Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
9 July 2025
Two South Florida Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On June 13, Jeremiah Wolliston, 23, and Keith Patrick, 38, of West Palm Beach, Florida, were sentenced to 168 months and 72 months in federal prison, respectively, after pleading guilty to their involvement in a scheme to buy stolen business checks from the mail and commit bank fraud.
According to court documents, between December 2022 and May 2024, Wolliston and Patrick were involved in a conspiracy with others to buy stolen business checks from the mail, which were then altered and deposited into fraudulently opened bank accounts. As part of the scheme, Wolliston and Patrick set up fictitious corporations in Florida and Georgia using the names of their corporate victims and opened fraudulent bank accounts. Wolliston and Patrick deposited the checks before making ATM and counter withdrawals, wire transfers, and drafting checks to transfer the money to other members of the conspiracy. Total losses related to the scheme exceeded $4.5 million.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) made the announcement.
USPIS, Homeland Security Investigations, USPS Office of the Inspector General, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, West Palm Beach Police Department, and the Palm Beach Sherriff’s Office jointly investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosenfeld prosecuted the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitch Hyman is handling asset forfeiture.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
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-20440.
###
Two More Former West Virginia Correctional Officers Sentenced Prison for Civil Rights Crimes in Connection with Death of InmateRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two former correctional officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, were sentenced today for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of a pretrial detainee, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Corey Snyder, 30, of Shady Spring, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in prison for conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights by using unreasonable force against him, resulting in Q.B.’s death. Jacob Boothe, 27, of Rainelle, was sentenced to three years in prison for failing to intervene to stop fellow officers from assaulting Q.B.
According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, Snyder and Boothe responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When they arrived, officers were engaged in using force to restrain and handcuff Q.B. Snyder also began using force, including putting his arm around Q.B.’s neck and taking him to the floor. Snyder and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully punishing Q.B. to retaliate against him for his attempt to leave the pod. As a part of that conspiracy, officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where Snyder and other officers used unreasonable force against Q.B., including striking Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicking, knee-striking him, pulling and twisting his fingers, and using spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Boothe was present during the assault and had an opportunity to intervene to stop other officers from assaulting Q.B., but he chose not to make any reasonable effort to do so.
Snyder and Boothe each further admitted knowing that officers could not use unreasonable force to punish inmates, including pretrial detainees such as Q.B. In addition, Snyder admitted that he knew the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” – meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened there. Prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, Snyder and other officers would bring inmates, including pretrial detainees, who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots,” so that officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video, thereby avoiding accountability for their actions.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed today’s sentences.
Snyder and Boothe are two of six correctional officers who were indicted in this case. In November 2024, defendants Mark Holdren and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, 2025, Judge Goodwin sentenced Holdren, 41, of Beckley, to 20 years in prison and Walters, 33, of Rainelle, to 21 years in prison, with each prison sentence to be followed by three years of supervised release. Ashley Toney pleaded guilty on August 8, 2024, to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney, 25, of Fairdale, to six years and six months in prison on June 9, 2025.
On January 27, 2025, a federal jury returned guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester, 35, of Odd, to 17 years and six months in prison on May 15, 2025.
Prior to the indictment of the six defendants, former correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer, 26, of Bluefield, to nine years in prison on May 7, 2025. Fleshman, 23, of Shady Spring, is scheduled for sentencing before Chief Judge Volk on July 14, 2025.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made today’s announcement.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.
Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:23-cr-188 (Snyder) and 5:24-cr-123 (Boothe).
###
Two Former West Virginia Correctional Officers Sentenced to Prison for Federal Civil Rights Crimes in Connection with Death of InmateRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two former correctional officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, were sentenced today for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of a pretrial detainee, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Mark Holdren, 41, of Beckley, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and Johnathan Walters, 33, of Rainelle, was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with each prison sentence to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Holdren and Walters each pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights, resulting in Q.B.’s death. According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, Holdren responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Holdren arrived, officers were engaged in restraining Q.B. Holdren began using force against Q.B., including multiple knee-strikes that he knew were unreasonable.
Holdren and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully assaulting him as punishment for his attempt to leave the pod. As a part of the conspiracy, Holdren and other officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where Walters joined them. In the interview room, Holdren and other officers used unreasonable force against Q.B., including striking Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicking, knee-striking him, pulling and twisting his fingers, and using pepper spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone.
After assaulting Q.B. in the interview room, officers transported him to another pod. During the transport, Q.B. became limp and was unable to walk on his own. Walters and other officers then carried Q.B. by his arms and legs to the pod’s entryway door, where Walters admitted he used unreasonable force to swing Q.B.’s head into the metal door to open the door. Walters and other officers then carried Q.B. into a cell, where they dropped the unresponsive and handcuffed Q.B. onto the concrete floor. Shortly thereafter, responding emergency medical personnel declared that Q.B. was deceased.
With their guilty pleas, Holdren and Walters each further admitted knowing that the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” – meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened there. Holdren and Walters were aware that, prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, officers would bring inmates, including pretrial detainees, who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots” in the jail, so that officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video, thereby avoiding accountability for their actions. Holdren and Walters each further admitted knowing that officers could not use unreasonable force to punish inmates, including pretrial detainees such as Q.B.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed today’s sentences.
Holdren and Walters are two of six correctional officers who were indicted in this case. In November 2024, defendant Corey Snyder pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Jacob Boothe pleaded guilty in August 2024 to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. Snyder and Boothe are scheduled for sentencing before Judge Goodwin on July 10, 2025.
Ashley Toney pleaded guilty on August 8, 2024, to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney, 25, of Fairdale, to six years and six months in prison on June 9, 2025.
On January 27, 2025, a federal jury returned guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester, 35, of Odd, to 17 years and six months in prison on May 15, 2025.
Prior to the indictment of the six defendants, former correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Burks. Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer, 26, of Bluefield, to nine years in prison on May 7, 2025. Fleshman, 23, of Shady Spring, is scheduled for sentencing before Chief Judge Volk on July 14, 2025.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made today’s announcement.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.
Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
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. 5:23-cr-188.
###
Two Former West Virginia Correctional Officers Sentenced on Federal Civil Rights Charges in Connection with Death of InmateRead the Press Release
Two former correctional officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, were sentenced today for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of a pretrial detainee, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Mark Holdren, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Johnathan Walters, 33, was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Holdren and Walters had each pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights, resulting in Q.B.’s death. According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, Holdren responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Holdren arrived, officers were engaged in restraining Q.B. Holdren began using force against Q.B., including multiple knee-strikes that he knew were unreasonable.
Holdren and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully assaulting him as punishment for his attempt to leave the pod. As a part of the conspiracy, Holdren and other officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where Walters joined them. In the interview room, Holdren and other officers used unreasonable force against Q.B., including striking Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicking, knee-striking him, pulling and twisting his fingers, and using pepper spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone.
After assaulting Q.B. in the interview room, officers transported him to another pod. During the transport, Q.B. became limp and was unable to walk on his own. Walters and other officers then carried Q.B. by his arms and legs to the pod’s entryway door, where Walters admitted he used unreasonable force to swing Q.B.’s head into the metal door to open the door. Walters and other officers then carried Q.B. into a cell, where they dropped the unresponsive and handcuffed Q.B. onto the concrete floor. Shortly thereafter, responding emergency medical personnel declared that Q.B. was deceased.
With their guilty pleas, Holdren and Walters each further admitted knowing that the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” – meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened there. Holdren and Walters were aware that, prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, officers would bring inmates, including pretrial detainees, who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots” in the jail, so that officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video, thereby avoiding accountability for their actions. Holdren and Walters each further admitted knowing that officers could not use unreasonable force to punish inmates, including pretrial detainees such as Q.B.
Holdren and Walters are two of six correctional officers who were indicted in this case. In November 2024, defendant Corey Snyder pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Jacob Boothe pleaded guilty in August 2024 to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. Sentencing hearings for Snyder and Boothe are scheduled for July 10.
In August 2024, Ashley Toney pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Toney to 78 months in prison.
On Jan. 27, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 210 months in prison.
Prior to the indictment of the above six defendants, former correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer to 108 months in prison. Fleshman is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Volk on July 14.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.
Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Twelfth Individual Charged in Alvarado Police Officer Shooting at Prairieland Detention CenterRead the Press Release
A twelfth individual has been charged for his role in the shooting of an Alvarado police officer at the Prairieland Detention Center, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
According to a criminal complaint filed today, Benjamin Hanil Song, a former United States Marine Corps reservist, joined ten others in an organized attack against officers at the Prairieland Detention Center just after 10:30 p.m., Friday, July 4.
The complaint alleges that group was dressed in black military style clothing. The group began shooting fireworks towards the detention center. Some then sprayed graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot at the facility. Correctional officers called 911 to report suspicious activity. An Alvarado police officer responded to the scene and, upon exiting his vehicle, the officer was shot in the neck by a defendant positioned in nearby woods. Another alleged assailant across the street fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility.
As alleged in the complaint, Song purchased four of the guns that were found in connection with the shooting. Two AR-style rifles were found at the scene, which records show were purchased by Song. One of the abandoned rifles at the scene had a binary trigger, used to “double” a regular rate of fire, allowing a shooter to fire more rapidly than a standard semiautomatic gun. Police also recovered additional firearms in searches of residences and vehicles, including another AR-15 style rifle in the back of a van driven that night by Bradford Morris, who was charged in a separate complaint on Monday. Song also purchased that rifle, according to court documents. Joy Gibson—also charged in Monday’s complaint—had a pistol in her backpack when apprehended. Records show that Song purchased this firearm in October 2024.
Ten assailants charged in Monday’s complaint fled from the detention center but were apprehended by additional responding law enforcement officers. Song, however, was not located by law enforcement officers that night. As alleged, the location data associated with Song’s cellular telephone indicates that his phone was located within several hundred meters of the Prairieland Detention Center from late in the evening of July 4, 2025, until after dark on July 5, the day after the shooting. Additionally, the complaint alleges that on July 6, a white Mercedes Benz registered to a relative of Song was found on the same block of Bradford Morris’s residence. A DFW Airport camera captured an individual—believed to be Song—driving the Mercedes on May 23, 2025.
Song has been charged by federal complaint with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. The ten others charged with these offenses in Monday’s complaint include Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto. The FBI has deemed Song a wanted individual and advises that he should be considered armed and dangerous. As described in the attached notice, the FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in Song’s apprehension.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson praised the tireless efforts of all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in this case to date. “The swift response of nearly 70 law enforcement officers to the site of the shooting hemmed in several of the attackers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “The quick action and professionalism of our state and local law enforcement officers in the immediate aftermath of the shooting resulted in the prompt capture of ten of the assailants. Though Song escaped the scene by hiding overnight, he will be relentlessly pursued until he is in custody.”
“Benjamin Hanil Song is wanted by the FBI for his connection to the violent assault that occurred at the Prairieland Detention Center. He is considered armed and dangerous, and we ask that the public contact law enforcement immediately if he is seen,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We are committed to apprehending Song and are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. If you have any information, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or you can submit a digital tip to fbi.gov\prairieland.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Song is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, he faces a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI—Dallas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ICE ERO), ATF, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Alvarado Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Links are below to the FBI Wanted Notice for Song, and the Criminal Complaint filed.
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/additional/benjamin-hanil-song
us_v_song_complaint.pdfTennessee Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Employee Retention Credit Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Tennessee man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud, aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, and money laundering, for his role in a scheme to claim refunds based on false COVID-19 employment tax credits.
The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Ryan Glidewell conspired with others to file false tax returns seeking refunds based on the Employee Retention Credit and paid Sick and Family Leave Credit, both of which were created by Congress to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Glidewell and co-conspirators created phony businesses, which lacked any employees or operations, for the sole purpose of falsely claiming the credits. Glidewell filed numerous false tax returns for those businesses and directed the tax refunds to be mailed to addresses he and co-conspirators controlled.
In total, the false returns claimed over $3.4 million in tax refunds, of which the IRS paid $1.8 million.
Glidewell is set to be sentenced on Nov. 12. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for money laundering, and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Zachary A. Cobb of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Heavener for the Eastern District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.
Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Employment Tax Credit SchemeRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud, aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, and money laundering, for his role in a scheme to claim refunds based on false COVID-19 employment tax credits.
The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Ryan Glidewell conspired with others to file false tax returns seeking refunds based on the Employee Retention Credit and paid Sick and Family Leave Credit, both of which were created by Congress to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Glidewell and co-conspirators created phony businesses, which lacked any employees or operations, for the sole purpose of falsely claiming the credits. Glidewell filed numerous false tax returns for those businesses and directed the tax refunds to be mailed to addresses he and co-conspirators controlled.
In total, the false returns claimed over $3.4 million in tax refunds, of which the IRS paid $1.8 million.
Glidewell is set to be sentenced on Nov. 12, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for money laundering, and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Zachary A. Cobb of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Heavener for the Eastern District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.
###
Stilwell Resident Sentenced for Possessing Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Robey Lee Butler, age 36, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to three years’ probation for one count of Possession of Stolen Firearm.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sallisaw Police Department, and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.
On January 13, 2025, Butler pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on November 7, 2023, law enforcement discovered Butler in possession of a semi-automatic rifle. That rifle was later revealed to be stolen out of McCurtain, Oklahoma, in LeFlore County.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarrod A. Leaman, and Lewis M. Reagan and represented the United States.
Stillwater Man Charged with Producing, Receiving, and Possessing Child Pornography and Aggravated Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
FBI Seeks to Identify Additional Potential Victims
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal Grand Jury has charged LEE GRANT CLARK, 78, of Stillwater, with two counts of production of child pornography, and one count each of receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and aggravated sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On July 1, 2025, a federal Grand Jury returned a five-count Indictment against Clark, charging him with the crimes listed above. According to public record, in October 2024, FBI agents began investigating a computer user requesting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through a file-sharing website. An investigation into the IP address of the user led authorities to Clark’s home in Stillwater. FBI agents spoke with officers with the Stillwater Police Department, who alerted the agents of a report involving Clark’s alleged sexual abuse of two minors around 2004. The Indictment further alleges that Clark produced CSAM on at least two occasions and sexually abused minors under the age of 12.
The FBI is seeking to identify potential additional victims. Anyone with additional information to report can contact the FBI at [email protected].
If found guilty, Clark faces up to life in federal prison. He also faces fines of up to $250,000 for each count.
The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that Clark is innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office (Stillwater Resident Agency) and the Stillwater Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ganz is prosecuting the case.
This case is also part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
St. Louis County Sex Offender Sentenced to 12 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Wednesday sentenced a sex offender who possessed child sexual abuse material and distributed it to others to 12 years in prison.
Steven Martin Reich, 56, of St. Louis County, Missouri, will also be placed on supervised release for life after his release from prison.
Reich pleaded guilty in April to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor.
The investigation began with a CyberTipline Report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after Reich uploaded an image of child exploitation material to the social media application Kik. CSAM was found on his phone as well as chats with someone who said they were a sixth grader named “Tasha.” Reich discussed his interest in engaging in sexual contact with Tasha and requested nude images of her. Reich believed he was communicating with a juvenile, but Homeland Security Investigations special agents determined that Tasha may be an adult male living in Utah. Investigators also located evidence that Reich distributed CSAM to people with whom he’d been communicating on social media application Wickr, and a search history indicating Reich sought out CSAM.
Reich was placed on the sex offender list after pleading guilty to child molestation in the first degree in St. Louis Circuit Court in 1999.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Scott County Cattle Farmer Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— A Georgetown, Ky., man, Robert Conley, 71, has pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell to providing a criminally false claim in order to obtain COVID relief funds.
In 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, established many programs that were funded primarily by the federal government and administered by state workforce agencies. One of the programs provided support to farmers and ranchers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). CFAP provided financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities with financial assistance for sales losses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency administered the program. CFAP applicants electronically certified that the information provided was accurate and were warned that any false statement or misrepresentation to the USDA or any misapplication of loan proceeds could result in sanctions, including criminal penalties.
Conley is a buyer and seller of cattle in Georgetown and is also part owner of Paris Stockyards in Paris, Ky. According to Conley’s plea agreement, on May 26, 2020 and on September 29, 2020, he filed two CFAP applications. In additional to the two legitimate applications, Conley directed and caused four individuals to unwittingly submit false CFAP applications claiming they owned 20% of Conley’s cattle. At Conley’s direction, the four individuals received a total of $1,206,539.80 in CFAP funds, which they remitted back to Conley.
