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2 September 2026
Massachusetts Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Felina Pimental, 24, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
According to court documents and statements, in late 2023, law enforcement agencies began investigating a drug-trafficking organization (DTO) operating in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Investigators utilized cooperating witnesses and an undercover officer to conduct controlled purchases of narcotics from various DTO members. Typically, the transactions would be arranged through the DTO’s customer telephone, which was usually operated by the DTO leader, co-defendant Alexander Aguasvivas-Pena, or by someone at his direction, namely Pimental, where a customer would contact a DTO phone number to arrange a drug deal. Pimental was involved in multiple transactions. During the course of the conspiracy, the DTO trafficked over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and other drugs.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for December 16, 2026.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Major Offender Task Force led the investigation with valuable assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Hampshire State Police, Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, and Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasir Sadat is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Hampshire comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, IRS, DEA, ATF, USMS, and DSS with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.
Massachusetts Woman Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Agents and Threatening to Kill ThemRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Malden, Mass. woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to assaulting federal agents who were engaging in lawful immigration enforcement and threatening to kill them.
Bethany Abigail Terrill, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by simple assault. U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Dec. 16, 2026. Terrill was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in October 2025 and later indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2026.
According to the charging documents, federal agents were supporting Immigration Enforcement and Removal Operations in effecting the administrative immigration arrest of individuals in Malden. The agents encountered Terrill outside of Malden Court for reasons unrelated to the agents’ activities.
Terrill physically interjected herself into the middle of agents while they were effecting an arrest. Terrill was verbally abusive, attempted to physically interfere with the arrest and ultimately made threatening statements to kill the federal officers on scene.
Specifically, Terrill approached the agents, screaming at and pushing through the agents to capture a video recording on her mobile telephone. Terrill began screaming, “ICE is here, ICE is here,” “You guys are monsters, this is insane,” “Sir, what’s your name, what’s your name,” “I can try to help you” and “I am an American civilian, I have a right to be here” as she continuously pushed into agents all while filming them.
Agents, who were identifiable by their badges, agency placards and clothing, told Terrill to “back up” several times. Terrill repeatedly attempted to push past the agents and failed to comply with any commands. Agents notified Terrill that she could be arrested if she continued to fail to comply with their requests to give them space to safely effect the arrest.
Terrill yelled, “Charlie Kirk died, and we love it… We’re coming for you, gonna kill you.” The incident was captured on agents’ body worn cameras and allegedly on Terrill’s mobile telephone.
The charge of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by simple assault provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and Colin T. Missett of the of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Lynchburg Man to Serve More Than 17 Years for Selling Fentanyl and Methamphetamine While Possessing an Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Lynchburg man, who was in possession of more than 60 pressed fentanyl pills and over 850 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a 9 mm pistol when police pulled him over in June 2024, was sentenced this week to 210 months in federal prison.
Cordero Antonio Trent, 36, pled guilty in May 2026 to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
“This office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who possess illegal firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Illegal firearms, fentanyl, and meth present a lethal mixture that places our citizens and communities at risk. I want to thank the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Lynchburg Police Department for the work on this investigation and commitment to keeping Lynchburg safe,” First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today.
“This sentence represents a comprehensive approach, where local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate to relentlessly pursue violent drug traffickers distributing dangerous narcotics in Southwestern Virginia,” said Shane Todd, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division. "Together, we remain committed to safeguarding our communities and ensuring that justice prevails. Our united efforts not only disrupt the flow of illicit substances but also help to dismantle the criminal networks that threaten the safety of our citizens.”
According to court documents, on June 26, 2024, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a silver Dodge Charger in which Trent was a passenger. Law enforcement had been searching for Trent, who had active warrants for his arrest.
During the traffic stop, officers saw an orange and black backpack between Trent’s legs. Trent was removed from the vehicle and searched. He was found in possession of two cellular phones and a bag of marijuana. In addition, Trent was in possession of $4,900 in cash.
Additionally, in a small bag around Trent’s neck, officers found a plastic bag containing 61 pressed fentanyl pills. Inside the orange and black backpack, officers found a large bag containing a white crystal substance ultimately determined to be 850 grams of methamphetamine.
In the glove compartment, immediately in front of where Trent was sitting, officers found an FNH 9 mm pistol. The firearm was tested and determined to have a latent fingerprint that matched Trent.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lynchburg Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Welsh is prosecuting the case.
Keithville Man Sentenced to Six Years for Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT – On August 24, 2026, United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Jacob L. Weaver, 25, of Keithville, to 72 months in federal prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm with Ammunition after his April 28, 2026, guilty plea.
According to court documents, on July 25, 2025, Shreveport Police Department (SPD) officers responded to an alert regarding a stolen gray Kia traveling eastbound on Kings Highway. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at high speeds through several residential areas before crashing into a soccer goal on the campus of a local school. Weaver, along with two other occupants, fled on foot. After a brief pursuit, Weaver was tased and detained. Inside the stolen Kia, officers found a backpack in the back seat containing a loaded pistol, which had been reported stolen in 2020. In recorded jail calls, Weaver admitted to being a backseat passenger in the vehicle, acknowledged procuring the firearm, and admitted he was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing it.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
(SPD) investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Foster with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Emily Favrot.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 26-00007.
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(337) 262-6704Jefferson City Man Indicted for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury for multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl, including one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.
Bryan Isiah Thomas was previously charged in a two-count indictment filed in the Western District of Missouri on July 21, 2026. A federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo. returned a superseding indictment today alleging that Thomas distributed fentanyl in Cole County on three separate occasions in March 2026, including one occasion where the fentanyl caused the death of another.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan T. Duenckel. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Jacksonville brothers charged with nitazene distributionRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two brothers from Jacksonville, Florida, were arrested on Aug. 28 on charges of conspiracy to distribute nitazenes, synthetic opioids similar to fentanyl but that can match or surpass fentanyl’s potency.
According to court documents, Vladislav Chernyshov, 35, a naturalized U.S. Citizen, and Stanislav Chernyshov, 30, a Russian national illegally residing in Jacksonville, allegedly distributed counterfeit oxycodone pills on the darknet operating under the moniker “BarbaraWhite.” Laboratory analysis of the counterfeit pills sold in the conspiracy, which bore markings mimicking pharmaceutically manufactured oxycodone pills, found them to be laced with various nitazenes, including Protonitazene, Metonitazene, N-Pyrrolidino Etonitazene, and N-Pyrrolidino Isotonitazene. These pills were marketed on the darknet as being “fent free,” though the substances identified have been found to be potentially more potent than fentanyl. Law enforcement began its investigation following a fatal overdose in Arlington.
If convicted, Vladislav and Stanislav Chernyshov face a maximum penalty of at least twenty years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jeffrey L. Tyler, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal Division; Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Detroit Division; and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), made the announcement. The FBI’s Atlanta and Jacksonville Field Offices, the USPIS Fort Worth and Miami Divisions, and the Clay County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather D. Call and Catherine Rosenberg are prosecuting the case.
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. 1:26-mj-336.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Inmate Serving Life Sentence for Murder Pleads Guilty to Stealing $354,813.98 in Veterans BenefitsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Zachary Hess Dawson, 39, an inmate at the Mount Olive Correctional Complex, pleaded guilty today to theft of public money. Dawson admitted that he fraudulently obtained $354,813.98 in United States Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Dawson received the recurring benefits beginning on or about January 12, 2017, and continuing to on or about September 30, 2025. As part of his guilty plea, Dawson admitted that he obtained the benefits fraudulently by falsely claiming that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his U.S. Army service in Afghanistan during the summer of 2009. Dawson further admitted that he knew he was not eligible for the benefits, and knowingly and willfully made false statements to VA and Veterans Benefits Administration officials to obtain them.
Dawson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7, 2027, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Dawson also owes $354,813.98 in restitution.
Dawson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in November 2024 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in Greenbrier County Circuit Court in the fatal Thanksgiving 2022 beating of his wife in Alderson.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG).
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.
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. 2:26-cr-84.
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Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced for Immigration ViolationRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Mexican National, illegally inside the United States, was sentenced to federal prison today for immigration crimes.
Claudia Susana Vargas-Rosas, 39, pled guilty to illegally reentering the United States and was sentenced to 8 months in federal prison and 1 year of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
According to court documents, Vargas-Rosas was deported in 2018 after serving her sentence in state prison for striking a dependent child with a meat tenderizer.
On September 7, 2023, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents learned that Vargas-Rosas had been arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Washington County, Oregon. Vargas-Rosas’s criminal history includes prior state convictions for Assault IV, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance. She has also been arrested for multiple probation violations.
On April 21, 2026, Vargas-Rosas was charged with illegally reentering the United States. Vargas-Rosas made her initial appearance on May 5, 2026, and was detained.
This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Illegal Alien with Five Deportations and Multiple Felony Convictions Charged for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Guatemalan national, who has felony convictions for battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm out of Washoe, Nevada, false statement to a federal officer out of the Southern District of California, and has two felony convictions for illegal reentry, made his initial court appearance today to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.
“Repeat criminal offenders who treat our nation's borders as a revolving door will face the full weight of federal prosecution,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Under Title 8 of the United States Code, unlawful reentry after a previous deportation—particularly following aggravated felony convictions—constitutes a federal felony carrying substantial prison time under federal sentencing guidelines.”
Milton Daniel Lopez-Bonilla is charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Rodriguez-Betanco is a citizen and national of Guatemala who was previously deported five times: October 5, 1998, February 6, 1999, May 12, 2004, February 5, 2008, and July 10, 2020, and reentered the United States illegally.
