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10 August 2026
Wyoming County man going to prison for transportation of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Shayne M. Hildreth, 46, of Bliss, NY, who was convicted of transportation of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 117 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 60 months of his federal sentence will be served consecutive to a sentence he received in New York State Court after being convicted in Wyoming County following a jury trial of use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony, unlawful surveillance in the second degree, criminal sexual act in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child.
On February 24, 2018, a 15-year-old minor victim disclosed that she had been sexually abused by Hildreth and that she had seen child pornography on his cell phone. She reported that Hildreth was traveling from the Western District of New York to Aurora, MO. During an encounter with Hildreth later that day, law enforcement seized his cell phone. A search of the cell phone located 12 images of child pornography. Hildreth had engaged in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor, which involved sexual contact on two separate occasions.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Douglas A. C. Penrose. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Aurora-Marionville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Wes Coatney, Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. Additional assistance was provided by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office.
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West Virginia Convicted Felony Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Receipt of over 50 Gigabytes of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Justin L. Wiegand, 34, of Kenova, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today to receipt of child pornography.
“Sexual exploitation of children is one of the worst and most damaging crimes in our country,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Those who participate in these crimes damage lives, rob innocence, and create emotional wounds that last a lifetime. Whether you produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM), distribute it, or access it via subscriptions to messaging apps, we will find and prosecute you subject to mandatory minimum penalties, as in the case of this repeat offender.”
“This predator admitted to continuing his horrific crimes against children even while serving a sentence for statutory rape,” said U.S. Attorney Moore Capito for the Southern District of West Virginia. “Our office remains steadfast and unrelenting, working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our children and communities from such heinous and abhorrent offenses.”
“This case demonstrates how DSS leverages its global footprint to protect vulnerable victims and works with law enforcement partners on complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations,” said Deputy Assistant Director William Ferrari of the Office of Investigations for the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). “Every day, DSS works alongside U.S. and international partners to investigate cases like this, protect victims, and safeguard U.S. interests at home and abroad.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2023, Wiegand contacted a user on an instant messaging app who provided Wiegand with options for purchasing videos and links to files depicting CSAM. The options included “Cp,” “Kids,” and “Young Girls.” As part of his guilty plea, Wiegand admitted that he ordered a package from the Young Girls and Kids options that included approximately 160 videos and links to four folders on an online file hosting service containing over 50 gigabytes of CSAM. Wiegand further admitted that the videos sent to him depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including adult males having sexual intercourse with prepubescent females. Wiegand paid the messaging app user $25 for the package via an online payments system. At the user’s direction, Wiegand messaged a different messaging app account that provided Wiegand with the videos and online links he purchased.
Wiegand purchased CSAM from the same and other messaging app users on at least eight other occasions between December 2023 and January 2025. Wiegand requested such content as “young girls cp” and asked if the user had rape videos during these transactions. Wiegand also set up a hidden camera in a bathroom at his residence and recorded a video of an approximately 10-year-old girl undressing until she was nude and taking a shower. The video was saved on one of Wiegand’s cell phones no later than July 29, 2025. Wiegand possessed numerous images and videos of CSAM on his cell phones, including depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual intercourse and oral sex with adults. Wiegand saved some of these images and videos using a private cloud storage service, including at least two images depicting an approximately 14-year-old girl displaying her nude genital area.
Wiegand was previously convicted of two counts of third-degree sexual assault in Wayne County Circuit Court on May 5, 2023. As part of today’s guilty plea, Wiegand admitted that his victim in that case is the approximately 14-year-old girl depicted in the CSAM on the private cloud storage service. Wiegard also admitted that he was serving a term of home confinement for those convictions at the time of his current offense.
Wiegand is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 23 and faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
DSS investigated the case with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the West Virginia State Police.
Trial Attorney Kaylynn Foulon of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald for the Southern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Wayne County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Justin L. Wiegand, 34, of Kenova, pleaded guilty today to receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2023, Wiegand contacted a user on an instant messaging app who provided Wiegand with options for purchasing videos and links to files depicting child pornography. The options included “Cp,” “Kids,” and “Young Girls.” As part of his guilty plea, Wiegand admitted that he ordered a package from the Young Girls and Kids options that included approximately 160 videos and links to four folders on an online file hosting service containing over 50 gigabytes of child pornography. Wiegand further admitted that the videos sent to him depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including adult males having sexual intercourse with prepubescent females. Wiegand paid the messaging app user $25 for the package via an online payments system. At the user’s direction, Wiegand messaged a different messaging app account that provided Wiegand with the videos and online links he purchased.
Wiegand also admitted to additional criminal conduct as part of his guilty plea. Wiegand purchased child pornography from the same and other messaging app users on at least eight other occasions between December 2023 and January 2025. Wiegand requested such content as “young girls cp” and asked if the user had rape videos during these transactions. Wiegand also set up a hidden camera in a bathroom at his residence and recorded a video of an approximately 10-year-old girl undressing until she was nude and taking a shower. The video was saved on one of Wiegand’s cell phones no later than July 29, 2025. Wiegand possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on his cell phones, including depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual intercourse and oral sex with adults. Wiegand saved some of these images and videos using a private cloud storage service, including at least two images depicting an approximately 14-year-old girl displaying her nude genital area.
Wiegand was previously convicted of two counts of third-degree sexual assault in Wayne County Circuit Court on May 5, 2023. As part of today’s guilty plea, Wiegand admitted that his victim in that case is the approximately 14-year-old girl depicted in the child pornography on the private cloud storage service. Wiegard also admitted that he was serving a term of home confinement for those convictions at the time of his current offense.
Wiegand is scheduled to be sentenced on November 23, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of 17 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement. The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) investigated the case with assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the West Virginia State Police.
“Sexual exploitation of children is one of the worst and most damaging crimes in our country,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Those who participate in these crimes damage lives, rob innocence, and create emotional wounds that last a lifetime. Whether you produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM), distribute it, or access it via subscriptions to messaging apps, we will find and prosecute you subject to mandatory minimum penalties, as in the case of this repeat offender.”
“This predator admitted to continuing his horrific crimes against children even while serving a sentence for statutory rape,” said United States Attorney Moore Capito. “Our office remains steadfast and unrelenting, working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our children and communities from such heinous and abhorrent offenses.”
“This case demonstrates how DSS leverages its global footprint to protect vulnerable victims and work with law enforcement partners on complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations,” said William Ferrari, Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Investigations for the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). “Every day, DSS works alongside U.S. and international partners to investigate cases like this, protect victims, and safeguard U.S. interests at home and abroad.”
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald and Trial Attorney Kaylynn Foulon of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-197.
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Wasilla man charged with making threats, stalking Michigan public officialRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment last month charging a Wasilla man with making threats in interstate commerce and stalking.
According to court documents, between Sept. 18 and 23, 2025, James Lawhorn, 54, allegedly sent communications on Facebook to multiple accounts, on a city website, and by telephone that contained threats to injure and murder the mayor of a city in Michigan. Some messages included:
- “We must get this scum out of our country now. Put a bullet in this mf’s head now.”
- “This mayor needs to be killed now…. Hang him and all his family now. He is not safe on the streets anymore.”
- “All Muslims must now die in America because of this fucking fag. No sleep until he is in the dirt along with all his scum family and friends and Muslims.”
In total, Lawhorn sent more than 20 threatening messages. The messages contained violent rhetoric and threats of assassination, including via hanging and firing squad.
Lawhorn is charged with seven counts of making threats in interstate commerce and one count of stalking. The defendant made his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Anchorage Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Steward is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay over $46M to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability for Kickback SchemesRead the Press Release
Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Veloxis), a drug manufacturer based in Cary, North Carolina, has agreed to pay over $46 million to resolve criminal and civil allegations that it paid kickbacks to induce prescriptions and purchases of Envarsus XR (Envarsus), a kidney transplant immunosuppression drug.
As part of the government’s resolution with Veloxis, the company entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Massachusetts charging Veloxis with conspiracy to commit violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute by paying for, among other things, lavish meals, alcohol, and luxury resort stays, to induce healthcare providers to recommend or prescribe Envarsus. As part of the DPA, Veloxis has agreed to pay a criminal penalty of more than $10 million.
“Today’s resolution should serve as a warning to any healthcare company that tries to improperly influence the decisions of healthcare providers,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Kickbacks can erode medical decision-making, result in unnecessary prescriptions of branded drugs, and waste federal healthcare funds.”
“Attempting to improperly influence medical decision-making for financial gain is dangerous, yet it is exactly what Veloxis was doing. Instead of prioritizing patient safety, they were prioritizing profits,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “Treatment decisions need to be based on what’s best for the patient, not what’s best for the drug manufacturer’s bottom line, or what lavish meal or resort stay they can offer. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of taxpayer-funded health care programs. Drug manufacturers should know that the federal government will use all available enforcement mechanisms to stop the payment of illegal health care kickbacks.”
“Today’s settlement resolves allegations that Veloxis operated with a principal focus on sales, providing kickbacks in the form of luxury resort stays, lavish meals, and payments to induce health care professionals to recommend and prescribe its kidney transplant immunosuppression drug,” said Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks of the FBI Boston Field Office. “It’s harmful when pharmaceutical companies prioritize profits over patients. Just know that the FBI and our partners are committed to fighting health care offenses, one case at a time, and seeing perpetrators held accountable.”
“Kickbacks that distort medical decision making put patients at risk and undermine trust in our health care system,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L. Bennett of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Veloxis used lavish perks and concealed payments to push its drug, and today’s resolution makes clear that this conduct will not be tolerated. HHS OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect patients, uphold the integrity of federal health care programs, and hold companies accountable when they violate the law.”
Today’s resolution also includes a civil settlement of allegations that Veloxis caused the submission of false claims to federal healthcare programs by paying kickbacks to hospital personnel and specialty pharmacies, in violation of the False Claims Act. Veloxis has agreed to pay $34.45 million to the United States and certain states to resolve those civil allegations. In addition, Veloxis agreed to pay a $1.55 million civil penalty to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to resolve allegations that Veloxis knowingly failed to report to CMS certain payments to physicians under the Open Payments Program (also known as the “Sunshine Act”). This is the largest Sunshine Act recovery since the law was passed in 2010.
As part of the criminal resolution and the Corporate Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Veloxis has agreed to implement a significant corporate compliance program, including adoption of an enhanced system of policies, procedures, and internal controls designed to deter and detect violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and implementation of enhanced oversight, reporting, and enforcement mechanisms.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded healthcare programs. It seeks to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients. Similarly, Congress created the Open Payments Program to provide greater transparency and protection to consumers by requiring drug manufacturers and others to publicly disclose certain payments and other transfers of value to physicians, with the goal of discouraging the development of inappropriate relationships and potentially unnecessary healthcare costs that can arise from such conflicts.
Veloxis’ Criminal Liability for Conspiring to Pay Kickbacks
According to admissions and court documents filed in the District of Massachusetts, from October 2016 and continuing through in or around June 2023, Veloxis and its employees engaged in a scheme to pay kickbacks to transplant health care providers (HCPs) to induce them to prescribe, order, or recommend or arrange for prescribing or ordering Envarsus for kidney transplant recipients. During the relevant time, Veloxis manufactured and sold a single drug, Envarsus, for use as an immunosuppressant in adult kidney transplant recipients. Envarsus, a drug taken once a day for the life of the kidney transplant recipient, competed against the generic form of the same drug, which was taken only once a day. To gain market share for Envarsus against a cheaper generic drug, Veloxis engaged in an aggressive marketing strategy pursuant to which it promoted Envarsus to HCPs at and tied to transplant centers and hospitals who could influence the placement of Envarsus on the formulary and/or protocol of their respective facilities.
