title: Alleged Sinaloa Cartel Methamphetamine Trafficker Extradited from Mexico

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Marco Antonio Lopez-Guerrero, an alleged Mexicali-based methamphetamine trafficker linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, was extradited from Mexico on October 24th to face drug and firearms charges. Lopez-Guerrero was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of California in July 2020. He is charged with Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine; Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine; Attempted Export of Defense Articles Without a License; and Smuggling Goods (i.e., firearms and ammunition) from the United States to Mexico. According to court records, Lopez-Guerrero used young girls to smuggle methamphetamine through pedestrian lanes of Southern California ports of entry and to distribute the drugs in San Diego, San Bernardino and elsewhere. Lopez-Guerrero also used an ultra-light aircraft to smuggle methamphetamine; and he smuggled weapons to Mexico, including at least one short-barrel AR-15 rifle without a serial number and more than 150 rounds of ammunition, court records indicate. At his first appearance in federal court on October 27th, Lopez-Guerrero was arraigned and entered a not-guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford. Following a detention hearing on October 30, 2025, Lopez-Guerrero was ordered detained pending trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 21, 2025, for a motion hearing/trial setting before U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta. The prosecution in this case is part of a multi-year investigation that resulted in the seizure of more than 180 kilograms of methamphetamine; 19 kilograms of fentanyl; 2 kilograms of heroin; along with firearms and ammunition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Mexico. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in bringing the defendant to the United States. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence A. Casper and Edward Chang. DEFENDANT Case Number 20cr2054-JO Marco Antonio Lopez-Guerrero Age: 34 Mexicali, MX SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 952, 960 and 963. Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison, $10 million fine. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 841, 846. Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison, $10 million fine. Attempted Export of Defense Articles Without a License in violation of Title 22, U.S.C. Section 2778. Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, $1 million fine. Smuggling of goods in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. Section 554 Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine. INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Drug Enforcement Administration Homeland Security Investigations Imperial County Sheriff’s Department U.S. Border Patrol – El Centro Sector Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs San Diego/Imperial County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program *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: Two Nigerian-Born Men Sentenced To Prison For Laundering Millions Of Dollars In Criminal Proceeds

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two Nigerian-born men were sentenced to prison today for laundering millions of dollars in criminal proceeds that were derived from fraud schemes targeting hundreds of victims, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. James C. Barnacle, Jr. Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina, joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement. Olumide Olorunfunmi, 40, and Emmanuel Unuigbe, 43, were each sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In addition to the prison terms imposed, they were each ordered to pay more than $4.6 million in restitution. According to court documents and court proceedings, from 2020 through 2023, Olorunfunmi conspired with Unuigbe and others to launder the criminal proceeds of various illegal activities, including romance scams that typically targeted elderly victims and business email compromise schemes. Court records show that the victims of the schemes were directed to transfer funds into domestic and international bank accounts controlled by Olorunfunmi, Unuigbe, and their co-conspirators. Upon receiving the fraud proceeds, Olorunfunmi, Unigibe, and their co-conspirators transferred the funds to other bank accounts, in the U.S. and overseas. Court documents show that the scheme caused more than 125 victims to transfer over $4.5 million of proceeds stemming from illegal activities. Olorunfunmi and Unuigbe profited by keeping a portion of the criminal proceeds obtained through the schemes. They also profited by agreeing to “pay” for the domestic deposits received by others by transferring Nigerian Naira from accounts the co-conspirators controlled in Nigeria to other accounts in Nigeria, based upon a “black market” exchange rate for United States Dollars to Naira. Olorunfunmi and Unuigbe previously pleaded guilty. A related individual, Samson Amos, was also sentenced today for his role in conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. He was sentenced to five years of probation that included a six-month period of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay restitution. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the FBI for the investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.


title: Gates woman sentenced for her role in retail theft ring involving over a million dollars in stolen merchandise

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, NY-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Shabon Banks, 42, of Gates, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was sentenced to serve 63 months prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. Banks was also ordered to pay $92,903.34 in restitution to various retailers, including Best Buy, Home Depot, Kohls, Lowes, Macy’s, Target, and Walmart. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that between December 2021, and October 17, 2024, Banks conspired with a group of serial larcenists, including Amanda Reeves and Chad Lewis, to engage in an ongoing retail theft conspiracy involving the New York Gold Diamond Pawn Shop. The pawn shop is owned and operated by another co-defendant Dominic Sprague and managed by co-defendant James Civiletti. Banks and the other larcenists stole new-in-box items from store shelves on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis. They then sold the stolen goods to the pawn shop for a fraction of the actual retail value. The pawn shop, including Civiletti, then resold the stolen merchandise on eBay at much higher prices, resulting in significant profits. The pawn shop purchased 37,936 stolen new-in-box items from Lewis, Jr., Banks, and Reeves on more than 670 occasions, for which the larcenists were paid $290,000.00. The actual losses to the victim-retailers were approximately $1,160,000.00. In addition, Banks unlawfully used an ID belonging to another person to engage in transactions at the pawn shop. She also recklessly created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person in the course of fleeing from law enforcement while the scheme was ongoing. In 2022 and 2024, Banks led police on high-speed car chases, which police discontinued because of the threat posed to other motorists. Reeves, Banks, Sprague, and Civiletti were previously convicted. The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Internal Revenue Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter. # # # #


title: Clinton man sentenced to 2 years in prison on drug and gun charges

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

body_text: BILLINGS – A Clinton man who possessed fentanyl and methamphetamine and illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to 24 months in prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. Francis Levi Kelsey, 40, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that on June 14, 2021, while conducting a stolen vehicle investigation, law enforcement in Park County, Montana encountered Kelsey driving a 2003 Chevy. Investigation led to a search of the vehicle and officers seized a Coca-Cola can on the driver’s seat containing 75 fentanyl pills and 22.4 grams of actual methamphetamine. The officers also found a firearm and ammunition in a void under the center console of the vehicle. The defendant’s cellular phone was also recovered, and a search warrant was obtained for the phone. On the phone were various text messages in which Kelsey arranged the sale of methamphetamine and fentanyl. On June 15, 2021, Kelsey made a recorded jail call and instructed an individual to get to the void under the center console of the vehicle, unaware law enforcement had already located the firearm inside. Kelsey is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a previous state felony conviction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case. The ATF, DEA, Park County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri River Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Franklinton Woman Guilty  of Theft of Government Funds

