title: 9 previously convicted felons charged with federal gun crimes as part of Cincinnati anti-violence operation

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II announced today nine new federal indictments resulting from a multi-agency operation aimed at reducing violent crime in Cincinnati. “My Office is paying close attention to the gun violence occurring on the streets of Cincinnati. Together with the ATF, the Cincinnati Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, we have charged several violent offenders who have a history of committing gun and other dangerous crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Gerace. “But our work is far from over. If you endanger our communities by illegally possessing or using a gun or ammunition, prepare to face federal consequences.” ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo stated: “Today, the ATF reaffirms its commitment to the citizens of Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati. We stand ready to leverage our resources in support of our law enforcement partners to ensure violent, armed offenders are removed from our communities and placed where they can no longer threaten or victimize law-abiding citizens.” “I am proud of the work being done at a multi-agency level to combat gun violence and protect our communities, families, and all who have invested in our beautiful city and call Cincinnati home. The Cincinnati Police Department remains firmly committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to ensure public safety without hesitation,” said Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie. Hamilton County Prosecutor, Connie Pillich, stated: “My office is proud to work with the U.S. Attorney, and all our law enforcement partners to protect our community from violent crime that is too often facilitated by the illegal use of firearms. Working together, we identify the worst offenders and get them off the streets as long as possible.” Those charged include: Name Age Keenan Brock 38 Gary Curtis 51 Daishawn Harrell 25 Stephen Johnson 43 Kameron Scott 31 Robert Shaw 50 Christopher Watkins 42 Antonio Williams 29 Carlos Williams 42 The indictments were returned on Nov. 5 and unsealed today. All nine defendants are in custody. According to charging documents and local police records, each of the men has a history of violent crime and has been previously convicted of a felony, making it illegal for them to possess firearms or ammunition. Shaw allegedly committed a murder in downtown Cincinnati on Oct. 17 while on bond and wearing an ankle monitor for a Hamilton County weapons offense. The victim in the shooting that occurred around 2am was allegedly shot more than 20 times. This summer, Shaw also allegedly wore a white backpack with a loaded firearm and ran from officers who were patrolling the Winton Terrace neighborhood. Scott is currently facing local murder charges for what has been described as a 2021 targeted attack at a Kennedy Heights apartment. He is charged federally with illegally possessing ammunition as a previously convicted felon. Arrest records allege that Watkins possessed a firearm while also drinking and driving a vehicle on Oct. 6. Also on Oct. 6, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were in pursuit of Johnson, who was allegedly driving a stolen motorcycle when he lost control and crashed. Officers discovered a gun next to Johnson at the scene. Carlos Williams allegedly brandished a firearm and pointed it at a woman inside a market on Main Street on Oct. 7. Harell had active local arrest warrants when police officers stopped him for a vehicle violation on Oct. 7. At the time, he was allegedly wearing a loaded firearm. On Oct. 8, Cincinnati police officers were dispatched to an apartment where Curtis allegedly assaulted his mother. Curtis also allegedly possessed a revolver in his pants pocket. On Oct. 20, Antonio Williams fled from local law enforcement officers before being tazed and arrested. At the time, he allegedly possessed a stolen firearm with an extended magazine and a machine gun conversion device. Cincinnati police officers witnessed Brock allegedly engaged in drug transactions on Findlay Street in the West End neighborhood while also possessing a firearm. It is alleged that Brock fled from police, leaving a firearm with an extended magazine and a Glock switch attached in a nearby alleyway. Brock was ultimately apprehended and arrested. The federal indictments are a combined effort by criminal prosecutors in the Cincinnati U.S. Attorney’s Office. Indictments merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: Former Postal Employee Sentenced for Defrauding Federal Relief Programs

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Kimberly Dumes, 43, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to three counts of wire fraud. According to court documents, between June 2020 and June 2021, Kimberly Dumes submitted three fraudulent applications for federal economic relief, resulting in a total loss of $51,664. During this time, Dumes was employed with the U.S. Postal Service. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, enacted in March 2020, was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among its provisions were expansions to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program and the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which authorized up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses. In June 2020, Dumes submitted a fraudulent EIDL application to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), falsely claiming ownership of a business called “Braids by Kimi,” with ten employees and $30,000 in gross revenue. Based on these misrepresentations, the SBA approved a $10,000 EIDL Advance, which was deposited into her personal checking account. Dumes later submitted two additional fraudulent PPP loan applications, each claiming she owned a business with one employee. In the first, she reported a gross income of $108,707; in the second, she claimed average monthly payroll costs of $8,333. The SBA approved both applications, resulting in deposits totaling $41,664 ($20,832 per loan) into her personal account. In reality, Dumes did not own or operate any business, nor did she employ anyone at the time of the applications. “Federal economic relief programs exist to support Americans in times of crisis, not to be exploited for personal enrichment. As a postal employee and public servant, Dumes held a position of trust-one that demands integrity and accountability. Our office will continue to pursue those who defraud these vital programs and undermine public trust in government assistance,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to ensuring the accountability and integrity of Postal Service employees and stopping those who perpetrate fraud schemes,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop, USPS OIG, Central Area Field Office. The U.S. Postal Service - Office of Inspector General investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Preston, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Evansville Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Minors

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: EVANSVILLE- Samuel Kirkwood, 36, of Evansville, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material and possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, Samuel Kirkwood was arrested on May 11, 2023, in connection with a state-level child exploitation offense. At the time of his arrest, Kirkwood was found in possession of two cell phones. Investigators obtained search warrants for both devices and conducted forensic data extractions, which revealed multiple images depicting nude minors in sexually explicit poses. Photo analysis identified Kirkwood’s hand in one of the images that depicted the sexual abuse of a minor female proving that Kirkwood produced the image himself. In addition to the image he produced, more child sexual abuse files were found on Kirkwood’s cell phones. At the time of sentencing, Kirkwood admitted that he photographed a 10-year-old minor female at a time when he was caring for the child. “The exploitation of children is among the most heinous crimes we prosecute,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This case reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable victims and holding offenders fully accountable. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure children are always protected.” “By targeting the most vulnerable, the defendant caused lasting harm, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his offenses,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will never relent in pursuing those who prey on children, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguard those who cannot protect themselves.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood ###


title: Violent Criminal Receives Extended Sentence Following Torture and Fatal Assault of Cellmate

