Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Wednesday 17 June 2026
Senior Airman Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge Involving Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A West Virginia man pled guilty in federal court to child sex abuse crimes he committed as a member of the U.S. armed forces.
Jacob Michael Young, 25, of Charleston, is charged with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). While serving as an active-duty senior airman in the United States Air Force, and residing at Joint Base Andrews (JBA) in Prince George’s County, Maryland, authorities identified Young as a suspect in trafficking CSAM, which involved the receipt and distribution of CSAM.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office.
As detailed in his plea agreement, the FBI received four CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCEMC) from Kik, a software company. Between November 2024 and January 2025, Kik reported that approximately 56 suspected CSAM files were uploaded by four different Kik accounts on Kik Messenger.
Kik Messenger is a messenger application that allows users to send texts, videos, and other files within the Kik app. All four CyberTips listed a specific IP address associated with the Kik accounts. Law enforcement traced the IP address to Young’s residence at JBA.
Then law enforcement executed a search warrant at Young’s residence and seized multiple devices. During questioning, Young admitted messaging with other Kik users about exchanging CSAM. Young stated he sometimes paid for CSAM using gift cards or money sent via CashApp, as confirmed by subpoenaed records. A forensic analysis of Young’s devices revealed more than 200 CSAM files.
Young and the government reached an agreement that, if the court accepts the plea agreement, he faces 3.5 to 10 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis scheduled sentencing for Tuesday, September 8, at 10 a.m.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation, along with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, for its valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan McKoy who is prosecuting the case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md.
# # #
San Diego Resident Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to HamasRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of a five-count complaint charging Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, 38, of San Diego, California, with terrorism, sanctions-evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and false statement charges in connection with his efforts to divert funds raised through purported charitable campaigns to Hamas and for personal use. Sabassi was arrested in San Diego yesterday and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu in the Southern District of California.
“As alleged in the complaint, the defendant exploited the barbaric acts of terror perpetrated on October 7, 2023, to attract donors to his fraudulent ‘humanitarian’ causes,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “He allegedly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through this scheme, which he then funneled to Hamas to help finance that group’s terror and violence and to line his own pockets. As demonstrated by today’s charges, NSD will investigate and prosecute those who fund terrorism.”
“From within the United States, Reda Sabassi is alleged to have solicited and diverted funds to the known foreign terrorist organization, Hamas, which committed the brutal October 7, 2023, massacre” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “Hamas promotes attacks against the U.S. and has murdered dozens of Americans through acts of terror. Our arrest of Reda Sabassi demonstrates our whole-of-government commitment to prosecute those who provide financial support to a malign terrorist regime that hates America.”
“The defendant allegedly claimed to be raising money for charity but was actually funding the terrorist organization Hamas and also lining his own pockets,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI will use all our authorities to put a stop to those who seek to support the violent actions carried out by organizations like Hamas. Today’s announcement should serve as a stark reminder that the FBI and our partners on the Joint Terrorism Task Forces will remain vigilant in our effort to prevent terrorism as well as hold terrorists, and those who provide support to terrorist organizations, accountable for their actions.”
“As alleged, Reda Sabassi raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund the death and tragedy Hamas seeks to carry out,” said Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. of the FBI New York Field Office. “Alongside our federal partners, the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force continues to aggressively eradicate fundraisers financing terrorist organizations, and hold accountable those behind the campaign.”
According to the allegations contained in the complaint, Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya, commonly known as Hamas, is a terrorist organization that was founded in 1987, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by the United States since 1997. From its inception, Hamas’s stated purpose has been to create an Islamic Palestinian state throughout Israel by eliminating the State of Israel through violent holy war, or jihad. Hamas also promotes attacks against the United States and its citizens, and over more than two decades, Hamas has murdered and injured dozens of Americans as part of its campaign of violence and terror. On Oct. 7, Hamas committed its most violent, large-scale terrorist attack to date (the “October 7 Hamas Massacres”) when Hamas sent more than 2,000 armed fighters into farms and towns in southern Israel, where they carried out the massacres of over a thousand people and the kidnappings of more than 200 others.
Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi has publicly supported Hamas online and has raised money for Hamas using online donation platforms. For example, Sabassi created an hour-long propaganda video of the October 7 Hamas Massacres and then posted that video to at least two of his social media accounts, including a few months after the October 7 Hamas Massacres and again on the two-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
Since at least in or about 2022, Sabassi has used his social media accounts, crowdfunding websites, and his putative charity called Ikram — The Arab Charity Foundation Inc. (Ikram) to solicit donations from around the world, including from individuals in the United States and New York. In his online fundraising campaigns, Sabassi claimed to be raising funds to provide humanitarian aid to people in Gaza; however, Sabassi was actually raising funds for Hamas. Sabassi and a co-conspirator joked privately that they should name the fundraiser after Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades, before agreeing to use Sabassi’s Ikram. Sabassi worked with the Hamas fundraising organization Gaza Now and other co-conspirators to operate these online fundraisers and to send funds to Hamas.*** Between in or about December 2023 and in or about February 2024, Sabassi raised a total of approximately $600,000 through online fundraising campaigns, from which Sabassi sent approximately $116,000 to a Hamas member and attempted to convert approximately $382,000 of the cash he raised into cryptocurrency to send to Hamas through Gaza Now.
Sabassi is charged with (i) conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (ii) conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (iii) conspiring to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (iv) conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and (v) false statements, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.
U.S. Attorney Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Mr. Clayton also thanked the FBI’s San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force; the Counterterrorism Section and the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for their assistance with this investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance & Money Laundering Unit and the National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer N. Ong, Ben Arad, Sarah L. Kushner, and Juliana N. Murray for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Andrew Briggs of the Counterterrorism Section and Acting Deputy Chief Sean Heiden of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
***
On March 27, 2024, the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated Gaza Now and two of SABASSI’s co-conspirators as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (“SDGTs”) pursuant to Executive Order 13224 for being key financial facilitators involved in fundraising for Hamas.
San Diego Resident Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to HamasRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the Counterterrorism Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Donald Holstead, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced the unsealing of a five-count Complaint charging REDA MAZEN RIDA SABASSI with terrorism, sanctions-evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and false statement charges in connection with his efforts to divert funds raised through purported charitable campaigns to Hamas and for personal use. SABASSI was arrested in San Diego yesterday and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu in the Southern District of California.
“From within the United States, Reda Sabassi is alleged to have solicited and diverted funds to the known foreign terrorist organization, Hamas, which committed the brutal October 7, 2023, massacre,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Hamas promotes attacks against the U.S. and has murdered dozens of Americans through acts of terror. Our arrest of Reda Sabassi demonstrates our whole-of-government commitment to prosecute those who provide financial support to a malign terrorist regime that hates America.”
“As alleged in the complaint, the defendant exploited the barbaric acts of terror perpetrated on October 7, 2023, to attract donors to his fraudulent ‘humanitarian’ causes,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “He allegedly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through this scheme, which he then funneled to Hamas to help finance that group’s terror and violence and to line his own pockets. As demonstrated by today’s charges, NSD will investigate and prosecute those who fund terrorism.”
“The defendant allegedly claimed to be raising money for charity but was actually funding the terrorist organization Hamas and also lining his own pockets,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI will use all our authorities to put a stop to those who seek to support the violent actions carried out by organizations like Hamas. Today’s announcement should serve as a stark reminder that the FBI and our partners on the Joint Terrorism Task Forces will remain vigilant in our effort to prevent terrorism as well as hold terrorists, and those who provide support to terrorist organizations, accountable for their actions.”
“As alleged, Reda Sabassi raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund the death and tragedy Hamas seeks to carry out,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “Alongside our federal partners, the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force continues to aggressively eradicate fundraisers financing terrorist organizations, and hold accountable those behind the campaign.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:(1)
Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya, commonly known as Hamas, is a terrorist organization that was founded in 1987, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization (“FTO”) by the United States since 1997. From its inception, Hamas’s stated purpose has been to create an Islamic Palestinian state throughout Israel by eliminating the State of Israel through violent holy war, or jihad. Hamas also promotes attacks against the United States and its citizens, and over more than two decades, Hamas has murdered and injured dozens of Americans as part of its campaign of violence and terror. On October 7, 2023, Hamas committed its most violent, large-scale terrorist attack to date (the “October 7 Hamas Massacres”) when Hamas sent more than 2,000 armed fighters into farms and towns in southern Israel, where they carried out the massacres of over a thousand people and the kidnappings of more than 200 others.
REDA MAZEN RIDA SABASSI has publicly supported Hamas online and has raised money for Hamas using online donation platforms. For example, SABASSI created an hour-long propaganda video of the October 7 Hamas Massacres and then posted that video to at least two of his social media accounts, including a few months after the October 7 Hamas Massacres and again on the two-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
Since at least in or about 2022, SABASSI has used his social media accounts, crowdfunding websites, and his putative charity called Ikram – The Arab Charity Foundation Inc. (“Ikram”) to solicit donations from around the world, including from individuals in the United States and New York. In his online fundraising campaigns, SABASSI claimed to be raising funds to provide humanitarian aid to people in Gaza; however, SABASSI was actually raising funds for Hamas. SABASSI and a co-conspirator joked privately that they should name the fundraiser after Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades, before agreeing to use SABASSI’s Ikram. SABASSI worked with the Hamas fundraising organization Gaza Now and other co-conspirators to operate these online fundraisers and to send funds to Hamas.(2) Between in or about December 2023 and in or about February 2024, SABASSI raised a total of approximately $600,000 through online fundraising campaigns, from which SABASSI sent approximately $116,000 to a Hamas member and attempted to convert approximately $382,000 of the cash he raised into cryptocurrency to send to Hamas through Gaza Now.
