title: Federal And State Officials Announce Efforts To Crack Down On Healthcare Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson is joined today by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, FBI Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., and representatives of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, to announce the results of a health care fraud crackdown that led to criminal charges filed against nine individuals involved in separate health care fraud schemes that allegedly defrauded the North Carolina and the South Carolina Medicaid Programs of millions of dollars. The announcement was made as part of the Justice Department’s national healthcare fraud takedown that resulted in 324 defendants being charged in connection with more than $14.6 billion in alleged fraud. “The United States spends almost $5 trillion per year on healthcare, and about 45% of that is from government insurance programs,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “Fraudsters not only drain theses taxpayer funded insurance programs that millions rely upon and every taxpayer contributes to, but, in the process, exploit patients, and increase healthcare costs for everyone. We’re working with our federal and state partners at all levels to uncover and dismantle healthcare fraud schemes, protect public dollars, and bring to justice those who abuse taxpayer-funded healthcare systems for personal gain.” “Healthcare fraud isn’t a crime that only exists on paper. These schemes drain taxpayer-funded government programs designed to assist citizens who may not otherwise be able to afford healthcare. The FBI and our partners work tirelessly to stop people from defrauding the government, protect the integrity of the programs for those who truly need it, and bring offenders to justice,” said FBI Charlotte Acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. “Medicaid fraud not only steals money from the taxpayer but also means that many people, including children, may not get the health care they need. My office has been working diligently to hold these criminals accountable and we will continue to focus on rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse,” said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. “This North Carolina business owner allegedly stole almost $2 million in taxpayer money from our Medicaid program under the guise of providing health care services for people who need them,” said North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “I’m thankful to NCDOJ’s Medicaid Investigations Division for helping bring her to justice alongside state and federal partners. We’ll keep working to hold anyone who defrauds North Carolinians accountable.” “Healthcare fraud not only victimizes patients, but it also misuses taxpayer dollars and endangers the livelihood of healthcare programs,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Gaskins, Charlotte Field Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. “We remain committed to uncovering misconduct in use of healthcare funds and holding offenders accountable. Together with federal and state law enforcement partners, IRS-CI will continue to pursue anyone trying to exploit federal programs for personal gain.” “The alleged actions of these individuals represent a blatant abuse of the Medicaid program for personal gain, violating the public trust and diverting resources from those who need them most. This conduct undermines the integrity of a vital healthcare safety net designed to serve our most vulnerable citizens,” said Kelly J. Blackmon, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains committed to working together with our law enforcement partners to identify and investigate those individuals who allegedly engaged in fraud targeting our federal health care programs.” “Every taxpayer dollar that is lost to waste, fraud and abuse through a public health care program is a resource that could have been used to serve another purpose in our community,” said South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Director Eunice Medina. “When fraudsters target state Medicaid programs, they not only target taxpayer funds, but may also compromise access to medical services for the extremely vulnerable populations served by South Carolina’s Medicaid program. SCDHHS is grateful for our collaboration with the South Carolina Attorney General’s and U.S. Attorney’s Offices and looks forward to further collaboration with our investigatory partners as we work to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.” South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Cases – U.S. v. Saunders et al. & U.S. v. Hill Federal criminal charges were filed in the Western District of North Carolina against eight individuals that allegedly conspired to defraud the South Carolina Medicaid Program (SC Medicaid) of more than $21 million by filing false and fraudulent reimbursement claims for behavioral health care services that were either inflated or not provided at all. It is alleged that these individuals bought and sold personal identifying information (PII) of SC Medicaid beneficiaries, and submitted reimbursement claims for patients that never knew their information was being used and never received the services. The seven individuals charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and to pay and receive illegal kickbacks are: Donald Calvin Saunders , 62, of Charlotte. Saunders is also charged with six counts of health care fraud; one count of unlawful purchase of beneficiary identification numbers; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and three counts of money laundering. Vanessa Ragin-Boatright , 59, of Manning, South Carolina. Boatright is also facing two counts of health care fraud; one count of unlawful purchase of beneficiary identification numbers; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Dajuan Strickland , 47, of Charlotte and Buffalo, New York. Strickland is also charged with three counts of health care fraud; two counts of unlawful purchase of beneficiary identification numbers; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and three counts of money laundering. Cynthia Jenkins Harris , 60, of Elgin, South Carolina. Harris is also facing one count of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Latarsa Hitchcock , 56, of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Stephanie Corbett , 59, of Jonesboro, Georgia. Karen McClary , 51, of Kingstree, South Carolina. David Corey Hill , age 54, of Concord, North Carolina, who was also part of the scheme was charged separately via a criminal bill of information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering. Hill has agreed to plead guilty and is expected to appear in federal court for a plea hearing in the days ahead. According to allegations contained in charging documents and other court records, from 2017 to 2024, the defendants conspired with each other and others to defraud the SC Medicaid program by submitting false and fraudulent reimbursement claims for behavioral health services that were not rendered as claimed and were tainted by illegal kickbacks and bribes. To carry out the scheme, the co-conspirators allegedly filed thousands of fraudulent claims using a network of companies in the Charlotte area and elsewhere. SC Medicaid beneficiaries are permitted to receive behavioral health services from qualified North Carolina providers located within a 25-mile radius from the South Carolina border. The indictment alleges that Saunders was an organizer and leader of the scheme to defraud SC Medicaid and to pay and receive illegal kickbacks and bribes for Medicaid beneficiary names and identification numbers used to facilitate the scheme. As the leader of the conspiracy, Saunders allegedly helped other conspirators, including Hitchcock, Strickland, and Hill, create and operate billing companies or companies that provided behavioral health care services used to file fraudulent reimbursement claims with SC Medicaid. In exchange, Saunders received a portion of the illegal proceeds generated by those companies. Other individuals in the conspiracy, including Jenkins, McClary, and Corbett, supported the scheme by selling the PII of SC Medicaid beneficiaries; suppling licensed behavioral health professionals’ National Provider Identification (NPI) numbers; creating fictitious service notes for SC Medicaid beneficiaries who purportedly