title: Norcross Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Defrauding U.S. Postal Service

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA, Ga. -- Gregory Rehberg pleaded guilty today to wire fraud for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the U.S. Postal Service based on false invoices. “Rehberg concealed the use of subcontractors, made false statements, and provided false documents to overcharge the U.S. Postal Service for maintenance work he never performed,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “Our office is committed to prosecuting those who defraud the United States and its agencies for their personal gain at the expense of taxpayers. We will continue to investigate and identify those who exploit government contracts and hold those bad actors accountable.” “We are pleased to have contributed to this investigation and applaud the exceptional work by the United States Attorney’s Office for protecting both U.S. Postal Service funds and the integrity of our repairs and maintenance program,” said Executive Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “Special Agents of the USPS OIG will continue to aggressively investigate those who would engage in fraudulent activities designed to defraud the Postal Service.” According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges, and other information presented in court: GLR Group LLC., operated by Gregory Rehberg, was contracted by EMCOR Facilities Services, Inc. to work on repairs and construction work at U.S. Postal Service locations in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Rehberg submitted false invoices to EMCOR for supposed services he had performed, when in fact, he subcontracted the work for lower rates than reported on the invoices he submitted. Rehberg routinely marked up the price on his invoices, at times as much as forty percent. In total, Rehberg submitted nearly 900 invoices on behalf of GLR to EMCOR between 2019 and 2024, receiving approximately $2.9 million in payments, and overbilling by more than $730,000. Sentencing for Gregory Rehberg, 55, of Atlanta, Georgia, is scheduled for May 15, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. before Chief United States District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr. This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Natasha Cooper is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Mexican National Indicted For Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Maico Miguel Perez (27, Mexico) with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Miguel Perez faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. According to court documents, Miguel Perez is a citizen and national of Mexico. He was previously removed from the United States on November 23, 2022. Miguel Perez was found voluntarily back in the United States on September 2, 2024, when he was arrested in Duval County on a local warrant. Miguel Perez has not received the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security for the United States to apply for readmission to the United States. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney.


title: Head of Commercial Real Estate Investment Firm Pleads Guilty in $62.8M Investment Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A New York man pleaded guilty yesterday in the Northern District of Georgia for his role in a scheme to defraud investors in connection with two commercial real estate investments. According to court documents, Elchonon “Elie” Schwartz, 46, of New York City, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors who sought to invest in commercial real estate through the crowdfunding commercial real estate investing website CrowdStreet Marketplace (CrowdStreet). Beginning May 2022, Schwartz solicited investments through CrowdStreet for a large commercial real estate complex in Atlanta and ultimately raised approximately $54 million from about 654 investors. Beginning in November 2022, Schwartz solicited investments again through CrowdStreet in connection with a mixed-use building in Miami Beach, Florida, and ultimately raised approximately $8.8 million from about 167 investors. In total, Schwartz raised approximately $62.8 million from investors through CrowdStreet. As part of the investment solicitation process, Schwartz executed agreements that stated, in part, that the funds raised from CrowdStreet investors would be held in segregated bank accounts controlled by Schwartz. In the documentation provided to CrowdStreet investors, Schwartz represented that he would only use the investors’ money to fund the investment in each property and that he had a fiduciary duty to safeguard the funds and to prohibit commingling or use of the money that did not benefit each investment. Contrary to these representations, however, Schwartz misappropriated and converted the CrowdStreet investor funds for his own use. Schwartz directed substantially all the CrowdStreet investor money into his personal bank, personal brokerage account, and accounts for unrelated commercial real estate investments he controlled. For example, Schwartz used the CrowdStreet investor funds to purchase luxury watches, to invest in stocks and options in his brokerage account, and to pay for payroll expenses for his unrelated commercial real estate businesses. Ultimately, in mid-July 2023, the two corporate entities that Schwartz had formed to receive funds from CrowdStreet investors both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Schwartz pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie Jr. for the Northern District of Georgia, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Atlanta Field Office investigated the case. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Connors for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys David O’Neal and Christopher Huber for the Northern District of Georgia provided substantial assistance with the investigation and prosecution.


title: Orlando Man Sentenced To One Year And Six Months In Federal Prison For Possessing A Machinegun

body_text: Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Jeremiah Cundiff (19, Orlando) to one year and six months in federal prison for possessing a machinegun. Cundiff pleaded guilty on October 31, 2024. According to court documents, on October 23, 2023, law enforcement apprehended Cundiff, who had an active warrant for his arrest. During the apprehension, Cundiff fled and made a stealthy movement. At the area of Cundiff’s movement, a loaded firearm with a machinegun conversion device installed (pictured below) was recovered. Cundiff’s DNA was found on the firearm. The type of machinegun conversion device in this case is commonly referred to as a “switch,” and is designed and intended, solely and exclusively, to convert a semiautomatic pistol into a machinegun, causing the pistol to fire more than one shot with the single pull of the trigger. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with valuable assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $23.5 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2024

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced today that the Eastern District of Missouri collected $23.5 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, $11 million was collected in criminal actions and $12.5 million was collected in civil actions. Additionally, the Eastern District of Missouri worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect $16.9 million in cases pursued jointly by these offices, the majority of which was collected in civil actions. Among the civil settlements were two cases involving allegations of false claims for medical services. Total Access Urgent Care (TAUC) paid $9.1 million and a Festus pain management doctor, Dr. Nehal Modh paid $1.2 million . Nearly $1 million of the total collected in criminal actions came from a continuing case against two Jefferson County chiropractors who aided their clients in committing disability fraud. So far, 27 patients have pleaded guilty and been ordered to repay fraudulently-obtained disability payments. More than $880,000 was recovered in fiscal year 2024 from the garnishment of the retirement accounts belonging to two doctors who pleaded guilty in separate criminal cases. About $628,000 was recovered from Dr. Amy Swegan , who admitted accepting kickbacks from telemedicine companies involved in a nationwide fraud scheme. Nearly $255,000 was collected from Dr. Ashu Joshi , who distributed child pornography involving the daughter of a former patient. “These cases show that our Financial Litigation Unit will aggressively pursue restitution for victims and taxpayers, even if it takes years after a case is resolved,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $5.6 million in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.


title: Boston Woman Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-Relief Funds

