Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
7 May 2025
Rapid City Man Sentenced to over Four Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm While a FelonRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 5, 2025.
James Ladeaux, Jr., 35, was sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Ladeaux was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025.
In July 2024, law enforcement observed Ladeaux driving a vehicle and failing to stop at a stop sign. When law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Ladeaux drove off at a high rate of speed and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit ended when a tire came off the vehicle Ladeaux was driving. Ladeaux fled on foot but was ultimately apprehended by law enforcement. Officers located a firearm and ammunition in Ladeaux’s vehicle. Ladeaux was previously convicted of a felony, making it unlawful for him to possess the firearm and ammunition.
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.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.
Ladeaux was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rapid City Man Sentenced to 34 Months in Federal Prison for Being a Drug User in Possession of a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 5, 2025.
Jeremy Highhorse, 19, was sentenced to two years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Highhorse was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession of a Stolen Firearm by a federal grand jury in October 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025.
In April 2024, law enforcement received a report of shots fired. Highhorse was the driver of a vehicle that matched descriptions of a vehicle seen speeding away after shots were fired. Law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop of the vehicle Highhorse was driving. Instead of pulling over, Highhorse led law enforcement on a high-speed car chase. When the car came to a stop, Highhorse was arrested, and inside the vehicle was a firearm. Highhorse discharged this firearm that day, and he had come into possession of the firearm by stealing it. The vehicle Highhorse was driving was reported stolen by the same person he stole the firearm from. Highhorse was using controlled substances that day as well. It is unlawful to possess a firearm as an active user of controlled substances.
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.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.
Highhorse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Randolph County Man Admits to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Gary Duane Cool, age 41, of Monterville, West Virginia, has admitted to possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Cool crashed his car in Valley Head, West Virginia and fled the accident on foot. A witness reported Cool dropped some items in a nearby yard. Officers recovered a backpack with nearly 500 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm.
Cool is facing at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Mountain Region Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Ryan Keith Bailey, 47, of Beaver, pleaded guilty today to theft of government money. Bailey obtained $2,166,517.40 in loans through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for his business and instead converted nearly all of the proceeds for his personal use.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 20, 2020, Bailey applied for a $166,517.40 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan available under the CARES Act on behalf of his business, RKB Inc. Guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), PPP loans were a source of emergency financial assistance provided by the CARES Act to Americans suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bailey certified that he would use the PPP loan proceeds only for permissible expenses, specifically to maintain payroll and cover lease, mortgage interest and utility costs. Bailey’s PPP loan application was approved and the $166,517.40 was deposited in the business checking account for RKB Inc. on May 1, 2020.
On November 30, 2020, Bailey certified that the PPP loan proceeds were used only on permissible expenses when he applied to have RKB Inc.’s loan forgiven. Loan forgiveness was allowed under the PPP program when proceeds went solely to eligible purposes. The SBA ultimately forgave $157,456.50 of the $166,517.40 PPP loan for RKB Inc.
As part of his guilty plea, Bailey admitted that his certifications were false and that only $6,517 of the PPP loan proceeds were spent for RKB Inc.’s legitimate business expenses. Between April 2020 and May 19, 2020, Bailey transferred $160,000 of the PP loan proceeds to his personal bank accounts and a personal brokerage account, using those proceeds for his personal benefit.
Bailey also admitted to relevant criminal conduct as part of his guilty plea. Bailey obtained an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for RKB Inc. from the SBA on January 6, 2021, and later successfully applied several times to increase its amount from $150,000 to the maximum allowable amount of $2,000,000. The CARES Act authorized the SBA to provide EIDL program loans of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bailey admitted that he transferred over $1,974,900 of the EIDL proceeds to his personal bank accounts, his personal brokerage account and a cryptocurrency exchange platform for his own personal benefit.
Bailey is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Bailey also owes at least $2,219,163.97 in restitution, with a final amount to be determined by the Court.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG), the United States Secret Service, the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU).
NASA OIG is an active member of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending, including spending via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help OIGs and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is prosecuting the case.
The United States filed a parallel civil action against Bailey and RKB Inc. and a civil complaint for forfeiture. The lawsuit seeks damages and civil penalties, alleging violations of the False Claims Act and Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act and unjust enrichment based upon Bailey’s receipt of the PPP and EIDL proceeds. The forfeiture action targets $1,348,249.81 in Bailey’s bank and brokerage accounts. Both cases are pending in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to 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.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:24-cr-106 (criminal), 5:24-cv-456 (civil) and 5:23-cv-406 (forfeiture).
###
Prince George’s Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Laurel BusinessRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Clarence Antonio Lynch, 22, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to Interference with Interstate Commerce by Robbery and Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the plea with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office, and Chief Malik Aziz, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).
According to the guilty plea, on August 4, 2023, Lynch — who was driving a dark-colored sports utility vehicle — traveled to a convenience store (Business-1), located in Laurel, Maryland, with the intention of robbing it. He was armed with at least one firearm.
Lynch entered the store and used physical restraint to force an agent and employee (Victim-1) of Business-1 into an office by pulling Victim-1 by his collar and breaking his necklace. Then Lynch used a hydraulic tool to forcefully open the store’s automated teller machine (ATM). Lynch took $65,780 in cash from the ATM’s trays. He also took Victim-1 into the store office and used a firearm to take $6,940 in cash from the office along with $11,852 in cigarettes. Both the cash and cigarettes were property of Business-1, and the ATM cash was also property of a financial institution.
Lynch faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and a maximum of life in federal prison followed by up to five years of supervised release for these offenses. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby scheduled sentencing for September 2, 2025, at 1 p.m.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and PGPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Rosenthal and William Moomau who are prosecuting the case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
# # #
Previously Convicted Violent Offender Sentenced to 18 1/2-Year Prison Term for November 2023 Shooting in Northeast D.C.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jerry Tyree, 46, of the District, was sentenced May 6, 2025, to 18 1/2 years* in prison for shooting the victim once in the genitals on Nov. 29, 2023 in the 5900 block of Foote Street NE, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Tyree was found guilty in September 2024 by a D.C. Superior Court jury of aggravated assault while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and attempted possession of liquid PCP. Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur also ordered eight years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, the defendant met the victim at the intersection of Eastern Avenue, NE and Foote Street, NE shortly before 2:00 p.m., on Nov. 29, 2023. The two engaged in a consensual sexual encounter in a nearby building shortly thereafter. Tyree then accused the victim of robbing him, and when the victim denied doing so, the defendant pulled out a small silver handgun and shot the victim directly in the genitals. Tyree then fled the scene. Police were called by a neighbor and the victim was transported to the hospital, where the victim underwent multiple surgeries.
A month later, on Dec. 30, 2023, the defendant was arrested in possession of that same small silver handgun less than a mile from the shooting and in possession of several vials, including one that was partially filled with suspected PCP. Tyree was identified as the shooter from Nov. 29, 2023, based on an identification procedure, ballistics evidence, and DNA evidence connecting him to the scene.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Cocuzza and Daniel Bromwich, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
*Based on the defendant’s prior convictions, including for voluntary manslaughter, the defendant was subject to a sentencing enhancement under D.C. law, which increased his mandatory minimum sentence to 10 years of incarceration and his statutory maximum sentence to 30 years of incarceration.
Poughkeepsie Gang Member Sentenced to 34 Years in Prison for June 2020 Murder of 16-Year-Old and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ELIJAH BERMUDEZ, a/k/a “Quiet,” was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román to 34 years in prison in connection with his criminal activities as a member of the violent gang Bully Hard Hunna Blood (“Bully Hard”) for racketeering and firearms offenses. As part of his participation in the Bully Hard racketeering conspiracy, on June 20, 2020, BERMUDEZ stabbed a teenager and shot and killed a second teenager: 16-year-old bystander Frederick Wells, known to his friends and family as “Khabir.” BERMUDEZ’s murder of Wells arose out of a dispute between Bully Hard gang members and members of a rival set of Bloods called the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation (“Gorilla Stone”), which led to, three months later, a retaliatory September 21, 2020, broad daylight murder of a second minor victim, 15-year-old Jalani Jones, in Poughkeepsie. Previously, Gorilla Stone leader Brandon Soto was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in planning and ordering the retaliatory September 21, 2020, murder of Jones. BERMUDEZ previously pled guilty on July 9, 2024, before Judge Román.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “Elijah Bermudez murdered Frederick Wells, an innocent 16-year-old bystander who spent his last moments running for his life, trying to escape Bermudez’s gunfire. Tragically, Wells lost his life for simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Today’s significant sentence holds Bermudez accountable for this senseless murder, as well as for his participation in the wide range of crimes committed by the Bully Hard gang, including Bermudez’s stabbing of a second teenage victim. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to relentlessly pursue any gangs who threaten the safety of New Yorkers.”
According to allegations in the Indictment and Information and statements made in public filings and public court proceedings:
From early 2020 to April 2022, BERMUDEZ was a member or associate of a racketeering enterprise known as Bully Hard, a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in, among other things, murder, robberies, narcotics trafficking, and fraud. Bully Hard operated in New York City and Upstate New York, including in Poughkeepsie. Members and associates of Bully Hard engaged in a series of violent disputes with rivals, as well as those within Bully Hard who they deemed disloyal. During these disputes, members and associates of Bully Hard committed murder, shootings, and assaults against their rivals. They also distributed heroin and marijuana.
On June 20, 2020, BERMUDEZ shot and killed 16-year-old bystander Wells in the vicinity of Charles Street in Poughkeepsie in furtherance of his membership in the Bully Hard racketeering enterprise. Specifically, on the night of June 20, 2020, BERMUDEZ and another member of Bully Hard (“Bully Hard Member-1”) got into a physical fight with members of Gorilla Stone, a rival set of Bloods. During the fight, Bully Hard Member-1 confronted a 17-year-old Gorilla Stone member (“Gorilla Stone Member-1”). At the time, Gorilla Stone Member-1 was standing with Wells, who was Gorilla Stone Member-1’s friend from school, was not in a gang, and was a bystander to the altercation. BERMUDEZ then stabbed Gorilla Stone Member-1, picked up Bully Hard Member-1’s gun, which had dropped to the ground, and shot Wells as Wells tried to run away. Wells was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head.
* * *
In addition to the prison term, BERMUDEZ, 32, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. On July 9, 2024, BERMUDEZ pled guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition, and one count of conspiracy to possess ammunition after a felony conviction.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force. Mr. Clayton also thanked the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department and Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the case.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David R. Felton, Courtney L. Heavey, Shiva H. Logarajah, and Kevin T. Sullivan are in charge of the prosecution.
Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine within the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid CityRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on May 6, 2025.
