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Thursday 29 May 2025
Ocala Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Scott Alan Colson (60, Ocala) to 15 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Following the prison term, Colson must serve a lifetime of supervised release. He entered a guilty plea on February 6, 2025.
According to court records, on July 24, 2024, an undercover detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office posed as a 15-year-old girl on an online messaging application. Colson contacted the undercover detective’s account, inquired as to whether the fictional minor had ever “been with older men” and asked to meet her. Colson added, “You keep secrets if we meet up.” Colson then engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the undercover detective. Colson arranged to meet the “minor” at a predetermined location in Marion County where he was arrested by law enforcement. When interviewed by law enforcement, Colson admitted to engaging in the sexually explicit conversation and then traveling to meet the fictional minor to engage in sexual activity. An examination of Colson’s cellphone revealed other child sexual exploitation materials.
“The attempt to entice and meet a minor for sexual activity is a reprehensible crime that strikes at the heart of our community’s safety and moral foundation,” said Homeland Security Investigation Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI and our law enforcement partners remain unwavering in our commitment to protect our children from these kinds of predators. The safety and security of our youth is non-negotiable, we will protect them at all costs.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
New Orleans Man Guilty of Federal Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on May 27, 2025, BRANDON TURNER (“TURNER”), age 39, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty to Counts One, Two, and Three of the indictment pending against him. Count One charged TURNER with possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). Count Two charged TURNER with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Count Three charged TURNER with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
According to court documents, on January 30, 2024, TURNER was arrested for suspected narcotics trafficking. Law enforcement officers searched TURNER’s apartment and found a detectable amount of fentanyl. Law enforcement officers also found ammunition and a Glock, Model 43, nine-millimeter caliber pistol. TURNER knew he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition.
At sentencing, TURNER faces a minimum 5-year term of imprisonment up to 40 years’ imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and up to 4 years of supervised release for Count One; a minimum 5-year term of imprisonment up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release for Count Two; and up to 15 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for Count Three. TURNER also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee as to all three counts.
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.
Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation the New Orleans Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.
Nevada Man Who Stole over $7M in Treasury Checks, Sentenced to Six Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Kyle Eugene Duncan-Carle, 41, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release after he admitted to bank fraud in 2023.
In addition to his term of imprisonment, Duncan-Carle, was ordered to pay $3,490,634.75 in restitution.
According to court documents and statements made at Duncan-Carle’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, from January 2023 through September 2023 in the District of Utah. Duncan-Carle stole U.S. Treasury checks made out to individuals and companies, assumed the identity of the individuals whose names were on the checks, opened credit union accounts under the assumed identities, and then deposited the checks and withdrew the funds. Duncan-Carle admitted the scheme resulted in at least eight stolen treasury checks that totaled $7,975,621.22. As a result, Duncan-Carle cost the United States government, financial institutions, and a financial institution’s insurance provider $3,490,634.75.
Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case was investigated jointly by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); the Internal Revenue Service Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA); and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen P. Dent and Luisa Gough of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Multi-Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Brady Kyle Milton Williams (29, Florida) has pleaded guilty to two counts possession of a firearm or ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon. Williams faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents, on November 3, 2022, during an investigation into a stolen vehicle, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office discovered Williams had a loaded pistol tucked inside his waistband. Several weeks later, on January 13, 2023, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on another suspected stolen vehicle. Williams, the driver of that vehicle, fled from law enforcement. Once law enforcement disabled the vehicle, Williams fled on foot into a nearby field where he was apprehended. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded revolver in the vehicle’s driver-side door pocket. The passenger in the vehicle confirmed the firearm belonged to Williams.
At the time of these events, Williams already was a nine-time convicted felon. His previous state convictions included fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, grand theft of a motor vehicle, owning and operating a chop shop, and possession of methamphetamine. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Multimillion-Dollar Medicare Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Missouri man pleaded guilty today to orchestrating a scheme to defraud Medicare by unlawfully billing millions of dollars in claims for cancer genetic testing and cardiovascular genetic testing.
According to court documents, Jamie P. McNamara, 49, of Kansas City, operated several laboratories in Louisiana and Texas, which obtained doctors’ orders for genetic testing from telemarketers and call centers that used aggressive telemarketing campaigns to induce Medicare beneficiaries to agree to receive genetic testing. Orders for genetic testing were signed by purported telemedicine doctors who were not the beneficiaries’ treating physicians, did not perform consultations with the beneficiaries, and did not follow up with the beneficiaries after the testing was performed. To obtain the orders, McNamara paid illegal kickbacks and bribes, which he disguised through sham contracts. In furtherance of the scheme, he also shifted the billing between his laboratories to evade scrutiny from Medicare and law enforcement and concealed his ownership and control of the laboratories by falsely listing the names of his family members as owners and company representatives on Medicare and other documents. In approximately one and a half years, the laboratories operated by McNamara submitted over $174 million in claims to Medicare for genetic testing and received over $55 million in reimbursements. The government previously seized several luxury vehicles and over $7 million in bank accounts.
“The defendant used illegal payments and lies to fraudulently bill Medicare over $174 million,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Health care fraud harms patients, drains government resources, and violates the public trust. The Criminal Division is fully committed to uncovering and aggressively prosecuting these schemes.”
“This guilty plea marks the conclusion of a meticulous and complicated prosecution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Medicare fraud schemes profoundly erode taxpayer confidence and faith in our medical institutions. Schemes such as these must be rooted out, investigated and prosecuted, not only for the monetary loss triggered by the fraud, but also to preserve the public’s trust. Our office, along with our investigative partners, will continue to work diligently to maintain taxpayer confidence in our federal institutions and seek justice for all victims of fraud.”
“McNamara lined his pockets by preying on vulnerable Americans concerned about their health. The genetic tests Medicare patients were lured into receiving did not provide them with any answers on their predisposition to life threatening illnesses and cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “Today's plea is the culmination of thorough investigative work and partnership between the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) to protect the public and ensure that justice is served.”
“Misleading patients with fraudulent genetic testing schemes to exploit the Medicare program is not just unethical — it’s criminal,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of HHS-OIG. “Today’s plea reflects HHS-OIG’s steadfast commitment to holding those who deceive patients and seek to cripple the integrity of our nation’s federal health care programs accountable. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate such schemes and bring those responsible to justice.”
While on pretrial release, McNamara violated his bond conditions by, among other things, fleeing from a DUI arrest and cutting off an ankle monitor. He was subsequently detained.
McNamara pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 9 and faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
HHS-OIG and the FBI are investigating the case.
Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard and Trial Attorney Kelly Z. Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of 9 strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Mexican National Sentenced to Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – Jose Tiscareno-Rangel, 35, a citizen of Mexico, has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary after pleading guilty to illegally reentering the United States. He will be deported to Mexico upon completion of his prison sentence.
Tiscareno-Rangel admitted to illegally re-entering the country without the consent of the United States Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security. He was previously removed from the U.S. on Sept.10, 2018. The defendant also had a previous conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1.5 kilograms of heroin.
In July 2024, immigration officials learned that Tiscareno-Rangel was once again illegally in the United States and was found during an encounter with law enforcement at a gas station in Toledo.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol-Sandusky Bay Station and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dexter L. Phillips for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Mexican National Sentenced for Re-Entry of Deported AlienRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael Simpson announced the May 27, 2025 sentencing of JOEL BECERRA-CESARIO (“BECERRA-CESARIO”), age 38, a Mexican national, by U.S. District Judge Darrel J. Papillion to 27 months of imprisonment for re-entry of a removed alien, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Sections 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2).
After serving his sentence, BECERRA-CESARIO will be deported to his home country of Mexico.
According to court documents, BECERRA-CESARIO, who had a previous felony conviction for cocaine distribution, was apprehended in Kenner around October 20, 2023. He had been previously deported to Mexico on May 15, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Simpson expressed appreciation for the investigative work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is overseeing the prosecution.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG-The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Miguel Molina-Echavarria, age 40, a citizen of Mexico residing in Hagerstown, Maryland, was indicted on May 28, 2025, by a federal grand jury on the charge of illegally reentering the United States after having previously been removed.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Molina-Echavarria illegally reentered the United States and was found in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, on May 18, 2025, after being removed pursuant to a court order in July 2024, at or near Brownsville, Texas, without first having obtained permission for reentry into the United States.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is two 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 and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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McKeesport Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 42 months of imprisonment on his conviction of possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Edward Joseph Mitchell, 31, on May 15, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, on August 28, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Mitchell’s McKeesport residence. During the search, agents recovered a 9-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with 34 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition and with an aftermarket extended magazine attached. Agents also recovered hundreds of additional live rounds of ammunition of various calibers from inside the residence. Mitchell had multiple prior felony state drug trafficking convictions. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mitchell.
