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8 October 2026
Homeland Security Task Force investigation leads to 19 arrests in Alice cocaine conspiracyRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Authorities have arrested 19 people following a long-term investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization operating in Alice.
All 19 are charged with conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.
Authorities arrested Joel Sanchez, 31; David Villagran Jr. aka Little Tinko, 34; Rene Villagran aka Chucho, 36; David Villagran Sr. aka Big Tinko, 51; Jose Romeo Sanchez aka Baby Joe, 37; Esteban Mata, 29; Matthew Cantu aka Fat Matt, 39; Sierra Watrin, 30; Jewel Watrin, 32; Joshua Rios, 44; Esiquio Juarez aka Zeke, 53; Richard Garza aka Blackie, 66; Christopher Johnson, 20; Jake Rangel, 28; Sierra Rodriguez, 23; Joel Flores, 52; David Cantu aka Pamfi, 39; Lucia Gonzalez, 34; and Cindy Gutierrez, 42.
All have now made their initial appearances in federal court.
According to the charges, the organization operated primarily in the Alice area, where members allegedly distributed cocaine and crack cocaine from several residences.
The investigation began in March 2024 and identified members of the Villagran family and their associates as allegedly operating multiple drug distribution locations in and around Alice.
The charges allege higher-ranking members pooled money to obtain kilogram quantities of cocaine from outside suppliers, including sources in Mexico, before supplying it to others for distribution.
Senior members of the organization allegedly used violence to control workers, including locking them inside trap houses and forcing them to distribute drugs through small openings in the doors.
According to court documents, authorities executed 11 search warrants throughout Alice and discovered more than 35 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, cocaine, crack cocaine, nearly $100,000 in U.S. currency, drug ledgers, digital scales covered with drug residue, and other items associated with drug trafficking.
If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force 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. HSTF South Texas comprises agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Interpol/Department of State; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
HSTF Prosecution Sends Career Drug Trafficker to Federal Prison for 20 YearsRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) case resulted in an Austin man being sentenced in federal court to 20 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, on May 31, 2025, James Everett McFarlin, 52, drove from Austin to a residence in Houston. McFarlin, who was under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Austin Police Department, was only at the residence for approximately six minutes before he began driving back to Austin.
On his return trip, McFarlin was stopped by a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper for a traffic offense. The Trooper observed an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle, and a drug canine alerted to the presence of a controlled substance. Further inspection revealed a large brown paper bag inside the vehicle, which contained two bags of methamphetamine. McFarlin admitted to officers that he had purchased the two kilograms of methamphetamine for $3,500 per kilogram during his stop in Houston and that he was returning to distribute it in the Austin area.
On March 31, McFarlin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Prior to this case, McFarlin was convicted of federal drug offenses on three separate occasions. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman sentenced McFarlin on Oct. 7.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Castillo prosecuted the case.
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 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 FBI; ICE HSI; DEA; ATF; U.S. Border Patrol; USMS; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Texas Department of Public Safety; as well as local police departments and sheriff’s offices, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
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Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Transporting Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Guatemalan national has pleaded guilty to an immigration violation in the Western District of Missouri.
Guatemalan national Juan Carlos Paxtor-Chay, 42, pleaded guilty to transporting illegal aliens within the United States. The plea was entered today before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough.
On Jan. 9, 2026, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling along Interstate 70 near Boonville, Mo. The driver, Paxtor-Chay, was transporting six passengers in the vehicle. All seven occupants were subsequently determined to be illegal aliens unlawfully present in the United States.
Paxtor-Chay admitted that he was transporting the passengers from Los Angeles to Canton, Ohio where they were to work, and that he expected to be paid upon arrival. He further acknowledged that he had transported illegal aliens in this manner on about seven prior occasions.
Under federal statutes, Paxtor-Chay is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 11, 2027.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Operation Take Back America
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.
Grants Pass Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—A Grants Pass, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a gun he stole in a burglary, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
Matthew Bertrand, 45, pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm. Bertrand is a felon, having been previously convicted five other times for burglary and theft.
According to court documents, on January 5, 2024, Central Point Police responded to a burglary in progress. A witness told police that the witness saw a man wearing a black ski mask, a black jacket, and blue jeans jump the fence and go inside a home.
When police arrived and spoke to the homeowner, they saw Bertrand flee through the back of the home. Police caught Bertrand after chasing him through multiple backyards. Bertrand had a black ski mask. Police recovered the gun belonging to the homeowner in the area where Bertrand ran.
Bertrand admitted to "rob[bing] the house", stealing the gun, and being in the victim's house on a prior occasion because the owner had "lots of toys."
On June 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Bertrand with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. He will be sentenced on March 11, 2027, before U.S. District Court Judge Kasubhai.
Bertrand faces a maximum of life with a mandatory minimum of fifteen years’ imprisonment as an armed career criminal. He also faces a fine of $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 fee assessment.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Medford Police Department, and Central Point Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Judi Harper is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Georgia man going to prison for scamming victims out of tens of thousands of dollarsRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Stephen Odiboh, 53, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was sentenced to serve 33 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. He was also ordered to pay $196,500 in restitution.
Between 2023 and March 2025, Odiboh conspired with co-conspirators to defraud four victims. The total loss and attempted loss were $356,500.
- In 2023, Odiboh contacted Victim 1, a 77-year-old woman in the Western District of New York, on Facebook. Posing as “Oliver Wilson,” he falsely represented that he was a United States Citizen, a widower, and currently living in Norway. Over the course of approximately a year and a half, “Wilson” fostered a romantic, online relationship, stating that he needed gift cards to “stay online” and continue talking. As a result, Victim 1 sent “Wilson” approximately 30 $500 gift cards, totaling approximately $15,000. In addition, between January and July of 2024, “Wilson” induced Victim 1 to mail eight checks totaling over $162,000.00 to specific individuals and entities, including two checks to Stephen Odiboh. In December 2024, “Wilson” stated that he was being held by customs authorities in Norway and needed to pay a fine of $158,000. He directed Victim 1 to mail two checks totaling $158,000.00 but Victim 1’s bank detected fraud and stopped payment of the checks before they could be cashed.
- In April 2024, a co-conspirator contacted Victim 2, a caterer, claiming to be “Alex Alberto,” and in need of catering services. Victim 2 requested a deposit of $800. To pay the purported deposit, “Alberto” sent Victim 2 a check for $2,800, and instructed Victim 2 to cash the check and send the extra $2,000 to the defendant via Zelle. Victim 2 realized he was being defrauded and did not deposit the check.
- In 2024, a co-conspirator, claiming to be “William Rivera,” contacted Victim 3 through an online dating website. After gaining Victim 3’s trust, “Rivera” convinced Victim 3 to send $2,000 to Odiboh via CashApp, which Victim 3 did on August 14, 2024.
- In March 2025, a co-conspirator, claiming to be “Alec Jonas,” contacted Victim 4 on a dating website, leading Victim 4 to believe that they were starting a romantic relationship. Once he gained her trust, “Jonas” stated that he was working in Bahrain and needed money to ship goods from Bahrain to Texas, prompting Victim 4 to wire $17,525 to a bank account he controlled.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and HeroinRead the Press Release
HAMMOND - Darod Wheeler, 55 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after being found guilty by a jury of trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Wheeler was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 8 years of supervised release.
According to trial testimony and documents in the case, on July 24, 2025, during an initial controlled purchase outside his residence in Gary, Indiana, Wheeler sold more than 5 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant acting at the direction of law enforcement. Five days later, on July 29, 2025, during a second controlled purchase outside that residence, Wheeler sold more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of fentanyl, and a quantity of heroin to that informant. Less than an hour after the second controlled purchase concluded, officers searched Wheeler’s residence and located the money used to pay Wheeler for those drugs. During a post-Miranda statement, Wheeler confessed to drug trafficking.
Wheeler had a prior federal conviction for a “serious drug felony,” distribution of fentanyl, in the Northern District of Indiana for which he served more than twelve months of imprisonment and for which he was released from serving any term of imprisonment related to that offense within fifteen years of July 24 and July 29, 2025. Based on that prior conviction, Wheeler was subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of imprisonment.
“The sentencing of Darod Wheeler sends a definitive message: those who profit from the poisoning of our communities will face severe consequences. Wheeler is a career criminal whose illicit operations brought methamphetamine, heroin, and deadly fentanyl into Northern Indiana. Driven entirely by greed, he brazenly chose to resume his destructive trade while on federal supervised release for the exact same offenses—less than a year after his previous sentencing.
This was not a victimless crime. The jury heard devastating testimony of how Wheeler callously exploited the vulnerability of local residents struggling with addiction, treating human suffering as a business model for personal profit. His actions carry a direct and dangerous toll, including a nonfatal overdose linked directly to his supply. By holding him accountable, we removed a major source of lethal narcotics from our streets, protected vulnerable lives, and reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to defending Northern Indiana families from the devastation of drug trafficking. This successful prosecution was made possible by the team efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiative, the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group, the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, the Valparaiso Police Department, and Assistant United States Attorneys Kristian R. Mukoski and Ambris Saravanan,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“This investigation highlights what can be accomplished when police departments and federal task forces work together towards common goals. The Drug Enforcement Administration and its partners remain focused on keeping our communities safe and free from deadly drugs, such as illicit fentanyl. Mr. Wheeler had a prior federal conviction for a drug offense, which he could have left in his past. But clearly, that mattered least to him when he chose to continue along the path of destroying lives and families through his drug dealing. Mr. Wheeler can now ponder the damage he did to Hoosiers while serving his time in a federal correctional institution. Indiana is safer and healthier with him out of our community in the many years ahead,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA Merrillville District Office, Alfred A. Cooke.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group, the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Valparaiso Police Department, with support from the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiative. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristian R. Mukoski and Ambris Saravanan.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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Fort Walton Beach Woman Pleads Guilty to Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Kawana D. Gamble, 46, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges and plea.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This successful prosecution underscores my office’s commitment to aggressively pursuing and dismantling the networks of drug traffickers flooding our streets with drugs. With assistance from the Gulf Coast HIDTA, our state and federal law enforcement partners are doing excellent work investigating and disrupting these drug trafficking operations, and my office will continue to deliver wins for our community to ensure our citizens get the safe, drug-free streets that they deserve.”
According to court documents, between May 2024 and September 2025, the defendant conspired with others to distribute powder and crack cocaine in the Okaloosa County area. The investigation involved controlled purchases, a search warrant executed at the defendant’s house, and a search of the defendant’s cell phone data. As a result, law enforcement seized more than 660 grams of cocaine and more than 50 grams of crack cocaine from the defendant.
Gamble’s sentencing has been set for December 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. For both the conspiracy and substantive counts, Gamble faces a minimum mandatory of 5 years’ up to a total of 80 years’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.
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.
