title: McKees Rocks Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Firearm

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 27 months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Jamar Everett, 21. According to information presented to the Court, in April 2025, FBI executed a search warrant at Everett’s residence and recovered a chambered Glock pistol equipped with a loaded 30-round magazine. Everett has previously been convicted of several felonies, including two separate convictions for carrying firearms without a license, on each of which Everett was sentenced in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas to two years of probation. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and Kelly M. Locher prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stowe Township Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Everett. 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: Four Charged in Multi-State SNAP and PUA Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – Three individuals have been arrested, and another individual has been charged, with an alleged fraud scheme that used the stolen identities of more than 100 individuals to obtain $440,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The defendants are also alleged to have fraudulently obtained over $700,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio Washington and Nevada. The following defendants have been charged by criminal complaint with Conspiracy to Use, Transfer, Acquire and Possess SNAP benefits and will appear in federal court in Worcester at 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. this afternoon: Joel Vicioso Fernandez, 42, of Fitchburg, Mass.; Roman Vequiz Fernandez, 32, a Venezuelan national living in Leominster, Mass.; and Coralba Albarracin Siniva, 24, a Venezuelan national living in Leominster, Mass. Raul Fernandez Vicioso, 37, of Fitchburg, Mass., has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit SNAP Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, SNAP benefit Fraud, Aiding and Abetting and Money Laundering. He will appear in federal court in Worcester at a later date. According to the charging documents, the defendants and their co-conspirators purchased and used the stolen personal information of over 100 real people from multiple states to fraudulently obtain SNAP benefits. The stolen identities were used to create 24 “households” in SNAP applications. All of these applications, submitted in the names of over 100 people, were listed as living in two single-family apartments in Providence, R.I. A number of the stolen identities from Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico were used to fraudulently obtain SNAP benefits in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is further alleged that Raul Fernandez Vicioso and Joel Vicioso Fernandez used their own personal information to create fraudulent SNAP benefit accounts that were found commingled among the victim identities in the applications. In support of the fraudulently submitted SNAP applications, the defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly provided images of counterfeit passports and passport cards, with metadata that indicated the images were taken inside or within the immediate vicinity of El Primo Restaurant – a restaurant operated by Raul Fernandez Vicioso in Leominster, Mass. The defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly used the fraudulent SNAP benefits cards to purchase large quantities of expensive bulk food items (such as multiple-pound packages of chicken, beef and pork) at various local wholesalers and food markets to stock El Primo Restaurant at no expense. With their supplies obtained for free through fraudulent SNAP benefits, they prepared and then sold menu items at El Primo Restaurant at a complete profit, later wiring the fraud proceeds, among other places, to individuals living in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. According to the charging documents, between April 2020 and December 2021, the defendants and their co-conspirators further enriched themselves by over $700,000 by submitting fraudulent applications and supporting documents for PUA in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nevada. The fraudulent PUA benefits were issued in the names of Raul Fernandez Vicioso, Joel Vicioso Fernandez and in the names of suspected identity theft victims, including identities common to the related the SNAP benefit fraud. At least 29 different identities were allegedly used in PUA applications in six different states – all of which listed the address for El Primo Restaurant as the residential address. Bank records obtained during the investigation detail approximately $276,021 in fraudulent PUA benefits deposited into bank accounts held in the names of the El Primo Restaurant, Raul Fernandez Vicioso, Joel Vicioso Fernandez and other co-conspirators. Other fraudulent PUA benefits were allegedly issued to prepaid cards in the identities of the various individuals which were applied for using known addresses and telephone numbers of the subjects. During searches of Raul Fernandez Vicioso’s residence and the El Primo Restaurant fraudulently obtained Massachusetts and Rhode Island EBT cards, fraudulent documents bearing a Providence address involved in the alleged scheme, printed ledgers and handwritten lists of more than 100 identities and SNAP-related mailings were recovered. Fraud, waste or abuse can be reported to the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency: https://www.oversight.gov/where-report-fraud-waste-abuse-or-retaliation The charge of Conspiracy to Commit SNAP Fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 The charge of illegal acquisition or use of SNAP benefits provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service; Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit - Fraud Detection & Prevention Unit; Massachusetts State Police; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; and the Fitchburg and Leominster Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Former Owner of Philadelphia Restaurant Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

component: Criminal Division

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Cihan Calkap, 42, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Kai N. Scott on one count of tax evasion. As detailed in court filings and statements, Calkap owned and operated Mimmo’s Pizza and Kitchen, a Philadelphia restaurant. Between 2015 and 2019, Mimmo’s earned significant total income and employed approximately 25 employees. Rather than depositing all of the receipts into business bank accounts, Calkap took cash from the business. He used this cash to pay himself and to operate an “off the books” payroll for most of his employees. Calkap avoided paying taxes on this money by providing his accountant with incomplete information about the restaurant’s income and expenses. In particular, Calkap gave his return preparer access only to the business’s bank records, knowing that those records did not include all of the cash income. This caused the accountant to prepare false corporate and personal income tax returns on behalf of Mimmo’s and Calkap that were filed with the IRS. From 2015 to 2018, Calkap underreported Mimmo’s total receipts. Calkap also falsely told his return preparer that Mimmo’s only had four employees, including himself, when in reality it had approximately 25 employees. As a result, Calkap was able to minimize the employment taxes he collected and paid over to the IRS on behalf of Mimmo’s. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14 and faces a maximum possible term of five years in prison. The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Chief Thomas F. Koelbl and Trial Attorney Likhitha Butchireddygari of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Tax Section, with assistance from Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Murray of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.


title: Frederick Man Sentenced for Federal Firearms Trafficking and Machinegun Possession Charges

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced a Frederick, Maryland, man to federal prison in connection with firearms charges. Jonathan Drew Bartgis, 26, received a sentence of 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearms trafficking and unlawful possession of a machinegun. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Interim Chief Kevin Meyer, Frederick Police Department (FPD). According to the guilty plea, USPIS and ATF began investigating a channel on the social media application Telegram that advertised the sale of firearms and machinegun conversion devices, also known as “Glock switches.” These devices are designed to convert semi-automatic Glock-style pistols into fully automatic firearms. Through investigative efforts, postal inspectors identified a parcel inbound to Frederick, Maryland, that investigators believed contained a firearm sold on this channel. After obtaining a warrant to search the parcel, postal inspectors recovered a Glock 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, and 30 rounds of ammunition. The parcel was addressed to Bartgis’s residence. After executing the search warrant, law enforcement recovered an additional Glock 29, 10mm semi-automatic firearm, and three machinegun conversion devices, or “Glock switches.” Inside Bartgis’s bedroom, law enforcement also recovered more than 400 rounds of ammunition; multiple cases for Glock handguns; several unloaded and loaded firearm magazines; assorted firearm parts, accessories, and manufacturing tools, including empty boxes for privately made firearms, referred to as “ghost guns.” Additionally, postal inspectors recovered $21,660 in United States currency and Bartgis’s cellular telephone. On the phone, postal inspectors located conversations between Bartgis and others regarding the illegal purchase of the recovered firearms and other discussions about trafficking additional firearms and Glock switches. Bartgis has a prior felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. 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. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS, ATF, and FPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Rigney who is prosecuting the case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Mexican national who fired shots into local restaurant parking lot sentenced to 27 months in prison for firearms, drug crimes

