title: Atwater Prison Inmate Indicted for Threatening to Kill Prosecutor’s Family

body_text: A federal grand jury returned an indictment Thursday against Stanislav Yelizarov, 35, an inmate in the United States Penitentiary, Atwater, charging him with threatening the family of a federal official, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, Yelizarov had been previously convicted in the District of Maryland and was undergoing further proceedings in the District of Maryland and the Fourth Circuit. The prosecutor in those cases was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Maryland. On March 23, 2024, Yelizarov, using a recorded prison telephone line, communicated a threat to the Assistant U.S. Attorney that he intended to kill the prosecutor’s “whole family.” Yelizarov had previously sent threatening letters to the prosecutor. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California was assisted by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Yelizarov faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Shooting That Killed One Man and Wounded Another Leads to Guilty Plea

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Walter Jenkins, 36, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for the November 2021 shooting of two men, killing one and wounding another, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Jenkins pleaded guilty on August 21, 2025, to one count of second-degree murder while armed and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon is contingent upon the Court’s approval. Jenkins faces a sentence range of between 18 and 33 ½ years under the District of Columbia Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted the factual basis for the plea and scheduled sentencing for November 18, 2025. According to a proffer of facts submitted at the plea hearing, at approximately 4:47 p.m., on November 14, 2021, MPD Seventh District officers responded to the 2000 Block of Alabama Avenue SE, for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon conducting a canvass of the area, officers located two victims near a vehicle on Bruce Place. They found Mr. David Williams, who was breathing but barely conscious, suffering from multiple gunshots to the body. DC Fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene and transported Mr. Williams to George Washington University Hospital where all lifesaving efforts failed, and he was pronounced dead more than an hour later. The second victim was conscious and breathing, suffering from gunshot wounds to the lower legs. He was transported to Med-Star where he was admitted in stable condition. Jenkins was arrested on February 4, 2022, and has been in custody since. Joining in the announcement was Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was investigated by officers, detectives, and other personnel of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Horton and Miles Janssen.


title: Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to New Charges of Sexually Exploiting Children on Long Island

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal courthouse in Central Islip, Anthony Pangallo, a previously convicted sex offender, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and, during the plea hearing, admitted to soliciting and receiving sexually explicit images and videos from four young female victims. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert. When sentenced, Pangallo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment and up to 50 years in prison. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, announced the guilty plea. “Our Office will continue its relentless pursuit of sexual predators who target minors, and work to secure lengthy prison sentences to protect the public and vulnerable children from these depraved individuals,” stated U.S. Attorney Nocella. “This defendant’s conduct was especially abhorrent because, despite being a registered sex offender following a prior state conviction, he continued to target multiple young victims.” Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the New York City Police Department, the Westport Police Department and the Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office, Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District. “Anthony Pangallo pretended to be a teenager to gain the trust of prepubescent girls before sexually grooming and forcing elicit explicit content from them. As a registered sex offender, Pangallo has continued to repeatedly exploit and abuse minors to fulfill his own perverted desires,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The FBI maintains its steadfast commitment to protect our community’s vulnerable populations from sexual predators.” As set forth in court filings and statements during today’s plea proceeding, Pangallo was initially arrested on May 20, 2021, at his residence in Rego Park, New York, on state charges filed in Westport, Connecticut. The Connecticut charges, which remain pending, involved a 15-year-old female victim, who Pangallo met online and manipulated into sending him sexually explicit images of herself. Subsequent investigation, which included a lawful search of Pangallo’s cellphone, revealed numerous online communications with other minor females from whom the defendant solicited sexually explicit images. Specifically, four children from Long Island—a 12-year-old and three 13-year-olds—were identified as victims, leading to the federal charges in this case. During his communications with these minors, Pangallo pretended to be a teenager, manipulated the victims into believing that they were in a relationship together, and then pressured them into sending him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. At the time that he committed these crimes, Pangallo was registered as a sex offender due to a prior conviction in August 2009 for sexual assault of a minor in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This prosecution 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorney Paul G. Scotti is in charge of the prosecution. The Defendant : ANTHONY PANGALLO Age: 41 Rego Park, Queens E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-233 (S-1)(JS)


title: Man Pleads Guity to Murder in Drive-By Shooting

body_text: WASHINGTON – Korriek Akinola, 24, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to murder for his role in a 2023 drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of Joshua White, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Akinola pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of second-degree murder while armed on August 18, 2025. Sentencing is scheduled for October 24, 2025, before the Honorable Neal Kravitz. On June 6, 2023, the defendant and another individual were in a white Infiniti SUV near the Shell gas station located at 4700 South Capitol Street SE. While there, they spotted the victim, Joshua White, riding around in the parking lot on a Veo bike. Akinola and the other individual drove to a separate location and switched vehicles to a stolen black Honda Accord. The defendant left his cell phone in the white Infiniti SUV and switched out the hard tag on black Honda Accord for a temporary tag, in an effort to conceal his movement. Akinola and the other individual then drove back to the Shell gas station, where Mr. White was still located. The defendant drove into the parking lot of the Shell gas station and accelerated rapidly toward the victim. Akinola and the other individual shot at Mr. White, who was hit by gunfire multiple times. The defendant then sped away, leaving Mr. White to die in the parking lot. Akinola evaded arrest from the police on multiple dates, but he was ultimately arrested by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force on July 24, 2023. Joining in the announcement was Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Hall and Natalie Hynum.