Additionally, Conley caused the submission of three false applications under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), claiming three of the individuals had payroll expenses associated with Conley’s cattle operation. As a result of those false PPP applications, another $72,660 was fraudulently obtained.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Janet M. Sorensen, Acting Special Agent in Charge, United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigations, Cincinnati Field Division, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the USDA-OIG and IRS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Smith is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States.
Conley is scheduled to appear for sentencing on October 9, 2025. He faces a maximum of 5 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
— END —
Salem Man Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Possession ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Salem, Mass. man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his participation in a North Shore-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine and laundered the proceeds.
Gino Castillo, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 37 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In April 2025, Castillo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Castillo was among 27 individuals charged, beginning in October 2022, in connection with a wide-ranging conspiracy to traffic counterfeit prescription pills. Castillo was charged, by indictment, on April 24, 2024. All 27 individuals have pleaded guilty; 22 have been sentenced.
The DTO distributed counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, among other drugs, to individuals in the Lynn area. In May 2022, Castillo bought 500 pills containing fentanyl from members of the DTO for redistribution to others. In October 2022, Castillo was observed assisting a DTO leader, Lawrence Michael Nagle Jr., with moving into an apartment on Phillips Street in Salem where drugs would be stored. During a search at the Salem location on Oct. 25, 2022 counterfeit pills were located in a safe in the bedroom and hidden in the tank of a toilet.
Lawrence Michael Nagle, Jr. pleaded guilty in April 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 5, 2025.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Beverly, Everett, Peabody, Revere, Salem, Saugus and Swampscott Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys K. Nathaniel Yeager, Samuel R. Feldman, John O. Wray and Alexandra Amrhein of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.Rhode Island Man Arrested for Threatening President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff MillerRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Rhode Island man has been arrested and is scheduled to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence today for threatening to kill President Donald Trump, United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, announced Acting Rhode Island United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Court documents allege that on June 27, 2025, Carl D. Montague, 37, issued a profanity-laced posting on Truth Social threatening to shoot and kill President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Miller.
Montague is charged by way of a criminal complaint with threats against the President; interstate threats; threats to assault; and kidnap, or murder of a United States official, judge, or law enforcement officer. He was arrested without incident this morning and is scheduled to make an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Amy E. Moses at 1:00 PM.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The matter was investigated by the FBI, United States Secret Service, and the Providence Police Department.
###
criminal_complaint_affidavit.pdfRepeat Offender Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Stolen Mail and Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Quadarius Thomas, 30, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 54 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possession of stolen mail and illegal possession of a firearm, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Chief Johnny Jennings with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement
According to court records and the sentencing hearing, Thomas was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to prison. He was released from custody in 2023 and was placed under court-ordered federal supervision. Court records show that, in November 2023, Thomas was driving a vehicle in Charlotte when he was pulled over for a license plate violation. During the traffic stop, Thomas impersonated another individual and provided the CMPD officers with a driver’s license in that person’s name. Thomas also indicated to the officers that he had a firearm in the vehicle but did not have a concealed carry permit and was issued a citation in the identity theft victim’s name.
In December 2023, CMPD issued a warrant for Thomas’s arrest after it was determined that Thomas had provided false information during the traffic stop. CMPD officers located Thomas, and following a short foot chase, he was taken into custody. A CMPD officer searched a small satchel recovered from Thomas during the arrest and found approximately $7,000 in cash, numerous licenses, and stolen checks, including a stolen $2.4 million U.S. Treasury check. Law enforcement also searched Thomas’s residence and recovered additional fraud-related items, including 10 South Carolina drivers’ licenses and accompanying bank cards, bank checks, a South Carolina ID hologram, a printer, and two laptops.
On August 7, 2024, Thomas pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail and aiding and abetting and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Thomas is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department led the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Francis Combs, 55, of Cool Ridge, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 1, 2024, Combs sold a Jimenez Arms model JA-Nine 9mm pistol to a confidential informant. Combs admitted to possessing the firearm and further admitted to selling a substance containing a quantity of fentanyl to the confidential informant during the transaction, which took place at Combs’ residence.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Combs knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for first-degree robbery in Raleigh County Circuit Court on June 26, 2007, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in Wyoming County Circuit Court on October 1, 2019.
Combs also admitted selling a substance containing a quantity of fentanyl and a Bryco Arms model Jennings J-22 .22-caliber pistol to a confidential informant in Raleigh County on July 30, 2024.
Combs is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, and the Beckley Police Department.
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Lesley C. Shamblin and Alexander A. Redmon have 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 Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-188.
###
Providence Man Admits to Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence man has been convicted for a second time on federal methamphetamine trafficking charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
David Vasbinder, 40, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to a charge of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
In February 2022, Vasbinder was arrested by Glocester, RI police after an officer stopped him for speeding and learned that an arrest warrant for him was pending in Providence in an unrelated matter. A court-authorized search of Vasbinder’s vehicle following his arrest resulted in the discovery of 126 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine and various items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs. Additionally, police seized a total of $972 in cash from Vasbinder’s person and his vehicle.
Court records reflect that in October 2019, Vasbinder was convicted in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida on two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crystal methamphetamine. He was sentenced in December 2019 to a term of incarceration of 48 months to be followed by three years of supervised release.
The case in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christine D. Lowell.
The matter was investigated by the Glocester Police Department, Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, and the West Warwick Police Department.
Port Arthur felon sentenced to federal prison for firearms violationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas –A Port Arthur convicted felon has been sentenced for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Carl Sampson Solomon, 43, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 9, 2025.
According to information presented in court, on March 27, 2024, Sampson was stopped for a traffic violation on Gulfway Drive in Port Arthur. During the stop, Solomon advised officers he had a firearm holstered under the seat. A search of the vehicle revealed the firearm and a small baggie of marijuana. Further investigation revealed Solomon had previously been convicted of five felonies and was on felony probation. Federal law prohibits convicted felons of possessing or owning firearms.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This case was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn.
###
Philadelphia Resident Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Leading Large-Scale Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 180 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Mikal Davis, 47.
According to information presented to the Court, from in and around April 2019 to July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Davis conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture of heroin, five kilograms or more of a mixture of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, and 28 grams or more of crack. Davis, who led the drug trafficking organization’s activity in Philadelphia and Johnstown, was one of the targets of a federal wiretap and was intercepted obtaining quantities of the drugs that he distributed to others. Accompanied by distributors below him, Davis frequently traveled between Philadelphia and Johnstown with drug shipments which were then stored and processed at “stash houses” throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania for distribution. During a meeting with a drug source in California for a resupply, Davis arranged for the drug parcels to be mailed to Johnstown for distribution. In the Philadelphia area, Davis met with drug sources and purchased over 2,000 grams of heroin and fentanyl and over 5,000 grams of cocaine from a source in New Jersey.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Davis. Additional agencies participating in this investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.
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.
Owings Mills Couple Sentenced for Roles in $20-Million Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced James William Wilson, Jr., 78, and his wife, Maureen Ann Wilson, 77, both of Owings Mills, Maryland, to federal prison for their roles in connection with an insurance fraud scheme.
James Wilson received 12 years for 13 counts of fraud, three counts of money laundering, two counts of filing false tax returns, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Maureen Wilson was sentenced to four years for one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, four counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, one count of money laundering, and two counts of filing a false return. Both were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,705,520.30 and the Court entered a forfeiture order including over $14.8 million in seized funds.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation – Washington, D.C. Field Office.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the Wilsons conspired to defraud life-insurance companies by securing more than 40 life-insurance policies. The scheme included mispresenting policy applicants’ health, wealth, and existing life-insurance coverage. Total death benefits from these policies exceeded $20 million.
Additionally, James Wilson, a former Maryland life insurance broker, defrauded individual investors to receive funds that he used to pay premiums on the fraudulently obtained life-insurance policies. The Wilsons concealed the fraud by transferring the proceeds to multiple bank accounts, including accounts in the name of trusts. Then the Wilsons filed false individual income-tax returns for 2018 and 2019, which concealed the fraudulent proceeds from each year, approximately $5.7 million and $2 million, respectively.