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston woman was sentenced in federal court in Boston for a scheme to fraudulently obtain pandemic-related relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Jameela Gross, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to time served (one day) to be followed by three years of supervised release. Gross has also been ordered to pay $18,750 in restitution. In September 2024, Gross pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Gross was arrested in February 2024 along with over 40 Heath Street Gang members/associates, who were charged with racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms charges and financial frauds, including COVID-related fraud. Among other relief programs, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act created the PPP, a temporary loan program directed at small businesses. PPP loans were processed and funded by participating lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. If the small business used the loan funds for permissible expenses, the loan could be forgiven. In April 2021, Gross submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application on behalf of her purported photography business. The application contained multiple false statements, including false representations regarding the fictitious business’s income in 2020 and the purpose of the loan. Gross also submitted false tax records in support of her loan application. Based on the fraudulent application, Gross received approximately $18,750. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Hoefle and Lucy Sun of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Four Arrested for Harboring a Dozen Illegal Aliens in 2 El Paso Hotels

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: EL PASO, Texas – Four individuals were arrested in El Paso on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in a human smuggling conspiracy. According to court documents, agents from the Ysleta Border Patrol Station’s Disrupt Unit were conducting surveillance operations at an El Paso motel when they observed a vehicle outfitted with a temporary license plate. The vehicle had previously been observed at various other hotels known to be used for harboring undocumented noncitizens. Court documents allege that the driver of the vehicle entered the motel lobby briefly before returning to the vehicle and driving away. Soon after, the agents allegedly observed three individuals cautiously departing from one of the motel rooms and entering a separate vehicle with a temporary license plate. The driver of the vehicle, Yair Alejandro Aguilar-Flores, allegedly admitted to being a Mexican national living in the United States illegally. The two individuals who accompanied him, Angel Eduardo Carrillo-Carrillo and Jorge Alfredo Lopez-Acevedo, were also arrested after the agents determined them to also be illegally present in the U.S. They also acknowledged that additional undocumented noncitizens were inside the motel room. Upon investigation, the agents located seven more undocumented noncitizens, all of whom were placed under arrest. As agents were concluding their investigation, they noticed the driver of the first vehicle returning to the motel. He approached the room where the migrants had been arrested and knocked on the door. The individual, Jesus David Reyes-Villagran, allegedly admitted to the agents that the motel room was his and that he was returning from dropping off five other undocumented noncitizens at another El Paso hotel. Aguilar-Flores, Carrillo-Carrillo, Lopez-Acevedo and Reyes-Villagran are charged with bringing in and transporting aliens. If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas the announcement. The U.S. Border Patrol is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Wang is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Fall River Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security Benefits

body_text: BOSTON – A Fall River woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to stealing Social Security benefits intended for her child. Nancy Taylor, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds. Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for May 12, 2025. Taylor was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024. From May 2016 through May 2022, Taylor embezzled approximately $86,994.58 in Social Security benefits that were intended for her minor child. In August 2014, when Taylor applied to receive benefits on behalf of her child as a representative payee, the Social Security Administration (SSA) informed her of her obligation to notify SSA if her child left her custody. However, Taylor did not notify SSA when she lost custody of her child in May 2016. Instead, Taylor called SSA in October 2021 to update contact information for the child so that she could continue receiving her child’s benefits. Further, in June 2022, Taylor visited an SSA field office to reactivate her receipt of her child’s benefits and provided two fraudulent forms claiming that her child still lived with her and that she spent all the Social Security benefits she received for her child’s care. In reality, Taylor used the vast majority of the stolen funds to pay her own bills. The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Justice Department Announces Successful Conclusion of Agreement with Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office to Ensure Constitutional Policing

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced on Tuesday the successful conclusion of the United States’ agreement with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) in Louisiana to end its pattern or practice of conducting arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. After a thorough investigation, the United States found reasonable cause to believe that EPSO had unconstitutionally arrested and held people in jail without obtaining a warrant and without probable cause to believe the detained persons had committed a crime. Under the 2018 agreement, EPSO made specific reforms to address the constitutional violations. EPSO developed policies, provided training, and improved adequate supervision to deputies to end the pattern or practice of unlawful seizures. EPSO also increased transparency by collecting and reporting data on its Fourth Amendment activities. Because EPSO has demonstrated full compliance with the agreement, the agreement is now terminated and the United States’ investigation is closed. The United States appreciates and acknowledges the effort and industry that EPSO committed to improve policing practices in Evangeline Parish. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of federally-protected rights. The Act also allows the Justice Department to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation. To read the original press release announcing the findings of the investigation, click here . To read the report of the investigation, click here . To read the original EPSO Settlement Agreement, click here . Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt .


title: Businessman sentenced to over nine years in prison for $1.5M fraud on employees, investors, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Suffolk man was sentenced yesterday to nine years and two months in prison for defrauding investors and employees of his business out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. While on pretrial release and after his bond was revoked, he additionally attempted to defraud the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services out of $1.1 million. According to court documents, in November 2017, Breon Clemons, 36, worked at a car dealership with P.C., whom he told about his plans to form an organic produce company. Clemons later formed GoGreen Farms and Greenhouses, Inc., GoGreen Farms, Inc., and GoGreen Farms, LLC, (collectively GoGreen Farms), and offered employment to P.C. In February 2020, P.C. began working at GoGreen Farms and Clemons, as the owner of GoGreen Farms, had access to P.C.’s personally identifying information. Also in 2020, Clemons invited his neighbor, C.F., to invest in GoGreen Farms. After C.F. invested $10,000, Clemons asked C.F. if she would like to be an unpaid officer or director of the business, and C.F. agreed. Clemons told C.F. that he needed a copy of her driver’s license for the articles of incorporation, and C.F. provided it. In November 2021, Clemons told C.F. that the company needed a revolving line of credit and asked if she would be a co-applicant. During discussions about the line of credit, Clemons asked C.F. for her Social Security number, and she provided it to him. Clemons later told C.F. that she would not need to co-sign for a line of credit because, he claimed, he would receive a loan from a professional basketball player. In March 2022, C.F. received a call from Capital One regarding late payments. Upon further inquiry, C.F. discovered that the card in question was a joint account with GoGreen Farms. C.F. conferred with an acquaintance at GoGreen Farms, who indicated that GoGreen Farms also utilized an American Express card and a line of credit with lender TVT Capital that were in C.F.’s name. The loan application submitted to TVT Capital falsely showed Clemons and C.F. as each owning 50% of GoGreen Farms, and a Virginia State Corporation Commission document was provided to TVT Capital as part of the loan application. The document, titled “Certificate of Entity Conversion,” contained a signature page dated July 6, 2021, with C.F. and Clemons’ purported signatures, when C.F. had not signed the document The TVT Capital loan amount was $100,000, with interest of $46,000, resulting in a total repayment amount of $146,000. When C.F. confronted Clemons, he denied taking out lines of credit in her name. He also removed Capital One and American Express cards from his pocket and gave them to C.F. The balance on each card was over $100,000. P.C. later discovered that in November 2021, Clemons took out a $25,000 line of credit with Bluevine Inc. using P.C.’s personal information and without P.C.’s consent. Clemons further forged P.C.’s signature on a financing and security agreement, and guaranty agreement. Bluevine Inc. advanced approximately $30,390 to Clemons on the line of credit. While on pretrial release, Clemons continued committing fraud. He defrauded two individual investors, H.H. and J.B., taking $5,000 from each victim by promising to pay inordinate returns in one week. Clemons also applied for a $1.1 million Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Clemons submitted a grant application with false representations from prison with the assistance of a family member. The total loss from Clemons’ fraud was approximately $1.5 million. The total amount of laundered funds was $218,442. Neither P.C. nor C.F. consented to or authorized the use of their personal identifying information being used for these credit cards and lines or credit. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mack Coleman and Brian J. Samuels prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-2.