These marketing efforts included various tactics that violated the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, including but not limited to: taking HCPs and at times, their spouses or guests, to lavish dinners and on expensive trips and retreats under the guise of “advisory boards,” providing gifts and expensive alcohol to HCPs, and making purported consulting payments to HCPs for work that was not actually performed. In many of these instances, Veloxis employees submitted falsified company expense reports to conceal their illegal marketing efforts, including by falsely adding names to the list of attendees at dinners and events (to decrease the apparent cost per attendee of the meals) and omitting the names of physicians who attended the meals (to avoid Sunshine Act reporting requirements). This false reporting resulted in Veloxis’ failure to properly report the sums it paid to physicians, which further obscured its illegal activities.
Veloxis admitted that it intended the improper remuneration it provided to HCPs to result in increased Envarsus prescriptions, as demonstrated, in part, by communications between Veloxis employees and certain HCPs. For example, in connection with a surgeon’s request to attend a speaker program, a Veloxis employee told the surgeon that the Veloxis employee “need[ed] scripts. Lots of them.” Several months earlier, the Veloxis employee had told the surgeon that he was “over Sales” and needed the surgeon “more than ever,” and instructed the surgeon that it was “[t]ime to open your Rolodex and make things happen.” The statement of facts filed with the DPA today details additional examples of Veloxis’ kickbacks and related efforts to disguise and conceal its unlawful conduct.
Veloxis’ Civil Liability for False Claims to Federal Healthcare Programs
The resolution announced today also resolves allegations that Veloxis violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing the submission of claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE for Envarsus prescriptions written by HCPs or filled by pharmacies to which Veloxis had knowingly and willfully paid kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. In connection with the civil settlement agreement, Veloxis admitted that from 2016 to 2023, it paid kickbacks to HCPs in the form of lavish meals, alcoholic beverages, expensive trips, resort stays, gifts, and purported consulting fees to induce prescriptions of Envarsus. Veloxis admitted that it concealed those kickbacks by falsifying company expense reports and business records as to the recipients, amounts, and purpose of the payments; and creating consulting agreements for purported consulting work that was not actually performed.
With respect to Veloxis’ obligation to report physician payments under CMS’s Open Payments Program, Veloxis admitted that because its reports to CMS were based on falsified expense reports, Veloxis underreported, or failed to report, the true amounts of its payments or transfers of value to those physicians.
In addition, Veloxis admitted that from 2017 to 2023, it paid kickbacks to specialty pharmacies in the form of per-patient and per-month payments to induce those pharmacies to begin or continue purchasing Envarsus instead of competitor drugs, including a cheaper generic drug. Veloxis admitted that it disguised the unlawful purpose of the kickback payments to the pharmacies by falsely describing the payments in written contracts as being for “enhanced services” such as data collection or adherence services. In fact, Veloxis admitted that it paid the pharmacies regardless of whether they provided any data, provided the specified data fields, or provided the data in the specified format, and without confirming whether any adherence services were provided.
Under the civil settlement agreement, Veloxis will pay $21,211,251 to the United States to resolve the False Claims Act allegations and an additional $13,238,749 to certain States for claims settled by certain State Medicaid programs. Veloxis also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1.55 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly failed to report the amounts of its payments to physicians under the CMS’s Open Payments Program. In connection with the civil settlement, Veloxis entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the HHS-OIG. The CIA requires, among other compliance provisions, that Veloxis implement a compliance program to identify and address the Anti-Kickback Statute risks associated with other financial arrangements and retain an independent compliance expert to perform a review of the effectiveness of the compliance program.
Veloxis received credit under the Department of Justice’s guidelines for accounting for disclosure, cooperation, and remediation in False Claims Act cases. Among other things, Veloxis admitted liability and accepted responsibility for the misconduct, proactively disclosed inculpatory evidence not known to the government, and facilitated interviews with current and former employees and the collection of evidence from third parties. Veloxis also received credit for taking timely and remedial measures, including terminating employees responsible for the misconduct, updating and revising policies and procedures related to the Anti-Kickback Statute, adopting enhanced training, reporting, compliance, disciplinary, and internal investigations programs, and terminating agreements and relationships with third parties involved in the offense conduct.
The claims resolved in today’s settlement include certain claims that were brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Toulsor1, Inc. v. Veloxis Pharmaceuticals A/S, et al., No. 1:20-cv-11575 (D. Mass.).
The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The criminal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie A. Wright and Christopher R. Looney for the District of Massachusetts. The civil investigation and resolution were handled by Assistant Director Christopher Terranova of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven T. Sharobem and Lindsey E. Weinstein for the District of Massachusetts. The FBI, HHS-OIG, DCIS, Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay $46 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability for Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Veloxis), a drug manufacturer based in Cary, N.C., has agreed to pay over $46 million to resolve criminal and civil allegations that it paid kickbacks to induce prescriptions and purchases of Envarsus XR (Envarsus), the company’s kidney transplant immunosuppression drug.
As part of the government’s resolution with Veloxis, the company entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Massachusetts charging Veloxis with conspiracy to commit violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute by paying for, among other things, lavish meals, alcohol and luxury resort stays, to induce health care professionals to recommend or prescribe Envarsus. As part of the DPA, Veloxis has agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $10.04 million. Today’s resolution also includes a civil settlement to resolve allegations that Veloxis caused the submission of false claims to federal health care programs by paying kickbacks to hospital personnel and specialty pharmacies, in violation of the False Claims Act. Veloxis has agreed to pay $34.45 million to the United States and certain States as part of the civil settlement. In addition, Veloxis has agreed to pay a $1.55 million civil penalty to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to resolve allegations that Veloxis knowingly failed to report to CMS certain payments to physicians under the Open Payments Program (a/k/a the “Sunshine Act”). This is the largest Sunshine Act recovery since the law was passed in 2010.
“Attempting to improperly influence medical decision-making for financial gain is dangerous, yet it is exactly what Veloxis was doing. Instead of prioritizing patient safety, they were prioritizing profits,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Treatment decisions need to be based on what’s best for the patient, not what’s best for the drug manufacturer’s bottom line, or what lavish meal or resort stay they can offer. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of taxpayer-funded health care programs. Drug manufacturers should know that the federal government will use all available enforcement mechanisms to stop the payment of illegal health care kickbacks.”
“Today’s resolution should serve as a warning to any healthcare company that tries to improperly influence the decisions of healthcare providers,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Kickbacks can erode medical decision making, result in unnecessary prescriptions of branded drugs, and waste federal healthcare funds.”
“Today’s settlement resolves allegations that Veloxis operated with a principal focus on sales, providing kickbacks in the form of luxury resort stays, lavish meals, and payments to induce health care professionals to recommend and prescribe its kidney transplant immunosuppression drug,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “It’s harmful when pharmaceutical companies prioritize profits over patients. Just know that the FBI and our partners are committed to fighting health care offenses, one case at a time, and seeing perpetrators held accountable.”
“Kickbacks that distort medical decision making put patients at risk and undermine trust in our health care system,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L. Bennett of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). “Veloxis used lavish perks and concealed payments to push its drug, and today’s resolution makes clear that this conduct will not be tolerated. HHS OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect patients, uphold the integrity of federal health care programs, and hold companies accountable when they violate the law.”
Veloxis’s Criminal Liability for Conspiring to Pay Kickbacks
According to court documents filed in the District of Massachusetts, from approximately October 2016 to June 2023, Veloxis and its employees engaged in a scheme to pay kickbacks to transplant health care professionals (HCPs) to induce them to prescribe, order, or recommend prescribing or ordering Envarsus for kidney transplant recipients. These kickbacks took several forms. Veloxis provided improper remuneration to transplant HCPs in the form of lavish meals, expensive resort stays and personal gifts and also made large payments to HCPs under the guise of consulting agreements, often for purported consulting work that was not actually performed. In many of these instances, Veloxis employees submitted falsified company expense reports to conceal their illegal conduct (and to avoid Sunshine Act reporting requirements). Veloxis admitted that it intended the improper remuneration it provided to HCPs to induce prescriptions/orders of Envarsus and thereby increase the company’s net profits.
Veloxis’s Civil Liability for False Claims to Federal Health Care Programs
In addition, the resolution announced today resolves allegations that Veloxis violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing the submission of claims to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for Envarsus prescriptions written by HCPs or filled by pharmacies to which Veloxis had knowingly and willfully paid kickbacks. In connection with the civil settlement agreement, Veloxis admitted that, in addition to providing improper remuneration to HCPs and concealing the kickbacks by falsifying company expense reports, Veloxis failed to properly report the remuneration under CMS’s Open Payments Program. Veloxis admitted that because its reports to CMS were based on falsified company expense reports, Veloxis underreported, or failed to report, the true amounts of its payments or transfers of value to physicians.
Veloxis also admitted that from 2017 to 2023, it paid kickbacks to specialty pharmacies in the form of per-patient and per-month payments to induce the pharmacies to begin or continue purchasing Envarsus instead of competitor drugs, including a cheaper generic drug. Veloxis admitted that it disguised the unlawful purpose of these payments by falsely describing them in written contracts as being for “enhanced services” such as data collection or adherence services. In fact, Veloxis admitted that it paid the pharmacies regardless of whether they provided any data and without confirming whether any adherence services were actually provided.
Under the civil settlement agreement, Veloxis will pay $21,211,251 to the United States to resolve the False Claims Act allegations and an additional $13,238,749 to certain States for claims settled by those States’ Medicaid programs. Veloxis also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1,550,000 to resolve allegations that it knowingly failed to report the amounts of its payments to physicians under CMS’s Open Payments Program. In connection with the civil settlement, Veloxis entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with HHS-OIG. The CIA requires, among other things, that Veloxis implement a compliance program to identify and address Anti-Kickback Statute-related risks and retain an independent compliance expert to review the effectiveness of its compliance program.
Veloxis cooperated with the government’s investigation.
The claims resolved in today’s settlement include certain claims that were brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under the Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Toulsor1, Inc. v. Veloxis Pharmaceuticals A/S, et al., No. 1:20-cv-11575 (D. Mass.).
U.S. Attorney Foley; AAG Shumate; FBI SAC Docks; HHS-OIG Acting Deputy IG Bennett; Christopher Silvestro, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri, Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General; Derek M. Holt, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General; and Justin Page, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven T. Sharobem and Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher R. Looney and Leslie A. Wright of the Criminal Division, along with Assistant Director Christopher Terranova in the Department of Justice’s Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section.
Unlicensed Tour Operator Charged for Causing Deaths of Five-Month-Old Infant and 27-Year-Old Woman in New York Harbor Boat CapsizingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, Assistant Director in Charge of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (“CGIS”), Josh Packer, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced today that MANUEL HERNANDEZ has been charged with negligently causing the death of a five-month-old infant and a 27-year-old woman, after the vessel HERNANDEZ was piloting capsized in New York Harbor. HERNANDEZ was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo.
“Federal regulations and maritime safety protocols exist to protect the lives and wellbeing of passengers on commercial vessels,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “The defendant allegedly flouted those regulations when he transported paying customers on a commercial vessel without appropriate licenses, overcrowded the vessel, and took on a five-month-old infant passenger, with no infant life vests onboard. We mourn the tragic drowning deaths of the infant and her mother and urge would-be tour operators and the public to observe all safety protocols for commercial vessels.”
“Illegal charter operations gamble with human life, and in this case, the alleged conduct led to an unthinkable tragedy,” said Coast Guard Investigative Service Assistant Director Josh Packer. “As the Coast Guard’s criminal investigative agency, CGIS brings unmatched maritime subject-matter expertise coupled with federal law enforcement authority. Working with our federal, state, and local partners, we will continue to investigate those who ignore passenger vessel safety laws and put the public in danger.”
“As alleged in the complaint, Manuel Hernandez showed a complete disregard for the safety of his passengers when he piloted an over-capacity boat without a license that capsized in the New York Harbor,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “This tragedy could have been prevented, and now a family is left to grieve the unimaginable loss of a mother and her five-month-old daughter because of his negligence. I am grateful to our NYPD Harbor and Aviation Units for their swift response and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for bringing these charges.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:(1)
On or about August 8, 2026, HERNANDEZ was piloting a Yamaha AR210 (the “Vessel”) when it capsized in New York Harbor, resulting in the deaths of a five-month-old infant (“Victim-1”) and a 27-year-old woman (“Victim-2”). At the time of the capsizing, HERNANDEZ was the pilot and operator of the Vessel and conducting a tour for paying customers that had been arranged through a tour operations company.
