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Tuesday 23 June 2026
Utah Woman Extradited to U.S. from Croatia to Face International Parental Kidnapping and Passport Fraud Charges in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah woman is in federal custody in Salt Lake City after she was extradited on June 12, 2026, to the United States from Croatia after being charged in a federal indictment with international parental kidnapping and passport fraud.
Elleshia Anne Seymour, 35, of West Jordan, Utah, allegedly traveled to Europe, and to Croatia with her four biological children without the children’s fathers’ knowledge or court approval. She was indicted on January 28, 2026, and an arrest warrant was issued for Seymour. On January 16, Croatian authorities notified FBI they located Seymour and the children in Croatia. The four children were recovered and returned to their fathers in the United States. On January 17, 2026, Seymour was arrested in Croatia. She appeared in federal court for her initial appearance on the indictment on June 22, 2026. Her detention hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
According to court documents, on November 29, 2025 through January 16, 2026, Seymour removed her four children from the United States with the intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of the parental rights of the children’s fathers. Seymour and the children’s fathers shared joint custody in an order by the Utah state court. On December 2, 2025, West Jordan Police officers responded to a request from Seymour’s co-worker for a welfare check for Seymour’s residence. The responding officer found the apartment unlocked and, after making entry, determined that no one was present. The officer attempted to contact Seymour by telephone but was unsuccessful. On December 3, 2025, Seymour’s former husband and the biological father of three of the children reported to police that he last saw the children on November 24, 2025, when he dropped them off at school. Seymour did not notify the father of her intent to travel internationally with the children as required by the custody order. The father reported to law enforcement he had no contact from Seymour since November 23, 2025. The three children’s father further believed Seymour was out of the country and forged his signature on passport applications for the three children after he found opened passport-related envelopes for the children inside the trash in Seymour’s apartment, found she had deleted her social media accounts, and found other evidence indicating she left the country.
As alleged in court documents, Seymour’s second ex-husband and father to the fourth child told law enforcement he signed paperwork for his child’s passport but was not informed Seymour intended to leave the country. The last he heard from Seymour was via voicemail on December 2, 2025, and Seymour said she was in France with the children, when in fact she was not. Seymour reminded him she had to get the children out of the country because the “end time is coming.” Seymour allegedly told her ex-husband and father of the fourth child she wanted him to join them and asked him not to let the three children’s father know where she was. Both ex-husbands described Seymour as a “Doomsdayer,” a person who believes in the imminent destruction of the United States and eventually the world.
“The safe return of the children remains our highest priority. We are deeply grateful to our federal and international partners for their tireless efforts in bringing about this successful outcome,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “Our work is not finished—we will continue to pursue justice in the case against Seymour.”
"International parental kidnappings can have a profound impact on a child’s sense of safety and stability," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "We are grateful the children in this case were safely returned home through the extensive reach, resources, and collaborative efforts of the FBI and our law enforcement partners."
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by West Jordan Police Department, Salt Lake City Airport Police, INTERPOL, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Ministry of Justice of Croatia, and Croatian authorities.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda for the District of Utah 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
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.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Attachments:
elleshia_anne_seymour.indictment.pdf
elleshia_a._seymour.motionfordetention.pdfUnited States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros Announces Charges Against Two Chicago-Area Defendants as Part of Department of Justice’s National Healthcare Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, today announced criminal charges against two Chicago-area defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The charges filed in federal court in Chicago are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Healthcare Fraud Takedown. The charges continue the trend of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago as well as the Midwest Strike Force moving with speed, intentionality, velocity, and impact to bring criminal healthcare fraud prosecutions, especially against gatekeepers, that dismantle significant schemes that syphon taxpayer funds from Medicare and Medicaid. As part of those efforts, in the summer of 2025, U.S. Attorney Boutros stood up the Office’s first-ever Healthcare Fraud Section, which since its inception has charged some $2.135 billion in healthcare fraud in the Northern District of Illinois.
One of the Chicago-area defendants is charged with participating in a scheme to defraud Medicare out of approximately $240 million in reimbursements for over-the-counter Covid-19 test kits that were either never provided or never requested by Medicare beneficiaries, all within a span of less than six months. The other Chicago-area defendant is charged with orchestrating a scheme to defraud the Illinois Medicaid program out of more than $75 million for purported behavioral health counseling and therapy services that were never provided.
“Healthcare fraud causes billions of dollars in losses to the federal government and private insurers and all too often involves the exploitation of patients through unnecessary or unsafe medical tests and procedures,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “That’s precisely why, last year, I created a standalone Healthcare Fraud Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago—to bring greater focus, velocity, and impact to our efforts in this critical program area. Since becoming U.S. Attorney on April 7, 2025, my Office has charged more than $2.135 billion in healthcare fraud schemes involving alleged criminal conduct in the Northern District of Illinois and throughout the United States and even transnationally. In addition, our Healthcare Fraud Section and its team of federal prosecutors work closely with the Healthcare Fraud Strike Force, which is part of the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, to bring important and consequential cases such as the significant charges announced today. Under my leadership, healthcare providers, gatekeepers, and others who criminally cheat the system will be vigorously investigated, prosecuted, and punished to the full extent of federal law. I am quite proud of the work that federal prosecutors and agency partners in Chicago have accomplished in the healthcare fraud space in such a short period of time.”
The Chicago-area cases announced today by U.S. Attorney Boutros are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges filed throughout the country against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with a more than $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of more than $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s national enforcement action involved a whole-of-government approach, including:
Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to more than $73 million, more than 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The two Chicago-area defendants were charged in the Northern District of Illinois:
AMIRALI BHIMANI, 42, of Naperville, Ill., was charged in a criminal information with three counts of healthcare fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Medicare through the submission of fraudulent claims for over-the-counter Covid-19 test kits that were never requested or provided. Through the alleged scheme, Bhimani caused laboratories to bill Medicare approximately $342 million for the purported provision of test kits to beneficiaries who did not consent to receiving the kits and did not receive the kits, of which approximately $240 million was paid to the laboratories. Specifically, as alleged in the information, Bhimani sold Medicare beneficiary information to laboratories so that those laboratories could bill Medicare for purportedly providing the beneficiaries with Covid-19 test kits. Bhimani and others provided one or more of the laboratories with fake recordings of phone calls, in which the Medicare beneficiaries purportedly agreed to receive the test kits, the charges allege. The source of the recordings allegedly informed Bhimani that they were generated using artificial intelligence. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kelly M. Warner of the Midwest Strike Force.
DANIEL ROBINSON, 51, of Palos Park, Ill., was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of healthcare fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Illinois Medicaid through the submission of fraudulent claims for behavioral health counseling and therapy services that were never provided. As alleged in the complaint, since January 2024, Robinson’s company, ODA Solutions, Inc., has billed Illinois Medicaid more than $92 million and has been paid approximately $75 million. Robinson, as Founder and CEO of ODA Solutions, allegedly directed others to create fake medical records and then bill for counseling services that were not provided, including for beneficiaries who had died. As alleged in the complaint, Robinson transferred approximately $45 million of the fraudulent proceeds to several brokerage and other business bank accounts and used more than $7 million of the fraudulent proceeds to purchase luxury items including real estate, vehicles, jewelry, and a yacht. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sarah Finch of the Midwest Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston of the Northern District of Illinois.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division, HHS-OIG, and the FBI, with assistance from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to investigate and prosecute the cases filed in federal court in Chicago.
The cases involved in the National Takedown are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
On April 7, 2026, 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.
The public is reminded that an indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
bhimani_information.pdf robinson_complaint.pdfU.S. Attorney’s Office announces charges against three defendants in the Eastern District of Virginia as part of national health care fraud takedownRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced charges against three defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
The charges announced today are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since Oct. 1, 2025.
The following individuals were charged in the Eastern District of Virginia:
Jair Barbour, 37, of Henrico, was charged by information with making false statements relating to health care matters in connection with fraudulently billing Medicaid for mental health services totaling $345,670.93. As alleged in the criminal information, Barbour, a qualified mental health provider, submitted hundreds of falsified progress notes describing mental health sessions that never occurred, dramatically overstated the number of hours she worked, and documented services that were impossible due to overlapping or conflicting times. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Day.
Mikia Noble, 37, of North Chesterfield, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a crisis mental health services fraud scheme on Virginia Medicaid. As alleged in the information, Noble, the Chief Operating Officer of Advancing Communities Everywhere, conspired with others to target low-income, often homeless, Medicaid recipients by purporting to provide those recipients with mental health services that the recipients did not receive and often did not need. Noble and others submitted approximately $49.6 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicaid, of which approximately $38.6 million was paid. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Day of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Zachary H. Ray and Lauren Randell of the National Rapid Response Strike Force.
Abdul Rehman Sirhandi, 57, of Aldie, was charged by information with conspiring to make false statements in health care fraud matters in connection with a durable medical equipment (DME) fraud scheme. As alleged in the information, Sirhandi acted as the straw owner of a DME company, Pulse Medical Supply, and conspired with others in Texas and Pakistan to submit approximately $780,627 in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, of which approximately $313,233 was paid. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L. Carlberg of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Zachary H. Ray of the National Rapid Response Strike Force.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito Announces Fraud Conspiracy Charges Against Sober Living Home Founder and SpouseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito announced criminal charges today alleging Raymond C. Meadows II and his wife Helen Crutcher Meadows conspired to commit wire fraud through their roles at Lifehouse Inc., a nonprofit, long-term, faith-based substance abuse recovery program headquartered in Huntington. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“As alleged in the criminal complaints, these defendants viewed West Virginia’s addiction crisis not as a tragedy, but as an opportunity,” Capito said. “While families buried loved ones, communities fought to save lives, and taxpayers funded efforts to combat substance abuse, they allegedly exploited the system for personal gain. The damage from conduct like this extends far beyond dollars and cents — it robs communities of resources, undermines recovery efforts, and betrays public trust. We will continue to pursue fraudsters who enrich themselves through the misery of others and hold them fully accountable.”
Capito also announced a $120,000 civil settlement that resolves allegations involving claims submitted by West Virginia Sleep Centers LLC, a Beckley sleep laboratory, to Medicaid and the Veterans Administration Community Health program.
The charges and settlement announced today by Capito are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individuals were charged in the Southern District of West Virginia:
- Raymond “Rocky” Meadows II, 52, of Huntington, West Virginia, was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud [18 U.S.C. § 1349]. As alleged in the complaint, Meadows, was founder and director of Lifehouse, Inc., a non-profit, long-term, faith-based substance abuse recovery program headquartered in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia. Lifehouse served as a sober living community and received expense reimbursements through both state and federal government grant programs. Meadows conspired with his wife and another individual to falsify and submit timesheets to a testing laboratory for drug testing work not actually performed. The scheme included Meadows’s wife routinely billing 32 hours of overtime each week for months at a time, as well as billing for hours when she was with him on out-of-state vacations. The laboratory issued payments based on the fraudulent billings and subsequently obtained reimbursement from federal and state healthcare programs. The case is being prosecuted by AUSA Jonathan T. Storage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
- Helen Crutcher Meadows, 49, of Tampa, Florida, was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud [18 U.S.C. § 1349]. As alleged in the complaint, Meadows was the collector supervisor at Lifehouse, Inc., a non-profit, long-term, faith-based substance abuse recovery program headquartered in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia. Lifehouse served as a sober living community and received expense reimbursements through both state and federal government grant programs. Meadows was also the wife of Lifehouse founder and director Raymond Meadows. She conspired with her husband and another individual to falsify and submit timesheets to a testing laboratory for drug testing work not actually performed. The scheme consisted of Helen Meadows routinely billing 32 hours of overtime each week for months at a time, as well as billing for hours when she was with her husband, Raymond Meadows, on out-of-state vacations. The laboratory issued payments based on the fraudulent billings and subsequently obtained reimbursement from federal and state healthcare programs. The case is being prosecuted by AUSA Jonathan T. Storage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
The following settlement was announced in the Southern District of West Virginia:
- West Virginia Sleep Centers, LLC, a West Virginia sleep laboratory located in Beckley, West Virginia, reached a civil settlement to pay $120,000 to resolve allegations that the company submitted claims for payment to Medicaid and the Veterans Administration Community Health program for sleep studies and polysomnogram reports that were prepared and signed by unqualified, non-physician staff during the period from January 1, 2016 through January 9, 2020. The case was settled by AUSA Gregory P. Neil of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virgina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Southern District of West Virginia, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Huntington Police Department.
On April 7, 2026, 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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
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Two Statesville Men Face Federal Charges for Breeding Pit Bulls for Dog Fighting; 25 Dogs Rescued, Including PuppiesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two Statesville men are facing federal charges for allegedly running a multi-state commercial dog breeding operation that bred pit bulls that were advertised and sold for illegal dog fighting, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The federal indictment was unsealed yesterday, charging Juelz Christopher Daniels, 19, and Reginald Lionel Goodson, Jr., 55, with one count of conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act. Daniels is also charged with three counts charging the possession, training, and sale of fighting dogs, and eight counts of violating the Animal Welfare Act, related primarily to his possession, training, and sale of fighting dogs, and advertising fighting dogs for sale on Facebook. Daniels and Goodson were arrested last Thursday. Law enforcement also executed search warrants at three residences, where they rescued and seized 25 pit bull-type dogs, including puppies, as well as other items, tools, and paraphernalia associated with breeding and training animals for dog fighting.
“It’s unbelievable people still engage in dog fighting activities,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “We are here to protect innocent animals from the abuse and suffering that comes with dog fighting.”
“When the FBI investigates illegal dog‑fighting operations, we’re not just stopping cruelty, we are disrupting violent criminal networks that harm both people and animals,” said Reid Davis, the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge.
According to allegations in the indictment, from January 2021 to May 2026, Daniels and Goodson maintained properties where they bred, housed, and trained pit bull-type dogs intended for dog fights. They also used fighting training equipment and paraphernalia in their operations, including treadmills, bite sticks, heavy metal chains, animal hides, and “spring poles” or “flirt poles”—all to increase the animals’ strength and stamina. The defendants also allegedly trained and conditioned the pit bull-type dogs to fight in dog fights, and evaluated their dogs’ strengths, capabilities, aptitudes and willingness or inclination to fight.
According to allegations in the indictment, Daniels and Goodson operated one or more dog kennels, including “Hoodwoods Kennels,” for the purpose of raising pit bull-type dogs for dog fighting. It is further alleged that the defendants selectively bred pit bull-type dogs to display particular traits desirable for dog fighting, including aggressiveness and propensity to fight other dogs, often referred to as “gameness,” or a willingness to continue fighting another dog despite traumatic or mortal injury, among others.
The indictment further alleges that Daniels routinely posted advertisements for various pit bull-type dogs that he and Goodson bred and sold on multiple Facebook Groups dedicated to illegal dog fighting and to various individuals via Facebook Messenger. In the advertisements, Daniels allegedly touted the fighting bloodlines of the dogs, at times posting or providing links to the dogs’ pedigrees and bloodlines claiming the dogs were the offspring of dog fighting champions, a “champion” being a dog that has won three or more dog fights. Daniels and Goodson also frequently posted and shared pictures of pit bull-type dogs consistent with various methods of training dogs for dog fighting.
The defendants allegedly marketed and advertised on Facebook the dogs they bred and trained for dog fighting and communicated with others about the dogs’ victories, bloodlines, and training, as well as discussed details about the price, purchase, transfer, and delivery of the dogs to interested buyers. For example, in November 2025, Daniels allegedly posted a link in a Facebook Group to a pedigree alongside a picture of a black-colored young pit bull-type dog tethered in a chain spot captioned “[y]ou will hear about him soon.” The pedigree listed the dog’s breeder and owner as “Hoodwoods.” The pedigree included notations identifying some members of the advertised dog’s bloodline as “2XW,” “POR” and “ROM.” The notation of “XW” on a pedigree indicated the dog was a winner (in this instance, a two-time winner). A dog that produced multiple offspring that went on to be champions was bestowed the prestigious “Register of Merit” (ROM) or “Producer of Record” (POR) title and drove the sales and pricing of fighting dogs.
