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Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
8 April 2025
Silicon Valley Start-Up Founder Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison for Securities FraudRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Shaukat Shamim was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison in connection with his scheme to defraud investors into investing in the technology start-up he founded and led, announced Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. The sentence was handed down April 7 by the Hon. James Donato, U.S. District Judge.
Shamim, 53, of Santa Clara, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charges on September 16, 2024. According to agreed facts in the plea agreement, Shamim founded Silicon Valley-based YouPlus in 2013. By 2015, the focus of YouPlus was to develop artificial intelligence software tools to analyze online video content. From its inception until Shamim resigned from the company in November 2019, YouPlus raised approximately $17 million from investors, including angel investors and venture capital firms.
Shamim admitted that he made false representations to investors and potential investors about YouPlus’s product, sales, and customer adoption. For example, Shamim told investors that YouPlus had developed a search engine that used neural networks to analyze videos and predict marketing outcomes despite knowing that YouPlus had not, in fact, developed software with fully operational artificial intelligence functionalities. Instead, to perform pilot projects or marketing studies, YouPlus had employees in India manually review videos and then create PowerPoint presentations with marketing insights. Shamim also admitted to investors and prospective investors about YouPlus’s revenue and customers. Shamim admitted that, in August and September 2018 he prepared and provided to prospective investors documents that claimed that YouPlus had customers who had signed up for continuing services and paid recurring subscription fees. In fact, no customers had signed on to pay monthly fees for the service. Shamim provided some victims a spreadsheet that showed 90 customers were paying a total of $600,000 per month. Nevertheless, in reality, every one of the purported customers were paying for YouPlus subscriptions and YouPlus had only ever earned minimal revenue—less than $200,000 total—working on small and non-recurring projects.
In February 2019, Shamim told investors that Youplus had earned $4.6 million in revenue in the year 2018, when in fact its revenue was less than $100,000 that year. In May 2019, Shamim falsely claimed that YouPlus had earned $3.5 million in revenue in only the first four months of 2019 when, in reality, YouPlus ultimately earned less than $280,000 in revenue for all of 2019.
By September 2019, YouPlus was running short on cash and Shamim was seeking to raise money for YouPlus in a Series A financing from venture capital investors. During the same time period, Shamin, also sought bridge loans from existing investors to cover YouPlus’s costs. In connection with these efforts to raise funds, investors and potential investors requested that Shamim provide more detailed financial information about YouPlus and populate a data room with bank statements, customer contracts, and other materials that would back up the revenue Shamim claimed YouPlus was earning. Shamim admitted that, in response to these requests and to conceal the fact that he had previously provided false information about YouPlus revenue, Shamim altered bank statements for YouPlus’s bank accounts in India and the United States. The false documents reflected revenue Shamim knew did not exist. For example, Shamim altered a statement for an account YouPlus held at a U.S. bank so that it showed totaling over $600,000 from 35 different companies, including Coca-Cola, Kraft, and Netflix. The deposits did not actually exist. The true bank statement for that month reflected only one $65,000 customer deposit. Shamim also admitted to forging or altering contracts purporting to show subscription agreements between YouPlus and purported customers.
Shamim admitted that, from August 2018 through October 2019, he used these false statements about revenue and customers to obtain about $6.4 million from investors.
On June 14, 2022, a federal grand jury handed down an indictment that charged Shamim with three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and one count of securities fraud, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b) and 78ff and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Shamim pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud and the court dismissed the remaining counts during the sentencing hearing.
In addition to the 30-month prison term, Judge Donato ordered Shamim to pay a $50,000 fine and to serve three years of supervised release, which will begin after he leaves prison. Shamim is currently released on bond, and Judge Donato ordered that Shamim report to begin serving his sentence on April 28, 2025. In addition, Judge Donato scheduled a hearing for June 23, 2025, to determine issues regarding restitution.
The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lloyd Farnham and Noah Stern are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Madeline Wachs, Sara Slatterly, and Claudia Hyslop. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI thank the San Francisco Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). An SEC civil enforcement action is currently pending against Shamim in the Northern District of California.
Senior Member of Violent D.C. Drug Crew Is Sentenced to 420 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Broadus Jamal Daniels, 30, of Washington, D.C. was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 420 months (35 years) in prison in connection with drug and gun charges related to a drug-trafficking conspiracy.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, ATF 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.
Daniels, aka “Wardy,” was found guilty by a federal jury on September 16, 2024, of possessing machine guns in furtherance of drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, unlawful possession of machine guns, and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
In addition to the 35-year prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered Daniels to serve four years of supervised release.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Daniels, was a “big homie” or senior member in a street gang known as Jugg Gang, or “JG.” In approximately August 2018, the Jugg Gang became allied with a neighboring D.C. street crew known as “Push Dat Shit” or “PDS.” PDS maintained gang territory in the 3300 – 3500 blocks of Wheeler Road, Southeast, and adjacent areas, and operated an open-air drug market outside a grocery located on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, Southeast.
Between August 2018 and April 2023, members of the allied PDS/JG street crew sold drugs from Holiday Market and from “trap houses” that they maintained in apartment buildings surrounding that location. As their drug business grew, PDS/JG became the target of drive-by shootings conducted by rival gangs – shootings they referred to as “spinning the block.” Beginning in August 2019, a PDS/JG member began assembling AR-pistol assault rifles from kits purchased from online retailers and modified them to be capable of fully automatic fire. Such firearms are defined as “privately made firearms” by the ATF but are frequently referred to as “ghost guns” on the street.
As proved at trial, PDS/JG members used, carried, and possessed these “ghost gun” AR-pistol machine guns to defend their territory from rival gangs, and also to “spin the block” on rival gangs to deter their rivals from entering PDS/JG territory.
This sentencing 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.
Daniels’ co-defendant, Andre Alonte Willis, who was a leader of PDS, was sentenced February 20, 2025, to 20 years in prison on five felony convictions related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James B. Nelson and Justin F. Song and Paralegal Specialist Melissa Macechko.
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Secret Service Seizes Another Web Domain Used in Furtherance of a Cryptocurrency “Pig Butchering” SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – The U.S. Secret Service in the Northern District of New York has seized a second web domain used in a recent cryptocurrency confidence crime known as “pig butchering.” United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, and Jeffrey Burr, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of the United States Secret Service (USSS), made the announcement.
In pig butchering schemes, scammers encounter victims, often but not always elderly victims, through a variety of ways, including on dating applications and social media websites, and even random text messages masquerading as a wrong number. Scammers initiate relationships with victims and slowly gain their trust, eventually introducing the idea of making a business investment using cryptocurrency. Victims are then directed to other members of the scheme running fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platforms, where victims are persuaded to invest money. Once the money is sent to the fake investment application, the scammer vanishes, taking all the money with them, often resulting in significant losses for the victim.
According to court records, between November 2023 and March 2024, scammers induced a Warren County victim to wire monies to the now-seized domain NFT-UNI.com. The scammers — using the confidence-building techniques described above — convinced the victim that he/she was investing in a legitimate cryptocurrency opportunity. After the victim transferred investments into the deposit addresses that the scammers provided in connection with the seized domain name, the victim’s funds were immediately transferred through numerous bank accounts in an effort to conceal the source of the funds. In total, the victim lost approximately $172,405.61. Other victims of the NFT-UNI.com fraud reported approximately $4,564,936.47 in losses.
Previously, in May 2024, the U.S. Secret Service seized the web domain OKEX-NFT.net, which was also used in a pig butchering scheme in Warren County.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “by seizing this website, we are able to strike a blow to a criminal organization that financially victimized numerous individuals, including a member of our community and senior citizens around the country.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Conger and Alexander Wentworth-Ping represented the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this matter.
Related court documents and information are located on the online docket for the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (available via www.pacer.gov), by searching for Case No. 1:25-SW-78 (PJE).