HERNANDEZ’s negligent actions and omissions caused the capsizing and deaths of Victim-1 and Victim-2. At the time of the capsizing, among other things: (i) HERNANDEZ operated the Vessel with 14 people onboard, exceeding the Vessel’s maximum allowable capacity of 10 people; (ii) HERNANDEZ knowingly operated the Vessel with an infant onboard, knowing that the infant was not wearing a personal flotation device (“PFD”) and that the Vessel was not equipped with any child- or infant-sized PFDs; (iii) HERNANDEZ had not obtained a Merchant Mariner Credential, a required USCG certification to operate the Vessel with paying customers onboard; (iv) HERNANDEZ operated the Vessel without a valid USCG Certificate of Inspection, which is required for a vessel to operate with paying customers onboard, and, in fact, the Vessel was of a type and size that made it ineligible to receive a COI for the type of operation conducted by HERNANDEZ.
All 14 people onboard the Vessel were thrown overboard during the capsizing. Shortly after the capsizing, other boats, including commercial vessels and vessels operated by the NYPD, the USCG, and the New York City Fire Department, responded to the scene to render emergency assistance. 11 passengers and HERNANDEZ were recovered in varying medical conditions and survived the capsizing. The bodies of Victim-1 and Victim-2 were recovered in the water by members of the NYPD and USCG. Both Victim-1 and Victim-2 were unresponsive, received CPR from emergency responders, and were immediately transported to a hospital in Brooklyn. Upon arrival at the hospital, both Victim-1 and Victim-2 were pronounced deceased by medical personnel. A photo of the capsized Vessel being recovered from the water is below:
Please report any illegal passenger charters to the USCG at https://www.p3tips.com/878.
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HERNANDEZ, 46, of Manville, New Jersey, is charged with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. McDonald praised the outstanding work of the CGIS and the NYPD.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Stahl is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
^
As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.
United States Intervenes in False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Colorado Medical CompaniesRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that the United States has intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The United States alleges in its complaint that three Colorado healthcare companies—Front Range Urgent Care, Inc., Comfort Care Family Practice, Inc., and QwikCareMD, LLC (together, QwikCare)—and two individuals, Anita Weiscamp, and Steven L. Wenrich, M.D., engaged in a scheme for nearly a decade to submit fraudulent claims for payment under federal health insurance programs. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the defendants submitted inflated claims for payments using Dr. Wenrich’s provider number even when Dr. Wenrich did not provide nor supervise any services for which the claims were submitted.
The complaint names Front Range Urgent Care, an urgent care medical practice, Comfort Care Family Practice, a family care medical practice, both of which have their primary places of business in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Both entities were established by a doctor, Dr. Steven Wenrich, who later passed away. The complaint also names QwikCareMD, a company that provided medical management services to Front Range Urgent Care and Comfort Care Family Practice. QwikCareMD was established by Dr. Wenrich’s spouse, Anita Wiescamp.
The case involves payments by Medicare and TRICARE, which are federal healthcare programs. Medicare provides health benefits to individuals ages 65 and older as well as to certain other individuals with qualifying conditions. Medicare has several parts, including Part B, which provides benefits to Medicare participants to cover the costs of services provided by physicians and other practitioners, among other things. TRICARE provides health benefits to U.S. Armed Forces civilian personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. Under Medicare Part B and TRICARE, the federal government pays healthcare providers for covered services on a fee-for-service basis. In particular, the federal government pays more for physicians to provide services than for nurse practitioners or physician assistants to provide those same services.
The complaint alleges that defendants violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims under Dr. Wenrich’s physician provider number when Dr. Wenrich did not provide or supervise services for which the claims were submitted. Instead, the services were actually provided by nurse practitioners or physician assistants. The complaint alleges that the defendants fraudulently submitted tens of thousands of these inflated requests for payments. These false claims caused the federal government to pay significantly more for the services that were provided by defendants than Medicare and TRICARE otherwise should have paid.
“Our federal healthcare system relies on honest billing,” said U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado. “When companies overbill Medicare and TRICARE by fraudulently submitting inflated requests for payments, they jeopardize important benefits for others under those programs. We will not tolerate such conduct.”
“Fraudulent billing that exploits Medicare is not an error, but deliberate misconduct that steals from a program that millions of Americans depend on,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Schemes that knowingly misrepresent who provided care in order to obtain higher reimbursement — as alleged in this case — are a direct attack on the integrity of federal health care programs, including Medicare. HHS‑OIG will continue to pursue allegations of fraud aggressively, working relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who commit health care fraud are held fully accountable.”
“Healthcare fraud committed against TRICARE, our military’s healthcare benefit program – including schemes in which services are billed at a higher level than what was actually provided – undermines military readiness by diverting critical resources away from beneficiaries who genuinely need medical care,” said Chad Gosch, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) Southwest Field Office. “As the investigative arm of the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General, DCIS remains steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who illegally compromise the integrity and effectiveness of TRICARE for personal gain.”
The lawsuit was originally filed by former employees of QwikCare under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act. Those whistleblower provisions permit private parties to sue on behalf of the United States based on the submission of false claims to the government. The False Claims Act authorizes the United States to investigate the allegations made by such private parties and, if it elects to do so, to intervene in a whistleblower lawsuit and take over primary responsibility for litigating it, as the United States has done here. The Act permits the government to recover three times its damages, plus civil penalties. The private plaintiffs are then entitled to receive a share of any funds recovered through the United States’s lawsuit.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rels. Young, M.D. and Perez v. Anita Weiscamp., et al., No. 20-cv-02514-DDD-MDB (D. Colo.).
USAO-KS files denaturalization case against man ordered deported then used a false identity to become a U.S. citizenRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas announced filing a denaturalization action against a man born in India who allegedly became a United States citizen under a false identity.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized U.S. citizen’s citizenship may be revoked, and certificate of naturalization canceled, if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.
On August 7, 2026, the United States of America filed a civil action in the District of Kansas against Harinder Singh, a.k.a. Harinder Singh Sanghera a.k.a. Rushpal Singh of Olathe to revoke his naturalized U.S. citizenship. The U.S. government alleges Singh procured his naturalization unlawfully, and that he willfully misrepresented and concealed material facts in applying to naturalize.
When the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) initially encountered the defendant in 1991 at JFK International Airport, he identified himself as Rushpal Singh. In August 1995, an immigration judge ordered him to be deported, a decision which was subsequently upheld by the Board of Immigration Appeals. The government has no record Singh ever left the U.S. pursuant to his exclusion and deportation order.
In June1996, Singh filed an application with INS for an immigration benefit under the name Harinder Singh. He also changed his date of birth, date of entry into the U.S., and the factual basis for his claim. INS granted the application. In October 2000, the INS approved Singh’s application for adjustment of status to a lawful permanent resident under the identity Harinder Singh. Eight years later he naturalized under the identity and immigration history of Harinder Singh. He did not disclose his prior immigration history under a different name.
The U.S. government brings this civil action to revoke and set aside the order admitting the defendant’s citizenship and to cancel his certificate of naturalization. Since Jan. 20, 2025, the Justice Department has filed approximately 123 civil denaturalization complaints, the most in recorded history.
The claims made in the complaints are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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Two Charged After Alleged Meth Delivery Attempt During Prison Visitation at FCI HazeltonRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A South Carolina woman and an inmate at federal Corrections Institution (FCI) Hazelton have been indicted on prison contraband charges involving methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
“Crimes inside our federal prisons will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Introducing contraband to our prisons not only perpetuates addiction during what should be rehabilitation, it also threatens the safety of those who work inside.”
Shaquana Gary, 40, of Greenville, South Carolina, was indicted on one count of providing a prohibited object to a prison inmate. Robert Polk, 47, an inmate at FCI Hazelton, was indicted on one count of possession of a prohibited object by an inmate. According to the indictment, Gary attempted to deliver methamphetamine to Polk during visitation at the prison.
“Every attempt to introduce contraband into a Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility is a direct threat to the safety of our employees and the secure operation of our institutions,” said BOP Director William K. Marshall III. “We will continue our strong partnerships with our law enforcement partners to detect, investigate, and prosecute those who seek to undermine our mission.”
"Contraband inside a prison is not a victimless crime. It fuels violence, addiction, and danger for everyone, including the employees who work there. The FBI and our partners stand committed to protecting all Americans regardless of whether they're in public or behind a prison fence," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec.
Gary and Polk each face up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons investigated.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Thomaston Resident Sentenced for Border Patrol AssaultRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Thomaston resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent engaged in his official duties.
Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Olivia Wilkins, 24, to nine months in prison. Wilkins pleaded guilty in March 2026.
According to court records, in August 2025, a United States Border Patrol agent responded to a one-vehicle crash in Washington, Maine. As law enforcement conducted a roadside investigation, Wilkins came upon the scene in an automobile and parked close to officers. Wilkins voiced concerns regarding Border Patrol’s presence in the area, but was permitted to move the vehicle further back from the crash to continue observing law enforcement. As the Border Patrol agent took an individual on scene into custody and began moving the individual to a nearby Border Patrol vehicle, Wilkins quickly accelerated toward the agent, who pulled the individual off the roadside away from the oncoming vehicle. Wilkins stopped the vehicle without striking either the agent or the individual in custody before swerving back into the lane of travel and fleeing the scene. Maine State Police troopers were able to arrest Wilkins a short distance away.
In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Walker noted that one of the law enforcement officers on the scene had understandably drawn his service weapon and pointed it at Wilkins when Wilkins drove toward the Border Patrol agent. The judge told Wilkins that she was very lucky that the officer had not fired his weapon in response.
The FBI investigated the case.
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Thirteen Jacksonville Gang Members and Associates Indicted for Racketeering and Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, Murder-For-Hire, and Retaliation Against a WitnessRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging 13 individuals—all alleged members and associates of the Slime gang—with crimes including racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and retaliating against a witness. Slime was primarily active in the Northside and Oceanway neighborhoods of the greater Jacksonville area.
If convicted, the penalties range from 20 years up to life in federal prison. Some of the defendants face the death penalty for murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder for hire, and/or use of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime resulting in death.
The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit certain assets, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the indictment, the Slime organization has existed under various names, including Pearl World, BB4L (Block Burners for Life), K4T (Killers for Telly), and finally, Slime World. At all times relevant to the indictment, Slime was led by Brian Gregory Brightman and generated income through drug trafficking. Slime used violence and intimidation to establish the group’s dominance in the greater Jacksonville area, to protect its territory, to encroach on rivals’ territory and trap houses, and to maintain its drug trafficking operation. The violence and intimidation included assaults, shootings, attempted murders, and murder.
The indictment alleges that, from approximately 2019 and continuing until August 5, 2026, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances including marijuana, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine, and maintained multiple trap houses to distribute the same, often arming themselves with firearms to protect their controlled substances and territory.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that in August 2021, Brightman, Raymond Cash, and Devin McFadden solicited the murder of a rival gang member. On October 13, 2022, Brightman solicited a Slime member and a Slime associate to murder a different rival gang member. Between November 30, 2022, and continuing through December 1, 2022, Brightman transported approximately 70 pounds of marijuana from California to Florida. On December 19, 2022, Brightman directed an individual to go to one of the trap houses under the ruse that he would be facilitating a drug deal. When the individual arrived at the home with others, Cash and Gary Harris robbed them of marijuana at gunpoint.
