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Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
3 August 2026
Medicare Advantage Provider Complete Health to Pay $14,100,000 to Settle False Claims Act SuitRead the Press Release
Complete Health Partners Holdings, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, has agreed to pay $14,100,000, to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false diagnosis codes in order to increase payments that they received from the Medicare Advantage program.
“As the Medicare Advantage program continues to grow, providers who participate in the program must be held to account when they attempt to improperly profit at the taxpayer’s expense,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement reflects the Department’s commitment to protecting taxpayer money and ensuring that Medicare payments are based on information that is true and accurate.”
“Health care fraud enforcement has long been a cornerstone of the mission of this office,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “This settlement sends a strong message to our district, its residents, and medical providers doing business here, that our focus on this vital practice area has not wavered.”
“Companies that attempt to improperly boost their own profits by reporting bogus medical conditions of Medicare Advantage enrollees — as alleged in this case — will be held responsible for their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Isaac M. Bledsoe of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s settlement demonstrates our office’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of federal health care programs, including Medicare Advantage, which exist to provide necessary care to enrollees, not as a vehicle for improper financial gain.”
Under the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare beneficiaries may opt out of traditional Medicare and enroll in private health plans offered by insurance companies known as Medicare Advantage Organizations, or MAOs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays the MAOs a fixed monthly amount for each Medicare beneficiary enrolled in their plans. CMS adjusts these monthly payments to account for various “risk” factors that affect expected health expenditures for the beneficiary. In general, CMS pays MAOs more for sicker beneficiaries expected to incur higher healthcare costs and less for healthier beneficiaries expected to incur lower costs. To calculate the payment amounts, CMS uses a health-based risk adjustment model — the Hierarchical Conditions Category (HCC) model — that takes into account diagnoses reported by healthcare providers. In general, the more severe the diagnosis or costly the associated treatment, the higher the risk score and the higher the corresponding payments to the MAO.
Complete Health Partners Holdings (Complete Health) is a management services organization that manages, owns or otherwise operates affiliated provider groups operating out of Florida, Alabama and Colorado. Under the contracts, the MAOs agreed to pay Complete Health a percentage of the payments they received from CMS. This “risk sharing” compensation arrangement gave Complete Health a financial incentive to submit additional diagnosis codes to increase its patients’ risk scores and the corresponding payments made by CMS.
The settlement resolves allegations, from 2020 to 2023, Complete Health submitted diagnosis codes within Hierarchical Condition Code (HCC) 55 (Drug and Alcohol Dependence) and HCC 59 (Major Depressive, Bipolar, and Paranoid Disorders) that were not clinically valid, not properly supported by the beneficiary’s medical records, and/or not considered in the care, management, or treatment of the beneficiary.
The United States contends that Complete Health disseminated incorrect coding guidance to its coders and physicians regarding diagnosis codes within HCC 55 and HCC 59. The United States further contends that Complete Health coders reviewed its beneficiaries’ medical records and identified additional diagnosis codes for chronic conditions, including diagnoses within HCC 55 and HCC 59. Complete Health then prompted doctors to add those diagnosis codes, even when the diagnosis codes were unsubstantiated or not clinically justified. As a result, the doctors added those diagnosis codes, which were not accurate. These diagnoses resulted in an increase in payment from CMS to the MA Plans in which the beneficiaries were enrolled, and the MA Plan then passed along a portion of the increased payment to Complete Health.
The civil settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Karen Bowers, former Associate Director of Risk Adjustment at VIVA Health. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Karen Bowers vs. Complete Health Partners, Inc., Pharos Capital Group, LLC, Viva Health Inc., and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Civil Action No. 3:22-cv-463 (M.D. Fla.). Karen Bowers will receive approximately $2,467,500 as her share of the federal recovery.
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was investigated by Fraud Section Attorneys Olga Yevtukhova and J. Jennifer Koh and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Keefe and Collette Cunningham for the Middle District of Florida.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Marion County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Phillip Washington, III a/k/a “Lil’ Phil” (33, Marion County) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Washington was found guilty on April 2, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, on May 13, 2024, the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) executed a search warrant on Washington’s residence. A search revealed that Washington possessed with intent to distribute 3,034 grams of actual methamphetamine, 885 grams of fentanyl, and 302 grams of cocaine. A large portion of the controlled substances were found in a duffle bag on the dining table. Washington was also in possession of multiple scales and other items consistent with the packaging and distribution of controlled substances. His residence was equipped with a video-recorded security system. Footage from the system showed Washington bringing the duffle bag containing the controlled substances into his residence.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
Man Who Shot Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Service Canine Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A man who shot a federal law enforcement officer and a service canine during the execution of an arrest warrant has pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges.
In 2022, an Illinois state court issued an arrest warrant for TARRION JOHNSON on state charges of attempted murder and attempted robbery. On June 2, 2022, members of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force gathered at an apartment building in the 5200 block of West Belmont Avenue in Chicago to execute the arrest warrant and take Johnson into custody.
After announcing themselves as police with an arrest warrant, the officers entered an apartment unit and encountered Johnson holding a firearm. Johnson ignored commands to put down the gun and instead shot a Senior Inspector United States Marshal and a service canine. Johnson then shot a Special Deputy United States Marshal, striking the Special Deputy Marshal’s ballistic shield.
Johnson fled the residence but was quickly arrested and taken into custody.
Johnson, 23, of Chicago, pleaded guilty on July 20, 2026, to federal charges of attempted murder of a federal officer and using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, namely, using a deadly and dangerous weapon and inflicting bodily injury. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey set a sentencing hearing for Nov. 17, 2026.
The guilty plea was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Ryan Whalen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Chicago Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Chapman and Branka Cimesa.
Leader of massive drug trafficking ring sentenced to more than ten years in prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – The young leader of a drug trafficking ring that persisted in bringing large loads of drugs to western Washington despite multiple law enforcement seizures, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 130 months in prison, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Hector Duran Aldaco, 25, of Federal Way, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Duran Aldaco was the leader of the conspiracy of more than a dozen people that were indicted and arrested in May 2024.
At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson said. “This was a staggering quantity of controlled substances.”
“This defendant is responsible for attempting to flood our community with 85 kilograms of methamphetamine, 30 kilograms of fentanyl and 2.5 kilograms of cocaine,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “Despite repeated law enforcement seizures, he didn’t stop, switching from rental cars to intercity bus lines to try to get his drugs to Washington. That conduct plus his possession of high-power firearms results in this lengthy sentence which is warranted.”
“Hector Duran Aldaco sat at the helm of a transnational drug trafficking organization conspiring to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and alprazolam throughout Western Washington,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Seattle. “Today's sentencing serves as a reminder to those who might be tempted to follow in Mr. Duran Aldaco's footsteps: there are serious consequences to fueling addiction and causing harm in our local communities. The FBI and our partners remain committed to removing highly dangerous and addictive drugs, and those who push them, from our streets to make our home a safer place.”
“This sentence sends a clear message that those who traffic fentanyl and arm themselves with firearms to protect their criminal enterprise will be held accountable,” said Robert. A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Hector Duran Aldaco and his co-conspirators flooded Western Washington with deadly fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine while endangering our communities with an arsenal of firearms. Through Fentanyl Free America, DEA is working relentlessly to disrupt the criminal organizations responsible for trafficking synthetic opioids, reduce their availability, and protect American lives. DEA and our partners will continue pursuing those who profit from addiction and violence until they are brought to justice and our communities are safer.”
The investigation began in December 2022, when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the FBI identified Duran Aldaco (aka Jay Thrax) as a large-scale fentanyl distributor. During the investigation, through physical and electronic surveillance, travel records, and a variety of other investigative techniques, agents were able to determine that Duran Aldaco was being supplied by a Mexico-based DTO. Agents determined that Duran Aldaco coordinated the transport of narcotics from the Los Angeles area to the Seattle area where he then worked with his charged and uncharged co-conspirators to redistribute the substances. The DTO would often utilize rental cars to transport the drugs but also used buses after several traffic stops resulted in seizures of large amounts of narcotics. During this investigation, there were a number of seizures from individuals associated with Duran Aldaco’s DTO in California, Oregon, and Washington.
In April 2023, the California Highway Patrol seized 47 kilos of methamphetamine and 115,000 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop; in June 2023, the Oregon State patrol seized 28 pounds of methamphetamine in a traffic stop; and in November 2023, the Oregon State Patrol seized 15 kilograms of meth and 30 kilograms of fentanyl pills again in a traffic stop. The seizures continued into 2024, including in April when Portland Police recovered 7.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills that had been abandoned at the bus station by one of Duran Aldaco’s associates.
During the wiretap, investigators also heard Duran Aldaco discuss obtaining and trading firearms for drugs. When his residence and storage unit were searched in May 2024, investigators recovered three firearms as well as ammunition and body armor. They also seized more than $14,000 in cash and jewelry. In Duran Aldaco’s storage unit, investigators found over three kilograms of methamphetamine, 200 grams of cocaine, and over 10 kilograms of marijuana. Additionally, it appeared as if the storage unit was set up to support a marijuana grow operation.
This investigation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Seattle comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), The United States Marshals Service (USMS), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the United States Secret Service (USSS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Seattle Police Department, Oregon State Police, Portland Police Department, California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Strike Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Centralia Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Casey Conzatti and Elyne Vaught.
Las Cruces Man Charged with Federal Firearms Offense After Firing Shots at Catholic ChurchRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man with a prior felony conviction has been charged in federal court with unlawfully possessing a firearm after allegedly firing multiple rounds at a Catholic church.
According to court documents, on May 4, 2026, Las Cruces Police Department officers responded to a reported shooting at St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Officers found five bullet holes in the church’s front glass entrance and recovered five .380 caliber shell casings. Surveillance footage showed a black sedan arriving at the church, after which a man exited the driver’s side and fired multiple rounds at the entrance before leaving the scene.
On May 11, 2026, officers encountered the same vehicle while responding to an attempted burglary call at a Las Cruces business. The driver was identified as Matthew Albain Alarcon, 40 years old. A search warrant executed on the vehicle led to the recovery of a handgun.
During a May 14 interview, Alarcon allegedly admitted to shooting at the church, stating he did so because of his religious beliefs and because he believed he was “the chosen one” to carry out the act. He also admitted that the recovered firearm belonged to him. Alarcon is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to a prior New Mexico felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
Alarcon is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Alarcon faces up to 15 years in prison.
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’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
L.A. Man Sentenced to More Than 3 Years in Federal Prison for Pouring Lighter Fluid on Burning CHP Vehicle During Anti-ICE Riot in DTLARead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An illegal alien from Mexico living in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles was sentenced today to 37 months in federal prison for pouring two bottles of lighter fluid onto a burning California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle and throwing an electric scooter over a freeway overpass near officers during an anti‑immigration law enforcement riot in a downtown Los Angeles last year.
Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who also ordered him to pay $253,415 in restitution.
Flores pleaded guilty on April 27 to one count of obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder.
“Violent attacks on law enforcement will result in federal prison time,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Those who escalate chaos and endanger officers will be held accountable. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to protecting the men and women sworn to keep our communities safe.”
According to his plea agreement, during the evening of June 8, 2025, a Flores, participated in a riot on the Main Street overpass of U.S. Highway 101 when law enforcement officers were trapped below the overpass as protesters threw rocks, chunks of concrete, scooters, street signs, fireworks, and lighted debris at them.
Flores poured lighter fluid from a plastic water bottle onto a burning CHP vehicle, causing the flames to intensify. He then pointed and directed another individual who lit a liquid substance on fire and poured the flaming liquid onto the same CHP vehicle.
