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25 March 2025
Former Smyrna Detective Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Coercion/Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Michael Kealty, of Magnolia, Delaware, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to 10 years in federal prison for his crime of coercing and enticing a minor into sexual activity. The Honorable U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews issued the sentence.
According to Court documents, Mr. Kealty met a 16-year-old girl online and groomed her for six months into producing sexually explicit images and videos of herself. At one point Mr. Kealty threatened to expose the girl’s images to the public if she did not continue to perform for him. Mr. Kealty’s online accounts also showed his attempted exploitation of additional, unidentified minor girls, including a 13-year-old.
Mr. Kealty—a former detective with the Smyrna Police Department—was charged in October 2023 with Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. On October 15, 2024, Mr. Kealty pleaded guilty to an enhanced charge of Coercion/Enticement of a Minor, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson stated, “Mr. Kealty betrayed his oath, his badge, and his community by exploiting the most vulnerable members of our community, our children. Today’s sentence sends a message that no one is above the law. I commend the FBI for their diligent pursuit of justice in this case and for ensuring that child predators like Mr. Kealty are brought to justice.”
“There is absolutely no tolerance for any actions that hurt a child. Kealty’s crimes are especially egregious considering he swore to protect our communities and children,” says Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “Delaware is safer with him locked up where can no longer victimize or abuse anyone else.”
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with MedicationRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington, Ky., woman, Abigail Hall, 51, was sentenced on Monday to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, for tampering with a consumer product.
According to her plea agreement, between January 2023 and August 2023, Hall worked as a contract registered nurse at several facilities in Kentucky, including a health care facility in Lawrenceburg, Ky., that focused on care for the elderly and infirm. Hall admitted that on August 27, 2023, she took morphine that had been prescribed for three patients that she was treating at the healthcare facility, all of whom had significant disease and pain concerns. Hall replaced the stolen morphine with water and blue food coloring, to resemble the real medication. Ultimately, Hall took at least seven syringes of stolen morphine and administered the tampered morphine to at least one of the patients.
Under federal law, Hall must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and George A. Scavdis, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by FDA-OCI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Smith is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Former Business Office Coordinator at Two Area Senior Living Facilities Indicted on Eight Counts of Wire FraudRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Mia Hardy, 58, of Chester, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment with eight counts of wire fraud, arising from an alleged scheme to defraud the residents of two senior living facilities, residents’ heirs, and the facilities themselves.
As detailed in the indictment, Hardy was employed first at Senior Living Facility #1 and later at Senior Living Facility #2, which both used a resident fund management service (“RFMS”) to help manage resident funds. The residents in these facilities often required substantial medical assistance and were extremely vulnerable members of the community.
RFMS was a financial service platform that provided a central resident trust account that allowed residents to easily access their funds. Each resident had an individual, interest-bearing sub-account within the resident trust account. Those funds were then available to the resident for personal spending or bill paying. Residents could obtain funds from the RFMS through checks made payable to payees at the direction of the resident (directly or through the resident’s representative) or through cash withdrawals that the resident needed for minor expenses.
The indictment alleges that, from in or about March 2020 through in or about August 2023, while the defendant was employed as a business office coordinator at Senior Living Facility #1, she exploited the RFMS for her personal benefit on a recurring basis, improperly accessing the RFMS system and issuing checks on resident accounts, making them payable to various family members and associates of hers. Those individual payees were not known to the residents on whose accounts the checks were written, and Hardy allegedly engaged in this activity fraudulently without the knowledge or permission of Senior Living Facility #1 and the affected residents.
At times, Hardy forged the authorized signature on the checks and at other times she improperly, and through misrepresentations to the authorized signer, obtained an authorized signature on the checks. The indictment alleges that in this aspect of the scheme, Hardy generated approximately 49 checks totaling approximately $122,941.
The indictment also alleges that the defendant exploited the RFMS system and the resident accounts in Senior Living Facility #1 to generate petty cash payments for herself, generating additional losses for the residents.
The indictment further alleges that, from in or about April 2024 through in or about July 2024, while Hardy was a business office coordinator for Senior Living Facility #2, she exploited the RFMS for her personal benefit using the same method described above, improperly generating checks on Senior Living Facility #2 resident accounts through the RFMS, and making the checks payable to her family members and associates, who then negotiated the checks for their and Hardy’s benefit. The defendant also improperly obtained a blank personal check on a resident’s personal Capital One bank account and issued it to one of her associates.
The notice of forfeiture included in the indictment seeks forfeiture of up to $366,000 from the defendant for these offenses.
If convicted, on each count of wire fraud, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Fayette County woman accused of committing identity theft, money laundering in scam conspiracyRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A southern Illinois grand jury returned a 19-count indictment charging a Fayette County woman for working as a “money mule” within a conspiracy to defraud victims and use their stolen identities.
Elizabeth Conrad, 54, of Ramsey, is facing one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, one count of access device fraud, seven counts of money laundering and seven counts of aggravated identity theft.
“Criminal conspiracies are as varied as the creative minds behind them, limited only by the ingenuity of the con artists orchestrating the scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Be extremely cautious anytime someone you have never met offers investments, employment, or asks for money, electronics, or your personal information—it’s likely a scam.”
According to court documents, Conrad is accused of serving as a “money mule” for other scammers in a conspiracy to defraud victims from at least June 2020 until September 2022. Money mules are people who, at someone else’s direction, receive and move money or valuables obtained from victims of fraud. Money mules add layers of distance between crime victims and criminals, which makes it harder for law enforcement to accurately trace funds that are fraudulently obtained from victims.
The indictment alleges Conrad accepted packages at her home sent through the mail from victims containing cash, checks, gift cards and electronics. Knowing the goods were fraudulently acquired, Conrad would then repackage the items and send off to her co-conspirators. Conrad is also accused of attempting to deposit the checks and wiring funds to her co-conspirators in cryptocurrency.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims, including the multiple individual consumer and business victims in this investigation,” said Inspector in Charge, Ruth Mendonça, who leads the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which includes the St. Louis Field Office.
In addition to the mail fraud, Conrad’s charges for access device fraud, identity theft and money laundering stem from accusations of her and co-conspirators using victims’ names to acquire debit cards that were sent to Conrad. Conrad is accused of using those debit cards for bank withdrawals and purchases to benefit the conspiracy. The indictment outlines ten fraudulent transactions that Conrad is accused of making at ATMs and gas stations in southern Illinois from March through June 2022, and alleges that she received thousands of dollars from these transactions to benefit the conspiracy.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Convictions for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, money laundering and mail fraud are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment. Access device fraud is punishable up to 10 years’ imprisonment and conspiracy to commit access device fraud is punishable up to five years’ imprisonment. Aggravated identity theft is a mandatory two years’ imprisonment consecutive to the imposed sentence.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service St. Louis Field Office is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross is prosecuting the case.
Evolutions Flooring Inc. and Its Owners to Pay $8.1 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Evaded Customs DutiesRead the Press Release
Evolutions Flooring Inc. (Evolutions), a South San Francisco, California-based importer of multilayered wood flooring, and its owners, Mengya Lin and Jin Qian, have agreed to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly and improperly evading customs duties on imports of multilayered wood flooring from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The settlement is based on Evolutions’ and its owners’ ability to pay.
“Import duties provide an important source of government revenue and level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers against their global competitors,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will pursue those who seek an unfair advantage in U.S. markets, including by evading the duties owed on goods imported into this country from China.”
To enter goods into the United States, an importer must declare, among other things, the country of origin of the goods, the value of the goods, whether the goods are subject to duties, and the amount of duties owed. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects applicable duties, including antidumping and countervailing duties assessed by the Department of Commerce and Section 301 duties imposed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Antidumping duties protect against foreign companies “dumping” products on U.S. markets at prices below cost, while countervailing duties offset foreign government subsidies. Section 301 duties similarly protect U.S. industry by imposing trade sanctions on foreign countries that violate U.S. trade agreements or engage in other unreasonable acts that burden U.S. commerce. During the relevant time period, PRC-manufactured multilayered wood flooring products were subject to antidumping, countervailing, and Section 301 duties.
The settlement resolves allegations that Evolutions, at the direction of Lin and Qian, knowingly and improperly evaded customs duties, including antidumping, countervailing, and Section 301 duties, on multilayered wood flooring manufactured in the PRC that Evolutions imported between Sept. 1, 2019 and July 31, 2022. Among other things, the United States alleged that Evolutions caused false information to be submitted to CBP regarding the identity of the manufacturers and country of origin of the imported multilayered wood flooring.
“The outcome of this case demonstrates that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and its CBP partners will continue to safeguard the nation’s economic well-being,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally for the Central District of California. “Fraud in international commerce deprives the United States of vital revenue and creates an unfair advantage over businesses that operate legitimately. The settlement sends a message that we will not stand aside when companies try to cheat the system.”