On August 16, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took Lopez-Bonilla into custody after he was arrested in Reno, Nevada, on a prostitution-related charge. This will be Lopez-Bonilla’s third prosecution for illegal reentry into the United States.
If convicted, Lopez-Bonilla faces the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.
The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated these cases; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted these cases.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
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.
A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Illegal Alien Who Operated Large Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring from State Prison Sentenced to Federal Prison with Four OthersRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Ismael Guerrero-Moya, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his role in coordinating the distribution of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine from his Waycross, Georgia prison cell. Four other members of the trafficking ring previously were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
“This illegal alien, who was serving a 30-year sentence for methamphetamine trafficking, orchestrated large-scale drug dealing using a contraband phone in state prison and a network of meth cooks and drug traffickers beyond prison walls,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “As a result of seamless coordination of federal, state, and local authorities in the Homeland Security Task Force, Guerrero-Moya’s operation has been dismantled, and he is now headed to federal prison for 30 years without the possibility of parole.”
“This case is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local partners come together through the Homeland Security Task Force. Despite being incarcerated, this defendant continued coordinating the distribution of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “HSTF partnerships allow us to connect investigative resources, disrupt sophisticated trafficking networks, and ensure that those who threaten our communities are brought to justice.”
“Guerrero-Moya’s continued criminal activity from inside a state prison shows the persistent threat posed by transnational drug traffickers who exploit every opportunity to keep poisoning our communities,” said Steven N. Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Using a contraband phone and outside criminal associates, he directed a methamphetamine trafficking network that moved hundreds of pounds of dangerous drugs. HSI and our federal, state, and local partners will continue to target and dismantle these organizations wherever they operate to protect public safety and hold offenders accountable.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In 2012, a Superior Court judge in Fayette County, Georgia sentenced Guerrero-Moya to 30 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during commission of a felony. While serving his sentence in state prison, Guerrero-Moya used a contraband cell phone to resume his drug trafficking operation, with the assistance of Michael Childers, who used an auto repair shop to conceal methamphetamine in vehicles. In addition, Salvador Bolanos Villalpando and Jose Jovani Toledo operated a methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Ellenwood, Georgia on behalf of Guerrero-Moya. The organization also included Kamal Hussein Espinosa, a multi-kilogram methamphetamine dealer, who purchased methamphetamine from Guerrero-Moya while on parole for a prior drug trafficking conviction.
In March 2020, federal investigators, working with state partners, dismantled Guerrero-Moya’s drug network through a series of seizures and arrests, taking over 500 pounds of methamphetamine off the street, including 150 pounds of methamphetamine seized from a residence in Ellenwood, Georgia, and 30 pounds of methamphetamine recovered from a vehicle in Atlanta, Georgia.
Yesterday, Ismael Guerrero-Moya, 51, of Dieciocho de Marzo, Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced to 30 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Guerrero-Moya was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 10, 2025, after he pleaded guilty.
The following defendants were previously sentenced in this case:
- Salvador Bolanos Villalpando, 56, of Buenavista Tomatlán, Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced to ten years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Jose Jovani Toledo, 36, of Torrance, California, was sentenced to six years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Michael Childers, 51, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to seven years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Kamal Hussein Espinosa, 44, of Dallas, Georgia, was sentenced to fourteen years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, with valuable assistance provided by Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Corrections, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant United States Attorneys John T. DeGenova and Matthew R. LaGrone, and former Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lyons, prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Hardin County Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Lytrice Adams, 36, of Savannah, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in July 2023, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking operation in Hardin County, Tennessee. During the investigation, agents utilized controlled purchases of methamphetamine, Title III wiretaps, and other investigative tactics.
Using wiretap interceptions, agents identified Alveto Higgins—who was then residing in Middle Tennessee—as the supplier of the operation. The controlled purchases were made from Adams and Higgins at Adams’s residence in Savannah. Agents were ultimately able to purchase over 350 grams of actual methamphetamine from Adams and Higgins.
Following her guilty plea to distributing methamphetamine, United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Adams to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Higgins has also pled guilty in this case, and he will be sentenced later this year.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Using various methods, techniques, sources, and strategies, we are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations. Drug dealers can no longer hide in any part of the Western District of Tennessee, and this sentence demonstrates our commitment to remove poison peddlers from our streets."
“Drug dealers like Lytrice Adams, who poison our communities and display little to no empathy for their victims, should expect to meet the full weight of our justice system,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott. “The lengthy sentence handed down today should give Ms. Adams time to reflect on her criminal actions and hopefully she’ll come out of prison a better person.”
This case was investigated by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the 24th Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the media relations team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Grand jury indicts local man for threatening federal judges in IndianaRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced, that on Aug. 26, a federal grand jury indicted Joseph Dale Lewis, 45, from Dallas, for threatening to kill multiple federal judges in Indiana.
Lewis was charged by criminal complaint July 31 for threatening to assault, kidnap or murder federal officials with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against such officials on account of the performance of their official duties.
“Threats against federal judges and elected officials strike at the foundation of our republic, and will not be tolerated by this office,” said the U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This office is committed to standing up for our other branches of government, at both the state and federal level, so they can exercise their authorities under our constitution free from intimidation and violence.”
“The FBI thoroughly investigates anyone who threatens the life of a federal judge or elected official,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We take these offenses seriously and ask the public to report threatening behavior to law enforcement.”
According to the criminal complaint, an individual identifying himself as Joseph Dale Lewis allegedly called the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and stated, “Two of your (Federal) judges are going to die today, get the [expletive] out the building.” The caller’s number displayed the name Joseph Lewis.
That same day, three federal judges in the Southern District of Indiana reportedly received an email from [email protected] with the subject line “Trump was murdered.” The message referenced “hitting Federal judges in Indiana with airstrikes … and the FBI in Indiana,” constituting a threat of violence against federal officials. The email was signed “Joseph Dale Lewis.”
During an interview with the defendant’s mother, Laverne Barker, she allegedly confirmed Lewis’ telephone number, which was used to threaten two federal judges and also advised that his email address is [email protected], which closely resembles [email protected], the account used to send the threatening message to three federal judges.
Lewis’ Initial Appearance hearing was set for Aug. 3, but it was re-calendared because the defendant had to be forcibly removed from the courtroom after making multiple outbursts directed at the judge. During the second attempt on Aug. 5, Lewis again disrupted the proceedings with outbursts and threats directed at the judge and United States Marshals Service officers present, leading to his forcible removal from the courtroom.
If convicted, Lewis faces 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI and the United States Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Sterbcow from the Major Crimes section is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Granby Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KYLE CHAMBERS, 31, of Granby, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to offenses related to his unlawful possession and trafficking of firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 30, 2024, the FBI received multiple tips about Chambers’ possession of explosives at his residence on Salmon Brook Road in Granby and his intention to detonate explosives on New Year’s Eve. On December 31, 2024, Chambers was arrested on related state charges after a court-authorized search of his residence revealed dozens of firearms, ghost guns, machinegun conversion devices, ammunition, materials that tested positive for explosive substances, a 3D printer, and other items. The investigation subsequently revealed that Chambers had sold guns to other individuals and regularly coordinated the purchase and sale of firearms and firearm-related materials with others.
Chambers pleaded guilty to firearm trafficking conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; unlawful possession of a machinegun, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and possession of an unregistered firearm muffler/silencer in violation of the National Firearms Act, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for November 25.
Chambers has been detained since his arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI and the Granby Police Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Justyn P. Stokely.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Hartford for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 360 Months in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking as Part of a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) InvestigationRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Robert Lamons II, 33 years old, of Fort Wayne, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Lamons was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant will spend the next three decades behind bars for running a large, illicit distribution network of poisonous fentanyl throughout Northern Indiana for several years, recruiting others and using a minor for transportation and delivery. He coordinated the shipment of massive quantities of fentanyl pills from Arizona to Indiana. Lamons recruited others to help him transport these drug shipments on commercial airline flights, including a minor under the age of 18. After the shipments arrived, he used others to distribute his pills in northeastern Indiana. His reckless disregard for his fellow Hoosiers by profiting from unleashing this poison was despicable. Thanks to the partnership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the FBI, Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and Fort Wayne Police Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory; the Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department; the Glendale (Arizona) Police Department; the Allen County (Indiana) Prosecuting Attorney’s Office led by Michael McAlexander and NDIN AUSA’s Anthony W. Geller and Lesley J. Miller Lowery, the Defendant has been taken out of circulation and the community is safer,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“Thirty years in federal prison is a significant sentence, and it reflects the seriousness of what Robert Lamons did. He made the choice to put fentanyl on the streets in Indiana and people pay the price for that choice. Our message is simple: If you bring this poison into our communities, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the FBI, Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and Fort Wayne Police Department. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory, the Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department, the Glendale (Arizona) Police Department, and the Allen County (Indiana) Prosecuting Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Crossroads comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, USAINN, USAINS, DEA, ATF, IRS, USPIS, USMS, and ISP with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana
Fort Walton Beach Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Elliot Maurice Bell, 40, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Fentanyl. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This repeat offender’s days of flooding our streets with deadly drugs has come to an end thanks to the excellent investigative work of the Florida Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This lengthy sentence should put other criminals on notice: this office will aggressively prosecute anyone who peddles drugs in the Northern District of Florida, and we will seek maximum punishments of those offenders to keep our streets drug-free.”
