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17 July 2025
Man Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Prison for Robbing Five Suburban Chicago Financial InstitutionsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A man who robbed four banks and a credit union in the Chicago suburbs has been sentenced to more than seven and a half years in federal prison.
CHARLES LAWLER entered the financial institutions and presented demand notes while his friend, TARANDLE LEE, waited outside as the getaway driver. Together, the pair robbed three banks and a credit union, while Lawler also robbed an additional bank by himself.
The robberies were as follows:
- Sept. 22, 2021: Lawler robbed BMO Harris Bank in Naperville, Ill.
- Sept. 28, 2021: Lawler and Lee robbed Old Second Bank in Lisle, Ill.
- Oct. 6, 2021: Lawler and Lee robbed Bank Financial in Westmont, Ill.
- Jan. 3, 2022: Lawler and Lee robbed BMO Harris Bank in Woodridge, Ill.
- April 14, 2022: Lawler and Lee robbed DuPage Credit Union in Downers Grove, Ill.
Lawler, 54, of Villa Park, Ill., was arrested in 2023 and has remained detained in law enforcement custody. He pleaded guilty to the first three robberies and stipulated to his role in the final two. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman sentenced Lawler to seven years and eight months in federal prison.
Lee, 45, of Bolingbrook, Ill., was arrested in 2023 and has remained detained in law enforcement custody. A federal jury in Chicago earlier this year convicted Lee on all four robbery counts against him. Lee’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Lawler’s sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Downers Grove, Ill. Police Department, Bellwood, Ill. Police Department, Woodridge, Ill. Police Department, and Villa Park, Ill. Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alejandro G. Ortega and Jonathan L. Shih.
Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Arranging Utility Services for Thousands of Chicago-Area PropertiesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A man who fraudulently arranged for more than $5 million in utility services to be provided to two thousand Chicago-area properties has pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge.
DAVID W. BROWN admitted in a plea agreement that he offered to arrange electricity and natural gas services for residential and commercial properties in the Chicago area in return for a fee. After finding property owners and tenants willing to pay him, Brown opened new accounts for utility services at their addresses, knowing that neither he nor the purported customer intended to pay for it, the plea agreement states. Brown knew it would typically take 90 days to several months for the utility companies to disconnect service for lack of payment, allowing the addresses to receive free services for significant periods of time.
Brown opened the accounts using false customer names and identifying information to deceive the service providers and avoid financial responsibility, the plea agreement states. Once a utility company initiated the process to terminate, Brown fraudulently continued the service by opening new accounts in the names of different false customers at the same address, the plea agreement states.
Brown typically received payments ranging from $50 to $150 every few months from the property owners and tenants who received the services, the plea agreement states. In total, Brown admitted in the plea agreement that from 2017 to 2024, he caused utility companies to fraudulently provide more than $5 million in services to more than two thousand residential and commercial properties in the Chicago area.
Brown, 55, of Chicago, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal wire fraud charge. The conviction is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge LaShonda A. Hunt set sentencing for Oct. 15, 2025.
The guilty plea was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick D. Young.
brown_plea_agreement.pdfLouisiana Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unauthorized Archaeological Digging of Arrowheads and Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Roy Everett Jordan, Jr., 57, of Georgetown, Louisiana, has been sentenced for the unauthorized removal of archaeological resources and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Jordan to 24 months in prison for the archeological crime, and another 6 months in prison for the firearm possession, for a total of 30 months in prison. After release from prison, Jordan will be on supervised release for 2 years.
Jordan was convicted by a federal jury in March of these offenses. Evidence at the trial revealed that U.S. Forest Service agents learned in 2022 that there had been unauthorized digging at four Native American archaeological sites in the Kisatchie National Forest in the Grant Parish, Louisiana. The digging had been done in places where arrowheads and other human-altered stones were known to be present. Through their investigation, agents obtained photo evidence of Jordan being in the area where the digging was taking place. Just a few hours after photo evidence was taken of him conducting unauthorized digging, Jordan made a post on social media about a find that he had made that day in that location and the piece of pottery he found.
A search warrant was obtained for Jordan’s residence and upon execution of that warrant, agents found numerous arrowheads and pottery shards. A table covered in a camouflage cloth was found which matched the photo Jordan had posted on social media. In addition, there was an outbuilding/shed on the property that was full of Jordan’s belongings and numerous arrowheads and pottery shards in multiple places. Agents found clothing in the shed that matched what Jordan had worn in the photo evidence that was obtained by law enforcement agents. In addition, agents found and seized a loaded ISSC semi-automatic .22 caliber pistol. Jordan has three prior felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police and Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William C. Gaskins.
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Logan County Brothers Plead Guilty to Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, Timothy Ray Gravley, 41, of Bruno, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and his brother Jessie Joe Gravley II, 42, of Bruno, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and quantities of fentanyl and heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 17, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residences of each brother. At Timothy Ray Gravley’s residence, officers seized a total of 559.69 grams of fentanyl found in multiple bags, a Ruger model LCP .380-caliber pistol, a Umarex/FN model 502 .22-caliber pistol, and $20,131. At Jessie Joe Gravley’s residence, officers seized 250.1 grams of methamphetamine “ice,” 40.18 grams of heroin, 53.7 grams of cocaine, and $19,243.
As part of his guilty plea, Timothy Ray Gravley admitted that he possessed the fentanyl seized at his residence and that he intended to distribute it in and around the Southern District of West Virginia. He further admitted to selling a total of 6.64 grams of fentanyl for a total of $700 in two separate transactions, one on October 10, 2024, and the other on October 15, 2024, each time to a confidential informant in Bruno.
As part of his guilty plea, Jessie Joe Gravley admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine seized at his residence and that he intended to distribute it in and around the Southern District of West Virginia. He further admitted to selling controlled substances to a confidential informant on two occasions in Bruno. On October 9, 2024, he sold 1.81 grams of fentanyl, 24.99 grams of methamphetamine “ice,” and 1.05 grams of cocaine for $680. On October 14, 2024, he sold 2 grams of fentanyl and 29.03 grams of methamphetamine “ice” for $620.
Timothy Ray Gravley and Jessie Joe Gravley are scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2025. Each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force, which consists of members of the Mingo County Sheriff's Office, the Logan County Sheriff's Office, the Boone County Sheriff's Office, and the West Virginia State Police.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the cases.
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 Nos. 2:25-cr-37 (Jessie Joe Gravley II) and 2:25-cr-38 (Timothy Ray Gravley).
Laplace Woman Sentenced for Making False Statements to Small Business AdministrationRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that LATRICIA HOPE HAYNES MOLIERE (“MOLIERE”), age 51, a resident of LaPlace, Louisiana was sentenced on July 10, 2025, for making False Statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.
According to court documents, MOLIERE submitted an application for a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in March 2021. In this application, she falsely represented that she owned a baking sole proprietorship with an average monthly payroll of $8,041. In support of the PPP application, MOLIERE attached a fraudulent Internal Revenue Service Form 1040 Schedule C. Several months later, MOLIERE filed a petition for bankruptcy in which she said that she was not a sole proprietor. As a result of her false representations, MOLIERE received $20,102 from the SBA. This loan was later forgiven because MOLIERE falsely represented that she had spent the SBA funds on payroll.
United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced MOLIERE to 3 years of probation, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. MOLIERE also agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $22,742.71 to the SBA.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Secret Service and the United States Trustee in investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.
Kansas City Man Indicted for Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tracy Parker, 37, was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The indictment alleges that on Oct. 23, 2024, Parker—who had previously been convicted of multiple felonies—possessed a firearm in violation of federal law. The charge stems from an arrest of Parker in Jackson County on Oct. 13, 2024. In the process of being apprehended, Parker dropped a 9mm handgun on the ground, which officers later recovered.
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 James Kirkpatrick. It was investigated by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Kansas City Man Indicted for Illegal Firearm Possession and Drug Related ChargesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Darell Farmer, 30, was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense, and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
The indictment alleges that on May 5, 2025, Farmer possessed two firearms as a felon and in furtherance of the distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. The charges stem from an arrest following an apparent shooting in Kansas City, Missouri. Before detaining Farmer, police observed a handgun in Farmer’s car. Searches incident to Farmer’s arrest uncovered significant quantities of controlled substances and another handgun in the trunk of the car.
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 James Kirkpatrick. It was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and Midwest Fugitive Task Force.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Justice Department Launches Investigation into Employment Practices at George Mason UniversityRead the Press Release
Note: Read the letter here
Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into George Mason University to determine whether it is engaged in discriminatory employment practices based on race and sex.
The investigation stems from statements and policies made by the University’s president, which indicate that race and sex are motivating factors in faculty hiring and other employment decisions to achieve “diversity” goals. Multiple emails and internal documents suggest preferential treatment of certain races and sexes in hiring and other employment practices, including promotion and tenure of faculty members.
“It is unlawful and un-American to deny equal access to employment opportunities on the basis of race and sex,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “When employers screen out qualified candidates from the hiring process, they not only erode trust in our public institutions—they violate the law, and the Justice Department will investigate accordingly.”
The Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section will investigate whether George Mason University is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, sex, and other protected characteristics, pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
Jury-Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced to 125 months in federal prison Wednesday after a federal jury convicted him in February for one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dante Delray Vecera, 33, was found unresponsive in a locked and running vehicle blocking two lanes of traffic on the 410 frontage road. Police officers observed a bag containing white powder, a marijuana cigarette, and a bag of what appeared to be black tar heroin inside the vehicle. The officers provided Vecera with Narcan, fearing an overdose. While waiting for EMS to arrive on scene, officers looked for Vecera’s driver’s license in an attempt to identify him and located an unholstered, loaded pistol in the pocket of his pants. While officers were removing the weapon, Vecera regained consciousness. He refused all field sobriety tests and was taken into custody after being medically cleared.
Prior to this arrest Vecera had been convicted of several violent felonies, including two prior Nevada convictions for burglary and sexually motivated coercion, and a Texas conviction for violation of a protective order and assault.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, San Antonio Police Department and the Castle Hills Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karina O’Daniel and Amy Hail prosecuted the case.
This is a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Initiative case. VAWA was first enacted in 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. It initially focused on providing resources and training to improve the responses and policies of law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts, to support victim services, and to address crimes historically treated as private matters. Recognizing that domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking require a coordinated community response that extends beyond the justice system, Congress subsequently reauthorized VAWA, enhancing its policies and expanding grant funding streams, in 2000, 2005, 2013, and 2022. The Office on Violence Against Women has issued more than $11 billion in funding authorized by VAWA in its lifetime.
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Investment Advisor Charged and Pleads Guilty to FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Acting Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), Edward Gallashaw, announced today the filing of an Information charging JOSEPH D’AMBROSIO with engaging in a scheme to defraud clients who believed they were investing in securities and other investments managed by D’AMBROSIO through a private investment fund he managed for friends and family. D’AMBROSIO also entered a guilty plea to the Information in a proceeding today before U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, to whom the case has been assigned.
“Joseph D’Ambrosio stole more than $5 million from his friends and family and hid this fraud until the money ran out,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Fraudsters often prey on those close to them – friends, family, members of religious and social groups – using their trust to exploit them. This Office will bring those who violate that trust to justice and recognizes Mr. D’Ambrosio’s self-reporting and acceptance of responsibility.”
“For years D’Ambrosio, using deceptive tactics, allegedly stole from people who trusted him all in the name of greed,” said USPIS Acting Inspector in Charge Edward Gallashaw. “What makes D’Ambrosio’s alleged conduct especially appalling is that his victims were personal friends and family. The Postal Inspection Service will continue investigating fraud cases such as these and will hold individuals accountable who use their professional positions as a mechanism to steal from trusting investors.”
According to the allegations contained in the Information:
From at least in or about 2010, up to and including at least in or about December 2024, D’AMBROSIO was the operator of Hereford Holdings, a private investment vehicle for him, his family, and his friends. D’AMBROSIO told his investors that he had invested their Hereford funds in a private fund managed by an investment advisor for which D’AMBROSIO served as the chief investment officer. In reality, D’AMBROSIO misappropriated investor funds for his personal use.
To deceive Hereford investors and keep the scheme going, D’AMBROSIO sent Hereford investors false investment performance letters and fraudulent K-1 tax forms that stated the investors had gained money, when they had not. When some investors sought withdrawals from Hereford, D’AMBROSIO used new investor funds to pay them in a Ponzi-like fashion to keep the scheme going. In December 2024, facing withdrawal requests he could not honor, D’AMBROSIO confessed to his crimes.
D’AMBROSIO fraudulently obtained more than $5 million from investors during the course of his fraud scheme.
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D’AMBROSIO, 66, of Bronxville, New York, is charged with one count of investment adviser fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the USPIS. Mr. Clayton further thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has separately filed civil charges against D’AMBROSIO.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Shahabian is in charge of the prosecution.
Honduran man pleads guilty, sentenced for illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jose Manuel Ramos-Godoy, 42, a citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to illegal re-entry. Ramos-Godoy was then sentenced to serve three months in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fauzia K. Mattingly, who handled the case, stated that Ramos-Godoy is an alien without any legal status in the United States. In July 2006 and September 2014, he was physically removed from the United States pursuant to an order of removal. On May 13, 2025, Ramos-Godoy was found in Erie County while driving a vehicle in a hotel parking lot in Amherst, NY. He did not have any documents allowing him to be lawfully present in the United States.
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 plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.
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Hardy County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Wesley Neal Carter, age 35, of Moorefield, West Virginia, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for conspiring with others to sell more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Carter was supplying large quantities of methamphetamine to others to sell in Hardy County. Investigators executed a search warrant on Carter’s home and adjacent property and recovered nearly three pounds of methamphetamine. Carter has prior assault and drug convictions.
Carter will serve 5 years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Investigative agencies include the Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Virginia RUSH Task Force.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Hammond Man Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Isaiah Castro, 23 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Castro was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on April 16, 2024, Isaiah Castro distributed pills containing fentanyl while possessing a firearm. A search warrant resulted in the recovery of the firearm. Law enforcement also recovered another firearm with an extended magazine, firearm magazines, ammunition, and cash. Castro was previously convicted of resisting law enforcement and was on probation at the time.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Goodyear Man Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Prison for Check Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Cory Jermaine White, Jr., 31, of Goodyear, Arizona was sentenced on July 16, by United States District Michael T. Liburdi to 108 months in prison and ordered to pay $8,446,858.31 in restitution. White pleaded guilty on December 10, 2024, to conspiracies to commit bank and wire fraud, and money laundering. Six other co-defendants in this matter have already pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to varying years in prison.
“White stole nearly $8.5 million in checks meant for legitimate businesses and used the money for lavish expenditures,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine, “His actions not only impacted the victims but also undermined the integrity of our financial systems. Let this case serve as a reminder that crime does not pay, and that we will do whatever we can to uphold the law and safeguard our communities.”
“The fact this defendant and his co-conspirators would think that stealing business checks from the U.S. Mail and scheming ways to deposit them for their own use is mind-boggling,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke. “The defendant conspired with others with total disregard for the consequences. Financial crimes have long been a staple of the FBI’s investigative efforts, and we will continue to meticulously investigate any and all fraudsters in pursuit of our mission of protecting the American people.”
According to the court documents and statements made in court, White’s multi-year scheme involved several steps. First, a co-conspirator would steal a parcel of mail containing a legitimate check meant for a legitimate business. A second co-conspirator would then incorporate a sham entity using the same name as the legitimate company to whom the check was made out (often in another state to avoid detection). Using the sham corporate registration documents, co-conspirators would next open a corporate bank account in the name of the sham entity to deposit the stolen check. Finally, after the stolen check was deposited into the newly-opened bank account for the sham entity, the co-conspirators would quickly liquidate the funds and distribute the funds amongst themselves.
The FBI Phoenix Division conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kevin M. Rapp, District of Arizona handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR 23-01749- PHX-MTL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-120_White# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Gary Man Sentenced to 51 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Deyon Washington, 45 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Washington was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on September 11, 2021, Deyon Washington was a passenger in vehicle that was pulled over in Valparaiso, Indiana. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine attached to it. Washington’s criminal history revealed he was previously felony convicted for armed robbery in 2001 and 2002, which were felonies that disqualified him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Franklin County Man Sentenced for Assaulting Girlfriend, Fatally Shooting DogRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Thursday sentenced a convicted felon who violently assaulted his girlfriend and a neighbor and fatally shot his dog to 78 months in prison.
Leslie Rector, 30, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in April to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted that on April 16, 2024, he assaulted his girlfriend and shot his dog while intoxicated. He later assaulted his neighbor while looking for his girlfriend.
Pacific Police Department officers talked to the girlfriend early the next morning at a gas station. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face and head. Officers then contacted the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, believing that the assault had occurred in their jurisdiction. Deputies talked to the victim and took her to the hospital. They went to Rector’s home and found a blood-spattered van, the body of a dog and four firearms. Rector is a convicted felon and is thus barred from possessing firearms.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Pacific Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Hoag prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Fourteen Indicted in Fentanyl and Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fourteen defendants, all residents of the Kansas City, Mo., area, have been indicted for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy. Several of the defendants face multiple charges in the eighty-count indictment.
Antwan L. Fayne, also known as “Twelve,” 43, Aaron T. James, 37, Timothy E. Murphy, 59, James E. Barton, 46, Allison R. Shea, 30, Rodney Vaughn, 60, Charles E. Hall, 40, Brad Akins, 38, Joshua A. Kisner, 38, Devion R. McDonald, 31, Ida M. Gates, 41, Cora E. Fayne, 69, Walter L. Brown, 61, and Marcus L. Whitley, 54, were charged in an eighty-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, July 16.
The indictment was unsealed on Thursday, July 17, after the arrest of several defendants. This indictment replaces three criminal complaints that were filed against six of the defendants earlier this month.
In addition to the conspiracy, there are six defendants charged with maintaining drug involved premises. There are sixteen counts related to distributing controlled substances within 1,000 feet of public playgrounds within Kansas City. Additionally, there are firearms offenses charged, to include felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm while under an order of protection, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh Ragner and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Kansas City, Missouri Police Department; IRS-Criminal Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); with support from Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Fort Dodge Man to Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced July 16, 2025, to more than 15 years in federal prison.