“The team at CBP was instrumental in providing expertise and logistical support to this investigation,” said Director of Field Operations Cheryl M. Davies of the CBP Los Angeles Field Office. “Through its efforts, which included a site visit to factories in Thailand, review of identified shipments by CBP experts on multilayered wood flooring, an analysis of import records and data by Office of Trade Regulatory Audit, and involvement in interviews with witnesses, CBP contributed to a successful outcome in this matter.”
The settlement with Evolutions and its owners resolves a lawsuit filed by Urban Global LLC under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The civil lawsuit was filed in the Central District of California and is captioned United States ex rel. Urban Global LLC v. Struxtur Inc. et al., No. CV20-7217 (C.D. Cal.). As part of today’s resolution, relator Urban Global LLC will receive approximately $1,215,000 of the settlement proceeds.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, with assistance from CBP’s Office of Chief Counsel, West Region and Trade Regulatory Audit and the Center of Excellence and Expertise for Industrial and Manufacturing Materials within CBP’s Office of Trade.
Senior Trial Counsel Christelle Klovers of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Desmond Jui for the Central District of California handled the case.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
Eddington Man Arrested, Charged with Making Online ThreatRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: An Eddington man, Thadius Wind, was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint with transmitting an interstate threat.
As alleged in the criminal complaint, in 2024, the FBI received information from Meta about a Facebook user who had discussed committing violence against police and military. The FBI also received online tips from members of the public about threatening statements made on X (previously known as Twitter). After further investigation, in November 2024 the FBI obtained and executed a search warrant relating to the X account. The recovered posts contained threats to Jews, political figures, the Supreme Court, and others. Details associated with the account were traced to Thadius Wind.
The FBI and Secret Service are investigating the case with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Driver of Second Human Smuggling Vehicle Involved in 2021 Del Rio Incident Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Salvadoran national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for his role in a deadly human smuggling operation that occurred in 2021.
According to court documents, Juan Alonso Barrientos-Quintanilla, 23, was apprehended and identified as one of 12 illegal aliens who fled from one of two vehicles involved in a failed human smuggling operation on Highway 277, March 15, 2021. The other vehicle, driven by Sebastian Tovar, crashed, killing eight of its nine illegal alien passengers.
Following the crash, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered the second smuggling vehicle, leading to the attempted traffic stop and, subsequently, Barrientos-Quintanilla and the other illegal aliens fleeing on foot. All 12 illegal aliens were apprehended. Barrientos-Quintanilla initially claimed to be one of the aliens being smuggled, however, he later admitted to being the load driver of the vehicle. He pleaded guilty July 23, 2023 to one count of aiding and abetting illegal alien transportation resulting in death.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, USBP and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister prosecuted the case.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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Defense Contractor MORSECORP, Inc. Agrees to Pay $4.6 Million to Settle Cybersecurity Fraud AllegationsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – MORSECORP, Inc. (MORSE), of Cambridge, Mass., has agreed to pay $4.6 million to resolve allegations that MORSE violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in its contracts with the Departments of the Army and Air Force.
The settlement resolves allegations that MORSE submitted false or fraudulent claims for payment on contracts with the Departments of the Army and Air Force, and that those claims were false or fraudulent because Morse knew it had not complied with those contracts’ cybersecurity requirements. As part of the settlement, MORSE admitted, acknowledged and accepted responsibility for the following facts:
- From January 2018 to September 2022, MORSE used a third-party company to host MORSE’s emails without requiring and ensuring that the third party met security requirements equivalent to the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program Moderate baseline and complied with the Department of Defense’s requirements for cyber incident reporting, malicious software, media preservation and protection, access to additional information and equipment necessary for forensic analysis and cyber incident damage assessment;
- The contracts required that MORSE implement all cybersecurity controls in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171, but from January 2018 to February 2023, MORSE had not fully implemented all those controls, including controls that, if not implemented, could lead to significant exploitation of the network or exfiltration of controlled defense information and controls that could have a specific and confined effect on the security of the network and its data;
- From January 2018 to January 2021, despite the contracts’ system security plan requirement, MORSE did not have a consolidated written plan for each of its covered information systems describing system boundaries, system environments of operation, how security requirements are implemented and the relationships with or connections to other systems;
- In January 2021, MORSE submitted to the Department of Defense a score of 104 for its implementation of the NIST SP 800-171 security controls. That score was near the top of the possible score range from -203 to 110. In July 2022, a third-party cybersecurity consultant notified MORSE that its score was actually -142. MORSE did not update its score in the Department of Defense reporting system until June 2023—three months after the United States served MORSE with a subpoena concerning its cybersecurity practices.
“Federal contractors must fulfill their obligations to protect sensitive government information from cyber threats,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “We will continue to hold contractors to their commitments to follow cybersecurity standards to ensure that federal agencies and taxpayers get what they paid for, and make sure that contractors who follow the rules are not at a competitive disadvantage.”
“We are pleased with today’s settlement, which further demonstrates the resolve of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and our law enforcement partners to protect and defend the assets of the United States Army and Department of Defense,” said Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Fraud Field Office. “We’re committed to protecting the warfighter and maintaining the Army’s operational readiness while holding those who engage in such acts accountable.”
“Failure to implement cybersecurity requirements can have devastating consequences, leaving sensitive DoD data vulnerable to cyber threats and malicious actors,” said Special Agent in Charge William W. Richards of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). “AFOSI, alongside our investigative partners and the Department of Justice, will continue to combat fraud affecting the Department of the Air Force and hold those accountable that fail to properly safeguard sensitive defense information.”
“Protecting the integrity of Department of Defense (DoD) procurement activities is a top priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Failing to comply with DoD contract specifications and cybersecurity requirements puts DoD information and programs at risk. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of false claims on DoD contracts.”
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower to receive an $851,000 share of the settlement amount. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Berich v. MORSECORP, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-10130 (D. Mass.).
The settlement announced today was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Fraud Field Office, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, DCIS and the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General. The matter was handled by Brian LaMacchia, Chief of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julien Mundele in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and DOJ Senior Trial Counsel Christopher Terranova.
Defendant Who Failed to Surrender for Service of Prison Sentence Gets More Prison TimeRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Tamara Smith, 39, of Detroit, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for failing to surrender to the United States Marshal in Detroit for service of a prison sentence as ordered by the Court, announced Acting United States Attorney, Julie A. Beck.
Beck was joined in the announcement by Megan Howell, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
On June 26, 2024, U.S. District Judge Jonathan J.C. Grey sentenced Smith to imprisonment for 60 months for her convictions for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. At that time, Smith was out on bond. Rather than being taken immediately into custody to commence service of her 60-month sentence, Smith asked for more time on bond, assuring the Court she would voluntarily surrender for service of her sentence when ordered by the Court. The Court agreed to her request, ordering her to voluntarily surrender to the United States Marshal in Detroit on July 1, 2024. Smith acknowledged her obligation in court at the time of the sentencing hearing.
Despite being aware of her representation to the Court that she would voluntarily turn herself in, Smith deliberately failed to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshal as ordered. On July 2, 2024, the Court issued an arrest warrant for Smith for failing to surrender. Smith failed to surrender as ordered, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service arrested her on July 18, 2024.
Judge Grey’s 18-month sentence for failing to surrender as ordered will run consecutive to Smith’s underlying 60-month sentence for fraud and identity theft.
“This case should send a message to anyone who deliberately chooses to violate a court order in a criminal case that you will be punished. Orders of courts must be respected and followed. This defendant violated the trust of the court and abused the criminal justice system - she needed to be held accountable,” said Acting United States Attorney Beck.
"Tamara Smith has been convicted multiple times of defrauding unemployment insurance (UI) programs that are intended to support unemployed American workers. Following her recent conviction and sentencing related to UI fraud charges, she failed to surrender as mandated and made efforts to avoid apprehension. This sentencing affirms the Office of Inspector General’s commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who attempt to circumvent the justice system,” said Megan Howell, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Corbett.
Court Sentences Felons for Illegally Possessing Firearms and Ammunition in Project Safe Neighborhoods CasesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. At the core of PSN is setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announces the following PSN prosecutions that resulted in sentences in the beginning of 2025.