received services; or submitting fraudulent claims to SC Medicaid for reimbursement. The indictment alleges that the beneficiaries whose names and PII were purchased and sold did not know that Medicaid claims had been submitted in their name and did not receive the services as represented to SC Medicaid. In addition to using stolen PII of SC Medicaid beneficiaries, during the investigation the South Carolina Attorney General’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (SAG VAMPF), with the Assistance of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), created fictitious Medicaid beneficiaries which they then sold to the co-conspirators. The indictment alleges that the co-conspirators used the fictitious beneficiaries’ numbers to file fraudulent reimbursement claims with SC Medicaid for services that were never rendered. It is further alleged that the co-conspirators paid bribes and illegal kickbacks to other individuals involved in the scheme, including providers who allowed the defendants to use their NPIs in connection with the filing of fraudulent claims. However, according to the indictment, many of the NPIs used by the co-conspirators belonged to professionals who were not part of the scheme but were tricked into providing their NPIs and credentials to the co-conspirators as part of an application for a job that never materialized. In the state of South Carolina, rendering providers of mental health services are licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulations (LLR) and most are licensed independent practitioners. The indictment alleges that the defendants were collectively paid over $21 million dollars as a result of the health care fraud scheme. It is further alleged that the defendants engaged in a money laundering conspiracy and conducted financial transactions designed to conceal and disguise the nature and source of the payments. For example, it is alleged that kickback agreements and payments were disguised as consulting contracts, payroll, and other seemingly legitimate expenses. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison on the healthcare fraud conspiracy count, ten years in prison on the healthcare fraud counts, twenty years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy count, and ten years in prison on the money laundering counts. Ultimately, their sentences will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. North Carolina Medicaid Fraud Case: U.S. v. Crystal Jackson It was also announced today that Crystal Sherrell Jackson, 39, of Charlotte, is charged with health care fraud and money laundering for submitting fraudulent reimbursement claims to the North Carolina Medicaid Program (NC Medicaid) for psychotherapy services and urine drug testing. The bill of information alleges that Jackson, who held herself out as a licensed clinical addiction specialist, owned and managed Jackson Consulting Services LLC (JCS). Jackson licensed JCS as a mental health agency, clinical laboratory, and consulting business registered with NC Medicaid to provide services to eligible beneficiaries. According to allegations in the bill of information, between January 2020 and June 2024, Jackson billed NC Medicaid over $1.9 million and was paid over $1.6 million for fraudulent claims for drug testing and psychotherapy sessions that were not medically necessary or never rendered. To carry out the scheme, Jackson and her associates allegedly obtained and used the personal information of eligible persons, including their names, addresses, dates of birth, and NC Medicaid beneficiary numbers. In many cases, the beneficiaries did not know their information had been used to file the fictitious reimbursements claims and never received the services for which Jackson billed NC Medicaid. In addition, more than a dozen of the beneficiaries whose information Jackson used to bill NC Medicaid were incarcerated or deceased at the time the alleged services were provided. According to the bill of information, in addition to billing NC Medicaid for non-existent psychotherapy services, JCS also falsely billed for unnecessary urine drug testing. To maximize criminal proceeds from the scheme, Jackson operated a fraudulent lab licensed under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), which enabled Jackson to bill NC Medicaid for the highest eligible drug testing. In addition to health care fraud, Jackson is also charged with transactional money laundering for using criminal proceeds in furtherance of the scheme and to buy a vehicle and pay thousands of dollars for rent, food delivery, and ride sharing. This is the latest charge involving fraudulent billing schemes targeting NC Medicaid. To date, a multiple defendants have been convicted of health care fraud and sentenced to prison for defrauding NC Medicaid, including a Greensboro clinic owner who was sentenced to 52 months in prison for a scheme that defrauded the NC Medicaid of more than $4.7 million in fraudulent claims for behavioral services. Civil Enforcement Actions In addition to the criminal charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office also announced recent civil enforcement actions that have resulted in settlements and judgments of nearly $5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations. In May, Nirvana Hyperbaric Institute, LLC (Nirvana), owner Roger Hunter, and Dr. Herminia De Guzman Ferreras, agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting claims to Medicare for hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments that were not adequately supervised by a physician. Also last month, Charlotte Clinic Owner Steven Osbey of Kernersville, N.C., agreed to settle allegations of NC Medicaid fraud, and during the course of settlement negotiations has agreed for entry of judgment against him for over $4.7 million in favor of the United States and the State of North Carolina over allegations that a clinic he co-owned improperly charged NC Medicaid for physician home visits that never occurred. In January, the U.S. Attorney’s office and the State of North Carolina filed a False Claims Act complaint against Benson I. Ejindu alleging that he knowingly submitted or caused the submission of false claims to NC Medicaid, through a durable medical equipment business he operated, for more expensive medical supplies than were provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. Last fall, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that LabXperior Corporation and its owner, Tina Ball, paid $235,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the Federal False Claims Act and North Carolina False Claims Act by knowingly billing NC Medicaid for urine drug tests that were medically unnecessary and resulted from violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute. “Even where it is not criminal, we will pursue false payments by civil action to recover taxpayer money and protect our American healthcare system,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the Office of the South Carolina Attorney General VAMPF, the North Carolina Attorney General’s Medicaid Investigations Division, the FBI in North Carolina, IRS-CI, HHS-OIG, and SCHHS for their investigative efforts and ongoing coordination that led these cases, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that participated in this effort. U.S. Attorney Ferguson also thanked the Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the criminal and civil divisions for their work on the cases and recognized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina Fleisch with the North Carolina Medicaid Division who is prosecuting the case against Crystal Jackson. An indictment or information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If you suspect Medicare or Medicaid fraud, please report it by phone at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477), or via email at HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov. To report Medicaid fraud in North Carolina, call the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division at 919-881-2320 or fill out an online complaint form . To report suspected Medicaid fraud in South Carolina, contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services via the toll-free tip line at 1-888-364-3224. TRICARE fraud can be reported here . Fraud against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system can be reported at www.vaoig.gov/hotline .