title: Teacher’s Aide at New York City Public School Charged With Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Alejandro F. Santos was arraigned on an indictment charging him with transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Santos was arrested on a complaint in July 2025. At the time of his arrest, Santos was employed by the New York City Department of Education as a teacher’s aide at a public school in the Bronx for children with disabilities. Today’s proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), and Francis J. Russo, Director of New York Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), announced the charges. “The defendant, who held a position of trust as a teacher’s aide in a New York City elementary school, is charged with possessing photos and videos depicting horrific sexual abuse of children,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office is committed to identifying and prosecuting individuals like the defendant who possess such images, which contribute to the depraved market for child pornography and the victimization of vulnerable minors.” “The details of Alejandro Santos’ alleged crimes are among every parent’s worst nightmare. This defendant worked closely with young kids nearly every day over the course of 23 years. Protecting minors from individuals like this defendant is not only paramount, it’s personal. I implore any person who believes they have information related to crimes involving Santos to contact authorities as soon as possible,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel. “This case underscores the vital role CBP plays in identifying potential criminal activity during border inspections,” stated CBP Director Russo. “Our officers are dedicated to protecting the public, safeguarding our children from exploitation, and collaborating with partner agencies to ensure thorough investigations are conducted.” As alleged in court filings, on July 15, 2025, Santos arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport on a flight from the Dominican Republic. While proceeding through customs, Santos was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers pursuant to a law enforcement alert based on information that the defendant was likely in possession of child sex abuse material. Santos was escorted to an inspection area and provided the officers with his iPhone. A subsequent examination of that phone revealed thousands of photographs, videos and other files depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including infants and toddlers. Santos has worked for the New York City Department of Education for 23 years. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of transporting of child sexual abuse material, Santos faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. Anyone with information about criminality involving the defendant should contact HSI New York at hsinyhumanexploitation@hsi.dhs.gov The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth D’Antonio is in charge of the prosecution. The Defendant : ALEJANDRO F. SANTOS Age: 47 Bronx, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-258 (NRM)


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 103 Border-Related Cases This Week

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 103 border-related cases this week, including charges of bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city). In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here . A sample of border-related arrests this week: On August 16, Yasmin Cruz, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Attempted Transportation of Illegal Aliens. According to a complaint, Cruz posed as the mother of two children, ages 12 and 10, while attempting to enter the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection officers determined that the woman was not the mother of the children, and that she used birth certificates that did not belong to the children. On August 19, Christin Arnulfo Cruz Yepez, a Mexican citizen, was arrested and charged with Deported Alien Found in the United States. According to a complaint, the defendant was intercepted by Border Patrol agents walking two miles west of the Tecate, California, Port of Entry and approximately one mile north of the United States/Mexico International Border. The defendant was previously deported to Mexico on July 24, 2025, through San Diego. On August 20, Arturo Gonzalez Aguilar, a Mexican citizen who told Customs and Border Protection officers he is a Tijuana police officer, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, the officer found 87 pounds of cocaine concealed in his vehicle when he attempted to cross the border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Also recently, a number of defendants with criminal records were convicted by a jury or sentenced for border-related crimes such as illegally re-entering the U.S. after previous deportation. Here are a few of those cases: On August 20, Jesus Horacio Soto-Leyva, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of felony Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Restricted Person in February 2016 and Illegal Reentry in January 2018, was sentenced in federal court to 12 months and 1 day in custody for again entering the U.S illegally. On August 22, Efren Espinoza-Garcia, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of Distribution of Methamphetamine in 2019, was sentenced in federal court to 12 months and one day in custody for again entering the U.S illegally The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners. Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the US After a Prior Removal

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior removal. U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Miguel Gomez-Sanchez, 45, to 10 months in prison. Gomez-Sanchez pleaded guilty on June 26, 2025. According to court records, on May 10, 2025, Gomez-Sanchez was arrested by the Maine State Police for operating under the influence on I-95. Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) determined Gomez-Sanchez had previously been removed from the U.S. several times. He was most recently removed in 2022 after being convicted for illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior removal. ICE ERO investigated the case. Operation Take Back America: This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). ###


title: Lewiston Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man pleaded guilty on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland to stalking his victim using facilities of interstate or foreign commerce. According to court records, for a period lasting until approximately August 2021, Brent Ouellette , 33, engaged in a course of conduct against his victim that included posting sexually explicit videos or pictures of his victim online without consent, contacting his victim posing as other people, and obtaining his victim’s social media login information. Ouellette faces a maximum prison term of five years and a fine up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. ###


title: Stockton Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Trafficking Firearms on Instagram

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Julian Arellano-Taylor, 21, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to nine years in prison for dealing firearms without a license and distribution of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, between May 3, 2023, and March 3, 2024, Arellano-Taylor advertised and sold firearms on Instagram. Unbeknownst to Arellano-Taylor, one customer was a confidential informant and purchased 11 firearms from him. These firearms included ghost guns without serial numbers that were designed to replicate Glock pistols and AR-15-style rifles. At the same time as he was selling firearms, Arellano-Taylor was also selling cocaine. This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Sacramento Police Department, the Lodi Police Department, the Stockton Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Gang Suppression Unit, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew De Moura prosecuted the case. The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Chinese National Sentenced to 24 months in prison for Scam Targeting Elderly Americans