If you believe you are a victim of this type of scheme, please contact [email protected] or IC3.gov to file a report. Please provide detailed information in your report, including any purported investment websites visited, telephone numbers, email accounts, and social media profiles used by scammers, and any cryptocurrency addresses, transaction hashes, and dates of transactions. Your responses are voluntary. Based on the information provided, you may be contacted by the Secret Service or another law enforcement agency and asked to provide additional information.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative. The mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving elders can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison for Drug SmugglingRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 260 months in prison for conspiracy to import methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Juan Antonio Lucha, 27, was part of a drug smuggling organization and was responsible for trafficking five kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,627 grams of fentanyl from Mexico into the United States. Lucha was arrested June 27, 2020 at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry.
Lucha was charged in a four-count indictment in July 2020 with co-defendants Juan Sustaita Rodriguez and Natalie Andrea Vasquez. Lucha pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine.
Vasquez was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison on Feb. 12, 2024 for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Rodriguez pleaded guilty Jan. 28, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 24, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Garland is prosecuting the case.
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Sacramento County Man Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison for Bank Fraud, Possession of Stolen Mail, and Possession of Mail Keys or LocksRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Senior U.S. District Court Judge John A. Mendez sentenced Adam Lee, 38, of Orangevale, to five years and four months in prison for bank fraud, possession of stolen mail, and possession of mail keys or locks, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, Lee obtained and counterfeited postal keys, which he used to steal mail from mailboxes. From the stolen mail, Lee obtained identifying information, financial information, and bank checks of other people. He then attempted to negotiate, deposit, or cash the stolen checks. Lee and his co-defendant, Windy Lund, possessed more than $273,000 in stolen checks that they either attempted to negotiate or possessed with the intent to negotiate.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot C. Wong prosecuted the case.
Lund is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2025, before Judge Mendez.
Resources for St. Louis Area Crime Victims, Gun Locks Both Available WednesdayRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Victim advocates will be available by phone Wednesday to help St. Louis area crime victims and survivors seek justice and obtain assistance.
This is the third year of the hotline, which connects victims and survivors of crimes and online harassment to information about their rights and services. Those services include treatment, counseling, compensation and other support. Each year, dozens of people have called the hotline.
The phone bank, at 314-539-6855, will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also have 100 gun locks available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. all week. Anyone interested should come to the reception area on the 20th floor of the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse, at 111 South 10th Street in downtown St. Louis.
The initiative comes during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year’s theme is KINSHIP, a call-to-action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime. Kinship is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections to services, rights, and healing. Kinship is where victim advocacy begins.
Repeat sex offender sentenced to 25 years in prison for coercing minors onlineRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A repeat sex offender was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 300 months in prison for coercing two minor victims and producing child pornography.
Christopher Jewett, 26, of Dayton, met adolescent and teenage girls on an online, virtual world and social networking site.
According to court documents, in summer 2023 and spring 2024, while on supervised release for similar prior sex offenses, Jewett communicated with minor victims online. The defendant sent the victims explicit videos and asked for explicit content in return.
Jewett lied regarding his registered address and possessed cell phones, violating the terms of his probation. Jewett’s prior sex offenses included local convictions for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
The defendant was charged federally in July 2024 and pleaded guilty in October 2024.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; announced the sentence imposed on April 7 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorneys Jahan S. Karamali and Christina Mahy are representing the United States in this case.
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Repeat alien smuggler sent to prisonRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 32-year-old Roma resident has been sentenced for his involvement in alien smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Felipe Montez pleaded guilty Jan. 23.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Montez to serve 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Montez had four prior state arrests for human smuggling within the seven months preceding his federal arrest in December 2024. Several of these prior smuggling attempts involved fleeing from law enforcement. Two resulted in injury to illegal aliens present in his vehicle. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Montez’s dangerous activities.
“If you smuggle, assist, or attempt to bring people into this country illegally, you are going to serve federal time,” said Ganjei. “The Department of Justice is going to be relentless in its pursuit of those that make their money violating our nation’s immigration laws.”
On Dec. 23, 2024, Montez attempted to transport seven illegal aliens.
He was driving a vehicle waiting by the Rio Grande River near Escobares as the individuals ran from the river towards him.
Upon the sight of law enforcement, they all attempted to flee, but authorities apprehended them.
Further investigation revealed Montez was involved in four previous alien smuggling events which involved attempts to evade law enforcement. All five occurred in the area of Roma.
Montez’s smugglings attempts have involved a total of 41 illegal aliens.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety and Roma Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison on a Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A registered sex offender was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today, having previously pled guilty to a charge of possession with intent to view child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Prior to his arrest in April 2024 in this matter, David Hamlin, 43, of Cranston, was charged in Rhode Island state court in 2016 and 2018 on child pornography violations, and in 2018 pleaded guilty to transporting child pornography.
According to information presented to the court in this matter, in March 2024, local FBI agents received information from their Tampa, FL, counterparts that a cellphone registered to Hamlin was being used to access an online platform on which child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was being transferred to an undercover FBI employee.
In April 2024, pursuant to a court-authorized search warrant, two cell phones were seized from Hamlin. Forensic analysis of the phones identified multiple images and videos containing CSAM.
At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Hamlin to 120 months of incarceration to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julianne Klein.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Qualcomm Executive Convicted by Jury in $180 Million FraudRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Dr. Karim Arabi was convicted by a federal jury today of fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a massive $180 million scheme targeting his then-employer, Qualcomm.
After a four-week trial, the jury deliberated for less than two days. The jury found that while working as vice president of Qualcomm’s Research and Development Department, Dr. Arabi committed fraud by developing a valuable microchip technology, marketing the technology through a company, Abreezio, which he created to conceal his involvement, and then selling the company and its purported technology to Qualcomm for $180 million.
As part of his employment with Qualcomm, Dr. Arabi had agreed that virtually all technology he invented while working at Qualcomm belonged to Qualcomm. To perpetrate the fraud, Dr. Arabi carefully hid his role as the new company’s shadow CEO, picked its corporate name (Abreezio) and weighed in on its office furniture.
Dr. Arabi created fake email accounts and sent phony emails to impersonate his sister, the supposed inventor of the new technology. In truth, the sister was a nonentity throughout its formation, development, marketing and sale. In the summer of 2015, when Abreezio was filing a new round of patent applications, the sister legally changed her last name to further conceal her relationship with Dr. Arabi.
According to evidence presented at trial, after the deal closed and Qualcomm unwittingly paid almost $92 million to Dr. Arabi’s sister, the campaign of concealment continued: Dr. Arabi invested the money in Canadian and Norwegian real estate while hiding his involvement, funneled funds back to his U.S. companies via intermediary shells, lied repeatedly through Qualcomm’s subsequent civil fraud suit, and received steady installments of laundered fraud proceeds until the month before his arrest in this case.
“The defendant took advantage of the trust placed in him, lining his pockets with millions by orchestrating a scheme to deceive and then bleed his own employer,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “His actions weren’t just a betrayal of the company - they were a direct attack on the very principles of fairness and integrity that keep business honest. Today’s jury verdict sends a clear message: In the Southern District of California, fraud has consequences. We will relentlessly pursue justice against those who try to profit through lies and deceit.”
“Dr. Arabi perpetrated an elaborate and exhaustive scheme to conceal, deceive, and defraud his own employer out of millions of dollars,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “With today’s verdict, Dr. Arabi will now face the consequences of this massive fraud, sending the clear message that corporate executives who facilitate fraud will be held accountable for their crimes.”
“As vice president of Research and Development, Mr. Arabi was entrusted with protecting Qualcomm’s intellectual property rights,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Arabi executed a scheme to swindle Qualcomm out of $180 million for what was rightfully their own technology. This guilty verdict is reflective of outstanding investigative work by IRS-CI and our partners at the FBI and U.S. Marshal’s Service.”
Qualcomm actually paid $150 million to the coconspirators and others before discovering the fraud.