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Mexican national who opened fire in a local taco restaurant parking lot was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 27 months in prison. Abel Velasquez-Avecedo, 30, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to illegally possessing a firearm as an illegal alien and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. According to court documents, on April 11, 2025, Velasquez-Avecedo and another individual had an argument at Taco Nice restaurant in Columbus. The defendant fired multiple shots from a vehicle while driving near the restaurant. Local law enforcement authorities found Velasquez-Avecedo to be in possession of a pistol as well as 44 small baggies of cocaine and five small baggies of methamphetamine. The defendant has a prior conviction for assault and two prior convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The assault conviction was originally charged as aggravated burglary, kidnapping, rape and assault. At the time of this offense, Velasquez-Avecedo had absconded from probation supervision for the violent offense. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Geraghty is representing the United States in this case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. # # #


title: Delaware County man found guilty on all counts related to bulk narcotics hauled in vehicle to Polaris Fashion Place

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted Terrance Colvin, 39, of Columbus, Ohio, with six counts of drug and gun crimes related to 28 kilograms of drugs found stashed in hidden compartments of a vehicle being hauled from California to Polaris Fashion Place. The verdict was announced today following a trial that began on Jan. 28 before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Colvin faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison. According to court documents and trial testimony, in May 2024, local HSI agents were notified by HSI Albuquerque that the New Mexico State Police stopped a commercial car hauler. One of the vehicles was to be delivered to Polaris Fashion Place in Delaware County. That vehicle had two hidden compartments and inside, investigators discovered 21 kilograms of methamphetamine and seven kilograms of cocaine. Federal and local law enforcement officials arranged for the controlled delivery of the vehicle to the Polaris mall parking lot. Colvin took an Uber to Polaris Fashion Place to retrieve the vehicle upon delivery and drove the vehicle to his apartment in the 801 Polaris Apartments. Colvin parked the vehicle in a private parking garage next to a 2015 Cadillac Escalade and accessed the hidden compartments to transfer the narcotics, which law enforcement had primarily replaced with sham narcotics, into a duffel bag before being apprehended by law enforcement. In a subsequent search of Colvin’s apartment, agents discovered and seized additional bulk amounts of narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. They also seized three loaded firearms. As a previously convicted felon, Colvin is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. His criminal history includes arrests and convictions for various narcotics and weapons-related charges, kidnapping, receiving stolen property, driving under the influence, obstructing justice and disorderly conduct. Colvin was originally indicted in June 2024. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and officials with the Delaware County Drug Task Force announced today’s verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Mechanicsburg Man Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rick Goodling, age 69, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, plead guilty before United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, to tax evasion. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Goodling admitted to underreporting his taxable income in Tax Years 2019-2022. Goodling began working as a compliance officer with Pace-O-Matic, a Georgia-based “skill machine” company, as a compliance officer in 2018. As part of his guilty plea, Goodling admitted that while working as a supervisory compliance officer, he received cash payments from skill machine operators throughout Pennsylvania in return for allowing those operators to improperly continue to use Pace-O-Matic products against the company’s rules and regulations. Goodling and others then formed consulting businesses to falsely claim these cash payments were business travel expenses, thereby underreporting his taxable income in the years 2019-2022. Overall, Goodling’s actions led to a tax loss of over $100,000 to the United States. “Conspiring to defraud the government with an elaborate scheme to underreport taxable income is unlawful,” stated Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office. “Today's plea serves as yet another reminder of the consequences which come to those who commit acts of fraud against the United States," said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. "Our mission remains clear: together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will relentlessly pursue fraud at every level - aggressively investigating, dismantling criminal schemes, and pursuing those responsible." The case was investigated by the Income Revenue Service (IRS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. ###


title: Former Bureau of Prisons Corrections Officer Pleaded Guilty to Accepting Bribes and Money Laundering in Prison Contraband Conspiracy

component: USAO - Georgia, Southern

body_text: Former BOP Officer Admitted to Receiving Over $80,000 in Bribes BRUNSWICK, GA: Former BOP Officer pleaded guilty in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia to bribery and money laundering charges related to a prison contraband trafficking conspiracy operating in Federal Correctional Institution – Jesup in the spring and summer of 2022. Ashley Brown , 36, of Hinesville, GA, a former Bureau of Prisons Corrections Officer, pleaded guilty in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia to 24 counts of Public Official Accepting a Bribe and 16 counts of Laundering of Monetary Instruments for her role in a prison contraband trafficking conspiracy that operated within Federal Correctional Institution – Jesup (FCI Jesup) in the spring and summer of 2022. Brown was the final defendant to plead guilty in the case of United States of America v. Ashley Brown et. al. , which originally charged Brown and 7 current or former inmates of FCI Jesup with drug trafficking, money laundering, and attempted possession of contraband charges. All charged individuals have now been adjudicated guilty for their respective roles in the offense. “In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to protecting the integrity of our nation’s prison system from those who would exploit them for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Heap for the Southern District of Georgia. As described in court documents and testimony, Brown accepted bribes sent to her by individuals closely associated with FCI Jesup inmates through the financial transaction service Cash App utilizing three accounts bearing the fictious names “Bonnie Bonnie,” “Clyde Clyde,” and “Honey Honey.” In total, Brown received over $80,000 in bribes in exchange for allowing contraband such as methamphetamine, K2, cell phones, postage stamps, and cigarettes into FCI Jesup against her duties as a correctional officer. Brown then transferred the ill-gotten funds to her personal Cash App account to obscure the source and ownership of the funds. Investigators with the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General identified numerous inmates providing money to Brown through Cash App records. Following the investigation, the Department of Justice brought charges against the following individuals, all of whom pleaded guilty to the listed charges, and were sentenced to the listed sentence (if sentence has been imposed). Ashley Brown – 24 Counts of Public Official Accepting a Bribe, 16 Counts of Laundering Monetary Instruments – Awaiting Sentencing Navarus “Tez” Bryant - 24 Counts of Bribing a Public Official, 24 Counts of Laundering Monetary Instruments – Awaiting Sentencing Adrian “Abe” Sims - 1 Count of Possession of Contraband by a Prisoner – Awaiting Sentencing Eric Reyes – Attempting to Possess Contraband in Prison – 3 years’ probation Larry Andrews – Attempting to Posses Contraband in Prison – 5 years’ probation Demarcus Bell – Attempting to Possess Contraband in Prison – 1 month imprisonment consecutive to current sentence Quinton Davis – Attempting to Possess Contraband in Prison – 1 month imprisonment consecutive to current sentence Joshua Whigan – Attempting to Possess Contraband in Prison – 1 month imprisonment consecutive to current sentence “Brown violated her sworn duty as a Correctional Officer by allowing drugs and other contraband into FCI Jesup, putting inmates and her fellow correctional officers at risk,” stated Eric Fehlman, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Southeast Region. “The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to bringing to justice any Correctional Officer that violates their oath and smuggles contraband into federal prisons.” The case was investigated by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Ryan E. Bondura. For any questions, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.