After obtaining the policies, the Wilsons used forged signatures to make themselves, and other nominees they controlled, the owners and beneficiaries of the life insurance policies. Maureen Wilson also impersonated other people when speaking with the life insurance companies.
The IRS-CI investigated the case, with assistance from the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Maryland Office of The Attorney General.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew P. Phelps and Philip Motsay and Trial Attorneys Shawn Noud and Richard Kelley, who prosecuted the federal case. Ms. Hayes also thanks Trial Attorney Stephanie Williamson, from the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, who assisted with the forfeiture proceedings.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
# # #
Okmulgee County Resident Pleads Guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Injury AccidentRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lee Calhoun Phillips, age 45, of Morris, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to a one-count felony Information of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Nonfatal Injury in Indian Country, punishable by up to two years in prison.
The Information alleged that on September 28, 2023, Phillips drove a vehicle that was involved in an accident involving an injury to a person, willfully and maliciously failed to remain at the scene and render reasonable assistance to the injured, and willfully and maliciously failed to stop in order to avoid detection and prosecution.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan W. Howanitz and T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Ohio County Man Admits to Role in Ohio Valley Drug Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Steven Aldridge, 27, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to conspiring to sell large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.
Aldridge entered a guilty plea today to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine. According to court documents, Aldridge was working with others in a drug trafficking operation that spanned from Las Vegas, Nevada to the Ohio Valley.
Aldridge faces at least 5 and up to 40 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Nogay is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, Marshall County Drug Task Force, and the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, all HIDTA-funded initiatives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; West Virginia State Police; Wheeling Police Department; Ohio County Sheriff’s Office; and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Press release on the associated case: www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/federal-grand-jury-indicts-twenty-six-drug-trafficking
Ohio County Man Admits to Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Deontre Christian Johnson, age 25, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to distributing fentanyl in Ohio County.
According to court documents, Johnson, also known as “Trap,” was selling fentanyl on Wheeling Island.
Johnson is facing at up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Okaloosa County Man Sentenced for Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Malcolm Jamal Norvilus, 39, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was sentenced on July 1, 2025, to 120 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
According to court records, on July 25, 2024, law enforcement officers in Okaloosa County, Florida were attempting to locate a vehicle that had been reported stolen. When they located the vehicle, the driver, Norvilus, fled from deputies at a high rate of speed and crashed into a pole. Norvilus was subsequently apprehended after attempting to flee on foot, and officers located more than 80 grams of methamphetamine concealed in Norvilus’ pant leg, as well as a bag of other narcotics.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the incredible efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners, our communities will be safer and healthier with this individual locked up and no longer able to peddle poison on our streets. My office will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with these officers in the fight to Take Back America from drug traffickers and violent offenders who have victimized our communities for far too long.”
“Getting methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs off our streets is a top priority. These combined efforts by local and federal partners are tied to successful results like this one,” said Eric Aden, Okaloosa County Sheriff. “Protecting the public requires dealers be held accountable and we are proud to be a part of this case.”
“Methamphetamine poses a great risk to our communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “DEA remains dedicated in its fight against this dangerous, illicit substance and working with our partners in law enforcement to rid our neighborhoods of these dealers.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
North Platte Man Sentenced to 27 years in Prison for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Guadalupe Ramirez, 40, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 3, 2025 in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to Distribute 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Ramirez to 324 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ramirez is released from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
Beginning in 2021, special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and task force officers with the Cooperative Organization for Drug Enforcement (CODE) began a large-scale investigation into drug dealing in central and west-central Nebraska. Ramirez, also known as “Shrek,” quickly emerged as a key player in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy that saw methamphetamine being trafficked into Nebraska mainly through mailings originating from California and Mexico. Members of the conspiracy would receive the mailed packages loaded with narcotics and distribute the drugs throughout Nebraska, including as far east as Omaha. At the time of sentencing, the Court found between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine were moved through Nebraska as a part of this conspiracy.
The investigation also revealed an association between Ramirez and firearms. Ramirez’s Facebook profile included discussions between himself and others in the conspiracy about firearms and a public video of Ramirez discharging a firearm out the window of a vehicle he used to deal drugs.
While imposing the sentence, Judge Bazis commented that Ramirez was essentially “the second in command” of this operation and told Ramirez that “a lot of drugs moved through Nebraska because of you.”
The years’ long investigation that led to this conviction was recognized by the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)’s 2024 Community Impact Operation of the Year. In presenting the award, Midwest HIDTA Director Dan Neill noted that the case was up against other jurisdictions with much larger cities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. The award recognized the hard work of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies during this investigation.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “The trafficking of drugs into our communities is not a victimless crime. It has a destructive effect on our neighborhoods and families. The investigation of Ramirez and his co-conspirators resulted in 36 federal indictments, 22 local arrests, the seizure of illicit drugs, cash, and firearms, and dismantled a pernicious drug trafficking organization in central Nebraska. We’ll continue to join forces with our partners to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations in both urban and rural communities across the state, and to impose consequences on those responsible for selling drugs to mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters in our community.”
U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods said, “The outstanding work of the CODE Task Force demonstrates that full prosecutorial and investigation collaboration can accomplish tremendous outcomes in the interest of making Nebraska an even safer place for its citizens to call home.”
These cases were investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, and Army National Guard Counter Drug Unit. The investigation and arrests were also assisted by the U.S. Postal Service, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogallala Police Department, La Vista Police Department, the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) Task Force, the Western Intelligence Narcotics Group (WING) Task Force, the Capitol Region Safe Streets Task Force (CRSSTF), the Lincoln/Lancaster County Metro Fugitive Task Force, the Lincoln and Keith County Attorney’s Offices, and Nebraska District 11 Probation Office.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
New York Man Who Ran $7-Million-Dollar Cryptocurrency Investment Scheme Sentenced to Four Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Douglas Jae Woo Kim was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison for his scheme to defraud investors of over $7 million in cryptocurrency and other funds. Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer handed down the sentence.
At the conclusion of a three-week trial in February 2025, a federal jury convicted Kim, 32, of New York, New York, on 14 counts of wire fraud, international money laundering, and money laundering, and acquitted him on one count of international money laundering. At today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Breyer dismissed one count of laundering of monetary instruments, one of the 14 counts on which Kim had been found guilty, on venue grounds.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between October 2017 and June 2020, after moving to San Francisco, Kim engaged in a scheme to defraud investors, many of whom were friends and acquaintances, of over $7 million in money and cryptocurrency by holding himself out as a legitimate trader of cryptocurrency. Kim falsely represented that he was seeking short-term liquidity in the form of loans or investments for cryptocurrency trading or other legitimate business purposes, told victims that the loans carried no risk or very low risk, promised high rates of return on their loans, and claimed that he had sufficient funds to personally guarantee the loans.
In October 2017, Kim contacted a victim by text message and said he was looking for investors interested in making what he called a short-term loan for a “fairly modest operation.” Kim represented that he was investing in a cryptocurrency operation in which he would make a profit from fees charged to a peer-to-peer network and from exchange transactions, and informed the victim that the operation “isn’t very risky to me.” Kim obtained over a million dollars’ worth of funds from this victim over the course of the scheme, the majority of which went to offshore sports betting sites.
In November 2017, Kim contacted another victim by email and said he was looking for cryptocurrency for a trading strategy. Kim assured that the victim that “my activities are fairly low risk.” In total, Kim obtained over $500,000 in funds from this victim, most of which he sent to offshore sports betting sites.
In an agreement dated Jan. 1, 2018, Kim set out the terms of a similar investment with a third victim. The agreement called for the victim to provide cryptocurrency valued at approximately $200,000 at the time. The same day, Kim converted more than half of the funds to bitcoin and, in the following days, transferred substantially all the converted cryptocurrency to his account with an offshore casino. Kim went on to obtain over $4 million in funds from this victim.
Kim defrauded numerous other victims, including nine who testified at trial, until at least July 2020, when he was charged by federal complaint.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Breyer sentenced Kim to a three-year period of supervised release. A hearing will be scheduled to determine issues regarding restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Stern and Maya Karwande are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Veronica Hernandez, Maryam Beros, Andy Ding, Lynette Dixon, and Christine Tian. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
New Haven Narcotics Distributor Sentenced to 28 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DEVARO TAYLOR, 35, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 28 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department conducted an investigation into narcotics trafficking and related criminal activity in and around New Haven. Between September and December 2020, investigators made controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Taylor. A court-authorized wiretap of Taylor’s phone revealed that he sold powder and crack cocaine to numerous drug customers in New Haven.