According to court records, on April 28, 2024, Bell fled from Florida Highway Patrol. Law enforcement performed a PIT maneuver on his vehicle and after the vehicle was stopped Bell was arrested. A search of the vehicle incident to his arrest revealed methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
“DEA and its law enforcement partners continue to bring drug traffickers in the Florida Pan Handle to justice,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. “We won’t stop until our communities and streets are free from this criminal activity.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey M. Tharp.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Former Schererville Insurance Agent Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Life Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Thomas J. Lemmen, 51 years old, of Schererville, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Lemmen was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,601,505.27 in restitution to the victims of the offense.
According to documents in the case, Thomas Lemmen worked as a licensed independent insurance agent in the state of Indiana since 2012. Between 2020 and 2022, Lemmen used his position to operate a Ponzi-style fraud scheme that allowed him to profit by writing high volumes of fraudulent life insurance policies. On thousands of separate occasions, Lemmen wrote life insurance policies in the names of current, former, and prospective clients without their knowledge or consent. As part of the policy writing process, Lemmen unlawfully used sensitive information such as his victims’ names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and details about their family history. Lemmen also forged the digital signatures of the purported applicants on various legal documents, including medical records releases that caused the disclosure of the victims’ sensitive medical and pharmaceutical information to the insurance companies. Most of Lemmen’s identity theft victims were retirees and elderly residents of Northwest Indiana. Lemmen profited through the commission payments he received each time he wrote a new fraudulent policy. Lemmen also took sophisticated steps to make his fictitious insurance policies appear legitimate and avoid detection for over two and a half years.
In all, Lemmen wrote more than 2,000 fraudulent life insurance policies in the names of hundreds of victims, receiving over $5 million in commissions to which he was not entitled. Lemmen used the proceeds to fund the continued operation of the scheme and for his own personal spending. Among other things, Lemmen spent significant sums on home furnishings and renovations, including on an outdoor pool at his home, and on frequent travel. In April 2023, the Indiana Department of Insurance took administrative action to prevent the renewal of Lemmen’s license to sell insurance in the state of Indiana.
“Hundreds of people trusted Thomas Lemmen to write life insurance policies to protect themselves and their loved ones. But he betrayed that trust and fraudulently obtained millions of dollars to which he was not entitled. Thanks to the combined efforts of the FBI, the United States Bankruptcy Trustee for Region 10, and Assistant United States Attorney Zach Heater, the public can see that those who choose to commit fraud will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
“Lemmen took advantage of his position and ripped off a lot of people - including seniors - just to line his own pockets. He took information people trusted him with and used it against them. These people thought they were protecting their families, and instead, he made them victims,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI and our partners are on it. We’re digging into these complicated fraud schemes, we’re following the money, and we’re going to chase these cases down. Criminals like Lemmen need to be held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the United States Bankruptcy Trustee for Region 10. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater.
Former Homeland Security Employee Pleads Guilty in $250,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Richeline Anisso Fung, 46, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, and formerly of Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims while working as a full-time employee for the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS-CISA), announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Richeline Fung stole a quarter‑million dollars from the American taxpayer, and today she stands as a convicted felon who will be required to pay full restitution,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Let this be unmistakable: if you defraud the American people, federal agents will come knocking. Nationwide initiatives across federal agencies are rapidly detecting, rooting out, and prosecuting wrongdoing to protect every taxpayer dollar as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.”
The Honorable Sparkle Sooknanan accepted Fung’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for Jan. 20, 2027.
“No profession is immune from prosecution,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Richeline Fung abused her positions as a federal employee and government contractor to steal nearly $250,000 from the U.S. government. Public service is a public trust, not an opportunity to defraud American taxpayers. We will continue to hold accountable anyone who defrauds the United States, regardless of title or agency.”
According to court documents, Fung was a full-time DHS-CISA employee between September 2016 and October 2025. She lived in Maryland when she started working for DHS-CISA but moved to Florida. Between January 2021 and August 2024, Fung served in multiple federal government contractor positions despite being a full-time U.S. government employee with DHS-CISA. She worked as a contractor for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Energy, Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). She served in these positions as a direct employee or as an independent contractor/consultant through her business RAF Pro-Consulting, LLC, which she incorporated in Florida in 2020.
In connection with her employment, Fung submitted timesheets certifying the number of hours she worked each pay period. Fung routinely overstated those hours, even claiming to work more than 24 hours in a single day on multiple occasions.
For example, in February 2022, Fung was employed by DHS-CISA and three different federal contractors performing work for USDA, FHWA, and DOJ. For that month alone, Fung’s combined hours totaled more than 24 hours in a single day on 15 occasions. Shockingly, she claimed to work 33 hours on February 7, 8, 9, and 10, and 32 hours on February 11.
Fung admitted that she concealed her employment with DHS-CISA and the federal contractors from each other. She also acknowledged that she was able to conceal her employment because she teleworked for all the positions during the relevant period.
Fung also admitted that her criminal conduct caused the U.S. government to suffer a loss of nearly a quarter million dollars. As part of her plea agreement, she must pay full restitution.
This case was investigated by the Offices of the Inspector General for AmeriCorps, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI Washington Field Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President JD Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Former Gymnastics Coach Admits Engaging in Sexual Activity with Two 13-Year-OldsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former gymnastics coach on Wednesday admitted engaging in unlawful sexual activity with two 13-year-olds.
Marco A. Zomphier, 32, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. He admitted meeting the first victim in 2012, when she was a member of a YMCA dance/gymnastics program and Zomphier was a coach/member of that program. They began communicating via text messages, the ooVoo video call app and the Kik messaging app. Zomphier praised his victim in those communications, flirted with her and professed his love for her. “I love you…. You’re the only girl I want to be Mrs. Zomphier,” he wrote at one point.
Zomphier convinced the victim to have him over at her house. There, he molested her but was unsuccessful in coercing her to have sex with him, his plea agreement says. On one occasion at her home, he tried to push her into her bedroom. Zomphier’s abuse of the victim ended around May of 2013.
In late 2021, the second victim met Zomphier at the Collinsville gymnastics program where he was a coach. They began communicating via Snapchat. Zomphier’s messages became more sexual in nature in January of 2022. They engaged in unlawful sexual activity in the parking lot of a store near her home and at his home in Bethalto, Illinois.
Zomphier is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will recommend a sentence of 25 years in prison.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Bethalto Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Foreign Nationals Indicted and in Federal Custody for Alleged $40M Timeshare FraudRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – As part of a Homeland Security Task Force case, two Mexican nationals were extradited to the United States this week after being indicted in a federal court in San Antonio for allegedly running a timeshare fraud resale scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, Christian Felipe Rodriguez Peraza aka Jose Mario Ochoa Rodriguez, of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, and his wife Brenda Tamayo Corona aka Jazmin Oliva Chacon, of Mexico, along with co-defendants Michael Ian Hollands, of the United Kingdom, and Yorlena Alfonso Cuesta, allegedly conspired to victimize U.S. citizens who owned timeshares on Mexico’s pacific coast. The perpetrators deceived timeshare owners by telling them that their properties had been sold, but that proceeds could only be collected if the victims paid various fees and taxes in advance. In so doing, the fraudsters posed as U.S. and Mexican government officials and used the identities of real American lawyers to lend credence to their claims. An indictment alleges that Rodriguez, through Hollands and other co-conspirators, laundered the victims’ funds through U.S.-based entities and bank accounts. The indictment alleges the group, led by Rodriguez, stole more than $40 million from timeshare owners.
Rodriguez, Tamayo, Hollands, and Cuesta are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. Rodriguez and Tamayo were arrested in France earlier this year and, on Monday, were extradited to the United States. They made their initial court appearances Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kelly Stephenson of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud charge and 20 years for the money laundering conspiracy charge. The third charge, conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions, carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“Many of the elderly victims in this case sent all the money they had and more based on the lies told to them by this group of fraudsters,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “In case you haven’t noticed, this Department of Justice is uniquely committed to rooting out fraud in all of its forms, especially fraud conducted against Americans by transnational criminal organizations like this one. The long arm of American justice will continue to reach out and touch those who seek to enrich themselves to the detriment of Americans.”
“Our criminal investigators have been at the center of this investigation as a core part of our responsibility to detect and prevent threats to the integrity of Treasury programs and operations,” said Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General. “Impersonation of government agencies victimizes countless Americans daily. We are proud that these joint law enforcement efforts have brought these individuals to justice.”
“This alleged $40 million scheme was a brazen attempt to exploit timeshare owners and profit from deception, and we will continue working to identify and disrupt fraud schemes that target the public,” said DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D. “We thank our federal and international partners for their tireless efforts to hold those accused of these crimes accountable.”
“The fraud network uncovered through this investigation represents a calculated and deeply harmful scheme driven by international criminals who preyed on U.S. timeshare owners,” said Jeffrey Tyler, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division. “The FBI remains fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations and ensure that those responsible for exploiting victims and laundering their proceeds are held accountable.”
Co-defendants Hollands and Cuesta were previously apprehended, and their matters are currently pending.
This matter was investigated by the United States Department of Treasury – Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Government of France to secure the arrest and August 31 extradition of Rodriguez Peraza and Tamayo Corona to the United States.