title: “Incognito Market” Owner Sentenced To 30 Years For Operating One Of The World’s Largest Online Narcotics Marketplaces

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that RUI-SIANG LIN was sentenced to 30 years in prison for conspiring to distribute narcotics, money laundering, and conspiring to sell adulterated and misbranded medication, in connection with LIN’s ownership and operation of the Incognito Market, an online narcotics marketplace that sold more than one ton of narcotics before its closure in March 2024. On December 16, 2024, LIN pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon, who imposed today’s sentence. “Rui-Siang Lin was one of the world’s most prolific drug traffickers, using the internet to sell more than $105 million of illegal drugs throughout this country and across the globe,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “While Lin made millions, his offenses had devastating consequences. He is responsible for at least one tragic death, and he exacerbated the opioid crisis and caused misery for more than 470,000 narcotics users and their families. Today’s sentence puts traffickers on notice: you cannot hide in the shadows of the Internet. And our larger message is simple: the internet, ‘decentralization,’ ‘blockchain’—any technology—is not a license to operate a narcotics distribution business.” According to court documents and the evidence presented in connection with today’s sentencing: Incognito Market was an online narcotics bazaar that existed on the dark web. Incognito Market formed in October 2020. Since that time, and through its closing in March 2024, Incognito Market sold more than $105 million of narcotics—including more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, over 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamines, hundreds of kilograms of other narcotics, and more than 4 kilograms of purported “oxycodone,” some of which were laced with fentanyl. Incognito Market was available globally to anyone with internet access and could be accessed using the Tor web browser on the “dark web” or “darknet.” LIN operated the Incognito market under the online pseudonym “Pharaoh.” As “Pharaoh”—the leader of Incognito market—LIN supervised all of its operations, including its employees, vendors, and customers, and had ultimate decision-making authority over every aspect of the multimillion-dollar operation. Incognito Market was designed to foster seamless narcotics transactions across the internet and the world, and incorporated many features of legitimate e-commerce sites such as branding, advertising, and customer service. Upon visiting the site, users were met by a splash page and graphic interface, which is pictured below: After logging in with a unique username and password, users were able to search thousands of listings for narcotics of their choice. Incognito Market sold illegal narcotics and misbranded prescription medication, including heroin, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, oxycodone, methamphetamines, ketamine, and alprazolam. An example of listings on Incognito Market is below: Each listing on Incognito Market was sold by a particular vendor. To become an Incognito Market vendor, each vendor was required to register with the site and pay an admission fee. In exchange for listing and selling narcotics as a vendor on Incognito Market, each vendor paid 5% of the purchase price of every narcotic sold to Incognito Market. That revenue funded Incognito Market’s operations, including paying “employee” salaries and for computer servers. LIN collected more than $6 million in profits from Incognito. To facilitate these financial transactions, Incognito Market had its own “bank” (the “Incognito Bank”), which allowed its users to deposit cryptocurrency on the site into their own “bank accounts.” After a narcotics transaction was completed, cryptocurrency from the buyer’s “bank account” was transferred to the seller’s “bank account,” less the 5% fee that Incognito collected. The bank enabled buyers and sellers to stay anonymous from each other. The bank’s graphic interface is pictured below: LIN was a founding member of the Incognito Market in October 2020, and led the site as of approximately January 2022, until LIN closed it in March 2024. LIN ran the site while based in, among other places, St. Lucia. Remarkably, while LIN was managing Incognito, he led a four-day training for St. Lucian police officers about “Cybercrime and Cryptocurrency,” which he bragged about on his personal Facebook page. Due to LIN’s leadership and sophisticated computer coding abilities, the Incognito Market grew its customer base to more than 400,000 buyer accounts. Those hundreds of thousands of buyers were serviced by more than 1,800 narcotics “vendors,” many of which were serious drug traffickers in their own right. In total, Lin’s Incognito Market facilitated more than 640,000 individual narcotics transactions. On January 22, 2022, Lin announced a new Incognito policy that explicitly permitted its vendors to sell opiates on the site. As a result, Incognito listings included offerings of prescription medication that was advertised as being authentic but was not. For example, in November 2023, an undercover law enforcement agent received several tablets that purported to be “oxycodone,” which were purchased on Incognito Market. Testing on those tablets revealed that they were not authentic oxycodone at all and were, in fact, fentanyl pills. Tragically, on September 13, 2022, a 27-year-old from Arkansas died from consuming purported “oxycodone” that he purchased on the Incognito Market. That “oxycodone” was laced with fentanyl. In March 2024, Lin closed Incognito by stealing at least $1 million that its users had on deposit in the Incognito Bank. In addition, Lin attempted to extort his coconspirators. LIN demanded that the Incognito buyers and vendors pay him, or he would publish their user history and cryptocurrency addresses online. In a posting on the Incognito site, LIN wrote “YES, THIS IS AN EXTORTION!!!,” as depicted below. In imposing the sentence, Judge McMahon stated to the defendant that Incognito Market was “a business that made [him] a drug kingpin," and that this was the “most serious drug crime I have ever been confronted with in 27.5 years.” * * * In addition to the prison term, LIN, 24, of Taiwan, was sentenced to five years of supervised release and $105,045,109.67 in forfeiture. Mr. Clayton praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. The case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan B. Finkel and Nicholas Chiuchiolo are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Illegal Alien Sex Offender Sentenced to 14 months in Prison for Failing to Update Registration as a Sex Offender and Illegally Reentering the United States

