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21 August 2025
George Herman Ruth Indicted for Mail Fraud and Using Names of Hundreds of Deceased and Retired Professional Baseball PlayersRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On August 12, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a ninety-one-count indictment against George Herman Ruth, 69, of Morristown, for mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, fraudulent use of Social Security numbers, money laundering, making false statements to his supervising probation officer, and possessing firearms after having previously been convicted of felonies. Ruth made his initial appearance on August 21, 2025, before the Honorable Cynthia R. Wyrick, United States Magistrate Judge, and he was detained pending further court proceedings. A trial date has been set for January 27, 2026, before the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court at Greeneville.
According to the filed indictment, beginning in January 2023 and continuing until July 10, 2025, Ruth devised and implemented an elaborate, nationwide scheme to submit hundreds of fraudulent claim forms to class action administrators around the country. When doing so, Ruth located pending class action suits and fraudulently used the names of hundreds of deceased or retired professional baseball players and the Social Security numbers of numerous unwitting victims. Ruth also opened post office boxes around the Eastern District of Tennessee to facilitate the scheme and used a sham business, El Mundo Marketing LLC, to obtain an account through which he laundered the proceeds. The indictment alleges that Ruth obtained or attempted to obtain more than $550,000 through the scheme.
If convicted, Ruth faces a term of imprisonment up to 20 years plus a mandatory, consecutive two-year sentence, a term of supervised release up to three years, and a fine up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton, III, of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac D. Heavener, III will represent the United States in this prosecution.
This indictment is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, and the Morristown Police Department.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Gang member sentenced to 40 years for role in large-scale drug trafficking operationRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 25-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine conspiracy and for possessing machine guns in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Kendal Alejandro Monzon Jr. was a member of Partidos Revolucionarios Mexicanos (PRM) and pleaded guilty April 18.
U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge has now ordered Monzon to serve 480 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about Monzon’s role in multi-kilogram drug seizures, including heroin and fentanyl at the Laredo port of entry, cocaine in Brownsville, heroin in Livingston and cash proceeds in Brownsville and Atlanta, Georgia. The court also noted seizures in Houston; Chicago, Illinois; and St. Louis, Missouri, all tied to the drug trafficking organization PRM.
“The defendant was a key player in a nationwide drug trafficking operation, but now he’ll be spending the next four decades in federal prison. A similarly lengthy sentence awaits others that seek to make a quick buck by smuggling drugs into our country,” said Ganjei. “The message this sentence sends is clear: don’t spread your poison in our communities, because if you do, the Southern District of Texas will make sure that you pay the price.”
“Monzon, who is part of a violent prison gang, was using our southern Texas border to smuggle a significant amount of dangerous drugs throughout the country more than a decade ago,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan C. Pullen. “The Houston Division DEA agents halted his drug trafficking activities, which impacted the thriving operations of PRM within the U.S. Today's hefty sentence serves as a reminder of the punishment that awaits those who bring poison to our country.”
On Nov. 24, 2020, law enforcement attempted a traffic stop on Monzon after observing traffic violations near his home. He fled at speeds up to 90 mph through residential areas, ran multiple red lights and stop signs, and eventually crashed into a law enforcement vehicle. Authorities discovered 15 plastic-wrapped cylinders inside a plastic tub in the vehicle and ultimately seized approximately 17,234 grams of methamphetamine.
The investigation led to other similar seizures linked to Monzon, some also including cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, large amounts of cash, several sealed prescription bottles of Promethazine with Codeine and various weapons as well as ledgers listing methamphetamine prices and weights.
Authorities later executed a search warrant at Monzon’s residence and recovered 47 kilograms of methamphetamine, 114.7 grams of heroin, 39.9 kilograms of marijuana and 13.7 kilograms of Promethazine with Codeine.
They also seized more than 20 firearms, one of which had been stolen from a member of law enforcement. Several of the weapons had silencers attached, and some had been altered to be fully automatic.
Monzon has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
DEA conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Laurence Goldman and Christine Lu prosecuted the case.
Greensburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Program TheftRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced that Beverly Watson McNabb, age 62, of Greensburg, Louisiana, pled guilty before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to theft of government funds. McNabb’s federal program theft conviction is punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a period of supervised release.
According to admissions made during her plea, the United States Social Security Administration (“SSA”) deposited retirement benefits via direct deposit to McNabb’s elderly family member, known as R.W., into his commercial bank account, which account McNabb had access.
R.W. passed away on or about December 5, 2015. From December 5, 2015, until at least April 07, 2020, McNabb stole R.W.’s SSA benefits that she knew she was not entitled to use. For approximately five years, McNabb used the stolen funds to purchase a wedding dress, as well as other personal items from a variety of sources, such as restaurants, supermarkets, and prison commissary for friends. McNabb also made numerous cash withdrawals directly from the bank account for other personal purchases. In total, McNabb stole approximately $50,000 in federal program benefits.
This matter is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward H. Warner, who also serves as Deputy Criminal Chief.
Fort Dodge, Iowa, Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced to ten years in federal prison.
Christopher Lee Caquelin, age 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 26, 2025, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.
At the guilty plea, Caquelin admitted that from January 1, 2023, to about October 31, 2024, Caquelin was part of an ongoing drug conspiracy based in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Caquelin and others sold methamphetamine to people in the Fort Dodge area.
Caquelin was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Caquelin was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Caquelin is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and Jack Lammers and was investigated by Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Dodge Police Department, and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 24-CR-03049. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Former Whitehall car dealership owner pleads guilty to altering odometers on hundreds of carsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to altering the odometers on vehicles he sold at his former Whitehall car dealership.
Simon C. Nwaru, Jr., 38, who owned and operated S. Automotive Ltd., was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2025.
It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of all vehicles sold by Nwaru at S Automotive since October 2014 had their odometers tampered with or replaced to fraudulently reflect a false low mileage.
According to the plea agreement, a review of vehicle sales between January 2021 and January 2023 documented at least 300 vehicles that were sold to customers with rolled back odometers. The changes accounted for at least 31 million miles being removed from odometers.
Court documents also detail that Nwaru listed false sales prices on documents submitted to the State of Ohio, causing a loss of tax revenue to the State.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the guilty plea entered today before Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Investigations Section. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Prichard is representing the United States.
NHTSA estimates that odometer fraud costs U.S. consumers over $1 billion every year. Odometer tampering is a serious crime that can mislead buyers about a vehicle’s true mileage and condition, leading to costly repairs and safety risks. NHTSA encourages the public to report odometer fraud by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-424-9393. Learn how to spot signs of odometer tampering by visiting: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/odometer-fraud/topic.
Odometer fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to three years in prison. The Court will impose a sentence at a future hearing based on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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Former State Corrections Officer Sentenced to Prison for Assault on InmateRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Brandon Montanari, age 34, of East Concord, New York, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison, to be followed by 2 years of supervised release, for depriving an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility of his rights under color of law. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
When Montanari pled guilty, he admitted to assaulting an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in April 2023, along with fellow correction officers Rohail Kahn, age 28, and Michael Williams age 38, both of whom have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Montanari, Williams, and Khan punched and kicked the inmate without cause in a hallway in the middle of the night, and they later agreed with each other to lie about what happened to internal investigators.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “I recognize how difficult it is to work as a corrections officer in New York State, but nobody is above the law. It is unacceptable for a corrections officer to assault an inmate. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate these types of incidents and, where appropriate, bring federal criminal charges.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Montanari admitted to assaulting an inmate and lying to cover it up. Now he is headed to federal prison. Today’s sentence proves the FBI will not look the other way when an officer violates the laws they are sworn to uphold.”
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025, and Khan is scheduled to be sentenced on September 29, 2025, by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, who presides over all three cases.
FBI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Michael D. Gadarian are prosecuting the case.
Former Culver City After-School Recreation Employee Charged in Federal Indictment with Producing Sexually Explicit Photos of ChildRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury today returned a three-count indictment charging a former Culver City government employee who worked in an after-school recreation program with producing sexually explicit photographs of a 7-year-old girl enrolled in the after-school recreation program.
Stephen Michael Martinez, 44, of the Sawtelle neighborhood of Los Angeles, is charged with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Martinez has been in federal custody since July 23 and is being jailed without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for August 29 in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
According to the indictment and court documents previously filed in this case, Martinez was employed by the Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department as an after-school care employee for the Culver City Afterschool Recreation Program. He was employed by this program as a caretaker of young children from June 2020 to June 2025.
On July 14, law enforcement learned that Martinez, while working at the Culver City Afterschool Recreation Program, coerced a 7-year-old girl in his care into producing photos depicting the girl engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Police arrested Martinez on July 16 and booked him on suspicion of committing lewd and lascivious acts on a minor. Martinez was transferred to federal custody one week later.
An indictment contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted on all counts, Martinez would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Culver City Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mills of the Domestic Security and Immigration Crimes Section and Kelsey A. Stimson of the Major Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Firearms Parts Dealer Arrested for Scheme to Illegally Export Weapons Parts and Firearms Accessories to KazakhstanRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, an eight-count indictment was unsealed charging Maxim Larin for his involvement in a scheme to illegally export weapons parts and accessories from the United States to other countries, including Kazakhstan, which serve as transshipment points for materials destined for Russia. The indictment charges Larin with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act, attempted violation of the Arms Export Control Act, smuggling goods from the United States, and submission of false export information. Larin was arrested this morning in Plantation, Florida and made his initial appearance in federal court in Miami. He will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Bureau of Industry and Security, New York Field Office, announced the arrest and charges.