Maryland woman sentenced to four years in prison for scheme to use stolen identities to purchase vehiclesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland woman was sentenced yesterday to four years in prison for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on Nov. 23, 2022, Loryn Michelle Dorsey, 36, of Elkridge, Maryland, fraudulently obtained the personal identifying information (PII) of two victims, identified as K.R. and Z.B, due to their high credit scores, which she needed to fraudulently obtain a loan from a bank to purchase a vehicle. Dorsey also assumed the fake identity of “Julia Ball,” who is not a real person.
On December 6, 2022, Dorsey used K.R.’s PII to apply online for financing to purchase a vehicle from a car dealership in Fairfax, falsely presenting herself as K.R., a female. The dealership then submitted the information to financial institutions to provide the requested credit. Ally Bank, among others, received but rejected the application, but no loan was awarded, and no vehicle was purchased.
Later that day, Dorsey again attempted to obtain approval for financing to purchase a vehicle from the same dealership, this time applying with Z.B. as the co-purchaser and “Julia Ball” as the co-owner. Through the dealership’s website, Dorsey was granted conditional approval of a loan from Ally Bank based on Z.B.’s good credit rating. Because Z.B. had to be present to complete the purchase, and because Z.B. is a man, Dorsey asked a coconspirator to accompany her to the dealership and fraudulently present himself as Z.B. Dorsey also arranged for someone to create a fraudulent identification document with Z.B.’s information and the co-conspirator’s photograph.
Dorsey and the co-conspirator, at Dorsey’s direction, completed paperwork to purchase a 2015 Cadillac Escalade for $48,629.20, with $1,000 cash downpayment provided by Dorsey and the remaining sum of $47,629.20 to be financed by Ally Bank. Fairfax County Police (FCPD) arrived at the dealership after the paperwork was completed. When Dorsey was arrested, she was in possession of a firearm. In 2016, Dorsey was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance in Maryland. As a previously convicted felon, Dorsey cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Emily Odom, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.
FCPD Auto Crimes Enforcement and the FBI WFO TOC-E/Major Theft Task Force investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Durham 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.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-7.
Marrero Man Sentenced for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RASHEED SMITH (“SMITH”), age 34, of Marrero, Louisiana, was sentenced on May 22, 2025 by United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion to seventy (70) months imprisonment followed by three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
According to court documents, in January 2023, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies encountered SMITH during a routine traffic stop. SMITH abandoned the vehicle in an attempt to flee. After a brief struggle, SMITH was apprehended. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a firearm in the driver’s side door compartment. Due to previous felony convictions, SMITH is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
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.
The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Marion County Man Sentenced for Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Darrel Keith McHoney, 55, of Fairmont, West Virginia was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison for selling para-fluorofentanyl in Marion and Harrison Counties.
According to court documents and statements made in court, McHoney sold para-fluorofentanyl and heroin. Investigators searched his home and seized more than 100 grams of para-fluorofentanyl, a loaded firearm magazine, and drug paraphernalia. McHoney has a criminal history that includes attempted robbery and drug trafficking.
McHoney will be on three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Man Sentenced to 72 months in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Eddie Lee Grasty was sentenced last week to 72 months in prison with 3 years of supervised release, following his guilty plea to unlawful possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, Eddie Lee Grasty, 28, was arrested in March 2024 after assaulting a woman in a St. Paul apartment. During the assault, Grasty repeatedly struck that woman in the face and head before brandishing a Glock handgun, pointing it at her, and threatening to use it to end her life. Grasty was prohibited from possessing that firearm due to his prior felony convictions, several of which arose from Grasty’s other violent assaults of women. Grasty’s history of violence against women includes several assaults, a stabbing, and two strangulations of a pregnant victim.
“We know that defendants like Grasty—who habitually abuse and assault women—are some of the most dangerous offenders on the streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Grasty has stabbed, strangled, and terrorized women for years. He will now serve a well-deserved 72 months behind bars.”
Grasty was sentenced in U.S. District Court before Judge Ann D. Montgomery.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF and the St. Paul Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel W. Bobier represented the government at sentencing.
Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of an Improvised Explosive Device and Sawed-Off ShotgunRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM Ala. – An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
Key’onstis Maurice Morgan, 24, of Centreville, Alabama, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco for illegally possessing a weapon made from a shotgun and a destructive device, specifically an improvised explosive device-type bomb.
According to the plea agreement, Morgan was found in possession of both the firearm and bomb on the night of February 16, 2024. The firearm had been made from a single-shot 20-gauge shotgun and was loaded with a shell. Morgan admitted to sawing off the shotgun’s stock and cutting the barrel down to 13.5 inches in length.
Morgan was also in possession of a cardboard tube wrapped in electrical tape that contained 12 grams of energetic powder and a fuse. Someone weaponized the device by taping or gluing 21 screws, four small razor blades, and assorted staples around the exterior. These small metal pieces would create potentially lethal shrapnel upon explosion.
ATF investigated the case along with the Centreville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Lee Gilmer is prosecuting the case.
Los Angeles Man Who Mailed Kilograms of Cocaine for Distribution in Western Pennsylvania Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty in federal court to a drug trafficking charge, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Jose Angel Sanchez, 33, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between March 2022 and September 2022, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The investigation revealed that Sanchez would mail parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine from California to a residence in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. After investigators seized a parcel containing two kilograms of cocaine before it reached the Aliquippa residence, Sanchez began sending the parcels from California to co-defendant Christopher Andrew Salgado in West Virginia. Thereafter, surveillance confirmed that Salgado would drive the parcels from West Virginia to the Pittsburgh International Airport, where he would pick up Sanchez, who had arrived on flights from California. Salgado would when then drive both the parcel of cocaine and Sanchez to co-defendant Romaro Foster Sr. in Aliquippa.
Following one re-supply of cocaine to Foster Sr., law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Salgado as he drove Sanchez back to the Pittsburgh International Airport. After identifying Salgado and Sanchez, law enforcement terminated the traffic stop while surveillance followed the conspirators. Prior to reaching the airport, investigators observed Salgado park at a fast food restaurant and discard a box in a trash bin in the restaurant’s parking lot before leaving. Investigators recovered the box, which bore a shipping label with Salgado’s West Virginia address that Sanchez had mailed from California. Investigators observed drug packaging material within the box and conducted a field test of the packaging, which revealed the presence of cocaine.
In August 2022, investigators seized a parcel sent from California to Salgado in West Virginia that contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine. Investigators then executed a search warrant upon Salgado’s residence, recovering a different parcel mailed by Sanchez to Salgado that contained another approximately two kilograms of cocaine.
Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for October 2, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Judge Hardy previously sentenced Salgado to five years of imprisonment for his role in the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Sanchez.
This prosecution is part of an OCDETF investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Longtime federal prosecutor named Acting U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – President Donald J. Trump has named Jay R. Combs as Acting United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX).
“I am thankful to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for this opportunity and humbled by the honor of leading the Eastern District of Texas,” said Combs. “This opportunity to serve the American people is both a tremendous responsibility and a great privilege. This office plays a critical role in ensuring the American people are kept safe. I look forward to advancing the administration’s core priorities of immigration enforcement; combatting human trafficking and smuggling; attacking transnational organized crime, cartels, and gangs; and protecting the federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect us all. I look forward to working alongside our great prosecutors, staff and brave law enforcement partners.”
Combs is a longtime federal prosecutor who previously served as the branch chief of the largest and most active office in the Eastern District of Texas. He joined the Department of Justice in 2006 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) on the U.S. – Mexico border. As an AUSA, Combs prosecuted organized crime, immigration, narcotics and human trafficking cases, as well as fraud, public corruption and white collar matters. Combs has received several nationwide awards during his time in the Department of Justice, recognizing his contributions in the fight against international drug cartels.
As Acting U.S. Attorney, Combs is the chief law enforcement officer for one of the busiest districts in the United States. The EDTX typically prosecutes and extradites more foreign drug cartel leaders than most other U.S. Attorney’s Office’s nationwide. The district represents 43 counties and over 3.5 million people. This district currently comprises six U.S. District Court divisions with federal district courts in Beaumont, Sherman, Plano, Tyler, Lufkin, and Marshall.
