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Monday 6 July 2026
Palmetto Man Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Terry Brunning has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release for tax evasion. The Court also ordered Brunning to pay $2,467,523.44 in restitution to the United States Department of the Treasury associated with tax evasion for tax years 1999, 2000, and 2001. Brunning pled guilty on April 2, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Brunning’s acts of evading taxes included the purchase of real property, vehicles, and the procurement of various cashier’s checks in the name of a business which served to conceal the property’s beneficial ownership and source, in order to avoid enforcement of a tax judgment against his personal assets. The defendant conducted these transactions through this business entity in a willful attempt to evade or defeat the payment of taxes due and owing for tax years 1999 and including 2001. As a result of the defendant’s actions, a tax loss, inclusive of penalties and interest, is due and owing to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $2,467,523.44.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Whitney Mackay.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 14 years for Distributing Methamphetamine and Possessing Firearms as a FelonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Keith McDougald, 46, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 25, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for methamphetamine distribution and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced McDougald to 168 months’ imprisonment on each count to run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After McDougald’s release from prison, he will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
Between the dates of January 29, 2024, and September 4, 2024, an Omaha Police Department confidential source purchased methamphetamine and firearms from McDougald and firearms from his relative, Demetrius Hunter. At that time, both McDougald and Hunter were prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. McDougald had a conviction for attempted first-degree sexual assault. Hunter’s convictions were for operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest and possession of a firearm by a felon.
On January 29, 2024, McDougald sold the confidential source 114 grams of methamphetamine in a parking lot. On February 19, 2024, McDougald sold the source 392 grams of methamphetamine in another parking lot. On April 29, 2024,
McDougald contacted the source and told the source that he and his nephew (Hunter) were available to meet near 30th and Lake streets to sell a firearm. They sold the source a Sig Sauer P220 .45 cal. handgun and magazine containing seven .45 cal. rounds. On May 14, 2024, McDougald brokered the sale of a Polymer 80 PFC940C 9mm handgun and a high-capacity drum magazine containing one live 9mm round, to the source, for Hunter. On May 22, 2024, McDougald brokered the sale of a Glock 26 9mm handgun and the three magazines, to the source, for Hunter. On May 27, 2024, McDougald and Hunter sold the source an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 multi-caliber pistol and an empty magazine.
On June 3, 2024, Hunter was arrested and booked at the county jail for unrelated charges and while he was incarcerated, he arranged for the sale of a Norinco SKS 7.62x39 cal. rifle, which McDougald sold to the source on June 12, 2024. On July 25, 2024, McDougald sold the source a Cobrayo M11/9 9mm handgun. On August 31, 2024, after Hunter’s release from jail, he sold the source an AM-15 short-barreled rifle and a 60-round magazine, a 100 round drum magazine, and twenty live .223 cal. rounds.
Demetrius Hunter pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm on November 25, 2025 and was sentenced to 92 months to be served concurrently and 3 years supervised release on both counts on March 12, 2026.
United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, “I want to congratulate the Omaha Police Department and ATF for taking an armed registered sex offender off the street and out of our communities. Unfortunately, it appears this defendant refuses to make better life choices no matter how many convictions have stacked up for him at this point. Nebraska is safer with McDougald behind bars. I am grateful to OPD and ATF for making this case and doing the community an invaluable service in the process.”
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. This case was primarily investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Omaha Police Department.
Northeast Missouri Felon Caught with a Firearm and Methamphetamine Sentenced to 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Monday sentenced a felon from Palmyra, Missouri who was caught with a firearm, methamphetamine and other drugs to 11 years in prison.
On Oct. 4, 2022, the Northeast Missouri Drug Task Force (NEMO) learned that John R. Breault would be traveling to a home in La Belle, Missouri to sell meth. NEMO and Lewis County Sheriff’s deputies watched Breault as he spent time at the house and then went to a bank. They also watched as a known drug user withdrew money from an ATM and then got back into Breault’s vehicle. Investigators stopped the vehicle after it dropped off the drug user at his home. Breault unsuccessfully tried to get his driver to flee, attacking and kicking a NEMO special agent and then resisting arrest after he was removed from the vehicle. Investigators found meth, 282 morphine tablets and marijuana on Breault. They found a 9mm handgun, $746 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and a grocery bag containing about 381 grams of meth in the vehicle.
Breault, now 40, pleaded guilty in April to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Northeast Missouri Drug Task Force, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Lane prosecuted the case.
Mississippi Man Sentenced for Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS — A Mississippi man was sentenced on July 2, 2026, to 27 months for illegally buying and selling firearms that were later resold and subsequently recovered at multiple crime scenes.
According to court documents, between March 15, 2022, and July 27, 2023, Jonathan Levon Warner, 28, of Jackson, Mississippi, purchased at least 33 firearms, primarily Glocks, at gun stores and shows in the Southern District of Mississippi and elsewhere. Warner and another individual purchased these firearms to resell for profit to an individual from Chicago. Neither Warner nor the other individual possessed a federal firearms license to resell the guns. The individual from Chicago would travel to Jackson, Mississippi to purchase the firearms and pay Warner with cash or send him money using Cashapp. Nine firearms that Warner purchased and later resold were recovered in the Chicago area by law enforcement. At least five of the firearms were recovered by law enforcement during suspected crimes; three of which were recovered from individuals who could not lawfully possess a firearm, i.e., did not possess a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card or Concealed Carry License (CCL), or were convicted felons. Six of the nine firearms were recovered in the Chicago area within nine months or less of the purchase date.
According to court documents, Warner admitted to law enforcement that he sold approximately 20 but no more than 40 firearms to the individual from Chicago. Warner also admitted that he would make a profit of $200 to $300 per firearm. Warner plead guilty on April 7 to the unlicensed firearms dealing charge.
“The illegal sale of firearms often arms the most dangerous criminals in our communities and directly contributes to ongoing violence,” said United States Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger. “I commend the Special Agents of ATF and our prosecutors for holding Warner accountable.”
“This defendant’s actions showed a complete disregard for public safety – illegally buying and selling guns without a license to individuals and convicted felons that resulted in violent crime incidents in Chicago,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Denham. “ATF will continue to work alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure these offenders are removed from our communities and held fully accountable with significant sentences to be served in prison.”
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Denham of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
The ATF investigated this case.
Trial Attorney Lakeita Rox-Love and Deputy Chief Kelly Pearson of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber Jones and Matt Allen for the Southern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal Drone Operation in Protected Airspace Before FIFA World Cup MatchRead the Press Release
A Mexican national was charged by criminal complaint for operating a drone without the proper authorization in violation of federal law, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Cristobal Torres Alvarez, 40, was charged by federal complaint on June 29, 2026, with operating as an airman without an airman’s certificate, in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 46306(b)(7).
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to be a success in North Texas. Fans from all over the world are getting a big Texas welcome. It is our duty to make sure that these fans as well as our great citizens of North Texas are protected from drone interference and potentially dangerous situations,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “If you operate a drone, you have a duty to know the law. And know that you cannot fly a drone over either Dallas Stadium or Fan Fest during the World Cup. If you disregard this warning, you should expect to be prosecuted in federal court.”
“The FBI and our partners will continue to identify drone operators who violate Temporary Flight Restrictions. Our collective goal remains that FIFA World Cup 2026 events are safe for all participants and attendees,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Before you fly a drone, I strongly encourage you to check for active flight restrictions using an FAA-approved B4UFLY service provider.”
According to the complaint, Alvarez allegedly flew his unregistered drone, a DJI Mini 4 PRO, in the flight-restricted airspace around Dallas Stadium (also known as AT&T Stadium) while a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) was in effect. To legally operate his drone within the flight-restricted airspace, Alvarez must have obtained an Airman’s Certificate and must have been a Part 107-licensed pilot with a current certificate or have a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, among other requirements. Interception of Alvarez’s drone operation was part of the FBI’s drone counter-surveillance efforts for the FIFA World Cup match at Dallas Stadium that same evening.
So far, during the five FIFA World Cup 2026 games held in Arlington, over 70 drones have been seized. The FBI would like to once again state that there is a “no-fly zone” around the Dallas Stadium and Dallas Fan Fest for three hours prior to each match and three hours after each match. It is a federal crime to fly a drone into a “no-fly zone.”
If convicted, Alvarez faces up to three years in federal prison. The defendant remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Dallas Field Division, Federal Air Marshal, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Arlington, Texas Police Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.Lakeland Man Who Fired Bullets That Killed 70-Year-Old-Grandmother and Injured Three Others Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Taqiy Lewis (29, Lakeland) has been sentenced by United States District Judge Kathryn Mizelle to 30 years in federal prison. On March 2, 2026, Lewis pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon in connection with a shooting. United States Attorney Gregory Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, on December 24, 2020, 70-year-old M.C. was outside her Lakeland home with her family, including young children. At approximately 5:30 p.m., Lewis and others engaged in a shootout outside of M.C.’s residence. M.C. was struck twice and killed. Three others, including a 13-year-old, were also shot and wounded outside the residence.
Two years later, on February 9, 2023, during an unrelated investigation, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and officers from the Lakeland Police Department recovered a Kahr CM9 9mm pistol while executing a search warrant in Lakeland. Forensic testing using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (“NIBIN”) confirmed that this firearm was the one used to kill M.C. Further investigation revealed that six casings collected from the crime scene, two spent projectiles recovered from the residence, and a bullet recovered from M.C.’s body were all fired by Lewis and the Kahr CM9 pistol he had possessed.
