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Friday 9 May 2025
United States Attorney’s Office Recognizes Police Week 2025Read the Press Release
National Police Week Honors the Service and Sacrifice of Law Enforcement
“Honoring Our Fallen, Supporting Our Survivors”In honor of National Police Week 2025 scheduled for May 11 to May 17, United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal for the Southern District of Iowa recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement. U.S. Attorney Westphal said “This week we take time to pause and express our gratitude and thanks to the unwavering commitment, courage and sacrifice of law enforcement officers in protecting and serving our communities in Iowa. Not only for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, but those who bravely set out to public serve each day. Every hour of every day, federal, state and local law enforcement officers place the safety of our communities above their own, and their dedication to this duty is one of the main reasons Iowa is such a safe place to live. We stand together in honoring the brave men and women who have died in the line of duty, and supporting the survivors, their families, and fellow officers here in Iowa and across the nation.”
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 147 federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2024.
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 176 Border-Related Cases This WeekRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 176 border-related cases this week, including charges of assault on a federal officer, bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).
In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.
A sample of border-related arrests this week:
- On May 8, Ismael Castro-Gonzalez, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Assault on a Federal Officer and Attempted Entry of a Removed Alien. According to a complaint, two Border Patrol agents were attacked by Castro and others when they attempted to rescue Castro, who was hanging from barbed wire on the border wall with a broken ladder nearby. The agents were pelted with rocks by other immigrants, including one who was sitting atop the wall. One agent grabbed Castro’s right hand and forced him to release the wire. Once he broke Castro’s grip, the agent was able to pull Castro from the wire and take him to the ground, where Castro continued to struggle and attempted to tackle the agent. As they fell to the ground, Castro started reaching for the agent’s gun and collapsible steel baton. The two agents were able to subdue Castro and arrest him. Castro was previously deported to Mexico on June 29, 2022, through the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
- On May 6, Rosa Cervantez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Cervantez attempted to cross the border in the SENTRI lane at the Calexico West Port of Entry but a Customs and Border Protection officer discovered 36 plastic-wrapped packages hidden in a spare tire well of her car containing 85 pounds of fentanyl and more than 2 pounds of cocaine.
- On May 7, Salvador Hernandez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Hernandez attempted to smuggle three pounds of methamphetamine through the pedestrian lanes of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection officers found three packages concealed in Hernandez’s waistline secured with Saran Wrap.
- On May 7, Jose Tomas Lopez-Navarro of Honduras was arrested and charged with Attempted Entry after Deportation. According to a complaint, Lopez-Navarro submitted a counterfeit passport to a Customs and Border Patrol officer when asking to be admitted to the U.S. at the San Ysidro Pedestrian East Port of Entry. Lopez-Navarro had been previously removed from the U.S. to Honduras on February 4, 2025.
Also recently, a number of defendants with criminal records were convicted by a jury or sentenced for border-related crimes such as illegally re-entering the U.S. after previous deportation. Here are a few of those cases:
- On April 30, Abner Leon-Mote, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon in April 2018, was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Reentry of Removed Alien for again entering the U.S. illegally. Sentencing is scheduled for July 29, 2025 and Leon-Mote faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
- On May 5, Omar Laveaga-Flores, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of an illegal entry offense in Arizona in 2022, was sentenced in federal court to 60 days in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.
- On May 8, Juan Melgoza-Soto and Santiago Alfredo Gonzalez Hara, previously removed Mexican nationals, were sentenced in federal court to 73 days in custody for bringing an undocumented alien into the United States from Mexico.
- On May 9, Martin Josue Gutierrez, a U.S. citizen, was sentenced to six months in custody for Transportation of Certain Aliens. The defendant had seven undocumented individuals in a truck, including several under a tarp in the bed of the truck, and failed to yield during an attempted vehicle stop by law enforcement.
Pursuant to the Department’s Operation Take Back America priorities, federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens who are engaged in criminal activity in the U.S., including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, or who have active warrants for their arrest. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm, and human smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.
The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico Weekly Immigration and Border Crimes ReportRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics for this week. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies.
In the one-week period ending May 9, 2025, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico:
- 91 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)
- 1 individual was charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)
- 1 individual was charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325)
- 209 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325) and 50 U.S.C. 797, violation of a military security regulation, arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions for alien smuggling, burglary, drug trafficking, illegal reentry, and DUI.
In a significant case, Gerald Anthony Lopez fled from the I-10 U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in Doña Ana County, NM, after agreeing to a secondary inspection, reaching speeds of up to 140 mph. When Lopez was finally stopped by law enforcement, agents found a handgun and ammunition in the vehicle.
These cases are 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.
These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.
Two Women Sentenced for Running a More Than $1.5 Million COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Zebulon woman was sentenced Thursday to 8 years in prison for her role in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 fraud scheme. Loretta Clarice James, 49, had previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on May 29, 2024. One of James’ co-conspirators, Lakesha Bowles, 43, was sentenced on April 24, 2025, to 30 months imprisonment for her role in the conspiracy. Both women were also ordered to repay over one million dollars in restitution.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, James and Bowles conspired to commit wire fraud by fraudulently submitting loan applications to the federal Paycheck Protection Program(PPP), which was established by Congress through the CARES Act to support small businesses during the economic uncertainty and layoffs that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fraudulent claims on the PPP loan applications, guaranteed by the United States Small Business Association, inflated payroll numbers and asked for funding on behalf of dormant or non-existent businesses. James and Bowles submitted loan applications in their own names, and on behalf of others whom they recruited. James and Bowles were given a portion of the loan proceeds if the third-party loans were approved.
In addition to PPP fraud, James also conspired to commit wire fraud by fraudulently submitting loan and grant applications to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Program. These other programs were also created by the federal government as a lifeline to struggling small businesses affected by COVID-19. James submitted fraudulent EIDL loans applications in her name, her family members’ names, and in the names of other friends and associates. James submitted EIDL applications for businesses that did not exist and for salaries of employees who were fictitious. James submitted several hundred fraudulent EIDL applications, leading to over $500,000 in fraudulent EIDL disbursements.
In all, James, Bowles and other co-conspirators facilitated the fraudulent disbursement of more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 Loans. Darnell William King, who conspired with both women, pled guilty to PPP fraud and identity theft charges on March 11, 2025.
In addition to this significant COVID-19 loan fraud conspiracy, Loretta James was involved in an identity theft scheme where she and others used stolen identities to obtain loans or personal lines of credit from private lenders. James’ main role in that scheme included obtaining Social Security Numbers of individuals with good credit, completing a loan application in that individual’s name, using forged documents and email accounts in furtherance of the loan applications. James and her conspirators then hired “Mules” to physically obtain the funds from the bank or lender. Equipped with fake identity documentation made by James or others, the Mule would physically sign the application and associated paperwork, claiming to be the true applicant and promising to pay the loan back. After securing the funds, the Mule would bring the money back to James and other members of the scheme, and they would give the Mule a cut of the loan, ranging from $100 to $2,000 per loan. James and her compatriots did this over and over again, with loans that ranged from $5,000 to $10,000, none of which was ever paid back.
“This office is committed holding accountable those who exploited a national crisis and the hardships of others for their personal gain and greed. Public relief funds were created to support hardworking individuals and small businesses during times of crisis—not to line the pockets of criminals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “We will continue to work diligently with our many state and federal partners to peruse justice for those who choose to abuse public trust by lying, cheating, and stealing resources that are meant to support our community in its greatest time of need.”
“This extensive investigation, known as Operation Overload, uncovered a sophisticated criminal enterprise that fraudulently utilized thousands of North Carolina licenses, resulting in financial crimes that impacted individuals across multiple states,” said Captain Vaughn of the North Carolina DMV License & Theft Bureau. “Bureau commends its inspectors, intelligence analysts, and all partner agencies for their hard work and collaboration. Their efforts underscore the importance of interagency cooperation in combating complex fraud schemes and safeguarding the identities of North Carolina residents.”
“The defendants conspired to take advantage of critical aid programs intended to provide relief for businesses affected during the pandemic by fraudulently applying for and obtaining COVID-19 program funds,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.”
“This investigation began following several complaints from Wake County residents regarding identity theft and fraud. Over the course of nearly a year, a thorough investigation led to multiple arrests, supported by the NCDMV License and Theft, Clayton Police Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the IRS Criminal Investigations. The investigators involved demonstrated exceptional diligence in pursuing the suspects and uncovering a vast network of crimes. Their efforts resulted in identifying hundreds of victims, not only in Wake County, but across North Carolina, and uncovering hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraud. I would like to commend the investigators for their tireless work and unwavering commitment to serving the residents of our county and state,” Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe said.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II announced James’ sentence. The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation investigated the case with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations; the Wake County Sheriff’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle License & Theft Bureau. The Clayton Police Department and other local agencies also aided over the course of the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David G. Beraka, Ashley H. Foxx, and Karen Haughton prosecuted the cases.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:24-CR-00132 and 5:24-CR-00363.
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Two South Gate Men Charged with over a Dozen Highway Robberies Following Gamblers Targeted for Their Casino WinningsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two South Gate men have been charged in a federal indictment unsealed today for allegedly committing more than a dozen armed robberies, stealing gambling winnings from individuals leaving local casinos.
Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, was arrested and will make his initial appearance in federal court today. Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, is currently in state custody and expected to appear in federal court in the coming weeks.
Both defendants are charged with multiple counts of interference and attempted interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, and multiple counts of using firearms during a crime of violence. Lopez is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the 10-count indictment, Lopez and Gonzalez entered local casinos under false names to hunt gamblers appearing to win or cash-in a large number of chips. Lopez, Gonzalez and other co-conspirators then followed the victims’ vehicles from the casino, ambushed them on the highway, brandished firearms, smashed the vehicle’s windows, demanded money or chips, and fled. Lopez, Gonzalez, and other conspirators allegedly robbed and attempted to rob individuals leaving casinos in this manner on at least 15 different occasions, including three on a single night.
