title: TALLAHASSEE MAN SENTENCED TO A DECADE IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ATTEMPTING TO ENTICE A MINOR TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jelani Amari Petersen, 28, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity after federal jury previously found him guilty. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I am proud of the great work by my office and our state and federal law enforcement partners to take this sex offender off our streets. This case exemplifies the mission set forth by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pamela Bondi: protect America’s children against predators like this defendant. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute such offenses to keep our most vulnerable members of the community safe from the predations of these sick individuals.” Evidence presented at trial and court records show that in September 2024, federal, state, and local law enforcement executed Operation Lifeguard, an undercover operation designed to apprehend individuals who use the Internet to sexually exploit children online. During the operation, the defendant communicated with an undercover officer who he believed to be a minor female and expressed interest in engaging in sexual activity with the child in exchange for money. When the defendant arrived at a pre-arranged meeting location, law enforcement arrested him and searched his car. A subsequent search of his cellular phone confirmed the defendant’s communication with the undercover officers. “Child exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes we investigate,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “This sentencing should be a message to others who try to engage in criminal sexual activity and steal the innocence of our children. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will stop at nothing to find you, arrest you and make sure you can’t victimize anyone again.” “This ten-year sentence reflects the seriousness of attempting to entice a minor into unlawful sexual activity,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno. “Crimes targeting children – whether committed online or in person – inflict profound harm, and we remain steadfast in our mission to protect the most vulnerable. The dedicated work of law enforcement and prosecutors ensured that this individual was brought to justice, and the outcome sends a clear message: those who attempt to victimize minors will face significant consequences.” Petersen’s imprisonment will be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face an additional period of incarceration. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. The case involved a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Meredith Steer. 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: CONVICTED HUMAN TRAFFICKER FROM NICARAGUA PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGALLY REENTERING THE COUNTRY

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Edwin Joel Martinez-Cruz, also known as “Edwin Joel Ibarras-Ardon” and “Edwin Ibarra,” 38, of Nicaragua, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal reentry into the United States. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This criminal illegal alien thought he could repeatedly violate our nation’s laws without consequence. Wrong. My office stands ready to aggressively prosecute serial offenders, like this defendant, to ensure he is kept off our streets, fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the criminal illegal aliens who threaten the safety of our communities.” Court documents reflect that the defendant departed the United States in 2022 after an Immigration Judge entered an Order of Removal. He illegally returned to the United States less than a year later and was convicted for human trafficking of a child. Rodriguez now faces up to two years in prison followed by removal from the United States. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke DiSalvo is prosecuting the case. Martinez-Cruz’s sentencing is scheduled for January 15, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: GAINESVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSING THOUSANDS  OF IMAGES AND VIDEOS OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Daniel Reginald Hanna, II, 38, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to receipt and possession of child pornography. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I deeply appreciate the commitment of our state and federal law enforcement partners to keeping our children safe from predators like this defendant by zealously investigating these crimes. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these sick individuals to the fullest extent to ensure they face significant prison time.” Court documents reflect that the defendant maintained a significant and disturbing collection of child pornography. While executing a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in March 2025, law enforcement located numerous electronic devices that contained child sex abuse material, including 163 videos in a folder entitled “Kids,” and over 2,500 images of child pornography on two cell phones. Hanna faces a minimum of five years’ imprisonment and up to forty years total. Following his release, Hanna will have to register as a sex offender and will be on supervised release for at least five years. The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner. Sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2026, at 1:00 pm in Gainesville, Florida, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor. 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Miami Man Pleads Guilty to Making Online Threats  Against U.S. Senator

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Miami man pleaded guilty on Oct. 2 to making online threats against a U.S. Senator. According to court documents, on June 9, Walter George Bechtel, III, 39, used an X (formerly Twitter) account to post a threatening message directed at a U.S. Senator. The post stated, in part: “You used to hate millionaires when you first started and then began to hate billionaires once you yourself became a millionaire through shady backroom deals. I will kill you personally old man. (Smiling Halo Emoji)” When confronted by law enforcement, Bechtel admitted to sending the communication and reaffirmed his desire to harm the Senator. Bechtel pleaded guilty to the interstate transmission of threatening communications. A sentencing hearing is set for Dec. 18. Bechtel faces up to 5 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Chief Michael G. Sullivan of the U.S. Capitol Police made the announcement. The U.S. Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton is prosecuting the case. 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 25-cr-20327. ###


title: Former Guyanese Presidential Candidate and Businessman Charged in $50 Million Tax Evasion and Money Laundering Scheme

body_text: MIAMI – A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment on Oct. 2 charging two Guyanese nationals with participating in a multi-year scheme to evade millions of dollars in taxes and royalties owed to the Government of Guyana through fraudulent gold export practices and related money laundering activities. According to court documents, Nazar Mohamed, 72, and Azruddin Mohamed, 38, were owners of Mohamed’s Enterprise, a gold wholesaler and exporter in Guyana that sold gold to buyers in Miami and Dubai. Guyanese authorities impose approximately a seven-percent tax and duty on exported gold. From about 2017 through at least 2024, the pair allegedly enriched themselves and defrauded the Government of Guyana by concealing the true quantity and value of gold exported by their company. The indictment alleges that the couple devised a system in which Mohamed’s Enterprise paid taxes and royalties on one shipment of gold to obtain official government seals, then reused those same seals on subsequent shipments to avoid paying additional taxes and royalties. To further their scheme, they allegedly shipped empty boxes bearing Guyanese government seals from Dubai through Miami to Guyana and paid bribes to customs and other government officials to facilitate the illegal shipments. In total, the pair allegedly exported at least 10,000 kilograms of gold through Miami, causing an estimated loss of approximately $50 million to the Government of Guyana. Nazar Mohamed is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and mail fraud. Azruddin Mohamed is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud. The indictment also alleges that Azruddin Mohamed engaged in a separate scheme to evade over $1 million in Guyanese taxes in connection with the shipment of a Lamborghini from Miami to Guyana. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of approximately $5.3 million in gold bars shipped by Mohamed’s Enterprise that were seized at Miami International Airport on June 11, 2024. Both were sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control in June 2024. Azruddin Mohamed, who unsuccessfully ran for president of Guyana in September 2025, is an incoming member of Guyana’s parliament. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Criminal Division, and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa and Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami and New York, made the announcement. This case was investigated by HSI Miami and New York, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and Customs and Border Protection. Senior Litigation Counsel Michael N. Berger and Trial Attorney Jil Simon of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Deputy Chief Josh Paster is handling asset forfeiture. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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 25-cr-20441. ###


title: 51 illegal aliens locked in trailer among 235 new cases filed in relation to the Southern District’s continuing efforts to secure border