At the time of the shooting, Lewis was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Subsequent evidence revealed that after the shooting, Lewis obtained a fake alibi and had the jacket and sandals he used during the commission of the shooting burned in a barrel. Lewis remains under investigation by state law enforcement for causing M.C.’s death.
This case was investigated by both the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
Justice Department Reaches Proposed Settlement with Willow Bridge, One of America’s Largest Landlords, to Resolve Information Sharing and Algorithmic Coordination ClaimsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a proposed settlement today to resolve the United States’ claims against Willow Bridge Property Company LLC, as part of its ongoing enforcement action in the Middle District of North Carolina against algorithmic coordination, the use of competitors’ competitively sensitive data, and other anticompetitive practices in rental markets across the country. Today’s proposed settlement builds on the Justice Department’s success in obtaining proposed settlements in the same enforcement action against RealPage Inc. and three other large landlords, Cortland Management LLC, Greystar Management Services LLC, and LivCor LLC.
As alleged in Plaintiffs’ Jan. 7, 2025 complaint, Willow Bridge, alongside five other landlord co-defendants, actively engaged in a scheme to set their rents using each other’s competitively sensitive information through pricing algorithms. Willow Bridge and these other landlords shared competitively sensitive data to generate pricing recommendations using RealPage’s algorithms, which also included anticompetitive rules that aligned pricing. Moreover, Willow Bridge and the other landlords spoke with one another on competitively sensitive topics, including pricing strategies, rents, and parameters for RealPage’s software.
“Affordability for American consumers is only achieved when competition thrives, which requires companies to make independent pricing decisions,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “Companies cannot share sensitive data and manipulate AI tools or algorithms to produce market aligned pricing. That is not only illegal, but exploitative of Americans’ everyday housing needs. This Department will not stand for it.”
“Corporate landlords have been destabilizing the rental housing market for too long,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Sarrine of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division will remain proactive in taking affirmative measures to stop pricing algorithms from harming renters.”
If approved by the court, the proposed consent decree would require Willow Bridge to:
- Refrain from using any anticompetitive algorithm that generates pricing recommendations using its competitors’ competitively sensitive data or that incorporates certain anticompetitive features;
- Refrain from sharing competitively sensitive information with competitors;
- Accept a court-appointed monitor if it uses a third-party pricing algorithm that is not certified pursuant to the terms of the consent decree;
- Refrain from attending or participating in RealPage-hosted meetings of competing landlords; and
- Cooperate with the United States’ claims against other defendants.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with a competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any interested person should submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days following the publication to Danielle Hauck, Acting Chief, Technology and Digital Platforms Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW, Suite 7050, Washington, DC 20530. At the conclusion of the public comment period, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina may enter the final judgment upon finding it is in the public interest.
Willow Bridge is a residential property manager headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Note: See the Proposed Final Judgment here, the Stipulation and Order here, and the Competitive Impact Statement here.
Jacksonville Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Producing and Attempting to Produce Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Carlos Alvaro Canjura Ventura (44, Jacksonville) has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing and attempting to produce child sexual abuse materials. Ventura faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. He was arrested on December 18, 2025, in connection with a related state case. Ventura has been detained in this federal case, and his trial is set for September 8, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, from August 2024 through December 18, 2025, Canjura Ventura did employ or use and attempt to employ or use a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, which includes Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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, rescue, and seek justice for child 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."
Jackson Man Sentenced to over 27 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation, Cyberstalking, and Sextortion OffensesRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Jackson man was sentenced on July 2, 2026, to 27.5 years in federal prison for charges relating to a “sextortion” scheme that targeted multiple victims, including minors, across several states. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and pay restitution to his victims.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Marquez Cameron Jones Weston, 24, operated a “sextortion” scheme in which he engaged in cyberstalking, interstate threats, extortion, attempted production of child pornography, and transportation of child pornography over the internet. As part of the scheme, Weston attempted to and did extort money and sexually explicit photographic images and videos from numerous female victims, some of whom were minors, over the internet.
Weston was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Northern Division of the Southern District of Mississippi on September 25, 2024. Weston pleaded guilty to attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography over the internet, extortion, and cyberstalking on February 20, 2025.
“The facts in this case are some of the most egregious and disturbing I have ever seen. I am proud of the professionalism demonstrated by our investigative and prosecutorial team who worked diligently to bring justice to the victims of Weston’s heinous crimes,” stated United States Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger.
United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Sam Houston State University Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly T. Purdie and Dave Fulcher prosecuted the case.
The FBI provides the following six tips on how people can protect themselves from sextortion schemes:
- Be selective about what you share online. If your social media accounts are open to everyone, a predator may be able to figure out a lot of information about you.
- Be wary of anyone you encounter for the first time online. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
- Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they claim to be. Images can be altered or stolen. In some cases, predators have even taken over the social media accounts of their victims.
- Be suspicious if you meet someone on one game or app and this person asks you to start talking on a different platform.
- Be in the know. Any content you create online—whether it is a text message, photo, or video—can be made public. And nothing actually “disappears” online. Once you send something, you don’t have any control over where it goes next.
- Be willing to ask for help. If you are getting messages or requests online that don’t seem right, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or go to an adult. If you have been victimized online, tell someone.
If you, your child, or someone you know is being exploited via sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or report it online at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Additional resources can found at Sextortion and Financially Motivated Sextortion — FBI. If you believe you are a victim in this particular case, please also contact the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.
Illegal aliens indicted for having fake green cardsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned indictments charging three foreign nationals with having fake green cards.
According to court documents, on May 28, 2026, federal agents arrested a group of illegal aliens while executing a search warrant in Kansas City, Kansas. Three of the individuals were allegedly in possession of counterfeit immigration documentation in the form of forged permanent resident cards.
Mariano Jeronimo-Pacheco, 33, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents.
Yolanda Mendoza-Emiliano, 33, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents.
Santos Ramirez-Ramirez, 38, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was indicted on one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents.
During these arrests, law enforcement took four other defendants into custody who have since been indicted on immigration charges. They include:
• Zenon Garcia Basurto, 36, and Pedro Antonio-Perez, 30, illegal aliens from Mexico, were indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation.
• Gustavo Adolfo Guardado-Menjivar, 39, an illegal alien from El Salvador, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation.
• Mario Perez-Morales, 48, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation.Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating all of the cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case against Jeronimo-Pacheco.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting the case against Mendoza-Emiliano.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane is prosecuting the case against Ramirez-Ramirez.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Arisdel Adame-Molina, 33, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case.
Francisco Becerra-Silva, 30, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien and one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Nefalty Sergio Chubaja-Chubaja, 26, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Deandre T. Irvin, 32, of Kansas City, Kansas, was indicted on one count of possession of machine guns. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case.
Yoni Ernesto Larios-Garcia, 36, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case.
Elder Gonzalo Lopez-Maderos, 35, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien and one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Julio Martin-Ramirez, 44, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was indicted on one count of unlawful entry after deportation. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting the case.
Omar Pastor Mayorga-Munoz, 34, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Magdiel Villa-Martinez, 20, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Miguel Angel Rocha-Sanchez, 30, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count to failure to register as a sex offender and one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting 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.An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Illegal Alien Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Carjacking and Discharging a FirearmRead the Press Release
A Peruvian national who committed an armed carjacking was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Omar Gayoso, 22, pled guilty in March 2026, to carjacking and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with a July 2025 armed carjacking. On June 24, 2026, United States District Judge Ed Kinkeade sentenced Gayoso to 168 months in federal prison. The Court also ordered Gayoso to pay $26,000 in restitution.
“This defendant not only entered our country illegally, but once he got here, he committed horrendous crimes, including carjacking, assault, and discharging a firearm while committing a violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Raybould. “It doesn’t end there. He led officers on a high-speed chase around the streets of Dallas, jeopardizing the safety of dozens of other North Texans as well as our great DPD officers. This 14-year sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes, and once he is done serving all that time, he will be on a one-way flight back to Peru.”
“This defendant committed serious crimes that put the community and police officers in danger. Violent acts like this cannot and will not be tolerated in North Texas. ATF will leverage its resources to ensure that people who commit acts like this end up exactly where they should end up . . . Federal Prison,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner of the ATF Dallas Field Division.
According to court documents, Gayoso discharged several shots into the air to intimidate the victims and forcibly took their car keys, vehicle, and other property. After driving off in the stolen vehicle, he proceeded to flee from DPD officers and initiated a high-speed chase—at one point reaching a speed of 123 miles per hour—that ended only after he struck another vehicle.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luis Suarez and Ashley Koos prosecuted the case.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Emerson Reyes-Andrade, 32, of San Salvador, El Salvador, was sentenced on July 2, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Reyes-Andrade to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Reyes-Andrade is released from prison, he will be deported as he is not a United States citizen and was in the country illegally.
Reyes-Andrade was charged as a result of his involvement with a Mexico source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas with methamphetamine via a local network of drug couriers. On September 4, 2024, a cooperating witness working with law enforcement contacted the Mexican source and ordered two pounds of methamphetamine. The source sent Reyes-Andrade who met the cooperator at an Omaha location where he delivered approximately two pounds of methamphetamine to the cooperator.