title: United States District Court Appoints David Metcalf as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has appointed David Metcalf as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. After receiving his oath of office today, and pursuant to the Vacancy Reform Act, Mr. Metcalf remains the United States Attorney indefinitely while he awaits confirmation from the United States Senate. “I am honored that the court has extended my service to our district,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Our commitment to prosecuting criminals and upholding the rule of law does not change.” Last March , Attorney General Pamela Bondi named Mr. Metcalf the Interim United States Attorney for a period of 120 days, and President Trump nominated Mr. Metcalf to serve as the United States Attorney for the full term of four years. Last week, the United States Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send Mr. Metcalf’s nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. Mitchell S. Goldberg, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, swore in U.S. Attorney David Metcalf on June 30, 2025.


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican National illegally residing in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for Illegal Re-entry by an Alien Previously Removed. Jorge Alejandro Esparza-Lopez, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to twelve months in federal prison without parole followed by one year of supervised release. On Feb. 26, 2025, Esparza-Lopez pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the United States after previously being removed. Esparza-Lopez admitted he knew he did not have permission to enter or remain in the United States lawfully. Under federal law it is illegal for an alien to knowingly re-enter the United States without permission after being removed. Esparza-Lopez had previously been removed from the country on five separate occasions in 2007, 2013, twice in 2016, and 2022. He unlawfully returned sometime after his 2022 removal and was found in the Western District of Missouri after being arrested in October of 2024 by the Independence, Missouri Police Department for domestic assault, stealing, and interfering with police. He was subsequently charged in Independence, Missouri for those acts and the charges remain pending. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Hanson. It was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline )


title: Four North Koreans Charged in Nearly $1 Million Cryptocurrency Theft Scheme

component: Cyber Division (FBI)

body_text: ATLANTA - Four North Korean nationals, Kim Kwang Jin (김관진), Kang Tae Bok (강태복), Jong Pong Ju (정봉주), and Chang Nam Il (창남일), have been charged in a five-count wire fraud and money laundering indictment arising from a scheme to be hired as remote IT workers and then steal and launder over $900,000 in virtual currency. “The defendants used fake and stolen personal identities to conceal their North Korean nationality, pose as remote IT workers, and exploit their victims’ trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “This indictment highlights the unique threat North Korea poses to companies that hire remote IT workers and underscores our resolve to prosecute any actor, in the United States or abroad, who steals from Georgia businesses.” “These schemes target and steal from U.S. companies and are designed to evade sanctions and fund the North Korean regime’s illicit programs, including its weapons programs,” said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department, along with our law enforcement, private sector, and international partners, will persistently pursue and dismantle these cyber-enabled revenue generation networks.” “North Korean operatives used false identities to infiltrate companies and steal digital assets to fund their regime,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI is committed to exposing these threats and protecting U.S. businesses from nation-state cybercrime.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information presented in court: To generate revenue for the regime, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“North Korea” or “DPRK”) dispatches thousands of skilled IT workers around the world to deceive and infiltrate American companies. In October 2019, the defendants traveled to the United Arab Emirates on North Korean documents and worked there as a team. In approximately December 2020 and May 2021, respectively, Kim Kwang Jin (using victim P.S.’s stolen identity) and Jong Pong Ju (using the alias “Bryan Cho”) were hired as developers by an Atlanta, Georgia-based blockchain research and development company and a Serbian virtual token company. Both defendants concealed their North Korean identities from their employers by providing false identification documents containing a mix of stolen and fraudulent identity information. Neither company would have hired Kim Kwang Jin or Jong Pong Ju had it known the defendants were North Korean citizens. Later, on a recommendation from Jong Pong Ju, the Serbian company hired “Peter Xiao,” who in fact was Chang Nam Il. After gaining their employers’ trust, Kim Kwang Jin and Jong Pong Ju were assigned projects that provided them access to their employers’ virtual currency assets. In February 2022, Jong Pong Ju used that access to steal virtual currency then worth approximately $175,000. In March 2022, Kim Kwang Jin stole virtual currency then worth approximately $740,000 by modifying the source code of two of his employer’s smart contracts. To launder the funds after the thefts, Kim Kwang Jin and Jong Pong Ju used a virtual currency mixer and then transferred the funds to virtual currency exchange accounts controlled by defendants Kang Tae Bok and Chang Nam Il but held in the names of aliases. The accounts were opened using fraudulent Malaysian identification documents. Kim Kwang Jin (김관진), Kang Tae Bok (강태복), Jong Pong Ju (정봉주), and Chang Nam Il (창남일) were indicted by a federal grand jury seated in the Northern District of Georgia on June 24, 2025. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and the government bears the burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is part of the Department of Justice’s DPRK RevGen: Domestic Enabler Initiative. Under the Initiative, launched by the National Security Division and FBI Cyber and Counterintelligence Divisions in March 2024, federal prosecutors and agents prioritize high-impact, strategic, and unified enforcement and disruption operations targeting the DPRK’s illicit revenue generation efforts and the U.S.-based enablers of those efforts. Assistant United States Attorneys Samir Kaushal and Alex R. Sistla, and Trial Attorney Jacques Singer-Emery of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section, are prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov 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


title: Foley Felon Sentenced to Over Seven Years for Possessing a Firearm in Connection with a Shooting

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Foley man was sentenced today to 85 months in prison for possessing a firearm in connection with a shooting. The man had previously been convicted of a felony offense of violence. According to court documents, Ladarious Roper, 22, possessed a CZ Scorpion semi-automatic weapon in connection with a shooting on October 11, 2024. On that date, 911 callers reported that five shots were fired, and a victim had been shot in the lower leg. The victim reported that he was walking down the road and was shot by someone wearing a red ski mask in a sedan. Foley officers entered the area and located an empty gold/beige Toyota Camry in a ditch in front of a residence in Foley. Witnesses said that four black males exited the Camry and ran to the southeast. Witnesses reported that one of the males had a red ski mask and an AR style pistol. The vehicle was registered to Ladarious Roper’s grandfather and was known to be driven by Roper. During the initial response to the scene, an AR style pistol and a red ski mask were recovered in the bushes on the north side of the property. A cell phone was recovered from the Camry. Roper was interviewed and said the red ski mask would have his DNA on it. The phone recovered from the Camry was identified as belonging to Roper and was extracted and examined. There were also numerous videos of Roper holding a firearm that was identified as a CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S2 Micro, which is a 9mm firearm, about 16” in length, and can accept large capacity magazines. The videos found on Roper’s phone were compared to the weapon recovered near the shooting scene. There were specific characteristics about the weapon that enabled Foley police to match the weapon depicted in the videos on the phone to the firearm. At sentencing, Chief Judge Beaverstock imposed the 85-month sentence of incarceration and a 3-year term of supervised release upon his future release. Roper was ordered to pay $100 in special assessments. Chief Judge Beaverstock ordered that the firearm be forfeited. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. Foley Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Multiple Eastern North Carolina Healthcare Professionals Charged in Connection with 2025 National Healthcare Fraud Takedown

