xing, Song, and 19 co-conspirators, seized 475 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids, and shutdown four illicit manufacturing sites in China. The FBI-MPS counternarcotics working group, established in January 2026, facilitated the collaborative efforts to dismantle this transnational criminal network. These results represent a major milestone in U.S.–China counternarcotics cooperation and underscore the effectiveness of sustained, structured coordination between both countries in addressing the international illicit chemical supply chain.
If convicted, the defendants each face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucas Machicek and Dustin Farahnak.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Chancellor Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Chancellor, South Dakota, man convicted of Production Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on August 31, 2026.
Marquis Lavelle Jordan, age 39, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Once released from federal prison, Jordan must register as a sex offender for 25 years.
Jordan was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025 and pleaded guilty on June 1, 2026.
The conviction stemmed from incidents between June 16, 2024, and June 24, 2024, when Jordan supplied a runaway juvenile female with drugs and alcohol and forced her to perform oral sex on him while he recorded the act with his cell phone.
“This was a fitting sentence for this predator,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “I am so proud of the dedicated efforts of our federal prosecutors and the agents at Homeland Security Investigations for bringing him to justice.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Jordan was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Camden County Woman Indicted in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Scheme Targeting Two PeopleRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Jaclyn D. Diiorio, aka “D,” 28, of Runnemede, New Jersey, was arrested and charged by indictment with two counts of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of a murder-for-hire.
The defendant made her initial appearance in federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott W. Reid and is being held in federal custody pending a detention hearing on September 14.
The indictment alleges that, from about March 30, 2025, to about April 5, 2025, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the District of New Jersey, Diiorio used and caused another to use a facility of interstate commerce, that is, a cellular phone, with intent that the murders of Person #1 and Person #2 be committed, in exchange for money.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Camden County (N.J.) Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Gloucester Township (N.J.) Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force – Camden Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kwambina Coker and Joshua Myers.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
U.S. v. Jaclyn D. Diiorio
California Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Orchestrating $270M Medication Reimbursement Fraud Scheme Targeting Medi-CalRead the Press Release
A California man was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison for masterminding a massive health care fraud scheme in which nearly $270 million in fraudulent claims were submitted over an 11-month span to Medi-Cal, the California Medicaid program, for expensive prescription drugs containing generic ingredients that were medically unnecessary and, many times, were not provided to the purported recipients. The sentence marks one of the highest health care fraud sentences in the Central District of California’s history.
Paul Richard Randall, 67, of Orange, California, was also ordered to pay $178,746,556.22 in restitution.
“Paul Randall exploited a temporary change in Medi-Cal’s prescription drug reimbursement system to steal millions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars meant to help California’s most vulnerable residents,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message to those who would abuse our public benefit programs to line their own pockets: The Fraud Division will aggressively prosecute you and seek to hold you accountable to the fullest extent under the law.”
“This case exposes unbridled greed at the expense of patients and taxpayers. Stealing funds meant for essential care and corrupting medical decisions through kickbacks is deeply harmful and erodes trust in our health care system,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L. Bennett of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those who exploit federal health care programs and ensure they are held fully accountable.”
“This defendant took advantage of California’s weak systems allowing him to submit $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal in less than a year,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California. “Today’s prison sentence underscore’s our department’s determination to aggressively punish criminals who steal from public health programs.”
According to court documents, Randall, along with pharmacist and pharmacy owner Kyrollos Mekail, 38, of Moreno Valley, California, and nurse practitioner Patricia Anderson, 59, of West Hills, California, took advantage of Medi-Cal’s suspension of its requirement that health care providers obtain prior authorization before providing certain h medications as a condition of reimbursement. The suspension of the prior authorization requirement was part of an ongoing transition of Medi-Cal’s prescription drug program to a new payment system.
Through a business called Monte Vista Pharmacy (Monte Vista), Randall and his co-conspirators exploited Medi-Cal’s prior authorization suspension by billing Medi-Cal tens of millions of dollars per month for dispensing high-reimbursing, non-contracted generic drugs through Monte Vista. The medications, which included pain creams and Folite tablets, a vitamin available over the counter, were billed for thousands of dollars each, including approximately $13,424 for one prescription of meloxicam 5 mg, a generic drug that typically costs between $5 and $25 for a 30-day supply in larger dosages. Normally, these high-cost reimbursement medications would have required prior authorization under Medi-Cal’s previous payment system. Medication involved in this scheme was medically unnecessary, frequently not dispensed to patients, and procured by illegal kickbacks.
In furtherance of the scheme, Randall paid illegal kickbacks to patient marketers in exchange for Medi-Cal beneficiary information and to Anderson to sign pre-filled prescriptions for the medications. Anderson never met the patients, reviewed their medical records, or otherwise determined that the medications were medically necessary before signing the prescriptions.
From May 2022 to April 2023, Randall caused at least $269,120,829 in false and fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medi-Cal, of which Medi-Cal paid at approximately $178,746,556. Randall committed this offense while on release in another criminal tax case in the Central District of California (United States v. Paul Richard Randall, No. CR 20-00031-GW).
Randall and his co-conspirators laundered their illicit proceeds by transferring them to a third party to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks to Anderson in exchange for Anderson signing the fraudulent prescriptions.
In April 2026, Randall pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. In his plea agreement, Randall agreed to forfeit property obtained from the fraud, including bank account balances exceeding $17 million, three vehicles, seven real properties, and sports memorabilia. To date, the government has seized approximately $126.5 million in assets that Randall and his co-conspirators accumulated from the scheme, including $111 million in bank funds and securities, nine luxury vehicles totaling approximately $1 million, nine luxury real properties totaling approximately $13.5 million, and more than $1 million worth of sports memorabilia.
FBI, HHS-OIG, and the California Department of Justice investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Siobhan M. Namazi of the Fraud Division’s Health Care Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger A. Hsieh for the Central District of California prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Dochterman for the Central District of California’s Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling asset forfeiture matters in this case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
More information can be found at www.justice.gov/fraud.
California Man Involved in Danbury Kidnapping and Bitcoin Robbery Scheme Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADAM IZA, 26, of California, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 180 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his involvement in an attempted robbery of Bitcoin and a kidnapping in Danbury in August 2024.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 25, 2024, Danbury Police arrested six Florida men who were involved in a violent carjacking of a Lamborghini Urus and the kidnapping of two occupants of the vehicle on that date. The investigation revealed that the kidnapping victims are the parents of an individual who participated in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin. In an attempt to steal some of that Bitcoin, Iza and others planned and coordinated the attempted robbery and ultimately the kidnapping. Iza’s alleged co-coconspirator, who had an altercation with the victims’ son in a Miami nightclub in July 2024, was in regular communication with certain of the kidnappers in the days before the crime, provided funding for it, and helped arrange the participants’ transportation and lodging. Iza communicated via cellphone and encrypted messaging applications with certain of the kidnappers, directed them as to the logistics of the scheme, and also provided funding.