If you feel that you may have been a victim of a fraudulent advance fee scheme related to Mexican timeshares, please fill out the requested information at https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/TimeShare-Wf/view. Law enforcement will attempt to verify the potential loss and confirm that it is related to the scheme charged in this matter. Please be advised that several similar schemes operated during the same time period, and so your loss may not be tied to the matter charged in this case. While we cannot guarantee that any specific claim can be addressed or funds recovered, the agencies will do their best to vet and verify any submissions.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Federal Jury Convicts Man and Woman of Interfering with Federal Officers Performing Official Duties and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal jury in Charlotte returned a guilty verdict today against William Stanley, 25, and Heather Morrow, 45, both of Charlotte, for impeding and disrupting the performance of official duties of government employees; failure to comply with the lawful direction of an authorized individual; and obstructing the entrance on a federal property. Morrow was also found guilty of assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with federal officers performing their official duties. Stanley was found not guilty of that offense. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew E. Orso presided over the trial.
According to court documents, trial evidence, and witness testimony, on November 16, 2025, Morrow and Stanley, aiding and abetting one another, willfully entered federal property, specifically, the grounds of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE/ERO) building in Charlotte. Trial evidence established that, while there, Stanley and Morrow engaged in disorderly conduct and other actions that unreasonably obstructed the usual use of the building’s entrances and parking lots. For example, according to evidence presented at trial and witness testimony, Stanley, Morrow, and three other individuals placed cones on the entrance driveway to the federal property and formed a human chain, blocking ERO Deportation Officers from entering in their official vehicles. In addition, Morrow’s vehicle was parked in the exit lane, blocking vehicles from exiting the federal property.
U.S. v. Stanley and Morrow – On Nov. 16, 2025, the defendants and others placed cones blocking the entrance to the federal property.
U.S. v. Stanley and Morrow – On Nov. 16, 2025, Morrow’s vehicle was used to block the exit lane of the federal property
Trial evidence further established that Stanley and Morrow’s conduct impeded and disrupted ERO Deportation Officers in the performance of their official duties and the defendants failed to comply with the lawful direction of ERO Deportation Officers. According to trial evidence, Stanley stood in front of the government-issued vehicle of an ERO Deportation Officer, blocking the officer from entering the property. Stanley then placed his hands on the hood of the ERO Deportation Officer’s vehicle to stop the officer from entering. While the ERO Deportation Officer was attempting to arrest Stanley, Morrow grabbed the officer by the shoulder, interfering with the officer’s attempt to take Stanley into custody, thereby forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, and intimidating the ERO Deportation Officer while he was engaged in the performance of their official duties, with such acts constituting simple assault.
U.S. v. Stanley and Morrow – On Nov. 16, 2025, Stanley attempted to stop an ERO Deportation Officer’s government-issued vehicle from entering the federal property
U.S. v. Stanley and Morrow – On Nov. 16, 2025, Morrow assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, and intimidated the ERO Deportation Officer while he was engaged attesting to place Stanley in custody.
The defendants were released on bond. A sentencing date has not been set.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Smith and Caryn Finley prosecuted the case
Federal Judge Orders Illegal Alien to Pay Nearly $10,000 and Serve Prison Time for Ramming ICE Vehicles in JanuaryRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – An illegal alien from Cuba was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio on Tuesday to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $10,000 in restitution for destruction of government property, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, Robyn Argote-Brooks, 26, of Havana, Cuba, used his vehicle to damage an SUV and a sedan, both of which were property of the United States and maintained by ICE. The amount of damage to each vehicle exceeded $1,000.
Argote-Brooks was arrested and charged via complaint with one count of destruction of government property. An indictment filed Feb. 4 added a second destruction of government property count as well as a charge of forcibly assaulting a federal officer. On May 8, a federal jury convicted Argote-Brooks of both destruction of government property counts.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced Argote-Brooks to 10 months in federal prison for each count, which will run concurrently. Biery also ordered three years of supervised release, a $200 special assessment, and $9,767 in restitution for the damages.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Walker and Todd Keagle 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.
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FBI Operation Tempest Targets Worst of the Worst in Rio Arriba CountyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A coordinated, multi-agency law enforcement operation targeting the 10 most dangerous offenders identified by tribal and local law enforcement partners has resulted in federal charges against individuals accused of violent crime, firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking in northern New Mexico.
Operation Tempest, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, grew out of a September 2025 meeting convened by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison with federal, tribal and local law enforcement leaders. During the meeting, law enforcement leaders identified cartel-related activity and the violent offenders, firearms violations and drug trafficking associated with it as significant threats to communities in northern New Mexico.
Those efforts became the foundation for Operation Tempest, through which federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners worked together to identify, investigate and pursue federal charges against the 10 offenders identified by participating agencies as among the most dangerous threats to public safety.
“We cannot ask communities to simply accept the criminals who are causing the most harm as a fact of life. When our partners come to us with serious cases, they should know that we are going to take them seriously and use every avenue available to hold those responsible accountable. That is what we owe the communities we serve, and we are going to continue raising the standard for how we respond to the most serious threats to public safety.”
"Every arrest made through this operation represents one more step towards a safer community. Today's success demonstrates what we can accomplish when law enforcement agencies work together for a common goal," said Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. "But this is not the end. We will continue to aggressively pursue this effort throughout communities across the state, working alongside our partners to locate criminals, hold them accountable, and bring them to justice."
The individuals targeted in connection with the operation are:
- Paul H. Alejo – Alejo is charged in a federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime and possessing the firearm in furtherance of that crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges Alejo previously was convicted of attempted aggravated assault upon a peace officer.
- Larry Martinez – Martinez pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition. Martinez previously was convicted of second-degree murder. Sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2026.
- Jacob Martinez – Martinez is charged in a federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, methamphetamine and fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of those drug-trafficking crimes; and being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. The indictment alleges Martinez previously was convicted of attempted trafficking of a controlled substance, two non-residential burglaries and receiving stolen property.
- Jerome Naranjo – Naranjo pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Naranjo previously was convicted of robbery, possession of a controlled substance and escape from a community custody program. Sentencing is scheduled for November 10, 2026.
- Gino Tapia – Tapia is charged in a federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges Tapia previously was convicted of commercial burglary and two separate felon-in-possession offenses.
- Andrew Madrid – Madrid is charged in a federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges Madrid previously was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, abuse of a child and aggravated fleeing from a law enforcement officer.
- Natasha Ninette DeCosta – DeCosta is charged in a federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges DeCosta previously was convicted of attempted trafficking of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
- Felix Anthony Lewis – Lewis is charged in a federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges Lewis previously was convicted of trafficking by possession with intent to distribute.
- Michael Mena – Mena is charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime and possessing the firearm in furtherance of that crime, and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. The complaint alleges Mena previously was convicted of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance while armed, carrying a firearm in a public space and felon-in-possession offenses.
- Joe Gomez – Gomez pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition after previously being convicted of possession of a controlled substance and commercial burglary. Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2026.
Operation Tempest Participating Agencies
- U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico
- FBI Albuquerque Field Office
- Homeland Security Investigations
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- First Judicial District Attorney’s Office
- New Mexico State Police
- New Mexico National Guard
- Santa Fe Police Department
- Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office
- Taos County Sheriff’s Office
- Española Police Department
- Santa Clara Tribal Police Department
- Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Police Department
- Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department
- Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety
- Tesuque Pueblo Police Department
Operation Tempest is the first in a series of coordinated enforcement efforts that will be conducted throughout New Mexico, each focused on identifying and targeting the most dangerous offenders driving violence in communities across the state.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated these cases. The cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
Executive of Indian Chemical Company Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Distributing and Smuggling Fentanyl Precursor ChemicalsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Bhavesh Lathiya was sentenced by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen to 54 months in prison for his conviction of smuggling and distributing fentanyl precursor chemicals knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl. Lathiya was the leader and founder of Raxuter Chemicals, a company based in Surat, India, that illegally sold and smuggled more than 50 pounds of chemicals commonly used to manufacture fentanyl. As part of the case, the defendant was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $24,560. The defendant pleaded guilty in April 2026 and will be deported upon completion of his prison term.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Pete Gizas, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), announced the sentence.
“During a national crisis when hundreds of Americans were dying every day of fentanyl overdoses, Lathiya smuggled and distributed chemical ingredients, including those that were the building blocks for this deadly drug, without any regard for the harm that his conduct would cause,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “With today’s sentence, the message is loud and clear that our Office will hold precursor traffickers like the defendant accountable for their role in the fentanyl supply chain.”
“Bhavesh Lathiya’s conduct placed him at the source of the fentanyl supply chain, where he knowingly moved the chemical building blocks of a lethal drug into the United States through deception, false labeling, and international shipments in a prosecution that breaks new ground against an India-based supplier. By feeding the market for fentanyl at its earliest stage, he turned chemical commerce into a direct threat to public safety, widening the reach of a drug that continues to inflict profound harm across our communities. This Homeland Security Task Force investigation, co-led by HSI New York, demonstrates our resolve to attack the fentanyl supply chain before the poison is manufactured, packaged, and sold to the public,” stated HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Gizas.
As set forth in court filings, Lathiya supplied precursor chemicals to the United States and Mexico, among other places, despite knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl. He and his company also sent their chemical products to the United States and Mexico using international mail and package carriers. The chemicals distributed by the defendant included all the materials necessary to manufacture fentanyl via the most common pathways. To prevent detection and interception of chemical products at the borders, the defendant employed deceptive and fraudulent practices, such as mislabeling packages and falsifying customs forms.
For example, on or about June 29, 2024, a package shipped by Raxuter Chemicals was delivered to an address in the Eastern District of New York. The package had a false manifest that listed its contents as Vitamin C. In truth, the contents were a List I chemical, 1-boc-4-piperidone, an unlawfully imported fentanyl precursor.
