title: Middle District Of Florida Prosecutors Indict 46 Firearms And Violent Crime Defendants During First Quarter Of 2025 As Part Of Project Safe Neighborhoods Strategy

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today the results of the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, ending on December 31, 2024, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida indicted 46 individuals. These defendants face federal firearms, narcotics, and violent crime charges. Law enforcement also seized more than 85 firearms associated with these cases. ( See chart for details ). The U.S. Attorney’s Office also engaged in more than 30 community outreach events focused on PSN and crime prevention. Members of the office spoke with hundreds of students as part of outreach efforts during the first quarter of 2025. In addition, prosecutors spoke to more than 100 recently released individuals at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office DISMAS program at the Jacksonville Bridge Community Release Center and over 50 inmates scheduled for release from the Baker Re-Entry Center. “My office is committed to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement officers to combat violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “Over the past three fiscal years, my office has increased the number of violent crime and firearms cases brought in federal court by over 75%. In total, federal prosecutors have charged more than 750 defendants with firearms violations during that timeframe, with more than 300 of those defendants being charged in the most recent fiscal year. We will continue to federally prosecute and hold accountable those perpetrators of violent crimes in our communities.” PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. This evidence-based program has proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders working together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in communities and developing comprehensive solutions that reduce crime. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses on prevention and intervention efforts through community engagement and problem-solving partnerships, strategic enforcement of the most violent offenders, and locally based re-entry programs to reduce recidivism. Q1 PSN Case Highlights United States v. JD Irons, Jr. (Ft. Myers) In October 2024, JD Irons, Jr. was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. According to court records, in December 2023, Irons fled from officers with the Fort Myers Police Department during a traffic stop. Irons was subsequently located, and a firearm was recovered from the vehicle and forensically linked to Irons. Irons qualified for enhanced sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act. United States v. Jameise Christian et al (Jacksonville) On December 10, 2024, Jameise Vaughn Christian was sentenced to 12 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing a firearm during the robberies. According to court documents, Christian and his co-conspirators planned and executed a series of jewelry store robberies in New Jersey, Florida, and the District of Columbia. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, the group targeted predominantly South Asian jewelry stores along the east coast. Wearing disguises and armed with firearms, they used hammers to smash jewelry display cases and steal valuable items. These stores were specifically chosen because they sold high-purity gold, which yielded higher proceeds when sold for cash. To date, all individuals involved in the Jacksonville and New Jersey robberies have been arrested and face charges in Jacksonville and Washington, D.C. United States v. Joshua Fries (Ocala) On October 23, 2024, Joshua Fries pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons: a silencer and machinegun-conversion devices. Fries faces up to 10 years in federal prison on each count when he is sentenced next month. According to court documents, Fries provided a confidential informant with two auto sears (machinegun-conversion devices) and a silencer, all of which he had illegally manufactured. During their conversations, Fries disclosed to the informant that he was part of a local anti-government militia group and that he made silencers, auto sears, and other weapons for that militia. Contrary to federal law, none of these devices were registered to Fries in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record—a database maintained by ATF. United States v. Joshua Grant Cobb (Orlando) Joshua Grant Cobb was sentenced in December 2024 to 25 years in federal prison for possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute them and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, law enforcement identified Cobb as a distributor of methamphetamine and heroin/fentanyl who used his residence to facilitate drug transactions. A confidential source arranged to fentanyl at Cobb’s residence. Cobb was later detained as he was leaving his residence. He had a loaded firearm and 55 grams of a fentanyl mixture on him at the time. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cobb’s home and agents located over 700 grams of methamphetamine, nearly 350 grams of fentanyl mixtures, $4,000 in cash, drug processing materials and equipment, and 6 additional loaded firearms. United States v. Francisco Cabrera (Tampa) In November 2024, Francisco Cabrera was sentenced to 38 years in federal prison for robbery, carjacking, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. According to court records, Cabrera engaged in a crime spree where he robbed two stores and a gas station, holding victims at gunpoint. Cabrera later returned to the gas station he had robbed, approached an individual sitting inside a truck, and carjacked him at gunpoint. Hours later, officers and agents located Cabrera who then fled from the officers. During an 11-mile chase, Cabrera traveled at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, nearly crashed into a truck, drove through red lights and into oncoming traffic causing other vehicles to take evasive actions, and nearly missed hitting other vehicles. While fleeing, Cabrera fired gunshots at numerous local and federal agents, firing at 7 different police officers. In fear that Cabrera was going to kill someone, and after determining that no other law enforcement officers or civilians would be in danger, an ATF special agent fired at Cabrera striking him twice in his lower back. The same law enforcement officers that Cabrera had fired upon then quickly provided him with first aid medical assistance, saving his life. These cases are being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys in all five divisions throughout the Middle District of Florida. For additional information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit our website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/project-safe-neighborhoods-0 . 20250123_psn_q1_fy_2025_chart.pdf


title: Alpha Influence Ringleader Admits to Defrauding Investors of Over $20M

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

number: Release No. 25-06

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah businessman pleaded guilty today to securities fraud and money laundering after admitting he lied to investors and fraudulently sold investment contracts, which are securities, through his company Alpha Influence, LLC for “Alpha Automated Stores.” Jeremiah Joseph Evans “The Bull,” 29, of Utah County, was charged by felony information on January 21, 2025. According to court documents and admissions made at the change of plea hearing, from July 2019 to July 2022, Evans fraudulently sold investments in e-commerce stores through Alpha Influence, LLC., a registered Utah corporation. As part of the scheme to defraud, Evans promised investors to secure money in exchange for the Alpha investments. Evans fraudulently obtained approximately $20,894,674 from approximately 530 investors. As alleged in court documents, Evans lied to investors about how successful his company was and how long it was in operation. Evans sold the e-commerce stores to purchasers as a passive investment and promised that the stores would make consistent, predictable, monthly returns despite knowing this was false. He failed to disclose that the majority of the invested funds went directly to Alpha Influence, LLC, and were primarily distributed as commissions to those selling the fraudulent investment and himself, with only a small portion sent to the servicer of the investors’ stores. Evans is scheduled to be sentenced April 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated jointly by the Utah Division of Securities and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Woolf, Brian Williams, and Jennifer E. Gully of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.


title: Shelby County Man Sentenced to 270 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Charge