Before joining the Department, Combs served in the United States Army as a Judge Advocate General for six years. He is a twenty-year veteran of the Army with several stints of active duty service as well as service in the reserve component. He served in a number of roles in the Army including as the Executive Officer of an Air Defense Artillery Battery. He is the graduate of numerous military schools including the Military Police Officer Basic Course. Combs served two combat tours. He served in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990-91). Combs also served in Afghanistan in 2008-2009, earning the Bronze Star medal.
Combs has lived in Texas for over twenty years but originally hails from Springerville, Arizona. He received his bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and his law degree from the University of New Mexico. He has been married to his wife, Melissa, for 30 years and they have seven children.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx.
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Linneus Man Sentenced for Role in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Linneus man was sentenced on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a northern Maine drug trafficking ring.
U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced James Valiante, 43, to 36 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. On August 22, 2024, Valiante pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Valiante and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. Valiante regularly arranged to obtain quantities of the two drugs from other members of the conspiracy through phone calls and texts using coded language and then distributed those drugs through a network of dealers he supplied in Aroostook County, using the proceeds to purchase more drugs.
Twenty-two defendants have been charged in this and related cases for their part in a widespread northern Maine drug trafficking conspiracy. With Valiante’s sentencing this week, 20 of the defendants have been sentenced while two – Daquan Corbett and Daviston Jackson, who were convicted following a two-week trial in December 2024 – await sentencing.
In addition to the sentence imposed on Valiante today, the Court has imposed the following sentences in related cases:
Sentenced:
- Andrew Adams (32, Aroostook County) – 10 years
- Matthew Catalano (38, Penobscot County) – 165 months
- Christopher Coty (44, Bangor) – 4 years
- Jason Cunrod (42, Caribou) – 48 months
- Blaine Footman (38, Bangor) – 5 years
- Nicole Footman (41, Holden) – 3 years
- Dwight Gary, Jr. (54, Medway) – Time served (approx. 5 months)
- Carol Gordon (53, Bangor) – Time served (approx. 31 months) plus 6 months of community confinement
- Thomas Hammond (26, Charleston) – 84 months
- Joshua Jerrell (30, Orrington) – Time served (approx. 36 months)
- James King (55, Caribou) – 165 months
- Shelby Loring (29, Bangor) – Time served (approx. 32 months)
- Danielle McBreairty (34, Glenburn) – 20 years
- John Miller (24, Caribou) – 54 months
- Aaron Rodgers (43, Bangor) – Time served (approx. 33 months)
- Wayne Smith (33, Bangor) – 85 months
- Joshua Young (48, Presque Isle) – Time served (approx. 2 months) plus 24 months home detention
- Tamara Davis (29, Fall River, MA) – Time Served (approx. 14 months)
- Sarah McBreairty (36, Dixmont) – 60 months
Awaiting sentencing:
- Daquan Corbett (31, Brockton, MA) – sentencing scheduled for August 11, 2025
- Daviston Jackson (28, Boston, MA) – sentencing to be scheduled
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Ledyard Man Charged with Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, today announced that JASON GIBSON, 45, of Ledyard, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with a child exploitation offense.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in February 2020, Gibson was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography and sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, suspended after 30 months, and 10 years of probation. He was released from state custody in January 2021. In April 2023, Gibson’s probation was revoked for violating the conditions of his release and he was sentenced to 90 months of incarceration, suspended after six months, and 94 months of probation. He was released from state custody in August 2023.
It is further alleged that on March 6, 2024, state probation officers made a routine home visit to Gibson’s residence and seized an unapproved cellphone that also contained a dark web application. Subsequent analysis of the phone revealed more than 200 child sex abuse images and videos, and numerous text messages with links to access child pornography on the dark web. On April 2, 2025, probation officers made another home visit to Gibson’s residence and seized an external hard drive. Analysis of the hard drive revealed more than 18,000 images and 1,400 videos depicting child sex abuse.
The complaint charges Gibson with possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The penalties in this matter are enhanced because of Gibson’s prior state convictions.
Gibson has been detained in state custody since April 2, 2025. He made his initial appearance today in Hartford federal court.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Town of Groton Police Department and the Connecticut Court Support Services Division – Adult Probation Services.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Leader of Drug Trafficking Crew Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Cila Melgar Rodriguez, 36, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine throughout the District of Columbia and Maryland. Rodriguez is in the U.S. illegally and is subject to mandatory deportation after he completes his sentence.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Assistant in Charge Steven J. Jensen, Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck of Homeland Security Investigations Washington Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Rodriguez, aka “Paipa,” pleaded guilty Feb. 27, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and crack cocaine before U.S. District Court Judge John Bates. He also acknowledged that he acted as leader of the cocaine trafficking conspiracy. In addition to the prison term, Judge Bates ordered Rodriguez to serve five years of supervised release and imposed a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $100,000.
According to court documents, on August 12, 2023, one of Rodriguez’s co-conspirators agreed to sell five kilograms of cocaine to a confidential source for $120,000. On August 18, 2023, the charged co-conspirators drove to a Costco parking lot to complete the transaction. DEA agents arrested the charged co-conspirators. Rodriguez, who was not present at the time of the arrest, had provided the cocaine and organized the deal. Agents recovered a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver from the co-defendant’s car. Agents also recovered a black and white canvas bag which contained more than 3.6 kilos of cocaine.
Earlier that day, the charged co-conspirators had visited Rodriguez outside a Northwest apartment building where Rodriguez provided them with the cocaine that was eventually recovered by law enforcement during the buy-bust.
This case was investigated and prosecuted under the auspices of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking (VCNT) Section. The VCNT Section’s mission is to disrupt and dismantle the District's most serious drivers of violence and large-scale firearms and drug trafficking, and pursue their principals locally, nationally and internationally. VCNT places an emphasis on proactive, intelligence-driven, long- and medium-term criminal investigations, and its prosecutions focus on violent and armed crews and conspiracies, collective conduct, and repeat offenders.
This case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, HSI and ICE. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George P. Eliopoulos of the VCNT Section, with valuable assistance from Special Assistant U.S Attorneys Javier Urbina, Ernesto J. Alvarado, Timothy J. Coley, and Adam Stempel.
23cr302
Latimer County Resident Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Abuse of A MinorRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Garret James Walkos, age 25, of Red Oak, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country, punishable by thirty years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.
The Indictment alleged that beginning in June 2023 and continuing until March 2024, Walkos knowingly engaged and attempted to engage in a sexual act with a minor who had not attained the age of 12 years.
The crime occurred in Latimer County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Criminal Investigations.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Walkos will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Bove and Morgan Muzljakovich represented the United States.
Labor Organizations to Pay $5.1 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program LoansRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Four labor organizations have agreed to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by applying for and obtaining loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for which they knew or should have known they were ineligible. The United States contended that these organization caused the Small Business Administration (SBA) to pay loan forgiveness, in addition to interest and processing fees, to financial institutions that processed the loans.
In March 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, Congress authorized forgivable loans to eligible small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. To obtain a PPP loan, a qualifying business submitted a PPP loan application, which required the business to acknowledge the program rules and make certain affirmative certifications including eligibility. These loan applications were then processed by participating lenders, and, if approved, the participating lender funded the loan. PPP loans were 100% guaranteed by the SBA.
Under the rules applicable at the time of the loans covered by today’s settlements, certain organizations were not eligible to receive a PPP loan. Certain ineligible organizations certified they were eligible and, in fact, received loans which were ultimately forgiven. The labor organizations and the amounts they have agreed to pay are as follows:
- Local Union No. 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 3) is a labor organization with its principal place of business in Flushing, New York. IBEW Local 3 has agreed to pay $2,697,929.88 to resolve the allegations.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 596 (IBEW Local 596) is a labor organization with its principal place of business in Clarksburg, West Virginia. IBEW Local 596 has agreed to pay $269,995.83 to resolve the allegations.
- United Association of Journeymen 598 (UA Local 598) is a labor organization with its principal place of business in Pasco, Washington. UA Local 598 has agreed to pay $835,508.00 to resolve the allegations.
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 986 (Teamsters Local 986) is a labor organization with its principal place of business in Covina, California. IBEW Local 3 has agreed to pay $1,356,832.50 to resolve the allegations.
“By obtaining PPP loans for which they were ineligible, these organizations took advantage of the taxpayers and millions of American citizens who were hurting and suffering from the economic effects of the pandemic,” said Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard. “They placed their own self-interest over compassion for others. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue all persons and organizations who wrongfully enriched themselves at the expense of those entitled to such aid.”