On or about October 2, 2024 and October 15, 2024, Lathiya appeared on a video call to discuss sale of fentanyl precursor chemicals with an HSI undercover officer. After being told by the undercover officer that his “clients in Mexico were very happy with the quality of what you sent me” and with “the yield they got of the final product,” Lathiya agreed to sell 20 kilograms 1-boc-4-piperidone, which is a List I chemical used in fentanyl synthesis. Lathiya also proposed mislabeling the chemical as an antacid. The undercover officer replied and asked if it would be easier to ship the product to Mexico, stating “This is a very controversial product … Because like you said it’s banned and in Mexico I think it could be easier but there’s so much pressure on them because of fentanyl.” On or about November 23, 2024, Raxuter Chemicals and Lathiya shipped approximately 20 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone to the Eastern District of New York. The package was mislabeled as an antacid.
Mexican drug trafficking organizations, including but not limited to the Sinaloa Cartel, have increasingly availed themselves of the fentanyl precursors developed and distributed by companies like the defendant’s, including in India and China.
This sentence follows the Office’s pathbreaking indictments of three Chinese chemical companies and three employees in United States v. Anhui Rencheng Technology Co. (Rencheng) Ltd et al. and United States v. Hefei GSK Trade Co. Ltd, et al., charging them with similar offenses, including conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute a List I chemical, distribution of a List I chemical, and customs fraud conspiracy.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Amir, William P. Campos, Chand Edwards-Balfour, and Katherine P. Onyshko are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Cleon Thomas and Zoubida Bicane.
The Defendant:BHAVESH RANCHHODBHAI LATHIYA (also known as “Bhavesh Patel,” “Bhavesh Bhai,” and “Bhavesh Lathia”)
Age: 37
Surat, Gujarat, India
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-525 (S-2) (PKC)Eight Charged in Boone County Cyber Crime Investigation Involving Minors and Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced eight prosecutions arising from a proactive investigation by the Boone County Cyber Crimes Taskforce.
During the week of June 22, 2026, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office conducted a proactive undercover operation seeking out potential online child sexual predators. Undercover law enforcement posed as a minor female on an online platform advertising “escort” services. Each of the individuals below traveled to an agreed upon location to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
Daniel Walter Follett, 57, Columbia, Mo.-On Sept. 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the former general counsel for the Missouri Department of Revenue with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 23, 2026, Follett allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Rollie Howard Pogue, 30, Moberly, Mo.-On Sept. 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the prior sex offender with one count of attempted enticement of a minor, one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, and one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender. On June 23, 2026, Pogue allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Jose Alfredo Jimenez-Hernandez, 54, Columbia, Mo.-On Sept. 1, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the illegal alien with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 23, 2026, Jimenez-Hernandez allegedly traveled to a gas station in Columbia to meet with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18. Jimenez-Hernandez intended to pay the individual for sex. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nick Komoroski. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Rifat Hasan Apurba, 30, Columbia, Mo.-On Sept. 1, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the University of Missouri graduate assistant with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 22, 2026, Apurba traveled to a gas station to meet an individual he believed was under the age of 18. Apurba intended to pay the individual for sex. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Collins. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Ethan Schmidt Deimeke, 28, Columbia, Mo.-On Sept. 1, 2026, a federal grand jury charged the local attorney with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 24, 2026, Deimeke allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nick Komoroski. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Brice Leslie Morris, 35, Columbia, Mo- On Sept. 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Morris with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 24, 2026, Morris allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with an individual he believed to be under the age of 18. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
John Binu, 25, Jefferson City, Mo.- On Sept. 1, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Binu with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count attempted sex trafficking of a minor. On June 25, 2026, Binu allegedly traveled to a hotel in Columbia to pay for sex with two individuals he believed to be under the age of 18. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States attorney Nick Komoroski. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
David Allen Burres, 32, Plattsburg, Mo. On Sept. 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Burres, an over the road trucker, with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of receipt of child pornography. On June 24, 2026, Burres allegedly met an individual he believed to be 14 years old on a chat application. This was during the same proactive investigation but involved a law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old female on a chat application. Burres attempted to entice the individual to engage in sexual activity. Burres traveled to a Walmart in Columbia to meet with the individual he believed to be 14 years old. Burres intended for the minor child to ride with him in his truck and engage in sexual activity. After his arrest, law enforcement located Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on Burres’ cellular telephone. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the State Technical Assistance Team (STAT), and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
The charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Eastern District of Texas prosecutes multiple defendants as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigations in August 2026Read the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
In the Eastern District of Texas, three defendants were sentenced to a total of 386 months in federal prison during the month of August as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Additionally, another defendant was convicted by a jury of drug trafficking violations and faces life in federal prison at sentencing.
On August 6, 2026, Jose Romero-Sanchez, 25, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas, was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison for receiving multi-kilo quantities of methamphetamine from Mexico and storing them at his residence for further distribution.
On August 25, 2026, a Dallas man was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Joshua Isaiah Castillo, 31, is responsible for trafficking large amounts of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and fentanyl powder in bulk form for redistribution.
On August 27, 2026, Jose Guadalupe Lopez-Arana, 41, a Mexican national illegally living in Irving, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for laundering between $150,000 and $250,000 in drug proceeds.
On August 27, 2026, 45-year-old Colombian, Nelson Javier Christancho Parada, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of federal drug trafficking violations. Christancho Parada used his skills as a machinist to manufacture water bag rolls with a false compartment in them. He and others filled the false void with kilograms of cocaine that were intended to be sent to the United States. The Colombia National Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and DEA were able to seize 1,207 kilograms of cocaine on November 22, 2019, on the island of San Andres, Colombia, that were sent in a cargo shipment. The cocaine was found in hidden voids in the containers that Christancho Parada manufactured. He faces life in federal prison at sentencing.
“Christancho Parada’s verdict marks another significant step in our ongoing efforts to dismantle the transnational criminal networks that threaten the safety and security of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “This defendant exploited his technical skills to hide more than a metric ton of cocaine destined for the United States, but through the dedication of our Colombian partners and the unwavering commitment of Homeland Security Task Force agencies, his scheme was uncovered and justice has been served. The Homeland Security Task Force represents a historic level of coordination among federal law enforcement, and this case demonstrates exactly why that partnership matters. We will continue to use every lawful tool at our disposal to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who traffic drugs, exploit vulnerable people, and endanger Americans. I am grateful for the outstanding work of our agents, officers, and prosecutors whose efforts made this outcome possible.”
HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx.
Denton County felon sentenced to federal prison for firearms violationRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas –A Denton convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Jamarez D Anthony McIntosh, 36, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on September 2, 2026.
According to information presented in court, on November 13, 2023, McIntosh was stopped for a traffic violation. During the stop, the vehicle was searched and a bag containing a loaded 9mm handgun was located. Further investigation revealed McIntosh is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to making our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
This case was investigated by the Denton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Smith.
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Dallas man receives lengthy federal prison sentence as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking cocaine in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A Dallas man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Jose Luis Gonzalez, Jr., 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on September 2, 2026.
According to information presented in court, from 2021 through 2023, Gonzalez was part of a drug trafficking conspiracy responsible for distributing multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from Mexico throughout the United States, including the Eastern District of Texas. Gonzalez is personally responsible for trafficking at least 50 kilograms of cocaine.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.
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D.C. Man Sentenced to 50 Months for Armed Robberies of Restaurants in NortheastRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Alvin Ponson, 67, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 50 months in prison in connection with the armed robberies of two fast-food restaurants in Northeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Ponson pleaded guilty on May 29 before Judge Tanya Chutkan to interference with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery). In addition to the prison term, Judge Chutkan ordered Ponson to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested an 87-month prison sentence.
According to court documents, Ponson was carrying a black handgun when he entered the Chipotle restaurant on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE, just before 7 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2026. Ponson ordered a cashier to “open the register.” The cashier refused to comply. Ponson left without any of the restaurant’s money.
Minutes later, Ponson walked into the adjacent Jersey Mike’s hoagie shop on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE. Ponson told the Jersey Mike’s cashier that he was picking up an order. The cashier went to look for it. When the cashier returned, Ponson was pointing his handgun at her. The cashier ran to the back of the store. Ponson approached another employee and ordered “Give me all that sh---!” The employee handed over cash from the register and Ponson fled in the direction of the Rhode Island-Brentwood Metro Station.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Washington Metro Transit Police with the valuable assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation- Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.