Phil Pond, age 42, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
A federal grand jury indicted Pond in January 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.
From 2022 to 2024, Pond and others conspired to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine in South Dakota. Some of the co-conspirators traveled to the Denver area, and/or acquired the methamphetamine locally from Pine Ridge and Rapid City. Pond knew some of this methamphetamine he was selling would be further distributed. Evidence presented at Pond’s sentencing established that he acted as the enforcer and used intimidation, force, and threats of violence against others to acquire money to satisfy their drug debts. Pond was a leader and organizer of the conspiracy and also provided methamphetamine to a person under the age of 21.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.
Pond was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on May 2, 2025.
Eugene Hunts Horse, age 29, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
A federal grand jury indicted Hunts Horse in May 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 17, 2025.
On February 24, 2024, the victim arrived at a residence in Wounded Knee and attempted to gain entry into the home. The victim knew the occupants of the trailer and wanted to get inside. A male from within the home assaulted the victim with a weapon and ushered him down the driveway away from the home. Hunts Horse arrived around the time the victim was being escorted down the driveway and used an object to strike the victim several times in the head and body. Hunts Horse, who believed the victim had assaulted his cousin with a hammer earlier in the evening, became enraged and developed the heat of passion necessary to take the life of another. After killing the victim, Hunts Horse learned the victim was not the person who attacked his cousin. The Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety responded to the residence and found the victim near the roadway and driveway of the residence with a large fracture to his skull. The victim was bleeding extensively from his head. The victim ultimately passed away from his head injury a short time after the officer arrived.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
Hunts Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Phoenix Man Sentenced to Prison for His Role in Online Romance ScamsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, 40, of Glendale, was sentenced on May 5, 2025, by United States District Judge John J. Tuchi to 17 months in prison. Ibhadore, a Nigerian citizen and lawful U.S. resident, previously pleaded guilty to Conspiring to Commit Structuring for his role in withdrawing over $500,000 in criminal proceeds from bank accounts, in amounts below federal reporting requirements to avoid detection by authorities.
Ibhadore served as a “money mule” in a criminal scheme by transferring fraud proceeds, in relatively small amounts, between fictitious bank accounts to avoid federal reporting requirements and detection. Specifically, Ibhadore used 24 bank accounts under multiple aliases to conceal and distribute funds obtained through online romance scams that were initiated by other individuals. Romance scams are online scams where criminals impersonate individuals to gain trust and affection from their victims, ultimately with the goal of stealing money. These scammers often build fake online profiles, engage in elaborate deception, and manipulate their victims to send them money under various pretexts, such as medical emergencies, travel expenses, or investments.
Between July 2019 and March 2020, Ibhadore deposited romance scam proceeds into accounts opened with false names and passports, then withdrew sums in amounts designed to avoid triggering financial institutions’ currency reporting requirements. Even after Ibhadore confirmed that the money he was depositing came from romance scams, he continued to withdraw large sums of cash in ways meant to evade federal reporting. Surveillance footage also captured him conducting transactions using fraudulent identities at major banks across Arizona.
The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation in this case. Kristen Brook and Raymond Woo, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-01392-PHX-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-072_Ibhadore# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Pennsylvania Woman Charged in D.C. with Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jamie Greer Spies, 24, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was arrested on May 2, 2025, and federally charged with distributing child sexual abuse materials.
The criminal complaint was announced today by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., FBI Special Agent in Chief Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Spies is charged with distribution of child pornography.
According to court documents, an undercover officer working with the MPD-FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force was monitoring an online group
where people meet to discuss and trade original images and videos of underage children. While in the group, an individual later identified as Spies messaged the undercover officer indicating that she was interested in images that portrayed the sexual abuse of young children.
Spies subsequently distributed multiple images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including the abuse of infants and toddlers.
This case is being investigated by the MPD-FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, Allentown Resident Agency. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Bond.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – James Evans, 35, of Horsham, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that sold large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in Monongalia County.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Evans traveled from the Philadelphia area to Monongalia County to sell controlled substances. During the execution of a search warrant on an apartment in Morgantown, officers found Evans asleep with a loaded pistol, three more stolen firearms, more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, more than 150 grams of fentanyl, and cocaine. Evans has prior drug and firearms convictions.
Evans will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
This case was investigated by the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. The task force consists of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office; the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; the Morgantown Police Department; the WVU Police Department; the Granville Police Department; and the Star City Police Department.
This investigation 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).
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Pendleton County Man Facing Child Pornography Charges as a part of Nationwide Initiative “Operation Restore Justice”Read the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jerry Lewis Ayres, age 55, of Franklin, West Virginia, was arrested on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography as a part of the nationwide effort Operation Restore Justice.
According to court documents, the West Virginia State Police, on a tip from the Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, opened an investigation into Ayres. On multiple occasions, Ayres downloaded child pornography depicting minors, some under the age of 12, in sexual acts and positions. Investigators searched Ayres’ home, phone, and computer and discovered nearly 1500 images. He is charged with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Ayres’ arrest is a part of the Department of Justice’s 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.
“As a nation, we are measured by how well we protect our most vulnerable citizens including our very young as well as our elderly populations,” stated Randolph J. Bernard, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. “Operation Restore Justice is a testament to our solemn duty to ensure that our children are safe from those who would exploit and abuse them. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to seek the most serious charges and severe penalties for those who commit these crimes.”
Ayres is facing at least five years and up to 20 years on the receipt count and facing up to 20 years on the possession count. He is currently being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Utt is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the West Virginia State Police are investigating.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office works with the FBI and other law enforcement to bring those who prey upon children to justice. In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 23 individuals with crimes involving sexual offenses against children, one of whom was sentenced this week to 10 years in prison for his crime. See the press release here: www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/brooke-county-man-sentenced-decade-prison-child-pornography-charge
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 FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the tiplines at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Passaic County Man Sentenced to 48 Months’ Imprisonment for Failure to Pay Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced to 48 months in prison for his role in a $3.5 million payroll tax evasion scheme, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Walter Hass, 63, of Hewitt, New Jersey previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin to an Information charging him with failure to collect, account for, and pay over payroll taxes. Judge Padin imposed the sentence in Newark federal court. Hass was also ordered to pay $3,527,645 in restitution.
“Walter Hass spent a decade failing to pay payroll taxes. Instead paying taxes rightfully due to our Country, he chose to keep the money for himself to fund his extravagant lifestyle. We will not tolerate such blatant disrespect for the law. We also have no tolerance for lying to the Court, lying to the Government, or the lying to the U.S. Probation Office.”
- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba
“Employment taxes are crucial for funding federal programs millions of Americans depend on every day. For nearly a decade, Walter Hass chose to fuel his lavish lifestyle over paying these taxes to the IRS, turning his employees into victims along the way,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, IRS Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office. “This sentence showcases IRS-CI’s commitment to accountability and enforcing our laws.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Hass was the owner and operator a shipping/logistics company located in Oakland, New Jersey. Since 2014, he has operated the company under three different names. He failed to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over payroll taxes to the IRS on behalf of each of these companies from 2014 to 2022. In total, he failed to pay over to the IRS at least $3.5 million in payroll taxes. Instead of paying over payroll taxes to the IRS, Hass used company money to fund his personal lifestyle, including the purchase of luxury vehicles, including Aston Martins and McClarens, high-end watches and jewelry, designer clothing items and accessories, tickets to sporting events, home renovations, vacations, water sports vehicles, and extravagant meals.
Hass signed his guilty plea in October 2023. He then embarked on a years-long campaign of deceit to avoid accepting responsibility for his conduct. He lied to the Court, to the U.S. Probation Office, and the Government about a purported cancer diagnosis to delay the entry of his guilty plea and the date of his sentencing. In doing so, Hass fabricated three letters from physicians asserting that he had medical conditions—including kidney cancer—that prevented him from attending court proceedings. Hass did not have cancer and attempted to travel throughout the United States and around the world during this time. Only when law enforcement discovered his deception did he ultimately admit to his conduct.
In addition to the prison term and restitution, Judge Padin sentenced Hass to 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Calle, Acting Chief of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit, and Edeli Rivera of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
###
Defense counsel: Guillermo Arango, Esq. and Mark Anderl, Esq.
PDS Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years for Gun Battle in Southeast Washington NeighborhoodRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Isjalon Jermiah Armstead, 22, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison in connection with a June 2023 shootout in a residential neighborhood in Southeast.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Armstead, aka “Smaut,” was a member of the Push Dat Shit street crew. He pleaded guilty Jan. 30, 2025, to discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. In addition to the 120-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Amy B. Jackson ordered Armstead to serve four years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on June 5, 2023, Armstead was in possession of a half-pound of marijuana and intended to sell it. About 3:15 p.m., Armstead — who was seated in the front passenger seat of a 2005 Nissan Altima near the intersection of Third and Atlantic Streets, SE — engaged in a gun battle with the driver of another car. During the shootout, Armstead fired a .300 caliber AR-Pistol from the passenger seat before the Altima he was riding in became disabled and crashed through a fence and stopped in a grassy area next to an apartment building on Atlantic Street.
Armstead, who suffered bullet wounds to his wrist and chest during the shootout, and the driver of the vehicle both fled on foot through a wooded area between Atlantic Street and Valley Avenue, stopping to discard the AR-Pistol in a trash receptacle. Responding MPD officers apprehended Armstead about 3:18 p.m. at the intersection of Fourth Street and Valley Avenue, SE, retraced Armstead’s steps, and found the AR-Pistol which was later determined to have Armstead’s DNA on it.
According to court documents, PDS maintained gang territory in the 3300 – 3500 blocks of Wheeler Road, SE, and operated an open-air drug market outside a market. In August 2018, PDS allied with a neighboring street gang known as Jugg Gang. The combined gang also conspired to carry firearms – including machine guns – to protect themselves, their drugs, their cash, and their territory from rival crews with whom they had “beefs.”
This sentence is part of an ongoing joint investigation which has resulted in 26 convictions and the seizure of two vehicles, 35 firearms, four machine guns, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 60 pounds of marijuana, 41 grams of cocaine base, dozens of oxycodone pills, and approximately $500,000 in cash.
The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office's Cross Border Task Force, the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson.
23cr379
Ocoee Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Fraudulent Tax Preparation BusinessRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that James Fednor Meristin has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. Meristin faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, between 2019 and 2023, Meristin and other co-conspirators operated a tax preparation business, Kings and Queens Multi Services, which prepared and filed false and fraudulent tax returns for its clients. These fraudulent returns were designed to maximize client refunds by claiming COVID-related sick and family leave credits for which the taxpayer was not entitled. Because of the excessive refunds they generated for their clients, Meristin and his co-conspirators were able to charge and receive exorbitant fees for their tax preparation services, including as high as $20,000 per return. Meristin also admitted to deficiencies and fraudulent items in his own tax returns. As part of the plea agreement, Meristin has agreed to pay $2,338,675 in restitution to the IRS.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Sowell.