This matter was litigated by Assistant United States Attorneys Maximillian F. Nogay and Jordan V. Palmer of the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Kanawha County Man Sentenced for Obstructing MailRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Brice Allen Pomeroy, 26, of Hernshaw, was sentenced today to two years of federal probation and ordered to pay $2,051.21 in restitution for obstruction of mail.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 11, 2023, Pomeroy knowingly and willfully threw away approximately 227 pieces of mail by depositing a large plastic bad containing the mail pieces into a trash can located outside a gas service station in Charleston.
At the time of the offense, Pomeroy was employed by a United States Postal Service vendor as a mail handler at the vendor’s facility in Charleston. The 227 pieces of mail included Mother’s Day, graduation, anniversary, and birthday cards. Any cash or gift cards that had been in the mail pieces was removed by the time they were discarded at the service station. Over $2,000 in cash or gift cards was reported stolen.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-2.
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Jury convicts illegal alien of stealing U.S. citizen’s identityRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 38-year-old Mexican citizen has been found guilty of illegally reentering the United States under an assumed identity, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The jury deliberated for four hours before convicting Jose Martin Valdez-Galvan following a two-day-trial.
On June 11, 2024, authorities found Valdez-Galvan in Laredo. At that time, he provided a false name and claimed to be a U.S. citizen. Valdez-Galvan originally stole the person’s identity to avoid previous charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Testimony revealed Valdez-Galvan was an illegal alien who had been previously removed and returned to the United States without permission. He had assumed the other person’s identity in 2015 after his second removal. The jury also heard how fingerprints matched those of Valdez-Galvan.
At trial, Valdez-Galvan testified his name was not Jose Martin Valdez-Galvan. His mother also provided testimony that her son’s name was something else despite evidence she had previously identified him as Valdez-Galvan.
The defense attempted to question the trustworthiness of the evidence, but the jury was not convinced and found Valdez-Galvan guilty as charged.
“Both public safety and basic common sense require us to know who is entering and residing in our country. Those that adopt false or stolen personas to hide their identities pose an increased criminal risk to our community,” said Ganjei. “Theft of an American citizen’s identity by a foreign national will not be tolerated, and those that engage in such criminality will be charged, punished, and, if appropriate, deported.”
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will set sentencing at a later date. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Valdez-Galvan has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan L. Oliver and Jay Hileman prosecuted the case.
Jamaal Antwan Pimms Sentenced to Federal Prison for His Role in the Murder of Rosenda StrongRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Jamaal Antwan Pimms, age 44, to 26 months in prison for Misprision of a Felony related to his role in the 2018 murder of Rosenda Strong. Chief Judge Bastian also imposed 1 year of supervised release.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, Jedidah Iesha Moreno shot and killed Rosenda Strong on or about October 5, 2018, following an argument at a residence, known as the House of Souls in Wapato, Washington. Following the murder, Moreno asked for help disposing of Strong’s body. Pimms and Andrew Norris Zack assisted Moreno by rolling Strong’s body into a freezer. The freezer, and other appliances, were loaded onto the back of a truck. The body, still inside the freezer, was then dumped near M&R Towing, which is off Highway 97 in Toppenish, Washington.
On July 4, 2019, approximately nine months after Strong’s tragic death, a citizen discovered human remains, which later were identified through dental records as belonging to Strong. Pimms did not report the crime to Federal law enforcement, even when interviewed by FBI Special Agents in July, 2019.
“Jamaal Pimms had the opportunity – and even the obligation – to come forward with the truth about Rosenda Strong’s death when the FBI interviewed him in 2019,” stated Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker. “Instead, Mr. Pimms chose silence, compounding the harm to Ms. Strong’s family and delaying justice for years. His failure to speak denied a grieving family and community the answers they deserved, and allowed uncertainty and anguish to linger far too long.”
"Coping with the loss of a loved one is always a painful process. It can be even more so when, as in this instance, she is the victim of a crime about which so much remained unknown for so long,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Not only did Mr. Pimms help dispose of the victim’s body, but he also actively concealed vital information that unfairly deprived a grieving community of answers for nearly six years. I commend the investigators and our partners from Yakama Nation for their steadfast work in seeking justice in this case, as we are committed to do for all others like it on our state's reservations."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Yakama Nation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas J. Hanlon and Michael D. Murphy.
Defendant Andrew Norris Zack, pleaded guilty to charges in this case. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21, 2025.
23-CR-02037-SAB
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 46 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Queyoun Foulks-Smith, 20 years old, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possession of a machinegun, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
Foulks-Smith was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.According to documents in the case, on July 4, 2024, law enforcement found Foulks-Smith in possession of a machinegun—a stolen firearm with a loaded 50-round drum magazine and a “switch.” The switch converted this firearm into an automatic firearm, allowing it to fire multiple bullets instantaneously with a single function of the trigger.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Falvey.
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.
Illinois man charged with COVID fraudRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Joseph Giannini, 54, of Chicago, IL, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that in April and May 2020, Giannini submitted false applications to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loan programs, which were intended to provide funding to businesses that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Giannini applied for seven fraudulent loans for various businesses, making false representations about profits and employee payrolls for those businesses. In total, Giannini applied for $606,635.00 in loans, for which he was actually paid $280,135.00. One of the fraudulent applications was submitted on behalf of the Rochester business Spin Marketing Inc., which is owned by co-defendant Ann Spinosa. Spinosa is currently charged by federal indictment.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Harry Chavis.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
Illegal Alien and Prolific Drug Trafficker Convicted Following Thwarted Robbery of Rival Cocaine SupplierRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Adan Macedo-Rios, 52, of Mexico, who is an alien unlawfully present in the United States, has been convicted of charges related to trafficking in illegal drugs, money laundering, robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
“Macedo-Rios, an illegal alien, distributed large amounts of dangerous drugs and laundered his ill-gotten gains through the purchase of a Georgia horse ranch. His callous and dangerous behavior—highlighted by his involvement in a plot to rob a rival cocaine supplier—was disrupted by the tireless work of our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Through our combined efforts, we foiled the robbery plan and dismantled the drug trafficking and money laundering organization that Macedo-Rios supplied, thereby eliminating a significant threat of violent crime in our community.”
“DEA strives every day to keep the American public safe from transnational criminal organizations,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “This investigation demonstrates DEA’s commitment to destroying these drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.”
“For all the innocent residents who are trying to raise families in safe communities, the FBI wants you to know that we are here for you through arrests like this,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Macedo-Rios repeatedly disregarded the law to enrich himself. The FBI and our partners are firmly committed to ensuring that our communities are protected from the extreme violence and lawlessness displayed by individuals like him.”
“The conviction of Adan Macedo-Rios, an illegal alien from Mexico and prolific drug trafficker, highlights our unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations that threaten our communities,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thanks to the hard work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we’ve turned his ‘stable’ of crime into a one-way ticket to accountability!”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, public record, and other information presented in court: Macedo-Rios, a large-scale drug trafficker, supplied other Atlanta-based drug distributors with at least 123 kilograms of cocaine destined for distribution throughout multiple states. In 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agents obtained federal court authorization to intercept communications over cellphones used by Macedo-Rios and others. These intercepts led to the seizure of multiple kilograms of cocaine and other narcotics, and drug proceeds, from drug transporters working for Macedo-Rios and his conspirators.
Macedo-Rios remitted drug payments to his narcotics suppliers in Mexico and used proceeds of his criminal activity to fraudulently purchase an eight-acre ranch with a 24-horse stable and farmhouse in Loganville, Georgia. With his conspirators, Macedo-Rios planned the robbery of another drug supplier who was storing 65 kilograms of cocaine in his residence. Macedo-Rios and his conspirators even conducted their own surveillance of the target, including by placing a tracker on the rival’s car, and plotted to use firearms to facilitate the robbery. But their plan was timely thwarted by DEA agents, who intercepted communications about the robbery.
When agents arrested Macedo-Rios at the horse ranch, they discovered a loaded Colt .38 pistol and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun in his bedroom, even though he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his unlawful presence in the United States and status as a convicted felon. Macedo-Rios, a Mexican citizen, has a history of multiple deportations from the United States.
Adan Macedo-Rios appeared before United States District Judge J. P. Boulee on May 28, 2025, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien illegally present in the United States, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
As to his drug trafficking conviction, Macedo-Rios faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a maximum $10,000,000 fine, and a minimum of five years of supervised release. For the Hobbs Act Robbery conviction, he faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. For the firearm conviction, Macedo-Rios faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The money laundering conviction carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to a $500,000 fine, and forfeiture of property involved in the offense.