Both defendants are in federal custody. If convicted, Daniels and Goodson each face a sentence of up to five years in prison for the charge of conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act, and Daniels faces a sentence of up to five years in prison for each count of possession and commerce of fighting dogs and for each count of advertising fighting animals through interstate commerce. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The charges against the defendants are allegations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson credited the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hickory Police Department for their investigation and assistance in this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Armstrong of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General complaint hotline at 1-800-424-9121 or online at https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline.
Two Pittsburgh Convenience Store Employees Charged with Food Stamp Trafficking as Part of Nationwide Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Today, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced criminal charges against two defendants in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud the United States Department of Agriculture. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges stem from the two defendants exchanging Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp, benefits for cash, allowing certain beneficiary recipients to use this cash to purchase illegal controlled substances.
“Giving customers cash for their SNAP benefits is against the law and violates the clear rules and regulations of a program designed to provide nutritional assistance to families in need,” said United States Attorney Rivetti. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute individuals who attempt to take advantage of both recipients and taxpayers by compromising the integrity of important public health programs and illegally trafficking SNAP and other government benefits.”
The charges announced today by United States Attorney Rivetti are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
• Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
• 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
• Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
• 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.The following individuals were charged in the Western District of Pennsylvania:
Abdou Jallow, 55, and Alicia Mastrantoni, 39, both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were charged by Criminal Complaint with food stamp fraud in connection with exchanging SNAP benefits for cash. As alleged in the complaint, Jallow, manager of a Pittsburgh convenience store, and Mastrantoni, an employee of the same store, exchanged these SNAP benefits for cash for various store customers, many of whom used this cash to purchase illegal controlled substances. Jallow and Mastrantoni attempted to conceal the nature of these transactions by using fraudulent universal product codes (UPCs) on the store’s cash register. The store was identified as being involved in fraud through the SNAP benefit transactions, which were significantly high in both volume and dollar amount. It is believed that Jallow and Mastrantoni fraudulently exchanged over $550,000 in SNAP benefits over the course of the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
“Exploiting a vital nutrition program for personal profit and to fuel drug abuse is a betrayal of the communities these benefits are intended to support,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Nathan Abel. “The charges announced today demonstrate the commitment of HSI Philadelphia and our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and threaten public safety. We will continue to trace illicit funds, safeguard taxpayer resources, and hold accountable anyone who seeks to exploit vulnerable families for personal gain.”
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police Organized Crime Unit West to investigate and prosecute the case filed during the Takedown.
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Florida Men Convicted at Trial of Orchestrating $18 Million Advance-Fee SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that JOSEPH MALVASIO, a/k/a “Joe Cohen,” and GREGG MARCUS, a/k/a “Gregg Pierce,” were convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a years-long advance-fee scheme through which they defrauded hundreds of victims of at least approximately $18 million. MALVASIO and MARCUS were found guilty following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.
“Joseph Malvasio and Gregg Marcus perpetrated an advance-fee scheme whose victims were defrauded into paying millions of dollars for loans the defendants never intended to make,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The victims needed these loans to buy property and build businesses. But the defendants simply charged upfront fees and pocketed their victims’ money—approximately $18 million. This Office is committed to rooting out fraud and holding those responsible accountable.”
According to the Indictment, statements made in public court proceedings and filings, and the evidence at trial:
From at least in or about March 2017 through at least in or about August 2023, MALVASIO and MARCUS operated an advance-fee scheme that defrauded hundreds of victims of approximately $18 million. MALVASIO and MARCUS operated this fraudulent scheme through their ownership and operation of a business called Global Capital Partners Fund LLC (“GCPF”). MALVASIO and MARCUS falsely represented that GCPF was a legitimate business that would provide loans to individuals who were interested in funding for private commercial projects. Instead, MALVASIO and MARCUS defrauded victims, collecting thousands of dollars in fees from each victim without intending to issue a loan. MALVASIO also committed the same scheme using two other entities, called Harbor Equity and Commercial Private Equity.
* * *
MALVASIO, 68, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Bridgehampton, New York, and MARCUS, 60, of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, were each convicted of one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. MALVASIO was also convicted, separately, of a second count of wire fraud.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2026.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgia V. Kostopoulos, Patrick J. Gallagher, Adabelle U. Ekechukwu, Jaclyn Delligatti, Micah F. Fergenson, and Daniel G. Nessim are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Saadhana Jakka and Myrnette Millington.
Two Doctors, Physician’s Assistant Charged with Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances via Voicemail “Refill Line”Read the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Today, United States Attorney David Metcalf announced criminal charges against three defendants in connection with an alleged pill mill conspiracy. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
Dr. Joseph P. DiRenzo Jr., 64, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Dr. Marc A. Matozzo, 56, of Woodbury, New Jersey, and Joseph D. Norris, P.A., 62, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. DiRenzo and Matozzo were also each charged with two counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances. Norris was also charged with two counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and one count of false statements related to health care matters.
“Medical professionals who prescribe powerful drugs indiscriminately are fueling the opioid crisis that continues to grip our area,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Just like street dealers, they are perpetuating people’s pain and addiction. My office and our partners will never stop working to put pill mills out of business. We would ask anyone with knowledge of such prescription abuse to share their information with law enforcement. Doing so could save lives.”
As alleged in the indictment, from January 2020 through March 2025, the defendants operated a voicemail refill line that allowed patients to request and receive refills of Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions, namely oxycodone and amphetamine, without ever interacting with a licensed and registered prescriber. The defendants prescribed to patients who used the refill line to receive prescriptions for controlled substances for up to and, in some instances, exceeding one year without interacting with a licensed prescriber. The defendants knew that certain pharmacies refused to fill certain of their controlled substances prescriptions, but defendants submitted the refused prescriptions to other pharmacies and submitted prescriptions in the name of another medical professional in order to deceive the pharmacies into filling the prescriptions.
The indictment further alleges that the defendants received notice from pharmacy benefit managers and insurers that the defendants had prescribed dangerous amounts of Schedule II controlled substances and dangerous combinations of controlled substances and other medications, but they continued to prescribe these medicines.
Some patients who used the refill line to obtain Schedule II controlled substances from defendants suffered drug overdoses and died. Although the defendants learned of the overdoses and deaths, they allegedly continued to operate the refill line to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances without interacting with patients.
“Medical professionals occupy a position of trust and are sworn to care for and protect their patients,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “The defendants in this case allegedly violated that trust and their professional oaths by continuing to prescribe dangerous quantities of Schedule II narcotics, even after being warned about the risks posed by their prescribing practices. At a time when our nation continues to confront an opioid crisis, conduct like this undermines public confidence in the medical profession and the tireless efforts of those working to save lives. The FBI, alongside our partners, will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who exploit positions of trust and benefit from illegal, dangerous, and, too often, fatal schemes.”
“Medical providers are responsible for ensuring that controlled substances are prescribed properly,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Regional Office for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Protecting the public from dangerous provider behaviors and drug overdoses is a top priority for HHS-OIG. In conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and other fellow law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate alleged drug diversion.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Claiborne Bisio of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Northeast Strike Force, part of the Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Unit.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Metcalf are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 civil monetary payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions and 25 HHS-OIG actions under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
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.
Two Charged in the District of Oregon as Part of the National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— Today, U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced criminal charges against two defendants in connection with various schemes to defraud Medicare, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Veterans Health Administration, and private insurance companies. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“Health care fraud inflates costs, restricts access to critical services, and siphons taxpayer dollars from senior citizens, people with disabilities, low-income families, veterans, and others who rely on these federal programs,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “Strong coordination among local, state, national, and international partners is essential to protecting the integrity of our health care system and ensuring those who exploit it are held accountable.”
“Every dollar saved by investigating fraud helps ensure VA programs remain sustainable for the veterans who depend on them,” said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Western Pacific Field Office (“VA OIG”). “The VA OIG is committed to investigating those who exploit VA programs and thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for their collaboration to identify, investigate, and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.”
The following individuals were charged in the District of Oregon:
- Jahangeer Ali, 34, a citizen of Pakistan, was charged by information with health care fraud. As alleged in court documents, Ali owned Oregon Clinical Laboratory, a company that submitted fraudulent claims of genetic testing to Medicare Advantage plans resulting in a loss of over $15 million. The beneficiaries and physicians listed on the fraudulent claims had never heard of Oregon Clinical Laboratory and the genetic testing was never provided. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Ho and Bryan Chinwuba.
- Mehrdad Gerami, 67, of Coos Bay, Oregon, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with medical sleep study testing resulting in a loss of at least $2,124,363.41. As alleged in the information, Gerami owned and operated Coastal Diagnostic Testing Group and Coastal Diagnostic, both of which engaged in submitting fraudulent claims to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Veterans Health Administration, and private insurance companies for sleep tests allegedly conducted in office when, in fact, they were conducted either at home or not at all. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Huynh.
The charges are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The District of Oregon worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: HHS-OIG, the FBI, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Towson Attorney Sentenced for Role in Real Estate Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man is headed to federal prison for orchestrating a real-estate scheme.
U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Jacob Rappaport, 41, to 15 months in prison, today, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Rappaport, an attorney, represented Alexander Schultz, 31, formerly of Pikesville, Maryland, and Schultz’s company, Limitless Management — a company that bought, sold, and managed real estate in Maryland — on various real estate transactions.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Edwin Bonano, Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), Southeast Region; and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Pittano, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Mid-Atlantic Region.
According to court documents, in January 2020, Coventry Realty, LLC, an organization controlled by Schultz and others, purchased Coventry Manor, a Baltimore apartment complex, for $5.5 million. Then in March 2021, Coventry Realty, LLC obtained a new loan from Bank B for approximately $6.2 million for Coventry Manor.
In December 2021, Schultz and others agreed to sell Coventry Manor to Buyer #1. According to the agreement, Buyer #1 would assume the Bank B loan instead of seeking new financing. Rappaport, acting on behalf of Limitless Management, prepared two separate contracts for sale.
The first contract given to Bank B reflected that Buyer #1 was purchasing Coventry Manor from Coventry Realty for $7.8 million. Rappaport also drafted a side agreement that he did not disclose to Bank B.
In this side agreement, which Schultz and Buyer #1’s representative signed, it listed Coventry Manor’s true purchasing price as approximately $6.9 million. It also stated that Coventry Realty would provide approximately $847,619.05 in “seller credits” to account for the difference between the fake purchase price of $7.8 million and the actual purchase price of $6.9 million. Rappaport prepared both the $7.8 million contract of sale and the separate $6.9 million agreement.
Rappaport participated in conversations with Schultz, and others to plan the scheme. Additionally, when the attorney who initially represented Buyer #1 indicated that he would not participate in the scheme, Rappaport assisted in identifying a different lawyer who would participate in the fraud scheme.
Prior to settlement, Rappaport and his co-conspirators determined that only $512,251.12 of the agreed upon seller credits should appear on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement as concessions from the seller to the buyer. The co-conspirators agreed to reflect a fictitious “Reno Credit,” for $85,000 on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement to lower the amount owed by Buyer #1 at closing. Bank B was unaware that Rappaport agreed to hold $335,367.93 in his attorney trust account for the purpose of concealing from the bank where the funds would eventually go, namely back to Buyer #1.
On April 14, 2022, Coventry Realty completed the settlement to execute the sale. As agreed upon, the HUD-1 Settlement Statement reflected a fraudulent sale price of $7.8 million, fraudulent a “Reno Credit” of $85,000, and a $335,367.93 “seller fee” that was paid to the law firm where Rappaport was employed.
Settlement Company A initiated a wire transfer to Rappaport’s attorney trust account for $351,617.93. Then on April 19, Rappaport’s attorney trust account initiated a $335,367.93 wire transfer to Buyer #1’s company, which the lender thought was the “seller fee,” payable to Rappaport’s law firm. As a result of this transaction, Rappaport received a $16,250 payment.
Additionally, Rapport negotiated contracts for Shultz and other co-conspirators in connection with a residential homes wholesaling scheme. Through the scheme, Schultz and his co-conspirators identified homes for sale under market value and then placed contracts on these residences. Schultz and others only owned the homes for a short period of time, sometimes for less than a day, and then sold the properties to a third-party buyer at or near market value.
In September 2021, Schultz and other co-conspirators identified 42 residential homes in Baltimore. Rappaport assisted Schultz and the other co-conspirators by negotiating a contract sales price of $87,500 per home or $3,675,000 collectively. As part of the scheme, the homes were sold to Buyer #2 for $112,500 per home or $4,725,000 collectively. Then the co-conspirators agreed to fraudulently inflate the purchase price to $165,000 per home or $6,930,000 collectively. Lender A did not know the true purchase price was $112,500 per home.
On December 9, 2021, the 42 residential homes were purchased for $3,675,000 and then sold to Buyer #2 on the same day for $6,930,000. The HUD-1 Settlement Statement reflected that Buyer #2 provided $1,931,545.96 as a down payment that came from a third-party not affiliated with the transaction, but Lender A believed the funds came from Buyer #2. The co-conspirators, including Schultz, received $2,921,604.09 from the sale that went to Rappaport’s attorney trust account in order to conceal from Lender A the true sales price and the source of the down payment. After settlement, approximately $2 million was wired by Rappaport from his attorney trust account back to the unaffiliated third party. As a result of this transaction, Rappaport received $5,500.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, FHFA-OIG, and FDIC-OIG for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean R. Delaney who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Third Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Hacking Fantasy Sports and Betting WebsiteRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that NATHAN AUSTAD, a/k/a “Snoopy,” was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in a scheme to hack user accounts on a fantasy sports and betting website (the “Betting Website”) and sell access to those accounts, resulting in losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars to the users. On December 12, 2025, AUSTAD pled guilty to one count of conspiring to commit computer intrusion before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who imposed today’s sentence.
"Nathan Austad and his co-defendants hacked an online betting website to compromise the accounts of over 60,000 users by purchasing their already stolen credentials on the darkweb and utilizing their previous passwords from other websites,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The defendants acknowledged the federal investigation into their conduct while they were committing their crimes, even having the hubris to say the FBI could not do anything about it. They were wrong. Austad’s prison sentence today demonstrates the commitment of the DOJ, the FBI, and all our federal partners to protecting our on-line markets.”
According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court:
On or about November 18, 2022, AUSTAD and others launched a “credential stuffing attack” on the Betting Website. During a credential stuffing attack, a cyber threat actor collects stolen credentials, or username and password pairs, obtained from other large-scale data breaches of other companies, which can often be purchased on the darkweb. The threat actor then systematically attempts to use those stolen credentials to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the same user with other companies and providers, in order to compromise accounts where the user has maintained the same password. Here, in connection with the attack on the Betting Website, AUSTAD and his coconspirators made a series of attempts to log into the Betting Website user accounts using a large list of stolen credentials.
AUSTAD and his coconspirators successfully compromised approximately 60,000 user accounts at the Betting Website (the “Victim Accounts”) through the credential stuffing attack. In some instances, AUSTAD and his coconspirators were able to add a new payment method of their own on the account (i.e., to a newly added financial account belonging to the hacker) and then use it to withdraw all the existing funds in the Victim Account to themselves, thus stealing the funds in each affected Victim Account. Using this method, AUSTAD and others stole approximately $600,000 from approximately 1,600 Victim Accounts on the Betting Website for themselves.
Access to the Victim Accounts were also sold on various websites that traffic in stolen accounts, which are frequently referred to as “Shops.” AUSTAD directly controlled and profited from his own shop, which was named after the character Snoopy from the Peanuts comic strip. A photo of AUSTAD’s Shop website with victim companies redacted is below:
On or about December 2, 2022, AUSTAD messaged about the existence of this investigation, “everyone shouldve been prepared for this before cashing out lol,” and a coconspirator replied, “lol fbi can’t do shit.” On or about May 19, 2023, AUSTAD messaged about the existence of this investigation, “like we didnt know the risk when we started lol . . . everyone knows their committing fraud.”