Before one incident, Lopez is seen on casino surveillance video celebrating a gambling victory with a victim he was scouting, including high-fiving the victim after the win, according to court documents. Within an hour, Lopez’s co-conspirators had blocked in her vehicle, brandished firearms, and stolen $21,000 in cash. In a separate incident, Lopez, Gonzalez and their co-conspirators stole at least $130,000 in casino winnings.
Lopez is also charged with being a felon in possession of three firearms and over 30 rounds of ammunition found at his home in December 2023. Lopez is not legally permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because his criminal history includes a conviction in San Bernardino Superior Court for grand theft in November 2023 during the pendency of the indicted robbery spree.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
The FBI, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control, and the Montebello Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this case.
Two Everett residents charged federally for drug distribution activities involving multiple kilos of fentanyl powderRead the Press Release
Seattle – The second of two defendants sought for possession of more than 7 kilos of fentanyl powder appeared today in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Santana Sandoval, 21, appeared on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Co-Defendant Kevin Torres Velasquez, 45, was arrested April 11, 2025, and has been detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac. Sandoval was arrested in the Western District of Virginia on April 24, 2025, and was delivered to the Western District of Washington today. He too remains detained at the federal detention center at SeaTac.
According to the criminal complaint, Sandoval came to the attention of law enforcement in early 2025 as someone distributing fentanyl in the King and Snohomish County areas. Law enforcement worked with a confidential source to purchase fentanyl from Sandoval.
Law enforcement traced Sandoval to an Everett apartment and on January 24, 2025, agents and officers from the Seattle Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) served a search warrant on the apartment. In addition to the 7 kilos+ of fentanyl powder, they found cocaine, methamphetamine, scales, and more than $12,000 in cash.
On the day of the search the men were arrested on state charges. They were released from the Snohomish County Jail, and law enforcement located them for the federal arrest weeks later.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the Seattle Police Department, DEA and HSI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.
Two Charged with Defrauding Connecticut ResidentRead the Press Release
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MARC ANTHONY ALEXANDER, 44, of formerly of Milford, and MELANIE HAM, 40, of Norwalk, with conspiracy and fraud offenses.
As alleged in the indictment, in 2022, a business known as “Traveling Graces, LLC” was registered with the State of Connecticut with Ham as its registered agent and “Dr. Marc Anthony Alexander” as its manager. Between July 2023 and December 2023, Alexander and Ham misrepresented to a Connecticut resident (the “victim”) that Traveling Graces was legitimate business and they were looking for investors. The victim provided two bank checks totaling $167,000 to Alexander and Ham, which they used for their own purposes.
The indictment charges Alexander and Ham with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Each offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
The indictment was returned on April 22, 2025. Alexander appeared yesterday in Hartford federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently incarcerated in federal custody.
Ham previously pleaded not guilty to the charges and is released on a $100,000 bond.
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
Turkish national pleads guilty to selling counterfeit goods at mall kiosksRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A man who operates kiosks at a local mall pleaded guilty in federal court here to trafficking counterfeit goods.
Emre Teski, 25, is a citizen of Turkey and illegally entered the United States from Mexico in September 2022. Teski admitted to illegally crossing the international boundary without being inspected by an immigration officer at a designated Port of Entry. On Jan. 3, 2024, Teski was ordered removed from the United States, but has since appealed this decision and was permitted employment authorization while his appeal is pending. Teski operates kiosks selling alleged counterfeit goods at the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek.
According to court documents, Teski ran one kiosk that primarily sold replica professional soccer jerseys and hats containing trademarked soccer teams, including FC Barcelona, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, Manchester City and Arsenal. Teski operated another kiosk that sold primarily oversized slippers that look like sneakers and included Nike and Air Jordan trademarks.
Teski allegedly sold an investigator counterfeit Nike slippers that illegally used the trademark Nike Swoosh. It is alleged that he also sold a counterfeit pink Messi jersey.
The total domestic value for all items seized by federal agents is nearly $150,000.
Teski was arrested in March 2025. Trafficking counterfeit goods is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; announced the plea entered on May 8 before Senior U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case.
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Trumbull Man Charged with Defrauding Amazon of More Than $3 MillionRead the Press Release
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 13-count indictment charging AMEER NASIR, 24, of Trumbull, with offenses stemming from a fraud scheme against Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”).
The indictment was returned on May 7, 2025. Nasir was arrested yesterday, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport, and was released on a $300,000 bond.
As alleged in the indictment, Amazon Logistics, an Amazon subsidiary, contracts with various interstate trucking businesses to transport both empty trailers and trailers containing heavy loads of freight between cities and between warehouses and fulfillment centers operated by Amazon. Nasir registered 23 trucking businesses with Amazon Logistics. One of the accounts was created in the name of Nasir’s business, Pak Express Transport, LLC, and others were created fraudulently using the names and identifying information of other trucking or transportation companies without the knowledge of the operators of those companies. Between approximately December 2019 and February 2021, Nasir used these accounts to sign up for more than 1,000 transportation assignments with Amazon Logistics, manipulated information in Amazon Logistics’ transportation management system to misrepresent that he had completed trailer movements when he had not, and submitted fraudulent invoices to Amazon Logistics that were subsequently paid. Through this scheme, Nasir defrauded Amazon of more than $3 million.
The indictment charges Nasir with 13 counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Amazon. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena L. Coronado.
Three Members of Transnational Financial Crime Syndicate IndictedRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Los Angeles, California, man made his initial appearance Wednesday before United States Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier, III, in Las Vegas, Nevada, for his alleged role in a transnational financial fraud organization to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, Xui Jie Chen, also known as “Johnny Chen,” 32, and co-conspirators Jin Wei Chen, 41, of Flushing, New York, and Yue Yuan, 34, of the People’s Republic of China, obtained more than 5,000 genuine drivers’ licenses belonging to United States citizens residing in New York, Texas, and other states. Jin Wei Chen, Johnny Chen, and Yue Yuan engaged co-conspirators to use those licenses to withdraw or attempt to withdraw funds from banks and obtain financing for luxury cars under false pretenses. The criminal scheme touched at least 14 states, including Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Minnesota.
In addition to the Bank Fraud conspiracy, each defendant is charged in multiple counts of Aggravated Identity Theft related to using and causing to be used the fraudulently obtained licenses belonging to United States-based victims of the Bank Fraud conspiracy.
A jury trial is set for July 14, 2025, before United States District Judge James C. Mahan.
If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit bank fraud charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison on the aggravated identity theft charge, which would run consecutive to any sentence imposed by the Court for the bank fraud conspiracy. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Sigal Chattah, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada, Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Las Vegas made the announcement.
HSI Las Vegas investigated the case with substantial assistance provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Nevada Gaming Commission, and the Nevada Gaming Control Board Enforcement Division. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn for the District of Nevada and Trial Attorney Ken Kaplan of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section 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.
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Third defendant sentenced to prison in $1.7 million vehicle sale fraud schemeRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A southern Illinois district judge sentenced a St. Louis man to 87 months in federal prison for his involvement in a vehicle sale scheme targeting victims in Madison, Jasper, Bond and Fayette counties.
Alen Saric, 36, pleaded guilty in February to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The 11-count indictment also named co-conspirators Valentino Colic, 34, Almir Palic, 25, and Emad Hasanbegovic, 34, all of St. Louis. Colic was sentenced to 145 months in federal prison in March. Palic was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment in February. In addition to prison time, the district judge ordered Saric and Colic to pay more than $1 million in restitution. Palic was ordered to pay a portion of the restitution as well.
Hasanbegovic is facing one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of identity theft. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 21.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
“It’s important for the public to authenticate checks from people not personally known to them by confirming with the issuing bank or waiting until checks are accepted into their bank account before transferring property or otherwise sending funds, as criminals become increasingly skilled at creating fake checks to defraud consumers,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
According to court documents, the co-conspirators participated in a scheme to defraud private vehicle sellers on Facebook marketplace and Craigslist with fake cashier’s checks from 2018 until August 2023. The checks were printed on security-enhanced check paper with the names and logos of real banks with fake routing numbers.
Once the fraudsters possessed a vehicle, they would then resell the vehicle to another individual for cash before the original victim could try to cash the check and realize it was worthless. The co-conspirators issued more than $1,710,999 in fake cashier’s checks.
"This investigation is a testament to the strength of collaboration across local, state, and federal law enforcement,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “This sentencing highlights efforts the FBI and our partners are making to ensure those who attempt to exploit others for personal gain will be held accountable."
To keep the co-conspirators’ names out of the chain of title, they used the names of prior victims to buy and sell the vehicles and forged signatures to complete documents such as titles and bills of sale. When posing as the victims, they often used copies of their photo IDs they had received during the previous sales. By writing bad checks from prior victims, the conspiracy caused even more financial hardship by revictimizing the same people repeatedly.
The fraudsters bought vehicles from victims in Madison, Jasper, Bond and Fayette counties within the Southern District of Illinois and are estimated to have defrauded victims out more than a million dollars. Colic and Saric admitted to driving the vehicles over state lines from Illinois to Missouri to benefit the scheme.
The FBI Springfield Field Office, the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Illinois State Police, Illinois Secretary of State Police, Jefferson County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Department and several local police departments contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed is prosecuting the case.
Texas Man Indicted for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Jazzmen La Vone Gaskins (38, Texas) with sex trafficking and transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution. If convicted on all counts, Gaskins faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
According to the indictment, between July 2023 and March 2024, Gaskins knowingly trafficked Victim 1 knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that means of force, threats of force, fraud and coercion would be used to cause the victim to engage in a commercial sex act. The indictment also alleges that on December 22, 2023, Gaskins knowingly transported Victim 2 from Texas to Florida with the intent that Victim 2 engage in prostitution and sexual activity.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.
Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Aiding Police Officer in Destroying Evidence of Fatal ShootingRead the Press Release
Joshua M. Rogers of Memphis, Tennessee, pleaded guilty yesterday to a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c) for his role in destroying evidence related to a police officer’s fatal shooting of a man identified by the initials R.H. With the plea, Rogers admitted that he acted to impair the integrity or availability of R.H.’s body for use in an official proceeding and, in so doing, shield his co-defendant from criminal liability.