title: Colombian Woman Charged with Identity Theft Offenses and Stealing Federal Benefits

body_text: BOSTON – A Colombian woman residing in Boston was arrested for identity theft offenses and stealing housing benefits. Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 58, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of false representation of a Social Security number, one count of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of theft of government money. Orovio-Hernandez appeared in federal court in Boston yesterday. According to court documents, Orovio-Hernandez, a citizen of Colombia, applied for a United States passport and a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Real ID using the name and other biographical information of another individual. Additionally, Orovio-Hernandez is alleged to have stolen approximately $259,589 in Section 8 housing assistance benefits from October 2011 through January 2025. The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years of in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of no greater than ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Vicky Vazquez, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; and Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Northeast Region made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the Indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Harrison County Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Distribution of Controlled Substances

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Harrison County doctor, Michael Gainey, 70, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, before U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove to the seven counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. According to his plea agreement, Gainey practiced as a family medicine specialist in Harrison County. In that role, Gainey treated and prescribed controlled substances to a number of patients with whom he maintained personal relationships. Gainey knew and intended that the prescriptions he issued to these patients were outside the scope of legitimate medical practice, in part because of the ongoing relationships he maintained with these patients and because Gainey relaxed applicable prescribing standards for these patients. Gainey’s plea agreement lists seven patients that he had ongoing relationships with during the course of his conduct. For each of the patients, he wrote dozens of prescriptions for hydrocodone, oxycodone, gabapentin, and other controlled substances. Paul C. McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the guilty plea. The investigation was conducted by the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Boone is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Gainey is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the seven counts and a fine of $1 million. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes. — END —


title: Ontario Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Nearly 13 Years in Federal Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BOISE – Ricardo Rodriguez, 61, of Ontario, Oregon, was sentenced to 155 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, Rodriguez was a member of a drug trafficking organization operating out of eastern Oregon. Rodriguez supplied several of his co-conspirators with methamphetamine for redistribution in Idaho. The investigation revealed that Rodriguez was distributing approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine per week. On January 24, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Rodriguez’s residence. There, they found an unlawfully possessed .40 caliber firearm, several thousand dollars in U.S. currency, a bag with hundreds of fentanyl pills, and another with an ounce of methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Rodriguez to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. “This is another example of our law enforcement partners working together to ensure that drug traffickers are held accountable for distributing controlled substances in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Traffickers will not evade prosecution for dealing drugs here in Idaho simply because they live across state lines.” “Methamphetamine traffickers like Mr. Rodriguez profit from the pain they cause selling poison to our neighbors,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “I am gratified that the DEA and our partners were able to stop the threat he posed to our communities and that he received this richly deserved accountability.” “Teamwork is critical to stop drug trafficking groups. This case started in our community, but crossed many jurisdictional boundaries, to include the state line into Oregon,” said Nampa Police Sergeant Shane Huston. “If we didn’t have effective partnerships, we would not be as successful as we are in catching these career criminals. We’ll keep working hard and working together because we do not want this type of activity in Nampa.” U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nampa Police Department Special Investigations Unit, the Boise Police Department, the Meridian Police Department, and the Oregon High Desert Drug Task Force, which led to the charges and arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted this case. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The High Desert Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. They are supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). ###


title: Former Chinatown Walgreens Manager Pleads Guilty in a Series of Inside-Job Robberies

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON – London Teeter, 21, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to her role in a series of seven inside-job robberies of the Chinatown drug store where she was employed as a store manager. The plea was announced United States Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Teeter pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery). The Honorable Jia M. Cobb scheduled sentencing for June 12, 2025. When she is sentenced, Teeter is eligible for up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. According to court documents, Teeter, and three co-conspirators devised a scheme to carry out armed robberies of the Walgreens store in Chinatown nearly once a month, beginning in July 2023, when either she or her co-conspirator were working. As a store manager, Teeter knew the timing of cash transfers within the business. In each robbery, a masked gunman entered the store, forced an employee into the manager’s office or accessed the manager’s office using a code provided by Teeter or her co-conspirator. The gunman then robbed the employees and fled through a rear exit. Teeter and her co-conspirator took turns pretending to be the “victim” manager on duty, knowing that the robberies would be captured on internal surveillance. The robberies occurred on July 18, 2023, August 2, 2023, September 2, 2023, November 10, 2023, December 4, 2023, January 9, 2024, and February 11, 2024. Teeter was present in the manager’s office and pretended to be the victim of a robbery during the July 18, 2023, and January 9, 2024, robberies. In response to the robberies, the Chinatown Walgreens hired armed Special Police Officers to protect the business. Teeter was aware that armed Special Police Officers would be present during the robberies and that a co-conspirator robbed the officers of their firearms during the robberies that occurred on December 4, 2023, and February 11, 2024. In the plea agreement, Teeter admitted that the co-conspirators stole and split at least $28,983. She also acknowledged that she reviewed surveillance footage from the August 2, 2023, robbery during which a co-conspirator briefly placed his firearm on a chair Teeter acknowledged that she sent a co-conspirator a text message stating: “the vid looks so bad,” “idk why he put the gun down,” and “he can’t do it next time [not gonna lie].” Law enforcement arrested Teeter on February 22, 2024. During the search of her home that preceded her arrest, law enforcement recovered a loaded Glock 45 pistol loaded with 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Trial dates are pending for co-conspirators Michael Robinson, 34, Kamanye Williams, 25, and Gianni Robinson, 27. This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin F. Song, Sarah Martin, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Svetoslavov of the Federal Major Crimes Section. 24cr96


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Sentencing of El Salvadorian Woman for Assaulting Border Patrol Agent