On January 29, 2024, it is alleged that Brightman and another Slime member assaulted a lower-level drug dealer and user to enforce a debt owed to Slime. On a different occasion, Blake Baker entered the home of a drug dealer and Slime associate, threatened her with a firearm, and assaulted her domestic partner to enforce a drug debt owed to Slime. On December 11, 2024, Devonne Rivers and Terrance Williams shot and attempted to kill another individual, in part, to intimidate any rival groups and gangs on behalf of Slime. Further, Andre Drinks solicited a physical attack on an individual that Drinks perceived to be proving evidence against Slime, causing injury to that individual.
Members of Slime are also charged in several substantive counts with committing violence to intimidate rivals and get revenge against opposing groups. It is alleged that beginning on an unknown date no later than on November 27, 2023, and continuing through December 2023, Brightman and Jacob Goodman conspired to commit, and did commit, the murder-for-hire of D.S.S. on November 29, 2023. It is further alleged that Brightman, Rivers, and Tarvares Watson Jr. conspired to commit and did commit the murder of A.B. and T.W. on or about April 7, 2024.
In addition to the individuals named above, Roderick Leon, Rashawn Rankin, and Da’Veon Smith have also been charged in the indictment.
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.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office, the Nassau County Sherriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area are investigating the case with valuable assistance from the State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Florida National Guard Counter Drug Program, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Neptune Beach Police Department, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, and the Green Cove Springs Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Lasry and Kelli A. Swaney for the Middle District of Florida 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.
The Department of Justice Files Complaints Against New York, Connecticut, and Vermont Challenging State Laws that Provide In-State Tuition to Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice filed lawsuits against three states that seek to undermine our Nation by placing aliens over citizens in clear defiance of Congress’s commands. The Department filed complaints against New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, challenging state laws that provide in-state tuition and financial assistance for illegal aliens. These laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens who are not afforded the same reduced tuition rates or scholarships, create incentives for illegal immigration, and reward illegal aliens with benefits that U.S. citizens are not eligible for, all in direct conflict with federal law.
“Congress long ago made clear that States cannot put illegal aliens over our Nation’s own citizens,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “By granting illegal aliens in-state tuition, New York, Vermont, and Connecticut are doing just that. No more. As of today, we have now sued every state in the Second Circuit that seeks to thwart Congress’s clear prohibition by placing alien over citizen. And our efforts will not cease until President Trump’s promise is fulfilled: illegal aliens will not receive benefits denied to our Nation’s own citizens.”
“This is a simple matter of federal law: colleges cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This Department of Justice will not tolerate American students being treated like second-class citizens in their own country.”
In the complaints, the United States seeks to enjoin enforcement of New York, Connecticut, and Vermont laws, regulations, and policies that require colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition rates for all aliens who maintain in-state residency, regardless of whether those aliens are lawfully present in the United States. Additionally, the complaints seek to enjoin New York, Connecticut, and Vermont from enforcing state laws, regulations, and policies that afford financial assistance and scholarships to illegal aliens.
Today’s lawsuits mark 17 lawsuits challenging in-state tuition for illegal aliens. Under the leadership of Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Department’s efforts have already delivered wins for the American people, as five similar lawsuits in Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, and Illinois have resulted favorable orders permanently enjoining and declaring unconstitutional analogous laws that gave reduced tuition to illegal aliens, including an order from the Fifth Circuit. Lawsuits against other states that similarly put illegal aliens ahead of U.S. citizens are pending across the across the country in Minnesota, Virginia, California, New Jersey, Kansas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Colorado.
St. Lawrence County Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Defendant Michael St. Denny, age 37, of Lisbon, New York, was sentenced on July 24, 2026 by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by a term of fifteen years of supervised release. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo (HSI).
The sentence stems from his conviction of distribution of child pornography. St. Denny previously admitted to distributing child pornography to other individuals between July 2024 and January 2025 using the social media application KIK. A search warrant conducted on defendant’s residence on January 14, 2025, revealed he was in possession of 220 videos and 421 images of child pornography.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This sentence reflects the gravity of this defendant’s crimes. As established through his guilty plea, Mr. St. Denny distributed child pornography over several months and a search of his residence uncovered hundreds of images of child sexual exploitation material. He will now serve 10 years in federal prison, followed by strict supervision upon his release. I commend our partners at HSI for their unwavering efforts throughout this investigation.”
HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone said, “Michael St. Denny’s crimes represent a depraved exploitation of innocent children, and this sentence reflects the gravity of the harm he caused by trading in the suffering of the most vulnerable. HSI Massena will pursue these offenders with unwavering resolve and relentless determination, using every lawful tool available to protect our communities and bring predators to justice.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Paul DerOhannesian handled the prosecution.
South Bend Felon Sentenced to a Decade in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of Noblesville BankRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Terry Reed, 66, of South Bend, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court documents, on June 12, 2023, at 10:08 a.m., Reed entered the Chase Bank located at 198 Logan Street in Noblesville, Indiana, brandishing a long-barreled revolver. Reed demanded cash and fled with $3,796 cash.
A Westfield Police Department detective located Reed’s vehicle a short time after the robbery and engaged in a vehicle pursuit, during which time Reed drove recklessly, including leaving the roadway, until the pursuing officer lost sight of the vehicle.
On June 16, 2023, Reed was located by Mishawaka Police Department officers in South Bend, Indiana in the same vehicle he fled from the robbery in. Reed fled from the police on foot and tossed several items as he ran, including the .38 caliber Colt revolver he used during the bank robbery.
Reed is a convicted felon, with prior felonies for armed robbery in Fulton County, Georgia and St. Joseph County, Indiana, as well as aggravated battery in Cook County, Illinois.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indianapolis investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.
“This violent criminal didn’t just rob a bank of customer deposits, he robbed everyone inside the bank of their sense security and peace,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Gun crimes have a negative impact on our entire community, and the sentence imposed today demonstrates that this conduct will simply not be tolerated. The people of Noblesville and South Bend are safer with this defendant off our streets, thanks to the hard work of the FBI, the Westfield and Mishawaka police departments, and our federal prosecutors.”
“The quick response by our law enforcement partners helped prevent this dangerous offender from causing further harm,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “Armed robberies endanger bank employees, customers, responding officers, and everyone in the surrounding community. This sentence demonstrates that individuals who commit violent crimes and illegally possess firearms will be held accountable. The FBI is proud to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners to protect our communities and bring violent offenders to justice.”
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Pam Domash, who prosecuted this case.
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Sharpsburg Resident Charged with Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of distributing, receiving, and possessing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The three-count indictment named Drew Michael Kozlowski, 45, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about March 27, 2026, Kozlowski received and attempted to receive material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, with the Indictment also charging Kozlowski with distributing and attempting to distribute material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor on or about March 28, 2026. The Indictment further alleges that, in June of 2026, Kozlowski possessed material which depicted prepubescent minors or minors who had not attained 12 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
As to the receipt and distribution charges, the law provides for a sentence of not less than five years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. As to the possession charge, the law provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Senate Confirms Timothy VerHey as United States Attorney for the Western District of MichiganRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Timothy VerHey as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. VerHey assumed that position on July 21, 2025, after being appointed by former Attorney General Bondi. President Trump nominated VerHey for confirmation by the Senate on April 13, 2026. VerHey was confirmed as part of a block of nominees submitted for a roll call vote that occurred on August 7, 2026.
U.S. Attorney VerHey said, “I consider this one of the great honors of my life. I am proud to represent the United States as it seeks justice in all its civil and criminal legal matters in this district. As long as I hold this position, my goal will be to see to it that all our citizens receive justice and fair treatment.”
Rio Grande City man sentenced for soliciting sexually explicit images of minorsRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 32-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison for sexual exploitation of minors.
Jorge Alberto Bazan pleaded guilty May 27.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Bazan to serve 60 months in federal prison. He must also serve five years of supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Bazan will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Authorities identified Bazan in 2025 when conducting investigations via social media.
From Sept. 12 to Sept. 24, 2025, Bazan had been communicating with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old minor. In those conversations, he expressed interest in engaging in sexual activities with the child.
Bazan also solicited photos of the minor’s genitals and instructed her on how to receive a picture and then delete them.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI McAllen conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Rayne Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On July 20, 2026, United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Wayne Christopher Kelley, 43, of Rayne, to 60 months in federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. He will serve four years of supervised release after his sentence is served. Kelley previously pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents, investigators with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) began investigating Kelley in early 2025 for suspected crack cocaine trafficking in and around Rayne, Louisiana. On June 26, 2025, detectives obtained search warrants for two residences associated with Kelley. On July 1, 2025, investigators recovered one kilogram of cocaine at the first residence. At the second, detectives found a book sack containing measuring cups, spoons, whisks, a calibrated scale with white residue, a razor blade, approximately 3.21 grams of cocaine, and a vacuum-sealed bag containing approximately 159 grams of cocaine.
Kelley admitted that the narcotics belonged to him. The total amount of cocaine attributable to Kelley exceeded 500 grams and was consistent with distribution quantities.
DEA DEAU.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
APSO, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America (TBA), 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 agencies, and coordinates efforts with state and local law enforcement and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF), ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more about PSN at https://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 6:25-CR-00325.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
[email protected] www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLARayne Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Interstate Threats Targeting Mother of Minor He Previously ExploitedRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On August 6, 2026, United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr., sentenced Raylin Richard, 46, of Rayne, to 46 months in federal prison for Interstate Communication with Threat to Injure, to run consecutive to a 17-year sentence he is currently serving.
“Today’s age of social media, text messaging, and other forms of instant communication present a danger in the form of predators like this defendant using those means to terrorize and re-traumatize their victims, and this Office is committed to investigating and prosecuting that conduct alongside our federal and state law enforcement partners,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this defendant’s conduct—a convicted sex offender terrorizing his former victims—and the fact that our community simply will not tolerate it.”
According to court documents, Richard is currently serving a 17-year sentence for a prior child‑exploitation offense that involved secretly filming a 12-year-old girl, the daughter of his former romantic partner. After that conviction, the former partner secured a lifetime protective order against Richard and moved with her family to another state.
While housed at Oakdale Federal Correctional Institution in Louisiana, Richard used a contraband cellphone to send threatening social‑media messages to the woman, which included threatening statements and photos of her new residence. A forensic review of the seized cellphone confirmed Richard’s access to the accounts used to send the threats. Investigators also found messages between Richard and a former cellmate which proved Richard’s anger toward the victim, and which corroborated his involvement in the hostile communications. In the messages, Richard threatened bodily harm to the woman if she ever reported him to the police again.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, personnel at Oakdale Federal Correctional Institution, and law enforcement officials in the state where the victim moved. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott Cade Cassidy and Myers P. Namie, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.
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 2:25-cr-00318.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
[email protected] www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Queens Accountant Indicted for Multiple Real Estate Investment Fraud Schemes and Federal Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, an indictment was unsealed charging Alberto Gomez, an accountant with a practice in Elmhurst, New York, with wire fraud and bankruptcy fraud in connection with multiple real estate investment fraud schemes. Those schemes included soliciting and obtaining investments for the purchase of property he purported to own but did not, and for investments of more than 100% ownership interest in properties across Long Island, resulting in losses to over a dozen victims in excess of $3 million. Gomez then fraudulently filed for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York in an attempt to discharge his debts. Gomez was arrested this morning in Boca Raton, Florida, and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the arrest and charges.
“As alleged in the indictment, Gomez brazenly stole millions of dollars from over a dozen investors, some of whom staked their life’s savings on his lies, and then he shamelessly declared bankruptcy, doubling down by lying to the court as well,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office will vigorously prosecute serial fraudsters like Gomez.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the FBI Miami Office/West Palm Beach Resident Agency for their assistance with today’s arrest.