Rogers and his co-defendant, a former Memphis Police Department officer, faced charges following the death of R.H. The indictment alleged that, on Jan. 5, 2021, the officer kidnapped R.H. and shot him in the head. The indictment further alleged that Rogers and the officer sought to cover up the fatal shooting by disposing of R.H.’s body. Specifically, Rogers and the officer transported R.H.’s body in Rogers’ vehicle, and affixed chains, padlocks, and cinder blocks to R.H.’s body. Rogers and the officer then drove to the Wolf River in Memphis, where the two dumped R.H.’s body.
“The defendant in this case obstructed law enforcement from investigating and seeking justice on behalf of the victim, his family and friends,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “I am proud of the great work by the Department of Justice in their prosecution of this case.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 6. Rogers faces a maximum penalty of 70 months in prison based on the terms of the plea agreement. A federal judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The remaining defendant faces civil rights, kidnapping, weapons, and obstruction charges in connection with the fatal shooting of R.H. Trial is set for Nov. 3.
The FBI Memphis Field Office and the Memphis Police Department investigated the case.
Trial Attorney MarLa Duncan of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.
Three Baton Rouge Individuals Plead Guilty in Federal Court in Connection with the Department of Justice’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement ActionRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney April M. Leon announced that three Baton Rouge individuals pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson in connection with schemes to obtain controlled substances from pharmacies using fraudulent prescriptions with the stolen identities of licensed medical professionals, and to obtain funds from federal pandemic assistance programs by submitting false and fraudulent applications.
Kevan Andre Hills, age 31, Devin Tyrone Stampley, Jr., age 33, and Asia Deshan Guess, age 28, all of Baton Rouge, admitted that they caused the submission of fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances, such as Promethazine with Codeine and Hydrocodone, to Medicaid, causing Medicaid to be fraudulently billed for filling those fraudulent prescriptions. They used the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration numbers and other identifying information of several physicians and other medical providers, without authority, on the fraudulent prescriptions. As part of the scheme to unlawfully obtain controlled substances for resale, Stampley burglarized a pharmacy in Louisiana.
Hills, Stampley, and their co-conspirators also submitted, caused to be submitted, and assisted others in submitting numerous false and fraudulent applications for federal funds, seeking at least $293,498 in funds administrated by the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment benefits. Hills, Stampley, and their co-conspirators submitted and caused to be submitted falsified bank statements, tax forms, and other documents in support of the fraudulent PPP applications. Hills, Stampley, and their co-conspirators defrauded the federal pandemic assistance programs of at least $87,663 by posing as fake small business owners and residents in need of assistance. Upon receipt of the illegal funds, Hills, Stampley, and their co-conspirators made electronic transfers and personal purchases.
Guess illegally sought at least $125,978 in federal funds, including federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits under the CARES Act for eligible workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guess caused the submission of fraudulent applications and claims for unemployment benefits to the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), Maine Department of Labor (Maine DOL), and other state workforce agencies around the country. Guess assisted in the submission of falsified application details, such as her employment history and residency, to appear eligible for PUA funds and other benefits. Guess fraudulently obtained at least $15,859 in unemployment insurance benefits from the LWC and Maine DOL.
Hills, Stampley, and Guess pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Hills and Stampley pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Stampley pleaded guilty to one count of burglary of a pharmacy. Guess pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds.
Each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison, each count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, each count of theft of government funds carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, each count of burglary of a pharmacy carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison, and each count of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; April M. Leon, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana; Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Dallas Region, Baton Rouge Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Hofer of the DEA, New Orleans Division; and Special Agent in Charge Casey J. Howard of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Central Region, made the announcement.
HHS-OIG, DEA, and DOL-OIG are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen L. Craig for the Middle District of Louisiana and Trial Attorneys Gary A. Crosby II and Samantha E. Usher of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Tallahassee Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Multiple Federal Crimes Relating to Mail Theft and Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Romeo Wilson, 20, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to more than 24 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, 14 counts of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, possession of fifteen or more access devices, possession of a stolen United States Postal Service mail key, and possession of stolen mail. The sentence was announced by Michelle Spaven, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Our citizens and their personal identifying information are the constant targets of devious criminals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Spaven. “With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to aggressively prosecuting those individuals who steal the identities of others and disrupt essential government services such as the U.S. Mail.”
Court documents reflect that between February 1, 2023, and March 4, 2024, Wilson and others worked together to defraud or otherwise fraudulently obtain money from numerous federally insured financial institutions located in Tallahassee, Florida. During the scheme, Wilson and others created, deposited, or attempted to exchange fraudulent checks, altered and deposited checks which were stolen from the U.S. Mail, and made unauthorized withdraws from bank accounts of local victims using the victims’ personally identifying information. Wilson furthered the fraud by supplying vehicles and recruiting individuals to open bank accounts to receive fraud proceeds. Officers with the Tallahassee Police Department arrested Wilson on March 4, 2024, after he fled during a traffic stop.
In addition to his prison sentence, Wilson was also ordered to pay more than $65,000 in restitution to his victims, which include multiple financial institutions, businesses, and individuals. Wilson’s imprisonment will also be followed by three years of supervised release with home detention during the first year.
“The successful outcome of this investigation is a reflection of the hard work and dedicated service demonstrated by the entire law enforcement community in Tallahassee, FL,” said Bladismir Rojo, Acting Inspector In Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to investigate, identify, and hold mail thieves accountable.”
The case is the result of a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Florida Department of Financial Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jordane New and Justin M. Keen.
“It takes a community working together to solve cases like this,” said Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil. “The public played a key role in helping to connect the dots and bring this defendant forward. We’re asking residents to stay alert, check their security cameras, and report anything unusual.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to those anyone who thinks stealing U.S. Mail will go unpunished,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “But for those who do, our special agents, along with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will aggressively investigate these federal crimes to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail and maintain the public’s trust.”
Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (“CID”) Director Simon Blank said, “CID is committed to working with agencies across the state to protect Floridians from fraud, waste, and financial abuse. Thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff's Office, and our federal and state law enforcement partners for helping deliver justice in this case.”
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.
Sureños “Sur 13” Gang Member Sentenced to 20 years for Drug Trafficking in Martin CountyRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On May 8, 2025, documented gang member Daniel Thorr Gatlin, 40, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment followed by 5 years’ supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, sitting in West Palm Beach.
On Jan. 3, 2024, outside of a convenience store in Stuart, Fla., Martin County Sheriff Deputies intercepted and arrested Gatlin after Gatlin attempted to sell one pound of methamphetamine to an individual Gatlin thought was a legitimate buyer. During the investigation, law enforcement confirmed that Gatlin offered to sell a variety of drugs while living at a sober home in Broward County. According to the investigation, Gatlin traveled to Martin County for the sole purpose of distributing controlled substances. Gatlin is a member of the Sureños, also known as Sur 13, a transnational criminal street gang affiliated with the Mexican Mafia. In a recorded conversation, Gatlin referenced his gang affiliation and credited his gang connections as the reason why he was trusted to receive more than three pounds of methamphetamine to distribute in South Florida.
On Feb. 19, 2025, Gatlin, a career offender, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of HSI, Miami Field Division, and Martin County Sheriff, John Budensiek, made the announcement.
HSI Fort Pierce and Martin County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Breezye Telfair prosecuted this case.
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-14023.
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Southern District charges over 300 individuals in border security-related cases this weekRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 300 cases have been filed charging 302 people from May 2-8 in continuing efforts to secure the southern border, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
As part of the cases, 93 face allegations of illegally reentering the country. The majority have prior felony convictions for narcotics, prior immigration crimes and more. A total of 193 people face charges of illegally entering the country, while 11 cases allege various instances of human smuggling with the remainder involving other immigration-related crimes.
Those charged by criminal complaint include two convicted felons authorities had allegedly discovered illegally in the country near Roma. Milton Elias Lara-Lara and Alejandro Tamayo-Velazquez have convictions related to fentanyl and marijuana, respectively, and had previously been removed from the United States, according to their charges.
Two more charged this week for unlawfully returning to the United States are Marco Antonio Rangel-Hernandez and Jose Guadalupe Valero-Lavanzate. The charges against them allege both are Mexican nationals who had previously served sentences for illegal reentry.
As part of the ongoing efforts, others have also admitted they failed to register and be fingerprinted. One of those was Elver Emmanual Ollervidez-Tapia. He admitted he had previously waded across the Rio Grande River and illegally entered the country. Upon arrival, he failed to register and be fingerprinted as required by law. He was charged with that crime and for illegally entering the country and has pleaded guilty.
In addition to the new cases, a five-time DUI illegal alien offender was ordered to federal prison for 70 months. In imposing the term of imprisonment, the court considered the dangerousness of Isidor Lagunas-Estrada’s crimes, his lack of respect for the law and need for deterrence. Lagunas-Estrada was removed from the United States in 2020 following his fourth DUI conviction. The investigation revealed he illegally reentered again and was found in the United States in October 2022 when he was arrested and later convicted for his fifth DUI.
Also announced was an illegal alien who had allegedly attempted to export stolen vehicles for the cartel. Authorities found Angel David Salas-Herrera in a stolen jeep Gladiator, according to the charges. A search allegedly resulted in the discovery of multiple key fobs and a device utilized to program them. The charges allege the Gladiator was intended to be exported to Mexico for the Gulf Cartel. Law enforcement was also able to recover two additional stolen vehicles that were allegedly intended for the same purpose. If convicted, Salas-Herrera faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
In Brownsville, an armed repeat illegal alien admitted to human smuggling and firearms charges. The investigation revealed Alejandro Ramirez-Carranza was a river guide and had conspired with Issac Azuara-Vasquez to transport and smuggle illegal aliens in the bed of a truck after they illegally arrived from Mexico via boat on the Rio Grande River. Ramirez-Carranza, Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, admitted to transporting and bringing an alien into the United States as well as illegal reentry and being an alien in possession of a firearm. Mexican citizen Azuara-Vasquez entered his plea April 10 to the same smuggling-related charges as well as selling a firearm to Ramirez-Carranza, an illegal alien.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX). Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The SDTX remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Southern Colorado Pharmacy Agrees to Pay $250,000 to Resolve Allegations That It Unlawfully Dispensed Controlled Substances for YearsRead the Press Release
DENVER—The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that COBigRed, Inc., which operates Hometown Pharmacy & Medical in Trinidad, Colorado, has agreed to resolve allegations that the pharmacy violated the Controlled Substances Act by unlawfully dispensing controlled substances, including high daily doses of opioids and dangerous drug combinations.