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A total of 235 more individuals have been charged in immigration and border security-related matters from Nov. 21-27, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The filed cases include 17 people allegedly involved in human smuggling. Another 70 are charged with illegally entering the country, while 146 more face charges of felony reentry after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felonies such as narcotics, violent crime, immigration crimes and more. Other relevant cases charged this week relate to firearms and other immigration crime. One notable case involves Greibein Alexis Pinot-Duarte, a Honduran national who allegedly smuggled more than four dozen illegal aliens in a refrigerated tractor-trailer near Freer. According to the complaint, he appeared nervous, and a K-9 alerted to the rear doors. The charges allege a further inspection of the 55-degree trailer led to the discovery of 51 illegal aliens concealed in a cramped compartment beneath boxes of produce with limited means of escape. If convicted, Pinot-Duarte could receive up to 10 years in federal prison. Criminal complaints also allege several illegal aliens unlawfully reentered the country without authorization. One is Christian Omar Amezquita-Munoz, a Mexican male found near Donna, according to charges. He allegedly has a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute 14 kilograms of cocaine and was sentenced to 100 months in prison before his removal in 2022. Authorities also allegedly found another Mexican male near Hidalgo this week. Oscar Enrique Govea-Acuna has a conviction for evading arrest with a vehicle and was subsequently removed in 2018, according to the charges. Both of these men could receive up to 20 years in federal prison, upon conviction. These and other cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners. The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: FORMER TALLAHASSEE MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FRAUD SCHEME

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John Kuhlmann, 78, of Daytona Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the outstanding investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle this fraud scheme. My office will to continue to aggressively prosecute fraudsters to hold them accountable for their crimes and to secure restitution for the victims they exploited.” Court documents reflect that beginning in November 2018, the defendant opened two corporations in Florida, “Seminole Services, Inc.” and “QB Accounting Services,” which purportedly were in business to provide computer technical support services. Neither business was registered as required by law as a money transmitting service. The investigation revealed the defendant opened the businesses in order to receive money from victims and then wired those funds to his co-conspirators who were located in foreign countries. The co-conspirators used a variety of tactics on victims—including convincing them that their computers had been infected with viruses, had been hacked, or their financial information was otherwise at risk of being stolen—to fraudulently convince them to pay as much as $150,000 for computer repair services. Over the course of his involvement in the fraud scheme, the defendant transferred approximately $3.5 million dollars in victim funds through his business bank accounts. Kuhlmann faces up to five years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He has agreed to pay over $1 million in restitution to the victims. The case involved a joint investigation by the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer and Justin M. Keen. Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2025, at 3:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark Walker. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice . For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, at www.ovc.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: TALLAHASSEE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT TO A FEDERAL AGENCY

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Norman John Horner, II, 43, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty to false statement to a federal agency. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Court documents reflect that on July 13, 2024, a United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Officer requested the defendant’s name and date of birth for purposes of issuing him a citation. The defendant provided the officer another individual’s identity. A citation was issued based on the information given. On September 6, 2024, the defendant’s false statement was revealed when the individual whose identity was used appeared in court in response to the citation. After further investigation, law enforcement confirmed the defendant had falsely identified himself to the officer. Horner is scheduled for sentencing before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor on January 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Tallahassee, Florida. Horner faces a term of up to five years’ imprisonment. The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo is prosecuting the case. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Albuquerque Serial Rapist Sentenced for Kidnappings and Sexual Assaults

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A serial rapist who terrorized women in Albuquerque between 2017 and 2018, was sentenced to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. As a result, a sentence of lifetime incarceration is served without parole. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, beginning in 2017, Timothy Bachicha , 43, abducted at least four women, holding them captive for hours while repeatedly strangling and sexually assaulting them. These assaults occurred in October 2017, April 2018, September 2018, and October 2018. During these attacks, Bachicha forced the victims to perform sexual acts and strangled them to the point of unconsciousness multiple times. Bachicha held and assaulted the women for lengthy periods of time, ranging from 4 hours up to 20 hours. At the time of the assaults in September and October 2018, Bachicha was on state pretrial release and wearing an ankle monitor. Investigators confirmed his presence at the last two crime scenes through GPS data from his ankle monitor. In addition to this data, the evidence against Bachicha included surveillance footage and physical evidence, including DNA. A federal grand jury first issued an indictment against Bachicha on July 25, 2019, charging the violation from October 2018. Then, on January 29, 2020, a federal grand jury added Count 2, which covered the violation from September 2018. Trial was held from December 11-15, 2023. According to evidence presented at trial and other publicly available court records, on October 30, 2018, Bachicha forcibly abducted Jane Doe 1, pulling her into his vehicle by her neck. Once in the vehicle, Bachicha drove to a dirt lot near the UNM Cancer Center just east of Interstate 25. There, Bachicha held Jane Doe 1 for 20 hours while he strangled and sexually assaulted her. He released her the early afternoon of October 31, 2018, after receiving alerts that the battery on his court-ordered GPS monitor was dying. Following news coverage of this crime, Jane Doe 2 came forward to disclose that, weeks earlier, she had been held for 16 hours by Bachicha in a semi-truck in Albuquerque near Interstate 25 and Comanche Road. During the attack, Bachicha strangled Jane Doe 2 and sexually assaulted her. Bachicha’s GPS monitor confirmed his presence at the location and time described by Jane Doe 2. Both women fought Bachicha during their attacks, and both testified against him in trial. The jury also heard from two other women who suffered similar attacks by Bachicha in October 2017 and April 2018. On December 15, 2023, after two and a half hours of deliberation, a federal jury convicted Bachicha of two counts of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual assault, following detailed testimony from four of the victims, describing how he abducted, strangled, and sexually assaulted them over prolonged periods, leaving them physically injured and traumatized. At sentencing, Bachicha faced up to two life sentences, with no mandatory statutory minimum. The court sentenced Bachicha to a life sentence for each of the two kidnapping convictions, to run concurrently with one another, for a total sentence of lifetime incarceration. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office adopted and continued the investigation of this case following extensive investigation by the Albuquerque Police Department, with assistance from the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office and the New Mexico State Probation and Parole Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah J. Mease prosecuted the case.