Two other defendants pleaded guilty in the scheme prior to Arabi’s trial. Ali Akbar Shokouhi, another former Qualcomm employee and the primary investor in Abreezio, pleaded guilty to money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 1, 2025; Sanjiv Taneja, Abreezio’s nominal CEO, pleaded guilty to money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, 2025.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas W. Pilchak, Janaki G. Chopra and Eric R. Olah. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.
DEFENDANT Case Number 22-CR-1152
Karim Arabi Age: 58 San Diego, CA
CHARGES
Wire Fraud Conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349
Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; $1 million fine or twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transaction
Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343
Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; $1 million fine
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h)
Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transaction
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internal Revenue Services, Criminal Investigation
United States Marshals Service
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Økokrim, Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime
Prior felon going to prison for 10 years on multiple drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Nader Ngoopos a/k/a Nike, 26, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison pleaded guilty by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who handled the case, stated that between 2016, and late 2018, Ngoopos agreed with others to obtain cocaine and heroin in the Buffalo area and travel to Olean, NY, to distribute the cocaine and heroin. Ngoopos personally traveled to Olean on at least a weekly basis, selling cocaine and heroin out of various locations in Olean, including North 8th Street and South 11th Street. Co-conspirators also sold cocaine and heroin as part of the conspiracy on a weekly basis.
On October 15, 2018, Ngoopos participated in an armed robbery at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, with two others. The three gained entry to a dormitory at St. Bonaventure, and broke into a dorm room where Ngoopos, who possessed a firearm, believed he and his co-conspirators would find marijuana and money. Once they gained entry, Ngoopos and his co-conspirators pointed their firearms at the heads of the two occupants of the dorm room, threatened them, and then stole about an ounce of marijuana and approximately $300 - $400.
On September 2, 2021, law enforcement officers observed Ngoopos get into a vehicle in Buffalo. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped away leading officers on a high-speed chase. Eventually, the car came to a stop on East Amherst Street. As the car came to a stop, Ngoopos got out of the car and ran away, dropping a pistol. In June 2020, Ngoopos was convicted in Cattaraugus County Court of a felony and legally prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Olean Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ron Richardson, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alphonse Wright, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia.
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Previously convicted felon sentenced to over a year in prison for illegally possessing a firearmRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to one year and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on Nov. 20, 2023, Newport News Police (NNPD) conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle of Malik Lloyd Jerome-Marryshow, 29, and, after verifying his identity, placed Jerome-Marryshow into custody on outstanding arrest warrants for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances with a firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon.
At the time of his arrest, Jerome-Marryshow was in possession of a loaded handgun. Jerome-Marryshow previously was convicted for carrying a concealed weapon, driving under influence (DUI), credit card fraud, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. As a convicted felon, Jerome-Marryshow cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
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; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyson C. Yates, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Therese O'Brien 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. 4:24-cr-11.
Portland Man Admits Drug Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Portland man pleaded guilty today to three counts of drug distribution in U.S. District Court in Portland, Maine.
According to court records, Francis Mezan, 34, sold drugs to a confidential source on three separate occasions in the summer of 2024. The transactions were video-recorded and monitored via surveillance. Mezan sold quantities of cocaine and cocaine base to the confidential source.
Mezan faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a maximum fine of $1 million, and three years to life of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Portland Police Department and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
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Phone Scammers Falsely Claiming to be from U.S. Attorney’s OfficeRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is alerting the public of imposter scams involving individuals claiming to represent the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
During these calls, scammers may provide false badge numbers and claim to have found your phone number in the contacts list of a rescued human trafficking victim. The scammers are known to request funds through a mobile payment app.
Scammers use many tactics to sound and appear credible. They sometimes provide information like actual names of federal prosecutors and federal office addresses. They also spoof their phone numbers to appear on caller IDs as if they are calling from a government agency such as the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Remember that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will never ask you to purchase a gift card or give out a credit card number.
If you are a victim of one of these scam calls, please report the incident via https://www.ic3.gov/.
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Ohio County Man Admits to Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jakob Barnes, age 39, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to the unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Barnes is prohibited from having firearms because of a prior felony conviction. During a drug-related robbery investigation, officers executed a search warrant at Barnes’ apartment on Wheeling Island and seized two firearms and ammunition.
Barnes is facing up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wheeling Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
North Carolina U.S. Attorneys Host Ceremony in Observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week , April 6-12, 2025Read the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C – In April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). This year’s observance takes place April 6-12, 2025.
NCVRW began in 1981 to honor crime victims, promote victims’ rights, and recognize those who work with and advocate on behalf of victims of crime. It also serves to promote policies and programs that help victims of crime. This year’s NCVRW theme, “Connecting < KINSHIP > Healing,” recognizes that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime.
To commemorate NCVRW, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of North Carolina hosted a ceremony in Raleigh, to promote community engagement, raise awareness, and support and honor crime victims. The ceremony featured music by “The 100 Men in Black Ensemble” and remarks by victim advocates and survivors. The program also included a remembrance ceremony for crime victims and an award ceremony to recognize individuals for their superior service and work with victims and survivors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Randall Galyon (MDNC), U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson (WDNC), and Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar (EDNC) attended today’s NCVRW Ceremony in Raleigh
“We wish there were no victims of crime, and eliminating crime is our goal and motivation. During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we reaffirm our commitment to that goal, and to crime victims, survivors, and their families,” said Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “My Office will continue to work closely with our community partners, advocates, and law enforcement to uphold victims’ rights, and to ensure that victims’ voices are heard not just this week, but every day of the year.”
“Each year during National Crime Victims’ Week, we recognize people whose physical, financial, and emotional well-being has been shattered by crime, and those who work to support them. By reflecting upon and honoring victims, victim advocates, and law enforcement professionals, we renew our commitment to seeking justice and giving hope to victims and their families,” said Randall Galyon, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. “Throughout the coming year, we will continue to bring our very best efforts to this work, protecting the fundamental human rights to ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’”
“Today we honor the victims of crimes and celebrate those who work to restore hope in the face of loss and tragedy,” said Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “We greatly appreciate the sacrifices that our law enforcement partners and victim advocates make to serve, creating the community necessary to build the healing victims deserve.”
For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to assist crime victims in your community, please visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program can be found here.
North Attleboro Man Sentenced on Child Sexual Abuse and Animal Abuse Video ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A North Attleboro, MA, man who court documents reflect had long-standing interests in collecting and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and animal crush videos (depicts serious harm to animal and is obscene) has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Minor Bloom.
Samuel E. Maigret, 29, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 60 months of incarceration to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release. He pleaded guilty on April 30, 2024, to an indictment charging him with distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, access with intent to view child pornography, distribution of an animal crush video, and transfer of obscene material (animal crush video). No plea agreement was filed in this matter.
In September 2021, a court-authorized search of Maigret’s then Pawtucket residence and personal digital devices led to the discovery of approximately 3,000 videos and images depicting CSAM, including videos of adult males involved in sexual acts with infants, and evidence that Maigret used online applications to distribute CSAM and a video that depicts an individual causing serious injury to and the apparent death of a dog.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
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New Jersey Man Who Stalked and Assaulted Multiple Women Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that HERMAN CALVIN BRIGHTMAN, a/k/a “Nazir Griffiths,” a/k/a “Nazir Luckett,” was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for repeatedly stalking and assaulting several women he met online while posing as a nurse. BRIGHTMAN previously pled guilty to traveling in interstate commerce to commit a crime of violence and sending interstate threats. U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan imposed today’s sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Herman Brightman preyed on women he met through online dating websites. By posing as a nurse, Brightman earned the trust of his victims, and then stalked, assaulted, and threatened them. With today’s lengthy prison sentence, Brightman can no longer inflict pain or fear in his victims. I commend the brave women who spoke out against Brightman to ensure that he was held accountable for his crimes.”