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS - Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that, BARBARA AUGUSTIN (“AUGUSTIN”) , age 58, a resident of Franklinton, Louisiana, pled guilty on October 23, 2025 to a bill of information charging her with theft of government funds. According to the bill of information, beginning in or about November 2018, and continuing until in or about May 2023, the defendant did knowingly convert to her use, money belonging to the United States, namely the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), to which she knew she was not entitled. AUGUSTIN admitted fraudulently obtaining over $40,000 in SSA benefits by failing to report to Social Security her son’s incarceration, which allowed her to continue receiving benefits on his behalf as his representative payee. AUGUSTIN faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiwana Wright, Financial Crimes Unit.


title: Dallas father and son sentenced to federal prison in methamphetamine conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SHERMAN, Texas –A Dallas man and his son have been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. David Valdez, 45, and his son, Abel Valdez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and were both sentenced to 324 months in federal prison. Abel Valdez was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on October 21, 2025. David Valdez was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant on November 12, 2025. According to information presented in court, between September 2023 and February 2024, the Valdez conspiracy was responsible for trafficking approximately 80 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine per month into the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which was then processed at the Valdez’ residence and sold into the community. Law enforcement issued a search warrant at the Valdez residence on February 8, 2024, during which 69 kilograms of methamphetamine and eleven semi-automatic weapons were found. 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. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Dallas Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Anderson. ###


title: Pascua Yaqui Tribal Member Sentenced to 10 Years Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Richard Alex Buitimea, 35, a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, was sentenced last week by United States District Court Judge James A. Soto to 10 years in prison following a conviction for one count of Possession of Child Pornography. According to evidence presented during trial, authorities were alerted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a Google Drive account belonging to Buitimea contained possible child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Acting on this tip, agents with the FBI obtained a search warrant for Buitimea’s account and discovered over 1,000 images and 21 videos of CSAM. The FBI and the Pascua Yaqui Police Department executed a search warrant of Buitimea’s two residences located on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation. During searches of Buitimea’s residences, agents determined that the primary target smartphone of the investigation had been recently smashed, and factory reset, thereby preventing forensic review. Nevertheless, analysis of the Google Drive account established that Buitimea remained actively engaged with the account, which contained CSAM, throughout the period of the upload and retention of CSAM to the account. 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 www.justice.gov/psc. Agents with the FBI’s Tucson Division partnered with the Pascua Yaqui Police Department in handling the investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Tucson, handled the prosecution along with a Special Assistant United States Attorney from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. CASE NUMBER: 23-CR-01973-JAS-JR RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-162_Buitimea # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Michigan couple arrested, facing multiple charges involving harboring unauthorized aliens, and money laundering

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Moises Orduna-Rios, 36, and Raquel Orduna-Rios, 30, of Plymouth, Michigan, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy, transporting and harboring unauthorized aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain, conspiracy to bring in, harbor, and transport unauthorized aliens, employment of at least 10 unauthorized aliens within a 12-month period, engaging in a pattern or practice of employing unauthorized aliens, and money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $3,000 for each unauthorized alien employed by the defendants. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Orduna Plumbing Inc., is a plumbing company based in Michigan, with operations throughout the United States, including in New York, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio. Moises Orduna-Rios is the president of Orduna Plumbing, while Raquel Orduna-Rios is the Treasurer and Secretary. It is believed that since January 2022, through December 2024, the defendants employed approximately 253 individuals. Out of the 253 individuals, only six were confirmed to be legally present and permitted to work in the United States. The defendants collected the passports of the unauthorized aliens and housed them in overcrowded houses and hotel rooms. It is estimated that between January 1, 2022, and August 7, 2025, Moises Orduna-Rios and Raquel Orduna-Rios generated approximately $74,000,000 in customer revenue. During the course of the investigation, U.S. Border Patrol agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 23 unauthorized aliens employed by Orduna Plumbing, in Buffalo, Rochester, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The investigation uncovered messaging communications between Moises Orduna-Rios and some of the unauthorized aliens, during which they discussed payroll, proper care of company vehicles, proper use of company credit cards, concerns about being undocumented, switching housing locations to be less visible to law enforcement, and precautions that should be taken to avoid being apprehended. For instance, on February 1, 2025, Moises Orduna-Rios sent this message by way of a group chat stating, “Gentlemen, with all the controversy that is going on, its better to get ready, drive the speed limit, limit yourselves going to the store, only do minimal running of errands, and do not have any gatherings such as barbeques…” In the summer of 2025, Border Patrol agents executed a search warrant at a Rochester residence that housed some of the unauthorized aliens believed to be working for Orduna Plumbing. Border Patrol found nine individuals, all of whom were illegally present in the United States, living in a small sparsely furnished residence. A financial review of Orduna Plumbing revealed the company paid hundreds of employees known to be illegally present in the United States through multiple bank accounts used and controlled by the defendants. Moises Orduna-Rios and Raquel Orduna-Rios made an initial appearance today in Federal Court in the Eastern District of Michigan and were released on conditions. They are scheduled to appear in the Western District of New York on December 2, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen. 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 criminal complaint and seizures are the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, Rochester Station, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Juan Ramirez, Jr., and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Harry Chavis. Additional assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations and Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, under the direction of Director Christopher Romosz. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Final Aryan Brotherhood Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Conspiracy Convictions Including Conspiracy to Commit Murder

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Danny Troxell, 72, of Fresno, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to life in prison for participating in a RICO conspiracy and a conspiracy to commit murder, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to evidence produced at trial, between 2011 and 2019, Aryan Brotherhood (or AB) members and associates engaged in racketeering activity, committing multiple acts involving murder, conspiracies to murder, and drug trafficking crimes. The trial evidence showed that Aryan Brotherhood members oversaw a significant heroin and methamphetamine trafficking operation from their California prison cells using smuggled cellphones to direct drug trafficking activities, order murders, and oversee other criminal activities inside and outside of the prisons. At trial, the jury heard evidence that the Aryan Brotherhood elevated Troxell to a position of leadership on the gang’s three-man commission in the early 2000s when nearly all of the prominent AB members were housed in Pelican Bay state prison. In 2016, wiretaps by the Drug Enforcement Administration captured Troxell discussing gang business with another member. He explained that he viewed the gang as “blood in, blood out,” meaning you had to kill to enter the gang, and you could only leave it by being killed. The wiretaps also caught Troxell ordering the murder of another AB member housed in Calipatria state prison. Law enforcement moved quickly to stop the plot and keep the targeted inmate from being harmed. The jury found Troxell guilty of RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder based upon the intercepted calls and testimony from other gang members. The district court previously imposed life sentences on five other Aryan Brotherhood defendants in this case: Ronald Yandell, William Sylvester, Pat Brady, Jason Corbett, and Brant Daniel. This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Vallejo Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt, Ross Pearson, and David Spencer prosecuted the case. 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 Sacramento comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.