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Salvadoran national was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for biting a U.S. Border Patrol agent. According to the complaint, on May 29, 2024, a Border Patrol agent encountered a group of five individuals, including Erika Jasmin Lobato-Melendez , 27, walking along the border wall. When the agent attempted to take the group into custody, Lobato-Melendez became obstinate, refusing to enter the agent's vehicle and grabbing onto the border wall. When agents tried to physically separate Lobato-Melendez from the fence, she bit down hard on the agent’s forearm, causing bruising, swelling, and abrasions. Even after being brought to the ground, Lobato-Melendez continued her aggressive behavior, attempting to bite the agent’s leg and kicking them. Upon her release from prison, Lobato-Melendez will be subject to two years of supervised release and deportation proceedings. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Chief Patrol Agent Walter "Neil" Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation investigated these cases with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. McNair is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Two Estonian Nationals Plead Guilty in $577M Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme

body_text: Scheme Victimized Hundreds of Thousands of People in United States and Abroad Two Estonian nationals pleaded guilty yesterday for their operation of a massive, multi-faceted cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that victimized hundreds of thousands of people from across the world, including in the United States. As part of the defendants’ guilty pleas, they agreed to forfeit assets valued over $400 million obtained during the conspiracy. According to court documents, Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turõgin, both 40, sold contracts to customers entitling them to a share of cryptocurrency mined by the defendants’ purported cryptocurrency mining service, HashFlare. Cryptocurrency mining is the process of using computers to generate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, for profit. Between 2015 and 2019, Hashflare’s sales totaled more than $577 million, but HashFlare did not possess the requisite computing capacity to perform the vast majority of the mining the defendants told HashFlare customers it performed. HashFlare’s web-based dashboard, which purported to show customers their mining profits, instead reflected falsified data. Potapenko and Turõgin used the proceeds of the fraud conspiracy to purchase real estate and luxury vehicles and maintained investment and cryptocurrency accounts. Potapenko and Turõgin have agreed to forfeit assets worth, as of the date of the plea, more than $400 million. The forfeited assets will be available for a remission process to compensate victims of the crime. Details about the remission process will be announced at a later date. Potapenko and Turõgin each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They are scheduled to be sentenced on May 8 and each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Justice Department thanks the Cybercrime Bureau of the Estonian Police and Border Guard for its support with this investigation. The Estonian Prosecutor General and Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs provided substantial assistance with the extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided extensive assistance to the investigation and the extradition of the defendants. Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller for the Western District of Washington, Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington of the FBI Seattle Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Seattle Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Adrienne E. Rosen and David Ginensky of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Friedman and Sok Jiang for the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jehiel Baer for the Western District of Washington is handling asset forfeiture aspects of the case. Individuals who believe they may have been a victim in this case should visit www.fbi.gov/hashflare .


title: Former Executive at Masonry Contractor Admits Conspiring to Bribe Amtrak Employee in Exchange for Over $50 Million in Extra Work on 30th Street Station Project

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Donald Seefeldt, 65, of Wilmette, Illinois, entered a plea of guilty yesterday before United States District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone to a one-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. As presented in the information, on or about December 10, 2015, a masonry restoration contractor (the “Contractor”) was awarded a $58,473,000 contract by Amtrak to be the main contractor on a façade repair and restoration project at Amtrak’s 30 th Street Station in Philadelphia. Federal funding supplied approximately 90 percent of the money Amtrak used to pay the Contractor for the repair and restoration of the 30th Street Station façade. Defendant Seefeldt was the Senior Executive Vice President of the Contractor with responsibility to provide executive oversight of the Contractor’s performance on the 30th Street Station façade project. Lee Maniatis and Khaled Dallo, both charged elsewhere, were Vice Presidents of the Contractor, with responsibility to supervise the Contractor’s performance on the 30th Street Station façade project. Official #1 was the sole owner and a senior officer of the Contractor. Amtrak Employee #1 was employed by Amtrak as the Project Manager on the repair and restoration project. In that capacity, Amtrak Employee #1 was responsible for communicating with the Contractor about the work being done on 30th Street Station. Amtrak Employee #1 was also responsible for reviewing the invoices, change orders, and requests for payment that the Contractor submitted to Amtrak. Amtrak Employee #1 had the power to approve or reject these invoices, change orders, and requests for payment. Although Amtrak Employee #1 did not have the singular authority to approve Amtrak payments to the Contractor, his approval was a critical step in that process. The contract between Amtrak and the Contractor prohibited the defendant and other Contractor officials from “offer[ing] to any Amtrak employee, agent, or representative any cash, gift, entertainment, commission, or kickback for the purpose of securing favorable treatment with regard to award or performance of any contract or agreement.” As alleged in the information, from in or about May 2016 through in or about November 2019, in Philadelphia, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, Seefeldt conspired, combined, and agreed with others known and unknown to the United States Attorney, including Amtrak Employee #1, Maniatis, Dallo, and Official #1, to commit an offense against the United States; that is, to knowingly and corruptly give, offer, and agree to give, a thing of value to Amtrak Employee #1, an agent of an organization which received in each one-year period from 2016 through 2019, benefits in excess of $10,000 under a federal program involving a grant, contract, subsidy, loan, and other form of federal assistance, intending to influence and reward Amtrak Employee #1 in connection with any business, transaction and series of transactions involving a thing of value of $5,000 or more. Specifically, the information alleges, Seefeldt and the others, with the knowledge and agreement of Official #1, provided Amtrak Employee #1 with gifts and other things of value totaling approximately $323,686, including, among other things, paid vacations, jewelry, cash, dinners, entertainment, and transportation, to ensure that Amtrak Employee #1 used his power and influence to benefit the Contractor during the performance of the 30th Street Station Repair and Restoration Project. In return for these gifts and other things of value, Amtrak Employee #1 allegedly used his position at Amtrak to access internal agency information available only to Amtrak employees about the 30th Street Station Project and shared this internal information with the defendant and other officials with the Contractor. The information further alleges that Amtrak Employee #1 used his position at Amtrak to approve additional, more expensive changes to the 30th Street Station Repair and Restoration Project, thereby increasing the amount and value of the work to be performed by the Contractor. These additional expenses were reflected in a series of change orders or contract modifications. In total, Amtrak Employee #1 approved over $52 million of additional payments from Amtrak to the Contractor. Amtrak Employee #1 and officials with the Contractor, including defendant Seefeldt, falsely inflated the true costs of some of the work to be performed by the Contractor under these change orders, causing Amtrak to be substantially overbilled by over $2 million for the completion of the 30th Street Station Repair and Restoration Project. Seefeldt is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22 and faces a maximum possible sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Full restitution of as much as $2,062,374, joint and with several other co-conspirators, also shall be ordered. “Every dollar of federal funding lost to fraud is a dollar less to put toward legitimate programs and projects,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “My office and our partners will continue to hold accountable those who try to pad their pockets at taxpayers’ and the U.S. government’s expense.” The case was investigated by the FBI, the Amtrak Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Grenell.