body_text: TERRE HAUTE- Mitchell Gibson, 40, has been sentenced to 25 additional years in federal prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. According to court documents, Gibson was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, serving a 45-year sentence for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault of a Spouse by Strangling and Suffocation. Prior to his incarceration, Gibson subjected his wife, who was active duty miliary and nine weeks pregnant at the time, to a series of brutal assaults. In the middle of winter, he forced her out of their home without shoes, a jacket, or a blanket. The following day, he whipped her with a coaxial cable. Four days later, Gibson escalated the abuse, threatening to kill both her and their unborn child. Throughout the night, he choked her until she lost consciousness, kicked her repeatedly, burned her, and held a knife to her throat. She sustained extensive injuries, including full-body bruising, whip marks across her back, torso, and legs, bite marks on her neck, and second-degree burns. Despite a court-issued no-contact order, Gibson contacted his wife within days of his arrest and was subsequently detained again. While serving his sentence Gibson shared a cell with Arthur Wheeler. During this time, Gibson subjected Wheeler to sadistic torture. Gibson also threatened Wheeler to prevent him from alerting prison staff. Gibson later wrote letters to his wife and boasted to fellow inmates bragging about what he had done. As a result of Gibson’s actions, Wheeler suffered severe blunt force trauma to his chest, throat, ribs, and scrotum. On April 9, 2020, Wheeler died from the injuries inflicted by Gibson. Following Wheeler’s death, Gibson continued to correspond with his wife and other inmates about the incident. Gibson has demonstrated a persistent pattern of violent and cruel behavior, with prior convictions for assault and false imprisonment involving his mother and former girlfriends. “Mitchell Gibson has shown a disturbing capacity for violence and a complete disregard for human life and the law,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Murder robs the victim of so many chances, and, for a prison inmate such as Wheeler, that includes the chances to grow and rehabilitate. The pain endured by Mr. Wheeler’s family is immeasurable, and the loss they carry will never fully heal. My thoughts are with them as they navigate the weight of this loss.” “The brutality of this crime is almost beyond comprehension, and this sentence holds the defendant fully accountable for such sadistic violence,” said Timothy J. O’Malley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Indianapolis. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying and stopping the most violent offenders, no matter the setting, so they can no longer harm others.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief District Judge James R. Sweeney II. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsay Karwoski, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Woman Sentenced to 60 Months Federal Prison for Stealing Hundreds of Thousands in SNAP Benefits

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Desha Morris, 39, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to ten counts of mail fraud and two counts of benefits fraud. Morris was also ordered to pay $335,589.08 in restitution. According to court documents, between April 2020 and July 2022, Morris orchestrated a large-scale fraud scheme to illegally obtain and profit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. SNAP is a federally funded program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families across the United States. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in partnership with state agencies. Eligibility is determined based on income, assets, and household size. In Indiana, applications are processed through the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), followed by an interview. Once approved, recipients receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card by mail, which functions like a debit card and can be used to purchase qualifying items, such as food. As part of her scheme, Morris submitted numerous fraudulent applications using falsified documents and fake identities, including altered driver’s licenses, birth dates, and Social Security numbers. Morris rented multiple residences as mailing addresses for the EBT cards. She used the names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers of unsuspecting individuals on the rental applications. In some cases, Morris forged handwritten letters, allegedly from family members or friends of the fake applicants, to establish proof of residency and lack of income. She also impersonated applicants during phone interviews conducted by FSSA employees and kept detailed calendars and ledgers documenting interview dates and applicant information. After acquiring the EBT cards, she either sold the SNAP benefits to others in exchange for cash or used the fraudulently obtained benefits herself. In total, Morris obtained $335,589.08 in fraudulent SNAP benefits. Morris has a long history of forgery, theft, and identity fraud dating back to 2006. Her offenses include using stolen identities to obtain vehicles and rental cars on credit, presenting false identification to police, and possessing counterfeit checks, credit cards, and fraudulent BMV documents. “Desha Morris’s actions not only defrauded the taxpayers who fund the SNAP program but also harmed the most vulnerable members of our community by undermining the integrity of critical safety net services,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Her scheme jeopardized access to food assistance for those in genuine need and exposed innocent individuals to potential long-term damage to their credit and financial security. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who abuse public programs for personal gain.” “Postal inspectors are committed to protecting the integrity of the mail system and holding those who abuse it accountable,” said Felicia George, Acting Inspector in Charge. “I commend the dedication and collaboration of the investigators who uncovered this sophisticated scheme, and the prosecutors who helped bring this offender to justice.” The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Social Security Administration, and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Wood and Carolyn Haney, who prosecuted this case.


title: Child Predator Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material Via Kik

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Michael Martinez, 30, of Camby, Indiana, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. According to court documents, in May 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) referred a cyber tip to the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force. The tip indicated that a user with the handle “the_goose_boi” had uploaded 28 files containing suspected child sexual abuse material to the social media messaging application Kik. Through their investigation, law enforcement officers quickly identified Martinez as the individual responsible. Records obtained from Kik revealed numerous private and group messages sent and received by Martinez that discussed child pornography and expressed a sexual interest in children. These included messages stating, “I'd 100% date a 10-year-old girl if it was legal lol,” and “Can we all just agree preteen girls are sexy and they should be able to do anything a woman can do.” Martinez has a prior conviction from June 2020 in Marion County for possession of child pornography and child exploitation. He was sentenced to five years’ incarceration and four years of Sex Offender Probation. At the time of the current offense, he was still serving probation. “Michael Martinez is a known predator who chose to victimize children again while still on probation from a prior offense where he had been banned from even accessing the internet. His actions were brazen, disturbing, and deeply dangerous,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Thanks to the relentless efforts of the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and our dedicated federal prosecutors, we have removed a sexual predator from our community and sent a clear message that we will not tolerate the exploitation of our children.” “The U.S. Secret Service is committed to stopping child sexual predators who harm innocent victims. The sentencing in this case illustrates the heinous nature of this repeat offender’s crimes against vulnerable children,” said Ike Barnes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office. “I am proud of the work of the Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations in bringing this person to justice. Thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Indiana for its efforts in prosecuting this case.” The U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who prosecuted this case. This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.internetcrimesagainstkids.com to learn more about their efforts. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood ###


title: Fraudster Sentenced to Federal Prison for $182k Email Compromise Scheme Targeting Family-Owned Business

body_text: NEW ALBANY- Uchechukwu Gideon Eze, 46, of Nigeria, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Eze has also been ordered to pay $182,201.80 in restitution. According to court documents, in April 2023, Eze and co-conspirators operating overseas orchestrated a sophisticated business email compromise scheme that defrauded a small business in Clark County, Indiana of more than $182,000. The scheme began when Eze’s co-conspirators gained unauthorized access to an email account used by employees of the business. Using this access, they impersonated a representative of the company and sent fraudulent emails to another small business in Clark County. The emails falsely claimed that the victim business had changed its banking institution and directed future payments to a specified JPMorgan Chase account. That account, while appearing legitimate, was in fact controlled by Eze and registered under the name Blue Horizon Automobile LLC—a fictitious entity created solely to receive the stolen funds. As a result of the scheme, Eze received $182,201.80 in payments meant for the victim company. Once the transfers were complete, Eze quickly drained the account, spending much of the money on personal purchases, including a new vehicle. Upon realizing the scheme had been uncovered, he fled the country. Approximately six months later, Eze attempted to re-enter the United States from Canada via a vehicle, at which time he was arrested by law enforcement. The impact on the victimized business was devastating. The owners, both approaching retirement, were forced to refinance property, extend lines of credit, and postpone their retirement plans in order to keep their business afloat. “The harm Eze caused was not merely financial. His conduct compromised the ability of two elderly individuals to retire and created undue stress, jeopardizing the livelihood of a family-run business and exploiting the trust that fuels our economy” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our office remains committed to holding fraudsters accountable and protecting Hoosier businesses from financial harm.” “Business email compromise schemes are a growing scourge that cause victims severe financial pain, distress and anxiety,” said Ike Barnes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office. “The punishment imposed in this case should be a warning to other scammers who use cyber-enabled techniques to harm innocent victims: You won’t get away with it. Thank you to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for its help in bringing this perpetrator to justice.” The U.S. Secret Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Funny Money, Real Consequences: Evansville Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Counterfeiting

