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Wednesday 7 May 2025
- Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice:
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
“Advances in technology continue to escalate both the heinous nature and pervasiveness of these violent crimes that affect the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to continuing its collaboration with our state, local and federal partners to locate these offenders and ensure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“No child should ever have to suffer at the hands of a predator,” said Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “The FBI is committed to breaking the cycle of abuse and ensuring those who exploit children are brought to justice. We work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify these offenders and to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
In the Eastern District of California, a Lodi man was arrested for allegedly using the Freenet network to share files of child pornography, and a Solano County man was arrested for allegedly trafficking a 16-year-old girl who had been reported missing from Sacramento County.
Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, New York.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other online resources:
Electronic Press Kit
Violent Crimes Against Children
How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims – especially child victims – and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
As part of Operation Restore Justice, the following five individuals were charged in the District of Connecticut with federal child exploitation crimes:
STEVEN TAYLOR, 52, of Hartford, has been charged by indictment with production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. As alleged in the indictment and other court documents, Taylor used his smartphone and other devices to record sexually explicit videos and images of a minor female. Searches of the devices revealed more than 2,300 sexually explicit images and videos of prepubescent minors. Taylor was arrested on related state charges on October 24, 2024. On May 1, 2025, he appeared in Hartford federal court and pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. He has been detained since his arrest.
RYAN PERRY, 39, of East Hartford, has been charged by criminal complaint with transportation, receipt, and distribution of child pornography. As alleged in court documents, in January 2025, Perry, who was on state probation for prior child exploitation offenses, was arrested for probation violations stemming from a 2024 home visit. A separate federal investigation identified Perry as a possible user of a darknet site where child pornography was uploaded and shared. In April 2025, analysis of a hard drive seized from Perry revealed approximately 2,900 images and videos of child sex abuse material. Perry was arrested federally on April 29, 2025, and is detained.
STEPHEN DICKSON, 47, of Colchester, has been charged by criminal complaint with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. As alleged in court documents, in September 2023, Dickson communicated on Kik Messenger with an FBI Online Covert Employee who was posing as the stepfather of a 14-year-old girl in Connecticut. During the communications, Dickson expressed a desire and willingness to engage in sexual activity with the fictitious girl. On September 22, 2023, Dickson was arrested and charged with state offenses after he traveled to a hotel in Wallingford to engage in sexual activity with the “girl.” Subsequent analysis of computers, hard drives, and a smartphone seized from Dickson revealed several hundred images and videos of suspected child pornography, and dozens of images of female children, likely downloaded from social media sites such as Facebook, that were digitally-manipulated to remove clothing in order to create child pornography. Dickson was arrested federally on May 1, 2025, and is released on a $150,000 bond.
JOSHUA BAILEY, 45, of Milford, and ELIZABETH JORDAN, 42, of West Haven, have been charged by criminal complaint with receipt and distribution of child pornography, transmission of a live visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor, and conspiracy to do so. As alleged in court documents, on March 12, 2024, Jordan engaged in sexual activity with a minor who was 17 and livestreamed the activity to Bailey using Facebook messenger. A subsequent search of Bailey’s phone revealed a series of screenshots of Jordan and the minor engaged in sexual activity. Bailey and Jordan have been detained since August 2024 when they were arrested for related state offenses. Bailey appeared in New Haven federal court on April 29 and Jordan appeared in New Haven federal court yesterday.
“The Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office has long been committed to protecting children by swiftly and vigorously prosecuting offenders,” said Marc H. Silverman, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. “Sex offenders continue to find new and evolving means to commit their crimes, including using social media and messaging applications to gain access to children, and, as noted specifically in one case we are pursuing, using an AI program to digitally convert real images to create child pornography. I thank our FBI colleagues, and all the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies focusing on this important effort, for staying ahead of the technology curve to investigate child exploitation crimes and apprehend these predators.”
“At FBI New Haven, protecting children is one of our most vital duties,” said Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Our Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force works in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners to stop those who prey on our most vulnerable. Here in Connecticut, the FBI actively disrupts violent online extremist groups, sex trafficking rings, sextortionists, and other destructive criminal activity. We do this work in partnership with the community to ensure child victims are identified and receive the care they need. Whether these threats come from the real world or a digital one, the FBI will fight day and night to protect all children. We will never stop in our pursuit to find and arrest those responsible for these heinous acts.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, Virginia, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, New York.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, by calling your local FBI field office, or by visiting www.cybertipline.com.
Other online resources:
Electronic Press Kit:
Violent Crimes Against Children
How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kidsJustice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
As part of this operation, the FBI Omaha Field Office, with the assistance of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, arrested 3 people, served 4 federal search warrants, and identified 15 victims from approximately 1,000 images submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Yesterday, a federal grand jury in Davenport returned a two-count indictment charging Anthony Charles VanMeter, 55, of Davenport, with receipt and possession of child pornography. VanMeter is serving an eight-year term of supervised release for a 2016 possession of child pornography conviction. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“The harm child sexual predators inflict is vast. Locking them up is one of the most important actions the FBI and our law enforcement partners can take to protect children,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “We are proud of the work of our Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force in Operation Restore Justice and will remain relentless in our pursuit of these criminals to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, New York.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other online resources:
- Violent Crimes Against Children
- How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
“Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society and can suffer the effects of sex abuse for a lifetime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine Craig M. Wolff. “My deepest thanks to FBI Boston and its state and local partners for their efforts in identifying and arresting those who allegedly preyed on these vulnerable victims.”
“There are few situations more urgent than when a child is physically at risk, and as ‘Operation Restore Justice’ has shown, child predators come in many different forms,” said James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “As horrific as these alleged crimes are, they are not rare. Make no mistake, FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation - Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to finding these child sex abusers, locking them up, and ensuring those they have victimized are safe and well-supported.”
As part of this operation, FBI Boston arrested and charged seven people, including registered sex offender Joseph A. Maile, of Presque Isle, Maine. Maile was charged by criminal complaint for allegedly attempting to sex traffic a child, and enticement of a minor. Maile allegedly used social media accounts to offer various minors money to engage in sex acts with him.
Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other online resources:
Electronic Press Kit
Violent Crimes Against Children
How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
“Operation Restore Justice represents our unwavering commitment to ridding our communities of child sex abusers,” said United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Last week I joined the FBI in Delaware County as they arrested one of these defendants, and I saw firsthand the hard work and dedication of the agents and task force officers working these cases. I am also proud to say that my Office accepted every one of the cases presented to us for prosecution.”
“Operation Restore Justice perfectly demonstrates the depth, breadth, and reach of the FBI,” said Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albany Field Office. “Thanks to the invaluable assistance provided by our state and local law enforcement partners on our Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force, eight dangerous predators were taken off the street in just five days. The FBI will continue to use every resource available to find and arrest these predators and ensure they can never hurt another child.”
Those arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing CSAM while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, Virginia, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents following an online safety presentation at a Capital Region school.
A criminal complaint or indictment is merely an allegation. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In the Northern District of New York, those arrested and charged, in separate cases, are:
- Jerry N. Butler III, age 19, of Walton, New York, who used a social messaging application to request and receive sexually explicit content from a minor. He faces at least 15 years in prison. Butler III is believed to be involved in the "764" network, whose members seek to corrupt and exploit vulnerable populations, including minors. Butler III is believed to have administrated an online offshoot of 764 that operated across multiple social media channels and whose members engaged in extortion of minors, coercive self-harm, harm to animals, and the production and dissemination of CSAM. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian is prosecuting this case.
- Steven Campbell, age 27, a citizen of the United Kingdom, who distributed CSAM to someone he believed to be a parent who would make their child available for Campbell to sexually abuse. Campbell also sent money to the parent so that the parent could bring the child to the United Kingdom for Campbell to sexually abuse. He faces at least 15 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle is prosecuting this case.
- Max Fishkind, age 24, of New Paltz, New York, who enticed a Maryland child into creating and sending him self-produced child sexual abuse material over Snapchat. He faces at least 15 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting this case.
- Kenneth House, age 59, of Pine Planes, New York, who communicated with an individual to discuss and plan his sexual abuse of a person he believed to be a child. House was arrested after arriving at a location in Albany County and paying $140 to a woman he believed to be the child’s caretaker. He faces at least 10 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Paulbeck is prosecuting this case.
- Terry Mead Jr., age 49, of Watervliet, New York, who used his cell phone to photograph the genitals of a 4-year-old child and distributed that photograph to another person. He faces at least 15 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda is prosecuting this case.
- Devine Ravine, age 20, of Riverside, California, who persuaded and induced a Rensselaer County minor to create child sexual abuse material, which the child then sent to Ravine over the Internet. He faces at least 15 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mikayla Espinosa and Rick Belliss are prosecuting this case.