title: One-time Seattle resident sentenced to 30 years in prison for scheme to kidnap children in Vietnam and sexually abuse them

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 38-year-old former Seattle resident was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse imagery in his scheme to get images of sexually abused children from a coconspirator in Vietnam, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Richard Stanley Maness Jr. was convicted in August 2025 of two federal felonies following a three-day jury trial. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones focused on the 4 and 7-year-old children sexually abused at Maness’ direction saying, “These victims were not candy in a dish for you to take out the one you liked…. In the mind of that 7-year-old you were a monster directing the pain she suffered.” “In recommending this 30-year-prison sentence, our office is doing everything it can to protect innocent children here and overseas. Mr. Maness remains a danger, unable to accept the harm he has done,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “Instead, he insists he is the victim, but the jury and the judge saw through Maness’s fabricated claims of innocence.” According to records filed in the case, law enforcement in Vietnam rescued two young children who had been kidnapped off the street in April 2024. The mother of the two sisters was distraught when she could not find them. The young girls were taken to an Airbnb by Maness’ female coconspirator. Records showed Maness rented the apartment. Messages between Manness and the coconspirator documented him directing sexual abuse of a child as young as 6-years-old. The coconspirator sent the images of the child sexual abuse to Maness over the internet. Maness had plans to travel to Vietnam for further child sexual abuse. Maness was arrested in a Seattle apartment after detectives in Vietnam contacted Homeland Security Investigations with information about the child kidnapping and abuse. Maness has remained in federal custody since his arrest on August 28, 2024. Maness was convicted of conspiracy to produce child sexual abuse material and production of child sexual abuse material. In asking for the 30-year sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “What Maness did was monstrous. And that he refuses to accept responsibility and clings to a preposterous and wholly incredible story to justify his claims of innocence is beyond the pale. The threat he poses to children is thus grave, particularly given his unwillingness to admit that his sexual interest in children led him to perpetrate unspeakable harm. Lengthy incapacitation through imprisonment and close supervision for the remainder of his life once released must be the order of the day.” Judge Jones sentenced Maness to 20 years of supervised release following the prison term. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations in cooperation with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided crucial assistance in obtaining evidence overseas. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Hampton and Cecelia Gregson. 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Anchorage Doctor and Husband Plead Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Health Care, Tax Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage doctor and her husband pleaded guilty today to executing a $12.5 million health care fraud scheme and evading over $4 million in taxes on the profits of their decades-long scheme. According to court documents, Dr. Claribel Tan, 61, and her husband, Daniel Tan, 70, operated a rheumatology medical clinic in Anchorage. Dr. Tan specialized in the treatment of autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, and prescribed injectable medications to treat those conditions. Mr. Tan performed office and management work for the clinic. As part of their scheme, the Tans deceived their patients about the medications Dr. Tan administered by injection in the office, and fraudulently billed health insurance plans for reimbursement of medications that the Tans did not purchase. Beginning in 2009, Dr. Tan routinely and surreptitiously underdosed patients, injected them with free samples or a different medication than prescribed, injected them with expired medication, and/or injected them with medications purchased by other patients. The Tans then knowingly billed insurance plans as if Dr. Tan had provided each patient a full and proper injection. Specifically, the Tans claimed to have administered 4,829 units of the medications to patients, and billed the insurance plans for that amount, despite only purchasing 369 units of medication. Mr. Tan helped execute the scheme in part by creating and submitting fraudulent insurance claims and ordering insufficient medication for the clinic. The Tans also made false statements about the length of Dr. Tan’s office visits with her patients and submitted fraudulent claims to insurance plans for services that Dr. Tan never provided. The Tans’ fraud scheme created significant health risks to the patients and caused a loss of approximately $12,522,446 to more than 10 insurance plans. The Tans also created false tax records to conceal the health care fraud scheme. The Tans knew that the clinic had not purchased the quantity of medications that they billed insurance plans for, and they fraudulently overstated the clinic’s expenses on the clinic’s tax returns for 2014, 2015, and 2017, allowing them to falsely underreport the clinic’s income. From 2018 to 2021, the Tans willfully failed to file tax returns for the clinic. The Tans’ tax fraud scheme caused a loss of approximately $4,249,509 to the IRS. In 2024 and 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office seized approximately $10,471,106 in health care fraud proceeds from the Tans. As part of their plea agreements, the Tans agreed to forfeit those funds to the U.S. and agreed to pay an additional $6,300,849 towards their expected restitution judgment. The Tans further agreed to pay the U.S. an additional $1,855,144 to settle civil claims under the False Claims Act arising from the health care fraud scheme. Dr. Tan has also surrendered her medical license. Dr. Tan and Mr. Tan will be sentenced on a later date. They each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for health care fraud and five years in prison for tax fraud. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. More information about the case is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/united-states-v-tan-et-al . Victims may provide the court with a written Victim Impact Statement or may also provide a statement in person at sentencing. For more information, please contact usaak.victim.witness@usdoj.gov one week prior to sentencing. U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman of the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge John Helsing, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Western Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Carrie Nordyke of the IRS Criminal Investigation Seattle Field Office made the announcement. DCIS Western Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation Seattle Division, FBI Anchorage Field Office, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Criminal Investigations Division, Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and State of Alaska Division of Insurance Investigation Unit investigated the case. Trial Attorney Dominick Giovanniello of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Beausang and William Reed of the District of Alaska are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jackie Traini of the District of Alaska led the civil fraud investigation. UPDATE: This release has been edited to correct the email listed for USAAK Victim Witness. ###


title: San Diego Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $8.5 Million from Employer