In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 26, 2025, at 1 pm before Judge Boulee.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from Georgia State Patrol and the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys John T. DeGenova and Rebeca M. Ojeda 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).
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi¬ jurisdictional operations to eliminate the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.
The specific mission of the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force (Atlanta Strike Force) is to eliminate transnational organized crime syndicates and major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Northern District of Georgia. To accomplish this mission, the Atlanta Strike Force will target these organizations’ leaders, focusing on targets designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets, Regional Priority Organization Targets, and their associates. The Atlanta Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, USPIS, and IRS, as well as numerous state and local agencies; and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Honduran national, residing in Lynn, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Douglas Mejia-Romero, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for Sept. 9, 2025.
Mejia-Romero was previously deported on May 15, 2020. Sometime after this removal, Mejia-Romero unlawfully reentered the United States. Additionally, between 2008 and 2020, Mejia-Romero was removed from the United States on five separate occasions. After each removal, he unlawfully reentered the United States.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Honduran National Guilty of Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ActingUnited States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JHOSMY JOSUE PEREZ-ALVAREZ (“PEREZ-ALVAREZ”), age 32, a native of Honduras, pleaded guilty on January 8, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(8).
According to court documents, an armed robbery occurred on the evening of February 8, 2022, in the parking lot of a church located on the 400 block of N. Dorgenois Street in New Orleans. New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officers responded and began canvassing the area for potential suspects. During their search, NOPD officers discovered PEREZ-ALVAREZ crouching in a patch of overgrown grass near the 2500 block of St. Louis Street. PEREZ-ALVAREZ was found in possession of a Kel-Tec Model PF-9, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.
At sentencing, PEREZ-ALVAREZ faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 10, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Inspector General - Social Security Administration and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Honduran Citizen Living Illegally in West Virginia Sentenced to Prison for Immigration CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Nolvin Alfredo-Diaz, also known as “Alfredo Diaz” and “Nolvin Alfredo Diaz,” 43, a citizen of Honduras living illegally in Lewisburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to three years in prison for reentry of a removed alien. Alfredo-Diaz will be remanded to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings at the conclusion of his sentence.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 21, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Alfredo-Diaz in Lewisburg. Alfredo-Diaz admitted that he was a citizen of Honduras in the United States illegally and that he had previously been deported from the United States. Alfredo-Diaz had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States.
Fingerprints matched Alfredo-Diaz to two prior removals from the United States to Honduras, each following a felony criminal conviction. Alfredo-Diaz was convicted of felony heroin possession on September 25, 2006, and of felony cocaine possession on December 20, 2007, both in Denver County, Colorado, District Court. Alfredo-Diaz was removed from the United States to Honduras on December 27, 2006. On July 21, 2010, Alfredo-Diaz was found in Canon City, Colorado, and was removed from the United States to Honduras on August 5, 2010.
Alfredo-Diaz never obtained the express consent of the Secretary of U.S. Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States for either of the prior removals, nor did he seek to reenter the United States through other legal means.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-146.
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Guilty Verdict in Trial of Recidivist Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – A Georgia resident with prior criminal convictions, including for domestic violence, was found guilty this week at trial of illegally possessing a firearm.
Devon Marquell Rambo, 28, is guilty of one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Rambo faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The trial began on May 27 and concluded on May 28. Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner is presiding over the case. A sentencing date will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Convicted felons caught illegally possessing firearms will face federal prosecution in the Middle District of Georgia,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “I want to thank the Albany Police Department and ATF for their ongoing collaboration to help us uphold the law.”
“When convicted felons repeatedly ignore the law and continue to carry guns, they leave us no choice but to bring the full force of federal prosecution,” said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, ATF Atlanta Field Division. “This verdict sends a clear message: We are watching, we are acting and we are not backing down.”
“We are grateful for the assistance that we have been receiving from the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold offenders accountable,” said Albany Police Chief Michael Persley. “I hope this case serves as a warning that the illegal possession of weapons is not tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Albany Police Department (APD) officers responded to a report of shooting and disorderly conduct on Sept. 20, 2024, at around 10:30 a.m. at a residence on Avalon Avenue. Based on this, the officers obtained a search warrant and lawfully executed that search warrant on the residence. Officers found Rambo alone at the house. After Rambo was apprehended, officers commenced the search of the residence. Inside Rambo’s house, officers found he had covered his wife’s dog, furniture and several areas of the home with oil, which would make it difficult for officers to arrest him. During the search, they also found a black safe in one of the rooms, which contained a pistol and a semi-automatic rifle, two 9mm pistol magazines, one rifle magazine and ammunition along with Rambo’s social security card, credit card and Texas inmate identification card. Rambo has prior felony convictions in Texas for domestic violence and burglary. There was also an active arrest warrant out of Texas for aggravated assault at the time of this incident in Georgia. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess 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).
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Albany Police Department with assistance from the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Attorneys Sara Lim and Matthew Redavid are prosecuting the case for the Government.
Guatemalan National Previously Convicted and Deported for Drug Trafficking Pleads Guilty to a Charge of Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Guatemalan national deported in 2015 after having been convicted for drug trafficking in Connecticut today pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island to a charge of illegal re-entry, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
According to court records, Pedro Andony Alvarado Aguilar, 46, was convicted in federal court in Connecticut in November 2014 on charges of conspiracy to import 5,000 grams or more of cocaine and conspiracy to import 1,000 grams or more of heroin. He was deported on July 1, 2015.
On April 10, 2025, Immigration Officers learned through an automated biometric fingerprint match of fingerprints entered into the National Crime Information Center that the defendant was arrested in Rhode Island for driving on a suspended license and on an obstruction charge. Alvarado admitted to a federal judge today that he illegally reentered the United States.
Alvarado is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter I. Roklan.
The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Immigration and Custom Enforcement.
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).
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Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Re-Entry After DeportationRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Guatemalan national pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to illegally re-entering the United States after a prior removal.
According to court records, Marvin Aguilar-Lopez, 24, was pulled over by Old Orchard Beach police officers in March 2025 for a taillight violation. Aguilar-Lopez produced an invalid international license and told police he was from Guatemala. Immigration records showed that he had previously been removed from the U.S. in 2023 and did not have a visa or other documentation that would allow him to re-enter the country.
Aguilar-Lopez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to a year of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
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 (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
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Guatemalan National Indicted for Illegally Reentering the United States Six Months After Being DeportedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Guatemalan national deported from the United States in November 2024, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island for allegedly illegally reentering the United States without the consent of the Attorney General of the United States, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
According to court records, Rigoberto Cano Perez, 28, was convicted in Rhode Island state court in December 2023 on charges of simple assault and/or battery and disorderly conduct. He was removed from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on November 20, 2024.
On May 12, 2025, Immigration Officers learned through an automated biometric fingerprint match of fingerprints entered into the National Crime Information Center that Perez was arrested in Rhode Island on May 11, 2025, for allegedly violating a domestic no contact order and on a domestic disorderly conduct charge. He is currently held at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institute based upon the state charges.
Perez is scheduled to be arraigned on June 2, 2025. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Taylor A. Dean and Peter I. Roklan.
The matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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).
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Grant County Man Sentenced to Decade in Prison for Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Wesley Shane Haggerty, 37, of Cabins, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Pendleton County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a disturbance involving a firearm. When officers arrived at the home, Haggerty was arrested after a short foot pursuit. Haggerty had a pistol and is prohibited from having firearms because of seven prior felony convictions and two misdemeanor domestic battery convictions.
Haggerty will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pendleton County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Genesee County man pleads guilty to possession of machinegunsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Peter Celentano, 36, of Bergen, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to illegal possession of machineguns, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that on September 29, 2024, the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, executed a search warrant at Celentano’s residence in Bergen. During the search, law enforcement recovered numerous items, including 3D printed pistol frames, firearm parts and accessories, ammunition reloading equipment, tools for constructing privately made firearms, a drill press, and two 3D printed machinegun conversion devices. Law enforcement also conducted additional searches at properties in Lyndonville and Medina, NY, during which they seized numerous AR-style lower receivers, 3D printed handguns, and additional firearm parts and accessories. In total, law enforcement seized over 200 firearms tied to Celentano.