body_text: EVANSVILLE- Dennis Michael Carter, 47, and Kyle Wade Owens, 36, have been sentenced to 20 months and 13 months in federal prison, respectively, after pleading guilty to two counts of producing counterfeit U.S. currency. Both will also serve two years of supervised release. According to court documents, between January 20 and March 1, 2025, Carter and Owens conspired together to create at least 30 fake $100 bills by removing ink from genuine $10 notes and reprinting them using a template, printer, scanner, and copier. Investigators also found chemicals and cleaning supplies commonly used in this counterfeiting method. The duo used the counterfeit bills to purchase goods and services, receiving genuine currency as change. A chart detailing the dates and locations of these transactions follows. Location Date Passed Business Owensboro, KY 2/23 Burlington Owensboro, KY 2/23 Ross Owensboro, KY 2/23 Gabes Owensboro, KY 2/27 Kohls Owensboro, KY 2/27 Shoe Dept Owensboro, KY 2/27 Bealls Owensboro, KY 2/27 Bath and Body Owensboro, KY 2/27 American Eagle Owensboro, KY 2/27 Tractor Supply Owensboro, KY 2/27 Burlington Evansville, IN 2/13 McAllister’s Evansville, IN 2/14 Fresh Thyme Evansville, IN 2/22 Office Depot Evansville, IN 2/26 Goodwill Evansville, IN 2/26 Chick-Fil-A Newburgh, IN 2/23 McAllister’s Newburgh, IN 2/23 Schnucks “Counterfeiting harms legitimate commerce and erodes confidence in our financial system,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Thanks to the diligent work of our law enforcement partners, these counterfeiters were brought to justice, safeguarding businesses and consumers from future financial harm.” “Safeguarding our nation’s financial infrastructure by pursuing illegal counterfeiters has been a hallmark of the U.S. Secret Service since its inception. This sentencing should serve as a deterrent to other counterfeiters out there who manufacture or use fake currency. We will catch you, and you will be punished,” said Ike Barnes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office. “Thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Indiana for its diligence in securing these appropriate sentences.” The U.S. Secret Service investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Wyoming citizen and load coordinator for Sinaloa Cartel sentenced for drug trafficking

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: U.S. Attorney Darin Smith announced that Gabriel Seth Rodgers, 26, who had been residing in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment with 10 years of supervised release to follow for charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. The court ordered Rodgers to pay $5,000 in community restitution. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Nov. 3, in Cheyenne. According to court records, Rodgers was coordinating shipments of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to multiple regions in the United States, including Wyoming. Rodgers was identified as a “load coordinator” for the Sinaloa Cartel. Rodgers was previously convicted for stealing firearms. Upon being released from custody after a revocation of his supervised release on that conviction, he absconded and began dealing significant amounts of controlled substances. In May of 2023, Rodgers fled to Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico where he continued to be a “load coordinator” for the Sinaloa Cartel until his arrest. Through the use of undercover agents, confidential informants, and other investigative means, agents were able to prove Rodgers coordinated shipments of controlled substances to the United States totaling approximately 200 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 40 pounds of fentanyl, and approximately 11 pounds of cocaine. Rodgers would regularly coordinate the shipment of 20-50 pounds of methamphetamine and 10,000 fentanyl pills at a time. The investigation resulted in the federal prosecution of five of Rodgers’s co-conspirators in Wyoming and others in Montana. A complaint was filed in Wyoming on May 20, 2024, charging Rodgers with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and four counts of distribution of fentanyl. On March 20, 2025, in the District of Montana, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Rodgers with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. In a coordinated effort with Mexican authorities, Rodgers was arrested on March 27 in Mexico and deported to the United States. The Montana indictment was subsequently transferred to Wyoming. On August 18, Rodgers waived indictment in the Wyoming case and pleaded guilty to all counts charged in both the Wyoming and Montana cases. The Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Z. Seth Griswold and Cameron J. Cook of Wyoming and Julie Patten and Bryan Dake of Montana prosecuted the crime. “The defendant brought large amounts of dangerous drugs into Montana and Wyoming—and then hid behind the cloak of the Sinaloa Cartel,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. “Stopping Mexican cartels from poisoning our communities with fentanyl and other narcotics is a top priority of this office and our law enforcement partners. This lengthy sentence demonstrates that our Criminal Division remains relentless in its pursuit of drug traffickers who profit at the expense of the American people.” “Montana is hundreds of miles from the southern border. When cartel members and other drug traffickers travel here to peddle their poison into our communities, they can expect to be caught and to go to prison for a long time. I want to thank the prosecutors and staff in our office, our strong partners at these investigative agencies, and our colleagues in the Wyoming U.S. Attorney’s Office for their good work investigating and prosecuting this case,” Montana U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. “The sentencing properly reflects the significant role Rodgers had in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl into Montana and Wyoming via his contacts with the Sinaloa Cartel. The combination of the great work and relentless efforts of investigators and prosecutors ensured that Rodgers was held accountable for his criminal conduct,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge David Olesky. “Through our joint enforcement efforts, we’ve dismantled a criminal organization that posed a direct threat to the safety and stability of various communities,” said Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This sentencing is a result of a coordinated effort of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to keep fentanyl and other drugs out of our communities.” This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Case No. 25-CR-00098


title: Five MS-13 Members Found Guilty of Committing String of Six Grisly Murders to Advance Their Standing in the Criminal Street Gang