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Jiaci Liu, a Chinese national, was sentenced in federal court today to 24 months in prison for engaging in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old man from Poway who exposed the scam by reporting his suspicions to authorities. Today’s sentence is in addition to three months Liu already served in state custody before his case was charged federally. Liu was originally arrested in February 2024 and charged by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. He was transferred to federal custody in May 2024, when he was charged by federal criminal complaint for his role in the conspiracy. Crimes are sometimes transferred from state to federal prosecutors because federal law allows for the prosecution of offenses that involve victims beyond the state’s jurisdiction. According to publicly filed documents, the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force (ETJF) learned of the fraud scheme after the victim reported to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department that he had been duped as part of a complex scam in which conspirators posed as technical support specialists, bank representatives and government officials. Specifically, while the Poway victim was on his personal computer, a pop-up window appeared indicating there was a possible virus on his computer and instructing him to contact a phone number. When he contacted the number, he was transferred through a series of co-conspirators pretending to work in tech support. The victim was informed that his computer had viruses and was transferred to another conspirator who claimed to be from the victim’s bank. During that interaction, the victim was told there were unauthorized transfers from his bank and was instructed to immediately withdraw all his money for safekeeping. The victim went to his bank and withdrew $28,000. The victim was then told by the conspirators that someone from the U.S. Marshals Service would come to his house to pick up the money. After the interaction, the victim became suspicious and contacted the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, which informed the victim to contact them if anyone showed up to pick up the money. Defendant Jiaci Liu arrived at the victim’s residence attempting to take the victim’s money. The victim called police, who arrived and found Liu outside the victim’s home. After Liu was arrested, his cellphone was seized and searched. Investigators located evidence that in just one week of the conspiracy, in June 2023, Liu had traveled throughout Southern California and Arizona and personally taken over $202,000 directly from elderly victims. The victims were from mid- to late-70s, but with one victim 83-years-old. As the government argued in its sentencing papers, each of the victims had worked a lifetime to save money for a dignified retirement. But because of Liu and his co-conspirators, they lost substantial sums of money, including at least one victim who had suffered significant financial hardship. In imposing Liu’s sentence, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta found that the scheme involved “sophisticated means” and caused substantial financial hardship to the elderly victims. Judge Ohta also highlighted that the in-person pickups from elderly victims was particularly concerning because it had the potential for physical injury or an altercation between the defendant and the elderly victims. “Scamming the elderly is a reprehensible crime that robs individuals of their hard-earned savings and the dignity they deserve in their golden years,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “There’s a cruelty in being willing to con your way to a victim’s door, look your victim in the eye, and physically take their life savings from them. This office will not tolerate deceitful and cruel criminals exploiting seniors.” “Thanks to the courage of one potential victim alerting law enforcement, today’s sentencing ensures that Liu will be held accountable for his actions in a multinational tech support scam,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force through its collaborative partnerships in protecting our most vulnerable communities. The FBI is proud to play a role in that mission.” This case was investigated by the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force and its member agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Carlsbad Police Department, San Diego Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari. DEFENDANT Case Number 24cr1238-JO Jiaci Liu Age: 35 China SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1349 Criminal Forfeiture – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 981(a)(1)(C), 982(a)(2)(A), and Title 28, U.S.C., Section 2461(c) Maximum Penalties: Thirty years in prison; $1 million fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Federal Bureau of Investigation San Diego County District Attorney’s Office San Diego County Sheriff’s Department San Diego Police Department San Diego Elder Justice Task Force


title: Vallejo Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Ammunition

body_text: Jeffrey Caldwell, 37, of Vallejo, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to 14 years and seven months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. On May 13, 2025, following a two-day trial before Judge Coggins, a jury found Caldwell guilty of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Caldwell is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his 14 prior felony convictions, which include convictions for assault, burglary, and stalking. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on Dec. 16, 2024, when multiple guests of a motel in Vallejo called 911 to report that Caldwell was firing a gun inside the building. Officers from the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) quickly responded and evacuated the building, at which point Caldwell barricaded himself in his room and refused to surrender. The Vallejo Police deployed their SWAT and Hostage Negotiation Teams, beginning a multi-hour standoff which lasted into the early morning of the next day. The standoff finally ended when the SWAT Team deployed chemical agents into Caldwell’s room, which forced him out. Caldwell attempted to flee but was quickly arrested. A search of Caldwell’s person did not locate the firearm, but when the officers entered his room, they found a large hole in the bathroom wall. Stuffed inside the hole were multiple items, including a shower curtain, clothing, a canister of bear spray, and a pistol. Officers inspected the gun and determined that it was a privately manufactured firearm, commonly referred to as a ghost gun due to its lack of a traceable serial number. Caldwell had left the gun with a single round of ammunition still in the chamber. This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vallejo Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Campbell and R. Alexander Cárdenas prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Rochester man pleads guilty to drug and gun charges

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Brandon Washington a/k/a B Mack, 40, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $8,000,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who is handling the case, stated that between May 2021 and July 21, 2022, Washington conspired with others to sell marijuana from various drug houses located in the city of Rochester. He oversaw the operation of marijuana distribution houses on St. Paul and Sixth Street in Rochester, and stored marijuana at two residences on Laser Street, also in Rochester. Washington oversaw the supply of drug houses, which were hardened with firearms, with quantities of pre-packaged marijuana for sale and paid individuals to deliver to and sell marijuana from these locations. On July 14, 2022, Rochester Police officers executed a search warrant at the St. Paul Street residence, seizing quantities of marijuana, scales and drug ledgers, as well as $8,254 in cash. On July 16 and July 21, 2022, search warrants were executed at the Sixth Street residence, during which investigators seized quantities of marijuana, approximately $13,390 in cash, and four firearms. Also on July 21, 2022, a search warrant was executed at a Laser Street residence, which served as a stash location, revealing significant quantities of marijuana packaged for sale and five firearms. Gun traces on the firearms connected the conspirators to several other shootings in Rochester in the summer of 2022. A search warrant was also executed at another Laser Street residence, which was Washington’s residence, resulting in the seizure of quantities of marijuana and over 100 rounds of ammunition. Washington, as a previously convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing any ammunition. The case against Washington and his co-conspirators stemmed from the investigation into the murder of Rochester Police Department Investigator Anthony Mazurkewicz and the assault of Investigator Sino Seng, who were shot in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. Mazurkewicz died because of his injuries. Co-conspirator Kelvin Vickers was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison. The investigation also focused on a double homicide occurring the day before, on July 20, 2021, resulting in the deaths of Richard Collinge and Myjel Rand. Co-conspirators Kelvin Vickers, Deadrick Fulwiley and Raheim Robinson were convicted of those murders. Vickers and Robinson were sentenced to life in prison, and Fulwiley received 30-years in prison. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division. Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2025 before Judge Geraci. # # # #


title: District of Arizona Charges 170 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this Week