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

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics for this week. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies. In the three-day period ending November 26, 2025, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico: 29 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326) 6 individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324) 54 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325) 4 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. 797) and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. 1382), arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico. Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions for drug trafficking and domestic violence. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children. The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.


title: The United States Announces Agreement with Northwestern University

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Today, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reached an agreement with Northwestern University (Northwestern) to safeguard its students, employees, and faculty from unlawful discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin, including race-based admissions practices and a hostile educational environment directed toward Jewish students. As part of the agreement, Northwestern University will pay $75 million to the United States through 2028. Northwestern agrees to adhere to federal anti-discrimination laws, ensuring that the university does not preference individuals based on race, color, or national origin in admissions, scholarships, hiring, or promotion. Northwestern shall maintain clear policies and procedures relating to demonstrations, protests, displays, and other expressive activities, as well as implement mandatory antisemitism training for all students, faculty, and staff. Northwestern’s President and Chair of the Board of Trustees shall each certify under penalty of perjury each quarter the university’s full compliance with the agreement. The United States shall close pending investigations and treat Northwestern as eligible for future grants, contracts, and awards. “Today’s settlement marks another victory in the Trump Administration’s fight to ensure that American educational institutions protect Jewish students and put merit first,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Institutions that accept federal funds are obligated to follow civil rights law — we are grateful to Northwestern for negotiating this historic deal.” “Universities that receive federal funding have a responsibility to comply with the law, including protecting against racial discrimination and antisemitism,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We appreciate the significant improvements Northwestern has made and are gratified to reach an agreement that safeguards of rights of all the university’s applicants, students, and employees.” “The Northwestern agreement is a huge win for current and future Northwestern students, alumni, faculty, and for the future of American higher education,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The deal cements policy changes that ‘will protect students and other members of the campus from harassment and discrimination,’ and it recommits the school to merit-based hiring and admissions. The reforms reflect bold leadership at Northwestern, and they are a roadmap for institutional leaders around the country that will help rebuild public trust in our colleges and universities. Congrats to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and all those involved in negotiating this landmark deal!”


title: Local Man Sentenced to Over 20 Years in Federal Prison for Multiple Carjackings

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – Derrion Turner, 20 , of Memphis, was sentenced in federal court after being convicted of two carjackings, an attempted carjacking, and related firearm offenses. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. According to the information presented in court, on August 25, 2023, Turner took a 2016 Ford Mustang from a victim that was in the parking lot of a Circle K located on Highway 64. Turner pointed a handgun at the victim’s chest and demanded the victim’s wallet and keys. On August 31, 2023, Turner took a 2018 Nissan Rogue inside of an apartment complex near Steel Manor Drive. After Turner snatched the victim’s iPhone from her hand, he then pressed a handgun against her head and told her to move away from the vehicle. On September 3, 2023, Turner approached a male while holding a gun at a service station located on Third Street and demanded his 2022 Dodge Charger. When Turner turned his head for a moment, the victim fought Turner over the gun. During the struggle, a shot was fired. The victim was able to take the gun from Turner and subdue him until police arrived. Turner later confessed to both robberies and the attempted robbery and plead guilty earlier in the year. On November 17, 2025, United States District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Turner to 246 months' imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Our office is continuing to coordinate with our federal and local law enforcement partners to prioritize and target carjacking cases for aggressive federal prosecution. This 20-year sentence confirms that there is a significant consequence for sowing lawlessness and violence in our communities, and Turner will now reap a long prison sentence for his brazen and dangerous behavior that victimized innocent citizens." This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as the Memphis Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Memphis Company Sentenced for Violations of the Clean Air Act

body_text: Memphis, TN – A Memphis company that specialized in repairing diesel engines was sentenced to pay a fine in the amount of $150,000 for violations of the Clean Air Act. P.T. Services, Inc. entered a guilty plea to the violations in September. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. According to information presented in court at the plea hearing, between June 2023 and August 2024, P.T. Services, Inc. modified and deleted emissions control monitoring devices from diesel engines. Under provisions of the Clean Air Act, it is a crime to falsify, tamper with and render inaccurate emissions control monitoring devices. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Mark S. Norris on November 25, 2025. In addition to the $150,000 fine, as part of the plea agreement, the company was ordered to participate in a compliance program and be subject to unannounced inspections by the Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The U.S. Attorney’s Office is a full-service federal prosecution office, and we have the ability and intention to charge any violations of federal law, no matter where or how they occur in the Western District of Tennessee. This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to upholding the rule of law, and to pursuing any cases that harm and impact our air quality and environment." “This sentence should send a clear message that companies who break environmental laws will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “Modifying and deleting emissions control monitoring devices from diesel engines can lead to poor air quality and health risks. The FBI and our partners will continue to work together to hold accountable individuals who disregard health and environmental laws designed to protect our communities.” The case was investigated by agents with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carroll L. André III. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Two Armed Carjackers Sentenced to Over 8 Years in Prison

body_text: Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentencings of two Memphis men for a 2024 carjacking. According to information presented in court, on September 2, 2024, Martez Banks, 32 , and Marcus Pledge, 37 , followed an Acura to an apartment complex after an alleged minor car accident. When the driver of the Acura stopped, Banks and Pledge forced the driver out of the vehicle at gunpoint. After patting down the victim, one of them struck the victim in the head with a firearm. Banks and Pledge then drove off in the Acura and their vehicle. Officers from the Memphis Police Department caught Banks in the Acura two days later. Pledge was arrested by members of the Memphis Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit shortly thereafter. Both Banks and Pledge were indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024 on charges of carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. This case was assigned to Chief District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman of the Western District of Tennessee. On March 5, 2025, Banks pled guilty as charged and was sentenced on June 20, 2025 to 105 months in federal prison for his offenses. Pledge pled guilty as charged on August 12, 2025 and was sentenced to 105 months in federal prison on November 20, 2025. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Armed carjacking is a cowardly act involving short-sighted gain with long term consequences for both victims and offenders. When violent criminals act impulsively, we will respond deliberately with the full weight and force of federal sanctions to suppress, punish, and incapacitate." This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Memphis Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: TALLAHASSEE MAN FOUND GUILTY OF POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON AND POSSESSION OF A MACHINE GUN