“As alleged, Larin agreed to illegally ship export-controlled weapons parts and accessories, including a sophisticated target acquisition system, to Kazakhstan, a known transshipment location for equipment bound for Russia. He lied on export documents and intentionally misrepresented and concealed the true nature of the materials he was shipping,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “My Office will vigorously prosecute efforts to evade U.S. export regulations which threaten our national security and the security of our allies while benefitting Russia. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to hold accountable those individuals who place their own interests above those of our nation and its security.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, HSI’s Miami Field Office, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their valuable assistance.
“Maxim Larin is accused of shipping weapons, parts and tactical accessories to countries that serve as pipelines for artillery destined for the Russian battlefield. He allegedly violated export control, willingly mislabeled packaging and labeling, and further utilized deceptive practices to hide the contents of firearms parcels. Make no mistake: this unlawful activity would have persisted if not for the collaborative law enforcement efforts that led to today's charges,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel. “HSI New York remains committed to utilizing our unique authorities to relentlessly pursue individuals who seek to exploit U.S. export control laws and in turn threaten public safety and national security.”“As set forth in the charging documents, Larin conspired to unlawfully export weapons components, including an advanced target acquisition system, to Kazakhstan, a known diversion hub,” stated OEE Special Agent in Charge Carson. “He further sought to conceal the nature of the shipment by falsifying export records. The Bureau of Industry and Security, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vigorously enforce U.S. export control laws, protect our national security, and bring to justice those who attempt to violate them.”
As alleged in the indictment and other public filings, Larin is the owner of several U.S. based companies which sell firearms parts and accessories. Larin used his companies to sell export-controlled weapons parts and accessories to a co-defendant based in Russia. Larin agreed to ship the items to Kazakhstan in violation of U.S. export control laws which restrict the export of certain items deemed detrimental to U.S. foreign policy or national security. Beginning as early as December 2022, Larin agreed with his Russia-based co-defendant to undervalue and mislabel the contents of the materials he was exporting. He also suggested that certain steps be taken to hide the contents of the parcels he was shipping from U.S. authorities. For example, in approximately December 2022, Larin emailed the co-defendant warning him about parcels with images of “soldiers on the packaging. It may be a red flag for the customs if they open it.” Larin further asked his co-defendant “Would you like us to remove the package boxes, or take a risk with the customs?”In approximately May 2023, Larin agreed to ship enhanced firearms triggers and charging handles to Kazakhstan at the request of his co-defendant. These items were all subject to export controls and could not be shipped to Kazakhstan without an export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Nevertheless, Larin agreed to ship the items and asked the co-defendant in Russia how he would like the items declared. In response, the co-defendant asked Larin to label the package as containing clothing, tools, and a light switch. Larin shipped the parcel and mislabeled its contents.
In approximately December 2023, Larin agreed to acquire a Rapid Targeting and Ranging Module (“Raptar”) target acquisition device on behalf of the co-defendant. The Raptar is a firearms accessory which assists its users in acquiring targets at long ranges. It is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and cannot be shipped outside of the United States without a license from the U.S. Department of State. After acquiring the Raptar, Larin agreed to ship the device to a co-conspirator in the United States who then attempted to ship it to Kazakhstan in violation of the ITAR. The device was intercepted and seized by HSI in California.
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Larin faces up to 20 years in prison.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Gilbert M. Rein and David I. Berman are in charge of the prosecution, along with Trial Attorney Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The Defendant:
MAXIM LARIN
Age: 43
Plantation, FloridaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-246 (NRM)
Final Defendant Sentenced in Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Pontiac, Michigan, man, Marvin Hunter, Jr., 32, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell to 132 months, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to his plea agreement, between August 2021 and March 7, 2024, Hunter regularly imported methamphetamine and fentanyl from Michigan into Magoffin County. Hunter had local associates in Magoffin County who assisted him in distributing the drugs to other dealers and users there. During a search of the Magoffin County residence that was their operational base in April of 2023, law enforcement located over a kilogram of methamphetamine, over 40 grams of fentanyl, and three firearms. Law enforcement subsequently used a confidential informant to make controlled purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Hunter.
Hunter’s co-defendants were previously sentenced for their role in the drug trafficking conspiracy. Jennifer Fletcher, 45, and Minnie Johnson, 60, both of Salyersville, Ky., each received 84 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
Under federal law, Hunter must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Sheriff William “Bill” Meade, Magoffin County Sheriff, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Fifth Juror Bribery Defendant Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Bribe Feeding Our Future JurorRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Said Farah, age 43, the fifth defendant charged in the juror bribery scheme, pled guilty today to his role in providing a cash bribe to a juror in the Feeding Our Future trial, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
On April 22, 2024, seven defendants went to trial before U.S. District Judge David S. Doty for their roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Two of the defendants on trial were brothers—defendant Said Farah and his brother, Abdiaziz Farah. During the trial, Said Farah conspired with others, including his brother, Abdiaziz Farah, and a third brother not charged in the case, Abdulkarim Farah, to provide a cash bribe to one of the jurors, known as Juror 52, in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict in the trial. In total, five defendants have thus far been charged in the juror bribery case. Said Farah is the fifth defendant to plead guilty. All five defendants are currently pending sentencing before Judge Doty. Those sentencings dates have not yet been set.
“I watched this unfold with my own eyes—it was corruption stacked on corruption,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “The Feeding Our Future scheme was already a staggering and brazen fraud. But then came something even more corrosive: a cynical attempt to buy off a juror who stood strong and refused to be corrupted. I cannot overstate how painful this was for all involved. This was an unprecedented attack on our very system of justice. It shook Minnesota to its core. Now we must grapple with how we got here—no more denial, no more looking away. We must not allow corruption and fraud to define the future of justice in Minnesota.”
According to court documents, co-conspirators Abdimajid Nur and Abdiaziz Farah researched Juror 52’s address and other personal information online and via social media, including Juror 52’s Facebook account. Through their online research, conspirators Abdimajid Nur and Abdiaziz Farah identified Juror 52’s home address and found information about Juror 52’s background and family members.
Nur recruited co-conspirator Ladan Ali to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52. At the time, Ali was living in Seattle, Washington. During the trial, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis to meet with Nur and discuss the plan to bribe Juror 52. Ali agreed to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52 in exchange for a $150,000 cash payment.
On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52. Nur asked Ali to surveil and follow Juror 52 home as she left court for the day. Nur gave Ali a photo of Juror 52’s car and a map of the Jerry Haaf Memorial Parking Ramp where Juror 52 parked.
On Friday, May 31, 2024, Ali attempted to follow Juror 52 home as she left the Jerry Haaf Parking Ramp at the conclusion of the first day of closing arguments.
On June 1, 2024, Ali told Nur—falsely—that she had approached Juror 52 at a bar. Ali falsely told Nur that Juror 52 was interested in taking the bribe and wanted $500,000 in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict. Ali said that Juror 52 wanted Ali to deliver the money at noon on Sunday, June 2, when Juror 52 would be home alone. None of this was true. Ali did not speak with Juror 52, and Juror 52 never agreed to accept a bribe.
Nevertheless, believing Ali’s account to be true, Nur relayed Ali’s account to Abdiaziz Farah, who said that he would gather the bribe money. At approximately 11:03 PM on June 1, 2025, Abdiaziz Farah called defendant Said Farah, informed him of the plan to bribe Juror 52, and asked for Said Farah’s assistance in gathering cash for the bribe. On the morning of Sunday, June 2, Said Farah gathered a portion of the $200,000 in cash for use as bribe money.
In addition to Said Farah’s efforts to obtain the bribe money, a former Feeding Our Future employee who is charged in another indictment with participating in the fraudulent scheme to obtain federal child nutrition program funds, also worked to gather cash for the bribe. Said Farah and this individual obtained the cash from multiple individuals as well as a Hawala located near the Karmel Mall.
On the afternoon of June 2, Said Farah and his brother Abdiaziz Farah met with Nur outside of Said Farah’s business, Bushra Wholesalers. Said Farah and Abdiaziz Farah gave Nur a cardboard box containing $200,000 in cash to bribe Juror 52.
Nur then met Ali in a parking lot in Bloomington, Minnesota, to give her the bribe money. Nur handed Ali the cardboard box containing the $200,000 in cash. Ali took the cash out of the box and put it into one of the Hallmark gift bags. Nur then instructed Ali meet Abdulkarim Farah at a location near Juror 52’s house so that Abdulkarim Farah could accompany Ali to Juror 52’s house and record her delivery of the bribe as proof that the bribe money was delivered and that Juror 52 accepted the bribe.
Later that night, Said Farah received the video of Ali delivering the bribe money via an encrypted messaging app. Said Farah later deleted the video to conceal his involvement in the bribery scheme.
“The attempted bribery of a juror is a shocking attack on the fabric of our legal system,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “In this country, justice is impartial, swift, and cannot be bought. The extraordinary work on this case attests to the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the judicial process and relentlessly pursue those who seek to corrupt that system.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI with assistance from IRS – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Acting United States Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Ebert, Harry Jacobs, and Daniel Bobier are prosecuting the case.