Chad Brown, age 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 29, 2025, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more methamphetamine.
At the sentencing hearing, Brown admitted that from January to around April 2024, he took part in the distribution of several pounds of methamphetamine with others. Evidence further showed that, on April 22, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Brown’s residence in Fort Dodge. Law enforcement located approximately 74 grams of methamphetamine and two loaded handguns. Brown has an extensive criminal history which included a 2016 felony conviction in Oregon for delivery of methamphetamine, and multiple prior firearms-related convictions.
Brown was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Brown was sentenced to 186 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Brown 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 Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office 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 24-CR-03030.
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Former veteran’s service organization leader charged with federal program theftRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 59-year-old Brenham resident has been charged in a criminal information for misappropriating thousands in federal grant funding, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Clifford Wayne Robertson is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett July 28 at 10 a.m.
Robertson allegedly misappropriated federal grant funding awarded to Castle Cares Community Ministry Inc. dba The Warrior’s Refuge, a nonprofit organization serving as a veteran’s homeless shelter and service facility. The charges allege that during his tenure as CEO and executive director, Robertson submitted multiple applications for federal assistance to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Labor (DOL) between February and April 2020. The Warrior’s Refuge allegedly received approximately $1.3 million and $500,000 in VA and DOL grant funds, respectively, as a result of those applications.
The information alleges that Robertson did knowingly and intentionally embezzle a portion of the federal grants awarded to the organization for unallowable personal expenditures and for counseling services that he never rendered to veterans.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 maximum possible fine.
VA - Office of Inspector General (OIG) and DOL - OIG and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh is prosecuting the case.
A criminal information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Former semi-professional Rugby Player sentenced to prison for cryptocurrency mining Ponzi schemeRead the Press Release
Seattle –A 37-year-old former semi-pro rugby player was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 30 months in prison for wire fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Shane Donovan Moore operated Quantum Donovan LLC – a Washington company Moore claimed was purchasing and operating cryptocurrency mining equipment. In fact, the company never invested in such equipment and operated as a Ponzi scheme, with the investments from later investors being used to pay off earlier investors. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Tana Lin told him, “Most people have suffered serious trauma like you, but you have also had many opportunities and advantages that many people have not.” Judge Lin also noted Moore “caused emotional and psychological damage to the victims” by his execution of his scheme.
“Mr. Moore used the newness of cryptocurrency, to commit an age-old fraud – a Ponzi scheme,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “He solicited more than $900,00 from some 40 investors claiming it would be used for ‘mining cryptocurrency.’ Instead, the money went to support a lavish lifestyle, and to pay off the earliest investors to keep the fraud going. He left a path of damaged relationships in his wake.”
Between January 2021 and October 2022, Moore made fraudulent promises to obtain investor money. Moore claimed both verbally and in writing that the invested money would be used to purchase computers for a cryptocurrency mining operation. He told investors they would receive 1% of their investment daily based on the work of the mining machines. However, Moore never purchased the mining machines. He comingled the investor money with his personal accounts and used some of those funds to live a lavish lifestyle. Some of the funds were used to purchase cryptocurrency so that a portion of the funds could be sent to investors to lull them into believing the cryptocurrency mining operation existed. Early investors recruited their friends and family to invest, leading to anger and recriminations when the losses mounted.
Moore recruited investors in Utah, Oregon, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Washington. Many of the investors are people he knew from his rugby activities.
In asking for a three-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Brian Wynne wrote to the court, “Instead of purchasing cryptocurrency mining equipment, Moore comingled victim-investor funds with his personal accounts and used victim-investor funds to finance his lifestyle and pay his personal living expenses. … He used victim-investors’ funds to purchase luggage, travel, clothing, electronics, and pay for a deposit for a luxury apartment. All told, victim-investors suffered a loss of more than $387,000.”
The case was investigated by the FBI.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Wynne and Casey Conzatti.
Former Voice of America Employee Indicted for Threatening Rep. Marjorie Taylor GreeneRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – An indictment unsealed today in the District of Columbia charges a Maryland resident with influencing a federal official by threatening a family member, influencing a federal official by threat, interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, and anonymous telecommunications harassment.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Michael G. Sullivan of the United States Capitol Police.
Seth Jason, of Edgewater, Maryland, was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police and the Anne Arundel Police Department early this morning, July 17, 2025. Jason will make his initial appearance this afternoon before a magistrate judge in U.S. District Court
According to the indictment, between Oct. 11, 2023, and Jan. 21, 2025, Jason made threatening calls to the Dalton and Rome District Offices for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R, Ga.).
The U.S. Capitol Police investigation revealed that the phone calls were made from various phone lines connected to studios and control rooms at Voice of America headquarters, where Jason had worked as a longtime employee. In eight calls made over fifteen months, Jason threatened the use of firearms to kill Rep. Greene, her staff, and their families.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The maximum penalty for influencing a federal official by threatening a family member and influencing a federal official by threat is ten years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure is five years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for anonymous telecommunications harassment is two years imprisonment. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by the U.S. Capitol Police and State Department Office of Inspector General, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Anne Arundel Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Horan of the Federal Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
These charges are 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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Former U.S. Department of Energy Official Agrees to Pay $59,000 to Resolve Conflict-of-Interest AllegationsRead the Press Release
Andrew L. Horn, a former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Energy at the Department of Energy (DOE), has agreed to pay $59,000 to resolve allegations that he violated conflict-of-interest rules prior to his departure from the agency in 2021.
Among other things, the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 prohibits executive branch employees from participating personally and substantially in particular matters that will affect their own financial interests or the financial interests of certain parties with whom they have ties outside the government, including any organization with whom they are negotiating prospective employment. The United States alleges that in January 2021, Horn worked personally and substantially on a particular matter affecting the financial interests of a private company with which he was simultaneously negotiating contract terms to serve as a paid senior advisor following his upcoming separation from federal service. As part of the settlement, Horn has agreed to pay a civil penalty to resolve allegations that his conduct violated conflict-of-interest prohibitions for federal employees.
“The Office of Inspector General prioritizes the ethical conduct of executive branch officials and thoroughly investigates all allegations regarding potential misconduct with the thorough help of our colleagues at the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Lewe F. Sessions of the Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; DOE, Office of Inspector General; and Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. This matter was handled by Trial Attorney Robbin O. Lee of the Civil Division.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Former Taney County Volunteer Firefighter Sentenced to 180 Months for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Hollister, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for sharing child pornography over the internet.
Cameron Allen Ryan, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Ryan to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration. The court ordered Ryan to pay $51,000 in restitution to his victims and a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
Ryan will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.
Ryan pleaded guilty on Dec. 17, 2024, to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. According to court documents, Ryan, who was a volunteer with the Taney County Volunteer Fire Department, admitted to receiving and trading files of child pornography with the undercover FBI agent and other individuals on the internet.
Law enforcement was alerted by a CyberTip made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. On Nov. 28, 2023, an undercover FBI agent downloaded numerous images of minor children which had been posted to an image hosting website by the suspect user profile and began communicating with suspect via email. The undercover officer made contact with the suspect, and the suspect sent a video to the agent that depicted a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The FBI identified Ryan as the suspect user. When officers searched Ryan’s cell phones, one of the phones was logged in to the email account that had been messaging the undercover FBI agent. A forensic analysis of the two phones found over 1800 files containing child pornography.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Taney County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office.
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."
Former Stoughton Water Department Employee Sentenced for Tampering with Drinking WaterRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Stoughton Water Department employee was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for tampering with the Stoughton drinking water supply.
Robert J. Bullock, Sr., 60, of Brockton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper to a period of time-served (approximately one day) to be followed by three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of one year and one day in prison. In March 2025, Bullock pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a water system. Bullock was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024.
Bullock is a former employee of the Water Department in Stoughton. On the evening of Nov. 29, 2022, Bullock went into one of the Water Department’s pumping stations and turned off the pump that introduces chlorine into drinking water. As a result, insufficiently disinfected water was introduced into the drinking water system.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; and Kathryn Rivera, Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Stoughton and Brockton Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Tolkoff of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.Former New York City Police Officer Sentenced to 40 Years’ Imprisonment for Sex Offenses Involving MinorsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Christopher Terranova, a former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 40 years’ imprisonment for sexually exploiting, attempting to sexually exploit, and enticing and coercing three 15-year-old boys and a 12-year-old boy. Terranova was employed as a police officer with the NYPD at the time of the charged conduct. A federal jury convicted Terranova of the charges in November 2024.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentence.
“The significant sentence the court imposed is a just outcome for the defendant’s abuse of his position as a police officer to groom and manipulate young boys, gain their trust, then sexually abuse and exploit them,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The victims showed courage in coming forward to expose this predator, and the sentence imposed ensures that no other child will be harmed by the defendant while he spends decades in prison.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau for their assistance during the investigation.
“Christopher Terranova, a former NYPD officer, targeted, and sexually exploited multiple minors, including some who were also victims in unrelated crimes,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Terranova’s unthinkable actions violated his sworn duty to protect this community and reflect an egregious abuse of authority to satisfy his twisted desires. May today’s sentencing reflect the FBI’s commitment to disrupting any sexual predator from further victimizing our city’s most vulnerable victims.”