* * *
SABASSI, 38, of San Diego, California, is charged with (i) conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (ii) conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (iii) conspiring to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (iv) conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and (v) false statements, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Mr. Clayton also thanked the FBI’s San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force; the Counterterrorism Section and the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for their assistance with this investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance & Money Laundering Unit and the National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer N. Ong, Ben Arad, Sarah L. Kushner, and Juliana N. Murray are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Andrew Briggs of the Counterterrorism Section and Acting Deputy Chief Sean Heiden of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
^
As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
^
On March 27, 2024, the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated Gaza Now and two of SABASSI’s co-conspirators as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (“SDGTs”) pursuant to Executive Order 13224 for being key financial facilitators involved in fundraising for Hamas.
Rockland County Man Charged with Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging CARLOS NOEL with receiving and distributing child pornography, as well as possessing child pornography. NOEL was arrested yesterday and presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause in White Plains federal court.
“As alleged, Carlos Noel exchanged approximately 100 videos of child pornography online, many involving infants and prepubescent minors, and discussed sexually abusing another individual’s one-year-old niece,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Every New Yorker and every American loathes the exploitation of children. Together with our partners, we will deploy every resource to relentlessly get sexual predators off our streets and bring to justice those who prey on our children. If you have information to report about this or any other matter of child sexual abuse, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov.”
“Carlos Noel allegedly exchanged sexually explicit images and videos, often featuring infants, with other online users as if they were nothing more than trading cards,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “The FBI Safe Street's Task Force is dedicated to eliminating sexual predators who abuse those who can't protect themselves.”
As alleged in the Complaint:
NOEL used the online messaging applications Twitter and Telegram to trade videos of child pornography, many involving infants and prepubescent minors. NOEL went by the Twitter name “XavierThotAli” and the Telegram name “xavierthotal1 (X Games).” Among other individuals, NOEL traded child pornography with the Telegram user “L33YA1,” who filmed herself sexually abusing her one-year-old niece. During their exchange of messages, NOEL and L33YA1 discussed their mutual interest in sexually explicit images of minors and further sexually abusing L33YA1’s one-year-old niece.
If you are a victim of NOEL or have any information concerning NOEL, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or you can report a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. A photo of the defendant is below.
* * *
NOEL, 35, of New City, New York, is charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and thanked FBI Philadelphia for their assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaun E. Werbelow is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Repeat offender charged with being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 39-year-old Everson, Washington resident was charged federally late today with being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Nathaniel A. Muniz-Spry was taken into custody at a Whatcom County hospital following an early morning shooting yesterday June 16, 2026, near the U.S. /Canada border in Blaine.
According to records filed in the case, U.S. Border Patrol agents were sent to the area near the U.S./Canada border after a surveillance camera showed someone walking in an area that is a frequent location for illegal border crossings and smuggling activity. Agents encountered Muniz-Spry and worked to confirm his identity. During the encounter, agents learned that there was an “approach with caution” alert in his NCIC records stemming from a prior contact with law enforcement. When officers searched Muniz-Spry an officer felt a gun at his waistband. Muniz-Spry resisted and ultimately broke away as the agent secured the gun. Muniz-Spry attempted to flee, and was shot in the leg. He was taken to the hospital for medical care and was released later in the day to law enforcement.
Muniz-Spry is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his criminal convictions: Unlawful possession of a firearm (Skagit County 2018); Unlawful possession of a short barreled shotgun or rifle (Skagit County 2018); Possession of a stolen vehicle (Skagit County 2018); Bail jumping (Whatcom County 2018); Unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree (Whatcom County 2018); Burglary in the second degree (Whatcom County 2014); Bail jumping (Whatcom County 2014); Felony violation of a no contact order (Whatcom County 2011); and Residential burglary (Whatcom County 2009).
The Case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from Blaine Police Department, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Woods with assistance from the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to More Than Two Decades in Prison for Sexually Exploiting ChildRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A recidivist sex offender received a federal-prison term for committing several child sex abuse crimes.
U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Patrick Daniel McKernan, 45, of Pasadena, Maryland, to 27 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexually exploiting a child.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Chief Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACOPD).
According to court documents, McKernan exploited the minor child for the purpose of producing visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct. In November 2023, and again prior to June 2025, McKernan produced sexually explicit images of the minor and distributed them on the internet. The images were found on the dark web, operated by the Tor Network, in a group messaging app related to child sexual abuse material. In 2016, McKernan was convicted of possession of child sexual abuse material in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and AACOPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
# # #
Raleigh Man Arrested for Threatening the Life of the PresidentRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A U.S. Magistrate Judge signed a Federal criminal complaint yesterday which accuses Christopher Carnes, 33, of knowingly and willfully making a threat to take the life, to kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States. Carnes is charged with violating 18 U.S.C. § 871(a) and faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison if convicted.
During May of 2026, Carnes posted several videos on Facebook where he made statements to include “Donald J. Trump, I’m going to kill you” and advised viewers to alert the “Secret Service in Washington, DC.” Investigators established that Carnes was located in Raleigh when he posted the threatening Facebook videos. On June 6, 2026, Carnes posted an additional Facebook video where he referenced his prior threatening videos while talking about having pipe bombs. After displaying a self-described “PVC blaster” in the trunk of his car, Carnes stated “This here…I’ve told you Donald Trump, I’m not a person for bluff calling…now that the Government knows I have a live bomb in my car…Well you f*** around and you come find out.”
On June 10, 2026, investigators met with Carnes at the Raleigh Police Department (RPD). Carnes arrived in the same car from his Facebook videos. After a canine alerted to the potential presence of explosive materials in the car, RPD officers searched his car and found PVC pipe and a metal pin.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The USSS and RPD are investigating the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located 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-MJ-1912-BM.
Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 32+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – A Stark County man, and previously convicted sex offender, has been sentenced to federal prison for child sexual abuse offenses.
Daniel Dobies, 57, of Canton, Ohio, was sentenced to 390 months (32.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko, after pleading guilty in February to the following charges in the indictment:
- Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
He was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $3,000 in restitution to one of the victims identified in the CSAM that Dobies possessed and distributed.
According to court documents, agents were conducting investigations into suspected CSAM activity on social media platforms and identified Dobies in 2025. During a search warrant execution at his residence, which he shared with co-defendant Shane Stouffer, 46, investigators found electronic devices belonging to Dobies that contained approximately 150 videos and 309 images of CSAM. The files included depictions of children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Investigators also learned that Dobies had previous convictions for Gross Sexual Imposition in 1991, and Attempted Rape in 1993, both involving minor victims, out of Lake County, Ohio.
Stouffer is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of receipt and possession of CSAM.
The investigation was led by the FBI Canton Resident Agency and the Canton Police Department with assistance from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Stark County Sex Offender Registry.
Assistant United States Attorney Peter E. Daly for the Northern District Ohio 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. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and 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 justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
###
Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced After Fleeing Police and Tossing Ghost Gun into Residential YardRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Willie Speaks, 23, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 22 months in prison in connection with the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition while he was on probation in two separate prior cases, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Speaks pleaded guilty on March 17, 2026, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the 22-month prison term, U.S. District Judge John D. Bates ordered Speaks to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a prison term of 24 months.
According to court papers, shortly before 2 a.m. on July 20, 2025, Metropolitan Police Department officers on patrol in the 600 block of Q Street NW observed two men peering into unoccupied vehicles. When officers attempted to make contact, both men fled on foot. Speaks ran westbound on Q Street NW and turned southbound onto the 1500 block of 7th Street NW, where he was stopped by police within about a minute.
Officers who were canvassing Speaks’s flight path recovered a handgun in the front yard of a residence in the 600 block of Q Street NW. Home surveillance video captured Speaks reaching into a cross-body bag that he was wearing and tossing the firearm into the yard as he ran past.
The recovered firearm was a .45-caliber P80 ghost gun with no serial number, loaded with a round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine. Because it bore no serial number, the firearm could not be registered in the District of Columbia. Speaks did not have a valid license to carry a pistol or possess ammunition in the District.
At the time of the offense, Speaks was on supervised probation in two separate cases in two respective jurisdictions, including a prior conviction for a loaded handgun offense in Prince George’s County.
This case was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative.
Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump’s Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.
The investigation was conducted by Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office.
The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Levy.
25cr217
Phoenix Man Who Served as Enforcer for Transnational Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 35 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Phoenix, Arizona, has been sentenced in federal court to 420 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws in relation to a transnational criminal organization (TCO) as part of a Homeland Security Task Force prosecution, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The defendant was among 35 individuals charged through a Second Superseding Indictment unsealed in January 2024 for their participation in a domestic and international narcotics and money laundering conspiracy involving substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine (read the Second Superseding Indictment news release here).
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Carlos Zamora, 30. Zamora was one of two defendants convicted by a jury in the case following a two-and-a-half-week trial in September 2025 (read the verdict news release here), with the other defendant—Bryce Hill of Seattle, Washington—having been sentenced in February 2026 to 35 years in prison. Zamora is the 33rd defendant sentenced in the case.