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Five members of the transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) were found guilty by a jury today of committing six murders to advance their standing in the gang – killings in which the victims varyingly were strangled, shot, stabbed with knives or a machete, beaten with a baseball bat, then, in some cases, had their bodies thrown off a cliff or down a hill in the Angeles National Forest. At the conclusion of a nine-week trial, a jury found the following defendants guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act: Walter Chavez Larin, 26, of Panorama City; Roberto Alejandro Corado Ortiz, 30, of Baldwin Park; and Edwin Martinez, 28, of Cypress Park. Chavez and Corado also were found guilty of two counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder. Martinez was found guilty of three counts of VICAR murder. Bryan Alexander Rosales Arias, 28, of South Los Angeles, was found guilty of one count of VICAR murder. Erick Eduardo Rosales Arias, 27, also of South Los Angeles and who is Bryan Rosales’s brother, was found guilty of one count of VICAR murder. “We thank the jury for returning swift guilty verdicts against these MS-13 criminals who engaged in horrific acts of violence and murder,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “I thank and commend our law enforcement partners for their work in removing members of this terrorist organization from our streets. MS-13 is a violent brutal gang that must be eliminated from the United States, and we will not stop until we succeed in our mission.” “The horrific violence in this case underscores the urgency of destroying MS-13 and putting its depraved members behind bars,” said United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump, MS-13 can no longer unleash terror on the American people with impunity: We will eradicate this foreign terrorist organization and secure justice for its victims.” “Cases such as this one serve as a reminder that MS-13 has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The defendants in this case carried out barbaric attacks on their victims to simply enhance their ranking within the gang. I’m proud of the hard work that went into this trial by agents and prosecutors which resulted in a guilty verdict and a measure of justice for the victims, and which will effectively remove murderers and terrorists from Los Angeles communities.” “The brutality of these crimes is a stark reminder of the importance of our shared mission: to protect the people of Los Angeles from those who seek to do harm,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “I thank every investigator, prosecutor, and law enforcement professional who contributed to this case. Their dedication has brought justice to the victims and sent a clear message — we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our city. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to stand against gang violence in all its forms.” “These convictions send a powerful message that criminal gang violence and intimidation have no place in Los Angeles County,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “These violent individuals terrorized our communities and tore families apart to further their criminal network. Through the tireless efforts of our local and federal partners, we have brought justice to the victims’ families and held these individuals accountable for their brutal crimes.” “MS-13 has inflicted unimaginable suffering on victims and their families in our communities,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “These guilty verdicts for crimes related to murder, extortion and drug trafficking against five members of MS-13’s leadership demonstrate the relentless and fearless partnership between local and federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.” According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants murdered their victims who either were – or perceived to be – members of the 18th Street gang, a rival of MS-13, or had violated MS-13’s rules. The trial focused on MS-13 Los Angeles cliques that implemented gang rules that required its members to use murder and extreme violence to rise within its ranks. The charges relate to machete, knife, and baseball bat killings in the Angeles National Forest and several other areas in remote, mountainous locations in Los Angeles County. Those six murders – which included murders committed in the mountains near Malibu, in a remote area of the Santa Clarita Valley, and two in Van Nuys – are also charged as violent crimes committed in aid of racketeering (VICAR). Those six counts allege that the victims were killed “for the purpose of gaining entry to and maintaining and increasing position in MS-13 Los Angeles.” In June 2017, one victim – who claimed he had a leadership role in MS-13– was taken to the Angeles National Forest then stabbed and hacked to death by his killers, including Chavez. Several of the assailants unsuccessfully tried to decapitate him then left his body behind. In October 2017, another victim – rumored to be an 18th Street member – was lured to his death by two teenage girls. He was kidnapped, strangled, beaten with a baseball bat then fatally stabbed with a large hunting style knife. Before his body was thrown off a cliff in the Angeles National Forest. This victim’s assailants included Corado and Bryan Rosales. In July 2018, a third victim – also rumored to be an 18th Street member – was lured to Malibu hills under the auspices of smoking marijuana and drinking beer with several other people. While the victim stood at a scenic overlook, Corado shot him in the back of the head. Corado gave the gun to Erick Rosales, who shot the victim before passing the gun to other MS-13 members who took turns shooting him. This victim’s body ultimately was thrown off the edge of a road down a hill. Martinez murdered three victims – one of them was shot to death in December 2018 after returning from the gym and was mistaken for an 18th Street gang member, another was an MS-13 associate addicted to methamphetamine (a violation of MS-13 rules) who was shot to death on January 13, 2019, and the third was a homeless man who was fatally shot on January 14, 2019 for having a tattoo believed to be related to 18th Street. Chavez participated in the January 13 murder. Sentencing hearings before United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II are scheduled for July 2026, at which time each of the defendants will face a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison. Prosecutors have secured 25 convictions so far in this case. Several other MS-13 members and associates are scheduled to go to trial in April 2026 in connection with racketeering conspiracy and gang murders. The FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Sara B. Vargas of the Major Crimes Section, Benedetto L. Balding of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, William Larsen of the Criminal Appeals Section, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Siddall are prosecuting this case.


component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Five members of the transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) were found guilty by a jury today of committing six murders to advance their standing in the gang – killings in which the victims varyingly were strangled, shot, stabbed with knives or a machete, beaten with a baseball bat, then, in some cases, had their bodies thrown off a cliff or down a hill in the Angeles National Forest. At the conclusion of a nine-week trial, a jury found the following defendants guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act: Walter Chavez Larin, 26, of Panorama City; Roberto Alejandro Corado Ortiz, 30, of Baldwin Park; and Edwin Martinez, 28, of Cypress Park. Chavez and Corado also were found guilty of two counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder. Martinez was found guilty of three counts of VICAR murder. Bryan Alexander Rosales Arias, 28, of South Los Angeles, was found guilty of one count of VICAR murder. Erick Eduardo Rosales Arias, 27, also of South Los Angeles and who is Bryan Rosales’s brother, was found guilty of one count of VICAR murder. “The horrific violence in this case underscores the urgency of destroying MS-13 and putting its depraved members behind bars,” said United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump, MS-13 can no longer unleash terror on the American people with impunity: We will eradicate this foreign terrorist organization and secure justice for its victims.” “We thank the jury for returning swift guilty verdicts against these MS-13 criminals who engaged in horrific acts of violence and murder,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “I thank and commend our law enforcement partners for their work in removing members of this terrorist organization from our streets. MS-13 is a violent brutal gang that must be eliminated from the United States, and we will not stop until we succeed in our mission.” “Cases such as this one serve as a reminder that MS-13 has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The defendants in this case carried out barbaric attacks on their victims to simply enhance their ranking within the gang. I’m proud of the hard work that went into this trial by agents and prosecutors which resulted in a guilty verdict and a measure of justice for the victims, and which will effectively remove murderers and terrorists from Los Angeles communities.” “The brutality of these crimes is a stark reminder of the importance of our shared mission: to protect the people of Los Angeles from those who seek to do harm,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “I thank every investigator, prosecutor, and law enforcement professional who contributed to this case. Their dedication has brought justice to the victims and sent a clear message — we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our city. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to stand against gang violence in all its forms.” “These convictions send a powerful message that criminal gang violence and intimidation have no place in Los Angeles County,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “These violent individuals terrorized our communities and tore families apart to further their criminal network. Through the tireless efforts of our local and federal partners, we have brought justice to the victims’ families and held these individuals accountable for their brutal crimes.” “MS-13 has inflicted unimaginable suffering on victims and their families in our communities,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “These guilty verdicts for crimes related to murder, extortion and drug trafficking against five members of MS-13’s leadership demonstrate the relentless and fearless partnership between local and federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.” According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants murdered their victims who either were – or perceived to be – members of the 18th Street gang, a rival of MS-13, or had violated MS-13’s rules. The trial focused on MS-13 Los Angeles cliques that implemented gang rules that required its members to use murder and extreme violence to rise within its ranks. The charges relate to machete, knife, and baseball bat killings in the Angeles National Forest and several other areas in remote, mountainous locations in Los Angeles County. Those six murders – which included murders committed in the mountains near Malibu, in a remote area of the Santa Clarita Valley, and two in Van Nuys – are also charged as violent crimes committed in aid of racketeering (VICAR). Those six counts allege that the victims were killed “for the purpose of gaining entry to and maintaining and increasing position in MS-13 Los Angeles.” In June 2017, one victim – who claimed he had a leadership role in MS-13– was taken to the Angeles National Forest then stabbed and hacked to death by his killers, including Chavez. Several of the assailants unsuccessfully tried to decapitate him then left his body behind. In October 2017, another victim – rumored to be an 18th Street member – was lured to his death by two teenage girls. He was kidnapped, strangled, beaten with a baseball bat then fatally stabbed with a large hunting style knife. Before his body was thrown off a cliff in the Angeles National Forest. This victim’s assailants included Corado and Bryan Rosales. In July 2018, a third victim – also rumored to be an 18th Street member – was lured to Malibu hills under the auspices of smoking marijuana and drinking beer with several other people. While the victim stood at a scenic overlook, Corado shot him in the back of the head. Corado gave the gun to Erick Rosales, who shot the victim before passing the gun to other MS-13 members who took turns shooting him. This victim’s body ultimately was thrown off the edge of a road down a hill. Martinez murdered three victims – one of them was shot to death in December 2018 after returning from the gym and was mistaken for an 18th Street gang member, another was an MS-13 associate addicted to methamphetamine (a violation of MS-13 rules) who was shot to death on January 13, 2019, and the third was a homeless man who was fatally shot on January 14, 2019 for having a tattoo believed to be related to 18th Street. Chavez participated in the January 13 murder. Sentencing hearings before United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II are scheduled for July 2026, at which time each of the defendants will face a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison. Prosecutors have secured 25 convictions so far in this case. Several other MS-13 members and associates are scheduled to go to trial in April 2026 in connection with racketeering conspiracy and gang murders. The FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Sara B. Vargas of the Major Crimes Section, Benedetto L. Balding of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, William Larsen of the Criminal Appeals Section, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Siddall are prosecuting this case.