Between approximately December 2019 and May 2023, Terranova used social media to engage in sexually explicit conversations with underage boys and attempt to entice them into taking sexually explicit photographs of themselves and sharing them with Terranova. Terranova used popular social media applications to message and gain the trust of underage boys whom he encountered socially, online, or through his job as a police officer.
For example, between March 2023 and May 2023, Terranova targeted a 15-year-old boy he encountered at the 121st Precinct on Staten Island who was there to report that he had been robbed. Terranova obtained the victim’s cellphone number from the robbery complaint in an NYPD database and messaged him: “Hey… it’s Chris Terranova the cop you met at the 121 that day with mom, i just wanted to reach out to see if you were doing ok after the incident, I hate seeing these things happen to good Guys like yourself.” In subsequent messages, Terranova inquired about the investigation, referred to his role as a police officer, and asked the victim if he had any interest in the police department or its youth programs. Terranova also suggested, “If [sic] here too if you ever want to talk[.] I been through a lot myself over the years so just know that little bro.” Terranova then asked the victim to add him on “snap” or “the gram,” referring to Snapchat and Instagram. On Snapchat, Terranova began asking the victim sexually explicit questions, sent the victim a photograph of Terranova’s genitals, and asked for a sexually explicit photograph of the victim. The victim informed his mother about the inappropriate messages and she reported the matter to police.
Terranova also engaged in hands-on sex acts with two of his minor victims. One of those victims was the 15-year-old son of an acquaintance of Terranova. While giving that victim a ride home from a birthday party, Terranova brought the victim to a secluded location where he directed the victim to engage in sex acts with him.
Terranova met a third 15-year-old victim, who lived in Texas, on social media. Terranova used his status as a police officer to gain the victim’s trust. Terranova traveled to Texas at least 16 times to visit the victim, engaged in sexual acts with him and purchased a house in the victim’s neighborhood. In one message, Terranova stated: “You being with me. . . and making love to me is more than a sign of everything happens for a reason.”
Terranova also met a 12-year-old victim locally while Terranova was on-duty and in uniform. Terranova messaged the victim on Snapchat and began asking him sexually explicit questions and solicited sexually explicit photos.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, 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.
The government’s case is being handled by Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel A. Bennek and Lauren A. Bowman are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Chelsea Guzman.
The Defendant:
CHRISTOPHER TERRANOVA
Age: 35
Staten Island, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-516 (KAM)
Former Los Banos Junior High Teacher Charged with Sexual Exploitation of MinorsRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Christian Banuelos, 30, of Los Banos, charging him with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced.
According to court documents, between July 8, 2022, and Nov. 15, 2023, Banuelos used a minor to create a visual depiction of the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Between Dec. 9, 2019, and Aug. 22, 2024, Banuelos received and distributed child pornography.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Los Banos Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Banuelos faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine for each count of sexual exploitation of a minor. If convicted of receipt and distribution of child pornography, Banuelos faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Amtrak Employee Sentenced to over 2 Years in Prison for Crimes, Including Near-$1 Million COVID Jobless Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former Amtrak employee was sentenced today to 25 months in federal prison for conspiring with her husband to steal nearly $1 million in COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and for fraudulently obtaining more than $63,000 in sickness benefits while she worked at the passenger railroad company.
Lizette Berrios Lathon, 48, of Moreno Valley, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin, who also ordered her to pay $1,061,667 in restitution.
In November 2022, Lizette Lathon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of wire fraud.
Previously, in July 2024, Judge Olguin sentenced Lathon’s husband, Kenneth Andrew Lathon, 50, also of Moreno Valley, to 54 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $998,630 in restitution.
Kenneth Lathon pleaded guilty in November 2022 to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
From 2014 until at least September 2022, Lizette Lathon, in addition to her one-time duties as a service attendant for Amtrak, operated at least three tax preparation businesses: Miracle Tax Service, which was located on Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile; Hardcore Corp., which did business as “Hardcore Taxes”; and Lathon LLC, which did business as “LL Taxes.” The latter two companies were in Moreno Valley.
Lathon and her husband took advantage of the expanded eligibility for UI benefits made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law in 2020. The CARES Act also established the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provided additional UI benefits to qualified individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, including people who did not otherwise qualify for UI such as business owners, self-employed workers, independent contractors, and those with a limited work history.
In some instances, Lizette Lathon submitted fraudulent applications with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) for UI benefits using names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth that she obtained from former clients of her tax preparation businesses without the permission of those former clients. On the applications, she falsely asserted inflated income for the named claimants – many of whom had never lived in California – to receive the maximum benefit amount.
As a result of the fraudulent claims she filed, EDD authorized Bank of America to issue debit cards in the names of Lizette Lathon’s former clients, but the cards were mailed to addresses she and her family controlled. She and her husband then used the debit cards to make cash withdrawals at ATMs and to make purchases at retail stores.
During the conspiracy, which lasted from the spring of 2020 until March 2021, Lathon and her husband caused at least 44 fraudulent unemployment claims to be filed, resulting in losses to EDD and the United States Treasury of approximately $998,630.
Lizette Lathon, who was employed at Amtrak from 2000 to 2021, also schemed to defraud the Railroad Retirement Board out of sickness benefit payments by filing forged and false claims that stated she was being treated by a medical professional for pain and anxiety. Through this scheme, which lasted from September 2014 to January 2020, she fraudulently obtained approximately $63,047 in sickness benefit payments.
Kenneth Lathon possessed a .22-caliber rifle and 12-gauge shotgun despite his criminal history, which includes felony convictions in California state court for theft, cocaine possession, and fraud.
These matters were investigated by the Amtrak Office of Inspector General; the United States Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General; the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; the United States Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration; the California Employment Development Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant United States Attorney Cory L. Burleson of the Riverside Branch Office prosecuted these cases.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Fentanyl distributor pleads guiltyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 36-year-old Houston resident has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Velasquez-Nikki Saadia Porter admitted to conspiring to distribute nearly 200 grams of fentanyl from a motel room in the North Harris County area.
The investigation began in 2023 after authorities identified Porter as part of an operation targeting fentanyl distribution and overdoses in the Houston area.
Porter operated a narcotics distribution point out of a local motel room where he served fentanyl to customers.
U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge will impose sentencing Oct. 2. At that time, Porter faces up to 40 years in prison and a maximum $5 million fine.
Porter has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Montgomery County Narcotics Enforcement Team. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Tallichet prosecuted the case.
Federal Jury finds Armed Career Offender Guilty of Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal jury recently returned a guilty verdict in the case of an armed career offender accused of a firearm offense. Turante Nunn, 33, faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the verdict today.
According to court documents, in January 2024, Memphis police observed an unoccupied stolen 2009 Pontiac G6 car with a broken rear window parked outside a BP gas station in Memphis. Officers secured the scene inside the BP gas station and reviewed the store surveillance video to see who got out of the stolen car. Officers determined that Nunn was one of the individuals who exited the stolen car and went into the store. The store surveillance video also showed Nunn discarding a gun on a shelf in the store when officers were entering the store. Officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm caliber pistol on a shelf at the exact area where Nunn discarded the object.
After a two-day trial, federal jurors found Nunn guilty of one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. In the second phase of the trial, jurors determined that Nunn was an Armed Career Criminal, as he had three prior felonies committed on occasions separate from one another.
As a result of his felony convictions, Nunn will face a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment as an Armed Career Criminal under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and the Project Safe Neighborhood task force (PSN).
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Assistant United States Attorney Jermal Blanchard 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.
Elizabeth Man Indicted for Making Antisemitic Threat to Injure Local Public Official and Making False Statements to FBIRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of making a threat to injure a local public official and making false statements to government agents, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Edward Arthur Owens Jr., 29, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment and an earlier federal criminal complaint (read the news release regarding the complaint here), on or about May 20, 2025, Owens knowingly and willfully transmitted via a social media messaging app the following threat to injure a local public official: “We’re coming for you [emoji of person raising right hand] [German flag emoji] be afraid. Go back to Israel or better yet, exterminate yourself and save us the trouble. 109 countries for a reason. We will not stop until your kind is nonexistent.” The complaint explains that the reference to “109 countries,” according to the Anti-Defamation League, is an antisemitic assertion that Jews have been expelled from 109 different countries; it is used by antisemites to call for the expulsion of Jews from other countries and otherwise to promote hatred. The recipient of the message is a local official who regularly engages with the public.
The Indictment further alleges that, on or about May 30, 2025, Owens made false statements to special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, telling the agents that his firearms—which included a .22 LR caliber rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, and a 9mm caliber Smith & Wesson pistol—were all in the custody of his mother, that he did not know where the firearms were, and that he did not have access to any of them. According to the Indictment, Edwards did, in fact, know that his 9mm caliber Smith & Wesson pistol was still in his custody and control (located inside of the vehicle Edwards drove immediately prior to making his false statements to the FBI agents), that he still had access to this pistol, and that the pistol was not in his mother’s custody.