Evidence presented during the trial established that Zamora was a significant and longstanding participant in the Phoenix-based Monarrez Drug Trafficking Organization—a transnational criminal organization responsible for the distribution of millions of fentanyl pills, hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, and dozens of kilograms of cocaine from August 2021 to June 2023. The Monarrez TCO provided the drugs to a network of subordinate dealers who redistributed the narcotics throughout the country, including into western Pennsylvania. Zamora was intercepted over a federal wiretap obtaining hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills and kilograms of fentanyl powder for redistribution.
Additional evidence presented at trial included testimony regarding the execution of a search warrant on January 11, 2023, during which law enforcement seized 27 kilograms of fentanyl pills, multiple firearms, and $387,000 cash from Hill’s apartment; an intercepted call from January 9, 2023, in which Zamora discussed with one of the organization’s leaders a drive-by shooting he had carried out the previous day in Phoenix; and the seizure of 28 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 7.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, three kilograms of cocaine, 48 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 20 firearms (pictured below) from a short-term rental property in Scottsdale, Arizona, on December 25, 2022.
Jurors learned that Zamora fired more than three dozen gunshots at a man (later discovered to be a different individual from the one Zamora was targeting) during the January 8, 2023, drive-by shooting in Phoenix. Shell casings test-fired from a Glock switch-equipped semiautomatic rifle seized from Zamora’s residence a few days later matched the shells recovered from the scene of the shooting. In addition to his enforcer or “muscle” role for the criminal organization, Zamora was also responsible for distributing substantial quantities of drugs, including 29 kilograms of fentanyl and 82.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Zamora had previously served prison sentences on convictions of armed robbery and aggravated assault on a correctional employee, and is one of 10 individuals indicted in July 2025 for their alleged participation in a racketeer-influenced corruption organization conspiracy related to the bribery of prison employees to smuggle contraband into the Cambria County Prison (read the Indictment news release here).
Assistant United States Attorneys Arnold P. Bernard Jr. and Katherine C. Jordan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
This prosecution was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations that have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Western District of Pennsylvania is part of the Philadelphia HSTF, which comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the United States Marshals Service (USMS), the United States Department of State–Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and state and local law enforcement partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Pharmacist on the Run for Nearly 12 Years Pleads Guilty to Role in Defrauding the IRSRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – An Ohio pharmacist who was indicted more than a decade ago and was a fugitive on the run, has pleaded guilty to his role in defrauding the IRS. He was located and arrested overseas earlier this year.
Sbeih Sbeih, 57, previously of North Olmstead, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS. In February, he was arrested in the country of Georgia after being a fugitive for 11 years.
According to allegations in court documents filed in 2014, Sbeih a was a registered pharmacist licensed by the Ohio Pharmacy Board. Together with codefendant Osama Salouha, 54, previously of Strongsville, the men conspired to divert proceeds from Salouha’s businesses, Southside Pharmacy in Lorain and Medicine Center Pharmacy in Elyria, into personal, non-business bank accounts to otherwise conceal income from their accountant and the IRS.
Osama Salouha was additionally charged for his role in illicitly selling opioids and opiates. Salouha remains a fugitive. His wife, Samah Salouha, 48, also previously of Strongsville, pleaded guilty in 2015 for her role in the conspiracy for making false statements and structuring bank deposits to avoid triggering bank reports to the IRS. She was sentenced to three years of probation.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, FBI Cleveland Division, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Akron Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Drug Task Force, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Strongsville Police Department, MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Cleveland Heights Police Department. The USAO would like to acknowledge the country of Georgia and their Prosecutor General’s Office for their valuable assistance to coordinate the extradition of the defendant to the United States.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Collyer.
Parmelee Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Parmelee, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on June 15, 2026.
Freyane Charley, age 48, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Charley was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2025. He pleaded guilty on March 19, 2026.
On November 1, 2024, Charley was staying at a friend’s house in Sicangu Village, within the exterior boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. During the night, Charley began assaulting one of the occupants, who was sleeping. Charley broke the orbital around the victim’s right eye and knocked out two teeth.
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 Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Zachrison prosecuted the case.
Charley was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Olean man going to prison for 15 years for distributing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Philip Young, 31, of Olean, NY, who was convicted of distribution of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
On June 22, 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a CyberTipline Report that an image of a naked prepubescent girl was uploaded to the internet. The image was later traced back to Young. Investigators executed a search warrant at Young’s residence, seizing, among other items, a cellular telephone. The investigation determined that Young used the Telegram application on his phone and the internet to seek out, receive, and distribute child pornography. A forensic review of Young’s cell phone recovered a video constituting child pornography.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford.
# # # #
Oklahoma City Man Faces Federal Charges Following Deadly Shootout with Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal superseding indictment has been filed, charging BENJAMIN HARRISON PLANK, 38, of Oklahoma City, with multiple federal offenses arising from a deadly shootout and high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to carry out their duties and serve our community,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Any attack on them will not be tolerated, and the Justice Department will work tirelessly with its partners to hold the individual accountable to the fullest extent.”
According to a federal criminal complaint and supporting affidavit, on August 22, 2022, three deputies with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office went to an Oklahoma County residence to evict Plank pursuant to a court order. When they arrived, Plank refused to exit the residence and the deputies prepared to make a lawful forced entry. Before they could enter, Plank fired multiple rounds from an AR-15-style rifle from inside the residence, killing one deputy at the scene. Plank then exited the residence and shot another deputy multiple times. That deputy survived the injuries. Plank also exchanged gunfire with the third deputy.
Court records further reflect that following the initial shootout, Plank loaded a backpack containing firearms and drug paraphernalia into a boat mounted on a trailer attached to his truck and fled the scene. A dangerous high-speed pursuit ensued, during which Plank continued to fire at law enforcement officers, including officers assisting the United States Marshals Service. The pursuit ended outside Tinker Air Force Base after Plank was observed throwing the rifle from the driver’s-side window of the truck. He was arrested shortly thereafter.
On June 16, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a seven-count superseding indictment charging Plank with two counts of prohibited person in possession of firearms, two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon, two counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of attempted murder of certain officers.
If convicted of all charges, Plank faces no less than ten years and up to life in federal prison and fines of up to $1,750,000.
The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that Plank is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Hutzell is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Roderick Tyrone Boyd, 30, of Vandalia, Ohio, was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl and aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 26, 2025, Boyd aided and abetted another individual in the sale of fentanyl and distributed a quantity of fentanyl on April 26, 2025. Both transactions occurred in Cross Lanes, West Virginia.
Boyd has a criminal history that includes prior convictions for drug offenses, burglary, and attempted domestic violence.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-165.
###
Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for $12M Medicare FraudRead the Press Release
A Louisiana nurse practitioner was sentenced today to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release for causing over $12 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary cancer genetic tests. She was also ordered to pay $1,508,868.25 in restitution.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Scharmaine Lawson Baker, 59, of Fulshear, Texas, a licensed nurse practitioner and Medicare provider, received tens of thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks in exchange for ordering expensive cancer genetic tests. Lawson Baker held herself out as an expert in Medicare regulations — authoring books on medical necessity and patient-provider relationships — while actively violating those very standards.
From October 2018 to October 2019, Lawson Baker worked as an independent contractor for a company that claimed to provide telehealth services. In her role, Lawson Baker signed hundreds of orders for medically unnecessary cancer genetic tests after brief phone calls with the patients, typically lasting less than 30 seconds, and without examining the patients. In a recorded call admitted at trial, a telehealth company’s phone operator told Lawson Baker that she would be “rolling in money” by signing the orders, and Lawson Baker responded with “Honey, I am not complaining.” The evidence at trial also showed that Lawson Baker ordered ovarian and cervical cancer tests for male patients, demonstrating that she was acting as a rubber stamp to get paid instead of providing real medical care. Lawson Baker never reviewed the results of any of the tests she ordered, including when the results showed that patients actually had variants predisposing them to certain cancers.
In total, Lawson Baker caused over $12.1 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, and the laboratories involved in the scheme received over $1.5 million in reimbursements from Medicare for the unnecessary testing Lawson Baker ordered. In exchange for signing these orders, Lawson Baker accepted kickbacks and bribes from the telehealth company — payments she later failed to disclose in her bankruptcy petition.
After a three-day jury trial in July 2025, a federal jury found Lawson Baker guilty of six counts of health care fraud.
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division; U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle for the Eastern District of Louisiana; Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.
HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Samantha E. Usher and Gary A. Crosby II of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Moses for the Eastern District of Louisiana prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Kelly Z. Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section assisted in the prosecution.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.New Jersey Man Sentenced to More Than 29 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material on the Dark WebRead the Press Release
A New Jersey man was sentenced today to 350 months in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on a dark web site dedicated to discussing and trafficking in CSAM.
“The court’s sentence today holds Drew Holzlein accountable for his role in helping run a community on the dark web dedicated to trafficking in visual depictions of minors being subjected to horrific acts of sexual abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Those who engage in this disgusting conduct will be investigated and prosecuted. The clear message in this case and others just like it is that Holzlein and his co-conspirators will not skate by because of the anonymity afforded by the dark web. We will still find you.”
“By serving as a moderator on a dark web forum devoted to the dissemination of child sexual abuse material, the defendant did not merely enable exploitation — he curated and sustained a marketplace of depravity,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey. “This sentence marks a critical measure of accountability and affirms my Office’s unwavering commitment to vindicating the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable. We will persist in our efforts to expose and dismantle these clandestine networks, wherever they operate.”