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Ping “Jenny” Gao, a resident of Point Loma, has pleaded guilty in federal court, admitting that she embezzled more than $8.5 million from her employer by draining four bank accounts belonging to his U.S. companies. According to her plea agreement, Gao funneled company funds into accounts she fraudulently created and then went on a spending spree, buying a $160,000 Porsche and a $2.9 million home with views overlooking San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline. When her employer discovered the theft and sued in San Diego Superior Court, Gao falsely claimed her actions were authorized by the real owner of the companies in China and the person who sued her was an “imposter.” To support this false defense, Gao paid more than $100,000 of embezzled funds to people in China to fabricate evidence, which she then knowingly filed with the Superior Court to oppose a motion for a preliminary injunction. Gao also committed perjury at her deposition in the civil matter by claiming the funds in the companies’ bank accounts belonged to her. Though the Superior Court issued multiple orders barring Gao from further spending, transferring, or dissipating the proceeds during the pendency of the civil case, Gao disregarded the orders and continued to make transactions with the embezzled proceeds. Those transactions included wiring $1.6 million overseas to a bank account in Hong Kong, China. In September 2023, the civil case went to trial and Gao testified in her defense. Gao committed perjury again by claiming the funds were from her investments in China. She also falsely claimed that one of the managers of the companies was helping to move her funds into the United States using “underground banks” to avoid Chinese laws limiting overseas transfers. The Superior Court ultimately ruled against Gao and converted the preliminary injunction into a permanent injunction. Despite the permanent injunction, Gao continued to dissipate proceeds in violation of court order. This included selling the $160,000 Porsche to CarMax for $75,000 and exchanging a $70,000 cashier’s check from proceeds of that transaction with another individual for cash. According to her plea agreement, Gao admitted that she transferred more than $1 million of the embezzled funds to her personal bank accounts and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxuries and at high-end fashion stores. There is also more than $3.29 million of embezzled funds that were squandered or remain unaccounted for to date. This plea hearing took place on November 13, 2025. This press release was slightly delayed due to the lapse in appropriations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Swan. DEFENDANTS Case Number 23-CR-2380-JES Ping Gao, aka Jenny Gao, Gao Ping Age: 55 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1343 Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison and fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater Concealment Money Laundering – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater INVESTIGATING AGENCY Federal Bureau of Investigation


title: Man Charged with Assaulting Federal Officer with his Car

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Roberto Carlos Galeana-Guatemala, a Mexican national, was charged in federal court with striking and seriously injuring a federal officer with his vehicle while agents and officers were attempting to arrest him. Galeana-Guatemala was charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon that inflicted bodily injury, and for being a removed alien who again entered the United States illegally. He was most recently removed from the United States on February 6, 2024, after his February 5, 2024, conviction for Bringing in Certain Aliens Other Than a Designated Port of Entry. At his detention hearing today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian J. White, Galeana-Guatemala stipulated to remain detained without bond. According to the complaint, at about 4:25 a.m. on November 12, 2025, federal agents from the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) attempted to execute a judicially authorized federal arrest warrant for Galeana-Guatemala outside an apartment complex in National City. The complaint said agents positioned their vehicles in front of the Honda driven by Galeana-Guatemala and announced “Police!” as they exited their vehicle. Galeana-Guatemala began driving his vehicle in reverse away from the agents. Law enforcement agents pursued the Honda on foot while verbally shouting “Stop!” and “Police” at Galeana-Guatemala. Additional law enforcement vehicles arrived and activated their emergency lights while blocking Galeana-Guatemala’s exit north. Galeana-Guatemala attempted to maneuver his vehicle around the law enforcement vehicles but stopped approximately one foot away from the front bumper of one of the blocking vehicles. Galeana-Guatemala then drove approximately 200 feet from the initial parked location before coming to a complete stop. According to the complaint, agents approached the driver side window and shouted “Police, don't move!” multiple times. Galeana-Guatemala momentarily paused before accelerating towards them, forcing them to scatter to avoid being hit. Galeana-Guatemala’s vehicle then made a distinct movement toward three agents, one who was unable to get out of the defendant’s path. The agent was struck by the defendant’s vehicle, thrown onto the street and underneath adjacent parked vehicles. The agent was hospitalized and has contusions, a possible sternum fracture and had to use a wheelchair due to continued pain while walking. After Galeana-Guatemala struck the agent, he continued to accelerate south and struck another law enforcement vehicle on the front passenger door, resulting in the door being inoperable, the complaint said. When the defendant was found by law enforcement later in the day, he attempted to run away again but was apprehended in near the 3800 block of Fairmount Avenue, San Diego. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Lauricella. DEFENDANT Case Number 25mj6283-DDL Roberto Carlos Galeana-Guatemala Age: 20 Mexico SUMMARY OF CHARGES Assault on a Federal Officer – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 111 (a)(1) and (b) Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine Attempted Assault on a Federal Officer – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 111 (a)(1) and (b) Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine Deported Alien Found in the United States – Title 8, U.S.C., Section 1326 Maximum penalty: Two years in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Homeland Security Investigations – Marine Task Force U.S. Border Patrol U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Air and Marine Operations *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: Georgia Man Sentenced to Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Child