Surveillance photo of the Jersey Mike’s armed robbery.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (August 24 through August 28, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of August 24 through August 28, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On August 25, 2026, David A. Isaac-Febus, a.k.a. “Durant/Davicito,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various public housing projects in the Carolina and San Juan municipalities, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. Defendant was arrested on December 13, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for December 8, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 26, 2026, Christopher Casiano-López pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for December 2, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 26, 2026, José M. Nieves-Caraballo pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for December 2, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 27, 2026, Lázaro Escalera-Colón pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for December 2, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 28, 2026, Estephanie Torres-Bosa pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 25-306 (CVR). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess 5 kilograms or more of cocaine with intent to distribute. Defendant was arrested on July 15, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for November 30, 2026. AUSA Antonio López is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 28, 2026, César Escalante-Lizarazo pleaded guilty to count one in Criminal Case 21-317 (PAD). According to the superseding indictment, the defendant was charged for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Defendant was arrested in Colombia and extradited on March 7, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for December 11, 2026. AUSA Camille García Jiménez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On August 24, 2026, Carlos Jadriel Rivera-León, a.k.a. “Hulk/Carlitos Hulk,” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gina Méndez-Miró to 10 years of imprisonment to be followed by eight years of supervised release for participating in a drug trafficking organization that operated in and around the Manatí area, and principally out of the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 20, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-353 (GMM), and pleaded guilty on May 11, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 26, 2026, Jazhiel Ocasio-Herrera, a.k.a. “BV” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Angongiorgi-Jordán to 12 years of imprisonment to be followed by eight years of supervised release for his participation in a violent drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 27, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 26, 2026, Yander C. Santos-Ramos, a.k.a. “Mingui,” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Angongiorgi-Jordán to 78 months of imprisonment to be followed by eight years of supervised release for his participation in a violent drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 27, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 27, 2026, Keily Maisonet Ortiz was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi Jordan to two years of probation for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, and marriage fraud – aiding and abetting. According to the indictment, U.S. Citizen, Maisonet, knowingly combined, conspired, and agreed with an Uzbekistan national to enter into a marriage for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws of the United States, and aided and abetted in doing so. Defendant was indicted on June 5, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-267 (MAJ) and pleaded guilty on May 28, 2026. AUSA Emelina Agrait is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 28, 2026, Manuel O. Robles Osorio, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado to 87 months of imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on July 20, 2022, in Criminal Case 22-327 (PAD) and pleaded guilty on June 5, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced for Firearm Possession Part of Homeland Security Task Force InvestigationRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, MS – The Homeland Security Task Force initiative led to the investigation, prosecution and sentencing of Walter Walton, 34, of Coahoma County, Mississippi. Honorable Debra M. Brown, Chief United States District Court Judge, sentenced Walton today to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, the defendant knowingly possessed a firearm after he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Defendant Walton pleaded guilty to these charges on an earlier date. A Taurus .357 caliber revolver was forfeited through a stipulated final order of forfeiture.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case with assistance from the United States Marshal’s Service.
This operation and conviction are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating tin the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Jackson comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ICE ERO, CBP, CBP OFO, CBP USBP, CBP AMO, CGIS, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS and with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury indicted a Baltimore man, today, for firearm crimes in connection with the FBI’s Summer Heat 2.0 initiative.
Larry Arntay Thompson, Jr., 25, is charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Clinton J. Fuchs, U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland (USMS).
As part of the FBI initiative, on July 29, 2026, law enforcement located and arrested Thompson on an outstanding warrant for first-degree assault and firearm charges. Officers then searched Thompson and discovered a concealed loaded handgun with a large-capacity magazine and 13 rounds of live ammunition. Upon further investigation, officers determined that the firearm was reported stolen in 2024. Thompson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
Thompson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI launched “Summer Heat” for the second year in a row, targeting violent crime on a nationwide scale. It launched this multi-pronged offensive to crush violent crime. By surging resources alongside federal, state, and local partners, executing federal warrants on violent criminals and fugitives, and dismantling violent gangs nationwide, the FBI seeks to aggressively restore safety in communities across the country.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended the FBI and USMS for their work in the operation, along with the Maryland State Police, for its valuable assistance. U.S. Attorney Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Izant, who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Convicted Bank Robber Sentenced for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who was previously convicted for a bank robbery was sentenced today to more than five years in federal prison.
Tony Spies, age 56, from Wyoming, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 29, 2026, guilty plea to two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearing showed that in November 2025, Spies sold methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement on two separate occasions. On November 24, 2025, law enforcement officers stopped Spies car. Officers found methamphetamine and marijuana in the car.
Spies was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Spies was sentenced to 66 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Spies is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael S.A. Hudson and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Laboratory, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Muscatine County Drug Task Force, consisting of the Muscatine Police Department, Muscatine Conty Sheriff’s Office, and Cedar County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 26-CR-00024.
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Chicago Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Ammunition CrimesRead the Press Release
A man who distributed heroin and fentanyl and who possessed ammunition as a felon was sentenced September 1, 2026, to twelve years in federal prison.
Vincent Steven Calvin, age 66, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a March 11, 2026, guilty plea to one count of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon.
Information disclosed at the sentencing hearing showed that Calvin was involved in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in Cedar Rapids. On the evening of September 27 or the morning of September 28, 2020, a man ingested fentanyl that he had obtained from Calvin. He died from a fentanyl‑related overdose. On November 22, 2022, and January 3, 2023, law enforcement investigators purchased bought from Calvin. On January 10, 2023, officers searched Calvin’s apartment in Cedar Rapids and located multiple rounds of ammunition. Calvin was prohibited from possessing ammunition based on multiple prior felony convictions.
Calvin was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Calvin was sentenced to 144 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 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.
Calvin is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and theDrug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-CR-39.
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Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Escape After Absconding from Reentry FacilityRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Terrence Lowell Ramsey, 41, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to escape.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ramsey was in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Dismas Charities Inc., a residential reentry facility in St. Albans, when he was authorized to spend the weekend with his wife at her residence beginning on April 10, 2026, and was required to return to the facility on April 12, 2026. Ramsey failed to return to the facility as required. Law enforcement officers arrested Ramsey on April 30, 2026, in Charleston after he fled from police on a bicycle and on foot.
Ramsey was serving a sentence at Dismas Charities Inc. for violating the terms of supervised release imposed following his felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Ramsey is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2027, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service, and the Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-74.
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Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking a Victim and Admits to Kidnapping Six Other WomenRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Chad Barclay pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a victim, Jane Doe #1. Additionally, as part of his plea agreement, Barclay stipulated that he kidnapped six additional women. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Seth D. Eichenholtz. When sentenced, Barclay faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.
“This defendant is a dangerous predator who used force and intimidation to sexually assault a victim and has admitted to additional conduct including kidnapping six other women,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s guilty plea holds him accountable for the devastating harm he inflicted on his victims and sends a clear message that our Office will vigorously prosecute those who use violence, enticement, and coercion to facilitate sex trafficking. We remain committed to protecting victims of this scourge, pursuing justice on their behalf, and ensuring that perpetrators like Barclay are held responsible for their crimes.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Justice Department’s Criminal Division for their support, and the New York City Police Department for its assistance.
“Chad Barclay has now admitted that he kidnapped, violently raped, and robbed multiple female victims,” stated Assistant Attorney General Duva. “This prosecution demonstrates that we will always seek justice for survivors of trafficking and abuse to prevent more of these heinous crimes. This type of exploitation and violence has no place in our civilized society.”
“Chad Barclay’s brutal and predatory actions inflicted profound harm on his victims and demonstrated a clear disregard for their safety and humanity. The FBI and NYPD's joint investigation ensured his conduct was exposed and he was brought before the justice system to answer for his crimes. We will continue working closely with our partners to protect victims and ensure offenders are held fully accountable for their actions,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
As set forth in court filings and during today’s plea proceeding, on September 13, 2022, Barclay enticed Jane Doe #1, who he met on Eros, an online escort website, to travel from another state to his apartment in Brooklyn to engage in commercial sex. After arriving at his apartment, Barclay paid Jane Doe #1 approximately $1,500 in cash for sex. Barclay then used force to have sex with her without a condom and against her will. After raping Jane Doe #1, Barclay opened her purse and took the $1,500 he already paid her. In addition, he stole approximately $1,200 from the victim’s purse. Barclay asserted that Jane Doe #1 still owed him $1,500 for working on his turf, claiming that he “ran” Brooklyn and was part of a “Brooklyn gang” so all the women in Brooklyn worked for him and had to pay him a “tax.” When Jane Doe #1 replied that she did not have any more money, Barclay laughed and said that she was going to have to “pay or you have to work for me or you die.”
Barclay also warned Jane Doe #1 that his “guys” were in front of the building and they would kill her if she tried to leave. Barclay also confiscated her phone, forced her to unlock it with her face and reviewed the contents of her phone. After reviewing her phone, Barclay threatened Jane Doe #1 by stating that he knew where she lived and that she had a daughter. Barclay permitted her to leave after Jane Doe #1 stated that she sent a friend her location information and that her friend would call the police if she did not hear from Jane Doe #1 soon. Jane Doe #1 later reported the rape to local police and went to a hospital where a rape kit was performed.
As part of his plea agreement, Barclay stipulated to kidnapping six additional women between 2022 and 2023. Barclay engaged in a similar pattern in which he enticed commercial sex workers to come to his apartment where he robbed and sexually assaulted most of the victims.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Andy Palacio and Lorena Michelen and Trial Attorney Olimpia Michel of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
CHAD BARCLAY
Age: 33
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-242 (S-1) (FB)
Bozeman man sentenced to 4 years in prison for unlawfully carrying loaded handgunsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Bozeman man who was unlawfully carrying two loaded handguns was sentenced today to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jerron Micheal Mitchell-Fuller, 36, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to unlawfully possessing a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Mitchell-Fuller, who had been convicted of multiple felonies in the early 2010s, was found walking near I-90 in Bozeman carrying two loaded handguns. Earlier in the day, Mitchell-Fuller had taken the cell phone of a man in Bozeman, who reported the theft to police.
Law enforcement tracked down Mitchell-Fuller and interviewed him. He said he had absconded from federal supervised release in Billings and admitted to knowing that he wasn’t allowed to own or carry firearms. Mitchell-Fuller was previously convicted for theft in Montana and Idaho, for escaping custody while in Cascade County, and for possessing meth with the intent to distribute in Billings.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The ATF conducted the investigation.
Beaumont man receives 40 year federal prison sentence as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Darrell Joshua Bendy, 42, was convicted at trial of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 2, 2026.