Immediately afterward, Flores poured lighter fluid from a second bottle onto the burning vehicle. Minutes later, Flores, along with another individual, threw an electric scooter over the overpass railing near CHP vehicles and officers below. Flores admitted in his plea agreement that he knew the officers were under the freeway overpass. He further admitted that he knew that throwing objects and burning debris created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to the officers.
The FBI, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Police Department, investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jenna W. Long and Lana Morton Owens of the National Security Division, and Assistant United States Attorney Sebastian Bellm of the General Crimes Section, prosecuted this case.
Kenel Man Found Guilty by a Federal Jury of Felony Domestic Assault by StrangulationRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a jury has convicted Cody Ben Zephier, age 21, of Kenel, South Dakota, of Assault of a Dating Partner by Strangulation, Assault of a Dating Partner Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury, and Assault by Striking, Beating and Wounding following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on July 29, 2026.
Cumulatively, these convictions are punishable by up to 16 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, $600,000 in fines and a mandatory $225 special assessment. Restitution may also be ordered.
Zephier was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025.
During the early morning hours of June 27, 2025, Zephier and his live-in girlfriend quarreled in their Kenel, South Dakota, home, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. When Zephier began walking away, his girlfriend slapped him across the back. Zephier responded by throwing her to the floor, punching her with “hammer fists,” kicking her, and choking her with his hands until she could not breathe. Zephier then called 911 because he could not stop himself from “smacking” his girlfriend – or her bleeding. The woman incurred two broken wrists and extensive bruising to her face and neck in the assault.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to state court.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian of Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Zephier was placed in the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending sentencing.
Justice Department Sues Montgomery County, MD for Violating Supreme Court’s Wolford DecisionRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department filed suit against Montgomery County, Maryland (County). The complaint alleges that the County’s newly enacted Bill 23-26 violates the Second Amendment by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from possessing firearms in daily life. Bill 23-26 prohibits carrying firearms at thousands of locations, and also creates an arbitrary 100-yard exclusion zone around each location. The law applies even if the person carrying a firearm is duly licensed and has the express consent of the property owner.
“The Second Amendment does not allow local governments to ban law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms in public places as they go about their daily lives,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Montgomery County makes it almost impossible for a law-abiding citizen with a valid carry license to walk down the street and avoid these exclusion zones. The Civil Rights Division will not stand idle while Montgomery County tramples the rights guaranteed to law-abiding citizens by the Second Amendment.”
The breadth of Bill 23-26’s prohibition, including the 100-yard exclusion zone, makes it practically impossible for individuals in the County to go about their daily business while lawfully carrying a firearm. Therefore, the ordinance violates the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Wolford v. Lopez, where the Court held a law that bans citizens from carrying firearms into, “places that people routinely visit in the course of their daily routines . . . hobbles what the Second Amendment protects: the right of Americans to carry arms for self-defense as they go about their daily lives.”
The Civil Rights Division’s Second Amendment Section enforces the Second Amendment, the Police Pattern or Practice Act (34 U.S.C. § 12601), and Executive Order 14206. If you are a current or prospective gun owner and believe that a state or local government has infringed your right to keep or bear arms, please submit a complaint through https://www.justice.gov/crt/second-amendment-section.
Justice Department Files Record 25 Denaturalization Cases Against Naturalized Criminals Including Attempted Murderers, Spousal Abusers, and Child Sex OffendersRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that it filed denaturalization actions in various U.S. district courts against 25 individuals accused of serious offenses — including attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized U.S. citizen’s citizenship may be revoked, and certificate of naturalization canceled, if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation. The complaints were filed between July 20 and Aug. 3, 2026. Since Jan. 20, 2025, the Justice Department has filed 123 civil denaturalization complaints, the most in recorded history.
“U.S. citizenship is one of our nation's highest privileges, and it must be obtained lawfully and honestly,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The complaints announced today allege that these individuals secured naturalization through fraud, concealment, or other unlawful conduct — including by concealing violent crimes, sexual offenses against children, fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying facts. Today's filings represent the largest coordinated denaturalization effort in Department history, but they are only the beginning. The Justice Department will continue to use every tool available to protect the integrity of the naturalization process and the safety of the American people.”
“Today marks the largest denaturalization surge in recorded history,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Every one of these individuals committed crimes incompatible with U.S. citizenship. We are moving at record speed to denaturalize those who sought to deceive the federal government and abuse the naturalization process.”
- Zia Murad Bhatti (Pakistan/Age 59): On July 24, the Department of Justice filed a case in the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking the denaturalization of Zia Murad Bhatti, also known as Raza Moorad, a resident of Conway, Arkansas, because he committed immigration fraud in his naturalization proceedings. Bhatti illegally entered the United States in 1992 using the name Raza Moorad. He was ordered removed, but he did not depart the United States. Instead, he married a United States citizen and sought permanent resident status, based on the marriage, using the name Zia Murad Bhatti. In naturalization proceedings, he concealed the fact that he used another identity and was ordered removed. The United States alleges that the court should issue an order revoking Bhatti’s naturalization because he committed fraud in seeking permanent resident status, provided false testimony and committed unlawful acts when he lied under penalty of perjury in naturalization proceedings, and procured his naturalization by concealment of material facts and willful misrepresentations. (Eastern District of Arkansas).
- Tatiana Power (Moldova/Age 46): On July 22, the Department of Justice filed a case in the Southern District of Florida seeking the denaturalization of Tatiana Power, a resident of Weston, Florida, because she committed crimes involving the sexual abuse of children before she became a U.S. citizen. Power entered the United States in 2005 and naturalized in 2010. In 2021, she was charged with several counts related to her participation in a business selling images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children on numerous websites. In criminal proceedings she admitted that she became involved in the illegal enterprise before she became a citizen. In 2022, she was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h), for her efforts in concealing proceeds from the unlawful activity. The United States alleges that the court should issue an order revoking Power’s naturalization because her criminal acts and her false testimony in naturalization proceedings rendered her unable to demonstrate the required good moral character for naturalization and because she procured her naturalization by concealment of material facts and willful misrepresentations. (Southern District of Florida).
- Narinder Singh (India/Age 65): On July 20, the Department of Justice filed a case in the District of Delaware seeking the denaturalization of Narinder Singh for using a fraudulent identity to gain admission to the United States. Singh used two identities to gain admission to the U.S. beginning in 1996 and naturalized as a U.S. citizen on May 1, 2008. The complaint alleges seven counts for his numerous misrepresentations and unlawful acts that adversely reflect his moral character. (District of Delaware).
- Emigdio Sanchez (Mexico/Age 62): On July 22, the United States filed a case in the District of South Carolina seeking the denaturalization of Emigdio Sanchez, who, beat and choked his wife, was arrested for such conduct, and they lied about it to immigration authorities. On Aug. 16, 1998, Mr. Sanchez beat his wife so severely, she was hospitalized. He was arrested for this violent assault the following day, and later pled guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Yet on Sept. 17, 1998, when Mr. Sanchez filled out paperwork related to his naturalization application, and was specifically asked whether he had been arrested or engaged in any criminal conduct since he first submitted his naturalization application, Mr. Sanchez lied, and wrote “no.” Mr. Sanchez’s violent assault upon his wife rendered him ineligible to naturalize, and had he disclosed his criminal conduct, that bar would have been apparent. The United States filed a three-count complaint against Mr. Sanchez seeking his denaturalization, including claims that he lacked the good moral character to naturalize and made material misrepresentations to immigration authorities. (District of South Carolina).
- Louisa Fernandez Ordonez (Colombia/Age 54): On July 20, the Department of Justice filed an action in the Northern District of Georgia seeking the denaturalization of Luisa Fernanda Ordonez because she failed to disclose in her naturalization proceedings that she obtained her permanent residence as a result of marriage fraud and that she was married to two men simultaneously. In 2000, Ms. Ordonez paid a U.S. citizen to marry her so that she could procure her permanent residence. Ms. Ordonez had no intention of establishing a marital relationship with this man, nor did she. Instead, in 2003, she married another man, without first divorcing her first husband. At no point during her naturalization proceedings did Mr. Ordonez disclose that her marriage to her first husband was entered into solely to obtain an immigration benefit. Neither did she disclose that she had married someone else. The United States seeks the denaturalization of Ms. Ordonez in a five-count complaint alleging she illegally procured her naturalization because she was not lawfully admitted for permanent residence, she was statutorily ineligible to apply for naturalization when she did, and because she made various false statements and misrepresentations in her immigration proceedings. (Northern District of Georgia).
- Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan (Nigeria/Age 56): On July 21, the United States filed a case in the District of Massachusetts seeking the denaturalization of Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan because he obtained his citizenship under a fake identify, after he was already subject to an order of deportation under his true identify. Before Mr. Obasohan, a native of Nigeria, became a permanent resident and later naturalized as a U.S. citizen under the name Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan, he was previously ordered to be deported from the United States under the name Tinosa Joe Aigbedion. At no point during his naturalization proceedings did Mr. Obasohan disclose that he previously used the name Tinosa Joe Aigbedion or that he had a current order of deportation pending against him. The United States has filed a five-count complaint against Mr. Obasohan seeking his denaturalization on the grounds that he was statutorily ineligible to naturalize, never lawfully obtained his permanent residence, and made numerous material misstatements to immigration officials. (District of Massachusetts).
- Enos Fong Korti (Liberia/Age 51): On July 29, the Department of Justice filed a case in the District of Minnesota seeking the denaturalization of Enos Fong Korti, a native of Liberia. Mr. Korti immigrated to the United States as the unmarried child of a U.S. citizen. However, Korti was married and ineligible to immigrate under that status, so Mr. Korti lied about his marital status to immigration officials during the visa process to hide his ineligibility. When it came time to naturalize, Korti falsely claimed that he had never lied to U.S. officials. As a result, Mr. Korti was naturalized. The United States is seeking to revoke Mr. Korti’s citizenship because he was not lawfully admitted for permanent residence, because he procured his naturalization by concealment of material facts and willful misrepresentations, and because he lacked the good moral character necessary to naturalize. (District of Minnesota).
- Yetunde Folake Olaniyi (Nigeria/Age 56): On July 31, the Department of Justice filed a case in the District of Maryland seeking the denaturalization of Yetunde Folake Olaniyi, also known as Folake Rosemary Thomas, a native of Nigeria. Olaniyi was ordered removed from the United States and rather than report for her scheduled removal flight, she adopted the identity of Folake Rosemary Thomas and entered into a sham marriage with a U.S. citizen, notwithstanding that she was already married to another Nigerian citizen. Through this sham marriage and by concealing her true identity, Olaniyi was granted a green card through her spouse. Three years later, Olaniyi naturalized as Folake Rosemary Thomas. In 2014, Olaniyi (as Thomas) was convicted in federal court for passport fraud after fingerprint checks revealed her true identity to be Olaniyi. The seven-count civil Complaint alleges Olaniyi was ineligible for a spousal green card and naturalization through her spouse because her marriage to the U.S. citizen was both a sham and legally invalid, that Olaniyi obtained her naturalization through a litany of willful misrepresentations of material facts, and that Olaniyi lacked the requisite good moral character required for naturalization. (District of Maryland).