“Alberto Gomez allegedly orchestrated multiple real estate investment fraud schemes by misrepresenting property ownership, soliciting investments for properties he did not control, and collecting funds exceeding the value of real-estate on Long Island. These schemes caused more than $3 million in losses to over a dozen victims. The FBI will continue working alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office to pursue those who defraud investors and abuse the integrity of our financial systems,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
As set forth in the indictment, from approximately April 2021 through November 2024, Gomez, who operated an accounting practice in Elmhurst, solicited real estate investors to purchase, in whole or in part, various properties in New York. Gomez promised exclusive ownership or partnership in these properties, or sought funding for renovations and capital improvements necessary to flip the properties for profit. One such property was located in Mount Vernon, and was the sole asset of a domestic limited liability company for which Gomez had filed Articles of Organization, but in which he himself had no ownership or managerial interest. Nevertheless, Gomez negotiated and executed ownership, purchase and partnership agreements with multiple investors, resulting in the effective sale of 266% of the ownership interest in that property. Approximately one year later, Gomez filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to discharge the debts he owed to these investors. In that filing, he falsely concealed his largest creditor and led the bankruptcy Trustee to believe that he owned the domestic limited liability company and its property.
Gomez similarly solicited investors, many of whom were elderly, in properties across Long Island. After executing multiple fraudulent joint venture or partnership agreements, Gomez sold 125% ownership interest in a property located in Mill Neck, and 130% ownership interest in a property located in East Hampton. Gomez also solicited investments in properties located in Glen Cove, Elmont and Bayville with promises to rehabilitate the properties and thereby garner higher resale value. No renovations or improvements were done to these properties; rather, Gomez used the investors’ funds to pay personal expenses and to pay back other investors.
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Gomez faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the four wire fraud counts, and up to five years’ imprisonment on the bankruptcy fraud count.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. In June 2019, the Attorney General announced the establishment of the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. The Eastern District of New York was one of six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to be selected to be a part of this joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other organizations. If you or someone you know is a victim of elder fraud, please call the Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 (833–372–8311).
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorney Charles P. Kelly is in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder and Victim Witness Specialist Stephanie Marroquin.
The Defendant:
ALBERTO GOMEZ (also known as “Alberto L. Gomez”)
Age: 48
Boca Raton, FloridaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-227 (JMA)
Prichard Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms as a Convicted Felon and Assaulting Homeland Security Task Force OfficersRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Prichard man was sentenced to 46 months in prison for illegally possessing multiple firearms as a convicted felon and assaulting law enforcement officers and members of the Homeland Security Task Force.
According to court documents, Delando Travon Perkins, 25, was arrested by members of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) at a residence on Cheha Drive in Prichard on February 13, 2026. Agents were attempting to take Perkins into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant for narcotics offenses. The agents were wearing vests and uniforms that clearly identified them as law enforcement.
As agents approached the residence, they saw Perkins standing on a four-wheeler parked in the street on Cheha Drive. Perkins was wearing an “ESPN” chain, which is frequently worn by members of a Prichard-based street gang. Agents observed Perkins walking back and forth between the residence and the four-wheeler.
When agents approached Perkins to arrest him, he attempted to flee on foot. Agents pursued Perkins and apprehended him just north of Cheha Drive after he attempted to discard the “ESPN” chain and his cell phone. Agents secured Perkins in a police vehicle and began searching the residence and surrounding area.
On the four-wheeler where Perkins had been standing, agents found a loaded .38-caliber revolver and a loaded 9mm pistol. On the front porch of the residence, agents found two additional loaded 9mm pistols. Inside the residence, agents found a .223-caliber rifle that had been modified to fire .50 BEO-caliber ammunition, small amounts of cocaine and marijuana, precursors used to manufacture crack cocaine, multiple pistol and rifle magazines, 79 rounds of ammunition in various calibers, and items bearing Perkins’s name.
While Perkins was detained in a patrol vehicle, he attempted to kick out the vehicle’s window partition and slipped his handcuffs from behind his back to the front of his body, creating a safety concern. Agents opened the rear door of the vehicle, and a Mobile County Sheriff’s Office deputy grabbed Perkins’s handcuffs. Perkins immediately lunged toward the deputy and bit him on his left hand, drawing blood and causing a painful injury. Perkins continued kicking at agents and bit a second deputy on the right hand. Agents re-secured Perkins’s handcuffs and placed him back in the vehicle, where he continued challenging agents to “fight” him.
An FBI DNA analyst compared a buccal swab taken from Perkins with swabs taken from each of the five firearms seized by agents. The analyst found very strong support for including Perkins as a contributor to the DNA profiles obtained from the firearms.
Perkins had previously been convicted of a felony drug offense in 2022, rendering his possession of firearms illegal under federal law.
In addition to the 46-month prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose ordered Perkins to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison. During supervised release, Perkins will be subject to drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine but ordered Perkins to pay $200 in special assessments. Perkins’s firearms and ammunition were administratively forfeited to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Roller and George May 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.
Previously convicted felon pleads guilty to illegally possessing firearm shown in social media postsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A repeat offender pleaded guilty in federal court here today to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Terrill Hill, 21, of Cincinnati, was previously convicted of a local firearms felony in 2025 and sentenced to 24 months of community control. He was charged federally in February 2026.
According to his plea documents, in November and December 2025, photos on Instagram showed Hill possessing a unique firearm. The firearm was a Glock with an extended magazine, a switch on the back, and a flashlight/laser pointer under the barrel. A switch is a metal device that effectively converts semi-automatic firearms into machineguns.
Agents executed a search warrant at a residence used by Hill and recovered the same firearm Hill had been seen holding in social media posts.
Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is a federal crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) announced the guilty plea entered today before Jeffery P. Hopkins. Assistant United States Attorney Frederic C. Shadley is representing the United States in this case.
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Pittsburgh Woman Sentenced for Theft of Supplemental Security Income FundsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to one year of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,467 on her convictions for Supplemental Security Income fraud and theft of government property, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Dana Nicole Johnson, 56, of the Eastmont neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
According to information presented to the Court, Johnson applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits through the Social Security Administration. Because SSI is a monthly, needs-based benefit afforded to people with disabilities and the elderly who have little or no income, applicants for the program are required to report their wages, assets, and living arrangements for consideration by the Social Security Administration in determining eligibility for SSI. Investigators determined that Johnson, while receiving SSI, worked for both a home healthcare business and as a federal employee at a Veterans Affairs medical center and that Johnson concealed her wages from the Social Security Administration, resulting in the theft of over $18,000. This was the second time Johnson concealed income while obtaining SSI.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Johnson.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud 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.
Pair Accused of Shooting at St. Louis Police, ATFRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Two men have been accused of shooting at St. Louis Metropolitan police officers and ATF agents last month.
Justin R. Price, 19, and Alexavier Bishop, 19, both of Florissant, were charged by complaint in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Thursday with aiding and abetting the assault of federal agents and aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Price appeared in court Friday. Bishop is in custody.
The officers and agents were conducting a traffic stop at Oriole and Thekla Avenues in St. Louis on July 28 when just after 9 p.m. a Ford Fusion stopped about one block away and someone fired 12 shots with an automatic weapon. Police pursued the Fusion, which was abandoned in the 1500 block of Sells Avenue. An affidavit filed in support of the complaint says that Bishop, Price and one other person were in the Fusion but escaped, the affidavit says.
About 90 minutes before the shooting, Price and Bishop were spotted pulling on the door handles of parked vehicles in the 1700 block of McLaran Avenue, about one mile away, and appeared to be armed, the affidavit says.
“It is a miracle that the police officers, ATF agents and bystanders were not wounded in this incident,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus. “You can be assured that we are treating this assault with the utmost seriousness. We are grateful for the hard work of investigators and the assistance of the public, and we hope that the public will continue to help us in this ongoing investigation.”
“The fact that no one was struck by the 12 rounds fired at St. Louis police officers and ATF agents that night was extraordinarily fortunate, but it does not diminish the seriousness of this alleged attack,” said ATF Kansas City Field Division Special Agent in Charge Bernard Hansen. “This case reflects the determined work of state, local and federal partners, along with community members who came forward to help. We are especially grateful for SLMPD’s investigative work and for the diligence of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in reviewing the evidence and securing these charges as the investigation continues.”
“An attack on law enforcement is an attack on the people working every day to keep our neighborhoods safe. These arrests demonstrate what is possible when local, state and federal law enforcement work together, supported by a community willing to come forward and help, with a shared commitment to accountability,” said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Tracy. “I am grateful to the many law enforcement partners involved in this investigation, along with our nationally recognized SLMPD Crime Laboratory, for working relentlessly to identify those allegedly responsible and move this case forward.”
Charges set forth in a criminal complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Alton Police Department and the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office were involved in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is prosecuting the case.
One Year After Federal Law Enforcement Surge, D.C. Is Safer as Crime Declines SharplyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro marked the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s Federal Law Enforcement Surge in the District of Columbia. The surge implemented a significant increase in federal law enforcement resources, bolstering our teams with additional agents, advanced tools, and a no‑nonsense mandate that renewed the focus on cracking down on violent offenders, dismantling criminal networks, and restoring safety to District neighborhoods.
“We’ve seen firsthand how sustained, coordinated law enforcement efforts can make an impact and the impact is real when cases are prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Our prosecution efforts are up 67 percent since I became U.S. Attorney. Over the past year, we have worked relentlessly to reduce violence, hold offenders accountable, and restore a sense of safety in neighborhoods across the District. Nearly 2,000 illegal firearms were taken off the streets, and arrests included murderers, sex offenders, drug traffickers, and other violent criminals. These results reflect the dedication of every agency involved and our shared commitment to protecting the people of Washington, D.C.”
Over the past year, President Trump’s Federal Law Enforcement Surge has resulted in sharp declines in violent crime and property crime across Washington, D.C., based on year‑over‑year comparisons. Homicides have dropped by 45 percent, carjackings by 64 percent, and robberies by 33 percent. The District has also seen a 53 percent reduction in motor vehicle thefts.
Since August 11, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 16,724 cases in D.C. Superior Court, a 67 percent increase from the previous year. During that same period, the U.S. Attorney’s no paper rate is approximately 5 percent—representing a 76 percent decrease from the 5,250 arrests no‑papered the prior year. By comparison, the U.S. Attorney under the previous administration recorded a no‑paper rate of 67 percent, underscoring the magnitude of the Office’s current charging improvements. Today, there are approximately 24,000 criminal cases pending in D.C. Superior Court.
Case resolutions have also strengthened. In the past 12 months, prosecutors secured 5,767 guilty pleas, 213 guilty verdicts at trial, and successfully resolved an additional 969 cases through diversion.
These gains were driven by close coordination among federal agencies, local law enforcement, and the Metropolitan Police Department. Under the Executive Order, the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force was created to tackle priority public safety challenges, including violent crime, carjackings, property offenses, and vandalism. The initiative supports President Trump’s directive to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, impose tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms offenders.
As part of these efforts, law enforcement agencies have seized nearly 2,000 illegal firearms from the streets of Washington, D.C., reflecting the impact of sustained, coordinated policing across jurisdictions.
Together, these measures underscore a year of focused work to support safety, strengthen neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life throughout the District.
Oklahoma Man Sentenced for Threatening to Shoot, Kill, Gun Down Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – While death threats against federal agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue to rise, a Skiatook man was sentenced today after a federal jury found him guilty of posting on X threatening to shoot, kill, and gun down agents.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Logan Christopher Murfin, 26, to 21 months imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release.
In April 2026, Murfin was found guilty on ten counts. Five of the counts were for Threatening to Assault and Murder Federal Law Enforcement Officers with Intent to Impede, Intimidate, Interfere, and Retaliate; and five counts of Interstate Communication with a Threat to Injure.
According to evidence presented at trial, agents with Homeland Security Investigations received an intelligence report in October 2025 flagging threatening posts made on the social media account X, about “gunning down” and shooting ICE agents. The threats were posted under the username “Azulenq.” Agents obtained search warrants to identify the user making these public online posts. The data collected from the search warrants was presented to the jury, which identified the X account user Azulenq as Murfin. The investigation showed that Murfin was posting threatening messages from his home in Skiatook.
Murfin was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2025. After being arrested and mirandized, Murfin spoke with agents and stated he was angry and “pissed off” at ICE agents and admitted to making the posts on the X account. The jury heard a recording of the interview at trial.