- Bryan Silva, age 32, a Brazilian citizen residing in Schenectady, New York, who was arrested after responding to an advertisement on a social networking site offering sex with someone who appeared to be a child. He faces at least 10 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mikayla Espinosa and Nicholas Walter are prosecuting this case.
- Gary Yorkshire, age 68, of Scotia, New York, who communicated with an individual to discuss and plan his sexual abuse of a person he believed to be a child. Yorkshire was arrested after arriving at a location in Albany County and paying $250 to a woman he believed to be the child’s caretaker. He faces at least 10 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Paulbeck is prosecuting this case.
If convicted, each defendant would also face a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, a fine, special assessments, mandatory restitution, and forfeiture of the device(s) used to commit the offense(s). A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Each defendant, if convicted, would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The FBI Albany Field Office and its Child Exploitation Task Force are investigating these cases. The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force is comprised of members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and Police Departments in Cohoes, Colonie, Rotterdam, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Troy, and Watervliet.
This effort follows the Department of Justice’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, underscoring the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other online resources:
Violent Crimes Against Children
How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown, Including Two in the Western District of Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
“Those who prey upon children leave a horrific trail of lives damaged and futures destroyed,” said United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. “My office is proud to join with our partners at the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country to prioritize the safety of children and bringing justice to those who seek to harm them.”
“Operation Restore Justice is not just about upholding the rule of law – it’s about standing up as a society for the safety of children and showing predators that we will not allow them to rob kids of their innocence,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “The FBI is proud to collaborate with our law enforcement partners every single day to ensure anyone involved in criminal behavior against a child is brought to justice.”
Defendants in the Western District of Oklahoma have been charged as follows:
- COLT TRAVIS GLADDING, SR., 41, of Coyle, Oklahoma, has been charged by Complaint with sexual exploitation of a child and possession of material containing child pornography. According to the Complaint, on July 15, 2024, officers with the Troy Police Department (TPD) in Troy, New Hampshire, received a report regarding the sexual abuse of a minor. The minor reported that between the ages of 14 and 16, she lived in Coyle, Oklahoma, where she was sexually abused by Gladding several times over two years. Gladding also coerced the victim to send him photos that were sexual in nature. If found guilty, Gladding faces not less than 15 years and up to 50 years in federal prison, and fines of up to $500,000.
- DALTON CUNNINGHAM, 31, of Alva, Oklahoma, has been charged by Complaint with possession of and/or access with intent to view child pornography. According to the Complaint, the FBI obtained a federal search warrant for Cunningham’s phone and found videos and images of child sexual abuse material, including files depicting prepubescent children. If found guilty, Cunningham faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
*The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that the defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other online resources:
Electronic Press Kit
Violent Crimes Against Children
How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-Led Nationwide Crackdown, Including 4 in the Western District of New YorkRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
“These arrests should send a clear message that, together with our law enforcement partners at all levels, we will track down and prosecute those who target our children,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. “Our office will never stop doing all that we can to protect children from these harmful predators.”
“Operation Restore Justice’ sends a powerful message: the FBI is unwavering and united in its fight to protect our children,” said Matthew Miraglia, the Special Agent-in- Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “These arrests demonstrate the unwavering dedication of the FBI and our law enforcement partners. Our work does not stop here. The FBI is committed to holding predators accountable and pursuing justice for victims.”
Arrested in the Western District of New York and charged with possession of child pornography are:
Brian Keith, 68, of Niagara Falls, NY. During the execution of a search warrant on March 13, 2025, at Keith’s residence, Niagara Falls Police officers seized a DVR, laptop, five hard drives and two tablets. A review of the electronic devices recovered images of child pornography. Keith is a registered Level 3 sex offender.
Matthew Kowalski, 25, of Kenmore, NY. In October 2024, he was sentenced to 10 years’ probation for Possessing a Sexual Performance of a Minor, a New York State Penal Law violation. On April 11, 2025, during an unannounced home visit by Erie County Probation Officers, a cellular phone with an SD card was found, which Kowalski was not permitted to possess. A search of the phone and SD card recovered multiple images and videos of suspected child pornography.
Samari Thompson, 20, of Buffalo, NY. On November 4, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at Thompson’s residence, seizing electronic devices, including a cellular telephone. A search of the cell phone recovered 48 images and 16 videos of suspected child pornography. Some of the images and videos depicted infants.
Jamie R. Anderson, 25, of Buffalo, NY. In January 2022, Anderson was sentenced to 10 years’ probation for Possessing a Sexual Performance of a Minor, a New York State Penal Law violation. On July 3, 2024, the social media application Kik reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that 13 video and image files of apparent child pornography were uploaded to their server. Subsequent investigation traced the uploaded files to Anderson. The investigation also determined that Anderson was the subject of two other tipline reports.
Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other online resources:
Electronic Press Kit
Violent Crimes Against Children
How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids
Arrests in the Western District of New York are the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, the New York State Police, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, the Erie County Probation Department, and the Niagara Falls Police Department.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Investment Scammer Sentenced to 96 Months’ Imprisonment for Defrauding Alpha Influence Investors of over $20MRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jeremiah Joseph Evans, aka “The Bull,” 29, of Utah County, Utah, was sentenced today to 96 months’ imprisonment after he admitted to defrauding approximately $20,894,674 from approximately 530 investors in his company Alpha Influence LLC.
The sentence, imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell, comes after Evans pleaded guilty on January 23, 2025, to securities fraud and money laundering. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Evans was sentenced to three years’ supervised release and ordered to pay $19,134,150.00 in restitution.
According to court documents and statements made at Evans’ change of plea and sentencing hearings, from July 2019 to July 2022, Evans fraudulently sold investments in e-commerce stores through Alpha Influence, LLC., a registered Utah corporation. Evans promised investors to secure money in exchange for the Alpha investments and fraudulently obtained approximately $20,894,674 from approximately 530 investors. As part of his scheme, Evans lied about how successful his company was, how long it was in operation and promised their investment would generate consistent, predictable monthly returns, when it would not. He failed to disclose that testimonials published about Alpha Influence and its success were made by his own relatives or others who received commissions paid from investor proceeds. On one occasion, in July 2021, Evans transferred $50,000 from Alpha Influence LLC’s bank account to make a partial payment for a white Lamborghini Huracan Evo.
“Crime does not always come in the form of violence and for a number of years, Evans lied about the success of his company and defrauded millions of dollars from investors,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. “Protecting the public is a top priority for the Department of Justice and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute criminals and seek justice for crime victims.”
"Today marks a significant step towards justice for the hundreds of Utahns victimized by Jeremiah 'The Bull' Evans' $20 million fraud," says Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, Margaret Busse. "Evans exploited social media and Utahns' strong community ties to lure unsuspecting investors into his scheme and caused significant harm. Schemes like this not only affect individual lives but also erode the overall public trust in legitimate investment opportunities. We deeply appreciate the unwavering dedication of the U.S. Attorney General's Office and the tireless efforts of our own Utah Division of Securities, along with the FBI, in bringing these individuals to justice."
“Like many fraudsters, Mr. Evans was motivated by greed, using his victims’ money to fund a lavish lifestyle,” said Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The sentencing shows that stealing for personal gain doesn’t pay. The FBI and our partners will hold accountable those who engage in fraudulent schemes."
The case was investigated jointly by the Utah Division of Securities and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Woolf, Jennifer E. Gully, and Brian Williams of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Attachments:
jeremiah_evans_sentencingmemo.pdfInmate Pleads Guilty to Possessing Weapon at FCI McDowellRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Demetrius McKinney, 45, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) McDowell, pleaded guilty today to possession of a weapon by an inmate at a federal prison.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 24, 2024, McKinney was involved in an altercation while an inmate at FCI McDowell. After the altercation, an FCI McDowell staff member conducted a search of McKinney and found a handcrafted weapon commonly known as a “shank” in his right front pants pocket. The shank was a piece of metal about six and a half inches long, with one end sharpened to a point and a cloth handle on the other end.
McKinney is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-31.
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Indictment Unsealed Charging Madison Man with Trafficking Methamphetamine and FentanylRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Jonathan E. Conley, 43, Madison, Wisconsin, with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl for distribution.
The indictment alleges that on October 24, 2023, Conley distributed fentanyl and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The indictment further alleges that on February 7, 2024, Conley possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 40 grams of fentanyl, both for distribution. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 2, 2025.
Conley was arrested yesterday in Dane County, Wisconsin and made his initial appearance in federal court today. He was detained pending a detention hearing on Friday May 9.