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar announced criminal charges against five individuals and one company, in connection with alleged schemes to defraud and abuse the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and other insurance carriers. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges stem from Medicaid kickbacks to patients in exchange for attending substance abuse services, and from false and fraudulent billings to Medicare for durable medical equipment. “Fraud against our healthcare system is not a victimless crime – it threatens patient care, burdens taxpayers, and undermines trust in critical programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “Today’s charges demonstrate our offices resolve to pursue those who attempt to profit by violating federal law and jeopardizing public resources. We will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to ensure accountability.” “Today’s record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown sends a crystal-clear message to criminal actors, both foreign and domestic, intent on preying upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers: we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.” All the cases are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in intended loss and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. The United States has seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles and other assets in connection with the takedown. The following individuals have been charged in the Eastern District of North Carolina: Kimberly Mable Sims (a lab company owner), Francine Sims Super (an office manager), and Keke Komeko Johnson (a compliance officer), were charged by information in connection with the payment of more than $1 million in illegal remunerations in the form of gift cards to patients of Life Touch, LLC (“Life Touch”), a North Carolina substance abuse treatment company, and in connection with false statements to Medicaid auditors regarding the same. The inducements resulted in more than $25 million in payments from Medicaid to Life Touch. As alleged, over four years, Life Touch, through its compliance officer and managers, routinely paid patients based upon the number of days per week that they received services. Life Touch staff also received kickbacks from a lab company that it utilized for drug testing services. The charging documents further allege that Medicaid auditors were deceived regarding these ongoing practices at Life Touch and the lab company. In addition, Super and Johnson were each charged with failure to file a tax return. Life Touch and Brandon Eugene Sims were previously charged in this case. More than $6 million in assets in the form of cash, real estate and other assets haven been seized. The cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tasha Gardner, and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Gilmore of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Randal Fenton Wood , 56, of Flagler Beach, Florida, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), and other insurance programs for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (“DME”). As alleged in the information, Wood and others partnered with purported marketing entities which solicited Medicare beneficiaries to accept durable medical equipment, such as braces and pneumatic compression devices, by illegally waiving copays and pressuring beneficiaries to accept the equipment without verifying that the equipment was medically necessary. The marketing entities sold the beneficiary information and the prefilled orders to Wood and other DME supply companies, who developed and implemented a “doctor chase” model to pressure physicians into signing or altering orders so that they could be billed in full. The DME supply companies owned by or affiliated with Wood received over $39 million in reimbursement from Medicare for DME ordered through this scheme. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. In addition to the foregoing cases, which were a part of the National Enforcement Action, Acting United States Attorney Bubar today also announces the convictions of the following healthcare and mental health practitioners in connection with an investigation into billing and documentation practices by Medicaid mental health providers Our Treatment Center and Partners Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which operated in Raleigh, North Carolina: Dawn Marie Meacham, 61, of Raleigh, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) pled guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Use Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. At sentencing, which remains pending, Meacham faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge. Kim Jones Kelly, 68, of Greenville, a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) pled guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Use Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. At sentencing, which remains pending, Kelly faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge. Pius Ondachi, 54, of Raleigh, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) pled guilty to Making and Using Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1035(a)(2). At sentencing, which remains pending, Ondachi faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge. Tequila Vinson Bogan, 48, of Smithfield, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) pled guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Use Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. At sentencing, which remains pending, Bogan faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge. Ifeoma Ezugwu, 56, of Raleigh, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) pled guilty to Making and Using Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1035(a)(2). At sentencing, which remains pending, Ezugwu faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge. Queensly Onuzulike, 49, of Raleigh, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) pled guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Use Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. At sentencing, which remains pending, Onuzulike faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge. Tamika Rochaelle Autry , 29, of Wilson, a Certified Peer Support Specialist and Qualified Practitioner, pled guilty to Making and Using Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1035(a)(2). At sentencing, which remains pending, Autry faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge. Special Assistant United States Attorney Tasha C. Gardner, of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Investigations Division, serves as prosecutor on each of these cases. “Individuals and entities that participate in federal healthcare programs are expected to obey the laws meant to preserve the integrity of program funds,” said Kelly J. Blackmon, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.” “Healthcare fraud isn’t a crime that only exists on paper. These schemes drain taxpayer-funded government programs designed to assist citizens who may not otherwise be able to afford healthcare. The FBI and our partners work tirelessly to stop people from defrauding the government, protect the integrity of the programs for those who truly need it, and bring offenders to justice,” said FBI Charlotte Acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. “We remain committed to uncovering misconduct in use of healthcare funds and holding offenders accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Gaskins, Charlotte Field Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. “Our special agents will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.” “These people were entrusted to help provide health care and necessary medical tests to patients, but instead they used patients’ information to commit Medicaid fraud,” said North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “I'm grateful for the work of our office’s Medicaid Investigations Division to hold these fraudsters accountable, as well as the partnerships with federal and state law enforcement and prosecutors that helped get this done. We'll make sure anyone who abuses taxpayer dollars is held accountable.” “This criminal charge underscores the VA Office of Inspector General’s commitment to vigorously investigate those who would seek to defraud VA healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Nate Landkammer with the VA Office of Inspector General’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation.” Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Jacob Foster, Assistant Deputy Chief Rebecca Yuan, Trial Attorney Miriam L. Glaser Dauermann, and Data Analyst Elizabeth Nolte, all of the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, led and coordinated this year’s Takedown. The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorneys General’s Offices for California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team used cutting-edge data analytics to identify and support the investigations that led to these charges. The Eastern District of North Carolina, in particular, worked with the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Investigations Division (MID), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRSCI), the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Forces. Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide Takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which operates in 27 districts, charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers more than $27 billion. A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Tulsa Doctor Charged in National Healthcare Fraud Takedown

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – Today, United States Attorney Clint Johnson announced criminal charges against a doctor in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Medicare and/or Medicaid. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. “The actions of Ladd Atkins not only hurt taxpayers within the Northern District but also put illegal drugs on our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “I want to thank our federal partners for their hard work and dedication to keeping the public safe.” “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.” The charges announced today by United States Attorney Clint Johnson are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss. In connection with the Takedown, the Government seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets. An additional 170 defendants were involved in various healthcare fraud schemes, allegedly involving over $1.84 billion in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies for diagnostic testing, medical visits, and treatments that were medically unnecessary, provided in connection with kickbacks and bribes, or never provided at all. In the Northern District of Oklahoma, Ladd Clayton Atkins , 50, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was charged by information with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Unlawfully as a Registrant and Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud. As alleged in the information, Atkins, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, knowingly conspired with others to unlawfully prescribe Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance. Atkins scheme further defrauded healthcare benefit programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. The Northern District of Oklahoma worked with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Office of the Inspector General for Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration to investigate this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel-lyn McCormick, Attila Bogdan, and Vani Singhal. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle, District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle, District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are prosecuting the cases in the National Health Care Fraud Takedown, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here. A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Largest ever nationwide healthcare fraud takedown includes two cases from Western Washington