Former Medical Doctor Convicted of Naturalization FraudRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A federal jury has convicted a former medical doctor with naturalization fraud for providing false answers on a U.S. citizenship application and during an in-person interview.
According to court documents, Yousif Abdulraouf Alhallaq, 47, of Canton, was born in Kuwait and entered the United States on an H1B visa in 2006. In 2011, he filed an application to become a permanent resident of the United States and was approved.
In evidence presented to the jury at trial, Alhallaq began work as an internal medical doctor in Northeast Ohio in 2012. Then, in December 2014, the defendant poisoned his girlfriend’s oatmeal with an abortion drug when she became pregnant with his child, in an attempt to terminate the pregnancy without her knowledge. Several years later, the victim learned the truth about the incident and reported him to police. On March 18, 2021, Alhallaq was indicted in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas and charged with one count of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault for trying to purposely cause the termination of the victim’s pregnancy in 2014 which caused serious, physical harm to her and her unborn child. In September 2021, Alhallaq pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Before Alhallaq was indicted and sentenced for those charges in 2021, he mailed a federal application, Form N-400, in 2017 to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. In the application he answered “no” to the following questions:
- 14D - Were you ever involved in any way with badly hurting, or trying to hurt a person on purpose?
- 22 - Have you ever committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?
Alhallaq continued with the U.S. citizenship application process in 2018 and was interviewed by an immigration officer to review the answers he submitted on his naturalization application. Under oath, the defendant verbally confirmed answers to questions 14D and 22 as “no” which matched those initially submitted by mail. On May 4, 2018, the defendant became a naturalized U.S. citizen during a ceremony in Stark County, Ohio.
Although Alhallaq knowingly committed acts of attempted murder and felonious assault by attempting to unlawfully terminate his girlfriend’s pregnancy, he nonetheless attested to federal officials that the information he provided was true and was subsequently granted U.S. citizenship.
Alhallaq faces a maximum of up to 10 years in prison for naturalization fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 19, 2027. He also faces denaturalization as a result of his conviction.
The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Homeland Security Investigations Cleveland office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Christopher Snyder prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
Former College Basketball Player Admits to FraudRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A former college basketball player and Estonian national has admitted to carrying out a fraud scheme totaling millions of dollars, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced today.
Kerr Kriisa, 25, pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud. According to the plea agreement, he sent one of the victims an email in February 2026 holding himself out to be “Irene,” a fictious email he created to further his scheme to defraud. In the email, he demanded a payment of $9,000 to avoid litigation and publicity regarding a financial dispute “Irene” had with him.
“Financial fraud is not a game, and those who choose to deceive and exploit others will be held accountable. Mr. Kriisa’s years‑long scheme caused real harm, and today’s plea underscores that this office will pursue anyone who engages in conduct like this, regardless of any notoriety or success they may have achieved. We will continue to stand with our law‑enforcement partners to uncover fraud, defend victims, and ensure that offenders face serious federal consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
According to the indictment, the February 2026 incident was one of many acts Kriisa took to defraud two individuals of millions of dollars in a scheme dating back to at least 2022 when Kriisa played basketball for the University of Arizona. For example, the indictment alleged that Kriisa repeatedly sought payments from two victims and, at times, instructed one victim to transfer money to the other under false pretenses and once fraudulently signed an agreement promising to repay one of the victims but never did.
Kriisa previously played basketball for the University of Arizona, West Virginia University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Cincinnati.
Kriisa is scheduled to be sentenced on December 22, 2026.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Florida Man Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for Role in Multi-State Cocaine Trafficking; Lafayette Storage Facility Used as Stash LocationRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On September 29, 2026, United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Anthony Smith, 54, of Pensacola, Florida, to 72 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances after his July 1, 2026, guilty plea.
According to court records, federal agents began investigating a Louisiana-based drug trafficking network in May of 2023. Agents identified a primary supplier and several associates who were using a storage facility in Lafayette to stash their illicit drug supply. Investigators monitored the organization and intercepted communications revealing that narcotics were being prepared for distribution to members of the network, including Smith.On November 29, 2023, agents observed a member of the network retrieve drugs from the storage facility and transport them to two other co-conspirators. Those associates then traveled to a gas station, at which time Smith arrived in his vehicle, putting him squarely in the center of the distribution scheme. Agents then witnessed one associate place a bag containing a shoebox into Smith’s vehicle, before the group dispersed. Later, Smith was stopped by law enforcement, and a search of his vehicle revealed two kilograms of cocaine concealed inside the shoebox. Smith admitted that he had traveled from Florida for the purpose of obtaining and transporting narcotics in furtherance of the conspiracy. He also acknowledged that he had knowingly joined the drug trafficking network and fully understood its illegal purpose.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (Mississippi) investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Vermaelen and Casey N. Stelly, with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more at www.justice.gov/psn.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) 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 and information 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, under Case Number 23-CR-00291.
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[email protected] www.justice.gov/usao-wdlaFederal Jury Convicts El Paso Man for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – A federal jury convicted an El Paso man for three counts related to fentanyl trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Charles Arellano, 45, was a fentanyl dealer who came under investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. During a fentanyl transaction in January 2025, he claimed to be connected to various drug cartels and had been involved in drug dealing for a long time. Arellano then fled to Mexico in early 2025.
Mexican authorities apprehended Arellano in June 2025 and returned him to the United States for prosecution. He was indicted in July 2025 with co-defendant, Yvonne Beltran-Leyva.
Beltran-Leyva pleaded guilty in October 2025. She was sentenced in April to 108 months in federal prison for her involvement in the fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.
A sentencing date for Arellano has not yet been set. He faces five to 40 years in federal prison.
The DEA investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Brown and Erin Van Pelt are prosecuting 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Federal Guilty Plea by Armed Tallahassee Drug TraffickerRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Marlo G. Davis, 47, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, 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: “Thanks to the excellent investigative work by the Tallahassee Police Department, and this successful prosecution by my office, we will ensure this serial felon is kept locked away in federal prison for continuing to victimize our community with his criminality. By now it should be abundantly clear that my office is committed to aggressively prosecuting anyone who dares to violate the law in our community, and we will deliver the safe, drug-free streets that our citizens deserve by keeping dangerous felons, like this defendant, behind federal bars where they belong.”
Court documents reflect that officers with the Tallahassee Police Department were conducting surveillance when they saw the defendant and his brother get into a vehicle. The defendant’s brother did not have a valid driver’s license, so they conducted a traffic stop, during which the defendant fled from the vehicle on foot.
Officers chased the defendant and saw him remove a bag from around his chest while he was running:
Officers ultimately caught the defendant and retrieved the bag he discarded during the chase, which was found to contain a Taurus 9-millimeter pistol and drug paraphernalia.
Inside the vehicle, officers found multiple baggies of white powder concealed within an ice cream pint container; a bag containing crack cocaine; and two other sandwich baggies containing white powder. There were a total of 39 bags containing a total of 3.4 grams of alpha-PV10 (a synthetic cathinone). Another eight bags were found to contain a total of 3.9 grams of cocaine. In the larger bags, there were 2.5 grams of alpha-PV10, 13.1 grams of crack cocaine, and 1.2 grams of powder cocaine. The defendant made post-Miranda admissions that he was selling drugs and a review of material from his cellphone found multiple photographs of the same ice cream tub found in the car, including photographs of crack cocaine with the ice cream tub lid visible in the background.
The defendant is a convicted felon who faces an enhanced sentence because of prior convictions for robbery, two separate incidents of possession of cocaine with intent to sell, and trafficking in both hydrocodone and oxycodone. Based on his prior convictions, the defendant faces between 20 years’ to life imprisonment.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 10, 2026, at 2:00 pm, in the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark E. Walker.
The case involved an investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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.
Drug Trafficking Duo Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Maria Ysabel Mendoza, 34, of Ontario, California, and Daniel Lomeli Hernandez, 32, of Las Vegas, Nevada, were each sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and unlawful use of a communications facility. The sentences were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “For too long, deadly drugs, like fentanyl, freely flowed across our Southern border and flooded our streets, devastating our communities with addiction, death, and despair. But, thanks to close partnerships between our state and federal law enforcement, we are striking back against those drug traffickers and dismantling their networks. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute every criminal engaged in the drug trade in my district to deliver the safe, drug-free streets our citizens deserve.”
According to court records, between March 2024 and April 2024, a co-conspirator in Mexico agreed to deliver more than 400 grams of fentanyl (pills) from California to an undercover law enforcement officer in Florida.
Once the fentanyl was delivered in Florida, the co-conspirator in Mexico directed Mendoza to collect payment. Mendoza’s partner, Hernandez, agreed to accompany Mendoza for the purpose of collecting the drug money. Mendoza and Hernandez traveled from Mexico to Florida and met with the undercover officer. During the meeting, Mendoza accepted payment for the fentanyl shipment and made statements regarding her knowledge of the fentanyl conspiracy. After collecting the money, Mendoza and Hernandez attempted to wire funds back to Mexico. Mendoza and Hernandez were arrested a few days later. Evidence located on a cell phone used by Mendoza and Hernadez corroborated their active participation in the conspiracy.
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigation, the United States Department of State, Panama City Police Department, and Panama City Beach Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph A. Ravelo and Walter Narramore.
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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 22 years in Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine Near Fayetteville Softball ComplexRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A previously convicted drug trafficker was sentenced on October 7, 2026, to 270 months in federal prison without the possibility of parole to be followed by 10 years of supervised release after being convicted of Distributing More Than Fifty (50) Grams of Methamphetamine in violation of federal law. The Honorable Chief Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in October of 2024, Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration identified Jorge Hoyos-Lopez, age 35, as a methamphetamine distributor operating in and around Northwest Arkansas. On two separate occasions, the DEA conducted covert controlled purchases of methamphetamine directly from Hoyos-Lopez, each consisting of one quarter-pound of methamphetamine. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement determined that Hoyos-Lopez was conducting drug transactions, among other locations, at and near the Gary Hampton Softball complex in West Fayetteville.
Hoyos-Lopez was indicted for drug trafficking by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Arkansas in February of 2025 and entered a plea of guilty in February of 2026. At sentencing, the United States presented the Court with evidence that the defendant had ties to a California based gang and had prior convictions for Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, as well as numerous felony drug trafficking offenses.
United States Attorney Kevin R. Holmes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fourth Judicial Drug Taskforce, and the Rogers Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Dustin Roberts, Kevin Eaton, and Sydney Stanley prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the U.S. 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.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Dominican National Previously Convicted of Drug Trafficking Offense Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Illegally Reentering U.S.Read the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that YUNIOR BENAVIDES, 50, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 21 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S. as a removed alien.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2009, Benavides and others were charged with federal offenses related to their participation in a Hartford area narcotics distribution conspiracy. He pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment and, in November 2013, was deported to the Dominican Republic. Benavides subsequently illegally reentered the U.S.