title: Lebanon Man Arrested for Allegedly Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Lebanon, Oregon, man made his initial appearance today for possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) after being linked to images and groups on social media platforms, including Instagram and Telegram. Jeremy Russell Bodell, 52, has been charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. According to court documents, on October 4, 2021, Instagram reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) the distribution of a single video between user “Kildrak Fireblade” and another user depicting child pornography. NCMEC identified Bodell as the likely subscriber of the phone number associated with the Instagram account “Kildrak Fireblade.” In September 2025, during an investigation into CSAM trading groups, which are invite-only, non-public chat groups, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) came across the username “dax,” who was associated with the same phone number previously identified by NCMEC as belonging to Bodell. The username “dax” was a member of 15 separate CSAM trading groups, which share images, videos, and cloud storage links depicting CSAM. Phone records verified Bodell as the subscriber of the phone number associated with these accounts. On November 7, 2025, HSI executed a federal search warrant at Bodell’s residence, person, and vehicle. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement seized Bodell’s cell phone and found evidence of CSAM, including membership in CSAM groups on social media applications, such as Telegram. Bodell’s gallery in his phone also contained saved images and videos of CSAM material. During an interview, Bodell told investigators he was previously accused of sex abuse. HSI is investigating these allegations. At the end of the interview, Bodell was arrested for possession of CSAM. Bodell made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered released with conditions pending further court proceedings. This case is being investigated by HSI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez. A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org . This case was brought in collaboration with 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.justice.gov/psc .


component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: Andover Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material CONCORD – Dale Howe, 37, of Andover, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his production and possession of child sexual abuse material, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces. On November 10, 2025, the U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro sentenced Mr. Howe on three counts of production of child sexual abuse material to 324 months’ imprisonment, and one count of possession of child pornography to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently. The Court also sentenced Mr. Howe to 10 years of federal supervision following his release from prison. “Exploiting and abusing vulnerable children, and then documenting that abuse, is among the most serious crimes we prosecute,” said United States Attorney Creegan. “Mr. Howe’s extreme conduct fully warranted the significant sentence imposed. Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in identifying and prosecuting those who prey upon children for their own gratification.” According to the charging documents and statements made in court, Mr. Howe sexually assaulted a minor victim, providing the minor victim with drugs during the course of the abuse. The defendant created images of the sexual abuse, which were found during a search of his phone. The defendant distributed some of the sexual abuse images through the internet. The defendant also possessed more than 3,500 files of unrelated child sexual abuse material. “The scope of Howe’s crimes is staggering and deeply troubling. He not only possessed child sexual abuse materials but became a hands-on offender, drugging and assaulting a child. The horrific abuse Howe inflicted upon his victim cannot be undone, but this sentence puts Howe behind bars and away from children for over a decade. We hope that this significant sentence brings some measure of justice to those who have been impacted by his crimes,” said Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations New England. Homeland Security Investigations, the Andover Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children, and the Derry Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Cherniske and Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better 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/.


title: Macedon business owner involved in classic car scheme going to prison for $2.5 million wire fraud

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Clark P. Rittersbach, 51, of Cape Coral, Florida, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who handled the case, stated that Rittersbach was the owner of Concours Classic Motor Cars, a company specializing in the restoration and sale of antique vehicles in Macedon, NY. It is not uncommon for such restoration work and the collection of authentic parts to take place over the course of years, and many of Rittersbach’s customers were long distance or international. As a result, customers often relied on his assurances of what work was being done without seeing the work in person before paying him. Between 2018 and April 2022, Rittersbach made misrepresentations to customers, many via email and text message, about work and acquisitions he claimed to have completed to obtain money from these customers. His intent was to obtain money for the unfinished work he claimed was finished, and to stall his clients so he had enough time to complete the work. For example, in 2019, Rittersbach falsely claimed over text message and email to Victim 1 that he had completed work on a Duesenberg engine, and emailed Victim 1 an invoice for $25,000. Victim 1 wired funds to the bank accounts controlled by Rittersbach. In addition, Rittersbach sent emails to Victim 2 overstating how much work had been completed on a 1964 Porsche in order to obtain payment for work he had not done but intended to complete in the future. During the course of the scheme, Rittersbach defrauded victims of the scheme of a total amount of approximately $2,536,308.64. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera. # # # #


title: Ellicott City Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Wire Fraud