“This offender provided access to a platform where multiple perpetrators conspired to create and share CSAM,” said Assistant Director Heith Janke of the FBI’s Criminal Division. “The arrest of this moderator led FBI Newark and the FBI Child Exploitation Operational Unit to investigate and disrupt the activities of additional child exploitation offenders and abusers. The FBI will continue to track down these criminals, ensure that they are held accountable for their crimes, and secure justice for their victims.”
According to court documents, Drew Holzlein, 57, of Manchester, New Jersey, was a member and moderator of a website on the dark web that was dedicated to the proliferation of CSAM. From approximately 2019 until his arrest in January 2024, Holzlein was an active participant on this site and shared thousands of sexually explicit images of nude, prepubescent minors with the site’s many users. A search of Holzlein’s home in January 2024 recovered multiple electronic devices containing images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of prepubescent children. Holzlein was interviewed during the search and admitted to law enforcement that he was an active member on this dark web site for years and served as a moderator on the site. Holzlein was previously convicted in New Jersey of two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit and the FBI Newark Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Belgiovine for the District of New Jersey prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
New Boston man pleads guilty to attempting to blackmail childRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Michael David Bulanda, 37, of New Boston, Michigan, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Sentencing is scheduled for September 22, 2026. Bulanda faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and a possible sentence of life imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit field office.
In December 2025, the FBI Philadelphia office arrested a man for the production of child pornography. The FBI found a chat where Bulanda sent a nude image of MV-1 to that man asking him to blackmail MV-1 to obtain “more nudes.” Bulanda provided the man with personal information about MV-1 to facilitate the blackmail, including information about MV-1’s siblings and friends. The man and Bulanda discussed posting the minor’s picture on a public forum to make her “feel fear,” as a tactic that has worked in the past to break “many stubborn” girls.
“This pervert tried to blackmail a child by making her ‘feel fear’ so that he could abuse her even more. Now, he will feel justice,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
“Using fear, manipulation, and blackmail to exploit a child is among the most reprehensible crimes we investigate. This guilty plea ensures this predator will be held accountable,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “I am especially grateful for the outstanding work of our Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes task force (SEMTEC), whose dedication was instrumental in securing this guilty plea, in addition to the support provided by the FBI Philadelphia Field Office during this investigation.”
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Zurek
National Security Division Announces First Declination Under the Department-wide Corporate Enforcement PolicyRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has declined the prosecution of Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch), thereby resolving its investigation into an alleged scheme to send products and software manufactured with equipment that was the direct product of U.S. software or technology to an Entity-listed company in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This decision was reached pursuant to Part I of the Department-wide Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP), after also considering the factors set forth in the Department’s Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations. Bosch promptly disclosed the misconduct to the National Security Division (NSD), fully cooperated, and timely and appropriately remediated — which qualified them for a declination under the CEP, given that aggravating circumstances were absent Bosch has agreed to disgorge the $11,430,098 in profits it made as a result of the transactions at issue — a portion of which will be credited towards the $36,184,680 fine paid in a parallel civil action by the Department of Commerce.
As announced by NSD on March 30, enforcing export control and sanctions laws is a top priority and furthers NSD’s mission to protect and defend the United States against the full range of national security threats. Moreover, the Justice Manual (JM) assigns violations of the U.S. government’s primary export control and sanctions regimes, among other criminal laws affecting, involving or relating to the national security, to NSD. JM 9-90.020. This is the first time that NSD has declined the prosecution of a company under the CEP.
“This declination reflects the clear benefits for companies that promptly disclose potential violations and fully assist in our investigations,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Bosch’s cooperation and timely remediation met the high standards set by the Corporate Enforcement Policy, supporting a fair and efficient resolution. This first-of-its-kind decision by NSD highlights the important role of transparency in safeguarding U.S. technology and national security.”
“This settlement agreement underscores BIS’s commitment to strong enforcement as well as incentivizing voluntary disclosures of past violations,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement David Peters.
Between September 2020 to September 2024, Bosch, through two of its non-U.S. based subsidiaries, exported over $70 million worth of foreign-produced Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems sensor products and foreign-produced software to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. and its affiliates on the Entity List, including Huawei Tech. Investment Co. Ltd. Hong Kong (collectively, Huawei) without the required license or authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 15 C.F.R. Parts 730-744. The two implicated subsidiaries are Bosch Sensortec GmbH (BST) and ETAS GmbH (ETAS). In particular, BST and ETAS provided to Huawei foreign-produced items that were subject to the EAR pursuant to the Entity List Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR) for entities designated with “Footnote 1.” The investigation further revealed that Bosch’s trade compliance personnel were ill-equipped to provide accurate guidance on the FDPR, which led to several years of FDPR violations. In addition, the investigation identified ongoing sales in violation of the FDPR despite several missed opportunities where third-party companies identified potential applications of the FDPR to their products or equipment used in the provision of their services. As a result, Bosch made approximately $11,430,098 in pre-tax profits.
Bosch voluntarily self-disclosed the misconduct to NSD. Bosch cooperated with NSD’s investigation, including by preserving and proactively disclosing relevant facts, information, and documents about the conduct and promptly responding to NSD’s subsequent requests. Bosch also timely and appropriately remediated the misconduct by making organizational changes, imposing disciplinary action, adding employees to its trade compliance organization, expanding its U.S. trade compliance resources, and updating its internal policies and procedures. Given all of the above and the lack of aggravating circumstances, the Department is declining to prosecute Bosch, and Bosch has agreed to a disgorgement of the $11,430,098 in profits.
Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case with investigative assistance provided by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.
Mishicot Teacher and Track Coach Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 16, 2026, United States District Judge Byron B. Conway sentenced former Mishicot Middle/High School teacher and track coach Ryan S. Schroeder (age 39), to 336 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for Production of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a).
According to court documents and arguments presented in court, Schroeder sexually assaulted a minor student for approximately two years, beginning when the girl was in the eighth grade. Schroeder then abused a second student, then 13-years-old, who informed the school district of Schroeder’s sexual abuse towards her. Law enforcement searched Schroeder’s cell phone and discovered that he had been sending images to both of the minors. Ultimately, he pled guilty to creating a video involving one of the minors which contained sexually explicit conduct with the child.
Judge Conway described the defendant’s crime as a serious criminal offense involving “so much more than the production of child pornography.” He condemned Schroeder’s “deviant behavior” and described him as a “family man who was living a fraud” and a “mentor who became a predator.” Judge Conway determined that 28 years (336 months) of imprisonment was an appropriate sentence noting that his abuse of trust was higher given that his dual role of teacher and track coach gave him extended access to the victims. Following his release from prison, Schroeder will spend the remainder of his life on supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
“This defendant stole the innocence of these children and deserved the very lengthy prison sentence he received,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “He abused the position of trust given him by the school, parents and society as a whole. The team from the investigators to the prosecutors did an outstanding job bringing this defendant to justice.”
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and the lasting impact they have had on the victims and their families. I want to commend the outstanding work of Detective Nate Steber, whose dedication and pursuit of the truth helped bring this case to a successful conclusion. Investigations involving the exploitation of children are among the most difficult cases law enforcement encounters,” stated Manitowoc County Sheriff Daniel Hartwig.
“While no sentence can erase the trauma these victims endured, it is our hope that today’s outcome provides a measure of closure and an opportunity for healing as they move forward. The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting children and holding those who abuse positions of trust fully accountable for their actions.”
Mishicot Police Chief Paul Granger stated, “This investigation began within our community and serves as a reminder that child exploitation can occur anywhere, even in places where families expect their children to be safest. From the moment these allegations were brought forward, the Mishicot Police Department, led by Detective James Brooks' diligent investigative efforts, took immediate action to ensure the allegations were thoroughly investigated and that the victims received the support and protection they deserved.”
“I am proud of the work performed by our officers and our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation. Today's sentence sends a clear message that individuals who use positions of trust and authority to exploit children will be identified, investigated, and held fully accountable. While no sentence can undo the harm caused to these victims, we hope this outcome provides a measure of justice and allows them to continue their healing journey. The Mishicot Police Department remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting children and pursuing those who prey upon the most vulnerable members of our community.'"This case was investigated by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Mishicot Police Department and with the assistance of the Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel R. Humble and Timothy W. Funnell.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
# # #
For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
Follow us on X
Milwaukee Woman Sentenced to Prison for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 16, 2026, U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig sentenced Jasmeika Simon to one year and one day in federal prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2). Simon operated a tax preparation business that filed hundreds of false and fraudulent returns on behalf of clients in exchange for fees.
According to court records, Simon worked as an independent contractor and tax preparer for “Unlimited Taxes and More,” a Georgia‑based tax preparation company with affiliates nationwide. From 2022 through 2024, she submitted more than 300 individual income tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) containing false information designed to inflate clients’ tax refunds. Simon repeatedly used fabricated items—including business expenses, Sick and Family Leave Credits, Fuel Credits, and ordinary dividends—to artificially increase refund amounts. She recruited clients through word‑of‑mouth and Facebook advertising, often preparing returns with minimal input from the taxpayers.
“Tax fraud steals from all honest Americans who work hard and pay their taxes honestly,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “This defendant committed tax fraud hundreds of times and rightly received a sentence to the federal penitentiary.”