If convicted of the charges involving 50 grams or more of methamphetamine or 40 grams or more of fentanyl, Conley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. If convicted of the other charge, Conley faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The charges against him are the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, New Lisbon Police Department, and Wisconsin State Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the case.
You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Harrison County Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kevin Herve Cayemitte, age 36, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 300 months in federal prison for two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, investigators received a tip that Cayemitte was selling methamphetamine from multiple locations in Harrison and Lewis Counties. Investigators recovered a package mailed from Los Angeles, California to a Cayemitte’s campsite. The package contained nearly 2,000 grams of methamphetamine. Subsequent searches of properties utilized by Cayemitte resulted in the seizure of more methamphetamine and firearms. Cayemitte has prior drug convictions.
Cayemitte will serve 4 years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Harrison County Man Sentenced for Selling MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shawn Michael Bork, 49, of Mount Clare, West Virginia, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for selling methamphetamine in Harrison County, WV.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Bork was selling methamphetamine, at time using social media to traffic drugs. A search of his apartment resulted in the seizure of a firearm, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a duffle bag containing $166,315 in cash. Bork has prior convictions for violation of a domestic violence order, harassment, obstructing, transporting controlled substances into a prison, and drug trafficking.
Bork will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
This case was investigated by the Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Hancock County Man Sentenced for Theft of Black Lung BenefitsRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Gary Barber, age 75, of Weirton, West Virginia, was sentenced today to three years of probation for the theft of public money, property or records.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Barber’s father was a coal miner who was awarded Black Lung benefits. Upon his father’s death, those benefits transferred to Barber’s widow, Barber’s mother. Barber became the payee for the benefits when his mother’s health failed, but once his mother passed, he continued to claim the benefits, falsely reporting each month for nearly ten years, that he used the funds for the care of his mother. Barber fraudulently collected $85,604 from the US Trust Fund.
Barber was ordered to pay $85.604 in restitution.
“Gary Barber engaged in a scheme to embezzle more than $85,000 in Black Lung benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). Barber stole money intended for injured coal miners and their survivors who were eligible for those vital resources. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and OWCP to protect the integrity of DOL benefit programs," stated Syreeta Scott, Special Agent-in-Charge, Mid-Atlantic Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Barber was ordered to pay $85,604 in restitution to the US Trust Fund.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Guatemalan National Indicted for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Agustin Morente, 70, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
According to the charging documents, on or about Feb. 28, 2025, Morente was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States to Guatemala on or about March 17, 2010.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant will also be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Soto and David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Guatemalan National Charged with False Use of Passport, Possession of False Social Security and Permanent Resident Cards, and Making False StatementRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A grand jury returned an indictment on May 6, 2025, charging Julio Cucul-Bol, 29, a Guatemalan national, with possessing a false permanent resident card, possessing a false Social Security card, false use of a passport, and making a false statement on a bank application. Cucul-Bol is associated with addresses in Rantoul, Illinois, and Urbana, Illinois.
The indictment alleges that on November 10, 2023, Cucul-Bol falsely stated that his name was Juan Jahaziel Saenz Suarez in an application to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and also falsely used a passport. The indictment further alleges that on January 19, 2025, Cucul-Bol allegedly possessed a Permanent Resident Card that was false and a Social Security card that was false.
If convicted of false use of a passport, possession of a false social security card and possession of a false permanent resident card, Cucul-Bol faces maximum statutory penalties of up to ten years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release on each count. The penalties for making a false statement on a bank application are up to 30 years of imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.
Agencies participating in the investigation include the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Urbana Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Lynch is representing the government in the prosecution.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Grandview Tax Preparer Sentenced for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Grandview, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for filing false tax returns for others.
Sandra Mondaine, 64, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 33 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Mondaine to pay restitution of $1,113,215.90 to the Internal Revenue Service.
On Nov. 13, 2024, Mondaine plead guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the preparation and filing of false tax returns.
Mondaine was an ex-IRS employee and Missouri-based return preparer who prepared returns for clients in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Mondaine obtained tax return information from clients either by meeting them in person or through the mail. Mondaine then prepared returns with false information, namely, false residential energy credits, charitable contributions, medical expenses, dependents, etc. Finally, she retained a portion of the claimed refund before providing the rest of the refund to her clients. Mondaine also appears to have submitted doctored and fake substantiation documentation when her clients were audited by the IRS.
According to the IRS review, the total tax loss related to the counts of conviction was $1,113,215.90.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Grand Island Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that Lonnie Mason, 42, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 7, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Mason to 250 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mason is released from prison, he will begin a lifetime term of supervised release
On January 30, 2024, Mason and co-conspirator Jolene Armentrout flew from Omaha to Los Angeles, California, and purchased 25 pounds of methamphetamine. Meanwhile, co-conspirators Robert Burkhardt and Stephanie Cummings drove Mason’s car from Omaha to Las Vegas, Nevada. Burkhardt and Cummings met Armentrout and Mason in Las Vegas. Mason and Cummings then flew back to Nebraska while Armentrout and Burkhardt drove to California from Las Vegas and picked up the 25 pounds of methamphetamine. Armentrout and Burkhardt then drove the 25 pounds of methamphetamine back to Mason’s apartment in Grand Island, Nebraska and arrived on February 4, 2024. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and located the 25 pounds of methamphetamine contained in a hidden compartment. On that date, law enforcement also executed a search warrant of Mason’s apartment and located a stolen firearm, methamphetamine, ammunition, and venue to Mason from his recent trip to California.
Cummings, Armentrout, and Burkhardt have all been convicted and sentenced in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for this conduct. Cummings received 108 months’ imprisonment, Armentrout received 94 months’ imprisonment, and Burkhardt received 57 months’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Grand Island Police Department. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Government Seeks Death Penalty for Federal Inmate Charged with First Degree MurderRead the Press Release
Yesterday, a federal grand jury in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, returned a three-count indictment charging Jasper Reed, 27, a federal prison inmate, with first degree murder, attempted murder, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Reed entered the federal prison system on Dec. 27, 2023, to serve a 51-month sentence after a firearms conviction. On April 19, 2024, he was sent to the prison system’s Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City. It is alleged that, on April 27, 2024, a correctional officer found Reed strangling his cellmate. The officer attempted to stop Reed by spraying him with oleoresin capsicum, commonly referred to as “pepper spray.” The pepper spray had no impact on Reed, and multiple officers had to restrain him. Reed was evaluated in a medical examination room and was cleared with no injuries. However, the victim was rushed to a local hospital and was diagnosed with several fractures to his nasal bone, orbital bone, maxillary sinus anterior wall, maxillary sinus lateral wall, and hyoid bone.
It is further alleged that, on May 8, 2024, Reed murdered a different FTC cellmate. Correctional officers found this victim lying on the cell floor housed by only the victim and Reed. After an autopsy was performed, a medical examiner determined the cause of death to be homicide by manual strangulation. This victim suffered fractured thyroid and hyoid bones and severe hemorrhaging to the chest.
The maximum penalty for the first-degree murder charge is death and Attorney General Pamela Bondi has authorized the United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma to pursue capital punishment in this case. Consistent with that authorization, the U.S. Attorney filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Reed.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma, made the announcement.
The FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Edgmon and Brandon Hale for the Western District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case with assistance from the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Government Seeks Death Penalty for Federal Inmate Charged with First Degree MurderRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, a federal grand jury in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, returned a three-count indictment charging Jasper Reed, 27, a federal prison inmate, with first degree murder, attempted murder, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Reed entered the federal prison system on Dec. 27, 2023, to serve a 51-month sentence after a firearms conviction. On April 19, 2024, he was sent to the prison system’s Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City. It is alleged that, on April 27, 2024, a correctional officer found Reed strangling his cellmate. The officer attempted to stop Reed by spraying him with oleoresin capsicum, commonly referred to as “pepper spray.” The pepper spray had no impact on Reed, and multiple officers had to restrain him. Reed was evaluated in a medical examination room and was cleared with no injuries. However, the victim was rushed to a local hospital and was diagnosed with several fractures to his nasal bone, orbital bone, maxillary sinus anterior wall, maxillary sinus lateral wall, and hyoid bone.
It is further alleged that, on May 8, 2024, Reed murdered a different FTC cellmate. Correctional officers found this victim lying on the cell floor housed by only the victim and Reed. After an autopsy was performed, a medical examiner determined the cause of death to be homicide by manual strangulation. This victim suffered fractured thyroid and hyoid bones and severe hemorrhaging to the chest.
The maximum penalty for the first-degree murder charge is death and Attorney General Pamela Bondi has authorized the United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma to pursue capital punishment in this case. Consistent with that authorization, the U.S. Attorney filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Reed.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Robert J. Troester, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, made the announcement.
The FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Edgmon and Brandon Hale for the Western District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case with assistance from the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Transportation for Purposes of ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – Robert Sloan, 48, of Roswell, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to transportation for the purposes of prostitution, announced Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. The Honorable Richard G. Andrews accepted the plea.
According to statements made in open court, the investigation into Sloan began in July 2023 after an individual called 911 after receiving text messages from a family member indicating that the family member was being trafficked for prostitution at a hotel in Dover, Delaware. Law enforcement went to the hotel to conduct a welfare check. Once they arrived at the hotel room, the defendant answered the door and law enforcement saw two women inside. Although the defendant informed officers that he did not know anyone with the victim’s name, one of the women later identified herself as the victim once she was away from the defendant. Further investigation revealed that the defendant drove the victim from North Carolina to Delaware and had her engage in prostitution multiple times during stops along the way.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson stated, “Sex trafficking individuals for personal financial gain is a heinous crime. My office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to rescue victims of sex trafficking and we encourage citizens to join us in this effort by contacting law enforcement if they suspect someone is a victim of sex trafficking – if you see something, say something.”
“Robert Sloan’s guilty plea is a powerful example of how our Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force continually works to stop sex trafficking. Anyone who profits from sexually exploiting others will be brought to justice for their heinous crimes,” says FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “The FBI will do all we can to hold perpetrators accountable, while also helping victims recover from the significant trauma they suffer.”
The FBI investigated this case with the assistance of Delaware State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claudia L. Pare and Briana Knox prosecuted this case.
Sloan is facing a maximum of 10 years imprisonment. Judge Andrews will determine Defendant’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
Four Pierre Residents Sentenced to Substantial Terms in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced four Pierre, South Dakota, residents convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencings took place on May 5, 2025.
Whitney Marrowbone, age 30, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Wendy Mealer, age 49, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Brent Larvie, age 36, was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison, followed by three of supervised release.
David Rinehart, age 33, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
All four defendants were each also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
These convictions stemmed from a drug distribution conspiracy beginning in June 2023 and continuing until September 2024. Marrowbone, Mealer, Larvie, and Rinehart were involved in an extensive conspiracy with several other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in and around Pierre and surrounding areas. The four co-defendants received significant quantities of methamphetamine from two other co-defendants, Heather and Misty Stahlhoefer, and then further distributed it. During the course of the investigation law enforcement recovered over 550 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Heather Stahlhoefer is scheduled to be sentenced May 14, 2025, and Misty Stahlhoefer is scheduled to be sentenced July 14, 2025.
This case was investigated by the FBI North Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Pierre Police Department, the Chamberlain Police Department, and the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Dilges.
Marrowbone, Rinehart, Mealer, and Larvie were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 210 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Willie J. Hatch, 32 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady following his plea of guilty to 5 drug counts and a finding of guilt by a jury on a gun count announced Acting United States Tina L. Nommay.
Hatch was sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on four occasions in September and October 2022, Hatch distributed methamphetamine. In October 2022, Hatch possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessed a firearm while being a prohibited person. He pleaded guilty to the five drug counts, and after a trial in December 2024, a jury found him guilty of the firearm offense.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey Speith and Justin Sheridan.
This case was also 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.
Former Postal Employee Sentenced for Delaying and Stealing Contents of U.S. MailRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RANDY BROWN, JR (“BROWN”), age 31, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, was sentenced to twenty-one (21) months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance, after previously pleading guilty to the four-count indictment charging him with unlawful delay of U.S. Mail matter by a postal employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1703(a) and theft of U.S. Mail matter by a postal employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709.
According to court documents, between on or about July, 2022, through October 4, 2022, BROWN unlawfully secreted, detained, and delayed U.S. mail entrusted to him as a postal employee; and on September 26, 2022, September 27, 2022, and October 3, 2022, BROWN did knowingly embezzle, steal, abstract, and remove checks from U.S. mail entrusted to him as a postal employee.
In addition to his incarceration sentence, Judge Vance also sentenced BROWN to three (3) years of supervised release. BROWN must additionally pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General and the Gretna Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the Violent Crimes Unit.
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Former New York City Real Estate Developer Charged with Defrauding InvestorsRead the Press Release
Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging JOSHUA SCHUSTER with engaging in a scheme to defraud investors in large real estate development projects located in New York City. SCHUSTER was arrested today and will be presented in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged, Joshua Schuster stole more than $10 million from his investors to fund his own lifestyle, pay off other investors in a Ponzi fashion, and maintain the appearance of success. The women and men of our Office are committed to protecting investors and our markets from fraud and abuse.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “Joshua Schuster allegedly stole more than ten million dollars from New York City real estate investors through inaccurate statements of fund usage and exaggerated portrayals of his business’s reputation. This alleged scheme betrayed prospective buyers’ trust and pockets to finance his lifestyle and cover personal delinquent debts. The FBI will never permit any individual to unlawfully profit off false promises—even when those promises result in actual buildings on the city’s skyline.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment1:
From at least in or about 2018, up through and including at least in or about 2022, SCHUSTER engaged in a scheme to defraud investors who had entrusted him with millions of dollars to finance real estate development projects in New York City. SCHUSTER worked through his real estate development business, Silverback Development, which was based in Manhattan. SCHUSTER induced investors to contribute capital to his projects by promising them equity in high-end real estate developments, and by representing that investor funds would be used exclusively for the acquisition and development of specific projects in Gramercy Park, Long Island City, the Bronx, and other locations. SCHUSTER marketed Silverback and its affiliated real estate ventures as elite investment opportunities backed by his market expertise.
In reality, the representations and promises SCHUSTER made to investors were false and misleading. SCHUSTER misappropriated tens of millions of dollars in investor money to fund his lifestyle, including over $1 million in personal credit card payments and hundreds of thousands of dollars in gambling losses; to repay earlier investors in a Ponzi-like fashion; and to cover unrelated business obligations and payroll. In total, SCHUSTER fraudulently obtained and stole in excess of $10 million.
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SCHUSTER, 41, of Boca Raton, Florida, is charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are 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 FBI. Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a parallel civil action.
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._schuster_indictment.pdf
1 As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Former Morton, Washington City Clerk pleads guilty to wire fraud for lengthy embezzlement schemeRead the Press Release
Tacoma – The former Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Morton in Lewis County pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to wire fraud in connection with her nine-year scheme to steal nearly $1 million from city coffers, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Tamara (Tammy) Clevenger served as the Clerk-Treasurer for Morton from 2012-2022. In 2024, an audit by the Washington State Auditor uncovered years of embezzlement totaling $937,584. Clevenger is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright on July 7, 2025.
According to records filed in the case, including the plea agreement, Clevenger used a variety of ways to steal funds. Between November 2015 and December 2021, she stole at least $311,727 of cash that citizens had brought in to pay for city services. In some instances, she would write a fraudulent city checks in the amount of cash she stole to conceal the theft of the cash. She also made unauthorized cash withdrawals with the Morton ATM card.
Between February 2013 and December 2021, Clevenger stole at least $625,857 by writing city checks to herself and depositing them in her bank account. Clevenger would use checks that had been pre-signed by the mayor for use in emergency situations. Clevenger used fake vendor invoices to make it appear the checks had been written for a service rendered to the city. Clevenger’s actions used interstate wires to commit the fraud with the transfer of funds between various bank accounts. One example is the transfer of $5,808 in funds from Washington to Umpqua bank servers located outside the state.
Following the audit, the City of Morton established new procedures so that no single person had control of the various banking functions.
Clevenger has agreed to make restitution to the City of Morton. She is receiving credit for some $8,626 that she deposited to city accounts via ATM machines.
The FBI and IRS worked with the Washington State Auditor’s Office on the criminal financial investigation.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to twenty years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a three-year prison term. Judge Cartwright is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law, after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McDowell
Former Middle School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Enticing A Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity and Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Italo Rafael Brett Bonini (25, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and one count of production of child sexual abuse material. Brett Bonini faces a minimum of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 30, 2025. Brett Bonini has agreed to forfeit a computer, which he used to commit the offenses. He has also agreed to pay restitution to the victims of his offense, as well as to any other identifiable minor victims targeted through his conduct.
According to the plea agreement, on January 12, 2025, Brett Bonini video chatted with two child victims in Maryland through an online communication platform. During that video chat, both child victims pulled down their pants, and one of the child victims complied with Brett Bonini’s request to display his genitals on screen. In messages from Brett Bonini to the victims, Brett Bonini offered currency in an online videogame in exchange for the victims to show their genitalia on screen.