- Mohd Wasif, also known as Mohammad Khanwasif (Pakistan/Age 56 or 58): On August 3, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a case in the Eastern District of Texas seeking to revoke the multiple naturalizations that Mohd Wasif, also known as Mohammad Khanwasif obtained under multiple identities. As Mohd Wasif, this individual obtained permanent residence in the U.S. by lying about his eligibility for that benefit. Then, while waiting for approval of that application, this individual applied for permanent residence under the different identity of Mohammad Khanwasif. Then, during his naturalization proceedings as Mohd Wasif, he lied about having provided false information to immigration officials to obtain permanent resident status and concealed his use of a second identity as Mohammad Khanwasif. During his naturalization proceedings as Mohammad Khanwasif, he similarly concealed his fraud and use of other identities. Because this individual did not obtain either of his naturalizations lawfully, but procured them instead by repeatedly lying, the United States now seeks to revoke both of those naturalizations. (Eastern District of Texas)
- Esther Quayle (Ghana/Age 50): On July 29, the Department of Justice filed a case in the Middle District of Tennessee seeking the denaturalization of Esther Quayle. Quayle, a native of Ghana, acquired a green card in the United States through her spouse, who had stolen the identity of a United States citizen. As a result of her husband’s identity theft and Quayle’s nondisclosure of her husband’s true identity and citizenship, Quayle was granted naturalization. Because Quayle was not married to a real U.S. citizen, she was ineligible for citizenship because she was not lawfully admitted to permanent residence. Further, because Quayle misrepresented her spouse’s true name and citizenship status in her naturalization proceedings, she obtained naturalization through a concealment or willful misrepresentation of a material fact, provided false testimony disqualifying her from citizenship, and lacked the good moral character necessary to naturalize. (Middle District of Tennessee).
- Dwyane Robinson (Jamaica/Age 44): On July 21, the Department of Justice filed a case in the Eastern District of North Carolina against Dwyane Robinson, who shot and attempted to murder another man, leading to his conviction for attempted first degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. On Dec. 31, 2013, while awaiting trial, Defendant was discharged from the U.S. Army. Defendant had earlier obtained his U.S. citizenship on the basis of his military service, but because he was discharged under other than honorable conditions prior to serving honorably in the military for a total of five years, he is subject to denaturalization. (Eastern District of North Carolina).
- Yi Lee (Taiwan/Age 46): On July 22, the Department of Justice filed a case in the District of New Mexico seeking the denaturalization of Yi Lee because he masterminded a marriage fraud ring prior to naturalizing. From January 2016 to on or about May 2017, Lee conspired with exploit U.S. immigration laws by uniting U.S. citizens with alien beneficiaries in sham marriages. Lee coordinated a payment schedule to the U.S. citizen conspirators and coached participants through the application process, including preparing them for immigration interviews. In 2017, Lee pled guilty to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. Lee illegally procured his naturalization as a U.S. citizen because his crime precluded the required good moral character to naturalize. Also, Lee falsely testified under oath and misrepresented and concealed facts that were material to determining his naturalization eligibility. (District of New Mexico).
- Eddie Jones Appah (Ghana/Age 66 or 67): On July 30, the Department of Justice filed a case in the District of New Jersey seeking the denaturalization of Mr. Eddie Jones Appah because he failed to disclose in his naturalization proceedings that he had already entered and been deported under a prior identity. He is charged with illegal procurement of naturalization by providing false testimony during his proceedings and for procuring his U.S. citizenship after misrepresenting and concealing material facts. (District of New Jersey).
- Jose Luis Martinez-Zavala (Mexico/Age 80): On July 27, the Department of Justice filed a case in the Western District of Texas seeking the denaturalization of Jose Luis Martinez-Zavala, who failed to disclose in his naturalization proceedings that he had previously sexually assaulted a minor. Martinez-Zavala naturalized in 2014 by hiding from the Government that in 2010 he had committed Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, in violation of Texas Penal Code Ann. § 22.021(a)(2)(B), a first-degree felony. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to and was convicted of that offense in Travis County, Texas. The complaint charges Martinez-Zavala with being ineligible to naturalize because, during the statutory period when he was required to show he had good moral character, he committed that crime and the additional offenses of making false statements, of falsely swearing in an immigration matter, and of perjuring himself when he submitted his Naturalization Application and again during his Naturalization Interview when he falsely stated and swore that he had not committed any crime for which he had not been arrested. The complaint further claims Martinez-Zavala was ineligible to naturalize because he provided false testimony during the same statutory period. Finally, the complaint alleges that Martinez-Zavala procured his naturalization by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentations about his criminal history. (Western District of Texas).
- Vivian Chike Obichere (Nigeria/Age 72): On July 30, the Department of Justice filed a denaturalization action in the Northern District of California seeking the denaturalization of Vivian Chike Obichere. Ms. Obichere is a native of Nigeria who naturalized as a United States citizen in 2013, and represented throughout her naturalization proceedings that she had never committed crimes for which she was not arrested, had used only one alias while in the United States, had not taken trips outside of the United States during the relevant period, and had never given misleading information to any United States official. However, she later pled guilty to False Application and Use of a Passport, and admitted the falsity of all of those attestations. Specifically, Ms. Obichere admitted that she had concealed, during her naturalization proceedings, that she had previously applied for and used a passport with the name and identifying information of another person, who was a United States citizen. Accordingly, the Department of Justice is pursuing revocation of Ms. Obichere’s naturalization on three counts related to her statutory ineligibility for denaturalization as a person barred from establishing good moral character, and one count of illegal procurement of naturalization by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation. (Northern District of California).
- Jose Francisco Cruz (Honduras/Age 72): On July 31, the Department of Justice filed a denaturalization action in the Southern District of Florida seeking the denaturalization of Jose Francisco Cruz. On or between December 28, 1995 and June 6, 1998, Cruz sexually abused his minor stepdaughter, while he was in a position of familial or custodial authority over her. Cruz naturalized as a U.S. citizen on Feb. 20, 1996. On or about Feb. 22, 1999, Cruz pled guilty in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial District, Palm Beach County, Florida, to three counts of Sexual Activity with a Child in violation of section 794.011(8)(b), Florida Statutes, in full satisfaction of the Third Amended Information. On or about Feb. 22, 1999,Cruz was sentenced to a 16-year term of imprisonment. Cruz was also required to register as a sex offender. Cruz illegally procured his naturalization as a United States citizen because his crime precluded the required good moral character to naturalize. Also, during the naturalization process, Cruz willfully misrepresented and concealed his involvement in unlawful sexual acts with his minor stepdaughter. (Southern District of Florida).
- Francois Nguessi Dame (Cameroon/Age 65): On July 30, the Department of Justice filed a suit in the District of Maryland seeking the denaturalization of Francois Nguessi Dame because he illegally procured his naturalization and obtained his naturalization by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation. From December 2008 to March 2015, Mr. Dame sexually abused his minor stepdaughter from the time she was ten until she was sixteen. After Mr. Dame naturalized in August 2014, he was convicted for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor in May 2017. He never disclosed the conduct underlying those convictions during the naturalization process. Accordingly, OIL seeks to pursue denaturalization of Mr. Dame for both illegal procurement (failure to show good moral character due to unlawful acts and false testimony) and concealment of material facts or willful misrepresentations relating to that conduct. (District of Maryland).
- Haitham A. Mustafa (Jordan/Age 58): On July 29, the Department of Justice filed a denaturalization action in the Southern District of Florida seeking the denaturalization of Haitham A. Mustafa, alleging that he failed to disclose in his naturalization proceedings that he engaged in credit card fraud using false names. Beginning in November 1999 and continuing until after his May 2001 naturalization, Mustafa engaged in credit card fraud using fraudulently obtained credit cards using at least one false name. This fraud scheme also coincided with a bank fraud scheme that occurred after his naturalization. Following his guilty plea, in May 2006, Mustafa was found guilty of one count of credit card fraud and one count of bank fraud, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1644(a) and 18 U.S.C. § 1344. He was sentenced to a term of twenty-five months’ imprisonment to be served concurrently and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $146,646.43 to all victims of his fraud scheme. Mustafa illegally obtained his naturalization as a United States citizen because credit card fraud is a crime that adversely reflects on his moral character. Moreover, Mustafa misrepresented and concealed material facts to obtain his naturalization. (Southern District of Florida).
- Jairo Javier Pedron Tellez (Cuba/Age 29): On July 31, the Department of Justice filed a denaturalization action in the Southern District of Florida, seeking denaturalization of Jairo Javier Pedron Tellez because he failed to disclose in his naturalization proceedings that he conspired to commit bank fraud and engaged in aggravated identity theft prior to naturalizing. Beginning in April 2015, and continuing through September 2017, Mr. Pedron conspired with others to defraud financial institutions by illegally obtaining envelopes and parcels from United States Post Office collection boxes with the intent to obtain, alter, and cash or deposit checks contained in those envelopes and parcels. In total, Mr. Pedron and his coconspirators illegally obtained nearly $175,000 through this scheme. The Department seeks Mr. Pedron’s denaturalization because he illegally obtained his naturalization due to his unlawful acts and because he provided false testimony during his naturalization. The Department also seeks Mr. Pedron’s denaturalization because he obtained his naturalization through willful misrepresentation or concealment of material facts during his naturalization. (Southern District of Florida).
- Carlos Ernesto Giron (El Salvador/Age 65): On July 29, the Department of Justice filed a civil denaturalization complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against Carloe Ernesto Giron. In 2019, Mr. Giron pled guilty and was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor for criminal acts he committed against two minors between 2005 and 2010. Mr. Giron lied about his criminal conduct in connection with his application to become a naturalized United States citizen. The United States has filed a three-count complaint against Mr. Giron seeking his denaturalization because he allegedly obtained that status through willful misrepresentation of material facts, false testimony, and because his criminal acts against minors precluded him from demonstrating good moral character. (District of Maryland).
- Juan Camilo Montoya (Colombia/Age 34): On July 31, the Department of Justice filed a case in the District of Maryland seeking the denaturalization of Juan Camilo Montoya because he was dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps before accruing the necessary period of honorable conduct after naturalizing, and because he lied in order to naturalize. Montoya naturalized via military service, which requires a five-year period of honorable conduct. But Montoya pleaded guilty via court-martial to possession and distribution of child pornography before that period had passed, which tainted his entire service and left him open to denaturalization. Further, Montoya swore under oath during his naturalization process that he had never been arrested, detained, or cited by law enforcement, but he had been cited by Maryland police for a prior drug-related offense. The denaturalization complaint, containing the above allegations, charges Montoya with being ineligible to naturalize because, during the statutory period when he was required to show he had good moral character, he gave false testimony to procure an immigration benefit. The complaint further charges Montoya as being amenable to denaturalization for being a naturalized citizen who was dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps without accruing five years of honorable service. (District of Maryland).
- Cantave Previlon (Haiti/Age 63): On July 31, the Department of Justice filed a case in the Southern District of Florida, seeking to revoke the naturalization of Cantave Previlon. In July 2007, Previlon, began having sexual intercourse with his minor biological child, against the child’s will, and he concealed this crime during his naturalization proceedings. After naturalizing, Previlon provided a sworn statement admitting to the offense and was convicted in Florida of sexual battery, victim over twelve years old but less than eighteen years old, while in a position of familial or custodial authority over the victim, and sexual battery, victim over twelve years old but less than eighteen years old, without consent. The denaturalization complaint filed against Previlon alleges that he is subject to denaturalization because, during the period in which he was statutorily required to demonstrate good moral character, he committed crimes involving moral turpitude, committed unlawful acts that adversely reflected on his moral character, and provided false testimony about his crime. Additionally, Previlon willfully mispresented the material fact of his crime during his naturalization proceedings. (Southern District of Florida).
- Syed Tanweer Ahmad, also known as Timothy Syed Andersson, also known as Tanweer Ahmad Syed (Sweden/Age 82): On July 31, the Department of Justice filed a case in the Northern District of California seeking the denaturalization of Syed Tanweer Ahmad, who failed to disclose in his naturalization proceedings that he had committed grand theft against multiple victims and falsely represented for years — both to the public and to his victims — that he was a medical practitioner. In 2011, Ahmad pleaded guilty to these offenses, and the California Superior Court, County of San Francisco, convicted Ahmad of 64 separate criminal violations, including 30 counts of Practicing Medicine without a License; 30 counts of Grand Theft; one count of Perjury, and three counts of Forgery. As a result of these crimes, the court sentenced Ahmad to six years in state prison. The four-count denaturalization complaint alleges that Ahmad illegally procured his citizenship because he lacked the good moral character required for naturalization given his crime of moral turpitude, unlawful acts, and false testimony under oath during the naturalization process; and because he procured U.S. citizenship through the concealment of material facts and willful misrepresentations. (Northern District of California).