On March 6, 2026, HSI agents stopped a car in West Hartford in connection with a drug trafficking investigation. Benavides, the driver of the car, was identified as being unlawfully present in the U.S. and was taken into custody. He was also in possession of a false identification document.
Benavides has been detained since his arrest. On June 30, 2026, he pleaded guilty to unlawful reentry.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Michael S. Deel.
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.
Dallas man indicted for flying drone into protected airspace surrounding two major airportsRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Dallas man has been charged with repeatedly flying a drone into restricted airspace around both Dallas Love Field and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
On Sept. 16, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Pujan Prashantkumar Gajjar, 24, on offenses related to the unauthorized operation of an unmanned aircraft in protected airport airspace.
“Safe and secure air travel depends on strict compliance with federal aviation rules,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Unauthorized drone incursions into protected airport airspace jeopardizes aircraft and endangers pilots, passengers and the entire community. This office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our airspace.”
"Operating a drone in restricted airport space threatens the safety of pilots, passengers, and crew in the air as well as communities on the ground,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to investigate these types of violations and ensure those who endanger our airspace are held accountable.”
According to the indictment, Mr. Gajjar allegedly flew a drone into the runway exclusion zone at Dallas Love Field around 11:30 p.m. on June 26, 2025, with the drone allegedly crossing an active runway. The following night, he allegedly flew the same drone into restricted airspace surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. The indictment further alleges that, in connection with the same flights, Mr. Gajjar knowingly and willfully served as an airman without the required airman’s certificate.
Federal agents arrested Gajjar Sept. 22. He made his initial appearance the same day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver. If convicted, Gajjar faces up to eight years in federal prison.
The FBI Dallas and the Federal Air Marshal Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward L. Hocter from the National Security Section is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Court of Appeals affirms convictions, life imprisonment of 2 defendants, including shooter, involved in 2019 murder of DEA task force officerRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II announced today that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the convictions and lifetime prison sentences imposed against two Dayton men for their roles in the 2019 killing of Dayton Police Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Jorge DelRio.
“The Court of Appeals’ decision demonstrates there was more than enough evidence and a clear legal basis to hold Nathan Goddard and Cahke Cortner accountable for the premeditated murder of DEA Task Force Officer DelRio,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “These defendants were justly convicted and deserve the life sentences handed down by the district judge. As we approach the seventh anniversary of this tragedy, I want to thank the outstanding AUSAs who tried this case and defended it on appeal for honoring Jorge’s sacrifice through their steadfast work and dogged determination. This Office will never stop pursuing justice for Jorge and his family.”
In November 2019, while attempting to prevent federal agents from seizing approximately half-a-million dollars in fentanyl and other drugs, Nathan Goddard, 46, shot and murdered Det. DelRio. Goddard was convicted of murder following a jury trial in March 2024. He and co-defendant Cahke Cortner, 46, were also convicted of multiple narcotics and firearms charges, including intentional killing while engaging in a drug offense. Goddard was sentenced in September 2024 to life plus 10 years in prison. Cortner was sentenced in September 2024 to life plus five years in prison.
On appeal, Goddard and Cortner challenged the sufficiency of the evidence supporting their convictions and argued that the district court committed errors in its evidentiary rulings and in instructing the jury. Cortner also argued that his sentence was procedurally and substantively unreasonable. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the defendants’ arguments and affirmed the convictions and the prison sentence. The Court held that there was sufficient evidence to support the jury’s conclusions that Goddard acted with premeditation in shooting Det. DelRio and that Goddard’s intentional killing of Det. DelRio was foreseeable to his co-conspirator Cortner.
Appellate Chief Mary Beth Young represented the United States on appeal. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi, Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Amy M. Smith, Assistant United States Attorney Christina E. Mahy and Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claypoole from the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office and was investigated by the DEA, FBI and ATF.
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Companies Operated by New York Man Agree to $1 Million Settlement over Alleged False Claims and Use of Chinese‑Made ComponentsRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A New York man and two companies he operates have agreed to pay $1 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by supplying the U.S. Department of War (DOW) with Chinese-manufactured products and components in violation of the Buy American Act (BAA) and other federal military-procurement requirements.
Ranga Ranganathan, Nielsen Hardware Corporation (Nielsen), and J&P Khamken Industries, Inc. (JPK) entered into the settlement agreement with the United States and the qui tam relators. Ranganathan acquired the assets of Alabama-based JPK in May 2017. Nielsen and JPK manufacture and supply aircraft components, aerospace ground support equipment, missile and munition material-handling equipment, storage containers, and other machined products used in DOW procurement. The settlement agreement was unsealed by the United States District Court in Montgomery this week.
“Federal procurement requirements are designed to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and that American businesses have a fair opportunity to compete for federal contracts,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas Govan. “This settlement reinforces that companies doing business with the United States military must comply with those requirements and be truthful in their representations to the government.”
According to the allegations resolved by the settlement, after Ranganathan acquired JPK, the defendants began sourcing components and end products from China and supplying them to the DOW, either directly through JPK or indirectly as a subcontractor. The United States alleged that the defendants submitted, or caused to be submitted, false claims for payment supported by certifications falsely representing compliance with the BAA and federal requirements governing specialty metals.
The settlement resolves allegations that, between May 2017 and November 2019, the defendants provided the DOW with Chinese-manufactured aluminum tables, groove pulleys, storage-rack assemblies, portable bath-unit bases, Red Cross vehicle body panels, mounting brackets, and 25mm loader-replenisher tables.
The BAA, enacted in 1933, generally establishes a preference for domestically produced goods in federal procurement. The matter also involved regulations restricting the acquisition of certain articles containing specialty metals. Although the BAA and specialty-metals regulations permit procurement from certain qualifying countries, China is not among those countries.
The settlement also resolves claims brought by the relators under the False Claims Act’s qui tam provisions. The qui tam provisions allow private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and, subject to certain statutory requirements, to receive a portion of the recovery. The relators, who were founders and former employees of JPK, will receive a portion of the settlement proceeds.
The investigation was conducted by special agents with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), the War Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID). Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryLou E. Bowdre of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Clermont Woman Pleads Guilty to $3.9 Million Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Colleen Kieran (57, Clermont) has pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud in connection with a long-running embezzlement scheme. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each count. The court ordered forfeiture money judgment of approximately $3.9 million against Kieran and ordered her to pay restitution in the same amount to the victims of her wire fraud. The United States can collect those penalties from any asset Kieran owns now or later acquires. A sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the plea agreement, Kieran worked for a business in Seminole County where she oversaw accounting and operations. Beginning in 2009, Kieran abused her access to the company’s financial accounts to divert customer payments to her personal accounts without authorization. Over time, the theft escalated to thousands of transfers, ultimately totaling more than $3.9 million. Kieran used the stolen money for personal expenses, including clothing, travel, dining, entertainment, and consumer electronics.
To conceal the scheme and the growing financial loss to the company, Kieran prepared false financial statements and spreadsheets and withheld information from the company’s owners and tax preparer. As the shortfalls grew, Kieran also obtained more than $1.5 million in loans in the company’s name, without the owners’ knowledge, to mask the missing revenue and keep cash flow appearing stable. After the fraud was uncovered and Kieran was fired, her employers discovered that she had also been intercepting the company’s incoming mail and that several years’ worth of emails from her company account had been selectively deleted.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Longwood Police Department, and the Seminole Financial Crimes Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.
Charlotte Man Sentenced to Prison for Transporting Child Sexual Abuse Material Including Videos and Images of Infant TortureRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Anthony Eliu Acevedo, 27, of Charlotte, was sentenced yesterday to 8 ½ years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, $62,000 in restitution, $10,000 in special assessments, and was ordered to register as a sex offender for transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
“Acevedo had over 65 hours of videos depicting the abuse of children, from sadistic and masochistic conduct to the physical and sexual torture of an infant,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “That material should not even exist. Those who spread it will find their way to federal prison.”
According to filed court documents, in October 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information related to an individual, later identified as Acevedo, uploading child sexual abuse material to an online storage account. One of the videos Acevedo uploaded to his online storage account depicted the physical and sexual torture of an infant. Law enforcement executed a search warrant in February 2024 at Acevedo’s residence and recovered two cell phones and a laptop. A forensic analysis of the devices and Acevedo’s online storage account revealed that Acevedo possessed more than 426 images and 999 videos of CSAM, including sadistic and masochistic conduct depicting children. If played without stopping, the videos depicting CSAM would run for 65.5 hours. The investigation further revealed that Acevedo used Telegram to obtain and pay for CSAM. During an interview with law enforcement, Acevedo said he intended to sell CSAM to others, though the investigation did not reveal evidence that he had sold any CSAM yet.
In sentencing Acevedo, U.S. District Judge Mattew E. Orso said that Acevedo possessed “a very large collection of some of the worst materials this Court has ever seen.”
Acevedo remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he is transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making the announcement U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson commended the FBI and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for their work on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Cervantes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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.
Cass County registered sex offender sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for child pornography violationsRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – An Atlanta, Texas man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
JC Herndon, 86, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III on October 8, 2026.
According to information presented in court, on May 6, 2025, law enforcement officers with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at Herndon’s residence located in Atlanta, Texas. As part of the search, officers seized a cell phone, which was found to contain numerous photos and videos depicting child pornography. Many of those images depicted prepubescent children. Herndon admitted to downloading and viewing images of child pornography on his phone. Herndon is a registered sex offender who was on probation when he was found to be in possession of the child pornography.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety - Criminal Investigations Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Richards.
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Career Criminal Netted by Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Sentenced on Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TYRON RAINEY (“RAINEY”) (36 years old) from Thibodaux, La. was sentenced on October 1, 2026 to serve a total of 180 months (15 years) imprisonment by United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
RAINEY previously pled guilty on November 6, 2025, to participating in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and 846.
This investigation began in 2022, when Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Task Force Group 3 (“TFG3”), began investigating narcotics trafficking activities in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. This investigation revealed that Andre Lee and Percy Howard were distributing large amounts of methamphetamine throughout both parishes.
During the investigation, acquired information about Lee and Howard’s drug trafficking operation. As a result, federal agents conducted court authorized Title III wiretaps on several cellular telephones, including those belonging to Lee and Howard. Agents were then able to record and overhear several drug related calls between Howard and RAINEY during this Title III investigation. RAINEY was identified as a local dealer with a lengthy criminal record. Agents also learned that Lee and Howard were obtaining large amounts of methamphetamine from individuals in California, Texas, and Mississippi. This investigation resulted in the conviction of seven individuals on federal drug trafficking charges.
This matter was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel, Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu.
This case is brought pursuant to 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 New Orleans comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
California man sexually exploited children online across at least 18 statesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A California man pleaded guilty to targeting child victims and persuading and coercing them into creating visual depictions of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct using online social media and messaging apps.
According to court documents, Adrian Gutierrez, 22, of Ontario, California, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor involving a child residing in Kansas.