As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in public filings and public court proceedings:
From at least January 2022 through September 2023, BRIGHTMAN used social media platforms such as Facebook and the dating application Hinge to meet, and occasionally date, women under false pretenses. Specifically, BRIGHTMAN often used an alias, created false identities for himself, and posed as a nurse or nurse practitioner working at New York City-area hospitals. To convince women of his lies, BRIGHTMAN sent pictures and videos of himself wearing scrubs and lab coats, some examples of which are included below:
Shortly after he began dating his victims, BRIGHTMAN began to act violently towards them, especially when they attempted to end the relationship. Court filings detailed how BRIGHTMAN brutalized at least four such women.
In July 2022, BRIGHTMAN traveled from New Jersey to the Bronx, where he brandished a knife at a woman (“Victim-1”) and her minor child, after Victim-1 decided to break up with him. BRIGHTMAN then forced Victim-1 and her child to travel from Westchester County to BRIGHTMAN’s home in New Jersey. Upon arriving at BRIGHTMAN’s residence, BRIGHTMAN threatened Victim-1 if she tried to escape. Eventually, Victim-1 was able to call 911, and police officers arrived and freed her and her child from BRIGHTMAN’s apartment.
In August 2023, BRIGHTMAN brutally attacked and held at knifepoint a Queens woman he had been dating (“Victim-2”). The attack occurred inside Victim-2’s home, and BRIGHTMAN threatened to use the knife to “gut” Victim-2 “like a fish.” BRIGHTMAN also bound Victim-2’s hands and attempted to tape Victim-2’s mouth. Approximately one week after this incident, Victim-2 ended her relationship with BRIGHTMAN. In the 24 hours that followed, BRIGHTMAN called Victim-2 over 20 times, including from private blocked numbers. During one phone call, BRIGHTMAN repeatedly threatened Victim-2.
In early September 2023, BRIGHTMAN traveled from New Jersey to the Bronx and lured a third woman he was dating (“Victim-3”) to his car. While in BRIGHTMAN’s car, BRIGHTMAN forced Victim-3 to call Victim-2. BRIGHTMAN then punched Victim-3, leaving a bruise on her arm. When Victim-3 attempted to escape, BRIGHTMAN chased after her and put her in a choke hold. Victim-3 was eventually able to run into her building and call the police.
Several days later, BRIGHTMAN confronted Victim-3 while she was waiting for a bus home from work. During the confrontation, BRIGHTMAN repeatedly asked Victim-3 if she had contacted the police about him. BRIGHTMAN then followed Victim-3 home, where BRIGHTMAN assaulted her again, pushing Victim-3 to the ground and throwing a traffic cone at her.
In or about late September 2023, BRIGHTMAN traveled to the Bronx and convinced a fourth woman (“Victim-4”), who had previously ended her relationship with BRIGHTMAN, to allow him into her home. Inside Victim-4’s home, BRIGHTMAN assaulted and strangled Victim-4, leaving her with bruising on her neck. BRIGHTMAN also repeatedly threatened to kill Victim-4 and watched her while she showered. Victim-4 was discretely able to contact a friend, who eventually arrived at the apartment and helped free her.
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In addition to his prison term, BRIGHTMAN, 31, of New Jersey, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ni Qian, Patrick Moroney, and Elizabeth Daniels are in charge of the prosecution.
New Jersey Man Sentenced for Prescription Opioid ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A New Jersey man was sentenced today to 16 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, a highly addictive controlled substance.
According to court documents, between November 2022 and March 2023, Chris Ruediger, 61, of Pennsauken, purchased prescription oxycodone pills from a relative and sold them to another relative involved in unlawfully distributing oxycodone. Ruediger admitted to distributing between 100 and 400 kilograms of opioids by converted drug weight. Ruediger also admitted that he attempted to obstruct the investigation by attempting to persuade one of his co-conspirators not to talk with law enforcement.
In November 2024, Ruediger pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s South Jersey Resident Agency investigated the case with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division.
Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Myrtle Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. —Michael David Brown, 44, of Myrtle Beach, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Jan. 10, 2024, officers with the Myrtle Beach Police Department spotted a vehicle in a motel parking lot with a man slumped over behind the wheel. Officers stopped to check on the man and determined he was intoxicated. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded handgun on the passenger seat.
Brown is a felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. He has previous convictions for domestic violence, assault and battery.
Brown faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine, restitution, and supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Brown after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report from the U.S. Probation Office.
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, the Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office and the Myrtle Beach Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Hixson is prosecuting the case.
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Mobile Man Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
According to court documents, Vincent Sandifer, 25, was a suspect in multiple auto, business, and apartment burglaries. Mobile police went to his apartment to execute a search warrant. Upon their arrival to the complex parking lot, Sandifer was observed moving suspected stolen goods from one vehicle to another. As officers pulled up to the vehicles, Sandifer fled. During his flight, Sandifer rammed into a patrol vehicle and caused multiple collisions on the roadway. Sandifer was ultimately apprehended and found to be in possession of a firearm.
Sandifer has multiple prior felony convictions, including convictions for eight counts of auto burglary, burglary, and cruelty to animals. As a convicted felon, Sandifer is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Sandifer was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and pled guilty to the charge. United States District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Sandifer to 63 months in prison followed by a 3-year term of supervised release for illegally possessing the firearm.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.
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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Mexican national receives more than a decade in prison after attempting to bring drugs and child sexual abuse material across the borderRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 44-year-old Mexican citizen has been ordered to federal prison for transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and importing cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Christian Christopher Rodriguez-Lopez pleaded guilty Aug. 21, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton has now sentenced Rodriguez-Lopez to a total of 151 months for the CSAM and drug trafficking convictions. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including that the CSAM victims ranged in age from infants to 12 years old. This led to enhancements for material depicting prepubescent minors and for sadistic or masochistic material. Rodriguez-Lopez must also serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Once permitted to reside in the country, his visa was revoked at the time of his arrest, and he is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence.
In April 2024, Rodriguez-Lopez attempted to enter the United States from Mexico. Upon inspection, law enforcement located approximately five kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle, at which time he admitted to knowingly importing the drug.
Further investigation following his arrest resulted in the additional discovery of CSAM on his cell phone.
“Mr. Rodriguez-Lopez is a perfect example of why our more aggressive approach to border security is so critical,” said Ganjei. “Neither these drugs, nor this defendant, have any place in our communities. Due to the excellent work of our law enforcement partners, this cocaine will never make it to the streets and this offender will spend the next decade in federal prison.”
Rodriguez-Lopez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarina S. DiPiazza is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Mexican national previously deported multiple times pleads guilty to illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Juan Vera-Cervantes, 45, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien and was sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. He was then turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who handled the case, stated that on February 25, 2025, Border Patrol agents observed a white cargo van with a Tennessee license plate traveling on the I 490. A check of the license plate revealed that Vera-Cervantes was the registered owner of the vehicle, and he had been previously deported multiple times from the United States and had his final order of removal reinstated on three different occasions. During a traffic stop of the vehicle, Vera-Cervantes stated that he is a citizen and national of Mexico without immigration documents to be in the United States legally. He was then administratively detained.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The plea and sentence are a result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Juan Ramirez.
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Mexican citizen and felon imprisoned for smuggling illegal aliensRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 32-year-old Mexican man who illegally resided in Roma has been ordered to federal prison for human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Allan Eduardo Mar-Uballe pleaded guilty Dec. 12, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Mar-Uballe to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, Mar-Uballe is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. Mar-Uballe has prior convictions for illegal reentry into the United States, assault on a federal officer and possession of a controlled substance.
“Mr. Mar-Uballe’s prior convictions obviously did not dissuade him from engaging in dangerous criminal activity,” said Ganjei. “His actions put the lives of law enforcement, innocent motorists, and every person in his vehicle at risk that day. Hopefully his new stay in federal prison will give him time to learn the lessons his earlier convictions didn’t teach him.”
On Oct. 22, 2024, Mar-Uballe was driving a Ford Expedition with the back seats and seatbelts removed near Roma. Inside the vehicle were 18 illegal aliens, including two unaccompanied minors.