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Shelby County man was sentenced on January 14, 2025 to 270 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to public court documents, on January 2, 2024, law enforcement pursued a vehicle in a high-speed chase through Harlan and Avoca, including on Interstate 80. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Sean Patrick Gifford, 41. On January 31, 2024, Gifford engaged in a second high-speed chase with law enforcement and was in possession of over 190 grams of methamphetamine and $29,845. Evidence located during a forensic search of Gifford’s cell phone corroborated his drug trafficking activities and linked him to the distribution of 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. After completing his term of imprisonment, Gifford will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and Iowa State Patrol.


title: Orlando Man Pleads Guilty To Conducting Series Of Cyber Intrusions Against Former Employer

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Michael Scheuer (39, Orlando) today pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly transmitting a program, code, or command to a protected computer and intentionally causing damage without authorization and one count of aggravated identity theft. Scheuer faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the computer fraud, as well as a minimum sentence of 2 years in federal prison for the aggravated identity theft. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, Scheuer conducted a series of computer intrusions or attacks directed at his former employer following his termination. These intrusions included manipulating allergen information in restaurant menus to indicate that food items were safe for customers with certain allergies, when they were not. Scheuer also altered menu information related to wine regions to reflect locations of recent mass shootings. Further, Scheuer launched denial-of-service attacks designed to lock certain company employees out of their enterprise accounts. Scheuer agreed to forfeit the computer used to commit the offenses. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Tampa Division Orlando Resident Agency Criminal Intrusion Cyber Squad. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Sowell.


title: Receipt of child pornography sends Indiana man to prison for 10 years

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA — An Indiana man who admitted to possessing child pornography after investigators in Bozeman found thousands of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his cell phone was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Todd Schannen Pearson, 55, of Indianapolis, Indiana, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court also ordered $42,000 restitution. The government alleged in court documents that in June 2020, Verizon reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a user had uploaded to its cloud storage five files that depicted a prepubescent minor engaged a lascivious display of her genital area. An investigation by the Bozeman Police Department determined that Pearson owned the account and that he had uploaded other images to Verizon’s cloud storage. In September 2021, Bozeman police seized a cell phone from Pearson’s person in Bozeman, and a forensic analysis revealed Pearson’s phone contained at least an additional 10,002 images and 84 videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. These images were transported to Pearson’s cell phone using the internet. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bozeman Police Department, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Montana Sexual and Violent Offender Registry conducted the investigation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . XXX


title: Ammon Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: POCATELLO – Chase Phillip Hornaday, 41, of Ammon, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, officers with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began investigating Hornaday in November 2023, after receiving reports that he had possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material. After executing a search warrant on an online file sharing account belonging to Hornaday, ICAC officers uncovered more than 60 images and videos of child sexual abuse material in the account and found evidence that Hornaday had exchanged child sexual abuse material with other individuals online. On January 10, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at Hornaday’s home and recovered his cell phone, which contained an additional 300 images of child sexual abuse material. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Hornaday be placed on supervised release for five years following his prison sentence and ordered that he pay $27,000 in restitution. Hornaday will also be required to register as a sex offender. Hornaday pleaded guilty to the charge on October 23, 2024. “Another Idaho community is safer because of the teamwork between federal law enforcement, the ICAC Task Force, and local sheriff’s offices and police departments,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We will continue to spare no effort to find and prosecute those who possess or distribute child sexual abuse material.” “The sentence reflects the serious nature of child exploitation and sends a clear message that those who prey on the most vulnerable members of our society will be held accountable,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “The investigation and prosecution of these crimes remain a top priority for our agency, and we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that offenders are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” “This sentence represents the hard work of ICAC’s investigators,” said Attorney General Raúl Labrador. “I’m grateful for the continued commitment of every participating agency to keep our kids safe from abuse and exploitation, and for the courts that recognize the seriousness of these crimes.” U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and the Idaho ICAC Task Force for the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. ###


title: McGlothin named Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: Pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act, First Assistant United States Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr., has been named the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas following the departure of U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs on January 21, 2025.


title: Rhode Island Woman Convicted in International Money Laundering Scheme

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A woman who created a local business to launder millions of dollars of funds fraudulently obtained from scam victims was convicted today by a federal jury for money laundering conspiracy and multiple counts of money laundering, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Jennifer O. Djan, 32, a Ghanian national residing in Pawtucket, RI, registered a business and opened multiple business bank accounts, which she then used to launder fraud proceeds, much of which made its way to individuals in the Republic of Ghana. Ms. Djan is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2025. The jury reached its verdict after deliberating for approximately four-and-one-half hours that followed six days of testimony. “By laundering money for a ring of scammers, this defendant played a critical role in helping fraudsters bilk innocent victims across the United States out of their hard-earned savings to enrich herself and her co-conspirators overseas,” remarked U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. “I am pleased that a federal jury had no problem seeing through her attempt at deception, and that today she faces the richly deserved conviction.” “Jennifer Djan not only conspired with others who blatantly defrauded unsuspecting victims across the country who were looking for companionship and hoping for a better financial future, she tried to conceal her criminal cash flow by laundering millions of dollars through multiple bank accounts here in the U.S. and in Ghana,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI and our partners are grateful to the jury for its service and swift verdict that will hopefully put this financial fraudster permanently out of business.” The government’s evidence showed that, beginning in September 2020, Djan registered a supposed “logistics” business based out of a Pawtucket apartment she shared with several family members. Almost immediately, Djan began establishing multiple business checking accounts tied to her purported business, and then used those bank accounts to receive proceeds sent directly from fraud victims, and other proceeds sent to her by other members of the conspiracy. Despite having no infrastructure to provide logistics services and apparently having no legitimate business, the evidence presented to the jury showed that large sums of money flowed into these accounts. The evidence also established that funds flowing into Djan’s business accounts were often moved out of those accounts within days, at times transferred directly to another co-conspirator’s account in the U.S. or Ghana. Additionally, the evidence showed that Djan travelled back and forth between the United States and Ghana for months at a time, both bringing fraud proceeds with her and withdrawing them from accounts while she was overseas. While in Ghana, she also directed another individual to retrieve checks for her in the United States and to deposit them into her accounts. In November 2022, Djan’s residence was searched pursuant to a federal search warrant. No business records were located and no evidence that Djan was operating a legitimate business was found. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julianne Klein and John P. McAdams. Djan was ordered detained following the return of the jury’s verdict. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The matter was investigated by the FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Task Force, with assistance from the North Providence Police Department. ###