During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Celentano provided another individual with nine lower receivers, two of which contained the “third pin hole,” qualifying them as machineguns. An individual known by defendant had subsequently discarded these firearms off the Beals Road Bridge into the Erie Canal. A New York State Police dive team searched the Erie Canal beneath the bridge in Medina, NY, and recovered a cardboard box containing 10 AR-style receivers, an unmarked handgun, ammunition magazines, and additional firearm parts.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Joseph M. Graff, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 6, 2025 before Judge Vilardo.
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Gainesville Man Sentenced to A Decade in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Alberto Christian Quiroz (33, Gainesville) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Following the prison term, Quiroz will spend the rest of his life on court supervision. The court also ordered Quiroz to forfeit the cellular phone which he used to commit the offense. Quiroz entered a guilty plea on January 28, 2025.
According to court documents, Quiroz was an employee of a care agency that was contracted with the Florida Department of Children and Families to provide services for children. On July 26-27, 2024, Quiroz used an online messaging service to communicate with an undercover detective portraying a 14-year-old girl. Quiroz arranged to meet the undercover detective at an Ocala restaurant for sexual activity. Agents arrested Quiroz upon his arrival at that location.
“This predator’s attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity was a gross violation of the position of trust he held,” said Homeland Security Investigation Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding all offenders accountable, no matter what title they hold. Protecting our children is our highest priority and we will do everything in our power to ensure those who prey on them face swift and decisive justice.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Ocala Police Department, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Fourteen Individuals, Including Ten Mexican Nationals, Charged with Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking and Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that a criminal complaint charging fourteen individuals was unsealed, and thirteen of the fourteen charged individuals have been arrested. Additionally, multiple search warrants were executed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the Central District of California in coordination with the arrests. All the defendants are charged with narcotics trafficking, including fentanyl and cocaine, and two of the individuals, Osmar Venejas-Mejia and Hector Rodriguez-Villalobos, are charged with illegal reentry after removal from the United States.
The defendants charged in this law enforcement action are identified as follows:
Name Age Citizenship
FERNANDO PALMA-JIMENEZ 49 Mexico
DANIEL MORALEZ 37 USA
CARMELO HERNANDEZ-RAMIREZ 40 Mexico
LUIS QUINONEZ-HERNANDEZ 36 USA
REYNALDO SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ 48 Mexico
CARLOS PEREZ-SANTANA 32 Mexico
EQUIEL MARTINEZ 39 Mexico
GERARDO OSORIO-JARAMILLO 47 Mexico
JESUS MEDINA-RODRIGUEZ 47 Mexico
ERIK RODRIGUEZ 33 USA
ANDREA ROA 30 Mexico
HECTOR RODRIGUEZ-VILLALOBOS 35 Mexico
OSMAR VENEJAS-MEJIA 34 Mexico
JOSEPH MARINCIC 40 USAAccording to the criminal complaint, between approximately March 2023 and the present, the fourteen defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl and cocaine, and that multiple defendants possessed with intent to distribute controlled substances, distributed controlled substances, and used communication facilities to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances. If convicted, the penalties for the narcotics trafficking offenses carry maximum penalties of forty years to life in prison depending on the specific offense and weight of controlled substances charged.
The complaint also alleges that Osmar Venejas-Mejia and Hector Rodriguez-Villalobos, both Mexican nationals, were previously removed from the United States and unlawfully reentered the United States. If convicted, the penalties for the illegal reentry offense carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The defendants were charged based on a long-running investigation by law enforcement officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), in partnership with the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Gail Hoffman and Elizabeth Monfils. Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in the arrests and execution of search warrants related to the case, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Marshal Service (USMS), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the West Allis Police Department, the Brookfield Police Department, the Waukesha Police Department, the South Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, and Wisconsin State Patrol.
This case was charged as 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 public is cautioned that an indictment or criminal complaint is merely a charge and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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For Additional Information Contact:
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414-297-1700
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Fort Pierce Jury convicts a Louisiana Registered Sex Offender of Various Internet Sex Crimes Involving a Martin County MinorRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On May 20, a federal jury sitting in Fort Pierce, Florida convicted Nicolas James Palmisano, 45, of Destrehan, Louisiana, for attempted enticement of a minor, attempted production of visual depictions involving sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt of visual depictions involving sexual exploitation of a minor, transfer of obscene material to a minor, and offense by a registered sex offender.
According to court records and evidence introduced during trial, in 2019, Palmisano was convicted in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana for sexual offenses involving a juvenile. Upon the completion of his four-year prison sentence, Palmisano registered as a sex offender with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in the town in which he resided.
In May 2024, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) learned that a minor had images of sexually explicit activity on her cellular phone. An MCSO computer forensic examiner recovered messages, images, and recordings from the minor’s cellular phone that were sent from Palmisano’s cellular number. Despite acknowledging that the minor was 15 years old, Palmisano wrote thousands of sexually explicit messages and sent multiple sexually explicit images, as well as audio and video recordings, of himself between February 22 and May 6, 2024. Palmisano also solicited, and obtained, sexually explicit images from the minor.
In August 2024, members of the FBI and MCSO arrested Palmisano at the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, after he arrived for his annual Sexual Offender Registration review and update. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Palmisano’s residence and recovered his cellular phone, which was found to contain the sexually explicit material that Palmisano and the minor exchanged.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 25, before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez. Palmisano faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years up to life in prison, and up to a lifetime of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, acting Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of FBI Miami, and Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek made the announcement.
FBI Fort Pierce investigated the case, with assistance from MCSO, FBI New Orleans, and St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Fort Pierce Branch Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Lineberger and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Kahn Obenauf are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Anyone with information relating to child sexual exploitation or abuse is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-14044.
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Former NYPD Officer and Accident Victim Call Center Owner Both Plead Guilty to Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Michael Alfonso, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”); and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that SUZETTE TRIMMINGHAM, a former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) traffic safety officer, and MERVIN RHYMES, the owner and operator of an accident victim call center, both pled guilty to participating in a bribery scheme. Specifically, TRIMMINGHAM and RHYMES admitted to participating in a scheme in which TRIMMINGHAM provided information of automobile accident victims contained in a non-public NYPD database to RHYMES in exchange for bribes of money and other things of value. TRIMMINGHAM pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl, and RHYMES pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams.
“Suzette Trimmingham abused her position as an NYPD traffic safety officer and, in exchange for bribes, sent Mervin Rhymes information about automobile accident victims so that Rhymes’s call center could profit by referring those victims to lawyers and doctors,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Trimmingham and Rhymes made hundreds of thousands of dollars from their scheme. Their pleas highlight this Office’s commitment to pursuing those, including members of law enforcement, who seek to profit by abusing their positions of public trust.”
HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso said: “Suzette Trimmingham exploited her position of public trust and in turn profited handsomely, alongside her domestic partner Mervin Rhymes, by targeting victims of recent vehicle accidents. Whether at work, off-duty and even on vacation, she took steps to access individuals’ personal details from non-public government databases, and then shared with Rhymes that private, sensitive information so they could further enrich their lifestyle. HSI New York, alongside the FBI and the NYPD, will always place the public’s wellbeing above all else, and will relentlessly pursue bad actors willing to shamelessly betray their sworn duties for their own selfish gains.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “Suzette Trimmingham, a former NYPD traffic safety officer, abused her position by providing Mervin Rhymes with non-public personal details of automobile accident victims. The defendants prioritized personal greed over safeguarding sensitive victim data. The FBI will never permit any individual, especially a public servant, to share confidential information in exchange for financial incentives.”
According to the allegations contained in the Informations, court records, and statements made in Court:
From at least in or about January 2020 through at least in or about June 2024, while at work as an NYPD traffic safety officer, TRIMMINGHAM reviewed police accident reports (“PARs”), which contained the personally identifiable information of automobile accident victims, for NYPD precincts that were not part of her law enforcement duties. At times, TRIMMINGHAM also reviewed PARs while she was off duty and while on vacation. TRIMMINGHAM then provided the personally identifiable information of accident victims to RHYMES. For example, in or about April 2024, while at work, TRIMMINGHAM reviewed PARs and copied and pasted into a Word document the names and phone numbers of automobile accident victims mentioned in the PARs. That same month, TRIMMINGHAM sent RHYMES dozens of images of documents, each containing dozens of names and phone numbers of automobile accident victims.
RHYMES paid bribes to TRIMMINGHAM in exchange for her providing the personally identifiable information of automobile accident victims to him. For example, on or about January 18, 2021, TRIMMINGHAM told RHYMES, in sum and substance, that she had sent him PARs and that RHYMES was supposed to pay TRIMMINGHAM for the PARs. In response, RHYMES told TRIMMINGHAM that he had paid TRIMMINGHAM for the PARs a few days earlier. TRIMMINGHAM and RHYMES made at least $900,000 from the scheme.