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle –Today, Acting United States Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced criminal charges against a resident at Seattle Children’s Hospital, UW Medical Center, and Harborview, and a civil settlement with a medical practice as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The criminal charge stems from the criminal complaint filed against an anesthesiology resident who diverted narcotic pain medication for his own use. The civil settlement is with a company that billed federal medical programs for medications that were considered experimental and not approved for the diagnoses. “Our work in health care fraud is both to protect patients and protect important government programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “The medical resident stole narcotics and used them while at work in the UW hospital system, putting patients in jeopardy. Pinnacle Health PC, a Seattle based healthcare provider, billed more than $500,000 for treatments that were experimental and had not been approved, potentially harming patients and making false claims on federal funds.” “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.” The cases announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Miller are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets, and the Government, in connection with the Takedown, seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets. The following individual was charged in the Western District of Washington: Andrew Voegel-Podadera, 35, of Seattle, Washington, was charged by complaint with obtaining controlled substances by fraud in connection with a scheme to divert medications for his own use. As alleged in the complaint, Voegel-Podadera was an anesthesiology resident who secretly took fentanyl, hydromorphone, and other medications over the course of at least a year while working at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Harborview Medical Center, and University of Washington Medical Center. He sometimes used the diverted substances while still at the hospital, meaning he was under the influence of potent narcotics while treating patients. “Diverting medicine away from infant patients is despicable, doubly so if the person involved is a doctor,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “If Dr. Voegel-Podadera is convicted, it will show that he violated both his oath and the law, and I am proud that DEA could help stop him.” “FDA will continue to aggressively pursue those health care practitioners who prey on vulnerable patients by removing their needed medications, as was the criminal case against the anesthesiology resident at Seattle Children’s Hospital,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Los Angeles Field Office. “We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the public health and bring to justice those would compromise patients’ health and comfort in this manner.” The healthcare provider Pinnacle Health PC resolved civil claims that it submitted false claims to government programs: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington began an independent investigation of Pinnacle Health PC, a Seattle based healthcare provider that specializes in regenerative treatments, acupuncture, and lifestyle and nutrition coaching. The investigation was a consequence of a referral from HHS-OIG, in which concerns were raised that Pinnacle was billing for procedures for unapproved diagnoses. Based on our analysis of Medicare claims data and in coordination with HHS-OIG, we substantiated concerns that Pinnacle violated the False Claims Act, when it billed for an injectable form of an amniotic fluid product called FlowerAmnioFlo. CMS had approved a sheet form of FlowerAmnioFlo for very limited purposes, but Pinnacle used and billed for the injectable product that was considered experimental and not approved for any diagnosis. Our investigation uncovered similar claims were billed to Tricare as well. We resolved the matter for $1,115,976. “The scale of today’s Takedown is unprecedented, and so is the harm we’re confronting. Individuals who attempt to steal from the federal health care system and put vulnerable patients at risk will be held accountable,” said HHS-OIG Acting Inspector General Juliet T. Hodgkins. “Our agents at HHS-OIG work relentlessly to detect, investigate, and dismantle these fraud schemes. We are proud to stand with our law enforcement partners in protecting taxpayer dollars and safeguarding patient care.” The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle, District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle, District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are prosecuting the cases in the National Health Care Fraud Takedown, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available here: https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/2025-national-health-care-fraud-takedown The Western District of Washington, worked with the Department’s Criminal Division and the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the case filed during the enforcement period: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI). The civil false claims matter was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office False Claims Act Investigator Ryan Hardy and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). A criminal complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The criminal case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip Kopczynski and Amanda McDowell. The civil settlement was negotiated by Assistant United States Attorney Nickolas Bohl.


title: Pair Admit Attempted Armed Kidnapping and Robbery of Apartment Property Manager

component: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Two people have admitted to attempting to kidnap and rob a St. Louis apartment property manager at gunpoint in 2024, as well as other gun crimes. Emma M. Cunningham, 32, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court to attempted kidnapping, transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon and making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm. Jervonz L. Williams, 49, pleaded guilty on June 23 to attempted kidnapping, robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon. Both admitted that on Feb. 20, 2024, Cunningham bought a handgun for Williams, her boyfriend and a convicted felon who is thus barred from possessing firearms. Cunningham lied on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Form 4473 when she claimed she was buying the gun for herself and when she denied being an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Williams admitted using the gun to threaten others, including one of Cunningham’s neighbors. He also admitted using it to rob a drug dealer of $17, a gun and cocaine base in late June of 2024. Williams struck the dealer on the head with the revolver multiple times during the robbery. Williams and Cunningham used that gun again on Aug. 5, 2024, in a failed bid to kidnap an apartment property manager in St. Louis. The property manager was meeting Cunningham, her tenant, for a final walkthrough. When the victim entered the apartment, Cunningham locked the door and Williams threatened to kill her when she tried to call 911. Williams then demanded cash and the password to her phone so that they could access her financial accounts. They secured her to a chair with duct tape, but she broke free and was able to escape, even though Cunningham and Williams ripped off her shirt and tore out clumps of her hair trying to prevent her from leaving. Two days later, police arrested the couple. Williams had the .38-caliber revolver Cunningham purchased and she had a box of ammunition. Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24 and Cunningham on September 30. The kidnapping and robbery charges each carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. The felon in possession and transfer of a firearm charge each carry a penalty of up to 15 years. The false statement charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: CROSS CITY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Khiri Jackson, 31, of Cross City, Florida, pled guilty in federal court to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Methamphetamine addiction destroys lives and harms communities throughout North Florida, but this trafficker’s days of flooding our streets with this poison are over. My office is committed to fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting drug traffickers, and I deeply appreciate the outstanding work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep these offenders and these deadly drugs off our streets.” Court documents reflect that the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the drug-trafficking activities of Jackson since late 2024. On April 15, 2025, through coordinated law enforcement surveillance, Jackson was apprehended near Old Town, Florida as he returned from the Ocala, Florida area. Law enforcement found approximately a pound of drugs in a vacuum sealed bag on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Jackson faces at least 10-years in prison up to a maximum of life imprisonment. The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner and James A. McCain. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: National Health Care Fraud Takedown results in 324 defendants charged in connection with over $14.6 billion in alleged fraud