In imposing the sentence, Judge Ludwig emphasized the seriousness of Simon’s conduct, the need for just punishment, and the importance of deterring others from engaging in similar fraud. Judge Ludwig also ordered Simon to pay more than $250,000 in restitution and to serve one year of supervised release following her prison term.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smyczek.
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.
# # #
For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
Follow us on X
Milwaukee Man Sentenced to Prison for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 15, 2026, U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig sentenced Cameron Summers to one year and one day in prison for two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2). Summers claimed on his clients’ tax returns false expenses, credits, and refunds to which they were not entitled.
According to court records, Summers worked at a tax preparation business in Milwaukee beginning in 2018. From 2020 through 2022, he filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over 400 individual income tax returns for clients, using his name, preparer tax identification number, and business name. Summers repeatedly used false items on clients’ tax returns to inflate refund amounts, including false business expenses, Sick and Family Leave Credits, Fuel Credits, and Educational Tax Credits. Summers made notations stating that he had “boosted” the refund amount on some returns, and told the IRS, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), in an interview that he did everything he could to get a big refund, such as using whatever numbers were available and maximizing the credits.
During the hearing, Judge Ludwig noted several factors affecting the sentence, including the very serious nature of Summers’ criminal conduct, the loss to the IRS of over $1.1 million, and the need to provide adequate deterrence to others who might engage in such conduct. Judge Ludwig also ordered Summers to pay more than $1.1 million in restitution, and to serve one year of supervised release.
“When someone commits tax fraud, they are stealing from all Americans who work hard and pay their taxes honestly,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “Anyone who commits fraud should expect to be sent to the federal penitentiary, like this defendant.”
In addition, on April 7, 2026, 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.
IRS-CI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Scully prosecuted.
# # #For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
Follow us on X
Miami Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Charge Connected to Cryptocurrency Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Florida man pled guilty in federal court in connection with a $1.8-billion cryptocurrency fraud scheme.
Rodney “Bitcoin Rodney,” Burton, 56, of Miami, who also has a residence in Prince George’s County, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business stemming from his role as a promoter of the cryptocurrency scam.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington D.C. Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Pete Gizas, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – New York.
According to the plea agreement, from June 2020 to January 2022, Burton conspired to provide unlicensed money transmitting services to promote HyperFund and used investors’ funds to enrich himself. HyperFund, which purported as a legitimate cryptocurrency investment platform, but in truth, was a global wire-fraud scheme that obtained $1.8 billion from victim-investors worldwide.
HyperFund’s promotional materials made various false claims, including that investors who purchased HyperFund “memberships” would receive between 0.5 and 1 percent daily in passive rewards until the company either doubled or tripled the investor’s initial investment. Additionally, HyperFund attempted to convince investors that it could generate such high rates of return by claiming that it would disburse payments, in part, from its revenues from large-scale crypto-mining operations. But HyperFund did not have such operations. Beginning in 2021, HyperFund began blocking investor withdrawals.
As part of the scheme, Burton controlled several companies that purported to offer consulting services but were in fact unlicensed money transmitting businesses. He personally received at least $7,851,711 in proceeds from the operation of the unlicensed money transmitting business, including from HyperFund victim-investors located in Maryland.
Burton faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, at 11 a.m., in front of U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the IRS-CI and HSI for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina A. Hoffman who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
# # #
Mexican national sentenced to eight months after illegally reentering U.S.Read the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Mexican national living in Bozeman who had illegally reentered the country was sentenced today to eight months incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Antonio Alfaro-Ramirez, 41, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of illegal reentry to the United States after removal.
U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Ramirez, after having been removed from the country three times previously, had again illegally reentered the U.S.
During an execution of a search warrant by the Missouri River Drug Task Force at a Bozeman apartment on Dec. 23, 2025, law enforcement officers found Ramirez. Accompanying the taskforce was a Border Patrol agent, who interviewed Ramirez as part of an immigration inspection. Ramirez confirmed his identity and acknowledged he had returned to the U.S. without proper documentation.
Ramirez was twice apprehended in Laredo, Texas, for illegally crossing into the U.S., first in 2006 and again in 2009. He was then apprehended in Eagle Pass, Texas, and deported again to Mexico in March 2020. December marked his fourth arrest for illegally entering the U.S.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation.
Mexican national sentenced to 12 years in prison for cocaine trafficking following Homeland Security Task Force investigationRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Mexican national was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He was among 26 fugitives that the United States took into custody from Mexico on Aug. 12, 2025. The Justice Department Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs coordinated the transfers.
According to court documents, David Fernando Vasquez Bejarano, aka Acelerado, 49, was a Mexico-based source of supply for a drug trafficking organization responsible for importing kilogram quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl across the southern border into the United States and the repatriation of narcotics proceeds back into Mexico. Large quantities of the narcotics Vasquez Bejarano supplied were imported into the greater Washington, D.C., area by co-conspirators, including by truck and U.S. mail.
Vasquez Bejarano’s narcotics trafficking generated enormous proceeds. During a six-month period, Vasquez Bejarano supplied co-conspirators with narcotics for which he was paid over $6 million. In total, Vasquez Bejarano and his co-conspirators trafficked over 450 kilograms of cocaine and other narcotics.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin S. Starr and Edgardo J. Rodriguez and prosecuted the case.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Washington, D.C., comprises agents and officers from the FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Transportation Security Administration Federal Air Marshals Service; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Enforcement and Removal Operations; and Washington Baltimore HIDTA, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:22-cr-27.
Mexican National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry into United StatesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court today by United States District Judge Stephen R. Bough to three months in federal prison without parole for illegal reentry by an alien previously convicted of a felony.
Genaro Torres-Rizo, 48, a citizen of Mexico living in Chillicothe, Mo., was arrested Feb. 22, 2025, in Chillicothe, Mo. Torres-Rizo has been removed five times from the United States and was convicted in the District of New Mexico of illegal reentry by a removed alien in 2013.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Mahoney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Nichols. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Mercer County Woman Pleads Guilty to $175,731.31 Fraud Scheme Targeting Federal Veterans Health Care BenefitsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Karen Shea Radford, 47, of Princeton, pleaded guilty today to theft of government money. Radford admitted to stealing $175,731.31 from a United States Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits program through a false billing scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from June 29, 2017, through on or about August 14, 2023, Radford executed the fraud scheme while an owner of Healthcare Therapy Services LLC (HCTS), doing business as Medical Massage Therapy in Princeton. Radford submitted false bills to the Civilian Health and Medical Program of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) during the time period for medical services not rendered.
As part of her guilty plea, Radford admitted that HCTS provided massage services to two CHAMPVA beneficiaries once a week between June 29, 2017, and August 14, 2023, but billed the program $83,619.67 for one of these beneficiaries and $81,323.16 for the other by falsely claiming they received massages multiple days per week including weekends. Radford further admitted that she falsely billed CHAMPVA $10,695.29 for a third beneficiary between May 21, 2018, and May 16, 2022, and $93.19 for a fourth beneficiary between October 4, 2017, and October 11, 2017, all for services never performed.
Radford is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Radford also owes $175,731.31 in restitution.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer D. Gordon is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-55.
###
Media AdvisoryRead the Press Release
There will be a press conference held on June 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the offices of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa located at the Ho-Chunk Building, Suite 670, 600 4th Street, Sioux City, Iowa. United States Attorney Leif Olson will announce charges related to the death of McKenna Wendell. Mr. Olson will be joined by:
- Ron Parsons, the United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota;
- Jon Thum, the Chief of Police of the Sioux Falls Police Department; and
- Mike Hockett, Special Agent in Charge of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
A press release will be available.
Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
McLaughlin Woman Sentenced to 13 Months in Federal Prison for Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota woman convicted of Assaulting, Resisting and Impeding a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on June 8, 2026.
Tiauna Mirage Crow Ghost, age 29, was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Crow Ghost was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2025. She pleaded guilty on January 28, 2026.
On September 9, 2025, in McLaughlin, South Dakota, a Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer pulled Crow Ghost over because she was driving a vehicle reported stolen. The officer handcuffed Crow Ghost and placed her in the back seat of his squad car. Crow Ghost became upset and spat on the officer.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Crow Ghost was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve her federal sentence.
McLaughlin Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on June 8, 2026.
Thomas Maurice Cornia, age 20, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Cornia was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025. He pleaded guilty on February 23, 2026.
Cornia and another young man were embroiled in a long-standing feud. On the evening of July 5, 2025, they saw one another at a graduation party in Bullhead, South Dakota, and began arguing. The other man punched Cornia in the face and they began brawling and wrestling on the ground. Cornia produced a knife and stabbed the other man in the shoulder.
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 FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Cornia was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his federal sentence.
Maryland Resident Pleads Guilty in D.C. Apartment Fraud Using Fake Government Job OffersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Tisha Lee, 38, a former contract employee for the U.S. Government Publishing Office, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in connection with a scheme in which she used her position at the federal agency to create fake employment offer letters that individuals used to fraudulently rent District apartments, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Tisha Lee turned a federal government email address into a forgery shop, selling phony job offers so people could secure D.C. apartments they couldn't legitimately afford,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “That's not a victimless con. It's a fraud on every landlord and every honest renter playing by the rules.”
Lee, who resided Maryland, pleaded guilty June 16 before Judge Amit P. Mehta to one count of fraud in the second degree, in violation of D.C. Code section 3221(b). The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years' imprisonment, a $12,500 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for October 19.