Authorities attempted to stop the vehicle, but Mar-Uballe evaded at a high rate of speed and drove erratically through the streets of Roma, disregarding stop signs and other vehicles, before crashing into a ditch. Several inside the vehicle sustained injuries.
Mar-Uballe and the others were all determined to be in the United States illegally and from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.
Mar-Uballe will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Mexican National Pleads Guilty After Smuggling More Than 60 Pounds of Cocaine into the U.S.Read the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in a federal court in Del Rio to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, Genaro Ivan Hernandez-Sarabia, was referred to secondary inspection as he attempted to drive into the U.S. from Mexico at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry, Sept. 22, 2024. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and a narcotics detection K-9 located a non-factory compartment inside Hernandez-Sarabia’s vehicle, which contained 32 packages of a white powdery substance which tested positive for 27.66 total kgs of cocaine. Hernandez-Sarabia stated he had been hired for $5,000 to transport the cocaine to Houston.
Hernandez-Sarabia faces a penalty of 10 years to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations and CBP investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass is prosecuting the case.
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McAlester Couple Sentenced for Child Abuse and NeglectRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that McAlester residents Billy James Menees, age 30, and Ashley Dawn Marie Schardein, age 28, were sentenced on child abuse and neglect charges.
Menees was sentenced to 192 months of imprisonment for one count of Child Abuse in Indian Country and 192 months of imprisonment for one count of Child Neglect in Indian Country. The terms were ordered to be served concurrently.
In a separate hearing held on April 1, 2025, Schardein was sentenced to 240 months of imprisonment for one count of Child Abuse in Indian Country and 240 months of imprisonment for one count of Child Neglect in Indian Country. The terms were ordered to be served concurrently.
The charges arose from an investigation by the McAlester Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office for District 18, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On February 23, 2023, Menees and Schardein were each found guilty by a federal jury at trial on charges of child abuse and neglect. According to investigators, on May 9, 2020, officers responding to a welfare call arrived at the shared residence of Menees and Schardein. Inside, they discovered an extremely malnourished and underweight 10 year old child, covered in bruises and confined to a barren, unfurnished room. At trial, the government presented evidence showing that beginning in January 2019, Menees and Schardein regularly isolated, confined, restrained, neglected, underfed, tortured, and beat the child over a 16 month period.
The crimes occurred in Pittsburg County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“There is no justification for the abuse endured by the child victim in this case. What makes this particularly disturbing, is the treatment was at the hands of the people responsible for the child’s well-being and safety,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “Thanks to the vigilance of a caring third-party who reported the abuse, and the thorough investigation by the FBI and our law enforcement partners, justice has been served for these two defendants.”
“I am thankful for the tireless work of the McAlester Police Department, the OSBI, the FBI, and my investigators in rescuing an innocent child from unspeakable abuse and for the exceptional work of the Assistant U.S. Attorneys in obtaining justice for the victim,” said District 18 District Attorney Chuck Sullivan. “If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please do the right thing and call law enforcement. Together we can make a difference in protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.”
“The defendants’ horrific acts of abuse and neglect are deserving of lengthy prison sentences,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office stands together with law enforcement and the community in our pursuit to hold offenders who harm children accountable.”
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearings in Oklahoma City. Menees and Schardein will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Caila Cleary represented the United States.
Major Methamphetamine Supplier Sentenced to 140 MonthsRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A major supplier of methamphetamine in Southwest Virginia – and a pair of related dealers - were sentenced last week to lengthy federal prison terms, dealing a major blow to the drug market in Southwest Virginia.
On Friday, Ashley Linden Beverly, Jr., 51, of Pound, Va., was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison. Beverly previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Also on Friday, two methamphetamine and fentanyl dealers, Cody Rose, 36, and Brandon Boggs, 35, were each sentenced. Boggs was sentenced to 108 months and Rose 49 months.
According to court documents, Beverly served as a major supplier of methamphetamine in the Wise County, Virginia area, selling over five kilograms of methamphetamine from approximately May 2022 through November 2022.
Beverly also combined drug distribution with the possession of firearms. Sources often described seeing handguns at Beverly’s Pound, Virginia residence, from where he sold a majority of his narcotics. In addition, Beverly routinely traded methamphetamine for firearms, some of which he knew were stolen. Beverly was known around Pound, Virginia as “the gun guy.”
Beverly supplied Boggs with methamphetamine, who in turn supplied Rose with methamphetamine that he then distributed. In addition, Rose and Boggs were key parts of a second conspiracy that brought fentanyl into Southwest Virginia from North Carolina and Kentucky. Additional co-conspirators are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Southwest Drug Task Force, Wise County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case for the United States.
Lexington Man Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Eric Kelsey Shepherd, 30, was sentenced on Friday, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, to 50 years in prison, for production of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, in January 2022, law enforcement was contacted about a 12-year-old victim who was sexually exploited by an adult male. Further investigation revealed that Shepherd, then 27 years-old, met the victim on Snapchat, where he initially claimed he was 17 years-old. Shepherd met the minor victim on numerous occasions to engage in sexual activity, some of which the victim alleged involved violence against the victim. Shepherd took images and videos of many of the sexual interactions, which were located on both the victim’s and Shepherd’s cellphones. Shepherd has a prior state conviction for sexual abuse and unlawful transaction with a minor and, as a result, will face enhanced penalties.
Under federal law, Shepherd 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 life.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department; and Sheriff Mike Coyle, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by HSI; Lexington Police Department; and Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Lexington Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Chase Allen Barnett, 39, was sentenced on Thursday to 200 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, for three counts of distribution of a mixture containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to court proceedings, between February 10, 2023, and February 20, 2023, Barnett possessed and distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl to a confidential informant out of a hotel in Lexington. On February 21, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant of a hotel room occupied by Barnett and found fentanyl, methamphetamine, digital scales, drug packaging materials, drug debt ledgers, $6,234 in cash, ammunition and firearm magazines. In total, Barnett distributed or intended to distribute 197.299 grams of fentanyl and 379.894 grams of methamphetamine.
Under federal law, Barnett 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 8 years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Commander Kalan Perdue, Gateway High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and Gateway HIDTA Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Baker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Leader of alien smuggling organization heads to federal prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 29-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to prison for his role as the leader and organizer of a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Hosmel Vences pleaded guilty May 22, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Vences to serve 48 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, Vences filed objections claiming not to be a leader/organizer and against enhancements for recklessness and possession of weapons. Judge Ramos ultimately found all to be true and noted Vences was aware of any firearms that drivers he recruited possessed and recklessness in the transport of the illegal aliens. As the leader/organizer of the smuggling events, Vences was held responsible for everything he knew about regarding the actions of others, including possession of firearms and recklessness.
“The human smuggling business is all about money and nothing else,” said Ganjei. “These smugglers don’t care about the lives of those that they transport, nor do they care about the impact their business has on American communities. Fortunately, through the hard work of our law enforcement partners and this office, this human smuggling conspiracy has been dismantled, and its ringleader will be off to federal prison.”
The court found Vences was found responsible for organizing the smuggling of at least 75 illegal aliens between Aug. 16 – Dec. 17, 2023.
The investigation revealed Vences recruited many different drivers from all over South Texas to drive to Brownsville and Raymondville for the purpose of transporting illegal aliens further into the United States.
Vences would personally speak to all the drivers. He confirmed details of their trips, communicated directly with individuals who loaded the aliens into the vehicles and then got updates on the progress of each individual trip. He would also meet up with his drivers and pay them for getting the aliens past the checkpoint.
He posted about his activities on social media, demonstrating how much money he was making as part of the conspiracy.
Vences will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Jefferson City Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, man has been sentenced in federal court for the sexual exploitation of a child.
Wilbert Ballard, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Ballard to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration. Ballard will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.
On December 3, 2024, Ballard pleaded guilty to producing child pornography.