Owens remains in custody after being ordered detained by the Court at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office following the defendant’s arrest. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
El Salvadorian National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Re-Entering the United States Following Prior Felony ConvictionRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Edwin Armando Sanchez-Montiel, 33, a citizen and national of El Salvador, pled guilty to illegally re-entering the United States following a felony conviction for accessory after the fact, murder first degree.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty pleas with Acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), Baltimore Field Office.
According to court filings, Sanchez-Montiel voluntarily entered the United States around October 18, 2006, near Hidalgo, Texas, but United States Border Patrol apprehended him. Then the United States Border Patrol served Sanchez-Montiel with a Notice to Appear before the Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review. On February 12, 2007, an immigration judge issued a decision ordering Sanchez-Montiel’s removal. Sanchez-Montiel failed to appear, so the hearing was held in absentia.
Then on January 23, 2023, law enforcement arrested Sanchez-Montiel, charging him with Accessory After the Fact, Murder First Degree. Sanchez-Montiel pled guilty and received a sentence of five years in prison with all but 18 months suspended.
On January 29, 2024, after he served his sentence, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Sanchez-Montiel. Then on February 9, Sanchez-Montiel was removed from the United States to El Salvador via airplane, but he voluntarily and unlawfully re-entered the United States without inspection by an immigration officer on an unknown date.
ICE officers again encountered Sanchez-Montiel in Montgomery County, Maryland, on July 27, where they took him into custody. Sanchez-Montiel did not obtain consent at any time from the Attorney General of the United States, or from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, for readmission into the United States. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, at 10 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke Oki and Joel Crespo who are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Eight Defendants with Long Criminal Histories Indicted for Unlawfully Reentering the United States After DeportationRead the Press Release
Yakima and Tri-Cities, Washington – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington announced that eight people have been charged with Illegally Re-Entering the United States After Deportation, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Illegal Re-Entry is a criminal offense and separate from civil immigration enforcement. All of the individuals charged have criminal records and each had previously been removed from the United States.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other Federal law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting the lives of American citizens. As such, these Federal agencies are continually looking for illegally present foreign nationals who have a history of violating state, local, and Federal law. A Federal Grand Jury returned indictments as to the individuals listed below.
Santiago Gracida-Santos, age 29, a Mexican national, previously convicted of Illegally Re-Entering the United States after Deportation, Driving Under the Influence, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. Gracida-Santos has also been charged in state court with Robbery and Exhibiting a Deadly Weapon. Gracida-Santos has been removed to Mexico on two prior occasions. On June 30, 2025, Gracida-Santos was arrested by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for Arson. Gracida-Santos was released back into the community after he posted a bond on the state Arson case.
Jose Luis Cruz-Agustin, age 38, a Mexican national, previously convicted in state court for Rape in the Third-Degree, Third-Degree Assault, Furnishing Liquor to a Minor, Hit and Run Accident Injury with Domestic Violence, Reckless Endangerment with Domestic Violence, Fourth Degree Assault with Domestic Violence. Cruz-Agustin was previously removed from the United States on two separate occasions. Cruz-Agustin was prosecuted and convicted of Unlawful Re-Entry, the same offense, in the District of Arizona, in 2016. On March 14, 2025, Cruz-Agustin was located in Connell, Washington. Cruz-Agustin is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on July 17, 2025, in Richland, Washington.
Marco Alvarez-Acevedo, age 35, a Mexican national, previously convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in the District of Montana. Alvarez-Acevedo was also previously convicted of Attempted Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in the Western District of Washington. In 2022, Alvarez-Acevedo was removed to Mexico. On July 3, 2025, Alvarez-Acevedo was found in Sunnyside, Washington.
Pedro Soberanis a.k.a. Victor Godinez-Vasquez and Emilio Soberanis, age 49, a Mexican national, previously convicted of Theft of Motor Vehicle, Second Degree Burglary, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Residential Burglary, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Battery of Spouse, and Illegally Re-Entering the United States after Deportation. Soberanis has been removed from the United States on multiple prior occasions. Soberanis was recently charged in State court with Harassment-Threats to Kill, and Second-Degree Burglary. Soberanis is currently in State custody under the name of Victor Godinez-Vasquez and will appear in the federal case at the conclusion of the pending state matter.
Jose Bautista-Sanchez, age 29, a Mexican national, previously convicted of multiple counts of Criminal Trespass, Domestic Violence Assault, Attempted Residential Burglary, and Voyeurism. Bautista-Sanchez was recently charged in State court with Harassment Threats to Kill and Second-Degree Assault. Bautista-Sanchez was previously removed from the United States.
Jovenal Faustino-Pineda, age 30, a Mexican national, previously convicted of Fourth Degree Assault, Interference with Report, and Second-Degree Burglary. Faustino-Pineda was recently charged in state court with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Second Degree Burglary, and Second-Degree Theft. Faustino-Pienda has been removed from the United States on multiple prior occasions. On June 4, 2024, was arrested in Yakima County for possession of a stolen vehicle and was subsequently released back into the community.
Guadalupe Hernandez-Mendez, age 26, a Mexican national, previously convicted in two separate instances of Driving Under the Influence. Hernandez-Mendez also has prior convictions for Obstruction and Reckless Driving. Hernandez-Mendez has previously been removed from the United States on two separate occasions. On June 11, 2025, Hernandez-Mendez was arrested in Toppenish, Washington.
Ruben Mata-Prida, a Mexican national, previously convicted on four separate instances of Driving Under the Influence. Mata-Prida also has prior convictions for Hit and Run, Obstruction and Threats to Do Harm. On June 23, 2025, Mata-Prida was found in Toppenish, Washington.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington has prioritized identifying individuals who pose a risk to our community and are recidivist offenders. Alongside other priorities such as fentanyl interdiction, dismantling drug trafficking organizations, especially those targeting our most vulnerable populations, and child exploitation offenses, criminal immigration enforcement is amongst those priorities as it has been in the past. There is often an overlap in these areas. While each criminal defendant is different, several trends are evident. These include: the use of false names and aliases (including to enter the United States); unresolved criminal matters due to the individual failing to appear in court; convictions for narcotics offenses, both state and Federal; the illegal possession and use of firearms; and a history of violent felony and misdemeanor offenses.
Acting United States Attorney Stephanie A. Van Marter stated, “I am very proud of ICE, HSI, and our other Federal partners for coming together to remove such offenders from our communities. Each of these individuals have repeatedly violated state and/or Federal laws and have unlawfully returned to the United States. Those who commit crimes while unlawfully present, should be subject to our criminal immigration laws. Thanks to the hard work and tireless dedication of these federal law enforcement partners, our communities are safer today.”
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were involved in the investigations.
25-CR-02086-SAB
25-CR-02077-SAB
25-MJ-04130-ACE
25-CR-02080-SAB
25-CR-02082-MKD
25-CR-02084-RLP
25-CR-02085-SAB
25-CR-06011-MKD
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ecuadorian National Deported after Manslaughter Conviction Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.Read the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DARWIN FRANCISCO QUITUIZACA-DUCHITANGA, also known as Darwin Duchitanga-Quituizaca and Juan Mendez-Gutierrez, 39, a citizen of Ecuador, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in December 2003, Quituizaca, using an alias of Juan Mendez-Gutierrez, was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol. He was issued a voluntary return to Mexico after he claimed to be a citizen of Mexico.
It is further alleged that in March 2018, the Connecticut State Police arrested and charged Quituizaca, under the alias Darwin Duchitanga-Quituizaca, with charges related to a fatal motor vehicle accident on I-91 in North Haven in March 2017. On August 30, 2018, ICE encountered Quituizaca in Meriden and arrested him on an administrative warrant while he was at liberty awaiting trial in his state case. In September 2018, an immigration judge ordered Quituizaca removed from the U.S. to Ecuador, but he was subsequently transferred to state custody to face his pending charges. In January 2019, Quituizaca was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of manslaughter second degree and sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment. He was subsequently released from state prison on an unknown date. On August 15, 2023, ICE encountered and arrested Quituizaca on an administrative warrant of removal in Meriden. He was removed to Ecuador in September 2023.
It is further alleged that Quituizaca illegally reentered the U.S. On June 28, 2025, ICE arrested Quituizaca on an administrative warrant in Meriden.
Quituizaca, who has been detained since his arrest, appeared today in Hartford federal court. If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Eleventh Circuit Affirms 30-Year Career Offender SentenceRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – On July 15, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the 30-year prison sentence of Charles Edward Rowe, 43, of Pensacola, Florida. Rowe pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in October 2021. U.S. District Court Judge T.K. Wetherell, II, concluded that Rowe qualified for sentencing as a “Career Offender” based on prior violent and narcotics-related convictions and sentenced him to 30 years’ imprisonment. Rowe appealed.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The Eleventh Circuit’s ruling this week not only affirms the significant sentence of a serious offender but also establishes that Florida’s drug trafficking statute is a qualifying statute for purposes of determining whether a defendant is a “Career Offender.” My office will continue to work with our excellent local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to utilize the Career Offender provisions to aggressively pursue repeat criminals and see to it that they receive substantial sentences.”
This prosecution arose in July 2021, after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Gun Crimes Unit and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at a Pensacola hotel as part of an ongoing investigation. Inside, they found Rowe in possession of distribution amounts of various controlled substances, including over two kilograms of pills containing methamphetamine, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana, as well as a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol and a loaded Hi-Point .40 caliber pistol.