title: Two Kentucky Men Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY –Yesterday, two Kentucky men were sentenced for trafficking in fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in A.J. Gibes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Ron Eckart of the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force made the announcement. According to court documents, Dominik Woods , 23, of Bonnieville, Kentucky, was sentenced to 5 years in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Woods was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offense. On April 9, 2020, in Hardin Circuit Court, Woods was convicted of enhanced trafficking in marijuana, less than 8 ounces, and tampering with physical evidence. Joshua Sanders , 36, of Cave City, Kentucky was sentenced to 2 years and 9 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sanders was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On June 18, 2009, in Hart Circuit Court, Sanders was convicted of receiving stolen property, firearm. On March 29, 2010, in Barren Circuit Court, Sanders was convicted of burglary, second degree, and theft by unlawful taking. On December 22, 2010, in Hart Circuit Court, Sanders was convicted of burglary, second degree, and receiving stolen property over $300. On January 10, 2018, in Larue Circuit Court, Sanders was convicted of receiving stolen property under $10,000 and possession of controlled substances. On January 15, 2019, in Warren Circuit Court, Sanders was convicted of fleeing or evading police, first degree. On May 16, 2019, in Barren Circuit Court, Sanders was convicted of fleeing or evading police, first degree. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the ATF, the KSP, and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Ansari prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Charges Mexican National for Attempted Bribery of U.S. Border Patrol Agent

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mexican national faces federal charges for allegedly attempting to bribe a U.S. Border Patrol Agent after being apprehended for illegal re-entry into the United States. According to court records, on February 8, 2025, Samuel Mendoza-Torres , 29, was taken into custody along with another individual near the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station. While being transported to the station, Mendoza-Torres allegedly asked the agent, "Can we fix this?" and offered $400 for his release. During a post-arrest interview, Mendoza-Torres admitted to escorting illegal immigrants into the United States from Mexico. He also acknowledged knowing that offering money to the Border Patrol Agent was illegal. Mendoza-Torres will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charges, Mendoza-Torres faces 20 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and Chief Patrol Agent Walter "Neil" Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation and the U.S. Border Patrol are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Georgia Man Sentenced for Distributing Meth and Heroin

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who distributed approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine and a kilogram of heroin was sentenced February 11, 2025, to more than 19 years in federal prison. Manuel Tomas Gaspar, age 25, from Atlanta, Georgia, received the prison term after an August 30, 2024, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Information at the sentencing hearing showed that, between December 1, 2023, and February 14, 2024, Gaspar traveled between Georgia and Iowa transporting significant quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. In January 2024, Gaspar delivered 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and one kilogram of heroin to an individual in Cedar Rapids. On February 14, 2024, Gaspar was arrested after delivering an additional 20 kilograms of methamphetamine to the same individual in Cedar Rapids. During that time‑period, Gaspar carried a gun to protect large amounts of drug proceeds and he conducted international wire transfers to the Mexico‑based source of supply. Gaspar was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Gaspar was sentenced to 236 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Gaspar is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24‑CR‑00029‑CJW. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Sioux City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Refusing a Court Order

body_text: A man was sentenced on January 31, 2025, to 24 months imprisonment for contempt of court. Joel Perea-Duenas, age 24, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 30, 2024, guilty plea to contempt of court. In the evening hours of June 23, 2020, Perea-Duenas was asked to serve as the getaway driver for a drive-by shooting. He agreed, put on dark clothing, and joined three armed men in a waiting car. The attackers drove to the home of their intended victim, but seeing law enforcement in the area, aborted their attack. Perea-Duenas suggested a secondary target, drove to that new target and identified it to his conspirators. It was a home, occupied by seven people including children. One of the gunmen repeatedly fired upon the home hitting the house at least eight times. Perea-Duenas was later caught by police and admitted he knew about the intended shooting before agreeing to drive, admitted knowing there were people, including children, in the targeted home, and he wanted the shooting to occur to in retaliation against a resident of the home and his family. On November 19, 2021, Perea-Duenas pled guilty to two counts of being a drug user in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison. On October 27, 2022, defendant was called as a witness at the federal sentencing of an accomplice. He was sworn by the district court judge. When he was questioned under oath, however, he refused to testify because he did not want to testify. The district court advised him that he did not have a lawful right to refuse to answer the questions. Nonetheless, Perera-Duenas persisted in his refusal to testify. The district court continued the sentencing, in part, to give Perea-Duenas time to reconsider his refusal of the district court’s lawful order. The sentencing resumed on December 8, 2022. Perera-Duenas again, communicated his refusal to testify. He was sent back to federal prison to complete his federal sentence for the firearms charge. On October 19, 2023, while he was still in federal prison, he was charged with contempt of court. On November 20, 2023, he was released from federal prison on the gun charges, he was re-arrested and haled back into federal court to answer for his criminal contempt. On July 30, 2024, he plead guilty. He was sentenced on January 31, 2025, in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 24 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Judge Strand indicated in sentencing Perea-Duenas that this was the only time in his career as a jurist that he had encountered a refusal to testify of this nature and that the crime had to be sanctioned stiffly to ensure others do not follow suit. United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax said: “refusals to testify, like refusals of court orders generally, strike at the very heart of the American justice system and the rule of law. As a result, those who disobey lawfully issued court orders risk prosecution and incarceration.” Perea-Duenas is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by the Sioux City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-4026/20-4071. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Former Louisville Attorney Sentenced to Over Three Years In Federal Prison for Defrauding Estates and Beneficiaries

body_text: Louisville, KY – A former local attorney was sentenced yesterday to 3 years and 5 months in federal prison for illegally defrauding several estates and their beneficiaries. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Vince Zehme of the FDIC Office of Inspector General made the announcement. According to court documents, James Carol Worthington, 59, was sentenced to 3 years and 5 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for one count of wire fraud. Worthington used his role as a trustee to defraud several estates and their beneficiaries of over $585,000. Worthington was also ordered to pay restitution to numerous victims in the total amount of $585,028.91. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the FBI and the FDIC-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Weiser prosecuted the case. ###