From approximately May 2023 through October 2024, Gutierrez communicated with dozens of minors using multiple online platforms. He used persuasion and coercion to get 21 identified victims from Kansas and 17 other states to engage in sexually explicit conduct while transmitting live video calls with him. Gutierrez often misrepresented his true identity and age by telling the victims he was also a minor of a similar age to the victim. Despite law enforcement efforts, many other victims were unable to be fully identified. Some victims reside outside of the United States.
Gutierrez is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2027. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“The lessons of ‘stranger danger’ also apply to the internet. While Mr. Gutierrez mostly targeted children between the ages of ten and twelve, his victims were as young as nine years old,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “We encourage parents to talk to their children about internet safety and explain to them that not everyone is who they say they are or the age they claim, particularly online.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick 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.###
Colville Man Sentenced to 82 Months in Federal Prison for Attempted Kidnapping at the Spokane Tribe CasinoRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on October 5, 2026, United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Joseph Parisien to 70 months in federal prison following his conviction for Attempted Kidnapping in Indian Country. Part of that sentence was a consecutive term of 12 months in federal prison for violating the conditions of his supervised release associated with an earlier federal conviction. Judge Pennell also ordered that, following his sentence, Parisien be placed on a new three-year term of supervised release.
According to court documents, on April 26, 2024, Parisien and his intimate partner were at the Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights, Washington. After his intimate partner left with a friend, Parisien was driven to the friend’s residence where he assaulted his intimate partner in the roadway. Parisien was observed knocking her to the ground and kicking her in the face.
Parisien and his intimate partner were then driven back to the Spokane Tribe Casino. Parisien removed his intimate partner from the vehicle and dragged her by her hair to the front passenger door of his truck. After Parisien had forced her inside the truck, his intimate partner opened the door and attempted to flee across the parking lot. Parisien ran her down, ripped her to the ground, and then dragged her across a rocky median back to his truck, again by her hair. After forcing her back into the front passenger seat and continuing to assault her, Parisien drove the truck with his intimate partner away from the Casino.Law enforcement tracked Parisien to Parisien’s residence in Spokane, Washington, then a motel in Colville, Washington, and finally back to Spokane where his intimate partner was recovered on April 29, 2024. Parisien was arrested the next day.
“Prosecuting domestic violence, especially repeat offenders who continue to victimize in our communities, is essential not only to hold these individuals accountable, but to break cycles of harm, protect survivors, and send a clear message that violence in any form will not be tolerated,” stated Serrano.
“Mr. Parisien's conduct in this case was appalling: he brutally assaulted his partner multiple times, even chasing her down when she tried to flee, and then escaped with her for several days while law enforcement tried to locate them,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “We hope this sentence sends a strong message that the FBI and our partners will combat violent crime in its many forms, on tribal lands and throughout the state of Washington.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the City of Airway Heights Police Department, the City of Spokane Police Department, the Spokane Tribal Police Department, the Colville Tribal Police Department, the Kalispel Tribal Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis and Nowles H. Heinrich, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.Brookfield Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on October 6, 2026, United States District Judge Brett H. Ludwig sentenced Ankurkumar Patel (age 44) of Brookfield, Wisconsin, to 84 months imprisonment.
On June 15, 2026, Patel pled guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy for laundering over $1 million stolen from elderly victims in multiple states who fell prey to a “Phantom Hacker Scam.” Phantom Hacker Scams are a type of fraud that primarily targets elderly victims. A participant in the scheme, who is often located overseas, poses as a customer service agent or government official. The purported customer service agent or pseudo government official contacts the victim and falsely claims that the victim’s identity or bank account has been hacked or compromised. The fraudster then refers the victim to a co-conspirator posing as a law enforcement agent who directs the victim to move their funds, usually in the form of cash or physical gold, to a third-party, or government account for safekeeping. The co-conspirator then coordinates the transfer of the victim’s funds to other participants in the scheme who act as couriers. In many cases, the victims lose their entire life savings to these fraud schemes.
Patel pled guilty to acting as a courier and personally retrieving and laundering over $1 million from multiple elderly victims in several states. Court documents reveal that Patel also conspired to launder the victim money by distributing it to other co-conspirators through anonymous, surreptitious transactions. The money often was then sent to co-conspirators living overseas.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Ludwig noted that Patel targeted elderly victims, whose life savings are now gone because of Patel’s conduct, and the conduct of his co-conspirators. Judge Ludwig also ordered Patel to pay over $1.3 million in restitution to the victims.
“It was heartbreaking to hear of the financial devastation these scammers caused to Americans who worked their whole lives to save for retirement,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “We will aggressively pursue those who steal from senior citizens.”
“Ankurkumar Patel conspired with others to fraudulently obtain and launder over $1 million from elderly victims through a fraud scheme. His scheme included posing as technical support and impersonating government officials to swindle everyday Americans out of their hard-earned money. In some instances, he would retrieve cash and gold from his victims while in other instances he would use couriers to pick up the valuables. Victims were in several states to include Wisconsin,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI is committed to investigating those who exploit vulnerable individuals for their own personal gain.”
If you believe you or someone you know may have fallen victim to a similar scam, please contact the FBI at 414-276-4684 or report online at IC3.gov.
This case was investigated by the FBI in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Homeland Security Investigations in St. Louis, Missouri. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter J. Smyczek, District Fraud Counsel for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Boston Public Official Charged with Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Director of the City of Boston’s Municipal Protective Services has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty to allegedly obtaining federal pandemic funds through fraud.
Reuben Taylor, 40, of Boston, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging documents, Taylor has worked for the Municipal Protective Services – an unarmed, non-sworn security division within the City of Boston’s Property Management Department – since 2008. In April 2021 Taylor allegedly submitted an application for a $20,844 Paycheck Protection Program loan in which he falsely claimed that he had worked as an auto mechanic in 2019. It is alleged that Taylor supported his application with a fabricated Form 1040 and Schedule C, claiming that he received no wages in 2019 and instead received $99,863 as an independent contractor working as a mechanic. According to the charging documents, in the 2019 Form 1040 that Taylor actually submitted to the IRS, he reported earning $97,561 in wages as a municipal police officer and attached a Form W-2 from the City of Boston. It is further alleged that in August 2021 Taylor submitted an application seeking forgiveness of the loan, claiming that he had spent the loan proceeds on payroll for his alleged auto mechanic business. The Small Business Administration forgave Taylor’s loan in September 2021, essentially converting the loan to a taxpayer-funded grant.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers in the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports 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.
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.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Connection with Murder-for-Hire PlotRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man received a federal-prison term, today, for plotting the murder of woman, in a case of mistaken identity where the intended target was a federal witness. The May 2016 murder resulted in the death of Latrina Ashburne.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher sentenced Matthew Hightower, 44, to 40 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for using a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime. The sentence was ordered to run concurrently, beginning today, to the prison term Hightower is currently serving for the murder of David Wutoh.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).
According to court documents, in May 2016, Hightower solicited others and conspired to kill Ashburne’s neighbor — a female federal witness — in retaliation for providing information to a law enforcement officer and to prevent her from testifying against him at an official proceeding. Hightower learned that the federal witness provided law enforcement with information about his involvement in a healthcare fraud scheme and the murder of a separate victim, David Wutoh. At the time, Hightower faced federal indictment for both matters. While incarcerated pre-trial, Hightower used jail calls and letters to communicate with others to conspire to kill the federal witness.
Ashburne, who lived next-door to the federal witness, and was similar in age and appearance, was shot and killed as she entered her car outside of her home. Davon Carter, 46, of Baltimore, the shooter, and Clifton Mosley, 49, of Baltimore, the accomplice, are currently serving federal life sentences for their roles in the murder plot.
On September 22, 2016, after a seven-day trial, a federal jury convicted Hightower, and then he received a 380-month prison term, followed by five years of supervised release, for collection of a debt by extortionate means, and use of interstate facilities for extortion resulting in death in connection with the murder of Wutoh.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HHS-OIG, FBI, ATF, BPD, and BCPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim Y. Hagan and Paul E. Budlow who are prosecuting this case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Agency Quotes
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland
“Witness intimidation strikes at the heart of our justice system. This defendant not only sought to silence a federal witness — for the second time — but also caused the death of an innocent woman in the process,” Hayes said. “Today’s sentence demonstrates our unwavering commitment to pursuing anyone who threatens or attempts to harm witnesses. We will continue to work with our federal and local partners to ensure that witness intimidation is met with firm and decisive accountability.”
Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, HHS-OIG
“Today’s sentencing reinforces our commitment to standing with victims and their families, providing closure and justice for Ms. Ashburne’s family and supporting those who are vulnerable,” Dixon said. “HHS‑OIG will continue working tirelessly with our partners to hold accountable those who commit violent crimes, including murder, threaten federal witnesses, or defraud health care programs that serve individuals who rely on them.”
Jimmy Paul, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Baltimore
“Latrina Ashburne was an innocent woman who should still be with her family and loved ones. Instead, they live with the daily grief and trauma of losing her,” Paul said. “The FBI and our partners will continue to stand firm against anyone who endangers members of our community.”
Charles Doerrer, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Baltimore
“This significant sentence shows that violence, especially when perpetrated to interfere in federal proceedings, will not be tolerated,” Doerrer said. “We pledge to continue to work with our state, local, and federal partners to ensure witnesses in Baltimore feel safe to come forward.”
Police Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department
“Latrina Ashburne was an innocent woman who tragically lost her life because she was mistaken for someone else,” Worley said. “This case is a reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of law enforcement working together to hold those responsible accountable. The Baltimore Police Department is proud to stand with our federal and local partners in pursuing justice for Ms. Ashburne and her family and ensuring that those who use violence to undermine our justice system are held accountable.”
Baltimore Felon Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Firearm Possession ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man received a federal sentence after pleading guilty to firearm charges.
U.S. District Court Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced Michael Lemon, 22, to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawful possession of a machinegun and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. Authorities found Lemon, a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, in possession of a modified Glock pistol when apprehended.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
According to court documents, on December 30, 2025, BPD officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a breaking and entering by a group of young men at a Baltimore multi-residence building. As the officers arrived at the building, they observed Lemon, who fit the description of the suspect from the 911 call, hurriedly attempting to start a motorbike.
Officers then apprehend Lemon and discovered that he possessed a Glock pistol. Additionally, there was a machinegun conversion device, sometimes referred to as a “switch,” affixed to Lemon’s pistol which enabled the gun to fire automatically.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Conner who prosecuted this federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald Issues Memorandum on the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Comprehensive Approach in the Fight Against FraudRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division (the Fraud Division) today released Directive 26-13, outlining the Division’s comprehensive approach in the fight against fraud.
Expanding on earlier guidance regarding the Division’s priorities (available here) and corporate enforcement policy (available here), Directive 26-13 sets out the Division’s prosecutorial methodology for investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting fraud. This directive marks a significant operational shift, requiring the Division’s prosecutors to attack fraud from all angles using the Division’s tax, securities fraud, consumer fraud, and cybercrime authorities.