When two agents from Homeland Security testified, they explained to the jury how serious the agency is taking the threats due to threats to agents increasing more than 1,000%. Some of the threatening posts were made on the official U.S. Homeland Security account on X, which has more than three million followers. When Murfin was making posts in September, an agent explained to the jury that a sniper opened fire on an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas. Exhibits presented to the jury showed that Murfin's posts were in response to other users' posts about ICE agents' activities in the community, including arrests and enforcement of federal law.
Public posts made by Murfin: October 18, 2025: Need too start shooting these “just following orders” pigs. Ice agents are reenacting ww2 nazi germany and its not acceptable. Only good ice terrorist is buried 6 feet under.
October 17, 2025: Every ICE agent needs shot between the eyes “just following orders” isn’t acceptable and they already exposed they are human garbage.
October 17, 2025: Every ice gestapo needs too be shot. 2nd amendment right too carry everyone should stay armed and when these terrorists come by just kill them. They don’t deserve too live after “just following orders” we aren’t reliving ww2 germany. They don’t want due process so show em
September 28, 2025: Nah but we as US citizens should be gunning down these domestic terrorists. All ice gestapo can not use the “just following orders” excuse. If you’re complicit in this act you’ve gotta be executed for this act.
September 28, 2025: ice gestapo agents need to either be executed publicy. “just following orders” is not a valid excuse in modern daysCourt documents show that death threats to federal agents as of January 2026 have increased 8,000%, and assault threats have increased by 1,300%. Murfin will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Kelly, Stephen Scaife, and Christopher J. Nassar prosecuted the case.
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Delaquan Antonio Myers, also known as “Chase,” 37, of Dayton, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 7, 2022, Myers agreed to deliver approximately 400 grams of fentanyl to an individual in the Beaver area of Raleigh County, West Virginia. Rather than deliver the fentanyl himself, Myers asked the buyer to send someone to meet him in Dayton, Ohio. Two undercover law enforcement officers obtained the fentanyl from Myers.
Myers is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell have prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-29.
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New Orleans Man Indicted for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On August 7, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against DEXTER MONTGOMERY (“MONTGOMERY”), age 51, a resident of New Orleans, charging him with violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, MONTGOMERY was indicted on two counts of distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and one count of distribution of fifty (50) or more grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).
If convicted of the distribution of methamphetamine counts, MONTGOMERY faces a minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. For the distribution of a mixture of methamphetamine count, MONTGOMERY faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a maximum term of imprisonment of forty (40) years, at least four (4) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.
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Multiple Men Charged in Connection with Cross-Country Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Three men are facing a superseding indictment in connection with a drug conspiracy that spanned from California to Maryland.
Samir Footman, 38, of Halethorpe, Maryland; Kenny Guyton, 44, of Glen Burnie, Maryland; and Marcus McDaniel, 45, of Stockton, California, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Footman is also charged with firearm trafficking and felon in possession of a firearm. The co-conspirators possessed with the intent to distribute nearly six kilograms of pure crystal methamphetamine and approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine pills. Additionally, Footman sold a firearm as part of his role in the conspiracy.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division; and Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent, Maryland State Police (MSP).
According to public filings, in September 2025, ATF agents began investigating Footman, a suspected narcotics dealer in the Annapolis area. Throughout the investigation, the ATF used confidential informants (CIs) and undercover agents (UCs) to conduct multiple controlled narcotics purchases from Footman. Investigators later identified Guyton as Footman’s narcotics supplier.
During the undercover operation, UCs purchased quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, along with more than 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine pills and approximately 450 grams of crystal methamphetamine from Footman and Guyton. Footman also sold a Glock 19X 9mm pistol to a recipient knowing or having reason to believe that the possession of the firearm by the recipient would constitute a felony.
On April 24, 2026, investigators executed search and arrest warrants at residences associated with Footman and Guyton. Investigators seized a firearm, ammunition, pill press, and approximately 2.7 kilograms of additional methamphetamine pills. Law enforcement also recovered Guyton’s cell phone.
In Guyton’s cell phone, investigators located a message exchange between Guyton and a contact saved as “Blindman.” Guyton sent this individual a Maryland address, to which the individual wrote, “Money order or cashier’s check.” Investigators also located a United States Postal Service (USPS) tracking number connected to a package in the phone. Inside the package, law enforcement uncovered approximately 5.3 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. Since law enforcement recognized the company brand of the shipping materials, investigators obtained transaction information from the California-based location of the company. Additionally, investigators obtained footage of the transaction depicting McDaniel buying the shipping materials.
Upon further review of Guyton’s cell phone revealed a second USPS tracking number that Guyton sent to “Blindman.” Investigators located the second parcel which contained a cashier’s check in the amount of $6,700 payable from Guyton to McDaniel. The payment was in exchange for the crystal methamphetamine shipment.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
If convicted, Footman, Guyton, and McDaniel, each face a minimum of 10 years and maximum of life in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF, DEA, USPIS, and MSP for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O’Donohue III who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Agency Quotes
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland
“Law enforcement collaboration is a powerful tool that we leverage to keep Marylanders safe. This indictment showcases our commitment to teaming with our partners to relentlessly pursue justice against individuals who fuel criminal activity in our communities,” Hayes said. “No matter where you are, if you’re involved in trafficking drugs and/or firearms in Maryland, we will find and prosecute you.”
Charles Doerrer, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Baltimore
“This investigation shows how hard ATF agents, with our federal partners, work to purse justice,” Doerrer said. “Mr. Footman and his associates flooded our streets with dangerous drugs and firearms, and ATF will work tirelessly to hold him accountable.”
Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Washington Division
“Our foremost priority is to eradicate violent crime and protect American lives in the communities we serve. DEA Washington Division wants to ensure our communities are safe for all citizens to flourish and feel secure in their everyday activities,” Goumenis said. “This indictment underscores our dedication to rigorous law enforcement efforts and working closely with local and federal agencies to dismantle the criminal networks that jeopardize public safety.”
Damon E. Wood, Postal Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division
“On the 251st anniversary of the US Postal Inspection Service, the success of this investigation reaffirms our commitment along with our law enforcement partners, to ensure the sanctity of the US Mail and rid our communities of poisonous substances and illegal firearms,” Wood said.
Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent, Maryland State Police
“Our continued partnership between local, state, and federal law-enforcement agencies is critical to disrupting illegal gun and drug trafficking operations,” Jackson said. “We are committed to combining our resources, sharing intelligence, and holding others accountable to keep Marylanders safe.”
Middle District of Florida Agencies Receive $3.5 Million to Improve SafetyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL ―The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component under the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, awarded almost $290 million to support state, local, and tribal governments in criminal justice activities to keep American communities safe. More than $3.5 million of this amount has been awarded to law enforcement agencies throughout the Middle District of Florida.
The awards, provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, represent the nation’s leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. For more than 20 years, the JAG program has provided critical funding to support law enforcement’s ability to protect the communities they serve, supporting critical needs such as personnel, equipment and supplies, technology, training, information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, and other operational priorities. JAG funding also supports a wide range of programs that strengthen crime prevention efforts and enhance the effectiveness of prosecutors, courts, corrections agencies, and services for crime victims and witnesses.
“Our local, state, and tribal law enforcement partners stand on the front lines every day to combat crime and keep our citizens safe,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “These awards will assist them as they carry out their mission to improve public safety throughout our district.”
In addition to foundational uses of JAG funds, specific areas of emphasis were included to the JAG funding opportunities highlighting and encouraging state and local jurisdictions to join federal law enforcement in addressing the most pressing public safety challenges. For Fiscal Year 2025, these areas of emphasis included combatting violent crime, immigration enforcement, safe communities, and safe houses of worship.
BJA awarded more than $199 million in state JAG funding across 56 awards and more than $90 million in local JAG funding across 895 awards.
Examples of initiatives supported by these grants include:
- Providing specialized training to strengthen the prevention, detection, and response to human trafficking and to enhance proactive crime‑reduction efforts through improved officer readiness and increased patrol capacity.
- Enhancing local crime‑fighting efforts by integrating innovative technology, training, and equipment, and using comprehensive crime‑data analysis to guide decision‑making, measure performance, and strengthen strategies addressing violent crime and other public safety issues.
- Strengthening enforcement efforts by supporting investigations related to gang activity and narcotics through targeted operations carried out by specialized units.
- Improving officer safety and readiness by replacing outdated ballistic helmets with modern protective equipment used during high‑risk incidents, tactical operations, active threat responses, warrant service, civil disturbances, and other dangerous calls for service.
All recipients for both state and local JAG awards can be found here.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; promote fair and impartial administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking or SMART Office – can be found at ojp.gov.
Methamphetamine Seized During Bawcomville Traffic Stop Leads to 24-Year Federal Sentence for Repeat OffenderRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT – On August 4, 2026, United States Chief District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Bob Gilbert, Jr., 44, of Columbia, Louisiana, to 288 months in federal prison after his guilty plea for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, followed by eight years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on May 31, 2024, deputies with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office (OPSO) conducted a lawful traffic stop of a Nissan Maxima on Sandal Street in Bawcomville. Gilbert was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. During the stop, deputies searched the car and located approximately 46 grams of pure methamphetamine in the driver's side door panel. Deputies also found a digital scale and approximately $3,200 in cash inside the vehicle, along with approximately $1,171 on Gilbert's person. Gilbert admitted he possessed the methamphetamine and that he had previously been convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and sentenced to seven years.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and OPSO. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Farshian and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Cassidy, with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America (TBA), 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 agencies, and coordinates efforts with state and local law enforcement and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF), ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more about PSN at https://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 3:25-cr-00026-01.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
[email protected] www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Masked Gunman who Robbed Leon County Z Mart Pleads Guilty to Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Laquinton Harris, 36, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to Hobbs Act Robbery, Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence, 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: “This case exemplifies the outstanding investigative work performed by our state and federal law enforcement partners, who swiftly identified and caught this defendant despite his efforts to conceal his identity during his violent crime. This successful prosecution delivers a clear message: the safety of our community is not negotiable, and my office will aggressively prosecute these cases to keep violent offenders, like this defendant, off our streets and behind bars where they belong.”
Court records showed a masked gunman robbed the Z Mart convenience store at 4015 Fred George Road on January 30, 2026, during which the gunman discharged his firearm into the floor:
During the investigation of the armed robbery, Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputies found an apparent bullet strike on the wooden flooring and a spent .22 caliber shell casing. On April 2, 2026, ATF executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s residence and found a .22 caliber rifle, which ballistic testing showed matched the shell casing found in the Z Mart. They also found distinctive clothing that matched clothing worn by the robber.
Distinctive ripped pants worn by the robber, found in the defendant’s home
Gloves worn by the robber, found in the defendant’s home
The defendant’s DNA was found on both the pants and gloves recovered during the search warrant.
The defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison, which must be consecutive to his sentence for the robbery, and a maximum of up to life imprisonment, up to 5 years of supervised release, and up to a $750,000 fine.
The case involved an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2026, at 2:00 pm, in the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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.
Man Admits Setting Fires at St. Louis County HotelRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A Florissant man on Monday admitted setting fires in a hotel near Ferguson, Missouri in 2025.
Brandon Dallas Smith, 40, admitted purchasing a cup of gasoline from a convenience store at 2:26 a.m. on March 26, 2025, and then using that gas to ignite several fires at the hotel. Two of the fires were ignited outside of hotel room doors. Hotel guests put out the fires before the fire department arrived, but the hotel was damaged.
Smith pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of use of a facility of interstate commerce with intent to commit a crime of violence in furtherance of arson.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Louis County Bomb and Arson Squad investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen is prosecuting the case.