New York Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kaziah Matthew White, 33, of Long Lake, New York, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison in connection with distributing child pornography after which he traveled to the District of Columbia for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact with a minor.
The sentence was announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
White pleaded guilty Dec.18, 2024, in the District of Columbia to one count of distribution of child pornography. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich ordered White to serve a lifetime term of supervised release.
According to court papers, on March 21, 2024, an undercover officer with the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in the District of Columbia was monitoring an online dating application. A user who called themselves “EarthenFireMD,” contacted the undercover officer, indicated he was staying in Clarksville, Maryland, and that he wanted to “meet n play” with the undercover officer’s purported 10-year-old boy. EarthenFireMD was later identified as the defendant.
“Broooo I’m only the area til the end of the month, would love to plan a playdate,” he wrote on a messaging application. “We can get lunch somewhere public first if u wanna feel out the vibe. And show u Im not a cop. Have an after school bonding sesh.” He indicated that boys between the ages of 5- to 14-years-old were his favorite.
Between March 22-25, 2024, the defendant sent the undercover officer more than 100 videos depicting the sexual abuse of chldren. During the chat, White agreed to meet the undercover officer and wrote that he would bring a “gift” for the child. He then sent a photograph of Spiderman-themed underwear, writing “They had a multipack.”
On March 28, 2024, White traveled from Clarksville, Maryland, to the District to meet with the undercover officer. Upon his arrival, White was in possession of Spiderman underwear consistent with the image of the underwear he previously had sent to the undercover officer. He was arrested on site.
This case is being 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, please visit justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by FBI-MPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Bond.
24cr340
New York Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes After Repeatedly Assaulting Jewish VictimsRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of New York charging Tarek Bazrouk 20, of New York, New York, with three counts of committing hate crimes in connection with his repeated assaults of Jewish victims in New York City between 2024 and 2025. Bazrouk was arrested this morning and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.
“The Civil Rights Division will continue to relentlessly pursue allegations of antisemitic violence and will not stop until justice is served for the victims and their families,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s leadership, we will use all available resources to investigate and charge those who target and assault others because of their faith.”
“As alleged, on three separate occasions, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately targeted and assaulted Jewish victims at protests relating to the Israel/Gaza war,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “Despite being arrested after each incident, Bazrouk allegedly remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City. This Office is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of hate crimes and will aggressively prosecute those who spread bigotry and discrimination through violence.”
According to court documents, other public filings, and statements previously made on the record in this case, over the course of approximately nine months, Bazrouk physically assaulted three Jewish individuals at protests concerning the Israel/Gaza war. First, on April 15, 2024, Bazrouk — while wearing a green headband typically worn by Hamas terrorists — attended a protest concerning the Israel/Gaza war in Lower Manhattan, outside the New York Stock Exchange. During the protest, Bazrouk was arrested by officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) after lunging at a group of pro-Israel protestors. As Bazrouk was being escorted to an NYPD vehicle, Bazrouk kicked a different individual — Victim-1, a Jewish college student — in the stomach. At the time of the assault, Victim-1 was standing near other Jewish protestors, who were wearing kippahs (that is, brimless skullcaps traditionally worn by Jewish men), carrying Israeli flags, and singing Jewish songs.
Approximately eight months later, on Dec. 9, 2024, Bazrouk assaulted another individual at a protest relating to the Israel/Gaza war next to a university campus in upper Manhattan. The victim of the second assault — Victim-2 — is a Jewish student who attended the nearby university. On the date of the assault, Victim-2 and his brother were wearing kippahs, Victim-2 had an Israeli flag draped around his shoulders, and Victim-2 was singing Jewish songs. As the protest continued, Bazrouk — with his mouth covered — stole an Israeli flag from Victim-2’s brother and fled. After Victim-2 and his brother followed Bazrouk through a crowd to retrieve the flag, Bazrouk snuck up beside Victim-2 and struck him in the face with a closed fist.
Roughly one month later, on Jan. 6, 2025, Bazrouk assaulted a third Jewish victim — Victim-3 — at a protest concerning the Israel/Gaza war near 1st Avenue and East 18th Street in Manhattan. At this protest, Victim-3 was wearing an Israeli flag around his shoulders, a hat with an Israeli flag, and a chain with a Jewish star. During the protest, Bazrouk, who was wearing a keffiyeh on his face, made contact with Victim-3’s shoulder and wrapped his foot around Victim-3’s ankle. Victim-3 attempted to push BAZROUK away and cursed at him. Bazrouk then punched Victim-3 in the nose with a closed fist.
“Over the course of nine months, Tarek Bazrouk allegedly targeted and violently attacked multiple Jewish victims in a series of physical assaults, while demonstrating a pattern of supporting anti-Semitic terrorist organizations,” said Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia of the FBI New York Field Office. “These alleged hate crimes not only violated the victims’ ability to exercise their first amendment rights, but also intimidated and sparked fear among a broader population. The FBI won’t tolerate this behavior and will apprehend any individual who commits a federal crime seeking to harm others for their religious beliefs.”
“As alleged, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately set out to harm Jewish New Yorkers — targeting them at protests, singling them out, and assaulting them for nothing more than their identity,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “The NYPD worked closely with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to track him down and ensure he faces real consequences. Antisemitism and all forms of bigotry have no home here in New York — period. New Yorkers of all faiths are welcome to live and worship in our city freely, and we will never stop fighting to protect that right.”
According to court documents, pursuant to judicially authorized warrants, law enforcement subsequently searched a cellphone used by Bazrouk. Evidence from that device revealed Bazrouk’s anti-Semitic bias and his support for anti-Jewish terrorist groups including Hamas, demonstrating his motivation for repeatedly assaulting Jewish victims. In text messages, for example, Bazrouk identified himself as a “Jew hater,” labeled Jews as “worthless,” extorted “Allah” to “get us rid of [Jews],” called an acquittance a “Fucking Jew,” and told a friend to “slap that bitch” in reference to a woman with an Israeli sticker on her laptop. Bazrouk also told a friend that he was “mad happy” to have learned that certain of his family members overseas are part of Hamas. Bazrouk’s phone was also littered with pro-Hamas and pro-Hizballah propaganda, showing his support for organizations that have murdered thousands of Jews and Israelis.
Bazrouk is charged with three counts of committing hate crimes, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The maximum potential penalties in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD for their assistance.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Jim Ligtenberg for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New York Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes After Repeatedly Assaulting Jewish VictimsRead the Press Release
Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Harmeet K. Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General of the United States; Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging TAREK BAZROUK with three counts of committing hate crimes in connection with his repeated assaults of Jewish victims in New York City between 2024 and 2025. BAZROUK was arrested this morning and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged, on three separate occasions, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately targeted and assaulted Jewish victims at protests relating to the Israel/Gaza war. Despite being arrested after each incident, Bazrouk allegedly remained undeterred and quickly returned to violently targeting Jews in New York City. This Office is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of hate-based crimes and will aggressively prosecute those who spread bigotry and discrimination through violence. ”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said: “The Civil Rights Division will continue to relentlessly pursue allegations of antisemitic violence and will not stop until justice is served for the victims and their families. Under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s leadership, we will use all available resources to investigate and charge those who target and assault others because of their faith.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “Over the course of nine months, Tarek Bazrouk allegedly targeted and violently attacked multiple Jewish victims in a series of physical assaults, while demonstrating a pattern of supporting anti-Semitic terrorist organizations. These alleged hate crimes not only violated the victims’ ability to exercise their first amendment rights, but also intimidated and sparked fear among a broader population. The FBI won’t tolerate this behavior and will apprehend any individual who commits a federal crime seeking to harm others for their religious beliefs.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “As alleged, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately set out to harm Jewish New Yorkers — targeting them at protests, singling them out, and assaulting them for nothing more than their identity. The NYPD worked closely with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to track him down and ensure he faces real consequences. Antisemitism and all forms of bigotry have no home here in New York — period. New Yorkers of all faiths are welcome to live and worship in our city freely, and we will never stop fighting to protect that right.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today, other public filings, and statements previously made on the record in this case[1]:
Over the course of approximately nine months, BAZROUK physically assaulted three Jewish individuals at protests concerning the Israel/Gaza war. First, on April 15, 2024, BAZROUK—while wearing a green headband typically worn by Hamas terrorists—attended a protest concerning the Israel/Gaza war in Lower Manhattan, outside the New York Stock Exchange. During the protest, BAZROUK was arrested by officers from the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) after lunging at a group of pro-Israel protestors. As BAZROUK was being escorted to an NYPD vehicle, BAZROUK kicked a different individual—Victim-1, a Jewish college student—in the stomach. At the time of the assault, Victim-1 was standing near other Jewish protestors, who were wearing kippahs (that is, brimless skullcaps traditionally worn by Jewish men), carrying Israeli flags, and singing Jewish songs.
Approximately eight months later, on December 9, 2024, BAZROUK assaulted another individual at a protest relating to the Israel/Gaza war next to a university campus in upper Manhattan. The victim of the second assault—Victim-2—is a Jewish student who attended the nearby university. On the date of the assault, Victim-2 and his brother were wearing kippahs, Victim-2 had an Israeli flag draped around his shoulders, and Victim-2 was singing Jewish songs. As the protest continued, BAZROUK—with his mouth covered—stole an Israeli flag from Victim-2’s brother and fled. After Victim-2 and his brother followed BAZROUK through a crowd to retrieve the flag, BAZROUK snuck up beside Victim-2 and struck him in the face with a closed fist.
Roughly one month later, on January 6, 2025, BAZROUK assaulted a third Jewish victim—Victim-3—at a protest concerning the Israel/Gaza war near 1st Avenue and East 18th Street in Manhattan. At this protest, Victim-3 was wearing an Israeli flag around his shoulders, a hat with an Israeli flag, and a chain with a Jewish star. During the protest, BAZROUK, who was wearing a keffiyeh on his face, made contact with Victim-3’s shoulder and wrapped his foot around Victim-3’s ankle. Victim-3 attempted to push BAZROUK away and cursed at him. BAZROUK then punched Victim-3 in the nose with a closed fist.