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: ATHENS, Ga. – A Georgia man who admitted to sexually exploiting a child by sending explicit instructions for the abuse of a young girl over social media was sentenced to serve more than 21 years in prison for his crime. William Barnett, II, 33, of Athens, was sentenced to serve 262 months in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self, III, on Nov. 10, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to sexually exploit a child on Aug. 4. In addition, Barnett will have to register as a sex offender upon release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system. “Our office is unwavering in the pursuit of justice on behalf of children who are sexually abused and exploited,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “We are working with law enforcement at every level to safeguard children and ensure that predators are held responsible." “Thanks to the diligent efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and its law enforcement partners, this predator will now spend time behind bars for his appalling actions,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta, which covers Georgia and Alabama. “This investigation underscores our commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and pursuing justice for those who seek to exploit and harm children.” “Cases like these exemplify the value of partnerships between local, state and federal agencies,” said Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters. “These heinous crimes will not be tolerated in our community. We will continue to work with our partners to protect the children of this community and will pursue those who prey on them.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta’s Child Exploitation and Cyber Investigations Group (CECIG) was investigating a case in February 2024, involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) being shared using the social media and file sharing platform Mega. As a part of that investigation, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) identified Chris Adam Valentine as the suspect. To learn more about Valentine’s case and subsequent federal prosecution and conviction, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/athens-man-sentenced-30-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-child . During the ACCPD investigation into the hands-on offenses against four minor children, agents discovered a chat thread between Valentine and Barnett in 2022 and 2023; in the chat, Barnett stated he was using a pseudonym and that his name was actually “Will.” Throughout the chat, Valentine sent numerous images of CSAM to Barnett, including a video depicting the sexual assault of a girl between the ages of six and ten years old by an adult man. Other CSAM images were shared in this chat thread between Valentine and Barnett, including a video Barnett sent to Valentine of an adult man sexually assaulting a girl between the ages of five and ten years old. On Aug. 22, 2022, Valentine sent Barnett an image of a female child being sexually assaulted; Barnett responded to Valentine with specific instructions to further abuse the child. Valentine responded with “OK” and then sent two additional images of the same child being abused as Barnett instructed. A search warrant was obtained and executed at Barnett’s residence on April 3, 2024. Barnett was not home at the time the warrant was executed but was soon located nearby and was arrested. Agents seized eight cellphones; two of the devices contained CSAM. One cellphone had 54 images and three videos of prepubescent minors and toddlers being sexually assaulted and abused by adults. Many of these files were in the Kik and the Mega social media apps. Agents located numerous chats across several platforms where Barnett was messaging with others regarding CSAM, both receiving and sending links with CSAM. 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The case was investigated by the HSI Atlanta’s Child Exploitation and Cyber Investigations Group (CECIG) and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD). Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach prosecuted the case for the Government. This press release about a case that occurred during the 43-day government shutdown is now available after the return to normal operations.


title: Three Sureño Street Gang Associates Charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.— Three men associated with the Sureño street gang have been charged with felon in possession of a firearm after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) engaged in multiple undercover purchases of firearms and machine gun conversion devices. Cesar Daniel Arevalo, 36, of Portland, Oregon and Jose Luis Brown Ceballos, 35, and Jose Luis Diaz Ceballos, 24, of Salem, Oregon, have been charged by criminal complaint with Felon in Possession of a Firearm. According to court documents, from July 2025 through November 2025, ATF undercover agents engaged in multiple undercover purchase operations involving Arevalo and his associates. Undercover agents purchased a total of 15 firearms (four modified to machineguns), 58 machine gun conversion devices, and cocaine from Arevalo and his associates, including Diaz Ceballos. On November 13, 2025, Arevalo, Brown Ceballos, Diaz Ceballos, and a juvenile conducted an armed protection of an undercover narcotics transaction in Salem. When the transaction was completed, the armed suspects were arrested by ATF agents. Four firearms were recovered from the scene. The ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Bockelman is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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: Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Official Agrees to Pay Nearly $22,000 to Resolve Conflict-of-Interest Allegations

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – On October 7, 2025, John E. Reeder, a former Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to pay $21,773.95 to resolve allegations that he violated federal conflict-of-interest laws prior to his retirement from the agency in 2019. Among other things, the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 prohibits executive branch employees from participating personally and substantially in particular matters that will affect their own financial interests or the financial interests of certain parties with whom they have ties outside the government, including any organization with whom they are negotiating prospective employment. The United States alleges that while serving on a two-year detail to a local university under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreement, Reeder impermissibly negotiated for employment with the university. Before and during the detail, the agency warned Reeder that he remained subject to federal ethics laws and that negotiating for employment with the university would create a prohibited financial conflict of interest. Despite these warnings, Reeder actively engaged in negotiations for a teaching position and extended his detail to finalize the university’s employment offer. Reeder failed to immediately disclose his negotiations to the agency as required and later filed a notification form with the agency’s ethics office that misrepresented the timing of his negotiations. “The EPA Office of Inspector General takes allegations of conflicts of interest seriously and will thoroughly investigate potential misconduct,” said Acting EPA Inspector General Nicole Murley. “American taxpayers have the right to expect the highest standards of ethical behavior from federal officials. Any conflict of interest undermines that trust, and we are committed to upholding integrity and accountability at the EPA.” The resolution in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General. The civil settlement resulted from an investigation by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Hair. The United States Attorney further wishes to commend Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Administrative Investigations Kristin M. Kafka and Director Sheryl M. Golkow of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General for their assistance in the investigation. The claims resolved by the civil settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. Editor's Note: This matter occurred on date indicated but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.


title: Elkhart Woman Sentenced to 85 Months in Prison

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Yesterday, Undrea House, 29 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor. House was sentenced to 85 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, House walked into a bank in August of 2024 and pointed a loaded handgun at an employee while demanding cash. She took over $1,000 in cash and returned to her apartment, where police found her and arrested her later that day. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Goshen Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.


title: Nurse Anesthetist Pleads Guilty to Stealing Fentanyl  from Dubuque Hospital

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who was a certified nurse anesthetist working in a Dubuque hospital in January 2022 and stole fentanyl pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Benjamin K. Albert, age 53, from Round Lake, Illinois, was convicted of three counts of acquiring fentanyl through fraud. In a plea agreement, Albert admitted that he worked at a Dubuque hospital as a certified registered nurse anesthetist from January 13, 2022, through January 27, 2022. A certified registered nurse anesthetist administers anesthesia and provides pain management to individuals undergoing surgical procedures. Over the five days that he worked, Albert administered fentanyl to 18 patients. Albert admitted that on each day he worked, he acquired fentanyl from the hospital by drawing extra fentanyl from the hospital pharmacy in a patient’s name. Albert then only administered a portion of the fentanyl to the patient. He stole the rest for his own use. Several of Albert’s patients who he charted as having received appropriate dosing of fentanyl exhibited signs of feeling significant pain during surgery. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Albert remains free on release pending sentencing. For each count, Albert faces a possible maximum sentence of four years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release following any imprisonment. As part of sentencing, Albert has agreed to forfeit his Iowa nursing license to the United States. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick J. Reinert and Timothy Vavricek and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Investigative Division of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-1045. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Illegal Alien Sentenced For Unlawful Reentry

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Sergio Alejandro Olivas-Robledo, age 37, a Mexican national unlawfully present in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to time served for one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office. On November 10, 2025, Olivas-Robledo pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on September 28. 2025, Olivas-Robledo, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on September 11, 2008, and January 15, 2009. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarrod Leaman represented the United States.