The United States alleges that Hometown Pharmacy violated the Controlled Substances Act on numerous occasions, between January 2017 and December 2023, by filling prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, that were not valid because they were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose, or were issued outside the usual course of professional practice. The United States alleges that Hometown Pharmacy failed to identify or resolve numerous red flags related to these prescriptions that signaled that they were invalid. These red flags included prescriptions that were for high daily doses of opioids; for dangerous drug combinations; for patients who had insurance but paid in cash for their prescriptions; for patients who had traveled long distances for their prescriptions; and for patients who repeatedly sought early prescription refills. The United States further alleges that Hometown Pharmacy failed to conduct proper due diligence to identify these red flags, including by failing to appropriately check the State of Colorado’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database, and by failing to properly document its due diligence on each prescription. The United States alleges that this conduct violated the Controlled Substances Act, and that these violations resulted in serious public harms, including the unlawful diversion of drugs.
To resolve the allegations, Hometown Pharmacy agreed to pay $250,000 in civil penalties and entered into a separate agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that imposes strict terms intended to ensure that the pharmacy fully complies with its Controlled Substances Act obligations going forward.
“Pharmacies have an obligation to ensure that every prescription they fill is for a legitimate medical purpose,” said Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. “When pharmacies fail to conduct proper due diligence and fill dangerous prescriptions despite the presence of red flags, they place people at unacceptable risk. We will continue to hold pharmacies accountable when they disregard these important obligations and fill illegitimate prescriptions.”
“Citizens of Colorado and beyond trust and rely on pharmacists to exercise their corresponding responsibility to dispense controlled substance prescriptions in accordance with federal regulations and law,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan C. Pullen. “Hometown Pharmacy violated this trust and DEA relentlessly pursued justice and accountability against the pharmacy. DEA will spare no expense to stop pharmacies from abusing their position of trust which could potentially harm patients.”
The claims against Hometown Pharmacy are allegations, and in agreeing to settle this matter, it did not admit to any liability.
This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division and handled by Affirmative Civil Enforcement counsel.
Six people arrested in drug smuggling operationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Six people have been charged by criminal complaint in connection with an alleged multi-national drug smuggling operation that used a commercial charter bus to transport liquid methamphetamine from Mexico to Emporia, Kansas.
According to court documents, the following defendants are charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine:
• Omar Villa Carranza, 45, a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Emporia,
• Tiburcio Ayala Rangel, 42, a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Emporia,
• Troy Wagaman, 42, of Emporia,
• Jesus Cruz Rodriguez, 28, of Emporia,
• Moises Cervantes Sanchez, 67, of McAllen, Texas, and
• Elizabeth Benitez, 33, of Emporia.Between March and April 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) noted a charter bus making multiple crossings into the United States from Mexico carrying few or no passengers. License plate reader information showed the bus travelling to Emporia on all trips before returning to Mexico. During one crossing, CBP officers conducted a secondary inspection and found several aftermarket anomalies, including bolts around the fuel tank that had been tampered with. Investigators learned the bus’s destination to be a rural property in the Emporia area.
When the bus again arrived at the U.S. border on May 4, 2025, a canine alerted to the presence of controlled substances. CBP took a sample of a substance found in the gas tank that tested as liquid methamphetamine. The driver was allowed to proceed, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents followed the bus, which eventually arrived at the rural property. The Emporia Police Department arrested Wagaman, Villa Carranza, Cruz Rodriguez, Cervantes Sanchez, and Ayala Rangel while the men were either at the property or shortly after leaving. Benitez, who lived with Villa Carranza, was also arrested at a different location.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Emporia Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Hines are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Alexander Summers, 29, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty May 8, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing Summers admitted that for five months in 2023 he and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Sioux City, Iowa area. Specifically, on one occasion in 2023, Summers distributed over 400 grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. Summers further admitted to methamphetamine trafficking and assisting another in methamphetamine trafficking in exchange for a place to live in Sioux City.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Summers remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Summers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-4051. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Second Leader of Notorious Philadelphia ‘10th and O Crew’ Sentenced to over Four Years for Opioid Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today in the District of New Jersey to four years and nine months in prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a highly addictive controlled substance.
According to court documents, between March 2019 and March 2024, Frank Procopio, 54, of Philadelphia, engaged in the unlawful sale of prescription oxycodone pills as a leader of South Philadelphia’s notorious “10th and O Crew.” Procopio obtained the pills from doctors’ offices in the area, and he and his co-conspirators worked in shifts to distribute the pills from a 24-hour restaurant.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement purchased pills from one of Procopio’s co-conspirators. A surveillance team then observed the co-conspirator dividing the proceeds of the transaction with Procopio. The photograph below captured Procopio (on the left) after the transaction:
FBI surveillance photograph of Procopio with a co-conspirator counting money from a controlled buy of oxycodone pillsIn November 2024, Procopio pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. In June 2024, Procopio’s brother and co-leader of the 10th and O Crew, Michael Procopio, was convicted of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and sentenced to six years in prison in April 2025.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of FBI Philadelphia Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge of the DEA New Jersey Field Division made the announcement.
The FBI, DEA, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to 188 Months for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Patrick Tucker, age 28, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 188 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Tucker admitted to distributing methamphetamine on three occasions between January and March 2023. While on pretrial release, Tucker absconded from supervision, led law enforcement on a high-speed chase that was called off for safety reasons, and was discovered in possession of additional drugs when he was later apprehended by the deputies of the United States Marshal Service.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also ordered Tucker to serve a 4-year term of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.
The DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin C. Segovia prosecuted the case.
Salina Sex Offender Indicted for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kenneth Martin, age 69, of Salina, New York, was arraigned last week on an indictment charging him with possession of child pornography. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Martin knowingly possessed an electronic device containing numerous graphic image and video files of children being sexually abused. This conduct follows Martin’s 2020 conviction in Onondaga County Court for Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child. The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge filed against Martin carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and mandatory sex offender registration. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The FBI is investigating this case with assistance from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Sacramento-Based Political Consulting Firm Resolves Claims Involving Paycheck Protection Program LoanRead the Press Release
Lobbying organization Governmental Advocates Inc. has self‑disclosed its ineligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program loan it obtained and voluntarily paid more than $200,000 to resolve civil claims regarding the loan, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced today.
Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, to provide relief to small businesses experiencing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many businesses were eligible for these loans, some businesses were not, including those primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities, like Governmental Advocates.
In September 2024, Governmental Advocates self-disclosed to the United States that, as an organization primarily engaged in lobbying activity, it was ineligible for the PPP loan it had obtained and that it had voluntarily repaid the loan principal of $183,688. Governmental Advocates applied for the loan in April 2020 and later applied for loan forgiveness. The Small Business Administration approved that application, forgiving $183,688 in principal and $2,289.81 in interest. In the settlement announced today, Governmental Advocates agreed to pay the United States a total of $239,954.87, including the repaid loan principal as well as forgiven interest, the fee paid to the lending bank by the SBA, and settlement interest.
“We are pleased that Governmental Advocates chose to voluntarily disclose this conduct and make full repayment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Beckwith. “We encourage any company that may have received federal program funds in error to consider self-disclosure and cooperation.”
SBA’s General Counsel Wendell Davis stated, “The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies, such as the Small Business Administration working in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to pursue a fair recovery of pandemic relief funds.”
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Amin.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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.
Round Rock Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking and Unlicensed Dealing of FirearmsRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Round Rock man pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio today to one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms and one count of dealing in firearms without a license.
According to court documents, Job Eliezer De La Torre, 50, was engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license from Jan. 1, 2020 to Nov. 1, 2023. During that time, he purchased approximately 356 firearms for resale, approximately 24 of which were recovered by law enforcement. Approximately 12 of those 24 were recovered in Mexico. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant on De La Torre’s Round Rock residence on Nov. 2, 2023, seizing his cell phone, 44 firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, ledgers of sales for firearms, $26,000 in cash, as well as precious metals. De La Torre stated he advertised guns for sale online and made between $20 and $200 in profit per firearm sold.
Messages on his phone reflected his business dealings. From May to September 2023 alone, De La Torre sold approximately 50 firearms for $196,850 to one co-conspirator. The deal included AR-15 5.56 caliber firearms, six AR-10 .308 caliber firearms, an AK pistol, an FN SCAR 17S rifle, and FightLite MCR builds.
De La Torre faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the conspiracy offense and up to five years for dealing in firearms without a license. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The ATF and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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Rioter Sentenced for Damaging U.S. Government Property During Protest at Union StationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michael Snow Jr., 25, of Durham, North Carolina, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to four months of probation, 40 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $525 in restitution for destruction of federal property. On July 24, 2024, Snow destroyed an American flag, which was property of the U.S. government, by setting it on fire in front of Union Station in the District as a crowd surrounded him chanting, “Burn that sh--.”
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge Courtland Rae of the FBI Washington Field Office Counterterrorism Division, and Chief Jessica M. E. Taylor of the U.S. Park Police (USPP).
Snow pleaded guilty on Feb. 11 to destruction of government property (less than $1,000).
According to court documents, on July 24, 2024, an organization was granted a permit to demonstrate in the area of Columbus Circle, located at Massachusetts Avenue. and E St. NE, directly in front of Union Station. From about 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., demonstrators gathered in Columbus Circle. They pulled down flags affixed to the flagpoles, burned the flags and other objects, sprayed graffiti on multiple statues and structures, and interfered with law enforcement trying to place the vandals under arrest.
The flags, the statues and structures in Columbus Circle, are all property of the federal government. The National Park Service estimated the total cost to clean up and repair the site at $11,282.23.