The investigation began on June 11, 2023, when Jefferson City Police Officers were contacted by an individual who had found video evidence of the defendant engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a six-year-old child. Officers performed an extraction on Mr. Ballard’s cellular phone and located the video described by the witness. Based upon the video, the child may have been asleep while the act was being done and the video created.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Turner. It was investigated by Jefferson City Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Jefferson City Man Indicted for Unlawful Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo. man has been indicted today by a federal grand jury for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Latrell Dashon Batts, 27, was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City. The indictment alleges that Batts was in possession of a Smith & Wesson pistol and ammunition on March 10, 2025.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Batts has prior felony convictions for assault in the second degree and accessory forcible stealing.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Under federal statutes, if convicted, Batts is subject to a sentence of up to fifteen years in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cecily L. Hicks. It was investigated Jefferson City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Involving A Paycheck Protection Program LoanRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Larry E. Denson, Jr. (31, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving COVID relief fraud through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Denson faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and payment of restitution to the United State government. Denson has also agreed to forfeit $18,190, the proceeds of the charged criminal offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, in April 2021, Denson submitted a PPP loan application to a lender authorized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to lend funds for approved PPP loan applications. The PPP loan application falsely claimed that Denson operated his own janitorial services business with a gross income of $87,312. Throughout the loan application, Denson made false statements regarding his purported payroll and operating expenses. In support of his PPP loan application, Denson submitted a fraudulent IRS form that contained false statements about expenses and income for his purported business. Upon reliance of the false statements in his PPP loan application and supporting documentation, Denson received a PPP loan for $18,190.
After receiving the PPP loan proceeds into his bank account, Denson began making withdrawals and spending the funds on personal expenses, including meals at restaurants, retail purchases, and cash withdrawals. In July 2022, Denson filed a PPP Loan Forgiveness Application, falsely stating that he had spent the $18,190 on payroll. Relying on his false statements, the SBA forgave the entire loan amount.
This case was investigated by Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Indictment Charges Stamford Men with Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging TASEAN LEMAR BROWN, 35, and STANLEY CHARLES, 44, both of Stamford, with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
The indictment was returned on April 3, 2025, and Brown and Charles were arrested yesterday. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven, entered pleas of not guilty to the charge, and were ordered detained.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Brown and Charles were using the U.S. Mail to traffic fentanyl into Connecticut and distribute it in southwestern Connecticut. The investigation included the seizure of two parcels that Brown mailed to Charles from California and Arizona, the first containing approximately one kilogram of fentanyl powder, and the second containing approximately three kilograms of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
If convicted of the charge in the indictment, Brown and Charles each face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Connecticut State Police, and the Stamford, Greenwich, Bridgeport, Danbury, Stratford, and Norwalk Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Illinois Man Sentenced for Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Illinois man was sentenced today for possession of a stolen firearm.
Steven Ray Dennis, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 120 months in federal prison without parole.
On July 7, 2020, Dennis pleaded guilty to a Superseding Information, admitting that he possessed a stolen firearm. According to his plea agreement, an officer with the Columbia, Mo. Police Department had been notified by private security for a local bar that a man in a Chicago Bulls hat and jacket was going to his vehicle to get a firearm. The officer located Dennis, who matched that description, but when asked if he had any guns on him, Dennis began to run. He was arrested after a brief foot chase during which he discarded his hat and jacket. When officers located the Chicago Bulls jacket, it contained a .32 caliber revolver in the pocket. The revolver was stolen and loaded with five rounds of ammunition. Dennis also had prior felony convictions.
Although Dennis pleaded guilty in 2020, government court filings indicated that he subsequently failed to report and was a fugitive until he was arrested in the Chicago area in January 2025.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo. Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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
Illegal alien felon imprisoned for unlawfully reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 29-year-old Mexican national with a felony criminal history has been sentenced for illegally entering the country without authorization, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Joaquin Hernandez-Reyes pleaded guilty Jan. 9.
U.S. District Court Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Hernandez-Reyes to serve 72 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to again face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
Hernandez-Reyes has felony convictions for illegal reentry as well as assault of a public servant and possession of a controlled substance. He was first removed from the United States in 2016 and returned illegally several more times.
On Dec. 10, 2024, authorities discovered Hernandez-Reyes near McAllen again.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Delcolle prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Home health care companies owner sentenced to more than 3 years in prison for $5.7 million Medicaid fraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sally Njume-Tatsing, 47, formerly of Pickerington, was sentenced in federal court here today to 42 months in prison for committing Medicaid fraud. Njume-Tatsing was found guilty in September 2024 on all 13 counts as charged following a jury trial.
According to court documents and trial testimony, in 2017, Njume-Tatsing owned and operated three home healthcare businesses named Labelle Home Health. The agencies were located in Reynoldsburg, Mt. Vernon and Parma.
Njume-Tatsing resided in California during the majority of the time she owned the businesses, and despite not being involved in Labelle’s daily operations, she did all of the Medicaid billing for nursing services.
While billing Medicaid for health aide services to individuals in their homes, the defendant inflated the hours of services provided, billed for registered nurses when licensed practical nurses completed the care, and billed for care for patients who were either deceased or ineligible to receive Medicaid.
Njume-Tatsing was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2023 and charged with one count of health care fraud and 12 counts of making false health care statements.
As part of her sentence, Njume-Tatsing is ordered to pay $5.7 million in restitution to Medicaid.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and the Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU); the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth A. Affeldt and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Metzler of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office are representing the United States in this case.
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Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Guatemalan national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Domingo Valentin Solis-De Leon, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2025. Solis-De Leon was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025.
On Jan. 8, 2014, United States Border Patrol arrested Solis-De Leon near Hidalgo, Texas after entering the United States illegally. Solis De-Leon was ordered removed and was sent back to his home country of Guatemala. On Jan. 6, 2024, immigration authorities learned that Solis-De Leon was present in the United States following his arrest by the Lynn Police Department. According to court documents, Solis-De Leon was arrested on state charges for assault and battery on family or household member and the matter is currently pending in Lynn District Court. He was subsequently released from state custody and Solis-De Leon was arrested by immigration authorities on Jan. 28, 2025 in Lynn, Mass.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Groton Man Admits Producing and Possessing Child Sex Abuse VideosRead the Press Release
Mark H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL W. LANDON, 38, of Groton, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to child exploitation offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 4, 2023, law enforcement seized Landon’s iPhone. Forensic analysis of the phone revealed a video of Landon engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a minor under the age of 12, and other videos depicting child sexual abuse.
Landon pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for July 2.
Landon has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on June 28, 2023.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Town of Groton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean P. Mahard and Nancy V. Gifford through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman thanked the New London State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Gladstone Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for Abducting and Sexually Abusing a Canadian ChildRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Gladstone, Oregon man was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison today for abducting and sexually abusing a Canadian child he met through a music creation social media platform.
Noah Madrano, 43, was sentenced to 600 months in federal prison, a $5,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release. The sum of restitution he must pay to his victim will be determined at a later date.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the FBI special agents and Oregon City police officers who rescued the victim in Oregon and brought the defendant to justice,” said William M. Narus, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “This sentence is a result of the extraordinary efforts of the victim, the victim’s family, their community, and law enforcement here and in Canada.”
“The persistence with which Madrano pursued his heinous crimes - traveling internationally on multiple occasions to victimize a child he met online, and ultimately smuggling that victim across an international border, speaks to how predatory his actions genuinely were,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson. “Madrano will be in his mid-nineties when he is eligible for supervised release. His removal from our communities benefits everyone.”
According to court documents, Madrano met a child online whom he sexually exploited for more than a year. In May 2022, he traveled to Canada to meet the child in person, took the child to a hotel room, sexually abused the victim, and recorded his abuse. A few weeks later, on June 24, 2022, Madrano returned to Canada, where he abducted the child from outside a school and took the victim to another hotel room. At the hotel, Madrano sexually abused the child for several days and recorded videos of his abuse. On July 1, 2022, Madrano hid the child in the trunk of his vehicle and drove back to the United States. Once in Oregon, Madrano brought the victim to a hotel room, where he continued to sexually abuse the child.