Rowe challenged his “Career Offender” sentence on appeal, arguing that his prior Florida drug trafficking conviction did not qualify as a predicate controlled substance offense. The Eleventh Circuit disagreed and concluded that the conviction qualified because the Florida trafficking statute criminalized the conduct of possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute them and thus met the requirements of the Career Offender provision. The Eleventh Circuit also rejected Rowe’s challenge to his guilty plea. As a published opinion, the Court’s ruling is binding on all future cases brought in the Eleventh Circuit, which includes all federal district courts in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jordane New and Former Assistant United States Attorney Robert G. Davies represented the government during the appeal.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More than 55 Years Combined in Federal Prison for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking organization was sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to the distribution of fentanyl. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings for the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl pills in Fayetteville and Fort Smith from January to September of 2024. Investigators identified Salvador Caracena-Zarates as a distributer of methamphetamine and the leader and source of supply for fentanyl being distributed by Rafael Norwood, Christopher Howes, and Alonzo Releford. The pills distributed by this group contained fentanyl made or pressed to look like M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills.
Those members of the drug trafficking organization indicted federally have been sentenced as follows:
Salvador Fautino Caracena-Zarates, Jr. a/k/a “Doe”: age 42, Fort Smith, Arkansas – Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine– 300 months imprisonment and 4-year term of supervised release.
Rafael Deaundra Norwood, Sr.: age 40, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Aiding and abetting in the distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl– 168 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Christopher Ray Howes: age 43, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Aiding and abetting in the distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl– 100 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Alonzo Lee Releford, III: age 23, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl – 100 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with assistance by the following agencies: Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force, Fort Smith Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Benton County Drug Unit, Bentonville Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department, and Arkansas State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sydney Butler Stanley prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Des Moines Man Sentenced to 220 Months in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines man was sentenced on July 17, 2025, to 220 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, in the fall of 2024, Sean Michael O’Boyle, 34, was selling and receiving distribution-quantities of fentanyl. On September 30, 2024, law enforcement approached O’Boyle’s car, and he fled. O’Boyle hit a police vehicle, crashed into a tree, and then continued to run on foot. During the foot pursuit, O’Boyle threw a stolen, loaded firearm into a yard. In the car O’Boyle drove, police found a distribution quantity of fentanyl and another firearm.
At the sentencing hearing, O’Boyle was found responsible for 315 grams of fentanyl and found to have recklessly created a substantial risk of injury during his flight from law enforcement. After completing his term of imprisonment, O’Boyle will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Fentanyl has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Fentanyl deaths for youth ages 15 to 24 more than doubled between 2018 and 2022. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills often resemble pharmaceutical pills, but contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website to learn more about One Pill Can Kill
Clarence man arrested, charged with attempting to have sex with a 12-year-oldRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Daniel Gregory, 33, of Clarence, NY, was arrested and charged with online enticement of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on January 6, 2025, the North Tonawanda Police Department learned that a person named “Daniel Gregory” was sending messages to other Facebook users asking the following question: “You know any NT teens I could hook up with? 13-16” Detectives traced the messages to the defendant. On January 9, 2025, an undercover law enforcement officer created a Facebook profile under the name “Alexis Jones,” and sent Gregory a friend request, which he subsequently accepted. Gregory started sending messages to “Alexis Jones” via Facebook messenger. After sending messages, Gregory began attempting to video call “Alexis Jones” and asked for “Alexis Jones” to call him. No video calls were answered, all communication was done electronically through Facebook messenger. In the subsequent weeks, Gregory consistently attempted to coordinate a meeting with “Alexis Jones,” who he believed was 12 years old. He also repeatedly attempted to video call and sent explicit photos of himself to the undercover account. Some of the conversations between Gregory and the undercover law enforcement officer were sexual in nature.
On February 3, 2025, Gregory arranged to meet “Alexis Jones” at an apartment in the City of Tonawanda to engage in sexual activity. When Gregory arrived at the apartment, North Tonawanda detectives were waiting and took him into custody. They also seized Gregory’s cell phone.
In May 2019, Gregory was convicted of Harassment in the 2nd Degree, in Cheektowaga Town Court, for contacting a minor victim on social media, and attempting to pursue a romantic relationship with the minor for approximately two years.
Gregory made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was remanded back into the custody of New York State. Gregory is currently charged with attempted rape in Niagara County related to this case.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Carbon County Couple Charged with Defrauding A Senior CitizenRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christen Lee Cosgrove, age 40, and Brian Cosgrove, age 37, both of Weatherly, Pennsylvania were indicted by a federal grand jury on conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering charges.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the 59-count indictment alleges that between October 2022 and May 2023, the Cosgroves conspired to defraud financial institutions which had possession of money from an estate and from a 93-year-old individual totaling approximately $1,000,000. It is further alleged that the Cosgroves used and caused wire transactions to fraudulently obtain the money which they spent on personal items including a house, recreational vehicle, boat, vacations, and paying off personal and business debt. The indictment also alleges that they used the fraudulently obtained money in multiple unlawful monetary transactions.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for bank fraud is 30 years of imprisonment and the maximum penalty under federal law for wire fraud is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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California man convicted of fraud for operating call centers that preyed on struggling homeownersRead the Press Release
Seattle –The operator of a web of boiler-room-type call centers was convicted Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle for defrauding over 1,000 distressed homeowners facing foreclosure, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Mohammed Zafaranchi, 43, aka ‘Mike Ferry’ was convicted of all twelve federal charges he faced: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering, and obstruction of justice. After a seven-day trial, the jury deliberated for about four hours before returning the guilty verdicts. Zafaranchi faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour on October 21, 2025.
“The defendant preyed on vulnerable homeowners who were desperate to avoid losing their homes in a difficult economy,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “He manipulated these people into paying him thousands of dollars they could not afford to lose. Mr. Zafaranchi demonstrated he knew his activities were illegal when he destroyed evidence just after learning the FBI had served search warrants at one of his call centers.”
Zafaranchi’s fraud involved purchasing data that identified homeowners who were behind on their mortgages and at risk of losing their homes. Each week, Zafaranchi sent thousands of solicitation mailers falsely telling the distressed homeowners they were eligible for government programs that would reduce their mortgage debt by 30% and reduce their interest rate to 2%. The mailers told homeowners to call a phone number before a made-up deadline to get the mortgage modification.
When homeowners called the call centers, operators followed a series of scripts telling homeowners that lawyers and underwriters had vetted their case and negotiated a modification with their lender. The scripts instructed operators to place callers on hold for a pre-determined amount of time to build suspense and make it appear a review was underway. The operator would then return to the line and tell each victim he or she was one of the very select few who qualified for the program—but only if the homeowner paid the call center a $3,000 legal fee to “finalize” the modification. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Watts Staniar said in closing arguments that “Each stage of the script was designed to entice the victim into the fraud and get them to pay the fee.”
In fact, Zafaranchi’s businesses had no legal or underwriting staff. Instead, untrained workers simply scanned the homeowners’ financial records, completed a basic application form, and sent the documents to the banks. The homeowners did not receive the modifications promised in the mailers, and some lost their homes.
After taking the victims’ money, Zafaranchi laundered the funds through shell bank accounts and withdrew the proceeds in cash. He was convicted of money laundering for this conduct.
On March 29, 2018, the FBI served a search warrant on the call center in Everett Washington. After learning of this search, Zafaranchi told his California employees to remove the computers and other evidence from his California offices. That night, Zafaranchi destroyed all records associated with three email accounts he used to operate the businesses. For that conduct, Zafaranchi was convicted of obstruction of justice.
Zafaranchi’s two coconspirators have already pleaded guilty. Mark Lezama is scheduled for sentencing on October 14, 2025. Josh Herrera is scheduled for sentencing on October 21, 2025.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson, Lauren Watts Staniar, and Dane A. Westermeyer. The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General provided support in the case.
California Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for trafficking and conspiring to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Marcos Haro, 40, of Sacramento, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 14 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In March 2025, Marcos Haro pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; aiding and abetting; and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; aiding and abetting. In April 2023, Marcos Haro was indicted along with his brother Noel Haro.
Noel Haro is a member and influential leader of the “Border Brothers” gang – a large-scale international gang known to be involved in drug, weapon and human trafficking in Southern Arizona with a presence in Nogales, Mexico and the Arizona prison system. Noel Haro is currently serving a life sentence following convictions in Arizona for drug distribution, conspiracy and money laundering. Noel Haro was previously serving his sentence at a facility in Arizona but was transferred to serve his sentence in Massachusetts upon being deemed a security concern due to his alleged influence over other inmates and repeated introduction of cell phones and narcotics into Arizona facilities.
Beginning in or about April 2019, and investigation began into Noel Haro’s attempts to facilitate the trafficking of narcotics to Massachusetts. Investigators monitoring Noel Haro’s inmate calls learned that he was soliciting friends and family members to transport narcotics from Arizona to Massachusetts on his behalf. In April 2022, recorded inmate calls indicated that Noel Haro worked with his brother, Marcos Haro, to arrange drug deals outside of prison.