Taylor was arrested on January 26, 2021. On that date, a search of his residence revealed approximately 124 grams of cocaine, approximately 226 grams of crack cocaine, and $6,702 in cash.
On December 7, 2021, Taylor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”).
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Multi-State Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to over 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BOISE – Rito Salazar, 59, of Nampa, was sentenced to 182 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Salazar to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to court records, Salazar was sending a courier to California monthly to purchase large quantities of methamphetamine and transporting them to Idaho. He would then redistribute the methamphetamine to local street dealers in Idaho for further distribution. Salazar has an extensive criminal history and has previously been convicted of drug trafficking crimes at the state level.
“This investigation is an excellent example of the success achieved when local law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office partner to disrupt multi-state drug traffickers.” said Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott. “As our population grows, so does drug traffickers’ access to larger supplies of drugs. Ensuring drug traffickers are held accountable for bringing these dangerous drugs to Idaho is among the highest priorities of Idaho’s local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the collaborative investigation efforts of the Boise Police Department’s Boise Area Narcotic Drug Interdiction Team (BANDIT), the Canyon County City and County Narcotics Unit (CCNU), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Sacramento Field Office’s Fresno Resident Agency, which led to the charges. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey A. Manweiler prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
###
Monroe County Man Sentenced to 120 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Stull, age 46, of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr. for one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine.
According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, Stull previously pled guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Stull also admitted to possessing over one kilogram of cocaine, several pounds of marijuana, drug packaging materials, over $22,000 in cash, and several firearms, that were also found in his home during the execution of a search warrant on September 12, 2025, by members of the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General, as well as other investigators.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiate 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).
# # #
Mexican man charged with illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Oscar Leo Hernandez Sanchez, 37, a citizen and national of Mexico, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Sanchez was encountered by Customs and Border Protection at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry on the morning of June 26, 2025. He was occupying a tractor trailer in a no parking zone of the entrance to the Duty Free Shop. Sanchez then attempted to back down the ramp of the Peace Bridge, towards Interstate I-190. CBP officers made contact with the Sanchez out of concern that a traffic accident would occur. When asked for identification, he produced a Mexican Passport and a Mexican Consular Identification Document. Sanchez was then escorted to secondary to determine his immigration status in the United States. A records check determined that Sanchez was arrested and physically removed from the United States in December 2011.
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.
Sanchez made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Mexican National Sentenced to 6 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Julio Zarate-Ocegueda, 51 years old, of Mexico residing in Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to a felony reentry of removed alien, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Julio Zarate-Ocegueda, who has been detained since his arrest, was sentenced to 6 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.According to documents in the case, Zarate-Ocegueda was previously removed from the United States on two separate occasions, once in 2004 and again in 2005. His criminal history includes convictions for threatening a crime with intent to terrorize, battery, criminal threats (death), along with multiple driving related offenses.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan.
Medina man pleads guilty to possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kyle Stack, 39, of Medina, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2020, Stack possessed a cellular phone, which contained more than 4,000 images and videos of child pornography. The child pornography included prepubescent minors less than 12-years-old and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In addition, Stack possessed a laptop, which contained more than 9,000 images and videos of child pornography.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 7, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.
# # # #
McCreery Aviation finance director admits to $1.2 million mail fraud schemeRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 57-year-old Mission resident has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and diverting company funds for her own benefit, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Elizabeth Batten was the director of financing at McCreery Aviation in the Rio Grande Valley from 2019 to 2023. As part of her plea, she admitted that during her tenure, she diverted company funds to pay for her personal expenses. She used signed blank company checks, intended for legitimate business purposes, to settle her personal credit card accounts.
She also used the U.S. Postal Service to conceal her behavior and actions by mailing her fraudulent payments to multiple credit card companies in different states.
The investigation into Batten began after a McCreery Aviation employee noticed irregularities in the handling of company checks in late 2023.
It revealed she had fraudulently diverted a total of $1.2 million as part of her scheme.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton will impose sentencing Oct. 7. At that time, Batten faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
As a part of the plea, Batten agreed to pay $1.191 million in restitution to McCreery Aviation.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending her sentencing hearing.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.
McAlester Resident Sentenced for Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Marcus Edward Lee, age 33, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for one count of Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On January 13, 2025, Lee pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
According to investigators, on May 20, 2024, federal agents executed a warrant on Lee’s McAlester address as part of a years-long investigation into an online subscriber sharing images depicting sexual abuse of children between the ages of three and thirteen. At Lee’s residence, agents seized two cell phones on which Lee had stored nearly 600 images of child sexual abuse and assaults.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
We encourage anyone who suspects or has information regarding child sexual exploitation, trafficking of minors, sextortion, child pornography, or any other means of child exploitation to immediately contact law enforcement. You can file a report through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.cybertipline.com, through the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or through Homeland Security Investigations at 1-877-4-HSI TIP.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Lee will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Pippin represented the United States.
Maryland Woman Charged with Tax Refund FraudRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Baltimore, Maryland, returned an indictment, unsealed late last week, charging a Maryland woman with tax fraud, theft of government funds, and money laundering.
The following is according to the indictment: between December 2019 and March 2020, Kendra Nicole Scarborough, of Oxon Hill, allegedly assisted with the preparation and filing of false tax returns in order to receive large refunds from the IRS to which she was not entitled. On those returns, Scarborough allegedly claimed nonexistent payments or withholdings and requested more than $1.1 million in refunds. As a result of one of the alleged false tax returns, the IRS issued refunds to Scarborough of more than $412,000.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the money laundering charge, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the theft of government funds charge, and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each of the three charges of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Scarborough also faces a period of supervised release, monetary penalties, and restitution.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant Chief Sarah Ranney and Trial Attorney Alexandra Fleszar of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Murder at Navy Yard Metro StationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Tyriq Williams, 34, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 192 months in prison for the 2023 shooting murder of Terry Clark, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Williams pleaded guilty in front of the Honorable Todd E. Edelman to second-degree murder while armed on April 23, 2025. The defendant was sentenced pursuant to a plea agreement entered into by the parties. Williams will be placed on a five-year term of supervised release after his term of incarceration.
According to the government’s evidence, on January 7, 2023, the defendant and his girlfriend encountered Mr. Clark on an escalator leaving the Navy Yard Metro Station. The defendant and Mr. Clark did not know each other. After both men left the station, Williams turned around and shot Mr. Clark one time in the head, causing his death. The defendant then went back into the station and took the train to Congress Heights Metro Station, where he took a bus to his place of employment. Williams told a friend that he needed a ride, and his friend picked the defendant up and drove him to his home in Washington D.C. The shooting was not captured on video, but law enforcement located the defendant on other video surveillance, including Washington Metro Area Transit Authority surveillance around the metro station and on the bus. After an investigation, Williams was apprehended, and detectives found, pursuant to a search warrant of the defendant’s home, distinctive clothing that he wore on the night of the shooting.
Joining in the announcement was Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Jamie Carter, who prosecuted the case, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Interrante, who investigated the case.
Man Charged with Smuggling Protected ToucansRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Carlos Abundez of San Ysidro, California, appeared in federal court today to face charges that he smuggled 14 live, bound Keel-billed toucans concealed inside the dashboard of his Volkswagen Passat.
Federal agents detained Abundez at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry after a Customs and Border Protection canine showed a change of behavior while screening the car. When a CBP officer further inspected the car, the officer found a bound bird, wrapped in cloth, duct taped to the underneath of the dash.
At the time, the officer did not know what the object was until it began to move and flutter. Officers then pried open the side panel of the dashboard and discovered a total of 14 sedated juvenile Keel-billed toucans concealed within the compartment.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents and inspectors responded to the scene. A wildlife inspector identified the birds as Keel-billed toucans of the species Ramphastos sulfuratus. The 14 birds were identified as juveniles. Some had injuries including broken tails and a broken leg.
The birds were initially cared for by Veterinary Services at the southern border, before being transferred to a Department of Agriculture Animal Import Center for quarantine. The birds are now reported to be in stable condition.