title: Jury convicts California man in diamond investment fraud scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – On Jan. 14, Murray Todd Petersen, 73, of Fair Oaks, California, was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, after a seven-day jury trial in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From March 2013 through August 2019, Petersen, who worked as a salesman for Petersen & Lowe LLC, induced investors to purchase fancy-colored diamonds using materially false and fraudulent representations concerning the safety and security of the investments, the value of the investments, the expected profits and rates of return, and the use of investors’ funds. After selling his victims expensive fancy-colored diamonds supplied with fraudulent overvalued appraisals, he instructed his clients to hold onto their investments often for one to two years prior to looking to liquidate. When trying to cover his investors cash out demands at the overpriced appraisal prices, he used another false representation of a China investment program, where he would purportedly invest the victims’ money into the Chinese diamond market with a purported guaranteed five to eight percent monthly dividend return on investment. Unbeknownst to his victims, this new investment program was really a Ponzi scheme in disguise designed to pay off his first round of investor clients. When customers began to complain about missing promised returns and highly inaccurate overvalued appraisals, the scheme pivoted again to a theft model, where investors prepaid for diamonds that were never delivered. Petersen took approximately $850,000 in sales commissions from his victims, which he used to pay off his high IRS tax liens and cover his business operating expenses. After his conviction, Petersen was remanded into custody. A sentencing hearing is set for April 24 at 10:00 a.m. in Fort Lauderdale. Petersen faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. Petersen’s co-conspirators Adam Jonathan Lowe, 43, of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit wire Fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering in July 2024 and Scott Schafer, 62, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in June 2024. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael S. Davis for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the conviction. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc Anton and Latoya Brown prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 23-cr-60225. ###


title: Operator of Home Health Care Company Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Multimillion Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Westford woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a home health care fraud scheme. Faith Newton, 56, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole, Jr. to 12 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Newton was also ordered to pay a fine of $250,000 and restitution in the amount of $99,734,517. In July 2024 , Newton was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of health care fraud and three counts of money laundering. The jury found the defendant not guilty on one count of money laundering conspiracy. Newton was arrested and charged along with co-defendant Winnie Waruru in February 2021 . “Ms. Newton used the home health care agency she operated to perpetrate a massive, years-long fraud scheme that siphoned over $100 million from a program designed to support our most vulnerable residents. She used the stolen money to fund her lavish lifestyle, showing a callous disregard for those who were in dire need of care and assistance. Her actions not only defrauded taxpayers but also compromised the integrity of essential home health care services. The significant prison term imposed today reflects the seriousness of her crimes and the harm she caused to patients, providers, and the public,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Those who exploit vital health care programs like MassHealth for personal gain will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who prioritize greed over the well-being of others.” “Faith Newton seemed to think she could execute a $100 million health care fraud scheme at the expense of American taxpayers and get away with it, but she was grossly mistaken,” said Special Agent in Charge Roberto Coviello of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “HHS-OIG is committed to protecting taxpayer-funded health care programs from fraud and abuse, and our message is clear: those who exploit our nation’s health care system for personal gain will be caught, and justice will be served.” “The sentencing of Faith Newton demonstrates IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to the prosecution of all financial crimes that impact the citizens of the United States,” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Newton orchestrated an elaborate healthcare scheme, stealing at least $100 million from Medicaid and MassHealth with the sole purpose of funding her lavish lifestyle at the expense of the American taxpayers. Newton’s self-serving actions impacted the tens of thousands of U.S. citizens that depend on the finite funds that these government programs provide in order to obtain even the most basic of medical care.” “Faith Newton betrayed the trust of her patients and their families when she used them as pawns in a massive $100 million home health care fraud scheme to fund her lavish lifestyle by paying kickbacks and billing for services she never provided, treatments that were not medically necessary, and visits by sham home health aides who were not certified or trained,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “It’s clear that the guiding principle here was greed. Anyone involved in, or entertaining, similar activity should know that health care fraud is a priority for the FBI, and we will pursue anyone trying to steal from this country’s vital health care system.” From January 2013 to January 2017, Newton operated Arbor Homecare Services LLC. Newton and others engaged in a conspiracy to use Arbor to defraud MassHealth of at least $100 million. Specifically, Arbor, through Newton and others, billed for home health services that were never provided. Co-conspirators were instructed by Newton to create and submit falsified copy-and-paste notes from nursing visits that did not happen. In addition, Arbor, through Newton and others, paid kickbacks for patient referrals, regardless of medical necessity. They also entered sham employment relationships with patients’ family members to provide home health aide services that were not medically necessary and routinely billed for fictitious visits that Newton knew did not occur. Newton and Arbor would flood clinics with Plans of Care that were not medically necessary, pressuring doctors to sign off. At Newton’s direction, Arbor would submit false claims to MassHealth for services by HHA’s who were not trained and certified as required by law. Arbor never provided the required 75 hours of training to the people it hired. Newton covered up the lack of HHA training by forging training documents and giving hires sham exams along with answer keys. In 2017, after learning that Mass Health had cut off Arbor, Newton cut herself and her husband each a $2 million dollar check from the Arbor payroll account. Newton backdated the checks to 2016 to make them appear as Christmas bonuses, when in fact, Newton wrote and negotiated the checks in January 2017. Newton’s co-defendant, Waruru, pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy in September 2022 . A sentencing date for Waruru has not yet been scheduled. U.S. Attorney Foley; HHS SAC Coviello; IRS Acting SAC Demeo; and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William B. Brady and Christopher R. Looney of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Carol Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Iowa City Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man was sentenced today to 6 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography. According to public court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip that a social media account, later determined to be associated with Christopher Kevin Carpenter, 62, received files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement seized 10 electronic and storage devices during a search of Carpenter’s Coralville residence. A forensic examination of the seized devices and multiple cloud-based storage accounts showed that Carpenter received images and videos containing child sexual abuse material dating back to 2001. After completing his term of imprisonment, Carpenter will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Carpenter was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the University of Iowa Department of Campus Safety. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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: Dillon meth, fentanyl trafficker sentenced to more than 11 years in prison