In June 2022, Marcos Haro agreed to supply a cooperating witness with samples of multiple narcotics, including fentanyl and methamphetamine. Marcos Haro later mailed the narcotics concealed in a purple teddy bear inside a postal package. On July 13, 2022, the package was retrieved and found to contain powdered fentanyl, five counterfeit fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and approximately 3 grams of heroin. On July 25, 2022, during a recorded inmate call, Noel Haro and Marcos Haro discussed selling one pound of methamphetamine to the same individual. On July 27, 2022, investigators retrieved the package sent from Marcos Haro which contained approximately 446.6 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine. On Aug. 10, 2022, Noel Haro directed Marcos Haro to arrange the sale of five pounds of methamphetamine to the same individual. Later, on Sept. 12, 2022, investigators retrieved two packages sent from Marcos Haro, which contained approximately 892.3 grams of 86% pure methamphetamine and approximately 1,320.2 grams of 95% pure methamphetamine.
In October 2022, Marcos and Noel Haro made arrangements to sell an individual 2,000 fentanyl pills. On Nov. 17, 2022, Marcos sent the individual a photograph of a United States Postal Service shipping box, label and receipt. On Nov. 20, 2022, investigators retrieved the package sent by Marcos Haro, which contained approximately 2,000 blue pills, which tested positive for approximately 215.3 grams of fentanyl.
On April 2, 2023, Marcos Haro was arrested in Sacramento, Calif. following a motor vehicle stop. A 9mm handgun with eight live rounds in the magazine and approximately 2.9 grams of suspected fentanyl that field tested positive for the presence of opiates, were found during a subsequent search of the vehicle. Marcos Haro has a lengthy criminal history that includes 10 prior convictions, including a 2016 conviction for possession of a controlled substance while armed and illegal possession of an assault weapon with a large capacity magazine, for which he was sentenced to seven years in prison. Marcos Haro is a known member of the Norteno gang which is a Mexican American gang located in Northern California, as well as the Bloods gang and the RideZilla prison gang.
On July 10, 2025, Noel Haro was sentenced to 188 months in prison.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Department of Correction’s Commissioner Shawn Jenkins made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sacramento Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea E. Porter and Charles Dell’Anno of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.California Man Convicted at TrialRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Petru-Razvan Bruma, 40 years old, a citizen of the United Kingdom and a California resident, was found guilty of possessing device-making equipment after a three-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
This case involved the defendant’s possession of shimmer devices and pinhole cameras installed on two local automatic teller machines. These items were designed to capture the card numbers and personal identification numbers of bank customers.“Bruma traveled into this District with devices made to steal personal bank information from unsuspecting ATM customers,” said Proctor. “Thanks to excellent work by our team of investigators and prosecutors, he was charged and convicted for his conduct. This should send a clear message: If you come to Northern Indiana to commit crimes, you will be held accountable.”
Sentencing is scheduled for August 13, 2025. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lesley Miller Lowery and Justin Sheridan.
Brooklyn-Based “Euro 380” Gang Members Indicted on Racketeering Charges and Firearm-Related MurderRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in a federal court in Brooklyn, an 11-count superseding indictment was unsealed charging four Euro 380 gang members, Kashawn Mason, also known as “Jojo” and “Jojo Euro,” Daniel Horton, also known as “DayDay” and “DayDay Tz,” Ryan Nieves, also known as “Rocket” and “TooSturdy,” and Dylan Stanley, also known as “Brady,” with racketeering, firearm-related murder, multiple armed robberies, and assaults in-aid-of racketeering. Mason and Stanley are also charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Mason and Stanley were taken into custody today and will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho. Horton and Nieves are presently in federal custody and will be arraigned at a later date.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney; and Anne T. Donnelly, Nassau County District Attorney announced the superseding indictment.
“As alleged in the superseding indictment, the defendants carried out a litany of violent crimes, including a senseless murder in furtherance of their gang, putting the Bedford Stuyvesant community at extreme risk of harm and turning housing developments into war zones,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s superseding indictment speaks loudly about the commitment of our Office to reducing gun violence, making our communities safe for law abiding residents who have been living in fear of violent gangs and bringing gang members to justice. I commend our prosecutors and federal and state law enforcement partners for their tireless work dismantling gangs operating in Brooklyn and throughout the Eastern District.”
Mr. Nocella also thanked the Nassau County Police Department and the New York State Department of Corrections for their valuable assistance.
“To enhance their gang’s status and intimidate rivals, these four defendants allegedly participated in a myriad of criminal activity, including a retaliatory murder,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Their alleged actions allowed tensions to violently erupt in a residential community and submitted bystanders to a senseless territorial gunfight. Alongside our law enforcement partners, the FBI maintains its steadfast determination to disrupt any gangs’ reign of terror in our neighborhoods. This operation is part of Summer Heat, the FBI’s nationwide initiative targeting violent crime during the summer months.”
“The defendants in this case allegedly treated our Brooklyn neighborhoods like a warzone, firing 34 rounds in broad daylight, killing one person and injuring others, all to settle a gang score,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “They robbed businesses, pushed fentanyl, and recruited teenagers to carry out violence. Today’s indictment makes clear that we will not let violent gangs turn our communities into battlegrounds. I want to thank our investigators and law enforcement partners for their relentless work to bring these defendants to justice.”
“This was brazen, targeted violence that put entire communities at risk as these defendants allegedly opened fire near homes and businesses and robbed residents at gunpoint,” stated Brooklyn District Attorney Gonzalez. “Brooklyn saw record-low gun violence last year, and we are committed to holding accountable anyone who imperils our progress improving the safety of our neighborhoods. This indictment reflects the results of a strong collaboration between my Office, the NYPD, and federal law enforcement. I commend U.S. Attorney Nocella, his team, and all of our partners for their outstanding work."
“Gun violence and gang-related crime know no borders, which is why strong law enforcement partnerships are crucial in the fight against them,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly. “My office is proud to have assisted the U.S. Attorney’s Office, our local partners in New York City, and the FBI, in charging these defendants for their alleged crimes. By working together across jurisdictions, we are sending a message that anyone who perpetrates violence in our communities will be met with justice.”
As alleged in the superseding indictment and other court filings, Euro 380 gang is a violent street gang operating out of the Marcy Houses, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) development in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Euro 380 is a subset of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation (UGSN), a parent gang with members located in Brooklyn and elsewhere. Members of Euro 380 have a longstanding rivalry with another gang known as the Bloodhound Brims and, more specifically, a subset of the Bloodhound Brims known as “900,” which also operates out of Bedford-Stuyvesant in the Tompkins and Sumner Houses, also NYCHA developments located less than two blocks from the Marcy Houses.
On September 30, 2023, Nieves, Stanley and two juveniles walked from the Marcy Houses to the Sumner Houses intending to shoot and kill rival 900 gang members after one of their fellow Euro 380 members was murdered three days earlier. After arriving at the Sumner Houses, Nieves and Stanley unleashed a fusillade of 34 rounds at a group of individuals they believed to be 900 gang members. Kyle Forde was killed and two other individuals suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds. The fatal shooting was allegedly ordered by Mason and another high-ranking Euro 380 member.
Additionally, in September 2023 and November 2023, the defendants carried out three robberies in Brooklyn of individuals, a smoke shop, and a bodega during which they displayed firearms or what appeared to be a firearm.
The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, defendants Mason, Nieves, and Stanley face a maximum of life in prison. Horton faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Andy Palacio, Raffaela S. Belizaire, and Megan Larkin are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants
KASHAWN MASON (also known as “Jojo” and “Jojo Euro”)
Age: 22
Brooklyn, New YorkDANIEL HORTON (also known as “DayDay” and “DayDay Tz”)
Age: 23
Brooklyn, New YorkRYAN NIEVES (also known as “Rocket” and “TooSturdy”)
Age: 20
Brooklyn, New YorkDYLAN STANLEY (also known as “Brady”)
Age: 22
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-261 (ENV)
Bristol, Virginia Man Sentenced to 96 Months on Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Virginia man, convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine following a three-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Abingdon in June 2025, was sentenced this week to 96 months in federal prison.
Christopher M. Sullivan, 31, was convicted in June of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Sullivan is the final defendant in this 20-member conspiracy to be sentenced.
“Methamphetamine has ravaged Southwest Virginia for decades, causing cycles of addiction and misery in its wake,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “We must be vigilant in attacking this issue at its source and bringing to justice those who profit off the addiction of others. I am grateful to our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration and all of our local partners for their work on this case.”
“There has been a large increase in methamphetamine distribution in Virginia in recent years, especially the western part. Local gangs and drug trafficking organizations are not only mixing meth with other substances but are also transforming it into fake pill forms to enhance its marketability,” commented Shane K. Todd, Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Washington Division. “I want to express my gratitude to the DEA teams, USAO-WDVA litigators, and our local and state partners for their hard work in investigating, arresting, and prosecuting this individual, who was a clear public safety threat to Virginians.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sullivan conspired with Christopher David Johnson – an inmate in a Georgia state prison – and numerous others to traffic and distribute kilograms of methamphetamine from Georgia into Southwest Virginia.