title: Founder of Purported Artificial Intelligence-Driven Hedge Fund Pleads Guilty to Investment Adviser Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, Mina Tadrus pled guilty at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York to committing investment adviser fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors in Tadrus Capital LLC, a hedge fund Tadrus founded and operated, of more than $5 million. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez. When sentenced, Tadrus faces up to five years in prison. Tadrus was charged in September 2023. John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office (IRS-CI), announced the guilty plea. “The defendant preyed on the Egyptian-American Coptic Christian community by falsely promising that his purported artificial intelligence-driven hedge fund would earn guaranteed annual returns of 30% or more, and taking advantage of their trust for his own personal gain,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “This Office has prioritized protecting and seeking justice for individual investors in our District and beyond.” Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office for its assistance in this matter. “The only thing more artificial than Tadrus’ AI-driven hedge fund was his sincerity. He sold a dream to trusting investors and instead of turning their money into profit, he swindled it for his own luxuries. Today’s plea and forfeiture agreements are just a small step forward for his victims to receive genuine justice,” said Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York. According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, Tadrus marketed interests in Tadrus Capital LLC to investors based on false promises that he would employ artificial intelligence-driven trading strategies that would earn them guaranteed annual returns of 30% or more. In reality, however, Tadrus did not use investor funds to engage in artificial intelligence-based trading as promised, nor did he engage in any trading activity. Instead, he used investor funds to pay employees, to purchase luxury gifts and expensive meals for himself, and to make Ponzi scheme-like payments to new victim investors. If you were a Tadrus Capital LLC client and would like to file a complaint, please visit www.iC3.gov . Please reference “Tadrus Capital” or “Mina Tadrus” in your complaint. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorney John O. Enright and Special Agent Martin Sullivan are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Sarah Burn. The Defendant : MINA TADRUS Age: 38 Tampa, Florida E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-393 (HG)


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Isleta Pueblo Man with Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm


title: Real Estate Executive Charged In Thirty-Million-Dollar Bank Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Danielle Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the arrest of KEVIN FENG GAO. The Indictment unsealed today charges GAO with committing bank fraud as part of a scheme to steal $30 million intended as an investment in Manhattan real estate. GAO will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon said: “As alleged, Kevin Gao orchestrated a complex scheme to create a fraudulent, unauthorized bank account and use the account to steal $30 million from a real estate investor. Bank fraud schemes undermine the integrity of our financial system by corrupting it for criminal purposes, and I commend the FBI and our dedicated team of prosecutors for their outstanding work in uncovering this massive fraud.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “Kevin Gao allegedly opened an unauthorized corporate bank account to intercept and steal a $30 million investment. This alleged establishment of an illicit bank account wrongfully diverted a significant sum from its intended use. The FBI remains dedicated to apprehending all individuals who implement deceitful measures to steal what is not owed to them.” According to allegations in the Indictment: [1] GAO carried out a fraudulent scheme to open and use an unauthorized bank account in the name of a company (the “Management Company”) that managed a real estate development project in Manhattan (the “Real Estate Project”). GAO was an executive at another company that participated in a joint venture to develop the Real Estate Project, but GAO had no authorization from the Management Company to open the account in its name (the “Fraudulent Account”). When GAO applied to open the Fraudulent Account, GAO made false representations to employees of an FDIC-insured bank (the “Bank”), including falsely representing that GAO was opening the Fraudulent Account with the Management Company’s permission. Additionally, when a representative of the Bank asked GAO to provide a copy of the Management Company’s operating agreement, GAO provided a fraudulent document rather than the actual operating agreement. After GAO created the Fraudulent Account, an investment company agreed to invest $30 million in the Real Estate Development managed by the Management Company. But the investment company transferred its $30 million into the Fraudulent Account created by GAO rather than a legitimate account actually held and controlled by the Management Company. GAO then dispersed the $30 million to several accounts under the control of GAO and his co-conspirators. * * * GAO, 37, of Queens, New York is charged with one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding work of the FBI. The case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Brumwell and Maggie Lynaugh are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the texts of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: INTERPOL WASHINGTON AND CANADA SIGN HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP TO COMBAT TREN DE ARAGUA

component: Interpol Washington

body_text: Lyon, France — INTERPOL Washington Director Jeffrey A. Grimming and National Central Bureau Ottawa Director Marie-Josee Homsy have signed a historic Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to strengthen cross-border law enforcement collaboration against Tren de Aragua (TdA), one of the world’s most dangerous transnational criminal organizations. Exploiting recent migration patterns, TdA has expanded its presence in North America and is now in cities and communities across both countries. This landmark agreement enhances the ability of INTERPOL Washington and NCB Ottawa to combat TdA through robust information sharing, coordinated law enforcement support, and strengthened border security efforts. “Today, we have taken a great leap forward in our fight to eradicate TdA in the United States,” said Director Grimming. “By bringing our combined law enforcement resources to bear, the United States and Canada have ensured that TdA will find no safe harbor in either of our nations. Together, as partners, we will work in lockstep to disrupt and dismantle TdA and remove their violent criminal operatives from our communities.” “Tackling Transnational Criminal Organizations like TdA requires transnational cooperation,” said Director Homsy. “These groups threaten security and stability across the Americas. This signing is an example of the strong collaboration that takes place between Canadian and American authorities every day – as well as the power and reach of INTERPOL capabilities. By working together, we can dismantle criminal networks, protect our communities, and reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law.” According to the MOC, both countries have agreed to take concrete actions within the INTERPOL framework to improve police coordination, information sharing, and operational support against TdA in the United States and Canada. This includes enhancing the timely and secure exchange of criminal intelligence, operational data, and best practices regarding efforts against TdA; coordinating joint investigations and activities targeting TdA; and strengthening mechanisms to detect, prevent, and respond to illicit cross-border TdA activities. This agreement was signed during Director Grimming’s participation in the INTERPOL Heads of National Central Bureaus Conference in Lyon, France. In addition to the signing, INTERPOL Washington engaged in high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings with key partners in the fight against TdA. Director Grimming also delivered a keynote presentation on U.S. efforts to dismantle TdA, sharing strategies and best practices with law enforcement leaders from over 140 countries.


title: Katy Man Sentenced to Prison for Striking Border Patrol Agent With Vehicle and Fleeing During Smuggling Attempt