Felon Sentenced in Crack Distribution and Illegal Possession of a Glock and a ‘Ghost Gun’ While on Pre-Trial ReleaseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Melvin Johnson, 27, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to a total of 66 months in federal prison in connection with trafficking crack cocaine and illegally possessing a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol and a “Ghost Gun” semi-automatic pistol equipped with a laser pointer, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Johnson pleaded guilty on April 8, 2025, to unlawful possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and to being a felon in possession of two firearms and ammunition. In addition to the 66-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on Aug.17, 2021, at 4:15 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 3500 block of 14th Street NW, to investigate a report of drug trafficking. The officers encountered Melvin Johnson nearby on a scooter and asked him if he had anything illegal on him. Johnson said he only had personal items.
One of the officers noticed that Johnson’s bag appeared to have an extended magazine protruding from it and was weighted down by an additional heavy object. After cuffing Johnson, officers recovered a Glock 29 semi-automatic pistol from the bag. The pistol was loaded with one round in the chamber and equipped with an extended magazine containing 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition. In addition, the bag contained an additional Glock magazine loaded with 16 rounds.
During a search, officers recovered $1,203 in cash and 26 grams of a white rock substance from inside the Johnson’s spandex pants. Officers field tested a portion of the substance which returned a positive result for cocaine base.
Previously, on Feb. 28, 2020, at about 4:15 p.m., MPD officers recovered a loaded “ghost gun” from Johnson on the 1500 block of Meridian Place NW. The firearm was equipped with a laser pointer. At the time of his arrest on the drug trafficking charge and possession of the Glock, Johnson was on pre-trial release on the charge for carrying a loaded pistol without a license.
This case was investigated by the MPD. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole.
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Federal grand jury returns superseding indictment against Buffalo Police detective for attempted purchases on illicit online marketplaceRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging Terrance Michael Ciszek a/k/a DrMonster, 35, of Buffalo, NY, with affecting transactions with access devices issued to other persons and aggravated identity theft, which carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Ciszek was previously indicted on charges of possession of unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud and making a false statement to an agency of the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that since August 2018, the FBI has been investigating an illicit online marketplace known as Genesis Market, whose operators compile stolen data, such as computer and mobile device identifiers, email addresses, usernames, and passwords, from malware-infected computers around the globe and package it for sale on the market. Purchases made through Genesis Market are conducted using virtual currency, such as bitcoin.
According to the superseding indictment and a previously filed complaint, between March and August 2020, Ciszek, a Buffalo Police Detective, purchased 11 packages on Genesis Market that included 194 stolen account credentials. In March and April 2020, Ciszek is accused of attempting to use the stolen credit cards to make purchases. In addition, on April 15, 2020, Ciszek is accused of possessing and using the identification, including name, address and credit card, of another person.
On April 4, 2023, Ciszek is accused of making false statements to the FBI, claiming that he had not purchased stolen credentials from the internet, and further stating that his nephew may have been responsible for the online purchase of stolen credentials.
The superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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FBI Provides Website for Potential Victims of Former Gymnastics Coach Arrested on Federal Sexual Exploitation of Children ChargeRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking to identify any potential victims of former gymnastics coach, Sean Michael Gardner. If you and/or your minor dependent(s) were victimized or you know of someone victimized by Sean Michael Gardner, you may contact the FBI by following the link below:
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-sean-michael-gardner-investigation
According to allegations in the criminal complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, between December 2017 and April 2018, Sean Michael Gardner, now 38, placed a hidden camera in a bathroom at a gymnastics studio in Purvis, Mississippi, where he was then working as a gymnastics coach. Gardner created multiple videos depicting numerous minors in stages of undress in that bathroom including close-up views of their anuses and genitals. Gardner moved from Mississippi to Iowa in 2018 to coach at a gym in West Des Moines, Iowa. West Des Moines Police searched Gardner’s apartment in late May 2025. Forensic examination of electronic devices seized from Gardner’s West Des Moines apartment uncovered the hidden camera recordings taken in the Mississippi gym bathroom.
Gardner will remain detained in federal custody pending further proceedings in the Southern District of Mississippi.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation-Jackson, Mississippi Division, Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Criminal Investigation-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and West Des Moines Police Department are investigating this case.
Drug and Gun Charges Brought Against Fresno Man with Prior Drug Trafficking ConvictionsRead the Press Release
Manuel Cisneros, 48, of Fresno, appears for arraignment today after a federal grand jury indictment charged him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on Feb. 20, 2025, Cisneros possessed fentanyl, methamphetamine, and several rounds of .40-caliber ammunition. Cisneros is prohibited from possessing ammunition because of prior felony drug trafficking convictions in Fresno County.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Cisneros faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Convicted Felon on Federal Supervision Is Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Juve Markie Lequan McAlpin, 24, of Asheville, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release today for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Michael Lamb of the Asheville Police Department, join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.
According to court records, on August 4, 2022, McAlpin was convicted in federal court of illegal firearm possession and sentenced to prison. Following his release he was placed under federal supervision.
On April 24, 2024, while serving his term of supervised release, McAlpin was arrested at a Shell gas station in Hendersonville, N.C. During the arrest, law enforcement searched the vehicle in which McAlpin was a passenger and recovered a loaded Taurus model 65 .357 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number from the passenger-side floorboard. Officers also seized a distinctive black hoodie from the vehicle.
Court records show that McAlpin had been wearing that same hoodie on April 20, 2024, when he fired two rounds into a moving vehicle at an apartment complex in Asheville, striking a passenger in the leg. The victim was treated at the hospital for a gunshot wound.
McAlpin is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the ATF and the Asheville Police Department for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Possession of a MachinegunRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati, Ohio, man, Deshawn Parker, 30, was sentenced on Thursday, by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to 24 months in prison, for possession of a machinegun.
According to court documents, on September 21, 2024, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Parker’s vehicle in Covington and detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When they asked Parker to exit the car to conduct a drug investigation, Parker refused and attempted to drive off. Officers were able to remove him from the vehicle and found a small amount of marijuana and spent shell casings from a firearm. Additionally, they found a loaded pistol under the driver’s seat. The pistol was equipped with a machinegun conversion device (MCD). These devices are commonly referred to as “switches” or “Glock switches.”
Under federal law, Parker must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Brian Valenti, Covington Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and the Covington Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke.
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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Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Multiple Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati, Ohio, man, Devante Garrett, 30, was sentenced on Thursday, by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to 360 months in prison, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Garrett was convicted of the charges in May 2025 at the conclusion of a four-day trial. Evidence at trial showed that Garrett led a conspiracy to distribute more than 275 grams of a substance containing a fentanyl analogue, more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and cocaine. He was arrested in Kenton County on October 14, 2023, with these drugs hidden behind the panel of the driver’s door of the vehicle he was operating. Garrett was previously arrested in Boone County on August 17, 2023, while in possession of $6,440 in cash and a scale containing residue of fentanyl and cocaine. Additional witness testimony showed that Garrett and James Waller, another Cincinnati resident, regularly traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, to distribute fentanyl and cocaine from May 2023 through October 2023.
Four other members of the conspiracy pled guilty and have already been sentenced to prison terms. James Waller received a sentence of 132 months. Quintus Jones received a sentence of 60 months. Kasey Allen received a sentence of 54 months. Christopher Scull received a sentence of 6 months.
Under federal law, Garrett must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; Chief Brian Valenti, Covington Police Department; Chief Bill Birkenhauer, Highland Heights Police Department; and Sheriff Michael Helmig, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by DEA, KSP, Covington Police Department, Highland Heights Police Department, and Boone County Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Spievack and Tony Bracke.
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Chinese Woman Arrested for Running a Prostitution BusinessRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Qingqin Xie, age 39, and a citizen of China, was ordered detained today after being arrested yesterday and charged with using interstate facilities of commerce to manage a business enterprise engaged in prostitution.
According to the criminal complaint, Xie owned and operated spas throughout the Capital Region that purported to offer massage services but also commercial sex. Xie paid for internet-based advertisements, many of which were sexually explicit, to promote her businesses. In October 2024, law enforcement searched Xie’s Moon Spa in East Greenbush, New York, and seized evidence of commercial sex acts taking place there. Xie continued to open and operate similar spas, including by employing women to engage in sex acts with customers.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, “As alleged, Xie, who does not have lawful status in the United States, ran a prostitution business out of massage parlors and failed to stop even after law enforcement searched one of those parlors last year. My Office will continue to work with our partners to ensure those who sexually exploit people for profit are held accountable.”
Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation (FBI), stated, “As alleged, Ms. Xie was operating an extensive commercial sex enterprise, using multiple massage parlors as a cover for prostitution. This arrest should send a message that the FBI, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will investigate and shut down these disturbing illicit businesses and ensure those who operate them are brought to justice.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James stated, “The culmination of this investigation would not have been possible without the dedication, hard work, and expertise of our partners in law enforcement. As charged, this individual had no regard for the impact their actions would have on the safety and well-being of others. Intercepting illegal businesses will continue to be a top priority and integral part of protecting our communities from the associated harm they bring.”
Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), stated, “Qingqin Xie is accused of running an elaborate prostitution scheme spanning the Capital Region. The alleged crimes demonstrate a brazen disregard for the sanctity of U.S. law and wellbeing of the New York public. I commend HSI Albany and our many law enforcement partners for ensuring she faces the consequences of her alleged actions.”
Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation New York, stated: “It’s alleged Xie created a business enterprise with the prostitution of women; and like with any business, IRS-CI continues to offer its expertise in following the money. We are proud of our continued law enforcement partnerships which ensure that people like Xie can no longer exploit women and their bodies for a profit.”
The charge filed against Xie carries a maximum term of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The FBI, NYSP, IRS-CI, and HSI are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita is prosecuting the case.
This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Chinese National Who Deployed "Kill Switch" Code on Employer's Network Sentenced to Four Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A Chinese national was sentenced today to four years in prison and three years of supervised release for writing and deploying malicious code on his then-employer’s network.
“The defendant breached his employer’s trust by using his access and technical knowledge to sabotage company networks, wreaking havoc and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses for a U.S. company,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “However, the defendant’s technical savvy and subterfuge did not save him from the consequences of his actions. The Criminal Division is committed to identifying and prosecuting those who attack U.S. companies, whether from within or without, to hold them responsible for their actions.”
"The FBI works relentlessly every day to ensure that cyber actors who deploy malicious code and harm American businesses face the consequences of their actions,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “I am proud of the FBI cyber team’s work which led to today’s sentencing and hope it sends a strong message to others who may consider engaging in similar unlawful activities. This case also underscores the importance of identifying insider threats early and highlights the need for proactive engagement with your local FBI field office to mitigate risks and prevent further harm.”
In March, a jury convicted Davis Lu, 55, legally residing in Houston, of causing intentional damage to protected computers. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Lu was employed as a software developer for the victim company headquartered in Beachwood, Ohio, from November 2007 to October 2019. Following a 2018 corporate realignment that reduced his responsibilities and system access, Lu began sabotaging his employer’s systems. By Aug. 4, 2019, he introduced malicious code that caused system crashes and prevented user logins. Specifically, he created “infinite loops” (in this case, code designed to exhaust Java threads by repeatedly creating new threads without proper termination, resulting in server crashes or hangs), deleted coworker profile files, and implemented a “kill switch” that would lock out all users if his credentials in the company’s active directory were disabled. The “kill switch” code — which Lu named “IsDLEnabledinAD”, abbreviating “Is Davis Lu enabled in Active Directory” — was automatically activated when he was placed on leave and asked to surrender his laptop on Sept. 9, 2019, and impacted thousands of company users globally.
Additionally, on the day he was directed to turn in his company laptop, Lu deleted encrypted data. His internet search history revealed he had researched methods to escalate privileges, hide processes, and rapidly delete files, indicating an intent to obstruct the efforts of his co-workers to resolve the system disruptions. Lu’s employer suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses as a result of his actions.
The FBI Cleveland Field Office investigated the case.
Senior Counsel Candina S. Heath of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Riedl and Brian S. Deckert for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Chicago Man Sentenced to More than 16 Years in Prison for Unlawfully Dealing More than a Dozen FirearmsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for unlawfully dealing more than a dozen firearms.
In 2020 and 2021, JOHNATHAN BURGOS, 33, illegally sold 14 firearms and multiple large-capacity magazines to an individual who was surreptitiously working on behalf of the FBI. The sales involved several stolen handguns, a gun with an obliterated serial number, and a rifle. During most of the transactions, Burgos was on either parole or bond with electronic monitoring from the Illinois Department of Corrections for firearm cases in state court.
Burgos pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal firearm charges. On Aug. 15, 2025, U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger sentenced Burgos to 16 years and eight months in federal prison.
The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.
“Defendant’s gun trafficking posed a severe danger to the community,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mower argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “He personally coordinated each sale and used coded language in phone calls and text messages to mask the illicit nature of his discussions.”
Chesapeake man sentenced to over 10 in prison for federal drug trafficking and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Chesapeake man was sentenced today to 10 years and 10 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, on Oct. 9, 2024, law enforcement intercepted a parcel containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine that was destined for a fictitious name at the residence of Jamey Andre Bennett, 50, in Chesapeake. Law enforcement substituted counterfeit cocaine in the parcel and conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel. After delivery, Bennett retrieved and opened the parcel. Investigators took Bennett into custody and conducted a search of the residence.
During the search, investigators recovered the counterfeit cocaine, an additional kilogram of cocaine, 5,000 fentanyl pills, 1.605 grams of crack cocaine, two loaded firearms, a firearm magazine containing 10 rounds of ammunition, two scales, packaging material, and two cellphones. The fentanyl pills were stamped to appear to be Percocet.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Col. Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police; Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke Bresnahan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. 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. 2:25-cr-13.
Cherokee County career criminal sentenced to federal prison for firearms violationRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas –A Jacksonville convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Eric Pryor, 52, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on August 21, 2025.
According to information presented in court, on November 17, 2023, local law enforcement responded to a call regarding reckless driving. When they arrived at the location, they were shown doorbell security camera footage of an individual later identified as Pryor, stepping out of a car and firing four shots at a truck. The truck went through the front yard of the residence to avoid the shots. The two vehicles were soon located on Highway 135 and Pryor admitted to firing the handgun at the truck. Further investigation revealed Pryor had several prior felony convictions, including burglary of a building, possession of a controlled substance, theft of a firearm, evading arrest with a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm. As a convicted felon, Pryor is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.
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Charleston Woman Sentenced for Role in COVID-19 Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jasmine Spencer, 32, of Charleston, was sentenced today to six months of home detention, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $15,625 in restitution for aiding and abetting bank fraud. Spencer admitted that she received $15,625 in proceeds from a criminally derived Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
According to court documents and statements made in court, co-defendant Kisha Sutton conspired with Spencer and others to obtain fraudulent PPP loans. Sutton submitted a PPP loan application on Spencer’s behalf of May 27, 2021, listing Spencer as a sole proprietor hair stylist who received $75,000 in gross income in 2020. The application was filed with an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1040, Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business, stating that Spencer had earned $75,000 in 2020. As part of her guilty plea, Spencer admitted that she never earned $75,000 as a hair stylist in one year. Sutton further admitted that the IRS Form 1040 submitted with her application was fraudulent and created solely to obtain the PPP loan.
A PPP lender in California approved Spencer’s loan application. The $15,625 in proceeds from the fraudulent loan was deposited in Spencer’s personal bank accounts on June 28, 2021. Between June 30 and July 9, 2021, Spencer transferred $3,000 of the fraudulent loan proceeds to Sutton using a digital wallet application. Spencer admitted that she spent the remainder of the fraudulent loan proceeds on personal expenses.
The CARES Act made forgivable PPP loans available to qualifying sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to replace their normal income and for certain other expenses. Applicants were required to certify that they were in operation on February 15, 2020, and provide documentation showing their prior gross income from either 2019 or 2020.
Spencer and Sutton are among several individuals indicted by a federal grand jury on charges alleging they and others conspired, as well as aided and abetted one another, to obtain fraudulent PPP loans totaling $140,625. On July 15, 2025, Sutton was found guilty of aiding and abetting bank fraud and aiding and abetting laundering of monetary instruments by a federal jury following a two-day trial. Sutton, 44, of Jersey City, New Jersey, is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2025. Powell and the three remaining co-defendants pleaded guilty.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU).
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan T. Storage and Jennifer D. Gordon and former Assistant United States Attorney Holly Wilson prosecuted the case.
Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-192.
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Canadian Man Sentenced to 188 Months for Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Alexander MacFayden, age 60, and a citizen of Canada, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for the attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, MacFayden admitted that between May 2023 and August 25, 2023, he exchanged sexually explicit messages online with an individual in Albany whom he believed would allow him to engage in sexual contact with a 10-year-old relative. MacFayden also admitted that on August 25, 2023, he traveled from Canada to Albany with the intent to engage in sexual acts with a 10-year-old girl. MacFayden was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location.
MacFayden will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “Alexander MacFayden is a depraved person who wanted to have sex with a 10-year-old girl. He will now spend the next 15 years in federal prison. Every day, we are working with our law enforcement partners to lock up pedophiles who would seek to harm children in our communities.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. MacFayden traveled from Canada to Albany, where he intended to have sex with a 10-year-old girl. That trip just landed him in federal prison for the next 15 years. The FBI’s reach is vast, and we will use every resource at our disposal to keep our children safe from these sickening predators.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department, the Rotterdam Police Department, and the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph S. Hartunian and Allen J. Vickey prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc
Cabell County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Henry Rogers, 66, of Barboursville, was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 17, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Rogers on U.S. Route 19 in the Birch River area of Nicholas County. As part of his guilty plea, Rogers admitted that he possessed a controlled substance containing methamphetamine seized by officers during the traffic stop. Rogers further admitted that officers executed a search warrant of his vehicle following that seizure and found an additional quantity of methamphetamine and a .380-caliber pistol in the trunk. A total of 205.2 grams of methamphetamine was seized from the vehicle.
Rogers has a criminal history that includes a prior felony conviction for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney D. Keith Randolph prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-80.
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Bridgeville Resident Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release, on his conviction of producing child sexual abuse material, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Matthew A. Trax, 25.