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced, Jennifer Tinker, 42, of Ellicott City, Maryland, to 70 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud, in connection with Tinker’s embezzlement of more than $1.1 million from two separate employers. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office. According to the guilty plea, between January 2020 and November 2023, Tinker defrauded a real estate agency (Real Estate Agency 1) that she worked for by transferring more than $1 million of company funds through wire transfers, Zelle payments, checks, and ACH to her personal bank accounts. Tinker fraudulently embezzled funds from the real estate agency’s accounts – including its escrow, operating, and commission accounts. Tinker hid the transfers by listing fictitious “recipients” on the wire transfer paperwork to make them appear legitimate. She then wired the stolen funds into her personal bank accounts. Between approximately February 2021 and November 2023, Tinker wired money to her personal accounts more than 90 times. Additionally, Tinker made false and fraudulent edits and entries into her employer’s internal accounting records to conceal the transfers. Tinker used the funds that she stole from Real Estate Agency 1 to pay for luxury goods and personal expenditures such as vacations, Taylor Swift tickets, and five different vehicles. The defendant continued to embezzle Real Estate Agency 1’s funds until her supervisors uncovered her scheme in November 2023. Real Estate Agency 1 then immediately terminated her employment. After Real Estate Agency 1 terminated Tinker’s employment, she continued her fraudulent conduct with a new employer—Non-Profit 1. Beginning on or about May 2024, and continuing through on or about January 2025, Tinker embezzled funds from Non-Profit 1’s bank accounts. Specifically, Tinker made repeated fraudulent transfers of funds held in Non-Profit 1’s operating account to pay off her personal payment card account with Apple/Goldman Sachs. Tinker also redirected transfers intended to pay Non-Profit 1’s rent into her personal account with Discover. Tinker’s embezzlement of Non-Profit 1 continued before and after she pleaded guilty to defrauding Real Estate Agency 1. In relevant court proceedings, Tinker made misrepresentations to the court about accepting responsibility for her fraudulent conduct and about her employment at Non-Profit 1 to continue defrauding Non-Profit 1. On December 6, 2024, at her initial appearance, Tinker represented to the court that she was not a financial risk to Non-Profit 1 and did not have access to Non-Profit 1’s bank accounts, but this was false. In the four weeks following her initial appearance, Tinker made 13 fraudulent transfers from Non-Profit 1’s operating account to her Apple/Goldman Sachs payment card account. These transfers continued through January 2025, when Non-Profit 1 discovered Tinker’s embezzlement and terminated her employment for gross misconduct. In total, Tinker stole more than $100,000 from Non-Profit 1. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph L. Wenner who is prosecuting the federal case, and recognized Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber, for her valuable assistance. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Okmulgee Resident Pleads Guilty To Assault With Intent To Commit Murder In Indian Country

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Travon Maurice Lawrence, age 20, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country, punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Indictment alleged that on July 5, 2025, Lawrence assaulted the victim with intent to commit murder. The crime occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Okmulgee Police Department. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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. Lawrence will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.


title: Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty To Failure To Register As A Sex Offender

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gregory Allen McAfee, age 49, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender, punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Indictment alleged that McAfee was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Child in Tulsa County on September 13, 2000, and was required to register as a sex offender, and that from February 2025 until September 9, 2025, McAfee failed to register and update his registration despite entering, leaving, or residing in Indian country, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charge arose from an investigation by the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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. McAfee 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: McCurtain County Resident Pleads Guilty To Illegally Possessing Firearms And Ammunition

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that William Claborn Clark, a/k/a William Claborn Clark, Jr., a/k/a William Elaborn Clark, Jr., age 45, of Valliant, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, punishable by up to fifteen years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Indictment charged Clark with knowingly possessing one .45ACP caliber semi-automatic pistol, one .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle, one break-open rifle, and 23 rounds of ammunition on May 10, 2025, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office, and the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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. Clark will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.


title: Sallisaw Resident Pleads Guilty To Illegally Possessing Ammunition

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Andrew Tyler Blankenship, age 38, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of Ammunition After Conviction of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The Indictment alleged that on July 24, 2024, after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of Battery (Domestic Violence) in Putnam County, Florida, and knowing of that conviction, Blankenship knowingly possessed eight rounds of ammunition. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sallisaw Police Department. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.


title: Okmulgee County Resident Pleads Guilty To Distributing Methamphetamine

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Joseph Michael Harrison, age 43, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, punishable by a term of not less than 10 years in prison, and a $10,000,000 fine. The Indictment alleged that on April 12, 2024, and again on July 11, 2024, Harrison knowingly and intentionally distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. 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. Harrison will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.


title: Two Current Major League Baseball Players Charged in Sports Betting and Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging two defendants, Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, for their alleged roles in a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown during Major League Baseball (MLB) games. Ortiz was arrested earlier today in Boston, Massachusetts, and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts on November 10, 2025. Ortiz will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date. Clase is currently not in U.S. custody. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the indictment and arrest. “Professional athletes, like Luis Leandro Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz hold a position of trust—not only with their teammates and their professional leagues, but with fans who believe in fair play,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “As alleged, the defendants sold that trust to gamblers by fixing pitches. In doing so, the defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services. They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime. Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us. Today’s charges make clear that our Office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who corrupt sports through illegal means.” “Luis Leandro Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz allegedly rigged their pitches in professional baseball games, so that an inner circle, and occasionally themselves, could quietly cash out their winnings,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The defendants' alleged greed not only established an unfair advantage for select bettors, but also sullied the reputation of America's pastime. The FBI will ensure any individual who exploits their position as a professional athlete at the expense of others strikes out." As set forth in the indictment, the defendants agreed in advance with their co-conspirators on specific pitches that they would throw in MLB games. The co-conspirators then used that information to place hundreds of fraudulent bets on those pitches. Beginning in or around May 2023, Clase, a relief pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, agreed with corrupt sports bettors to rig proposition bets – or “prop” bets – on particular pitches he threw. The bettors wagered on the speed and type of Clase’s pitches, based on information they knew in advance by coordinating with Clase, sometimes even during MLB games. Clase often threw these rigged pitches on the first pitch of an at-bat. To ensure certain pitches were called as balls, Clase threw many of them in the dirt, well outside the strike zone. The bettors used the advanced, inside information that Clase provided about his future pitches to wager thousands of dollars at online sportsbooks. Clase at times received bribes and kickbacks from the bettors in exchange for providing advanced, non-public information. He also sometimes provided money to the bettors in advance to fund the scheme. The indictment includes numerous examples of pitches that Clase rigged, including one in the Eastern District of New York in a game against the New York Mets. In total, by rigging pitches, Clase caused his co-conspirator bettors to win at least $400,000 in fraudulent wagers. In or around June 2025, Ortiz, a starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, joined the criminal scheme. Together with Clase, Ortiz agreed in advance to throw balls (instead of strikes) on pitches in two games in exchange for bribes and kickbacks. Before an MLB game on June 15, 2025, Ortiz agreed with his co-conspirators to throw a ball on a particular pitch in exchange for bribes. The bettors agreed to pay Ortiz a $5,000 bribe for throwing the rigged pitch and Clase a $5,000 bribe for arranging the rigged pitch. Before an MLB game on June 27, 2025, Ortiz agreed with his co-conspirators to rig a second pitch by throwing a ball in exchange for a bribe. The bettors agreed to pay Ortiz a $7,000 bribe for throwing the rigged pitch and Clase a $7,000 bribe for arranging the rigged pitch. Before the game on June 27, 2025, Clase withdrew $50,000 in cash and provided $15,000 to a co-conspirator, who used the money to wager on Ortiz’s rigged pitch during the game. In total, by rigging pitches for bribes, Ortiz caused his co-conspirator bettors to win at least $60,000 in fraudulent wagers. The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on the wire fraud conspiracy count, 20 years’ imprisonment on the honest services wire fraud conspiracy count, five years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery count, and 20 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering conspiracy count. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Sean M. Sherman and Eric Silverberg are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Daniel Arakawa. The Defendants : EMMANUEL CLASE DE LA CRUZ Age: 27 Dominican Republic LUIS LEANDRO ORTIZ RIBERA Age: 26 Dominican Republic E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-346 (KAM) clase_and_ortiz_indictment.pdf