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, NY — Today, United States Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced criminal charges were brought against Dr. Joel Durinka, and a civil action was filed against Dr. Enaame Farrell in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare. Both matters involved prescribing durable medical equipment (DME) that were not medically necessary. Their conduct resulted in Medicare paying millions of dollars for DME that were not medically necessary. The two matters are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.” Fraud, waste and abuse targeting Medicare impacts all taxpayers who fund the program,” stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “This office will not hesitate to pursue those who defraud government programs funded by taxpayer dollars.” Joel Durinka, 40, of Orchard Park, NY, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and false statements relating to health care matters in connection with a telehealth/durable medical equipment (“DME”) scheme. As alleged in the indictment, Durinka, a medical doctor, billed Medicare for audio-only telehealth visits that were either brief or did not occur at all. Durinka billed Medicare approximately $5.6 million for these fraudulent telehealth visits. It was also part of the scheme that, for the same beneficiaries, Durinka produced and maintained false and fictitious medical records and fraudulently certified orders for braces without regard to the braces’ medical necessity. Durinka billed Medicare approximately $29.6 million for these fraudulent DME orders. The government has seized $325,683.07 in money from Durinka. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Glaberson and David M. Coriell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York. Enaame Farrell, 50, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, was subject to a civil complaint alleging violations of the False Claims Act, as well as other common law causes of action, in connection with scheme to defraud Medicare by causing the submission of false and fraudulent claims for which Medicare paid approximately $3.4 million. As alleged in the complaint, Farrell, a licensed medical doctor, ordered items and services, including durable medical equipment, for Medicare beneficiaries without speaking with or examining the beneficiaries, signing pre-populated order forms within seconds of accessing the beneficiaries’ medical records. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York. The Justice Department today announced the results of its 2025 takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss. The Takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represents an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit patients and taxpayers. Demonstrating the significant return on investment that results from health care fraud enforcement efforts, the government seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as part of the coordinated enforcement efforts. As part of the whole-of-government approach to combating health care fraud announced today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced that it successfully prevented over $4 billion from being paid in response to false and fraudulent claims and that it suspended or revoked the billing privileges of 205 providers in the months leading up to the Takedown. Civil charges against 20 defendants for $14.2 million in alleged fraud, as well as civil settlements with 106 defendants totaling $34.3 million, were also announced as part of the Takedown. Today’s Takedown was led and coordinated by the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and its core partners from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The cases were investigated by agents from HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies. The cases are being prosecuted by Health Care Fraud Strike Force teams from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, 50 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, and 12 State Attorneys General Offices. “As part of making healthcare accessible and affordable to all Americans, HHS will aggressively work with our law enforcement partners to eliminate the pervasive health care fraud that bedeviled this agency under the former administration and drove up costs,” said Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the Department of Health and Human Services. “The Criminal Division is intensely committed to rooting out health care fraud schemes and prosecuting the criminals who perpetrate them because these schemes: (1) often result in physical patient harm through medically unnecessary treatments or failure to provide the correct treatments; (2) contribute to our nationwide opioid epidemic and exacerbate controlled substance addiction; and (3) do all of that while stealing money hardworking Americans contribute to pay for the care of their elders and other vulnerable citizens,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices stand united with our law enforcement partners in this fight, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect the integrity of our health care programs for the American people.” “Health care fraud drains critical resources from programs intended to help people who truly need medical care,” said Director Kash Patel of the FBI. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those who exploit the system for personal gain. With more than $13 billion in fraud uncovered, this is the largest takedown for this initiative to date. Together, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold those accountable who steal from the American people and undermine our health care systems.” Transnational Criminal Organizations 29 defendants were charged for their roles in transnational criminal organizations alleged to have submitted over $12 billion in fraudulent claims to America’s health insurance programs. For instance, a nationwide investigation known as Operation Gold Rush resulted in the largest loss amount ever charged in a health care fraud case brought by the Department. These charges were announced in the Eastern District of New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Central District of California, the Middle District of Florida, and the District of New Jersey against 19 defendants. Twelve of these defendants have been arrested, including four defendants who were apprehended in Estonia as a result of international cooperation with Estonian law enforcement and seven defendants who were arrested at U.S. airports and the U.S. border with Mexico, cutting off their intended escape routes as they attempted to avoid capture. The organization allegedly used a network of foreign straw owners, including individuals sent into the United States from abroad, who, acting at the direction of others using encrypted messaging and assumed identities from overseas, strategically bought dozens of medical supply companies located across the United States. They then rapidly submitted $10.6 billion in fraudulent health care claims to Medicare for urinary catheters and other durable medical equipment by exploiting the stolen identities of over one million Americans spanning all 50 states and using their confidential medical information to submit the fraudulent claims. As alleged, the organization exploited the U.S. financial system by laundering the fraudulent proceeds and deploying a range of tactics to circumvent anti-money laundering controls to transfer funds into cryptocurrency and shell companies located abroad. The arrests announced today also include a banker who facilitated the money laundering of fraud proceeds on behalf of the organization through a U.S.-based bank. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team and its partners detected the anomalous billing through proactive data analytics, and HHS-OIG and CMS successfully prevented the organization from receiving all but approximately $41 million of the approximately $4.45 billion that was scheduled to be paid by Medicare. HHS and CMS intend to seek to return the $4.41 billion in escrow to the Medicare trust fund for needed medical care. The scheme nonetheless resulted in payments of approximately $900 million from Medicare supplemental insurers. To date, law enforcement has seized approximately $27.7 million in fraud proceeds as part of Operation Gold Rush. In another action involving foreign influence, charges were filed in the Northern District of Illinois against five defendants, including two owners and executives of Pakistani marketing organizations, in connection with a $703 million scheme in which Medicare beneficiaries’ identification numbers and other confidential health information were allegedly obtained through theft and deceptive marketing. The defendants allegedly used artificial intelligence to create fake recordings of Medicare beneficiaries purportedly consenting to receive certain products. According to court documents, the beneficiaries’ confidential information was then illegally sold to laboratories and durable medical equipment companies, which used this unlawfully obtained and fraudulently generated data to submit false claims to Medicare. Certain defendants controlled dozens of nominee-owned durable medical equipment companies and laboratories that allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for products and services the beneficiaries did not request, need, or receive. Certain defendants also allegedly conspired to conceal and launder the fraud proceeds from bank accounts they controlled in the United States to bank accounts