The FBI executed a search warrant at Brett Bonini’s residence on February 4, 2025. Concurrent with the execution of the search warrant, the FBI interviewed Brett Bonini, who identified himself as a middle school teacher who also taught private music lessons to children. During that interview, Brett Bonini stated that his intention for joining the online communication platform was to have conversations and have fun sexually.
Evidence from the online chats revealed that Brett Bonini attempted to victimize at least 20 other children using the internet. Each chat with potential victims followed a similar pattern of Brett Bonini lying about his identity, making sexual advances, and attempting to have a video call with the children who identified themselves as minors.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Osceola County Sherriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police, and the Harford County Child Advocacy Center. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Cruz.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Accountant for Westmoreland County Business Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than $8 Million in Restitution for Lengthy Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay a total of more than $8 million in restitution on his conviction of fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and filing false income tax returns, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Jonathan A. Weston, 60, and ordered him to pay restitution of $6,870,128 to Hillandale Farms Co. and $1,216,176 to the Internal Revenue Service. Weston also was ordered to forfeit specific assets to the government which were derived from his illegal activities, including a 2008 Aston Martin, a 1933 Ford Model 40 Coupe, a condominium, and bank accounts.
According to information presented to the Court, from October 2005 to January 2019, Weston, as an accountant for Hillandale Farms Co. located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, engaged in a scheme with another employee to embezzle approximately $6.8 million dollars from the company, and then launder the stolen money through businesses they both controlled in order to purchase collectible cars, real estate, and various personal expenditures. Between 2013 and 2018, Weston also either failed to file or filed false federal personal income tax returns, including filing a false tax return in which he underreported more than $500,000 in stolen Hillandale monies.
“For more than a dozen years, the defendant took advantage of his role as an accountant for a profitable family farming business to defraud the company of nearly $7 million—and the Internal Revenue Service of more than $1 million—and then launder that money for his own personal and financial benefit,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rivetti. “We greatly appreciate the diligence of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation in bringing Weston to justice for his crimes and extensive embezzlement from a Westmoreland County business.”
“Jonathan Weston conspired to embezzle more than $6.8 million from his former employer over the course of a decade,” said Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. “He then laundered those stolen funds through the businesses he owned, including his candy stores, in the hope of disguising the source of that income. In addition, Jonathan Weston failed to report the embezzled and laundered funds as income on his tax returns. These are serious crimes and IRS-CI will aggressively pursue anyone who commits them.”
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended IRS-CI for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Weston.
Final defendant sentenced in DMV area dogfighting ringRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A North Carolina man was sentenced yesterday to two years and three months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.
According to court documents, from at least March 2015 through December 2022, Charles Reginald McDougald, aka “Luke” and “Bottom Boy,” 55, and other conspirators from Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and North Carolina used a messaging app private group referred to as "The DMV Board" or "The Board," to discuss training fighting dogs, exchange videos about dogfighting, and arrange and coordinate dog fights.
Members of the DMV Board also used the app to compare methods of killing dogs that lost fights, circulate media reports about conspirators who had been caught by law enforcement, and discuss ways to avoid being caught. McDougald posted multiple offers to arrange dogfights for thousands of dollars per fight.
McDougald’s sentencing follows the convictions of 19 of his fellow members of the DMV Board.
On Dec. 22, 2017, Rodriguez Norman, aka “Tough Love,” 31, of Washington, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On April 6, 2018, Norman was sentenced to nine years in prison for bank fraud, cigarette, and identity theft charges, and an additional year for the dogfighting conspiracy.
On April 28, 2021, Carlos Harvey, aka “Roc9,” of King George, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On Dec. 10, 2021, Harvey was sentenced to six months in prison.
On Nov. 4, 2022, Charles Edward Williams, III, aka “Never Say Never,” 50, of Capital Heights, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On Feb. 21, 2023, Williams was sentenced to two years in prison.
On Nov. 9, 2022, Michael Roy Hilliard, aka “No Dayz Off,” 38, of Fort Washington, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On March 1, 2023, Hilliard was sentenced to six months in prison.
On Nov. 10, 2022, Laron West, aka “Frog” and “Get Sick,” 46, of Forestville, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. West was murdered on Feb. 12, 2023, prior to sentencing.
On Nov. 29, 2022, Derek Aaron Garcia, aka “Fatal Attraction,” 40, of Woodbridge, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On March 7, 2023, Garcia was sentenced to 10 days in prison.
On Nov. 29, 2022, Ricardo Glen Thorne, aka “Rip,” 53, of Camp Springs, Maryland, pled guilty to advertising an animal for use in an animal fighting venture. On March 7, 2023, Thorne was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.
On June 16, 2023, Tarry Jeron Wilson, aka “Tejai” and “City Limits,” 39, of Warsaw, Virginia, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On June 20, 2023, Wilson was sentenced to two years in prison.
On March 18, 2024, Eldridge Jackson, aka “Big Head” and “4B,” 48, of Temple Hills, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On June 18, 2024, Jackson was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
On March 21, 2024, Bashawn Allen, aka “425,” 35, of Trenton, New Jersey, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On June 18, 2024, Allen was sentenced to a year and six months in prison.
On March 21, 2024, Larry Alston, aka “Big Goon,” 49, of Windsor Mills, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On June 18, 2024, Alston was sentenced to two years in prison.
On March 21, 2024, Dandre Wallace, aka “Abstract,” 47, of Laurel, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On June 18, 2024, Wallace was sentenced to two years in prison.
On March 22, 2024, Isaac Weathersby, aka “Big Fist” 43, of High Point, North Carolina, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On June 18, 2024, Weathersby was sentenced to a year and nine months in prison.
On March 28, 2024, Charles Davis, aka “Cat Daddy” and “Deep in the Game,” 44, of Woodbridge, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On July 2, 2024, Davis was sentenced to 60 days in prison.
On April 8, 2024, Mark Rodriguez, aka “Slow Poke,” of Stafford, was convicted at trial of conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On July 2, 2024, Rodriguez was sentenced to 14 days in jail.
On May 28, 2024, Kevin Jackson, aka “4B1,” 47, of White Plains, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On Sept. 6, 2024, Jackson was sentenced to 10 days in prison.
On Aug. 6, 2024, Elijah Loatman, aka “Nephew the Genius,” 33, of Elkton, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On Nov. 8, 2024, Loatman was sentenced to 30 days in prison.
On July 23, 2024, Mario Flythe, aka “the Barber,” 50, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in the District of Maryland to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture and interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise. On Jan. 23, 2025, Flythe was sentenced to six months in prison.
On Aug. 22, 2024, Frederick Moorfield, aka “Geehad,” 64, of Arnold, Maryland, pled guilty in the District of Maryland to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture and interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise. On Dec. 12, 2024, Moorefield was sentenced to a year and six months in prison.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and Vanessa K. Strobbe 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 Nos. 1:22-cr-154 and 1:23-cr-176.
Final Sentencing Announced in Multi-State Mail and Bank Fraud Conspiracy Involving Postal WorkersRead the Press Release
Montgomery, AL – Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the final sentencing in a wide-ranging conspiracy involving eight defendants convicted of wire, bank, and mail fraud. The convictions stem from an investigation into widespread mail theft and check fraud, which included the earlier prosecutions of two Montgomery-area postal workers.
On May 6, 2025, 25-year-old Hunter Hudson, Jr., also known as “Hunnid K,” from Montgomery, Alabama, received a sentence of 92 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire, bank, and mail fraud. Hudson was identified as a manager within the conspiracy and based on his conduct, caused an intended loss amount of more than $1.5 million. He was ordered to pay $987,883.50 in restitution and to forfeit $91,020.41.
The conspiracy, which took place between 2022 and 2024, involved the theft and alteration of checks that were then deposited into numerous fraudulent bank accounts. Part of the conspiracy was coordinated through a group chat titled “Fraud Academy,” as named by one of the conspirators.
The other individuals involved in the conspiracy previously received the following sentences:
- Brandon Michael Gage, 27, also from Montgomery, was sentenced to 135 months in prison. He was also identified as a manager within the conspiracy, with an intended loss amount exceeding $550,000. Gage was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $65,000 in restitution.
- Joey Payne, 26, a resident of Opelika, Alabama, received a sentence of 108 months in prison. Like Hudson and Gage, Payne was also a manager in the scheme with an intended loss amount over $550,000. He was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay $101,556.97 in restitution.
- Reuben Kristian Brown, 26, another Montgomery resident, was sentenced to 87 months in prison. He acted as a manager in the conspiracy and had an intended loss amount of more than $1.5 million. Brown was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay $17,500 in restitution.
- Keenan Rashaad Watson, 26, also from Montgomery, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. A manager in the conspiracy, Watson was associated with an intended loss of over $550,000. He was fined $15,000.