Open-source and surveillance video captured images of two individuals lowering an American flag affixed to the eastern flagpole in Columbus Circle. The flag fell to the ground still attached to its halyard. A man later identified as Snow grabbed the flag and carried it into the crowd of protesters.
He threw the flag onto the ground, produced a lighter, and attempted to set the flag ablaze. Unsuccessful, he yelled: I need a better lighter! The crowd surrounding the man chanted, Burn that sh--!
Someone handed Snow a bottle of charcoal lighter fluid. Snow doused the flag with the fluid, then, along with an unidentified individual from the crowd, used lighters to torch it.
On July 25, 2024, a user on the social media platform X posted pictures of the incident. As a result, law enforcement located a driver’s license photograph of Snow.
The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the USPP’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Unit, with assistance from the FBI Charlotte Field Office, Raleigh Resident Agency. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Martin and Brendan Horan.
Screen shot from a closed-circuit camera shows Snow (circled in yellow) as he grabbed the fallen American flag from the halyard.
Screenshot from open-source video shows Snow (circled in yellow) and another individual (circled in blue) lighting the flag on fire.
Screenshot from open-source footage depicts Snow (circled in yellow) on the flag pedestal while the other individual (circled in blue) parades around the burning American flag.
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Real Estate Developer Charged and Pleads Guilty to Multi-Year Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Edward Gallashaw, the Acting Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today the filing of an Information charging BARRY BREEMAN with engaging in a scheme to defraud investors who believed they were investing in real estate developments. BREEMAN also entered a guilty plea to the Information in a proceeding today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As he admitted today in federal court, Barry Breeman stole more than $13 million dollars from dozens of investors. He falsely represented to investors that they were investing in valuable real estate projects, but in reality, Breeman had no connection to these investments and pocketed their money. Breeman’s conduct has led to his conviction, and he now faces serious time in federal prison for his fraud scheme.”
USPIS Acting Inspector in Charge Edward Gallashaw said: “Investors placed their trust in Breeman, who devised a scheme to mislead and defraud investors out of more than $13 million. His arrest demonstrates that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to investigating fraud and bringing to justice those who break the rule of law.”
According to the allegations contained in the Information:
From at least in or about 2018, up to and including at least in or about 2024, BREEMAN solicited investments in various real estate projects through false and misleading statements and then misappropriated investor funds by diverting them for personal use.
For years, BREEMAN worked as a real estate developer specializing in projects in Latin America. In or about 2018, after suffering a professional setback in his legitimate real estate business, BREEMAN began to solicit investments in sham real estate projects to make up for the loss of income in his legitimate business. In particular, BREEMAN encouraged prospective investors to buy limited partnership interests in certain Latin American real estate deals by sending them promotional photographs, prospectuses, and business projections and by promising quarterly distributions. BREEMAN, however, fabricated these investment opportunities and, in fact, often had neither a connection to the projects he promoted nor authority to sell partnership interests in them.
When investors did send BREEMAN money, he applied their funds to personal expenses, among other things, and did not use investor funds to develop the real estate projects he had described. BREEMAN obtained more than $13 million from approximately 30 investors during the course of his fraud scheme.
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BREEMAN, 75, of Tuxedo Park, New York, is charged with one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the USPIS.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Nessim is in charge of the prosecution.
u.s._v._breeman_information.pdfPreviously convicted felon sentenced to seven years in prison for federal drug-trafficking and firearm chargesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for distribution of cocaine and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, on Jan. 16, 2024, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Demario Avanti Henderson, 39. On Jan. 24. 2024, agents arranged another controlled purchase where Henderson sold cocaine and fentanyl. During the transaction, Henderson was openly carrying a handgun. Upon completion of the transaction, agents arrested Henderson and recovered the handgun, which was loaded.
Henderson was previously convicted of 17 criminal offenses, including, among other crimes, for larceny, eluding police causing endangerment, assault and battery of a family member, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and assault on law enforcement.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-73.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. to Pay $3.6 Million to Resolve Allegations that It Violated the False Claims Act in Connection with Marketing its Fentanyl ProductRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced on May 5, 2025, that Assertio Therapeutics, Inc., formerly known as Depomed, Inc., a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, has agreed to pay $3.6 million to resolve claims that Assertio violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false claims for the transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl drug Lazanda for individuals who did not have breakthrough cancer pain.
The settlement was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and FBIActing Assistant Director Darren Cox of the Criminal Investigative Division.
Lazanda, a fentanyl nasal spray, is approved by the FDA solely for break-through cancer pain in patients who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. The United States alleges that between 2013 and 2017, Assertio caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare and TRICARE programs by focusing its marketing on pain specialists who were prescribing high volumes of transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl, known as TIRF products, including those who were flagged for diversion or who were later indicted.
The United States further alleges that Assertio placed high-volume TIRF prescribers on its speakers’ bureau and advisory boards and developed its “Signature Support Program” to ensure that Lazanda prescriptions would be approved by insurance companies, including Medicare Part D plans. The United States contends that, as a result of Assertio’s marketing, prescribers wrote Lazanda prescriptions for Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries who did not have breakthrough cancer pain and that Assertio therefore caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and TRICARE from high-volume thirteen prescribers.
“This company took steps to boost its profits despite the risk of boosting the deadly opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “My office will continue to seek out violations like this that demonstrate a brazen disregard for the safety of the public.”
“The Department is committed to pursuing companies that contributed to the tragic opioid epidemic,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Roth. “This resolution demonstrates that companies that recklessly marketed powerful opioids, like fentanyl, will be held accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, which continues to plague our country today.”
“As today's settlement demonstrates, the FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to investigating violations of the False Claims Act,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office. “We will continue holding companies accountable for fraudulent marketing that puts patients at risk.”
“Violations of the False Claims Act such as the illegal prescribing practices alleged in this settlement are especially egregious considering the opioid epidemic,” said Deputy Inspector General Schrank. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure health care providers and corporations involved in schemes that threaten patient safety are held accountable.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought in 2017 under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA by Noelle Webb and Nicole Novellino, who previously worked at Depomed as sales representatives. The FCA authorizes private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Webb et al. v. Assertio Therapeutics, Inc., f/k/a Depomed, Inc., No. 1:17-02309 (D.D.C.). The relators’ share of these proceeds has not yet been determined.
The Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch - Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia handled this matter. The FBI, led by its Washington Field Office; the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations; and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General provided substantial assistance in the investigation and resolution.
Today’s settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The Justice Department is committed to holding responsible those who have fueled the opioid crisis by violating the law.
This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez for the District of Columbia, Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni, Trial Attorney Matthew Arrow, and Assistant Director Natalie Waites of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Assertio Therapeutics Inc. Agrees to Pay $3.6M to Resolve Allegations that It Violated the False Claims Act in Connection with Marketing its Fentanyl ProductRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Assertio Therapeutics Inc., formerly known as Depomed Inc., (Assertio), a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, has agreed to pay $3.6 million to resolve claims that Assertio violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by causing the submission of false claims for the transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl (TIRF) drug Lazanda for individuals who did not have breakthrough cancer pain.
Lazanda, a fentanyl nasal spray, is approved by the FDA solely for break-through cancer pain in patients who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. The United States alleges that, between 2013 and 2017, Assertio, which was known as Depomed at the time, caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare and TRICARE programs by focusing its marketing on pain specialists who were prescribing high volumes of TIRF products, including those who were flagged for diversion or who were later indicted. The United States further alleges that Assertio placed high-volume TIRF prescribers on its speakers’ bureau and advisory boards and developed its “Signature Support Program” to ensure that Lazanda prescriptions would be approved by insurance companies, including Medicare Part D plans. The United States contends that Assertio’s marketing efforts caused prescribers to write Lazanda prescriptions for Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries who did not have breakthrough cancer pain, resulting in the submission of false claims to Medicare and TRICARE from thirteen high-volume prescribers.
“This company took steps to boost its profits despite the risk of boosting the deadly opioid epidemic, said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia. “Our office will continue to seek out violations like this that demonstrate a brazen disregard for the safety of the public.”
“At a time when communities across the country are still dealing with the devasting impact of the opioid epidemic, pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity,” said Acting Assistant Director Darren Cox of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “This settlement reflects the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting public health and holding those accountable who fuel addiction and defraud federal healthcare programs through deceptive marketing of powerful drugs like fentanyl.”
“Violations of the False Claims Act such as the illegal prescribing practices alleged in this settlement are especially egregious considering the opioid epidemic,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure health care providers and corporations involved in schemes that threaten patient safety are held accountable.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA by Noelle Webb and Nicole Novellino, who previously worked at Assertio as sales representatives. The FCA authorizes private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Webb et al. v. Assertio Therapeutics Inc., f/k/a Depomed, Inc., No. 1:17-02309 (D.D.C.). Pursuant to the settlement, relators will receive a $657,000 share of the settlement amount.
The Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia handled this matter. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by its Washington Field Office; the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations; and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General provided substantial assistance in the investigation and resolution.
Today’s settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni, Trial Attorney Matthew Arrow, and Assistant Director Natalie Waites of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez for the District of Columbia handled this matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Pauls Valley Man Sentenced to Serve Nearly Three Years in Federal Prison after Receiving Almost $300,000 for Classic Cars He Never DeliveredRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – ANDY WAYNE ALEXANDER, 48, of Pauls Valley, has been sentenced to serve 33 months in federal prison for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On December 19, 2024, Alexander was charged by Information with wire fraud. According to the Information, from July 2020 through May 2022, Alexander used Facebook Marketplace to post and advertise classic cars for sale, some of which he did not own or possess at the time he posted. The Information alleges that during the relevant period, at least seven buyers wired Alexander money, approximately $290,925 total, for vehicles he did not intend to deliver. The money was wired into a bank account controlled by Alexander, and despite his reassurances, the money was never refunded. One victim, a New Zealand citizen, traveled to Oklahoma to confront Alexander after a failed vehicle purchase and discovered Alexander did not have the vehicle he purported to sell in his possession, despite his Facebook postings.