overseas. In total, the defendants caused approximately $703 million in alleged fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, which paid approximately $418 million on those claims. The government seized approximately $44.7 million from various bank accounts related to this case. Finally, a defendant based in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates who owned a billing company allegedly orchestrated a scheme to prey upon vulnerable individuals in need of addiction treatment by conspiring with treatment center owners to fraudulently bill Arizona Medicaid approximately $650 million for substance abuse treatment services. According to court documents, some of the services billed were never provided, while other services were provided at a level that was so substandard that it failed to serve any treatment purpose. As part of the conspiracy, treatment center owners allegedly paid illegal kickbacks in exchange for the referral of patients recruited from the homeless population and Native American reservations. The defendant received at least $25 million of ill-gotten Arizona Medicaid funds as a result of the conspiracy and is charged with a money laundering offense for his alleged use of those funds to purchase a $2.9 million home located on a golf estate in Dubai. Fraudulent Wound Care Charges were filed in the District of Arizona and the District of Nevada against seven defendants, including five medical professionals, in connection with approximately $1.1 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health care benefit programs for amniotic wound allografts. As alleged, certain defendants targeted vulnerable elderly patients, many of whom were receiving hospice care, and applied medically unnecessary amniotic allografts to these patients’ wounds. Many of the allografts allegedly were applied without coordination with the patients’ treating physicians, without proper treatment for infection, to superficial wounds that did not need this treatment, and to areas that far exceeded the size of the wound. Certain defendants allegedly received millions in illegal kickbacks from the fraudulent billing scheme. “Today's unprecedented enforcement action demonstrates that CMS and our federal partners are united in our mission to protect the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid by crushing waste, fraud, and abuse," said Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz of CMS. "Every dollar we prevent from going to fraudsters is a dollar that stays in the system to serve legitimate beneficiaries. Through advanced data analytics, real-time monitoring, and swift administrative action, CMS is leading the fight to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and the trust Americans place in these vital programs. We're not waiting for fraud to happen—we're stopping it before it starts." Prescription Opioid Trafficking 74 defendants, including 44 licensed medical professionals, were charged across 58 cases in connection with the alleged illegal diversion of over 15 million pills of prescription opioids and other controlled substances. For example, five defendants associated with one Texas pharmacy were charged with the unlawful distribution of over 3 million opioid pills. As alleged, the defendants conspired to distribute massive quantities of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and carisoprodol, which were subsequently trafficked by street-level drug dealers, generating large profits for the defendants. This coordinated action is a continuation of the Health Care Fraud Unit’s systematic approach to stopping drug trafficking organizations and their pharmaceutical wholesale suppliers, which together have fueled an epidemic of prescription opioid abuse for nearly a decade. DEA also announced today that in the last six months, DEA charged 93 administrative cases seeking the revocation of pharmacies, medical practitioners, and companies’ authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances. “Health care fraud isn’t just theft — it’s trafficking in trust. Today’s announcement shows that when doctors become drug dealers and treatment centers become profit-driven fraud rings, DEA will act,” said Acting Administrator Robert Murphy of the DEA. “We’re targeting the entire ecosystem of fraud — from pill mills in Texas to kickback clinics exploiting Native communities. If you abuse your medical license to push poison or pad your pockets, we will hold you accountable.” Telemedicine and Genetic Testing Fraud In today’s Takedown, 49 defendants were charged in connection with the submission of over $1.17 billion in allegedly fraudulent claims to Medicare resulting from telemedicine and genetic testing fraud schemes. For example, in the Southern District of Florida, prosecutors charged an owner of telemedicine and durable medical equipment companies with a $46 million scheme in which Medicare beneficiaries were allegedly targeted through deceptive telemarketing campaigns and then fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare for durable medical equipment and genetic tests for these beneficiaries. The Department continues to focus on eliminating health care fraud schemes that depend on telemedicine, including schemes involving fraudulent claims for genetic testing, durable medical equipment, and COVID-19 tests. Other Health Care Fraud Schemes The other cases announced today charge an additional 170 defendants with various other health care fraud schemes involving over $1.84 billion in allegedly false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies for diagnostic testing, medical visits, and treatments that were medically unnecessary, provided in connection with kickbacks and bribes, or never provided at all. For example, in the Western District of Tennessee, prosecutors charged three defendants, including business owners and a pharmacist, with a $28.7 million scheme to defraud the Federal Employees’ Compensation Fund by allegedly billing for medications for injured United States Postal Service employees that were never prescribed by a licensed practitioner and largely were not dispensed as claimed. And in the Western District of Washington and the Northern District of California, prosecutors charged medical providers with allegedly stealing fentanyl and hydrocodone, respectively, that was meant for the providers’ patients, including child patients in need of anesthesia. “VA’s Integrated Veteran Care Programs provide critical community-based health care to our nation’s disabled veterans and their dependents,” said Acting Inspector General David Case of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG). “Robust oversight of VA’s health care system is one of VA-OIG’s highest priorities. VA-OIG is committed to holding accountable those who defraud government benefits programs intended to care for our nation’s heroes.” Breaking Down Silos in the Fight Against Health Care Fraud In connection with the coordinated nationwide law enforcement operation, the Department is announcing that it is working closely with HHS-OIG, FBI, and other agencies to create a Health Care Fraud Data Fusion Center to bring together experts from the Department’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit Data Analytics Team; HHS-OIG; FBI; and other agencies to leverage cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to identify emerging health care fraud schemes. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team was established in 2018 to enhance the Unit’s ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute complex health care fraud schemes. Joining forces with data analysts from HHS-OIG, FBI, and other partners will increase efficiency, detection, and rapid prosecution of emerging health care fraud schemes. It will also implement the President’s Executive Order Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos (Exec. Order No. 14243, 3 C.F.R. 294 (2025)) by reducing duplicative data teams, increasing operational efficiency through a whole-of-government approach, and leveraging cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other agency resources. Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Jacob Foster, Assistant Deputy Chief Rebecca Yuan, Trial Attorney Miriam L. Glaser Dauermann, and Data Analyst Elizabeth Nolte, all of the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, led and coordinated this year’s Takedown. The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorneys General’s Offices for California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team used cutting-edge data analytics to identify and support the investigations that led to these charges. In addition to FBI, HHS-OIG, DEA, and CMS, HSI, VA-OIG, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Labor, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies participated in the operation. The Medicaid Fraud Control Units of California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin also participated in the investigation of many of the federal and state cases announced today. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Forces. Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide Takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which operates in 27 districts, charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers more than $27 billion. An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ***** The following materials related to today’s announcement are available on the Health Care Fraud Unit’s website through these links: • Graphics and Resources • Case Descriptions • Court Documents # # # # 25-XXX