AUSTAD also controlled cryptocurrency accounts that received cryptocurrency worth approximately $465,000, including proceeds of his crimes.
AUSTAD is the third defendant to be sentenced in this investigation. On January 31, 2024, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan sentenced Joseph Garrison to 18 months in prison. On April 16, 2026, U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald sentenced Kamerin Stokes, a/k/a “TheMFNPlug,” to 30 months in prison.
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In addition to the prison term, AUSTAD, 21, of Farmington, Minnesota, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $463,684.48 in forfeiture and $1,327,061 in restitution.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Micah Fergenson are in charge of the prosecution.
Tallahassee Felon Indicted for Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances & FirearmRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Ishmail Irving Johnson, 36, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, and a PVP, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Johnson appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 8:15 am before United States District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to life imprisonment on the drug count and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the firearm count.
The case is being jointly investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Subway Arsonist Sentenced to 66 Months in Prison for Lighting Sleeping Man on FireRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that HIRAM CARRERO was sentenced to 66 months in prison for setting fire to a man who was sleeping on a New York City subway car. CARRERO previously pled guilty to arson on March 5, 2026, and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.
“Setting fire to another person is a breathtaking, horrific, and unconscionable crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Thanks to first responders and the women and men of the NYPD and the FDNY, the victim’s life was saved, and a horrific tragedy was averted. Subway safety is front of mind for our Office, the NYPD, and our federal partners. Today’s sentence demonstrates that anyone who terrorizes New Yorkers on the subway or anywhere else will face swift justice.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in related court proceedings:
In the early morning hours of December 1, 2025, CARRERO boarded a New York City subway car at the 34th Street – Penn Station subway stop. He picked up a piece of paper (depicted in the screenshot below) and used it to set fire to a man asleep on the train. CARRERO stepped back onto the platform as the doors closed, leaving the victim locked inside the car to burn as the train departed.
Video from inside the train car shows that as the train traveled north towards the next station, the fire flared up, engulfing the victim’s legs and a portion of the train car in flames. When the train arrived at 42nd Street – Times Square, the victim emerged, burning from the train (depicted in a screenshot below).
Minutes later, first responders at the station rushed to extinguish the flames. The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries from the fire.
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In addition to his prison sentence, CARRERO, 19, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New York City Police Department and the New York City Fire Department Fire Marshals.
The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Molis is in charge of the prosecution.
Stockton Man Sentenced for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Stockton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing child pornography.
Brian Lee Cox, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 230 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Cox to serve a 10-year term of supervised release following his incarceration.
Cox will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.
Cox pleaded guilty on Oct. 22, 2025, to receiving and distributing child pornography over the internet. According to court documents, Cox traded child sexual abuse material with other individuals using Kik messenger, an application which focuses on the privacy of its users. A National Center for Missing and Exploitive Children (NCMEC) Cyber Tip alerted the authorities to Cox’s conduct.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Cybercrimes Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Silver City Felon Pleads Guilty to Series of Violent CrimesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Silver City man pleaded guilty in federal court to a series of crimes committed between June 2024 and March 2025 that escalated from unlawful firearm possession to armed robbery and a violent carjacking.
According to court documents, on June 25, 2024, Silver City police officers responded to a residence following reports that Dominic Carbajal, 26, was possibly armed. Carbajal was detained and during a subsequent search, officers found a loaded magazine in his pocket and recovered a stolen pistol loaded with a 32-round magazine. Carbajal, a convicted felon, later admitted he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Roughly seven months later, on January 22, 2025, officers responded to an armed robbery at a local nutrition store. Surveillance video showed Carbajal selecting merchandise and leaving without paying. When the store owner attempted to stop the theft, Carbajal brandished a handgun and ordered the owner to back away before fleeing with the stolen items. Carbajal later admitted using the threat of the firearm to complete the theft.
On March 23, 2025, Carbajal committed a violent carjacking in a remote parking lot. According to court records, Carbajal approached a man sitting in a pickup truck, demanded the keys, and repeatedly struck the victim with his fists and a metal bar or pipe when the victim refused. The victim suffered head injuries and was bleeding during the assault. Carbajal then threatened to shoot the victim, causing him to surrender his truck and personal property, including his wallet, phone, and jewelry. Carbajal later admitted that he intended to cause serious bodily injury in order to obtain the vehicle.
Officers later tracked the stolen vehicle to a residence where Carbajal was reportedly seen. As officers attempted to arrest him, Carbajal allegedly released two pit bulls to attack law enforcement and fled on foot, discarding his clothing as he ran. He was ultimately subdued with a Taser and taken into custody. Officers reported signs of opioid intoxication, and Carbajal allegedly admitted he had used “powder” when asked if he had taken fentanyl.
Carbajal pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by threats or violence, being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, and carjacking and faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Silver City Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Dickens is prosecuting the case.
Scranton Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud with Funds Derived from Federal Health Care ProgramsRead the Press Release
Criminal Information is Part of Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown
Harrisburg - Today, United States Attorney Brian D. Miller announced criminal charges alleging fraud involving Medicare and Medicaid funds. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
Kerry Ann Elliott Beaubrun, 43, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was charged by Criminal Information with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. It is alleged that her scheme entailed defrauding Entity #1 by stealing and appropriating checks intended to be sent by Entity #1 to various payees, including those for which funds were derived from federal health care programs, including Medicaid and Medicare, for a loss of over $300,000 dollars. As alleged in the Information, Beaubrun unjustly enriched herself by endorsing checks to herself that were meant for others, defrauding multiple banks and utilizing funds for her own personal expenses.
The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Honora Berti of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Sacramento Man Sentenced to 4.5 Years in Prison for Covid-Related Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif — Roosevelt Gulley, 42, of Sacramento, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to four years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $575,425 in restitution for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for exploiting a national crisis for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “By stealing identities and siphoning COVID-19 relief funds, he diverted critical resources intended to help struggling individuals and small businesses. Our office remains committed to protecting the integrity of federal relief programs and ensuring that those who commit fraud are brought to justice.”
“While American workers were facing unemployment lines and an uncertain future during the COVID-19 crisis, Roosevelt Gulley was picking their pockets and gaming the system. This sentence is justice for every victim whose identity he stole and every hard-earned dollar he ripped off. We will not stop until every pandemic fraudster is held accountable,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor.
DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., said, “Exploiting pandemic relief programs for personal enrichment is unconscionable. DHS OIG will continue to prioritize these investigations, and together with our law enforcement partners, we will hold these individuals accountable for their actions.”
“The weaknesses in the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program enabled widespread criminal fraud across the country,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “We have since recovered more than $6 billion, supported the prosecution of thousands of fraudsters, and today – more than 99 percent of our benefit payments do not involve criminal fraud. We will continue working closely with local, state, and federal investigators to ensure those who commit fraud are identified, pursued, and brought to justice.”
According to court documents, between July and September 2020, Gulley used personally identifiable information of others to electronically submit fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits to the California Employment Development Department. The claims falsely stated that the beneficiaries were self-employed, and. Gulley knew the claimants were not eligible for unemployment insurance. After benefits cards were issued, he withdrew funds at various ATMs.
Gulley also used personally identifiable information from at least two victims without their knowledge to file fraudulent benefits applications and obtain thousands of dollars in benefits. Over the course of his scheme, Gulley attempted to obtain more than $1.5 million and actually received more than $500,000 in fraudulent benefits.
Gulley pleaded guilty on Sept. 15, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General’s COVID Fraud Unit, and California EDD Investigation Division conducted the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Harman prosecuted the case.
Repeat Drug Trafficking Offender Sentenced to More Than Ten Years in Federal Prison for Meth and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute meth and illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced on June 22, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City to 131 months’ imprisonment.
On February 2, 2026, Seann Mackey, 32, from Mount Pleasant, Iowa pled guilty, admitting that between June 2024 and December 2024, he was involved in a conspiracy that distributed at least 3000 grams of mixed methamphetamine which contained at least 150 grams of pure methamphetamine. On December 20, 2024, law enforcement apprehended Mackey after he led them on a high-speed chase, then attempted to flee on foot. During the foot pursuit, Mackey was observed throwing a firearm. Law enforcement seized methamphetamine, numerous empty baggies and a digital scale from Mackey, along with a loaded Glock 9mm handgun.
Mackey has several previous felony convictions, including: Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine, and Dominion/Control of Firearm/Offensive Weapon by Felon. Each of these convictions prohibit Mackey from possessing any firearm and also enhance his sentencing penalties.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Mackey to 131 months’ imprisonment and an eight-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Mackey remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-4006. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Registered Sex Offender Charged with Drugging and Sexually Abusing MinorsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the return of a 10-count Indictment charging ANDREW WILKINSON, a/k/a “Steppa,” with convincing and enticing three minor female victims to engage in unlawful sexual activity with him, filming a sexually explicit video of a 15-year-old girl (“Minor Victim-1”), and drugging and sexually assaulting 17-year-old and 16-year-old girls (“Minor Victim-2” and “Minor Victim-3,” respectively). The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon. WILKINSON was arraigned on the Indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang earlier today.
“As alleged, Andrew Wilkinson, a registered sex offender and serial predator, used social media to target vulnerable girls so he could drug them, sexually assault them, and film his abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Thankfully, Wilkinson’s illicit conduct was brought to light, and he will now have to answer to these serious charges. Our Office, along with our federal partners and the NYPD, are making a whole-of-government effort to rid our streets of sexual predators. That is what New Yorkers want. That is what we are delivering. The sexual assault of minors and the production and distribution of child pornography are too prevalent. I urge all New Yorkers to assist us in ridding our streets of predators. If you have been a victim of the alleged sexual abuse perpetrated by Wilkinson—or if you know anything about his alleged crimes or think you’ve experienced something similar—we encourage you to contact [email protected] or 212-637-0076.”
“This defendant, who is already a registered sex offender, allegedly used social media to lure underage girls to an unlicensed business for free tattoos and then drugged, raped, and recorded sexually explicit videos of them,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “This horrific behavior—especially the abuse of minors—has no place in our city, and thanks to the relentless work of our NYPD investigators and law enforcement partners, this predator is being held accountable. We will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to protect survivors of sexual assault and ensure justice is served in this case.”
As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in Court:(1)
WILKINSON drugged, sexually assaulted, and recorded sexual encounters with minor female victims. WILKINSON, who was 34 years old and a registered sex offender, operated and advertised an unlicensed tattoo service and used his tattoo service as a means by which to gain access to minor victims to sexually abuse. WILKINSON met and communicated with his victims primarily on social media platforms and utilized those platforms to convince his victims to travel to an apartment in the Bronx where he drugged, sexually assaulted, and filmed sexually explicit videos of them. WILKINSON drugged a 16-year-old girl and sexually abused her while she was physically incapacitated.
Between at least in or about December 2024 and May 2025, WILKINSON repeatedly sent promotional messages offering free tattoos to Minor Victim-1, who was 14, and tried to convince Minor Victim-1 to meet him in person. On or about January 27, 2025, after Minor Victim-1 turned 15, WILKINSON convinced Minor Victim-1 to visit him, where he used a cellphone to record a sexually explicit video depicting Minor Victim-1.
In or around May 2025, WILKINSON met a second victim, who was 17 years old, and convinced Minor Victim-2 to travel from Long Island to the Bronx to obtain a tattoo. While in the Bronx, WILKINSON drugged and sexually assaulted Minor Victim-2.
On or about July 23, 2025, WILKINSON persuaded a third victim, who was 16 years old, to travel to the Bronx where WILKINSON told Minor Victim-3 that he would provide a free tattoo if she played and won three card games. WILKINSON provided psilocin psychedelic mushrooms, methamphetamine, and an unidentified beverage to Minor Victim-3, causing her to lose consciousness. While Minor Victim-3 was impaired and unconscious, WILKINSON raped and sexually assaulted Minor Victim-3.
If you have been victimized by WILKINSON, who utilized the Instagram account “@tattzbysteppa,” among others, or have any additional information about his alleged illegal behavior, or if you’ve seen something similar, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at 212-637-0076 or reach out to us at [email protected] and reference this case.
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WILKINSON, 36, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison; three counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; three counts of committing a felony offense involving a minor as a registered sex offender, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison which must run consecutively to the other sex offenses; one count of distribution of a controlled substance, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of distribution of a controlled substance with intent to commit rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, the Special Agents, Task Force Officers, the Digital Forensics Unit, and the Complex Analytics and Social Media Enhancement Team at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut State’s Attorney Office for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford, the Derby Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Dana R. McCann is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitutes only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Rapper “P-Dice” Sentenced to 63 Months for Utilizing “Ghost Gun” to Shoot at Pregnant WomanRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Rapper “P-Dice” was sentenced on June 23, 2026, to 63 months of imprisonment for unlawfully possessing ammunition as a previously convicted felon when he fired a gun at a pregnant woman, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced today.
Justin Pope, a rapper who goes by “P-Dice,” 38, of Clifton, New Jersey, previously pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with two counts of unlawfully possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.
“The defendant’s brazen and violent conduct could have cost lives. Pope fired multiple shots at close range at a pregnant woman in a public parking lot and took to social media to taunt law enforcement as he continued to endanger the community. This sentence holds him accountable not only for unlawfully possessing ammunition as a convicted felon, but for the potentially deadly harm of his actions. Our Office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of individuals who use firearms and ammunition to threaten lives and undermine the safety of our communities.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On the evening of July 12, 2023, law enforcement officers responded to a report of shots fired in a public parking lot in Clifton, New Jersey. The surveillance footage showed Pope and a pregnant woman arguing in a car. During the argument, the woman grabbed a gun from Pope and waved it at him before giving it back. The woman struck Pope in the face with her hand and got out of the car. As she did, Pope pointed the gun at her and fired two close range shots. Then, Pope exited the car and approached the woman. In an attempt to escape, the woman got back into the car, but Pope violently yanked at the woman’s arm, trying to pull her back out. When this was unsuccessful, Pope climbed over the pregnant woman and kicked at her to push her from the car.
One of bullets that Pope fired traveled across the street into a quick service restaurant, where it lodged in a menu display behind the counter. The restaurant was open for business with employees present at the time. Law enforcement recovered the bullet.
The next day, Pope posted a video of himself on social media firing a gun in the air in a residential neighborhood, taunting police, stating, “Can’t find me . . . Police. Y’all never gonna find me.” Shortly after his taunts, law enforcement recovered his ammunition. Later, Pope recorded and posted another video, in which he was driving a vehicle, taunting, “Can’t find me. Fucking pigs. Police. Y’all never gonna find me.”
A few hours after posting the second video on social media, law enforcement arrested Pope as he tried to get on a bus in New York City that was headed out of state. Pope was witnessed brandishing a firearm to bus employees. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered a loaded gun, which was later identified as a privately made 9mm firearm, commonly known as a “ghost gun,” with a large capacity magazine attached. Ballistics testing showed that this was the same gun Pope used to shoot at the pregnant victim the night before.
Pope had previously been convicted of aggravated assault in New Jersey in connection with the shooting of a child.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Pope to 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; officers of the Clifton Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas Rinaldi; officers of the Paterson Police Department, under Officer in Charge Patrick Murray; officers of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff Thomas Adamo; officers of the Passaic Police Department, under Chief Luis Guzman; and officers of New York City Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Edward Caban, with the investigation leading to the charges.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Criminal Division.
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Defense counsel for Pope: Georgina Pallitto, Esq.