On January 13, 2025, Alexander pleaded guilty, and admitted he caused “a number of people” to send him money by wire transfer to purchase vehicles which he did not deliver, and that he did not refund the money to those victims.
At the sentencing hearing on April 29, 2025, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Alexander to serve 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered Alexander to pay $303,620.00 in restitution. In announcing his sentence, Judge Heaton noted the seriousness of the offense.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danielle London and Cole McFerren prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Oklahoma City Man Sentenced to Serve More Than Four Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Ammunition Possession after Attacking Woman at Club and Her HomeRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – ALEX DAVON HARDIMON, 32, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 51 months in federal prison for illegal possession of ammunition after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public record, on July 22, 2024, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) responded to a 911 call on a reported shooting in Oklahoma City. OCPD officers spoke with a victim, who claimed he was driving down Southwest 32nd Street when a man shot at his vehicle with rifle, and officers determined the description of the suspect matched Hardimon. Soon after, OCPD received a second call that an assault victim was in the emergency room of a nearby hospital. Officers spoke with the victim, who claimed Hardimon attacked her at a club the night before. The victim said after she went home from the club, she awoke to find Hardimon standing over her with a rifle, and claimed Hardimon struck her face and head several times with a closed fist before she was able to escape to the hospital with her child. OCPD located Hardimon’s vehicle, initiated a traffic stop, and arrested him for assault and domestic violence charges. In his pocket, officers found two rounds of live ammunition. On August 20, 2024, a federal Grand Jury charged Hardimon with being a felon in possession of ammunition.
On November 19, 2024, Hardimon pleaded guilty to the Indictment and admitted he knowingly possessed two rounds of ammunition despite his previous felony convictions.
At the sentencing hearing on April 30, 2025, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Hardimon to serve 51 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Wyrick noted Hardimon’s extensive record, and observed that the defendant clearly had not learned his lesson through his experiences in the state criminal justice system. Public record reflects that Hardimon has previous felony convictions that include joyriding, speeding, and driving under suspension in Logan County District Court case number CF-2011-172, and first-degree robbery and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2012-653.
This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and OCPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nichols, Jr. prosecuted the case.
This case is part of “Operation 922” and Operation “Shots Fired,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. “Operation 922” prioritizes prosecution of federal firearms violations connected to domestic violence. “Shots Fired” targets cases involving individuals who discharge firearms as part of their criminal activity, such as drive-by shootings or when shots are fired during robberies, domestic disputes, or other incidents. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Oil Rig Worker Guilty of Assault on the High SeasRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JAMES MAGEE (“MAGEE”), age 51 of Mississippi, pleaded guilty on May 8, 2025 to assaulting his co-worker on an oil platform, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(4).
According to court documents, MAGEE attacked a co-worker while the two men were working. MAGEE punched and kicked the victim, before the two men could be broken up. The victim was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Morgan City where he was treated for his injuries, including orbital fractures around his eye, bruising to his left eye socket, bruising to his upper side torso, and a chipped tooth.
MAGEE faces a maximum penalty of one year of imprisonment, up to one year of supervised release, a fine of up to $100,000, and a mandatory $25 special assessment fee.
The case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Services. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Calogero and Duane A. Evans of the General Crimes Unit are in charge of the prosecution.
Ohio Man Charged with Threatening State Public OfficialsRead the Press Release
A New Albany, Ohio, man has been charged with federal crimes related to sending at least 65 letters and emails to 34 victims, including state public officials, a local TV station and law enforcement, threatening to kill Ohio public officials. Many of the letters included a white powder and one letter included a bullet etched with the victim’s last name.
Ronald Lidderdale, 39, appeared in federal court in Columbus this afternoon. He is charged with making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, mailing threatening communications, false information and hoaxes, and cyberstalking.
According to charging documents, Lidderdale allegedly sent the threatening communications to publicly elected officials holding statewide office in Ohio, elected officials holding office in the federal government, and individuals involved in Ohio politics.
It is alleged that Lidderdale sent at least 49 letters containing suspicious white powders, which at times the sender claimed to be Ricin. To date, 29 victims received the white powder letters.
One letter contained a 9mm bullet with the last name of the public official etched on it.
For example, between July and early August 2024, it is alleged that Lidderdale sent a dozen threatening letters via the mail in five different mailings. The return labels on the letters contained mailing information for individuals who were either currently or previously employed by the targeted public official.
Lidderdale allegedly threatened violence against the letter recipients in each of the letters, including language like, “I will kill you for your ignorant loyalty to your pedophilic party” and “I will kill you for the good of The People. Your death will come when you least expect it.”
Last week, Lidderdale allegedly sent letters to eight victims containing a hitlist of eight individuals he said he would kill in the month of May.
Court documents allege that Lidderdale sent a letter to a local TV station and emails to federal and local law enforcement outlining his plans.
It is further alleged that Lidderdale sent threatening emails to public officials stating, “Each [victim] will receive the gift of their names etched onto a single bullet. Their skull is the target the bullet is the gift.”
On May 8, Lidderdale allegedly told FBI agents that he had sent the letters and emails with the intent to incite fear, including the fear of bodily injury, and to make threats with the goal of changing behavior.
Mailing threatening communications carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, mailing threatening communications, conveying false information and hoaxes, and cyberstalking are all federal crimes punishable by up to five years in prison.
Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio; Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office; and Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); as well as the U.S. Capitol Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol and several Ohio police departments announced the charges filed today.
Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Damoun Delaviz and Jessica W. Knight for the Southern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorney James Donnelly of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Norwalk Dentists Pay More than $600K to Settle False Claims AllegationsRead the Press Release
Two Connecticut dental providers have entered into civil settlement agreements with the federal and state governments to resolve allegations of violations of the federal and state False Claims Acts. The settlements stem from a larger investigation into fraudulent activity by health care providers who submit kickback-tainted claims to the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CTMAP”) for services rendered to Connecticut Medicaid patients referred by third-party “patient recruiting” companies.
It is alleged that, in violation of their CTMAP provider agreements and the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, Advanced Dental Center PC, a dental practice based in Norwalk, and its owners, Tal Yossefi, DMD and Elad Yossefi, DDS, submitted claims to the CTMAP, which includes the state’s Medicaid program, related to dental services rendered to Connecticut Medicaid patients referred to the business by a third-party patient recruiting company. Advanced Dental Center paid a patient recruiter for each Connecticut Medicaid patient the recruiter referred to the practice. With each submitted claim, Advanced Dental Center and its owners impliedly certified that the conditions of receiving payment were met, including, but not limited to, that they did not pay kickbacks or violate any terms or provisions of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (“CTDHP”) provider manual concerning the submitted claim.
The CTDHP provider manual, which is an addendum to both the CTMAP provider agreement and the CTMAP provider manual, expressly prohibits per-patient compensation for individuals referred to CMAP providers.
To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Advanced Dental Center and the Yossefis paid $495,721.24 to reimburse the Medicaid program for conduct occurring from July 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018.
In addition, Nazneen Jaffri, DDS, a dental provider formerly licensed in Connecticut who operated a practice in Norwalk, agreed to reimburse the Medicaid program $150,000 for conduct occurring from January 1, 2019, through April 24, 2021, to resolve allegations that she violated the False Claims Act by submitting or causing to be submitted claims to the CTMAP for dental services rendered to Connecticut Medicaid patients referred to her business by a third-party patient recruiting company.
In entering into their respective civil settlement agreements, the providers and their practices did not admit liability.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office; and the Connecticut Department of Social Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Thidemann and Assistant Attorney General Joshua L. Jackson of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
New York tax preparer sentenced to two years in prison for submitting fraudulent pandemic relief applicationsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A New York man was sentenced today to two years in prison for making false statements on loan applications he submitted on behalf of his clients through a pandemic relief program.
According to court documents, Baltej Singh Brar, 42, of South Richmond Hill, New York, owned and operated Aspire Tax & Accounting Services Inc., a tax preparation, accounting, and consulting firm where Brar was an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) registered tax preparer. In 2021, Brar began filing loan applications on behalf of other individuals through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a COVID-19 relief program intended to provide loans backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to certain businesses, nonprofit organizations, and others to help them remain afloat during the pandemic.
Brar advertised, including on TikTok, that he would file PPP loan applications on behalf of clients in exchange for a flat up-front fee paired with 10% of the loan value after the loan was approved. Brar instructed prospective PPP applicants to provide him with their Social Security number, a copy of their driver’s license, email address, prior bank statements, 2019 tax return, and a void check to be used as supporting documentation on applications.
Most of Brar’s clients were sole proprietors, including taxi drivers, truck drivers, and construction workers. Where clients’ prior year incomes fell below the threshold to receive the maximum PPP loan amount of $20,833, Brar falsely inflated the income amounts in the PPP applications to trigger the maximum loan amount. Brar generated and submitted false and fabricated IRS forms as supporting documentation. Brar certified on each application that the information provided in the applications and supporting documents and forms was “true and accurate in all material respects.”
Many of Brar’s clients were eligible to receive PPP loans, though not in the inflated amounts of the PPP loan applications that Brar prepared. Others were not entitled to receive PPP loans at all. Across the hundreds of PPP loan applications that Brar falsified, Brar caused the SBA at least $550,000 in actual losses.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Patricia Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, New York Field Office; Harry Chavis, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office; Edward Gallashaw, Acting Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division; Brian Tucker, Special Agent in Charge of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General, Eastern Region; Patrick J. Freaney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office; and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge for the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-148.
New Orleans Woman Guilty of Cares Act FraudRead the Press Release
Correction: NEW ORLEANS RESIDENT GUILTY OF CARES ACT FRAUD. JARROW also faces up to ten years in prison for the theft of government funds count.
NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that BRANDON JARROW (“JARROW”) (aka Brandi Jarrow), age 33, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on May 8, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to theft of government funds and to making false statements, related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the CARES Act, which provided emergency assistance, administered by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), to small business owners affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The two primary sources of funding for small businesses were the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.
According to the charging documents, on or about June 20, 2020, JARROW, on behalf of a business, submitted a false application for a EIDL to the SBA. This resulted in a theft of government funds in the amount of $95,000. On or about February 4, 2021, JARROW made false statements to an approved lender for another sham business to obtain a $20,833 PPP loan.