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from August 16, 2025, through August 22, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 170 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 85 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 70 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 11 cases against 15 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona. These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Recent matters of interest include: United States v. Gonzalo Rafael Morales-Jimenez : On August 18, 2025, Gonzalo Rafael Morales-Jimenez, was charged by criminal complaint with Re-entry of a Removed Alien. Morales-Jimenez had been previously removed from the United States in 2018 after being convicted of Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, and Theft by Extortion, Aggravated Assault, and Misconduct Involving Weapons, all felony offenses, in the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County. The Court ordered all terms of incarceration for the various counts to run concurrently with one another, with the longest sentence being over 10 years in prison. [Case Number: 25-MJ-09342] United States v. Alan William Fischbach : On August 19, 2025, Alan William Fischbach and two Mexican nationals, Rosario Robles-Morales and Jose Antonio Florez-Ramirez, were charged by criminal complaint with Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens. On August 19, Fischbach was observed picking up two loads of illegal aliens and taking them to a motel in Tucson. Robles-Morales and Florez-Ramirez had served as foot guides for the illegal aliens, leading them across the international border into the United States. In total, 10 smuggled illegal aliens were discovered. [Case Number: 25-MJ-09352] United States v. Pedro Carrillo-Miranda : On August 19, 2025, Pedro Carrillo-Miranda was charged by criminal complaint with Re-entry of a Removed Alien. Carrillo-Miranda had been previously removed from the United States in 2002 after being convicted of Attempted Sexual Abuse, a felony offense, in the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County. In that case, Carrillo-Miranda was sentenced to three months in prison, followed by lifetime probation. [Case Number: 25-MJ-09357] United States v. Cesar Eduardo Parra-Ray : On August 20, 2025, a Department of Public Safety (DPS) Sergeant performed a traffic stop on Cesar Eduardo Parra-Rey, who was identified by his Mexico driver's license. After speaking with Parra-Rey, DPS suspected that he was engaged in a human smuggling event and contacted U.S. Border Patrol for assistance. When they arrived, Border Patrol Agents determined that Parra-Rey is a citizen of Mexico with a Border Crossing Card that allows him to enter and pass through the United States legally. However, agents also determined that Parra-Rey’s three passengers were all citizens of Mexico, illegally present in the United States. Parra-Rey was charged by criminal complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien. [Case Number: 25-MJ-09372] United States v. Bryan Valenzuela-Caldera : On August 22, 2025, Bryan Valenzuela-Caldera was charged by criminal complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien for Profit. Valenzuela-Caldera was observed in Nogales, Arizona on multiple days, driving in unusual patterns close to the border. On August 20, Border Patrol Agents initiated a vehicle stop based on their observations, but Valenzuela-Caldera failed to yield, taking several turns and driving through Nogales, Arizona. As he drove, Valenzuela-Caldera struck a civilian vehicle, and then attempted to push the vehicle out of the way by pressing the accelerator of his truck. He then reversed and drove away, ending up on a dead-end road. As agents followed him, Valenzuela-Caldera reversed into one of their Border Patrol vehicles, then got out of his truck and fled on foot. He was eventually apprehended, and two illegal aliens were found inside his truck. [Case Number: 25-MJ-09414] These cases are part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-139_August 22 Immigration Enforcement # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Alaska Resident Found Guilty of Wire Fraud

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland found Peter Igwacho, 64, a Cameroonian national residing in Anchorage, Alaska, guilty Thursday for wire fraud. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between April 2020 and October 2021, during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Igwacho filed at least five fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The information on those forms, in support of his request for stimulus funds, was fraudulent. The applications submitted by Igwacho were filed on behalf of a sole proprietorship that did not, in fact, have actual business operations, payrolled employees, or the reported gross revenues. Further, upon receipt of the stimulus funds, Igwacho did not spend those funds on approved pandemic-related expenses but instead spent the money on personal expenses. The PPP and EIDL programs were designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic. On July 23, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count superseding indictment charging Igwacho with wire fraud. Igwacho faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on November 18, 2025, before a U.S. District Judge. This case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It was prosecuted by Robert Trisotto and Meredith Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.


title: Warm Springs Man Pleads Guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today for assaulting his girlfriend with a pistol on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Henry Jonathan Andrews, 29, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. According to court documents, in October 2024, Andrews was driving with the victim on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Andrews became angry and pulled out a pistol. He struck the victim multiple times in the head with the pistol. Fearing for her life, the victim jumped from the moving car to escape him. She suffered extensive and life-threatening injuries as a result of the assault. On November 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Andrews with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Andrews faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on November 13, 2025, before a U.S. District Judge. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Pamela Paaso and Charlotte Kelley, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon. Domestic violence is a serious crime that can include both physical and emotional abuse, and it is frequently hidden from public view. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members, friends, and communities. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you need assistance or know someone who needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities throughout the country have also created support networks to assist survivors in the process of recovery. The StrongHearts Native Helpline offers culturally specific support and advocacy for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of domestic violence. Please call 1-844-762-8483 or visit www.strongheartshelpline.org for more information.


title: Fulton County Man Charged with Distributing Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ryan Michael Mowrey, age 38, of Caroga Lake, New York, was ordered detained today after being charged on Tuesday with distribution of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement. The complaint alleges that in June 2025, Mowrey communicated with an adult seeking to engage in sexual activity with someone he believed was an 11-year-old girl. After planning to meet in late April 2025 to engage in sexual activity with the child, Mowrey asked to reschedule, and the other person discontinued contact. On May 6, 2025, Mowrey re-engaged in conversation and sent the adult a video of child pornography to prove that he could be trusted. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Acting United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “As alleged, Mowrey sent child pornography to someone he believed had access to an 11-year-old girl. At least several times per week we charge someone engaging in this kind of despicable crime. We will not stop until we have rid our communities of people who have a sexual interest in children.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated: “As alleged, Mr. Mowrey engaged in predatory behavior targeting children and is now facing serious federal charges. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate these disturbing individuals and ensure they are brought to justice for their heinous crimes.” The charge filed against Mowrey carries a maximum term of 40 years in prison, a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. 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 is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Albany County Man Indicted for Receiving Child Pornography