On November 21, 2024, a search warrant was executed on Reyes-Andrade’s Omaha residence revealing approximately seven grams of methamphetamine. On that same date another search warrant was served on an Omaha residence where Reyes-Andrade had been seen frequenting, and approximately 110 pounds of methamphetamine were discovered.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Honduran illegal alien guilty after flight from trooperRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 46-year-old illegal alien who resided in Corpus Christi has been convicted of illegally reentering the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
A federal jury deliberated for approximately 15 minutes before returning the guilty verdict against Carlos Lopez-Mejia aka Eddi Alberto Lopez-Mejia following a one-day trial.
On Sept. 6, 2025, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with excessively tinted windows and a non-complaint stop lamp. The driver presented a Mexican identification card and admitted he was present in the United States illegally.
Lopez-Mejia was the passenger in the front seat. Authorities also asked for his identification, but he refused to provide it or answer any questions. Upon the arrival of additional members of law enforcement, Lopez-Mejia exited the vehicle and fled on foot to a nearby apartment, but was quickly taken into custody.
The investigation revealed Lopez-Mejia had been removed from the United States in 2001 and 2019.
At trial, the jury heard from several members of law enforcement who provided details about the arrest, his prior removals from the United States, fingerprint analysis confirming his identity and that Lopez-Mejia had never sought status to legally enter or remain in the United States.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that the records of the prior removals were unreliable. They did not believe those claims and found Lopez-Mejia guilty as charged. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for Oct. 7. At that time, Lopez-Mejia faces up to two years in federal prison.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Izaak Bruce and Zachary Bird prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to Machinegun Possession Indictment of Tallahassee ManRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Omarion Laparis Rashad, 21, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a machinegun. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Rashad appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Rashad faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Hammond Woman Indicted for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute; Faces up to life in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On June 17, 2026, a federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment charging Kimberly Deshay Hill, 52, of Hammond, with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and § 841(b)(1)(A)(ii). Hill faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for the charges.
According to court documents, on March 31, 2026, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office CAT Unit deputy stopped Hill’s vehicle on I-10 for a traffic violation. Hill had no valid driver’s license, an unrestrained child in the car, and gave conflicting statements about her travel plans. A K-9 alerted to narcotics and a search of the vehicle uncovered twelve kilogram-sized packages of cocaine weighing about 29.8 pounds, as depicted below:
Homeland Security Homeland SecurityU.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case, led by Special Agent Matthew Moon. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Sarver with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Joanne Henry-Mills.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 2:26-cr-00238-01.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
[email protected]
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Hairstylist aboard cruise ship charged with abusive sexual contact with two cruise guestsRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 26-year-old citizen of India will appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact aboard a cruise ship, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Pranit Narayan Pawar was arrested late last week when the cruise ship Brilliant Lady docked in Seattle. Pawar was employed on the ship as a hairstylist. The complaint alleges he sexually molested multiple passengers under the guise of giving them a massage. Pawar will make his initial appearance in Tacoma at 2:00 today.
According to the criminal complaint, Pawar was hired to provide hair care services, but during a recent cruise to Alaska he began offering massages to women who booked hair appointments. In one instance he allegedly offered a free massage to a victim if she agreed to book three appointments with the salon. In the two cases charged in the complaint, Pawar allegedly moved the victims into a small room next to the salon, and while offering a massage, Pawar allegedly moved his hands under the victims’ shirt and onto their breasts. In at least one instance Pawar allegedly locked the door before assaulting the victim.
The case is being prosecuted in federal court because the crimes occurred within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The FBI is tasked with investigating physical and sexual assaults within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
If you have been a victim of one of these crimes on a cruise or have witnessed one take place, report it to cruise ship security staff immediately. If you are no longer on the cruise and want to report the above, contact your local police and the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov. Learn more about FBI investigations of crimes committed onboard cruise ships: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/crimes-onboard-cruise-ships
Abusive sexual contact is punishable by up to two years in prison.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean H. Waite.
pawar_complaint.pdfGreen Bay Man Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 2, 2026, an indictment was unsealed charging Ian C. Froelich (age 21) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Production of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a).
According to the indictment, on or about December 31, 2025, Froelich caused a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct.
If convicted of the charge, Froelich would face a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment. The charge also carries up to a $250,000 fine and from 5 years to a lifetime on supervised release. He also would be required to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Green Bay and Atlanta. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
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Georgia Man and Florida Man Indicted for Trafficking Heroin on the DarknetRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Eric Turner (30, Georgia) and Jose Smith (29, Valrico) have been charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. If convicted, Turner and Smith each face a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Eric Turner and Jose Smith have been operating a drug-trafficking organization since at least 2024, starting with distributing illicit pills to eventually trafficking kilogram-quantities of heroin through the Darknet. Digital evidence, postal records, surveillance, drug seizures, and an undercover operation, established that Turner (based in Lizella, Georgia) sourced kilogram-bricks of heroin and shipped them to Smith at his residence in Valrico, Florida, where Smith would break them down into smaller quantities to ship to their Darknet customers. As of April 2026, their Darknet vendor account showed more than 2,500 fulfilled heroin orders, as well as thousands of reviews from customers praising the quality of the heroin.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia State Patrol. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos.
Gardner Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Tampering with OxycodoneRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Gardner man has agreed to plead guilty to tampering with opioids intended to be dispensed to patients in hospice and memory care in a healthcare facility in Fitchburg, Mass.
Andrew Milgrim, 37, agreed to plead guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product. He will make his initial appearance, waive indictment and plead to the Information at a date to be set by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman.
According to court filings, beginning in or about September 2024 and continuing through in or about February 2025, Milgrim allegedly diverted Oxycodone from patients in the skilled nursing and dementia care units of the Fitchburg healthcare facility. It is alleged that he began by taking Oxycodone pills that were prescribed to be dispensed to certain patients “as needed.” Rather than provide the “as needed” doses to patients, Milgrim would allegedly consume the pills himself. Milgrim began taking 5 mg Oxycodone pills from various patients and replacing the diverted pills with Loratadine, an allergy medication, whose appearance resembled the appearance of the 5 mg Oxycodone pills. In or around January 2025, Milgrim also allegedly diverted 10 mg Oxycodone pills from an elderly patient in the locked unit, and replaced those pills with Levothyroxine, a thyroid medication.
The charge of tampering with a consumer product provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Michael Ahearn, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and Robert H. Goldstein, MD, PhD, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Gainesville Felon Pleads Guilty to Armed Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Eddie Jerome Scott, 38, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl; carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Time’s up for the armed drug traffickers in the Northern District of Florida who think they can flood our streets with narcotics and violence without consequence. Through Operation Take Back America, the Department of Justice is devoting its full might toward removing these thugs from our streets to deliver the safe, drug-free communities our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant sold methamphetamine at his home on two occasions in August and September 2025. During the September 2025 execution of a search warrant at the home, law enforcement seized over 1,232 grams of methamphetamine, 18.5 grams of cocaine, .29 grams of fentanyl, marijuana, cash, drug paraphernalia, a money counter and a loaded .22-caliber pistol. The defendant has multiple prior felony drug convictions spanning from 2007 to 2018 which prohibit him from possessing firearms.
The defendant faces at least five years’ imprisonment and a maximum potential sentence of life, which includes not less than five years’ imprisonment consecutive to the drug sentences for the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
The case involved an investigation by the Gainesville Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie Utt.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm, in the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Fort Worth Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Drug Trafficking - Over 244 Kilograms of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A Fort Worth man was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 244 kilograms of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Evaristo Hidrogo, 31, was sentenced on June 26, 2026, by Chief United States District Judge Reed O’Connor for possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance – over 244 kilograms of methamphetamine with a 100 percent purity level as well as other controlled substances and three firearms.“This lengthy prison sentence serves as a warning to anyone distributing narcotics in the Northern District of Texas,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute drug traffickers, as we remain committed to make the communities in which we live safer.”
“This 480-month sentence of Mr. Hidrogo sends an unmistakable message to those who flood North Texas communities with methamphetamine, you will be held accountable,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “The men and women of DEA and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying and dismantling the criminal organizations distributing this poison throughout the DFW Metroplex, and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our communities.”
Court records reveal that on November 18, 2025, Hidrogo was involved in a high-speed chase with law enforcement. After crashing into another vehicle, he continued to flee from officers in his vehicle. Not long after, Hidrogo was apprehended. During his arrest, police found 56 grams of methamphetamine on his person. In his vehicle, they found another 823 grams of methamphetamine, 301 grams of heroin, 55 grams of cocaine, and two firearms. Further investigation led law enforcement to search two additional locations, resulting in the seizure of additional narcotics and a firearm that were attributed to Hidrogo. At a storage facility in Fort Worth, they found 244 kilograms of methamphetamine with a purity level of 100 percent. At a residence, they found approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and two kilograms of heroin.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fort Worth District Office, with assistance from the Tarrant County Sherrif’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Garland prosecuted the case.
Former Jacksonville Bank Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Lexus Inez Lewis (30, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Lewis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense, and a consecutive mandatory minimum penalty of two years for the aggravated identity theft. No sentencing date has been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the plea agreement, in 2022, Lewis obtained employment at Citibank in its fraud department by using another person’s identity. From approximately November 2022 through April 2023, Lewis used her position to obtain customers’ credit card numbers, which she would then fraudulently use to purchase items such as jewelry or furniture, pay for her own living expenses or travel, or pay other individuals’ rent in exchange for a cash payment. When ultimately confronted by law enforcement, Lewis admitted to her conduct.
Lewis agreed to forfeit $463,619, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian and Kevin C. Frein. The forfeiture is being handled by Suzanne Nebesky.