Iza has been detained since September 24, 2024, after he was charged in the Central District of California with unrelated federal offenses. On June 1, 2026, he pleaded guilty in the District of Connecticut to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (“Hobbs Act Robbery”).
Iza’s brother, Saif Faiq, pleaded guilty to the same offense and awaits sentencing. Six individuals who carried out the carjacking and kidnapping have also pleaded guilty. Other alleged co-conspirators are awaiting trial.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force, FBI Los Angeles, FBI St. Louis, and the Danbury Police Department. The FBI Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police and several local police departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Central District of California, the Eastern District of Missouri, the District of Columbia, and the District of New Jersey, and the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Danbury, for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.
Butler, Missouri Bank Vice President and Former Pastor Pleads Guilty to Financial Fraud Involving an Alleged Cattle-Buying SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Butler, Mo., man has pleaded guilty to fraud charges.
Craig Johnson, 45, of Butler, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. to multiple federal charges. This plea is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
According to information presented in court, Johnson was hired at Community First Bank in 2022 as a Vice President and Loan Officer. While Johnson was employed with Community First Bank, Johnson was also a pastor with a church in El Dorado Springs, Mo. until he was removed in 2025.
Beginning in at least 2024, Johnson began to request “investments” from various individuals for the purpose of buying cattle which would be later sold for profit. The deal varied from person to person but involved Johnson purchasing cattle and selling the cattle for a profit within a short time frame. Johnson told individuals he needed help investing and requested they pay him funds. Johnson worked with some of the “investors” to take out a loan at Community First Bank through Johnson and give the proceeds to Johnson. Johnson did not tell anyone at Community First Bank that he was benefiting from the loan proceeds.
Johnson did not use the funds to purchase cattle but instead deposited the funds in an investment account where he repeatedly traded in small-capitalization and micro-cap securities ultimately losing all the funds. Johnson served as loan officer for approximately 29 loans and lines of credit at Community First Bank totaling approximately $4,476,156.22.
After receiving the victims’ funds, Johnson did not use the funds for proposed cattle sales. Instead, he used the victims’ funds to invest in high-risk stocks via his personal investment account. To further and conceal his scheme, Johnson used some of the victim’s funds to pay earlier investors in the scheme.
At various times between April 2024 and until Johnson’s termination in February 2026, Johnson used his position as a loan officer and/or his status in the community to defraud individuals and a financial institution of at least $9,395,882.22. Johnson used his position at Community First Bank to obtain loans using the identity of other people. In February 2026, at least three loans were created in various individuals’ names where they were not aware of or approved by these people. The three loans were created to pay off other loans Johnson created in the name of another person.
On Aug. 5, 2024, Johnson completed an application for a loan for $1,447,000 through a financial institution in Jefferson City, Mo. The purpose of the loan was to purchase cow and calf pairs and refinance two loans. On Aug. 13, 2024, the loan was approved for $1,447,150. Of the loan proceeds, $46,809.93 was used to pay off a loan at a bank. $198,714.46 was used to pay off another loan at a bank and $1,201,475.61 was provided in a check to Johnson and was supposed to be used to purchase 400 head of cattle.
On Aug. 14, 2024, the loan proceeds ($1,201,475.61) were deposited into a bank account. After the funds were deposited, there was not a large purchase of cattle as agreed upon in the loan. The funds instead were used to repay investors and for personal use.
On Aug. 7, 2025, Johnson completed an application for another loan for $1,500,000 through another financial institution. The purpose of the loan was to purchase 550 cow and calf pairs. On Aug. 13, 2025, the loan proceeds ($1,500,000) were deposited into Johnson’s account. Between Aug. 15, 2025, and Aug. 19, 2025, Johnson transferred $1,450,000 into his investment account.
On Aug. 19, 2025, Johnson completed an application for a third loan for $900,000. The purpose of the of the loan was to purchase 300 cow and calf pairs. The loan was approved for $900,150. The loan proceeds ($900,000) were deposited into Johnson’s bank account. Johnson transferred $900,000 into his personal investment account.
After receiving the loan proceeds for the second and third loans, Johnson provided a bill of sale dated Aug. 30, 2025, to a financial institution. The bill of sale appeared to show that Johnson purchased 850 cow and calf pairs for $2,825,000 from a livestock company in Evanston, Utah. The company did not sell 850 cow and calf pairs to Johnson in August 2025. The owner of the company stated the name on the bill of sale appeared to be his, but the signature was not.
Johnson did not use the combined funds from the three loans ($3,601,475.61) to purchase cattle as stated on the loan documentation but instead transferred the funds to his personal investment account and to make payments to previous victims who believed Johnson made good on their cattle deals.
Under federal statutes, Johnson is subject to the following sentences:
- Wire Fraud - up to 20 years in federal prison without parole
- Bank Fraud - up to 30 years in federal prison without parole
- Aggravated Identity Theft – a mandatory sentence of two years in federal prison consecutive to any other sentence
- False Statement to a Financial Institution - up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
National Fraud Enforcement Division
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Buffalo man going to prison for his role in narcotics conspiracyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Bryan Gutierrez, 27, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 80 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Between December 2024 and April 2025, Gutierrez conspired with co-defendant Antonio Rivera-Perez and others to sell fentanyl. In February, March, and April of 2025, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Gutierrez. On April 22, 2025, a search warrant was executed at the Langfield Drive residence of co-defendant Rivera-Perez, during which law enforcement seized approximately 1,072 grams of powder cocaine, 198 grams of crack cocaine, and 190 grams of fentanyl, a firearm, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $3,500 in cash.
Antonio Rivera-Perez was previously convicted and sentenced to serve 60 months in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett Fitzsimmons and Katerina Powers. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.
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Brooklyn Adult Daycare Owner Sentenced to 76 Months in Prison for Leadership Role in $68 Million Medicaid Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Zakia Khan was sentenced by United States District Judge Natasha C. Merle to 76 months in prison in connection with her leadership role in carrying out a $64 million Medicaid fraud and illegal kickback scheme at her two social adult daycare centers and a home health care company. In August 2025, Khan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay health care kickbacks. As part of her sentence, Khan was also ordered to pay over $56 million in restitution and to forfeit $5 million in fraud proceeds, including two properties, cash, and gold jewelry seized during a search of her home, as pictured below.
EDNYJoseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division; Pete Gizas, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York); Miranda L. Bennett, Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the sentence.
“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message of deterrence in our District,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office and the Justice Department are focused on protecting American taxpayers from fraudsters and as such, we will vigorously prosecute corrupt health care owners and operators in our district.”
“Khan acted with staggering greed, leading a scheme to defraud Medicaid of millions of dollars intended for people in need. She and her co-conspirators set up social adult daycares but, instead of providing care and services to our most vulnerable neighbors, they enriched themselves with cash, gold, and property,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Gizas. “Today’s sentence sends a message: we will be relentless in our pursuit of justice against fraudsters. HSI is working side by side with our law enforcement partners to uncover and dismantle complex fraud networks like this one.”
“Social adult day care and home health services are designed to support seniors, not line the pockets of fraudsters,” said HHS-OIG Acting Deputy Inspector General Bennett. “Today’s sentence sends an important message that anyone who illicitly exploits the Medicaid program will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
“Zakia Khan stole $64 million from Medicaid through bribes and kickbacks—money meant to support the most vulnerable,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “This was not only deeply illegal but also immoral, and the NYPD will continue to investigate anyone who exploits government programs for personal gain. I thank our NYPD investigators and all our partners in law enforcement for their work in stopping this criminal and bringing this case to a close.”
According to court documents, Khan owned two social adult daycare centers—Happy Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc. (Happy Family) and Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc. (Family Social) in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. She also owned a home health care fiscal intermediary called Responsible Care Staffing Inc. and an entity she used to receive and disguise fraud proceeds called Tanwee Services Inc.
From approximately October 2017 through July 2024, in exchange for kickbacks and bribes, a web of marketers referred Medicaid recipients to Khan’s social adult daycare centers. As depicted in the pictures below, Khan and the marketers paid kickbacks and bribes to the Medicaid recipients to induce them to sign up for services that Khan then billed to Medicaid. These services were never actually provided as represented to Medicaid.
Between 2017 and 2024, Happy Family and Family Social fraudulently billed Medicaid approximately $64 million. Medicaid paid approximately $56 million based on these false and fraudulent claims. Khan and her co-conspirators used multiple business entities to launder the fraud proceeds and generate the cash used to pay kickbacks and bribes to the marketers and the Medicaid recipients.
EDNYZakia Khan on an undercover recording paying illegal kickbacks inside her office at Happy Family.
EDNY EDNYMedicaid recipients receiving illegal cash kickbacks in exchange for filling out false attendance sheets for Zakia Khan’s social adult daycare centers.
HHS-OIG, HSI New York, and NYPD investigated the case.
Deputy Chief Patrick J. Campbell and Trial Attorney Leonid Sandlar of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Health Care Fraud Section are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire Kedeshian for the Eastern District of New York, who is handling forfeiture matters.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The Defendant:
ZAKIA KHAN
Age: 55
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 24-CR-409 (NCM)
Bloods Gang Leader Sentenced to 280 Months’ Imprisonment for Narcotics Distribution Resulting in Three OverdosesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Gary Johnson, a Bloods gang leader and narcotics trafficker who was responsible for the distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin throughout Long Island, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 280 months’ imprisonment. Johnson was convicted following a four-week trial on 22 counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with narcotics distribution, including distribution that resulted in three non-fatal overdoses, as well as a firearms-related crime.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentence.
“As a result of the outstanding work by the FBI, our local law enforcement partners and the prosecutors of this Office, Johnson has been held accountable for his role in a large-scale narcotics distribution operation involving fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, and for distributing fentanyl and cocaine that caused three individuals to overdose in 2020,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “We hope that today’s sentence brings a measure of justice to the victims who thankfully survived and their families, and sends a clear message that those who distribute drugs, particularly that cause overdoses, will face severe consequences.”
“Today's sentencing of Gary Johnson serves as a stark reminder that those who distribute drugs in New York will be held accountable. The FBI New York Long Island Safe Streets Gang Task Force works tirelessly to bring drug traffickers to justice. Those who endeavor to follow in Johnson's footsteps will be stopped in their tracks, so that future victims may be spared,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
“The drug epidemic is fueled by people who are focused on making a profit, without regard for the devastating consequences their actions can have when those drugs reach individuals who ultimately overdose,” stated SCPD Commissioner Catalina. “I want to commend EDNY for ensuring Johnson will be spending time in prison for his crimes. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to halt the flow of narcotics and hold drug dealers accountable for the selfish choices that put lives at risk.”
Between June 2013 and November 2020, Johnson, a leader in the G-Shine set of the Bloods based in Suffolk County, sold fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin throughout Long Island. The drugs distributed by the defendant caused multiple victims to overdose, including three individuals who suffered overdoses in March and May 2020. The jury convicted Johnson of multiple narcotics-distribution offenses, including three counts of distributing narcotics resulting in serious bodily injury.
Johnson was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. That conviction arose from the recovery of a semi-automatic firearm from Johnson’s residence during the execution of a search warrant.
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith A. Arfa, Stephen Petraeus, and Mark E. Misorek are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Dejah Turla, Rebecca Roth, and Adam Bernard, as well as Victim Witness Specialist Stephanie Marroquin.
The Defendant:
GARY JOHNSON
Age: 43
Bellport, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-518 (S-2) (JMA)
Baltimore Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Firearm and Stolen Postal Service KeyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man is headed to federal prison for firearm and postal-service theft crimes.
U.S. District Court Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Shykeem Fallin, 24, today, to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person and possession of a stolen key adopted by the United States Postal Service.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division, and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
According to court documents, on February 4, 2025, a BPD detective, monitoring a CitiWatch Camera, observed Fallin displaying characteristics of an armed person. The detective saw Fallin adjusting the front waistband of his pants while in a convenience store.
Then Fallin exited the store and approached the driver’s side of a white vehicle with an unknown male who was speaking to a female driver. During the conversation, the officer noticed Fallin repeatedly checking and adjusting an object in the front waistband of his pants. Then the detective saw Fallin walk to the front of the car and pull out a black handgun and hold it against his side.
Fallin then put the firearm back in his waistband and adjusted his pants. After the white vehicle left, Fallin went to his vehicle and entered the driver’s seat. Shortly after, BPD officers arrived on the scene to apprehend Fallin.
After law enforcement arrested Fallin, officers asked him if he owned a permit for the firearm. But Fallin denied having the firearm. Then law enforcement searched the vehicle and uncovered a loaded firearm that contained 12 rounds of ammunition underneath the driver’s seat.