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

body_text: MISSOULA — A Dillon man who admitted to trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl he obtained in Washington for distribution in southwest Montana was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Jason Louie Tong, 50, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The government alleged in court documents that in March 2023, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation learned that Tong was distributing drugs in southwest Montana. Law enforcement recovered drugs from Tong’s vehicle twice in 2023, and during a third stop in 2023, officers arrested him and recovered drugs from his vehicle. Tong took at least four trips to Washington in 2023 to procure meth and fentanyl, with each trip yielding between five and 10 pounds of meth and 10,000 to 50,000 fentanyl pills. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Highway Patrol, Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office, Butte Silver Bow Law Enforcement and Idaho State Police conducted the investigation. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Parkersburg Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Christian Elliott, 21, of Parkersburg, was sentenced today to three years 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 April 2, 2024, Elliott was on probation for an offense committed in Ohio when his residence was searched as a condition of his probation supervision. The search revealed a loaded Glock model 43X 9mm pistol, a loaded Diamondback firearms model DB-15 multi-caliber pistol, a loaded Glock model 29SF 10mm pistol, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, scales, and $6,717 in the residence. Elliott admitted to possessing the firearms. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Elliott knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer in Lucas County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas on September 7, 2022. Law enforcement officers investigating Elliott found a social media page that Elliott maintained with photos of Elliott holding a large amount of marijuana, a large amount of cash, and multiple firearms. Elliott told investigators he was holding a half-pound of marijuana in the photos and that he possessed the firearms for protection while selling marijuana. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum and former Assistant United States Attorney Troy D. Adams 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 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. 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. 2:24-cr-97. ###


title: Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 210 Months in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced on January 21, 2025 to 210 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography. According to public court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received CyberTips that an account, later determined to be associated with Todd David Matheson, 63, had files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement seized electronic devices during a search of Matheson’s Council Bluffs residence and an Omaha residence. A forensic examination of the seized electronic devices showed that Matheson used the devices to receive and distribute images and videos containing child sexual abuse material. After completing his term of imprisonment, Matheson will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Restitution to the victims will be determined at a later date. Matheson will be required to register as a sex offender. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department and Omaha Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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: Plymouth Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to a Decade Long Cyberstalking Campaign Against Multiple Victims and Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: BOSTON – A Plymouth, Mass. man has agreed to plead guilty to charges relating to cyberstalking numerous Massachusetts victims through social media, email and various online platforms. The defendant allegedly programmed multiple artificial intelligence-driven chatbots to mimic human conversation through text or voice interactions with unknown users of social media platforms and used generative artificial-intelligence tools to create pornographic images of the victims in order to post them online to websites that focus on shaming and degrading women. James Florence Jr., 36, has agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of cyberstalking and one count of possession of child pornography. Florence was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2024. According to the charging documents, on or about January of 2014 through September of 2024, Florence engaged in an extensive cyberstalking campaign targeting victims and those associated with them. Florence used a variety of techniques and methods to allegedly harass and intimidate his victims and others in the community, including making fake nude images of the victims, doxing or exposing victims’ personal information, creating vulgar fake accounts in the victims’ names and accessing online accounts without authorization (i.e. “hacking”) the victims’ accounts. Florence’s cyberstalking campaigns allegedly included obtaining, -and then widely distributing, private information about the victims, such as private photographs or photographs shared amongst friends on social media. These photographs were frequently doctored to appear sexual or pornographic in nature. According to court documents Florence also allegedly accessed online accounts without authorization; created accounts in the name of his victims; and solicitated fantasy sexual encounters on their behalf. In the case of one victim, those fabricated sexual encounters allegedly included building a profile of the victim on an interactive platform with information about the victim’s apparent underwear preference, information that the victim was sexually adventurous, used sex toys and had a sex swing in her home. Florence allegedly listed the victims home address; posed as his victims by creating impersonation accounts in their names and then posted or sent various harmful content from those accounts; encouraged others to extort, shame, defame and intimidate victims for pornographic material; and stole victims’ underwear and used photos of the underwear to both harass those victims or engage with others on the internet to further mutual sexual fantasies. In addition to having received threatening messages from social media and email accounts believed to be controlled by Florence, the victims also allegedly received harassing and extorting communications that are believed to be from users who messaged the victims as a result of Florence’s posts encouraging them to do so. Florence allegedly created and posted photo collages of one of the victims to a website, including images edited to make her appear nude or semi-nude along with all her personal identifying information and captions that encouraged viewers to “Post & Share Her Everywhere. Make The Whore Famous.” The charge of stalking by electronic means provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Plymouth Police Department and Plymouth Fire Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Newberry Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Federal Firearm and Narcotics Convictions

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tyrell Rakeem Sanders, 29, of Newberry, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. Evidence presented to the court showed that on Dec. 22, 2022, Richland County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call that a man was possibly selling drugs out of his vehicle in an apartment complex parking lot. Deputies found the suspicious vehicle with Sanders sitting in the driver’s seat. After smelling the odor of marijuana and seeing the handle of a firearm on the floorboard in plain view, deputies detained Sanders and his passenger before searching the vehicle. Deputies recovered a stolen .40 caliber pistol between the driver’s seat and the driver’s door, which Sanders later claimed to own. Deputies also recovered a total of 201 grams of marijuana in a backpack that was on the driver’s floorboard. Finally, deputies searched Sanders’s person and found a baggie of multi-colored pills that were later confirmed to be methamphetamine with a weight of 37.9 grams. At sentencing, Sanders was also held accountable for two other incidents—one in Richland County and one in Newberry County—where he possessed firearms and an incident where he led police on a high-speed chase for over 20 miles. These incidents of relevant conduct served to enhance the advisory sentencing guideline range that federal judges consider before imposing a sentence. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Tyrell Rakeem Sanders to 151 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a six-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. 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. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Sanford is prosecuting the case. ###


title: West Wareham Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A West Wareham man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Joshua Roe, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy scheduled for April 17, 2025. In January 2025, Roe was charged by Information. He was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with the same offenses in September 2024 and has remained in federal custody since. On Sept. 6, 2024, during a search of Roe’s home, approximately 11 electronic devices belonging to Roe were recovered. While on site, a forensic examination was conducted on at least one device, which revealed images and videos depicting CSAM. At a later date, further forensic examinations of the seized devices were conducted and CSAM was found on seven of those devices, including deleted CSAM files. The receipt charge provides for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, supervised release of no less than five years and a maximum of life and a $250,000 fine. The possession charge provides for up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations; and Chief Walter Correia of the Wareham Police Department made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ .


title: Former Keolis Assistant Chief Engineer Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Keolis Commuter Services

body_text: BOSTON – The former Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities for Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) pleaded guilty today to defrauding Keolis of over $8 million and to defrauding the IRS. John P. Pigsley, 59, pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of tax evasion, one count of filing a false tax return and four counts of structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for April 17, 2025. Pigsley and his co-conspirator John Rafferty were charged in April 2023. Keolis has operated the MBTA commuter rail system since 2014 under an annual contract of $291–$349 million. Between 2014 and November 2021, Pigsley was employed as Keolis’ Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities and was responsible for the maintenance of MBTA Commuter Rail Facilities and their engineering operations, including corrective repair and project management for assets and maintenance and ordering and approving his subordinates’ orders of electrical supplies from outside vendors for Keolis. Pigsley also operated a separate construction company called Pigman Group. Rafferty was the general manager of LJ Electric, Inc., an electrical supply vendor to which Keolis paid over $17 million between 2014 through 2021. Between July 2014 and November 2021, Pigsley and Rafferty defrauded Keolis of over $4 million through a false LJ Electric invoicing scheme. Specifically, Rafferty purchased vehicles, construction equipment, construction supplies and other items for Pigsley, Pigman Group and others, and Pigsley directed Rafferty to recover the cost of these items by submitting false and fraudulent LJ Electric invoices to Keolis. Rafferty spent more than $3 million on items for Pigsley and others – including: at least nine trucks; construction equipment including at least seven Bobcat machines; at least $1 million in home building supplies and services; and a $54,000 camper– for which Keolis paid Rafferty more than $4 million based on false LJ Electric invoices. In addition to the false invoicing scheme, Pigsley directed Keolis to purchase copper wire which he then stole and sold to scrap metal businesses, keeping the cash proceeds for himself. To conceal the theft, Pigsley personally picked up the copper wire orders from vendors or had the orders delivered to his Beverly home. Pigsley then personally transported the wire to scrap yards where he traded it for thousands of dollars in cash several times a month and sometimes more than once a day. Pigsley obtained more than $4.5 million in cash by stealing and scrapping the copper wire. In addition, Pigsley defrauded the IRS by failing to withhold and pay federal income taxes on income he received from the LJ Electric invoicing scheme and from scrapping copper wire. Pigsley also filed a false tax return for the tax year 2016. Additionally, Pigsley deposited over $1.9 million in cash into his bank accounts between 2014 and 2021 and structured some of those deposits to evade currency transaction reporting requirements applicable to financial institutions. The charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of tax evasion provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated structuring provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. In June 2023 , Rafferty pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Rafferty is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10, 2025. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the cases.


title: Jefferson County man sentenced to 10 years for possessing fentanyl

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. Joe Anthony Garcia, 28, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on January 23, 2025. According to information presented in court, on May 19, 2022, law enforcement officers responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a shooting on Avenue E in Beaumont. Officers found at least 16 bullet holes in the front door of the home and Garcia, a resident of the home, inside with gunshot wounds to his chest and hip. Officers also observed narcotics throughout the house in plain view. A search warrant was obtained, and additional narcotics were discovered, including over 1,200 pills in the bathroom. The pills were analyzed by the crime lab and found to contain approximately 156 grams of fentanyl. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. The Public Safety Alert coincides with the launch of DEA’s One Pill Can Kill Public Awareness Campaign to educate the public of the dangers of counterfeit pills and urges all Americans to take only medications prescribed by a medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in fake pills that are mass-produced by criminal drug networks in labs, deceptively marketed as legitimate prescription pills, and are killing unsuspecting Americans at an unprecedented rate. For more information, please visit https://www.dea.gov/onepill. This case was investigated by the Beaumont Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn. ###


title: Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Larry Joe Chapman, 44, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2024, law enforcement officers responded to a reported shoplifting at a MacCorkle Avenue business in South Charleston. Officers encountered Chapman in the storage room of the business, with a knife in his hand. Officers arrested Chapman, took him outside, and searched him. Officers found a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol and merchandise belonging to the business on Chapman’s person. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Chapman knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for breaking and entering a building other than a dwelling on February 5, 2018, and conspiracy to operate and attempt to operate a clandestine drug laboratory for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine on November 8, 2013, both in Kanawha County Circuit Court. Chapman is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the South Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel D. Marsh is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 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. 2:24-cr-125. ###