Arturo Talamantes, 31, of Fresno, was sentenced today to four years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Dec. 16, 2023, police responded to a 911 call from a crowded bar in Fresno reporting a man with a gun. When officers arrived, Talamantes had a loaded black Kahr P40 handgun that he carried through the crowded bar, ignoring officer commands to stop. Once inside, he hid the gun in a hallway storage area where officers found and seized it. Talamantes is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions for manufacturing a short-barreled rifle and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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David Diaz, 48, of Bakersfield, was sentenced on March 3, 2025, to eight years and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to court documents, on Sept. 20, 2023, Diaz and co-defendant Jesus Alejandro Lopez, 47, of Bakersfield, drove to Fresno after agreeing to sell 35 pounds of methamphetamine. Both men were armed when they arrived. Shortly after arriving, police arrested the men and seized a stolen Rock Island Armory .45 caliber handgun loaded with seven rounds from Diaz. Diaz is prohibited from possessing ammunition due to three prior felony convictions involving possession and transportation of a controlled substance and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
On March 10, 2025, Lopez pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on June 23, 2025. Lopez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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Tionte Beard, 25, of Fresno, was sentenced on March 3, 2025, to three years and 10 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. According to court documents, on Oct. 28, 2023, police conducted a probation compliance check at Beard’s apartment after Beard posted pictures of guns on his social media. Police seized an Anderson Manufacturing model AM-15 .223-caliber rifle, a Sig Saur model P320 9 mm handgun, and several rounds of ammunition hidden in a laundry basket in a closet. Beard is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions for carjacking, illegally possessing a firearm, and inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Amed Taylor Muhammad, 24, of Fresno, was sentenced on Jan. 13, 2025, to two years and six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Sept. 26, 2023, police responded to reports of a shooting in southwest Fresno near a high school and middle school. Officers stopped Muhammad near the location of the shooting after eyewitnesses spotted him from the location with others while holding something in his waistband. After a brief struggle, officers detained Muhammad and seized a loaded black Taurus PT140 G2, .40 caliber pistol from his front waistband. Muhammad is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions for assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, vehicular theft, and illegally possessing a firearm. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple.
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Felix Alejandro, 38, of Delano, was sentenced on Jan. 6, 2025, to four years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to court documents, on Aug. 2, 2023, police pulled Alejandro over for violating traffic laws. Alejandro consented to a search of his car and police found a 0.40 caliber semi-automatic Polymer 80 pistol wedged between the driver’s seat and center console. The handgun was loaded with 10 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Alejandro was on federal supervised release for a prior drug trafficking felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. This case was the product of an investigation by the Delano Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Jeffrey A. Spivak prosecuted the case.
These cases are 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 U.S. Department of Justice 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.
Council Bluffs Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs woman and man were sentenced on March 20, 2025 to federal prison for their roles in conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Heather Lee Vore, 34, and Nicholas Carl Thomas, 42, facilitated the distribution of methamphetamine in Council Bluffs, Omaha, and elsewhere. Vore sent money to a drug source of supply in Mexico, and recruited others, including Thomas, to communicate with the Mexican source of supply and send money to Mexico for meth.
On January 16, 2025, Vore received a ten-year prison sentence, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. On March 20, 2025, Thomas received a twelve-year sentence, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department.
Corpus Christi jury convicts Cuban national for transporting illegal aliensRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 52-year-old Cuban citizen lawfully residing in Jacksonville, Florida, has been convicted for transporting seven illegal aliens in a tractor-trailer, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The federal jury deliberated for under two hours before finding Jorge Grimon Maturell guilty following a less than two-day trial.
On Nov. 1, 2024, Maturell drove to the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint in a tractor-trailer. After a K-9 alerted to the vehicle, authorities directed him to secondary inspection. At that time, they discovered three individuals hiding in the corner of the sleeper area and four underneath a mattress. All seven were illegal aliens with no authority to be in the United States.
The jury heard that authorities also found $20,684 in his possession and discovered communications between Maturell and others discussing transporting people for approximately that same amount of money
Maturell claimed an unknown person at a gas station in Edinburg had threatened him earlier that day to smuggle the illegal aliens. The investigation revealed no evidence he had stopped at the specified gas station at all that day.
The jury also heard Maturell directed the illegal aliens where to hide when entering his vehicle and to not make any noise when they arrived at the checkpoint. Testimony further revealed Maturell made no stops after the aliens got into the vehicle before arriving at the checkpoint.
The defense attempted to convince the jury he transported the illegal aliens under duress. Maturell took the stand and admitted his original statement of being threatened in Edinburg was not true, but that he was really threatened in Laredo. He claimed he was directed to travel to McAllen where he then picked up the illegal aliens and proceeded to travel north through the checkpoint.
The jury did not believe defense claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge David Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for June 25, at which time Maturell faces up to five years in federal prison.
Previously released on bond, Maturell was taken into custody following the verdict where he will remain pending sentencing.
Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Bird and Patrick Overman are prosecuting the case.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing A Pistol with A Machinegun Conversion DeviceRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced De’Quan Franks (25, Jacksonville) to four years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony. Franks pleaded guilty on December 18, 2024.
According to court records, in October 2023, detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) observed Franks posting a picture of a Glock firearm on Instagram. JSO detectives located Franks shortly after the social media post and saw him with a pistol with a large magazine. Franks ran from the detectives but fell before he could get away. The detectives recovered a Glock 10mm pistol, loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition in an extended magazine, that Franks had in his waistband. The pistol was also equipped with a machinegun conversion device which would allow the semi-automatic pistol to fire in a fully automatic mode. At the time, Franks had a prior felony conviction that prohibits him from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Taylor.
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.
Colombian Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Send More Than A Ton of Cocaine to the United StatesRead the Press Release
Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Louis A. D’Ambrosio, the Special Agent in Charge of the Special Operations Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that OSCAR HENAO-MONTOYA, a Colombian national, was sentenced today to 24 years in prison for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. HENAO-MONTOYA was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni, before whom he previously pled guilty to one count of cocaine importation conspiracy. Two of HENAO-MONTOYA’s charged co-conspirators, REHINNER MONTOYA-GARCIA and JUAN FELIPE SANTIBANEZ-CARDONA, also previously pled guilty to one count of cocaine importation conspiracy and were sentenced by Judge Caproni to 20 years and 15 years in prison, respectively.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Oscar Henao-Montoya and his co-conspirators sought to send a staggering quantity of cocaine from Colombia to the United States. Today’s sentence, and those previously imposed in this case, send a clear message that those who seek to traffic cocaine into the United States will pay a steep price for their actions. This Office, through its longstanding partnership with the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit, will hold accountable those who seek to break our narcotics laws and harm our communities, regardless of where in the world they may hide.”
As reflected in the Indictment, other filings in Manhattan federal court, and statements made in open court:
HENAO-MONTOYA is a Colombian drug trafficker with longstanding familial connections to international cocaine distribution. HENAO-MONTOYA is the younger brother of Orlando Henao-Montoya, a/k/a “El Hombre Overol,” the former leader of the Norte del Valle Cartel, the notorious drug cartel which operated principally in the Valle del Cauca region of Colombia and rose to prominence in the late 1990s after the Cali and Medellin cartels fragmented. HENAO-MONTOYA’s siblings also include Arcángel Henao Montoya, a/k/a “El Mocho,” Fernando Henao-Montoya, and Lorena Henao-Montoya, a/k/a “La Viuda De La Mafia.” Together, the Henao-Montoya siblings ran the Norte del Valle Cartel, until Orlando and Lorena were murdered, and Arcángel Henao Montoya was deported from Panama to the U.S.
Between October 2020 and August 2021, HENAO-MONTOYA and co-conspirators who worked for HENAO-MONTOYA, including MONTOYA-GARCIA and SANTIBANEZ-CARDONA, participated in a series of meetings in Colombia with DEA confidential sources (the “CSes”), who were acting at the direction of the DEA, to discuss their plans to import tons of cocaine into the U.S. During those meetings, many of which were recorded, HENAO-MONTOYA discussed, among other things, his ability to export large quantities of cocaine from Colombia via control of airstrips (clandestine and overt) and ports in Colombia, as well as his relationships with corrupt members of the Colombian Air Force. HENAO-MONTOYA and his co-conspirators also discussed various shipping routes to transport cocaine out of Colombia to the U.S. and, specifically, New York. During certain of the meetings described above, HENAO-MONTOYA and individuals working for HENAO-MONTOYA were armed with firearms.
During meetings with the CSes, HENAO-MONTOYA also discussed his access to and control of cocaine laboratories that could produce over one ton of cocaine, including a laboratory that HENAO-MONTOYA said could produce 2,000 to 3,000 kilograms of cocaine at a time. On one occasion, MONTOYA-GARCIA brought one of the CSes to territory controlled by the Revolution Armed Forces of Colombia (“FARC”), which MONTOYA-GARCIA said was where HENAO-MONTOYA had drug laboratories, and that these laboratories were guarded by FARC members.
To ensure that their plan to import cocaine into the U.S. would be successful, HENAO-MONTOYA and his co-conspirators tested and provided cocaine samples for the CSes. For example, in October 2020, MONTOYA-GARCIA and SANTIBANEZ-CARDONA provided a one-kilogram sample of cocaine to one of the CSes to test its quality. After expressing satisfaction with the quality of the cocaine, the CS told MONTOYA-GARCIA and SANTIBANEZ-CARDONA that “the Americans will go crazy in the United States” for the cocaine. In addition, in April 2021, at HENAO-MONTOYA’s direction, MONTOYA-GARCIA provided an eight-kilogram sample of cocaine to undercover agents working for the Colombian National Police in exchange for approximately $16,000, which was intended to serve as a sample for the contemplated ton-quantity cocaine shipments that HENAO-MONTOYA and his co-conspirators sought to send to the U.S.