Additionally, law enforcement discovered a United States Postal Service (USPS) Arrow Key that fell from the driver’s side visor onto the driver’s seat. An Arrow Key is a government-issued master key that enables postal carriers to open cluster box units, blue collection boxes, and other USPS-secured mail infrastructure. Upon further investigation, law enforcement learned that the recovered Arrow Key was stolen from a postal carrier on February 3.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended the USPIS and BPD for their work in the investigation, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, for its valuable assistance. U.S. Attorney Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Rigney and Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O’Donohue III, who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche Celebrates Prosecutorial Successes and Record-Setting Hiring During Atlanta VisitRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – During a recent visit to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed a large class of new federal prosecutors, met with law enforcement leaders, and celebrated some of the office’s prosecutorial successes.
“I appreciate the Attorney General for visiting the Northern District of Georgia to confer with me and our local law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “I am particularly proud that, after discussing the work of our Homeland Security Task Force and meeting nearly 30 of my newest hires, the Attorney General heralded my office as ‘a shining star at the Department of Justice.’ Thanks to a heavy hiring push supported at the highest levels in Washington, we will continue to drive crime rates down and aggressively uphold the law without fear or favor.”
On September 3, 2026, Attorney General Blanche met with U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, his management team, and the full staff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta. During these meetings, Attorney General Blanche praised the office’s work, including recent significant drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, and federal program fraud prosecutions. He also met with the regional leaders from more than a half-dozen federal law enforcement agencies, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey, several local police chiefs, and Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia Chair Sherry Boston.
Additionally, Attorney General Blanche provided the keynote address during a swearing-in ceremony for more than two-dozen federal prosecutors and litigators now serving in the Northern District of Georgia. U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown administered the new attorneys’ oath of office.
Since mid-2025, U.S. Attorney Hertzberg has hired thirty-one Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) and three Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs)—setting a record for the office. The lawyers who U.S. Attorney Hertzberg hired from the Justice Department, other U.S. Attorney’s Offices, district attorney’s offices, other government agencies, and the private sector are:
Jonathan Adams is a Civil AUSA handling bankruptcy matters. He served as a Trial Attorney in the Office of the United States Trustee and clerked for U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Homer Drake of Northern District of Georgia. He attended Mercer University for law school and undergrad.
Anita Balasubramanian is a Civil AUSA handling defensive matters. She was a Co-Managing Partner of Buckley Bala Wilson Mew, an Atlanta law firm. She attended the University of Georgia School of Law and Emory University.
Jamie Bircoll is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He worked as a Litigation & Trial Practice Associate at Alston & Bird and clerked for U.S. District Judge Nicholas Ranjan of the Western District of Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Michigan for law school and undergrad.
Patrick Cespedes will be a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He clerked for Judge Sandra Lynch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga of the Southern District of Florida. He attended Harvard University for law school and undergrad.
Melissa Cheape is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. She served as an AUSA in the District of Columbia and clerked for U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps of the Southern District of Georgia. She attended Georgia State University College of Law and the University of Georgia.
Kassi Conley is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. She worked as a Special Matters & Government Investigations Associate at King & Spalding and clerked for Chief Justice David Nahmias of the Supreme Court of Georgia. She attended Georgia State University for law school, business school, and undergrad.
Bernard Eyth is a Criminal AUSA in the Violent Crime & National Security Section. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan and clerked for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. He attended Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and the University of Pittsburgh.
Daniel Grill is a Criminal AUSA in the Violent Crime & National Security Section. He worked as a Complex Commercial Litigation Associate at Latham & Watkins. He attended the University of Virginia School of Law and the University of Michigan.
Steve Hsieh is a Criminal AUSA in the Transnational Organized Crime & Cartels Section. He served as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas SAUSA and Chief Enforcement Officer of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). He clerked for U.S. District Judge William Kuntz, II of the Eastern District of New York and attended New York University School of Law and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Nicholas Joy is a Criminal AUSA in the Complex Frauds & Cybercrime Section. He worked in the office of the Chief Executive Officer of Palantir Technologies and previously served as an AUSA and SAUSA in the Northern District of Georgia. He attended Harvard Law School and the University of Pennsylvania.
Nathaniel Lancaster is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He worked as a Litigation Associate at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler and clerked for Judge Myrna Pérez of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and U.S. District Judge Dan Polster of the Northern District of Ohio. He attended Emory University School of Law and Binghamton University.
Jonathan Letzring is a Civil AUSA handling defensive matters. He served as an AUSA in the Western District of North Carolina and clerked for Judge Phyllis Kravitch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten, Sr. of the Northern District of Georgia. He attended Emory University School of Law and Davidson College.
Sara Lim is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. She served as an AUSA in the Middle District of Georgia and clerked for U.S. District Judge Louis Sands of the Middle District of Georgia. She attended Georgia State University College of Law and the University of Georgia.
Jonell Lucca is a Criminal AUSA in the Transnational Organized Crime & Cartels Section. She served as an Associate Director for Prosecutorial Operations at the OCDETF Executive Office after serving as an AUSA in two districts and clerking for Justice Wayne Kidwell of the Idaho Supreme Court. She attended University of Notre Dame Law School and Arizona State University.
Julia Martin is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. She served as an Assistant District Attorney in the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office and worked as an Associate with Greenberg Traurig. She attended Georgia State University College of Law and the University of Georgia.
Cole McFerren is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He served as an AUSA in the Western District of Oklahoma and clerked for U.S. District Judge Stan Baker of the Southern District of Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia for law school and undergrad.
Christopher Meredith is a Criminal AUSA in the Violent Crime & National Security Section. He served as an Assistant Chief Counsel with Immigration & Customs Enforcement. He attended Mercer University School of Law and the University of Georgia.
James Murray is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel with the New York City Law Department and clerked for U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger of the Middle District of Florida and U.S. Magistrate Judge Daryl Bloom in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He attended Cornell Law School and the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Andrew Navratil is a Bureau of Prisons attorney serving as a Civil Division SAUSA. He clerked for U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen in the Northern District of Georgia and attended Georgia State University College of Law and Carleton College.
Rebecca Perez-Espejo is an Immigration & Customs Enforcement attorney serving as a SAUSA in the Training Section of the Criminal Division. She attended the Emory University School of Law and the University of Central Florida.
Edward Robinson is a Criminal AUSA in the Transnational Organized Crime & Cartels Section. He served as an AUSA in the Southern District of New York and clerked for U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter of the Southern District of New York. He attended Harvard University for law school and undergrad.
Kendall Runyan is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. She worked as a Business & Securities Litigation Associate at Jones Day. She attended the University of Florida for law school and undergrad.
Kaitlyn Salinas is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. She served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Georgia Attorney General’s Office in the human trafficking section. She attended the University of Georgia for law school and undergrad.