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

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Sincere M. Perkins, 25, of Tallahassee, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a machine gun. The guilty verdict was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin: “Thanks to the outstanding collaboration between our local and federal law enforcement partners to investigate this case, and this successful prosecution by my office, our community will be made safer while this violent felon finds himself in federal prison. With this conviction, we take yet another step toward fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the perpetrators of violent crime who have plagued our streets for far too long.” Evidence at trial demonstrated that members of the United States Marshals Task Force located the defendant at an apartment in Tallahassee because of an outstanding warrant for his arrest. A subsequent search of the apartment found multiple firearms, including a pistol that had been modified to fire as a machinegun. Ballistics from two of the recovered firearms matched shell casings from a prior shooting in Quincy, Florida. The defendant’s DNA was found on both firearms that had been used in the shooting, and a recorded jail call revealed that the defendant was knowingly in possession of the firearms despite his status as a previously convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for February 9, 2026, at 2:30 pm. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor. This conviction was the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Quincy Police Department, and the Tallahassee Police Department, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: GAINESVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CARRYING  MULTIPLE FIREARMS WHILE SELLING DRUGS

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Kendrick J. Hills Jr., 23, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the outstanding work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, this drug dealer has been taken off our streets and now faces an extended stay in federal prison. My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting these cases to fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the drug traffickers and violent felons who have plagued our communities for too long.” Court documents reflect that the defendant was pulled over for multiple traffic violations. During the traffic stop, law enforcement smelled and observed marijuana in his vehicle. The presence of illegal narcotics was also confirmed by a K9 on scene. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a stolen 9-millimeter pistol on the driver’s floorboard, a .40-caliber pistol with an extended 22-round magazine under the driver’s seat, and a backpack filled with almost a pound of marijuana and drug-distribution paraphernalia, such as scales and baggies. The defendant later admitted that he possessed the firearms to protect himself, including protecting himself from the risk of drug-related robberies. Hills faces a minimum of five years and up to life in federal prison. Following his release, he will be on supervised release for at least two years. The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sherriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner and James McCain. Sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2026, at 11:00 am in Gainesville, Florida, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: PENSACOLA FELON SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Donavon Idris Ellis, 27, of Pensacola, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office is committed to supporting the work of our brave local, state, and federal law enforcement partners who keep our communities safe. We will continue to aggressively prosecute all violations of our laws and hold offenders accountable.” Court documents reflect that a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence in March 2024, during which law enforcement found and seized two loaded firearms, boxes of bulk ammunition, and multiple magazines, including a large capacity drum magazine. The defendant admitted to law enforcement that the two firearms were his. In 2021, the defendant was federally convicted of three counts of distribution of carfentanil, The sentence was the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Leader of Colombian Money Laundering Organization Sentenced to Five Years in Prison For Laundering Drug Proceeds

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Colombian national was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for conspiring to launder drug proceeds. He was also ordered to forfeit $1.2 million. According to court documents, Michael Nunez Daza, also known as “Luky,” 49, led a transnational money laundering organization operating in Colombia, Mexico, and the United States. Nunez Daza orchestrated bulk cash pickups involving drug trafficking proceeds from Mexico across multiple U.S. cities. After the bulk cash was picked up, Nunez Daza arranged for the illicit funds to be deposited into U.S. bank accounts registered in the names of other individuals and companies before they were further transferred to Colombia. Within days of the bulk cash being delivered and deposited in the United States, corresponding bulk cash in the form of Colombian pesos was delivered in Cali, Colombia, directly to Nunez Daza and his couriers. In just eight months in 2017 and 2018, Nunez Daza laundered at least $1.2 million for his Mexico-based co-conspirators. Nunez Daza was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was deported to his native country Colombia in 2004. Nunez Daza was indicted on the money laundering charges in January 2023 and extradited to the United States in April 2025. Nunez Daza pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy on Aug. 14, 2025. Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy of the FBI Newark Field Office made the announcement. The FBI investigated the case. The Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida provided significant assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Judicial Attaché Office in Bogotá, Colombia, worked with law enforcement partners in Colombia to secure the arrest and extradition of Nunez Daza. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Homeland Security Task Force and Project Safe Neighborhoods.