component: USAO - Illinois, Central

body_text: Urbana, Ill. – A Guatemalan national, Roberto Nicolas-Simon, 24, has been sentenced to a concurrent 14 months of imprisonment for failing to update registration as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) and being a removed alien illegally present in United States. At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Nicolas-Simon was unlawfully present in the United States when he was convicted of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse in Champaign County. He acknowledged his registration obligation as a sex offender before being removed from the United States to Guatemala in 2021. Sometime in 2024, he illegally reentered the United States and lived in Champaign without updating his sex offender registration until he was discovered in a joint Immigration and Customs Enforcement and United States Marshals Service investigation. Also at the hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Colin S. Bruce found Nicolas-Simon’s illegal reentry offense was subject to an enhanced range of penalties as he committed his sex offense prior to being removed from the United States for the first time. Judge Bruce further found that Nicolas-Simon should serve five years of supervised release after his imprisonment with a specific condition that he not illegally reenter the United States. Violating that condition would subject him to additional penalties, in addition to a new prosecution for illegal reentry. Nicolas-Simon was convicted after pleading guilty to these offenses in September, 2025. Upon the completion of his sentence, he will enter into removal proceedings. Nicolas-Simon faced statutory penalties of up to ten years of imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine for each offense. He could have also received up to three years of supervised release for being illegally present in the United States and at least a five-year term and a maximum life term of supervised release for failure to update his registration as a sex offender. SORNA is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. SORNA seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs, in part by requiring registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school. The case investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, in collaboration with the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney William J. Lynch represented the government in the prosecution.


title: America’s first line of defense: The Southern District of Texas delivers record results in inaugural year of Operation Take Back America

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A total of 13,964 cases have been filed in immigration and similar border security-related matters from Jan. 20 – Dec. 31, 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Of those charged, 6,404 people faced illegal entry charges, while another 6,574 were alleged to have entered the country illegally after having been previously removed. Many of these defendants had prior felony convictions involving narcotics, violent crimes and immigration offenses. An additional 889 people were accused of engaging in human smuggling crimes, while the remaining 264 faced border security-related charges of assaulting officers, firearms offenses, smuggling, violent crimes, narcotics trafficking and other matters. Some of those facing new criminal charges this past year are a result of “ Operation Pick-Off ,” an initiative created in the Southern District of Texas that targets criminal illegal aliens who are currently terms of probation following convictions for state crimes, such as drug offenses, human smuggling, fraud, burglary, assault and other violent crimes. The enforcement effort, originally announced Aug. 25, 2025, led to federal charges against 67 illegal aliens in the Rio Grande Valley area, 65 of whom had returned to the country after being previously removed, only to commit other crimes, according to the allegations. In a subsequent roundup in Laredo , law enforcement took another 28 into custody, including a convicted murderer. “For those that want to come to this country without permission and then victimize American citizens once here, we are more than happy to accommodate them with a stay at a federal facility, followed by a one-way ticket home,” said Ganjei. “This initiative is a win for public safety, but, as I said at the announcement of this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is not going to rest until we bring Pick-Off to all 43 counties of the Southern District of Texas. If you’re here illegally and have committed crimes in our communities, consider yourself warned. We are coming. This is what Operation Take Back America looks like.” Other notable cases allege involve attacks on or impeding law enforcement in the course of their duties. Two of those charged are Mexican nationals Juan Carmen Padron Mendez and Juan Carlos Padron Barron, who allegedly strangled a Border Patrol agent while en route to a Houston-area detention facility. Court documents allege Mendez wrapped his arm around the agent’s neck as Barron grabbed the agent’s belongings and fled on foot before authorities apprehended both men. In another assault chase, the United States charged 33-year-old El Salvadorian national Walter Leonel Perez Rodriguez , who allegedly threw a 32-ounce stainless steel mug filled with hot coffee on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, striking him in the face. The officer allegedly fell to the ground, lost consciousness and was treated for second-degree burns to his neck and arms and a laceration to his upper lip that required 18 stiches. Additionally, Mexican national Javier Cornelio Cruz-Nava , 36, allegedly assaulted a federal officer in Houston. According to the complaint, during immigration enforcement operations Oct. 1, 2025, authorities conducted a traffic stop of Cruz-Nava, who subsequently fled on foot. A Texas Department of Public Safety agent caught up to Cruz-Nava, who then allegedly lunged and threw the officer into a wrought-iron fence, causing two deep head wounds to the officer, according to the charges. “These officers place their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and country, and they deserve to be protected in return,” said Ganjei. “Anyone who attacks law enforcement is attacking the American system of justice, and those who choose violence over lawfulness will be met with swift charges. The Southern District of Texas has a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone who does so. The message is clear - comply with officer directives and keep your hands to yourself.” Many others have been charged with human smuggling, such as Texas resident Vicente Garcia Jr. and Jose Alexis Baeza-Combaluzier whose alleged crimes resulted in the deaths of two persons – one of whom was a 14-year-old child. The charges allege Garcia was to transfer one illegal alien to Baeza-Combaluzier who had four other illegal aliens in his vehicle. He departed the area with the passengers but eventually came to a stop due to a flooded road, according to the complaint. When authorities attempted to make an approach, he allegedly accelerated and drove through a flooded area and eventually drove into a canal. Law enforcement immediately began rescue operations, but two persons drowned, including the minor, according to the charges. Other complaints filed in human smuggling matters detail instances of dangerous and life-threatening conditions of confinement, such as the one against Greibein Alexis Pinot-Duarte, a Honduran national who allegedly smuggled more than four dozen illegal aliens in a refrigerated tractor-trailer near Freer. According to the complaint, a further inspection of the 55-degree trailer led to the discovery of 51 illegal aliens concealed in a cramped compartment beneath boxes of produce. In a similar case in Laredo, Kenneth Gamboa allegedly drove a box truck hiding 40 illegal aliens to a Border Patrol checkpoint in Jim Hogg County. The investigation revealed a false wall in the storage area of the vehicle that had created a hidden compartment, according to the complaint. The charges allege the vehicle had multiple boards screwed shut to prevent the individuals from being able to get out on their own. Also charged is Brandon Lajohn Hargrove, Houston, and Jose Luis Castellanos-Hercules, an illegal alien from Honduras. They allegedly transported 55 illegal aliens in a hidden compartment in a produce trailer near San Ygnacio. According to the complaint, multiple heavy pallets blocked the access door and prevented the aliens from being able to leave on their own. Once authorities discovered them, the aliens had to crawl through a small door to get out from behind the false wall. Several of the illegal aliens in the cases are also facing charges of illegal entry or reentry. Also among the notable cases brought as part of Operation Take Back America are charges against 16 foreign nationals illegally residing in Houston for drug trafficking and weapons allegations following an operation targeting Venezuelan nationals linked to the “Anti-Tren” criminal organization. Similar to the criminal activities members of Tren de Aragua have committed, Anti-Tren affiliates allegedly engaged in attempted murder, other acts of violence and threats of such. Some members have been charged with conspiring to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and various weapons crimes, with one allegedly being an alien in possession of ammunition. “The Southern District’s twin priorities are securing our border and the eradication of violent crime. This case implicates both,” said Ganjei. “Operation Take Back America means going on the offensive against transnational criminal organizations to ensure that they cannot take root in our community and endanger public safety. SDTX is going to be unapologetic in carrying out that mission.” These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners. The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Mississippi Man Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights and Arson Charges for Setting Fire to Mormon Church