According to information presented to the Court, Trax enticed a 14-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct. Trax then sent the minor images and a video of himself engaged in sexual intercourse with the female, which Trax had recorded on his phone.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hardy stated that Trax’s federal offense was extremely serious and noted how such conduct victimizes the most vulnerable members of our community—children. Judge Hardy further stated that the imposed federal sentence serves to not only punish the defendant for his conduct and to protect the community, but to also deter Trax and other individuals who may seek to exploit children from engaging in such conduct.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mt. Lebanon Police Department, South Fayette Police Department, and Allegheny County Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Trax.
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 (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Bradford County Man Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Richard Burke, age 75, from Milan, PA, was charged on August 20, 2025, with Wire Fraud in connection with stealing Social Security and Veterans benefits.
According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, the Information charges that from approximately April 2005 until March 2022, Burke withdrew benefits payments from his deceased mother’s bank account. The total amount stolen from the SSA and VA was $350,634.23.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Social Security Administration and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense is 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine. A sentence for this offense may also include a period of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Boone County Man Sentenced for Armed Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Florence, Ky., man, Osvaldo Pardo, 33, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to 144 months in prison, for possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his plea agreement, in February 2025, law enforcement used a confidential source to conduct controlled purchases of cocaine from Pardo, who was known to be selling drugs out of a motel in Florence. Later that month, law enforcement searched Pardo’s motel room and found 807.4 grams of cocaine and $1,440. In addition to the cocaine and cash, officers found 2,973 grams of marijuana, a pistol, digital scale, and a money counter. Pardo admitted to possessing these items, including the cocaine and the firearm, and he further admitted that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity.
Under federal law, Pardo must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Chief Jeff Mallery, Florence Police Department, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Florence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Brooklyn Cardiologist Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison in Connection with Health Care Fraud and Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that NIRANJAN MITTAL was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams to 37 months in prison in connection with a years’ long health care fraud and bribery scheme. As part of that scheme, MITTAL, a Brooklyn-based cardiologist, paid physicians for patient referrals. The defendant also fabricated patient records in order to bill for medically unnecessary vascular procedures. In February 2025, MITTAL pled guilty to one count of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with the scheme.
“At the core of our healthcare system is patient-doctor trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Mittal abused that trust, turning his offices into ‘patient mills’ and subjecting trusting patients to procedures they did not need. Today’s sentence sends a deterrent message to doctors and the healthcare industry: if you abuse patient trust for profit, you will face justice.”
According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings:
Since at least 2016, MITTAL operated a medical clinic in Brooklyn, New York (the “Brooklyn Clinic”), with a patient base consisting of many individuals of limited economic means who were insured by government health care programs. In order to ensure a steady flow of new patients to the Brooklyn Clinic, MITTAL paid rental payments to other providers pursuant to purported “leases” for office space. Often, however, the timing and amount of the payments bore no relation to the terms of those leases. In fact, MITTAL made the purported lease payments to induce other providers to refer patients to MITTAL’s staff members, who, at the direction of MITTAL, periodically traveled to the providers’ offices, performed basic tests on the referred patients, and convinced the patients to attend follow-up appointments at the Brooklyn Clinic.
Once patients arrived at the Brooklyn Clinic, often without understanding why they had been referred to the practice, they underwent a series of diagnostic tests and follow-up office visits. These tests and office visits generally were not based on the patients’ actual treatment needs. Rather, MITTAL and others acting at his direction ordered these tests and office visits to create documentation sufficient to justify subjecting patients to unnecessary peripheral vascular interventional procedures—surgical procedures focused on clearing purported blockages in the blood vessels in patients’ legs. MITTAL directed others to, among other things, fabricate the descriptions of patients’ symptoms recorded in the practice’s office visit notes, varying the symptoms across patients so that it was not apparent that the symptoms were fake.
As a result of MITTAL’s scheme, patients at the Brooklyn Clinic, many of whom were already in poor health, routinely underwent medically unnecessary vascular interventions at MITTAL’s office, with some patients undergoing 10 or more interventional procedures over the course of several years. The patients’ conditions often did not improve, despite these repeated interventions. Between 2016 and 2023, insurers paid over $40 million to MITTAL’s practice for claims from patients who were referred by doctors who received improper “rent” payments from MITTAL.
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In addition to the prison term, MITTAL, 72, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit the proceeds traceable to his offense.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick R. Moroney, Matthew Weinberg, Ryan B. Finkel, and Brandon C. Thompson are in charge of the prosecution.
Austin Woman Sentenced in 25-Year Social Security ScamRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Mavious Redmond, age 54, of Austin, Minnesota, has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison and a year of supervised released for the scheme she devised and executed, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Redmond’s scheme was brazen and shameless,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “For 25 years, she posed as her dead mother to steal more than $360,000 in social security benefits. This wasn’t free money. It was taxpayer money, stolen from a program built on the hard work of Minnesotans who paid in every paycheck. Cases like this are part of the broader fraud crisis gripping our state, where too many see taxpayer programs as their own personal piggy banks. We will not let it stand. We will keep bringing prosecutions until every fraudster in Minnesota understands there is a price for stealing from the taxpayers.”
According to court documents, beginning in 1999 and continuing through June 2024, Mavious Redmond devised and carried out a 25-year scheme to steal the Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits intended for her deceased mother. Through lies and deceit, Redmond fraudulently collected $360,627 in Social Security funds.
From the outset, defendant Redmond’s fraud began with a lie. In 1999, following her mother’s passing, Redmond reached out to the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) and posed a hypothetical—if her mother had passed away, what would she need to do? The SSA told Redmond that she needed to inform the SSA so that her mother’s SSA benefits would be terminated. Despite specifically seeking out and learning the lawful and appropriate thing to do, Redmond instead chose to defraud the government. She did so for more than two decades and at great length.
Over the years, defendant Redmond’s lies and deceitful actions grew. Redmond posed as her deceased mother, again and again. She used her mother’s identity as her own, forged her mother’s signature, and used her mother’s documents and biographical information, including her mother’s date of birth and social security number, on official forms. Redmond would change her mother’s address to reflect Redmond’s own address changes. Moreover, when Redmond needed to, she posed as her mother, both over the phone and in-person. For example, on June 4, 2024, Redmond personally visited the SSA office, posing as her deceased mother, and submitted a fraudulent SS-5 Application for Social Security Form using her mother’s name, date of birth, social security number, and forging her deceased mother’s signature.
Indeed, Redmond’s elaborate and fraudulent scheme prompted the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to falsely believe the defendant’s dead mother to be alive. Based on this understanding, the IRS distributed $3,200 of COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments to the Defendant Redmond’s dead mother’s bank account, in which the defendant accessed and converted the IRS funds to her
In handling down her sentence, Judge Brasel noted as aggravating factors that Redmond defrauded the government for “such a long time” and that Redmond impersonated her deceased mother—both on the phone and in person—before so many federal agents and agencies.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the IRS.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Evans prosecuted the case.
Augusta “Ghost” Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Richmond County woman who operated a “ghost” tax preparation business in Augusta, Georgia, has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for defrauding the IRS.
Kim Brown, 40, of Augusta, Georgia, was sentenced to 22 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation and Filing of False Income Tax Returns, said Margaret E. Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Brown to pay $541,912 in restitution and to serve one year of supervised release upon completion of her prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we continue to pursue those who defraud the government,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “Kim Brown stole money from taxpayers, and this sentence holds her accountable.”
“Not signing off on a tax return is just one of the signs someone is acting as a ghost preparer,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Today’s sentencing of Kim Brown is an example of IRS Criminal Investigation special agents working diligently to protect taxpayers from dishonest tax preparers and a notification to the public of just one scheme utilized by ghost tax preparers.”
As described in court documents and at sentencing, Brown operated a tax preparation business out of her Augusta, Georgia, residence in 2022 where she acted as a “ghost preparer” of income tax returns. Brown operated as a “ghost” preparer because, contrary to IRS requirements she failed to identify herself as a paid preparer on the tax returns that she prepared and filed for her clients. As a “ghost” preparer, Brown fabricated income to qualify her clients for tax credits, claimed fake deductions to boost the size of the refund, and charged clients a fee based on a percentage of the tax refund. Brown did not provide her clients with a copy of the tax returns she prepared, nor did she review the returns with clients before electronically filing them with the IRS. Brown and another individual “ghost” prepared false tax returns that caused the U.S. Department of Treasury to issue $541,912 in false tax refunds.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney George J.C. Jacobs, III.
Aspiration Partners Co-Founder Charged and Agrees to Plead Guilty to a $248M Scheme to Defraud Investors and LendersRead the Press Release
A California man who co-founded and served as board member of a company formerly known as Aspiration Partners, Inc. — a financial technology and sustainability services company — was charged today by criminal information and agreed to plead guilty to defrauding multiple investors and lenders.
“For years, Joseph Sanberg used his position at Aspiration to deceive investors and lenders for his own benefit, causing his victims over $248 million in losses,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to pursuing, charging, and convicting fraudsters like Sanberg, who cause significant harm to their victims and undermine our financial institutions.”
“This so-called ‘anti-poverty’ activist has admitted to being nothing more than a self-serving fraudster, by seeking to enrich himself by defrauding lenders and investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “I commend our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this case, and I urge the investing public to use caution and beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
“This is a case about greed and abuse of trust,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s guilty plea is a direct result of the commitment by the FBI and our law enforcement partners to hold those accountable who set out to defraud victims and undermine our financial system. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to ensure this kind of malicious behavior is investigated and stopped.”