- Miguel Eduardo Romero (El Salvador/Age 67): On July 31, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland filed a civil denaturalization complaint in the United States District Court in Baltimore, Maryland, against Miguel Eduardo Romero, a native of El Salvador. Before he became a U.S. citizen, Mr. Romero, over the course of several years, repeatedly sexually abused a minor, his granddaughter, while she was in his care. He concealed and lied about this behavior during his naturalization proceedings. The United States has brought three claims against Mr. Romero seeking his denaturalization, including claims that he lacked the good moral character to become a U.S. citizen and that he knowingly lied to immigration authorities. (District of Maryland).
- Manuel Antonio La Rosa-Lopez (Age 68/Peru): On July 22, 2026, the United States brought a denaturalization action against Manuel Antonio La Rosa-Lopez. La Rosa-Lopez, who lived in the Houston, Texas area, received his naturalization based on his representation in his application that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested. In fact, prior to his naturalization application, La Rosa-Lopez had committed acts constituting indecency with a child under the Texas penal code. La Rosa-Lopez was charged after his naturalization, pled guilty to two felony counts, and is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. The United States filed a complaint seeking to denaturalize La Rosa-Lopez because the material misrepresentation on his naturalization application made him ineligible to become a United States citizen.
The claims made in the complaints are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Note: This release has been updated from a previous version.
Jefferson County Man Admits Selling Fatal Fentanyl CapsulesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Jefferson County, Missouri on Monday admitted suppling the drugs that killed another man in 2024.
Daryn Joshua Odell Karnes, 21, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of distribution of fentanyl. He admitted driving to a home in Jefferson County on Jan. 5, 2024, and selling $100 worth of capsules containing fentanyl, heroin and xylazine to a couple, including a woman who had previously purchased fentanyl from him. The couple did not have enough money for the drugs and wrapped a $1 bill around paper to make it appear as if it was a wad of currency. The male later overdosed and died of fentanyl, heroin and xylazine intoxication. Under the plea agreement, Karnes agreed that the male would not have died but for the fentanyl. First responders found seven remaining capsules.
The transaction was arranged via Karnes’ “Luh Daryn” account on Facebook, and he later demanded full payment from the male victim. He also told a third party that the victim and his girlfriend would get “hurt” for not paying for the drugs.
Karnes is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17. The charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohsen Pasha is prosecuting the case.
Illegal alien from Guatemala who caused head-on collision pleads guilty to illegally reentering United StatesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – An illegal alien who was convicted locally of causing a head-on car crash that injured a Cincinnati Children’s Hospital nurse pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to illegally reentering the United States.
Johan Perez-Ventura, 27, was deported from the United States in February 2019 near Houston, Texas.
In November 2025, he was found by law enforcement in Butler County. Perez-Ventura was arrested on local charges after driving left of center and colliding with another vehicle. He was convicted at the local level in May 2026 of aggravated vehicular assault and sentenced to 54 months in prison.
The defendant has also been convicted of several other offenses, including assault and two convictions for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs in October 2024 and September 2023.
Illegally reentering the United States is a federal crime punishable by up to two years in prison.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Kevin Raycroft, Acting Field Office Director, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit Field Office; announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins. Assistant United States Attorney Danielle E. Margeaux is representing the United States in this case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Illegal Alien in Lake Charles Sentenced in Altercation with Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES – On July 30, 2026, United States District James D. Cain, Jr., sentenced Victor Hugo Rocha-Romero, 36, of Mexico, residing in Lake Charles, to over a year in federal prison after his July 2026 guilty plea to Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers or Employees.
According to court documents, Rocha-Romero had previously been issued a final Order of Removal from the United States. On June 30, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents located him in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to execute the order so that Rocha-Romero could be deported. Agents identified Rocha-Romero at a gas station, where he initially cooperated. As agents attempted to place him in restraints, Rocha- Romero attempted to flee to avoid deportation. In the course of this escape attempt, he made physical contact with an agent, causing abrasions and damage to the agent’s clothing. Rocha-Romero was immediately restrained and later admitted to resisting, impeding, and interfering with the agents.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Cassidy and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers Namie with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America (TBA), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s agencies, and coordinates efforts with state and local law enforcement and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF), ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more about PSN at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 2:25 CR 00190 01.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs
[email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Western District of Louisiana
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Illegal Alien Convicted of Conspiracy to Export Firearms from South Florida to HondurasRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal jury in Fort Pierce convicted a Honduran national illegally present in the U.S. for his role in a firearms-trafficking operation that purchased firearms in South Florida through straw buyers and smuggled them to Honduras.
The jury convicted Luis Matute Figueroa, 33, residing in Lake Worth, of conspiracy and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
“This defendant exploited his unlawful presence in the United States to help traffic American firearms to Honduras,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones. “This verdict reflects our commitment to dismantling international gun-trafficking networks and prosecuting illegal aliens who unlawfully possess and export firearms.”
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Matute Figueroa conspired with Gerson Eliu Padilla-Figueroa, Juan Matute Figueroa, Ariel Henriquez-Padilla, and William Mendoza to acquire firearms in the U.S. through straw purchases and illegally export them to Honduras.
Matute Figueroa, who overstayed a tourist visa in 2017 and remained in the U.S. without lawful status, organized the firearms-trafficking component of the conspiracy. WhatsApp messages recovered during the investigation revealed that Matute Figueroa provided co-conspirators with firearm inventories, pricing information, and shipping instructions for weapons destined for Honduras. The messages also contained a photograph and a video of Matute Figueroa in possession of a distinctive gold Colt 1911 pistol.
As an illegal alien, Matute Figueroa was prohibited from possessing any firearms.
Matute Figueroa faces up to five years in federal prison on the conspiracy count and up to 15 years in prison on the firearm possession count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement.
The ATF Miami Field Office and HSI Miami are investigating the case, with assistance from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Huyler is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cr-80206.
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Illegal Alien Charged with Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Ecuadorian national unlawfully residing in Milford, Mass. has been charged with illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Defendant has been previously deported from the United States and arrested four times for driving under the influence in Massachusetts.
Luis Rolando Clavijo Tacuri, 32, is charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, the defendant remains in federal custody pending further proceedings.
According to court filings, Tacuri was first encountered by immigration officials in October 2015, while he was incarcerated on charges of operating under the influence in Holliston, Mass. At the time, it was Tacuri’s third operating under the influence offense. Tacuri was allegedly subsequently placed into removal proceedings and deported to Ecuador in December 2016.
Sometime after his removal, it is alleged that Tacuri illegally reentered the United States. On May 27, 2024, Tacuri was allegedly arrested in Milford, Mass., for allegedly again operating under the influence.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and David T. Wesling, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Honduran Illegal Alien Pleaded Guilty and Sentenced for Reentry of a Removed AlienRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOSE JOVANY CRUZ-HERNANDEZ (“CRUZ-HERNANDEZ”), age 41, a native of Honduras, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier on July 30, 2026, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court records, CRUZ-HERNANDEZ was previously removed from the United States on five occasions: April 14, 2011; August 10, 2011; February 25, 2013; July 8, 2013; and June 1, 2015. CRUZ-HERNANDEZ was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana by an agent of the United States Border Patrol on March 16, 2026, having reentered the United States without authorization from the Attorney General of the United States or the Department of Homeland Security.
CRUZ-HERNANDEZ was sentenced to time served. He has been in federal custody since March 16, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Border Patrol in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Kippers of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Goffstown Man Sentenced to over Eight Years on Firearms and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Goffstown man has been sentenced to 102 months in prison and four years of supervised release for firearm and narcotics charges, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Mark Williams, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante today. According to the charging documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours on October 27, 2023, Williams was driving a borrowed vehicle when he became involved in a single-car accident in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Williams walked away before Goffstown Police arrived. The unoccupied vehicle sustained disabling damage and was later towed. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded 9mm handgun and distribution-level quantities of methamphetamine (41 grams), cocaine (73 grams), and fentanyl (452 grams). Williams was later arrested on November 13, 2023 and has been in custody since that date.
“Mr. Williams illegally armed himself and was prepared to use violence to further his drug dealing operation,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “Today’s sentence reflects the serious threat posed by those who mix firearms with dealing dangerous drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.”
“The combination of a loaded firearm and significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl posed a serious threat to public safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, New England Field Division. “This sentence reflects the commitment of the DEA and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who traffic dangerous drugs while armed. We will continue working to disrupt the criminal activity that fuels addiction, violence, and harm in communities across New Hampshire.”
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Goffstown Police Department, and the Manchester Police Department. Valuable assistance was additionally provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Fort Thompson Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons, announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Fort Thompson man convicted of Second-Degree Murder. The sentencing took place on July 29, 2026.
Jami Johnson, Jr., age 19, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025. He pleaded guilty on April 30, 2026.
During the early morning hours of August 11, 2025, a group of young adults attended an outdoor gathering near Lower Brule, South Dakota. Among those in attendance were Jami Johnson and the victims. An argument broke out and Johnson and another person – who later took his own life - produced firearms and fired in the direction of victim 1, striking him in the head and killing him instantly. A second victim, who was not involved in the argument, was struck in the neck and mortally wounded. The offense occurred in the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation.
“This was a horrifying and senseless act of violence that has shaken the community,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “Two bright young lives were taken, and no courtroom outcome can restore what was stolen from these families. We share their grief and the hollow space that remains. This sentence cannot heal those wounds, but it is our hope that it may offer them some measure of justice and, in time, a measure of peace.”
This matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a
federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be
prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners. The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components. Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of victims and their families despite the passage of time.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Office of Justice Services. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Great Plains Troy R. Morley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Johnson was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Former Postal Worker Admits to Repeatedly Burglarizing Post Offices to Steal MailRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former postal worker admitted to repeatedly burglarizing post offices in January and February 2023 to steal mail, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Zyeama Johnson, 31, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty on July 28, 2026, before U.S. district Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to six counts of an indictment charging her with burglary of a post office. The sentencing date is scheduled for November 24, 2026.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Zyeama Johnson had previously been employed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) when she burglarized post offices six times in January and February 2023. During each burglary, Johnson entered after business hours with the intent of stealing mail from the post office. For example, on January 10, 2023, Johnson broke into a post office in Jersey City and stole two USPS mail bins and a parcel bin.
Each of the burglary charges carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the value of the gain or loss, whichever is greater.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited postal inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Y. Zuckier of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Linda Foster, Esq.
johnson.indictment.pdfFederal, State and Local Authorities Announce Multiple Arrests of Non-Compliant Sex Offenders and Child Exploitation Crimes Across MississippiRead the Press Release
OXFORD, MS— U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi (USAO NDMS), Scott Leary, hosted a press conference announcing the results of Operation Muddy Waters, a statewide initiative spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to target child sex offenders and child exploitation crimes across Mississippi. The operation coordinated with federal, state and local law enforcement across the state. The operation began July 20 and ended July 31.
In total, Operation Muddy Waters led to 13 child exploitation arrests, 48 sex offender absconder arrests, two referrals to Louisiana and Colorado, one victim recovered, more than 8 search warrants, more than 50 devices seized for forensics and at least three immigration detainers.