Stephen Scaife is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He served as an AUSA in the Northern District of Oklahoma and clerked for U.S. District Judge Karen Marston of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and U.S. District Judge Nicholas Ranjan of the Western District of Pennsylvania. He attended University of Richmond School of Law and Presbyterian College.
Amy Schwarzl is a Criminal AUSA in the Transnational Organized Crime & Cartels Section. She served as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas SAUSA. She attended Penn State Dickinson Law and the University of Maryland.
Robert Shapiro is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Cobb County. He attended Pepperdine University School of Law and Piedmont University.
Patrick Silloway is a Civil AUSA handling defensive matters. He worked as a Counsel at Balch & Bingham and clerked for Judge Daniel Manion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Homer Drake of Northern District of Georgia. He attended Mercer University School of Law and the University of Georgia.
Alexa Simonini is a Civil AUSA handling defensive matters. She worked as a General Liability Associate at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith. She attended Georgia State University College of Law and Florida State University.
Chloe Smith is a Criminal AUSA in the Violent Crime & National Security Section. She worked as Special Matters & Government Investigations Associate at King & Spalding and clerked for U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg. She attended Emory University School of Law and Harvard University.
Adam Sunstrom is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He served as an enforcement attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Division of Enforcement. He attended the University of Georgia School of Law and the University of West Georgia.
Patrick Suter is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He served as a Trial Attorney in the Fraud Section of Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and as the Department’s Resident Legal Advisor in Beijing, China after serving as an AUSA in the Eastern District of California. He attended American University-Washington College of Law and the University of California, Berkeley.
Katie Taylor is a Civil AUSA handling defensive matters. She worked as an Associate at Freeman Mathis & Gary. She attended Mercer University for law school and undergrad.
Drew Waldbeser is a Criminal AUSA in the Training Section. He worked as a Counsel at Lehotsky Keller Cohn, served as Deputy Solicitor General for the State of Georgia, and clerked for Judge Michael Kanne of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington of the Eastern District of Michigan. He attended Indiana University Maurer School of Law and Thomas Edison State University
Conor Woods is a Social Security Administration attorney serving as a SAUSA in the Complex Frauds & Cybercrime Section of the Criminal Division. He attended the University of Notre Dame for law school and undergrad.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
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Armed Drug Distributor Sentenced to 141 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An armed drug distributor who sold methamphetamine and fentanyl in Catawba County was sentenced to 141 months in prison yesterday, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Steven Tyler Philbeck, 35, was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release.
According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, in January 2025, law enforcement began conducting an investigation into Philbeck for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in Catawba County. Between January and February 2025, an individual cooperating with law enforcement purchased fentanyl and methamphetamine from Philbeck on multiple occasions. Most of the drug buys took place at or near a hotel in Hickory, North Carolina, and during most of those encounters Philbeck was armed.
On February 26, 2025, law enforcement conducted surveillance at a hotel where Philbeck was staying and observed him carrying bags from a hotel room to his vehicle. Philbeck then traveled to a storage unit in Hickory. Law enforcement made contact with Philbeck and searched his vehicle, where they found 43 grams of methamphetamine, a Glock pistol, a magazine loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Philbeck also had more than $9,350 in cash.
From Philbeck’s storage unit and hotel room, law enforcement seized a loaded Glock firearm, large amounts of drug paraphernalia, small bags commonly used to package narcotics for distribution, and small bags containing methamphetamine and fentanyl.
In July 2025, Philbeck pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation to a federal facility.
This investigation was led by the Hickory Police Department as part of the Catawba Valley Crime Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Lindahl of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte 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.
Arizona Woman Pleads Guilty to Shipping Methamphetamine to New Hampshire in Multi-State Dark Web Drug Trafficking by Mail OperationRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Brejea Wrigley, 30, of Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to two counts of Distribution of Controlled Substances, specifically more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2025, the defendant took over a dark web methamphetamine distribution operation under the vendor account name “BlackCoconut” and used that account to arrange shipments of drug parcels nationwide through the United States Postal Service (USPS). Items for sale through this operation included methamphetamine, fentanyl marketed as “China White,” pressed oxycodone pills, and mushrooms in various quantities. Undercover agents were able to arrange through the dark web for parcels of methamphetamine to be purchased and shipped from Phoenix, Arizona to a law enforcement monitored P.O. Box in Manchester, NH in September and October 2025. The first shipment contained nearly 450 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside two stuffed animals, purchased for a total of $1,850 from the “BlackCoconut” account. The second shipment contained more than 800 grams of methamphetamine, similarly packaged to the first shipment. Following further investigation and the execution of search warrants, the defendant was identified as the person operating the “BlackCoconut” dark web account and trafficking operation.
The charging statute provides for a sentence up to life in federal prison, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for December 17, 2026.
The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation, with valuable assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vega is prosecuting the case.
Arizona Man Charged with Enticing and Transporting a Minor to Kentucky to Engage in Illegal Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Arizona., man was indicted by a federal grand jury with charges related to enticement of a minor.
Dustin A. Hill, 22, of Florence, Ariz., was charged with attempted enticement of a minor, travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and transfer of obscene material to a minor. Hill had his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.
The indictment alleges that between September 6 and Sept. 20, 2025, Hill, using a means of interstate commerce, attempted to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Hill traveled from the State of Arizona to the state of Missouri and then transported the minor from Missouri to the state of Kentucky with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The indictment further alleges that Hill transferred obscene materials to the minor.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. It was investigated by Atchison, Missouri Sheriff’s Department, the Evansville, Indiana Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Additional Hacienda Employee and Business Owners Plead Guilty to Bribery Conspiracies Involving Millions in Public FundsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 8, 2026, Alexander Ortiz-Robles, a Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Departamento de Hacienda or “PRDT”) employee was charged via information and pleaded guilty to participating in a bribery conspiracy involving the loss of approximately $6,772,578 in Puerto Rico tax revenue, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. Ortiz-Robles is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Gina R. Méndez-Miró on January 15, 2027. This represents the third PRDT employee to plead guilty within the last three months to a bribery or fraud scheme. Along with numerous other “gestors”, individuals, and corporate defendants that also pleaded guilty, the total loss of Puerto Rico tax revenue related to these schemes exceeds $14 million.