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In addition to the prison term, HENAO-MONTOYA, 58, of Colombia, was sentenced to four years of supervised release.
Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota and the Colombian National Police for their assistance.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Matthew J.C. Hellman, David J. Robles, and Chelsea L. Scism are in charge of the prosecution.
Clairton Resident Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa - A resident of Clairton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Tracey Smith, age 56, pleaded guilty to four counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2023, Smith was hired as a comptroller at a Pittsburgh engineering firm where she embezzled company funds for her personal use by issuing herself additional payroll checks to herself, making unauthorized credit card transactions with company credit cards, and by falsifying expense reports, all totaling approximately $673,556.80 in embezzled funds.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for July 17, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both as to each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Smith.
Central American Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the United States After Being Deported Two TimesRead the Press Release
A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced March 24, 2025, to more than a month in federal prison.
Humberto Leonidas-Suarez, age 61, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Dubuque County, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 4, 2025, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.
At the guilty plea, Leonidas-Suarez admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Leonidas-Suarez was previously deported in 2010 and 2024. On February 6, 2025, immigration officials learned Leonidas-Suarez had illegally returned to the United States and found him at the Dubuque County Jail following his arrest on state charges for failure to appear.
Leonidas-Suarez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. He was sentenced to 39 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Leonidas-Suarez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-CR-1007.
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Camden County Man Admits to Distributing Methamphetamine and FentanylRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County man today admitted to distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced.
Joseph Watson, 38, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, contrary to 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a) and (b)(1)(C), in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C); and with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From June 2023 through October 2023, Watson conspired with Ian Dudley and others to distribute crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl in Camden County, Gloucester County, and elsewhere in southern New Jersey. During the course of that conspiracy, Watson sold approximately 927 grams of crystal methamphetamine and approximately 28 grams of fentanyl to an undercover federal agent.
The counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and distribution of fentanyl each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 29, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Giordano credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of L.C. Cheeks, Jr., with the investigation.
Co-Defendant Ian Dudley is awaiting trial in this matter and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph McFarlane in Camden.
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Defense counsel: Stanley King, Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins
watson.indictment.pdfCamden County Company Settles Matter Alleging Receipt of Improper Cares Act LoansRead the Press Release
Newark, N.J. – A furniture rental company based in Pennsauken, New Jersey entered into a settlement agreement with the United States resolving allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by taking a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to which it was not entitled, United States Attorney John Giordano announced today.
According to the allegations in the complaint and the contentions of the United States in the settlement agreement:
In January 2021, American Furniture Rentals, Inc. (AFR) applied for and received a $2 million PPP loan. Under the eligibility rules in effect at that time, a company was required to have 300 employees or less to qualify for a PPP loan. Despite the fact that AFR had more than 300 employees at the time, AFR certified in its loan application that it was eligible to participate in the PPP program. After receiving the PPP loan, AFR sought and received forgiveness of the total amount of the loan, plus interest that had accrued.
AFR fully cooperated in the investigation and resolution of this matter. In accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement, AFR will pay the United States $2,907,703. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. American Furniture Rentals, Inc., 24-7540 (D.N.J.).
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Counsel for American Furniture Rentals, Inc.: Brian K. Kidd, Esq., Washington, D.C.
Counsel for Relator Verity Investigations, LLC: Steven Shepard, Esq., New York, NY
american_furniture.agreement.pdfBridgeport Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ERIC HERMAN, 32, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, following two fatal overdoses involving fentanyl in 2021, both of which were believed to be connected to Herman, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Stratford Police Department began investigating Herman’s drug trafficking activities. In May and June 2022, investigators made two controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine from Herman.
Herman was arrested on September 15, 2022. At the time of his arrest, he possessed a distribution quantity of cocaine, a loaded 9mm “ghost gun” with a laser sight attached, and additional rounds of ammunition.
Herman’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug and firearm offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Herman pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”), fentanyl, and heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
Herman has been detained since his arrest. He has also pleaded guilty in state court to narcotics and manslaughter charges stemming from an overdose death investigation.
The DEA’s HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.
- Brazilian Citizen Charged with Illegal Re-entry into U.S.
Boston Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting MinorsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for child exploitation offenses.
Jalen Latimer, 26, of Roxbury, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 28 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. In December 2024, Latimer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Latimer is currently serving a state prison sentence on related offenses. The defendant was previously charged by criminal complaint with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor on Feb. 16, 2024.
In July 2022, Latimer and another adult recorded themselves raping a ten year old. The minor victim’s five year old sibling was used to create the recording of the sexual assault. Over a year later, in July 2023, Latimer conspired with that same adult to arrange the sexual assault of another child. Latimer was asked to pay $50 for the child, however, Latimer offered $20 and marijuana.
Latimer was arrested in January 2024. He was subsequently convicted by state authorities in Worcester Superior Court of three counts of aggravated rape of a child, four counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child and human trafficking of a minor. On March 17, 2024, he was sentenced to 15 years in state prison which will run concurrent with the federal sentence.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier; and Oxford Police Chief Michael K. Daniels made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Rhode Island State Police and Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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.
Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Burglarizing a Kern County Post OfficeRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Shawn Van Dixon, 39, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez for burglarizing a U.S. Post Office in Caliente, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, on Oct. 28, 2023, Van Dixon forcefully broke into the U.S. Post Office in Caliente by smashing in a glass door with a black hatchet. Van Dixon broke in just before working hours when the post office was empty. Once inside he stole several mail items, including envelopes, letters, and packages, from P.O. boxes and other locations belonging to more than 10 victims before driving off in a stolen truck.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple prosecuted the case.
Armed robber sentenced to over 12 years in prisonRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Chesterfield man was sentenced today to 12 years and three months in prison for armed robbery.
According to court documents, on April 22, 2023, two victims were robbed at gunpoint on Dunston Avenue in Richmond. The victims described the incident and the robber to police, who then located surveillance cameras that captured a suspect vehicle. Police identified the vehicle as a four-door Acura with a moon roof and distinctive stickers on the two rear passenger windows. They also identified the license plate and determined that the Acura was registered to the girlfriend of Kumkio Leftha Martin, 31.
The next day, Martin entered a convenience store in Chesterfield, pointed a gun at the victims inside, and demanded money and cigarettes. He took the victims’ iPhones as well as a bag containing a laptop, payroll checks, credit cards, cash, and car keys. Footage from a nearby camera showed a sedan resembling the Acura.
On May 4, 2023, Martin entered a tobacco store in Richmond and, while brandishing a firearm, demanded money and vaping products from a store employee. Martin's girlfriend was also in the store. About two minutes after Martin fled, the Acura with the distinctive stickers on the passenger side rear windows drove past the store.
Police located Martin and the vehicle and performed a felony traffic stop. Law enforcement later performed a search of Martin’s girlfriend’s residence and located the firearm the defendant used in the May 4, 2023, robbery.
On Nov. 12, 2024, Martin pled guilty to armed robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence related to the May 4, 2023, robbery. As a part of his plea, the defendant also admitted to committing the April 23, 2023, robbery.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Anthony and Vetan Kapoor prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-150.
Arizona man gets life in prison for kidnapping victim and sexually exploiting minorsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – An Arizona man was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting his victim at gunpoint as he transported her across state lines. A federal judge also sentenced the defendant to 95 years in prison for other related crimes, to be served concurrent with his life sentence.
Martin Brandon Gillen, 27, of Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of transportation for criminal sexual activity, one count of transportation of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
In late 2021, Martin Brandon Gillen began an online relationship with a minor female who was then 17 years of age. He persuaded her to take and send him sexually explicit images and videos which he kept and later used to threaten the victim. Over the course of the online relationship, Gillen repeatedly made violent threats against the victim. In March 2024, Gillen traveled to Illinois to pick up the victim then transported her across state lines, from Illinois to Missouri to Kansas. During this trip, Gillen sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions.
Gillen and the victim were found in Kansas by officers with the Iola Police Department. In his possession, Gillen had a firearm, multiple magazines, and zip ties. Gillen admitted to officers that his cell phone contained child sexual abuse materials. Subsequent examination by law enforcement revealed hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse materials on his cell phone, as well as sexually explicit images of the female from when she was 17 years old. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also found images of Gillen sexually abusing an unrelated 4-year-old child from Utah on the phone.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Iola Police Department, the New Baden, Illinois Police Department, and the Illinois State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.###
Activity in the U.S. Attorney's OfficeRead the Press Release
Public Land Violations
Douglas Wolfley, 49 of Fairview, Wyoming, was sentenced to a 10-day term of incarceration with credit for 2 days served after pleading guilty to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in Yellowstone National Park, his third DUI conviction in 10 years. He also pled guilty to possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. In addition to the term of incarceration, Wolfley was placed on 3 years of unsupervised probation, terms of which include a ban from Yellowstone National Park during that period and was ordered to pay $3,050 in fines and court costs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on March 18, 2025.