Keel-billed toucans are native to southern Mexico down through Ecuador, including Venezuela, Columbia and Nicaragua. Because of their threatened status as a species, Keel-billed toucans are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (“CITES”), an international treaty among approximately 183 governments, including the United States and Mexico, to protect fish, wildlife, and plants that may become threatened with extinction. They are illicitly sold as pets and can cost up to $5,000 per bird.
The arrest follows the recent prosecution of three other individuals caught smuggling Amazon parrots and parakeets through the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro ports of entry, highlighting a troubling pattern of illegal wildlife trade through Southern California.
“Smuggling endangered birds by sedating them, binding their beaks, and hiding them in car compartments is not just cruel—it’s criminal,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “This disturbing trend of trafficking exotic wildlife through Southern California ports poses a serious threat to public health and agriculture. These birds bypass mandatory quarantine and screening, potentially carrying devastating diseases like avian influenza. We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who treat living creatures as contraband and put our communities and ecosystems at risk.”
Avian influenza (bird flu), for instance, can spread through feathers, droppings, or even airborne particles and has previously caused massive culls of farm birds in the U.S. Bird flu is highly contagious and can cause flu like symptoms, respiratory illness, pneumonia and death in humans and other birds including birds in United States poultry farms. Many other diseases that can be transmitted from different animals and can have disastrous effects, that is why it is necessary to quarantine animals entering the United States to limit and safeguard against this potential disease transmission.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Jimenez.
DEFENDANT Case Number 25-mj-3726
Carlos Abundez Age: 35 San Ysidro, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Smuggling Merchandise – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 545
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
Importation Contrary to Law – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 545
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Man Charged with Robbing Post Office in Rockford, Ill.Read the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for robbing a post office in Rockford, Ill. in May.
ANTHONY M. JOHNSON, 58, of Rockford, was charged with one count of robbing a person having lawful charge, control, and custody of money of the United States and putting said person’s life in jeopardy by the use of a dangerous weapon. The count carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison. Arraignment in U.S. District Court in Rockford has not yet been scheduled.
The indictment was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Ruth Mendonça, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Chicago Division. The Rockford Police Department assisted in the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Kim.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
johnson_indictment.pdfLuchese Crime Family Captain Sentenced to Prison for Racketeering, Money Laundering, and Illegal GamblingRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Anthony Villani, a captain in the Luchese organized crime family, was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 21 months in prison following his conviction for racketeering with predicate acts of money laundering and illegal gambling related to his running of a large-scale, illegal online gambling business that operated under the protection of the Luchese organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra. The gambling business, known as “Rhino Sports,” operated since the early 2000s and brought in at least $35 million in illicit profits during its operation. As part of the sentence, Villani was ordered to pay $4 million in forfeiture.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentence.
“Today’s sentence holds Villani accountable for racketeering crimes committed on behalf of the Luchese organized crime family, while lining the enterprise’s coffers and his own pockets with millions of dollars,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Illegal gambling and extortion may be commonplace for the Mafia, but a prison term is a bitter outcome for mobsters who show no regard for the law.”
“Anthony Villani, a Luchese organized crime family captain, has been justly sentenced for his extensive criminal exploits related to his illegal gambling operation. Today’s sentencing should serve as a warning to the Mafia and all organized criminal members, the FBI will continue to hold you accountable for the illicit criminal enterprises you rely on to fund your lifestyles and broader criminal activity,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.
According to court filings, the gambling business (the Gambling Business) that Villani supervised was in continuous operation from at least 2004 through December 2020. During that period, the Gambling Business was hosted online using offshore servers in Costa Rica and employed local bookmakers to pay and collect winnings in cash. Bookmakers were responsible for taking wagers from a group of bettors, collecting and paying individual bettors, and settling with Villani. Villani received a percentage of each bookmaker’s earnings. Records obtained from the Gambling Business’s website indicated that Villani’s illegal gambling operation regularly took bets from between 400 and 1,300 bettors each week, most of whom were based in New York City and the metropolitan area. Villani’s bookmakers regularly included members and associates of the Luchese crime family and other La Cosa Nostra families. Villani personally made at least $15 million in illegal profits from his work as the leader of the Gambling Business.
Villani employed several trusted associates to help him manage the Gambling Business. These employees included co-defendants Louis Tucci, Jr. and Dennis Filizzola, who reported directly to Villani as part of their work for the Gambling Business. Both were responsible for picking up and collecting money from other bookmakers and met frequently with Villani. In addition, co-defendants James Coumoutsos, who operated in the Gambling Business under the name “Quick,” and Michael Praino, who operated under the name “Platinum,” were bookmakers for the Gambling Business. These four co-defendants previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. As part of their sentences, they have agreed to pay approximately $1 million in forfeiture.
In addition to operating the Gambling Business, Villani and Filizzola engaged in money laundering to conceal the source and nature of the significant illicit proceeds. At Villani’s direction, Filizzola took proceeds from the Gambling Business and used them to purchase U.S. Postal Service money orders in false names, which were then made payable to one of Villani’s property companies to appear as legitimate rental payments.
In addition to operating the Gambling Business and laundering its illicit proceeds, Villani also extorted John Doe. Between October 2019 and October 2020, Villani threatened John Doe over the non-payment of approximately $300,000 that he stole from the Gambling Business. Villani made several threats to John Doe. Among these threats, Villani stated on April 27, 2020, “I’m not going to repeat myself. I’m not going to ever say this again. We’re just going to have a problem if I find out. Alright? And I don’t want to threaten you with my friends or anything, I’m not gonna, you put me in a f-----g hole with this guy?” Villani’s threats against John Doe escalated and later on October 10, 2020, he stated, “Listen, get the f-----g money. I’m telling you right now, you don’t get this money – f-----g run away. Go get this f-----g money.” Based on these threats and others, John Doe believed that the defendant or other members of the Luchese crime family would physically hurt or kill him if he did not repay the debt.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorney Antoinette N. Rangel is in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters.
The Defendant:
ANTHONY VILLANI
Age: 60
Pleasantville, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-405 (KAM)
Local man who trafficked, exploited & raped minor girls sentenced to 50 years in prisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A previously convicted sex offender was sentenced in federal court to 600 months in prison. The defendant sexually exploited two minor females and forced one of the girls to engage in commercial sex acts with men at hotels.
Anthony Sims, 56, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in March – less than two weeks before he was scheduled to begin trial – to two counts of sexually exploiting a minor and one count of sex trafficking a minor.
Sims raped a 12-year-old girl 40 to 50 times throughout six months in 2020. Sims provided the girl marijuana and alcohol and talked her into getting high and drinking. At times, during the sexual assaults, Sims would hold down the victim’s arms or hold her in place. During these encounters, he forced the girl to pose for photos in sexual positions while nude or while wearing lingerie.
Sims convinced another victim, a 13-year-old girl, to smoke marijuana with him and once she was high, Sims raped her. He routinely held this victim down to facilitate these acts. Sims would also take nude photos of her, and he made her pose with stuffed animals or pillows.
Sims also took the 13-year-old to various hotels and forced her to have sex with men who paid Sims. The victim was forced to have sex with approximately 50 different men. Sims also sold pornographic photos of the victim.
At the time of his most recent crimes, Sims was a registered sex offender with two convictions out of Michigan.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission’s Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI); and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the sentence imposed on July 8 by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Tyler J. Aagard are representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Live Entertainment CEO Indicted for Orchestrating Conspiracy to Rig Bidding Process for Public University ArenaRead the Press Release
Note: The defendant in this case, Timothy J. Leiweke, received a pardon from the President of the United States for the offenses alleged in the indictment described in the press release below.
A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group (OVG), for orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university in Austin, Texas, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division announced today. OVG develops and provides a variety of services to live entertainment venues.
The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges that, from approximately February 2018 through at least June 2024, Leiweke conspired with the Chief Executive Officer of a competitor to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena that was to be located on the campus of a public university in Austin, Texas (the “Arena Project”).
“As outlined in the indictment, the Defendant rigged a bidding process to benefit his own company and deprived a public university and taxpayers of the benefits of competitive bidding,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will continue to hold executives who cheat to avoid competition accountable.”
“Unfair business practices, like those employed here, make it very difficult for the American people to pursue prosperity like our founders intended,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “In the Western District of Texas, we’re proud to work with our colleagues in the Antitrust Division on these types of cases, and we will do all we can to ensure those who engage in the type of conduct described in this case are held to account.”