“The defendant didn’t just bend the truth, he built a business on a lie to boost the company’s value and line his own pockets,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “The Postal Inspection Service will go after this kind of calculated deception. No matter who you are, you will be brought to justice.”
According to court documents, beginning in 2020 and continuing into 2025, Joseph Neal Sanberg, 46, of Orange, California, devised a scheme to use his role as a co-founder and board member of Aspiration as well as his shares of company stock to defraud various lenders and investors. Between 2020 and 2021, Sanberg and Ibrahim AlHusseini, both members of Aspiration’s board of directors, fraudulently obtained $145 million in loans from two lenders by pledging shares of Sanberg’s Aspiration stock. Sanberg and AlHusseini also falsified AlHusseini’s bank and brokerage statements to fraudulently inflate AlHusseini’s assets by tens of millions of dollars to secure the loans. Beginning in 2021, Sanberg also defrauded Aspiration’s investors by concealing that he was the source of certain revenue recognized by the company.
Court documents also state that Sanberg personally recruited companies and individuals to sign letters of intent with Aspiration in which they committed to pay tens of thousands of dollars per month for tree planting services. Sanberg used legal entities under his control to conceal that these payments came from Sanberg rather than from the customers. Sanberg instructed Aspiration employees not to contact the customers that he had recruited in order to conceal his scheme.
Aspiration booked revenue from these customers between March 2021 and November 2022, but Sanberg did not disclose that he was the source of the payments. As a result, Aspiration’s financial statements were inaccurate and reflected much higher revenue than the company in fact received. Sanberg continued to solicit investors to invest in Aspiration securities into 2025.
According to the documents, Sanberg also defrauded other lenders and investors with fraudulent materials describing Aspiration’s financial condition, including a fabricated letter from Aspiration’s audit committee that falsely stated that Aspiration had $250 million in available cash and equivalents at a time that Aspiration had less than $1 million in available cash. Sanberg used these fraudulent financial materials to obtain millions of dollars in additional loans and investments in Aspiration securities. Sanberg’s victims sustained more than $248 million in losses.
Sanberg has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
USPIS and the FBI are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Theodore Kneller and Adam L.D. Stempel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nisha Chandran and Jenna Williams for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case.
If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at [email protected]. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-vns/victim-rights-derechos-de-las-v-ctimas.
Asheville Dealer on Federal Supervised Release Is Sentenced to Prison on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Asa Shaquille Holloway, 32, of Asheville, was sentenced today to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine base, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Holloway’s sentence will run at the expiration of the 18 months he is serving for violating his federal supervised release.
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Chief Michael Lamb of the Asheville Police Department, join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.
According to court records, in December 2023, Holloway was under court supervision for a prior federal firearms conviction. On December 19, 2023, federal probation officers conducted a search of Holloway’s residence, seizing 21.37 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, clear plastic baggies, and a .45 caliber magazine. The Court issued an arrest warrant for Holloway for violating the terms of his federal supervised release. On January 30, 2024, officers with the Asheville Police Department located Holloway and arrested him on the outstanding warrant. The officers also searched Holloway and his vehicle and recovered over 14 grams of crack and 3.34 grams of methamphetamine.
Holloway is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the DEA and the Asheville Police Department for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville handled the prosecution.
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Arthur, Iowa, Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who received child pornography pled guilty August 20, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City.
Wesley Ham, 32, from Arthur, Iowa, was convicted of receipt of child pornography. At the plea hearing, evidence showed that between March 2022, and September 2023, Ham received and possessed more than 94 images and 79 videos of child pornography. A forensic review of Ham’s computer and phone showed he possessed 370 images and 3 videos of child pornography, some of which included infants and toddlers as well as sadistic and masochistic conduct. Ham admitted to receiving and possessing child pornography but not distributing it, although Ham did admit to distributing child pornography in a state of Iowa case in 2022.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Ham remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Ham faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
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.”
The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (Cyber Crime Bureau) and the Ida County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R Hamit.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-3017. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Arkansas Man Accused of Stealing from 20+ Missouri, Iowa Schools and BusinessesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Arkansas has been indicted in St. Louis and accused of burglarizing more than 20 rural schools and businesses in Missouri and Iowa.
Curtis Lee Barton, 40, was indicted Wednesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce and three counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
The indictment says Barton and a co-conspirator stole a total of at least $50,000 from May 2023 through April 2025. Some of the money stolen from schools had been set aside for impoverished children and for the Special Olympics, the indictment says.
The indictment lists several examples of Missouri schools that were burglarized, including the Feb. 25, 2025, theft of about $5,752 from a school in Lewistown, the April 22, 2025, theft of about $13,000 from a school in Brookfield, and the April 26, 2025, theft of $4,000 from a school in Shelbyville. On April 26, 2025, Barton also stole about $1,000 from a safe in an Adair County school, the indictment says.
The indictment says Barton researched both his targets and the sheriff’s offices or police departments in those areas in advance. He broke into the schools in the middle of the night to avoid detection, the indictment says.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI and the Wapello County (Iowa) Iowa Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.
Arizona Man Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy in South CarolinaRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Antonie Elbert Eaddy, 49, of Goodyear, Arizona, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine, 5 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of fentanyl, and a quantity of marijuana.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Eaddy and others are responsible for selling 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, a quantity of crack cocaine, and a quantity of marijuana.
During their investigation, agents intercepted telephone calls between Eaddy and others talking about sending cocaine and fentanyl from Arizona to South Carolina, concealing them in a box that contained a clock and sending the proceeds back to Eaddy in Arizona. Eaddy also shipped packages of drugs through the mail to Columbia, Florence, Myrtle Beach as well as locations in North Carolina, Maryland, and Florida. Eaddy also used couriers to bring drugs to the east coast and return the drug proceeds to him in Arizona. Eaddy and four other members of his conspiracy were charged together in South Carolina. All have pleaded guilty to their involvement in the conspiracy.
United States District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Eaddy to 135 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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Allentown Man Sentenced to Fifteen Years for March 2023 Armed Robbery Spree in Lehigh CountyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Rubiel Perez, 31, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for carrying out an armed robbery spree in Lehigh County, Pa., in March of 2023.
Perez was charged by indictment in November 2023 and pleaded guilty in March of this year to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
As detailed in the indictment and admitted to by the defendant, on March 28, 2023, Perez entered a 7-Eleven convenience store on Union Boulevard in Allentown, pointed a handgun at a store employee, and stole $937 before fleeing.
The next night, the defendant targeted a 7-Eleven convenience store on South 4th Street in Allentown. He pointed a handgun at a store employee and threatened him, before stealing $150 from the store. Later that same night, the defendant entered a 7-Eleven on West Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township and attempted to rob the store by pointing a firearm at the store employee and threatening him.
“Three times in two days, Rubiel Perez pointed his gun at store clerks and made them fear for their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Prosecuting violent offenders is a priority for my office. We will not permit criminals to prey on the people in our communities.”
“In 25 hours, Rubiel Perez robbed three 7-Eleven stores, threatening the employees’ lives at gunpoint,” said Shannon Hamm, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “Stopping violent criminals who terrorize our communities like Perez is a primary ATF mission. Thanks to our agents’, detectives’, and prosecutors’ combined efforts, he is now going to federal prison where he will no longer endanger this town. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to make Pennsylvania’s communities safer for all.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allentown Police Department, and the South Whitehall Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf.
23 in custody on immigration charges after bust of Hidalgo County alien smuggling ringRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Four people, two of whom are illegal aliens themselves, have been charged for their alleged involvement in an alien smuggling ring, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Enrique Gonzalez, 57, of Weslaco, and Mexican national Erick Vallejo-Zapata, 21, are set for their initial appearances Aug. 22 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis. Rigoberto Esteban Perez-Cruz, 37, of Edinburg, and Mexican national Mirza Garcia-Zapata, 37, have already made their appearances, remain in custody and are set for detention hearings Aug. 26 at 2 p.m.
The criminal complaint alleges all four harbored illegal aliens at residences throughout Hidalgo County. Gonzalez, Vallejo-Zapata and Garcia-Zapata are also alleged to have transported aliens.
On Aug. 20, Perez-Cruz left a residence in Edinburg and committed a traffic violation, according to the charges. During the subsequent traffic stop, authorities allegedly discovered an illegal alien in the passenger seat.
Shortly thereafter, law enforcement executed search warrants at that residence and another in Donna, and found an additional 24 illegal aliens, two of whom were unaccompanied minors, according to the charges. The complaint alleges Garcia-Zapata and Perez-Cruz were the caretakers of the stash houses.
According to the charges, the illegal aliens had been previously held at Gonzalez’s house, where Vallejo-Zapata had photographed them. Gonzalez also allegedly took their phones. Court documents indicate Gonzalez and Vallejo-Zapata then transported them to the various stash houses across Hidalgo County.
The illegal aliens discovered at the locations are from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and India, according to the charges.
As part of the investigation, nine of these aliens are now also charged with felony illegal reentry after removal and face up to 10 years in federal prison. Criminal complaints also charge 10 others with illegal entry into the United States.