Former College Basketball Player Charged with Defrauding Victims of $2.2 MillionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Former college basketball player and Estonian national Kerr Kriisa was arrested and will appear in federal court this week on five counts of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
According to court documents, from 2022 through June 2, 2026, Kriisa, 25, in Monongalia County, West Virginia and elsewhere, allegedly carried out a scheme to obtain nearly $2.2 million from multiple victims using false representations, fabricated identities, and deceptive communications. The indictment alleges that Kriisa posed as various individuals — including fictional contacts and family members — and falsely claimed he and his family were in danger, that his mother needed cancer treatment, or that family property required urgent financial support.
“Financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who believed they were helping someone in need,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Our office will continue to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception. We are committed to holding them accountable for their actions.”
Kriisa allegedly requested repeated payments from two victims and, at times, directed one victim to send money to the other under false pretenses. The indictment describes numerous emails and text messages sent as part of the scheme, including five specific wire transmissions tied to the charged counts.
In April 2025, Kriisa allegedly signed a written agreement promising to repay one victim $100,000 by February 2026, which prosecutors say was also fraudulent.
Kriisa played basketball for the University of Arizona, West Virginia University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Cincinnati.
The government is seeking forfeiture of any proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of approximately $2.2 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
An indictment is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Read the filed indictment here:
kriisa_indictment.pdfFormer Boston Housing Secretary Sentenced for Falsifying Overtime FormsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former executive secretary at the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) was sentenced on July 1, 2026 in federal court in Boston for falsifying overtime forms. The defendant lied about working overtime and forged her supervisor’s signature on the overtime forms.
Helen Murray, 42, of Malden, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to two years’ probation. Murray was also ordered to pay $72,131 in restitution. In March 2026, Murray pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
From 2017 to 2024, Murray worked as an executive secretary at BHA. As an executive secretary, Murray was responsible for collecting weekly BHA timesheets, as well as overtime forms from other BHA employees. Murray was also eligible to work overtime and receive overtime pay.
Murray’s overtime work had to be pre-approved by her senior management. Specifically, Murray would have to perform the overtime work, accurately and truthfully fill out an overtime form and submit it to her immediate supervisor via email to be approved electronically.
However, in January 2023, Murray began submitting false overtime forms to BHA payroll. Instead of submitting the forms to her supervisor for approval, Murray entered overtime hours that Murray had not worked and then falsified her supervisor’s signature on the form, without her supervisor’s knowledge nor permission. Murray would then submit the falsified overtime forms directly to BHA Payroll via email, after which BHA payroll would include Murray’s fraudulent overtime pay in her weekly paycheck.
In total, Murray submitted over 100 falsified overtime forms between January 2023 to August 2024 – ultimately collecting approximately $72,131 in fraudulent overtime pay.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. The Boston Housing Authority provided valuable assistance during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao, Chief of the Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit, prosecuted the case.
Five Defendants Plead Guilty to Gun Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court, in Brooklyn, Rohnique Posey, also known as “Pioneer,” pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. Posey’s four co-defendants, Karsem Allen, also known as “Short,” Carolyn Hicks-Torres, Henry McCummings, and Dominic Smith, all previously pleaded guilty to engaging in a firearms trafficking conspiracy. In addition, Allen and Hicks-Torres pleaded guilty to possession of machine guns and McCummings pleaded guilty to possession of a defaced firearm.
When sentenced, all five defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for the firearms trafficking conspiracy charge. Posey also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for distribution of cocaine base; Allen and Hicks-Torres face a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for possession of machineguns; and McCummings faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment for possession of a defaced firearm.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty pleas.
“Illegal gun traffickers fuel violence, endanger innocent lives, and threaten the safety of our communities,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella. “These guilty pleas hold accountable these defendants. who sought to flood Queens neighborhoods with illegal weapons, including semi-automatic and defaced firearms, and ghost guns. Every illegal firearm taken off our streets is a step towards safer communities, and our Office, alongside our federal and local law enforcement partners, will continue to stop the flow of illegal guns, combat gun violence, and protect the people of New York City. I commend the brave members of law enforcement who took these deadly weapons off the streets and out of the hands of violent criminals. We are all safer thanks to their exceptional work.”
“These guilty pleas are the result of focused investigative work and the strong partnership between ATF New York’s Crime Gun Enforcement Team and the NYPD Ghost Gun Unit. Together, we identified and disrupted a firearms trafficking network responsible for moving dozens of illegal firearms and machine gun conversion devices into Queens. Our commitment to reducing violent gun crime and protecting the communities we serve remains unwavering. We are grateful to the staff at U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for its continued partnership,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo.
“This case demonstrates once again that there will be consequences for those who attempt to bring illegal firearms into our city,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “That is the work behind the NYPD delivering record lows in murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims for the first half of 2026: comprehensive investigations that remove illegal guns, dismantle trafficking pipelines, and hold the drivers of violence accountable. I thank our NYPD investigators, the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe.”
As set forth in court filings, between December 2024 and June 2025, Allen, Hicks-Torres, McCummings, Posey, and Smith made multiple illegal firearms sales totaling at least 29 firearms, including semi-automatic and defaced weapons, inside apartment complexes in the Rockaways. On the day Allen and Hicks-Torres were arrested, July 1, 2025, they sold an additional 11 firearms. Allen and Hicks-Torres illegally obtained these firearms in North Carolina from straw purchasers and then transported the weapons to New York City to be sold through Posey. On one occasion, Allen and Hicks-Torres sold four machine gun conversion devices, which are designed for converting semi-automatic pistols into machine guns. McCummings and Smith primarily sold “ghost guns” which typically do not have serial numbers and therefore are untraceable. Posey also sold crack cocaine on four occasions.
Several firearms and machine gun conversion devices trafficked by the defendants are depicted below.
EDNY EDNY EDNYThe government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel Marcus and Brachah Goykadosh are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
KARSEM ALLEN (also known as “Short”)
Age: 50
Henderson, North CarolinaCAROLYN HICKS-TORRES
Age: 54
Henderson, North CarolinaHENRY MCCUMMINGS
Age: 44
Arverne, New YorkROHNIQUE POSEY (also known as “Pioneer”)
Age: 48
Arverne, New YorkDOMINIC SMITH
Age: 35
Teaneck, New JerseyE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-216 (BMC)
Federal, State, and Local Agencies Dismantle Abilene Drug Conspiracy and Seize NarcoticsRead the Press Release
Three men were arrested and charged by federal complaint in Abilene, Texas for their roles in a months-long narcotics operation, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Inez Jonathan Leal, 28, and Joseph Santos Carillo, 51, both from Abilene, Texas, and Luis Arturo Carrillo, Jr., 28, from California, were charged by federal complaint on June 24, 2026, with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
“This prosecution dismantled a drug trafficking conspiracy impacting Abilene and its surrounding areas. Three people, working in concert, to move poison through North Texas are now facing justice, and this office will continue to utilize every tool to disrupt drug networks that harm our communities and destroy families,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould.“Cocaine, methamphetamine, codeine, and counterfeit pills flooding North Texas represent a direct threat to the safety of our communities, and DEA will not stand by while traffickers profit from that danger,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “Alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the DEA is committed to dismantling these networks and holding every individual involved fully accountable. This case reflects the strength of that partnership and our shared resolve to keep these poisons off our streets.”
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement agents and officers initiated a joint investigation into the narcotics trafficking of Leal, Joseph Carrillo, and Luis Carrillo.
During a residential search warrant executed on June 24, agents seized:
• Approximately 8 kilograms of cocaine (powder);
• 30 kilograms of a methamphetamine;
• Approximately 17,670 alprazolam pills – labeled as Farmapram, weighing approximately 4.5 kilograms;
• 93 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine – labeled as Kodel, with a combined weight of 25,854 kilograms;
• Approximately 75 pounds of marijuana and THC products; and
• Multiple firearms.
Photos of the narcotics seized are depicted below:
If convicted, each defendant faces a statutory maximum penalty of up to life in federal prison. The defendants remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fort Worth District Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Abilene Police Department investigated the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.Federal Jury Convicts Denham Springs Man of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Possession of Firearms by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
After a two-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles, a federal jury unanimously convicted John I. Davis, age 47, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.
As the evidence at trial demonstrated, between March 1, 2021, and continuing until on or about April 23, 2021, Davis and his girlfriend, Madelyn Payne, repeatedly distributed large amounts of heroin to their customers in busy parking lots at shopping centers and fast-food restaurants in East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes. Deputies also seized over 300 grams of heroin and over $40,000 hidden in a wall at the residence they shared. Deputies were also able to recover and seize multiple firearms from Davis during their investigation.
Davis was previously convicted on September 10, 2009, in the Middle District of Louisiana for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
As a result of his convictions, Davis now faces a sentence in federal prison of no less than ten years and up to life imprisonment, as well as significant fines, restitution, and supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Task Force, and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. Criminal Chief Will Morris and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth White led the prosecution.