Pursuant to judicially authorized warrants, law enforcement subsequently searched cellphones used by BAZROUK. Evidence from those devices revealed BAZROUK’s anti-Semitic bias and his support for anti-Jewish terrorist groups including Hamas, demonstrating his motivation for repeatedly assaulting Jewish victims. In text messages, for example, BAZROUK identified himself as a “Jew hater,” labeled Jews as “worthless,” extorted “Allah” to “get us rid of [Jews],” called an acquittance a “Fucking Jew,” and told a friend to “slap that bitch” in reference to a woman with an Israeli sticker on her laptop. BAZROUK also told a friend that he was “mad happy” to have learned that certain of his family members overseas are part of Hamas. BAZROUK’s phones also contained extensive pro-Hamas and pro-Hizballah propaganda, showing his support for organizations that have murdered thousands of Jews and Israelis.
* * *
BAZROUK, 20, of New York, New York, is charged with three counts of committing hate crimes, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD for their assistance.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Jim Ligtenberg are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
us_v._bazrouk_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.
Napa Valley Winery Owner Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Assisting in Filing of False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Brian Fleury, 64, of Napa County, pleaded guilty in federal court today to aiding and assisting the preparation of a false tax return for the 2016 tax year.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Fleury and his spouse owned Napa Valley winery Metropolitan Wines, LLC and several vineyards also located in Napa Valley. For tax years 2014 through 2018, Fleury intentionally underreported income earned by Metropolitan Wines to his income tax preparer. Fleury directed some customers to pay for their wine by writing checks directly to Fleury instead of to Metropolitan Wines. Fleury wrote or directed his employees to write “OTB,” for “off the books,” on some of these customers’ invoices. Fleury kept these payments for himself and did not report this as income earned by Metropolitan Wines. Between 2014 and 2018, Fleury underreported his and his spouse’s income by $822,450.
Fleury also admitted that from 2007 through 2019, he failed to pay federal excise tax that was due on brandy he received, possessed, and sold. Fleury filed annual reports with the United States Department of the Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) that falsely stated that no wine had been removed for distilling material, no wine had been produced with the addition of wine spirits, no distilled spirits were on hand, and no spirits had been sold or received in bond. Fleury knew these statements were false.
In fact, in 2007, Fleury directed that 3,983 gallons of wine be transferred to a distilled spirits plant, and later that year, the plant returned 911.33 proof gallons of brandy to Metropolitan Wines. Fleury also admitted that he had produced 2006, 2008, and 2009 vintage brandy, and that he bottled and sold brandy from 2013 through 2018 under the name “9 Fiddy” for $350 per 375 ml bottle in regular wine bottles to conceal his sale of brandy.
In total, Fleury caused a tax loss to the IRS and TTB of $211,092.
Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge of the Oakland Field Office Linda Nguyen, IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, D.C. Field Office Kareem Carter, and Anthony P. Gledhill, Assistant Administrator, Field Operations for TTB made the announcement.
Fleury pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2), which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 13, 2025, before Senior U.S. District Judge Maxine M. Chesney. Any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen L. Gilbert is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kathy Tat. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by IRS-CI and TTB, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Muscatine Woman Sentenced to 45 Years in Federal Prison for Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa –A Muscatine woman was sentenced today to 45 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child pornography.
According to public court documents, Jessica Rochelle Peters, 37, produced seven videos and three photos containing child sexual abuse material in July 2021, including videos of Peters sexually abusing a minor victim. Peters sent the videos and photos to a man in Indiana, who sent Peters money. The Indiana man was charged with felony child endangerment and possession of child pornography. The charges were dismissed following the man’s death.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Peters will be required to serve a 10-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Muscatine Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Muscatine man was sentenced yesterday to 27 years in federal prison for production and possession of child pornography.
According to public court documents, law enforcement received CyberTips that an account, later determined to be associated with Calvin Shawn Carter, 29, contained files with child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement seized electronic devices during a search of Carter’s residence. The seized electronic devices had videos and images containing child sexual abuse material that Carter produced of a minor victim between 2021 and 2023. Carter’s phone also contained additional images and videos of child sexual abuse material of minor males.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Carter will be required to serve a ten-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Criminal Investigation-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Murray County Resident Pleads Guilty to Assault with A Dangerous Weapon and Eluding A Peace OfficerRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jayson Geoffrey Evans, age 50, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine, and one count of Eluding Peace Officer in Indian Country, punishable by not less than one year imprisonment and up to five years imprisonment, and a fine of not less than $1,000.00 and up to $5,000.00.
The Indictment alleged that on December 30, 2023, Evans assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, with intent to do bodily harm.
The Indictment further alleged that on December 30, 2023, Evans willfully attempted to elude a peace officer while operating a motor vehicle after receiving a visual and audible signal directing him to stop.
The crimes occurred in Murray County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Evans will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.
Mexican National Sentenced for Financially Benefiting from Forced LaborRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Mexican National illegally residing in Lexington, Serafin Bayona, 35, was sentenced on Wednesday to 135 months by U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove for financially benefiting from forced labor.
According to his plea agreement, Bayona participated in a venture to financially benefit through the forced labor of others. Specifically, Bayona would loan money to the victims, all Mexican nationals then living in Mexico, to be smuggled into the United States. He would then coordinate the smuggling of these victims and arrange transportation to Lexington, where they would be housed in one of several properties he maintained. The victims would repay Bayona, after they obtained work in the United States, with interest that was added to their debt. Bayona also would charge the victims other fees, including fees for rent, transportation, cleaning, food, clothing, and obtaining employment and false identification documents. Ultimately, the amounts owed by the victims resulted in an endless cycle of debt. When the victims protested paying the continued fees, Bayona used threats of force on victims and the victims’ families, including instances of brandishing a firearm, to compel the victims to continue to work in order to pay him. During the execution of search warrants at properties Bayona maintained, over $50,000 in cash was discovered, which he admitted was generated through his participation in this forced labor venture.
Under federal law, Bayona must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, HSI, and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
– END –
Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Two men were sentenced to federal prison yesterday for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
According to public court documents, between 2022 and 2023, Zachariah Terrell Ross, 27, of Davenport, and co-defendant, Cristian Inostros-Aquino, 29, of Los Angeles, California, conspired to distribute thousands of fentanyl pills in the Quad Cities area. In furtherance of their conspiracy, Inostros-Aquino shipped numerous packages containing controlled substances, including thousands of fentanyl pills, from California to Ross, in Iowa. Law enforcement searched Ross’s residence and located two loaded firearms. Text message evidence showed Ross discussed purchasing a firearm from Inostros-Aquino. Inostros-Aquino was also found in possession of a firearm in May 2022.
On May 6, 2025, Ross received a 108-month prison sentence, followed by a four-year term of supervised release. Inostros-Aquino was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison, followed by a four-year term of supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Bettendorf Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and the Davenport Police Department.
Fentanyl is the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Fentanyl deaths for youth ages 15 to 24 more than doubled between 2018 and 2022. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills often resemble pharmaceutical pills, but contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and the One Pill Can Kill program.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Memphis Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Trafficking in Counterfeit Motor Vehicle AirbagsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal judge has sentenced Mohammed Al-Abadi, 52, to 24 months in federal prison to be followed by two years of supervised release for trafficking in counterfeit motor vehicle airbags and transporting a hazardous material on an aircraft carrier without declaring it as a dangerous good. The final sentencing hearing concluded on April 30, 2025, with the entry of an order by United States District Judge Mark S. Norris. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Interim United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in Court, from 2017 to 2021, Mohammed Al-Abadi, a retired auto mechanic, imported counterfeit motor vehicle airbag parts from China and assembled the parts to make counterfeit airbags. Al-Abadi then sold the fake airbags on eBay to unsuspecting automobile repair shops and individual customers for prices ranging from $100 to $725 each. A shipment of counterfeit airbag parts, ordered by Al-Abadi, was intercepted by agents from the United States Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Federal agents recovered more than 2,000 counterfeit airbag parts and counterfeit airbags from Al-Abadi’s residence and place of business. Further investigation determined that Al-Abadi had sold more than 500 counterfeit airbags over the course of four years. Additionally, Al-Abadi shipped at least one counterfeit airbag by airplane without declaring it as an explosive device or dangerous good, so that the mandatory federal safety precautions could be taken.
“The importation of counterfeit automotive parts poses a significant safety threat to the American people, putting innocent consumers at serious risk of injury or death with the installation of these inferior airbags from China,” said Homeland Security Investigations Nashville Special Agent in Charge, Rana Saoud. “HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners, remain steadfast in investigating and disrupting these illegal operations to protect public safety and ensure the well-being of our communities.”
“Counterfeit airbags are neither regulated nor tested to meet federal safety standards, and they pose a serious risk to public safety—both during shipping and when unknowingly installed by consumers,” said Joseph Harris, Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Southern Region. “Today’s sentencing underscores our ongoing commitment to working with law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to identify those who violate federal safety regulations and to help protect the public from these dangerous products.”
“As the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service, the Postal Inspection Service prioritizes the safety of our consumers,” said Atlanta Division Inspector in Charge, Rodney Hopkins. “Mr. Al-Abadi put profit over safety in this case. Airbags are critical life-saving devices that are designed to protect consumers. I am very proud of the teamwork displayed in this case between our law enforcement partners, which held Mr. Al-Abadi responsible for his criminal actions.”
Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case.
###
For more information, please contact the media relations team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Maryland fentanyl supplier sentenced to seven years in prisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, Mamud Sesay, 36, of Bowie, was a source of supply for fentanyl for customers, which included fentanyl redistributors. Sesay also sold fentanyl pills from his home. The pills Sesay distributed were light blue and imprinted with “M” on one side, and “30” on the other to resemble legitimate, 30-milligram oxycodone pills.
On Nov. 26, 2023, Phillip Donnell Mosby, 36, of Alexandria, contacted Sesay asking for 2,000 fentanyl pills. On November 27, 2023, Sesay met Mosby and distributed the pills to him. Mosby redistributed the pills in Arlington County later that day.
On April 15, 2024, Mosby contacted Sesay again asking for 4,000 fentanyl pills, and Sesay met Mosby at a gas station later that day and distributed the pills to Mosby. The following day, Mosby was arrested in Maryland in connection with his involvement in the conspiracy. Law enforcement searched Mosby’s Lexus and found approximately 4,000 fentanyl pills.
On Oct. 17, 2024, law enforcement searched Sesay’s residence and seized over 5,000 pills and approximately $2,500.
Mosby pled guilty on June 20, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced on Sept. 25, 2024, to 10 years in prison.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Carter and Catherine Rosenberg prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-1.
MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison for the Murders of Four Young Men in a Central Islip ParkRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Omar Antonio Villalta, also known as “Anticristo,” a member of the Guanacos Lil Cycos Salvatruchas (Guanacos) clique of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 55 years’ imprisonment. On May 26, 2023, Villalta pleaded guilty to racketeering, including predicate acts of murder and conspiracy to murder rival gang members. The charges stemmed from his involvement in the April 11, 2017 murders of Justin Llivicura, Michael Lopez, Jorge Tigre, and Jefferson Villalobos, who were hacked to death in a Central Islip park, and his involvement in the July 3, 2017 murder of Marvin Rivera Guevara, in Charlottsville, Virginia.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentence.
“My Office and our law enforcement partners have worked endlessly to hold MS-13 accountable for their unspeakable crimes and the harm they’ve caused to countless victims and their loved ones,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “This sentencing and others demonstrate our relentless pursuit to dismantle MS-13 and other violent criminal organizations in totality.”
“Omar Antonio Villalta, an MS-13 member, repeatedly played judge, jury, and executioner by unlawfully issuing death sentences to five victims perceived to be disrespectful or rivals to the gang,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “These slaughters reflect the gang’s gruesome retributive tactics while demonstrating utter disregard for life with the rapid succession of murders. May today’s legitimate sentencing reflect the FBI's steadfast commitment to dismantling any gang from plaguing our communities with rampant violence.”
“The torture carried out at the hands of Villalta was inconceivable and sadistic— all because of his devotion to MS-13,” stated Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “His crimes sent shock waves through our communities but thanks to our collaboration with our law enforcement partners, Villalta was apprehended, and we will continue to target violent gang members who are a threat public safety.”
As set forth in the government’s sentencing memorandum, prior court filings, and statements during the sentencing, Llivicura, Lopez, Tigre, and Villalobos were lured to their deaths by Villalta and more than a dozen other members and associates of the MS-13. Specifically, the victims were led to a community park in Central Islip (the Park) by two female associates of the MS-13, Leniz Escobar and Keyli Gomez, where they were attacked by members and associates of the gang, including Josue Portillo, Freiry Martinez, Alexis Hernandez, Edwin Rodriguez, Sergio Segovia-Pineda, Henry Salmeron, Anderson Sanchez, and others.
The MS-13 members believed the victims to be members of a rival gang and at least two of the victims had offended the MS-13 by posting photos on social media in which they wore certain items and flashed hand signs that signified membership in the MS-13 gang. After the gang-related photos were brought to their attention by Escobar and Gomez, Villalta and several other MS-13 members formulated and carried out a plan to kill the victims. On the night of the murders, Villalta and more than a dozen other MS-13 members and associates gathered in the woods adjacent to the Park. Once there, the members who had been planning the attack, including Villalta, instructed the others to prepare themselves, as the female associates were luring a group of rivals to the Park for them to attack and kill.
Villalta distributed weapons to certain gang members, including knives and machetes, while others took clubs made of tree limbs as the group waited for the victims to arrive. Meanwhile, Escobar and Gomez met the victims, drove with them to the Park, led them to a predetermined wooded area, and sent the MS-13 members text-messages notifying them of their arrival. The MS-13 members and associates proceeded to the designated location and encircled the victims under the cover of darkness. One of the intended victims immediately fled and was able to escape. Llivicura, Lopez, Tigre, and Villalobos were surrounded by the MS-13 members, who attacked them with machetes, knives, an axe, and wooden clubs. After the attack, the MS-13 members dragged the victims’ bodies to a more secluded spot in the woods, piled them up, and fled. The victims’ bodies were discovered the following evening.
Following the murders, Villalta fled to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he connected with local MS-13 members. He soon began work at a pizzeria with a fellow MS-13 member. Within days of starting work, Villalta reported to other MS-13 members, including the leader of the Guanacos clique, that a co-worker, Marvin Rivera Guevara, had flashed an 18th Street gang hand sign indicating his membership in one of the MS-13’s principal rivals. Villalta was given authorization to kill the victim and a plan was quickly developed to carry out the murder. On the evening of July 3, 2017, the MS-13 member who worked at the pizzeria convinced the victim to drive with him to a remote location under the guise of smoking marijuana and meeting women. Once they arrived at the designated location, Villalta and other MS-13 members forced the victim at gunpoint deeper into the woods where they attacked him with a machete and knives. Villalta and the others then threw the victim’s body off a nearby bridge into the river below.
More than a dozen MS-13 members and associates have been charged in connection with the April 11, 2017 quadruple murder, including the individuals listed above. Of these defendants, Villalta is the sixth person to be sentenced. Josue Portillo was sentenced to 55 years’ imprisonment; Freiry Martinez to 50 years’ imprisonment; Leniz Escobar to 50 years’ imprisonment; Anderson Sanchez to 32 years’ imprisonment; and Alexis Hernandez to 29 years’ imprisonment. The remaining defendants are awaiting sentence.
Today’s sentencing is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of MS-13. Since 2010, the Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 70 murders in the Eastern District of New York, resulting in the convictions of dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Hempstead Police Department, the Rockville Centre Police Department, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood.
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci, and Megan E. Farrell are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Automated Litigation Support Specialist Michael Compitello.
The Defendant:
OMAR ANTONIO VILLALTA (also known as “Anticristo”)
Age: 29
Central Islip, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-403 (S-8) (GRB)
Lumberton Bank Employee Pleads Guilty to Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Lumberton woman pleaded guilty today to bank fraud and misuse of social security numbers. Jillian Scott, 31, faces a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison when sentenced later this year.
According to court documents and other evidence presented in court, Scott was employed as a customer call representative for State Employees Credit Union (SECU) and worked remotely from her home on a SECU issued laptop. As a customer call representative, Scott had access to both the personal identifying information and account information of SECU members. Between November 2018 and June 2021, Scott used her position to access the bank accounts of more than 20 customers who called the member service line for questions regarding their accounts. The customers were unaware that Scott repeatedly accessed their accounts for reasons unrelated to their customer service call.
As part of the scheme, Scott used the personal identifying information from the customer’s accounts to create fraudulent PayPal and CashApp accounts in their names. Scott then used these fraudulent PayPal and CashApp accounts to transfer money from the customers’ SECU accounts to bank accounts owned and controlled by her. She also created fraudulent Bill Pay checks, which she used to move money from the SECU customer’s accounts into her own accounts. In total, Scott made nearly 700 fraudulent CashApp transactions, 120 fraudulent PayPal transactions, and 47 fraudulent Bill Pay transactions, for a total loss of nearly $80,000.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the plea. The United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-CR-00028.
###
Lower Brule Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for for Possessing a Firearm While Using DrugsRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 6, 2025.
Stephen Biviano Zapata, age 28, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Zapata was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025.
This conviction stems from a traffic stop on March 27, 2024, in Lower Brule, in the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation. Law enforcement was aware Zapata had an outstanding tribal arrest warrant. Upon his arrest officers searched Zapata’s person and vehicle locating three baggies containing methamphetamine, other drug paraphernalia, and an AR-style semi-automatic rifle with two magazines containing 48 rounds of ammunition. Zapata admitted to being a methamphetamine user and submitted a sample for urinalysis testing that was positive for methamphetamine. Zapata is prohibited from possessing firearms based on his drug use.
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.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.
Zapata was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Law Enforcement Seizes 9 DDoS-for-Hire Webpages as Part of Global Crackdown on ‘Booter’ and ‘Stresser’ DDoS ServicesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The Justice Department today announced the court-authorized seizure of nine internet domains associated with some of the world’s leading DDoS-for-hire services. Poland’s Central Cybercrime Bureau simultaneously announced the arrests of four administrators of such services, investigations which were assisted by U.S. authorities. Several of the arrested administrators operated websites seized pursuant to previous operations by the Central District of California.
Federal law enforcement continues to seize websites that allow paying users to launch powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks flood targeted computers and servers with information to prevent them from being able to access the internet.
Booter services such as those named in this action allegedly attacked a wide array of victims in the United States and abroad, including schools, government agencies, gaming platforms, and millions of people. In addition to affecting targeted victims, these attacks can significantly degrade internet services and completely disrupt internet connections.
The websites targeted in this operation were used for hundreds of thousands of actual or attempted DDoS attacks targeting victims worldwide. While some of these services claimed to offer “stresser” services that purportedly could be used for network testing, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) determined these claims to be a pretense, and “thousands of communications between booter site administrators and their customers…make clear that both parties are aware that the customer is not attempting to attack their own computers,” according to an affidavit filed in support of court-authorized warrants to seize the booter sites.
Today’s announcement builds on the success of the prior cases by targeting all known booter sites, shutting down as many as possible, and undertaking a public education campaign. In the last four years more than 11 defendants have been charged in Los Angeles and Anchorage for facilitating DDoS-for-hire services. More than 75 domains associated with such services have been seized.
“Booter services facilitate cyberattacks that harm victims and compromise everyone’s ability to access the internet,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “This week’s sweeping law enforcement activity is a major step in our ongoing efforts to eradicate criminal conduct that threatens the internet’s infrastructure and our ability to function in a digital world.”
“DDoS for hire criminal booter services impact internet services for victims in every corner of the United States, including Alaska,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “This threat highlights the continued need to pursue cybercrime services like booter providers. We remain committed to bolstering our collaborative partnerships in the U.S. and abroad to address threats to critical internet infrastructure and services.”
“The enforcement actions launched today, made possible by enduring partnerships between law enforcement and private industry, represents continued pressure on DDoS-for-hire services and the cybercriminals and hacktivists who use them.” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. "This success demonstrates the resolve of the DCIS to relentlessly pursue those who target our warfighters and their information systems."
In conjunction with the website seizures, Homeland Security Investigations, DCIS, and the Netherlands Police have launched an advertising campaign using targeted placement ads in search engines, which are triggered by keywords associated with DDoS activities. The purpose of the ads is to deter potential cybercriminals searching for DDoS services in the United States and around the globe, and to educate the public on the illegality of DDoS activities.
In recent years, booter services have continued to proliferate as they offer a low barrier to entry for users looking to engage in cybercriminal activity. These types of DDoS attacks are so named because they result in the “booting” or dropping of the targeted computer from the internet.
For additional information on booter and stresser services and the harm that they cause, please visit: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/anchorage/fbi-intensify-efforts-to-combat-illegal-ddos-attacks.
The seizures announced today were performed by DCIS’s Cyber-West Resident Agency.
These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation PowerOFF, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling criminal DDoS-for-hire infrastructures worldwide, and holding accountable the administrators and users of these illegal services. Principal partners in Operation PowerOFF include EUROPOL; the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska; The Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS); FBI’s Anchorage and Los Angeles field offices; HSI’s Columbus field office; Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA); United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA); Netherlands Police; Polish Central Cybercrime Bureau; Brazilian Federal Police, Japan’s National Police Agency, France’s Police Nationale, and many others.