- Kerry O’Shay Hawthorne, 26, another resident of Montgomery, received a sentence of 40 months in prison and was ordered to pay $49,008.95 in restitution.
- Ethan Alexander Brown, 23, a former bank teller from Montgomery, was sentenced to 34 months in prison. He was directly involved in depositing 61 altered checks worth more than $2 million. He was ordered to pay $973,692.05 in restitution to his employer.
- Destinie Janan James, 23, a resident of Auburn, Alabama, was sentenced to 22 months in prison. She was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $89,000 in restitution.
Although these sentences mark the conclusion of this indictment, the investigation is ongoing.
“This case demonstrates the serious consequences for those who exploit public institutions and financial systems for personal gain,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “Thanks to the dedication of our law enforcement partners, we were able to dismantle a complex criminal network and hold each participant accountable. We remain committed to pursuing those who defraud the public and threaten the integrity of our postal and banking systems.”
“These convictions are a testament to the dedication of the investigative and legal teams and should send a strong message to any employee who thinks of conspiring with others to steal mail and commit check fraud,” said Tammy Hull, Inspector General U.S. Postal Service. “Our special agents, working with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate these criminal activities, protecting the integrity of the Postal Service and the U.S. Mail.”
“The United States Postal Service is a vital and trusted institution,” said Timothy J. O’Malley, Acting Special Agent in Charge with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “Any attempt to exploit our postal or banking systems is a serious violation of the public’s trust. These actions will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Protecting the integrity of our postal and financial systems is essential and non-negotiable.”
“The sentencing in this case should serve notice to criminals that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to defending the nation’s mail system from unlawful activity,” said Shameka Jackson, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Houston Division. “I fully commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all of the law enforcement agencies involved, which resulted in bringing Hunter Hudson, Jr. and the other co-defendants to justice.”
This extensive investigation was led by the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, with Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuting the case.
Additional support was provided by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Montgomery Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Opelika Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Prattville Police Department, Harris County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, Meriwether County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Troopers, Venice (FL) Police Department, and the Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Federal Indictment Charges Three Alleged Members or Associates of Chicago Street Gang with Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Multiple Murders and CarjackingsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal superseding indictment returned today charges three alleged members or associates of a Chicago street gang with conspiring to commit multiple murders and carjackings in the city and suburbs.
EDSON RESENDEZ, MAVERICK CELA, and PREZILA APREZA committed the violence as part of their membership or association with the Spanish Gangster Disciples street gang, a criminal organization based on the Northwest Side of Chicago, according to a second superseding indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Cela was among the leaders of the gang, the indictment states. The indictment alleges that in furtherance of a racketeering conspiracy, Resendez, Cela, Apreza, and other gang members and associates committed three murders, two attempted murders, four carjackings, an attempted carjacking, and an act of arson. The violence occurred in a two-week period in 2020, the charges allege.
Resendez, 23, Cela, 24, and Apreza, 24, all of Chicago, are in law enforcement custody. Arraignments on the new superseding charges have not yet been scheduled.
The superseding indictment was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Skokie, Ill. Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Morton Grove, Ill. Police Department, and Berwyn, Ill. Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cornelius A. Vandenberg and Simar Khera.
“Combating the unacceptable level of gang violence in the Chicago area has been and will continue to be a top priority in our Office,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “As I mark my first 30 days as the United States Attorney, I want to emphasize that we are using every available federal law enforcement tool to bring impactful cases that hold violent gang members accountable and reduce violent crime.”
"The FBI is committed to eradicating neighborhood street gangs and the violence unleashed in our communities,” said FBI Chicago SAC DePodesta. “This investigation is just one of many cases worked by FBI Chicago’s Violent Crime Task Force along with our dedicated Task Force Officers (TFOs) and local law enforcement partners. We remain united in using all available resources to ensure that groups like these can no longer harm Chicago’s residents.”
The second superseding indictment in 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 Neighborhoods (PSN).
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
resendez_et_al_second_superseding_indictment.pdfFederal Charges Unsealed Related to Kidnapping of Garner FamilyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Three Raleigh-based individuals appeared in federal court today to face charges for kidnapping a mother and toddler from their Garner, North Carolina home. Eleodoro Estrada-Hernandez, age 37, and siblings Paola Duran Duran, age 25, and Miguel Duran Duran, age 23, are charged in federal criminal complaints with kidnapping and aiding and abetting. The complaints were unsealed today at the defendants’ initial appearances. Their federal detention hearings are scheduled for May 12, 2025.
The federal criminal complaints allege that Paola, Miguel (wearing a ski mask) and Hernandez (wearing a ski mask and armed with a semi-automatic handgun) forcibly entered a home in Garner on the evening of April 28, 2025. Inside the home was a husband and wife and their 13-month-old child. The complaints allege that Hernandez and Miguel overpowered the husband, taped his hands behind his back and covered his eyes and mouth, and then demanded $1 million. Miguel and Paola forced the mother and toddler out the back door of the house and into a car, according to the complaints. Hernandez left the house a short time later. Once alone, the complaints allege that the husband was able to free himself and call police. He provided law enforcement with a description of a car he believed the kidnappers were driving.
Police issued an Amber Alert, and a short time later, the complaint alleges that the kidnappers dropped the mother and child off on a dirt road approximately 30 miles away from their house. The victims were able to walk to a nearby house and contact police and were returned home safely.
The FBI arrested Paola and Miguel on April 29, 2025. They have been detained since that date on related state charges. The FBI arrested Hernandez on May 2, 2025. According to information presented in court today, all three defendants are allegedly illegally present in the United States.
“These significant federal charges result from the prompt response of law enforcement and demonstrate the close partnership between all of the agencies involved,” Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar stated today. “Investigating and prosecuting violent crimes like those alleged in the complaints will remain a top priority for our office.”
“When our partners at the Garner Police Department requested FBI assistance with a kidnapping, we surged resources from across the state in the middle of the night. Alongside local and state partners, a fast-moving and complex case unfolded. Through the combination of investigative technology, tactics, and tools, thankfully the victims were recovered safely. The FBI will continue to support our partners and work towards justice for innocent victims caught up in violent criminal actions,” said Robert M. DeWitt, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
Eleodoro Estrada-Hernandez, Paola Duran Duran and Miguel Duran Duran are all charged with Kidnapping and Aiding and Abetting. All three face a maximum punishment of life in prison if convicted.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The FBI Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Garner Police Department, NC State Bureau of Investigation, and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Avera is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case Nos.5:25-MJ-1559 and 5:25‐MJ‐1571.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Fayette County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Daemien Thompson, 39, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Thompson admitted to conspiring with other individuals to obtain methamphetamine and distribute it within the Southern District of West Virginia from on or about November 27, 2022, until on or about December 6, 2023.
On November 27, 2022, Thompson and a co-conspirator sold 446 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $2,600. Thompson admitted to the transaction and further admitted that his co-conspirators sold methamphetamine to the same confidential informant on other occasions, usually in quantities of 1 pound or more, at various locations including an Oak Hill trailer park. As part of his guilty plea, Thompson admitted to being involved in controlled buys of high-purity methamphetamine on December 5, 2022, December 14, 2022, and February 2, 2023, with a total amount of approximately 2.59 pounds of actual methamphetamine.
Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine.
Thompson is among four individuals indicted by a federal grand jury on charges alleging they participated in the drug trafficking conspiracy. All four pleaded guilty. Phillip Gray, 41, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8, 2025. Leondus Whittenburg, 43, of Beckley, pleaded guilty on March 3, 2025, to distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 3, 2025. John Gray, 39, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty on September 24, 2024, to distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine and awaits sentencing.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and Brian D. Parsons and former Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Andrew D. Isabell have prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-31.
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Farmington Resident Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor as Part of DOJ/FBI Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Farmington, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal laws regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Nathan Fike, 40, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the Court, on or about October 4, 2023, Fike distributed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. The government further alleges that, on or about February 9, 2024, Fike knowingly possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. The Indictment occurred in connection with Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated, nationwide enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators that, as announced today by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders over a five-day period. The coordinated effort was executed by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorneys’ Offices around the country (read the Operation Restore Justice news release here).
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney DeMarr W. Moulton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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 CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
East Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge related to the sexual exploitation of minors and admitted to violating the conditions of supervised release from a previous conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Richard Snyder, 54, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from on or about July 15, 2023, until August 3, 2023, Snyder knowingly possessed and accessed with intent to view on social media visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, the Court was advised that Snyder violated the conditions of his supervised release (imposed in 2012 upon a conviction for receipt of child pornography) by committing the instant offense.