According to the plea agreement in the case of Alexander Ortiz-Robles, he admitted to receiving bribe payments to eliminate Puerto Rico taxes owed by various individuals and businesses. From June 2020 through October 2025, Alexander Ortiz-Robles was an employee and agent of the PRDT with duties that included physically and electronically accessing and reviewing tax returns and documents related to invoicing and collection of owed taxes. The defendant had privileged access to the PRDT’s online platforms, the Puerto Rico Integrated Tax Administration System (PRITAS) and the Internal Revenue Unified System (GenTax/SURI) and was experienced and able to access, monitor, and modify taxpayer information, including creating taxpayer credits, modifying income tax, employee retention tax and sales tax information.
As part of the conspiracy, Ortiz-Robles corruptly accepted bribe payments and other benefits, in exchange for submitting false information to the PRDT. The false information was submitted to the PRDT for the elimination of taxes owed, evasion of taxes, and theft of funds. These bribe payments received by Ortiz-Robles included $15,500 in July 2022, $20,000 in December 2023, $60,000 in November 2024, and $6,000 in April 2025.
These illicit bribe payments were paid through third parties, who were in business to charge customers to illegally reduce their taxes owed. The conspiracy resulted in a total approximate loss to the PRDT of $6,772,578.
A separate but similar bribery and fraud scheme, Criminal No. 25-434(PAD), involving employees of the PRDT was indicted in October 2025. The following defendants in that case recently pleaded guilty and are pending sentencing before the U.S. District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado. That case involves a total loss of over $3.5 million (with some individuals jointly responsible for losses with corresponding companies).
DefendantGuilty PleaSentencing DateAmount of Loss[2] Harry E. Muriel-Falero7/20/202610/9/2026$665,639.74[3] César Rodríguez-Nieves8/17/202612/4/2026$852,487.91[4] 24 Marketplace, Inc.8/17/202612/4/2026$35,125.84[5] A La Silla LLC8/17/202612/4/2026$205,514.32[6] RB Marketplace, Inc.8/17/202612/4/2026$154,728.92[7] Hiram Firpi-Cruz8/18/202612/11/2026$526,263.67[8] Líneas de Puerto Rico, Inc.8/18/202612/11/2026$393,408.91[9] Héctor J. Baerga-Ortiz8/31/202612/14/2026$1,833,983.81[10] Híjole Foods Bistro Corp.8/31/202612/14/2026$447,241.14[11] HVP Foods Corp.8/31/202612/14/2026$564,545.29[12] BBB Food, Corp.9/1/202612/14/2026$386,483.84[13] BHV Food, Corp.9/1/202612/14/2026$225,340.52[14] VHB Foods Corp.9/1/202612/14/2026$131,461.02[15] Carlos A. Rodríguez-Ortiz 7/7/202610/2/2026$33,660.53[16] Red Point Pizza and Restaurant, Corp.8/10/202611/6/2026$33,660.53[19] Suhail Pastrana-Vega8/4/202612/4/2026$193,577.03[21] Rafael A. Tefel-Santana8/3/202611/6/2026$437,785.06[22] Gabrielle López-Berríos7/20/202610/16/2026$36,138.55[23] G Fitness & Body Performance LLC8/19/202612/18/2026$17,309.55[24] Veevo LLC8/19/202612/18/2026$1,642[25] Patria Silfa-Báez 8/25/202612/22/2026$47,209.44[26] Print Pro LLC8/25/202612/22/2026$44,630.33In another separate case, Criminal No. 26-359 (MAJ), Edwin Gómez-Villegas and Brisas BBQ, Inc. pleaded guilty on September 2, 2026, to participating in a similar fraud scheme to defraud PRDT of approximately $23,904 in Puerto Rico tax revenue. Gómez-Villegas and Brisas BBQ, Inc. are scheduled to be sentenced on December 3, 2026, by U.S. District Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán.
Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó of the District of Puerto Rico; and Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating these matters. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy from the District of Puerto Rico’s Financial Fraud & Public Corruption Section is prosecuting these cases.
This is part of an ongoing effort to combat public corruption and fraud committed by Puerto Rico Department of Treasury employees. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico previously announced the indictment of the initial twenty-six individuals and corporations in October 2025, the July 2, 2026 guilty plea of Luis A. Jiménez-Guzmán, an Hacienda employee who admitted to participating in a similar bribery conspiracy involving the loss of approximately $5,000,000, and the July 20, 2026 guilty plea of Harry E. Muriel-Falero.
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12 Robertson County Defendants Charged in Federal Cocaine Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Twelve Robertson County residents have been indicted on federal charges stemming from a multi-year investigation into the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine and related firearms offenses, announced United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Braden H. Boucek.
A federal grand jury returned the indictments in August 2026, charging the defendants with conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, along with numerous substantive drug trafficking offenses. One defendant is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation began in approximately January 2024 and was conducted by the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from federal law enforcement partners.
On September 3, 2026, members of the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), and United States Marshals Service conducted a coordinated operation to execute federal arrest warrants. Six of the indicted defendants were arrested during the operation. An additional defendant was located in Ohio the following day and remains in custody there on state warrants. Five defendants were already in custody on other charges and are expected to make appearances in federal court later this month.
The defendants and charges include:
Derrick Artell Hurt, 47, of Greenbrier, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine
- Three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Santoria Antonio Brown, a/k/a “Hoggie,” 48, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine
- Twelve counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Terrelle Epprise Payne, a/k/a “Rat Daddy,” 53, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine
- Five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Michael Christopher Bigbee, a/k/a “Big Mike,” 42, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine
- Four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Alandis Vontay Darden, a/k/a “Apple Head,” 43, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine
- Nine counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Anthony Terrill Swoopes, a/k/a “Swoopes,” 56, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine
- Four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Tomika Mischelle Woodard, a/k/a “Mickey,” 53, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine
- Seven counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
David Lee Brown, 41, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine
- Two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Nola Ann Davis, 52, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine
- Four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Donald Ray Bugg, 36, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine
- Two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Shauntai Deshelle Black, 29, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine
- One count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
Taylor Leighann Rose, 29, of Springfield, Tennessee
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine
- Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense
“Cocaine and crack cocaine poison neighborhoods, and the firearms that travel with them turn drug deals into shootings,” said United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek. “For more than two years, the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office and ATF built this case one transaction at a time, and today a dozen alleged traffickers are facing federal charges because of that work. This office will use every tool the law gives us to dismantle drug networks in Middle Tennessee, and we are grateful to our partners at every level of law enforcement who made this operation possible.”
“This case is a prime example of law enforcement working collectively to protect our communities and confront those who blatantly disregard public safety by distributing deadly narcotics and illegally possessing firearms,” said Special Agent In charge, Jamey VanVliet. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and charge those individuals who continue to make our neighborhoods unsafe through armed drug trafficking activities.”