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Stefan Day Rowold, 37, of Wiggins, Mississippi, was sentenced today to 360 months in prison for vandalizing and setting fire to a house of worship. A jury in the Southern District of Mississippi found Rowold guilty of six counts of federal arson and civil rights charges after a trial in September 2025. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s reprehensible conduct,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Anyone who attacks a house of worship in America will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” The evidence presented at trial last year showed that on July 5, 2024, and July 7, 2024, Rowold vandalized and set fire to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Wiggins, Mississippi. Evidence at trial also proved that Rowold targeted the church because of his animosity toward what he believed to be their religious views. Rowold confessed to police that he broke into the church building, vandalized the interior walls of the building with hateful messages, and ultimately set a fire in the middle of a multipurpose room. Rowold used the church’s hymnals, paintings, and other religious objects as kindling for his original arson offense. Rowold also confessed that after he learned that his first fire had failed to burn down the building, he broke into the church again two days later to finish the job, after police had attempted to secure the scene. Rowold then set a second fire against a wall inside the church, trying again to burn the building down. Due to the damage from the fires, members of the church were unable to hold services in their church building for months. At sentencing, the district court awarded the church $176,564 in restitution. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi, and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Jackson Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal, and the Wiggins Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner for the Southern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Chloe Neely of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.


title: Massachusetts Man Charged for Assaulting Federal Officer with Dangerous Weapon

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Cedric E. Cundiff, age 67, of Massachusetts, appeared in federal court yesterday for an initial appearance on a charge of assaulting a federal officer with a knife. The announcement was made by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division Craig Tremaroli, and Christopher Amoia, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of New York. The complaint alleges that on January 29, 2026, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force went to a residence in Syracuse, New York, to execute an arrest warrant for Cundiff. Cundiff was wanted in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, on charges including robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon. As alleged in the criminal complaint, members of the task force located Cundiff inside the Syracuse residence. After seeing members of the task force at the door, Cundiff fled to a bedroom. When a task force officer with the U.S. Marshals attempted to open the door, Cundiff cut the investigator’s hand with a knife, causing two lacerations and a fracture. “This case illustrates the danger that our Marshals and other agents face on a daily basis as they work to keep us safe,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice will continue vigorously prosecuting anyone who attacks our brave law enforcement officers – if you cross that line, you will pay.” Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “Each and every day, our law enforcement partners put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe. As alleged, the defendant violently attacked an officer who was doing just that. Let me be loud and clear: Harassment, obstruction, and violence of any kind against members of federal law enforcement will not be tolerated. Anyone who does not heed this warning will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated: “This was a dangerous and volatile arrest that underscores the real risks our law enforcement partners face every day. The defendant, already a wanted individual out of Massachusetts, is now facing significant federal prison time for these serious allegations. The FBI will not tolerate any act of violence against our law enforcement partners who work around the clock to keep our communities safe.” Acting U.S. Marshal Amoia stated: “Violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated. Assaults on officers who are carrying out their lawful duties pose a serious threat to public safety and the rule of law. The United States Marshals Service, in partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies, remains committed to holding individuals accountable for such acts.” Cundiff appeared yesterday in Syracuse, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz and was detained pending further proceedings. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The charge filed against Cundiff carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and New York State Police are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Delafield Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Pay Healthcare Kickbacks

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on January 30, 2026, United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller sentenced Bruce Johnson (age 72) to 18 months’ incarceration for conspiracy to pay healthcare kickbacks, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). Johnson and his co-defendant, Michael Comino, owned Kestrel Medical LLC, a company in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, that supplied durable medical equipment (DME), including orthotic devices such as braces for ankles, knees, backs, and shoulders. Johnson signed certifications on behalf of Kestrel stating that he would abide by all Medicare laws and regulations, including the AKS. In 2018, Johnson began paying kickbacks to multiple companies purporting to provide marketing services to Kestrel. The payments to the companies were for signed prescriptions for DME that Kestrel submitted to Medicare. In February 2020, Comino became a fifty percent owner of Kestrel, which continued to offer and pay kickbacks for signed doctors’ orders. As a result of the conspiracy, Medicare paid over $2 million to Kestrel. Prior to Kestrel’s bankruptcy proceeding, Johnson also made two transfers totaling $150,000 to one of Comino’s companies as a way to divest Kestrel of assets. At sentencing, Judge Stadtmueller noted the serious nature of Johnson’s criminal conduct and the need to deter others who might commit similar offenses. Judge Stadtmueller also ordered Johnson to serve three years on supervised release after his prison term and to pay over $2 million in restitution to Medicare. Johnson’s co-defendant, Comino, pled guilty to the same charge last year and was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment, as well as supervised release and restitution. U.S. Attorney Schimel stated, “Fraudsters like these are stealing directly from all of us out of utter greed. As our nation debates how to make health care affordable, a critical first step is to stop fraud. Federal investigators and prosecutors have made it a top priority to get those who commit public benefits fraud locked up.” “Mr. Johnson and his co-conspirator devised a scheme to defraud the American people. This sentencing and restitution order sends a clear message that healthcare kickback schemes will not be tolerated,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat and prevent healthcare fraud.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney John Scully prosecuted. # # # For further information contact: Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero (414) 297-1700 Follow us on X


title: Mexican Mafia Associate Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Attack on Orange County Jail Inmate that Left Victim with Slashed Throat