Essex County Businessman Sentenced to Prison for $2 Million Food Stamp Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey business owner was sentenced to 27 months in prison for defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of over $2 million, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Victor Madera, 67, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was sentenced on July 1, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court. He previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to defraud SNAP and one count of engaging in SNAP benefits fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Madera owned a medium-sized grocery store in East Orange, New Jersey and was an authorized participant in SNAP. SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that uses federal tax dollars to subsidize low-income households, providing those households the opportunity to maintain a more nutritious diet by increasing their purchasing power of eligible food products. Between May 2017 and November 2024, employees at Madera’s business illegally exchanged SNAP benefits for cash. The employees entered inflated dollar amounts for allegedly eligible SNAP transactions and provided SNAP recipients a percentage of the transaction’s value in cash, keeping the remainder. As a result of this conduct, Madera received SNAP redemptions far in excess of the true value of food and other SNAP-eligible items actually received by SNAP recipients. Madera, through his business, unlawfully exchanged over $2.2 million of SNAP benefits for cash.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Kirsch sentenced Madera to 1 year of supervised release and ordered him to pay over $2.2 million in restitution and forfeiture.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano, Chief of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Stephen Turano, Esq.
Eastern District of Texas prosecutes five defendants as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigations in June 2026Read the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
In the Eastern District of Texas, five defendants were sentenced to a total of 903 months in federal prison during the month of June as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Those cases include:
On June 9, 2026, David Ortiz-Moreno, 55, a Mexican national illegally living in Fate, Texas, was sentenced to 170 months in federal prison for being involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Ortiz-Moreno was responsible for the distribution of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.
On June 10, 2026, Abrahan Solano-Zarate, 42, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for being involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Solano-Zarate distributed at least five kilograms of cocaine.
On June 10, 2026, Corrigan man, Jose Pedro Guzman, Jr., 35, was the final defendant sentenced in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas. Guzman was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for drug trafficking violations. In all, 17 individuals were convicted and sentenced in this investigation to a total of 2,213 months, or more than 184 years, in federal prison.
On June 15, 2026, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas. Juan Lopez-Carmona, 32, was responsible for moving large amounts of illegal narcotics from Mexico to the United States for redistribution.
On June 15, 2026, Dulio Ariel De-La-O, 25, of Irving, was sentenced to 165 months in federal prison for trafficking over “k-packs” or 1,000 pill quantities of fentanyl-laced pills. A search of De-La-O’s residence resulted in the seizure of over 3,000 counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl and $91,799 in cash.
HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx.
Dodge County Sheriff Charged and Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
On Monday, July 6, 2026, United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced criminal charges against Dustin Weitzel, 46, of Fremont, Nebraska. Weitzel was charged by information with one count of wire fraud. The penalties for wire fraud are a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, both such imprisonment and a fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Weitzel is scheduled to be sentenced before Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. on October 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
The Dodge County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 17 (FOP17) was created in approximately 2006. It was a requirement for all Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputies to be members of FOP17. It was also required for all FOP17 members to pay dues which were collected via an automatic paycheck withdrawal.
Weitzel has been employed by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office since 1999. At some point prior to 2018, Weitzel became Treasurer for FOP17 and served as Treasurer until February 2023. Weitzel stopped serving as Treasurer for FOP17 upon his being elected Sheriff of Dodge County. The dues for FOP17 were used to pay for FOP17’s attorney, an annual golf tournament, training, and various charitable causes. Weitzel’s role as Treasurer was to oversee the collection of dues, maintain the bank accounts, and report on the status of FOP17 funds at the FOP17 meetings. FOP17 had three bank accounts at First State Bank and Trust Co.: a checking account, a golf funds account, and a savings account. At all relevant times in the Information, Weitzel was the only FOP17 member with online access to FOP17’s bank accounts. Weitzel was also a signer on all three accounts.
From April 2018 through February 2022, while Weitzel was Treasurer for FOP17, he made 84 transactions between the FOP17 accounts at First State Bank and Trust Co. and Weitzel’s personal bank accounts at RVR Bank. These transactions were not authorized by the FOP17 Board and were not for FOP17 purposes. Many of the transfers from the FOP17 accounts into Weitzel’s personal accounts were to prevent overdrafts in Weitzel’s personal accounts. In total, $45,500 was wired from FOP17 accounts into Weitzel’s personal accounts. Weitzel in turn returned $40,750.01 in funds from his personal accounts to FOP17 accounts prior to detection. The remaining balance missing from FOP17 accounts is $4,749.99.
As part of this scheme, on August 28, 2020, Weitzel initiated a wire transfer in the amount of $2,500 from the FOP17 checking account at First State Bank and Trust Co. to Weitzel’s personal checking account at RVR Bank.
Weitzel was interviewed and admitted to this conduct.
As part of his plea agreement, Weitzel agreed that he will surrender his law enforcement certification before the sentencing date in this case and that he will not work as a law enforcement officer in the future.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
District of Arizona Charged 325 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct Last WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from June 27 through July 2, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 325 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 101 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 196 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 20 cases against 26 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona. Protecting law enforcement officers is a key part of border vigilance, and federal prosecutors also charged two defendants for assaulting Border Patrol agents.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), ICE- Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Recent matters of interest include:
United States v. Davis Cabanillas-Flores. On June 29, 2026, Davis Cabanillas-Flores, was charged by criminal complaint with Reentry of a Removed Alien. Cabanillas-Flores had been previously removed from the United States in 2021. In June 2019, he was convicted of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine while on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States, in the Middle District of Florida. In that case, Cabanillas-Flores was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. [26-MJ-08245]
United States v. Humberto Roman-Tapia. On June 30, 2026, Humberto Roman-Tapia was charged by criminal complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien. On June 28, 2026, Border Patrol agents initiated a traffic stop on a Honda Accord traveling westbound on I-40. Agents determined that the driver, Humberto Roman-Tapia, was a citizen of Mexico with an employment authorization card. The three passengers in the car were citizens of Mexico with no legal documentation to be present in the United States. [26-MJ-01551]
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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-117_July 3, 2026 Immigration Enforcement
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Defendants plead guilty to posting threats to social media in separate casesRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – Two men from Wichita are now convicted felons after pleading guilty in separate cases involving posting threats on social media to murder federal officials.
According to court documents, Adam Lee Osborn, 60, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate communications with a threat to injure.
In January 2026, Wichita police officers learned Osborn had posted threats on his social media page saying he wanted to murder Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He wrote, “I’m going to kill Ilhan Omar!”. He also posted a photo of himself holding an AR-15 style rifle in one hand and a 30-round magazine with live ammunition in the other hand. When officers went to Osborn’s residence to question him, he confirmed writing the posts. He said while he had no intention of personally harming anyone, he made the statements to “maybe provoke someone to handle business.” He advised officers that by “handle business” he meant to “take ‘em out”. He stated that by “take ‘em out” he meant “kill them”.
In a separate case, according to court documents, Joaquin Hernandez, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate communications with a threat to injure.
In January 2026, Hernandez posted a social media video where he threatened to shoot Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents point blank if he saw them in Wichita. Hernandez admits to making the statements knowing that his threat against ICE wasn’t mere political argument or in a joking manner.
“Our country prides itself on being one where people can express their political views, but they must do so in a responsible manner. These two defendants crossed the line into criminality by making threats of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Threats of political violence are illegal and won’t be tolerated.”
“The First Amendment protects every individual’s right to free speech. However, it is not a shield for enticing violence or criminal activity. Anyone who advocates violence or communicates a credible threat against public officials, law enforcement, or any individual should expect swift and thorough response from the FBI. We will investigate these matters aggressively with assistance from our law enforcement partners and United States Attorney’s Office by pursuing every available legal avenue to hold offenders accountable," said Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge.
The Wichita Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating both cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting the case against Osborn.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case against Hernandez.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to more than Ten Years in Prison for Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon has been sentenced on multiple firearms charges, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr.
U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Robert Garrett, 32, of Birmingham, Alabama, to 130 months in prison. In March, Garrett pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug- trafficking crime.
According to court records, on April 12, 2023, officers with the Birmingham Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Garrett was driving. Officers ran Garrett’s information through dispatch and discovered that Garrett had several active warrants. The officers removed Garrett from the vehicle and placed him under arrest for those warrants. Officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle while Garrett was getting out of it. During the search of the vehicle, officers recovered a Glock .45 caliber pistol with a 25-round magazine on the driver’s floorboard and a backpack that contained marijuana.
On August 3, 2023, ATF agents went to a residence in Birmingham to follow up on a federal firearms violation involving Garrett. Garrett met the agents at the door. Agents smelled the odor of marijuana on Garrett and emitting from inside the house. On the same day, Agents obtained a search warrant for the residence. During the search of the residence agents recovered marijuana, digital scales, ammunition, a SCCY 9mm pistol and more than $5000.
ATF investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius C. Greene prosecuted the case.
Colombian Woman and Venezuelan Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking of MinorsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Michel Daiana Martinez-Gonzalez, 29, of Colombia, and Alfredo Manuel Zambrano-Hurtado, 26, of Venezuela, were each sentenced on July 6, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for their roles in sex trafficking of two minors. Martinez-Gonzalez was sentenced for two counts of sex trafficking of a minor by force and Zambrano-Hurtado was sentenced for two counts of sex trafficking of a minor. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Martinez-Gonzalez to 210 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Martinez-Gonzalez’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Co-defendant Zambrano-Hurtado was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Zambrano-Hurtado’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Martinez Gonzalez and Zambrano-Hurtado entered the United States illegally in 2022. Senior Judge Bataillon ordered both to pay special assessments of $10,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
On January 6, 2025, the Omaha Police Department received a report of a theft. Responding officers identified indicia of sex trafficking. The Omaha Police Department-Homeland Security Investigations Human Trafficking Task Force immediately began investigating and recovered two minor females, aged 15 and 16, who had been transported to the AmericInn hotel in Omaha by Zambrano-Hurtado from out of state to be sold for commercial sex.