Angela Flaherty, 44, of Seattle, Washington was sentenced to a 7-day term of incarceration after pleading guilty to violating 36 CFR 7.13(j), which requires all foot travel in thermal areas of Yellowstone National Park be confined to marked trails or boardwalks. Ms. Flaherty left the boardwalk and viewing area surrounding Old Faithful geyser and walked approximately 10 feet onto the cone of Old Faithful. Some of her conduct was captured on video by another park visitor. In addition to the term of incarceration, Ms. Flaherty was ordered to pay $40 in mandatory court costs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on March 19, 2025.
Yiyang Shen, 25 of Doraville, Georgia was sentenced to a 7-day term of incarceration and five years of unsupervised probation, the terms of which include a ban from Yellowstone National Park, after he drove off the designated roadway and parked his vehicle in a thermal area in Yellowstone. Mr. Shen was charged with operating a motor vehicle in a prohibited area in a manner that caused damage to park resources and foot travel in a thermal area not confined to any designated and marked trail or boardwalk. In addition to the terms of incarceration and probation, Mr. Shen was ordered to pay $1,050 in fines and court costs. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on March 12, 2025.
Firearm Offenses
Jeffrey Cletus Geist, 58, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, with three years of supervised release to follow for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on March 12, 2024, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office stopped Geist on his motorcycle for a traffic violation. A canine was deployed on the exterior of the motorcycle and immediately alerted to the presence of narcotics. Deputies located three bags of methamphetamine and a 9mm handgun. Geist is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was indicted on Sept.18, 2024 and pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2024. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on March 11 in Casper. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne Martens prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-CR-00157
Illegal Re-Entry of a Previously Deported Alien
Antonio Pacheco-Bautista, 37, of Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. Upon release, the defendant shall be delivered to a duly authorized immigration official for deportation in accordance with the established procedures provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service Act. According to court documents, on Nov. 18, 2024, Pacheco-Bautista, was arrested by the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office for driving while under the influence and an open container. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) determined Pacheco-Bautista is not a United States citizen, had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter the U.S. Pacheco-Bautista had a history of illegally re-entering the U.S. since 2009. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on March 21 in Cheyenne. Case No. 25-CR-00025Omar Pacheco-Alonso, 34, of Mexico, was sentenced to time served plus 10 days to allow for deportation proceedings, with no term of supervised release. According to court documents, on Jan. 19, 2025, Pacheco-Alonso was arrested by the Gillette Police Department for driving while under the influence of alcohol. ICE determined Pacheco-Alonso is not a United States citizen, had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Pacheco-Alonso has a previous conviction for illegally re-entering the U.S. ICE investigated the crime. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on March 21 in Cheyenne. Case No. 25-CR-00024
About the United States Attorney’s Office
The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include: Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious.
Operation Take Back America
Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Victim Witness Program
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to ensuring victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime
A Resident of Both Pittsburgh and Chicago Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of both Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Ashok Panigrahy, age 53, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from on or about November 21 through November 22, 2022, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Panigrahy knowingly possessed images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for July 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Homeland Security Investigations (Pittsburgh and Chicago) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Panigrahy.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
24 March 2025
Wayne County Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Role in Theft of Timber from Public LandRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jeff Allen Parsons, 28, of Genoa, pleaded guilty today to unlawful destruction of timber and was sentenced to a 90-day term of incarceration and ordered to pay $1,465.29 in restitution.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 8, 2023, Parsons traveled with co-defendants Ronald Lee Frye and Eugene Luther Cochran onto public land at or near East Lynn with intent to cut and remove multiple trees illegally from the property. Parsons admitted that he assisted in cutting down the trees while on the property, and that they broke open a metal gate located on the property to bring their truck closer to one of the cut trees.
Parsons further admitted that they attempted to leave the property after they were spotted by employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Charges against Frye, 33, of Wayne, and Cochran, 36, of Genoa, are pending. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, and the West Virginia Division of Forestry.
United States Magistrate Judge Joseph K. Reeder presided over the hearing and imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes and former Assistant United States Attorney Owen Reynolds prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-161.
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Violent Level 3 Sex Offender from Harwich Sentenced to Decade in Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Level 3 sex offender from Harwich, with prior violent convictions involving minor victims, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Jonathan Fleischmann, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Fleischmann was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,500. In July 2024, Fleischmann pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
“Despite his prior predatory behavior and the fact that he was already facing serious charges in state court – charges that involved ambushing and attempting to kidnap a young girl at gunpoint outside her home – this defendant continued to demonstrate a complete disregard for the safety and well-being of children by downloading hundreds of atrocious CSAM from the dark web. Each image and video he viewed or shared re-victimized the real, vulnerable children depicted in them. These crimes do not exist in a vacuum; they cause significant harm to the children and families affected,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness with which we treat these crimes and our commitment to protecting children from individuals like Mr. Fleischmann, who refuse to learn or take steps toward remediating their vile tendencies.”
“Over and over, Fleischman committed deeply disturbing sex crimes aimed at children. For years, he has been a threat to the community but after today’s sentence, he will be off the streets for a decade,” said Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “Child sexual abuse material immortalizes the abuse of a child and those who download, trade, and possess CSAM are perpetuating the trauma those children experienced. We are committed to protecting kids and seeking justice for those victimized through child exploitation.”
Fleishmann is a Level 3 sex offender due to prior convictions in Barnstable District Court of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 in 2006, as well as Open and Gross Lewdness and Possession of Child Pornography in 2017 for masturbating to CSAM in a Honey Dew Donuts parking lot.
Additionally, in September 2020, Fleischmann was charged in Barnstable Superior Court with home invasion, armed kidnapping and assault to rape for invading a Yarmouth home and forcibly taking a 16-year-old female at gunpoint into her house as she arrived home from school. That investigation also revealed that Fleishmann had accessed a dark web hidden service on his cellphone dedicated to the trafficking of child pornography. He was later released in April 2021 on conditions including cash bail and GPS monitoring.
Fleischmann is prohibited from possessing digital devices due to his prior convictions.
On March 18, 2023, law enforcement was notified that Fleischmann was observed downloading suspected CSAM media files onto a cell phone at his workplace in Brewster. Specifically, while the phone was left open and charging on a counter, Fleischmann’s co-workers saw that it displayed media files in the process of downloading, with file names that were consistent with CSAM.
When approached by law enforcement at his residence later that day, Fleishmann initially denied owning the cell phone but eventually agreed to produce it – retrieving the device from a hidden location beneath a bathroom sink. A subsequent search of the cell phone revealed approximately 255 image files and 55 video files depicting CSAM – including files portraying child rape, sadistic or masochistic conduct and the abuse of infants or toddlers.
Fleischmann has remained in federal custody since his May 2023 arrest in this case. In May 2024, Fleischmann was sentenced to 12 years in state prison in connection with the Yarmouth home invasion. Following today’s hearing, the defendant was released into state custody to serve the 12-year state sentence, which will run concurrently with the federal sentence imposed today.
U.S. Attorney Foley and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office and the Brewster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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.
United States Announces Plans to Extradite Three Tren de Aragua Members, Who Have Been Declared Alien Enemies, Wanted by Chile for Homicide and Kidnapping OffensesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, the United States declared three members of Tren de Aragua (TdA) Alien Enemies and announced plans to extradite them to Chile, where they are wanted for violent crimes including homicide, kidnapping for ransom, and other offenses.
TdA is a foreign terrorist organization with thousands of members, many of whom have unlawfully entered the United States to commit brutal crimes, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and human and drug trafficking. Three known TdA members, Adrian Rafael Gamez Finol, Miguel Oyola Jimenez, and Edgar Javier Benitez Rubio, illegally entered the United States after allegedly committing horrific crimes in Chile. Recognizing the grave threat that TdA poses to the nations it infiltrates, Chile has asked the United States to help return these men to Chile to face justice. Today, the Department of Justice announced that it will take swift action to grant these requests and send these Alien Enemies to Chile.
“These three Tren de Aragua members pose a grave risk to the public safety and national security of the United States, just as they allegedly did in Chile,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Based on their membership in TdA, they have been declared Alien Enemies. We will not tolerate violent illegal aliens in our country. The Justice Department is taking every step within the bounds of the law to ensure these individuals are promptly sent to Chile to face justice for their abhorrent crimes. In fact, we would have already removed these violent gang members to Chile to face justice were it not for the nationwide injunction imposed by a single judge in Washington D.C., which we are challenging today in the D.C. Circuit,” he added. “We hope common sense and justice will prevail.”