If convicted, Gonzalez, Vallejo-Zapata, Garcia-Zapata and Perez-Cruz face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
20 August 2025
Wyoming man sentenced to over 10 years in prison for sexual abuse on the Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Basin, Wyoming man who sexually assaulted a woman on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 125 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,988 in restitution, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Duane Allen Swank, Jr., 36, pleaded guilty in March 2025 to sexual abuse.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on July 4, 2021, Swank was driving a stolen car with Jane Doe and two other passengers. At some point after Swank dropped off the two individuals, while in Billings, Swank sexually assaulted Jane Doe. They then drove toward the Crow Indian Reservation on back roads. During that drive, Swank stopped the car and raped Jane Doe. Following the rape, Swank fell asleep, and Doe was able to escape. DNA extracted from Jane Doe matched the DNA profile of Swank.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation.
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Waterloo Man to Federal Prison for Gang-Related ShootingRead the Press Release
A man who was one of four shooters who collectively fired thirty-four rounds of ammunition at a residence occupied by eight people, including a child, was sentenced on August 19, 2025, to fifteen years in federal prison.
Anthony Kyle O’Donnell, age 37, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 18, 2024 guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Information from sentencing showed that on the afternoon of August 21, 2022, four individuals dressed in all black clothing opened fire at a residence in Waterloo. After the shooting, the individuals fled. Officers located two men dressed in all black outside a residence about five blocks away. Officers found three firearms in a shed near the men. An officer encountered O’Donnell about a block away from the firearms. He was wearing all black clothing and sweating.
Officers collected thirty-four shell casings at the scene of the shooting. Eight people, including a two-year-old child, were inside the house when they were fired upon. Bullets penetrated the living room and a bedroom. Four of the occupants suffered bleeding injuries from broken glass, and one had a graze from a bullet.
DNA testing showed that O’Donnell’s DNA was on one of the recovered firearms, a stolen Beretta pistol. Ten of the thirty-four rounds were fired from that firearm. Law enforcement identified the shooting as gang-related based on the gang associations of four of the victims and the associations of O’Donnell and the other two men they located.
O’Donnell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. O’Donnell was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
O’Donnell is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-2019.
Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Washington Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.— Jesus Paul Zazueta, 28, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today to 90 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release for trafficking fentanyl.
According to court documents, on October 4, 2021, Zazueta was a passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident in Deschutes County, Oregon. Officers from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police responded to the accident and received consent to search the vehicle. The officers located two bags in the trunk containing approximately five pounds of fentanyl pills and a semi-automatic firearm.
When questioned by officers, Zazueta admitted to trafficking the fentanyl and owning the firearm. Zazueta also admitted to packing the bag containing fentanyl and the firearm and expected to be paid for trafficking the fentanyl to Washington.
On July 20, 2023, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Zazueta with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On May 21, 2025, Zazueta pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Adam Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.
Veteran Charged with Defrauding Navy Out of More Than $9 Million by Bid-Rigging and False Billing with Insider Who Was Paid KickbacksRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Navy veteran has been charged with defrauding the Navy out of more than $9 million through a bid-rigging and contract steering scheme that involved paying kickbacks and other benefits to a co-conspirator, who was a Navy insider at the time, the Justice Department announced today.
Cory Taylor Wright, 49, of Columbus, Georgia, is charged in a single-count information with wire fraud.
In a separate court filing, Wright agreed to plead guilty to the felony charge, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Wright has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in this matter.
Wright is expected to plead guilty in the coming weeks.
According to his plea agreement, Wright was enlisted in the Navy from February 1997 until his retirement in May 2017. At various points from 2005 to 2017, Wright worked for the Navy’s Mobile Utilities Support Equipment division (Muse), located at the naval base in Port Hueneme in Ventura County. Muse was responsible for providing management, technical, and logistics support for power systems, including large generators, for U.S. Department of Defense operations around the world, including active combat zones.
To accomplish its mission, Muse engaged with prime contractors to procure goods and services, typically by tasking orders to subcontractors.
When Wright neared retirement in late 2016, he and an individual listed in court documents as “Co-Conspirator 1” agreed to create a Georgia-based company, C&C Power Solutions LLC (CCP). Co-Conspirator 1 was a fellow Navy enlistee who ultimately retired from the Navy in 2021 and held various positions at Muse, including supervisory positions that allowed him to exercise considerable influence over naval contracts. The scheme lasted from December 2016 to August 2022.
Wright and Co-Conspirator 1 created the company with the understanding that Co-Conspirator 1 would be a 50% partner in the business once he retired from the Navy. Co-Conspirator 1 told Wright that he would ensure CCP received Navy contracts, including task orders from a prime contractor. In exchange for directing the Navy contracts to CCP, Wright paid Co-Conspirator 1 thousands of dollars in kickback payments and other benefits, including payments to a sporting club operated by Co-Conspirator 1.
To provide initial funding for CCP’s business operations, Co-Conspirator 1 caused a prime contractor and subcontractors to issue payments to CCP for products and services that CCP did not provide. Once CCP was operational, Wright and Co-Conspirator 1 engaged in a bid-rigging scheme to ensure CCP received subcontracts from a prime contractor. For example, in connection with a 2017 task order worth approximately $790,496, Wright and Co-Conspirator 1 caused the submission of multiple fake contract bids that contained estimated project costs that were significantly higher than the bid that CCP submitted.
Wright also generated false and fraudulent invoices that represented CCP had completed work and delivered products to Muse when, in fact, CCP had not completed its contractual obligations. In turn, this caused the prime contractor to submit invoices containing Wright’s false information, causing the Navy to issue payments on the invoices.
Starting in September 2017, Wright and Co-Conspirator 1 conspired to secure CCP as Muse’s next prime contractor, which they knew would be worth tens of millions of dollars to their company. Wright and Co-Conspirator 1 worked together to generate bogus documents – including a fraudulent past performance questionnaire – to obtain the contract. They also hid from the Navy Co-Conspirator 1’s role and financial interest in CCP, including his direct involvement in the company’s successful bid proposal for the prime contract with the Navy.
From the time the Navy awarded CCP this lucrative contact in July 2019 until it terminated three task orders awarded to the company in late 2022 and early 2023, Wright continued to submit false documents, including invoices, to the Navy for obtaining money that his company and he were not entitled to receive.
In total, Wright and his co-schemers defrauded the Navy out of approximately $9,128,515.
The Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ian V. Yanniello of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section and Thomas F. Rybarczyk of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case.
Vallejo Man Arrested for Distributing and Possessing Depictions of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned an indictment, unsealed today, charging Marcos Gonzalez-Reyes, 43, of Vallejo, with distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, in December 2024, Gonzalez-Reyes used a peer-to-peer software client known as eMule to distribute hundreds of depictions of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct to undercover law enforcement agents over the course of only three days. Law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Gonzalez-Reyes’s Vallejo residence in May 2025 and seized electronic devices containing thousands of additional depictions of children—including toddlers—engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of distributing child sexual abuse material, Gonzalez-Reyes faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material, Gonzalez-Reyes faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Two Gang Members of Bronx-Based 5zzly Crew Plead Guilty to Armed Carjacking on Long IslandRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Jaquell Blackwell pleaded guilty to carjacking. His co-defendant, Abdoul Azika, previously pleaded guilty to carjacking on July 9, 2025. Both proceedings were held before United States District Judge Allyne R. Ross. When sentenced, the defendants each face up to 15 years in prison.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI,) announced the guilty pleas.
“Blackwell and Azika, wielding weapons and threats of grievous harm, forced their victims to give up their vehicles and instilled terror in their communities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “They will now be held accountable for their crimes, and our Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to eradicate gangs responsible for violent crime.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Nassau County Police Department for their assistance on the case.
“Jaquell Blackwell and Abdoul Azika committed a series of violent carjackings by brandishing weapons to forcibly steal cars from their victims,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “These gang members repeatedly terrorized our communities by threatening violence to ensure fearful compliance. The FBI continues to facilitate successful disruptions via Operation Summer Heat by protecting our citizens from violent offenders.”
According to court filings and statements by the defendants at the guilty plea proceedings, Azika and Blackwell were members of the violent “5zzly” crew of the Bronx-based Blood Hounds Brims gang that carried out armed carjackings and robberies across New York City and Long Island. Both defendants pleaded guilty to one such carjacking in the early morning hours of March 19, 2023, during which they snuck up on a vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood in Garden City, opened the doors of a vehicle, pointed a knife and a gun at the driver’s face, and told him to “get the f*** out of the car.” After the driver complied, Blackwell and Azika stole the car. Blackwell also admitted to committing another armed carjacking in Elmont on June 7, 2023, and Azika also admitted to perpetrating two armed carjackings in South Farmingdale and Massapequa on June 5, 2022.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca M. Schuman and Kamil R. Ammari are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
ABDOUL AZIKA
Age: 21
Bronx, New YorkJAQUELL BLACKWELL
Age: 20
Bronx, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 24-CR-483, 25-CR-194 (ARR)
Two Defendants Charged on Firearms Violations in Connection with Convenience Store ShootingRead the Press Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Two Trumbull County men have been arrested on a federal criminal complaint for allegedly committing firearms violations in connection with a convenience store shooting Aug. 3, in Warren, Ohio, that left one person dead.
The individuals facing federal charges are:
- Jumal Ellis Rowe, 32, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm; previous convictions for trafficking and possession of cocaine.
- Rayjon Ray Mcelroy, 25, charged with possession of ammunition by a person previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Both men are from Warren.