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TRIMMINGHAM, 54, and RHYMES, 61, both of Queens, New York, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. TRIMMINGHAM is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Koeltl on October 8, 2025, at 4:30 p.m., and RHYMES is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Abrams on October 8, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judges.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. Mr. Clayton also thanked the NYPD for its assistance.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Connie L. Dang and Rebecca T. Dell are in charge of the prosecution.
u.s._v._trimmingham_information.pdf u.s._v._rhymes_information.pdfFormer MBTA Transit Police Officer Convicted of Aiding and Abetting the Filing of False Report Related to Assault at MBTA StationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Sergeant with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Transit Police Department (Transit Police) was found guilty today by a federal jury in Boston following an eight day trial, of aiding and abetting the filing of a false arrest report regarding another Transit Police Officer’s assault on a man at the Ashmont MBTA Station.
David S. Finnerty, 49, of Rutland, was convicted on one count of aiding and abetting the filing of a false report. In August 2023, Finnerty was indicted by a federal grand jury.
Finnerty was the Transit Police Officer in Charge and the supervisor of Transit Police Officer Dorston Bartlett. At 1:47 a.m. on July 27, 2018, at the Ashmont MBTA station, Bartlett, while acting in his role as an officer, physically assaulted a man without legal justification. Finnerty helped Bartlett draft a false arrest report regarding the incident, with the intent to impede any federal investigation of Bartlett’s unconstitutional use of force.
The charge of false reports provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to 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 and Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristina E. Barclay and Julien M. Mundele are prosecuting the case.
Former Cruise Line Employee Sentenced for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on May 21, 2025, ABDUL ROUVOOF SHAIK (“SHAIK”), age 30, a Republic of India national, was sentenced for Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2).
According to court documents, SHAIK was previously employed by Carnival Cruise Lines and was arrested in July 2024 after special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, found SHAIK in possession of child pornography at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans.
United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced SHAIK to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment, 5 years of probation and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.
Former Alabama Police Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation and Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A former Killen, Alabama, Police Department (KPD) officer has been sentenced for sexually assaulting a woman while on duty and for receiving sexually explicit photos of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
United States District Judge Liles Burke sentenced Jarrod Gailen Webster, 27, to 15 years in prison for his crimes. According to documents filed in connection with this case, on November 12, 2023, Webster violated the civil rights of a woman after initiating a traffic stop on the woman’s vehicle. Webster asked the woman to step out of her vehicle and asked her what she wanted to do to “get out of this.” When the woman told Webster that she was not going to do anything for him, Webster handcuffed the woman and sexually assaulted her.
Further, between June 2016 and October 2018, Webster communicated with a minor by phone, and he asked the minor to produce and send him sexually explicit images. The minor victim sent multiple photos to Webster at his request, at least one of which constituted child sexual abuse material.
Webster previously pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of sexual exploitation of children on March 4, 2025.
“Jarrod Webster forcibly assaulted a woman after a traffic stop, and exploited a minor to receive sexually explicit images,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This was a gross abuse of his authority as a police officer and a betrayal of the public trust. I am proud of our DOJ Civil Rights team for holding him accountable.”
“This sentence sends a clear message that such criminal conduct will not be tolerated,” said Prim F. Escalona, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. “I commend the dedication of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to ensure that Webster was held accountable for his actions.”
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with significant responsibility and are therefore held to a higher standard,” said Special Agent in Charge David R. Fitzgibbons of the FBI Birmingham Field Office. “Today’s sentencing clearly demonstrates there are serious consequences when someone tarnishes the badge by breaking the law. Jerrod Webster brought shame to the badge by committing the horrific crimes of sexually assaulting a woman in his care and receiving sexually explicit images of a minor. His sentencing confirms that the FBI has zero tolerance for officials who prey on the citizens they are sworn to protect.”
The FBI Birmingham Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Royster for the Northern District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Sarah Howard of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Five Charged with Falsifying MBTA Track Inspection RecordsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Four former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (“MBTA”) employees and one current MBTA employee were charged today with allegedly falsifying Red Line track inspection reports.
Brian Pfaffinger, 47, of Marshfield; Ronald Gamble, 62, of Dorchester; Jensen Vatel, 42, of Brockton; Nathalie Mendes, 53, of New Bedford; and Andy Vicente, 36, of Bridgewater have been indicted for falsification of records, aiding and abetting; and false statements, aiding and abetting. Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later today.
According to the charging documents, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were former MBTA track inspectors. Rather than complete inspections, during the period between Sept. 3, 2024, to Oct. 15, 2024, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente allegedly falsified track inspection reports, which stated that they completed track inspections for Red Line tracks when they did not perform the inspections. Instead, it is alleged that at the time of the inspections, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were inside Cabot Yard, an MBTA location that contained a coffee and breakroom for Red Line inspection employees. Cabot Yard also contained a large garage (“Cabot Garage”) where Gamble, Vatel and Vicente allegedly worked on private vehicles during work hours.
On Sept. 19, 2024, during the time that Vicente allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Vicente (circled in red below) sitting inside of Cabot Garage holding his cellular phone.
On Sept. 23, 2024, during the time that Mendes allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Mendes (circled in red below) sitting inside her vehicle. Mendes allegedly did not leave her vehicle until well after her inspection ended.
On Sept. 24, 2024, during the time that Vatel allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Vatel (circled in red below) chatting with other MBTA employees in the parking lot outside of Cabot Garage.
On Oct. 8, 2024, during the time that Gamble allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Gamble (circled in red below) performing detail work on a private vehicle inside of Cabot Garage.Pfaffinger, the former supervisor for Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente, allegedly not only knew that his subordinates worked on private vehicles during work hours, but had his subordinates work on his own vehicle.
On Oct. 14, 2024, Gamble created an inspection report alleging he conducted an inspection; however, according to surveillance video, Gamble was inside of Cabot Garage with Pfaffinger. Despite knowing that the inspection report was false, and that Gamble was at Cabot Garage on Oct. 14, 2024, the following day, Pfaffinger allegedly created supporting documentation for Gamble’s Oct. 14, 2024, inspection, which he knew to be false.
The charges of falsification of records and aiding and abetting the falsification of records provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison to be followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of false statements and aiding and abetting false statements provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to 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 other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Elise Chawaga, Principal Inspector General of the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General; and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun of the Public Corruption Unit is prosecuting the case.
Federal Inmate and Visitor Sentenced in Scheme to Introduce Contraband into Prison FacilityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced a federal inmate, Jessie Wooden (36, Miami), to 10 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. A co-defendant, Janai Chanel Stephens (38, Opa Locka), also was sentenced to 18 months’ probation for her role in introducing contraband into a federal prison and making false statements to a federal agent. A federal grand jury indicted Wooden and Stephens on May 28, 2024. Both defendants entered guilty pleas to the charges in January 2025.
According to the court records, on March 10, 2024, Wooden was an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman) in Sumter County, Florida. On that date, Stephens visited Wooden at the prison. She entered FCC Coleman with a bag containing contraband 78 grams of methamphetamine and tobacco cigarettes that she intended to give to Wooden. Federal inmates are prohibited from possessing such items because they threaten the order, discipline, and security of the prison.
Prior to the visitation, Stephens falsely represented to a corrections officer on a written form that she did not have any contraband in her possession. When she subsequently met with Wooden in a visitation room, however, she threw him the bag containing the contraband. After being confronted by law enforcement, Stephens confessed to bringing in the contraband for Wooden, though she claimed only to know about the tobacco products. Wooden admitted that he had planned to distribute the methamphetamine and other items to inmates inside FCC Coleman.
“Individuals who smuggle contraband into federal prisons put lives at risk,” said Eric Fehlman, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Southeast Region. “The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep federal prisons safe and hold those who would exploit our correctional system for personal gain accountable.”
This case was prosecuted as part of a United States Department of Justice (DOJ) task force aimed at rooting out contraband and misconduct in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The task force was led by the BOP and the DOJ - Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG), with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
Drug Traffickers Sentenced for Violent Kidnapping of RivalRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Mario Espino (25, Holiday), Jacob James Guest (24, Holiday), and Joey Lawrence Eugene Young (25, Pensacola) to 22 years and 6 months, 20 years, and 25 years in federal prison, respectively, for drug trafficking, kidnapping, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes. Each previously pleaded guilty to the offenses.