body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Joel Rebollero, a/k/a Joel Reboyar Calderon, a/k/a Joel Calderon Reboyar, a/k/a Jose Bolero, age 36, a Mexican national unlawfully present in McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to time served for one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the McAlester Police Department. On August 4, 2025, Rebollero pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on June 10, 2025, Rebollero, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on June 4, 2008. 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 Honorable John C. Coughenour, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, serving by designation, presided over the hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Cornell represented the United States.


body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Carlos Arturo Cahuex-Martinez, a/k/a Carlos Arturo Cahuex, a/k/a Carlos Cahuex-Martinez, a/k/a Carlos Martinez, age 45, a Guatemalan national unlawfully present in Wagoner, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 8 months in prison for one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division. On September 16, 2025, Cahuex-Martinez pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on July 22, 2025, Cahuex-Martinez, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on July 3, 2018, November 13, 2018, and January 26, 2022. 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 Honorable John C. Coughenour, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, serving by designation, presided over the hearing. Cahuex-Martinez will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Cornell represented the United States.


title: Muskogee Resident Sentenced For Possession Of Stolen Firearm

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Hyden Bishop Russell, age 19, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a term of three years’ probation for one count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Muskogee Police Department. On June 17, 2025, Russell pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on December 11, 2024, an officer responding to a 911 report of a road rage incident pulled over the vehicle involved and discovered Russell in possession of a loaded Glock 17 semiautomatic pistol which had been stolen from a federally licensed firearm dealer. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.


title: Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty To Possessing Unregistered Firearm

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Denim Cole Adams, age 21, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The Indictment alleged that on July 4, 2024, Adams knowingly possessed a 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun, with a barrel of less than 18 inches in length, which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The charge arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police Department. The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Adams will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Pippin represented the United States.


title: Checotah Resident Sentenced For Distributing Methamphetamine

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Andrew Frank Lerblance, a/k/a Andrew Frank Lerblance, Jr., age 66, of Checotah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. On June 30, 2025, Lerblance pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on October 3, 2023, Lerblance sold approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine in the parking lot of the Flying J Travel Center in Checotah, Oklahoma. The Honorable John C. Coughenour, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing. Lerblance will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.


title: Broken Bow Resident Sentenced For Illegally Possessing Firearm

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kenneth Marvin Bray, a/k/a Marvin Bray, age 54, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm. The charge arose from an investigation by the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On July 1, 2025, Bray pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, Bray knowingly possessed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol on November 30, 2023, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. 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. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Bray will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.


title: Aesculap Implant Systems Agrees to Pay $38.5 Million to Resolve  False Claims Act Allegations Related to Knee Implant Failures

component: Civil Division

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf and the Department of Justice announced today that medical device company Aesculap Implant Systems, LLC (“Aesculap”), based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $38.5 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that the company sold knee replacement devices that it knew would fail prematurely at a higher than acceptable rate, resulting in false claims to Medicare and Medicaid. The settlement further resolves allegations that the company paid unlawful remuneration to a physician to induce him to use the knee implants. Additionally, Aesculap agreed to a non-prosecution agreement with the United States in connection with its distribution of two medical devices without the required clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The civil settlement announced today resolves allegations that, from July 30, 2010, to June 17, 2023, Aesculap sold the VEGA System® Knee System, a line of prosthetic implants used in knee replacement surgeries, while knowing that it would fail prematurely at a higher than acceptable rate and, therefore, was not reasonable and necessary for use during knee replacement surgeries. In such surgeries, physicians remove arthritic bone in the knee and implant a device, which is fixed in place with bone cement. The United States alleged that the Vega was prone to becoming loose from patient’s bone prematurely, often shortly after surgery. Patients experiencing loosening could have pain, instability, and difficulty walking, and such patients required a revision surgery to remove and replace the Vega implant. The United States alleged that Aesculap knew shortly after the Vega was released in the United States that bone cement did not properly adhere to the implant. Despite this knowledge, Aesculap sold the Vega to physicians and hospitals in the United States without disclosing this known problem with the device. The United States also alleged that Aesculap failed to take steps to record, track, or report adverse events for the Vega and did not take adequate steps to remediate the problem. As of April 2024, Aesculap stopped selling all of its knee replacement devices, including the Vega, in the United States. The settlement also resolves allegations that Aesculap knowingly and willfully made unlawful payments to an orthopedic surgeon located in Georgia who experienced problems with the Vega with the intent to induce him to use and recommend the Vega Knee System, in violation of the Anti- Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(b). This remuneration took the form of consulting payments, free international travel, and entertainment, among other things. “Doctors who implant medical devices need complete and accurate information about those devices to ensure they choose the best and safest options for their patients,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “A company that knows its product has a propensity to prematurely fail must not mislead doctors or government regulators or conceal material information about those known issues. Medicare and other federal programs should not be required to pay charges for devices that are unduly risky, and that may require painful and expensive surgeries to fix.” “Medical device failures — and their potential to harm patients — are of paramount concern to the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department will hold accountable medical device companies that knowingly sell products prone to failure that present risks to patients and waste taxpayer dollars.” “Transparency in medical device marketing is essential to safeguarding patient care,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Undermining this process to increase profits is a serious violation of federal law that flouts the health and safety of patients. HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to uncover and dismantle illegal arrangements that exploit the Medicare system for financial gain at the expense of patients.” In addition to the civil settlement, Aesculap agreed to enter into a non-prosecution agreement related to the introduction of two medical devices into interstate commerce in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) from March 2017 until August 2017. The two devices at issue are the ELAN-4 Air Drill, a high-speed surgical drill used for bone cutting, sawing, and drilling, and the JS Series SterilContainer S2, a reusable sterilization container for medical instruments. According to the non-prosecution agreement, Aesculap tasked an employee with shepherding both medical devices through the FDA clearance process, but the employee never submitted any documentation to FDA. He then forged multiple documents to reflect both devices were cleared by FDA to be marketed in the United States when FDA had not done so resulting in the illegal introduction of both devices into interstate commerce. The employee previously pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to violating the FDCA and was sentenced to prison. “Certain medical devices require FDA notification and clearance before distribution to the public,” stated FDA Metro Washington Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Ronald Dawkins. “Distributing such medical devices without FDA clearance and in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act can put patients at risk. The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) worked with the Justice Department and HHS-OIG to ensure a just resolution, and we commend the exceptional work done by the team.” The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by John Marien, Michael McGee, and Brad Stafford. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned United States ex rel. Marien & McGee v. Aesculap Inc., et al. , no. 5:19-cv-1618 (E.D. Pa.) and United States ex rel. Stafford v. B. Braun Medical Inc., et al. , no. 4:19-cv-4108 (E.D. Pa.). The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; and the Civil Division’s Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch, with assistance from HHS-OIG, FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel, and FDA-OCI. The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The civil matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Charlene Keller Fullmer and Erin Lindgren of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Senior Trial Counsel Nicholas C. Perros of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section. The criminal matter was handled by Trial Attorneys Max J. Goldman and Bryson N. Gillard of the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch, former Assistant United States Attorney M. Beth Leahy of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, FDA-OCI, and HHS-OIG. Except for the facts that Aesculap admitted as part of the non-prosecution agreement, the claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Melissa Holyoak Appointed Interim United States Attorney for the District of Utah