According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, on Aug. 3 the Warren Police Department and the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service in reference to multiple gunshots and reports of an individual suffering from gunshot wounds at a Convenient Food Mart in Warren. Investigators reviewing footage from the store’s video surveillance found that around 5 a.m., several individuals were loitering and playing a dice game on the walkway just outside the main door. A fight broke out shortly thereafter and eventually escalated into a mass shooting incident in the parking lot between multiple individuals. One individual was later pronounced dead and another injured as a result.
Officials with the Warren Police Department were able to identify Rowe and Mcelroy from the store’s surveillance video. Investigators observed Mcelroy in possession of a Kel-Tec Sub 2000, 5.7 caliber folding firearm when the fight broke out. Rowe was also observed in the store’s surveillance video in possession of a firearm that investigators identified as a Glock, Model 23Gen4, .40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol. In the video, Rowe was seen between two parked vehicles, shooting at others.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio; Acting Special Agent in Charge John Smerglia of the ATF Cleveland Field Office; and Warren Police Chief Eric J. Merkel made the announcement.
If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors unique to this case, including each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Youngstown Satellite Office, Warren Police Department, and the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yasmine Makridis for the Northern District of Ohio.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the Warren Police Department at 330-841-2658.
Troy Health, Inc. Enters Non-Prosecution Agreement and Admits to Fraudulently Enrolling Medicare Beneficiaries and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Troy Health, Inc. (Troy), a North Carolina-based provider of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice to resolve a criminal investigation into a health care fraud and identity theft scheme involving the use of artificial intelligence and automation software to illegally obtain Medicare beneficiary information and fraudulently enroll beneficiaries into its Medicare Advantage plans.
“Troy told low-income Medicare beneficiaries that it would use new technologies, including its proprietary artificial intelligence platform, to improve patient health outcomes,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Instead, the company misused patient data to enroll beneficiaries in its Medicare Advantage plan without their consent. Today’s resolution reflects the Criminal Division’s emerging focus on corporate enforcement in the health care space and holding both individuals and companies accountable when they defraud our medical system to enrich themselves at the expense of the American taxpayer.”
"The subjects in this case defrauded not only their own patients, but also the taxpayers who help fund Medicare,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI remains committed to investigating those who would take advantage of American healthcare programs and bringing them to justice."
“The defendant’s use of stolen identities to fraudulently enroll individuals in Medicare Advantage plans was a deliberate scheme to boost profits at the expense of vulnerable patients and the integrity of the Medicare program,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to relentlessly pursue those who exploit Medicare and threaten the security of enrollees’ personal health information.”
As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Troy admitted that, from approximately October 2020 through the end of 2022, Troy defrauded the Medicare program by enrolling beneficiaries in Troy’s Medicare Advantage plans without their knowledge or consent. Under a Troy executive’s direction, some of Troy’s Territory Managers used proprietary software developed by one of Troy’s executives to unlawfully access pharmacy records and customer lists containing sensitive personal information, including beneficiaries’ names, addresses, dates of birth, Medicare ID numbers, and insurance information. Troy used that information to make unsolicited sales calls to potential beneficiaries. During those sales calls, Troy’s sales personnel provided false and misleading information to Medicare beneficiaries. For example, Troy’s sales personnel told prospective enrollees that they were calling on behalf of the beneficiaries’ pharmacies and representing to beneficiaries that Troy’s Medicare Advantage plan was being offered as a supplement to their existing health care plans rather than as a new plan.
Troy also used an artificial intelligence-based health care management platform it developed and made available to participating pharmacies, known as Troy.ai, as part of the scheme. As described by the company, Troy marketed Troy.ai as a product that would leverage data and machine learning to lower the cost of care and improve health outcomes. As part of its effort to obtain new enrollments, however, Troy misused the platform by offering pharmacies kickbacks for enrollment referrals submitted through Troy.ai.
Troy also admitted that it used information obtained from the customer lists to enroll beneficiaries in Troy’s Medicare Advantage plan without their consent. At the height of the scheme, during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period between Jan. 1, 2022 and March 31, 2022, Troy enrolled over 2,700 new Medicare Advantage members, many through automatic or batch enrollments. For example, on March 2, 2022, Troy enrolled over 300 beneficiaries on one day, with the enrollments occurring approximately one minute apart. In addition, some Troy employees manually entered fraudulent enrollments through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website. This conduct followed a Troy executive’s announcement at a 2021 board meeting of an “aggressive but achievable” plan to triple Troy’s enrollment during the 2022 open enrollment period.
As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Troy admitted to and accepted responsibility for the acts of its officers, directors, employees, and agents in connection with the scheme. Troy has also agreed to continue cooperating with the Department in any ongoing or future criminal investigation relating to this conduct. As part of this agreement, Troy agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $1,430,008. This penalty has been adjusted based on Troy’s ability to pay.
The Department reached this resolution with Troy based on several factors, including Troy’s efforts to provide all relevant facts known to it, acceptance of responsibility for criminal conduct, extensive and timely remedial measures taken, commitment to continuing enhancement of compliance and internal control programs, absence of prior criminal history or regulatory actions, commitment to cooperation with federal agencies in any ongoing investigations, and the nature and seriousness of the offense. Troy did not receive voluntary self-disclosure credit, but did receive credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation and affirmative acceptance of responsibility, which included (i) self-reporting its 2022 batch member enrollment issue to CMS before it had come to the attention of the Department; (ii) providing timely updates on facts learned during its internal investigation; (iii) providing all relevant facts known to it, including information about individuals involved in the conduct. However, and particularly during the early phase of the Department’s investigation, Troy failed to preserve and produce certain documents and evidence in a timely manner and, at times, took actions that were inconsistent with full cooperation.
The FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Clayton P. Solomon of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Armstrong for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting health care fraud (HCF) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s HCF enforcement efforts can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Tohatchi Man Pleads Guilty to Violently Strangulation that Left Victim with Serious InjuriesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Tohatchi man pleaded guilty to federal charges for attacking a female victim (Jane Doe) during an argument, leaving her with serious injuries.
According to court records, on March 5 and 6, 2024, Victor Badonie, 33, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was with Jane Doe at her home in Zuni, New Mexico. An argument broke out, during which Badonie assaulted and strangled Doe, resulting in Jane Doe’s hospitalization for her serious bodily injuries.
Badonie pleaded guilty to the felony crimes of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault by strangulation. At sentencing, Badonie faces up to 20 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Badonie will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. Badonie must also make restitution to Jane Doe for costs directly tied to his criminal conduct.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Pueblo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Zach Jones is prosecuting the case.
Tierra Verde Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Andrew Newburg (41, Tierra Verde) to 10 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Newburg will also be required to register as a sex offender. He pleaded guilty on April 29, 2025.
According to court documents, Newburg distributed videos of CSAM over a social media application in February 2020 and October 2022. Newburg also possessed CSAM through a social media platform.
This case was investigated by Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
St. Lawrence County Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation and Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Jerod Schaffer, age 42, of Potsdam, New York, was sentenced today to 25 years (300 months) in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child and receipt and possession of child pornography.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
Schaffer was previously convicted in Franklin County, New York, in 2014, of attempted sexual abuse in the first degree and, as a result, was required to register as a sex offender. As part of his guilty plea in this case, Schaffer admitted that in November of 2021 he met a 14-year-old girl on a social media site and began requesting and receiving sexually explicit images from her. In early 2022, Schaffer traveled from New York to Ohio where he engaged in sexual conduct with the child on multiple occasions and recorded it. When Schaffer’s home was searched by law enforcement in May 2022, he had dozens of sexually explicit files depicting the victim.
Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd also sentenced Schaffer to a 10-year term of supervised release, to begin following his term of imprisonment. Schaffer will also be required to continue registering as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “This sentence ensures that a child rapist, who recorded the abuse he inflicted on his victim, will remain in federal prison for decades to come. Our community is safer with this pedophile behind bars. My Office will continue to work with our federal and state partners to ensure that child predators get what they deserve.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said: “Jerod Schaffer willfully and repeatedly exploited a 14-year-old girl whom he traveled across state lines to meet. While no amount of justice can undo the trauma this victim incurred, today's sentence ensures this child predator will not soon roam free.”
The case was investigated by HSI and the Potsdam Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
St. Bernard Parish Man Guilty of Violating Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control ActsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TERRY BAHAM, JR. (“BAHAM”), age 37, a resident of St. Bernard Parish, pled guilty on August 12, 2025 before United States District Judge Brandon S. Long to possession with intent to distribute forty grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and quantities of mixtures and substances containing detectable amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D), and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
According to court documents, in October 2021, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s deputies received information regarding the drug trafficking activities of BAHAM at his residence in Chalmette, Louisiana. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence. Inside the residence, deputies located and seized approximately 112 grams of fentanyl, 74 grams of cocaine, 14 grams of methamphetamine, 405 grams of marijuana and 112 THC cartridges. Also seized from the residence were four firearms: a Beretta Model BU9 Nano, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, a Glock Model 27, 40 caliber. semi-automatic pistol, a Zastava Arms Model PAP M85 NP, .223 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Sharps Bros. Model Warthog, .223 caliber rifle.
For the drug count, BAHAM faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of forty years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. For the firearm count, BAHAM faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000.00, five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.