According to court documents, Lee was a contract employee in the Human Capital section of the U.S. Government Publishing Office from March 2025 to March 2026, where she had no authority to issue or verify employment offers.
On at least 10 occasions, Lee used her government email account to send false offer letters on GPO letterhead to individuals seeking to rent apartments in the District, falsely representing that the recipients had been offered GPO positions with salaries ranging from about $85,500 to $207,500 a year.
When apartment management companies contacted Lee directly to verify the false employment claims, she confirmed them. At least one recipient used Lee's fraudulent letter to secure a lease at an apartment building in Southwest. Lee was paid by the scheme's beneficiaries.
The investigation was conducted by the D.C. Fraud Cell, Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations, Washington Field Office, and the U.S. Government Publishing Office, Office of Inspector General. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Deitch and Kevin Reddington.
26cr119
Manhattan Men Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Millions of Doses of Deadly Gamma-ButyrolactoneRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Enforcement Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Farhana Islam, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging MARK DYGDON and RODRIGO CASTRO in connection with the defendants’ distribution of gamma-butyrolactone (“GBL”) throughout the New York City area. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett.
“As alleged, Mark Dygdon and Rodrigo Castro conspired to import and distribute millions of doses of gamma-butyrolactone in Midtown Manhattan and around the New York region,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Even one dose of GBL, also commonly known as a so-called date rape drug, can be lethal; Dygdon and Castro are accused of flooding Midtown with tons of this liquid poison. As the charges in this case show, together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who commit drug crimes and will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The seizure of multiple tons of gamma-butyrolactone, is not merely a chemical seizure, it is the prevention of countless tragedies that may have otherwise occurred,” said DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “GBL is a dangerous substance on its own, and can also be converted into GHB. Both are powerful depressants that are often used in drug facilitated sexual assaults. By removing this massive quantity from the supply chain, the DEA and our partners disrupted a significant threat to public safety, and prevented harm to countless people who might otherwise have been victimized. This indictment reflects the commitment we have with our partners in targeting those trafficking drugs and precursor chemicals into our communities.”
As alleged in the Indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:(1)
From at least in or about August 2023 through at least in or about June 2026, DYGDON and CASTRO conspired to distribute GBL throughout the New York City area. To date, the charged conspiracy has imported more than approximately seven U.S. tons of GBL between on or about August 2023 and today, or the equivalent of millions of individual doses of GBL.
As part of the investigation, the DEA New York Enforcement Division seized 2.4 tons of GBL, a chemical often times attributed to sexual assaults.
* * *
DYGDON, 48, and CASTRO, 34, both of New York, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute GBL, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The statutory maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca R. Delfiner is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
^
As the introductory phrase signifies, the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Louisville Woman Sentenced to over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding CustomersRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Louisville woman was sentenced on June 15, 2026, to 5 years and 3 months in federal prison for eleven counts of wire fraud, one count of bankruptcy fraud, and five counts of money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina D. Whethers, Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Bobby Kuszynski of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office made the announcement.
Tracy Davenport, 51, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,398,536.75 for eleven counts of wire fraud, one count of bankruptcy fraud, and five counts of money laundering. In or about and between May 2021 and December 2022, Tracy Davenport, and others working at her direction, engaged in a scheme to induce more than fifty customers into signing contracts for pool installation projects and paying large down payments up front, but did not build pools for them. Instead, Davenport used the customers’ funds for purposes other than what was agreed upon.
United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Tracy Davenport defrauded numerous people. In attempting to conceal her crimes, she repeatedly lied to victims all the while knowing she had stolen their money. Her crimes caused financial hardships and significant emotional distress. I am very proud of the cooperative relationship we have with the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Those relationships lead to significant successes like the Davenport conviction and sentence.”
Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney Gerina Whethers stated, “We hope this outcome provides a measure of closure and justice to the victims, who lost thousands of dollars and waited patiently for a resolution. The successful outcome reflects the hard work of all partner agencies. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our detective and the exceptional work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky, this defendant will be held accountable.”
“Ms. Davenport was a ruthless business owner who intentionally defrauded customers by promising to install a new pool, stealing their down payment, and never delivering a product,” said Olivia Olson, FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge. “Dishonest business practices have no place in our community, and the FBI will make every effort to work alongside our partners to identify and hold accountable fraudulent businesses.”
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Louisville Field Office and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department, the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney’s Office, and the United States Trustee’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Elver prosecuted the case.
###
Little Eagle Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failing to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a South Dakota man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on June 8, 2026.
Adrian Paul Martinez, age 70, was sentenced to five months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. This sentence runs consecutively to a five-month tribal sentence imposed for the same underlying conduct.
Martinez was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in December 2025. He pleaded guilty on February 19, 2026.
Martinez was federally convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Minor in 1990. As a result, he is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. In February 2022, Martinez registered a Little Eagle, South Dakota address as his primary residence. During the winter of 2024, Martinez stayed 42 nights at the Prairie Knights Casino in Fort Yates, North Dakota. He failed to update his registration to reflect that he habitually lived at the casino despite being directed to do so by law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Sex Offender Registration Notification Act Compliance Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Martinez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his federal sentence.
This case was brought as a 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 the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Unit, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Latham Man Indicted for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – – Ethan Rupeka, age 22, of Latham, New York, was arraigned 5/29 on an indictment charging him with Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
Rupeka was arraigned on Friday May 29th before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and was released on Monday June 1st to probation pending trial. The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.According to the indictment, Rupeka received child pornography on social media messaging services, and possessed the child pornography on four different electronic devices. The material found stemmed from a search warrant conducted on defendant’s residence on February 12, 2025 by the New York State Police, stemming from a cyber tip by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The reprehensible conduct exhibited by this defendant was identified thanks to the dedicated efforts of the NCMEC. Their work allowed the New York State Police and FBI to arrest Mr. Rupeka who will now be prosecuted by my office to ensure he can no longer victimize children for his perverted satisfaction.”
“FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is deeply committed to working with partners to swiftly investigate predators like Mr. Rupeka and ensure they are held accountable for their disturbing behavior. We will continue to leverage every resource necessary to protect our most vulnerable from these monsters.” Said Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “These types of investigations are difficult and show the lengths child predators will go to exploit children. It is through great partnership that we continue to hold those accountable who seek to put a child in harm’s way. I applaud the diligent work done by our State Police members and law enforcement partners that led to this indictment and ensures the defendant will serve time for these deplorable crimes.”The Receipt of Child Pornography charge filed against Rupeka carries a mandatory minimum term of 5 years in prison, a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. In addition, a conviction will require Rupeka to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Paul DerOhannesian is prosecuting the case as Part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Las Cruces Man Sentenced for RobberyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man was sentence to 18 months in prison for stealing merchandise from a Lowe's store and threatening an employee with a firearm when confronted.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on January 24, 2025, Saul Gonzalez, 36, stole several pairs of work gloves from a Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Las Cruces, New Mexico. After store employees confronted him about the unpaid merchandise, Gonzalez brandished a derringer-style firearm, causing an employee to fear for their safety. Gonzalez then left the store with the stolen items and fled in a white Dodge van accompanied by a female associate.
On February 2, 2025, Las Cruces Police Department officers located the van and conducted a traffic stop as part of the armed robbery investigation. Gonzalez and the female occupant denied involvement in the incident. A subsequent search of the vehicle pursuant to a state search warrant uncovered clothing matching what Gonzalez wore during the robbery, black latex gloves consistent with those seen in photographs from the incident, and the stolen Mechanix-brand work gloves with their tags still attached.
Gonzalez pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by threats or violence. Upon his release from prison, Gonzalez 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 Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department. The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
Kingsport Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Multi Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On June 17, 2026, Aaron Tyshawn Jackson, 27 of Kingsport, TN and formerly of Chattanooga, TN was sentenced to 288 months by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Following his imprisonment, Jackson will be on supervised release for 10 years.
In February, a federal jury convicted Jackson of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine both in violation of 21 U.S.C. § § 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A); two other drug related offenses in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Additionally, the jury found that the enhanced penalties, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 851, were applied to Jackson.
The evidence offered at trial showed that for years Jackson was purchasing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Chattanooga and distributing the drugs in Kingsport. On October 22, 2024, following trip to Chattanooga to purchase drugs, Jackson, who was not driving, and three other people were traffic stopped near Greeneville, TN. When the police activated their lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop Jackson told the driver to “drive” and a pursuit ensued resulting in a crash. Jackson threw a duffel bag out of the window while fleeing. The duffel bag contained over 2.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and 11 ounces of fentanyl. Before the car crashed, it reached speeds in excess of 120 mph.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Jackson include Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Kingsport Police Department, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga Police Department, and Etowah Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan L. Gomez and AnCharlene Davis represented the United States.
On December 15, 2025, the President issued an Executive Order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/designating-fentanyl-as-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction/
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.
###
Kansas Man Sentenced to 9 Years for MachinegunRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Overland Park, Ks., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a machinegun.
Verdell D. Mays, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen Bough to nine years in federal prison without parole.
On Dec. 4, 2025, Mays pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun. Mays admitted on June 28, 2025, he possessed a Glock, Model 22C, .40 caliber fully automatic pistol, and that the Glock pistol had a rear slide plate that was modified to produce automatic fire.
On June 28, 2025, Mays fled from Cass County, Mo. Sheriff’s Office deputies by driving approximately 130 miles per hour. The pursuit occurred on Interstate 49, and Mays passed vehicles on the outside shoulder during his flight from law enforcement. During the pursuit, Mays nearly struck a motorcycle, then later nearly struck an SUV.