title: 188-Month Sentence in Kidnapping, Carjacking and Gunpoint Assaults

body_text: WASHINGTON – Marquette Jackson, 25, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced November 24 in U.S. District Court to 188 months in prison in connection with his role in the June 2023 kidnapping, carjacking, and gunpoint assaults of two victims in Northeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Jackson – aka “Glocky” and “Twin” – pleaded guilty on May 21 to kidnapping and aiding and abetting. In addition to the 188 month prison term, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Jackson to serve five years of supervised release. Joining in the announcement were FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department According to court documents, on June 8, 2023, Jackson and others attended a birthday celebration at a Northwest nightclub then, in the early morning hours, returned to 4400 block of F Street SE. The victims arrived on the block about 3 a.m. and entered a Mercedes SUV that belonged to one of them. Jackson and others attacked the two victims, removed their clothing, and confined them to prevent them from fleeing. Jackson and others drove to a nearby area where at gunpoint they threatened and assaulted the victims at gunpoint. Jackson and others then drove one of the victims into Maryland. About 4:40 a.m., Jackson and his group arrived at an apartment complex in Suitland, Maryland, where one of the victims had a residence. Jackson and others burgled the victim’s apartment. An hour later, Jackson and the group arrived at another of the victim’s apartments in Waldorf. Jackson and the group staged an armed robbery at the residence and the occupant of the apartment as other members of the group held the victim in his Mercedes. About 5:45 a.m., surveillance cameras recorded three individuals engaging in a shootout with the victim. The shootout left the victim and another individual fatally wounded. About 6:45 a.m., first responders found the victim’s Mercedes engulfed in flames in Capitol Heights, Maryland. On Jan. 31, 2024, law enforcement arrested Jackson at his apartment on the 4900 block of Nash Street NE, and recovered a Glock 22C .40 caliber firearm equipped with a machine gun conversion device. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force and Safe Streets Task Force, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John D. Crabb Jr. and Anthony Scarpelli of the Violence Crimes and Narcotics Trafficking section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. 23cr292


title: Fort Thompson Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a man from Fort Thompson, South Dakota, convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on November 25, 2025. Michael Lovejoy, Jr., age 43, was sentenced to time served in custody through January 2, 2026, equal to approximately ten months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Lovejoy was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2025. He pleaded guilty on August 14, 2025. Lovejoy was convicted of Third Degree Rape in Pennington County, South Dakota, in August 2005. As a result of his conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and update his registration within three business days of relocation or change in employment or student status. In November 2024, Lovejoy began a period of supervised release, and he updated his sex offender registration to reflect that he was residing at a residence in Fort Thompson. Lovejoy did not thereafter reside at the residence. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued, and on March 13, 2025, Lovejoy was arrested in Fort Thompson. This case was brought as a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Unit prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Zachrison prosecuted the case. Lovejoy was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison  for Fentanyl Overdose Death

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a man from Rapid City, South Dakota, convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death. The sentencing took place on November 24, 2025. Anthony Sorensen, 37, was sentenced to life in federal prison, followed by six years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Sorensen was indicted for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death by a federal grand jury in June 2024. He was found guilty after a three-day jury trial in March 2025. The indictment stemmed from a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in Rapid City on June 5, 2023. During the investigation, law enforcement obtained messages between Sorensen and the victim that indicated Sorensen had agreed to sell the victim a fentanyl pill in the early morning hours of June 5, 2023. Security camera footage from nearby businesses showed the victim arrive at the apartment that Sorensen was living in at the time. The victim was found unresponsive approximately one block from Sorensen’s home just a few hours after the victim had been seen arriving at Sorensen’s residence. An autopsy later confirmed that the victim consumed a lethal amount of fentanyl. “So much death, misery, and pain has been caused by fentanyl dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “I am so grateful to our law enforcement partners that this dealer is now out of business for good.” This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is comprised of investigators from the Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the National Guard Counter-Drug Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case. Sorensen was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Attack on U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier Lands Oklahoma City Man in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – KANTRELL DAWAN HENDERSON , 34, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison for assault on a federal officer or employee, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. According to public record, on October 19, 2024, Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a metro neighborhood regarding an assault on a U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier. Witnesses reported that, while the Mail Carrier was delivering mail on his route, Henderson confronted and placed the Mail Carrier in a chokehold. A passerby pulled Henderson off the Mail Carrier, which allowed him to escape. Officers located and arrested Henderson following a brief confrontation. On August 6, 2025, Henderson was charged by Superseding Information with assault on a federal officer or employee. He pleaded guilty on August 13, 2025, and admitted he assaulted a federal employee who was engaged in their official duties. At the sentencing hearing on November 25, 2025, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Henderson to serve 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Russell noted the seriousness of the offense and Henderson’s criminal history. Public record reflects that Henderson has felony convictions for Arson in the Second Degree in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2016-9248 and Possession of a Controlled Substance in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2016-9100. He was under 10-year suspended sentences in these cases at the time of the assault. This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nichols, Jr., prosecuted the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Kansas City Woman Sentenced to 5 Years for Embezzlement

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced yesterday to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for a fraud scheme in which she embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer. Jennifer L. Cabral, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough, to 60 months in federal prison on for one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering to run concurrently and ordered her to pay restitution in the amount of $306,034.28 to her former employer and to forfeit $1,393.50. As part of her plea, Cabral admitted that she stole money from the checking account of her employer and used those funds for her personal benefit, including purchasing a 2019 Mazda CX-9 automobile, in which she has since agreed to forfeit all interests. According to information presented in court, Cabral made unauthorized Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments to herself using her employer’s online account at a local financial institution. Cabral accessed her employer’s accounting software and directed payments to her personal bank accounts at two other financial institutions. Once those funds were deposited in her personal accounts, she used them for various personal benefits including vehicle payments toward the purchase of her car. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Grandview, Mo. Police Department.


title: New Jersey Doctor Charged with Unlawfully Distributing Adderall and Xanax

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey doctor was arrested on November 4, 2025, for unlawfully prescribing Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance, and Xanax, a Schedule IV controlled substance, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced. David Holbrook, 70, of Bloomsbury, New Jersey was charged by Indictment with nine counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances, each in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). Holbrook appeared on November 4, 2025, for his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa. The defendant was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On nine occasions between or around January 2021 and September 2022, Holbrook, a licensed psychiatrist, prescribed Adderall and Xanax to multiple patients outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. If convicted, Holbrook faces a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and a $1 million fine on each count. Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba credited special agents, task force officers, and diversion investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark, New Jersey, with the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake A. Nasar of the Office’s Health Care Fraud and Opioid Enforcement Unit. Victims with any information regarding Dr. David Holbrook may contact the DEA New Jersey Field Division at 571-362-3700. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. #### Defense counsel: Jay Surgent, Esq. holbrook.indictment.pdf


title: Placer County Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly $1.5 million in COVID-Relief Loans to Fund Lavish Lifestyle