title: Fargo Man Arrested for Threating The President of the United States and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

component: USAO - North Dakota

body_text: Fargo – United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced that Andrew Walter Sandvik, Age 47 from West Fargo, ND, made an initial appearance today in federal court to face federal threat charges. A Federal Complaint charges Sandvik with Influencing a Federal Official by Threat, 18 USC 115(a)(1)(B). The complaint alleges that Andrew Sandvik made several on-line social media posts containing threats towards the President of the United States. Sandvik also made several concerning posts directed toward the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service. “This investigation is an incredible federal, state, and local law enforcement partnership, working together to investigate and safely arrest someone who allegedly expressed a willingness to commit extreme violence,” said United States Attorney Chase. “I appreciate greatly that we have skilled and professional law enforcement working with us on this case and the many others in the District of North Dakota.” “Thursday morning, the FBI, along with our Federal, State and Local partners, arrested Andrew Walter Sandvik on charges related to threats made against Federal Officials,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. “As alleged in the complaint, Sandvik made threats against President Donald J. Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, local law enforcement officers and the U.S. military. Death threats and violent, inflammatory rhetoric have no place in our society. Threats against Federal Officials, whether they are made online or in person, will result in a swift response by the FBI.” “The Fargo Police Department also recognizes the inherent dangers associated with the conduct alleged in the complaint and worked in partnership with the FBI to ensure public safety during this operation,” said Police Chief David Zibolski, Fargo Police Department. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, North Dakota Bureau of Investigations, and the Fargo Police Department and being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of North Dakota, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Lee. # # #


title: Violent felon convicted of running drug distribution and money laundering operation from state prison

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - After a five-day trial, Jarvis Matthews was convicted for his role in leading a multi-million-dollar drug trafficking and money laundering operation from the confines of Calhoun State Prison. A jury found Matthews guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, five counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. At the time of his federal crimes, Matthews was serving sentences of life without parole for murder and felony murder. “Matthews audaciously used contraband cell phones to run a drug trafficking operation from his state prison cell,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Now, as a result of a diligent federal investigation and close coordination with state and local partners, this convicted murderer faces a substantial sentence in federal prison on top of his state sentence.” “Jarvis Matthews used the confines of a prison cell to orchestrate a multi-million-dollar drug trafficking and money laundering operation, exploiting his family and the prison system to further his criminal enterprise,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This case underscores the FBI’s commitment to dismantling transnational criminal organizations and holding accountable those who think they can operate beyond the reach of the law.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: While imprisoned at Georgia Department of Corrections facilities, Jarvis Matthews used contraband cellphones to direct the distribution of drugs in and around Atlanta. Matthews used his fiancée, girlfriends, nephew, and his own two adult sons to distribute drugs and collect and launder money. In early 2022, FBI agents identified a social media account that Matthews used to conduct dozens of drug deals. Agents made a controlled purchase of two kilograms of methamphetamine from Matthews in April 2022, through his adult son, Charvis Harris, who previously pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute. Ultimately, the FBI obtained a court-authorized wiretap on Matthews’s phone and installed a camera at one of his drug trap houses. With these tools, the FBI was able to apprehend Matthews’s drug customers after they received drugs from Matthews’s sons. Testimony at trial showed that Matthews masterminded the distribution of multiple kilograms of internationally-sourced drugs in the metro-Atlanta area and laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars of drug proceeds. Jarvis Matthews, 46, of Morgan, Georgia, faces a mandatory minimum 25 years in federal prison, to run consecutively to the state prison sentence he is already serving. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. The sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia State Patrol, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, Dooly County Sheriff’s Office, Etowah County (Alabama) Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall County (Alabama) Drug Task Force, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Johnny Baer and John DeGenova are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, 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 and Project Safe Neighborhoods. This prosecution is also 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. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Illegal alien indicted following seizure of 325 pounds of methamphetamine from Norcross storage facility

body_text: ATLANTA – Marco Cueto-Rosales, an illegal alien from Mexico, has been arraigned in connection with the seizure of 325 pounds of methamphetamine from a Norcross storage unit on October 10, 2025. “Cueto-Rosales, who was illegally in the United States, allegedly hid a large amount of methamphetamine in a public storage unit,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Although the Mexican cartels stockpile and peddle their poison in our community, the quick actions of law enforcement thankfully took these deadly drugs off the streets.” “This operation is about more than drugs – it’s about protecting families and giving our communities a chance to live free from the violence and addiction that meth brings,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On October 10, 2025, agents from the DEA observed Cueto-Rosales enter an outdoor storage unit in Norcross and move items around in plastic tote bins and trash bags. Later that same day, a Gwinnett County Police Department K9 alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the storage unit. Agents then obtained a federal search warrant for the unit. Upon execution of the search warrant, agents found nearly 1,500 rectangular packages of methamphetamine located in trash bags and plastic tote bins. The methamphetamine weighed a total of 325 pounds. Prior to the search, agents detained Cueto-Rosales, who they determined was an illegal alien unlawfully in the United States. Marco Cueto-Rosales, 47, of Malinalco, Mexico, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Regina D. Cannon, on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Cueto-Rosales was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 28, 2025. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with valuable assistance provided by the Gwinnett County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. LaGrone is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, 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 and Project Safe Neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: The United States Announces Agreement with Cornell University