The three TdA members are:
- Adrian Rafael Gamez Finol, also known as Rafael Enrique Gamez Salas, 38, a dual Venezuelan and Colombian citizen, is wanted in Chile for extortion, kidnapping resulting in homicide, kidnapping for extortion, unjustified firearm discharge, and criminal association. Gamez Finol was removed from the United States to Venezuela in August 2023, and allegedly subsequently illegally re-entered the United States. On Feb. 18, Gamez Finol was indicted in the Southern District of Texas for illegally reentering the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Gamez Finol is currently in Texas county prison serving a sentence for human smuggling;
- Miguel Oyola Jimenez, 37, a dual Venezuelan and Ecuadorian citizen, is wanted in Chile for two counts of kidnapping for ransom. Oyola Jimenez is currently in federal custody in the Western District of Washington, having been arrested on a provisional arrest request submitted by Chilean authorities seeking his return to Chile to stand trial on the kidnapping charges; and
- Edgar Javier Benitez Rubio, 37, a Venezuelan citizen, is wanted in Chile for kidnapping with homicide, kidnapping for ransom, and criminal association. Benitez Rubio is in immigration custody in the Southern District of Indiana, pending removal.
The Justice Department will work expeditiously to return these Alien Enemies to Chile to face justice.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two illegal alien human smugglers arrested after dangerous pursuit and crashRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Two Mexican nationals have been charged with conspiring to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Jose Manuel Zamarripa-Torres, 38, and Daniel Flores-Hernandez, 19, are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano.
The criminal complaint alleges that on March 20, law enforcement observed a raft cross the Rio Grande River from Mexico and make landfall in the United States. Zamarripa-Torres then allegedly picked up five illegal aliens from that raft in a Ford SUV. The charges allege one of those was Flores-Hernandez who was the brush guide.
Law enforcement attempted to make a traffic stop, but Zamarripa-Torres fled the scene and subsequently failed to yield, according to the charges. The complaint alleges authorities successfully deployed vehicle immobilization devices throughout the pursuit, but Zamarripa-Torres continued driving.
Zamarripa-Torres allegedly crashed into an occupied civilian vehicle, a power pole and fence and ultimately came to a stop after the 6.1-mile pursuit.
If convicted, Zamarripa-Torres and Flores-Hernandez face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Two Sylacauga Residents Sentenced in Fake Gold SchemeRead the Press Release
According to court documents and testimony, Rossie Windham, age 42, and Dylan Jemison, age 21, both of Sylacauga, conspired with a third individual who, due to his age at the time of the conspiracy, is identified only as Minor-1, to fraudulently sell counterfeit precious metals to victims in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
Starting around April 2023, the minor began advertising gold and silver coins and bars for sale on Facebook Marketplace. According to the minor, he inherited these items from a relative and was selling them below market value because he wanted to buy a truck and put money towards college. Between April and August 2023, Windham helped the minor sell these items by communicating with some of the victims to arrange sales and sometimes accompanying the minor to the location where the victim would pay cash for what the victim believed to be genuine precious metals. On at least one occasion, Windham handled the fraudulent transaction himself. Around August 2023, Windham stopped operating with the minor, who then recruited then-19-year-old Dylan Jemison into the scheme. In October 2023, a victim in Foley, Alabama purchased counterfeit gold bars from Jemison and the minor. After the victim determined that the gold bars were counterfeit and notified police, the Foley Police Department set up a sting operation to purchase more gold. Jemison was arrested when he attempted to sell more counterfeit gold to the victim, and a search of Jemison’s phone revealed the scale of the fraud scheme and the involvement of both the minor and Windham.
In total, Windham, Jemison, and the minor fraudulently obtained over $120,000 from victims. Some of the victims were reimbursed by Windham during the course of the conspiracy. However, the court ordered both Windham and Jemison to pay $87,000.00 in restitution to seven victims who had not been reimbursed. In addition to restitution, Windham and Jemison both agreed to forfeit their illicit proceeds to the United States.
The Foley Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with special assistance from the Foley Coin Shop.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Bodnar prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Tonawanda man charged with distributing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Shawn Demmick, 33, of Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography, which carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in late December 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a Cybertip that someone had uploaded or shared eight files of child pornography with another user or group of users on the Kik application on December 19, 2024. A review of the files determined that they did include images and videos of child pornography. The screen/username of the suspect listed in the report was “sirbannedalot.” Subsequent investigation traced the account back to Shawn Demmick.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Tennessee man pleads guilty to fraudulent investment schemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Tennessee man was convicted for running a Ponzi scheme that victimized individuals across the country.
According to court documents, Alcides Roman, 66, of Lebanon, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
While operating Remain in Control LLC, Roman defrauded a victim in Overland Park, Kansas, after offering investment opportunities and attractive returns.
From June 2020 to October 2020, the victim made multiple wire transfers into Roman’s company bank account and subsequently received “returns” that were in reality partial amounts from the victim’s own investment funds. When the victim stopped receiving payments and inquired, Roman made excuses and sought to lull the victim into a false sense of security.
Other victims of Roman’s investment fraud scheme included individuals in New York, New York, Houston, Texas, and Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
The total known loss, based on victims identified to date, is $1,977,857.88.
Roman used funds from his schemes to pay for his personal living expenses, buy vehicles and land, send money to numerous foreign and domestic companies, and to make purported “returns” to other victim investors.
Roman is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka is prosecuting the case.
If you believe you have been victimized by this defendant, please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation by calling 816-512-8200 or visiting https://tips.fbi.gov/home.
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Tama Man Charged with Federal Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Jacob Samuel Yang, age 36, from Tama, Iowa, has been charged with four counts related to child pornography. The charges are contained in an Indictment filed on March 18, 2025, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
The Indictment alleges that Yang distributed child pornography in March 2024 and that he received child pornography between September 2019 and February 2025. The Indictment also alleges that Yang possessed child pornography on a hard drive between September 2019 and February 2025, and that he possessed child pornography on a cellular telephone between March 2024 and April 2024.
If convicted on all charges, Yang faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 80 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Yang appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond. Yang’s next appearance for trial is set for May 27, 2025.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office, the Tama Police Department, and the Marshalltown Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-CR-24.
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Syracuse Man Sentenced for Federal Robbery OffenseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Quashawn Pettiford, age 34, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to 71 months in federal prison for Interference With Commerce Through Robbery. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of his prior plea agreement, Pettiford admitted that on January 11, 2022, he and two others entered a gas station in Salina, New York, wearing masks. The other two individuals carried BB guns that appeared to be real firearms. Those individuals pointed the BB guns at the store clerk and one of them pressed a gun into the clerk’s neck while directing the clerk to open the cash register. Pettiford further admitted that he and the other robbers took approximately $1,200 in merchandise from the store shelves, approximately $1,495 from the cash register, and $513 from the clerk’s wallet.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release to begin after Pettiford is released from prison. Pettiford was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims of the offense and to forfeit the $3,208 proceeds of the offense.
FBI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police, Syracuse Police Department, DeWitt Police Department, and Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Thomas R. Sutcliffe prosecuted the case.
St. Lawrence County Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Robert LaVair, age 19, of Louisville, New York, pled guilty today to receipt and possession of child pornography announced United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his guilty plea, LaVair admitted that in January of 2024, he received numerous images and videos of child pornography by downloading them from the dark web. In addition to child pornography obtained from the internet, LaVair also admitted that he possessed sexually explicit images and videos of a nine-year-old child that he produced while the child was sleeping.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the United States Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. However, if Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes accepts the parties’ agreed-upon disposition at sentencing, scheduled for July 18, 2025, LaVair will receive a federal prison term of between 14 and 15 years to be followed by 15 years of post-release supervision. LaVair will also be required to pay restitution to the children whose images he received and possessed, and will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The case was investigated by HSI and the New York State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Benjamin Gillis as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
South Carolina Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Trafficking More Than Two Dozen Illegal Firearms into BostonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Columbia, S.C. man was sentenced on March 21, 2025 in federal court in Boston for conspiring to traffic more than two dozen illegal firearms from South Carolina to Boston.
Trevon Brunson, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2024, Brunson pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking and conspiracy to do so. In January 2024, Brunson was charged along with co-conspirator Aizavier Roache.
The investigation arose after a firearm recovered from a shooting in Boston was identified as having been purchased in South Carolina 15 days prior. Over a three-year period, Brunson and Roache conspired to traffic dozens of illegal firearms from South Carolina to Massachusetts. Specifically, Roache would text Brunson photos of the firearms he wanted. The two would then meet and Roache would provide Brunson with the cash to purchase the firearms. After purchasing the firearms in South Carolina, Brunson would meet Roache at different locations in Columbia, S.C. to transfer the firearms. Roache traveled between Massachusetts and South Carolina numerous times to obtain the firearms.