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Jedrek Upton, 45, of Lincoln, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, between January 2021 and May 2022, Upton repeatedly lied on applications for COVID-19 disaster relief funds that he submitted on behalf of his businesses. The misrepresentations included false statements regarding the number of employees or payroll and that he would spend the money to alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. In support of these applications, Upton also submitted falsified IRS documents. In reality, some of the businesses had no employees or payroll, and Upton spent much of the money received on personal expenses. Upton received nearly $1.5 million in ill-gotten loans from the United States, a large portion of which was ultimately forgiven after Upton falsely claimed that he had spent it on payroll. Instead of legitimate business expenses, the money that Upton received allowed him to fund a lavish lifestyle. He paid off personal credit cards, transferred money to other people, leased a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, and made a large down payment on a $2.7 million, 10-acre property. In addition to pleading guilty, Upton agreed to forfeit his interest in the property he purchased and pay nearly $1.5 million in restitution to the United States. This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma is prosecuting the case. Upton is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on March 24, 2026. Upton faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the wire fraud count, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the money laundering count. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.


title: Alleged Drug Trafficker Extradited from Guatemala

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Erick Alexander Granados Garcia, who is believed responsible for trafficking large amounts of cocaine into the United States from Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, appeared in federal court yesterday following his extradition from Guatemala. Granados Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of California in June 2017 for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel. Granados Garcia was apprehended by Guatemalan authorities on August 21, 2017, and Guatemala granted the United States’ extradition request on October 29, 2025. The defendant arrived in San Diego on Monday. At yesterday’s hearing, Granados Garcia was arraigned and entered a not-guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard. This case stemmed from a long-term investigation targeting high-level organizations operating Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Guatemalan-based cocaine production and transportation organizations. These organizations historically transported cocaine into Guatemala and Mexico and then to locations in San Diego and Los Angeles. From there, traffickers delivered the drugs to distributors throughout California and the East Coast of the United States. Investigators learned that the targets use commercial and private airplanes, fishing vessels, go-fast boats, and maritime containers for the illicit movement of narcotics and narcotics proceeds. Agents coordinated the interdiction of at least 45 bulk cocaine shipment events conducted in multiple jurisdictions and multiple foreign countries. Thus far, these operations have resulted in the seizure of approximately $4.7 million and 60,230 kilograms of cocaine from 93 bulk seizure events. The Justice Department extends its gratitude to the Government of Guatemala and its prosecutorial and law enforcement authorities for making the extradition possible. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Guatemala. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in bringing the defendant back to the United States. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle B. Martin. DEFENDANT Case Number 17-cr-01465-JES Erick Alexander Granados Garcia Age: 46 Guatemala SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel – Title 46, U.S.C., Sections 70503 and 70506(b). Term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10 million fine. INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Drug Enforcement Administration Federal Bureau of Investigation Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation United States Marshals Service United States Coast Guard Customs and Border Protection United States Border Patrol The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.


title: Township Supervisor Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT – A Pennsylvania woman was sentenced today to 12 months plus a day in prison for evading her income taxes and committing bank fraud. According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Linda Tarlecki, age 63, of Aristes, Pennsylvania, was formerly a township supervisor for Conyngham Township in Columbia County from 2006 through 2018. In July 2025, Tarlecki entered a guilty plea before Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann to tax evasion and bank fraud. At her guilty plea hearing, Tarlecki admitted that from 2013 through 2017, she misappropriated funds from Conyngham Township by drafting duplicate payroll checks for herself and reimbursing herself for mileage and supplies that did not exist. In total, Tarlecki misappropriated over $147,000 from the township. Additionally, Tarlecki failed to pay income taxes on the fraudulent income resulting in a loss to the Internal Revenue Service of over $38,000. “No matter what the source of income, all income is taxable,” stated Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Chief Judge Brann ordered Tarlecki to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $187,427 in restitution to the United States. The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case. # # #


title: INTERNATIONAL AUDIO ELECTRONICS COMPANY HARMAN PAYS $11.8 MILLION TO SETTLE FRAUD ALLEGATIONS FOR EVADING CUSTOMS DUTIES ON CHINESE EXTRUDED ALUMINUM

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced today that Harman International Industries, Inc. (Harman), a leading audio electronics company for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, and whose portfolio of brands includes Harman Kardon®, JBL®, and Mark Levinson®, has agreed to pay $11,809,628 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and other statutes by evading antidumping and countervailing duties on goods made of extruded aluminum from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). To enter goods into the United States, an importer must declare, among other things, whether the goods are subject to duties and the amount of duties owed. The Department of Commerce assesses, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection collects, antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) to level the playing field for American companies. Antidumping duties protect against foreign companies “dumping” products on U.S. markets at prices below cost, while countervailing duties offset foreign government subsidies. During the relevant time period, heat sinks containing extruded aluminum, which are common thermal controlling devices in the electronics industry, were subject to significant antidumping and countervailing duties. The settlement resolves allegations that, from June 1, 2011 through March 31, 2023, Harman knowingly imported heat sinks that contained extruded aluminum from the PRC without paying the required AD/CVD. The United States further contended that when confronted with its failure to pay required AD/CVD for the heat sinks, Harman concealed and decided not to disclose its knowing avoidance of AD/CVD to the United States. “For more than a decade, Harman knowingly evaded duties designed to prevent unfair foreign subsidies and trade practices,” said United States Attorney Gorgon. “But we will use the law to protect our American companies against cheaters. And when we catch them, they will pay for it.” "CBP played a critical role in assisting with DOJ’s investigation concerning Harman’s failure to pay antidumping and countervailing duties on imported electronic components, resulting in a settlement of $11.8 million to resolve its civil liability under the False Claims Act and the customs laws,” said Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas, of CBP’s Office of Trade. “This case underscores CBP’s commitment to enforcing the customs and trade laws and ensuring the protection of revenue to promote U.S. economic security.” “We commend the sustained effort and diligence of DOJ and CBP in maintaining the integrity of AD/CVD orders,” said Christopher Abbott, performing the duties and functions of the Assistant Secretary of Enforcement and Compliance at the Department of Commerce. “Their work ensures that American industries and workers receive the relief they are entitled to under the law.” “This settlement reflects the strong partnership between the Department of Commerce OIG, our law enforcement partners, and the Department of Justice to ensure the integrity of U.S. trade laws and hold companies accountable when they circumvent duties designed to protect American industries,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Laura Barsczewsk of the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work together to uphold integrity in public service.” The allegations resolved by this settlement arose from a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Jesrel Mitre v. Harman International Industries, Inc. , Case No. 2:20-cv-12487. The whistleblower will receive $2,302,877.46 of the settlement proceeds. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Gentner from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The pursuit of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating fraud, waste, and abuse. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential customs fraud can be reported to CBP at www.help.cbp.gov/s/tip The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability


title: Felon Sentenced for Unlawfully Possessing a Loaded Firearm

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – An Oklahoma man was sentenced today for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Christopher Allen Thetford, 31, to 30 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. In April 2024, Broken Arrow Police officers observed a vehicle with a smashed windshield pull into a hotel parking lot, in an area known for high crime and illicit drugs. When the vehicle left the hotel, officers pulled it over. When officers approached the vehicle, they could smell marijuana, and Thetford was in the passenger seat. An officer asked Thetford if there was a firearm in the vehicle, and he said no. After Thetford got out of the vehicle, officers found a baggie with methamphetamine in his pants. When officers searched the vehicle, they found more bags of methamphetamine and a firearm under the passenger seat where Thetford was sitting. Court records show that Thetford has prior felony convictions in Missouri and Oklahoma. He will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The Broken Arrow Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dowdell 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN .


title: Man Living in Ochelata Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A man living in Ochelata was sentenced today for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Ramey Joe-Dawn Dill, 38, to 24 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. Court records show that Dill raped an unconscious girl and was convicted of second-degree rape in 2007 in State court. He was sentenced to 12 years, with 9 years being suspended, and is required to register as a sex offender. Dill’s criminal history includes 15 convictions over the last 19 years. His convictions include rape, DUI, malicious injury, burglary, and failing to register as a sex offender. In 2023, Dill was convicted in federal court for failing to register as a sex offender. After being released in 2025, Dill failed again to keep his address up to date with the sex offender registry. Dill has used several aliases over the years. Court records show that he has gone by Ramey Joedon Dill and Ramey Joe-Don Dill. He will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and is still required to register as a sex offender. The United States Marshal Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michele Hulgaard and Charles Greenough prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Nigerian Man Convicted in Federal Trial of Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: Cyber Division (FBI)

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted Saheed Sunday Owolabi, 34, from Nigeria on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in several cyber fraud schemes. “Fraud schemes like this drain millions from hardworking people in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse the anonymity of the internet to enrich themselves by stealing from our citizens.” According to court records and trial evidence, Owolabi pretended to be a woman to build online relationships with men in the United States, a scheme known as a romance scam. He and his co-conspirators used these fake relationships to convince victims to send money and personal information. Owolabi and others used bank accounts provided by the victims to launder money from other fraudulent operations. Owolabi joined a scheme that stole and laundered more than $120,000 from a victim in the Eastern District of North Carolina and defrauded hundreds of others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters gained unauthorized access to information about a pending home closing and sent spoofed emails instructing the victim to transfer funds to a bank account they controlled. When the victim complied, the money went to accounts linked to Owolabi and his associates. Owolabi then directed others on how to move and distribute the money, including sending portions to himself. Investigators recovered chat messages in which Owolabi admitted he was running a romance scam until he realized he was actually communicating with another fraudster. That individual mocked Owolabi’s efforts and told him to “learn how to do a clean job.” Owolabi faces up to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release when sentenced in January 2026. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-137-M.


title: New York City Based Drug Supplier Pleads Guilty for Role in Ulster County Drug Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Defendant, Cecilio Wareham, age 48 of Queens, New York, pled guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; 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). In April 2025, ten defendants, including Wareham, were indicted for their roles in drug trafficking organizations that distributed large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Kingston, New York and other areas of Ulster County. The organizations are alleged to have distributed over 11 kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of grams of cocaine base. Through the execution of search warrants in Ulster County and additional enforcement actions, law enforcement seized over five kilograms of cocaine and 270 grams of cocaine base. As part of his guilty plea, Wareham admitted to supplying his co-conspirator, Greg Tejada, with quantities of cocaine for redistribution, including over 2 kilograms of cocaine that were seized from Tejada in October 2024. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This guilty plea sends a clear and unequivocal message: we will aggressively dismantle the drug-trafficking networks that threaten the safety of our communities. Our work is far from finished, but this case proves that those who choose to spread dangerous narcotics will face decisive accountability. I strongly commend our federal, state, and local partners for their unwavering dedication and coordination throughout this investigation.” HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel stated: “This plea is the result of a sustained, collaborative investigation aimed at dismantling criminal networks that traffic dangerous drugs into our communities. HSI New York and our law enforcement partners will continue to target the supply chains, distributors, and organizations responsible for fueling addiction and violence. Our efforts will remain relentless as we work to safeguard the public.” Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa stated: “URGENT and our partnering agencies remain committed to protecting Ulster County from the destructive impact of narcotics trafficking. This case highlights the strength of interagency cooperation and the dedication of our investigators. We will continue to pursue those who bring illegal drugs into our neighborhoods and ensure they are brought before the justice system.” Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2026, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Wareham faces a prison term of at least 10 years and up to life, a fine of up to $10 million, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The remaining defendants, all of whom are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, would face the following minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment upon conviction: Name Age Residence Minimum Term of Imprisonment Maximum Term of Imprisonment Damon Dunn, aka “Moe” 48 Tilson, New York 10 years Life Greg Tejada, aka “Bear, 48 Highland Lakes, New Jersey 10 years Life Richard Johnson 35 New York, New York 10 years Life Kevin Dunn 52 New York, New York 5 years 40 years Aidan White 23 Kingston, New York 5 years 40 years Kristine Scibelli 41 Middletown, New York 5 years 40 years Xavier Patterson, aka “Xay” 28 New York, New York 5 years 40 years Allen McGraw, aka “Snoop” 44 Utica, New York None 20 years Raymond Robinson 53 Kingston, New York None 20 years Additionally, Damon Dunn, Raymond Robinson, Greg Tejada, Kristine Scibelli, Xavier Patterson, and Richard Johnson are charged with Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Aidan White and Damon Dunn are charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The charges in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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); Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, Valhalla. Assistant United States Attorney Ashlyn Miranda is prosecuting the case. These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.