This directive also requires Division prosecutors to deploy early, pre‑indictment asset seizures and digital‑infrastructure takedowns to halt fraud schemes and freeze assets in real time. Finally, this directive urges Division prosecutors to develop practice cooperators, zealously prosecute corporate bad actors, seek arrest and detention in appropriate cases, and deliver fulsome advocacy at sentencing. This new, comprehensive approach will drive the Division forward in its mission to preempt, disrupt, and dismantle fraudulent networks before they can inflict widespread harm.
Read the full memo here.
The Fraud Division has a clear mission: to prosecute fraud in the United States, no matter its size or complexity. This mission is critical to restoring public confidence in the federal government’s ability to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars. The Government Accountability Office recently estimated that the federal government loses between $233 billion to $521 billion annually to fraud — with other models showing even higher annual losses. Accordingly, Fraud Division personnel will work tirelessly to bring to justice individuals and corporations who have defrauded the public fisc, and threaten the health, safety, security, and prosperity of Americans.
The public may contact the Corporate Enforcement Section with information about corporate fraud at [email protected].
Armed drug dealer pleads guilty following Homeland Security Task Force investigationRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gary Fuller, 31, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Between 2021 and January 17, 2024, in Monroe County, Fuller conspired with Timothy Jackson, Jr., Shawnle McClary, Felicia Collins, Shamar Anderson, and others to sell cocaine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. Fuller packaged narcotics for sale, coordinated drop offs of narcotics and pickups of proceeds from the workers at sale locations on Angle Street, and directed the payment of salaries to workers. Fuller and his co-conspirators possessed firearms at their residences and/or drug sale locations on Angle Street to protect themselves, their narcotics and the proceeds of narcotics sales. On January 17, 2024, investigators executed search warrants at numerous locations utilized by Fuller and his co-conspirators to store, process, package, and sell cocaine and fentanyl. During the searches they seized:
- 12 firearms
- approximately$31,800 cash
- 210 grams of fentanyl
- 919 grams of cocaine
- 109 grams of crack cocaine
- 1300 capsules of crack cocaine
- 933 capsules of fentanyl
- drug paraphernalia
- numerous cell phones
- a Rolex watch
- money counter
- 2017 Chevy Tahoe
This investigation was 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. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2027, before Judge Geraci.
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Armed Foley Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison in Homeland Security Task Force CaseRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Foley man was sentenced to 180 months in prison for participating in a methamphetamine-trafficking conspiracy and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
According to court documents, Christopher Charles Rogers, 51, sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant at his trailer in Foley on two occasions in January and February 2025. On February 11, 2025, narcotics agents surveilled Rogers as he drove from Baldwin County to Pensacola, Florida to purchase a new supply of methamphetamine. Agents coordinated with sheriff’s deputies, who conducted a traffic stop of Rogers’s truck on the Foley Beach Express. During the traffic stop, Rogers admitted that he had previously served federal prison time for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Deputies arrested Rogers on warrants relating to his drug sales to the confidential informant. Deputies also searched Rogers’s truck and found 139.18 grams of 99.4% pure methamphetamine in the center console. In a subsequent interview, Rogers confirmed that he had bought the methamphetamine from a supplier in Pensacola for $875 and intended to re-sell it for $175 per ounce. Rogers said he never bought less than four ounces at a time, and sometimes bought up to eight ounces, which he regularly sold to various customers in smaller amounts. Rogers said he had customers waiting on him when deputies arrested him. Rogers further admitted that he had several guns at his trailer, which he allowed deputies to search.
In Rogers’s trailer, agents found additional baggies of methamphetamine and several loaded pistols and rifles. Rogers admitted that he possessed the guns. The total amount of methamphetamine seized from Rogers’s truck and trailer was 161.5 grams.
In August 2026, while on conditions of release pending his sentencing in federal court, Rogers admitted to using methamphetamine twice and had his conditions of release revoked by the court.
In addition to the 180-month prison term, U.S. District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Rogers to serve a five-year supervised release term upon his release from prison, during which time he will be subject to drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Rogers to pay $200 in special assessments and forfeited his firearms to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Laboratory in Long Beach, California substantially assisted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This prosecution was 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 Mobile comprises agents and officers from, among others, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.
Ardmore Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Colin Reece Neher, age 22, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Indictment alleged that beginning in or about February 2022, and continuing until on or about May 21, 2026, Neher knowingly possessed and accessed with intent to view one or more matters which contained visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Neher was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Morgan Muzljakovich and Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
23 Skid Row Drug Dealers Arrested as Part of Homeland Security Task Force Takedown Targeting High-Crime Areas of Los AngelesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Law enforcement today arrested 23 defendants out of a total of 28 individuals, including residents of West Covina and Studio City, charged in federal criminal complaints with trafficking drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, in and around the Skid Row neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles, an area notorious for poverty, homelessness, and drug use.
Today’s Homeland Security Task Force takedown mirrors similar takedowns earlier this year at MacArthur Park, another area of Los Angeles long known for street crime, gang activity, homelessness, and drug addiction. Prosecutors have arrested 24 individuals in those cases.
Among the defendants arrested today as part of the Skid Row action are the following individuals charged with distribution of a controlled substance:
- Rodney Thomas, 55, a.k.a. “Jamaica,” of Los Angeles
- Charles McIntyre, 65, of Los Angeles
- Dwayne Richards, 62, of Los Angeles
- Manuel Vaughns, 52, of West Covina
- Larry Pitre, 70, a.k.a. “Kat Daddy,” of Studio City
- Lionel Nelson, 57, a.k.a. “Popeye,” of Watts
- Tyzarioun Grimsley, 28, of Los Angeles
- Eric Goring, 38, of Los Angeles
- Michael Taylor, 39, of Los Angeles
During the Skid Row investigation, law enforcement searched 20 residences, most of which were outside Skid Row, as well as several tents associated with drug dealing inside Skid Row, and seized firearms and drugs, including suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base, and pills, as well as bulk currency and luxury vehicles.
“Today’s operation targeted drug traffickers who prey on some of the most vulnerable members of the community. They targeted the homeless in Skid Row, kept them addicted on drugs like PCP, and took their public assistance money for payment,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “We will use every lawful tool to dismantle the networks flooding Skid Row with deadly drugs. Those dealing drugs are looking at mandatory prison sentences. This operation is just the beginning. More to come.”
“It would be simple to overlook the crimes of Skid Row and act as if it doesn’t matter… confined to a small area and confined to vulnerable populations. Make no mistake about this operation, these narcotics traffickers are the single largest driver of violent crime in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles,” said Patrick Grandy, the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Our hope is that this effort will make a difference in the communities where these defendants operated, and the lives of law-abiding residents, including our most vulnerable.”
“We have thousands of unsheltered, many battling severe addiction and mental illness, many isolated from family and support. They are the most vulnerable among us. The criminals we arrested today are not low-level dealers,” said David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division. “These traffickers did not hide in the shadows. They operated in plain sight. They used tents, tarps, and makeshift structures as storefronts – as drug distribution centers. They bet if they blended into the suffering around them, law enforcement would drive by, the public would look away, and they would go unnoticed. They bet on our apathy. Today, that bet failed.”
“Violence by local gang members against our vulnerable homeless neighbors will not be tolerated,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper. “ATF will use its firearms and violent crime expertise to hold offenders accountable and protect all of our community members.”
“Drug trafficking organizations thrive on the illicit proceeds generated from poisoning our communities,” said Darren Lian, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. “By following the money, IRS CI can expose the financial infrastructure that allows these criminal networks to operate in places like Skid Row, where vulnerable individuals are exploited precisely because they are easy targets for dealers seeking a profit. Today’s takedown demonstrates our commitment to working with our federal partners to disrupt the financial networks that support fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution in Los Angeles.”
According to court documents, Skid Row is a neighborhood in Los Angeles characterized by high rates of poverty, drug addiction, and homelessness. Many of the homeless in the area are drug users, and Skid Row is a known location to purchase drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine – commonly known as “PCP.”
Drug dealers from across the Los Angeles area travel to Skid Row to prey on the neighborhood’s homeless population and the individuals who live there. Skid Row drug dealers consist of a mixture of members of criminal street gangs and independent operators.
The tactics used by Skid Row drug dealers include dressing like members of the homeless population or social workers in order to blend in with environment and evade detection by law enforcement, using tents and makeshift structures to hide their illicit activities from public view, and stashing or storing a majority of their supply of drugs in nearby vehicles, tents, or makeshift structures, which limits their criminal liability should they encounter law enforcement.
Drug dealers also utilize single-room occupancy (SRO) units and other forms of low-income housing available in the area to store or stash their drug supply. Skid Row drug dealers often use vehicles and residences not registered in their name to elude scrutiny by law enforcement.
Skid Row has a high density of foot traffic from the homeless population that lives there. As a result of the high degree of foot traffic, street-level drug dealers often hide in plain sight and conduct hand-to-hand narcotics transactions in parks, including Gladys Park and San Julian Park. Drug users will walk up to a street-level dealer, pay them $20 or $40, and receive a small user quantity of cocaine, fentanyl, PCP or methamphetamine.
Skid Row drug dealers occupy territory and protect or control their territory through various means, including violence. The territory held by drug dealers ranges in size from single street corners to entire city blocks.
For example, Vaughns is a documented Raymond Avenue Crip gang member who regularly sells inside Gladys Park. Vaughns is associated with residences in Pasadena, California, and West Covina, California, as well as an SRO in Skid Row.
The complaints further allege that the intersection of Fifth and Crocker is controlled by a group of drug dealers all using tents and makeshift structures to sell drugs, including McIntyre, Grimsley, and R. Thomas. According to the complaint, these tents are not used as housing, but instead as a location to store and distribute drugs. Specifically, R. Thomas lived in a high rise in downtown Los Angeles near the Los Angeles Convention Center, and he would drive to his tent at Fifth and Crocker in multiple different luxury vehicles, including a white 2016 Bentley and a black 2022 Mercedes Benz that was later pictured outside of his tent at 5th and Crocker.
Nelson, a Watts-based drug dealer was observed on August 19 selling approximately 34 grams of fentanyl for $60 out of a Mercedes-Benz automobile parked in Skid Row.
Taylor, who also allegedly sold drugs in Skid Row despite living elsewhere, would disguise himself as a transient, wearing dirty clothes to appear disheveled and employing local transients to serve as lookouts for him in return for drugs.