Prior felon pleads guilty to obscenity chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Raymond Mason, 54, of Frewsburg, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession of obscene visual depictions following a prior conviction, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that in February 2010, Mason was convicted of possession of child pornography and attempted receipt of child pornography, and was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison and a term of supervised release of life. On July 15, 2024, United States Probation Officers visited Mason’s Frewsburg residence to conduct a home visit. During their visit, officers found an internet capable cellular phone and tablet, which Mason was not authorized to possess. A cursory review of the phone recovered visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. A forensic examination of the phone revealed more than 600 images, including computer-generated images, of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Mason obtained the computer-generated images over the internet. Some of the computer-generated images included prepubescent minors and depictions of violence or the sexual exploitation of an infant or toddler.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II.
Sentencing scheduled for October 9, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
Port Neches felon sentenced for federal firearms violationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Neches felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Jordan Lee Davis, 36, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael Truncale on June 22, 2026.
According to information presented in court, on January 1, 2025, Port Neches police officers were investigating a possible assault at Davis’s residence when they found him in possession of a loaded revolver. Further investigation revealed that Davis was previously convicted of felony offenses in Jefferson County. As a convicted felon, Davis is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
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, to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Port Neches Police Department; the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John B. Ross and Jonathan Lee.
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Pittsburgh Felon Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Firearm and Narcotics ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 46 months of incarceration, to be followed by six years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal firearm and narcotics laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Jamar Perminter, 26.
According to information presented to the Court, on July 31, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants of Perminter’s person, residence, and two vehicles, and recovered a loaded and chambered pistol, a firearm magazine, and 9mm ammunition. In addition, law enforcement recovered dozens of bricks of fentanyl/heroin, a digital scale, multiple cell phones, and approximately $84,000 in United States currency. Perminter previously had been convicted in federal court of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and heroin. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stowe Township Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Perminter.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Personal Care Attendant Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Vietnam War VeteranRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A personal care attendant, contracted with the Department of Veteran Affairs to provide personal care services to veterans, pled guilty to stealing from a Vietnam War Veteran she was tasked with caring for.
Melissa Diana Simmons, 50, of Boones Mill, Virginia, pled guilty to forgery of government checks. Simmons and co-defendant James Patrick Brown were indicted in 2025.
According to court documents and other evidence, Simmons met the victim in May 2022, when she was assigned as his in-home care provider, pursuant to a contract between her employer and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). Beginning around December 2022, the victim began withdrawing significantly more money from his bank account than normal, sometimes through checks made out to Simmons and her boyfriend, Brown.
After Simmons’s employer fired her in June 2023, she persuaded the victim to move in with her and Brown at their Boones Mill house. Beginning in July 2023, staff at the victim’s bank became suspicious as Simmons and Brown brought the victim to the bank drive-through for frequent and increasingly large withdrawals. Court records claim staff observed the victim’s condition deteriorate over time, from upbeat to hunched over, confused, and fearful.
In mid-August 2023, Simmons had the victim add her as a signatory to the victim’s bank account. Within 30 days of being added to the victim’s account, the victim allegedly lost around $30,000 from Simmons and Brown’s continual, large withdrawals.
In mid-September 2023, bank staff demanded Simmons come inside when she attempted another large withdrawal at the drive-through. Inside, staff saw the victim’s nose was burned from smoking while using his oxygen tank. He was confused and reeked of urine and feces. The victim could not remember when he last bathed, ate, or visited the VA Medical Center. Bank staff persuaded him to open a new account without Simmons as joint owner. As bank staff privately questioned the victim, Simmons grew belligerent, hitting the office window, and shouting at staff until police arrived.
According to court records, Brown arrived at the bank sometime later with the victim asking how to get the victim’s VA benefits and social security checks direct deposited into the victim’s account. Brown also sought to have the victim withdraw between $60,000 and $70,000 from the account. The victim appeared to be in even worse physical condition than before. Bank staff observed an overwhelming stench of urine and feces. He was confused as to why he was withdrawing the money.
Soon after the incident, Franklin County Adult Protective Services (“APS”) opened an investigation. An APS staff member administered a mental status exam on the victim, which showed the victim was suffering from dementia.
On November 18, 2023, Simmons and Brown reported to the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue that the victim was non-responsive. Emergency responders rushed him to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted with acute respiratory failure and critically low oxygen saturation. Medical records showed methamphetamine in the victim’s system, even though he had no history of methamphetamine use and had no ability to independently travel.
From January 2024 into April 2024, while the victim recovered at the hospital and later a rehab center, Simmons received four of the victim’s VA benefits checks though the United States Mail, totaling close to $8,000. The indictment claims Simmoms forged the victim’s signatures on these checks and deposited them into the victim’s new bank account. Simmons and Brown then used the victim’s debit card for their personal use, including spending thousands at a casino.
On October 22, 2024, during an interview with agents of the VA Office of the Inspector General, Simmons admitted that she forged the victim’s VA checks, and that she and Brown spent the victim’s money with his debit card while he was in the hospital.
The VA Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the case.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew O. Inman and Keith A. Parrella are prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the 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.
Peoria Man Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois, man, Matthew T. Cosey, 32, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison on June 18, 2026, for trafficking in methamphetamine. Cosey was convicted of two counts of distribution of methamphetamine and received concurrent sentences on each count, followed by concurrent three-year terms of supervised release.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, the evidence showed that Cosey delivered methamphetamine on two occasions in January 2023 in Tazewell County, Illinois. Law enforcement arrested Cosey after the second sale. In total, Cosey was responsible for the unlawful delivery of 167.2 grams of methamphetamine (mixture and substance).
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Cosey in February 2023. Cosey pleaded guilty in January 2026.
The statutory penalties for distribution of methamphetamine are not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, up to a three-year term of supervised release, and up to a $1,000,000 fine.
Members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) Springfield, Illinois, Resident Office; Illinois State Police (“ISP”) Central Illinois Enforcement Group; ISP Silver SWAT; ISP Peoria Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and the Peoria Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.
Oregon Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Distribution of Drugs Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Kai Packer Sold Fake Pills that Contained Fentanyl and Methamphetamine
MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey announced that Kai Livingston Packer, 25, of Eugene, Oregon, was sentenced to 204 months in prison for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and the unlawful use of a means of identification.
“This case has lessons for two groups of people,” said U.S. Attorney VerHey. “For people who use illegal drugs the lesson is that fentanyl has flooded the illegal drug market and is being added to just about everything your dealer sells. Even experienced drug users are fatally overdosing because they just don’t know they are taking this lethal drug. Don’t take that risk. The other lesson is for drug dealers: We know you are killing people by lacing your products with fentanyl. When we catch you -- and we will -- you will be shocked at how old you will be before you ever see the outside of a prison cell.”
In February 2023, a young man in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan ingested pills he had ordered online and died of fentanyl poisoning. A review of that man’s phone led investigators to Kai Packer. Kai Packer operated various online storefronts that sold drugs on the Snapchat and Telegram applications. He sold pills that he claimed were oxycodone or Adderall, but when undercover law enforcement officers ordered pills, the advertised oxycodone was actually fentanyl and the alleged Adderall was methamphetamine. To distance himself from the drug dealing, Packer accepted payment via CashApp using an alias, specifically, the name of a person whose identity had been stolen. Packer engaged in this activity from his home in Oregon as well as from a previous residence in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The scourge of fentanyl has plagued communities across Michigan and taken too many of our friends and neighbors too soon,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent In Charge Jared Murphey. “HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and hold offenders accountable under the law.”
“Fentanyl continues to be the greatest drug threats facing our nation, claiming lives at an alarming rate. This sentence sends a clear message that those who profit from distributing this poison will be held responsible for the harm they cause.” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph O. Dixon. “The DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue working tirelessly to remove fentanyl from our streets and protect American families from its deadly impact.”
“The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office would like the community to know that we and the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (Tri-DENT) will follow these investigations wherever they may lead us,” said Chippewa County Sheriff Mike Bitnar. “We also thank our federal law enforcement partners for their cooperation here and express our sincere condolences to the family of the victim.”
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Michigan State Police, the Chippewa County (Michigan) Sheriff, the Tri-county Drug Enforcement Team (of the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan), the Las Vegas (Nevada) Metropolitan Police Department, and the Clackamas County (Oregon) Sheriff.
The extensive law enforcement cooperation shown here comes as a result of Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. For more on the risk posed by counterfeit pills, see: https://www.dea.gov/onepill.
Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of trafficking fentanyl, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Edwin Hernandez, 24, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was informed that, on February 2, 2022, Hernandez possessed with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for October 27, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Pennsylvania State Police and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hernandez.
Ohio Dentist Agrees to Pay $500,000 to Resolve Allegations of Submitting False Claims to MedicaidRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – Today, United States Attorney David M. Toepfer announced that a Cuyahoga County dentist has agreed to settle allegations that he submitted claims to Medicaid for services that were ineligible for reimbursement. Medicaid is a federal health program that primarily provides benefits to low-income individuals who qualify and is administered through the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM). This settlement is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“Providers who submit claims for payment from federal healthcare programs have a responsibility to verify that those claims are legitimate. It is our duty to ensure that each taxpayer dollar is spent wisely,” said U.S. Attorney Toepfer. “Therefore, if we suspect fraud, we are obligated to earnestly investigate such matters and hold people accountable for their actions. I’d like to especially thank the Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for partnering with us in this investigation.”
“Medicaid fraud steals from taxpayers and vulnerable Ohioans. If you try to cheat this program, you will be held accountable,” said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.
The settlement announced today by U.S. Attorney Toepfer is part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the DEA seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since Oct. 1, 2025.
In the Northern District of Ohio, Stanley Meckler, DDS, 72, of Pepper Pike, agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act (FCA). The FCA imposes liability for claims submitted to the federal government that are false. The settlement agreement follows an investigation by federal, state, and local partners into John W. Ball, DDS, 68, who was employed by Meckler’s dental practice, Family Dental Care, in Parma. Investigators learned that during the relevant time frame, Ball was excluded from participating in the Medicaid program for defaulting on a federal loan. However, during the time he was excluded, Meckler was billing ODM for services provided by Ball by listing Meckler as the rendering provider instead of Ball. In 2021, Meckler sold the practice and the new owner discovered that Ball was excluded from being a Medicaid provider.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of coordinated efforts between the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI Cleveland Division. The USAO would like to acknowledge the Ohio Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy for their valuable assistance with this investigation. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
This matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Deucher for the Northern District of Ohio.
Other cases nationally are being prosecuted by:
- The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces.
- U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin.
- State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
About the National Fraud Enforcement Division
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of 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.
Potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ or 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Northern District of West Virginia Part of National Health Care Fraud Takedown Resulting in 455 Defendants Charged in Connection with over $6.5 Billion in Alleged FraudRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Today, United States Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced civil settlements with two defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The civil settlements are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The settlements stem from each defendant’s respective use of pre-signed, invalid prescriptions that were issued outside the usual course of his professional practice to his patients in West Virginia while he was traveling and not in close proximity to his office in West Virginia.
“Both here in West Virginia and across the country, the evidence is overwhelming: when health care providers seek convenience or profit instead of complying with the law, the public pays the price. These cases demonstrate the critical importance of coordinated enforcement—between this office, our federal partners, and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office—to identify violations quickly and act decisively,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “We are committed to pursuing any provider whose conduct threatens patient safety or drains public health care programs. Today’s actions make clear that we will not allow illegal prescribing practices, irresponsible handling of controlled substances, or fraudulent billing to go unchecked.”
“This year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown represents the greatest whole-of-government effort to combat health care fraud in our Nation’s history,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Under the decisive leadership of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, and our law enforcement partners, this administration has ushered in a new era of enforcement that will safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
The settlements announced today by U.S. Attorney Harvey are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a $1.2 billion telemedicine scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; seize over $182 million in cash, houses, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and provide full spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 civil monetary payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions and 25 DHHS-OIG actions under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since Oct. 1, 2025.
The following individuals reached civil settlements in the Northern District of West Virginia:
Muhammad Salman, 64, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, reached a civil settlement to pay $325,000.00 to resolve allegations that he and his company, Bridgeport Pharmacy, (1) violated the False Claims Act by submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid while he was traveling and not in close proximity to his office in West Virginia and (2) violated the Controlled Substances Act by using pre-signed, invalid prescriptions that were issued outside the usual course of his professional practice to his patients in West Virginia while he was traveling and not in close proximity to his office in West Virginia. The case was settled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie K. Savino of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, with assistance from the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Jorge Roig, 58, of Weirton, West Virginia, reached a civil settlement to pay $165,900.00 to resolve allegations that he violated the Controlled Substances Act by using pre-signed, invalid prescriptions that were issued outside the usual course of his professional practice to his patients in West Virginia while he was traveling and not in close proximity to his office in West Virginia and by collecting controlled substances without modifying his registration to become authorized as a collector and without keeping records of the disposal of controlled substances. The case was settled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie K. Savino of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.
“The message from the Trump administration is clear: the days of turning a blind eye to fraudsters stealing our tax dollars and harming Americans are over,” said West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey. “Today’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown is proof that we are delivering on that promise. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has been dedicated to rooting out fraud and are we thankful for the commitment from the top to help us stop this abuse and the misuse of pivotal funds intended to help our Medicaid recipients.”
“Safeguarding the integrity of federal health care programs is central to our mission, and the results of this year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown reflect the strength of our collective commitment. The cases announced today demonstrate not only the scale, but the seriousness of the misconduct uncovered, ranging from patient harming schemes to multibillion dollar fraud operations,” said Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General T. March Bell. “HHS-OIG will continue to pursue those who engage in such conduct and hold them accountable. I am grateful for the tireless work of our special agents and for the partnership we share with our federal, state, and local law enforcement colleagues as we work together to protect patients and preserve public funds.”
“The DEA exists to stop the flow of illicit drugs into our communities and to bring drug traffickers to justice, whether they are working street corners or wearing white lab coats and prescribing legal medications outside of accepted medical guidelines,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “I am proud of the work done by the men and women and DEA, and that of all our law enforcement partners to shut down healthcare fraud and hold bad doctors to account.”
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Northern District of West Virginia, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
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.
Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide Takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the National Fraud Division’s Health Care Strike Force program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, CMS, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Northern District of Texas Charges 13 Health Care Fraudsters for Loss over $360 MillionRead the Press Release
Thirteen defendants were among those charged in the Northern District of Texas as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould, during a press conference held earlier today.
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Raybould are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
Contributing to the nationwide crackdown, the Northern District of Texas is prosecuting defendants in seven separate cases for crimes that targeted vulnerable patients and exploited taxpayer-funded programs. The Northern District of Texas cases represent collective fraudulent billing of more than $365 million submitted to federally-funded programs and other insurers. The defendants allegedly misappropriated funds intended to serve vulnerable populations—including elderly Medicare beneficiaries and members of the military—to further their own financial interests. The government seized over $35 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets as part of the coordinated enforcement efforts. Those charged include:
- Devin Brodman of Coconut Creek, Florida;
- Kevin Curry of Frisco, Texas;
- Olubayo Idowu of DeSoto, Texas, James Lou Carlisle Jr. of Southlake, Texas, and Vaughn Anthony Brozek of Hurst, Texas;
- Catherine Maduka of Garland, Texas;
- Jason Charles Mareno of Irving, Texas, David Lee Lloyd of Meridian, Mississippi, Jason Kashou of Coral Springs, Florida, and Duc Ngoc Ly a/k/a Michael Ly of Frisco, Texas;
- Michael McMillan of Las Vegas, Nevada; and
- Neel Vivek Paithankar of Irving, Texas.
“My office is committed to protecting victims and combating fraud against the United States wherever it is found,” United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould said. “Today’s announcement sends a message that no quarter will be given to fraudsters and those who prey on vulnerable members of our community in the Northern District of Texas. It also serves as a reminder that medical professionals who violate the trust society places in them and exploit Americans for personal enrichment will be aggressively pursued and held accountable. My office’s participation in the National Health Care Fraud Takedown reflects our decentralized approach to pursuing fraud across the entirety of the Northern District and highlights the growing partnership we have with Main Justice and the investigating agencies in these efforts to protect victims and the public fisc.”