According to court documents, Espino plotted with Guest and Young to kidnap a drug trafficker with whom Espino formerly worked. Espino lured the victim to Florida by promising to pay an outstanding drug debt. When the victim arrived at Espino’s residence, Espino, Guest, and Young bound, beat, and tortured him over the course of 18 hours. During that time, Espino, Guest, and Young demanded 10 kilograms of fentanyl as ransom from the trafficker’s cartel drug sources.
On October 11, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office rescued the victim from a vehicle that Espino, Guest, and Young abandoned when law enforcement approached. Agents found the victim in the back seat with a pillowcase over his head and zip ties and electrical cords around his wrists. In addition to their victim, Espino, Guest, and Young left behind 22 kilograms of methamphetamine, 100 grams of fentanyl, a firearm, and more than $10,000 in cash.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Denver Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Post Office Burglary, Other CrimesRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Zachary Robert Rodrick Jones, 36, of Denver, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison following a guilty plea to Burglary of a United States Post Office; Possession of Stolen Mail; and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
According to the plea agreement, Jones participated in the burglary of the Dacono Post Office on or about April 6, 2022. The door of the Post Office was pried open, and a computer terminal, laptop, scanner, two printers, one postal service jacket, nine keys, two genuine postal service keys, seven employee personnel files, and one binder containing postal applications were stolen.
The plea agreement also states that on May 1, 2022, Jones was contacted by United States Postal Inspection Service inspectors and was found to be in possession of a genuine postal service key, personnel files, post office box applications, and other postal service forms from the Dacono Post Office, in addition to possessing other postal property. He was also in possession of stolen personal and business mail. Additionally, he had a Smith & Wesson handgun that, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from having.
“The public entrusts the U.S. Postal Service with the safe handling of valuable and important mail,” said Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. “Criminals who undermine that trust will be prosecuted.”
“Protecting the integrity of the U.S. mail and ensuring the safety and security of the U.S. Postal Service, its employees, and its customers is core to the mission of the United State Postal Inspection Service,” said Denver Division Acting Inspector in Charge Steve Hodges. “This sentencing serves as a reminder that postal inspectors work tirelessly day in and day out to bring to justice those who seek to do harm to the U.S. Postal Service.”
United States District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney presided over the sentencing. The United States Postal Inspection Service handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Albert Buchman handled the prosecution.
Case Number: 25-cr-00108-CNS
Defendant in High-End Brothel Network Sentenced to over Two Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Torrance, Calif. man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his involvement in operating sophisticated high-end brothels in the greater Boston area and eastern Virginia. Defendant was also sentenced for his involvement in fraudulently obtaining over $580,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.
James Lee, 70, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to 27 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Court also ordered restitution in the amount of $569,123 in connection with the fraudulently obtained COVID-19 funds and a money judgment of $63,000 related to the proceeds earned by the defendant as a result of the prostitution conspiracy. In February 2025, James Lee pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution; one count of money laundering conspiracy; and one count of wire fraud. James Lee was arrested and charged in November 2023 with co-defendants Han Lee, 42, of Cambridge, Mass. and Junmyung Lee, 31, of Dedham, Mass. The defendants were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024.
From at least January 2022 through November 2023, James Lee knowingly conspired with Han Lee and Junmyung Lee to operate an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in greater Boston and eastern Virginia. James Lee and his co-conspirators knowingly conspired with one another, and others, to launder the proceeds of the prostitution network by concealing that the money was derived from the prostitution conspiracy.
James Lee rented several high-end apartments in Boston and Eastern Virginia that were used as brothel locations and was the sole and legal tenant of at least six locations. In addition to using his own name to lease the apartments, James Lee would use fraudulent identities and, at times, stolen identities. James Lee was regularly compensated by his co-conspirators for both leasing apartments and for his travel to and from the brothel locations. Han Lee paid James Lee approximately $1,000 per month per active lease as a commission. He also served as a liaison between the females working in the units and the property managers by fielding calls and coordinating any issues that arose relating to maintenance and inspections.
James Lee and his co-conspirators concealed the proceeds of the prostitution network by depositing hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash proceeds into their personal bank accounts and peer-to-peer transfers. Additionally, the defendants regularly used hundreds of thousands of dollars of the cash proceeds from the prostitution business to purchase money orders (in values under an amount that would trigger reporting and identification requirements) to conceal the source of the funds. These money orders were then used to pay for rent and utilities at the brothel locations.
Beginning in around March 2020 and continuing through at least September 2021, James Lee submitted fraudulent information in an effort to obtain loans through the CARES Act and the Small Business Administration’s programs like the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). James Lee used personal identifying information of a third-party to submit false loan applications and open bank accounts used to accept COVID-19 relief funds. In addition, James Lee fraudulently applied for PPP Loans and EIDL funds using the names of businesses that did not exist or served as shell companies in furtherance of the scheme. In support of the loan applications, James Lee submitted fraudulent tax documents in the name of the third party and a fraudulent lease between himself and his fraudulent identity. As a result of the scheme, James Lee fraudulently obtained at least $580,000 in EIDL funds and PPP loans.
In March 2025, Han Lee was sentenced to four years in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. Han Lee was also ordered pay forfeiture in the amount of $5,418,572 and restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. In April 2025, Junmyung Lee, 32, was sentenced to one year in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. The Court also ordered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $200,000, equal to the amount of proceeds earned by the defendant during the conspiracy.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should contact [email protected].
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Central District of California; Eastern District of Virginia; U.S. Postal Service; and Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquelle Kaye, of the Asset Recovery Unit prosecuted the case.
Dallas man sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for violent drug trafficking conducted in BuZen Suites HotelRead the Press Release
Kenneth Ray Peters, 44, of Dallas, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison today for his role in a violent drug trafficking conspiracy operated from a hotel in Dallas, Texas, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
Peters and multiple codefendants utilized rooms at the BuZen Suites Hotel located at 2030 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas to distribute quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and other drugs. In January 2025, Peters pled guilty to his role in the conspiracy, and today, he was sentenced to 216 months’ imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn.
The drug conspiracy continued throughout 2022 and into March 2023. Court records revealed that Peters and other coconspirators—utilizing a serving station inside multiple hotel rooms that held quantities of various drugs, drug paraphernalia and digital scales—distributed the drugs to customers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
According to court documents, a security camera was installed in the corner of the rooms that recorded the events each day. Other coconspirators inside the rooms were paid to fill capsules with powdered fentanyl and cut and prepare other drugs for distribution. Photographs introduced during court hearings captured cash, drugs, and other drug trade tools, as depicted below:
Peters admitted in court documents that violent acts committed by members of the conspiracy were common at the hotel, including multiple beatings, the pistol whipping of a customer, and the use of a lighter to burn the foot of a female customer that had passed out on the hotel room floor after ingesting drugs she had purchased in the room.
Court records show that on April 19, 2023, law enforcement agents executed multiple search warrants at the hotel. Agents recovered distribution quantities of methamphetamine, powder and crack cocaine, heroin, powdered fentanyl, and counterfeit M30 pills that contain fentanyl, morphine, hydrocodone, Alprazolam and multiple kilograms of marijuana. Officers also recovered multiple handguns, one AK-47 rifle, one AR-15 rifle, body armor, multiple digital scales, syringes, and other items consistent with drug distribution.
Other codefendants charged in Peters’ indictment have already been sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Lynn. In December 2024, codefendant Derrick Alan Richardson was sentenced to 54 months in prison. In January 2025, codefendant Antoine Marquin Thompson-Stevens was sentenced to 108 months in prison. In March 2025, codefendants Keenan Bernard Allen a.k.a. “King” and Glenn Malcolm Blair a.k.a. “Slim” were sentenced to 240 months in prison. On May 8, 2025, Allen’s younger brother, Corey Lanard Allen, Jr., was sentenced to 192 months in prison.
The case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Dallas Police Department – Narcotics Unit.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to over Five Years in Prison for Ammunition Offense in Connection with Everett ShootingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Revere man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a shooting in a residential neighborhood of Everett.
Kenneth Munoz, 27, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 70 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In December 2024, Munoz pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
On the afternoon of Jan. 2, 2022, three individuals fired over 20 shots in an Everett neighborhood, during which multiple houses were struck by stray bullets. Munoz was identified as one of the shooters. Due to prior convictions, including a 2017 state conviction for assault and battery on a family member and malicious destruction of property, Munoz is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Everett Police Chief Paul Strong; and Chelsea Police Chief Keith E. Houghton made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.