Those participating in this operation with HSI and USAO NDMS included:
- U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Mississippi Attorney General’s Office
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety
- Marshall County Sheriff’s Department
- DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department
- Oxford Police Department
- Forrest County Sheriff’s Department
- Hinds County Sheriff’s Department
- Harrison County Sheriff’s Department
- Pearl County Sheriff’s Department
- Hancock County Sheriff’s Department
Scott F. Leary, U.S. Attorney, stated, “When dealing with child exploitation cases, it’s time to pause and reflect on why a government exists: It is to protect and provide a better world for our children, everything else is secondary. This principle can be found in our Declaration of Independence, our founding document: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, ...’ The Declaration’s vision is that of universal, inalienable God given rights. We are duty bound to protect these rights, especially as they apply to our children. Under no circumstances can American society equivocate this duty. No rationalization, no ambiguity, no tempered response, victimizing children is evil and a civilized society cannot tolerate it. We will be absolutely relentless in our pursuit of those who seek to exploit our kids. These crimes are an abomination. I want to thank those agencies that share this vision, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Marshal Service, the Mississippi Attorney General, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and the Police Departments and Sheriff’s Offices who work with us. Together we serve the citizens of this great state. We work hard not to let you down.”
“Those who choose to hide behind a computer screen to exploit children will not remain hidden,” said Matthew Reidell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of HSI Gulfport. “Operation Muddy Waters demonstrates HSI’s unwavering commitment to protecting children, supporting victims, and holding offenders accountable. We will continue working with our federal, state and local partners to bring these crimes to light, pursue those responsible and help prevent further harm.”
“For two weeks, federal, state, and local law enforcement have been working together to find the predators who hide in plain sight in our communities. And the outstanding number of arrests made during this operation point to the power of this partnership," said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. "But the most important number coming from this operation is the one child victim that was saved from a sextortion scheme in progress. The work done in this operation made all the difference to this child and to countless others who are a little safer online right now."
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.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal Officials Announce Major Arrests in International Drug Smuggling CaseRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives New York Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Chief of Police Matthew Rourke, and Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service Chief of Police Ranatiiostha Swamp, announced arrest of three individuals involved in major international smuggling operation along the northern border.
Three Akwesasne individuals, dual Canadian–American citizens, were arrested Thursday July 30, 2026, for their alleged roles in an international drug‑trafficking operation. Basil Lazore, age 47, and Michael Arquette, age 38, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 846, 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(B). The penalties include at least 10 years and up to life in prison and up to a $10 million fine. Patricia Ransom, age 81, was also arrested and charged with 21 U.S.C. 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, for which she faces at least 5 years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years.
Through a coordinated partnership involving U.S. and Canadian and Tribal law enforcement, investigators initiated a joint investigation into suspected cross-border drug trafficking activity operating through Akwesasne. As the investigation progressed, authorities identified an alleged smuggling network responsible for moving illicit drugs from Canada into the United States. Investigators further determined that the defendants allegedly planned to exchange methamphetamine for multiple firearms. Lazore was taken into custody in Canada, while Arquette and Ransom were arrested in the United States.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “Today’s announcement reflects the unprecedented collaboration among our law enforcement partners Federal, State, Local, and Tribal, both in the United States and Canada. Their work to identify, investigate, and arrest these individuals underscores our commitment to securing the northern border and stopping the flow of deadly narcotics and dangerous firearms. As alleged, the defendants sought to exploit areas along the border where tribal lands create unmonitored access points for cross‑border criminal activity. Because of their actions, they will now face the full weight of the American justice system.”
ATF New York Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo said, “Protecting our communities requires more than responding to violent crime—it requires identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the criminal networks that drive it. Transnational criminal organizations exploit borders, jurisdictions, and every vulnerability they can find to traffic illegal commodities that threaten public safety. This investigation demonstrates the power of intelligence sharing and the extraordinary partnerships that make complex, cross-border investigations possible. I commend the special agents, detectives, analysts, prosecutors, and our federal, state, local, tribal, and international partners whose tireless dedication brought this investigation to this point. Together, we are disrupting criminal networks, reducing violent crime, and making our communities safer.”
HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone said, “Transnational criminal organizations exploit borders, waterways, and remote terrain to move narcotics, firearms, and people while putting communities and law enforcement officers at risk. As a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, co-led by Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo, this case reflects the strength of coordinated partnerships across federal, state, local, Tribal, and Canadian law enforcement. Together, we are targeting the criminal networks that threaten border security and public safety on both sides of the northern border.”
“Criminal networks do not recognize borders, and neither does our commitment to public safety. This investigation is an example of the coordinated efforts of Canadian and U.S. law enforcement partners working together to disrupt the trafficking of illegal drugs and firearms and the criminal networks that profit from it. The Ontario Provincial Police is proud to support this joint operation and will continue to work alongside our partners to combat organized crime, reduce the availability of illegal drugs and weapons and enhance public safety,” said Ottawa Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau.
Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, Chief of Police, Ranatiiostha Swamp said, “The success of this investigation highlights the importance of collaboration among law enforcement partners across jurisdictions and international borders. AMPS is proud to have contributed to this effort and remains committed to protecting the residents of Akwesasne from the impacts of organized crime in trafficking of humans, drugs, and firearms. The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service operates within a unique border community. We have long recognized the need for coordinated and intelligence-driven enforcement strategies. This investigation reinforces the importance of law enforcement partnerships by combining resources to combat organized crime. Through continued collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we will work to ensure that those who engage in criminal activity are held accountable while preserving the safety, integrity, and reputation of our community.”
The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Ottawa Provincial Police, Sûreté du Québec, Akwesasne Tribal Police and the St Regis Tribal Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Stitt.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service (IRS/ CID), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Customs and Border Protection/ Office of Border Patrol (CBP/ OBP), Customs and Border Protection/ Office of Field Operations (CBP/ OFO), DEA, Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), USPIS, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Department of State/Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
Federal Judge Sentences Man to 14 Years in Prison for Violently Robbing Six Banks in Chicago SuburbsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a man to 14 years in prison for violently robbing six banks in the Chicago suburbs.
GERMAN CAMPOS JR., 26, of Franklin Park, Ill., committed six bank robberies over the course of ten months in 2023 and 2024. Campos brandished a gun at bank tellers and customers in five of the robberies.
The robberies were as follows:
Oct. 18, 2023: U.S. Bank in Schaumburg, Ill.
Dec. 16, 2023: U.S. Bank in Elmhurst, Ill.
March 6, 2024: U.S. Bank in Schaumburg, Ill.
June 13, 2024: U.S. Bank in Elmhurst, Ill.
Aug. 9, 2024: BMO Bank in Park Ridge, Ill.
Aug. 28, 2024: U.S. Bank in Niles, Ill.
Campos was arrested on Sept. 17, 2024, and he has remained in law enforcement custody since then. Campos pleaded guilty in March 2026 to federal bank robbery and firearm charges. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin sentenced Campos to 14 years in federal prison.
The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Ryan Whalen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Substantial assistance in the investigation was provided by the Schaumburg, Ill. Police Department, Elmhurst, Ill. Police Department, Park Ridge, Ill. Police Department, Niles, Ill. Police Department, and Franklin Park, Ill. Police Department.
“Defendant’s repeated use of a gun during robberies, including pointing that gun into victim faces over and over again, posed a significant threat to the safety of the bank employees, customers, and general public,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie C. Stern argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “The only reason why defendant stopped his violent robbery spree was because he was finally caught after ten months of terrorizing bank employees and customers.”
Fayetteville Resident Charged in Nearly $1 Million Pandemic Relief ScamRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – United States Attorney Ellis Boyle announced criminal charges against Ronald Ray Brock II, 50, of Fayetteville, North Carolina. A federal grand jury indicted him for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of almost $1 million.
Brock allegedly carried out a scheme in which he obtained $996,668.50 in PPP loans using the names of three businesses: MedCom Medical Messaging, Inc., Physicians Answering Group Exchange, Inc., and Answer Pronto, Inc. He secured the loans by falsely claiming these companies employed between 14 and 57 people and paid them between $32,000 and $121,000 per month, even though the companies had no real operations, no employees, and no payroll. The indictment alleges that Brock supported these false claims with fabricated tax returns and other falsified documents, and that he obtained duplicate loans for one company by applying through two different participating lenders. It also alleges that Brock made additional false statements to obtain forgiveness for one of the loans with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Brock is charged with six counts of wire fraud involving disaster-related benefits. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison on each count.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:26-CR-141-D-RN.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Eastern District of Texas prosecutes multiple defendants as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigations in July 2026Read the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
In the Eastern District of Texas, two defendants were sentenced to a total of 350 months in federal prison during the month of July as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Additionally, two other defendants pleaded guilty to drug trafficking violations and face up to life in federal prison, and a fugitive was extradited from Qatar after absconding to Pakistan.
On July 8, 2026, Nestor Molina Molina, also known as Chocolate, 37, a Mexican national illegally living in Garland, was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison for being involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Molina Molina was part of a cartel affiliated drug trafficking organization that distributed multiple kilogram quantities of methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States. A methamphetamine conversion laboratory, along with large amounts of methamphetamine in the conversion process, were discovered at Molina Molina’s residence during the investigation.
On July 10, 2026, a Houston man pleaded guilty to being involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas. Indolfo Hernandez, 36, faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking organization responsible for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine. Law enforcement seized over 16 kilograms of the drug during the investigation.
On July 10, 2026, Garland man, Abdullah Anwar, 28, was extradited from Qatar to the United States to face multiple charges in the Eastern District of Texas, including conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate and foreign commerce. Anwar had fled the United States for Pakistan while on pretrial release.
On July 20, 2026, Saginaw man, Kevin Chase McCauley, 38, was sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl-laced hydrocodone pills resulting in the death of an individual in Argyle, Texas. McCauley was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for drug trafficking violations.
On July 22, 2026, Luis Enrique Ruiz Morales, 40, pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges on the 2nd day of his jury trial. Morales was extradited from Guatemala to the United States after being indicted in the Eastern District of Texas for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization responsible for smuggling cocaine from Tecun Uman, a city located on Guatemala’s border with Mexico, to members of the Sinaloa Cartel for further distribution. Morales faces up to life in federal prison at sentencing.
HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx.
Dominican Man and Former Massachusetts Resident Sentenced to 10 Years for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A citizen of the Dominican Republic and former Boston resident was sentenced today in federal court to 10 years in prison for distributing almost 700 grams of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Niulmi Baez, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 120 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. On April 6, 2026, Baez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl.
“Fentanyl has been identified by the President as a weapon of mass destruction; it is a drug that has wreaked havoc across communities in New Hampshire and states all over the country. Working with our law enforcement partners, we are doing everything in our power to disrupt the illicit drug trade and hold those who traffic this deadly substance accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime committed, and the need to protect the public.”
“Today’s sentence reflects the serious consequences for those who profit from distributing fentanyl, a drug that continues to devastate families and communities across New England,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, New England Field Division. “By trafficking this deadly poison, the defendant placed countless lives at risk in pursuit of financial gain. The DEA, alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in our commitment to disrupting the criminal organizations responsible for the flow of fentanyl and ensuring those who endanger public safety are brought to justice.”
In late 2021 law enforcement learned that Baez was selling drugs. Between November 2021 and June 2022, an undercover officer engaged in a series of controlled purchases of drugs from Baez. Sometimes Baez delivered the drugs in person, while other times he used a drug runner, including his co-defendant Hamet Badia. For example, in June 2022, the undercover officer arranged to purchase 400 grams of fentanyl and 200 oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl from Baez. Baez responded that his “brother” would arrive in an Uber rideshare, and that Baez himself would arrive a few minutes later. Badia arrived at the designated meeting spot carrying a green shoe box containing the drugs. Badia gave the drugs to Baez, who exchanged the drugs for a bag containing fake U.S. currency.
Baez then returned to the Dominican Republic. Law enforcement learned he planned to return to the United States and arrested him at Logan Airport on October 2, 2025. Baez has been detained since.