In the early morning of July 2, 2022, FBI special agents and Oregon City police officers entered Madrano’s hotel room and found him inside with the victim. Madrano was arrested and the child was taken into protective custody, reunited with her parents, and returned to Canada.
On September 21, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Madrano with sexually exploiting a child, traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, transporting a child with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and possessing child pornography.
On January 13, 2025, Madrano pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child and transporting a child with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
This case was investigated by FBI Portland’s Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) with assistance from the Oregon City Police Department, the Gladstone Police Department, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, the Edmonton Police Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
The FBI Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) conducts sexual exploitation investigations, many of them undercover, in coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. CETF is committed to locating and arresting those who prey on children as well as recovering and assisting victims of sex trafficking and child exploitation.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Gary Man Sentenced to 71 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Kyran Jujuan Hawthorne, 31 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
Hawthorne was sentenced to 71 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on May 26, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hawthorne’s residence in Gary. Officers recovered two firearms with high-capacity magazines attached to them. Hawthorn’s criminal history revealed he has prior felony convictions for resisting law enforcement, attempted robbery, forgery, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearms in this case.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Response Investigative Team and the Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
This case was 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.
Fraudulent firearms purchases lead to federal prison sentenceRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 43-year-old Corpus Christi man has been sentenced for directing the fraudulent purchase of 40 firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Jaime Eduardo Cano pleaded guilty June 27, 2024, to making false or fictitious statements to a licensed firearms dealer.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Cano to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing how Cano had directed his employee to fraudulently purchase firearms. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Cano could have legally purchased the firearms himself, but chose not to do so, because he must have known they would be illegally disposed.
The investigation revealed that between May 6, 2021, and June 10, 2022, Norma Andrade had purchased 40 guns from a local firearms dealer at Cano’s direction.
Authorities conducted surveillance June 10, 2022, at which time they witnessed her pick up an order of 10 pistols and drive them to Cano’s place of business. He then came outside to retrieve them.
Text messages in Cano’s phone revealed communications regarding the sale of the firearms Andrade had purchased. Cano had directed her to purchase the firearms and lie on the required purchase forms. Authorities also discovered other messages between Cano and another individual with details about how much Cano would be paid and when the firearms would be exchanged.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement discovered and confiscated in Acapulco, Mexico, three of the firearms for which Cano arranged purchase.
Andrade, 56, Corpus Christi, also pleaded guilty and was previously sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Cano was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Martin and John Marck prosecuted the case.
Former UNM Football Player Convicted of Methamphetamine Trafficking in Cibola County Correctional CenterRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury convicted a former University of New Mexico football player on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine while incarcerated at Cibola County Correctional Center. The verdict came after a five-day trial and approximately three-and-a-half hours of deliberation.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, while in custody awaiting trial for the 2022-armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee, Rayshawn Boyce, 29, was implicated in a separate case involving drug trafficking within the Cibola County Correctional Center (CCCC). On May 17, 2022, CCCC personnel conducted a search of a unit and discovered a bag containing approximately one pound of methamphetamine in the shower area.
Photo of drugs in shower area
Review of surveillance footage revealed that on the evening of May 16, 2022, Correctional Officer Gabriella Torres smuggled a bundle of methamphetamine into the facility under her hoodie and dropped it in cell in an area that was not covered by a camera for Boyce to retrieve. A short time later, Boyce retrieved the bundle, concealed it in a blanket, and walked back to his cell. When he learned that the jail was being searched the next day, Boyce moved the bundle from his cell in the middle of the night, submerged it in water, and left it near the showers, where it was found that morning by CCCC personnel.
Federal investigators determined that Boyce and Torres were in a romantic relationship, during which Boyce persuaded Torres to smuggle drugs into the CCCC. On two separate occasions, Torres successfully smuggled marijuana into the facility for Boyce to distribute. Boyce instructed buyers to send payments through a CashApp account he had Torres established specifically for these transactions. On May 16, 2022, Boyce coordinated the delivery of a methamphetamine shipment to Torres for smuggling into CCCC.
Torres pled guilty to one count of conspiracy and remains on conditions of release pending sentencing, which is not currently scheduled. At sentencing, Torres could face 10 years to life in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Following the verdict, the Court ordered that Boyce remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Boyce faces a mandatory minimum term of ten years of imprisonment and up to life.
In April 2024, a federal jury convicted Boyce of robbing a postal carrier, stealing an arrow key belonging to the United States Postal Service, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. At sentencing for this prior conviction, Boyce faces up to ten years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Cibola County Correctional Center and CoreCivic. Assistant United States Attorneys Letitia Carroll Simms and Joseph M. Spindle are prosecuting the case.
Former Los Angeles Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing 24 Kilograms of Cocaine for DistributionRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Constance Arrington, 35, formerly of Los Angeles, California, entered a plea of guilty before United States District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson on Monday to one count of possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Arrington was charged by indictment in March of last year. As previously presented at court hearings in this matter, the defendant was identified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department as part of an international and interstate cocaine trafficking organization. DEA Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department alerted the DEA’s Philadelphia Field Division that Arrington made multiple short round-trip visits from Los Angeles and Philadelphia, and from Los Angeles to other U.S. cities, departing from L.A. and returning the same day, or the next day, on cross-country flights.
On March 15, 2024, DEA Philadelphia was notified that Arrington would be flying from Los Angeles to Philadelphia and returning to Los Angeles that same day. During joint DEA Philadelphia and Philadelphia Police Department surveillance that day, law enforcement observed Arrington land in Philadelphia with no checked luggage, rent a car, and depart for an office complex in New Jersey. On the way to the office complex, Arrington attempted to evade surveillance by entering a New Jersey grocery store, then quickly leaving.
After Arrington arrived at the office complex, she entered and returned with three large boxes, which she loaded into the back of her rental car. Arrington then drove back into Philadelphia via the Ben Franklin Bridge. After Arrington entered Philadelphia, law enforcement stopped and searched her vehicle, recovering 24 individually wrapped kilograms of cocaine inside the three boxes she had placed into her rental car.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29. She faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
The case was investigated by DEA Philadelphia, as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, with assistance from DEA Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni.
Former Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank FraudRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Kansas City, MO man plead guilty in federal court today to conspiring to commit bank fraud against two local financial institutions.
Fremon Reaves Jr., 22, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
By pleading guilty today, Reaves Jr. admitted that he knowingly and willfully joined in an agreement to commit bank fraud by defrauding FDIC-insured financial institutions of money. On July 1, 2022, an investigator with a local financial institution contacted FBI Kansas City to report an alleged check fraud scheme in the Kansas City area. The fraud scheme consisted of individuals being recruited via social media to voluntarily provide their debit cards and PIN numbers to the fraudsters. The fraudsters would then deposit fraudulent checks into the customers’ accounts. The investigator determined that similar check card stocks were used, similar dollar values were used on the checks, and the same two individuals, eventually identified, with one of them being the defendant, Fremon Reaves Jr., were seen in surveillance videos making the deposits. These co-defendants would make cash withdrawals at ATMs, debit card purchases, and transfer money via Cash App. Through its investigation, the FBI was able to determine that two FDIC-insured financial institutions in the Kansas City area where being targeted as victims of this scheme. The evidence discovered in the investigation indicated the scheme began in April 2022 and continued until at least September 2022 with the actual loss incurred being approximately $90,000 with an intended loss of approximately $400,000.
The co-defendant, Gerald Humphreys Jr., pled guilty to the same offense on March 28th and is also awaiting a sentencing hearing.
Under federal statutes, Reaves Jr. is subject to a sentence of up to 30 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 statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ketchmark. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of criminal investigators from the two financial institutions.