Assistance was provided by Akamai, Amazon Web Services, Cloudflare, Digital Ocean, Flashpoint, Google, PayPal, The University of Cambridge, and Unit 221B.
Assistant United States Attorneys James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section and Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section are handling this investigation.
- La Jara Man Admits to Decades-Long Pattern of Sexual Abuse of Minors
Kissimmee Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Julie Sneed has sentenced Raul Rodriguez-Jimenez (38, Kissimmee) to 11 years and 4 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Rodriguez-Jimenez entered a guilty plea on January 29, 2025.
According to court documents, the DEA used an undercover agent and a confidential informant to conduct multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine from Rodriguez-Jimenez. Between December 2023 and August 2024, Rodriguez-Jimenez distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl or cocaine on eight separate occasions. On February 9, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Rodriguez-Jimenez’s residence and recovered various narcotics and four firearms. Across these eight transactions, Rodriguez-Jimenez distributed or possessed with intent to distribute over 2 kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu.
Kansas City Woman Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Fraud and Treasury Check TheftsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman plead guilty to wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of government funds relating to a counterfeit check scheme and stolen United States Treasury checks. The defendant, Briauna Adams, 28, also plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
According to court documents, Adams rented a townhome in Raymore, Mo., using the name and personal identification information of another person. On July 27, 2024, Adams opened an individual investment account from the Raymore residence. On Aug. 15, 2024, Adams deposited a Treasury check worth $1,445,443.69 in her name to the investment account. Fraud investigators with the investment account company determined the $1,445,443.69 Treasury check was fraudulent and reversed the deposit before suffering a financial loss.
On Nov. 14, 2024, a search warrant was executed on Adam’s rental townhome in Raymore. Approximately 253 stolen Treasury checks were found in the residence. The total value of the checks was approximately $700,000.
Finally, Adams conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf. Adams filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $540,302.
Adams faces up to 92 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentence of the defendant will be determined by the court based upon the advisory sentencing guidelines and other factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.
Justice Department announces results of Operation Restore Justice: more than 205 child sex abuse offenders arrested in FBI-led nationwide crackdown including an arrest in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – 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 the world’s most valuable resource and our best hope for the future and here in the Eastern District of Texas, we will do all we can to ensure that they are protected and have the means of achieving the future they deserve free of vicious predators,” said Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. “Operation Restore Justice leveraged the resources of federal, state, and local law enforcement to track down these predators who prey on our most vulnerable and I thank our law enforcement partners for the tireless work they committed to this operation. The message should be clear: In the Eastern District of Texas, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent because protecting our children demands such.”
“Protecting children is a top priority of the FBI and our partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement allow us to combine resources and collectively tackle this heinous crime,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Every arrest made in these cases delivers justice and also sends a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated.”
In the Eastern District of Texas, Yehudra-Ari Nathan Esquenazi, 25, of Dallas, Collin County, Texas, was arrested on April 30, 2025, after being identified during an investigation initiated by the FBI in North Carolina. Esquenazi is alleged to have engaged in social media and communications applications in which he actively engaged in chats about the sexual exploitation of children. Esquenazi sought out children to abuse within the Eastern District of Texas, traded child pornography with others, and encouraged others to sexually abuse children. The FBI served a search warrant at his home in February 2025 and he was indicted by a federal grand jury in April.
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 alleged child sex abuse offenders arrested in FBI-led 5-day nationwide crackdownRead the Press Release
Seattle – 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 arrest of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed 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.”
In the Western District of Washington, seven federal cases moved forward with criminal charges, pleas, and/or sentencings of those who target minors for sexual abuse.
“There is no greater responsibility than protecting our children from those seeking to sexually abuse them, either online or in person,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. “The cases we prosecuted over the last month charging child sexual exploitation in person and over the internet, and child sex trafficking are examples of the difficult work we do every day with our law enforcement partners to try to keep children safe.”
"FBI Seattle’s Violent Crimes Against Children squad and our partners are hard at work, not only during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, but also throughout the year," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "We are arresting predators, recovering children, and assisting victims through the support of our victim specialists. Just this fiscal year in the Seattle division, we have arrested 122 subjects and identified or located 59 children.”
These are the FBI-led child sex abuse cases prosecuted in the Western District of Washington in April 2025:
- Convicted sex offender Mitchell Francis Dufault, 36, was sentenced April 7, 2025, to ten years in prison and lifetime supervised release. Dufault distributed images of child sexual abuse via an internet platform and communicated with young people about sexually explicit conduct. Dufault has a prior conviction for child molestation.
- Shante Broady, 37, was arrested April 11, 2025, and charged with sex trafficking through force fraud and coercion and transporting a victim for the purpose of prostitution through coercion and enticement. Broady’s alleged sex trafficking involves both adult and juvenile victims.
- Adam Ronald Ingram, 41, was indicted April 16, 2025, for production of child pornography, enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. Ingram, a King County resident, communicated with minors in other states and foreign countries to obtain sexually explicit images. Ingram is scheduled for trial in June 2025 and remains detained at FDC SeaTac.
- Michael L. Gershowitz, 45, a historically registered sex offender, pleaded guilty on April 23, 2025, to possession of images of child sexual abuse. Gershowitz came to the attention of law enforcement when internet service providers reported his username to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for uploading images of child sexual abuse. Gershowitz is scheduled for sentencing on August 4, 2025.
- 40-year-old Randy Lee Young was arrested April 24, 2025, following and investigation that revealed he had sexually molested a 13-year-old. Young was identified by law enforcement after he communicated with an undercover officer about having sex with minors. Law enforcement arrested Young when he arrived at a location where he thought the minors would be present. A review of his phone revealed his efforts to entice a 13-year-old for sexual activity. Young filmed the sexual molestation and is now charged with production of child pornography and attempted enticement of a minor. He remains detained at FDC SeaTac.
- A 54-year-old Kent, Washington resident was indicted April 23, 2025, for possession of images of child sexual abuse. Shaughn P. Lambert was on supervision by Washington State Corrections when his corrections officer found images of child sexual abuse on his phone. A search of Lambert’s residence revealed a number of electronic devices that contained images of child sexual abuse. Lambert is scheduled for trial on July 7, 2025, and remains detained at FDC SeaTac.
- 47-year-old Steve Ray Marical of Everett, Washington pleaded guilty April 24, 2025, to possession of images of child sexual abuse. Marical, a registered sex offender, was arrested and indicted in September 2024, following a cyber tip to NCMEC. Marical is scheduled for sentencing on August 6, 2025.
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
The charges contained in the indictments or criminal complaints are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cecelia Gregson, Kate Crisham, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Harmon. Ms. Harmon is a Senior Deputy Prosecutor with the King County Prosecutors Office, specially designated to prosecute child exploitation cases in federal court.
Justice Department announces results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – The Department of Justice announced Wednesday 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 U.S. 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.”
“Child sex offenders are a moral disgrace, preying on the innocence of vulnerable children,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Through Operation Restore Justice, the Southern District of Illinois condemns these heinous acts and stands resolute with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to eradicate this evil, protect our children, and deliver unwavering justice to those offenders.”
“There will be zero tolerance for those who commit crimes against our children. There will never be a lead we do not follow or door we do not knock on,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “We will not stand by – we will stand together. This operation shows that with every partner at the table, from law enforcement to community advocates, we are united in one mission, to protect our children.”
In the Southern District of Illinois, four individuals are facing federal charges.
Ryan G. Jones, 30, of Danville, is facing one count of production of child pornography of an 8-year-old minor in February 2025 in Williamson County. Sentencing guidelines for this charge are a minimum of 15 and up to 30 years’ imprisonment.
Trevor W. Yokley, 32, of Vandalia, is facing one count of attempting to entice a minor in Fayette and Effingham counties from January through April 2025. This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Jared K. Galbraith, 38, of Belleville, is facing one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity in October 2024 from Alabama to St. Clair County. The sentencing guidelines for sexual exploitation of children convictions are 15 to 30 years’ imprisonment. Convictions for transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity is a minimum of 10 years in federal prison.
Christopher A. Geisen, 44, of Pensacola, Florida, is facing one count of transportation of child pornography of a 12-year-old minor when he was a resident of Alton, Illinois, in October 2024. The sentencing guidelines are a minimum of 5 years and up to 20 in federal prison.
In addition, the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau arrested 6 individuals during a two-day operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in sex acts with minors in Madison County on April 23 and 24, 2025. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecutions.
“Protecting children against predators is a key priority, and we are thankful to be partnering with U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft and his team in this essential work,” said Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine.
Indictments and complaints are merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Other individuals arrested across 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, or by calling the local FBI field office.
The FBI Springfield Field Office is leading the investigations with support from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Reppert, Ali Burns and Kim Arshi are prosecuting the cases.
Justice Department announces results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - 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.”
“Child sexual exploitation is a horrific crime,” said Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, arrest, and prosecute those who seek to harm innocent children.”
"Finding and arresting offenders who prey on children is one of the FBI's top priorities," said Steven J. Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. "I thank our partners in law enforcement and at U.S. attorney's offices for their unwavering support. Through collaboration, rigorous enforcement, and a shared dedication to justice, we are working together to prevent child abuse and ensure safer futures for all children."
Those arrested 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, 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. The FBI Washington Field Office also made two arrests in the Eastern District of Virginia as part of this operation.
The FBI Norfolk Field Office arrested three people. In one of the cases, a suspect from Williamsburg was arrested after he allegedly threatened to sexually abuse a local police officer’s young family member. The suspect also allegedly sent photos of the officer’s personal residence to the officer to demonstrate that he had knowledge of where he lived, as well as obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.
“Child sexual exploitation cases are among the most disturbing the FBI works,” said FBI Norfolk Acting Special Agent in Charge, Patrick O’Brien. “It’s why the work that we do in this field is so impactful. Operation Restore Justice showcases the commitment we have to stopping and holding accountable anyone who engages in sexual exploitation of children, as well as the threat of exploitation. It is not a one-time mission; it’s work that the FBI does and will continue to do daily to protect our most vulnerable.”
The FBI Richmond Field Office arrested two people in Henrico and Richmond for possession and receipt of child sexual abusive material as part of this operation.
“Child exploitation cases are among our top priorities, as they involve our most vulnerable victims,” said FBI Richmond Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador. “The FBI Richmond team through our Child Exploitation Task Forces works around the clock to track down these subjects and hold them accountable for their heinous actions.”