Additionally, the corner of Fifth and San Pedro was known to be used by members of the Pueblo Bishops Bloods gang, who would sell drugs from makeshift tents and tables. In February 2026, LAPD arrested Dent, F. Thomas, and others, after F. Thomas sold cocaine base, and recovered over 100 grams of methamphetamine, over 400 grams of PCP, and a loaded firearm from the vicinity of the tent and F. Thomas’s vehicle, along with a digital scale. Dent and F. Thomas were both arrested as part of today’s operation.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, the defendants would each face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Joint Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Southern California Drug Task Force (SCDTF) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) with significant assistance from the United States Marshals Service (USMS), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General (HUD OIG), the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Pasadena Police Department, the Huntington Park Police Department, the El Segundo Police Department, the Santa Monica Police Department, the Simi Valley Police Department, the West Covina Police Department.
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 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.
Assistant United States Attorneys Barr Benyamin, Chris Bulut, Sebastian Bellm, Max Gordon, and Logan Page of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting these cases.
144 Suspects Arrested Following Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force InvestigationsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS — Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Core 8 launched Operation Loaded Dice in July 2026. This was a strategic investigative initiative focused on disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations, gangs and other criminal networks involved in illicit firearms and narcotics trafficking, as well as bulk cash smuggling, and associated violent crime in the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Over the course of the approximately three-month initiative, HSTF law enforcement authorities arrested 144 suspects, seized 290 firearms, including machine guns, and seized 1,124 kilograms of narcotics and more than $1 million in cash and other assets. These enforcement actions also led to the initiation of 13 HSTF investigations in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
Through intelligence-driven investigations, coordinated enforcement actions, surveillance, controlled purchases and sustained investigative partnerships, the HSTF disrupted multiple criminal organizations operating within the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
The investigations included networks associated with the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, as well as other regional drug trafficking organizations, gangs, and trafficking networks.
“This coordinated operation is a powerful testament to the relentless dedication of our multiagency task force,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “By removing 144 suspects from our streets, we have dealt a decisive blow to the criminal networks attempting to exploit our community and compromise public safety. Our message is clear: If you threaten the security of Nevadans and our guests, Homeland Security and our law enforcement partners will find you, dismantle your operations and bring you to justice.”
“Strong policing requires true partnership, respect, and community trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “By unifying local, state and federal agencies, the HSTF initiative equips law enforcement to tackle crime collectively and save lives.”
“We stand proud of the results achieved by Operation Loaded Dice. This is a vast operation, which has netted more than $1 million in assets, hauled away 290 firearms, and seized 1,100 kilograms of narcotics. Just as significant, we are taking 144 criminals off our streets,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brandon Lesky of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)'s Las Vegas District Office. “Through our whole-of-government approach, we leveraged each agency’s capabilities and relied heavily on sharp collaboration and open communication. The HSTF initiative empowers partners to continue tackling drug trafficking networks. The ultimate goal is to save lives.”
“Through ATF’s participation in Homeland Security Task Forces, or HSTF, we help to disrupt major criminal organizations and criminal activity while working alongside our local, state and federal partners,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Elliott Prose of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)’s San Francisco Field Division. “By combining our resources through joint task forces and shared intelligence, we effectively and efficiently tackle the violent crime that threatens our communities head on. The investigations conducted thus far in the Las Vegas area serve as examples of the steps HSTF has taken and will continue to take when individuals choose to engage in conduct that endangers the wellbeing of our cities. ATF is proud to be a part of HSTF. We will continue to stay focused on our mission and continue to work in lock step with our partners.”
“We, the U.S. Marshals, are proud to stand with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in the Homeland Security Task Force against the criminals who prey on our community,” said U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield for the District of Nevada. “We remain relentless in our pursuit of justice. We know we keep Nevada safe.”
“Operation Loaded Dice demonstrates the impact of a unified law enforcement response to the criminal organizations that endanger our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Erin Burke of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles. “By combining our collective authorities, resources, and expertise, the HSTF is identifying and disrupting the networks responsible for trafficking dangerous narcotics, illegal firearms and illicit proceeds. These results represent meaningful progress in protecting the people of southern Nevada and holding accountable those who threaten public safety.”
“Sheriff Kevin McMahill and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are thankful for the partnerships we share with the Homeland Security Task Force. This strategic initiative highlights the importance of collaboration in keeping our community safe. Every suspect arrested, firearm recovered or case solved makes a significant impact on the well-being of those who live in Las Vegas.”
“Criminal organizations operate beyond jurisdictional boundaries, making collaboration among law enforcement agencies essential,” said North Las Vegas Police Department Assistant Chief Adam Hyde. “The North Las Vegas Police Department remains committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to disrupt these organizations and keep our communities safe."
“The Henderson Police Department relies on strong strategic partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement,” said Henderson Police Chief Reggie Rader. “By sharing resources and intelligence, we're able to target the criminal organizations and keep our communities safe.”
The HSTF was established pursuant President Trump’s Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership focused on eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in the United States and abroad. President Trump vowed to make America safe again and by empowering law enforcement agencies and establishing task forces such as HSTF, he is making our nation safer and stronger.
Through interagency collaboration, the HSTF coordinates the capabilities of U.S. law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate, and prosecute the full range of crimes committed by these organizations, which contribute to violence and instability in communities across the country. The HSTF places particular emphasis on organizations whose criminal activity poses a threat to the safety and security of the United States.
The HSTF also uses all available lawful authorities to investigate and prosecute violent criminal offenders and, where appropriate and consistent with applicable law, support their removal from the United States. HSTF Core 8 consists of special agents, officers, analysts, prosecutors, and support personnel from participating federal, state, local, and regional agencies. Federal prosecutions are coordinated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
Homeland Security Task Force Core 8 includes the following federal partners: ATF; DEA; the Diplomatic Security Service; the Federal Air Marshal Service; the FBI; HSI; IRS; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada; and the U.S. Marshals Service.
State, local and regional partners include the Clark County District Attorney’s Office; the Henderson Police Department; the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; the Mesquite Police Department; the Nevada Gaming Control Board; the Nevada Highway Patrol; the North Las Vegas Police Department; the Nye County Sheriff’s Office; the Reno Police Department; the Sparks Police Department; the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office; and the White Pine County Sheriff’s Office.
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7 October 2026
Yankton Man Sentenced to More Than 2 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Yankton, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on October 5, 2026.
Steven Duncan, 67, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $500 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Duncan was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in March 2026. He pleaded guilty on July 17, 2026.
Duncan was arrested in November 2025 by the Yankton Police Department in possession of a pistol and ammunition. He was prohibited from possessing both the firearm and the ammunition because of a prior felony conviction for Driving Under the Influence, Fifth Offense, in November 2010.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.
Duncan was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Woman Indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Found in Her Suitcases at AirportRead the Press Release
Woman Indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Found in Her Suitcases at Airport
Prosecution Part of Homeland Security Task Force Investigation
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman made her initial appearance in federal court yesterday for allegedly travelling with packages of methamphetamine found in her suitcases at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
“The indictment returned by the federal grand jury underscores our unwavering commitment to keeping lethal narcotics out of our communities and disrupting the supply chains that profit from addiction,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Thanks to the vigilance of our partners at the Transportation Security Administration approximately 50 pounds of methamphetamine were intercepted before they could reach their destination. Airports are hubs for commerce and travel, not conduits for illicit drug trafficking. We will continue to work tirelessly with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute those who attempt to exploit our transportation networks to distribute poison into our neighborhoods."
“Drug traffickers who attempt to use commercial air travel to move dangerous narcotics through Las Vegas will be identified and held accountable,” said Jonathan Sherwin, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, Las Vegas. “The substantial quantity of methamphetamine allegedly concealed in this case posed a serious threat to public safety. Homeland Security Investigations will continue working with our law enforcement partners to stop illicit drugs before they reach our communities.”
According to allegations in the indictment, on July 1, 2026, Tamya Norwood checked two suitcases at the Harry Reid International Airport. During screening, the Transportation Security Administration discovered packages containing nearly 50 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in Norwood’s suitcases.
Norwood is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. A jury trial is scheduled to begin December 14, 2026, before United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is lifetime imprisonment, and the mandatory minimum penalty is 10 years imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Steven Rose is prosecuting the case.
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. The Las Vegas HSTF comprises agents and officers with the FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and Nevada Gaming Control Board with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Wasilla man sentenced to 20 years for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Wasilla man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for possessing child pornography involving young children.
In April 2022, the FBI received information indicating that Paul Greeno, 46, was engaging in inappropriate behavior toward children. In June 2022, during the course of the investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Mr. Greeno’s cell phone and found child sexual abuse material (CSAM), some of which depicted sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.
On August 15, 2024, Greeno was charged by criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of child pornography and was formally indicted by a federal grand jury a week later. On May 5, 2026, Greeno pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
In handing down the sentence, the Court emphasized that child pornography is a scourge on the community, and punishment must be severe enough to deter others from seeking it out.
“Mr. Greeno’s actions, including preying on children, are unforgivable,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “Our office is fully dedicated to keeping Alaska safe for the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community, and we will fully prosecute any individual who decides to engage in such appalling crimes.”
“Mr. Greeno posed a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of our most vulnerable – our children – for his despicable crimes involving possession of CSAM,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Alaska and our children are in a safer place with Mr. Greeno behind bars. Protecting children from those who abuse and exploit them will always be at the forefront of the FBI’s mission.”
The FBI Anchorage Field Office and Anchorage Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alana Weber and Jennifer Ivers prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Case number: 3:24-cr-00095
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Washington, DC Man Sentenced for Role in Multi-State Pharmacy BurglariesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Washington, DC, man received a federal-prison term, today, in connection with a conspiracy to commit burglaries of multiple pharmacies spanning three different states.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher sentenced Deontae Britton, aka Deaundre Blount, to 80 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit pharmacy burglaries. Britton, 33, received the sentence for his role in conspiring to break into 20 different pharmacies throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Marie Maguire, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Cindy Marx, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division.
According to court documents, Britton and his co-conspirators — Harold Dorman, 40, of Chillum, Maryland, and William Sherod, III, 58, of Ft. Washington, Maryland — burglarized the pharmacies, between January 2022, through April 2022, igniting a tri-state, multi-agency law-enforcement investigation. Authorities found that during each burglary, two masked individuals, including Britton, wearing dark clothing, entered the pharmacies after business hours. Sherod, who served as a lookout, parked in a separate vehicle nearby.
At each pharmacy, one individual used a blue pry bar, while the other person utilized a large silver Halligan bar — a forcible entry tool used by firefighters consisting of a claw, blade and tapered pick — to break in. This tactic caused damage to the doors, frames, and locks.
Once inside, the co-conspirators remained in each store for less than two minutes, searching for, and then stealing, controlled substances that they could then unlawfully distribute. The individuals stole controlled substances including Oxycodone HCL, Promethazine-Codeine syrup, Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen, Adderall, Suboxone, and fentanyl patches.