“Today’s takedown underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting federal health care programs and the patients they serve,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “These individuals didn't just steal taxpayer money; they preyed on vulnerable patients and attacked the very foundation of public trust. Working alongside our partners, HHS-OIG will relentlessly pursue anyone who seeks to defraud federal health care programs and ensure they are brought to justice.”
“The perpetrators of these fraud schemes billed Medicare and Medicaid for services that were either unnecessary or that were never provided to patients, in order to personally profit off of government-sponsored healthcare programs. These programs provide critical care and services to individuals in our communities that need it most,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify and investigate individuals responsible for defrauding government programs, costing taxpayers tens of billions of dollars annually.”
“Today’s takedown sends a clear and unified message: individuals who exploit TRICARE or other federal healthcare programs will face swift and decisive action,” said Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of the Department of War Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS). “Those who siphon resources from our service members, veterans, and vulnerable beneficiaries undermine mission readiness, drive up healthcare costs, and erode public trust. DCIS, in close coordination with our federal partners, will continue to aggressively identify, investigate, and dismantle illegal schemes that target TRICARE and other government healthcare systems for personal gain.”
“Through the tenacious work of our investigators, auditors, and inspectors, the VA OIG plays a vital role in combating healthcare fraud throughout the country,” said Inspector General Cheryl L. Mason, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. “Healthcare schemes steal taxpayer dollars and divert critical resources away from veterans. The VA OIG will vigorously investigate anyone who seeks to defraud VA programs.”
“My office has worked tirelessly to expose and end fraud, and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for the people of Texas. I will continue to work to find and stop fraud to protect Texans’ hard-earned dollars and ensure their tax dollars are not wasted or abused,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Those charged in the Northern District of Texas as part of the historic Takedown include:
- Devin Jack Brodman, 32, of Coconut Creek, Florida, was charged by information with conspiracy to defraud the United States and paying and receiving kickbacks in connection with the submission of fraudulent claims by two North Texas labs to Medicare for laboratory testing services, including genetic testing. As alleged in the Information, Brodman, who co-owned Neva Diagnostics and Areahou Diagnostics, billed Medicare for laboratory testing services that were ineligible for reimbursement and were ordered and procured through kickbacks and bribes. He allegedly concealed the submission of the fraudulent claims to Medicare. In total, the two labs billed Medicare approximately $65 million for laboratory testing services and were paid approximately $43 million. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Texas Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marty Basu of the Northern District of Texas.
- Kevin Darnell Curry, 63, of Frisco, Texas, was charged by indictment with health care fraud, offer and payment of illegal kickbacks and bribes, and engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property in connection with a scheme to defraud TRICARE by fraudulently billing for transcranial magnetic stimulation (“TMS”) treatments that he knew were not provided, not provided as represented, medically unnecessary, induced by the payment of illegal kickbacks and bribes, and/or otherwise ineligible for reimbursement by TRICARE. As alleged in the indictment, Curry, owner and operator of Acuity TMS, submitted and caused the submission of approximately $26,878,282 in false and fraudulent claims to TRICARE, of which approximately $17,075,566 was paid. Assets valued at approximately $200,000 were seized as part of the case, including $136,022 in cash and a 2024 gold Tesla Cybertruck Curry purchased with proceeds from his fraudulent scheme. The Department of War’s Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and Texas Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Womble of the Northern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Yael Mash of the Texas Strike Force.
- Dr. Olubayo Idowu, 75, of Desoto, Texas, Dr. James Lou Carlisle Jr., 53, of Southlake, Texas, and Vaughn Anthony Brozek, 56, of Hurst, Texas, were charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud Medicare and other health care benefit programs through the submission of more than $25 million in false and fraudulent medical claims for electroencephalography (“EEG”) testing. As alleged in the superseding indictment, Idowu and Carlisle, both physicians, and Brozek, a nurse practitioner, conspired to unlawfully enrich themselves from 2020 until at least 2023 by accepting kickbacks and bribes for patient EEG testing that was medically unnecessary. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Texas Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Department of War’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Douglas B. Brasher of the Northern District of Texas.
- Catherine Nkeiru Maduka, 66, of Garland, Texas, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud in connection with a hospice scheme, which resulted in over $3.1 million in false claims being submitted to Medicare. As alleged in the indictment, Maduka, the owner and CEO of Saint Catherine’s Hospice, recruited patients who were ineligible for hospice care and billed Medicare for services that were never provided. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and Texas Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Douglas B. Brasher of the Northern District of Texas.
- Jason Charles Mareno, 52, of Irving, Texas, David Lee Lloyd, 56, of Meridian, Mississippi, Jason Kashou, 40, of Coral Springs, Florida, and Duc Ngoc Ly, a/k/a Michael Ly, 52, of Frisco, Texas, were charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare for COVID-19 test kits. As alleged in the superseding indictment, the defendants provided Medicare beneficiary information to two coconspirators who own lab businesses, who in turn used that information to bill Medicare for COVID-19 test kits they sent to the beneficiaries who had not requested them and in some cases to beneficiaries who were deceased. The lab owners then kicked back a portion of the Medicare reimbursement to the defendants in cash and through a series of financial transactions designed to conceal the kickbacks. As a result of the scheme, the defendant and their coconspirators caused more than $73 million in fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare for COVID-19 test kits. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Department of War’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Douglas B. Brasher of the Northern District of Texas.
- Michael McMillan, 55, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was charged by indictment with health care fraud, offer and payment of illegal kickbacks and bribes, and engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property in connection with the submission of approximately $268 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and other government healthcare benefit programs related to wound care products. As alleged in the indictment, McMillan, the owner of Protectus LLC and related entities, offered various skin substitute products to physicians and medical providers under an illegal kickback arrangement that guaranteed that medical providers profited thousands of dollars for every skin substitute claim the providers billed the government programs. Disguising the kickbacks as rebates or discounts, McMillan and Protectus received approximately $174 million. Assets valued at approximately $35 million were seized as part of the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Department of War’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Marty Basu and Chad Meacham of the Northern District of Texas.
- Neel Vivek Paithankar, 25, of Irving, Texas, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud in connection with a scheme to submit approximately $2.3 million of false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (“DME”). As alleged in the indictment, Paithankar, owner of VMP Health Care LLC, facilitated the solicitation of Medicare beneficiaries through telemarketers posing as Medicare representatives offering free DME. He then shipped the DME to Medicare beneficiaries who either did not need and/or did not want the products. In total, VMP Health Care LLC submitted approximately 3,700 false claims to Medicare, for which Medicare paid $1.2 million. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elise Aldendifer of the Northern District of Texas.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
An information or indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nine charged in SDTX as part of national health care fraud takedownRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Several people in and around the Houston area as well as a Nevada woman have been indicted in various schemes including illegal drug diversion and attempts to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE which involve a total of over $1 billion in alleged fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The charges include alleged pill mill clinics, fraud involving mental health care as well as allegations of improper wound care treatment on elderly patients and are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
One case charges Tonya Crowder, 49, Missouri City; Marlene Durham, 55, Humble; and Demetrius Onuaguluchi, 34, Houston; with distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy to do so in connection with the operation of two pill mill clinics in Houston and a pill mill pharmacy in Conroe. The three allegedly participated in a scheme to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances in exchange for cash to the clinics and the pharmacy. The charges allege Crowder and Durham were the managers of two pill mill clinics that issued prescriptions for over 3.4 million pills to include oxycodone, hydrocodone and carisoprodol. Onuaguluchi was a pharmacist that worked closely with these two clinics and dispensed over 136,000 pills based on prescriptions that Durham and Crowder’s clinics issued, according to the charges. The indictment includes a notice of forfeiture of over $80,000 in cash seized from one clinic and one residence and a property connected to the alleged drug diversion.
In a separate matter, Katy residents Princepaul Agbonlahor and Nekewon Konah, both 51; Ginger Ruffin, 46, Conroe; Stephanie Harris, 37, Pearland; and Takiya Caradine, 33, Houston, are charged with health care fraud and conspiracy to do so as well as false statements relating to a health care matter in connection with a $16 million Medicaid fraud scheme. Agbonlahor was the owner of Lahor Behavioral Services LLC and billed Medicaid for mental health services for minors that did not occur, according to the charges. The indictment alleges Lahor counselors, including Ruffin, Konah, Harris and Caradine, created fake visit notes and falsified their timesheets to cover up Agbonlahor’s fraudulent Medicaid billing.
As part of the enforcement action, the Texas Strike Force also filed charges in the Southern District of Texas against Marizel Yukee, a 49-year-old nurse practitioner from Las Vegas, Nevada, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and offering, paying, soliciting and receiving illegal health care kickbacks. She is also charged with transactional money laundering, all in connection with an alleged $906 million scheme to defraud Medicare and TRICARE by billing for medically unnecessary amniotic wound allografts that were procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes. The indictment alleges Yukee, through four mobile wound clinics she owned in four different states, targeted elderly Medicare patients, many of whom were terminally ill in hospice care. The scheme allegedly caused unnecessary and expensive allografts to be applied to these vulnerable patients’ wounds without attempting, completing or confirming conservative wound care treatment. Yukee caused allografts to be applied to infected wounds, to wounds that had already healed and to wounds that were not responding to the allografts, according to the charges. Yukee also allegedly falsified patient medical records to make it appear as though applications of allografts were medically reasonable and necessary and met Medicare requirements. The charges further allege Yukee caused kickbacks to be paid to induce patient referrals and solicited kickbacks in exchange for purchasing allografts. In total, Yukee allegedly caused approximately $906 million in false and fraudulent claims to be billed to Medicare and TRICARE, of which approximately $297 million was paid. Assets valued at approximately $35.2 million were seized as part of this investigation, including $467,000, a $594,000 Ferrari 296 GTS and seven other vehicles, and jewelry including a Bulgari necklace purchased for $865,000.
The SDTX worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and FBI, Texas Attorney General’s Office - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General to investigate and prosecute the cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Olson and Alexander Alum are prosecuting the SDTX matters, while Trial attorney Adam Tisdall is handling the Yukee prosecution. SDTX AUSAs Tyler Foster, Kristine Rollinson and Elizabeth Wyman are handling asset forfeiture in the various cases.
The overall charges are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. The takedown represents a new era in federal, state and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
This coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 civil monetary payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions and 25 DHHS-OIG actions under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since Oct. 1, 2025.
Descriptions of each case involved in the nationwide enforcement action are available on the Department’s website.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, SDTX, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia. The MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Virigina also participated in the investigation of the various federal cases.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nigerian national sentenced to five years in prison for $3.5 million romance scamRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 42-year-old Nigerian national was sentenced late yesterday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to five years in prison for his scheme to steal some $3.5 million from eight different victims via an online romance scam, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo was arrested at an airport in Texas upon his arrival in the U.S. in 2024. He was indicted in December 2023 for 14 counts of wire fraud connected to his romance fraud scheme. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright called the crime “devastating,” noting that it is “not an exaggeration to say it ruined lives—not only financial lives” but also from the nonmonetary harms the victims endured, such as “shame, depression, and isolation from their own family.”
“This defendant preyed on those already suffering from the loss of loved ones or other heartbreak. For some 15 years he upended the lives of people he never met,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “He spun tale after tale to gain the victims’ trust and their money – even claiming to run a non-profit providing services for autistic children. No scheme was too low for these conspirators.”
“For years, Mr. Nwadialo preyed on vulnerable victims looking for relationships online, gained their trust, and told them lies to steal their life savings totaling millions of dollars,” said W. Mike Harrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Fortunately, although he operated his romance scams from overseas, Mr. Nwadialo ultimately traveled to the United States where he could be arrested and held accountable for his crimes here in the Western District of Washington.”
According to records filed in the case, Nwadialo defrauded victims of more than $3.5 million. Nwadialo used various versions of the name ‘Giovanni” when he met his victims online on dating websites such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café. He used false images and information for his profile, typically telling victims that he was in the military and deployed overseas so he could not meet them in person. Using these personas, Nwadialo invented many reasons he needed the victims to send him money. In one case, he told a victim that he had been fined by the military for revealing his location to the victim and asked for the victim’s help paying the $150,000 fine.
Nwadialo used other manipulative ploys to convince victims to send him money. He targeted older, often widowed or divorced individuals. He represented to one victim that he needed help moving money in connection with his father’s death. He told a victim that he was investing money for her. And he claimed he needed financial assistance, including help paying for his father’s funeral or his son’s school tuition.
Prosecutors asked that Nwadialo be sentenced to five years in prison, writing to the court, “Nwadialo’s offense was extremely serious and caused significant harm. For over 15 years, he and his confederates manipulated older, often widowed or divorced, individuals with savings into believing they had serious romantic partners for their own financial benefit. One victim was in a “relationship” for three years with Nwadialo’s fake online persona before learning the truth from the FBI. Another victim was a widow who thought she had found love again following her husband’s death. Instead, she lost her home and life savings and, even now, continues to suffer financially from the taxes, fees, and penalties she incurred from liquidating her accounts and home to help ‘Giovanni.’ Try as they might, those victims may never truly recover from Nwadialo’s conduct.”
The case was investigated by the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sok Tea Jiang and David T. Martin.
Newtonville Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Newtonville man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for a drug distribution offense involving cocaine.
Trevor Headley, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In April 2026, Headley pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Headley was arrested and charged in October 2025.
In August 2025, Headley distributed cocaine to an undercover law enforcement officer on multiple occasions. On Aug. 12, 2025, after arranging the first transaction through a series of communications, Headley met the undercover officer at a pre-arranged location and sold approximately 112 grams of cocaine. On Aug. 27, 2025, Headley conducted a second controlled transaction, this time distributing approximately 451 grams of cocaine.
Additionally, on recorded phone calls with the undercover officer in September 2025, Headley discussed obtaining an additional kilogram of cocaine for sale and expressed interest in obtaining firearms and machinegun conversion devices – stating that the firearms would be included as part of the negotiation, in exchange for the cocaine.
During a search of Headley’s residence following his arrest in October 2025, approximately three kilograms of cocaine packaged for distribution, along with more than $32,000 in cash and other items consistent with drug trafficking were recovered.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Newport News man sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually exploiting a minor and posting a video of the abuse onlineRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, in February 2024, Kemp Jermaine Nelson, 33, engaged in sex with a 15-year-old runaway, recorded his abuse of the victim, and then posted the resultant CSAM on social media. On Sept. 17, 2025, FBI agents searched Nelson’s residence. Nelson claimed to investigators that he was a “content creator” and “porn star.”
The FBI’s Norfolk Field Office investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter G. Osyf prosecuted the case.
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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-CR-68.
New York Man Sentenced to Prison for Impersonating Crypto Influencers in Investment ScamRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A New York man received a federal-prison term for mimicking popular crypto influencers as he carried out a wire-fraud scheme.
U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Noman Saleem, 39, of Queens and Levittown, to 15 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, in connection with the scam. Saleem conspired to steal victims’ money — including a victim in Maryland — under the guise of a crypto staking or crypto investment opportunity with guaranteed returns.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office.
According to court documents, beginning in December 2020, and continuing through at least March 2021, Saleem engaged in the investment scheme by promoting himself as popular online crypto influencers, convincing several victims to send crypto to virtual wallets that he owned and controlled. The victims invested with Saleem under the guise of a crypto staking or crypto investment opportunity with guaranteed returns. After Saleem took control of the victims’ crypto, he ceased communicating with them and disappeared with their crypto.