title: Newton Man Sentenced to 100 Months in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Newton man was sentenced on January 15, 2025 to 100 months in federal prison for receipt of child sexual abuse material. According to public court documents, between October 2022 and January 2024, Charles Gordon Feagins, 24, purchased and received images and videos containing child sexual abuse material. During a search of Feagins’s Newton residence, law enforcement seized electronic devices that had more than 500 images and videos containing child sexual abuse material. After completing his term of imprisonment, Feagins will be required to serve a fifteen-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Feagins was also ordered to pay $45,000 in restitution. Feagins will be required to register as a sex offender. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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: Founder And Former CEO Of San Francisco Technology Company And Attorney Indicted For Years-Long Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – A 25-count indictment was unsealed today charging Alexander Charles Beckman, the founder and former CEO of GameOn, Inc., also known as GameOn Technology or ON Platform (“GameOn”), and Valerie Lau Beckman (“Lau”), an attorney who worked on GameOn matters and is married to Beckman, with conspiracy, wire fraud, securities fraud, identity theft, and other offenses. Lau was also charged with obstruction of justice. According to the indictment filed on Jan. 21, 2025, Beckman, 41, and Lau, 38, both of San Francisco, allegedly conspired to defraud GameOn investors, GameOn, and a bank. GameOn is a San Francisco-based private business that offers a software program claiming artificial intelligence functionality that mimics human conversation and interaction, commonly known as a chatbot or “chat.” Its customers included prominent American professional sports leagues and teams and leading luxury fashion and retail brands. Over the course of the alleged scheme, from September 2018 to July 2024, Beckman raised over $60 million from GameOn investors. Lau was an attorney who worked on GameOn corporate and transactional matters from at least 2016 to 2024. The couple married in October 2023. Beckman and Lau allegedly used over $4 million of GameOn investor funds on personal expenses, including purchases of residences in San Francisco, payments to private schools, and payments to their wedding venue. “The Bay Area is home to incredible innovation and hard-working entrepreneurs, but innovation cannot grow through fraud. Schemes like the ones that defendants are charged with threaten our financial markets and cheat investors,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins. “This indictment should serve as a reminder that we will investigate and hold fraudsters accountable.” “Fraud undermines the integrity of our capital markets and erodes the trust that investors place in them,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin. “The FBI is committed to ensuring our financial markets remain fair and transparent by investigating and holding accountable those who engage in deceptive practices.” As alleged in the indictment, Beckman’s statements to GameOn investors often described non-existent revenue, inflated cash balances, and fake and otherwise exaggerated customer relationships. To further the scheme, Beckman allegedly used the names of at least seven real people—including fake emails and signatures—without their permission to distribute false and fraudulent GameOn financial and business information and documents with the intent to defraud GameOn and its investors. Among the individuals whose names Beckman used to commit the fraud scheme was a GameOn CFO, two bank employees, and an employee of a major professional sports league. Beckman also fabricated two GameOn audit reports using the names, signatures, and trademarks of reputable accounting firms, including one of the Big Four accounting firms, to validate false financial statements, and distributed over a dozen fake bank statements for GameOn’s accounts as part of the scheme. After changing law firms multiple times, Lau joined a venture capital firm in September 2021. Lau is alleged to have provided Beckman with genuine audit reports that she obtained from her own employer that Beckman then used to create fake audit reports for GameOn. The indictment alleges that Lau personally emailed one of these fake audit reports to a GameOn investor’s representative, knowing it to be fake, to induce further investment into the company. In June 2024, Lau furthered the scheme to defraud by delivering a fake GameOn account statement—one that she knew falsely listed GameOn’s balance at a certain financial institution as over $13 million when the company’s true balance was just $25.93—to a bank branch in San Francisco and asking a bank employee to keep the fake statement in an envelope at the bank for Beckman to pick up later that day. Lau knew that Beckman planned to pick up the fake statement with a GameOn director who represented a major investor on GameOn’s board. Beckman picked up the fake statement with the GameOn director that day. In August 2024, when Lau’s employer approached Lau regarding GameOn, Lau lied to her employer about her work for GameOn and then attempted to delete hundreds of files relating to that GameOn work from her employer’s records at a time when a grand jury investigation into GameOn was pending. Beckman and Lau were arrested earlier today and made their initial appearances in federal court in San Francisco this morning. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, defendants face the following maximum sentences: 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1349 and securities fraud under 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) and 78ff; five years in prison for the count of securities fraud conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371; 30 years in prison for each count of bank fraud conspiracy and false statements to a bank under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 and 1014; 10 years in prison for the count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity under 18 U.S.C. § 1957; and two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft under 18 U.S.C. § 1028A that must be consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed under any other provision of law. Lau also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the count of obstruction of justice under 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1). Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick O’Brien is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lance Libatique and Maryam Beros. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI. Anyone with information about allegations of corporate and securities fraud can report it by contacting the FBI at (415) 553-7400 or tips.fbi.gov, or by reporting the allegations to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California through its Whistleblower Pilot Program, using the instructions at link . Beckman Indictment


title: Repeat Sex Trafficker Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Traffic Four Women Using Violence and Threats

body_text: BOSTON – A Stoughton man, previously convicted of multiple counts of sex trafficking, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for sex trafficking multiple adult women. Marvin Pompilus, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 13 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Pompilus will also be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. In October 2024, Pompilus pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Pompilus was previously arrested and charged in November 2023 , and indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2024. In February 2018, Pompilus was convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of multiple counts of trafficking a person for sexual servitude and deriving support for prostitution. He was sentenced to six years in state prison and was released in October 2021. “Marvin Pompilus is a criminal recidivist and vile perpetrator who deserves a significant sentence to protect our community. His prior conviction did nothing to deter further acts of violence on women and continuing to push drugs onto our streets,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s sentence highlights our ongoing efforts to hold accountable those who prey on vulnerable victims and denigrate human dignity.” “The cruelty and inhumanity displayed by Marvin Pompilus is overwhelming. This twice convicted felon forced four women into sexual servitude, unleashing significant physical and emotional abuse for his own financial gain,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “While it’s gratifying to see Mr. Pompilus receive a lengthy prison term, no sentence can make up for the significant harm he inflicted on these women. We hope the victims in this case continue to heal with each new day that passes. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove sex traffickers from our communities.” Following his release from state custody in October 2021, Pompilus conspired to exploit and recruit multiple women into the commercial sex trade, using a combination of physical and sexual violence, threats and verbal abuse and withholding of controlled substances from drug dependent victims to coerce and/or force them to engage in commercial sex acts. He then collected all of the proceeds. Pompilus required his victims to check in with him, forbade them from interacting with other men, and precluded them from obtaining drugs from anyone other than him. If one of the victims attempted to keep any of the proceeds from commercial sex or attempted to refuse to see a sex buyer, Pompilus would become physically violent, at times striking the victim in the face and kicking them. Pompilus would also engage in other forms of abuse such as using degrading names toward his victims, spitting on them, and throwing drinks on them, as well as isolating them from others. If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov . U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston and Randolph Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley, Chief of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit and Trial Attorney Meghan Tokash of the Justice Department’s Human Trafficking Protection Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Humboldt, Iowa, Man Pleads Guilty to  Sexual Exploitation of a Child

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Paul William Flett, age 44, from Humboldt, Iowa, pled guilty January 23, 2025, to one count to sexual exploitation of a child in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa. In a plea agreement, Flett admitted he sent links and images of child pornography to underage girls and asked them to send images and videos of themselves to him. On June 6, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Flett’s home and in a consensual interview Flett admitted he threw his phone in a closet when law enforcement showed up because he knew they were there for him. Forensic analysis of Flett’s iPhone 12, computer, and Kik account discovered a total of 16 videos and 60 images of child pornography. The images and videos contained material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct, as well as prepubescent children, infants, and toddlers. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Flett was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Flett faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any imprisonment of 5 years to life. 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 was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Cyber-Crime Unit, and Webster County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-03036. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Onondaga County Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – David Gedamoske, age 41, of Lafayette, New York, pled guilty yesterday to evading taxes on over $1 million in wages between 2016 and 2021. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Harry Chavis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Division, made the announcement. At his change of plea, Gedamoske admitted that he worked as a journeyman lineman for various electrical companies and received wages reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the Form W-2. When he started working at these companies, Gedamoske completed a Form W-4 and claimed either “99 Allowances” or that he was “Exempt” from income tax. In doing so, he intended to have his employer withhold little or no federal income tax on his paycheck. Despite owing a significant amount of tax, Gedamoske failed to file a federal tax return between 2016-2021. As a result, Gedamoske evaded paying over $200,000 in federal taxes. Sentencing is scheduled for June 11, 2025, before Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Gedamoske faces up to 5 years in federal prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum $100,000 fine. He will have to pay restitution to the IRS. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. This case is being investigated by the IRS-CI and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Paul Tuck.