Badia was previously sentenced to a term of 18 months’ imprisonment for his role in the offense.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The U.S. Marshals and Hampton Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Department of Justice Awards Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office More Than $700,000 to Cross-Designate ProsecutorRead the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz announce that the District Attorney’s Office (PCDAO) has been awarded $701,581 through the FY 2026 OJP Special Attorney’s Grant Program. As a result of the grant award, a state prosecutor will be designated as a Special United States Attorney (SAUSA) to work on cross-designated matters on multi-jurisdictional crimes including fraud, drug crimes, human trafficking, and criminal immigration matters. The grant will foster continued coordination on federal cases, increase enforcement and prosecution and enhance working relationships in Plymouth County.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance administers that grant program and selected PCDAO as one of 30 grantees across the country. This grant program supports state, local, Tribal and territorial prosecuting agencies to assign or hire qualified prosecutors to serve full-time or part-time as Special Attorneys under the direction of the National Fraud Enforcement Division or the Criminal Division, or to serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys within a United States Attorney’s Office.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has a longstanding, collaborative relationship with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office in advancing public safety. This grant will strengthen that existing foundation, allowing us to act as a force multiplier for the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, to bring more cases and stronger investigations. Tim Cruz has demonstrated a strong commitment to reducing crime, seeking justice on behalf of crime victims and promoting safer communities. He has been a valued law enforcement partner, supporting shared values, initiatives and public safety priorities. This funding will strengthen our offices’ ability to bring even more worthy federal cases to protect our communities,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “I am so pleased that the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office was selected and I am confident that the more than 540,000 residents of Plymouth County will benefit greatly from the grant and our shared mission, to serve and protect.”
“This is an exciting opportunity, and we are committed to enhancing our working relationship with U.S. Attorney Foley, and all their federal law enforcement partners. One of the grant’s objectives will be to coordinate federal cases originating in Plymouth County, to increase enforcement and prosecutions, and to enhance the working relationship with immigration authorities to ensure that undocumented immigrants accused of state crimes in Plymouth County are prosecuted. We have already selected an experienced prosecutor to assign to this new role, and I am proud that our offices are able to work together successfully and collaborate to protect public safety in our communities,” said Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz.
This multi-year federal grant will fund a Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney (ADA) to be appointed as Special Assistant United States Attorney who will be housed at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. The SAUSA will work as a federal prosecutor and will be supervised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
More information regarding the FY26 Special Attorney’s Program can be found here: https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/OJP-FY26-Special-Attorneys-Program
Crestview Woman Federally Indicted for Fraud Offenses Totaling over Four Million DollarsRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Rosemay G. Manzano, 40, of Crestview, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging her with 17 counts of bank fraud, 19 counts of money laundering, one count of aggravated identity theft, and five counts of filing a false tax return. This investigation is a part of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud launched by President Donald J. Trump, a whole-of-government effort to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
The defendant appeared for her arraignment in federal court before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Michael J. Frank in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for September 21, 2026, before United States District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, the defendant faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment for each of the 17 counts of bank fraud, 2 years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft count, up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each money laundering count, up to 3 years’ imprisonment for each filing false tax return count and, restitution, and forfeiture of assets.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.
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.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Court Sentences Mobile County Man for Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
MOBILE, Ala. – On July 31, 2026, United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Ralpheal Rashod Bridges to 30 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on July 28, 2025, an investigator with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) observed Bridges engage in what appeared to be a drug transaction from his vehicle in the parking lot of a Waffle House in Mobile. A MCSO deputy subsequently conducted a traffic stop after observing a traffic violation.
During the ensuing investigation, law enforcement discovered approximately $3,000 in U.S. currency, approximately 420 grams of marijuana, two suspected pressed fentanyl pills, 19 30-milligram oxycodone pills, 61 20-milligram oxycodone pills, 191 10-milligram oxycodone pills, two digital scales, and a loaded Glock Model 19, 9mm handgun inside the vehicle.
Federal law prohibits Bridges from possessing a firearm because of his prior felonies which include multiple Possession of Marijuana convictions and Promoting Prison Contraband.
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, the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, 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).
Coral Gables Woman Pleads Guilty to Impersonating Federal Immigration Official to Dismiss Removal ProceedingsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A Coral Gables woman pleaded guilty to falsely impersonating a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official as part of a scheme to file fraudulent motions seeking the dismissal of immigration court proceedings.
According to court records, Ana Caridad Linares, 45, of Coral Gables, repeatedly held herself out as an employee of DHS and used that false identity to submit fraudulent filings to the Immigration Court.
“Ana Caridad Linares pretended to be a DHS official in formal court filings to obtain the unlawful dismissal of removal proceedings,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones. “Her conduct was a fraud on the Immigration Court and an affront to the rule of law. This was a brazen effort to corrupt lawful removal proceedings, and our Office will prosecute those who use fraud to undermine the integrity of our immigration system.”
Specifically, Linares represented herself in court documents as “Ana Linares, Legal Administrative Specialist, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” In February 2024, an Immigration Judge flagged as fraudulent a motion Linares had prepared and caused to be filed on behalf of an illegal alien in removal proceedings. The motion falsely purported to have been submitted by a DHS employee and sought dismissal of the removal case.
Linares caused at least three additional motions containing the same false title, language, and representations to be submitted to the Immigration Court. In each instance, Linares made the filings appear to be authentic DHS motions and accepted payment from clients for preparing and submitting them.
By falsely claiming to act on behalf of DHS, Linares sought to invoke prosecutorial discretion authority reserved by Department attorneys and employees. Through these fraudulent filings, she attempted to secure the dismissal of immigration proceedings involving illegal aliens who otherwise remained subject to removal proceedings.
Linares pleaded guilty to false impersonation of a federal officer. She faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement.
HSI Miami is investigating the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Roca Shaw is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.gov, under case number 26-cr-20085.
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Columbus Repeat Offender Sentenced to Prison for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Georgia man with a violent criminal record, whose supervised release was revoked for previously assaulting a federal officer, was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on top of his current 60-month term after a federal jury convicted him of multiple drug and gun offenses.
“This defendant and others like him who continue to violate the law and endanger others will be held accountable in the Middle District of Georgia, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “We will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that repeat offenders face justice.”
“This defendant callously picked up right where he left off from prior convictions,” said Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Thomas Clark. “The FBI will continue to investigate anyone who repeatedly violates the law by illegally arming themselves and committing crimes that continue to harm the community.”
Nimesh Vijay Desai, 44, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 121 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on Aug. 3. Desai was found guilty of one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of fentanyl, one count of possession of heroin, and one count of possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon on March 4, following a three-day trial that began on March 2, before U.S. District Judge Clay Land. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents and statements referenced at trial, law enforcement executed two search warrants on Feb. 28, 2024, at a Columbus apartment and a storage unit leased to Desai, resulting from an ongoing investigation into armed drug trafficking in the community. During the searches, agents seized 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and 800 grams of fentanyl and heroin, along with scales and grinders often used in the distribution of illegal drugs, and $12,800.
Law enforcement also recovered seven firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition, including magazines, all belonging to Desai. At the time of the searches, Desai was on federal supervised release for his 2012 convictions in the Middle District of Georgia for distributing methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and assaulting federal agents with a deadly weapon. Desai is currently serving 60 months in federal prison because of a revocation of his supervised release for these prior convictions. Today’s sentence will run consecutively to his current 60-month federal sentence.
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.
FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office.
Criminal Chief Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government.
California man sentenced to life in federal prison for sex trafficking, enticement of a minor and other related chargesRead the Press Release
SAN ANGELO, Texas —United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that Devin Maurice Harmon, 51, from California, was sentenced to life in federal prison on July 31 for a series of crimes involving the exploitation, trafficking, and abuse of a minor over several years.
On April 10, a federal jury found Harmon guilty of the following offenses: • Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in prostitution
• Enticement of a minor
• Sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion
• Sex trafficking of a minor
• Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
• Two counts of tampering and attempted tampering with a witness“My office is laser focused on prosecuting those who harm our children and ensuring they are held accountable for their horrendous acts,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “For years, this defendant preyed on a vulnerable child, exploiting her fear and isolation for his own gratification and profit. He used violence, manipulation, and coercion to trap her in a cycle of abuse and then tried to silence her when law enforcement intervened. Today’s life sentence ensures this predator will never again victimize another child.”
“The life sentence imposed on this defendant demonstrate the seriousness of his crimes,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting our communities from child predators and will continue to work to ensure that those responsible for such acts are brought to justice.”
According to evidence presented at trial, law enforcement first encountered Harmon and the minor victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, on July 4, 2024, after Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, with assistance from the Texas Rangers, responded to an abandoned vehicle in Crockett County. Troopers discovered that the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office had provided a courtesy transport of an adult male, a minor female, and an infant due to a vehicle breakdown. The individuals were transported by CCSO to the Economy Inn Hotel in Ozona, Crockett County, Texas. Inside the hotel room, troopers discovered Harmon with the 16 year old victim, who was listed as a nationally registered missing juvenile.
Investigators learned that Harmon had met Jane Doe 1 when she was 14 and homeless in California. Over the next two years, Harmon used manipulation, violence, and coercion to control her, repeatedly sexually assaulting her and forcing her into commercial sex acts with adult men across the greater Los Angeles area. Jane Doe 1 reported engaging in sex acts with approximately 100 men during this period, all arranged by Harmon, who kept the proceeds.
Harmon also used Jane Doe 1’s cell phone to book hotel rooms, communicate with customers, known as “Johns,” and receive payments from them for the commercial sex acts. Forensic analysis confirmed Harmon accessed his Facebook account from her device and used it to facilitate prostitution.
Jane Doe 1 stated that when they were apprehended by law enforcement in Texas, they were on their way to Louisiana because Harmon told her that the people in Louisiana would pay her much more money and convinced her that it would be a good idea.
Throughout the investigation, Harmon attempted to manipulate and threaten Jane Doe 1 and her guardian, resulting in his convictions for witness tampering.
A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Harmon on the aforementioned charges, Oct. 8. 2025, and a federal jury found him guilty on April 10. U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix sentenced Harmon to life in federal prison and ordered restitution of $5,250.00.
The FBI, Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Voice of Hope—Lubbock and the Victim-Witness Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office provided victim services and support throughout the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whitney James from the Abilene Division and Callie Woolam from the Lubbock Division prosecuted the case.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation and brought this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Phantom Hacker Scheme Targeting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Ajay Kumar, 24, of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty on July 28, to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2026, before United States District Judge John J. Tuchi.
According to his plea, Kumar’s co-conspirators contacted victims posing as government employees, falsely claiming that the victims’ accounts had been compromised. The callers told victims they needed to move their funds to a government account to keep the funds safe. In some cases, co-conspirators maintained contact with the victims for weeks, convincing them to withdraw cash or purchase gold, which was then collected by individuals posing as government agents.
In December 2024, Kumar attempted to pick up approximately $500,000 in gold bullion from a victim in Arizona. As part of his plea, Kumar admitted he traveled to locations throughout the United States to collect cash and gold from victims to deliver it to the co-conspirators in the Phantom Hacker Scheme.
A conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
The FBI’s Phoenix Division conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adriana Genco, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.
Phantom hacker scams and government impersonation scams are increasingly prevalent and disproportionately affect elderly victims. Fraudsters in these schemes typically pose as government agents and pressure victims to act quickly to transfer their money to the perpetrators. The public is urged to remain vigilant, verify the identity of anyone requesting financial transactions, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. The government will never call individuals to instruct them to transfer funds to the government. The government will never instruct a person to transfer assets into gold bullion. The government will never instruct a person to deliver funds to a “courier” who comes to the person’s residence. Educating potential victims and their families is a key component in preventing these crimes and minimizing financial harm.