MS-13 Gang member pleads guilty to illegal reentry after federal racketeering convictionRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Yelso Ollyder Castro-Licona, 38, a citizen and native of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to reentry of a removed alien subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Castro-Licona is an alien without any legal status in the United States. In July 2004, he was found to be illegally present in the United States and was physically removed in January 2008. In November 2008, Castro-Licona was once again found to be illegally present in the United States, and the prior order of removal was reinstated. In May 2010, Castro-Licona, a member of the MS-13 gang, was convicted on a federal racketeering conspiracy charge. According to the prior case, the racketeering activity included murder, robbery, extortion, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, drug trafficking, and federal firearms violations. He was sentenced to serve 75 months in prison and was released from custody in May 2014. In July 2014, Castro-Licona was physically removed once again from the United States. In February 2026, he was found in Erie County, NY, in the Western District of New York. He did not possess any legal documents allowing him to be present in the United States.
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 case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald. The plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato, the Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the direction of Acting Field Operations Director Phillip Rhoney, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourke.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
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Lancaster County Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Massive Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Daryl F. Heller, 56, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Catherine Henry to securities fraud.
The defendant was charged by indictment in August of last year, arising from a fraudulent investment scheme that resulted in investor losses of approximately $402 million in unpaid principal.
As detailed in court filings, Heller controlled and was the majority owner of several companies based in Lancaster, Pa., including Paramount Management Group, LLC (“Paramount”), which purchased, installed, operated, maintained, and processed transactions for automatic teller machines (“ATMs”) and cryptocurrency teller machines (“BTMs”) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and throughout the country.
Heller also controlled and was the majority owner of Heller Capital Group LLC (“HCG”) and Prestige Investment Group, LLC (“Prestige”). Further, Prestige was the majority owner of four companies, collectively, the “Prestige Management Companies.” The Prestige Management Companies, in turn, managed the operations of more than two dozen companies, collectively, the “Prestige and WF Velocity ATM Funds.”
As further detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, from about January 2017 to December 2024, Heller solicited, and caused others to solicit, approximately $770 million from investors in the Prestige and WF Velocity ATM Funds, based on materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, including that the money they invested would be used by Paramount to purchase and operate ATMs and BTMs on behalf of the investors, and that investors would receive monthly payments for a period of approximately six to seven years, and those monthly payments made to investors would be funded through the operation of the ATMs and BTMs that the investors purportedly purchased from Paramount.
A substantial amount of the funds obtained from the Prestige and WF Velocity ATM Fund investors was not used by Paramount to purchase ATMs and BTMs as promised, but used instead to pay the monthly payments owed to earlier investors in the Prestige and WF Velocity ATM Funds, other ATM and BTM investors, Heller’s personal expenses, and business debts incurred by Paramount and other companies that the defendant owned and controlled. In addition, thousands of the ATMs and BTMs that were purportedly purchased by Paramount on behalf of the Prestige and WF Velocity ATM Fund investors either did not exist or were not in operation and, thus, were not capable of generating any revenues.
To carry out and conceal the scheme, Heller created false and fraudulent records, which grossly misrepresented the number of ATMs and BTMs in Paramount’s network and grossly overstated the revenues being generated by those ATMs and BTMs. Those documents were used to satisfy existing investors, solicit new investors, and deceive others by falsely representing that investor money was being used to purchase ATMs and BTMs and that the kiosks were generating sufficient revenues to make investor payments.
In or about April 2024, Heller caused Paramount to stop making monthly payments to investors after the Prestige and WF Velocity ATM Funds stopped providing substantial amounts of new investor money to Paramount. Investors have not received any payments since April 2024, despite Heller’s promises from April 2024 to December 2024 to make payments to and buy out the investors.
Paramount went out of business in or about December 2024, and investors in the Prestige and WF Velocity ATM Funds have unpaid principal amounts totaling approximately $402 million.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1 and faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $5 million fine. Restitution in an amount to be determined by the Court also shall be ordered. Forfeiture of all proceeds from the offense, in an amount to be determined by the Court, also may be ordered.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Francis A. Weber and J. Andrew Jenemann. The Lancaster County Police Department, Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, East Hempfield Township Police Department, and Pequea Township Police Department provided investigative assistance.
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed parallel charges against Heller last September, which are pending.
Justice Department Secures $150,000 Settlement in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Kentucky LandlordRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Danny Bell, the owner and manager of residential rental properties in Somerset, Kentucky, agreed to pay $150,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
“Tenants should not be forced to choose between safety and keeping a roof over their heads,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This case involved a landlord’s sexual harassment of female tenants, including threats to evict tenants who refused his advances. The Justice Department will continue to hold landlords accountable for using their power to violate the rights of vulnerable women.”
“Housing should never be used as a tool to exploit vulnerable people in our community,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This settlement sends a clear message that our office will not tolerate sexual harassment in housing and will vigorously protect the rights of tenants to feel safe in their homes.”
The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in April 2023, alleges that Bell sexually harassed female tenants for over a decade, including in their homes. The suit alleges that Bell offered to forgive rent in exchange for sexual contact, subjected tenants to unwelcome sexual touching, made unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, let himself into female tenants’ homes without notice or permission, and threatened to evict tenants who refused his demands.
Pursuant to the proposed consent order, which still must be entered by the court, the defendant must pay $140,000 to tenants who were harmed by his harassment and a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The consent order governs the sale of Bell’s current residential rental properties, and bars Bell from managing any future residential rental properties and from contacting tenants harmed by his harassment. It also mandates training and the adoption of policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination in his rental properties.
If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 53 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $19 million for victims of such harassment.
Justice Department Awards Nearly $290 Million to Improve SafetyRead the Press Release
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component under the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, awarded almost $290 million to support state, local, and tribal governments in criminal justice activities to keep American communities safe.
The awards, provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, represent the nation’s leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. For more than 20 years, the JAG program has provided critical funding to support law enforcement’s ability to protect the communities they serve, supporting critical needs such as personnel, equipment and supplies, technology, training, information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, and other operational priorities. JAG funding also supports a wide range of programs that strengthen crime prevention efforts and enhance the effectiveness of prosecutors, courts, corrections agencies, and services for crime victims and witnesses.
“This funding strengthens our state, local, and tribal partners’ ability to address violent crime, support officers on the front lines, and keep our Nation’s communities safe,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “The JAG Program continues to provide essential resources that help jurisdictions meet today’s public safety threats and uphold the rule of law.”
In addition to foundational uses of JAG funds, specific areas of emphasis were included to the JAG funding opportunities highlighting and encouraging state and local jurisdictions to join federal law enforcement in addressing the most pressing public safety challenges. For Fiscal Year 2025, these areas of emphasis included combatting violent crime, immigration enforcement, safe communities, and safe houses of worship.
BJA awarded more than $199 million in state JAG funding across 56 awards and more than $90 million in local JAG funding across 895 awards.
Examples of initiatives supported by these grants include:
- Providing specialized training to strengthen the prevention, detection, and response to human trafficking and to enhance proactive crime‑reduction efforts through improved officer readiness and increased patrol capacity.
- Enhancing local crime‑fighting efforts by integrating innovative technology, training, and equipment, and using comprehensive crime‑data analysis to guide decision‑making, measure performance, and strengthen strategies addressing violent crime and other public safety issues.
- Strengthening enforcement efforts by supporting investigations related to gang activity and narcotics through targeted operations carried out by specialized units.
- Improving officer safety and readiness by replacing outdated ballistic helmets with modern protective equipment used during high‑risk incidents, tactical operations, active threat responses, warrant service, civil disturbances, and other dangerous calls for service.
All recipients for both state and local JAG awards can be found here.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; promote fair and impartial administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking or SMART Office – can be found at ojp.gov.
Jury convicts Army veteran of embellishing health issues to defraud the VARead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN.– A federal jury convicted a U.S. Army veteran of defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of over $170,000 in caregiver benefit payments that he was not entitled to receive.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on 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.
According to court documents, James Bradford, 49, of Junction City was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of theft of public money, property, or records.
The VA operates the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). PCAFC provides monthly payments to individuals, typically family members, who care for qualified veterans and service members. The program is intended to compensate caregivers who spend substantial amounts of time providing care since that can limit their ability to work.
Between August 2014 and July 2023, Bradford and his caregiver knowingly provided false and fraudulent statements concerning the level of care Mr. Bradford required from his caregiver. Bradford and his caregiver reported he was unable to provide himself basic care such as medication management, organizing financial affairs, and transportation which required his caregiver to do on his behalf.
However, from May 2016 until approximately 2025, Bradford worked for the federal government. He was employed by U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) as a project manager in Topeka. His work duties included overseeing multi-million-dollar contracts between GSA and vendors.
“Safeguarding benefits for veterans is a priority, and our investigators work diligently to ensure that VA’s programs are not exploited for financial gain by fraudulent actors,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners who remain committed to hold accountable those who would defraud VA’s programs and services.”
“Fraud against a program designed to provide essential care to veterans is unacceptable,” said Special Agent in Charge Jorge Richardson of the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General Midwest Investigations Division. “We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to stop fraud and ensure federal programs operate with integrity.”
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) and U.S. General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG) are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Walton and Lindsey Debenham are prosecuting the case.
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Judd Wire Inc. Agrees to Pay $1.014 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Failing to Test Wire and Cable Used by the United StatesRead the Press Release
Judd Wire Inc., of Turners Falls, Massachusetts, has agreed to pay $1,014,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to perform tests required by specifications for certain wire and cable products used by the U.S. Navy. In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that Judd Wire took significant steps entitling it to credit for cooperating with the government.
“It is essential to the safety and operational capabilities of the military that suppliers comply with applicable product specifications,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “When suppliers fail to comply with required specifications, they can mitigate the consequences by making timely self-disclosures, cooperating with investigations, and taking prompt remedial measures.”
“The performance of safety tests of military equipment is a critically important part of taking care of our Sailors and Marines and the gear their lives and missions depend on,” said General Counsel of the Department of the Navy David W. Denton Jr. “When contractors fail to do so they need to be held accountable. The Navy Acquisition Integrity Office will continue to expand our partnership with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud on procurement fraud matters and take administrative action when appropriate.”
The settlement resolves allegations that from September 2011 to August 2021, Judd Wire produced wire and cable products that were used by the United States, but failed to perform all tests required by each of the 29 wire and cable specifications covered by the settlement. Judd Wire voluntarily disclosed the testing lapses to the United States, cooperated with the U.S. investigation, and implemented remedial measures.
This year, the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combating such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Navy’s Office of General Counsel, Acquisition Integrity Office. The matter was handled by Trial Attorney Greg Pearson of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Jordanian National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Short-Barreled RifleRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Yahya Yaghmour, 43, a Jordanian national who holds dual U.S. citizenship and resides in Fresno, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a short-barreled rifle, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court records, in August 2025, the FBI arrested Yaghmour in connection with a fraud investigation. After Yaghmour’s arrest, he was heard on a recorded jail call instructing his wife to dispose of something that was in a safe in their house. The FBI then searched the house and found an AR-style rifle with a barrel length of 11 inches hidden in a safe in the master bedroom behind several other firearms. Importantly, because the rifle has a barrel length of less than 16 inches and can therefore be more easily concealed, it is considered a short-barreled rifle under the law and must be registered in the federal National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Yaghmour did not register the rifle as required.
Yaghmour has significant experience with firearms and had previously tried to obtain work as gun salesman or gunsmith. He also admitted to authorities that he had built the AR-style rifle they found and that he knew it had a barrel length of less than 16 inches.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.
Yaghmour is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on October 26, 2026. Yaghmour faces maximum statutory penalties of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Jackson County Men Plead Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Adolph Sutton, Jr., 65, of Malone, Florida, and Michael Peak, 56, of Bascom, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of distributing 50 grams or more methamphetamine. The pleas were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Operation Take Back America continues to deliver on the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche that the Department of Justice will devote its full might toward eradicating the scourge of drug trafficking and violent crime from our streets. My office remains committed to keeping drug-peddling criminals, like these defendants, off our streets and behind federal bars to ensure the citizens of the Northern District of Florida can live in the safe, drug-free communities they deserve.”