title: Repeat Sex Trafficker Sentenced in Massachusetts

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Marvin Pompilus, 40, of Stoughton, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 13 years in prison, followed by 60 months of supervised release. The court will order restitution at a later date. A federal judge earlier accepted Pompilus’s guilty plea in October 2024 to four counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and one count of possession of cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute. “Marvin Pompilus is a criminal recidivist and vile perpetrator who deserves a significant sentence to protect our community. His prior conviction did nothing to deter further acts of violence on women and continuing to push drugs onto our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “Today’s sentence highlights our ongoing efforts to hold those accountable who prey on vulnerable victims and denigrate human dignity.” “The cruelty and inhumanity displayed by Marvin Pompilus is overwhelming. This twice convicted felon forced four women into sexual servitude, unleashing significant physical and emotional abuse for his own financial gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Boston Field Office. “While it’s gratifying to see Mr. Pompilus receive a lengthy prison term, no sentence can make up for the significant harm he inflicted on these women. We hope the victims in this case continue to heal with each new day that passes. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove sex traffickers from our communities.” In February 2018, in a separate case by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Suffolk Superior Court jury convicted Pompilus of multiple counts of trafficking a person for sexual servitude and deriving support from prostitution. He was sentenced to six years in prison and was released in October 2021. In the weeks following his release, Pompilus conspired with others to again target vulnerable women suffering from substance abuse disorders. Once Pompilus identified the victims he could target, he exploited their vulnerabilities — including the fear of suffering from opioid withdrawal — and created a climate of fear to compel these women to engage in commercial sex acts multiple times a day every day of the week. The investigation revealed that sex buyers paid the victims between $100-$200 per commercial sex act, and Pompilus kept all the proceeds for himself. At his October 2024 plea hearing, Pompilus admitted to conspiring to exploit four Boston-area women who were suffering with substance abuse disorders and compelled them to engage in commercial sex by using drugs, intimidation, threats of violence and actual physical violence as means to control them. Pompilus also admitted to possessing quantities of cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute these drugs in and around the Boston area. The FBI Boston Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston and Randolph Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley for the District of Massachusetts and former Trial Attorney Meghan Tokash of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Protection Unit prosecuted the case. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking .


title: Columbia Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing fentanyl that he intended to distribute in Springfield, Mo. Michael E. Hunt, Jr., 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Hunt was found guilty at trial on July 16, 2024, of one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Law enforcement officers learned that Hunt was planning to transport fentanyl from Columbia to Springfield. Hunt was driving a black Jeep Renegade southbound on Highway 5 on June 12, 2022, when a Laclede County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation. A police service dog alerted to the presence of drugs in the Jeep, at which time Hunt locked the vehicle and refused to give officers the keys. After the Jeep was unlocked by a local tow company, officers searched the vehicle and found a black gym bag on the front passenger seat that contained approximately 300 grams of fentanyl, which is consistent with distribution and not merely personal use. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron A. Beaver and Anthony M. Brown. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Laclede County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.


title: Anesthesiology service provider pays almost $1M to settle False Claims Act liability

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – Northwest Anesthesiology and Pain Services (NWAP) has agreed to pay $999,999 to resolve potential violations related to the submission of claims for reimbursement to Medicare for services rendered by its independently contracted pain management practices, announced acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. NWAP is an anesthesiology service provider in Houston and surrounding areas. The allegations include violations of the False Claims Act (FCA) and the physician self-referral law (aka Stark Law). In 2019, NWAP’s former president Donald Carmichael hired Stacey Green and her company Remedy Physician Solutions as an independent contractor to manage NWAP’s pain management practices. NWAP gave Green authority over the practices’ compensation and discretionary productivity bonus payments. Following an internal investigation, NWAP claims Green instructed NWAP’s billing company to calculate bonus payments based on lab referrals minus costs, fees and expenses rather than calculating bonuses properly based on the practices’ productivity as provided for in their agreements. NWAP suspected this was done to increase total collections, which formed the basis of Green’s management fee. From Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2021, NWAP reported it paid approximately $1.8 million in bonus payments as a result of the contractor’s misconduct. The government alleges such actions created improper financial relationships between NWAP and its independently contracted pain management practices as NWAP was paying bonuses to these practices from its lab revenue as allegedly thinly veiled kickbacks for referrals. “The Stark Law safeguards the integrity of the Medicare program by ensuring patients receive care based on their physician’s independent medical judgment and not any personal financial interests,” said Lowery. “Our office remains committed to protecting the program and reinforcing the public trust in our federal healthcare system, and we will continue to hold those accountable for violating these safeguards.” “Prohibited referrals and financial incentives in health care jeopardize patient safety and drive unnecessary medical services. Additionally, submitting false claims to Medicare for services resulting from unlawful referrals undermines the integrity of federal health care programs and diminishes public trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG). “DHHS-OIG remains resolute in holding accountable those who engage in fraud and disregard the patient-first values central to the medical profession.” This settlement stems from NWAP’s self-disclosure to the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and DHHS-OIG. NWAP received credit for its self-disclosure and cooperation with the investigation. The USAO conducted the investigation with assistance from DHHS-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Michelle Luong handled the matter along with former AUSA Andrew Bobb.


title: Federal Jury Finds Hopkinsville, Kentucky Man Guilty of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy and Money Laundering