“Timothy Leiweke allegedly led a scheme designed to steer the contract for entertainment services at a public university's arena to his company. Public contracts are subject to laws requiring an open and competitive bid process to ensure a level playing field,” said Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia of the FBI New York Field Office. “The FBI is determined to ensure that those who disregard fair competition principles do not benefit from a rigged bidding process targeting our communities and public institutions.”
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of corruption and illegal influence in the American workplace,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan R. Mellone of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast region. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”
According to the indictment, in September 2017, Leiweke informed colleagues that he had learned another venue-services company was “bidding against us” for the Arena Project and wanted to “find a way to get [the competitor] some of the business” and “get them to back down.” In November 2017, Leiweke informed others that he was “[m]ore than happy talking to [the competitor] about not bidding and [receiving certain subcontracts]” but had “no interest in working with them if they intend on putting in a bid.” In February of 2018, Leiweke ultimately reached an agreement with the competitor’s CEO, pursuant to which the competitor agreed that it would stand down and neither submit nor join an independent competing bid for the Arena Project. In exchange for the competitor’s agreement to stand down, Leiweke represented that the competitor would receive Arena Project’s subcontracts. Consistent with the bid-rigging agreement, the competitor did not submit a competing bid for the Arena Project. OVG ultimately submitted the sole qualified bid and won the Arena Project. The arena opened to the public in April 2022, and OVG continues to receive significant revenues from the project to date.
OVG and Legends Hospitality have agreed to pay $15 million and $1.5 million in penalties, respectively, in connection with the conduct alleged in the indictment against Leiweke.
Leiweke is charged with a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The maximum penalty for individuals is 10 years in prison and a $1 million criminal fine. The fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Field Office are investigating the case.
The Antitrust Division’s New York Office is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258, or visit www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lexington Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Meth, Repeat Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Curtis Hill, III, 36, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on three different occasions, Hill sold methamphetamine to confidential sources. On one of these occasions, Hill was in possession of firearms. In a separate incident, following these drug buys, Hill ran from officers following a traffic stop, where he tossed methamphetamine during the chase. These drugs were ultimately recovered by law enforcement and a firearm was found in his vehicle.
At the time of these offenses, Hill was on federal supervised release. Hill has previous convictions for assault and battery, common law robbery, assault battery of a high and aggravated nature, and a federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Hill to 180 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Judge Lydon further sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment for violation of his supervised release, which is to run concurrent with his 15-year sentence.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the West Columbia Police Department, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.
###
Las Vegas Man Indicted for Fraudulently Selling Goods as Native American-MadeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident made his initial appearance in court on Tuesday for allegedly misrepresenting and selling fake goods as authentic Native American-made products in violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jose Skywolf Martinez, 61, with one count of violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah scheduled a jury trial to begin on September 8, 2025.
According to allegations contained in the indictment and statements made in court, beginning on or about December 7, 2023, and continuing to about December 10, 2024, Martinez offered or displayed for sale, goods that he falsely suggested were Indian produced by an Indian or Indian tribe.
United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada; Douglas Ault, Assistant Director, Office of Law Enforcement, United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and Meridith Stanton, Director, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, United States Department of Interior made the announcement.
“The Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB) administers and enforces the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA), a truth-in-marketing law,” said IACB Director Stanton. “The IACA is intended to rid the Indian arts and crafts marketplace of fakes and counterfeits to protect the economic livelihoods and cultural heritage of Indian artists, as well as to protect consumers. Authentic Indian art and craftwork is an important tool for passing down cultural traditions and artistic skills from one generation to the next. Counterfeit Indian art sold by Mr. Martinez undercuts Indian economies, culture, and traditions. The indictment of Mr. Martinez should send a strong message to those engaged in the sale of counterfeit Indian art that they will be found and held accountable.”
The Indian Arts and Crafts Act prohibits the offer or display for sale, or the sale of any good in a manner that falsely suggests that it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian and Indian tribe. The law is designed to prevent products from being marketed as “Indian made,” when the products are not, in fact, made by Indians. It covers all Indian and Indian-style traditional and contemporary arts and crafts produced after 1935, and broadly applies to the marketing of arts and crafts by any person in the United States. The IACA provides critical economic benefits for Native American cultural development by recognizing that forgery and fraudulent arts and crafts diminish the livelihood of Native American artists and craftspeople by lowering both market prices and standards.
If convicted, Martinez faces a maximum statutory penalty of not more than five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Assistant United States Attorney Skyler Pearson is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Justice Department Sues California for Violating Title IX, Denying Girls Athletic OpportunitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division today filed suit to enforce Title IX and protect California female student athletes from unfair competition and reckless endangerment by male participation on female high-school sports teams.
According to the complaint, the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) have engaged in illegal sex discrimination against female student athletes by allowing males to compete against them, depriving these girls of the equal education and athletic opportunities afforded to them by federal civil rights law. Thus, the suit seeks declaratory, injunctive, and damages relief for violations of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal funding.
As alleged in the complaint, the U.S. Department of Education’s “current allocation of funds to CDE for fiscal year 2025 totals approximately $44.3 billion, of which approximately $3.8 billion remains available for drawdown by CDE, including both discretionary grants and formula grants.”
“The Governor of California has previously admitted that it is ‘deeply unfair’ to force women and girls to compete with men and boys in competitive sports,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “But not only is it ‘deeply unfair,’ it is also illegal under federal law. This Department of Justice will continue its fight to protect equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.”
“Title IX was enacted over half a century ago to protect women and girls from discrimination. The Justice Department will not stand for policies that deprive girls of their hard-earned athletic trophies and ignore their safety on the field and in private spaces,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “Young women should not have to sacrifice their rights to compete for scholarships, opportunities, and awards on the altar of woke gender ideology.”
“California is on the wrong side of the law and the wrong side of history,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California. “Women deserve dignity, respect, and an equal opportunity to compete on their own sports teams. The time for talk is over. California must comply with Title IX and end its civil rights violations against women. No person, no state, is above the law.”
CDE has authority over CIF and local school districts’ interscholastic athletic policies, and CIF oversees 1.8 million students and over 750,000 student-athletes in grades 9 through 12. The complaint is available here.
Justice Department Secures Ruling to Allow Idaho Forest Landscape Resilience Project to ProceedRead the Press Release
Last week, a ruling from the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho cleared the way for the Forest Service’s Buckskin Saddle Project on the Panhandle National Forest to proceed. The forest is in northwest Idaho’s panhandle region, and the project area includes approximately 13,000 acres of timber harvest and approximately 6,500 acres of noncommercial fuel reduction treatment.
The district court rejected a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) challenge to the project, which is designed to reduce fire hazards and improve forest landscape resilience. Specifically, the court found that the Forest Service complied with NEPA in all respects, including its summary of how the proposed treatments would meet the tree-size and composition goals set by the forest plan for the project area and its assessment of the effects of the project on wildlife species that rely on large tree habitat. The decision is subject to appeal in the Ninth Circuit.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) made the announcement.
Trial Attorney Hayley Carpenter of ENRD’s Natural Resources Section handled the case.
Justice Department Opens Application Period for Program to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information DatabasesRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia to participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information. TAP improves public safety by providing federally recognized Tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes, including the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
The program provides software, hardware, and training, as well as a web-based application and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems. The Department will accept TAP applications from July 9 to August 29. Tribes selected to participate will be notified in September. There are currently 149 federally recognized Tribes participating in TAP.
Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; registered convicted sex offenders; run criminal histories; located fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.
“As a TAP Pilot Tribe, the Cherokee Nation has been participating in TAP for many years,” said Suzanne Drywater, Senior Director of Justice Services for the Cherokee Nation. “From sex offender registrations, law enforcement, foster home certification, human resources, and child support, our tribe has been able to exercise our sovereignty, and TAP has proven to be an invaluable resource that we use daily in a multitude of ways.”
For Tribes that are considering applying, TAP staff will be conducting informational webinars describing the program and its capabilities. Webinars will be offered throughout July and August. For more information about TAP, including webinar dates, times and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
To qualify for funding, federally recognized Tribes must have – and agree to use TAP for – at least one of the following:
- A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act,
- A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers,
- A Tribal court that issues orders of protection, or
- A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking; the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office on Violence Against Women. TAP is co-managed by the department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer and Office of Tribal Justice.