Sentencing will be on August 13, 2025. At sentencing, JARROW faces up to five years in prison for the false statement counts. She also faces up to ten years in prison for the theft of government funds count. All of the counts carry a penalty of up to $250,000 in fines, up to three years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
For more information on the Department of Justice’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.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration - Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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New Jersey Woman Sentenced to Prison for Forced Labor and Other Federal CrimesRead the Press Release
A New Jersey woman was sentenced on Wednesday to 45 months in prison for forced labor and other crimes related to her coercive scheme to compel two victims to perform domestic labor and childcare in her home.
Bolaji Bolarinwa, 51, of Moorestown, previously was found guilty of two counts of forced labor, one count of alien harboring for financial gain and two counts of document servitude following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court. Judge Williams imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial, from December 2015 to October 2016, Bolarinwa — originally from Nigeria, but living in New Jersey as a U.S. citizen — recruited two victims to come to the United States and then coerced them to perform domestic labor and childcare services for her children through physical harm, threats of physical harm, isolation, constant surveillance and psychological abuse. The defendant engaged in this conduct knowing that one of the victims was out of lawful immigration status while working in her home.
Once the first victim arrived in the United States in December 2015, Bolarinwa confiscated her passport and coerced her through threats of physical harm to her and her daughter, verbal abuse, isolation and constant surveillance to compel her to work every day, around-the-clock for nearly a year. Bolarinwa then recruited a second victim to come to the United States on a student visa. When the second victim arrived in the United States in April 2016, Bolarinwa similarly confiscated her passport and coerced her to perform household work and childcare but relied more heavily on physical abuse. The two victims lived and worked in Bolarinwa’s home until October 2016, when the second victim notified a professor at her college, who reported the information to the FBI.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Williams sentenced Bolarinwa to three years of supervised release, imposed a $35,000 fine, and ordered Bolarinwa to pay $87,518.72 in restitution to the victims of her offenses.
“The defendant exploited her relationship with the victims to lure them to the United States with false promises,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant confiscated the victims’ immigration documents and subjected them to threats, physical force, and mental abuse to coerce them to work long hours for minimal pay. This prosecution should send a strong message that such forced labor will not be tolerated in our communities. The Justice Department is committed to fully enforcing our federal human trafficking statutes to vindicate the rights of survivors and hold human traffickers accountable for such shameful exploitation of vulnerable victims.”
“Today’s sentence vindicates the rights of two vulnerable women who the defendant subjected to grueling hours and coercive abuse in her home,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for District of New Jersey. “Forced labor and human trafficking are atrocious crimes that have no place in our society. My office and the entire Department of Justice is committed to standing up for vulnerable human trafficking victims and holding their traffickers accountable.”
“Human nature is generally good. There are situations though that prove some people display more cruel and inhumane behavior,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Newark Field Office. “Bolarinwa lured women with false promises, held them captive, and forced them clean her home and care for her children. Then took it a sickening step further by physically abusing them. Luckily, one of the victims had the courage to tell someone. We ask anyone who notices an odd situation, something that doesn't look or feel right, to please call us so we can help victims that may be hiding in plain sight.”
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District of New Jersey credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence.
This case was prosecuted as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Task Force, which was formed in 2025. The Task Force brings together federal and state agencies to collaborate and dedicate resources to combat human trafficking and prosecute human trafficking offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The Human Trafficking Task Force is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, and the New Jersey Office of Attorney General.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
New Jersey Woman Sentenced to Prison for Forced Labor and Other Federal CrimesRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County woman was sentenced to 45 months in prison for forced labor and other crimes related to her coercive scheme to compel two victims to perform domestic labor and childcare in her home, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced.
Bolaji Bolarinwa, 51, of Moorestown, previously was found guilty of two counts of forced labor, one count of alien harboring for financial gain and two counts of document servitude following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court. Judge Williams imposed the sentence in Camden federal court.
“This sentence vindicates the rights of two vulnerable women who the defendant subjected to grueling hours and coercive abuse in her home. Forced labor and human trafficking are atrocious crimes that have no place in our society. My office and the entire Department of Justice is committed to standing up for vulnerable human trafficking victims and holding their traffickers accountable.”
- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba
“The defendant exploited her relationship with the victims to lure them to the United States with false promises,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant confiscated the victims’ immigration documents and subjected them to threats, physical force, and mental abuse to coerce them to work long hours for minimal pay. This prosecution should send a strong message that such forced labor will not be tolerated in our communities. The Justice Department is committed to fully enforcing our federal human trafficking statutes to vindicate the rights of survivors and hold human traffickers accountable for such shameful exploitation of vulnerable victims.”
“Human nature is generally good. There are situations though that prove some people display more cruel and inhumane behavior,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Newark Field Office. “Bolarinwa lured women with false promises, held them captive, and forced them clean her home and care for her children. Then took it a sickening step further by physically abusing them. Luckily, one of the victims had the courage to tell someone. We ask anyone who notices an odd situation, something that doesn't look or feel right, to please call us so we can help victims that may be hiding in plain sight.”
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
From December 2015 to October 2016, Bolarinwa – originally from Nigeria, but living in New Jersey as a U.S. citizen – recruited two victims to come to the United States and then coerced them to perform domestic labor and childcare services for her children through physical harm, threats of physical harm, isolation, constant surveillance and psychological abuse. The defendant engaged in this conduct knowing that one of the victims was out of lawful status while working in her home.
Once the first victim arrived in the United States in December 2015, Bolarinwa confiscated her passport and coerced her through threats of physical harm to her and her daughter, verbal abuse, isolation and constant surveillance to compel her to work every day, around-the-clock for nearly a year. Bolarinwa then recruited a second victim to come to the United States on a student visa. When the second victim arrived in the United States in April 2016, Bolarinwa similarly confiscated her passport and coerced her to perform household work and childcare but relied more heavily on physical abuse. The two victims lived and worked in Bolarinwa’s home until October 2016, when the second victim notified a professor at her college, who reported the information to the FBI.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Williams sentenced Bolarinwa to 3 years of supervised release, imposed a $35,000 fine, and ordered Bolarinwa to pay $87,518.72 in restitution to the victims of her offenses.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to this sentence.
This case was prosecuted as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Task Force, which was formed in 2025. The Task Force brings together federal and state agencies to collaborate and dedicate resources to combat human trafficking and prosecute human trafficking offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The Human Trafficking Task Force is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, and the New Jersey Office of Attorney General.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
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Defense counsel: Jeffrey Zucker, Esq.
bolarinwa.indictment.pdfNew Albany man charged with threatening public officialsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A New Albany man has been charged with federal crimes related to sending at least 65 threatening letters and electronic communications to approximately 34 victims, including public officials, a local TV station and law enforcement. Many of the letters included a white powder and one letter included a bullet etched with the victim’s last name.
“Perpetrators who violate federal law by sending such serious threats in the mail or online will not remain anonymous. Actual or threatened political violence in any form must be condemned,” said Acting United States Attorney Kelly A. Norris. “We will work with our law enforcement partners to identify these bad actors and prosecute them.”
“Targeting public officials with threatening messages and substances is a serious federal crime that won’t go unpunished,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “FBI agents have worked closely with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate these incidents and arrest the suspected offender.”
Ronald Lidderdale, 39, appeared in federal court in Columbus this afternoon. He is charged with making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, mailing threatening communications, false information and hoaxes, and cyberstalking.
According to charging documents, Lidderdale allegedly sent the threatening communications to publicly elected officials holding statewide office in Ohio, elected officials holding office in the federal government, and individuals involved in Ohio politics.
It is alleged that Lidderdale sent at least 49 letters containing suspicious white powders, which at times the sender claimed to be Ricin. To date, 29 victims received the white powder letters.
One letter contained a 9mm bullet with the last name of the public official etched on it.
For example, between July and early August 2024, it is alleged that Lidderdale sent a dozen threatening letters via the mail in five different mailings. The return labels on the letters contained mailing information for individuals who were either currently or previously employed by the targeted public official.
In the letters, Lidderdale allegedly threatened violence against the letter recipients, including language like, “I will kill you for your ignorant loyalty to your pedophilic party” and “I will kill you for the good of The People. Your death will come when you least expect it.”
Last week, Lidderdale allegedly sent letters to eight victims containing a hitlist of eight individuals he said he would kill in the month of May.
Court documents allege that Lidderdale sent a letter to a local TV station and emails to federal and local law enforcement outlining his plans.
It is further alleged that Lidderdale sent threatening emails to public officials stating, “Each [victim] will receive the gift of their names etched onto a single bullet. Their skull is the target the bullet is the gift.”
On May 8, Lidderdale allegedly told FBI agents that he had sent the letters and emails with the intent to incite fear, including the fear of bodily injury, and to make threats with the goal of changing behavior.
Mailing threatening communications carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, conveying false information and hoaxes, and cyberstalking are all federal crimes punishable by up to five years in prison.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); as well as the U.S. Capitol Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol and several Ohio police departments; announced the charges filed today. Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez and Assistant United States Attorneys Damoun Delaviz and Jessica W. Knight, National Security Division Counterterrorism Section Trial Attorney James Donnelly and Trial Attorney Aaron L. Jennen of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Murray Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Michael Scott, 60, of Murray, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 8, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Distribution of Child Pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Scott to 300 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Scott’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. Scott was also ordered to pay $69,000 in restitution.
The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) received a cybertip from Discord reporting a user had uploaded two files depicting alleged child pornography. An Investigator with NSP was able to view the images and confirm they were child pornography.
The Investigator confirmed the phone number from the cybertip belonged to Scott at his address in Murray. A search warrant was executed for the Discord account from the cybertip. A review of the contents found the distribution of additional child pornography. There were at least seven images of child pornography uploaded to the Discord account, at least one of which was included in the cybertip.