Sherod received a 40-month sentence, along with three years of supervised release, while Dorman’s case is still pending.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FDA, FBI, and DEA, for their work in the investigation, along with the Baltimore County Police Department; Howard County Police Department; Montgomery County Police Department; Ocean City Police Department; Rockville Police Department; Salisbury Police Department; Washington County Police Department; Charles County Sheriff’s Office; Harrisburg Police Department (PA); Mercersburg Police Department (PA); Lower Allen Township Police Department (PA); Albemarle County PD (VA); Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (VA); Harrisonburg Police Department (VA); Louisa County Sheriff’s Office (VA); and Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office (VA) for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim Y. Hagan and Sarah Simpkins who are prosecuting this federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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USAO Eastern North Carolina Sends over $4.5 Million of Federal DOJ Funding to Local Partners Boosting Community Safety and Enhancing Law Enforcement SafetyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina proudly announces that the Department of Justice distributed over $4.5 million in grant funding across the District to boost community safety and reinforce public safety efforts. Our partners will use these funds to support state and local law enforcement agencies and community organizations that work tirelessly every day to reduce violence, prevent crime, and build safer neighborhoods. The funding expands community safety initiatives, including efforts to combat internet crimes against children; strengthen community and hospital‑based violence intervention programs; and enhance services addressing domestic and sexual assault against women. It also enhances law enforcement capabilities by enabling agencies to acquire a state-of-the-art mobile incident command post, robotic vehicles that protect first responders during high‑risk incidents, in‑car camera systems, patrol vehicles, and ballistic helmets and shields — all designed to increase officer safety and help deter, monitor, and investigate criminal activity throughout Eastern North Carolina.
“Our district remains committed to giving our local law enforcement partners the tools they need to protect Eastern North Carolina communities, get criminals off the streets, and reduce violence,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “These grants directly support our folks out there facing danger, boots on the ground, doing the work each and every day. Just as importantly, they allow us to expand community intervention and safety programs that help prevent violence before it occurs. This investment strengthens our partnerships with critical local agencies and community-based organizations working tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
This new funding deepens the District’s longstanding partnerships and broadens the resources available to the agencies and organizations committed to reducing violence and strengthening community safety. Building on this shared commitment, the Department of Justice will provide grant funding to the following recipients:
- NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc. – Durham, NC: $106,581
- NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault – Raleigh, NC: $236,484
- Town of Wendell: $259,000
- Raleigh Boots on the Ground, Inc. – Raleigh, NC: $295,000
- Town of Ahoskie: $606,000
- Onslow County: $682,553
- Cumberland County: $994,593
- NC State Bureau of Investigation: $1,320,496
The Eastern District of North Carolina covers 44 counties and includes big and small cities, rural communities, beaches and waterways, and major military installations. The United States Attorney’s Office serves as the coordinating hub of federal, state, and local law enforcement, enforces federal law, prosecutes criminal offenses, defends the United States in civil matters, and advances community‑focused crime‑prevention efforts. The office works closely with federal, state, and local agencies across the District to promote public safety, protect the Constitution, uphold the rule of law, and support programs that address the causes of crime and strengthen long‑term community well‑being.
A copy of this press release may be found on our website.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon Announces Continued Work of the Government Fraud Task ForceRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—United States Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced the continued work of the District of Oregon’s Government Fraud Task Force, bringing together federal law enforcement agencies and inspectors general to strengthen efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud against government programs and American taxpayers.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted the task force’s most recent meeting on Monday, October 5, attended by federal prosecutors and representatives from participating agencies. The meeting focused on expanding intelligence and data sharing, developing new methods for identifying fraud, prioritizing investigative leads, and ensuring law enforcement resources are directed toward significant fraud schemes.
“Fraud against government programs is theft from the American taxpayer, and we are committed to using every tool available to identify and prosecute those who exploit these programs for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “By bringing our federal, state, and local partners together to share intelligence, prioritize the strongest cases, and strategically deploy investigative resources, we will more effectively detect fraud, hold offenders accountable, and protect taxpayer dollars.”
The agencies joining the Government Fraud Task Force at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon include:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- IRS Criminal Investigation
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- U.S. Office of Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Units
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- U.S. Social Security Administration
Key priorities of the Government Fraud Task Force include:
- Expanding information and data sharing among participating agencies to identify potential fraud schemes;
- Cross-referencing government databases and benefit records to identify suspicious activity and potentially ineligible or fraudulent recipients;
- Prioritizing and ranking fraud leads and referrals so investigative resources can be directed toward the strongest and most significant cases;
- Deploying investigative resources strategically to address fraud leads in areas where agencies may lack sufficient personnel;
- Using data analytics and financial investigative tools to identify unusual billing, benefit, grant, and contracting activity; and
- Conducting annual reviews to evaluate the task force’s impact and identify opportunities to strengthen fraud enforcement.
The Government Fraud Task Force focuses on fraud affecting federal programs and taxpayer dollars, including health care fraud, government benefits fraud, Small Business Administration loan fraud, Social Security fraud, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud, trade fraud, and student aid fraud.
Participating agencies are also working together to investigate suspicious financial activity, False Claims Act referrals, and government claims data; and identifying connections between government beneficiaries and other law enforcement and government records.
These efforts support the U.S. Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative, and creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”), to enhance coordination among federal agencies and strengthen the government’s ability to detect and prosecute fraud.
Federal prosecutors and representatives of federal law enforcement agencies in the Government Fraud Task Force attended the October 5, 2026, meeting at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Obtains Civil and Criminal Judgments to Recover more than $8 Million for Crime Victims and Taxpayers During the 2026 Federal Fiscal YearRead the Press Release
CONCORD – During the federal fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire obtained both civil and criminal judgments to recover more than $8.3 million in funds for crime victims and taxpayers, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
“While we seek to impose penalties on criminals through convictions and prison sentences, both the criminal and civil divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire are also hard at work every day seeking financial accountability for bad actors who commit crimes and defraud the public,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “These judgments show in real terms that crime and fraud hurt all of us, and they do not pay. Seeking and obtaining these financial judgments fulfills one of our primary responsibilities in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which is to recover dollars for the public fisc, especially those illegitimately gained through unlawful means.”
Specifically, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire obtained civil judgments totaling $1,500,000.00, and criminal judgments totaling $6,812,837.21. Civil judgments represent amounts owed to the United States arising from civil penalties, debts to federal agencies, and other monetary obligations, while criminal judgments may include restitution owed to victims, criminal fines, and other court-ordered monetary penalties.
Total collections during FY 2026 for all outstanding civil and criminal judgments in the district amounted to $5,542,260.87. These funds were recovered in part through the efforts of the office’s Financial Litigation Program. The Financial Litigation Program actively monitors cases in which restitution, criminal fines, and civil penalties have been ordered to identify available assets and potential sources of recovery and to maximize collections on behalf of the United States and victims of crime. These recoveries were achieved through a combination of voluntary payments and federal collection and enforcement mechanisms, including the Treasury Offset Program, Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Financial Responsibility Program, agency offsets of federal benefits, and enforcement actions such as wage or bank garnishments.
U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis Announces RetirementRead the Press Release
Boise – United States Attorney Bart M. Davis has announced his retirement effective October 17, 2026.
“I am unable to overstate the privilege it has been to work with the dedicated and remarkable women and men of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. These great lawyers and support staff faithfully enforce the law, work to keep Idaho and our country safe, support our law enforcement partners, and protect the civil rights of others. I am proud of the work they do every day.”
Davis was nominated by President Donald J. Trump on March 31, 2025, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 7, 2025. Mr. Davis served as the United States Attorney for the District of Idaho from September 21, 2017, to February 28, 2021, under President Trump’s first term.
As U.S. Attorney, Davis served as the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the state of Idaho, having prosecutorial responsibility over 44 counties in Idaho, encompassing more than 83,000 square miles and a population of nearly 1.5 million people. He led three staffed offices located in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Pocatello with 65 employees, including 33 attorneys. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to immigration, terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
Under U.S. Attorney Davis’s leadership, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho filed 298 criminal cases, charging 337 defendants, in the past year. This included approximately 103 drug trafficking cases, 89 violent crime cases, 69 immigration cases, and 22 fraud cases. Notable cases include the trial conviction and 30 year sentence of Juan Carlos Delfin for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/methamphetamine-trafficker-sentenced-30-years-federal-prison), the trial conviction and 5 year prison sentence for an unknown man who committed identity theft, wire fraud, and theft of government funds (https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/unknown-man-sentenced-five-years-prison-using-identity-deceased-child-25-years-obtain), and the 210 month sentence of Shone Jem Bache for sexual abuse of a child (https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/fort-hall-man-sentenced-175-years-federal-prison-sexually-abusing-child). Additional significant charges and convictions can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr. Additionally, the office filed or defended 355 civil cases during his tenure and collected $9.2 million dollars in money owed to the government from civil and criminal judgments.
During his second term as U.S. Attorney, Davis hired 12 federal employees, including six Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) and one Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA). During his first term, Davis hired 26 federal employees, including ten AUSAs and four SAUSAs. More than half of the current employees in the office were hired by Davis during his two terms.
“I continue to be grateful to Senator Michael D. Crapo and Senator James E. Risch for their continued confidence and trust. And I am particularly grateful to President Donald J. Trump for the opportunity to return as Idaho’s U.S. Attorney.”
Mr. Davis was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, and was raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he began his legal practice focusing on commercial, regulatory, and transactional work. He also served in the Idaho State Senate for 19 years, including as Majority Leader for 15 years, and was a member of the Judiciary and Rules and the State Affairs committees. He represented Idaho as a commissioner to the Uniform Law Commission and is past chairman of The Council of State Governments. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1978 and from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1980. Mr. Davis recently celebrated his 50-year wedding anniversary with his wife, Marion. Together they have six children and 14 grandchildren.
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Two South Georgia Residents Face Life in Prison for Meth DistributionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – Two South Georgia residents are facing up to life in federal prison after admitting to distributing methamphetamine in the Valdosta, Georgia, community.
“Repeat felons who continue distributing deadly, addictive illegal drugs in the Middle District of Georgia will face federal prosecution, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “We are working closely with our law enforcement partners at every level to identify these cases, and hold repeat offenders accountable.”
“The investigators in this case did an excellent job, and their dedication helps protect the citizens of Lowndes County,” said Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk. “We are grateful for the strong partnership we share with our federal, state, and local partners, which strengthens our efforts to keep this community safe.”
Melissa Lynn James, 41, of Naylor, Georgia, pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, and Ryan Daniel Williams, 28, also of Naylor, pleaded guilty on Oct. 6, both to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands. James and Williams face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, up to a maximum sentence of life in prison, to be followed by at least five years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10 million. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office investigator received a tip from a concerned citizen in November 2025 that Williams was distributing methamphetamine in the community. Williams, who has prior state convictions for methamphetamine possession, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and burglary, was a fugitive at the time, wanted for a probation violation out of Glynn County, Georgia. Investigators conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Williams and James on Nov. 4, 2025, at the Big Foot Truck Stop on West Hill Avenue in Lowndes County. Williams attempted to flee when officers approached, throwing a bag containing 11 grams of methamphetamine, but he was quickly apprehended. James, who was in the passenger seat of the car, moved into the driver’s seat but stopped when ordered by deputies.