Numerous text messages as well as bank, travel and firearm records detailed the conspiracy. Intercepted communications uncovered an instance were Brunson used Roache’s credit card to complete a multi-gun purchase because he didn’t have enough cash on hand, during which Roache texted Brunson the pin number for the card. Additionally, a video recovered from Roache’s phone showed him on a bus showing off a carry-on bag that contained four firearms. The date of the video corresponded with Roache’s trip back to Massachusetts after a multi-gun purchase in April of 2023.
In total, the defendants trafficked more than 24 illegal firearms into Massachusetts from South Carolina. Eleven of the trafficked firearms were recovered in Massachusetts after being used in a crime.
In February 2025, Roache was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Six Illegal Aliens Indicted for Federal Offenses, Including Illegal Reentry and Firearms Violations as Part Operation Take Back AmericaRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced today that as part of Operation Take Back America, six illegal aliens were indicted in March for federal offenses above-and-beyond simply being in the country illegally such as firearms violations and reentering the country illegally after removal.
The six defendants facing federal criminal charges are:
Santo Antonio Barradas-Leon, a/k/a Santos Antonio Leon-Barredas, 36, of Mexico, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States by an aggravated felon. Barradas-Leon was previously removed from the United States in April 2009 and again in March 2020. Barradas-Leon was arrested on March 9, 2025, by the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
Ruben Duran-Mercado, a/k/a Ruben Mercado Duran, 26, of Mexico, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States by an aggravated felon. Duran-Mercado was previously removed from the United States in August 2024. Duran-Mercado was arrested on February 8, 2025, by the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
Deyvi Carlos Perez Morales, a/k/a Carlos Perez Morales, 32, of Mexico, is charged with illegally reentering into the United States. Morales was previously removed from the United States three times: in July 2010, in September 2011, and again in July 2017. He was arrested on February 8, 2025, by the Marshville Police Department.
Jairo Ernesto Perry Santos, 40, of Honduras, is charged with illegally reentering into the United States. Santos was previously removed from the United States in August 2016. An arrest warrant has been issued against the defendant.
Eusebio Fuentes-Soto, a/k/a Eusebio Sotos, Edgar Perez-Berillos, or Edgar Perez, 27, of Mexico, is charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien. Fuentes-Soto was previously removed from the United States in 2018. An arrest warrant has been issued against the defendant.
Raul Bello Rojas, 43, of Mexico, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, and illegal reentry into the United States. Rojas is currently in federal custody.
The charges in the indictments are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson credited Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Emergency Removal Operations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for their investigations that led to the charges. U.S. Attorney Ferguson also commended the local law enforcement agencies that assisted in the apprehension of the defendants, to include the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshville Police Department, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys with the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the cases.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Second Bronx Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Shooting of Five-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that AUSTIN MORRISHOW pled guilty today to illegally possessing multiple rounds of ammunition in connection with a June 30, 2023, shooting in which MORRISHOW and his co-defendant, CURTIS WHITE, fired multiple shots on a residential street in the Bronx, striking and seriously injuring a five-year-old girl. MORRISHOW pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska, who also presided over WHITE’s guilty plea on February 5, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “On June 30, 2023, Austin Morrishow and his co-defendant, Curtis White, engaged in a brazen act of violence by firing several shots onto a busy residential street in the Bronx. As these shots rang out, panicked bystanders rushed for cover, and one child—a five-year-old girl—was struck by a bullet and seriously injured. Morrishow then tried to evade arrest, but he was tracked down by our law enforcement partners, and now faces time in prison for endangering our city with senseless gun violence.”
According to court filings and statements made in court proceedings:
On June 30, 2023, MORRISHOW, WHITE, and several others were gathered on a residential sidewalk in the Bronx. After a car engine backfired, MORRISHOW took cover behind a parked vehicle, assumed a shooting stance, and fired several shots from a .40 caliber pistol at three cars idling nearby, which began fleeing from the gunfire. WHITE ran after the fleeing cars, firing shots from a .380 caliber pistol.
The shots fired by MORRISHOW and WHITE left at least seven .40 caliber shell casings, two .380 caliber shell casings, and two fired bullets in the street, as well as two bullet fragments, bullet holes, and shattered windows in vehicles parked on the street. One of these shots hit the five-year-old girl sitting in the back of a car, and she was rushed to the hospital.
MORRISHOW was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because of his prior federal conviction for using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, and WHITE was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because of his prior state conviction for attempted first-degree assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon.
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MORRISHOW, 27, and WHITE, 27, both of the Bronx, New York, each pled guilty to one count of possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. MORRISHOW is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2025, and WHITE is scheduled to be sentenced on May 20, 2025.
The statutory maximum penalty is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, and also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance with the investigation.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry J. Fang is in charge of the prosecution.
San Joaquin County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison on Federal Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Alphonso Jimenez, 34, of Stockton, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl and for possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, in 2021, a team of local and federal law enforcement officers partnered in an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Jimenez and co-defendant Erik D. Mendoza-Contreras, 33, of Stockton. On multiple occasions during the investigation, confidential sources working with law enforcement purchased several pounds of narcotics from Mendoza and Jimenez. On Feb. 23, 2022, Jimenez delivered 28 pounds of methamphetamine to Mendoza for further distribution to a customer. A subsequent search of Jimenez’s home recovered 69.2 pounds of methamphetamine, 62.8 pounds of cocaine, 15 pounds of heroin, 9 ounces of counterfeit M-30 pills containing fentanyl, approximately $297,000 in cash, and a firearm.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca prosecuted the case.
Charges are pending against Mendoza; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Roofing Business Owner and Payroll Administrator Sentenced for Employment Tax ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Two Florida residents were sentenced today to three years and a year and a day in prison, respectively, for conspiring to defraud the United States by not paying employment taxes to the IRS.
According to court documents and statements made in court, William Skaggs Jr. owned and operated Nastar Roofing, a roofing company that worked throughout the Ft. Myers area. Billie Adkison was the business’ main office administrator, whose duties included managing payroll.
Between 2013 and 2023, Nastar employees — including Skaggs, Adkison, and others acting at their direction — withdrew over $21 million from the company’s bank accounts to pay employees predominantly in cash without withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from those wages. They did this to escape paying employment taxes they knew were legally required.
At times, Nastar used a payroll provider to issue employees nominal paychecks, but Nastar did not inform the payroll company about the cash wages. As such, when the payroll company filed employment tax returns with the IRS, the forms were false because they did not report the cash wages. Similarly, when Nastar did not use a payroll provider and filed its own employment tax returns, it did not report the substantial cash wages paid to employees. Both Skaggs and Adkison signed some of these tax returns, knowing that they were false.
In total, Skaggs and Adkison caused a tax loss to the IRS of nearly $2.5 million.
In addition to their prison sentences, U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell for the Middle District of Florida ordered Skaggs and Adkison to serve three years of supervised release. The court will determine restitution at a later date.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Leeman and current Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Winter for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Roofing Business Owner and Payroll Administrator Sentenced for Employment Tax ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, FL - Two Florida residents were sentenced today to three years and a year and a day in prison, respectively, for conspiring to defraud the United States by not paying employment taxes to the IRS.
According to court documents and statements made in court, William Skaggs Jr. owned and operated Nastar Roofing, a roofing company that worked throughout the Ft. Myers area. Billie Adkison was the business’ main office administrator, whose duties included managing payroll.
Between 2013 and 2023, Nastar employees — including Skaggs, Adkison, and others acting at their direction — withdrew over $21 million from the company’s bank accounts to pay employees predominantly in cash without withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from those wages. They did this to escape paying employment taxes they knew were legally required.
At times, Nastar used a payroll provider to issue employees nominal paychecks, but Nastar did not inform the payroll company about the cash wages. As such, when the payroll company filed employment tax returns with the IRS, the forms were false because they did not report the cash wages. Similarly, when Nastar did not use a payroll provider and filed its own employment tax returns, it did not report the substantial cash wages paid to employees. Both Skaggs and Adkison signed some of these tax returns, knowing that they were false.
In total, Skaggs and Adkison caused a tax loss to the IRS of nearly $2.5 million.
In addition to their prison sentences, U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell for the Middle District of Florida ordered Skaggs and Adkison to serve three years of supervised release. The court will determine restitution at a later date.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Leeman and current Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Winter for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Rochester Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Kevyn Bradley Heath, a Rochester man, has been sentenced to 252 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for the production and distribution of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, between November 19, 2023, and December 31, 2023, Kevyn Bradley Heath, 28, produced child pornography and distributed it over Discord, an online social platform. Heath’s offense involved sexual contact of infant or toddler victims in his custody, care, or control.
On November 7, 2024, Heath pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Katherine M. Menendez. Heath was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $106,000.