Cryptocurrencies are not tied to any nation’s fiat currency. The owner of cryptocurrency is assigned a mathematical encryption key pair consisting of a public key and a private key. A public key, also known as an address, is visible to the public. The public key allows the public to verify the owner of virtual currency and to send and receive cryptocurrencies. A private key, also known as a secret key, utilizes a password to complete cryptocurrency transactions. Secret keys are typically only shared with the owner of the public key. A wallet can hold multiple public keys for a user and an account can hold multiple wallets for a user.
Crypto staking involves holding cryptocurrency holdings for a period of time to earn interest or rewards. Crypto staking is often accomplished through groups of people or pools, with participants earning passive income on their holdings, ranging from 5 to 20 percent.
In 2020, Saleem began using Telegram as a messaging application. Saleem created a handle on Telegram used by a popular crypto influencer. Thousands of people joined Saleem’s public channel, and he also created a VIP sub channel by subscription in exchange for approximately $500 to $600 of crypto. Saleem led members to believe that he was the influencer, as VIP channel members could direct message him. He also created a second handle using another popular crypto influencer’s handle and offered channel members the option to join his VIP channel by subscription.
Saleem advertised staking rewards through his Telegram channels, with terms of 30 to 90 days. He then enticed potential investors with promises that the more crypto that they invested, the greater the returns. Saleem never actually staked any crypto.
While conducting the crypto influencing and staking scheme, Saleem obtained at least $1,415,067.14 in the equivalent of U.S. currency and crypto. The Government seized much of these losses back in the form of crypto and U.S. currency, as identified in the plea agreement.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean R. Delaney, who prosecuted this federal case, and recognized Paralegal Specialist Shelbe Mascaro for her valuable assistance.
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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New Jersey Woman Pleads Guilty to Depositing Counterfeit Treasury CheckRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A New Jersey woman, formerly of Westbrook, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to presenting a counterfeit government check to her credit union.
According to court records, Palwasha Shir, 35, was the sole owner of the Selfie Room LLC, a business Shir registered in Maine. Shir opened a checking account for the Selfie Room at a credit union in Maine. In July 2024, Shir deposited a counterfeit Treasury check made payable to the Selfie Room in the amount of $291,203. In August 2024, Shir deposited a counterfeit Treasury check made payable to the Selfie Room in the amount of $193,107. The serial numbers and amounts on the checks matched those of genuine tax refund checks issued by the IRS to entities other than the Selfie Room and unrelated to Shir. The counterfeit checks changed the payee and address to make the checks payable to the Selfie Room. When a representative of the credit union called Shir to discuss the checks, Shir falsely claimed that she received the checks from the IRS.
Shir faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
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.
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Navajo Man Sentenced to 31 Years in Prison for Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Last week, McRenoisen Morales Sagina, 57, of St. Michaels, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 31 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. On March 18, 2026, a federal jury convicted Sagina of one count of Sexual Abuse by Threat, two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact by Threat, and three counts of Sexual Abuse Without Consent.
The evidence at trial showed that between Jan. 2025 and March 10, 2025, Sagina, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, sexually abused a 17-year-old on the Navajo Nation Reservation, in St. Michaels, Arizona. As part of the abuse, Sagina, who served as a medicine man on the Navajo Nation Reservation, threatened the victim with witchcraft and violence. Sagina’s threats included pointing a shotgun at the victim to make her take her clothes off.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Gallup Office and the Navajo Nation Criminal Investigator’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Genevieve A. Ozark and Tracy Van Buskirk, District of Arizona, Phoenix, prosecuted the case.
CASE NUMBER: CR-25-08052-PCT-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-104_Sagina# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in 455 Defendants Charged in Fraud Scheme Totaling over $6.5 BillionRead the Press Release
Today, United States Attorney David I. Courcelle announced criminal charges against two defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, and other health care benefit programs. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges stem from schemes to submit claims for medically unnecessary respiratory pathogen panel (“RPP”) testing and fraudulent claims for care that a provider did not provide to patients. Additionally, arrests were announced by the State of Louisiana’s Attorney General’s Office pursuant to criminal charges against three defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicaid.
“The charges announced today include some of the largest and most complex cases that the Department has prosecuted and reinforces the combined missions of the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. “Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of fraud, and seek justice for those impacted by Health Care Fraud schemes.”
“The men and women of Louisiana get up and go to work every single day to provide for their families. Their tax dollars are intended for those in need. Nothing is more offensive than those who manipulate the system for their own benefit,” said Louisiana State Attorney General Liz Murrill.
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Courcelle are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individuals were charged in the Eastern District of Louisiana federal court:
Holly Broussard, 44, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care benefit programs for medically unnecessary respiratory pathogen panel (“RPP”) testing. As alleged in the indictment, Broussard, a sales representative for a diagnostic laboratory based in Louisiana, solicited orders for unnecessary RPP tests, to be bundled with COVID-19 tests, in order to maximize reimbursement from health care benefit programs. Broussard targeted providers in rural areas who had limited or no other options for treatment, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities that only needed COVID-19 testing. In total, Broussard caused the submission of over $51.7 million in claims for respiratory panel testing, of which the laboratory was reimbursed over $28.4 million. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney James McHale of the National Rapid Response Strike Force and Trial Attorney Kelly Z. Walters of the Gulf Coast Strike Force.
Dr. Christopher Whipple, 41, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged by indictment with health care fraud in connection with a scheme to submit at least $5,900,000 in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare. As alleged in the indictment, Whipple, a licensed physician, submitted claims on behalf of patients for care he did not provide, including billing for in-person care despite being outside the state of Louisiana. Whipple also submitted claims using the identities of other providers without their permission and caused the submission of claims for care allegedly rendered after a patient had died. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Zakeria Haidary and Acting Assistant Chief Sara Porter of the Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Knight of the Eastern District of Louisiana. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Giavotella of the Eastern District of Louisiana is handling asset forfeiture.
Criminal actions in Louisiana State Court include:
Jaquala Robertson, 36, of Hammond, Louisiana, was arrested pursuant to a warrant for Medicaid fraud. As alleged in the arrest warrant affidavit, Robertson was the employer of Kirstan Wells as part of the Medicaid Self Direction Program and approved false claims for personal care services allegedly provided to Robertson’s child who was a Medicaid recipient while the child was actually present in a day care facility. The amount of money paid by Medicaid for these fraudulent claims was $5,532.95. The case is being prosecuted by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with the permission of the District Attorney’s Office for the Nineteenth Judicial District.
Kirstan Wells, 33, of Hammond, Louisiana, was arrested pursuant to a warrant for Medicaid Fraud. As alleged in the arrest warrant affidavit, Wells submitted false claims for providing personal care services to a Medicaid recipient for times when the recipient was actually in a day care facility. The amount of money paid by Medicaid for these fraudulent claims was $5,532.95. The case is being prosecuted by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with the permission of the District Attorney’s Office for the Nineteenth Judicial District.
Asha Clark, 23, of Mount Hermon, Louisiana, was arrested pursuant to a warrant for Medicaid fraud. As alleged in the arrest warrant affidavit, Clark was employed as a direct service work through the Medicaid Self Direction Program to provide personal care services for a Medicaid recipient. During her employment, Clark submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for services that were not rendered during two separate time periods when the recipient was incarcerated. The total amount paid by Medicaid for these fraudulent claims was $6,610.79. The case is being prosecuted by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with the permission of the District Attorney’s Office for the Nineteenth Judicial District.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Eastern District of Louisiana, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Federal Bureau of Investigation; IRS-Criminal Investigations; Louisiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General.
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in 455 Defendants Charged in Connection with over $6.5 Billion in Alleged Fraud, Including Oahu Man Charged with Fraudulent Billing Resulting in $1.5 Million LossRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Today, United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced criminal charges against Henry Quan in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Medicare. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges stem from a scheme to bill for prescription drugs that were never dispensed.
“Health care fraud – driven by greed and a total disregard for the patients whom health care providers are meant to serve – is a blight on our community that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to eradicating,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “We will bring to justice those who seek to steal from our taxpayers, undermine our federal health care programs, and endanger the lives of patients in the process.”
“Protecting federal healthcare programs from fraud and abuse is a top priority for the FBI,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “As alleged, the defendant compromised the integrity of our healthcare system and put profits over patient care by charging Medicare for prescription drugs that were never provided. The FBI, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue and hold accountable anyone who attempts to enrich themselves at the expense of American taxpayers and vulnerable patients.”
“These charges reflect the serious threat that health care fraud poses to patients and to the integrity of federal healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Robb Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Pacific Regional Office. “I want to commend the investigators and prosecutors whose diligent work brought these allegations to light. HHS-OIG remains committed to pursuing those who exploit and defraud the Medicare program.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
In the District of Hawaii, Henry Quan, 54, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was charged by criminal complaint with healthcare fraud in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare for prescription drugs that were never dispensed, resulting in a loss of at least $1.5 million. As alleged in the criminal complaint, Quan, a registered pharmacist, controlled Wellness Pharmacy, which billed for drugs that were not dispensed. This included fraudulently billing for several high-cost medications, such as Restasis, for which the pharmacy did not have sufficient supplies on hand to cover the medications it claimed to have dispensed to patients.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The District of Hawaii, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Albanese is prosecuting the case against Quan.
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in 455 Defendants Charged in Connection with over $6.5 Billion in Alleged FraudRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
“This year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown represents the greatest whole-of-government effort to combat health care fraud in our Nation’s history,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Under the decisive leadership of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, and our law enforcement partners, this administration has ushered in a new era of enforcement that will safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
“We are aggressively scaling our offensive against anyone using health care as a front to steal from the American people,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “As today’s cases and arrests show, there is no case too big, no scheme too complex, and no hiding place too remote for our relentless fraud-fighting team. Our message is simple: if you put profit over patients, you should expect to be put in prison.”
“Health care fraud steals from taxpayers, exploits vulnerable patients, and puts lives at risk,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Today’s historic enforcement action sends a clear message: if you use our health care system to enrich yourself at the expense of patients or the American people, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable. HHS will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect patients, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and restore integrity to our health care system.”
“The coordination in the Health Care Fraud Takedown reinforces the Trump Administration’s efforts to end the crimes of bad actors who have ripped off U.S. taxpayers,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “This is a whole of government effort, to hold those who defraud our nation accountable. Our message is clear: if you steal from American taxpayers, you will face the consequences.”
“This results of this nationwide healthcare takedown are historic,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Under the leadership of President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, this FBI worked alongside our DOJ partners to arrest and charge over 450 people, including almost 100 medical professionals, for over $6 billion in alleged healthcare fraud schemes - showing the enormous amount of work done by our interagency law enforcement team over the last month and beyond. While today’s announcement is one of the largest on record–every arrest is a continued message to criminal actors who rob American taxpayers that you will not get away with your crimes.”
Fraudulent Wound Care Schemes
Charges were filed against 11 defendants, including a company executive and eight medical professionals, across six districts in connection with billions of dollars in fraudulent claims for amniotic wound allografts. In the District of Arizona, the Vice President of Sales for a company that sold allografts was charged in a nationwide illegal kickback and health care fraud scheme. From approximately December 2021 through June 2024, providers billed Medicare over $4 billion for this company’s allografts, resulting in over $2 billion in payments. This significant spike in allograft billings was alleged to have been driven not by medical necessity, but by a kickback scheme that generated substantial profit margins and lavish lifestyles for marketers and providers who participated. The company did not manufacture allografts and instead acquired allografts from tissue banks and relabeled them for sale at a 2,000% mark-up, charging up to $1,450 per square centimeter. The defendant is alleged to have paid illegal kickbacks of approximately 40% of that amount, allowing marketers and medical providers to pocket approximately $500-600 per square centimeter. These lucrative kickbacks allegedly caused the defendant and others to target hospice patients and apply the allografts without coordination with the patients’ treating physicians, without proper treatment for infection, to superficial wounds that did not need this treatment, and to areas that far exceeded the size of the wound. The defendant received over $24 million from the company, which he used to purchase multi-million-dollar houses, million-dollar life insurance policies, luxury vehicles, including a $135,000 Maserati, and luxury watches. This follows 15.5- and 14-year sentences obtained last year in connection with the scheme.
Today’s charges reflect the Department’s intention to prosecute both the architects of fraud and those who betray their oath to carry out the scheme. In the Southern District of Texas, a nurse practitioner was charged for a $906 million scheme in which she applied medically unnecessary allografts and billed Medicare more than $1 million per patient on average. As alleged, the defendant used the fraud proceeds to purchase high-end vehicles, real estate, and luxury jewelry, and to fund the construction of a $4.6 million of a beach resort in the Philippines. The government seized over $30 million in bank accounts, a $594,000 Ferrari 296 GTS, seven other high-end vehicles, an $865,000 custom Bulgari necklace, and $1 million worth of other luxury jewelry.
$865,000 Bulgari necklace seized as proceeds of alleged Medicare fraud scheme involving wound allografts; rendering of beach resort in the Philippines constructed with $4.6 million allegedly stolen from Medicare in wound allograft fraud schemeSimilarly, in the Middle District of Florida, three defendants were charged for their roles in an $118 million allograft fraud scheme where a nurse practitioner allegedly used the proceeds to fund her lavish lifestyle, including a luxury box at an NFL stadium and over $400,000 in fine art.
The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team detected a spike in payment for allografts, leading to prosecutions. CMS separately realigned payment, reducing Medicare’s payment to $127 per square centimeter starting on January 1, 2026. If CMS had not taken action to address unprecedented spending on allografts, the Part B premium increase caused by allograft payments alone would have cost every Medicare beneficiary in the country an extra $11 a month.
“Prosecuting criminals who steal from American patients is necessary—but stopping them before a single dollar leaves the building is smarter,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “CMS is done playing catch-up. We’re deploying advanced data analytics to expose fraud networks, freeze suspicious payments, and shut down bad actors before they can do damage to the programs that millions of Americans depend on.”
Data Fusion Center, Financial Intelligence Review Team, and Data Analytics Enhancements
The Health Care Fraud Unit is a leader in employing advanced data analytics. Its Data Fusion Center —announced as part of last year’s Takedown and comprised of experts from the Unit’s Data Analytics Team, HHS-OIG, FBI, and other agencies—used advanced analytics in many of the cases charged today. The Department is announcing the first prosecution arising from the Fusion Center’s Financial Intelligence Review Team, which was formed last year to combine traditional data analytics with financial analysis, in connection with a $67 million scheme to bill Illinois Medicaid for behavioral health services that were not provided. The defendant allegedly submitted claims to Medicaid for 500 or more hours of counseling and therapy services per day, well in excess of what the providers on staff could render even if all providers were working 24 hours per day, and diverted over $27 million to brokerage accounts, $10 million to a luxury car dealership he set up, $4 million for real estate purchases and home improvements, one million for jewelry, watches, purchases, and other luxury items, and over $616,022 for vehicles. Data analysis established that patients were hospitalized at other institutions on days that the defendant billed for behavioral health services, and the Health Care Fraud Unit’s specialized prosecutors opened the investigation within five days of the financial intelligence review. The defendant was arrested less than seven months later at the airport Sunday night attempting to leave the country.
Yacht and Bentley Continental GT purchased with proceeds of alleged fraudIn the Central District of California, charges were brought against a hospice owner and two marketers for a $27.7 million Medicare fraud scheme in which the hospice owner allegedly tried to avoid detection through a scheme to purchase information of the recently deceased from a funeral home employee. The defendant was allegedly carrying out a hospice fraud scheme in which he fraudulently enrolled patients who were not terminally ill. Concerned that Medicare and law enforcement used data analytics to monitor the percentage of patients discharged from hospice alive (an indicator of fraud), the hospice owner allegedly paid illegal kickbacks of $1,000 to $3,000 per person to a funeral home employee in exchange for deceased Medicare beneficiaries’ information. The defendant then allegedly billed Medicare for a few days of hospice services for these recently-deceased individuals who hadn’t received hospice care and created fake, back-dated medical records claiming that the beneficiaries had been seen by a physician, thereby allegedly seeking to deceive Medicare by reducing his outlier data metrics.