Johnson used smuggled cell phones to operate a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation from his prison cell in Georgia. Johnson regularly communicated with his co-conspirators using Facebook, WhatsApp, Signal, phone calls, and text messaging to coordinate drug deliveries, set pricing, manage drug quantities, handle recruitment, intimidation, and sales.
Evidence showed that Sullivan regularly communicated with Johnson to accomplish the goals of the conspiracy. Sullivan also distributed methamphetamine for Johnson, wired money to Mexico at Johnson’s direction, and paid Johnson for methamphetamine.
In December 2024, Johnson was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy to 20 years in federal prison – to run consecutive to his state prison sentence – and ten years of supervised release. The eighteen other defendants received prison sentences ranging from three to fifteen years.
United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert and Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the DEA Washington Division made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and multiple law enforcement agencies in Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia investigated the case, including the Bristol (Tennessee) Police Department, the Bristol (Virginia) Police Department, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Georgia State Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Pierce and Corey Hall are prosecuting the case.
Armed alien, illegally living in Tyler, indicted on federal firearms violationRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Tyler, has been charged with a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Marco Imanol Ferrusca-Ortega, 23, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
The indictment alleges that on July 8, 2025, Ferrusca-Ortega was found illegally in the United States and in possession of a firearm
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted, Ferrusca-Ortega faces up to 15 years in federal prison and deportation.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Tyler Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Armed Mexican national federally indicted in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Tyler, has been charged with a federal violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Luis Donaldo Villanueva-Tapia, 30, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
The indictment alleges that on July 8, 2025, Villanueva-Tapia was found illegally in the United States and in possession of a firearm
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted, Villanueva-Tapia faces up to 15 years in federal prison and deportation.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Tyler Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Alleged Human Smuggler Known as “Monstro” Indicted in El PasoRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A federal grand jury in El Paso returned an indictment Wednesday charging a Mexican national living in El Paso with three counts related to his alleged human smuggling.
According to court documents, Manuel Alejandro Melendez-Cereceres aka “Monstro,” 40, allegedly operated as a facilitator on the United States side of human smuggling events, within the Western District of Texas and the District of New Mexico. His alleged roles include recruiting and coordinating drivers and vehicles to pick up smuggled aliens for the purpose of transporting them to residences or hotels for harboring or to other locations be picked up by an additional driver.
Melendez-Cereceres was arrested and made his initial court appearance on June 20 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert F. Castaneda of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Myers and Mathew Engelbaum are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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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$4.9 Million Secured for Victims of Ayudando Guardians Fraud Scheme Through Settlement and Asset ForfeitureRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced today the recovery of $4.9 million for victims of the Ayudando Guardians fraud scheme. The U.S. Department of Justice has retained a third-party administrator to assist with disbursing the funds to victims of the decade-long embezzlement scheme that exploited vulnerable individuals under guardianship.
The U.S. Marshals Servicedemanded coverage from Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America (Travelers) under a "Wrap + Crime" policy for the losses sustained due to the criminal acts of Ayudando employees. Travelers Insurance denied coverage under the policy, so on March 31, 2022, the United States filed a civil action against Travelers in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico (“Civil Action”). The United States pursued claims against Travelers for coverage under the policy, bad faith, and violation of the New Mexico Unfair Insurance Practices Act and the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act, alleging that Travelers' denial of the United States' claim was unfounded and frivolous, and that Travelers misrepresented the coverage afforded.
On September 20, 2024, the parties participated in a settlement conference before the Honorable Gregory J. Fouratt, resulting in a settlement of the Civil Action. Travelers has agreed to pay the United States the amount of $4.9 million.
On July 17, 2025, the U.S. District Court entered a final order of forfeiture in the related criminal case, awarding $4.9 million in funds obtained through the settlement with Travelers. The recovered funds satisfy a portion of the $6.8 million money judgment against Harris.
In relation to the original criminal case, Harris, the former president and 95% owner of Ayudando, was sentenced to 47 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Her husband, William S. Harris, who worked as a guardian, received a 15-year prison sentence, also followed by three years of supervised release. Sharon A. Moore, former chief financial officer and 5% owner, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Craig M. Young, Susan Harris' son, was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison, Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI and the Phoenix Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the criminal investigation with the assistance of the Complex Assets Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the Dallas Field Division of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. The original criminal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Peña. The Civil Action and settlement were led by Assistant United States Attorneys Ruth Keegan and Jesse Hale, with assistance from Clifford Krieger, forfeiture counsel for the U.S. Marshals Service and several attorneys from the Social Security Administration. The asset forfeiture proceedings were overseen by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kotz.
16 July 2025
Worcester Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Unlawful Possession of Two Loaded Firearms, Ammunition and SilencerRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon and possessing an unregistered silencer.
Ryan Davidson, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to six years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In March 2025, Davidson pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of possessing an unregistered firearm-silencer. In August 2023, Davidson was indicted by a federal grand jury. The grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Davidson in November 2023.
On or about May 9, 2023 in Worcester, Davidson was stopped by police for a marked lane violation and for concerns about the Georgia “dealer” license plate on his vehicle. After failing to provide proof of insurance on the vehicle, Davidson was told he could leave with a citation but that his car would have to be towed, and an inventory search would be conducted pursuant to the tow. Davidson told police he did not want them to search his car and shortly thereafter, he fled the scene on foot. Davidson was apprehended in a backyard on an adjacent street, at which time he was arrested. At the time of the incident, Davidson was wearing a GPS monitoring device in connection with open state charges involving a firearm.
During the inventory search of Davidson’s vehicle, a heavy black bag was located in the trunk . In the bag, was a black balaclava and a zipped blue bag. Inside the blue bag, a Polymer P80, 9-millimeter pistol with no serial number, with a 9-millimeter magazine inserted containing 10 rounds of ammunition, a silencer and a box of 9-millimeter ammunition containing 9 rounds were located. A Taurus 9-millimeter pistol with a round in the chamber and a magazine inserted containing six rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition was also recovered in the glovebox. Davidson possessed the Taurus 9-millimeter pistol and 26 rounds of 9mm ammunition after having been convicted of previous felonies for which he had been sentenced to 7-10 years in prison.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Chief Paul Saucier of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/PSN.Wilbraham Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Public Officials, Private Individuals and ChildrenRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Wilbraham man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. to making numerous violent threats on social media targeting public figures, private individuals, children in Wilbraham and Boston, and an elementary school in Springfield.
Funwayo Mbilini Nyawo, also known as “Jonathan Funwayo Nyawo,” “Michael Jacobs” “Robert, Jacobs,” and “Carl Fields,” 37, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of interstate transmission of threatening communications and one count of stalking through facilities of interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Oct. 23, 2025. In March 2025, Nyawo was indicted by a federal grand jury. Nyawo was previously arrested on Feb. 5, 2025 in the Southern District of Florida and ordered detained until his appearance in federal court in Springfield, which will be scheduled at a later date.
Between July 30, 2024 and Oct. 1, 2024, Nyawo posted various threatening communications on X (formerly known as Twitter). These threats explicitly referenced killing, shooting, or bombing; targeted a wide variety of public figures, private individuals and sensitive public locations such as shopping malls and an elementary school; and often urged Islamic terrorist groups or holy warriors to commit these acts of violence.
Nyawo’s threats included threats to kill an elected United States official (and their family), a former United States official (and their family); a former member of a Massachusetts police department (and their family); two private individuals; local officials and their family members; the children of Wilbraham and Boston; members of the Wilbraham Police Department and Wilbraham Fire Department (and their families); and targeted two shopping malls and an elementary school in Springfield, among others.
In addition, between Aug. 17, 2024 and on or about Oct. 1, 2024, Nyawo used X to engage in a course of conduct with the intent to harass and intimidate the elected United States official, their spouse, their child, their child’s spouse and their grandchildren.
All of the charges provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and J. Thomas Manger of the United States Capital Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Wilbraham Police Department, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and the Miami-Dade Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Waterbury Cocaine Distributor Sentenced to More Than 3 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CARMELO CANCEL, also known as “Bebe,” 31, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for supplying cocaine to two Waterbury drug trafficking organizations.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies investigated two drug trafficking organizations based in the city of Waterbury. One organization was headed by Angel Quiros, also known as “Papa John,” and operated in the area of William Street, and the other was headed by Daniel Diaz-Rivera and operated in the area of Maple Avenue. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that the two organizations distributed cocaine, crack, and fentanyl through a network of sellers. Cancel supplied cocaine to both organizations, which worked together to further their operations.
Cancel, Quiros, Diaz-Rivera, and 14 other individuals were charged with federal offenses as a result of the investigation. Cancel and several codefendants were arrested on November 29, 2023. In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials (“caps”) of crack, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags of fentanyl/heroin, two stolen firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash.
On April 23, 2025, Cancel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Released on $100,000 bond, he is required to report to prison on September 17.
Quiros and Diaz-Rivera pleaded guilty to related charges. Quiros awaits sentencing and, on June 23, 2025, Diaz-Rivera was sentenced to 210 months of imprisonment.
The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task includes members from the FBI, the Waterbury Police Department, the Naugatuck Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police, Wolcott Police Department, and Meriden Police Department have assisted the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.