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Nicholas Sherlock, age 33, of Watervliet, New York, was ordered detained today after being indicted for receiving child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement. The indictment, issued Tuesday, alleges that between August 2024 and May 2025, Sherlock received numerous graphic image and video files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a social media application via the Internet. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “As alleged, Sherlock received child sexual abuse material over the internet. This is unfortunately a type of crime that is far too common. Every day we work hard to rid our communities of people who have a sexual interest in children. All such people belong in prison.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “The allegations against Mr. Sherlock are repulsive, and the FBI is committed to dedicating every resource necessary to investigate these disturbing cases involving horrific images of our most vulnerable.” The charge filed against Sherlock carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum term of 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. 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. Also, Sherlock would have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Greene County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Stephen Wendell Lutes, age 32, of Greene County, New York, pled guilty today to sexual exploitation of children, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. In pleading guilty today, Lutes admitted that he sexually abused a girl from the time she was approximately 5 years old until she was approximately 8 years old (“V1”). He acknowledged further that he created recordings of some of that abuse. Lutes also admitted to creating a video depicting both V1 and a different child of approximately the same age (“V2”) naked in a bathtub. In addition to the sexual exploitation of V1 and V2, Lutes also admitted that during the same approximate period of his sexual abuse of V1 that he knowingly viewed and downloaded child pornography depicting other children unknown to him via social media applications and possessed such material on his cellphone. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “Lutes admitted to heinous sexual exploitation and child pornography crimes. My Office is committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting child sex predators in coordination with our federal and state partners. The community is safer because Lutes will be behind bars for years to come.” HIS Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said: “With today's guilty plea, the defendant admitted to his abhorrent exploitation of two children. While no amount of justice can undo the trauma of his crimes, I thank HSI Albany and our partners with the New York State Police and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York for utilizing every tool at our disposal to confront threats against children and vulnerable communities.” At sentencing scheduled for December 22, 2025, Lutes faces a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years for each of three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years for the receipt of child pornography count, and a maximum of 20 years on the possession of child pornography count. In addition to an imprisonment term, the district judge will be required to impose a term of post imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Lutes also will be required to pay restitution to his victims, may be fined up to $250,000, and will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. HSI and the New York State Police investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Mikayla Espinosa and Michael D. Gadarian are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Summerfield Man Sentenced to 19 Years for Ponzi Scheme and Tax Fraud

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: Winston-Salem, NC – A Summerfield man was sentenced today, August 22, 2025, to more than 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, tax evasion, and failure to file tax returns in connection with a $20 million Ponzi scheme, announced United States Attorney Clifton T. Barrett of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC). William Lamar Rhew, III, age 39, was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release by the Honorable Thomas D. Schroeder, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the MDNC. According to court records, from November 2017 to December 2023, Rhew defrauded at least 117 investors of at least $24 million. He induced victims to invest with his company Chadley Capital, LLC which would allegedly buy accounts receivable at a discount, sell them for a profit, and provide consistently high rates of return on investment. Rhew touted the company’s increasing deal flow and underwriting standards and, in offering materials, claimed $300 million in transactions in 2023, consistent returns in excess of 20% per year, and nearly 74% total growth over 24 months. All of Rhew’s representations were false. Instead of investing victims’ funds as promised, Rhew used their money to pay his personal expenses including the purchases of a boat, a beach house, and luxury cars, payments on his personal credit cards, and to make “interest” and “withdrawal” payments to other victim-investors as part of the Ponzi scheme. In addition, for Tax Years 2018 through 2022, Rhew willfully failed to report nearly $9 million in income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and evaded over $3 million in taxes. According to court records, Rhew maintained a shell business entity, funded in part by Chadley Capital, LLC victim funds, to support his personal lifestyle. Rhew claimed payments into this shell business entity as business expenses but lied to his accountant about the existence of any corresponding reportable income. Rhew also falsely reported his personal spending from Chadley Capital, LLC as business expenses. Finally, Rhew willfully failed to file Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, for the tax years 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022. “This defendant devastated the personal finances of individual victims and defrauded the public at large by failing to file and pay taxes to the IRS,” said United States Attorney Barrett. “We will prosecute such schemes to the full extent of the law. We appreciate the robust investigation conducted by our law enforcement partners in this matter.” “The defendant victimized his investors and defrauded American taxpayers by concealing his income from the IRS and evading his tax liability,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS-CI’s collaborative investigative efforts alongside our law enforcement partners led to justice for the victims in this case.” “The time Rhew will spend behind bars will never make up for the millions of dollars he stole from more than a hundred people. He promised to make them rich, instead Rhew is the one who profited. He bought fancy cars, a beach house, and even a boat. Fraud of this magnitude can have a lasting impact not only financially, but emotionally for victims. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to hold fraudsters who rip off hard working Americans accountable,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge. “Through the combined efforts of the SBI and our partner agencies, this individual was held accountable for exploiting his investors’ trust,” said NCSBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Cardwell. “Together, we will continue to pursue those who commit fraud and help protect our citizens.” The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). This case was prosecuted by MDNC Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jeanne Dildine.