During a search of the car, officers found four plastic baggies containing a total of 81 grams of methamphetamine, along with a digital scale with methamphetamine residue, and James’s iPhone. A lawful search of James’s home, where Williams was staying, recovered additional methamphetamine, including two zip-lock bags in James’s bedroom containing approximately 854 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale with methamphetamine residue, and a glass smoking pipe. In addition, officers found 151 grams of methamphetamine in plain view on the kitchen counter. Investigators also recovered text conversations on James’s iPhone between James and individuals seeking to purchase methamphetamine.
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 Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office for the Southern Judicial Circuit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Two Persons Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Methamphetamine with the Intention of Distributing the Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Fort Thompson woman and a Lower Brule man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Aiding and Abetting.
Dalton Erickson, age 29, pleaded guilty on June 9, 2026. He was sentenced on September 21, 2026, to six years and six months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Logan Marks, age 29, pleaded guilty on July 2, 2026. She was sentenced on October 5, 2026, to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Erickson and Marks were indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2025.
These convictions stem from a traffic stop on March 12, 2024, within the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation. Erickson was the driver and Marks was a passenger in the vehicle pulled over by law enforcement. A drug-sniffing dog detected a telltale scent inside the car. Officers searched the vehicle and located 97.4 grams of pure methamphetamine. Erickson and Marks had hidden the drugs in the engine compartment of the vehicle.
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).
This case was investigated by the BIA and FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.
Erickson and Marks were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Two Men Who Conspired to Distribute Fentanyl That Proved Deadly Each Sentenced to at Least 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—The two men responsible for distributing fentanyl to an individual who later died will now spend decades in federal prison. Today, Erick Williams, 49, of Pine Bluff, was sentenced to 240 months, or 20 years, in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Earlier, Cortell Randolph, 48, of North Little Rock, the man who provided the fentanyl directly to the victim, was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison, also followed by three years of supervised release. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentences, which were both handed down by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker. There is no parole in the federal system.
A federal grand jury indicted Williams and Randolph on August 1, 2023, in the three-count Indictment that involved a fentanyl conspiracy that resulted in the death of an individual identified in court documents as A.M. In addition to the conspiracy count that charged both defendants, Randolph was also charged with the actual distribution of fentanyl that resulted in the death and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Randolph pleaded guilty to distributing the fentanyl that resulted in A.M.’s death and was sentenced to more than 24 years on June 27, 2024. Williams subsequently pleaded guilty to the fentanyl conspiracy charge on November 7, 2025, and was sentenced today.
Following the overdose death of A.M. at a hotel in Little Rock on June 28, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. The investigation revealed that while at a drug rehab facility, A.M. received the phone number for Randolph from an associate who knew that Randolph sold fentanyl. During the evening of June 27, 2023, Randolph sold fentanyl to A.M., who used it and died as a result.
The following day, law enforcement apprehended Randolph when he arrived at the same hotel intending to sell more fentanyl. Randolph had fentanyl and scales in his possession. After Randolph was taken into custody, officers learned that Randolph had been obtaining fentanyl from Williams, including the fentanyl that Randolph sold to A.M. The DEA and LRPD then determined that Williams was staying at a different hotel in Little Rock and took him into custody at that hotel when he exited his room. Williams also had fentanyl in his possession when arrested.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Givens.
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Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
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@USAO_EDAR
Two Men Indicted for Drug Conspiracy and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON –Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to distribute fentanyl in Worcester County.
Richard Molina-Ovalle, 36, of Worcester and Jose Molina-Ovalle, 27, a Dominican national unlawfully residing in Worcester, were charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and related charges. Jose Molina-Ovalle was also charged with being an Alien in Possession of Firearms and Illegal Reentry of an Alien among other offenses.
Richard Molina-Ovalle was previously arrested and charged in September 2026 and was released on conditions. He is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Boston on Oct. 13, 2026. Jose Molina-Ovalle was arrested in the Bahamas on Sept. 24, 2026.
According to the charging documents, on Sept. 10, 2026, Richard Molina-Ovalle was observed outside of an alleged co-conspirator’s residence in Leominster, with more than 400 grams of fentanyl in his vehicle. Approximately 31 grams of fentanyl, in addition to drug packaging materials were allegedly seized from Richard Molina-Ovalle’s apartment in Worcester during a subsequent search.
Jose Molina-Ovalle allegedly served as Richard Molina-Ovalle’s drug supplier. It is further alleged that a search of Jose Molina-Ovalle’s residence in Worcester resulted in the recovery of approximately 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of cocaine, cutting agents, a large amount of U.S. currency, scales, blenders and drug packaging materials. Numerous firearms were also allegedly seized from Jose Molina-Ovalle’s residence, including: a Glock 21 .45 caliber pistol; a Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol; a Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol; a 12-gauge shotgun; and an Anderson Arms AR-15 rifle.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of no less than 10 years in prison and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Leominster, Fitchburg, Clinton, Worcester, Gardner, Lunenberg, Webster, Holden and the Millbury Police Departments; the Massachusetts National Guard; and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
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 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 Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
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.
Two Individuals Extradited from Costa Rica and Charged with Distributing Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Importation into the United StatesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Farid Alberto Morales Araya (40, Costa Rica) and Jose Franklin Cuesta (44, Colombia) have been charged by an indictment with conspiracy to distribute, distribution of, and attempted distribution of methamphetamine for the purpose of unlawful importation into the United States. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, from approximately May 2 through May 5, 2025, in the country of Costa Rica and elsewhere, Araya and Cuesta, who were first brought into the United States in the Middle District of Florida, conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for its eventual importation to the United States. Both were extradited from Costa Rica to the United States on October 1, 2026.
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, the Nassau County Sherriff’s Office, and the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security Sensitive Investigative Unit. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney. The Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division worked with authorities in Costa Rica to secure the arrest and extradition of the defendants.
Trumbull Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Amazon of More Than $3.5 MillionRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AMEER NASIR, 25, of Trumbull, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for defrauding Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”) of more than $3.5 million.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Amazon Logistics, an Amazon subsidiary, contracts with various interstate trucking businesses to transport both empty trailers and trailers containing heavy loads of freight between cities and between warehouses and fulfillment centers operated by Amazon. Nasir registered 23 trucking businesses with Amazon Logistics. One of the accounts was created in the name of Nasir’s business, Pak Express Transport, LLC, and others were created under false names or by fraudulently using the names and identifying information of other trucking or transportation companies without the knowledge of the operators of those companies. Between approximately December 2019 and February 2021, Nasir used these accounts to sign up for more than 1,000 transportation assignments with Amazon Logistics, manipulated information in Amazon Logistics’ transportation management system to misrepresent that he had completed trailer movements when he had not, and submitted fraudulent invoices to Amazon Logistics that were subsequently paid. Through this scheme, Nasir defrauded Amazon of more than $3.5 million.
Nasir was arrested on May 8, 2025. On March 6, 2026, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
Judge Dooley ordered Nasir to pay restitution of $3,547,090.93.
Nasir, who is released on a $300,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 12.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Amazon. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena L. Coronado.
Three men sentenced to prison for scheme to smuggle firearms to HondurasRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two Honduran nationals were sentenced to prison today for attempting to smuggle firearms from the United States to Honduras. A co-conspirator was sentenced previously.
According to court documents, in August 2024, Jesuan Johan Solano Canales, 26, a fraudulently naturalized U.S. citizen, and his cousin Elder Adrian Mejia Canales, 29, a Honduran national with permanent resident alien status, asked Pablo Ricardo Vallejo, 43, to send a box to Honduras for them because, as they explained, the shipper they used previously would not let them send any boxes because they had sent too many recently. Vallejo agreed, and Jesuan Canales and Elder Canales provided the box and the destination address in Honduras to Vallejo and paid for the shipment.
Vallejo arranged shipping through a common carrier. Vallejo completed a shipping manifest, declaring falsely that the box contained an alternator, clothes, and shoes while omitting that the box contained firearms. When asked for identification, Vallejo presented a false U.S. permanent resident card. The carrier business owners inspected the contents of the box and discovered four firearms inside a fan, concealed to avoid detection prior to exportation. The carrier contacted law enforcement, who took custody of the firearms.
On Feb. 25, 2025, law enforcement searched Vallejo’s residence and seized the false U.S. permanent resident card.
On April 21, law enforcement arrested Jesuan Canales and Elder Canales and searched their residence. During the search, investigators seized over two dozen firearms including an unregistered rifle with a 10.5-inch barrel.
On May 18, 2024, Jesuan Canales made a false statement under oath in his Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, when he responded in the negative to the question, “Have you EVER committed, agreed to commit, asked someone else to commit, helped commit, or tried to commit a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?” Prior to receiving his Certificate of Naturalization, on Sept. 21, 2024, Jesuan Canales completed a Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, in which he responded in the negative to the question, “Since your interview, have you committed any crime or offense, for which you have not been arrested?’ Jesuan Canales knew these statements were false as he had been conspiring to unlawfully export firearms from the United States.
Jesuan Canales pled guilty on July 8 to attempted smuggling and naturalization fraud. He was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in prison and his fraudulently obtained naturalization was removed.
Elder Canales pled guilty on July 1 to attempted smuggling. He was sentenced today to a year and six months in prison.
Vallejo pled guilty on Aug. 7, 2025, to attempted smuggling and immigration document fraud. He was sentenced on Feb. 26 to two years in prison.
Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Walutes, Jr., prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-89.
Three Charged with Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Three individuals have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Worcester County.
Zachary Riley, 30, of Leominster; Danielly Mancilla, 35, of Leominster; and Richard Molina-Ovalle, 36, of Worcester were charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Following initial appearances in federal court in Boston on Sept. 11, 2026, Riley was ordered detained and Mancilla and Molina-Ovalle were released on conditions.
According to the charging documents, Riley and Mancilla sold fentanyl to a confidential informant on several occasions beginning in July of 2026. It was determined that Riley and Mancilla were allegedly supplied the controlled substances by Molina-Ovalle. On Sept. 10, 2026, Riley, Mancilla and Molina-Ovalle were located outside of Riley’s residence in Leominster. At the time, Molina-Ovalle allegedly had more than 400 grams of fentanyl in his vehicle. During a search of Riley’s apartment in Leominster, approximately 42 grams of fentanyl and 60 grams of cocaine was seized. A search of Molina-Ovalle’s apartment in Worcester resulted in the seizure of approximately 31 grams of fentanyl in addition to drug packaging materials.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Leominster, Fitchburg, Clinton, Worcester, Gardner, Lunenberg, Webster, Holden and the Millbury Police Departments, the Massachusetts National Guard and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
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 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 Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.