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – A Katy man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 18 months in prison for one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees. According to court documents, Kevin Dominguez, 26, drove a sedan to the U.S. Border Patrol immigration checkpoint, located on U.S. Highway 57 on Aug. 1, 2023. A USBP canine alerted the agents to the trunk, revealing an individual inside. Upon the USBP agent noticing the individual, Dominguez backed up and struck the agent with the vehicle before fleeing the checkpoint. A high-speed chase ensued and a USBP helicopter observed two occupants exit the vehicle into an open field. One of the individuals was located and confirmed to be an undocumented noncitizen from Honduras. Dominguez was indicted in a two-count indictment on Sept. 13, 2023, and was arrested Sept. 14. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 24, 2024. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass prosecuted the case. ###


title: Detroit Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Tristian Gerrell-Robert Murphy, 36, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to two years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Murphy in St. Albans. Murphy admitted to possessing a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol, found by officers under the driver’s seat of the vehicle, and a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol found by officers in the trunk. Murphy admitted that he had recently purchased the two pistols. Officers also found a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm pistol in the vehicle’s glove box. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Murphy knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on October 21, 2021. In that case, Murphy participated in a sophisticated nationwide crime conspiracy responsible for dozens of “smash and grab” robberies targeting jewelry stores throughout the United States. Murphy was convicted for his role in the robbery of a jewelry store in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of this conspiracy. Murphy and his co-conspirators entered the store while armed with hammers, smashed glass counters and stole diamonds and other jewelry. During the robbery, an employee was pushed to the floor and then dragged to another part of the store. At the time of his current offense, Murphy was serving a term of supervised release as a result of his October 21, 2021 conviction. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department and the assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-101. ###


title: Former University Employee Charged with Selling Stolen Apple Products to Folsom Contact

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An indictment was unsealed today charging Tung Pham, 59, of San Jose, with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. According to court documents, Pham worked as a facilities and purchasing coordinator for the library of a public university in San Jose. In that position, Pham was entrusted with a university procurement card to purchase necessary items for the library. Pham, however, used the procurement card to purchase, among other things, Apple MacBooks and Apple iPads that he stole and sold to others for personal gain, including a co-conspirator who lived in Folsom. The individual in Folsom resold and shipped the stolen Apple products to buyers outside the State of California. This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Pham faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charge is only an allegation; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Chicago Man Admits Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1.5 Million in SNAP Benefits

component: USAO - Illinois, Northern

body_text: CHICAGO — A man has admitted in federal court that he fraudulently obtained more than $1.5 million in benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. DAVID QUINONES, 44, of Chicago, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal wire fraud charge, which is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger set sentencing for June 18, 2025. SNAP is a federal benefit program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in conjunction with state governments. The program is intended to provide nutritional benefits to supplement the food budgets of eligible individuals and families. Retail stores authorized to participate in SNAP can accept SNAP benefits through EBT cards, also known as Link cards, as payment for eligible food items. It is illegal for stores or individuals to exchange Link cards for cash or other items. Quinones admitted in a plea agreement that from 2018 to 2023, he gave cash or other items to SNAP recipients in exchange for access to their Link cards and associated identification numbers. Quinones used the cards to purchase various goods at authorized retail stores, fraudulently representing himself as the authorized user of the cards. He then re-sold most of the goods, keeping the proceeds for himself. Quinones admitted that he used more than 1,200 cards and fraudulently caused the USDA to pay out approximately $1,554,804 in SNAP benefits. The guilty plea was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Shantel R. Robinson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Midwest Region, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Kelly.


title: West Virginia Resident Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Operation

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A West Virginia resident has been sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in the Northern District of West Virginia. Joshua Noel, 42, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Noel was part of a drug trafficking organization operating in Monongalia County, West Virginia, that distributed large quantities of controlled substances for more than six years. The drug organization, with its origins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, transported 5 to 10 pounds of methamphetamine to Morgantown per trip. Noel will serve 3 years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Israel Chaires-Villa, 22, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 6, 2024, Chaires-Villa drove to Cross Lanes, West Virginia, from Houston, Texas, with approximately 22 lbs. of methamphetamine in his possession that he intended to deliver to another person in Cross Lanes. Chaires-Villa was arrested as part of a joint investigation by federal and local law enforcement into a conspiracy that was responsible for delivering large quantities of methamphetamine to West Virginia and elsewhere from Houston. Chaires-Villa is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had previously put an administrative detainer on Chaires-Villa so that deportation proceedings can occur once Chaires-Villa serves the sentence imposed in this case. The joint investigation also resulted in the indictment of German Francisco Diaz, also known as “Trulio,” 40, Braulio Villa-Chairez, also known as “Raul,” 31, and Silvester Barcenas, 23. The indictment alleges the three Mexican nationals conspired to distribute quantities of methamphetamine in the Charleston area from in or about March 2024 to in or about October 2024. Trial is scheduled for April 15, 2025. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department. United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-175. ###


title: Mescalero Man Charged with Assault by U.S. Attorney's Office

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man faces federal charges for allegedly assaulting a woman and causing severe injuries. According to the complaint, Myron Edward Blake, Jr. , 39, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, allegedly assaulted Jane Doe, causing serious bodily injury. Jane Doe suffered severe head trauma and other injuries consistent with being struck by blunt objects. Blake remains in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted, Blake faces up to 5 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. The United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Former Finance Director Admits to Embezzling from Non-Profit

body_text: WASHINGTON – Jarrett Lewis, 44, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud in connection with an embezzlement scheme that bilked a District non-profit advocacy organization of more than $320,000, announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan, of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division. U.S. District Court Judge John D. Bates scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 16, 2025. Lewis was employed by the victim agency between June 2021 and October 2022. According to the statement of facts, while serving as Director of Finance for the non-profit, Lewis perpetrated a scheme to defraud his employer. Lewis was one of three employees at Victim 1 with access to the non-profit’s bank account. It was part of Lewis’s duties to pay bills on behalf of the organization. Lewis was also provided with a VISA card for an account belonging to Victim 1, and was authorized to use the VISA card to incur expenses on behalf of Victim 1 for goods and services related to its operations. On 32 occasions, Lewis took advantage of his position by accessing Victim 1’s account and causing funds to be transferred to his personal account and for his own personal benefit. The total loss suffered by Victim 1 resulting from these transfers is $309,950.88. Lewis also used the non-profit’s VISA to book and pay for personal travel for himself, his family, and friends, totaling $9, 112. 96. In total, the parties stipulate that Lewis’s scheme to defraud amounts to a total of $321,057.98. Lewis was arrested on September 5, 2024. He faces a custodial sentence in addition to fines and restitution. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott with the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. ## 24cr391


title: Ohio-based supplier of aircraft parts and three employees charged for illicit export scheme involving Russia