Mays was driving a stolen vehicle in the pursuit. Deputies conducted an inventory of the vehicle and found the Glock pistol that contained a machinegun conversion device, also known as an “MCD”, or a “switch.” The firearm was loaded with 16 live rounds in the magazine and one live round in the chamber. The firearm was also reported as stolen. Mays also possessed a .40 caliber, 50-round drum magazine containing 46 rounds of live .40 caliber ammunition.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Mays felony convictions for distribution of marijuana and being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cass County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Spring CleaningRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE — The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Spring Cleaning, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the FBI to combat gang-related threats and enhance public safety. The operation coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement and targeted the illegal flow of firearms and narcotics in our communities. The operation began on March 1 and ended May 31.
In total, Operation Spring Cleaning led to over 1100 arrests, over 600 charges filed, and almost 600 search warrants conducted. The operation also resulted in the seizure of:
- Almost 1000 illegal firearms, dozens of which were equipped with machine gun conversion devices (MCDs) as well as over 75 stand-alone MCDs;
- Over 2,700 pounds of illegal narcotics including
- Over 500 kilograms of cocaine or more than 1100 pounds,
- Nearly 700 pounds of methamphetamine,
- Over 550 pounds of marijuana,
- Nearly 50 kilograms of fentanyl or more than 100 pounds,
- Almost 40 kilograms of heroin or more than 85 pounds,
- More than 7 kilograms of crack cocaine or more than 16 pounds, and
- More than 13,200 pills of MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly.
The operation also resulted in significant enforcement actions in the District of New Mexico. Federal prosecutors charged Lucas Maldonado with drug trafficking and firearms offenses after he allegedly supplied nearly five pounds of methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers and was later found in possession of fentanyl, firearms, and ammunition. In a separate case, Pete Kimbell was charged in federal court after allegedly selling multiple firearms and ammunition to an undercover law enforcement officer. Additionally, Crisantos Garcia was charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses following an FBI investigation into an alleged scheme to provide weapons to an inmate seeking to escape from custody.
Two FBI agents in tactical gear stand near the back of an armored vehicle and a Ford pickup truck during a SWAT operation. Two FBI agents in tactical gear stand near the back of an armored vehicle and a Ford pickup truck during a SWAT operation. Nighttime scene of vehicles lined up on a road, with mountain silhouette and city lights in the background.“When our neighborhoods are safe from the scourge of deadly drugs, individuals and families can prosper,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Trump Administration has made significant progress in removing this poison from our streets, a key step in our commitment to making America safe again.”
“This FBI understands that communities across our country have been ravaged by gangs and the firearms and narcotics they flood our streets with,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Spring Cleaning represents our total commitment to crushing this kind of violent crime and eliminating the criminal networks who facilitate them – with over 1,000 arrests, 1,000 firearms seized, and 3,000 pounds of narcotics removed from our neighborhoods. Righteous operations like this show this FBI is only getting started and will continue delivering the most prolific run of crime reduction in U.S. history.”
Jury convicts Harrisburg man of manufacturing and possessing unregistered short-barreled rifles and silencersRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – Following roughly 30 minutes of deliberation a federal jury found a former Harrisburg man guilty of five federal charges for manufacturing unregistered short-barreled rifles, possessing unregistered short-barreled rifles, possessing unregistered silencers, and possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun with an obliterated serial number.
Yaroslav Vishnevski, 33, was convicted on June 9, 2026, after two days of trial. Vishnevski was originally charged in May 2024 after the United States Custom and Border Protection intercepted a package from China containing unregistered silencers addressed to Vishnevski’s residence.
“The real world contains nuance, and two things can be true at the same time: We staunchly defend the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, while simultaneously recognizing that machine guns, short-barreled rifles, silencers illegally imported from China, and untraceable ghost guns present obvious dangers,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “The Department of Justice strikes this balance each day aggressively enforcing the criminal laws passed by Congress, while vigorously defending the constitutional rights of responsible gun owners in court.”
The Illinois State Police obtained a search warrant for Vishnevski’s residence and discovered that Vishnevski owned equipment and tools designed specifically to manufacture weapons and silencers. Agents found a computer-controlled desktop milling machine, called a “Ghost Gunner 3”, that is intended to manufacture guns lacking serial numbers, making them effectively untraceable. Agents also found multiple 3D printers containing software used to produce 3D printed silencers. During the search agents recovered five silencers, a sawed-off shotgun with an obliterated serial number, and three short-barreled rifles. Four of the five silencers were 3D printed and two of the short-barreled rifles were AR-style firearms.
“Vishnevski’s actions put illegal, untraceable firearms into our community and threatened public safety,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “Responsible gun ownership means following the law and prioritizing safety. HSI will continue to pursue those who ignore these standards.”
“The kinds of firearms in this case are easy for criminals to acquire and difficult, but not impossible, for law enforcement to track,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The Illinois State Police’s strategy to combat illegal firearms includes the illegal manufacturing of firearms and it is through the hard work of dedicated ISP special agents that we’re able to get these illegal and dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals.”
Evidence at trial showed Vishnevski had machined components sufficient to manufacture over 300 additional short-barreled rifles like those found in his residence. Agents also recovered over 80 pounds of metal shavings from Vishnevski’s property. A gun manufacturing expert testified that these metal shavings were consistent with gun manufacturing activity.
Pictured here are portions of Trial Exhibits 19, 27, 34, and 44.
“The swift verdict in this case demonstrates that Operation Take Back America is delivering real results for the American people,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “I am grateful for the close collaboration among our federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial partners whose efforts helped bring this case to a successful verdict.”
Sentencing is scheduled for September 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Benton Courthouse. Agents with ATF, the Illinois State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Custom and Border Protection investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Leggans and David Sanders prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which is a 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.
Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Meth and Gun Charges in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed firearms in the Fort Dodge area pled guilty June 15, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.
Jordan Mefferd, 47, from Pocahontas, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
At the plea hearing, Mefferd admitted that from about July 2024 through September 2025, he conspired with others to distribute over one pound of methamphetamine in the Webster County Iowa area. In August/September 2025, agents made four controlled buys of methamphetamine from Mefferd, totaling more than 200 grams of pure methamphetamine. On September 23, 2025, officers executed a search warrant at Mefferd’s residence and seized a small amount of methamphetamine, $9,684.51 in U.S. currency, four firearms, and various ammunition. Mefferd is prohibited from possessing any firearm due to his previous felony convictions which include: conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine; possession of lithium; possession of controlled substance – 3rd or subsequent offense; eluding; burglary third degree; and escape.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Mefferd remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Mefferd faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $60,250,000 fine, and at least ten years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Dodge Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-3048. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Inmate Sentenced for Armed Assault on Correctional Officer in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Zavius Alexander Burgess, age 23, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 71 months in prison for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. The Court ordered the term to be served consecutive to any undischarged term of imprisonment imposed in Kay County District Court case CF-2020-00049. Burgess is currently incarcerated on two concurrent life sentences on that case for convictions of one count of Murder in the First Degree-Deliberate Intent, and one count of Conspiracy.
The assault charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators, on January 7, 2025, while housed within the maximum-security unit of the Allen Gamble Correctional Center in Holdenville, Oklahoma, Burgess stabbed a correctional officer with a homemade knife. On August 28, 2025, Burgess, a registered tribal member, pleaded guilty to the charge in federal district court.
The crime occurred in Hughes County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarrod Leaman represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Individual Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach sentenced Daniel García-Martín to a term of 15 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, a $5,500 fine, and forfeiture of firearms and ammunition for firearms violations related to possession of firearms by a convicted felon. García-Martín was arrested on October 17, 2025, and pleaded guilty on March 19, 2026.
According to court documents, Daniel García-Martín, 68, of Lajas, Puerto Rico, possessed three firearms and 143 rounds of ammunition in his residence knowing that he had been convicted of a felony. The firearms and ammunition were seized during the execution of a federal search warrant at his residence by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. García-Martín was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 in the Superior Court of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and released from custody in 2005.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was in charge of the investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linet Olinghouse and Seth Erbe prosecuted the case.
###
Illinois Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Transporting Meth and a Firearm Through KC Union StationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Chicago, Ill., man was sentenced in federal court on June 16, 2026, for transporting more than 4 kilograms of methamphetamine through Kansas City, Mo., aboard a train. Radcliffe also pleaded guilty to possessing a revolver in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Larry L. Radcliffe, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 156 months in federal prison without parole. On Feb. 3, 2026, Radcliffe pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense.