“Child abusers who commit horrific sex crimes and then document that abuse in pictures and videos are among the most vile offenders we prosecute. This conduct is—in a word—sickening,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “My office will continue to stand up for the victims of sexual abuse and seek only the strongest of sentences against defendants who commit these terrible crimes.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Rochester Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Forbes prosecuted the case.
Riverside County Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking 44 Kilograms of Cocaine and 10 Kilograms of HeroinRead the Press Release
37 kilograms of cocaine and 10 kilograms of heroin hidden in car’s roof
FRESNO, Calif. — Jose Miguel Perez, 42, of Corona, pleaded guilty today to cocaine and heroin trafficking, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, Perez was pulled over by law enforcement officers while driving north on Interstate 5 in Fresno County. Deputies seized 56 kilograms of various narcotics in the car’s two hidden compartments. Seven kilograms of cocaine were hidden in the ceiling of the car, while an additional 37 kilograms of cocaine, 10 kilograms of heroin, and 2 kilograms of ketamine were seized from a hidden compartment in the car’s roof.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is prosecuting the case.
Jose Miguel Perez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff on June 23, 2025. Perez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
River Hills Man Sentenced to 21 Months’ Imprisonment for Paying Healthcare KickbacksRead the Press Release
Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that, on March 21, 2025, Justin Drew Hanson was sentenced to 21 months’ incarceration for paying healthcare kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Hanson was also ordered to pay over $2.2 million in restitution to Medicaid and Medicare as well as a $75,000 fine.
According to court records, Hanson and his co-defendant, Mohammed Kazim Ali, owned a Milwaukee-area clinical laboratory called Noah Associates. Beginning in 2017, Ali and Hanson engaged in a three-year-long scheme to pay kickbacks to the owner of a Milwaukee substance use treatment clinic in exchange for referrals of Medicaid and Medicare patients for urine drug testing performed by Noah Associates. Hanson and Ali procured sham agreements that further concealed their fraud, ultimately paying over $400,000 in kickbacks to procure the tests. The tests, however, were not ordered by any physician and were not medically necessary for the treatment of patients. As a result of the scheme, Medicaid and Medicare paid Noah Associates over $2.2 million for the unnecessary tests. Hanson personally received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Noah Associates during the scheme.
At sentencing, United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller emphasized the seriousness of Hanson’s crime, including Hanson’s manipulation and breach of trust of the Medicaid and Medicare programs to receive millions of dollars that were not truly earned. Judge Stadtmueller further noted that Hanson’s criminal conduct was significant and detrimental because he stole “from every taxpayer citizen in the United States.” In addition to his sentence, Hanson will also be excluded from participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs and has shut down Noah Associates. His co-defendant, Ali, also pleaded guilty for paying healthcare kickbacks and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment earlier this year.
“Mr. Hanson’s kickbacks resulted in Medicaid and Medicare – and taxpayers – repeatedly paying for unnecessary services,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling. “Rather than bill the government for tests that patients truly needed, Hanson abused the Medicaid and Medicare programs for his own benefit. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to hold individuals who engage in these schemes accountable for their actions.”
"The FBI will relentlessly pursue individuals like Mr. Hanson whose actions defrauded the American people and wasted taxpayer money,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office. “The FBI will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure those responsible for schemes to defraud the American people are brought to justice.”
“HHS-OIG is dedicated to protecting the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid and to ensure taxpayer money is used as intended to serve vulnerable populations,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The kickback scheme in this case undermined the public’s trust in our nation’s health care system and can interfere with impartial medical decision-making. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who manipulate taxpayer-funded health programs to boost their profits.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Carter and Julie Stewart handled the prosecution.
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Repeat Offender Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
EL DORADO – A Smackover, Arkansas man was sentenced on March 19, 2025, to 180 months in prison without the possibility of parole for receiving child pornography. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in El Dorado.
According to court documents, Eric David Ponder, age 46, used an online peer-to-peer program to download child pornography to two different electronic devices. Ponder’s crime came to light when an Ozark Police detective discovered illegal online activity from Ponder’s use of the peer-to-peer program. El Dorado Police detectives and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation then served a search warrant at Ponder’s residence and discovered the two devices Ponder used to access and receive child pornography.
In 2014, Ponder was convicted for Distributing, Possessing, or Viewing Sexually Explicit Conduct Involving a Child in Benton County, Arkansas, and was sentenced to five years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. Ponder was a registered sex offender when he committed the federal offense.
Ponder was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Arkansas in March of 2024 and entered a plea of guilty in September of 2024.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, El Dorado Police Department, Ozark Police Department, and Smackover Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Still and Trent Daniels prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.justice.gov/psc.
Ramsey County Carjacker Sentenced to over 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Ramsey County man has been sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for a string of carjackings and illegal possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, on June 30, 2022, Ricardo Rydell Walker, Jr., 22, approached the owner of a black 2021 Toyota Highlander as they exited the car, demanded everything in the driver’s pockets, and hit them on the left side of the head with a handgun. Walker also participated in three additional armed carjackings between February 2021 and June 2022, one in Minneapolis and two in Saint Paul. In each case, Walker and others used the threat of violence and intimidated the victims with firearms.
On July 6, 2022, Walker was arrested in Maplewood, MN, in a stolen car, while in possession of a Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistol.
On November 26, 2024, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of receipt of a firearm while under felony indictment. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Katherine M. Menendez.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Paul Police Department, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William C. Mattessich and Mary Riverso prosecuted the case.
Philadelphia Man Found Guilty of Conspiring to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, man was found guilty of conspiring to distribute cocaine, U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced.
Marvin Murphy, 48, of Camden, New Jersey, was convicted on March 18, 2025 after a two-day bench trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb. Murphy was remanded into custody after the verdict.
According to documents filed in this case and evidence at trial:
From June 2021 through July 13, 2021, Murphy conspired with Carl Lee Holloway, Lavinston Lamar, and others to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. On June 23, 2021, Holloway traveled to San Diego, California, to meet with an undercover agent posing as a drug dealer. Holloway and the undercover agent discussed arranging a drug deal in New Jersey during which the undercover agent would deliver at least 10 kilograms of cocaine for Holloway and his associates. During the meeting, Holloway called Murphy, and the two proceeded to communicate about the drug deal during the subsequent weeks.
On July 13, 2021, Holloway, Murphy, and Lamar separately arrived at a hotel in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, each with bags containing U.S. currency collectively totaling over $340,000. They met with undercover agents inside a hotel room at the hotel. They briefly inspected one of the kilograms of cocaine previously brought into the room by undercover agents, after which agents entered the room and arrested Holloway, Lamar, and Murphy.
Chief Judge Bumb previously sentenced Holloway to 120 months in prison after Holloway pleaded guilty to his involvement in the same conspiracy. Chief Judge Bumb also previously sentenced Lamar to 114 months in prison, which was later reduced to 100 months, after Lamar pleaded guilty to his involvement in the same conspiracy and to violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior conviction for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
The count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Giordano credited special agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark and Special Agent in Charge Shawn S. Gibson in San Diego; and the Mount Laurel Police, under the direction of Chief Timothy Hudnall, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Waegener of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
Philadelphia Felon Convicted at Trial of Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Norman Copper, 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted Friday at trial of one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of possession of firearms by a felon.
The defendant was charged by superseding indictment with those offenses in June 2024.
In December 2023, the Upper Merion Township Police Department had received information from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Parole Field Services that Copper, who was on state parole at the time for attempted murder, had been intercepted on recorded prison calls and video visits that suggested he might be involved in narcotics sales and/or the illegal possession of firearms. As a condition of his parole, Copper wore a GPS monitor.
As proven at trial, GPS location data indicated that he spent many early morning hours at an unapproved area in King of Prussia, Pa., which investigators determined was the apartment of his then-girlfriend. Through physical and video surveillance, Upper Merion detectives saw Copper entering and exiting the apartment on many occasions, often heading in the direction of what was later learned to be a storage unit associated with his girlfriend’s apartment.
In January of last year, law enforcement served search warrants on the apartment and storage unit, seizing more than a pound and a half of methamphetamine, three semiautomatic handguns, one of them equipped with a silencer, and one AK-style semiautomatic rifle, weapons that he was not permitted to possess due to his previous felony conviction.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 45 years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Upper Merion Township Police Department, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey Mills and Justin Ashenfelter.
Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty today to transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to sexually abuse the child and to accessing child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, George “Travis” Woodfield, 41, of Macungie, Pennsylvania, drove an eleven-year-old child across state lines for an overnight trip to New York City in November 2018 in order to engage in sexual activity with the child. During the trip, Woodfield sexually abused the child in their hotel room. Further, between September 2015 and July 2024, Woodfield accessed numerous depictions of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused.
Woodfield pleaded guilty to one count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of accessing with intent to view child pornography, including that of a prepubescent minor. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by the court on July 1 and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Senior Trial Attorney Jennifer Toritto Leonardo and Trial Attorney Jessica L. Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca J. Kulik for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.