If you or someone you know is a victim of elder fraud, we encourage you to call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time. Services are available for speakers of English, Spanish, and other languages. Victims can also report the fraud to the FBI by filing a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (“IC3”) at https://www.ic3.gov/ by clicking the red “File A Complaint” button. Victims should be sure to include all available information about the scam.
CASE NUMBER: CR-25-00597-PHX-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-130_Kumar# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Bronx Man Sentenced to 58 Months in Prison for Multi-State Identify Theft and Bank Fraud RingRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Richard Modou Bah, 22, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced last Tuesday by United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez to 58 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. Bah previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud.
Bah and his co-conspirators engaged in a bank fraud and identity theft scheme that targeted individuals and banks in Arizona, Colorado, and California. The co-conspirators used victims’ personal identifying information and fraudulent identifications to open phony business accounts linked to the victims’ legitimate bank accounts. They then transferred the victims’ funds to the phony business bank accounts and withdrew the money in cash at financial institutions and casinos.
As part of the scheme, Bah recruited co-conspirators to impersonate victims using stolen identities and provided them with fake identifications to further the scheme. Bah also supervised at least one co-conspirator when they opened fraudulent accounts in victims’ names and withdrew the funds at banks and casinos.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office conducted the investigation in this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Unit, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-24-00927-AMM-MSA
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-129_ Bah# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Billings man sentenced to 3 years in prison for attempted drug trafficking after wife tips off authoritiesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Billings man who was receiving drug shipments in the mail was sentenced Friday afternoon to three years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jonathan Lloyd Erwin, 38, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Erwin received at least one package of methamphetamine in the mail, which he had intended to sell. The package came to light after Erwin’s wife contacted the U.S. Postal Service in February 2025 and told them her husband was receiving packages of drugs in the mail.
USPS officials began watching for packages addressed to Erwin and on March 11, 2025, they intercepted a suspicious parcel intended for Erwin that had been sent from a fake address. Agents obtained a warrant and searched the package, where they found 7.5 ounces of meth. Agents replaced the meth with rock salt and delivered the package to Erwin, who received it and took it into his garage. Authorities returned with a warrant and found the package hidden in Erwin’s garage rafters. His wife, who was present for the search, again reiterated to agents that her husband was receiving drugs in the mail. A search of Erwin’s phone showed messages where he discussed buying meth off the dark web, tracking packages that were shipped to him, and selling what he purchased.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Godfrey prosecuted the case. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.
Belen Man Charged After Investigation into Alleged Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Belen man is facing federal charges following an investigation into two online accounts that contained suspected child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, in June 2026, Google submitted two CyberTipline reports to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children after identifying suspected Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) associated with two Google accounts linked to the same phone number. The reports identified a combined 25 files containing suspected CSAM uploaded to the accounts.
Investigators identified David Candido Gomez, 51, as the suspected user of the accounts after obtaining subscriber information associated with the phone number and identifying a device connected to the accounts. Location information placed the device near a residence in Belen, New Mexico, where agents executed a search warrant on July 30, 2026.
During the search, agents seized a cellphone associated with the Google accounts. According to court documents, a forensic review of the device revealed multiple images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, as well as evidence that the device had accessed both Google accounts and contained additional CSAM.
The investigation, including efforts to identify victims depicted in the material, remains ongoing.
Gomez is charged with possession of child pornography. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Gomez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
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 New Mexico Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated this investigation, which was later turned over to the FBI Albuquerque Field Office Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL) and Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force assisted with the investigation. This prosecution is 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.
Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to 48 Months in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Theft of MailRead the Press Release
Marvell Trevenski Jackson, Jr., age 26, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison following his convictions for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and theft of mail, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall. United States District Judge Brian A. Jackson further sentenced Jackson to three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment. Jackson was also ordered to pay $378,394.00 in restitution and to forfeit an additional $238,804.45 to the United States.
According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, Jackson conspired with others to defraud federally insured financial institutions, including Neighbor’s Federal Credit Union (“NFCU”), Essential Federal Credit Union (“EFCU”), First Guarantee Bank and Trust (“FGB”), Navy Federal Credit Union (“Navy FCU”), and Regions Bank, among others. Jackson and his co-conspirators employed a variety of methods, including stealing or obtaining stolen mail to obtain personal and financial information of bank customers; altering or washing checks stolen from the mail; creating counterfeit checks using stolen bank account information; disseminating spam text messages designed to trick bank customers into revealing bank account information and login credentials; and using that confidential information to unlawfully access and transfer funds from victims’ accounts. Jackson also recruited other individuals, commonly known as “money mules,” either to open accounts or to use existing accounts to receive the fraud proceeds. Once the stolen funds were deposited into the accounts held by the money mules or other co-conspirators, these individuals withdrew the funds, keeping a portion for themselves and providing the majority to Jackson.
Additionally, Jackson stole mail, including personal and business checks totaling at least $20,378 that had been placed for collection in the blue boxes at the U.S. Postal Service’s office on Florida Street in Baton Rouge. These stolen checks and others, totaling over $270,000, were later located in a residence used by Jackson, along with the tools and supplies required for printing counterfeit checks.
In total, Jackson and his conspirators obtained or sought to obtain over $500,000 by negotiating, and attempting to negotiate, altered or counterfeit checks using checks and other financial data obtained from stolen U.S. mail.
Members of the conspiracy also engaged in “smishing,” short for “SMS phishing,” a cyber-attack technique whereby perpetrators use Short Message Service (“SMS”) or text messages purporting to be from reputable companies to induce victims to reveal personal information, such as usernames, passwords, or bank account numbers. Jackson and his co-conspirators executed the smishing scheme in East Baton Rouge Parish, Iberville Parish, Livingston Parish, and others, defrauding financial institutions, including NFCU, EFCU, FGB, and their customers of over $300,000.
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the U.S. Postal Service, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. “This was a fantastic effort by a team of agencies that worked together along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul L. Pugliese. Marvel Jackson is a professional scammer and deserves every day of that sentence and more,” Wall said.
Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jonathan Isaac Gibbs, age 26, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge John W. deGravelles to receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.
According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, on August 10, 2024, Gibbs’ manager at the store where he was employed made a report to Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) regarding Gibbs recording an “up the skirt” video of a minor in the store.
Subsequently, BRPD issued an arrest warrant for Gibbs, and he was arrested for one count of video voyeurism and one count of indecent behavior with juveniles. The matter was also referred to Louisiana State Police. Law enforcement obtained lawful search warrants for several of Gibbs’ electronic devices and executed them.
On his cellphone, a Russian website associated with child pornography was located. Law enforcement also located 20 “upskirt” images of minors on the cellphone. On Gibbs’ laptop, law enforcement found three images of child sexual abuse material on a hard drive.
Gibbs’ conviction is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than twenty years, a fine of $250,000, or both. Also, Gibbs faces up to a lifetime of supervised release and will be subject to sex offender registration requirements.
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baton Rouge Police Department, and Louisiana State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy S. Johnson led the prosecution.
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 http://www.justice.gov/psc.
Arizona Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man was sentenced to 33 months in prison after admitting he assaulted a woman at her residence.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on September 16, 2024, Kendrick Harvey, 36, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, went to the home of Jane Doe while he was intoxicated. There, Harvey assaulted Jane Doe and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury to Doe.
Harvey pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Upon his release from prison, Harvey will be subject to three years of supervised release.
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 Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case.
Air Force Active Duty Member Settles False Claims Act Allegations for Fraudulent Government LoanRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Tyndall Air Force Base active-duty member, Negleatta Davis, has agreed to settle civil allegations that she violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by knowingly providing false information in support of a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. Davis agreed to pay $24,000 in damages under the FCA. The civil settlement was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “Whether its through aggressive criminal prosecutions or affirmative civil enforcement actions, or both, my office is committed to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse of federal programs to ensure fraudsters are held accountable. When someone defrauds the federal government, they are victimizing every U.S taxpayer. Under the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Department of Justice is returning to a zero-tolerance posture for fraud of any kind or amount to fulfill the fiduciary duty we have to the American taxpayer.”
The United States contends that from in or about April 2021, Davis prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent documents and a false and fraudulent application to obtain a PPP loan totaling $14,375, in her name as sole proprietor. The loan was funded directly by the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”) or through various PPP-participating financial institutions that were federally-guaranteed by the SBA. The loan was forgiven and paid by the SBA, plus a lender fee of $2,500 and interest of $63.09, for a total of $16,938.09. Davis registered a business, Apple Jreamzz Treats & Things, with the State of Nevada while she was stationed there, on July 1, 2020. The United States contends that Davis fraudulently obtained the PPP loan at least in part because Apple Jreamzz Treats & Things was not established until July 2020, after CARES Act eligibility.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the U.S. Small Business Administration provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Couch represented the United States in this matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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.
2 August 2026
Raleigh Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Kobe Alexander Scott, 26, to over 9 years in federal prison. Scott pleaded guilty on April 28, 2026, to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
“We appreciate the hard work of our federal and local partners for stopping armed, drug dealing felons who threaten the safety of our communities. This Big Shark Bad Boy will not threaten his community with illegal firearms for the better part of a decade,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
In October 2023, the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) began investigating Scott after receiving information he was selling illegal narcotics and had access to firearms. Scott and several other known drug dealers were using a Raleigh-area recording studio for illegal activity and that he was the primary supplier of a high-end marijuana brand known as “Dessertz,”. For years, Scott used social media to advertise and sell marijuana, often posting numerous photos and videos of himself displaying firearms and large quantities of marijuana.
On December 13, 2023, RPD officers conducted a search at the recording studio where they found two 9‑millimeter firearms inside his office desk drawer. Scott is a convicted felon and a member of the Bloods street gang. His most recent convictions include possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana in 2022 and felony breaking and entering and larceny in 2015.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to making our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Raleigh Police Department and the ATF investigated the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:25-CR-44-D.
Fentanyl Trafficker Gets 15‑Year Federal SentenceRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Keavin Jawahn Thompson, 42, to 15 and a half years in federal prison for selling large quantities of fentanyl throughout the Eastern District of North Carolina. On January 29, 2026, Thompson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of para‑fluorofentanyl. Para-fluorofentanyl is similar to fentanyl but is highly potent and is a significant contributor to overdose deaths in the United States.
“This Big Shark Bad Boy drug pusher will no longer sling poison that ruins so many lives of Eastern North Carolinians,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Here is a stark warning, we will put you in prison for decades. Simple Lesson: Drugs Kill, Prison Awaits – Do Right.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.”
Thompson was identified in early 2020 as a large‑scale fentanyl trafficker operating across eastern North Carolina. In 2022, federal and local law enforcement conducted five purchases of fentanyl from Thompson. After these purchases, investigators executed search warrants at two Fayetteville homes used as drug stash houses. Inside, they recovered 840 grams of fentanyl, 642 grams of para‑fluorofentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, and meth, along with packaging materials, a digital scale, and a cutting agent used to prepare narcotics for distribution. Through the investigation, law enforcement determined Thompson had trafficked over 48 pounds of fentanyl between 2019 and his arrest on August 22, 2022.
“This sentence stresses the strength of our federal and state partnerships in dismantling trafficking networks that are flooding North Carolina with fentanyl,” said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Carolinas. “Through close collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI is unwavering in its commitment to pursue those who threaten the safety of our communities with illicit narcotics.”
“Drug trafficking poses a double threat to our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Illegal narcotics destroy lives and the violence associated with drug trafficking wreaks communities. ATF is proud of the work the Homeland Security Task Force is accomplishing, and we remain committed to the goal of keeping our neighborhoods safe.”
This prosecution is part of Operation Eight Ball, a component of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) established under Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole‑of‑government initiative committed to dismantling criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in the United States and abroad. Through unprecedented interagency coordination, the HSTF directs federal law enforcement resources to investigate and prosecute the broad spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations. The HSTF places a particular emphasis on targeting offenders involved in crimes against children and uses all available legal authorities to identify, prosecute, and remove violent criminal aliens from the United States.