According to information presented in court, from December 2022 through November 2024, Bendy supplied kilogram quantities of methamphetamine to a drug trafficker in Beaumont. During the conspiracy, Bendy lived in, and conducted his drug trafficking activities from Houston. During the investigation, law enforcement authorities seized more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine and over $100,000 in cash. It is believed that between 20-30 kilograms of methamphetamine have been distributed as part of this drug trafficking conspiracy.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; Texas Department of Public Safety; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; Port Neches Police Department; Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Vidor Police Department; and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan C. Lee and John B. Ross.
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Armenian Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Smuggling Controlled Goods to RussiaRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – An Armenian national was sentenced in a federal court in Austin on Tuesday to 26 months in prison for his participation in a criminal conspiracy to export goods from the United States to the Russian Federation through the Republic of Armenia without the requisite license or authorization from the U.S. government, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, from February 2022 until at least August 2024, Kamo Kirakosyan knowingly and willfully combined, conspired, and agreed with others to export and reexport goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations without having first obtained the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry & Security. The exported goods included items that could be used for semiconductor manufacturing.
Kirakosyan became the straw or substitute purchaser of the U.S.-origin goods for his co-conspirators shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and the imposition of additional sanctions and export restrictions on Russia. As part of the scheme, Kirakosyan sent a co-conspirator instructions on opening a bank account in Armenia for the purpose of evading sanctions. While arranging the transshipment of goods to Russia, Kirakosyan represented himself to U.S. companies as the Armenian buyer of goods and did not provide truthful information about the end users, despite the U.S. companies’ requests for end user statements, and despite Kirakosyan’s knowledge that the unauthorized export or reexport to Russia of certain shipments was prohibited without a license. On Feb. 23, 2023, the company Kirakosyan conspired with was designated by Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control and added to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, subjecting the Russian company to U.S. blocking sanctions and a general prohibition on transacting with U.S. persons or entities.
Kirakosyan was initially charged in a criminal complaint on or about July 31, 2024. He was extradited from Germany to the U.S. on Aug. 29, 2025, and, in April of this year, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate federal law.
The FBI San Antonio Counterintelligence Task Force, comprised of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and other partners, led the investigation. The FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Berlin provided significant assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also played a key role in securing Kirakosyan’s extradition to the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and Keith Henneke prosecuted the case with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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A Neshoba County Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – On September 2, 2026, a Neshoba County man pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, in August of 2025, Jared Rahiem Cotton, 25, failed to register as a sex offender. Cotton was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2026.
U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi made the announcement.
Cotton is scheduled to be sentenced in January of 2027 and faces a maximum penalty of not more than ten years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Choctaw Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Payne, Brian K. Burns and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kalleigh McCoy prosecuted the case.
1 September 2026
Washington, D.C., man sentenced to over three years in prison for federal firearms chargeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Washington man was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on Nov. 8, 2025, a Virginia State Police trooper observed Jiair Olajuwan Tidwell, 30, on Interstate 495 driving a vehicle displaying a stolen Maryland license plate. When the trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle, Tidwell attempted to flee at a high rate of speed. As he fled, Tidwell crashed into a civilian vehicle at approximately 100 miles per hour. Tidwell attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by the trooper.
Following Tidwell’s arrest, troopers recovered a loaded firearm in his pants. Tidwell was previously convicted of a felony in Fairfax County Circuit Court. As a previously convicted felon, Tidwell cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Pascua prosecuted the case.
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. 1:26-cr-75.
Utah County Woman Sentenced to Prison for Cyberstalking Two Victims She Met via Online Dating PlatformsRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah County woman was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment today for cyberstalking two male victims she met on online dating platforms and became obsessed with them.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart, comes after Kailin Wang, 43, of Spanish Fork, Utah, pleaded guilty on September 30, 2025, to two counts of cyberstalking. In addition to her term of imprisonment, Wang was sentenced to three years of supervised release, including conditions to protect the victims and their families.
According to court documents and statements made at Wang’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, Wang connected with the victims separately on online dating sites in 2017 and 2018 and became obsessed with each victim. Using multiple accounts, fake names, social media accounts, and phone numbers, she harassed and disparaged them publicly and privately, tagging their friends, family, and employers.
On three separate occasions, Wang reported the victims to the federal Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3) claiming she was being harassed and impersonated online by them. Wang reported that they did these things together, even though there is no evidence that the victims had any relation to each other. Wang admitted that she filed the IC3 complaints to get law enforcement to investigate the victims in order to harass and intimidate them.
Wang’s crimes against victim 1 and victim 2 are not isolated incidents. Wang engaged in a pattern of stalking behavior in 2013 and was convicted in the state of New York.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the San Francisco Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Joey L. Blanch of The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
U.S. Trustee Program Meets with First Assistant U.S. Attorney SarconeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III met with U.S. Trustee William K. Harrington and Assistant U.S. Trustee Erin Champion on August 25.
The meeting served as a forum for strengthening the partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP), with a shared focus on improving coordination and refining processes for handling criminal referrals. Participants discussed strategies to more effectively identify, investigate, and pursue instances of agency fraud, as well as other criminal conduct uncovered through individual and corporate bankruptcy filings. The conversation highlighted the mutual commitment to enhancing information‑sharing, streamlining referral procedures, and ensuring that potential criminal activity emerging from bankruptcy proceedings is addressed promptly, thoroughly, and in a manner that supports broader enforcement objectives.
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Justice Department has a renewed focus on fraud, this meeting was an important step in ensuring that all levels of government are closely collaborating to identify and pursue instances of fraud wherever they may exist,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone. “I look forward to a productive relationship and thank Trustee Harrington for his efforts on supporting our crackdown on fraud within the Northern District.”
“As the watchdog of the bankruptcy system, the USTP is committed to identifying and referring bankruptcy fraud and bankruptcy-related crimes for investigation and prosecution,” U.S. Trustee Harrington said. “We are proud to support our law enforcement partners, and we are grateful to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone for his dedication to upholding the integrity of the bankruptcy system.”
Assistant U.S. Trustee Erin Champion, First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone, and U.S. Trustee William Harrington.
U.S. Attorney’s Office brings federal charges against Dallas man in violent kidnapping of local teenRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Dallas man has been charged with kidnapping a 14‑year‑old minor.
According to the federal criminal complaint filed on Aug. 27, David Michael Klepak, 63, allegedly kidnapped a minor in Dallas and held her captive from approximately July 30 to Aug. 2.
“The conduct described in this complaint is brutal and predatory,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “As alleged, the defendant, a 63-year-old man, kidnapped, drugged and raped the victim, a teenage girl. The defendant will have his day in court but let this be a warning to would be predators on the streets: we will find you and lock you up for as long as possible under the law.”
The complaint alleges that Klepak approached the minor victim while she was lost in her neighborhood and offered her a ride home. But instead of taking her to her home, Klepak transported her to his residence in Dallas, where he proceeded to repeatedly sexually assault her. Klepak reportedly yelled at the minor victim if she refused to take narcotics with him, and at times, Klepak threatened to kill her. The minor victim escaped on or about Aug. 2 and was found by a family member who took her to a police precinct to report the incident. Dallas Police officers arrested Klepak that same day.
According to the affidavit, investigators identified Klepak after the minor victim provided, among other details, a physical description of the suspect’s luxury vehicles and distinct jewelry.
If convicted, Klepak faces a sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claire Demers and Brandie Wade from the Violent Crimes section are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Two Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution of FentanylRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Adrian Dion Pettaway Jr., 25, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl, and Gindy Nicole Lacey, 49, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine, tramadol, and fentanyl. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “These two cases underscore the excellent investigative work performed by our state and federal law enforcement partners to identify and root out the networks of criminals responsible for flooding our streets with deadly drugs, like meth and fentanyl. The citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve to live in safe, drug-free communities, and that is exactly what my office will deliver with continued aggressive prosecutions of the drug peddling criminals who have terrorized our streets for far too long.”
Court records in the separately indicted cases reflect that in November 2024, Lacey sold tramadol pills and methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer. In December 2024, Lacey sold 1,000 pills containing fentanyl during an undercover operation. Further investigation revealed that Pettaway had supplied Lacey with the fentanyl pills sold during the undercover operation. Lacey was previously convicted of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
The case involved a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp 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.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Tickfaw Man Guilty of Distribution of Kilograms of FentanylRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JOSHUA MOSS, (“MOSS”), age 29, of Tangipahoa Parish, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe on August 27, 2026, to Count One of the Superseding Indictment, conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); §841(b)(1)(A), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
MOSS also pled guilty to Count Five and admitted that he possessed with intent to distribute the same controlled substances alleged in Count One. Judge Ashe scheduled sentencing for November 19, 2026. At sentencing as to both counts, MOSS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten (10) years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five (5) years of supervised release. There is also a $100 mandatory special assessment fee imposed per count.
According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown but continuing until at least June 26, 2025, MOSS, and several other individuals, conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, multiple kilograms of fentanyl throughout the Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washington Parishes region of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The conspiracy centered around MOSS’ father’s residence in Tickfaw, Louisiana. The execution of a federal search warrant at this residence led to the recovery of over five (5) kilograms of fentanyl in counterfeit pill form. A search warrant executed at another residence tied to MOSS led to the seizure of over 1,000 grams of methamphetamine and over 5,000 grams of fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, 22nd JDC District Attorney’s Office, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana National Guard. FORT was also assisted by the Louisiana State Police, Bogalusa Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Violent Crimes Unit.