Justice Department Challenges Unconstitutional California Laws Driving up National Egg PricesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of California, Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and other state officials over California laws that impose burdensome red tape on the production of eggs and poultry products nationally in violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The laws and regulations challenged by the complaint impose costly requirements on farmers that have the effect of raising egg prices for American consumers by prohibiting farmers across the country from using commonly accepted agricultural methods that helped keep eggs affordable. These laws stand opposed to the Egg Products inspection Act, which sets standards to ensure eggs and egg products are properly labeled and packaged and preempts state laws that impose additional regulatory hurdles.
“Americans across the country have suffered the consequences of liberal policies causing massive inflation for everyday items like eggs,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will use the full extent of federal law to ensure that American families are free from oppressive regulatory burdens and restore American prosperity.”
“Bureaucratic red tape and unnecessary regulations implemented by the State of California have made the cost of everyday goods, like eggs, less affordable for Americans," said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate. "This Department of Justice will work to free consumers from this regulatory burden and bring economic prosperity to families.”
On his first day in office, President Trump directed federal agencies to work to end the “crushing regulatory burden” Americans were experience with the riding costs of every day items. This lawsuit is the latest of Department of Justice actions seeking to protect American consumers from predatory commercial practices and regulatory burdens.
Jefferson County felon sentenced to federal prison for live-stream shootingRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas –A Beaumont man has been sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Brian Keith Murphy, 33, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 85 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 9, 2025.
According to information presented in court, on August 11, 2024, law enforcement officers received a call of shots fired near a gas station on Concord Avenue in Beaumont. As officers were being dispatched to the scene, the Beaumont Police Department was able to view a live stream of the shooting through their “Real-Time-Crime Center.” Officers monitoring the live stream were able to witness the shooter fire multiple shots near vehicles and individuals in the parking lot. Through coordination with officers monitoring the live stream and officers on scene, law enforcement was able to identify the vehicle the shooter had fled in. The vehicle was stopped, and Murphy was identified as the shooter. Two firearms were recovered from the vehicle Murphy was fleeing in, one of which was the firearm Murphy used in the shooting. Murphy was on federal supervised release at the time for a previous conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Beaumont Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.
###
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Sales of Fentanyl While ArmedRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Thomas Edgar Hall (36, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of fentanyl and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Hall faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents, from May through August 2024, Hall sold fentanyl and crack cocaine six times to an undercover officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Hall was armed or had ready access to a firearm on each occasion.
In September 2024, after obtaining a search warrant, investigators searched the home where the drug transactions had taken place. Officers located six firearms, an assortment of ammunition, and drug paraphernalia including beakers, mirrors, razors, and blenders containing drug residue. They also recovered crack cocaine and over 60 grams of fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta.
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.
Jacksonville Convicted Child Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Accessing Child Sexual Abuse Materials Using the InternetRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Sean-Michael Smith (36, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to using the internet to access child sexual abuse materials. Smith faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Smith is a registered child sex offender who was convicted in federal court in 2014 of distributing videos and photos of children being sexually abused. Smith was arrested on December 18, 2024, and remains in federal custody pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for September 29, 2025.
According to court records, after serving his federal prison sentence and while on supervised release, Smith admitted to his probation officer that he had drawn sketches depicting nude children and had also accessed the internet several times. On December 10, 2024, U.S. Probation Officers conducted a search of Smith’s residence for contraband evidence. During an interview, Smith admitted that he had accessed child sexual abuse materials online during August, September, and December 2024. He advised that he used a particular device to access these materials. Probation Officers seized this device and turned it over to the FBI for further investigation.
On February 18, 2025, an FBI agent extracted the contents of the device’s computer chip and found approximately 35 photos depicting young children being sexually abused.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Illegal Alien from Honduras Sentenced to Prison in Vast Alien Smuggling ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Honduran national unlawfully residing in the United States was sentenced today in the Western District of Texas for his leadership role in a massive alien smuggling conspiracy that spanned three years and involved thousands of aliens from over 11 different countries.
Enil Edil Mejia-Zuniga, also known as Chino, 34, of Olancho, Honduras, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in smuggling thousands of aliens into the United States for financial gain. He was also ordered to pay a $4,500 fine.
Co-defendants Monica Hernandez-Palma, 33, of Mexico, and Allyson Elsires Alvarez-Zuniga, 26, of Honduras, entered guilty pleas on April 7, 2025, and Aug. 21, 2023, respectively, and are awaiting sentencing. Co-defendant Genyi Arguenta-Flores, 32, of Comayagua, Honduras was sentenced to five years in prison on May 12. A final co-defendant is in custody in Mexico pending an extradition request from the United States.
“Mejia-Zuniga and his co-conspirators made millions of dollars off the backs of thousands of people whom they smuggled into the United States,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case represents the epitome of the ruthless and sophisticated criminal organizations that exploit our borders for personal financial gain. The Criminal Division will not stop investigating these cases until all human smuggling organizations are eradicated and the criminals who operate them are prosecuted.”
“In an effort to satisfy his greed, Mejia-Zuniga facilitated the illegal movement of thousands of Middle Easterners into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “His actions put our national security at risk. However, thanks to our many federal law enforcement partners, Mejia-Zuniga will no longer be allowed to enrich himself to the detriment of this country.”
“This sentence sends a clear message to those who exploit our immigration system for personal profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio. “For more than three years, these individuals operated a transnational smuggling ring driven by greed, moving illegal aliens from 11 countries in blatant disregard of the law. The sentencing in this case is a testament to HSI’s commitment to upholding national security. Human smuggling undermines the security of our borders and disrupts lawful immigration processes. HSI will continue to work tirelessly to protect our national security.”
“United States Border Patrol’s (USBP) Intelligence and Information Task Force played a critical role in supporting Operation Red Tide through extensive research and analysis,” said Scott Good, Chief of USBP Law Enforcement Operations Directorate. “Our team’s exploitation of subpoena returns and identification of key financial patterns helped bring these smugglers to justice. The USBP will continue working with law enforcement agencies at home and abroad to dismantle criminal networks and secure our nation’s borders.”
According to court documents, from November 2020 through March 2023, the Mejia-Zuniga alien smuggling organization (ASO) smuggled aliens from Afghanistan, Yemen, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Colombia, through Eagle Pass, Texas. Aliens primarily contracted with a Pakistani smuggler based in Brazil to be transported to the United States. In turn, the Brazilian-based smuggler worked with Mejia-Zuniga, who was based in San Antonio, Texas, to facilitate travel of the aliens from South America to the United States. Mejia-Zuniga directed operations of the ASO and paid drivers, armed “coyotes,” and stash house operators.
Mejia-Zuniga admitted to smuggling between 2,500 to 3,000 aliens into the United States in just two years. The organization charged between $6,500 to $12,000 per alien. Mejia-Zuniga admitted that he made $30,000 for every ten illegal aliens who made it to the Rio Grande River and another $30,000 if those ten illegal aliens made it to San Antonio.
One of the smuggled aliens reported paying the organization $20,000 to be brought illegally into the United States along with his brother. The Mejia-Zuniga ASO directed that alien to a stash house in Monterrey, Mexico, where it housed him with 10 other aliens. The ASO later moved the same alien to a stash house in Piedras Negras, Mexico, with another 20 to 25 aliens. Ultimately, an armed coyote guided the group of aliens across the Rio Grande River. Once across the Rio Grande, the Mejia-Zuniga ASO transported the aliens to a hotel in San Antonio.
In addition to witness statements, other evidence gathered during the investigation included wire transfers, customer ledgers, foreign identification documents, and photographs of members of the Mejia-Zuniga ASO with firearms.
Defendant Mejia-Zuniga with semi-automatic high-capacity firearms. Photographs of alien smuggling proceeds and an armed “coyote” in the bush.Mejia-Zuniga pleaded guilty to three counts of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain and aiding and abetting.
HSI Del Rio engaged in an extensive, years-long investigation in Operation Red Tide, which led to the development of this case, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector, HSI Monterrey, HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force.
Trial Attorney Jenna E. Reed of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
The investigation and arrests of the defendants in Operation Red Tide were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 390 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 350 U.S. convictions; more than 300 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
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 other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.