title: Florida Man Sentenced to Over Six Years for Witness Retaliation Assault

body_text: WASHINGTON — A Florida man was sentenced today to six years and 10 months in prison for assaulting an individual in retaliation for testimony that the victim provided during the assailant’s trial for his involvement in a home invasion robbery scheme. “Instead of accepting responsibility for his criminal conduct that resulted in a 47-year sentence, St Felix physically attacked and berated a trial witness,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Witness retaliation threatens the very foundation of our justice system, which relies on truthful witness testimony. We will aggressively prosecute any attempt to retaliate against federal witnesses.” “Retaliation against witnesses, no matter when or where it occurs, will not be tolerated. And individuals who assault government witnesses should expect prosecution and punishment,” said U.S. Attorney Clifton T. Barrett for the Middle District of North Carolina. “I commend the agents, attorneys, and USAO staff for their commitment and excellent work on cases stemming from this series of internationally organized home invasions.” “St Felix tried to silence the very process that held him accountable,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Retaliating against a witness strikes at the heart of the justice system. Those who think they can silence or intimidate witnesses will quickly learn the FBI will come after them.” “St Felix led a ring of violent cryptocurrency thieves and when he was sentenced to 47 years, he physically attacked a trial witness, cowardly choosing to blame someone else for his crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. of the FBI Charlotte Field Office. “This additional prison time means he will likely be in his 70s before possibly walking free again. While we know his victims will never fully recover, we hope this sentence provides them some sense of justice.” Remy Ra St Felix, 25, of West Palm Beach, pleaded guilty in the Middle District of North Carolina on May 6 to one count of retaliation against a witness for testimony in a criminal trial. St Felix was charged in a nine-count superseding indictment for crimes stemming from a scheme to steal cryptocurrency during home invasion robberies. St Felix elected to go to trial and was found guilty on all counts . St Felix was subsequently sentenced to 47 years in prison. For this additional sentence, 36 months are to run concurrent to the current sentence and 46 months are to run consecutive to it. In addition to his sentence of incarceration, St Felix was sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to court documents, the United States called a witness (“Witness-1”) at St Felix’s trial who testified about St Felix’s involvement in the home invasion robbery scheme. On Oct. 8, 2024, after St Felix had been sentenced, Witness-1 was seated, restrained with leg shackles, a belly chain, and handcuffs, in the “booking area” of a Detention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. St Felix was allowed out of a holding cell in the same area and assaulted Witness-1 with a series of punches, striking Witness-1 in the face, head, and body. While assaulting Witness-1, St Felix called Witness-1 a “rat” and told Witness-1 that he was responsible for St Felix’s 47-year sentence. That evening, St Felix called his mother and his girlfriend and gloated about assaulting Witness-1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorney Brian Mund of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Iverson for the Middle District of North Carolina prosecuted the case. CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds. ###


title: Owner of local ‘Raining Cash’ tax company sentenced to 3 years in prison for causing $1.7M in tax losses

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A local tax preparer was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to the statutory maximum, 36 months, in prison for aiding in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns. Ali Kasimu Alston, 48, of Columbus, aided in the filing of thousands of fraudulent tax returns. He is ordered to pay more than $1.7 million in restitution to the IRS. According to court documents, from at least 2015 through at least 2022, Alston owned and operated a tax return preparation business in Columbus named Overtime Ventures, LLC that did business as Raining Cash Tax Service. Alston systematically falsified client tax returns to maximize refunds from the IRS. He filed Schedule Cs with fake businesses to maximize tax credits. For example, one false tax return for calendar year 2021 reported false losses for a home healthcare company that did not exist. The false business losses reduced the client’s taxable income, thereby decreasing the tax due and increasing the client’s claimed tax refund. The defendant also attempted to bribe one of his former employees with $4,000 in cash to provide false information to law enforcement, which he knew at the time was investigating his tax preparation business. Even after entering his guilty plea, the defendant continued to assist in the filing of false tax filings. Alston was charged by a bill of information in September 2024 and pleaded guilty in October 2024. Aiding in the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return is a federal crime punishable by up to three years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Cincinnati Field Office, announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge James L. Graham. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Twombly is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Independence Man Charged with Child Pornography Crimes

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Jordan Michael Million, age 23, from Independence, Iowa, has been charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. The charges are contained in an Indictment, unsealed on August 20, 2025, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.  The Indictment alleges that between April 2024 and December 2024, Million received child pornography. It further alleges that, between April 2024 and December 2024, Million possessed child pornography on an Apple cellular telephone and that, between October 2024 and December 2024, Million possessed child pornography on a Motorola cellular telephone. If convicted on all charges, Million faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, $84,300 in special assessments, and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment. Million appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond. As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Marshalltown Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Independence Police Department, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cedar Bend Humane Society. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-2048. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Cedar Rapids Felon Who Ran from Police and  Tossed Gun Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

body_text: A man who possessed a firearm as a felon pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Bruce Jovon Williams, age 34, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Evidence at a prior hearing showed that, on August 28, 2024, in Cedar Rapids, a woman reported to law enforcement that Williams had physically assaulted her and hit her with a gun. Law enforcement officers found and approached Williams. When Williams saw the officers, Williams ran into a nearby backyard and hid in a small garage. He refused to leave the garage and was apprehended by a K9. In the backyard, near the small garage, law enforcement officers found a firearm. Williams has two felony convictions for theft in the second degree. 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. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Williams remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Williams faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Marion Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-108. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Mobile Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 137 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to court documents, Jamar Lee Webb, 42, was arrested by Mobile County Sheriff’s Office deputies during a traffic stop in Mobile on February 24, 2023. That day, federal agents were monitoring a court-authorized closed-circuit television (“CCTV”) recording device installed in a pickup truck belonging to the leader of a major drug-trafficking organization (“DTO”) in Mobile. Agents saw Webb holding a firearm on his lap in plain view on the CCTV video. Agents confirmed that Webb was a convicted felon who also had an active warrant for felony domestic violence assault, so they mobilized to locate and arrest him. During a subsequent traffic stop, agents arrested Webb on his active warrant and detained a passenger who was a drug dealer and member of the DTO. Webb told deputies he had a pistol in the truck. Underneath Webb’s seat, deputies recovered a loaded .40 caliber pistol. Underneath the passenger’s seat, deputies recovered a loaded .380 caliber pistol. On the back floorboard behind the center console, deputies found a bag containing distribution amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, and marijuana, as well as a small amount of crack cocaine. The passenger claimed ownership of the drugs, but CCTV video showed Webb moving items around in the backseat area of the truck and hiding his pistol as deputies initiated the traffic stop. At the time Webb possessed the pistol, he knew he had multiple prior felony convictions, including for distribution of drugs and domestic violence. Webb’s prior felony convictions made his possession of a pistol illegal under federal law. In addition to the 137-month prison sentence, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Webb to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Webb to pay $100 in special assessments and forfeited Webb’s pistol to the United States. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Roller and George May prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico Weekly Immigration and Border Crimes Report