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – On November 17, 2025, United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Melissa Holyoak as the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah. Holyoak brings extensive experience to the United States Attorney’s Office as a litigator and leader. Most recently, she served as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), protecting American consumers. “I am grateful to Attorney General Bondi for trusting me to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah,” said U.S. Attorney Holyoak. “It is an honor to lead this outstanding office in my home state where I look forward to working closely with our federal, tribal, state, and local partners to ensure the safety of our citizens and uphold the rule of law.” Prior to her role as an FTC Commissioner, Holyoak served as Solicitor General with the Utah Attorney General’s Office, where she oversaw civil appeals, criminal appeals, constitutional defense and special litigation, and antitrust and data privacy divisions. She also managed multistate matters including those involving consumer protection and antitrust claims. Holyoak also served as president and general counsel of Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based public interest firm and in other public interest attorney positions with the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Center for Class Action Fairness. Holyoak represented class members challenging unfair class actions and consumers fighting regulatory abuse in federal district courts and appellate courts across the country. Holyoak has argued appeals in the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits. She is a former prosecutor and attorney with O’Melveny & Myers LLP. She graduated from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2003 as a member of the Order of the Coif and Law Review. Holyoak is a member of the Utah, D.C., and Missouri (inactive) bars. Holyoak is married and has four children.


title: FORTY-SIX INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH FEDERAL CRIMES IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced today that 46 individuals were indicted across three divisions of the Northern District of Florida during the lapse in appropriations. The following indictments were filed in the Gainesville division: Peter Daniel Ring, of Bell, Florida, indicted for three counts of threatening communications. Deshawn Russ, of Jacksonville, Florida, indicted for a prohibited person in possession of firearm and ammunition. Khalil Keari Barnett, of Gainesville, Florida, indicted for one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possessing a firearm in connections with drug trafficking and one count of a prohibited person in possession of firearm and ammunition. The following indictments were filed in the Pensacola division: Pedro Lopez Calderon, Jonathan Callejas-Callejas, Mateo Linares-Aparicio, Jose Del Carmen Perez-Gomez, and Eduardo Ramierez-Francisco, all citizens of Mexico, indicted separately for illegal reentry after deportation or removal. Nicholas Mencho-Lucas and Augustin Bello Rodriguez, both citizens of Mexico, indicted separately for illegal reentry after deportation or removal (with a prior aggravated felony conviction). Joel Nahum Sanchez Montoya and Selvin Ramos Vasquez, both citizens of Honduras, indicted for illegal reentry after deportation or removal. Abel Dejesus Ronquillo-Martinez, a citizen of El Salvador, indicted for illegal reentry after deportation or removal (with a prior aggravated felony conviction). Juan De La Cruz Mejia-Castro, a citizen of El Salvador, indicted for illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Belarmino Basilio Godinez, Miguel Angel Gomez-Ical, Luis Maldonado, Carlos Eulogio Mortero-Sipac, and Jose Julian Maldonado-Ramas, all citizens of Guatemala, indicted separately for one count of use of fraudulent immigration documents and one count of use of fraudulent social security number. Treivorn McLeod, 24, living in Mary Esther, Florida, indicted for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, four counts of mail fraud, and four counts of wire fraud. Christopher Gene Summers, an inmate in a Florida State Prison, indicted for mailing threatening communications. Gustavo Ramirez-Guillen, a citizen of Honduras, indicted for one count of use of fraudulent immigration documents and one count of use of fraudulent social security number. Tamal Jenkins, of Pensacola, Florida, indicted for one count of interstate threatening communication with intent to extort and one count of interstate threatening communication. Damian Pressley, of Pensacola, Florida, indicted for three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and one count of possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Logan Schoonmaker, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, indicted for one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Matthew Murillo and Tiffani Harris, both of Pensacola, Florida, indicted for one count of conspiracy to distribute/possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Murillo was also indicted on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Marquis Dy’Monte Bethea, of Pensacola, Florida, indicted for distribution/possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm during a drug tracking crime. Terrance Goodman, of Panama City, Florida, indicted for one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (armed career criminal). Daniel Bookout, of Milton, Florida, indicted for mailing threatening communications. The following indictments were filed in the Tallahassee division: Paul Hart, of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Michael Duane Dyson, of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for theft of government funds in the form of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. Edward Cromartie, Timeka Griffin, and Robert Rundles, all of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Justin Luis Ruiz, Jr., of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for two counts of transferring obscene materials to a minor, enticement of a minor, attempted enticement of a minor, production of child pornography, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Dalvert Encarnacion Francisco, of Dubuque, Iowa, indicted for distribution of child pornography. Theodore Robinson, of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Johnny Robinson, of Orlando, Florida, indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Michael McDonald, of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for attempted enticement of a minor. Dani Cordoba Munoz, of Geneva, Alabama, indicted for one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Howard Martin, of Sopchoppy, Florida, indicted for one count of possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jose Vasquez-Martinez, a citizen of Mexico, indicted for illegal reentry of a removed alien. Cordelle Collier, a federal inmate in the Bureau of Prisons, indicted for assault with a deadly weapon. Miguel Hatcher, of Albany, Georgia, indicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Jose Neftali Monge-Guevara, a citizen of El Salvador, charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien. Law enforcement agencies conducting the investigations included the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Panama City Beach Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, the Tallahassee Police Department and the Rapid City (Iowa) Police Department. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brooke A. DiSalvo, Christopher C. Patterson, Ward Narramore, James A. McCain, Eric K. Mountin, Harley W. Ferguson, Joseph Ravelo, Jeffrey M. Tharp, Meredith L. Steer, Christie S. Utt, Alicia Forbes, Jessica Etherton, Jason Coody, David L. Goldberg, Justin M. Keen, and Eric W. Welch. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Thirty-four cases are part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Four cases are 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: ILLEGAL ALIEN SENTENCED FOR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM WHILE ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Oscar Cruz-Baldo, 40, of Mexico, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the combined efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners, this violent criminal alien has been removed from our community and will spend years in prison before being deported out of our country. This is yet another successful prosecution to fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the violent criminal aliens who have threatened our communities for too long.” Court documents reflect that Cruz-Baldo, a Mexican national, unlawfully entered the United States without inspection or authorization by an immigration officer. On February 12, 2025, Cruz-Baldo was involved in a physical and verbal altercation incident in Williston, Florida. According to the victim, Cruz-Baldo threatened to shoot her and her dog with a loaded shotgun. Levy County deputies responded and located the loaded shotgun on the property. The case was investigated jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner prosecuted this case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 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: Inmate Serving 50-Year Sentence for Rape of a Child and Aggravated Sexual Battery Sentenced to 10 More Years for Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Jackson, TN – Dallas Jay Stewart, 43 , was sentenced to 10 more years in federal prison on possession of child pornography. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today. According to information presented in court, a targeted inmate cell search was conducted on Stewart’s cell. The search revealed an electronic storage device. A forensic examination revealed images of child sexual abuse material. Stewart was charged with one count of possession of child pornography. On November 5, 2025, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Stewart to 130 months' imprisonment and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Stewart is currently serving a 50-year sentence for rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery. This sentence will run consecutive to the 50-year sentence. Additionally, Stewart must comply with the conditions of the Sexual Offender Registry upon his release. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: “With persistent recidivism and technology, criminals are finding new and increasingly disturbing ways to victimize and exploit child victims, even while behind prison walls. This case demonstrates that no matter where offenders are located, our FBI partners in the Child Exploitation Task Force will find them and we will hold them accountable for internet crimes against children.” This case was investigated by Agent Eric McCraw, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Nashville-Jackson Resident Agency Child Exploitation Task Force, and the State of Tennessee Department of Corrections Office of Investigations and Conduct. Assistant United States Attorney Caroline Parish prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. ### 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: FOUR PENSACOLA WOMEN PLEAD GUILTY TO ILLEGAL DRUG DIVERSION