The two minor females reported that Eduardo Jose Perdomo and Michel Martinez-Gonzalez were both advertising the minors online for commercial sex and arranging commercial sex acts with buyers. Zambrano-Hurtado admitted to transporting Perdomo and the victims to Nebraska and transporting one of the minors for commercial sex acts on at least two occasions. The evidence showed that Zambrano-Hurtado also assisted with keeping watch at the hotel. Martinez-Gonzalez admitted that she knew the victims were minors and knew that Perdomo had an arrangement with the hotel employees that they could have sex with the victims anytime they wanted in exchange for allowing them to stay at the hotel. Martinez-Gonzalez further admitted to paying a man in the Dominican Republic to rent two online commercial sex advertisements. Martinez-Gonzalez claimed that one page was intended for her own work in prostitution while the other she rented to Perdomo, but Martinez-Gonzalez got tired of commercial sex work and began utilizing the minors for commercial sex with the clients who responded to her page as well.
Perdomo is scheduled for sentencing in front of Senior Judge Bataillon on July 20, 2026.
“Not all prisons have bars on the doors. Homeland Security Investigations freed these children from a physical and mental prison when they tore down this criminal organization and ripped them out of Nebraska’s streets and put real bars between these human traffickers and the innocent children they were preying on daily,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods. “There is no greater evil than the kind of evil that financially profits from the sex trafficking of a child by force and from enslaving children in the commercial sex trade. Martinez-Gonzalez exploited children in an unthinkable manner for her own selfish gain. She illegally immigrated to the United States to commit the worst crimes imaginable against children in our country. She deserves every second, minute, hour, and month of her federal prison sentence and more. Human traffickers are not welcome in Nebraska, and they would be wise to leave before we catch them because no mercy will be shown to them if we get to them first.”
“HSI’s mission is to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities, and there is no greater priority than safeguarding children from exploitation,” said Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Acting Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini. “The sentences handed down today reflect the seriousness of these crimes and the focused commitment of HSI and our partners to dismantle trafficking networks and bring predators to justice. Martinez-Gonzalez preyed on innocent children, inflicting unimaginable harm for her own profit. Thanks to the tireless work of our agents and the dedication of the prosecution team, these traffickers will spend years behind bars, unable to harm another child. HSI will continue to pursue those who exploit children with relentless determination, and we will not rest until every victim is rescued and every trafficker is held accountable.”
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Omaha Police Department with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
California Man Who Assaulted Border Patrol Agents Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Joe Martin Cruz, Jr., 20, of San Pedro, CA, was sentenced on June 23, by United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez to 60 months in prison. Cruz previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Assault on a Federal Officer and one count of Transportation of an Illegal Alien for Profit.
On January 14, 2025, Cruz transported four illegal aliens near Arivaca, AZ. When Border Patrol began following Cruz, he stopped his vehicle and the aliens bailed out. Cruz then sped off at a high rate of speed. During his flight from law enforcement, Cruz intentionally crashed his vehicle into a Border Patrol vehicle occupied by two agents who were traveling in the opposing lane of travel.
Vehicle crash data and scene evidence showed that at the time of the collision, Cruz had the accelerator pedal pushed to 100%. Immediately before the collision, he turned his wheel to the left, crossing the lane divider and colliding with the victim agents’ vehicle. Despite the agents’ efforts to avoid the collision, their vehicle was violently struck by Cruz. The force caused the rear axle to be sheared off and spun the agents’ vehicle off the road and into the brush. The agents sustained several injuries during the collision. Cruz then fled on foot through the desert but was eventually caught by law enforcement.
Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Border Patrol and Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Amlee, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: 25-CR-00980-TUC-AMM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-118_Cruz# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Broome County Man Indicted for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Thomas Murray, age 24, was arraigned on June 22nd on an indictment charging him with Distribution of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, made the announcement.
Murray was arraigned on Monday, June 22nd before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric and was returned to state custody where he is currently being held on state charges. A trial on the indictment will be scheduled before United States District Court Judge Anthony J. Brindisi.
According to the indictment, Murray distributed child pornography on a web-based messaging facility on two separate occasions in June 2024. The indictment also alleges that Murray possessed child pornography on two different electronic devices. The material found stemmed from a search warrant conducted on Murray’s residence on April 4, 2025, by the New York State Police, stemming from a cyber tip by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
“The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, together with our dedicated partners at the FBI and the New York State Police, have once again played a critical role in bringing an alleged predator into custody,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “The alleged reprehensible behavior displayed by this defendant serves as a powerful reminder that threats to our children are not abstract, they are real, persistent, and constantly evolving. I thank our partners for their tireless investigative efforts, which brought this defendant into custody so he can now face justice.”“As alleged, Mr. Murray perpetuated the abuse of children by both possessing and distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force leveraged the full weight of our partnership with New York State Police to ensure he was brought to justice for those disturbing actions. FBI Albany remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners at every level to hold accountable any predator looking to inflict harm on our children,” said Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge FBI – Albany.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Anyone engaged in acts that threaten the safety of children will be investigated for their illicit actions. The indictment is the result of great investigative synergy and clearly demonstrates that child pornography crimes will not be tolerated. With our partners in law enforcement, we will continue to investigate, develop, and implement effective response strategies to child sexual exploitation, cyber enticement, and internet crimes against children.”Murray faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years in federal prison on the distribution charges, a maximum term of 20 years in federal prison for the distribution and possession offenses, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory term of supervised release of between 5 years and life. Murray would also be required to register as a sex offender if convicted of the charged offenses. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Cheung is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Atlanta Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On June 25, 2026, Joshua Aaron Holmes, 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment by the Honorable Katherine A. Crytzer, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville after a federal jury convicted him of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1349, mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341, and wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1343. Following his imprisonment, Holmes will be on supervised release for three years and he was ordered to repay $936,215.00 in restitution to the victims.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Holmes and others worked to steal money from elderly victims who intended to invest their money. Holmes and others posed as federal agents who promised to help the victims recover money lost through investments; victims were induced to pay fake fees, taxes, and court costs, yet did not receive the return of any lost money—the victims only lost more.
United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the Nashville Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Securities and Exchange Commission Inspector General Kevin Muhlendorf made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michael S. Deel, David P. Lewen, Jr., and William A. Roach, Jr. represented the United States in this case.
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Alabama Man Admits Aiding Southeast Missouri Pharmacy Burglary that Netted 16,800 PillsRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – An Alabama man on Thursday admitted involvement in the burglary of a Kennett, Missouri pharmacy last year and the theft of 16,800 pills.
Cornelius Cardez Bray, 31, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to one count of intent to steal a controlled substance and one count of possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone. He admitted acting as the driver for David Jerome Evans, who broke into a pharmacy on March 13, 2025. A police officer responding to an alarm spotted a car with Tennessee license plates heading out of town and recalled that a few days earlier someone in a passenger car with Tennessee plates had been seen taking pictures of another pharmacy in town. The officer attempted to stop Bray but he sped away, eventually crashing the vehicle. Evans was arrested. Bray fled but was arrested later.
Officers found numerous pill bottles in the wreckage, as well as a large blue crowbar, a black face mask and Bray’s wallet and cell phone. The men stole 16,800 pills, including 7,500 hydrocodone pills and 7,500 pills containing benzodiazepine drugs.
Evans, now 31, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to 78 months in prison.
Bray is scheduled to be sentenced on October 1.
The Kennett Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Willis is prosecuting the case.
Friday 3 July 2026
US Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Indiana Supports Area Veteran’s Groups as part of the Department of Justice’s Hometown Heroes initiativeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND, SOUTH BEND, AND FORT WAYNE- As part of the Hometown Heroes initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, members of the Northern District of Indiana team conducted a gift-in-kind charity drive of clothing and household goods for area veteran’s charities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Indiana operates out of three separate branches in Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Hammond.
The Fort Wayne Branch collected donations to benefit The Shepherd’s House, a transitional housing and clinical treatment center for homeless and formerly homeless veterans struggling with addiction and mental health challenges to help them rebuild their lives. For more information about the Shepherd’s House, please visit https://www.shepherdshouse.org/ .
The South Bend Branch collected donations to benefit the Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center. The Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center team works with Veterans to provide opportunities for an array of supportive services to improve Veteran’s self-sufficiency, all based on the needs of each Veteran. For more information about the Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center, please visit https://www.cfh.net/mvc .
The Hammond Branch collected donations to benefit AMVETS. AMVETS (American Veterans) is a non-partisan veterans service organization that advocates for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. They provide free VA disability claims assistance, career counseling, and community support programs, funded largely through household goods donations and thrift stores. For more information about AMVETS, please visit https://amvetspickup.com/ .
“It is an honor for our team to support veterans as part of celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. Their sacrifices are a critical reason why we can enjoy our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
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Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission Issue Call to Action to State Attorneys General to Follow Federal Enforcers in Investigating Antitrust and Consumer Protection Violations Causing High Gas PricesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission warn lawbreaking companies that they are closely monitoring petroleum markets and gas prices and will take all appropriate measures to stop illegal conduct contributing to high gas prices.
Today, the agencies sent a letter to State Attorneys General encouraging them to similarly conduct investigations and bring appropriate enforcement actions under their state antitrust and consumer protection laws. This call to action includes ensuring that companies manipulating retail prices or colluding with their competitors in petroleum markets are held accountable. The letter reinforces the importance of state engagement on potential price gouging and directs consumers to resources to report violations of antitrust laws.