title: District of South Dakota Seizes 230 Illegally Possessed Firearms in 2024

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that over the course of 2024, federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies seized 230 firearms that were possessed in violation of federal law. In the same year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota charged approximately 112 defendants with illegally owning, possessing, using, or obtaining one or more such firearms. “By seizing firearms from individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms, law enforcement agencies prevented countless violent and drug-related crimes from occurring in communities across South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is grateful for the strong law enforcement partnerships in South Dakota, which allow us to combine federal, state, and tribal resources to target some of the most dangerous individuals in our state and remove illegal firearms from our streets.” Efforts to seize illegal firearms are the result of close cooperation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), South Dakota State Highway Patrol, and numerous sheriff’s offices and police departments across the state, including Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Examples of the types of firearms-related cases resolved by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2024 include the following: United States v. Bryan Louis Archambeau —In the evening of November 2, 2023, Archambeau went to the 49’er Marathon C-Store in Sioux Falls wearing a medical mask. He entered the store and took two cases of Twisted Tea and exited the store without paying for the items. When confronted about the theft, Archambeau lifted his shirt, brandished a pistol, and then left the scene. Then, in the evening of November 3, 2023, Archambeau went to the Freedom Valu Center in Sioux Falls. He placed two-12 packs of Twisted Tea on the counter and pulled out a pistol from his waistband. He pointed it at the clerk, racked the slide of the pistol, and demanded money. Archambeau then left the scene. Archambeau was later convicted of Interference with Commerce by Means of Robbery and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. He was sentenced to nearly 11 years in federal prison. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Sioux Falls Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb. United States v. Charles Colhoff —On November 4, 2023, Colhoff was involved in a shooting in Rapid City where he and another individual exchanged gunfire following an argument. Colhoff was uninjured but the other individual sustained two gunshot wounds and required surgery. Officers processing the scene located three 9mm cartridge casings related to the shooting. Colhoff was located by law enforcement on November 11, 2023, and found to be in possession of a Browning 9mm semi-automatic pistol believed to be the same pistol Colhoff used in the shooting. Ballistics testing was conducted, which confirmed the three 9mm casings recovered at the shooting scene were fired from the pistol recovered from Colhoff. Colhoff knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms based on a prior federal felony offense, which also involved a firearm. Colhoff was sentenced to nine years in federal prison. The case was investigated by the ATF, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson prosecuted the case. United States v. Jerel Running Bear —On the evening of November 8, 2023, Running Bear and two other individuals, including a 21-year-old female victim, went to Wounded Knee to obtain fentanyl pills from a drug source. When the source did not show up, Running Bear, who was under the influence of controlled substances, grabbed a rifle from the trunk of the vehicle and shot the female who was seated in the backseat. The other female took off running and alerted law enforcement. Running Bear then picked up Fast Horse, his girlfriend at the time. Running Bear removed the victim from the vehicle and left her on the side of the road, while Fast Horse watched. The next day, the two fled to Nebraska after being spotted by law enforcement. Fast Horse threw out items from the vehicle, including controlled substances. The two were eventually apprehended. After Running Bear was placed into custody, Fast Horse did not tell law enforcement about watching Running Bear dispose of the victim’s body on the side of the road. Running Bear was convicted of Second Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. He was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. United States v. Justin James Schneider —On June 20, 2023, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office received credible information that Schneider had discharged a revolver earlier that day and was armed and dangerous. The Corson County Sheriff requested and received assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services to detain and arrest Schneider. A BIA officer found Schneider in Bullhead, South Dakota, in the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. When the officer attempted to arrest him, Schneider fled in his pickup to a nearby pasture and engaged in an armed stand-off with Corson County deputies and BIA police officers. Schneider eventually got back into his pickup and fled to the Bullhead Community Center, striking a police squad car en route . Schneider then exited his pickup, brandishing a revolver, gesturing wildly towards nearby civilians and disregarding repeated police commands to drop his gun. As Schneider moved quickly towards unarmed children, a police officer shot him to protect the public. Schneider was taken into custody without further incident. Schneider was convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Simple Assault on a Federal Officer. He was sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the FBI, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case. United States v. Antoine Ray Thomas, et al. —Thomas was part of a large methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution organization operating in South Dakota, which was obtaining drugs from Mexico. The conspiracy involved fifty pounds of methamphetamine, hundreds of pills containing fentanyl, and several firearms and ammunition. Thomas was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute over 500 grams of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Ebert-Webb and Mark Hodges prosecuted the case. The District of South Dakota’s prosecution of illegal firearms is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison

body_text: ATLANTA - Khyri Deandre Brown, 28, of Dallas, Ga., has been sentenced for robbing a bank, attempting to rob three additional banks, and brandishing a firearm during a November 2023 crime spree. “Brown repeatedly threatened the lives of bank employees and customers by robbing or attempting to rob banks at gunpoint,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “This case exemplifies how law enforcement partnerships facilitate the successful prosecutions of dangerous offenders like Brown, whose crimes spanned multiple jurisdictions. Seamless coordination by our federal and local law enforcement partners brought Brown to justice and ended his reign of terror.” “This case highlights the FBI’s commitment to working closely with our local partners to identify and arrest violent offenders who threaten public safety,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Brown’s armed crime spree endangered innocent lives across multiple communities. Thanks to the swift collaboration between law enforcement agencies, he was brought to justice before he could inflict real harm.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court, Brown committed the following armed robberies and attempted armed robberies. On November 17, 2023, Brown approached a teller window at a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Hampton, Georgia with a Pringles potato chip can in hand and demanded money. Brown then reached into his waistband as if he were retrieving a weapon. Before the employee complied with Brown’s request, Brown fled the bank without receiving any money. On November 18, 2023, Brown entered a Truist Bank branch in Atlanta with a Pringles can in one hand and retrieved a gun from his waistband. Brown walked up to a teller, pointed the gun at her, and demanded money. After the teller struggled to open her drawer for a few seconds, Brown fled the bank without receiving any money. On November 22, 2023, Brown entered a Truist Bank branch in Marietta, Georgia, approached the teller counter, stated that he was robbing the bank, and demanded money. After a few moments, Brown quickly exited the bank without receiving anything. On November 27, 2023, Brown entered a Fifth Third Bank branch carrying a green Pringles chip can. Brown walked up to a bank employee, lifted his shirt to display a gun tucked in his waistband, and demanded money. Brown then walked around the counter, grabbed money from the employee’s drawer, and placed the cash inside the Pringles can. He then fled the bank. On November 29, 2023, officers from the Dallas Police Department arrested Brown after pulling over his vehicle in Paulding County, Georgia. Brown was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During the arrest, officers found, among other items, a large amount of cash in Brown’s pocket, a green Pringles chip can on the front passenger floorboard, and a gun on the rear floorboard. On June 30, 2025, U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Geraghty sentenced Brown to ten years, five months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Brown was convicted on March 20, 2025, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted bank robbery, one count of armed bank robbery, one count of attempted armed bank robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance from the Atlanta Police Department, Cobb County Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Lovejoy Police Department, and Marietta Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wylly, and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney McClellon D. Cox, III, prosecuted the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov 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 .


title: Armed Mexican national federally indicted in the Eastern District of Texas

body_text: TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Rains County, has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Rigoberto Herrera-Rodriguez, 59, was named in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury last week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on June 4, 2025, Herrera-Rodriguez was found illegally in the United States and in possession of a firearm. Herrera-Rodriguez had been previously deported to Mexico from the United States in December 2024. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). If convicted, Herrera-Rodriguez faces up to 15 years in federal prison and deportation. This case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak. A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###