“The success of this multi-year operation is a direct reflection of the strong working relationships and partnerships we have built with our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Robertson County Sheriff Michael Van Dyke. “Through communication, cooperation, and a shared commitment to our community, we were able to remove illegal drugs and firearms from our streets and hold those involved in criminal activity accountable. We are grateful to every agency and officer who worked together to make this operation a success.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing. The cases are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
These arrests are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the resources of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes available tools to prosecute and remove violent criminal aliens from the United States.
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8 September 2026
Washington State Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking of MinorsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Washington State man pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking.
Dajohntae Rayshawnlee Richard, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking by fraud, force, and coercion, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
According to court documents, in May of 2025, Richard messaged a girl, age 15, on Facebook. Richard met with and had sex with the minor victim. Richard then drove her to a place in the State of Washington where he instructed her to solicit men seeking sex for money. Richard kept all the money that men paid for the sex acts with the minor victim. The victim reported that there were occasions when Richard hit and choked the minor victim if she did not do as Richard instructed. The victim was afraid that Richard would injure or kill her. On one occasion, he struck her in the face and choked her, causing a visible injury. This trafficking and abuse continued for about two months, and Richard transported her to various locations in Washington and Oregon to find customers.
In June of 2025, in the Seattle, Washington, area, Richard approached a second 15-year-old girl and told her she worked for him. Within days, Richard began threatening the child, controlling her use of her cellphone and forcing her to engage in sex with men for money, which Richard kept. The child victim feared for her life, so she complied with Richard’s demands. Richard drove the child victim to various locations to make money for him. This trafficking continued for about a month.
On June 28, 2025, the defendant transported both these minor victims and an adult woman to Portland, Oregon. Richard rented a hotel room and instructed the girls and woman to walk on 82nd Avenue for the purpose of finding customers with whom to engage in sexual acts.
On August 25, 2025, Richard made his initial appearance in federal court in Portland and was detained.
On August 12, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 4-count indictment charging Richard with 2-counts of sex trafficking by fraud, force, and coercion and 2-counts of sex trafficking of a child.
Richard faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $ 250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gains or losses resulting from the offense if such amount is determined to exceed $250,000, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 fee assessment. Richard will also be required to register as a sex offender. He will be sentenced on December 7, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Richard has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victims.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rochat and Eliza Carmen Rodriguez are prosecuting the case.
If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Virginia Man Convicted of Investor and Bankruptcy Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted Jihoon Park, 52, of Chantilly, Virginia, today for his participation in a fraud scheme that victimized individuals and defrauded a U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
“Jihoon Park claimed he would invest his community members’ life savings, retirement, and money and promised a high-yield return. Instead, he stole the millions of dollars entrusted to him to enrich himself,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Unsuspecting families and individuals suffered devastating financial crises because of Park’s crimes. The Criminal Division’s White Collar Section is using every available resource to stop criminals from destroying people’s livelihoods and retirements.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Park convinced people in his community to let him invest their money and grow their assets. He used his personal relationships and his former affiliation with a large national financial institution to gain victims’ trust and convince them to give him money to invest on their behalf. Park promised safe investments with high returns. But he lied. Instead, he transferred over $2.5 million from the multiple victims to himself. Among other things, he used the stolen money to buy a house and cryptocurrency for himself.
When one of the victims sued him, Park transferred assets to his wife and concealed millions of dollars in cryptocurrency assets before filing for bankruptcy and falsely claiming he had only $0.34 in financial assets and no cryptocurrency to avoid paying his victim creditors any money back from his fraud.
Park was convicted of three counts of wire fraud and two counts of bankruptcy fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 10, 2026. Park faces a maximum penalty of 20 years on the wire fraud counts and a maximum penalty of five years on the bankruptcy fraud counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Timothy J. Coley of the Criminal Division’s White Collar and Corporate Enforcement Section and Trial Attorney Zachary H. Ray of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Health Care Fraud Section are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell L. Carlberg and Jack Morgan for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Two Dominican Republic Men Each Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Roles in Grandparent Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Two Dominican Republic residents illegally living in the United States each have been sentenced in federal court to two years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on their convictions for money laundering conspiracy, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentences on Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, 35, and Engels Guillermo Almengot Valerio, 26. Rodriguez had been living in Cleveland, Ohio, and Valerio in Paterson, New Jersey.
According to information presented to the Court, Rodriguez and Valerio participated in a conspiracy in which they laundered proceeds obtained from a sophisticated grandparent fraud scheme operating out of the Dominican Republic. The scammers contacted elderly victims impersonating a grandchild or other close relative in a crisis and seeking immediate financial assistance. The scammers then arranged for rideshare drivers to pick up cash from the grandparents and deliver the money to a member of the organized crime group, with both Rodriguez and Valerio having received cash directly from drivers. Portions of the money were deposited into bank accounts and other portions were sent via money transfers back to the Dominican Republic. Valerio also ordered the rides used to pick up the cash, including some rides that delivered fraud proceeds to Rodriguez.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which worked with many law enforcement departments throughout the United States, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecutions of Rodriguez and Valerio.
Three Individuals Indicted for Illegal Acquisition of Firearms and Unauthorized Entry into a Secure Federal Facility with a Firearm in North Las VegasRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – Two men and one woman have been indicted in connection with illegal acquisition of firearms and unlawful entry with a concealed weapon into the secure U.S. Department of Energy Nevada National Security Sites North Las Vegas Facility.
“This indictment sends a clear message: we will not tolerate actions that threaten public safety or compromise the security of our nation's protected facilities,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “The Department of Justice will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute anyone who attempts to bypass federal gun laws and violate secure spaces."
“The FBI will not tolerate acts that jeopardize public safety or the security of our nation's protected institutions,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “We will continue working diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate any individual who attempts to breach secure areas or circumvent federal firearms restrictions.”
According to allegations contained in the indictment, in February 2026, Demandre Michael Frazier and Jessica Marie Zamora made false statements on ATF Firearms Transaction Record forms during the purchase of two pistols, one a 9x19mm Smith & Wesson and the other a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson. Later, in April 2026, Jessica Zamora and a yet-to-be publicly unidentified defendant made false statements on ATF Firearms Transaction Record forms during the purchase of a 10mm Smith & Wesson pistol.
Photo of a Smith & Wesson model SD-9 2.0 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol in U.S. v. Treyvon Jameel Currie et al, Case #2:26-cr-00182-APG-EJY
As alleged, on August 5, 2026, Treyvon Jameel Currie and Jessica Marie Zamora, carrying a concealed weapon, entered and attempted to enter the U.S. Department of Energy Nevada National Security Sites North Las Vegas Facility. There are notices stating the pertinent prohibitions and penalties posted at all entrances of the facility.