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – An associate of the Mexican Mafia prison gang was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for participating in an attack on a fellow Orange County jail inmate in 2019, an assault that left the victim with his throat slashed. Robert Amezcua, 54, a.k.a. “Flaco,” of Santa Ana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fred W. Slaughter. At the conclusion of a three-day trial, a federal jury in January 2024 found Amezcua guilty of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering (VICAR), specifically, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. On December 31, 2019, Amezcua – a member of the Madison Park clique of the Santa Ana-based Lopers street gang and an associate of the Mexican Mafia – took part in the assault of another inmate at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange. Amezcua delivered more than 20 blows to the victim while another inmate, using a razor blade, slashed the victim’s throat. The victim survived the attack. Amezcua is one of 31 defendants charged in a 33-count federal grand jury indictment brought in 2022. Of the other two inmates charged with this assault and attempted murder, Mher Darbinyan, 50, a.k.a. “Hollywood Mike,” of Valencia, is serving a 30-month federal prison sentence after pleading guilty in January 2024 to conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He admitted in his plea agreement that he and two co-conspirators assaulted the victim. Robert Martinez, 43, a.k.a. “Lil Rob” and “Blacky,” of Placentia, another defendant charged in the 2019 attack, is scheduled for trial on August 4 on this charge and additional charges. Of the 31 defendants charged in the original indictment, a total of four defendants have been convicted at trial, consisting of three convicted of VICAR murder in October 2023, and Amezcua. An additional 16 have pleaded guilty. Three defendants remain for trial scheduled in July on charges of VICAR murder. An additional eight defendants remain scheduled for trial on racketeering conspiracy, VICAR murder, and related charges on August 4. The FBI; the Santa Ana Police Department; the Orange County Sheriff’s Department; the Federal Bureau of Prisons; the Anaheim Police Department; the Fullerton Police Department; the Orange County Probation Department; and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Scally and Greg Staples of the Orange County Office and Trial Attorneys Chris Matthews and Grace Bowen of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Bradford County Man Charged With Production Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brad Daniel Swink, age 41, of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a six-count indictment. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Swink produced child pornography on April 10, 2025, and distributed child pornography on January 27, 2023. The indictment also alleges that Swink possessed images of child sexual abuse between January 2023 and April of 2025, and that he specifically received images or videos on three separate times from July 2023 to April 2024. The FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offense is up to thirty years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Alexandria sex offender sentenced to 22 years in prison for repeat child sexual abuse material offenses

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man was sentenced today to 22 years in prison for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) while on supervised release for a similar offense. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in April 2024, a Kik messaging platform user was reported to be distributing CSAM. Further investigation revealed that the user was Antonio Rudy Gonzalez, 41. Gonzalez requested and distributed images of children, including toddlers, engaged in sexually explicit conduct, to multiple other Kik users. In his messages, Gonzalez indicated that he was “only into kids.” In 2013, Gonzalez had previously been convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia of distribution of child pornography. His Kik username at that time was nearly identical to the one used in 2024, and he advertised himself as being interested in “little girls, rape, incest, teens.” In September 2025, Gonzalez was convicted at trial on two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography for his 2024 conduct. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Strobbe for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Nadia Prinz of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-213.


title: Western District of Texas Exceeds 12,000 Immigration Cases in Administration’s First Year

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas Justin R. Simmons announced today that the district prosecuted 11,542 border security cases and defended 652 civil immigration cases in 2025. “In the first year of this administration, the Western District of Texas has worked tirelessly to prosecute thousands of cases that directly support border security and public safety, achieving strong and meaningful outcomes across a wide range of offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “Through Operation Take Back America, our prosecutors have partnered with the U.S. Border Patrol, ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, the DEA, the FBI, and our state and local law enforcement partners, targeting violent offenders, human smugglers, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten our communities and way of life. The many cases prosecuted last year in the Western District reflect our commitment to enforcing federal law, restoring order at the border, and ensuring that those who exploit or endanger others are held accountable in court.” Among the prosecutions, Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez was indicted as the first Mexican national charged with providing material support to a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). According to court documents, Navarro-Sanchez conspired with others to provide and attempted to provide grenades to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). The indictment also alleged that Navarro-Sanchez engaged in alien smuggling, firearms trafficking, bulk cash smuggling, and narcotics trafficking on behalf of CJNG. On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump directed the Justice Department and other agencies to pursue the total elimination of Mexican drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations because of the serious threat they pose to the United States and the security and stability of the U.S. border with Mexico. On Feb. 20, the U.S. Department of State announced the designation of eight international cartels, including CJNG, as FTOs and specially designated global terrorists. These designations allow prosecutors to bring much stronger criminal charges in the ongoing effort to maintain the security of our nation’s borders. The case against Navarro-Sanchez is being investigated and prosecuted by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America . HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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. In San Antonio , two convicted human smugglers were tried and sentenced in a federal court for their prominent roles in the 2022 mass casualty human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of 47 adults and six children. Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzales-Ortega were sentenced to life in prison and 1,050 months in prison, respectively, after being found guilty by a federal jury for transportation of aliens within the U.S. resulting in death, causing serious bodily injury, and placing lives in jeopardy. Five other defendants in this case have pleaded guilty for their involvement in the smuggling event. Homero Zamorano Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 18; Riley Covarrubias-Ponce is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 26; Christian Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5; and Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal is scheduled to be sentenced on April 2. Juan Francisco D’Luna Bilbao, indicted separately, is scheduled to be sentenced March 26. In a related case, Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, who was extradited from Guatemala , allegedly worked with the human smuggling organization (HSO) to smuggle aliens into the U.S. on the same fatal journey orchestrated by Orduna-Torres and his co-conspirators. Miranda-Orozco is in custody and awaiting trial. In El Paso, Manuel Valenzuela , a lawful permanent resident, pleaded guilty in federal court to four charges related to his role in a scheme to smuggle children from Mexico into the U.S. According to court documents, members of an alien smuggling organization brought unaccompanied alien children between the ages of five and 13 illegally into the U.S. from Juarez, Mexico, sometimes using candy laced with THC to sedate them during smuggling events. The drivers and their coconspirators would then present U.S. documents to inspecting officers, falsely claiming the documents belonged to the children, and that they were the parents of the children. Once inside the United States, the children were then transported to El Paso. During one smuggling event, one of the children was taken to a local hospital and diagnosed with THC poisoning. Valenzuela was specifically responsible for picking up the children after they were smuggled into the country and providing payment to the drivers. Valenzuela was arrested on Aug. 30 with co-defendant Dianne Guadian, a U.S. citizen. Valenzuela, Guadian, and two additional co-defendants, Mexican nationals Susana Guadian and Daniel Guadian, were charged in a five-count indictment on Sept. 24. These investigations and prosecutions are the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, which is primarily tasked with combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), is a highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE HSI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 435 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 385 U.S. convictions; more than 330 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets. ###


title: Virginia Sex Offender Sentenced to 22 Years for Subsequent Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: A Virginia man was sentenced today to 22 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) while on supervised release for almost identical behavior. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial in April 2024, a Kik (mobile messaging platform) user whose username identified himself as someone who loved little girls was reported to be distributing CSAM. Further investigation revealed that the user was Antonio Rudy Gonzalez, 41, of Alexandria, Virginia. Gonzalez requested and distributed images of children, including toddlers, engaged in sexually explicit conduct to multiple other Kik users. In his messages, Gonzalez indicated that he was “only into kids.” In 2013, Mr. Gonzalez had previously been convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia of distribution of child pornography. His then Kik username was nearly identical to the one used in 2024, and he advertised himself as being interested in “little girls, rape, incest, teens.” Following a bench trial in September 2025, Gonzalez was convicted on two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography for his 2024 conduct. As a result of his prior conviction, the defendant was subject to a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison. Trial Attorney Nadia Prinz of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Strobbe for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice a 13-Year-Old Child to Engage in Sexual Activity