Judge Colville scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, Snyder remains detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Snyder.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Eagle River man sentenced for trafficking firearms from Alaska to California criminalsRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Eagle River man was sentenced yesterday to two and a half years in prison and is required to serve three years on supervised release and 120 hours of community service for legally purchasing firearms in Alaska and trafficking them to Sacramento, California, where they ended up in the hands of gang members and felons.
According to court documents, between February 2021 and April 2022, Cornelius Smith, 34, purchased 28 firearms from private parties and federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) in Alaska.
For any purchase from an FFL, federal law requires the purchaser fill out a Form 4473 generated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This form explains what it means to be the “actual transferee/buyer” of a firearm.
In June 2021 alone, Smith purchased 17 firearms from FFLs in Alaska. Each time, Smith affirmed he was the actual transferee/buyer, meaning he was not purchasing the firearms on someone else’s behalf.
Smith then travelled to Sacramento, declaring that he was carrying “shooting equipment.” Ten days later, one of the firearms Smith purchased in June was recovered near Sacramento. In total, 14 of the 28 firearms Smith purchased have been recovered in California, nearly all during criminal investigations in the Sacramento area, including investigations of attempted homicides, robberies and gang-affiliated shootings. Many of the recovered firearms were modified with large capacity magazines and/or automatic firing capabilities. The remaining 14 have yet to be located.
During the conduct period, Smith received around $9,000 total in payments from various Sacramento-based family members and associates. The payments often corresponded to the price Smith paid for the firearms.
In April 2022, law enforcement searched Smith’s home in Alaska and located dozens of empty gun boxes with serial numbers correlating to the firearms Smith purchased in 2021, but none of those firearms were located in Smith’s home.
Smith was indicted on Feb. 23, 2024, and convicted on Nov. 1, 2024, on 11 of 12 counts of firearms trafficking following a five-day trial by jury in Anchorage.
“Mr. Smith deliberately purchased firearms in Alaska for the sole purpose of illegally trafficking them to prohibited individuals in California, and those firearms directly contributed to gun and gang violence in and around the Sacramento area,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “Let this conviction and sentence highlight that the straw purchase of firearms in Alaska - especially for the purpose of supplying the firearms to violent criminals - will be prosecuted. I want to thank the ATF and our law enforcement partners in California for their work on investigating this complex case.”
“This investigation exemplifies ATF’s commitment to aggressively pursue and disrupt the flow of firearms to criminals. To date, 14 of the 28 firearms trafficked by Mr. Smith have been recovered in violent crimes ranging from attempted murder, armed robbery, and gang-related retaliatory shootings, with many in the possession of federally prohibited persons at the time of recovery. Sadly, Mr. Smith’s reckless actions may be felt for years to come as many of the firearms he trafficked have yet to be recovered,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “His callous disregard for laws and lack of moral conduct earned him this sentence. This should send a message that if you traffic in firearms, you will be investigated, caught, and charged.”
The ATF Anchorage Field Office, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol, Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, Folsom Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Daly City Police Department, Vacaville Police Department and Citrus Heights Police Department, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ainsley McNerney and Jennifer Ivers prosecuted the case.
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Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Yonelin Manuel Baez Soto, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Aug. 6, 2025. Baez Soto was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in March 2025.
In November 2020, Baez Soto was removed from the United States after being convicted of a felony narcotics offense in Essex Superior Court, as well as multiple counts of misuse of a Social Security number and aggravated identity theft in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Sometime after his November 2020 removal, Baez Soto illegally reentered the United States without permission.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cutshall of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national, residing in Dorchester, pleaded guilty on May 1, 2025, in federal court in Boston to illegal reentry charges.
Axel Aguasvivas-Martinez, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs scheduled sentencing for June 3, 2025.
In March 2024, Aguasvivas-Martinez was previously charged by criminal complaint with unlawful reentry of a deported alien and was indicted on April 17, 2025. The offense occurred on or about Nov. 23, 2021. Aguasvivas-Martinez was previously removed to the Dominican Republic on Jan. 5, 2016.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland, sitting by designation from the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, has sentenced Jamal Dixon (23, Ruskin) to nine years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Dixon pleaded guilty on December 10, 2024. The court also ordered Dixon to forfeit the firearm.
According to court documents, on April 4, 2024, deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office conducted surveillance at a location in Tampa to locate and arrest Dixon on an outstanding warrant. Dixon exited a residence, placed a backpack in a vehicle, then ran from deputies when they approached the vehicle. While fleeing, Dixon dropped a Glock pistol with an extended magazine. After finding Dixon hiding underneath another vehicle parked in a nearby driveway, deputies retrieved and searched the backpack and found over 450 grams of marijuana, digital scales, and a large quantity of plastic baggies. The pistol had been reported stolen and the magazine recovered from the firearm had the capacity to store up to 22 rounds of ammunition.
Dixon, having previously been convicted of felony offenses for discharging a firearm in public and for possession of controlled substances with intent to sell or deliver, is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sinacore.
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.
Charlotte Man Sentenced to Prison for Mail Theft and Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Montavius Hancock, 29, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States (mail theft and unlawful possession of a USPS arrow key) and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Hancock pleaded guilty to these offenses on August 21, 2024.
Rodney Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), which oversees North Carolina, Jeff Krafels, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General (USPS-OIG) for the Mid-Atlantic Area Field Office (MAAFO), which overseas Charlotte, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement.
According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, on January 13, 2024, Hancock was observed stealing U.S. mail from a business park in Charlotte using an “arrow key,” which is a master key used by the U.S. Postal Service. CMPD officers responded to the scene and attempted to stop Hancock’s vehicle as he fled the area. After Hancock was taken into custody, CMPD officers searched his vehicle where they recovered stolen mail from several locations around Charlotte. The face value of the checks contained within the stolen mail was over $400,000.
Hancock was also sentenced today for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after he was charged under a separate criminal indictment. Court records show that on December 22, 2023, CMPD officers arrested Hancock for possessing a Smith and Wesson, model M&P Shield EZ, 9 mm pistol with an obliterated serial number. Hancock has previous felony convictions, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the USPIS, USPS-OIG and CMPD for their investigation and recognized the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for its invaluable assistance with the firearm investigation.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kinlaw with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte handled the prosecution.
To report suspected mail theft, and other mail-related crimes, tips, or incidents go to https://mailtheft.uspis.gov/ or call USPIS at 1-877-876-2455. Call 911 to report an active crime in progress.
Charleston Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Crime and Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Tyrece Ramone Phillips, 39, of Charleston, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and for violating supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 3, 2024, law enforcement officers intercepted a United States Postal Service package addressed to Phillips’ Charleston residence. Investigators obtained and executed a search warrant for the package, and found it continued approximately 538 grams of a substance containing fentanyl.
Investigators removed the fentanyl substance from the seized package and replaced it with a sham substance. Investigators conducted a controlled delivery of the package to Phillips’ residence on October 4, 2024. The package remained unopened on the front porch of the residence until Phillips arrived later that day. Phillips took the package inside his residence and immediately began to open the package. Investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and found Phillips with the sham substance from the package in his hands in an upstairs bathroom. Investigators also found a scale with residue in the residence during the search. Three teenage children, who also lived at the residence, were present in the house when Phillips was handling the package.
At the time of this offense, Phillips was serving a term of supervised release resulting from his conviction on March 20, 2019, for distribution of a quantity of acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl. Phillips was sentenced to two years in prison for committing a crime while on supervised release, to run concurrently with today’s sentence of 12 years in prison.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney J. Parker Bazzle II prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-177.
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Calloway County Kentucky Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison and Ordered to Pay $1,470,000 in Restitution for Defrauding EmployerRead the Press Release
Paducah, KY – A Calloway County, Kentucky woman was sentenced this week to 2 years and 1 month in federal prison for six counts of wire fraud.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Louisville Field Office made the announcement.
Amanda S. Robertson, 34, was sentenced to 2 years and 1 month in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for six counts of wire fraud. According to court documents, between May 2020 and May 2023, Robertson was employed as a bookkeeper for a construction company in western Kentucky. She embezzled over $1,000,000 from her employer. She used the stolen money to finance the operations of several businesses that she owned and to pay personal expenses.
Robertson was also ordered to pay $1,470,000 in restitution.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the FBI Hopkinsville Satellite Office and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond McGee, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California man pleaded guilty on May 5, 2025 in federal court in Boston to additional charges involving the transportation of surreptitiously recorded videos of minors.
Jacob Guerrero,27, of Woodland, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of transporting child pornography arising from conduct occurring in the Summer of 2019 in New Jersey. U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for July 23, 2025.