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – Flighttime Enterprises, Inc., an American subsidiary of a Russian aircraft parts supplier, along with three of its current and former employees, have been charged federally with crimes related to a scheme to illegally export aircraft parts and components from the United States to Russia and Russian airline companies without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce. “We will not tolerate export violations or smuggling of items contrary to U.S. laws to any part of the world, Russia included,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “These illicit activities are extremely harmful to our country, regardless of the item that is smuggled. I am confident in the prosecution bringing accountability to the individuals named in the indictment on behalf of the people of the Southern District of Ohio – but even greater, on behalf of our nation.” The three individuals charged include Daniela Friery, 43, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Loveland, Ohio; Pavil Iglin, 46, a citizen of Russia who currently resides in Florida pursuant to a non-immigrant visa; and Marat Aysin, 39, a legal permanent resident of the United States who currently resides in Florida. According to the 11-count indictment unsealed today, the three defendants worked for Flighttime Enterprises, Inc., an aircraft equipment supplier with office locations near West Chester, Ohio, and Miami, Florida. As alleged in the indictment, following Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Flighttime and the individual defendants knowingly and willfully violated and evaded export restrictions imposed on Russia to ship aviation parts to Russia and Russian end users, including airlines subject to Department of Commerce Temporary Denial Orders, by mislabeling shipments, providing false certifications, and using intermediary companies and countries to obscure the true end destination and end users. The indictment details four specific export transactions totaling more than $2 million. For example, in June 2022, Flighttime employees allegedly negotiated the purchase of an auxiliary power unit from an American supplier for $395,000. The U.S. supplier initially expressed hesitation about the transaction due to the company’s connections to Russia. In connection with the purchase, Aysin falsely told the American supplier that the part would be used to replenish stock in West Chester. Through Aysin, Iglin allegedly signed and dated a Russia end-user certificate with the supplier falsely certifying that the part would not be exported to Russia. The part was thereafter illegally exported to Russia for a Russian aviation company without the required license. The company and three defendants are each charged with one count of conspiring to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), and multiple counts of violating the ECRA, which are federal crimes punishable by up to 20 years in prison. They are also charged with conspiracy to commit smuggling, which carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, and multiple counts of smuggling, which carry potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison. Finally, they are each charged with one count of conspiring to launder monetary instruments, a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Jeffrey Levine, Special Agent in Charge, Washington Field Office, Office of Export Enforcement (BIS) announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case, along with Trial Attorneys Maria Fedor and Menno Goedman from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: Park Hill Resident Sentenced For Felony Drug Crime

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jack Dewayne Neugin, a/k/a Jackie Dewayne Neugin, age 56, of Park Hill, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. On September 5, 2024, Neugin pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on January 27, 2024, while being booked and processed by law enforcement officers at the Cherokee County Jail, Neugin was discovered to be in possession of 27.35 grams of methamphetamine, a portion of which Neugin intended for distribution. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Neugin will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.


title: Mexican national and gang member sentenced for illegally re-entering the country for 14th time

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 32-year-old illegal alien and multiple-time felon has been ordered to prison after once again entering the country without authorization, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei. Jose Estrada-Corpus pleaded guilty Dec. 5, 2024. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Estrada-Corpus to serve 54 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence Estrada-Corpus had been previously convicted of multiple felony convictions including assaulting a public servant and possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver. Estrada-Corpus was also previously removed on 13 different occasions and is a gang-member. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane noted Estrada-Corpus’s extensive criminal history and that Estrada-Corpus had previously received an lengthy sentence for the same offense. Not a U.S. citizen, he is again expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. “As the facts of this case demonstrate, the defendant has no respect for this nation’s laws,” said Ganjei. “His repeated disregard for our immigration laws has earned him a serious sentence. Hopefully this case will deter other aliens who might think that this country is not serious about defending its border.” On Oct. 31, 2024, authorities arrested Estrada-Corpus as he attempted to illegally cross the Rio Grande River near Rio Grande City. Estrada-Corpus was first removed in 2013 and had previously been convicted of immigration related offenses on six different occasions. Through the course of the investigation, Estrada-Corpus also admitted to being a member of the Paisas gang. Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.


title: Dominican Man Previously Convicted of Drug Offenses Sentenced to Prison for Unlawful Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Dominican man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for unlawful reentry. Wilmi Hernandez-Diaz, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William G. Young to 10 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Hernandez-Diaz is subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In October 2024, Hernandez-Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry. Hernandez-Diaz is a citizen of the Dominican Republic who had been previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. Following his conviction, Hernandez-Diaz was deported from the United States on June 4, 2019. In May 2024, Hernandez-Diaz was arrested after Immigration and Customs Enforcement became aware of his unlawful presence in the United States. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Collects More than $60 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2024

body_text: BOSTON – United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts collected $60.17 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, $19.56 million was collected in criminal actions and $40.6 million was collected in civil actions. The District of Massachusetts also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $14.87 million in civil actions pursued jointly by these offices. Additionally, for calendar year 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts collected more than $1 billion. “The American people deserve a government that is both accountable and effective in protecting their hard-earned tax dollars,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “These substantial recoveries reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars, holding wrongdoers accountable, and securing justice for victims of fraud and other offenses. Whether through civil enforcement, asset recovery, or criminal prosecution, our Office will continue to aggressively pursue those who seek to defraud the government and exploit the public.” In Calendar Year 2024, the Office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit entered into settlements with defendants – totaling over $1 billion including agreements with Raytheon Company to resolve criminal and civil allegations of fraud against the government. As a result, Raytheon agreed to pay $147 million to resolve the criminal allegations and $428 million to resolve the civil allegations – making it the second largest government procurement fraud recovery under the False Claims Act (FCA). In October 2024, the Unit recovered $425 million as part of a settlement agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals to resolve allegations that Teva paid kickbacks via two co-pay assistance foundations in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and FCA. This resolution stands as the largest individual co-pay assistance settlement to date. Additionally, in May 2024, a $120 million settlement was secured with bankrupt lender Kabbage, Inc. , to resolve FCA allegations that it knowingly submitted thousands of false claims for loan forgiveness, loan guarantees, and processing fees to the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). It is the largest federal civil settlement involving the PPP program. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Office’s Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) was responsible for the collection of over $18.5 million in restitution for crime victims. They also recovered nearly $1 million in criminal fines and special assessments, as well as forfeiture of $15.5 million in criminal proceeds or other property involved in crimes. In addition, the Asset Recovery Unit forfeited 13 pit bull-type dogs alleged to be used in connection with dog fighting; forfeited a drone flying in a restricted zone during the 2024 Boston Marathon; filed a civil forfeiture action against 113 wildlife parts from endangered, threatened, or protected species; and filed three civil complaints to forfeit cryptocurrency and bank accounts connected to fraud schemes targeting Massachusetts victims. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.


title: Muskogee Resident Sentenced For Federal Firearm Offense

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Deland Ray Sam, age 62, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 31 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Muskogee Police Department. On September 26, 2024, Sam pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. According to investigators, on June 21, 2021, Sam attempted to elude law enforcement in a highspeed chase which ended near 6th and Hancock in Muskogee. Officers uncovered an empty pistol magazine in the vehicle which led them to search the intersection of Main and Hancock, where Sam had noticeably swerved during the pursuit. There officers recovered a loaded .40 caliber pistol. Sam had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Sam will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.