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The United States Department of Justice Announce the Launch of the National Fraud Enforcement DivisionRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – On August 26, the Department of Justice announced the launch of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the “Fraud Division.” The mission of the Fraud Division will be to prosecute fraud in the United States, no matter its size or complexity. Prosecution of fraud is critical to restoring public confidence in the federal government’s ability to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars.
The Government Accountability Office recently estimated that the federal government loses between $233 billion to $521 billion annually to fraud. Fraud schemes exploit a variety of sectors – health care, defense, technology, tax, trade, and many others – harming vulnerable people and undermining trust in the American way of life. Given the fraud epidemic gripping the county, President Donald J. Trump announced the creation of the Fraud Division earlier this year, calling on us to activate the tools of justice more than ever before to combat fraud.
The Fraud Division will focus resources on prosecuting frauds that threaten the health, safety, security, and prosperity of Americans – especially the most vulnerable among us, including children, the elderly, and the sick or disabled. Fraud Division Attorneys therefore will prioritize fraud involving public trust and financial integrity, health care, internal revenue, global trade and commerce, and corporate misconduct.
The Fraud Division will set national priorities for fraud enforcement, working closely with United States Attorneys, the Civil and Criminal Divisions, federal law enforcement, executive agencies, and state and local partners to ensure the fraud-fighting apparatus is focused on protecting the American people. Prosecutions of fraudsters is critical to advancing the interests of the United States and fraudsters who dare steal from Americans and their government will be systematically targeted, prosecuted, and imprisoned.
The Southern District of Alabama has a long history of successfully bringing actions to protect the taxpaying public from all types of fraud and misuse of government funds. The Fraud Division will bring more resources to bear on those who seek to steal from the people of the United States.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
Sex Offender Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material on Peer-to Peer NetworkRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A registered sex offender was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 121 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for making available for download a large collection of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) utilizing a peer-to-peer network.
"The exploitation of children is a heinous crime that leaves lasting trauma on the most vulnerable members of our society,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “This sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to holding predators accountable and removing them from our communities."
“The sexual exploitation of children is a grave offense that impacts young and vulnerable members of communities across the nation, including in Nevada,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “We are dedicated to rescuing and supporting victims, as well as investigating and holding perpetrators responsible for these atrocious acts. Let today's sentencing underscore the FBI's commitment to collaborating with law enforcement partners to combat individuals who target minors. It should also serve as a clear warning to potential predators that the FBI is relentless in locating them and ensuring they face justice behind bars.”
According to court documents, Jimmy Franklin Dearman possessed a large collection of child sexual abuse material of children, as young as infants, across five digital devices in his possession. He made available for download by other users of a peer-to-peer network approximately 239 files of child sexual abuse material and distributed at least 39 of the files. Additionally, Dearman possessed over 1,600 images and 242 videos of CSAM depicting the abuse of infants and toddlers, and children under the age of 12.
Dearman pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. In addition to the term of imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Dearman will be required to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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San Antonio Man Follows Cousin’s Lead, Pleads Guilty to Same Armed Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Less than three months after his cousin’s 32-year federal prison sentencing, a San Antonio man pleaded guilty to five counts related to his role in a string of armed robberies that occurred in 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, Kevin Gonzales, along with his cousin Brian and several others, embarked on a spree of gunpoint robberies in San Antonio. In December 2020 alone, Kevin and Brian were responsible for at least six violent robberies.
Gonzales pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and four counts of aiding and abetting brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Gonzales was previously convicted at trial on state charges stemming from this robbery spree. He was sentenced to 40 years in state prison as a result of that conviction. He will be eligible for parole in 2031. This federal guilty plea ensures he will be sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in federal prison consecutive to his state prison term. In the federal system, there is no parole.
In May, Brian Gonzales was sentenced to a total of 32 years in federal prison, 28 of which will run consecutive to the state prison term he is currently serving.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the San Antonio Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Yuen is prosecuting the case.
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Sality Malware Disrupted in International Cyber TakedownRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The Department of Justice today announced a multinational operation involving actions in the United States, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania, in collaboration with private industry partners CrowdStrike and the Shadowserver Foundation, to disrupt the botnet and malware known as Sality and take down its infrastructure.
Coordination between the private sector and government partners was central to this effort and advanced the first pillar of President Trump’s Cyber Strategy for America – “Shape Adversary Behavior.” Federal law enforcement worked with the private sector to identify and disrupt malicious networks, scale national capabilities, and shape adversary behavior by degrading their tools and infrastructure.
“Cybercriminals, botnets, and malware are a clear and present danger to our nation’s security and economy,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “This successful effort to take down the Sality botnet shows that by working together the public and private sectors can be a powerful force for good.”
“This unique collaboration among international law enforcement and private sector partners only enhances the FBI’s cyber security capabilities and our efforts to neutralize the threat posed by the Sality botnet,” said Patrick Grandy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will continue working with our partners to prevent further cyber-enabled attacks and theft from victims in the United States.”
“Protecting the integrity of the Department of Defense Information Network from clear threats like the Sality botnet is a top priority for us,” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. “Today’s announcement is the result of the shared commitment and long-standing partnership between international law enforcement and the private sector.”
Since 2003, the Sality botnet has installed malicious software (malware) on compromised devices, enabling cryptocurrency theft and cyberattacks on victims in the United States and abroad.
The victim computers infected with Sality were part of a peer-to-peer (P2P) botnet, which is a network of computers (each a “bot”) infected with the Sality malware and controlled by the Sality operator. A P2P botnet is a decentralized network of bots that communicate directly with each other to share commands. The owners of the victim computers were typically unaware that their devices had been misappropriated as bots by Sality.
On Monday, CrowdStrike’s Counter Adversary Operations team, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, FBI, DCIS, international law enforcement, and private industry partners executed a peer-to-peer sinkhole operation and coordinated disruption of the Sality botnet.
As part of the international operation, the Department of Justice, FBI, and DCIS seized Sality-linked domains in the United States. International law enforcement partners in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania took action against additional Sality-linked domains hosted in Europe.
In conjunction with these efforts, private industry partner The Shadowserver Foundation is working with internet service providers and Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) to identify infections and aid in victim notification and remediation.
Investigators and prosecutors from multiple jurisdictions provided crucial assistance, including Bulgaria’s General Directorate Combating Organized Crime, Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Department, Romania’s Romanian Police / Directorate for Combating Organized Crime / Central Cybercrime Unit, Eurojust, and Europol. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Restrepo of the National Security Division, along with the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and DCIS led the U.S. efforts.
Russian National Indicted for Exploiting Online Platform Used for Freelance Employment and Distributing Malware to Thousands of Victim Users Worldwide for Financial GainRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury has indicted Searzhudin Tamirlanovich Aktulaev on charges of Conspiracy, Transmission of a Program, Information, Code, and Command to Cause Damage to a Protected Computer, and Aggravated Identity Theft, among other offenses. Defendant was arrested in Cyprus in May 2025 and has been extradited to the United States. Yesterday, he made his initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco, and he was remanded to federal custody.
According to the indictment filed June 1, 2021, and unsealed yesterday, Aktulaev, 40 years old, and a national of the Russian Federation, conspired to exploit the online message platform of a well-known freelance employment technology company, located in the Northern District of California, to spread malware to approximately 80,000 of their freelance users between at least June 2016 through November 2017. The messages, which were sent from approximately 255 fake user accounts, contained malicious Microsoft Excel attachments. When opened, the attachments prompted users to run a macro, which then downloaded malware from the Internet.
The indictment alleges Aktulaev’s use of two types of malware. One was a variant of the “TVRAT” (TeamViewer Remote Access Trojan) malware, also known as “TVSPY” or “TeamSpy.” According to the allegations, TVRAT exploits a vulnerability in the popular remote administration tool TeamViewer to provide the subjects with remote control over the infected computer. The other malware, called “DarkVNC,” is similar in functionality to TVRAT except that instead of TeamViewer, it exploits the remote administration tool VNC Viewer. Both TVRAT and DarkVNC malware sent stolen data from a victim computer to a command-and-control server, from which the stolen data was collected and used by Aktulaev and his co-conspirators to commit fraud or other criminal activity.
As described in the indictment, the command-and-control domains were paid for using virtual currency, and thousands of computers infected by the TVRAT malware were “calling back” to a command-and-control domain hosted in the United States. According to the indictment, approximately half of the victims were in the United States, many of whom were located in the Northern District of California. A database found on the command-and-control domain revealed thousands of victims. Additionally, a shared document on the email account used in the criminal activities contained information to include e-commerce login credentials, as well as personally identifiable information (“PII”) for hundreds of victims.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Special Agent in Charge Scott R. Schelble made the announcement.
Aktulaev is currently in federal custody. Aktulaev is next scheduled to appear in district court on October 5, 2026 for a status conference before U.S. District Judge Donato.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Aktulaev faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain for Transmission of a Program, Information, Code, and Command to Cause Damage Affecting 10 or More Protected Computers During Any 1-Year Period, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A); five years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain for Conspiracy to Commit Computer Fraud to defraud and Obtain Value and to Cause Damage to a Protected Computer, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, Unauthorized Access to Obtain Information for the Purpose of Financial Gain in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2)(C), and Unauthorized Access to a Protected Computer to Obtain Value in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(4); and two years in prison to run consecutive to any other term imposed and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain for each violation of Aggravated Identity Theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1). Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
This case is being prosecuted by the National Security, Cyber, and Special Prosecutions Section. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs secured the August 28, 2026 extradition of Aktulaev.