“Affordable energy is essential to a thriving American economy. The Antitrust Division is committed to working alongside state law enforcement partners to provide resources and support to protect consumers from anticompetitive behavior that raises the price of gas,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “The Antitrust Division will use all available tools to ensure that companies are held accountable for unlawfully manipulating the market.”
Members of the public are also encouraged to potential violations of the antitrust laws to the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations. The Antitrust Division may also pay significant financial rewards to individuals who report antitrust crimes. For more information, see www.justice.gov/atr/whistleblower-rewards. Anyone can also report suspected antitrust violations and unfair or deceptive practices to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Former school district financial officer charged in $1M fraud schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 50-year-old Tomball resident has been charged with wire fraud after allegedly stealing approximately $996,174 from Tomball Independent School District, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Kristi Williams is set to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett July 13 at 10 a.m.
According to the criminal information, Williams was the manager of Property Tax Administration at Tomball ISD from January 2018 until November 2023 and oversaw the collection of local property taxes.
The charges allege that when a taxpayer paid in cash, a tax office employee would place it inside an envelope and record the payment in specialized software as part of a batch. Once the amounts reached a certain threshold, either $15,000 or $20,000, the batch was closed and Williams was expected to deposit the money into Tomball ISD’s bank accounts, according to the allegations.
Williams allegedly used the software to reverse the payments in the system and kept the funds for her own personal use.
If convicted, Williams faces up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Lewis is prosecuting the case.
A criminal information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Thursday 2 July 2026
Woburn Man Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for Bank Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Woburn man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for the theft of U.S. Treasury tax refund checks in Massachusetts.
Nnamdi Opara, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper to 10 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Opara pleaded guilty in November 2025. In September 2025, Opara was charged with two counts of bank fraud and five counts of money laundering. The defendant was previously arrested in June 2025 as part of an investigation into the theft of U.S. Treasury tax refund checks in Massachusetts.
Opara wrongfully obtained two U.S. Treasury checks that were issued to a New York entity named AFGO Mechanical Services, Inc. After obtaining the checks, Opara established a company called AFGO Mechanical Services, Inc. in Massachusetts, for which he served as the President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, Director and Registered Agent. Opara then deposited the U.S. Treasury check into an account he controlled, payable to the Massachusetts-based AFGO entity he had established when, in fact, the Massachusetts-based AFGO entity had never filed a federal tax return. As a result, Opara stole a total of $700,767 from the U.S. Treasury. In addition, Opara conducted multiple illegal monetary transactions designed to conceal the source of the funds from the stolen Treasury checks.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Warm Springs Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a MinorRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man, was sentenced to federal prison Monday after sexually exploiting a minor victim, recording it, and uploading it online, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
Odysseus Japeth Tewee, 20, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on September 23, 2024, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a video containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from Warm Springs. PPB identified Tewee as the suspect and contacted the Warm Springs Police Department (WSPD). Within hours, WSPD and the FBI identified the minor victim, located Tewee, and placed him in custody. Pursuant to a search warrant, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) found over 100 images and 9 videos of CSAM on Tewee’s phone.
On October 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Tewee with sexual exploitation of a child, possession and transportation of child pornography, and sexual abusive contact.
On January 5, 2026, Tewee pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child.
Federal and local law enforcement partners across the state assisted in identifying and apprehending Tewee. This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from WSPD, PPB, and DCSO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pam Paaso prosecuted this case.
This case was brought in collaboration with 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
United States Attorney’s Office Celebrates the Nation’s 250th BirthdayRead the Press Release
United States Attorney’s Office Celebrates the Nation’s 250th Birthday
CONCORD – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire joins the nation in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the Founding of the United States of America. One of the original thirteen colonies to declare our independence from Great Britain, New Hampshire has played a central role in this country’s founding and throughout our nation’s history.
- On January 5, 1776, New Hampshire adopted the first state constitution, six months before the Declaration of Independence, laying the groundwork for democratic self-government for the 250 years to come.
- On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is approved by the Continental Congress. The Declaration, setting forth the new nation’s foundational values, is received and read in New Hampshire on July 16, 1776.
- On June 2, 1784, New Hampshire’s current state constitution is adopted. It remains the second oldest state constitution still in operation in the United States.
- On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the federal Constitution. With New Hampshire’s ratification, the Constitution becomes operational. Government under the Constitution begins on March 4, 1789.
- On September 24, 1789, the Judiciary Act of 1789 is signed into law by President George Washington. It establishes the original thirteen federal trial courts, and, with them, the original thirteen United States Attorneys, including the United States Attorney for the new District of New Hampshire.
- On September 26, 1789, President George Washington’s nominee to be the first United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, John Samuel Sherburne, Jr., is confirmed by the United States Senate.
“From September of 1789 to the present, this United States Attorney’s Office has served the people of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “It is our honor to continue the work of protecting safety and the public fisc, a calling that goes back to the earliest days of our Republic.” U.S. Attorney Creegan is the latest in a tradition of presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorneys for New Hampshire to serve over 237 years, among them New Hampshire’s only U.S. President, Franklin Pierce. U.S. Attorney Creegan was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the Senate in 2025.
United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces his resignation as United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, effective July 7, 2026, and issues the following statement:
It has been the honor of my professional life to serve the people of Puerto Rico and the United States as the United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. My resignation comes after having served the Department of Justice for over 37 years.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated attorneys and professional staff in the U.S. Attorney’s Office -- I was truly blessed to have served with the finest men and women in the Department. I am so very proud of the great work that the office has accomplished and will continue to accomplish.
I thank our brave and steadfast federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who risk their safety every day to make our communities safer. I also appreciate more than you can know the support of the community and the many of you who have expressed your appreciation to me over the years. I thank President Trump for nominating me for the position in 2019 and the Senate for my confirmation. I also thank President Biden for allowing me to remain in my position throughout his administration.
During my tenure as United States Attorney, I have been guided by the firm belief that our pillars of government must stand as a City Upon a Hill. I have striven to abide by the Office Mission Statement:
The first duty of society being justice – our mission shall be to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all. We shall enforce the law, ensure public safety, and defend the interests of the United States against all threats, foreign and domestic, while always adhering to the highest professional and ethical standards.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence, may God Bless the people of Puerto Rico and our wonderful country.
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United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros Announces Results from Operation New Dawn: 179 Defendants Charged in Approximately Sixty Days as Part of First-of-Its-Kind Spring and Summer Anti-Violence Initiative in Chicago AreaRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, today announced that 179 individuals were charged across 140 newly-filed cases as part of the massively successful Operation New Dawn, a first-of-its-kind “badgeless” enforcement initiative in Chicagoland that focused on a single mission for roughly 60 days: to set aside barriers and focus exclusively on disrupting violence in the Chicago and Rockford areas by arresting the worst of the worst offenders, who would then face federal criminal prosecution. This Operation is described as “badgeless” because multiple federal agencies came together under the banner of the United States flag as opposed to the shield of any agency. Doing so created shared accountability and unified, mission-minded, anti-violence work in the Northern District of Illinois starting in the spring and continuing into the summer in special recognition of our nation’s 250th birthday. U.S. Attorney Boutros constructed Operation New Dawn using an innovative federal law enforcement approach to fighting violent crime that had not been done before in the District: eleven federal agencies worked arm-in-arm as one cohesive, unified partnership to arrest dangerous criminals responsible for serious offenses, including robberies, kidnapping, kidnapping resulting in death, firearms trafficking, firearm offenses, drug trafficking, immigration violations, child exploitation, and various other federal violent crimes.
The results of this new approach exceeded all expectations: Since roughly May 1, 2026, 179 criminal defendants were charged in federal court across 140 newly-filed criminal cases; 305 fugitives were apprehended and brought into custody, many of whom had previously been charged with serious criminal offenses; and 24 children, many of whom were kidnapped, were located and safely returned home.
“It is my view that to combat violence, federal law enforcement must move at the speed of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “The remarkable success of Operation New Dawn resoundingly proves that point. Chicago’s federal anti-violence apparatus united under one banner—the United States flag and not the shield, badge, banner, or logo of any agency—to make their presence felt on the streets of Chicago and make it known that they are a force to be reckoned with in the battle against violence. As the name New Dawn embodies, it’s the dawn of a new federal law enforcement era when it comes to combating violent crime in the Northern District of Illinois and being responsive to the people of the District, who want to be and feel safe. During Operation New Dawn, federal law enforcement engaged in rapid, targeted, and responsive interventions that interrupted violence in real time. Our law enforcement goal was singular: to tackle the scourge of violence that has gripped this incredible, American city for too long.”
U.S. Attorney Boutros wishes to personally thank Robert Cekada, Director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), who flew from Washington, D.C. to Chicago to jointly announce the tremendous results of Operation New Dawn. The ATF Chicago Field Division has been an extraordinary partner in the fight against violence in Chicago. In addition, U.S. Attorney Boutros also wishes to thank all eleven of the Special Agents in Charge (SACs), other law enforcement agency heads, and all their various leadership teams for their exceptional and strong partnership in this “whole of federal law enforcement” Operation. The leadership, resources, and energy they brought to Operation New Dawn were truly outstanding. Those thanks are extended to Christopher Amon of ATF; Todd C. Smith of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Douglas S. DePodesta of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Matthew Scarpino of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Diego Grimaldo of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force (GLRFTF); Marta Grijalva of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS CI); Arturo E. Hernandez of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Central Field Office; LaDon Reynolds of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS); Nicholas Bucciarelli of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Mario Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and Frank Padula of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago (ICE). The Chicago Police Department provided strong, sustained support and assistance throughout Operation New Dawn.