Former Fugitive Sentenced to 20 Years for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today sentenced Billy Ruiz (46, California) to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. A federal jury found Ruiz guilty on January 8, 2025.
According to evidence presented during the three-day trial, in March 2016, Ruiz sold large amounts of methamphetamine to a lower-level dealer for redistribution in central Florida. Ruiz was a prolific distributor of methamphetamine operating out of southern California, who, along with others, shipped methamphetamine to Orlando by overnight delivery. The methamphetamine was then repackaged and distributed in central Florida. Ruiz sold two batches of methamphetamine, each weighing approximately two pounds.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lake Mary Police Department, and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Sowell and Chauncey Bratt.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Former Blackberry Volunteer Fire Chief Sentenced for COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The former Fire Chief of the Blackberry Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) in Pike County, Christopher Chapman, 36, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell to 12 months in prison, for theft of public funds.
In 2021, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, to support communities and local governments that were struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government distributed emergency funding to local governments to maintain vital local services. In Spring 2022, Pike County local government authorized the distribution of $50,000 of these funds through grants that were allocated for the purchase of turnout gear for fire and rescue, along with equipment and building maintenance. Chapman applied for these grants on behalf of BVFD, and the local government awarded the full amount of the grants.
According to his plea agreement, on April 11, 2022, Chapman created a company named Rural Public Safety Equipment, LLC. (RPSE), as the sole organizer and member, and registered it with the West Virginia Secretary of State. Chapman then informed members of the BVFD that he could obtain fire safety equipment at cost from a safety equipment company, and he failed to disclose that he was the owner of the company. The fire department pre-paid and ordered $76,854.50 worth of fire and safety equipment from RPSE. Instead of using the prepayments from BVFD to fulfill the orders, Chapman never fulfilled any fire and safety equipment orders, spent all the money on his own personal use, and withdrew $61,500 in cash from the RPSE bank account.
Under federal law, Chapman 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. Chapman was also ordered to pay $76,854.50 in restitution.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Bruce Roberts, Interim Executive Director, Kentucky Fire Commission, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky Fire Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Dunn-Pirio is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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Five Members of a Sureños-affiliated Transnational Criminal Organization Charged in Narcotics Trafficking Conspiracy SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A federal grand jury recently returned a nine-count indictment against five members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) affiliated with the Sureños, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, the defendants intentionally conspired with each other to acquire and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Lead and organized by Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, the “Diaz-Aguilar DTO” has been operating and distributing controlled substances throughout Minnesota since at least 2024. During a multi-month investigation, law enforcement seized large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl from various individuals associated with the Diaz-Aguilar-DTO. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that the Diaz-Aguilar DTO is associated with and supplied by one or more transnational criminal organizations trafficking narcotics from Mexico.
The following individuals have been indicted for the following crimes:
Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, 32, a Mexican national residing in New Prague, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Juan Martin Elvira, Jr., 36, of Rochester, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Edward Gonzalez, 29, of Hastings, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.Eric Anthony Rodriguez, 46, of St. Paul, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
One other member of the conspiracy remains at large and is pending arrest.
“The Sureños and other drug cartels are dangerous criminal organizations that are fueling the drug crisis in America,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Cartel-backed drug dealers are on notice. Do not bring your poison to Minnesota. If you do, you will see federal charges and federal prison time.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael B. Coburn is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Final sentence imposed in multimillion-dollar money laundering conspiracyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 49-year-old naturalized citizen from Arlington has been ordered to prison for unlicensed money transmitting and money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Nhiem Thi Dan “Sam” Nguyen entered a guilty plea Oct. 5, 2021.
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison has now sentenced Nguyen to serve 40 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. She will also forfeit $76,848 in cash seized at the time of her arrest and another $17,801.52 in seized accounts. Judge Ellison found Nguyen managed others in the conspiracy and did not commit the crimes inadvertently.
“Money transmitters are regulated specifically to avoid the type of criminal facilitation that took place here,” said Ganjei. “Drug trafficking organizations spread misery, addiction, and violence, but they are fueled by cash. Money laundering schemes allow criminals to convert their ill-gotten gains into spendable currency, and so it’s always a win for the public when we can put one of these launderers out of operation.”
“In any scheme, criminals have to get the money distanced from the crime to avoid detection, which is the criminal business Nguyen and her accomplices ran. They were big players in the deception and lies that allowed drug money and other cash to be moved almost undetected. I say ‘almost’, because we caught them,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan, of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “These conspirators set up various accounts, some even moved cash themselves. When you touch money, cash or virtual currency, you leave a trail for us to follow and that’s the expertise of IRS-CI special agents.”
Nguyen was the top lieutenant in an unlicensed money transmitting business that Vinh and Diana Phan and others ran. The illegal business transmitted funds received in the form of bulk U.S. currency. During the course of the approximately 21-month conspiracy, the unlicensed money transmitting business received and transmitted more than $33 million in cash.
At least some of this cash had been earned from the trafficking, distribution and sale of controlled substances, including approximately $9 million received from Branden Denver Richards, Douglas Paul Michael Davis and Michael Dean Richards. All were members of a Dallas-area drug trafficking organization.
The Phans and Nguyen introduced this bulk cash into the banking system through more than nine “money mules.” The Phans then used the funds to buy virtual currency which was sold for cash in California - the state where the controlled substances originated. The Phans used virtual currency to eliminate the risk of driving cash across the country.
The Phans and Nguyen did not register their money transmitting business with the Department of the Treasury nor did the state of Texas license them to engage in money transmission.
Nguyen was the last of six to be sentenced. Vinh Quang Phan and Diana Le Phan, 59, and 47, a Houston-area married couple, received prison terms of 10 years and were ordered to pay $80,000 in fines and forfeit their home and more than $486,000 in cash and seized accounts.
Branden Richards, 33, Little Elm, was ordered to serve five years in prison, while Davis, 31, Keller, and Michael Richards, 36, Frisco, were both ordered to serve two years.
Nguyen was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
IRS Criminal Investigation-led South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Financial Crimes Task Force conducted the investigation with assistance from Drug Enforcement Administration, Houston Police Department and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Bauman and Eun Kate Suh prosecuted the case with assistance from Deputy Chief Brandon Fyffe of the Asset Recovery Section.
Federal agents arrest man who allegedly fraudulently received $32 million business tax refund checkRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – An Atlanta-area man was arrested this morning by IRS Criminal Investigation special agents on federal charges alleging he fraudulently converted two businesses’ IRS accounts to his name and address. The defendant received tax refund checks – including one for more than $32 million – that were to be paid out to these two businesses.
Christopher Dowtin, 48, of Jonesboro, Georgia, will appear in federal court in Atlanta today. He is charged with wire fraud and theft of public money.
According to charging documents, Dowtin fraudulently submitted IRS forms claiming to be the responsible party for two separate companies.
In December 2024, the IRS processed eight Change of Address or Responsible Party-Business forms associated with Dowtin. Dowtin’s requests for changes were completed and accepted. He ultimately received two tax refund checks for those companies: one in the amount of $32,495,888.58 and one in the amount of $26,156.50.
Dowtin allegedly traveled from Georgia to Ohio with the two checks to open an account in the Southern District of Ohio.
On Feb. 13, Dowtin allegedly took the checks to a Morgan Stanley office in Beavercreek, Ohio, and attempted to negotiate the funds into a brokerage account in a trust in his name. The affidavit details that Dowtin told the Morgan Stanley financial advisor that the two companies were paying him for illegally using his “personhood.” He said the payments owed to him had been transferred to him from the IRS. The financial advisor verified that the checks were valid U.S. Treasury checks.
On Feb. 19, an executive director at Morgan Stanley contacted the United States Secret Service and IRS Criminal Investigation regarding the suspicious nature of the checks and Dowtin’s supporting paperwork. The checks were seized by law enforcement.
Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Theft of public funds carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Yvonne DiCristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service; announced the arrest and charges. Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Smith is representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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