Members of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MoWIN) were conducting interdiction activities at a Kansas City, Mo., train station on Sep. 30, 2024. As passengers disembarked from a train originating in Los Angeles, Ca., officers conducted consensual encounters with other passengers remaining on the train. While one detective was interviewing a passenger, Larry L. Radcliffe jumped from his seat and exclaimed: “What’s going on?” Another detective believed this response was strange and was concerned for the safety of his colleague and accordingly engaged Radcliffe asking Radcliffe to step away from the officers. The detective identified himself with law enforcement credentials. Radcliffe reported he was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago. Radcliffe claimed he did not have identification. The detective noticed three pieces of luggage and asked Radcliffe if they belonged to him. Radcliffe acknowledged ownership of two pieces of luggage but stated he was unsure if the third piece was his. The detective asked to look inside the last piece to ensure there were no weapons and Radcliffe stated: “go ahead.” Upon searching, the detective discovered 10 bundles of methamphetamine wrapped in clear cellophane. A forensic drug testing laboratory later determined the bundles contained approximately 4.33 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. In a subsequent search, investigators found a .357 revolver in one of Radcliffe’s other pieces of luggage. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Radcliffe admitted he knowingly possessed the methamphetamine and was transporting it to a person he knew would distribute it. Radcliffe also admitted he knowingly possessed the firearm to protect himself and the methamphetamine he was transporting.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Illegal firearms possession results in federal prison sentences for three men in separate casesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Georgia: Federal prison sentences have been ordered in federal court for illegal possession of a firearm and one for possessing a machinegun.
Sentences were handed down in U.S. District Court and were announced by Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Margaret E. “Meg” Heap. They include:
- Michael Rice, 37, of Dublin, was sentenced to 84 months in prison and a $1,500 fine followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In October 2024, Rice was found to be in possession of a .38 caliber pistol in Laurens County.
- Chauncey Lavon Feby, 20, of Augusta, was sentenced to 71 months in prison and a $1,500 fine followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Illegal Possession of a Machinegun. In November 2024 in Richmond County, Feby was found with a Glock Model 45, 9 mm pistol which had been modified with an auto sear, converting the pistol into a fully automatic machinegun.
- Josue Gutierrez, 31, of Lawrenceville, was sentenced to 64 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In September 2024, Gutierrez was found to be in possession of multiple firearms during a traffic stop in Atkinson County by Georgia State Patrol.
There is no parole in the federal system. Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition.
“We will continue to support our law enforcement partners in their efforts to remove these dangerous weapons from the streets and to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to hold accountable those that unlawfully possess these lethal weapons.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Dublin Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol assisted in the investigation of these cases, which were prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Kyle Davis, Jennifer Kirkland, L. Alexander Hamner and Kelsey Scanlon.
Illegal alien from El Salvador convicted at trial on federal immigration and child sexual exploitation chargesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal judge convicted an illegal alien from El Salvador on charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and illegally reentering the United States after removal subsequent to a felony conviction.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, pursuant to an order of removal, Mario Alexander Bonilla Canales, 50, previously was removed from the United States on at least three occasions.
In June of 2025, Bonilla Canales used Facebook to contact a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover law enforcement agent. Over three days, and directly after the undercover agent from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Child Exploitation Unit told him that she was 14, Bonilla Canales aggressively requested that she send him sexually explicit images and asked her to meet for sex. He eventually traveled to a park in Fairfax County to meet her for sex. When police attempted to stop him, he fled the scene, damaging two police vehicles and ignoring lights and sirens.
Bonilla Canales faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison when sentenced on Sept. 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Homeland Security Investigations, Washington, D.C., investigated this case with significant assistance from the Virginia State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Mercer and Colt Rainwater are prosecuting the case with assistance from Special Assistant United States Attorneys Lyndi McVey and Richard Krupczak.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is also 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.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-4.
Illegal alien from Chile sentenced to 45-months and ordered to pay over $47,000 in restitution for multi-state identity fraud schemeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced an illegal alien from Chile to 45-months for her extensive identity theft scheme spanning 7 states and impacting 18 victims.
Mayorie Fernandez-Ormeno, 37, pleaded guilty to five counts for conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud, attempted access device fraud, aggravated identity theft and illegal reentry after deportation. She will serve a total of 45-months imprisonment, after which she is expected to be deported. The court also ordered Fernandez-Ormeno to pay $47,218.84 in restitution to her victims.
“This defendant showed no respect for our laws,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “She illegally entered the country and then made a living stealing other people’s identities. Those who thumb their nose at our sovereignty and prey on hardworking Americans will face the full force of federal law. Our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to uphold the rule of law.”
A superseding indictment was returned in February 2025 following Fernandez-Ormeno's arrest in Philadelphia. Fernandez-Ormeno had previously been removed from the United States but unlawfully returned in October 2023.
According to court documents, from approximately February 1, 2024 to April 25, 2024, Fernandez-Ormeno engaged in an extensive identity fraud scheme where she and her coconspirator would target and steal credit cards from individuals at local retailers and use those credit cards for their own personal use. Over the course of her conspiracy, Fernandez-Ormeno stole credit cards from victims in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, resulting in loss of $47,218.84 to 18 different victims.
“This sentence demonstrates the consequences for those who exploit stolen identities and victimize hardworking Americans across multiple states,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “HSI will continue to aggressively investigate transnational fraud schemes and work with our partners to ensure that those who commit these crimes are brought to justice and held financially accountable to their victims.”
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.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Edwardsville Police Department contributed to this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuted the case.
Illegal Alien Faces Federal Charges Following Massive Clayton County Methamphetamine SeizureRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Maira Porras Corras, an illegal alien from Mexico, is facing federal drug charges related to the recent seizure of roughly 200 pounds of methamphetamine from a residence in Forest Park, Georgia.
“Porras Corras allegedly stashed nearly 200 pounds of dangerous methamphetamine near her bed and in trash bags in her detached garage,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “My office will continue to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, illegal aliens and others who traffic deadly narcotics in our community.”
“The seizure of approximately 200 pounds of methamphetamine prevented a devastating amount of methamphetamine from reaching neighborhoods and families,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “We will continue pursuing those who threaten the safety and well-being of our communities through drug trafficking activity.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: on March 24, 2026, Porras Corras allegedly sold approximately two pounds of methamphetamine to another individual in a church parking lot. On June 11, 2026, federal agents arrested Porras Corras at her residence in Forest Park, Georgia. Agents searched the home and located about four pounds of suspected methamphetamine next to her bed. In a detached garage, agents located and seized just under 200 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in large trash bags. Agents also located drug paraphernalia and other items used to distribute the drugs, including a digital scale and wrapping material, and seized nearly $56,000 in cash.
Yesterday, Maira Porras Corras, 36, of Hidalgo, Mexico, appeared in federal court on a criminal complaint charging her with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Members of the public are reminded that the criminal complaint only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Illegal Alien Charged with Assaulting and Injuring Federal Officer in New JerseyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Barnegat Township illegal alien was charged with assaulting and injuring a federal officer by hitting the officer with his van, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Eduardo Cruz Garcia, 39, was charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer while the officer was engaged in official duties and inflicting bodily injury to the officer. Cruz Garcia had his initial court appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn in Trenton federal court and was ordered detained.
“As alleged, the defendant weaponized his vehicle and conducted an egregious assault on a federal law enforcement officer during the course of his official duties. The job is hard enough. Law enforcement must be able to carry out their duties without fear of obstruction or even worse, assault. Our office will hold accountable those whom harm officers to ensure they can protect our communities without repercussions.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
“The FBI considers assault on a federal officer a severe and significant violent crime. We will continue to work with our valued law enforcement partners to ensure that incidents such as these are treated with the gravity they deserve, so that men and women of federal law enforcement can continue to serve, safely returning home unharmed,” said FBI Newark SAC Stefanie Roddy.
"Let these charges against Cruz Garcia be a staunch reminder that assaulting and obstructing ICE law enforcement, as alleged here, is a serious crime and a felony,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark acting Field Office Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr. “Violence against our federal law enforcement officers as ICE carries out our daily mission in accordance with U.S. immigration law will not be tolerated. I want to thank our federal partners for their critical assistance in locating the defendant and ensuring that justice is sought."
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On June 15, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stopped a white van driven by Cruz Garcia as part of an investigation. Multiple federal agents wearing vests that identified them as “ICE Police” surrounded the van with their vehicles and approached the van from the driver side and passenger side. The agents attempted to speak with Cruz Garcia and the passenger and asked them to open the van’s windows, but they refused. Instead of complying with the agents’ requests, Cruz Garcia fled the scene by driving the van forward while the victim, an ICE agent, was standing next to the van. Weaponizing his vehicle, Cruz Garcia struck the victim agent causing the agent’s body to be wedged in between the van and one of the ICE vehicles. The victim agent fell to the ground yelling in pain. Cruz Garcia did not stop and continued driving, striking another ICE vehicle parked nearby, before fleeing the scene.
Cruz Garcia’s actions injured the victim’s thigh and shin, and his injuries required medical attention at a hospital.
The charge of assaulting a federal officer while the officer was engaged in official duties and inflicting bodily injury carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the criminal charge. He also thanked special agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations – Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations – Newark Field Office, under the direction of acting Field Officer Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr., the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, and the Stafford Township Police Department, for their assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Suggs of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
###
Defense counsel: Benjamin West, Assistant Federal Public Defender.
garcia.complaint.pdfIllegal Alien Arrested for Possessing a Firearm During Alleged Road Rage ShootingRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations arrested Josue Alejandro Quintanilla-Reyes, 34, on a Federal warrant in Raleigh on Monday. HSI obtained the warrant pursuant to a federal criminal complaint signed by a U.S. Magistrate Judge which accuses Quintanilla-Reyes, a native and citizen of Honduras, of possessing a firearm while being illegally and unlawfully present in the United States. According to the complaint, Quintanilla-Reyes shot and killed another driver with that gun during a road rage shooting on Interstate 40 in March 2025.
Quintanilla-Reyes is charged with violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(A) and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison if convicted.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. HSI is investigating the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located 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-MJ-1902-JG.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.