In today’s Takedown, the Department announced the seizure of over $27 million in fraudulent Medicare payments in the Southern District of Florida as part of a data-driven effort to target “bust-out schemes” involving 12 clinics that billed Medicare millions of dollars for allografts that were never provided to patients. This novel and proactive “follow and seize the money” approach maximized recovery of stolen taxpayer dollars.
To enhance the deployment of advanced analytics to target health care fraud, the Fraud Division and CMS announced today that they have entered an agreement whereby the Fraud Division will be provided cloud computing space in the CMS Integrated Data Repository environment in which to deploy advanced data analytics algorithms and artificial intelligence tools. In addition, the Fraud Division entered into agreements with the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Trade Commission aimed at breaking down data silos and improving access to information critical to identifying and combatting health care fraud. CMS also is announcing today that it is developing a Claims Core processing with electronic attestation, identify verification, and IP address log-in, and working to get pledges that all Medicaid, Managed Care, and other plans report the same standardized data fields used for Medicare Part B claims data.
Patient Harm
Health care fraud is a top white-collar priority of the Department because it both steals from the taxpayers and risks harm to patients by corrupt medical providers. In the Southern District of Florida, the medical director of a cardiovascular testing and treatment practice was charged in connection with an $89 million scheme to bill for unnecessary cardiovascular tests, such as EKGs and echocardiograms, conducted on student athletes on school campuses. According to the charges, the defendant and his co-conspirators used marketing tactics designed to prey on fears that student athletes could die from sudden cardiac arrest. The defendant then allegedly falsified diagnoses to defraud health care benefit programs for the testing. Despite knowing, as the defendant wrote, that “these kids could be high risk . . . one of them drops dead on the field, they’re coming after both of us,” he allegedly rubber stamped the test results as normal without reviewing them—sometimes approving test results within mere seconds—such that student athletes with cardiac abnormalities were not informed that they needed to stop participating in sports, risking sudden cardiac arrest. Despite one patient’s test results showing an enlarged heart, the defendant allegedly signed off on the test results as normal within approximately 11 seconds of accessing the 63 cardiovascular test result images. Approximately 24 days later, the student athlete died from complications related to an enlarged heart during a basketball practice.
“Safeguarding the integrity of federal health care programs is central to our mission, and the results of this year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown reflect the strength of our collective commitment. The cases announced today demonstrate not only the scale, but the seriousness of the misconduct uncovered, ranging from patient harming schemes to multibillion dollar fraud operations,” said HHS Inspector General T. March Bell. “HHS-OIG will continue to pursue those who engage in such conduct and hold them accountable. I am grateful for the tireless work of our special agents and for the partnership we share with our federal, state, and local law enforcement colleagues as we work together to protect patients and preserve public funds.”
In Alaska, state prosecutors charged a defendant for medical assistance fraud based on allegations that, while working as a personal care attendant for a Medicaid recipient, the defendant submitted false claims for regularly attending to the recipient’s health and hygiene, at the same time that she was admitted to the hospital for suffering from severe neglect, including being soiled in urine.
Medicaid Fraud
Data shows that Medicaid is a vital government benefit program increasingly targeted by criminals. Building upon the success of the recent Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown and the Acting Attorney General’s authorization of an enhancement for the Health Care Fraud Unit to investigate Medicaid fraud nationwide, today’s Takedown includes the largest number of Medicaid fraud defendants and Medicaid fraud loss charged in Department history: 295 defendants and over $518 million in false claims submitted to Medicaid.
In the Eastern District of New York, charges were brought against eight defendants for their role in a $38 million fraud on New York Medicaid for social adult day care services that were medically unnecessary, procured by kickbacks to marketers and beneficiaries, and never provided. Although the permitted occupancy of the social adult day cares (shown below) was only 30 people, the defendants fraudulently submitted claims for services provided to hundreds of beneficiaries per day.
Interior of Brooklyn social adult day care centers where allegedly fraudulent bills to New York Medicaid claimed hundreds of beneficiaries received services per dayIn the Eastern District of Virginia, the co-owner of a mental health company was charged with a $49 million Virginia Medicaid fraud scheme that targeted the homeless by offering them illegal bribes in the form of hotel stays in exchange for using their Medicaid numbers to bill for crisis stabilization services that they did not need or receive. In the District of Arizona, a defendant was charged for submitting $44 million in fraudulent claims for behavioral services, primarily targeting Native Americans struggling with substance abuse. As alleged, the defendant billed for services that were never provided and falsified therapy notes to reflect that patients had attended therapy sessions.
Transnational Organizations, International Cooperation, and the Most Wanted Fraudsters List
Today’s Takedown demonstrates that no fraudster can hide from the law, whether in the United States or abroad, and involved unprecedented international cooperation. In the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, 29 defendants were charged for their roles in a transnational criminal organization alleged to have submitted over $10 billion in fraudulent claims. Since then, the organization continued the scheme, and, in the Southern District of Florida, Ibrahim Hilmi was charged in connection with an additional $3.7 billion in false claims for urinary catheters and other durable medical equipment that was never provided. Though the defendant fled, he was apprehended in Kyrenia and made his initial appearance yesterday in the Southern District of Florida. In addition, two other members of the organization who were charged in last year’s Takedown were apprehended in Estonia, extradited to the United States, and made their initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York on June 12. Five additional defendants were charged in connection with the scheme.
Ibrahim Hilmi landing in the United States after being apprehended in a $3.7 billion fraudOn June 4, the FBI announced the creation of the Most Wanted Fraudsters List. The list included Herb Kimble, a fugitive in a $1.2 billion telemedicine and durable medical equipment scheme, who, on June 8—just four days later—was apprehended in the Philippines. On June 16, Kimble was indicted in the District of South Carolina with three counts of failure to appear at court hearings. In connection with the Takedown, as a result of the apprehension of Kimble and one other recently-apprehended fraudster on the list, today the FBI announced two new additions to the Most Wanted Fraudsters List: Khalid Satary, wanted in a $547 million genetic testing Medicare fraud scheme, who, after being released on bond over the government’s objection, fled the country and is believed to be in the United Arab Emirates; and Emylee Thai, wanted in a $90 million genetic testing Medicare fraud scheme, who was released on bond, cut-off her ankle monitor, and fled to Vietnam via private charter using a fake passport.
The Department thanks the governments of Estonia, the Philippines, and Turkey for their cooperation in the apprehension of these health care fraud fugitives and defendants.
Illegal Opioid Distribution
36 defendants, including 28 licensed medical professionals, were charged in connection with the alleged illegal diversion of prescription opioids and other controlled substances that resulted in patient harm. In the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, three defendants were charged with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. The defendants allegedly operated a voicemail refill line that allowed patients to request and receive refills of Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions—though some patients who used the refill line to obtain Schedule II controlled substances from the defendants suffered drug overdoses and died, the defendants continued to operate the refill line to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances without interacting with patients. In the Southern District of Texas, a pharmacist and two clinic managers were charged by indictment with drug conspiracy in connection with the distribution of more than 3.4 million pills of opioids and other controlled substances, many of which were prescribed to patients brought to the clinics and pharmacy by street-level drug traffickers for further distribution.
“DEA occupies a unique place in this fight—we sit at the intersection of healthcare, regulation, and law enforcement. Our job is to protect the controlled substance supply chain and ensure medications reach patients who legitimately need them,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “Those who exploit that system for personal profit threaten both public safety, public health, and the integrity of our healthcare system. We will continue to identify these criminals, stop them, and hold them accountable.”
“Health care fraud is not a victimless crime — it robs American workers of their earned benefits, steals from taxpayers, and undermines the very programs meant to protect them. The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is committed to rooting out these despicable schemes with unrelenting determination,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. “Together, with our agency and law enforcement partners, we are dismantling fraudulent operations and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes against the American people. Real care doesn’t come with kickbacks and fake claims. To every fraudster exploiting the system: your time is up. We will find you; we will investigate you, and we will bring you to justice.”
Today’s Takedown was led and coordinated by the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit and its core partners from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, and Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs) across the country. The cases are being prosecuted by Health Care Fraud Strike Force teams, 56 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and 45 State Attorneys General’s Offices nationwide.
Acting Health Care Fraud Chief Jacob Foster, Acting Principal Assistant Chief Rebecca Yuan, Assistant Chief Justin Woodard, and Data Analyst Elizabeth Nolte, all of the Health Care Fraud Unit, led and coordinated this year’s Takedown. Assistant Chief Emily Gurskis and Acting Assistant Chiefs Miriam Glaser Dauermann and Jil Simon provided valuable coordination assistance.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
In addition to FBI, HHS-OIG, DEA, and MFCUs, CMS, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Labor, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies participated in the operation.
“Healthcare fraud schemes deprive veterans of needed services and rob taxpayers,” said Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs Cheryl Mason. “As VA Inspector General, I made it a priority for all VA OIG components to actively pursue those who attempt to defraud VA healthcare programs.”
“Today’s coordinated takedown reflects the Department of War Office of Inspector General’s unwavering commitment to protecting Service members, retirees, and their families from those who exploit federal health care programs,” said Inspector General Platte B. Moring III. “Working alongside our law enforcement partners, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service continues to pursue schemes that endanger patients, erode trust in the medical system, and divert resources critical to military readiness.”
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement 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.
Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide Takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the National Fraud Division’s Health Care Strike Force program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, CMS, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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The following materials related to today’s announcement are available on the Health Care Fraud Unit’s website through these links:
- Graphics and Resources
- Case Descriptions
- Court Documents
National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in 455 Defendants Charged in Connection with over $6.5 Billion in Alleged FraudRead the Press Release
Albuquerque, NM - Today, F.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison and Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced the filing of a federal civil forfeiture complaint seeking to forfeit more than $2 million that was seized due to allegations that the assets constitute proceeds of a scheme to defraud Medicaid and state criminal charges against an additional defendant. These actions in federal and state court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
The federal civil forfeiture action stems from an alleged scheme by Safeway Medical Transportation LLC, a New Mexico non-emergency medical transportation provider, to fraudulently bill the New Mexico Medicaid program for transportation services. According to the complaint, Safeway received Medicaid reimbursements for claims in which Safeway drivers were allegedly billing Medicaid for driving themselves to appointments and for trips that did not occur, engaging in other fraudulent billing practices, including duplicate trips, inflated mileage, and falsified transportation records. The complaint seeks forfeiture of more than $2 million in seized funds that are alleged to be proceeds of health care fraud and money laundering.
In a separate criminal case, the New Mexico Department of Justice charged a McKinley County man with multiple felony offenses after allegedly using forged prescriptions to obtain Schedule II controlled substances from a pharmacy. The charges include acquiring controlled substances by misrepresentation, forgery, and violations of the Controlled Substances Act.
"Fraud does not have to be sophisticated to be devastating,” said F.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison. “When healthcare providers build a business model around false claims and fabricated records, they are stealing directly from the public programs that vulnerable communities rely on. We will use every tool at our disposal to trace these funds, dismantle these operations, and claw back every dollar stolen from the public."
“These cases reflect my Office's ongoing commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded health care programs, safeguarding public resources, and holding accountable those who exploit medical systems for personal gain,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Through our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and partnerships with federal law enforcement agencies, we continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute health care fraud, prescription drug fraud, and related financial crimes.”
The charges announced today by F.A. United States Attorney Ellison and Attorney General Torrez are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The District of New Mexico, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the New Mexico Department of Justice Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
These cases were investigated by the NMDOJ’s Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau (MFEAB). The New Mexico MFEAB receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $3,623,761.71 for federal fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,207,920.57 for fiscal year 2026, is funded by the State of New Mexico.
National Health Care Fraud Takedown Leads to Forty-One Count Indictment of Pensacola Beach ManRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Today, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced criminal charges against Dr. Edward Scott Morrison, who is accused of illegally distributing and dispensing controlled substances. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I am proud to contribute to the success of the National Health Care Fraud Takedown again this year. Dispensing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose not only violates federal law, it endangers the lives of the recipients of those powerful drugs. As our country and our state continue to deal with the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic, it remains vitally important for my office to crack down on fraudulent prescribing practices by medical professionals.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Heekin are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individual was charged in the Northern District of Florida: Edward Scott Morrison, 58, of Pensacola Beach, Florida.
According to court documents, Dr. Edward Scott Morrison was charged by indictment with forty-one counts of distributing and dispensing a controlled substance in connection with the illegal prescribing of at least 25,500 controlled substance pills, including over 22,000 opioid pills and over 3,000 stimulant pills. As alleged in the indictment, Morrison was a licensed physician who wrote, signed, and distributed controlled substance prescriptions—including for oxycodone, hydrocodone, amphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, testosterone, alprazolam, diazepam—to individuals without determining whether there was a legitimate medical purpose for the medication, without conducting physical examinations, without reviewing and assessing all available historical medical and prescribing records, and without creating and maintaining any records of encounters with those individuals. The indictment further alleged Morrison issued controlled substance prescriptions to individuals simply upon their request or the request of a third party in whatever type, dosage, and quantity desired without evaluating the recipient to determine a legitimate medical purpose or need.
If convicted, Morrison faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Forbes.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Northern District of Florida, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration to investigate and prosecute the case filed during the Takedown.
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action Results in 455 Defendants Charged and over $6.5 Billion in Intended Fraud Loss ChargedRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Today, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced criminal charges and civil resolutions in connection with six cases involving alleged schemes to defraud health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. The charges were filed in federal court and are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. The criminal charges stem from the fraudulent billing of Medicare and Medicaid. The civil cases resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act by several health care providers.
The charges announced today by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
• Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
• 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
• Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
• 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
“These schemes represent a direct attack on the integrity of federally funded health care programs. Fraudulent billing, false claims, and the failure to return federal funds are unacceptable and a blatant abuse of programs meant to support the American public,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “We will continue to hold accountable anyone who seeks to exploit Medicare, Medicaid, or any other taxpayer supported system."
“Safeguarding the integrity of federal health care programs is central to our mission, and the results of this year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown reflect the strength of our collective commitment. The cases announced today demonstrate not only the scale, but the seriousness of the misconduct uncovered, ranging from patient harming schemes to multibillion dollar fraud operations,” said Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General T. March Bell. “HHS-OIG will continue to pursue those who engage in such conduct and hold them accountable. I am grateful for the tireless work of our special agents and for the partnership we share with our federal, state, and local law enforcement colleagues as we work together to protect patients and preserve public funds.”