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 eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents at 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 and Federal Trade Commission Seek Information on Unfair and Anticompetitive Practices in Live TicketingRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly launched a public inquiry to identify unfair and anticompetitive practices and conduct in the live concert and entertainment industry. The agencies invite members of the public to submit comments and information on harmful practices and on potential regulation or legislation to protect consumers in the industry. The Agencies will use the information in their preparation of the report and recommendations directed by President Trump’s Executive Order 14254, Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market.
“Competitive live entertainment markets should deliver value to artists and fans alike,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We will continue to closely examine this market and look for opportunities where vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws can lead to increased competition that makes tickets more affordable for fans while offering fairer compensation for artists.”
“Many Americans feel like they are being priced out of live entertainment by scalpers, bots, and other unfair and deceptive practices,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. “Now their voices are being heard. President Trump has sent a clear message that bad actors who exploit fans and distort the marketplace will not be tolerated. The FTC is proud to help deliver on that promise and restore fair and competitive markets that benefit ordinary Americans.”
On March 31, President Trump issued Executive Order 14254, Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market. The Executive Order directs the Attorney General and the FTC to “ensure that competition laws are appropriately enforced in the concert and entertainment industry.” The Executive Order also directs the FTC to “rigorously enforce the Better Online Tickets Sales Act, 15 U.S.C. 45c.”
The Executive Order also directs the Attorney General, with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the FTC, to submit a report that identifies “recommendations for regulations or legislation necessary to protect consumers” in the industry. In furtherance of this direction, the agencies will work together, along with the Secretary of the Treasury, on a joint report, with the FTC taking the lead on issues relating to the Better Online Ticket Sales Act.
The agencies therefore seek information from the public about unfair and anticompetitive conduct and practices in the live concert and entertainment industry. The agencies also encourage comments providing information on the competitive effects of current state and federal regulations and laws in the live concert and entertainment industry, including the secondary ticketing market.
The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than July 7, 2025. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov (Docket No. ATR-2025-0002). All market participants are invited to provide comments, including consumers, artists, small businesses, trade groups, industry analysts, and other entities that are impacted by anticompetitive practices in the live concert and entertainment industry.
The Justice Department, along with 40 state and district attorneys general, is also currently litigating a civil antitrust lawsuit brought last year against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC for monopolization and other unlawful conduct that thwarts competition in markets across the live entertainment industry.
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: More than 205 Alleged Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide CrackdownRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, charge, and arrest alleged child sexual abuse offenders. The operation resulted in the arrests of 205 defendants 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.”
“Child exploitation offenses inflict lasting harm on the most vulnerable members of our society, and the proliferation of child sexual abuse material across the Internet repeats and amplifies that harm. Prosecuting child exploitation offenses has been and will always be a top priority for this Office, and we’re grateful for our law enforcement partners’ commitment to pursuing justice in these cases.” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky Paul McCaffrey.
“I’d like to commend FBI Louisville’s Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force on their dogged pursuit of perpetrators of child sexual abuse. While the FBI’s work to identify, investigate, and apprehend these predators never stops, our increased efforts over the last month during Operation Restore Justice resulted in removing some of our community’s most heinous criminals,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “FBI Louisville, in lockstep with our law enforcement partners, will continue to use every available resource to protect America’s most vulnerable populations, especially our children.”
In the Eastern District of Kentucky, nine defendants were charged with various child exploitation offenses. One of the indictments remains under seal. They include the following:
- Jason Back, 42, of Salyersville, Ky., was charged with online enticement of a minor.
- Jesus Chavez, 32, of Somerset, Ky., was charged with five counts of producing child pornography.
- Jordan A. Cobb, 33, of Salyersville, Ky., was charged with online enticement of a minor and cyberstalking of a minor.
- Austin Hawk, 25, of Pittsburg, Ky., was charged with transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
- Nathan Smith, 30, of Manchester, Ky., was charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of receiving child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
- Michael Moon, 47, of Annville, Ky., was charged with one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
- Timothy Ray Dale, 63, of Paris, Ky., was charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
- Finley Wooton, 32, of Hyden, Ky., was charged with the attempted production of child pornography.
While the charges allege that these crimes were committed, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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. Also, in many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice.
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.
-END-
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in Five-Day Nationwide CrackdownRead the Press Release
BOSTON – 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 was executed 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.
Over the course of five days, from April 28 through May 2, more than 200 child sexual abuse offenders were arrested nationwide as part of the effort. These subjects include school leaders, registered sex offenders and members of law enforcement who are accused of various crimes including the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM); online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking.
“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.”
“Protecting children from exploitation is among the most sacred responsibilities we have in law enforcement. Each case serves as a difficult reminder that child predators are embedded in our communities. Some take on roles that increase their direct contact with children, while others prey on children from behind a keyboard. But make no mistake, we will identify, arrest, and hold every one of them accountable, no matter how long it takes or how far we have to go,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “As Child Abuse Prevention Month came to a close, Operation Restore Justice delivered a powerful and urgent message: protecting children is not just a worthy cause we recognize, it is a mission we carry out every day. We will not relent in our pursuit of those who exploit children, and we are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their tireless work to bring these predators to justice. This work will not stop.”
“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.”
In the District of Massachusetts, five individuals were arrested and charged during this Operation:
- Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Emmanuel College Jacob Henriques, 29, of Boston, is charged with attempted sex trafficking of a minor. Henriques is accused of soliciting an underage college applicant to engage in commercial sex with him;
- Level 1 sex offender Justin Ouimette, 34, of Holyoke, is charged with possessing CSAM. Ouimette allegedly possessed over 400 files depicting CSAM, including the abuse of victims as young as three years old. The defendant has a prior 2022 state conviction for possessing CSAM;
- Warren Messeck, 75, of Agawam, is charged with possessing CSAM. Messeck was allegedly identified as a user of an internet-based peer-to-peer network downloading CSAM. Over 40 electronic devices were subsequently seized from his residence. Over 10,000 CSAM files were allegedly stored on six of the seized devices;
- Brandon Bendall, 49, of Wareham, is charged with possessing and receiving CSAM. According to court documents, Bendall was allegedly identified as a member of an online chat group in which members viewed and posted CSAM. During a search of Bendall’s residence and cell phone, approximately 9,400 images and videos of CSAM, including images of children as young as infants being sexually abused, were allegedly located; and
- Cess Frazier, 32, of Boston, is charged with receiving CSAM. It is alleged that approximately 100 media files depicting CSAM were allegedly found saved on the defendant’s phone.
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 of online predators. While the Department 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.
As part of its prevention efforts, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts’ robust Project Safe Childhood (PSC) program provides public education and outreach to communities on how to keep children safe online. To date, for the current 2024-2025 school year, the program has reached nearly 8,000 children, parents and school employees across 37 cities and towns. If you would like to host a PSC presentation for students, parents, or other groups in your community, or if you have questions regarding the District's PSC program, please email us at [email protected].
The FBI takes a proactive approach to identify unknown individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. There is a Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force located in each field office, allowing the FBI to combine resources with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The FBI also receives information from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which collects and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through https://report.cybertip.org/ and its 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST.
In 2004, the FBI created the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) to identify individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. The program is a collaborative effort between the FBI and the NMCEC.
The FBI also offers resources for parents and caregivers to stay engaged with their children’s online and offline activities. The FBI's Safe Online Surfing (SOS) program teaches students in grades 3 to 8 how to navigate the web safely.
The FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through our tiplines at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and 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 three men in the District of AlaskaRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – 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.”
“This joint initiative underscores the unwavering commitment of our law enforcement partners to find alleged child predators and protect children from exploitation and lasting harm,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “I want to thank the FBI Anchorage Field Office, and our law enforcement partners statewide for their dedicated efforts in safeguarding Alaska’s children—one of our most vital and vulnerable populations.”
“Through collaborative efforts, this wide-ranging operation was designed to identify and apprehend those accused of child sexual exploitation crimes, regardless of where they live or operate,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Protecting our children is one of the highest callings in law enforcement. I commend the outstanding work by members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as our law enforcement partners across Alaska, in their commitment to fostering safer communities for our children.”
As a result of the operation, the following individuals are now facing charges alleged through three separate indictments in the District of Alaska:
U.S. v. Herra:
Jonathan Herra, 25, of Kenai, was arrested at his mother’s residence in Kenai on April 24, 2025, for allegedly purchasing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from an online platform.
Herra is charged with one count of sexual attempted receipt of child pornography, one count of access with intent to view child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces between 5-20 years in prison.
U.S. v. Nungasak:
Donovan Nungasak, 31, of Utqiagvik, was arrested at his residence on April 28, 2025, for allegedly producing and possessing child pornography.
In August 2024, the FBI received a tip suggesting that Nungasak had CSAM on his phone. The tip prompted an investigation that revealed Nungasak allegedly had sexually explicit conversations with a minor victim on a digital messaging application. Law enforcement also found 27 images of suspected CSAM on Nungasak’s phone that appeared to depict prepubescent victims.
Nungasak is charged with one count of production or attempted production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces between 15-30 years in prison.
U.S. v. Seward:
Kristian Seward, 30, of Anchorage, was arrested in California on April 28, 2025, for allegedly receiving and possessing child pornography.
On June 21, 2024, Seward allegedly received and attempted to receive CSAM using a digital device. Between June 21, 2024, and Oct. 8, 2024, Seward also possessed and attempted to possess CSAM using a digital device.
Seward is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces between 15-40 years in prison.
Operation Restore Justice was led by the FBI Anchorage Field Office, with substantial assistance from the Anchorage Police Department, as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Operational assistance was provided by the Alaska State Troopers, North Slope Borough Police Department and Kenai Police Department in conducting the arrests. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ainsley McNerney, Mac Caille Petursson and Carly Vosacek.
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, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
###
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown, Including in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – 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.”
“When it comes to child sex abuse, Utah is no exception to the rest of the country and there is no shortage of work for our prosecutors or law enforcement partners,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. “No matter the age or demographic, any child can become a victim and keeping our children safe is a top priority in the District of Utah.”
“If your child has access to the internet, he or she is likely to encounter a predator looking to entice or harm them,” said Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force combines the resources and expertise of our law enforcement partners to safeguard society’s most vulnerable.”
As part of this operation, FBI Salt Lake City field office investigations led to federal arrests and indictments against:
1. Gustavo Uroza-Rodriguez, charged on April 23, 2025, with attempted coercion and enticement, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
2. Melissa Goodrich, charged on April 23, 2025, with trafficking of a minor.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 kidsAn 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 Two in the Western District of ArkansasRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH - 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,” 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. The FBI is relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us.”