Treyvon Jameel Currie and Jessica Marie Zamora are each charged with one count of entry or attempted entry by fraud and false pretenses on real property of the United States with intent to commit a felony in that facility; one count of possession of a firearm in a secure federal facility; one count of unauthorized entry upon a facility, installation or real property of the United States Department of Energy Enclosed by a structural barrier; and one count of unauthorized introduction of a dangerous weapon upon a facility, installation or real property of the United States Department of Energy enclosed by a structural barrier. Zamora is also charged with two counts of illegal acquisition of a firearm. Demandre Michael Frazier is charged with one count of illegal acquisition of a firearm.
A jury trial has been scheduled for November 2, 2026, before Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon.
The FBI and North Las Vegas Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig 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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Texas Couple Sentenced for Operating Website Selling Smuggled Pesticides and Veterinary DrugsRead the Press Release
Thao Duong and Lam Mai, a wife and husband from Garland, Texas, were sentenced today in federal court to charges stemming from their operation of a website selling veterinary drugs and pesticides smuggled into the United State from Mexico. Duong was sentenced to three months in prison, two years of supervised release, and a forfeiture of more than $1.5 million. Mai was sentenced to two years of probation.
“The defendants in this case traded human safety and environmental health for illicit profit,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute transnational crimes to secure our border and protect the health and safety of Americans.”
“No one should profit from bringing illegal chemicals into the United States and poisoning American communities,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Illegal Mexican pesticides and animal steroids are a dangerous combination. The sentence in this case underscores the importance of the cooperative efforts of federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt smuggling operations and secure our nation’s borders from foreign harm.”
“Trafficking toxic chemicals into the United States is a blatant assault on our national security and public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan R. Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “These defendants pumped dangerous, foreign sourced pesticides and drugs into our country recklessly putting American communities at risk. This sentence makes clear we will be uncompromising in the prosecution of those who engage in illicit activities that threaten our people, our environment and the integrity of our borders.”
“The FDA is charged with ensuring that veterinary drugs meet rigorous safety standards. When individuals smuggle and distribute misbranded and unapproved veterinary drugs, they jeopardize the health of animals,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Lamb of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who distribute misbranded and unapproved animal drugs unlawfully.”
According to filings and evidence presented in court, in approximately 2011, Duong began using various online platforms to sell animal care products to customers throughout the United States. The products she sold were used primarily by people engaged in rooster fighting ventures. Duong was not a veterinarian and did not require customers to provide veterinary prescriptions to purchase veterinary drugs. She also sold products such as Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, and Caterrol, which are produced in Mexico and not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. In 2017, she added the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz to her inventory. Neither Taktic nor Bovitraz were registered with the EPA for sale or use and could not be sold legally in the United States.
In 2018, Duong started a website, which she used as her primary means of selling and distributing veterinary drugs and pesticides. After launching the site, Duong entered into agreements with several co-conspirators to purchase veterinary drugs and pesticides that she knew had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico.
The smuggled pesticides and veterinary drugs were brought into the United States through the Calexico Port of Entry in Imperial County, California, and placed in storage units near the border. Duong’s co-conspirators then shipped the products from California to Texas. Between 2018 and 2022, Duong obtained approximately $2.4 million worth of smuggled merchandise from her co-conspirators.
Lam Mai was the shipping manager for the website. After orders were received, he packaged the pesticides and veterinary drugs and distributed them to customers throughout the country using the U.S. Postal Service and other shippers.
According to the EPA, the active ingredient in the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz is amitraz, which is toxic to bees if released into hives, and then ultimately to humans when it ends up in honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Misuse of amitraz-containing products in beehives can result in exposures that could cause neurological effects and possibly reproductive effects in humans from the consumption of contaminated honey. Signs of neurotoxicity from exposure to amitraz have been documented in multiple animal species and include central nervous system depression, decrease in pulse rate, and hypothermia.
The EPA and FDA investigated the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Trial Attorney Lauren D. Steele of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincent J. Mazzurco and Madeleine Case for the Northern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
ENRD is a member of the Department of Justice’s Trade Fraud Task Force, a cross-agency law enforcement effort that also involves the Criminal and Civil Divisions’ Fraud Sections, ENRD, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide. The Task Force was created to leverage all of the Department’s tools and authorities to prevent trade fraud that deprives the government of vital revenue, threatens critical domestic industries, undermines consumer confidence, and weakens national security. The Task Force is designed to pursue enforcement actions against parties who seek to evade tariffs and other duties, as well as smugglers who seek to import prohibited goods into the American economy. The Justice Department encourages whistleblowers to alert the government to credible allegations of fraud, including utilizing the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act or through the Criminal Division’s Corporate Whistleblower Program at [email protected] using the form available here.
Straw Purchaser Sentenced to Prison for Buying a Gun for a Person Under IndictmentRead the Press Release
Aberdeen, MS – A DeSoto County woman was previously indicted for purchasing a firearm at a federal firearms licensee store on behalf of a person who was prohibited from purchasing one. She was also indicted for lying under oath in court, both for another defendant, Lavoris McGee. Dominikka Thomas, 27, previously pleaded guilty to the straw purchase of the firearm for McGee.
Court records established that the defendant purchased a firearm for a person the defendant knew was prohibited from possessing firearms. This is against the law.
Honorable Sharion Aycock sentenced Thomas to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release for the straw purchase. McGee was previously sentenced for illegal firearm possessions.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Marshal’s Service.
“In our effort to disrupt violent gun crime in our communities, ATF will continue to focus efforts on prohibited individuals who unlawfully possess firearms,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed today sends a message that ATF will continue to work alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure these repeat offenders do not gain access to more firearms and these enablers who make straw purchases are held fully accountable so we can keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case.
Stockton man sentenced to 9.5 years in prison for robbing a Fire Wings restaurant at gunpointRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Douglas Sharron Piggee Jr., 55, of Stockton, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to 9.5 years in prison for interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on July 21, 2022, Piggee walked into a Fire Wings restaurant in Stockton, pointed a loaded gun at the cashier, and demanded money from the register. Piggee then took the money and fled on foot, leaving his car keys behind. Officers found his car parked down the street. Inside the car was the cash, an unserialized, loaded, privately manufactured firearm or “ghost gun,” an extended magazine loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition, and the clothes Piggee used during the robbery. Piggee committed this crime while on supervised release after serving prison sentences for two prior federal convictions: one for armed bank robbery and one for escape and illegal possession of a firearm.
Piggee pleaded guilty on March 25, 2025.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stockton Police Department conducted the investigation Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Desmond prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.