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Alexandra M. Christensen, 31, Lindsay N. McCray (also known as Lindsay Rogers), 42, Heather T. Bradley (also known as Heather Thomas), 37, and Jennifer E. Purves, 39, all of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges in connection with the unlawful diversion of controlled substances. The pleas were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Christensen and McCray were charged with and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and dispense oxycodone and hydrocodone. McCray, Bradley, and Purves were charged with and pleaded guilty to distribution of amphetamine. McCray was further charged with and pleaded guilty to identity theft in connection with a scheme to unlawfully divert controlled substances. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The opioid epidemic has plagued our communities with addiction and death for years as criminal offenders like these defendants flooded our streets with drugs. Now, thanks to the close collaboration between our state and federal law enforcement partners, this illegal drug diversion scheme has been dismantled and these offenders will be held accountable.” According to court records, between 2015 and 2024, McCray, while employed by a medical practice, forged controlled substance prescriptions using the names, signatures, and Drug Enforcement Administration registration numbers of the practice’s two physicians without their knowledge or authorization. McCray issued these fraudulent prescriptions using the names and identifiers of people who were not actual patients of the clinic, had never seen either of the physicians, and in many instances were fictitious. The controlled substance pills were dispensed by area pharmacies, picked up by Christensen and others, and unlawfully sold for shared profit. As a result of the conspiracy, McCray, Christensen, and others caused to be unlawfully distributed and dispensed over 300,000 hydrocodone pills and over 30,000 oxycodone pills. McCray further coordinated with Bradley and Purves to distribute amphetamine in the form of Adderall pills or its generic equivalent. On multiple occasions each, Bradley and Purves obtained and filled prescriptions in their own and others’ names to unlawfully distribute for profit to a third party, payments for which passed through McCray. Sentencing hearings are scheduled before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II on December 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. for Purves; on December 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. for McCray and at 2:00 p.m. for Christensen; and on January 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. for Bradley. The pleas were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes. The charges in this case were part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown . All the cases were part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in intended loss and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The 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: Offender Who Repeatedly Exploited Minors Sentenced to Decades in Prison

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that Jason Daniel Freiberg, 47, of Defiance, Ohio, was sentenced to 37 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor. In 2023, Freiberg met an 11-year-old from western Michigan online. The minor victim repeatedly told Freiberg that she was 11, but nevertheless he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with her, talked about meeting up with her for sex, and solicited and received sexually explicit images and videos of her. Freiberg pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting the minor victim and was sentenced to 324 months for that offense. Freiberg had a previous conviction for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity; he pleaded guilty to that offense in 2000 and was required to register as a sex offender. Consequently, Freiberg will also serve a ten-year consecutive sentence for committing this offense while a registered sex offender. “Despite his previous conviction, Freiberg once again set out to sexually exploit a little girl,” said U.S. Attorney VerHey. “Today’s significant sentence of 37 years in prison sends a clear message that my office will vigorously prosecute those that seek to sexually exploit children, especially those who have previously been convicted of sexual exploitation and remain undeterred. Freiberg’s actions, like those of any sexual offender that fails to learn his or her lesson, have earned him a lengthy but justified prison sentence.” “This conviction closes out a two-year investigation and reflects the strong partnership between local and federal agencies to protect children and hold predators accountable,” said Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen. “This is also a reminder for parents and guardians to stay alert to their kids’ online activities; predators can often hide behind screens and vigilance is the first line of defense.” “The 37 year long sentencing of Jason Freiberg is a crucial success toward protecting the children of Michigan from the heinous acts of those who target and exploit them,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “I commend the tireless work of the FBI Kalamazoo Resident Agency, along with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, in bringing this offender to justice. FBI Detroit will always safeguard our Michigan communities from predators through our strong and ongoing law enforcement partnerships, relentless investigative rigor, and outstanding support from U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety investigated this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. 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, including resources for parents and children about staying safe online, please visit justice.gov/PSC.