Court documents reflect that on two occasions, Sutton and Peak sold methamphetamine to law enforcement as part of an undercover operation. On May 6, 2025, the defendants sold 223 grams of methamphetamine to law enforcement. On May 29, 2025, an additional 438 grams of methamphetamine were sold to law enforcement.
Both defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the three counts.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Etherton and Eric Welch are prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark Walker.
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 available 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.
Illinois Man Accused of Sex Trafficking of Woman Who Later Fatally OverdosedRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Sparta, Illinois has been accused of promoting and facilitating the prostitution of a woman found dead of an overdose in 2025.
Jared Anders, 30, was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on July 22 on three felonies: sex trafficking, use of interstate commerce with intent to distribute prostitution and use of interstate facilities to promote prostitution. He appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty.
The indictment alleges that Anders benefited financially from the prostitution of the victim between Feb. 1, 2025, and May 22, 2025.
A motion seeking to have Anders held in jail until trial says that the investigation began on May 22, 2025, when the victim was found dead of an overdose in a hotel in Edmundson, Missouri, near St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The victim’s picture had been posted on multiple online prostitution sites, the motion says, and she and Anders had been communicating about her prostitution activities and the drugs that she said she needed to keep working as a prostitute.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Edmundson Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting 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. For more information, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering the United States and Possessing Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A Mexican citizen, living illegally in Danville, Virginia, pled guilty to illegally reentering the United States after a prior removal and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon and alien illegally in the United States.
Fernando Bahena Ruiz, 28, was charged based on an incident that occurred March 25, 2026.
According to court records, several people called 911 on March 25, 2026 to report gunfire in a Danville neighborhood. One person saw muzzle flashes coming from Bahena Ruiz’s backyard. Officers arrived and saw Bahena Ruiz carrying a gun before he went back inside his house.
Officers ultimately took Bahena Ruiz into custody, then executed a search warrant on his house, where they found a handgun, magazines, ammunition, and fraudulent immigration documents, including a green card and Social Security Card bearing false names.
Officers also found at least 71 spent shell casings on Bahena Ruiz’s back porch and peyote plants containing mescaline, both Schedule I controlled substances, in Bahena Ruiz’s basement.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. made the announcement today.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Danville Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that OSNI AYALA AVELAR, a/k/a Hosni Hernandez, a/k/a Hosni Ayala Avelar, a/k/a Hosni Aldair Hernandez-Avelar, a/k/a Hosni A. Ayala, a/k/a Osni Aldair Ayala-Avelar, a/k/a Osni Ayala, a/k/a Hosni Hernandez-Avelor, a/k/a Hosni Hernandez-Avelar, age 35, a Salvadoran national unlawfully present in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.
The Indictment alleged that on June 12, 2026, Avelar, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on July 26, 2017, January 28, 2011, and May 26, 2009.
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 Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.
Avelar will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Knutson represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Convicted in Homeland Security Task Force Case Involving Deadly Alien Smuggling OperationRead the Press Release
EL PASO, Texas – Furthering the achievements of the Homeland Security Task Force, a federal jury in El Paso convicted an illegal alien from Mexico of five counts for his role in a deadly conspiracy to smuggle and harbor illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Juan Carlos Lara-Quezada aka Ironman, was a leader of an alien smuggling organization operating in the Western District of Texas and District of New Mexico. The organization is responsible for smuggling hundreds of illegal aliens into the U.S. via the desert in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. After successfully entering the U.S., the aliens were picked up and then driven to a stash house in El Paso where they would remain until they were transported further into the United States.
In 2024, the organization smuggled a woman and her son-in-law into the U.S., using a foot guide to lead them on an eight-hour journey through the desert. On the journey, the woman fell ill. The smugglers were directed to drop her off at an El Paso hospital instead of the stash house. En route to the hospital, the foot guide and driver instead abandoned the woman and her son-in-law on the sidewalk of a residential neighborhood. A passing motorist noticed the two abandoned aliens and called emergency services. The woman was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead due to environmental heat exposure.
An investigation led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations resulted in Lara-Quezada’s arrest on Dec. 20, 2024. He was charged in a second superseding indictment on April 2, 2025, with conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in death, conspiracy to harbor aliens, transporting aliens resulting in death, conspiracy to bring in aliens, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Now convicted om all five charges, Lara-Quezada is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 2.
Three co-defendants were sentenced earlier this year. Juan David Vaquera-Guerrero aka Cone aka Sonic was sentenced to 46 months in prison on April 2. Carlos Omar Lara-Muniz aka Goofy was sentenced to 57 months in prison on April 16. On April 21, Ruben Esquivel-Gomez aka Guero was sentenced to 72 months in prison. All defendants in the case are illegal aliens from Mexico and were charged with the death of the smuggled alien.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone presides over the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew Engelbaum and Michael Williams are 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 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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Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Joe Sidney Cross, 44, of Huntington, was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl. Cross admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed fentanyl, cocaine base, and methamphetamine in the Huntington area.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 13, 2025, Cross sold approximately 3.5 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $220 in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Cross admitted that he arranged the transaction beforehand and conducted the drug deal in the confidential informant’s vehicle.
Cross also admitted to conspiring with another individual to conduct additional transactions on March 20 and March 24, 2025. During each transaction, Cross sold a firearm and co-conspirator Erin Leigh Keeney sold approximately 1 gram of carfentanil to a confidential informant. Cross further admitted to selling 8.45 grams of fentanyl on May 22, 2025, and approximately 11.44 grams of fentanyl on June 12, 2025, each time to a confidential informant in Huntington.
On September 11, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Huntington residence while Cross was present and seized approximately 12.35 grams of suspected cocaine base, also known as “crack.” Cross admitted that he intended to sell the seized crack.
Cross and Keeney are among seven individuals indicted following a federal investigation of drug trafficking in the Huntington area. All seven defendants pleaded guilty. Keeney, 42, of Huntington, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28, 2026, after pleading guilty to distribution of carfentanil.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Huntington Police Department, and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-161.
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Hardin County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Multiple Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Christopher Peyton Stricklin, 20, of Savannah, Tennessee, was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment for committing three sexual exploitation offenses against minors in August 2025. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
The investigation in this case revealed that Stricklin used a cell phone to videotape himself sexually molesting a minor female, and he then sent the video to another minor using the same cell phone. Stricklin was charged in a three-count indictment with production and distribution of child pornography, and with transferring obscene material to a person under age 16. Following a two-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen, Stricklin was convicted of all three counts.
On August 6, 2026, Judge Breen sentenced Stricklin to 300 months’ imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release. Stricklin was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,000 to the victim of his production offense, and a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (JVTA).
Following his release from prison, Stricklin will have to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act (SORNA).
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “With the proliferation of cell phones and social media, predators are increasingly committing disturbing crimes against vulnerable victims, including child sexual abuse. As offenders keep committing these heinous crimes against children, our office will keep convicting and severely punishing them.”
“This sentence is a reminder of the FBI’s never-ending pursuit of criminals who exploit our children,” said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “The community is safer with Stricklin behind bars. Removing those who prey on others – especially children – helps protect the public and reinforces the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to protecting children from these insidious crimes.”
“This case highlights the power of the strong collaboration and the unwavering commitment shown by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation along with our local, state, and federal partners in pursuing those who exploit innocent children,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “We hope this sentence sends a clear message to others: we will continue to devote every necessary resource to identifying and apprehending individuals who prey on our most vulnerable citizens across Tennessee.”
This case was investigated by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the Savannah Police Department, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, and the District Attorney’s Office for the 24th Judicial District in Tennessee.
Assistant United States Attorneys Josh Morrow and Caroline Parish prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the media relations team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Griffin Grifter Sentenced to Federal Prison for DogfightingRead the Press Release
NEWNAN, Ga. - Norman Dixson, a convicted drug dealer who fraudulently obtained federal pandemic relief money to fund his lifestyle, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for promoting dogfighting.
“Dixson exploited federal relief programs while breeding, training, and abusing dogs in horrific conditions for his barbaric entertainment and monetary gain,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Dogfighting has no place in civilized society. Depraved individuals who abuse animals for profit should take notice: we will aggressively prosecute these offenses and ensure the perpetrators are sent to prison.”
“Norman Dixson was sentenced to federal prison for his vile acts of animal cruelty, the killing of animals, and his involvement in brutal dog-fighting operations. Dixson also defrauded the Indiana Department of Workforce Development by fraudulently filing for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits he knew he was not entitled to receive, stealing taxpayer-funded relief intended for people in genuine need,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. “We will continue to work relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the unemployment insurance system and aggressively pursue those who seek to exploit, loot, and abuse these critical public benefit programs.”
“Dogfighting is grossly inhuman and it is against the law,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “USDA OIG remains resolute to bring those who commit this gruesome crime to justice. Let this prison sentence be a warning that violations of animal welfare laws will not be tolerated. It is unconscionable that this criminal supported himself by fraudulently exploiting a public relief program. I commend acting Special Agent in Charge Nathan Unger for his investigative work.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Dogfighting is an extreme form of animal cruelty. Dogs forced into dogfighting are often kept on short, heavy chains in squalid conditions. Dog fights often last hours, with dogs suffering puncture wounds, lacerations, blood loss, and broken bones. Injured dogs do not receive professional medical care because the injuries would quickly expose dogfighting rings. Instead, the dogs must suffer through bootleg “treatment” from criminals. Losing dogs and those that refuse to fight are often brutally executed.
Videos and photographs obtained from Dixson’s Facebook and iCloud accounts showed that, since at least 2018, Dixson bred dogs for the purpose of dogfighting. He used treadmills and other devices to condition them to fight from birth, and he marketed puppies on Facebook for dogfighting. Dixson’s dogs spent much of their lives on heavy chains and in makeshift pens or overcrowded crates, surrounded by waste. Dixson recorded numerous dog fights in which his dogs were seriously injured, and he captured video of dead and dying dogs, some hanging by their necks from leashes, suggesting that they had been strangled to death.
While promoting dogfighting ventures, Dixson relied on fraudulently obtained taxpayer money to support his lifestyle. He exploited relief programs designed to help struggling citizens and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic to receive more than $170,000 in Paycheck Protection Program and Unemployment Insurance funds, lying to state and federal government agencies in the process.
On August 7, 2026, Norman Dixson, 35, of Griffin, Georgia, was sentenced to two years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, he was ordered to pay restitution of $171,069. As part of his sentence, Dixson was barred from possessing dogs for the entire term of supervised release. Dixson was convicted of one count of sponsoring and exhibiting a dog in an animal fighting venture after pleading guilty on April 30, 2026.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General and U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Samir Kaushal and former Assistant United States Attorney Alex R. Sistla prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Georgia Man Charged with Threatening to Kill Husband of Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi GabbardRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Nolan Ezra Goldklang, 23, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, was charged by criminal complaint on August 5, 2026, with sending an interstate communication containing a threat to kill the husband of Tulsi Gabbard, the former Director of National Intelligence. Goldklang was arrested on August 7, 2026 on Oahu, and had his initial appearance on August 10, 2026, in the District of Hawaii.
According to court records, on or about July 21, 2026, using a computer in or near Kapolei, Hawaii, Goldklang posted threatening statements directed at Ms. Gabbard’s husband on the social media platform “X.” Goldklang posted that he was “going to murder” Ms. Gabbard’s husband when he returned to Oahu and was going to “slam his bloody face on the pavement until his skull cracks.” Goldklang’s family reported the post to law enforcement and informed investigators that Goldklang was obsessed and infatuated with Gabbard. His family also reported that Goldklang had experienced mental health issues and had previously escaped from a mental institution where he had been involuntarily committed. His family believed Goldklang may have traveled from the mainland to Hawaii to meet with Gabbard.
If convicted, Goldklang faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, plus a term of supervised release.
The charge in the criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In the case of conviction, any sentence would be imposed by a United States District Judge based on the statutory sentencing factors and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph J. St. Clair is prosecuting the case.