In July 2019, on a trip with his then girlfriend’s family in New Jersey, Guerrero surreptitiously filmed minor members of his girlfriend’s family, including “Minor B,” who was then eight years old. Minor B was recorded unclothed in the shower in two videos found on Guerrero’s phone.
This case arose following an investigation into allegations that Guerrero, while dressed in a wig and women’s clothing, attempted to surreptitiously record minor females in bathrooms and changing rooms at the Wrentham Outlets in Massachusetts using pen cameras affixed to his shoes. State charges arising from that incident were dismissed when Guerrero was charged in U.S. District Court.
Guerrero was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint with sexually exploiting a Massachusetts child in the Spring of 2021. In August 2024 Guerrero pleaded guilty to that offense.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
Pursuant to the plea agreements in both matters, Guerrero faces a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison. The charge of transporting child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division: and Wrentham Police Chief William McGrath made the announcement today. Special assistance was provided by the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady, Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Cabell County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Henry Rogers, 65 of Barboursville, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 17, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Rogers on U.S. Route 19 in the Birch River area of Nicholas County. As part of his guilty plea, Rogers admitted that he possessed a controlled substance containing methamphetamine seized by officers during the traffic stop. Rogers further admitted that officers executed a search warrant of his vehicle following that seizure and found an additional quantity of methamphetamine and a .380-caliber pistol in the trunk.
Rogers is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney D. Keith Randolph is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-80.
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Brooke County Man Sentenced to Decade in Prison for Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Harry Fred Wells, age 54, of Follansbee, West Virginia, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Wells came to the attention of investigators after he pursued inappropriate communications with a minor through social media. During the investigation, a search of Wells' home and phone revealed that Wells possessed child pornography depicting children under the age of 12.
Wells will serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
The Department of Homeland Security investigated the matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Tuesday 6 May 2025
Union County Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for $900,000 COVID-19 Relief Program FraudRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey man was sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Joseph McKeon a/k/a “Jay McKeon,” 54, of Westfield, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty on November 19, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Judge Neals imposed the sentence in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From February 2021 through February 2022, McKeon submitted fraudulent PPP loan and forgiveness applications for $900,000 on behalf of a New Jersey company he owned. In support of those applications, McKeon lied about the number of employees the business employed and the income the employees earned. McKeon also submitted forged documents, including fake payroll information, bank statements, tax return documents. After the victim lender funded the loan, McKeon withdrew a significant amount of the loan proceeds as cash and made several large transfers between bank accounts, including one transfer for $315,503.75, that was sent to an Indiana title company.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Neals sentenced McKeon to 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $900,000 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connely; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney, with the investigation that led to the sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Bleiberg of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Defense Counsel: Joshua Nahum, Esq., of New Jersey
U.S. Attorney Announces Amanda Houle as Chief of SDNY Criminal DivisionRead the Press Release
Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today announced Amanda Houle as Chief of the Office’s Criminal Division.
Ms. Houle returns to the Office from the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where she was a partner. From 2015 to 2023, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York and served, from 2020 to 2021, as Chief of the Narcotics Unit, and from 2021 to 2023, as Chief of the National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Amanda has also served in public service as a law clerk to the Honorable Denny Chin in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to the Honorable Cathy Seibel in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Amanda received her B.A. from Barnard College and her J.D. from Fordham University.
In announcing this selection, Jay Clayton said: “I’m thrilled to announce Amanda as Chief of the Criminal Division, and the Office is thrilled to have her return. During her prior tenure at SDNY, Amanda distinguished herself as an exceptional trial lawyer, a standout case maker, and a devoted colleague and public servant. She led some of the Office’s most significant cases against terrorists, cartel leaders and their money launderers, sex traffickers, violent gang members, and those seeking to evade economic sanctions critical to protecting our national security. Throughout her time in Government service and private practice, Amanda has been known to all as a dynamic and strategic advocate, a consummate professional, and a steady hand. Amanda’s talents are matched by her love of the Office and deep commitment to the mission of protecting the public with our law enforcement partners. She will make an outstanding leader of the Criminal Division, and we are grateful to have her return to serve.”
Two Indian Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking More Than 100 Pounds of CocaineRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – Gurpinder Singh, 30, and Gursharn Singh, 25, both citizens of India, have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Knepp. Both defendants pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents, on Oct. 3, 2023, a U.S. Border Patrol agent and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers observed a semi-tractor trailer truck parked for an unusually extended amount of time at a travel plaza in Wood County off Interstate 280. Upon the verification of the truck’s displayed U.S. Department of Transportation numbers, they learned that one of the numbers had a previous association with drug trafficking and was therefore not authorized to haul interstate commerce. Officers then began to conduct surveillance on the truck. The following day, the truck was observed being relocated to a second travel plaza also located along Interstate 280, where it again remained parked for an extended period of time. Because authorities observed the truck being stationary for a total of over 24 hours at two different travel plazas, they proceeded to contact the DEA Toledo Field Office for assistance. Agents then had a consensual encounter with the two defendants associated with the truck. During the encounter, Gurpinder Singh denied being parked at the previous location where the truck was observed the day before.
A border patrol agent then deployed a K-9 partner near the defendants’ truck. The K-9 conducted an exterior sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics on the passenger side of the truck. Officers then conducted a probable cause search of the truck and found several duffel bags with kilogram-sized packages of suspected cocaine. Two of the packages yielded a positive field test result for cocaine. The remaining substances were submitted to the DEA crime laboratory for analysis. Lab tests conducted on the substances yielded a net result of 49.9 kilograms of powder cocaine.
Upon further investigation, federal agents discovered that the defendants lacked legal status in the United States. They will be subject to removal from the United States upon the completion of their sentences.
This case was investigated by the DEA Task Force of Toledo Field Office in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Border Patrol Sandusky Bay Station.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank H. Spryszak for the Northern District of Ohio.
Trenton Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Possessing Ammunition in Connection with a ShootingRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Mercer County man was sentenced to 84 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition in connection with a Trenton shooting, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Rashon Lawery, 27, of Trenton, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to an Indictment charging him with unlawful possession of twenty-six rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On May 23, 2022, members of the Trenton Police Department responded to a report of a shooting. Three individuals were shot, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, and law enforcement recovered six 9-millimeter shell casings at the scene. During a foot pursuit through a Trenton park, which eventually lead to his arrest, Lawery discarded a 9-millimeter unserialized semiautomatic pistol (a ghost gun) with a high-capacity 32-round magazine, which was loaded with twenty rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition. The six recovered shell casings from the shooting scene were later confirmed by a ballistics laboratory to have been discharged from Lawery’s gun.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Castner sentenced Lawery to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Satellite Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr., officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Steve E. Wilson, and detectives and prosecutors of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, for their work on this case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
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Defense counsel: Andrea G. Aldana, Esq., Trenton
Three CBP Officers Indicted for Allowing Undocumented Individuals to Enter the U.S. Through Their Inspection Lanes; Two Accused of Taking BribesRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Farlis Almonte, Ricardo Rodriguez and Kairy Stephania Quiñonez are charged in an indictment with allowing vehicles with undocumented individuals to pass through their lanes into the U.S. without inspection while working at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
The indictment alleges that Almonte, Rodriguez, and Quiñonez revealed their lane assignments and hours they were scheduled to work the primary inspection booths at the San Ysidro Port of Entry so that co-conspirators would know when it was safe to transport undocumented individuals across the border with impunity - sometimes using code words to gain admittance.
According to the indictment, the defendants falsely reported in the Transportation Enforcement Communications System – a database known as “TECS” that is used by CBP officers - the number of occupants in co-conspirators’ vehicles to conceal the fact that those vehicles contained undocumented individuals.
Almonte and Rodriguez are also charged with receipt of bribes by a public official. The indictment alleges that in exchange for money, they failed to enforce the immigration laws of the United States by allowing vehicles with undocumented immigrants to enter the United States.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco Nagel and Bianca Calderon-Peñaloza.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 25-CR-1502
Farlis Almonte Age: 38 San Diego, California
Ricardo Rodriguez Age: 34 Tijuana, Mexico
Kairy Stephania Quiñonez Age: 31 Imperial Beach, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGE
Conspiracy to Bring in Aliens for Financial Gain – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371 and Title 8, U.S.C. Section 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii)
Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison
Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain, Aiding and Abetting - Title 8, U.S.C. Section 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii) and Title 18, U.S.C. Section 2
Maximum Penalty: Fifteen years in prison with a five-year mandatory minimum
Receipt of Bribes by Public Official - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 201(b)(2)(C)
Maximum Penalty: Fifteen years in prison
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General
Homeland Security Investigations
Drug Enforcement Administration
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations
United States Border Patrol
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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).