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Tony Leroy Bartley, Jr. (37, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to using the internet to attempt to entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Bartley faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 21, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, between June 17 and July 30, 2025, an FBI agent (UC) in Jacksonville was conducting an undercover operation on an online social media application (“app”) to identify adults who were seeking to make online contact with and engage in sexual activity with children. On July 25, 26, and 29, 2025, UC and app user “keven” exchanged several private online messages on the app and via text message. After UC advised app user “keven” that “she” was only 13 years old, app user “keven” suggested that they engage in sexual activity texting, among other things, “I want you bad.” App user “keven,” who was subsequently identified as Bartley, described sexual acts that he wanted to perform on the “child,” and sent an explicit photo of himself to the “child.” On August 5, 2025, Bartley was arrested by FBI agents near his apartment in Jacksonville. During an interview, Bartley admitted that he had recently communicated online with a girl who was “underage” and that he had discussed having sexual activity with the “child.” Bartley added, “I should have stopped at 13, and that’s on me.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Lottery Fraud Scheme Charges

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A Landover Hills, Maryland, man pled guilty to fraud charges in federal court, in connection with a lottery fraud scheme. Wayne Henry, 36, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Acting Assistant Inspector for Investigations General Javan S. Wilson, U.S. Treasury, Office of Inspector General (Treasury OIG); and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). According to public filings, between October 2020, and February 2024, Henry conspired with others to use the mail to obtain money from victims across the United States through a lottery fraud scheme. Many victims impacted by the scheme are elderly. Henry also used the personal identifying information of an individual to pay for postage for lottery solicitations to another victim. Perpetrators use a lottery fraud scheme to lead victims to believe they won a large cash prize through a lottery or sweepstakes. When it’s time to collect the purported winnings, the victim is falsely led to believe that they must pay taxes or other fees in advance. The victim never receives their winnings, but instead, loses their advanced fees or payments. Henry faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in federal prison, including a mandatory sentence of two years consecutive to any other imposed sentence for aggravated identity theft. A sentencing date for Henry is forthcoming. Co-conspirators Nickoy Campbell, 30, and Tavoy Farquharson, 34, who are both Jamaican nationals, along with Wayne’s brother, Dwayne Henry, 34, of Landover Hills, Maryland, previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Campbell, Farquharson, and Dwayne Henry all face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing for Campbell and Dwayne Henry is scheduled for Monday, March 2, and sentencing for Farquharson is scheduled for Monday, March 23. Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older, and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers through assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps, including identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting or connecting them with agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. Learn more about the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at www.elderjustice.gov . Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS, HSI Maryland, the Treasury OIG, and PGPD for their investigative efforts. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Motsay who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Menasha Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Production of Child Pornography

body_text: Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on January 30, 2026, Lawrence J. Chase (age: 22) of Menasha, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment for the offense of Production of Child Pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a). In March 2025, Chase began engaging online with an 11-year-old child located in the State of Maryland. Chase knew he was messaging with a minor and coerced the child into sending sexually explicit images of the child’s genitalia, which constituted child sexual abuse material under state and federal law. Chase also sent inappropriate and obscene images of himself to the child while engaging in sexualized conversations. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Byron B. Conway noted the serious nature of the offense. Judge Conway found the victim’s age to be an aggravating factor requiring significant punishment. Judge Conway also noted that Chase’s prior state convictions for crimes against children had resulted in reduced charges and no jail time in either case. After weighing the evidence and arguments, Judge Conway determined that 15 years’ imprisonment was a fair and just sentence. Following his release from federal prison Chase will be required to spend 10 years on supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law. “This defendant took the innocence of a child who will never get that part of their childhood back,” said U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “As a consequence, he will lose a decade and a half of his life to a federal penitentiary. Every pedophile that harms our children should know law enforcement is working night and day to catch them and punish them.” “Holding individuals responsible for their despicable acts involving innocent children is our top priority.” said Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz. “Working with our federal partners we were able to ensure accountability and protect our children from this predator in the future.” “Mr. Chase preyed on an 11-year-old minor and the sentence he received reflects the severity of the crime committed,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and combat violent crimes against children.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. It was be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. # # # For further information contact: Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero (414) 297-1700 Follow us on X


component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Note, the release has been updated to include a quote from the FBI Director. Cedric E. Cundiff, 67, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, appeared in federal court yesterday for an initial appearance on a charge of assaulting a federal officer with a knife. “This case illustrates the danger that our Marshals and other agents face on a daily basis as they work to keep us safe,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice will continue vigorously prosecuting anyone who attacks our brave law enforcement officers — if you cross that line, you will pay.” “The defendant allegedly assaulted a member of the U.S. Marshals Service who was carrying out their lawful duties, and the FBI takes any attacks on law enforcement officers very seriously,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This arrest should demonstrate the FBI will aggressively investigate assaults on the law enforcement officers who protect our communities and work with our Justice Department partners to make sure violent actors are brought to justice.” “Each and every day, our law enforcement partners put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. “As alleged, the defendant violently attacked an officer who was doing just that. Let me be loud and clear: harassment, obstruction, and violence of any kind against members of federal law enforcement will not be tolerated. Anyone who does not heed this warning will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” “This was a dangerous and volatile arrest that underscores the real risks our law enforcement partners face every day,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli of the FBI Albany Field Office. “The defendant, already a wanted individual out of Massachusetts, is now facing significant federal prison time for these serious allegations. The FBI will not tolerate any act of violence against our law enforcement partners who work around the clock to keep our communities safe.” “Violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Christopher Amoia for the Northern District of New York. “Assaults on officers who are carrying out their lawful duties pose a serious threat to public safety and the rule of law. The United States Marshals Service, in partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies, remains committed to holding individuals accountable for such acts.” The complaint alleges that on Jan. 29, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force went to a residence in Syracuse, New York, to execute an arrest warrant for Cundiff. Cundiff was wanted in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, on charges including robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon. As alleged in the criminal complaint, members of the task force located Cundiff inside the Syracuse residence. After seeing members of the task force at the door, Cundiff fled to a bedroom. When a task force officer with the U.S. Marshals attempted to open the door, Cundiff cut the investigator’s hand with a knife, causing two lacerations and a fracture. Cundiff appeared yesterday in Syracuse, New York, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz for the Northern District of New York. He was detained pending further proceedings. The charge filed against Cundiff carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and New York State Police are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie for the Northern District of New York is prosecuting the case. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: District of New Mexico charges over 7,000 cases in one year of Southern Border enforcement