W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement following sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and Fayetteville Police Department investigated the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-125-D-KS-1.
31 July 2026
Youngstown Man Sentenced to 15+ Years in Prison for Intent to Distribute Cocaine Mailed from Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 42-year-old man was sentenced to prison for intending to distribute nearly four and a half pounds of cocaine that was mailed to Ohio from Puerto Rico.
Jean Carlos Martinez, of Youngstown, was sentenced to 188 months (15.6 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan after he pleaded guilty in April to Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. Martinez was also ordered to serve six years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents, on Jan. 23, 2025, postal inspectors seized a parcel that was mailed from Puerto Rico to Campbell, Ohio, which was suspected of containing cocaine. Investigators then proceeded to deliver it to the intended address. Shortly thereafter, Martinez arrived at the delivery address to collect the package. Martinez later admitted that he planned to distribute the cocaine that was inside the package. During lab analysis of the package’s contents, it was confirmed to be approximately 2003.9 grams of cocaine.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration-Detroit Division.
Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Joines led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Banks in Waterbury and Bristol in 2024Read the Press Release
David X, Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HEATHER BROWN, 50, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for robbing three Connecticut banks in 2024.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Brown robbed the Wells Fargo Bank located at 800 Wolcott Street in Waterbury on February 6, 2024; the Liberty Bank located at 1030 Hamilton Avenue in Waterbury on February 7, 2024; and the Webster Bank located at 575 Farmington Avenue in Bristol on February 9, 2024.
Judge Oliver ordered Brown to pay $8,328 in restitution.
Brown, who last resided in New Haven, has been detained since her arrest on February 9, 2024. She pleaded guilty on October 7, 2025.
Brown was convicted of state bank robbery offenses in 2006 and again in 2010, and she served more than 15 years in prison for those offenses.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury, Bristol, and Southington Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont.
Western District of Texas Ends July with 250 New Immigration CasesRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 250 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from July 24 through July 31, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. Charges were brought against human smugglers and illegal aliens with past convictions for numerous DWIs, violent crimes and sexual abuse, thefts, and multiple prior removals.
Among the new cases, Manuel Sanchez-Sanchez, an illegal alien from Mexico with a prior felony conviction of assault to commit rape, was arrested approximately four miles west of the Fort Hancock Port of Entry. Sanchez-Sanchez is charged with illegal re-entry having been previously removed from the United States in 2008.
Illegal alien from Mexico Reginaldo Cardona-Cardona was also arrested in Fort Hancock, less than two miles west of the POE. Cardona-Cardona has been previously removed from the U.S. three times, the last being in June 2024. He has an extensive criminal record that includes convictions for assault causing bodily injury, burglary of a building, a DWI, and two separate convictions for driving with an invalid license.
The ICE Fugitive Operations Team in El Paso encountered and arrested Francisco Ibarra-Quinones in El Paso as part of an investigation into aliens who have been previously removed from the U.S. and returned without permission. Ibarra-Quinones was previously deported in 2009, following a conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He’s now charged with illegal re-entry.
Ismael Guillermo Cedillo-Martinez, an illegal alien from Mexico who has been removed from the United States seven times, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Eagle Pass and charged with illegal re-entry. Cedillo-Martinez has previously been convicted of three DWI charges, improper entry by an alien, and one illegal re-entry charge.
Illegal alien from Honduras Jose Efrain Corrales-Corrales was also arrested near Eagle Pass and charged with illegal re-entry. Corrales-Corrales was last deported on Nov. 23, 2025. He has been previously convicted of three DUIs as well as child cruelty and possession of a controlled substance.
In Austin, Abel Alejandro Martinez Robles, an illegal alien from Mexico, was transferred into ICE custody after being found in the Burnet County Jail, where he was booked for failure to identify. Martinez Robles has been removed from the U.S. two times and was previously convicted of aggravated sexual abuse.
Illegal alien from El Salvador Nelson Romero-Membreno was found in the Travis County Jail, where he was serving a sentence for his second DWI. Romero-Membreno has been deported twice and was also previously convicted of unlawful restraint with serious bodily injury.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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.
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Washington County Woman Charged with Theft of Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Gina Marie Mullen, 58, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, Mullen used a deceased person’s bank debit card to steal Social Security funds, with a total calculated loss to the Social Security Administration of $24,236.91.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the loss from the offense, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eleni F. Skezas is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.
United States Attorney’s Office Files Civil Forfeiture Action to Recover Crypto Involved in Online Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office has filed a civil forfeiture action to recover 47,461.73111 USDT (Tether), alleged to be proceeds of an online fraud scheme in which scammers directed victims to deposit funds into cryptocurrency ATMs and then took the funds. The cryptocurrency currently has an estimated value of approximately $47,000.
As alleged in the complaint, the home computer of a Ware Mass. resident became unresponsive, and a pop-up window directed her to call a customer support telephone number. The victim spoke with an individual who claimed to be a customer service representative but in reality, was a scammer. The scammer told the victim that their bank account had been compromised and to “protect” their money, the victim needed to transfer their money to the government for safekeeping. At the direction of the scammers, the victim withdrew funds from their bank account and deposited them into a Bitcoin Depot brand cryptocurrency ATM at a gas station in Ludlow, Mass. From there, the victim’s money was transferred to the fraud perpetrators.
Law enforcement traced some funds to a cryptocurrency wallet and seized those funds in March 2026. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement identified four other victims of a similar scam whose funds could be traced to the same cryptocurrency wallet.
It is a violation of federal law to use wire communications as part of a scheme to defraud or to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. It is also a violation of federal law to conduct a financial transaction knowing that the transaction is designed to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of criminal proceeds. A civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims to property, which must be resolved before the property can be forfeited to the United States and returned to victims.
This is one of several civil forfeiture actions the U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed seeking to forfeit cryptocurrency traced to fraud schemes targeting Massachusetts victims.
Members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime – including cryptocurrency scams, tech support scams, investment scams and business email compromise fraud scams – should contact [email protected].
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Field Office made the announcement today. The Ludlow Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carole E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit is prosecuting the civil forfeiture action.
The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations.
United States Attorney's Office Joining Law Enforcement, Community Leaders and Residents for National Night Out Events in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah will join their law enforcement partners, neighbors, and communities for National Night Out events in cities across the state.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to participate in National Night Out. These events provide an important opportunity for meaningful interaction, fostering trust, and strengthening relationships within our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “We look forward to engaging with residents and working alongside our law enforcement partners as we continue advancing efforts toward safer and stronger communities throughout the state.”
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions of people take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
Below is a list of National Night Out events that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah will be attending, all hosted by local participating law enforcement agencies.
Scheduled Events:
1. Riverton City Public Safety Night
Monday, August 3, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Riverton City Park
1452 West 12600 South
Riverton, UT 840652. UPD Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Big Cottonwood Regional Park
4300 South 1300 East
Millcreek, UT 841173. Woods Cross Police Department’s National Night Out Against Crime
Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Woods Cross City Hall (Hogan Park)
1555 South 800 West
Woods Cross, UT 840874. Ogden’s Night Out Against Crime
Thursday, August 12, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Lorin Farr Park
769 Canyon Road
Ogden, UT 844045. Murray City Police & Fire Safety Fair
Monday, August 31, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Murray Park
296 East Murray Park Avenue
Murray, UT 84107United States Attorney Moore Capito Encourages Turn Out for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026Read the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito is encouraging residents throughout the Southern District of West Virginia to join his office, law enforcement, and other community partners for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will participate in National Night Out events at Orchard Manor in Charleston and Ritter Park in Huntington from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“National Night Out is a reminder that safer communities are built when neighbors look out for one another,” Capito said. “I encourage West Virginians to join us on August 4 to connect, learn, and stand together in support of our law enforcement and shared safety. Our office will be present in Charleston and Huntington, and we look forward to engaging with families across the Southern District.”
Additional National Night Out events are scheduled in the Southern District of West Virginia, including Dunbar, Marmet, and Parkersburg.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions of people take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
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.
A video statement from United States Attorney Moore Capito is located on the office’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xat4PJIV92I.
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USAO-KS spreads awareness about jury duty scamsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas (USAO-KS) continues to spread the word about government imposter scams. In the spirit of Elder Justice Coordinating Council’s (EJCC) Never EVER campaign, USAO-KS wants to raise awareness about a specific imposter scam, the jury duty scam. U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser is sharing information with the public about what they should Never EVER do after receiving calls or other types of solicitations claiming to be from federal or state court staff.
In recent months, law enforcement agencies in the Sedgwick County/Wichita area have notified USAO-KS about an increase in residents reporting being victims of or targeted by jury duty scams. Residents say individuals contacted them claiming to represent the U.S. District Court of Kansas or the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office. These individuals told residents that they had failed to show up for a jury summons and are facing possible arrest. The callers tell people they can avoid going to jail by immediately paying a fine that some victims report to be as high as $1,500. In some cases, references are made to a specific judge or a claim is that a hearing is set but would be cancelled if payment is made immediately. This is a scam!!
“These imposter scammers lie, and their lies are elaborate and try to mix small elements of truth to gain trust. They make up complicated stories designed to frighten you, so you’ll panic and act quickly before taking time to think about what to do or talk to someone you trust,” said Kriegshauser. “These scammers pretend to be someone they’re not to trick you into giving them money, access to your financial accounts, or get your personal information.”
Government imposter scams are a serious problem: in 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 375,000 reports about government imposters, with reported losses of $917 million. In many cases, that scammer will go to great lengths to convince you they’re with the government: fake caller ID or official-looking letters, for example.
To recognize and avoid a government imposter, you should keep these things in mind:
• Courts do not demand payment by telephone, text message, email, or mobile payment application to resolve jury-related matters.
• Courts do not instruct individuals to purchase gift cards, use cryptocurrency, or transmit funds to avoid arrest or penalties for jury service issues.
• Members of the public who receive suspicious communication should not provide personal or financial information and should independently contact the court at an official phone number listed on the court’s public website.Visit https://ejcc.acl.gov/imposters for more on imposter scams. And if you spot an imposter scam — or any other type of scam — report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, community partners to host National Night Out event in East St. LouisRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – To strengthen relationships between residents and law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois, event organizers and police officials are inviting the East St. Louis community to a free event with activities for attendees of all ages to celebrate National Night Out.
The event will be held from 5 to 7:30 PM on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 8206 State St. in East St. Louis.
Community partners will give out school supplies to students, provide food to families and offer an array of activities like games, police demonstrations, a helicopter landing, and a live DJ. Free school physicals will also be available. This National Night Out is a free event for East St. Louis residents.
Participating agencies include Ameren Illinois, ATF, Catholic Urban Programs, the City of East St. Louis, Community Development Sustainable Solutions, Community Life Line, DEA, the East St. Louis Police Department, the FBI Springfield Field Office, Illinois State Police, IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes community partnerships with police and neighborhood camaraderie.
U.S. Attorney’s Office to Present Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar in GodfreyRead the Press Release
GODFREY, Ill. – To educate seniors in southern Illinois on the latest scams targeting them online and over the phone, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will present a fraud prevention seminar.
The presentation highlights information on online scams, fraud schemes targeting seniors and details on federal cases prosecuted in the Southern District of Illinois. The event will start at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11 at Godfrey Baptist Church, located at 1601 W. Delmar Ave, Godfrey, Illinois.
Attendees will receive tips to help detect scams and advice on how to contact law enforcement if they think they may have been victimized by a scam.
The event is free and open to the public. However, seating space is limited. Media interested in attending should RSVP in advance to Amanda McQuaid ([email protected]).