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics for this week. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies. In the one-week period ending August 22, 2025, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico: 65 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326) 6 individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324) 34 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325) 32 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. 797) and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. 1382), arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico. Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, assault, fraud and illegal reentry. This week, Luis Carlos Martinez-Moje , a Mexican national, was charged by criminal complaint with being an alien in possession of ammunition. During a traffic stop in Doña Ana County, law enforcement found approximately 13,980 rounds of ammunition hidden in a concealed compartment in his vehicle. During a subsequent interview, Martinez-Moje admitted that he traveled to Albuquerque to collect the ammunition at the request of an acquaintance he had met in Chihuahua, Mexico, in exchange for payment. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children. The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.


title: Wagoner County Resident Pleads Guilty To Felony Assault And Federal Firearm Crime

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kelly Justin Van Lewis, age 35, of Coweta, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine, and one count of Possession of Ammunition While Subject to Protective Order, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. The Indictment alleged that on April 30, 2024, Lewis assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, intending to do bodily harm. The Indictment further alleged that on July 2, 2025, Lewis knowingly possessed 990 rounds of assorted ammunition shipped and transported in interstate commerce despite knowing he was subject to a court order restraining him from attempting, threatening, or committing domestic violence, stalking, or abuse against an intimate partner. The crimes occurred in Wagoner County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Coweta Police Department. The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Lewis will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.


title: Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

component: Department of Justice

body_text: Jackson, MS – A Romanian woman pleaded guilty on Tuesday, August 19th to a wire fraud scheme defrauding grocery stores in Central Mississippi. According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 7, 2025, a popular supermarket chained observed Loredana Sava, 36, and an accomplice execute a “quick change” scheme involving a wire transaction to steal money from five local stores and impacting five others in the district. Loredana Sava could be seen on surveillance video at various stores on May 7 in Flowood, Brandon, Ridgeland, and Jackson requesting $2500 wire transfers from kiosks inside the stores, using sleight- of-hand techniques to trick cashiers into giving over money to which she was not entitled. The scheme’s design exploited the supermarket terminals and interstate wires for servers located in Denver, Colorado. At all times, Loredana Sava did not have authorization to be lawfully present in the United States. Loredana Sava is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting United States Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis, and Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch made the announcement. The United States Secret Service and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office are investigating the case through their partnership in the Cyber Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys C. Brett Grantham and Kimberly T. Purdie are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery with Firearm

body_text: Jackson, MS – A Jackson man pleaded guilty on Wednesday, August 20th in federal court to the attempted robbery of a dollar store in Jackson. According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 2, 2022, Torrance Stewart, 31, entered a local business with the intent to rob the store with a firearm. Stewart brandished a pistol and threatened the store clerk into retrieving money from the cash register. When the register malfunctioned, Stewart fled on foot. Jackson Police Department (JPD) officers responded and apprehended Stewart in a nearby neighborhood. Torrance Stewart is scheduled to be sentenced on December 15, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Brett Grantham is prosecuting the case. Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson made the announcement. The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive is investigating the case with assistance from the Jackson Police Department. This case was investigated as part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: MISSISSIPPI MEDICAID RECIPIENTS AGREE TO PAY OVER $170,000 TO RESOLVE FALSE CLAIMS ACT ALLEGATIONS OF  HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FRAUD

body_text: Jackson, MS - Patrick A. Lemon, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, announced that former Medicaid recipients, Rajwinder Kaur and Kawaldeep Singh; Narinder Kaur and Prabhdeep Momi; Bobby and Priyalpreet Babber; Gurinder and Mehaknoor Babber; and Navdeep Basra, have agreed to pay a collective total of $173,627.00 to resolve allegations that they knowingly falsified income to unlawfully create eligibility for Mississippi Medicaid health care benefits for their dependents. The Medicaid Program is a state and federally funded health benefit program intended to assist low-income individuals and families. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid (MDOM) is the single state agency responsible for administering health care benefits for eligible, low-income individuals in Mississippi. According to the United States, despite Medicaid’s low-income requirement, these recipients, who were either officers, registered agents, members or owners of convenience stores, gas stations, liquor stores, restaurants or other businesses, falsely represented on various Mississippi Medicaid health care benefit applications and renewals that their respective household derived a nominal amount of income from employment. As such, the United States alleges that they misrepresented their earned income, causing the MDOM to pay health care coverage benefits to which they were not entitled. Individuals who fraudulently obtain Medicaid benefits that they are not entitled to divert funds meant to pay for services for legitimate enrollees, including the elderly and disabled,” stated Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Working with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to investigate Medicaid enrollment fraud schemes to protect the integrity of this vital, taxpayer-funded program. These cases were investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deidre Colson and Keesha Middleton for the Southern District of Mississippi handled the cases. Claims resolved by settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Second Defendant Convicted in Multi-State Retail Crime Theft Scheme

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A Michigan man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island today to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a scheme that defrauded a Rhode Island-based retail outlet of approximately $140,000, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. From at least June 2022, and continuing to April 3, 2024, Mattek Scott, 27, of Flint, MI, and co-conspirators, to include Ariana Asberry, 26, of Flint, MI, fraudulently obtained money, pre-paid gift cards, and merchandise from at least 35 of the retailer’s outlets in at least 11 states, including in Rhode Island. As part of the scheme, Scott, Arianna, and others would use fraudulent debit or credit cards to purchase merchandise and pre-paid gift cards. When the fraudulent payment cards were declined, they directed the cashier to complete the transaction by pushing the “Cash tendered” button; however, no cash was tendered. As a result of this scheme, the gift cards were loaded with U.S. Currency, ranging from $199 to $500. Scott, Arianna, and others traveled to various retail outlets to purchase new pre-paid gift cards using the fraudulently obtained pre-paid cards. The proceeds were then used on various goods and services, including hotel stays, restaurant meals, groceries, car repairs, utilities, gas, and convenience store items. The Rhode Island- based retailer suffered losses totaling approximately $140,000. Scott is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Arianna Asberry pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024, to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was sentenced to time served, three years federal supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,633.01. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Julianne Klein. The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations ###