“Our top priority in Western Arkansas is making our communities safer and better,” said the United States Attorney for Western Arkansas, David Clay Fowlkes. “This crucial mission begins with protecting those who cannot protect themselves, particularly children residing in Western Arkansas. This operation, and many others like it, are vital to helping us accomplish this important mission by concentrating our efforts on prosecuting those who engage in child abuse. Furthermore, this operation serves as a significant demonstration of our collaborative partnerships with federal, local, and state law enforcement officers who share our unwavering commitment to pursuing these important cases.”
“This operation is a testament to the efforts of the FBI and our dedicated law enforcement partners to protect children in our communities,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder. “FBI Little Rock will continue to prioritize these investigations, seek justice for victims and hold predators accountable for their actions.”
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 Two in the Middle District of PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
Harrisburg – 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.”
“Operation Restore Justice illustrates our longstanding commitment and partnership with the FBI to vigorously prosecute crimes against children,” said Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus. “It’s through these partnerships that we are able to hold child predators accountable for these crimes.”
“The men and women of FBI Philadelphia work every day to protect and support children across all the communities we serve,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Operation Restore Justice underscores our unwavering commitment to combatting crimes against children—among the most heinous offenses we investigate. Together with our partners, the FBI will continue to pursue those who prey on the vulnerable and work tirelessly to educate the public on how to prevent, recognize, and report child abuse.”
Cases charged in the Middle District of Pennsylvania:
- Robert Haley, 41, of York County, Pennsylvania, was charged on April 23, 2025, with producing and possessing child pornography. The indictment alleges that Haley enticed an 11-year-old minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing four videos. It is further alleged that Haley possessed a SanDisk 64 GB micro-SD card that contained images of child pornography involving a minor who had not attained 12-years of age.
- Charles Edward Slate, 60, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on April 23, 2025, for allegedly distributing child pornography and possessing material that contained child pornography.
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 Two in Eastern District of WisconsinRead the Press Release
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.”
Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that two individuals were arrested and charged as part of Operation Restore Justice in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
First, on April 25, 2025, Troy Schaden (age 44) was charged via criminal complaint with receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(2) and 2252A(a)(5)(B). He appeared in federal court on May 2, 2025. According to court records, when a search warrant was executed at Schaden’s home on March 5, 2025, law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices. The investigation revealed that the devices contain CSAM that Schaden had purchased from an individual in the United Kingdom via the Telegram application and then distributed to others.
Second, on April 28, 2025, Victor Vega Rojo (age 49) was charged via criminal complaint with distribution and possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(2) and 2252A(a)(5)(B). He appeared in federal court on May 2, 2025. Court records indicate that Vega Rojo does not have legal status in the country, and he is now in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to court records, when a search warrant was executed at Vega Rojo’s home, law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices, which through forensic review were determined to contain CSAM. The investigation revealed that the defendant distributed CSAM via the BitTorrent network and possessed hundreds of images of CSAM.
“The United States Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with the FBI and all federal, state, local, and tribal partners to zealously prosecute individuals who produce or distribute child sexual abuse material, engage in online enticement, and further child sex trafficking,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling. “I commend the efforts of all involved in seeking to hold these offenders accountable and to pursue justice for victims of these devastating offenses.”
“The message is clear, the FBI has an unwavering commitment to protecting children against sexual abuse,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle. “Through ‘Operation Restore Justice’ and day-to-day operations alongside our local, state and federal law enforcement partners we’re dedicated to keeping kids safe in our Wisconsin communities.”
If convicted of receipt or distribution of child pornography, each defendant would face a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and up to a maximum sentence of 20 years. If convicted of possession of child pornography, each defendant would face up to 20 years’ imprisonment. At this stage, the public is cautioned that a criminal complaint is merely a charge, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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
# # #
For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer
414-297-1700
Follow us on Twitter
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown, Including Two in District of MarylandRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – 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.”
“Operation Restore Justice signifies the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland’s commitment to ensuring that those who exploit or abuse our children will be found, prosecuted, and brought to justice,” said Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. “Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community is among our highest priorities, and we will continue to work closely with our community and law enforcement partners to ensure that predators are held accountable. Our office is committed to pursuing justice for every victim.”
“Every arrest made in these cases delivers justice and sends a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “This operation highlights efforts FBI Baltimore, our Violent Crimes Against Children Squad, and our dedicated law enforcement partners continually make to protect children from the dangerous and predatory monsters seeking to exploit, harm and abuse.”
In Maryland, Donald Robert Wilt Edwards, Sr., 29, of West Virginia, was indicted for sexually exploiting a minor. The former Baltimore resident is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, three counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Additionally, Joel Thomas Biermann, 46, of University Park, Maryland, was indicted for multiple child exploitation offenses. Biermann is charged with two counts of producing child sexual abuse material, one count of distributing child sexual abuse material, and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material.
Those 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.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
# # #
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown, Including Three in the District of OregonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—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.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to be a part of Operation Restore Justice and seek justice for children who have been exploited or abused. A common thread in these cases and many others is that online predators will use any platform on the internet to contact unsuspecting children. These predators often pose as children themselves to trick their would-be victims,” said William M. Narus, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
“The FBI has zero tolerance for criminal actors who target the most vulnerable in our community—our children,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson. “While we count Operation Restore Justice as a success, our work continues. We will use every resource available to us to pursue those who prey on children, as well as to help victims of abuse access tools to help them heal.”
Three individuals were arrested and charged with federal child exploitation crimes in the District of Oregon as part of Operation Restore Justice.
Robert Andrew Arias, 54, of Salem, Oregon, has been charged by indictment with distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography. He was arrested on April 28, 2025, at his residence in Salem and made his first appearance in federal court the same day. A jury trial is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025.
Berret J. Brown, 40, of Vida, Oregon, has been charged by indictment with enticing minors, receiving child pornography, using a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct and transferring obscene matter to a minor. Between July and August 2024, Brown is alleged to have used Snapchat to entice multiple children into producing and sending him sexually explicit videos. Brown is also alleged to have used Roblox, a children’s online video game platform, to connect with minors. On April 30, 2025, Brown made his first appearance in federal court and was ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on August 5, 2025.
Michael Joseph Cambalik, 35, of Beaverton, Oregon, has been charged by complaint with sexually exploiting a minor, receiving child pornography and coercing and enticing a minor. In December 2024, Cambalik, posing as a female minor, is alleged to have used Call of Duty, an internet-connected video game, to meet and coerce a then-nine-year-old child to produce and send him sexually explicit photos and videos. On April 30, 2025, Cambalik made his first appearance in federal court and was ordered detained pending his arraignment on May 29, 2025.
Those arrested nationwide 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 eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents at an online safety presentation broadcast from 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 Three in the Central District of IllinoisRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – 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 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.”
“Protecting our children from those who seek to exploit them and inflict harm is a top priority for our office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Gregory M. Gilmore. “We are grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners whose dedicated work has made our community that much safer.”
“There will be zero tolerance for those who commit crimes against our children,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “There will never be a lead we do not follow or door we do not knock on. We will not stand by – we will stand together. This operation shows that with every partner at the table, from law enforcement to community advocates, we are united in one mission, to protect our children.”
The cases charged in the Central District of Illinois include the following:
Mark Peterson, 41, of Pekin, Illinois, was charged by federal criminal complaint on April 25, 2025, with attempted enticement of a minor. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Peterson on May 6, 2025.
According to the complaint affidavit, Peterson communicated via an internet-based social media platform with an individual whom he believed had access to a ten-year-old female, expressing multiple times that he wanted to engage in sexual activity with the child. Per the affidavit, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, Peterson drove to a location in Peoria to meet the child for the purpose of having sexual relations. Federal law enforcement agents arrested him upon his arrival.
If convicted of attempted enticement of a minor, Peterson faces a minimum sentence of ten years to life imprisonment.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long ordered Peterson detained on April 29, 2025, and he remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz is representing the government in the prosecution.
Dalton Trader, 27, of Williamsville, Illinois, was charged by federal criminal complaint on April 29, 2025, with possession of child pornography.
According to the complaint affidavit, law enforcement agents discovered multiple child pornography videos, including a video of a prepubescent minor, on Trader’s computer pursuant to a search warrant.
If convicted of possession of child pornography, Trader faces a sentence of up to twenty years of imprisonment.
Trader is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending a detention hearing that is set for May 8, 2025.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, with assistance from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Williamsville Police Department, Illinois State Police, Springfield Police Department, the Illinois Secretary of State Police, the Sherman Police Department, and Sangamon County Animal Control. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs is representing the government in the prosecution.
James Yeager, 51, of Springfield, Illinois, was charged by federal criminal complaint on April 29, 2025, with possession of child pornography.
According to the complaint affidavit, law enforcement agents discovered multiple child pornography images, including photographs of prepubescent minors, on a micro-SD drive at Yeager’s residence, following the execution of a search warrant.
U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless ordered Yeager detained on May 6, 2025, and he remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office; the Decatur Police Department; the Springfield Police Department; the Illinois State Police; the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Investigation Division, and the Illinois Secretary of State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs is representing the government in the prosecution.
If convicted of possession of child pornography, Yeager faces a minimum sentence of ten years and maximum sentence of twenty years of imprisonment.
The following agencies provided further assistance during Operation Restore Justice: the Charleston Police Department; the Bradley Police Department; the Manteno Police Department; the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Police Department; and the Eastern-Central Illinois Task Force.
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
A complaint or indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless 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 Six in the Southern District of FloridaRead the Press Release
MIAMI – 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 Southern District of Florida is prosecuting the following cases as part of this operation:
Benjamin Tokoma Sanders, 23, of Oakland, Fla., was charged with possession and production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on April 24. FBI Miami and the Broward Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Case No. 25-cr-60092.
Tre’ Anthony Roberts, 25, of Miami, Fla., was charged with child sexual exploitation on Feb. 27. FBI Miami, FBI Jacksonville and the Tallahassee Police Department are investigating the case. Case No. 25-cr-60042.
Katriel Victor Marmol, 57, of Davie, Fla., was charged with enticement of a minor on April 30. FBI Miami and the Davie Police Department are investigating the case. Case No. 25-mj-06969.
Dariel Manresa, 34, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., was charged with possession and distribution of CSAM on April 24. FBI Miami and the Pembroke Pines Police Department are investigating the case. Case No. 25-cr-60090.
William Neal, 44, of Tampa, Fla., was charged with possession of CSAM on April 30. FBI Miami and FBI Tampa are investigating the case. Case No. 25-mj-02902.
Brian Jones, 38, of Evanston, Illinois, was charged with distribution of CSAM on April 15. FBI Miami and FBI Chicago are investigating the case. Case No. 25-mj-02747.
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, this effort 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
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
###