“The significance of Operation New Dawn, in which eleven federal agencies agreed to come together with one common mission, is truly historic and a powerful and manifestly visible testament to how united the federal law enforcement community is in Chicago,” stated U.S. Attorney Boutros. “I couldn’t be prouder of the work of our Assistant U.S. Attorneys—many of whom I personally hired within the past year-plus—and our law enforcement partners who literally endured violent attacks and attempted robberies by criminals who apparently didn’t get the message that a new era of federal crime fighting in Chicago started more than a year ago when I became U.S. Attorney. Recognizing that crime doesn’t stop or operate at normal hours, federal prosecutors, agents, Office and agency leaders, and others, worked many long days, nights, weekends, and holidays to make Operation New Dawn a success. But it was worth it, because it’s our way to uniquely give back to the country in celebration of the 250th birthday of the greatest nation ever to be formed.”
Although many notable cases could be singled out, a selection of significant charges from Operation New Dawn are highlighted in these “Top 5” reports from ATF, FBI, HSI, and DEA. These cases involve serious violent offenses, including murder, carjacking, fentanyl trafficking, firearms trafficking, and child sex offenses. The cases are representative of the type of significant federal arrests that were made and charges that were filed under Operation New Dawn to remove dangerous offenders from our neighborhoods.
“Law enforcement has always been, and always will be, a team sport,” said Christopher Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Chicago Field Division. “The success of Operation New Dawn reflects the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the trust, commitment, and collaboration among our Chicago federal law enforcement partners. Together, we made a meaningful impact by removing shooters and other violent offenders from our streets making Chicago safer for all.”
“Operation New Dawn demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts to address the interconnected threats of violent crime and drug trafficking,” said Todd C. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division. “Through the Homeland Security Task Force and in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies combined intelligence, resources and expertise to target individuals and criminal networks that threaten public safety. Reducing violent crime remains one of DEA’s top strategic priorities, and the significant drug seizures resulting from this operation underscore the close relationship between violence and drug trafficking activity. By working together to disrupt criminal organizations, remove dangerous drugs from our communities, and hold offenders accountable, we are enhancing public safety while advancing our commitment to a Fentanyl Free America.”
“Operation New Dawn served as an opportunity for the public to see the relentless and talented work by the men and women of the FBI Chicago Field Office,” said Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office. "These successes showcase the sophisticated and brave work done by the FBI every day. The FBI remains committed to keeping our communities safe, removing violent criminals from our streets, and disrupting the networks criminals use when attempting to harm the people law enforcement is sworn to serve and protect. The FBI’s operational period protecting this city knows no end date, and we are proud to continue to work with our partners and the public to ensure those who live and work in Chicago are free from threats or harm.”
“Operation New Dawn is a testament to what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies unite to fight against violent crime,” said Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of HSI. “HSI is proud to have played a critical role in this unprecedented anti-violence initiative, leveraging our investigative expertise to disrupt violent criminal networks, dismantle drug trafficking organizations, and protect vulnerable children in the greater Chicago area. The results of this operation demonstrate the power of unified action and the dedication of HSI agents to safeguarding our communities. As we mark our nation’s 250th birthday, HSI remains steadfast in our mission to ensure the safety and security of every resident in our great city.”
“Violent crime has no place in one of America’s greatest cities,” said Marta Grijalva, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to stand alongside our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle the criminal organizations that bring violence into our neighborhoods. By exposing the financial networks that fuel violent crime, we help dismantle the organizations that profit from fear and make our communities safer.”
The public is reminded that charges are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico Weekly Immigration and Border Crimes ReportRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics for this week. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies.
In the five-week period ending July 2, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico:
- 508 individuals were charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)
- 27 individuals were charged with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)
- 184 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325)
- 110 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. 797) and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. 1382), arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1326 had prior criminal convictions for narcotics trafficking, domestic violence, assault, criminal trespass, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, prior immigration offenses, second degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of child pornography, drug possession, child neglect, resisting arrest, assault on a federal officer, aggravated battery by strangulation, aggravated domestic violence, aggravated assault, battery resulting in great bodily injury, forgery of a public record, attempted murder, sexual assault, carjacking, fraud, motor vehicle theft, forgery, DUI, and engaging in organized criminal activity.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.
U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico Hosts Freedom 250 Hometown Hero Ceremony and Charity DriveRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – As part of Freedom250, the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico will host an Hometown Heroes ceremony on July 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Las Cruces City Council Chambers to honor Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story for his leadership in advancing public safety. F.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison, Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez, and New Mexico State Senator Crystal Brantley will deliver remarks recognizing Chief Story's service to the community and the state.
As part of the Freedom250 initiative, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico is also conducting a community shoe and sock drive benefiting local organizations that serve human trafficking victims.
Freedom250 is a national initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States and encouraging communities across the country to celebrate service, sacrifice, and civic engagement at the local level. Hometown Heroes is a Department of Justice recognition program honoring local individuals for exceptional service and contributions to their communities as part of the celebrations. Chief Story is being recognized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico through this initiativefor his leadership in advancing public safety in New Mexico.
The ceremony is open to the public and media. The event will also be livestreamed on the City of Las Cruces YouTube channel.
Two men arrested after smuggling attempt at the Peace BridgeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that two defendants were arrested and charged in separate complaints involving a smuggling attempt. Khvicha Chalisuri, 63, a Canadian citizen and native of Georgia, was charged with alien smuggling, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Alexandru-Stefanita Iordache, 34, a Romanian native living in Canada, was charged with eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison.
According to the complaints, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2026, defendant Chalisuri was encountered at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry seeking entry to the United States in a commercial truck. Chalisuri was asked if anyone else was in the truck and he said no. Chalisuri was then referred to X-ray to have the truck and cargo scanned. During the scan of the truck, an officer noticed an anomaly, which appeared to be a person standing in the sleeper portion of the cab. The individual was removed from the truck and later identified as Iordache. Subsequent investigation determined that Iordache, who was living in Canada, has no authorization for lawful entry to the United States.
Both defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and were detained.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald and Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy. The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.
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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Two High Ranking Members of the United Cartels Charged with Drug Trafficking, Providing Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and Firearms Offenses as Part of Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) InitiativeRead the Press Release
Note: Please see a copy of the indictment here.
A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment yesterday against Juan Jose “Juanjo” Farias Mendoza, 31, and Israel “Papo” Vega Farias, 37, both of Tepalcatepec, Michoacan, Mexico, and high-ranking members of the United Cartels.
The Michoacan-based United Cartels is one of the world’s most significant methamphetamine producers, capable of manufacturing multiple tons every month. The organization controls a distribution network that spans the United States, with hubs in Dallas; Houston; Atlanta; Kansas City, Missouri; Sacramento, California; Los Angeles; Denver; and Chicago; and extends to Europe, Australia, and other regions. On Feb. 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of State designated the United Cartels (also known as Cárteles Unidos), as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, as amended. In August 2025, the Department of Justice announced criminal charges by the Criminal Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) against several command-and-control elements of the United Cartels, including Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, also known as “Abuelo,” the cartel’s top leader, as part of a multi-agency effort to dismantle the United Cartels.
“Juan Jose Farias Mendoza and Israel Vega Farias are charged with trafficking immense amounts of methamphetamine into the United States and supporting a foreign terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The two defendants indicted yesterday are close relatives of the United Cartels’ top leader Juan Jose Farias Alvarez, who was charged by the Criminal Division in 2024. This indictment demonstrates the systematic and focused effort of the Criminal Division to dismantle Mexican cartels by targeting their command-and-control elements, including those within cartel leaders’ closest circles.”
“The investigation into the United Cartels began in the Eastern District of Tennessee, with a seizure of methamphetamine in a small town outside Knoxville, and a larger interdiction of over 950 kilograms of methamphetamine and fentanyl outside of Atlanta,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “From Tennessee to Mexico, a whole-of-government investigation followed that partnered multiple federal law enforcement agencies with their critically important state and local counterparts, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 9th Judicial Task Force, and resulted in last August’s and today’s announcements of criminal charges against this Foreign Terrorist Organization’s leadership structure. With our Criminal Division partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee remains unwavering in its commitment to eliminate the cartels and prosecute their leaders, members, and supporters who endanger our communities with dangerous drugs and violence.”
“This indictment is a testament to the relentless efforts of Homeland Security Investigations to dismantle the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John Condon of HSI. “The United Cartels have fueled violence, addiction, and instability both in the United States and abroad. Through the Homeland Security Task Force’s whole-of-government approach, HSI is committed to identifying and investigating cartel leadership and their networks, wherever they operate. We will continue to leverage every available tool to protect our communities, disrupt transnational criminal enterprises, and ensure those who threaten our nation’s safety and security are brought to justice.”
Farias Mendoza and Vega Farias are, respectively, Abuelo’s son and nephew. Both defendants are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine for importation into the United States, providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and using, carrying and possessing firearms, including machine guns and destructive devices, during and in relation to the alleged drug trafficking crime charged in their indictment. If convicted, both defendants face maximum penalties of life in prison.
HSI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Kirk Handrich and Roger Polack of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Quencer for the Eastern District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.
MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.
MNF’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Unit investigates and prosecutes the top command and control elements of international drug cartels, drug trafficking organizations and related transnational criminal organizations.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.