title: West View Resident Charged with Producing, Receiving, and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The three-count Indictment named Kevin Patrick Brown Jr., 35, of the West View neighborhood of Pittsburgh as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, in and around August of 2019, Brown used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. The Indictment also charges Brown with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material in August 2019 and October 2021, respectively. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. 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.justice.gov/psc . An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AWARDS OVER $3 MILLION TO THE LOUISIANA COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: Acting U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women, has awarded $3,382,830 to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (“LCLE”) to provide resources to help Louisiana agencies combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services. $2,474,419 was awarded through the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. The goal of the grant program is to develop and strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services, including community-based, culturally specific services, in cases involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. $908,411 was awarded through the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program. This program directs grant dollars to states and territories to assist them in supporting rape crisis centers (including governmental rape crisis centers not in territories and tribal governmental programs) and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide core services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault, regardless of age. Funds provided through the SAS Formula Program are designed to supplement other funding sources directed at addressing sexual assault on the state and territorial levels. LCLE is a foundation located in Baton Rouge dedicated to improving the operations of the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems and to promoting public safety by providing progressive leadership and coordination within the criminal justice community. For more information about this award, contact the Office on Violence Against Women at 202-307-6026 and ask for the Policy, Communication, and Evaluation Division.


title: Arizona Man Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy in South Carolina

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Antonie Elbert Eaddy, 49, of Goodyear, Arizona, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine, 5 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of fentanyl, and a quantity of marijuana. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Eaddy and others are responsible for selling 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, a quantity of crack cocaine, and a quantity of marijuana. During their investigation, agents intercepted telephone calls between Eaddy and others talking about sending cocaine and fentanyl from Arizona to South Carolina, concealing them in a box that contained a clock and sending the proceeds back to Eaddy in Arizona. Eaddy also shipped packages of drugs through the mail to Columbia, Florence, Myrtle Beach as well as locations in North Carolina, Maryland, and Florida. Eaddy also used couriers to bring drugs to the east coast and return the drug proceeds to him in Arizona. Eaddy and four other members of his conspiracy were charged together in South Carolina. All have pleaded guilty to their involvement in the conspiracy. United States District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Eaddy to 135 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Parkersburg Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael David Enoch, 33, of Parkersburg, was sentenced today to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 15, 2024, law enforcement officers encountered Enoch on a Parkersburg street and informed Enoch of an active warrant for his arrest. When Enoch reached for his waistband, officers stopped Enoch and recovered a Taurus model PT111 G2 9mm semiautomatic pistol that had been concealed in his waistband. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Enoch knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for wanton endangerment involving a firearm, escape, and receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle in Wood County Circuit Court on February 25, 2019. Enoch has a criminal history that also includes multiple convictions for battery, domestic battery, fleeing from an officer, battery on a government representative, and violation of a protective order. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Parkersburg Police Department. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-26. ###


title: Mexican national previously deported five times, sentenced to federal prison for unlawfully returning to the United States

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: TYLER, Texas –A Mexican national illegally living in Longview, has been sentenced for unlawfully returning to the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Jose Refugio Jara-Palafox, 45, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry following removal and was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on August 21, 2025. Jara-Palafox will be deported once he has served his sentence. According to information presented in court, on August 13, 2024, Jara-Palafox was arrested in Gregg County. Following the arrest, it was determined that he had been deported on five prior occasions and has multiple convictions including two DWIs, indecent exposure, leaving the scene of an accident, and presenting false documentation at a port of entry. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble. ###


title: Cherokee County career criminal sentenced to federal prison for firearms violation

body_text: TYLER, Texas –A Jacksonville convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Eric Pryor, 52, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on August 21, 2025. According to information presented in court, on November 17, 2023, local law enforcement responded to a call regarding reckless driving. When they arrived at the location, they were shown doorbell security camera footage of an individual later identified as Pryor, stepping out of a car and firing four shots at a truck. The truck went through the front yard of the residence to avoid the shots. The two vehicles were soon located on Highway 135 and Pryor admitted to firing the handgun at the truck. Further investigation revealed Pryor had several prior felony convictions, including burglary of a building, possession of a controlled substance, theft of a firearm, evading arrest with a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm. As a convicted felon, Pryor is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble. ##


title: St. Louis County Man Accused of Conspiring to Steal 16 Homes and a Duplex

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man accused of conspiring to steal or try to steal 16 homes and a duplex with bogus deeds appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Thursday and pleaded not guilty to two separate indictments. James L. Townes Jr., 50, of Berkeley, was originally charged by complaint on June 10, 2025. He was indicted by a grand jury on June 25 with one count of mail fraud, one count of access device fraud, one count of unlawful production of an authentication feature, four counts of identity theft and four counts of aggravated identity theft. An August 6 superseding indictment charged Townes with a total of 25 counts, including conspiracy, mail fraud, access device fraud, fraudulently effecting transactions, unlawful production of an authentication feature, identity theft and aggravated identity theft. Townes was indicted in a separate case on August 6 with one count of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud and four counts of theft of government funds. The superseding indictment accuses Townes and Charnay Bartlett, 29, of using a series of deeds to fraudulently transfer the ownership of 16 residences and a duplex between September 2018, and April 2025. Townes and Bartlett stole the identities of the true owners and fraudulently notarized the documents and forged signatures to perpetuate the transfers, the indictment says. Townes continued to fraudulently transfer the properties after his notary license was suspended, the indictment says. Bartlett faces one count of conspiracy, one count of fraudulently effecting transactions, four counts of unlawful production of an authentication feature and four counts of identity theft. The second indictment accuses Townes of falsely claiming to be disabled from February 2017, through August 6, 2025. Townes, it says, claimed not to have a bank account or any resources and said he could not walk more than five or 10 steps, do any household chores or lift, squat, bend, climb stairs, concentrate or complete tasks. During that time, Townes ran Tied Tight Entertainment and acted as the registered agent of 13 other LLCs, owned two investment accounts, became commissioned as a notary public and filed property deeds, the indictment says. Charges set forth in indictments are merely an accusation and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the St. Louis County Police Department and the Hazelwood Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is prosecuting the case.