The following individuals were charged in the Eastern District of Michigan:
Hasan “Lucas” Seyhun, 45, of Miami, Florida, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments in connection with an alleged $566 million billing fraud related to Fast Lab Technologies. As alleged in the First Superseding Indictment, Seyhun, as Fast Lab’s Chief Operating Officer, conspired with its CEO (previously charged defendant Cemhan “Jimmy” Biricik) and Medical Director (previously charged defendant Dr. Martin Perlin) to submit health insurance claims for laboratory testing services related to Covid-19 tests that were either not rendered at all or not provided as represented. The First Superseding Indictment also charges Seyhun and Biricik with an additional conspiracy, to both conceal and subsequently launder the proceeds of the health care fraud scheme. The First Superseding Indictment includes significant forfeiture allegations, with specific allegations of property subject to forfeiture that include: a personal aircraft, six high-end vehicles, numerous bank accounts, miscellaneous jewelry and designer handbags, and a residence in Boca Raton, Florida. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Regina R. McCullough and Ryan A. Particka of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Emad Hamdan, 55, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, and Raeyfah Baiz, 41, of Canton, Michigan were charged by way of an information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud for a pharmacy shortage scheme that caused at least $1.9 million in loss to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Rabih Hamdan, owner of Medex Pharmacy (Medex), created a scheme to submit false and fraudulent claims for prescriptions that were not medically necessary or not actually dispensed. In many instances, his pharmacy lacked the inventory to dispense these drugs but billed the health care insurers as though they were dispensed. As alleged in the charging documents, Emad Hamdan was one of the supervisors at Medex. He directed Baiz and others to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield on behalf of Medex. As alleged in the charging documents, Raeyfah Baiz was the pharmacist-in-charge, who maintained a national provider identifier for the purposes of submitting claims to Medicare, Medicare drug plan sponsors, Medicaid, Medicaid health plans, and BlueCross BlueShield. Baiz partnered with Rabih Hamdan and Emad Hamdan to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield on behalf of Medex. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dorval Norwood of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Christopher Dzialo, 35, of Reno, Nevada (previously of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan) was charged by Indictment with mail fraud and healthcare fraud in connection with a scheme to submit false pharmacy and medical insurance claims for high-reimbursement drugs that were never prescribed and services that were never rendered. As alleged in the indictment, between June 2023 and July 2025, Dzialo submitted at least eight fraudulent Direct Member Reimbursements (DMR) to his own insurance provider, seeking repayment for alleged out of pocket expenses. These claims either were for prescriptions he never obtained or medical procedures he never received, with an alleged value of $158,514.39. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan A. Particka and Aleksandrs K. Bomis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Reno Dandy, a/k/a/ “RJ”, 28, of Eastpointe, Michigan; and Francina Kirk, a/k/a/ “Keisha”, 45, of Pontiac, Michigan were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances in connection with their roles in an unlawful scheme to distribute Schedule II and V controlled substances Oxycodone, Oxycodone-Acetaminophen (Percocet), Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen (Norco), Oxymorphone, and Promethazine with Codeine. As alleged in the indictment, medical clinics were organized and purported to operate at different locations in Southeast Michigan, including Grace Medical Clinic, PLLC (Grace). Grace was operated by Dandy and Kirk, and Dr. Chinoy was a prescriber at Grace. Dandy, Kirk, and other co-conspirators coordinated opioid controlled substance prescribing to Grace “patients” by, among other things, receiving “patient” information, loading “patient” information into Grace’s electronic prescribing platform, collecting payments from “patients” or patient recruiters/marketers, and sending electronic and other payments to Dr. Chinoy. From in or around November 2023 to on or about March 5, 2024, Dr. Chinoy electronically issued opioid controlled substance prescriptions to Grace “patients” without seeing, examining, or communicating with the “patients,” and instead Dr. Chinoy did so as directed by and based on patient information provided by Dandy, Kirk, and co-conspirators. During the conspiracy more than 400,000 dosage units of Schedule II and Schedule V controlled substances were unlawfully prescribed, which carried an estimated wholesale street value of more than $7 million. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Youngblood and Regina R. McCullough of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The Eastern District of Michigan is one of the twelve districts included in the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit, a Department of Justice initiative to combat the opioid epidemic.
The civil matters included in the Takedown included settlements with the following entities and individuals:
McLaren Health Care Corporation and related entities (McLaren) of Michigan, agreed to pay a total of $1.9 million to resolve a qui tam False Claims Act lawsuit. The settlement resolves allegations that McLaren failed to timely repay overpayments from federally funded healthcare programs during the period from January 1, 2016, through June 18, 2021. The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney John Postulka of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Jason Herzog, the former CEO of Avertest, LLC, d/b/a Averhealth, a nationwide drug testing company located in Glen Allen, Virginia, reached a civil settlement to pay $150,000 to resolve allegations that in his capacity as CEO of Averhealth, he violated the False Claims Act when he knowingly submitted, or caused the submission of, false claims for payment on behalf of Averhealth to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and knowingly made false statements material to those claims, concerning improper positive oral fluid drug test results. The case was settled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Gentner of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Section’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of Nex Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Eastern District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Inidiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Eastern District of Michigan, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the FBI.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mother-Daughter Duo Charged in $9.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme; Part of National Healthcare Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – A federal grand jury indictment charges a mother and daughter with conspiring to defraud Medicare by billing millions of dollars for wound care services while the mother—the licensed nurse practitioner listed as the provider—was serving time in federal prison.
The charges are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
According to the indictment, Blanca Estela Cardenas, a San Diego nurse practitioner and owner of Mobile Care Medical Providers, LLC and B&R Wound Care, Inc., and her daughter, Raquel Pasillas, allegedly carried out a scheme to bill Medicare for mobile medical services between April and October 2024.
Prosecutors allege that during that time, Cardenas was incarcerated, serving a federal sentence for an unrelated bulk cash smuggling conviction and was therefore unable to personally provide care or supervise medical services as required under Medicare regulations.
Despite her incarceration, the indictment alleges, the businesses continued submitting claims to Medicare under Cardenas’ National Provider Identifier (NPI), falsely representing that she was the rendering provider for the services.
According to prosecutors, Pasillas—who held operational leadership roles at the businesses but had no medical license or certification—personally provided medical services to Medicare beneficiaries, including wound care and the application of costly skin substitute allografts.
Over the six-month period, the defendants allegedly submitted approximately $9.5 million in claims to Medicare and received approximately $5.5 million in reimbursements.
The indictment further alleges the pair diverted fraud proceeds for personal use, including more than $4.7 million in cash withdrawals, deposits into their personal bank accounts, and rent payments for Cardenas’ residence while she remained in custody.
“Every dollar stolen through health care fraud is a dollar taken from patient care,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
“Those who commit health care fraud cause real harm because they drain critical resources from programs meant to support some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “Schemes like this undermine trust in our health care system and drive up costs for everyone. Working closely with HHS OIG and the Justice Department, the FBI will continue to pursue those who exploit federally funded programs and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history.
In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The case in the Southern District of California is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blanca Quintero.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 26cr2236
Blanca Estela Cardenas Age: 55 Chula Vista, CA
Raquel Pasillas Age: 33 Chula Vista, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1349
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine or twice the pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater
Health Care Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1347
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine or twice the pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
FBI
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General
*Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
Morris County Man Who Misappropriated Confidential Documents from Girlfriend’s Employer Indicted for $2.7 Million Insider Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County man was indicted for conducting a scheme to trade on material nonpublic information (MNPI) he stole from a public relations firm where his girlfriend worked, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Justin Jennings, 27, of Rockaway Township was charged by indictment with one count of engaging in a securities fraud scheme, eight counts of securities fraud for insider trading, and two counts of transacting in criminal proceeds.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between February 2022 and October 2024, Jennings made well-timed trades in the securities of eight publicly traded companies in the days before major corporate announcements, typically announcements of mergers and acquisitions, based on MNPI. At the time of these trades, Jennings was romantically involved with an account executive at a public relations firm that was entrusted with MNPI regarding these announcements. Jennings’ profitable bets came after he gained access to confidential information, including draft press releases, from his girlfriend’s employer-issued laptop without her knowledge or permission. In total, Jennings made over $2.7 million in illegal trading profits from the scheme.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on the securities fraud charge, 20 years in prison on each of the insider trading charges, and 10 years in prison on each of the transacting in criminal proceeds charges.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also filed a civil complaint against Jennings based on the same conduct.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, New Jersey, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Webman and Farhana C. Melo of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Robert G. Stahl, Esq. and Laura K. Gasiorowski, Esq., Mountainside, New Jersey.
jennings.indictment.pdfMobile Woman Sentenced to More Than One Year in Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Mobile, AL – Aylesha Maria Allen of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced on June 22, 2026, to one year and one day in federal prison for filing fraudulent tax returns.
According to court documents, Allen, 42, prepared and assisted in preparing at least 21 false tax returns that included fraudulent Sick and Family Leave Credits related to the COVID-19 pandemic, false Schedule C business losses, and false Fuel Tax Credits. Internal Revenue Service records show that Allen’s conduct resulted in a tax loss of $371,412.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Allen to one year and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Allen was also ordered to pay $371,412 in restitution.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division investigates and prosecutes individuals who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government initiative chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance that seeks to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs.
“Tax preparers who falsify returns and exploit government programs and benefits established during the COVID-19 pandemic to enrich themselves at the expense of American taxpayers can expect to be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sean P. Costello, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.
“As a tax preparer, Aylesha Allen had a duty to file truthful and accurate returns on behalf of her clients,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Atlanta Field Office. “Individuals who abuse that responsibility by making false claims or fabricating losses undermine the integrity of our tax system. IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue these fraudsters and hold them accountable.”
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Gaillard Ladd prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Mobile County Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
MOBILE, Ala. – On June 22, 2026, United States Chief District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Devin Lajuan Hudson to 75 months in federal prison for cocaine trafficking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, on August 6, 2025, a Mobile County Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop after observing Hudson commit a traffic violation. During the stop, deputies discovered that Hudson did not possess a valid driver's license. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a distribution quantity of cocaine, Hydrocodone pills, Oxycodone pills, Alprazolam bars, a baby bottle containing liquid Promethazine, marijuana, two loaded handguns, and $993 in U.S. currency.
Hudson had a juvenile child in the vehicle at the time of the stop.
Following the arrest, deputies obtained and executed a search warrant at Hudson’s residence. During the search, law enforcement recovered an additional four ounces of cocaine packaged in one-ounce quantities, along with high-grade marijuana, approximately $2,000 in U.S. currency, a loaded Radical Firearms rifle, a loaded Glock 23 handgun, and a loaded MasterPiece Arms MAC-10-style 9mm handgun equipped with a suppressor and extended magazine.
The investigation revealed that Hudson possessed multiple firearms in connection with his drug trafficking activities, leading to the federal charges and subsequent conviction.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George F. May prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the 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 Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Mississippi Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Involving Counterfeit Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A Mississippi man has been convicted for his involvement in a drug conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr.
The jury returned a guilty verdict against Jabreon Deshon Mosley, 35, after 2 days of testimony before U.S. District Judge Edmund G. LaCour, Jr. Mosley was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and use of a communication facility (i.e., telephone) to commit a drug-trafficking crime.
Photograph admitted at trial of some pressed pills recovered from Mosley
According to evidence presented at trial, Mosley, who lived in Meridian, Mississippi, worked with co-conspirators from the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas, including Hanston Clark, who provided him powder fentanyl and methamphetamine. Mosely would press the powders into pill form for distribution in the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas. During a search warrant, Mosley was found in possession of over 65,000 pressed pills, many of which resembled prescription drugs or candy but, in fact, contained fentanyl or methamphetamine. Mosley also possessed two pill presses which he used to convert the powder into pills, along with several dies used to create counterfeit pills and disguise their true nature. Evidence at trial also showed that agents intercepted Mosley and Clark discussing their drug operation over a court-authorized wiretap on multiple occasions.
Hanston Alexander Clark, aka “Hank”, 34, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The court sentenced Clark to 121 months in prison.
“This conviction sends a clear message that those who manufacture and distribute counterfeit pills laced with dangerous drugs will be held accountable. The drugs fuel addiction, devastate families, and too often result in tragic loss of life,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. “I commend the dedicated collaboration of our law enforcement partners in Alabama and Mississippi in bringing these defendants to justice.”
“Counterfeit fentanyl pills are poison in disguise. Thanks to the dedicated work and coordination of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the perpetrators were brought to justice, and more than 65,000 of these pills were seized before they could wreak havoc on our Birmingham and Tuscaloosa communities,” said Assistant United States Attorney Allison Garnett.
“The manufacture of counterfeit pills disguised as legitimate prescription medication or candy is a direct threat to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott, New Orleans Field Division. “This individual’s operation was built on deception and greed. He was willing to flood our streets with lethal doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine. By dismantling this organization and seizing over 65,000 pressed pills, the DEA and our Homeland Security Task Force partners have undoubtedly saved lives in Alabama and Mississippi. We remain relentless in our mission to pursue and prosecute those who traffic in this poison.”
Photograph admitted at trial of Automatic Pill Press and Fentanyl Powder found at Mosley’s Residence
This operation 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. The Alabama HSTF comprises agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service (USMS), and the Internal Revenue Service. In the Northern District of Alabama, prosecutions are led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.
The DEA investigated the case, with assistance from the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force; the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Tuscaloosa Police Department; the United States Secret Service; and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison J. Garnett, Ryan S. Rummage, and Brittany T. Byrd are prosecuting the case.
Minneapolis Man Sentenced for Aiding and Abetting Violent CarjackingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – On June 16, 2026, a Minneapolis man was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting a violent carjacking that resulted in serious bodily injury to one of the victims, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
According to court documents, on August 24, 2024, Havion Eddie Amaru Holmes, 24, and another male approached a parked vehicle occupied by a woman and a man in Minneapolis. The two men approached the vehicle, one on the driver’s side and the other on the passenger’s side, each armed with a handgun. Both victims were pulled from the vehicle, and the other male pointed his firearm at them. Both victims were struck with a firearm, the man in the neck and in the back, and the woman twice in the head and then in the nose. Holmes and the other man then entered the vehicle and drove away.
Minutes later, law enforcement spotted the vehicle and attempted to pull it over, but Holmes and the other man fled, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit through a residential area before crashing into another car. Both men fled the scene on foot. Officers apprehended Holmes shortly afterward, discovering a tool and screwdriver on his person. The two handguns used in the carjacking were located nearby, in Holmes’ flight path the crash site which were described as the handguns used during the carjacking.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the FBI.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanne Semivan is prosecuting the case.
Minneapolis Father and Son Indicted in Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today the unsealing of an indictment on June 11, 2026, charging a father and son with conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false claims for tax refunds. The father was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and proceedings, between approximately June 2022 and October 2024, LaMar Javis Burgess, 44, and his son, LaMar Dazjar Burgess, 23, of the Minneapolis area, prepared and filed false federal income tax returns for themselves and others claiming refund amounts they and the other taxpayers were not entitled to receive. Tax returns containing millions of dollars in false claims were allegedly filed by the conspirators.
During the course of the conspiracy, LaMar Javis Burgess allegedly sought and obtained videos and instruction manuals educating himself on how to file false federal tax returns, including a guide titled “TurboTax Sauce the ‘Self-Employed’ Way.” He worked with his son and other conspirators to promote the tax fraud scheme. In exchange for filing false tax returns, he allegedly charged taxpayers a portion of their tax refunds as his fee.
The defendants allegedly solicited others to provide them with their names, addresses, social security numbers, photographic identification, and bank account information to prepare and file the false tax returns. The returns allegedly included employment and tax credit information they knew to be false.
The defendants allegedly prepared and filed false 2021 tax returns claiming refundable sick and family leave tax credits available to certain self-employed individuals unable to work due to COVID-19. They also allegedly prepared and filed false 2022 tax returns claiming certain refundable tax credits.
LaMar Javis Burgess allegedly was also found in possession of a Glock model 19, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.
LaMar Javis Burgess has prior convictions in Hennepin County for illegally possessing a firearm as a person who is prohibited from having one and fourth degree assault of a peace officer. He also has a prior felony conviction in the District of Minnesota for felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, because of these prior convictions, LaMar Javis Burgess is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
LaMar Javis Burgess and LaMar Dazjar Burgess were both charged with one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States and six counts each of making false claims. LaMar Javis Burgess was also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, they face maximum penalties of ten years in prison for conspiracy and five years in prison for each count of making false claims. LaMar Javis Burgess also faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
The Court ordered LaMar Javis Burgess detained in federal custody pending trial, following his initial appearance and detention hearing.
“Fraud against the United States is a serious offense and those who fabricate returns or misuse information to enrich themselves will be held accountable. Our office remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of federal tax programs and protecting the public from those who seek to exploit them,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
“This father and son duo turned filing fraudulent tax returns into a family business,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “False refund claims steal from every honest taxpayer who follows the law and pays their fair share. IRS-CI special agents will continue using their expertise in forensic accounting to expose tax fraud schemes and bring fraudulent tax preparers to justice.”
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case, with assistance from FBI, HSI, ATF, Minneapolis Police Department, Fridley Police Department, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
Trial Attorney J. Parker Gochenour of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Kline of the District of Minnesota are 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.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.