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – In coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico brought 7,099 criminal cases in 2025 related to illegal reentry, alien smuggling, immigration fraud, and false statements stemming from southern border enforcement, including 152 cases involving drug trafficking. Separately, the office prosecuted 32 alien in possession of a firearm cases, advancing national security objectives by enforcing federal prohibitions on firearm possession by individuals without lawful status. Beyond criminal enforcement, the office also managed a significant civil and constitutional workload in 2025, including 82 civil habeas corpus matters. “These cases show how criminal organizations exploit people for profit, move violence across borders, and poison communities with drugs and weapons,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “In New Mexico, we are focused on identifying the leaders, dismantling the networks they rely on, and using federal prosecutions to disrupt these operations at every level.” These cases reflect the District of New Mexico’s focus on dismantling criminal networks that exploit vulnerable individuals, fuel violence, and move drugs, weapons, and people across borders and into communities: United States v. Diana Perez, et al. - On April 4, 2024, Otero County Sheriff’s Officers responded to a reported hostage situation and discovered multiple individuals, including children, being held against their will inside a stash house. The victims had been smuggled into the United States illegally, provided approximately one meal per day, and were threatened with violence if they attempted to leave. Organizers Diana Perez and Valerie Perez required additional payments from victims’ families before releasing them. Alan Amaya operated the stash house. Valerie Perez was sentenced to ten years in federal prison on May 29, 2025. Amaya has pleaded guilty. United States v. Alejandro Villalobos-Torres - In October 2022, investigators learned that a victim had been smuggled into the United States and was being held for ransom, with demands for an additional $8,000. The victim was moved between stash houses in Texas and New Mexico before being rescued in Chaparral, New Mexico, on November 3, 2022. Alejandro Villalobos-Torres was identified as the leader of the smuggling operation and arrested on March 11, 2025. The case remains pending. United States v. Jorge Alberto De La Cruz-Dominguez, et al. - This case involved a large-scale human smuggling operation spanning Santa Teresa, El Paso, and Albuquerque. Defendants transported an estimated 20 to 40 individuals per week, including unaccompanied minors. Smuggled individuals were routed through stash houses and transferred between drivers across state lines. Seven defendants were arrested in February 2025. All have pleaded guilty apart from one defendant who has noticed intent to plead guilty. United States v. Nan Zhang, et al. -In Albuquerque, Nan Zhang and her husband, Sanjay Khurana, were charged this year with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. The couple allegedly coordinated with alien smuggling organizations to use their rental properties as stash houses for illegal aliens. The couple is also accused of laundering money on behalf of the alien smuggling organizations through real estate sales. In addition to the spotlighted smuggling cases above, the District of New Mexico has prosecuted other significant border related matters, including: United States v. Henderson Yofre Mavo Finol, et al. - Eleven suspected members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang were indicted on racketeering charges related to kidnapping, torture, murder, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and fraudulent documents. United States v. Heriberto Salazar-Amaya - Federal authorities dismantled one of the largest fentanyl trafficking organizations in U.S. history, seizing approximately 400 kilograms of fentanyl, firearms, currency, and vehicles across multiple states. United States v. Joel and Nancy Cano - A former magistrate judge and his wife were charged with evidence tampering related to suspected gang members and illegal firearms access. These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.


title: Aberdeen Woman Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – An Aberdeen, Maryland, woman pled guilty in federal court today, to child sexual exploitation charges. Ashley Graybeal, 27, is charged with sex trafficking a child, sexually exploiting a child, and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office; Alison M. Healey, Harford County State's Attorney; and Sheriff Jeff Gahler, Harford County Sheriff’s Office. According to the plea agreement, beginning in January 2025, Graybeal began using her Kik account to contact other Kik users. Graybeal offered other Kik users sexually explicit images of two minor victims, or to perform sex acts with the two children via livestream, in exchange for money. Graybeal then sent sexually explicit images of the two children to other Kik users and received payment for those images through an online banking app. The images were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through their Cybertipline, in February 2025, and law enforcement acted quickly to intervene and recover the two children. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page. Graybeal faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child as well as up to lifetime supervised release and lifetime registration as a sex offender. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, Harford County State's Attorney’s Office, and Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn and Reema Sood who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: St. Francis Woman Sentenced to Over 2 Years in Federal Prison  for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons, announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a St. Francis, South Dakota woman convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on February 2, 2026. Leah Leading Fighter, age 44, was sentenced to two years and five months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Leading fighter was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024. She pleaded guilty on November 6, 2025. The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in September 2023 in the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. In the early morning hours of September 24, 2023, Leading Fighter entered a residence in St. Francis, and began assaulting the victim, an adult woman, who was asleep. Leading Fighter dragged the woman out of the residence and continued assaulting her, including repeatedly kicking and stomping her face, back, and stomach with shod feet. The victim suffered injuries that required hospitalization. This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case. Leading Fighter was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Jury Finds District Man Guilty of First-Degree Murder for a Shooting on the Grounds of Watkins Elementary School

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Antonio Hawley, 22, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a Superior Court jury of first-degree murder while armed and other charges in a shooting that took place on the sports fields of Watkins Elementary School in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Hawley was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder while armed, one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. The Honorable Judge Danya Dayson scheduled sentencing for April 10, 2026. According to the government’s evidence, on the evening of October 6, 2021, Hawley and the homicide victim, Aaron Wiggins, had just finished playing against each other in a flag football scrimmage on the sports field of Watkins Elementary School. After the field lights cut off as usual at 9:45 p.m., the two teams decided to finish one last play, and Mr. Wiggins caught the winning touchdown. Throughout the game, there was the usual football trash talk, and that trash talk continued between Mr. Wiggins and members of Hawley’s team after that final play. As members of both flag football teams were gathering their belongings to leave the field, Hawley retrieved a handgun that he knew a teammate kept in a bag that had been brought onto the field at the start of the scrimmage, targeted Mr. Wiggins, and fired 17 times, hitting Mr. Wiggins 13 times. Mr. Wiggins died on the scene. Hawley fled the scene but was later identified through eyewitness accounts and video footage from the school, by Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Detectives investigating the case. Hawley was arrested in December 2021 and has been held in custody since. Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jin Park and Mark Levy. 2021CF1007260