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Paducah, KY – Today, following a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Hopkinsville, Kentucky, man of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as seven counts of money laundering. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison, of the USPIS Pittsburgh Division, Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd, of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Cincinnati Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jason Newby of the Hopkinsville Police Department made the announcement. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between May 20, 2020, and January 22, 2022, Robert Blaine , 46, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky conspired with Roderick Tutt and Jessica Ochoa to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of a fentanyl mixture. During that time frame, Blaine wired money to Ochoa as payment for the drugs and in furtherance of the overall conspiracy. Blaine also mailed a box containing $36,960 in U.S. currency to Ochoa that he obtained from proceeds of illegal drug sales. On January 21, 2022, Blaine arranged for Tutt to travel to Arizona to pick up fentanyl and methamphetamine from Ochoa . Tutt was supposed to bring the drugs back to Blaine in Hopkinsville. Tutt was arrested on the way back to Hopkinsville with 2,059 fentanyl pills and approximately 8 kilograms of methamphetamine. Blaine has numerous prior drug trafficking convictions. On July 20, 2023, Roderick Tutt , 36, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Jessica Ochoa , 40, of Phoenix, Arizona pled guilty to conspiring with Blaine to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. Ochoa also pled guilty to seven counts of money laundering. Tutt and Ochoa are scheduled for sentencing on March 25, 2025, before a United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky. Blaine is scheduled for sentencing on May 5, 2025, and remains in federal custody pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, ATF – Louisville Division, and the Hopkinsville Police Department, with assistance from the FBI Louisville Field Division, the Tonto Apache Police Department, and the DEA – Phoenix Division. Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case with assistance from paralegal Cristy Crockett. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF . ###


title: Wichita men indicted for trafficking meth

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging three Kansas men with crimes related to drug trafficking. According to court documents, Patrick M. Kornelson, 49, Cameron Rigsby, 38, and Tyler Devaney, 42, all of Wichita are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. The defendants are accused of allegedly conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. Kornelson is also charged with one count of using and maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The federal grand jury also indicted Rigsby on one count of using or maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and 11 counts of use of a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking. Devaney is additionally charged with one count of using or maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, on court of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deb Barnett is prosecuting the case. OTHER INDICTMENTS Leopoldo Lopez-Lopez, 41, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, and one count of unlawful reentry after deportation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case. Zane Tilcock, 20, of Wichita was indicted on three counts of bank robbery and three counts of brandish and use of firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Wichita Police Department, Junction City Police Department, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks is prosecuting the case. Emily Wise, 18, of Wichita was indicted on one count of bank robbery. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Wichita Police Department, Junction City Police Department, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 46 Months’ Imprisonment for Firearms Offenses

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Khalif Ward, 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Joel H. Slomsky to a term of 46 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $25,000 fine for firearms offenses. In December of 2023, Ward was indicted on one count of possession of a machine gun and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He pleaded guilty to both charges in October. The defendant, a rap artist known as “Leaf Ward,” with hundreds of thousands of online followers, committed the offenses while on release for a state case involving the straw purchase and illegal transfer of firearms, and after he was found in possession of a firearm after being shot in 2020. As stated in court documents, on August 16, 2023, Ward took a stolen vehicle to the Bahama Breeze restaurant in the King of Prussia Mall. Officers doing proactive details in the parking lot ran the registration for the car, which came back stolen out of Philadelphia. The officers then began the process of towing the vehicle. While the car was in the process of being towed, Ward exited the restaurant with his girlfriend. Ward ran toward the tow truck, until he saw the uniformed police officers and the marked police vehicle. He then sprinted back into the restaurant, where an employee saw him put a loaded Glock firearm into a kitchen trash can and discard his hat nearby. Officers chased Ward into the restaurant and through the kitchen, apprehending him behind the eatery and recovering the loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol, which was found to be fitted with a illegal switch converting it from semi-automatic to fully automatic fire. “Despite two prior gun convictions, Ward continued to wield these weapons, boldly displaying them in his videos and carrying them on the street,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Moreover, the pistol he tried to ditch when running from police was altered to enable automatic fire. This office will continue to work with the ATF and our state and local partners to get guns out of the hands of people not permitted to have them, to tamp down violent crime and make the public safer.” “Keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals is why the law prohibits felons from having firearms,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF's Philadelphia Field Division. “In this case, the defendant was not only illegally carrying a loaded weapon in a busy public location, but he was carrying a pistol turned into a machine gun. Such converted weapons are extremely dangerous as they can fire an entire magazine of bullets in seconds, often hitting uninvolved bystanders. ATF is committed to working with our partners to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals like Ward who endanger our neighborhoods.” The case was investigated by the ATF, United States Secret Service, and the Upper Merion Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Lanni, Everett Witherell, and Shayna Gannone.


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Gun and Drug Convictions

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – DWINE HARDY (“HARDY”) , age 32, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on January 7, 2025, by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey, after previously pleading guilty to Counts 1, 2, and 3 of a four-count indictment. The indictment charged HARDY with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8) (Count 1); possession of a machine gun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(0) and 924(a)(2) (Count 2); and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) (Count 3). HARDY was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment as to Counts 1, 2, and 3, with each count to be served concurrently. Judge Zainey also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release following HARDY’s release from prison and payment of a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, Kenner police officers stopped HARDY in a stolen vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, two Apple iPhones, 15 rounds of ammunition, and a stolen Glock Model 23 .40-caliber pistol. The firearm was equipped with a machine gun conversion device and an extended 22-round capacity magazine. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Kenner Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.


title: Member of Ulster County Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 156 Months in Prison

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joshua Atkinson, age 27, of Ellenville, New York, was sentenced last week to serve 156 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York; and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, whose office leads the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT). Atkinson was one of 11 defendants charged in the case . These defendants have pled guilty and have been sentenced or are pending sentencing: Christopher Baez was sentenced to 71 months in prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release; Michael Herry was sentenced to 27 months in prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release; Joshua Morales is scheduled to be sentenced on February 19, 2025; Joseph Logan is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21, 2025; Timothy Hutcherson is scheduled to be sentenced on April 9, 2025; and Daryl Livingston is scheduled to be sentenced on April 2, 2025. As part of his guilty plea, Atkinson admitted that during the conspiracy he distributed and possessed with intent to distribute approximately 3.2 kilograms of cocaine and 600 grams of fentanyl. Atkinson also admitted to using violence to obtain payments from his drug redistributors, including threatening a co-conspirator with a hammer. In January 2023, a search warrant was executed at Atkinson’s Ellenville residence and a .22 caliber pistol was recovered by law enforcement. Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release to begin after Atkinson is released from prison. This case is being investigated by HSI; the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with URGENT (the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement and Narcotics Team), an inter-agency taskforce targeting drug dealers and gang members in Ulster County; the New York State Police; the Village of Ellenville Police Department; and the White Plains Police Department, with assistance from the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda is prosecuting this case. This case 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.