title: San Diego Woman Admits Hiding Father-In-Law’s Death in Philippines to Collect His Retirement Benefits

body_text: SAN DIEGO –Josephine Guinauli Aquino of San Diego admitted in federal court today that she hid her father-in-law’s overseas death to illegally collect more than $175,000 in retirement benefits that should have stopped when he died. In her plea agreement, Aquino, 64, admitted that at the time of her father-in-law’s death in 2019, she knew that he was a veteran receiving monthly retirement benefits from both the Defense Finance Accounting Service and the Social Security Administration. Aquino knew that these benefits would immediately cease when the government became aware of her father-in-law’s death, , but because he died in The Philippines, the U.S. government was not automatically informed. Instead, Aquino admitted that she concealed his death from both the government and the bank where her father-in-law’s benefits were deposited each month. As a result, the United States continued to deposit these funds each month through October 2025. After his death in August 2019, Aquino admitted, she used her father-in-law’s checkbook to forge at least 150 checks drawn on his bank account. In addition, Aquino admitted that she received monthly pension checks from the Nestle Corporation that were mailed to her father-in-law’s last address in the United States, which Aquino fraudulently endorsed and deposited into his bank account, using his bank card. Aquino admitted that by concealing the death of her father-in-law, she caused an additional loss to the U.S. Department of Treasury for three economic impact payments issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, which were intended for her father-in-law’s benefit but converted to Aquino’s use. As a part of her plea agreement, Aquino has agreed to make full restitution to the Defense Finance Accounting Service, the Social Security Administration, the Treasury Department and the Nestle Corporation. Aquino was released pending her sentencing on February 13, 2026, before District Judge Janis L. Sammartino. “By stealing benefits that did not belong to her, this defendant took money away from other veterans and elderly Americans in need,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “This office is committed to prosecuting those who defraud these important government programs.” “Ms. Aquino’s guilty plea is an acknowledgement of her six-year fraud scheme in which she benefited financially to the detriment of the American taxpayer by unlawfully obtaining Department of Defense and Social Security benefits,” said John E. Helsing, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “DCIS, along with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice, will continue to aggressively investigate those who seek to enrich themselves through fraudulent schemes targeting the U.S. government.” “Ms. Aquino’s deliberate decision to conceal her father-in-law’s death abroad and steal Social Security benefits for her own benefit represents a serious violation of the law,” said Christian Assaad, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, San Francisco Field Division, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. “Safeguarding the integrity of Social Security programs is central to our mission, and we will continue to ensure that those who misuse these benefits are held accountable.” This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey D. Hill. DEFENDANT Case Number 25-CR-4282-JLS Josephine Guinauli Aquino Age: 64 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Receipt, Concealment, and Retention of Stolen Public Money – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 641 Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and a $357,623.00 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General


title: Former State Representative Pleads Guilty to Offenses Related to Cancelled State Audit of Medicaid Provider, Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: CHRISTOPHER ZIOGAS, 74, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to offenses related to interference with a state audit into a Medicaid provider who engaged in health care fraud, as well as a separate bank fraud offense. According to court documents and statements made in court, between January and June 2020, Ziogas, who served as a State Representative for Connecticut’s 79th Assembly District, engaged in a scheme in which Konstantinos Diamantis, a senior official in the State’s Office of Policy and Management (“OPM”), solicited and received corrupt payments and benefits from Ziogas’s fiancée, Helen Zervas, an optometrist and owner of Family Eye Care in Bristol, in exchange for official acts concerning a state audit of Zervas’s and Family Eye Care’s Medicaid overbilling. As part of the scheme, in January 2020, an official with Connecticut’s Department of Social Services (DSS) provided notice that it would perform an audit of Zervas’s and Family Eye Care’s Medicaid billing. Zervas, who knew that she had fraudulently overbilled Medicaid for medical services that she had not provided, or that were not medically necessary, sought assistance from Ziogas to prevent the DSS audit from proceeding. Ziogas, in turn, sought help from Diamantis in his role as a senior OPM official. In exchange for payments from Ziogas and Zervas, Diamantis undertook official acts and pressured other state officials to undertake official acts aimed at favorably resolving Zervas’s DSS audit. On March 4, 2020, Ziogas made a $20,000 bribe payment to Diamantis. On that date, Zervas’s attorney emailed a DSS official with a settlement offer to resolve DSS’s audit. The next day, Zervas reimbursed Ziogas with a $25,000 check from Family Eye Care. On March 12, 2020, Ziogas made a $10,000 bribe payment to Diamantis, and was subsequently reimbursed by Zervas. After having been advised and pressured directly by Diamantis and indirectly by him through officials at OPM and DSS, the DSS official cancelled the DSS audit and, on May 1, 2020, accepted Zervas’s settlement proposal. On May 12, 2020, Ziogas and Diamantis delivered a settlement check from Family Eye Care in the amount of $599,810 to DSS. On May 15, 2020, Ziogas, through Zervas, made a final bribe payment of $65,000 to Diamantis. Ziogas made a false statement when interviewed by federal agents during the investigation of this matter. Ziogas also separately committed bank fraud. Ziogas was the trustee of a client trust, identified in court documents as “Trust-1.” In November 2019, Ziogas prepared and caused to be negotiated a check from Trust-1 in the amount of $5,500 made out to Diamantis. Ziogas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, making false statements, which carries maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and bank fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. Ziogas is released on a $500,000 bond pending sentencing, which is currently scheduled for February 18 before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport. Zervas previously pleaded guilty to related charges and is awaiting sentencing. Diamantis has been charged by indictment and is awaiting trial in this matter, which is scheduled for January 30 in Bridgeport. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and Paul A. Riley.