During a search of Scott’s residence, Investigators recovered 14 electronic devices. During a review of Scott’s cellphone, Investigators found a total of 19,807 photos of child pornography and 5,126 videos of child pornography. Among the other devices, Investigators found 200 additional photos of child pornography. Investigators also found a conversation on Discord where Scott sent at least one image of child pornography to another user on January 9, 2024. Investigators also located at least four files of child pornography that were uploaded to Discord on January 17, 2024.
In a consensual interview at the residence, Scott confirmed the Discord account and username, phone number and email address all belonged to him. Scott admitted to using his cell phone for viewing and trading child pornography.
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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Monongalia County Woman Sentenced for Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Stephanie Ann Allen, 34, West Virginia, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, officers observed Allen engaged in suspicious activity while in a parking lot in Morgantown. A search of her vehicle resulted in the seizure of 73 grams of methamphetamine and 7 grams of fentanyl. Allen has a criminal history that includes burglary, robbery, and drug possession.
Allen will serve three years of supervised release following her sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Mobile Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Michael Jerome Elder, age 50, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison after entering a guilty plea to a count of Distribution of Child Pornography. Elder entered his guilty plea on January 16, 2025.
According to court documents, a Mobile County Sheriff’s Office deputy was conducting an investigation to identify individuals in the Southern District of Alabama who demonstrate a sexual interest in children. To do so, he utilized law enforcement software to investigate users sharing files of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) via a file-sharing network. The investigator located an IP address that was involved in the sharing of numerous files of CSAM. He was able to identify Elder as a resident at the residential address associated with the IP address. The investigator obtained a search warrant and located Elder in the home, and a search team was able to discover a cell phone that Elder had hidden in a vent. The cell phone was examined and found to contain CSAM.
Elder had previously been convicted of five counts of Being in Possession of Obscene Material of Minors, violations of Alabama Code 13-A-012-0192(B), in the Circuit Court of Mobile County. He had been released from custody on that offense on November 15, 2022, less than a year before the MCSO investigator discovered him distributing child pornography.
At sentencing, Judge DuBose imposed the 180-month sentence of incarceration and a 15-year term of supervised release upon his future release. During his term of imprisonment, Elder will be subject to sex offender treatment, substance abuse testing and treatment, and mental health treatment. Elder will be required to register as a sex offender and is to have no contact with minors. Elder was ordered to pay $5,100 in special assessments.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations and Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kacey Chappelear and Tandice Blackwood prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources
Mobile Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a MachinegunRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for illegally possessing a machinegun.
According to court documents, Ty’Juan De’Andre Barnes, 21, was arrested by Mobile police during the execution of a narcotics search warrant at a house in Prichard in May 2024. Officers searched Barnes’s person and found 14 fentanyl pills in his pants pocket. Throughout the house, officers found several extended firearm magazines, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. Barnes admitted to police that he hid a loaded .40 caliber Glock pistol in a bathroom trash can. Police recovered the Glock pistol, which was equipped with an illegal machinegun-conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.” Barnes admitted that he knew the Glock switch converted the pistol into a fully automatic machinegun, which he claimed he needed for protection due to being the victim of a prior robbery in Prichard.
Agents seized and searched Barnes’s cell phone. In the phone, agents found numerous text messages that Barnes sent in which he discussed possessing and shooting weapons equipped with Glock switches. Barnes also texted various individuals about illegally selling Glock switches for profit.
In addition to the 18-month prison term, United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose ordered Barnes to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will be subject to drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge DuBose ordered Barnes to pay $100 in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit justice.gov/PSN.
Michigan City Man Sentenced to 210 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Yesterday, Timothy Hampton, 50 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
Hampton was sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in August and September 2024 Hampton distributed high-purity methamphetamine to buyers. A search warrant executed at Hampton’s home resulted in the recovery of additional methamphetamine along with scales and other drug paraphernalia.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration including the DEA North Central Laboratory with assistance from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Michigan City Police Department, and the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.
Mexican National Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Jesus Alejandro Bojorquez-Moreno, 37, of Mexico, was sentenced on May 6, 2025, by United States District Court Judge Angela M. Martinez to 120 months in prison. Bojorquez-Moreno previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, and Reentry of a Removed Alien.
Between June and September of 2022, Bojorquez-Moreno set up five separate deals involving distribution-sized amounts of heroin and fentanyl with undercover federal agents. Bojorquez-Moreno negotiated the amounts and prices of the drugs and directed other members of the conspiracy to deliver the drugs to locations in Tucson and Indianapolis, Indiana. Agents seized a total of 10 kilograms of heroin and 100,000 fentanyl pills before Bojorquez-Moreno stopped communicating with the undercover agents.
On June 3, 2023, Bojorquez-Moreno was arrested by United States Border Patrol agents near Douglas, Arizona, for illegally reentering the United States. He had previously been deported in 2019 and had not received legal authorization to return to the United States.
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.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR 23-00922-TUC-AMM, CR 23-01558-TUC-AMM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-075_Bojorquez-Moreno# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Mescalero Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sexual Assault of MinorRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man was sentenced to 48 months in prison for sexually assaulting a teen 20 years his junior.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on September 27, 2024, Thomas Lee Chaffins, 35, an enrolled member of Mescalero Apache Tribe, sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation
Upon his release from prison, Chaffins will be subject to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Phillip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Alyson Hehr is prosecuting the case.
Memphis Men Sentenced to Federal Imprisonment for Participation in 2021 Business RobberyRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Three Memphis men have been sentenced to a total of over 30 years in federal prison after being convicted of a business robbery that occurred in the fall of 2021. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.
According to the information presented in court, Anthony Lewis, 36, Kyle Walker, 22, and Aramis Smith, 34, participated in an armed robbery in the early morning of November 10, 2021. Walker and Lewis entered a gas station on Summer Avenue in Memphis, while Smith waited outside in the getaway car. Walker and Lewis approached the lone clerk as she was stocking the shelves. Walker grabbed her and brandished a firearm as he made threats and pushed her to the registers. Lewis moved to the doorway and stood as a lookout as Walker forced the clerk to empty the register. The trio fled with approximately $100.
Unbeknownst to the robbers, a good Samaritan saw the robbery in progress, called 911 and provided a description of the getaway vehicle. Dispatchers relayed the robbery in progress call to Memphis Police Department officers; and undercover officers with the Violent Crime Unit (VCU) observed the suspect vehicle fleeing the scene. VCU officers followed the suspect vehicle on I-240 as they coordinated additional units to arrive and make a traffic stop. When marked units were in place, officers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle with lights and sirens; but the vehicle fled. Ultimately, the suspect vehicle wrecked on the off-ramp immediately before the Hernando DeSoto Bridge; and officers engaged in a brief foot pursuit with two of the suspects before they were all taken into custody.
All three men pled guilty to one count of business robbery. Walker and Lewis also pled guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Senior United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. sentenced Walker to 125 months of imprisonment on August 31, 2023, and Smith to 120 months of imprisonment on February 21, 2024. Lewis was sentenced to 147 months on May 1, 2025 by United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Judge Andre B. Mathis. Additionally, on May 8, 2025, Judge Fowlkes sentenced Lewis to an additional 24 months in federal prison as a result of his Supervised Release Violation based on this case and a prior federal conviction. There is no parole in the federal system.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Memphis Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Wagner and Lynn Crum prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. Former Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Lewis also assisted in prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
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For more information, please contact the media relations team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Maryland Man Indicted for Wire Fraud, Theft of Government Property, and Failure to Disclose an EventRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted Andrew Langford, 49, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, charging him with wire fraud, theft of government property, and failure to disclose an event.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Colleen Lawlor, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) – Philadelphia Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Andrew McKay, Mid-Atlantic Field Division of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
According to the indictment, Langford applied for SSA disability benefits in November 2008, reporting that he was unable to work due to a disabling condition. Then in May 2009, Langford applied for child/auxiliary benefits for his minor children. Later in 2009, SSA notified Langford that he was eligible for and would begin receiving disability benefit payments. SSA also notified Langford of his responsibilities to notify the agency if he returned to work or if his health improved. After he was granted benefits, Langford returned to work, but did not notify SSA as required.
Langford received more than $270,000 in disability benefits from January 2014 through May 2021, that he allegedly was not entitled to. He allegedly defrauded SSA by providing false information — namely, concealing his ownership and operation of NDA Cleaning Services in Maryland and CK Janitors, Inc., in Virginia — to continue receiving disability payments. Langford utilized an Internal Revenue Service system to apply for Employer Identification Numbers for his businesses associated with the alleged fraud.
If convicted, Langford faces up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud, 10 years for theft of government property, and five years for failure to disclose an event. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the SSA-OIG and TIGTA for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kertisha Dixon who is prosecuting the case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Man Who Sold Fentanyl that Killed Twins Sentenced to 14 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Friday sentenced a man who sold the fentanyl that killed two twin brothers in St. Charles County in 2023 to 14 years in prison.
Jesse Charleston, 35, of Florissant, pleaded guilty in January in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
Charleston admitted as part of his plea that on March 21, 2023, he supplied the fentanyl that killed the men. He admitted giving one of the men four capsules for free as “testers.” The victims were discovered dead in their apartment in St. Charles County the next evening of acute fentanyl intoxication. Investigators found fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, and text messages with Charleston on one victim’s phone on March 21 discussing a drug transaction. Early the next morning, Charleston texted, “Did you like it.”
A detective with the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force began responding to texts to that victim’s phone from Charles. The detective supplied the name of an undercover officer when Charleston asked if he knew anyone else who “likes what the defendant has,” the plea agreement says. The undercover officer purchased 12 capsules containing para-fluorofentanyl and fentanyl from Charleston for $100 on March 27, 2023, at a gas station in St. Charles County. Charleston took those 12 capsules from a bag of about 30 more. He was arrested later that day.
“This case exemplifies the dangerousness of fentanyl,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerome McDonald wrote in a sentencing memo. “In recent years fentanyl and fentanyl analogues have caused far too many overdose deaths in the St. Louis community and across this country, including the two overdose deaths in this case.”
“This case is just one example that highlights St. Charles County’s regional law enforcement working together with our federal partners to combat serious crime that affects families across the area,” said St. Charles County Police Chief Kurt Frisz.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Charles County Police and St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerome McDonald prosecuted the case.