body_text: WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced an agreement with Cornell University (“Cornell”) that will protect Cornell’s students from violations of federal civil rights laws, including from discrimination based on race, sex, or national origin, and promote America’s hardworking farming and rural communities. As part of the agreement, Cornell University will invest thirty million dollars through 2028 in research programs on agriculture, farming, and related studies that will support American farmers through lower costs of production and enhanced efficiency. Cornell will additionally pay thirty million dollars to the United States over the next three years. The university agrees to provide the Department of Justice’s “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” as a training resource to faculty and staff, and will continued to conduct annual surveys to evaluate the campus climate for Cornell students. The university also agrees to comply with lawful requests from the United States related to foreign funding sources. Through 2028, Cornell will provide relevant anonymized admissions data for statistical analyses to the United States. The President of Cornell will personally certify, under penalty of perjury, that Cornell is in compliance with the agreement. The United States will close its pending investigations into the university’s admissions policies and other civil rights concerns. The United States shall treat Cornell as eligible for future grants and awards, as well as restore terminated grants to Cornell from the Department of Health & Human Services and other federal agencies. “Recipients of federal funding must fully adhere to federal civil rights laws and ensure that harmful DEI policies do not discriminate against students,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s deal is a positive outcome that illustrates the value of universities working with this administration — we are grateful to Cornell for working towards this agreement.” “The Trump Administration has secured another transformative commitment from an Ivy League institution to end divisive DEl policies,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Thanks to this deal with Cornell and the ongoing work of DOJ, HHS, and the team at ED, U.S. universities are refocusing their attention on merit, rigor, and truth seeking – not ideology. These reforms are a huge win in the fight to restore excellence to American higher education and make our schools the greatest in the world.” "The Trump Administration is actively dismantling the ability of elite universities to discriminate based on race or religion," said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "The DOJ’s agreement with Cornell strengthens protections for students against antisemitism and all other forms of discrimination." “As a result of securing this groundbreaking settlement between the United States and Cornell, applicants and students will receive fair and equal treatment as required by our civil rights laws, and American farmers will have expanded opportunity for agricultural development and productivity,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Cornell agreement exhibits this administration’s deep commitment to vigilantly enforce our federal civil rights laws on college campuses, and ensure that American universities manage taxpayer dollars responsibly.”


title: Mexican National Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Transporting Woman to Engage in Commercial Sex

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A 42-year-old citizen of Mexico has been ordered to prison after recruiting an 18-year-old victim from Mexico, abusing her, and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts in Houston, Texas. Clemente Melendez Gutierrez was sentenced today to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty in August to one count of transportation for the purposes of prostitution. “The defendant preyed upon this vulnerable victim and used physical abuse to coerce her to travel to the United States to engage in commercial sex for his own financial gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This sentence reflects the severity of the defendant’s conduct, and the DOJ will relentlessly prosecute and hold accountable sex traffickers.” “The damage inflicted by this defendant is immeasurable. Gutierrez subjected his victims to years of physical, mental, and sexual abuse in pursuit of his own personal profit,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Today’s sentence underscores our office’s steadfast pursuit of those who prey upon and exploit women for financial gain. Let it be known – human trafficking has no home in the Southern District of Texas.” Melendez recruited the 18-year-old victim in 2007 using the false pretense of a romantic relationship. After meeting her in person in Mexico, he transported her away from her home, isolated her at his parents’ house, and told her that she was going to have to start working in commercial sex. When she refused, Melendez physically abused her—dragging her by the hair and punching and kicking her—then made her engage in commercial sex acts at a hotel in Mexico. Several days later, Melendez had the victim smuggled across the U.S. border and traveled with her to Houston, Texas. After they arrived, he told the victim that she owed him thousands of dollars for her transportation and told her that she would have to work at a cantina and engage in commercial sex in the hidden back rooms of the cantina to repay her debt. Melendez set a quota for how much money the victim had to make each night, and he was violent with her when she did not work enough or make enough money. Melendez had the victim work at multiple cantinas and other locations until she was finally able to get away from the defendant in 2013. Between 2005 and 2021, Melendez repeated this pattern of conduct multiple times with different women and girls. The FBI Houston Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission investigated the case. “Today’s sentence brings long-awaited, and overdue, justice for the victim who was subjected to years of abuse and exploitation at the hands of Melendez Gutierrez,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “Unfortunately, the physical, mental and emotional manipulation and trauma the victim suffered at the hands of this ‘suitor-turned-monster’ will remain with her forever. His long-awaited prison sentence reflects the tireless work and unwavering dedication of the investigators, victim specialists and prosecutors who, through the years, stood alongside the victim to ensure her voice was heard and her suffering acknowledged. While no prison sentence can erase the pain and trauma his victims endured, our hope is that today’s outcome represents accountability, justice and a step toward healing and hope.” “With today’s sentence, we have removed a dangerous predator from the community who used physical and sexual abuse, threats of violence and psychological manipulation to groom and control his victims and force them to engage in commercial sex for his own profit,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Working alongside our partners, we exposed his criminal scheme and helped ensure he was held fully accountable for his actions and the harm caused to the victims.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Valenti for the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorneys Lindsey Roberson and Matthew Thiman of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking .


title: Arizona Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Plot Targeting Christian Churches

body_text: Zimnako Salah, 46, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced today in the Eastern District of California to six years in prison in connection with his plot targeting Christian churches. In March 2025, a jury in Sacramento convicted Salah of strapping a backpack around the toilet of a Christian church in Roseville, with the intent to convey a hoax bomb threat and to obstruct the free exercise of religion of the congregants who worshipped there. The jury’s verdict included a special finding that Salah targeted the church because of the religion of the people who worshipped there, making the offense a hate crime. According to the evidence at trial, from September to November of 2023, Salah traveled to four Christian churches in Arizona, California, and Colorado, wearing black backpacks. At two of those churches, Salah planted those backpacks, placing congregants in fear that they contained bombs. At the other two churches, Salah was confronted by security before he got the chance to plant those backpacks. While Salah had been making bomb threats by planting backpacks in Christian churches, he had been building a bomb capable of fitting in a backpack. During a search of his storage unit, an FBI Bomb Technician seized items that an FBI Bomb Expert testified at trial served as component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED). A search of Salah’s social media records revealed that he had consumed extremist propaganda online. Specifically, those records showed that Salah had searched for videos of “Infidels dying,” and he had watched videos depicting ISIS terrorists murdering people. In a cellphone video taken days before the crimes of conviction, Defendant Salah declared, “America. We are going to destroy it.” “Today's sentencing sends a clear message: those who target people because of their faith will face the full force of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to protect the rights of all people of faith to worship and live free from fear, and we will hold accountable anyone who threatens or harms them.” “Salah’s seeming ultimate goal to bomb a Christian church would have resulted in many deaths and injuries if his plan had not been thwarted,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. “Thanks to the action of church security, local law enforcement, and the FBI, this defendant was stopped before he had a chance to carry out the crimes he sought to commit. Today’s sentence is justified by the history and characteristics of this defendant and serves to protect the public from this defendant. And it affirms that people of all religions should be able to worship freely and exercise their First Amendment rights in this country without fear of violence.” “The FBI has zero tolerance for those who target Americans based on their religious beliefs,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “Salah sought to instill fear and disrupt Christian communities across California, Colorado, and Arizona. We are grateful for the cooperation of these churches and communities, which were vital in the investigation that led to Salah’s arrest and conviction. Today’s sentencing highlights the collective efforts of law enforcement and vigilant Americans in preventing this act of terrorism.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Roseville Police Department, the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego Harbor Police Department, and the Arapahoe County (CO) Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Christopher Perras and Trial Attorney Sarah Howard of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea Kenny for the Eastern District of California.