title: California Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison  for Money Laundering, False Testimony

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: WASHINGTON — A California man was sentenced today in the Southern District of Alabama to 180 months in prison for money laundering conspiracy and providing false testimony in court. “The defendant helped launder millions of dollars for a drug trafficking organization to conceal drug sale proceeds,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Dismantling criminal organizations is a critical priority for the Department. Alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and our local law enforcement partners, we will continue to prosecute the financial networks that fuel illegal drug trade and profit from the sale of illicit substances.” “For years, Adi and his coconspirators used a sophisticated web of corporations and bank accounts to launder millions of dollars’ worth of profits from illegal drug sales in the Mobile area,” said U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello for the Southern District of Alabama. “Working alongside our dedicated federal, state, and local partners, we will continue to pursue and dismantle drug networks that abuse the U.S. financial system.” “This individual not only used sophisticated financial webs to conceal and profit from illegal drug trafficking, but he also chose to lie under oath to protect his criminal enterprise,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer of the DEA New Orleans Field Division. “This sentence sends a clear message: the DEA and our law enforcement partners will ruthlessly target the financial infrastructure of drug organizations, and we will absolutely not tolerate attempts to obstruct justice and deceive the courts.” According to court documents, Mohammed Zohair Adi, 58, a dual citizen of the United States and Syria, helped launder millions of dollars for a drug trafficking organization that transported over 1,000 kilograms of high-grade marijuana from California to Alabama, often on commercial flights via drug couriers. Adi operated multiple corporate entities and bank accounts to launder the proceeds of drug sales, and at times, structured financial transactions to avoid triggering currency transaction reporting requirements. Adi laundered drug money for several purposes, including promoting drug trafficking and maintaining California-based real estate properties, some of which were used as marijuana grow sites. On Jan. 30, 2023, Adi pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit money laundering. On March 14, 2023, after his guilty plea, Adi falsely testified before a judge in the Southern District of Alabama at a detention hearing for co-defendant Navjit Bhullar. At the time, Adi and Bhullar were on pretrial release and court-ordered not to communicate with co-defendants about case-related matters. Adi testified that he met with Bhullar only once while on pretrial release, in mid-January 2023, in a one-on-one meeting at which they discussed their criminal case. In truth, Adi also met Bhullar in person in February 2023, with others present, at an office in Sacramento, California, and discussed the criminal case, including Adi’s guilty plea, in violation of the Court’s no-contact rule. Adi later lied to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) about his contacts with Bhullar. On March 2, 2026, Adi pleaded guilty to providing false testimony under oath before the Court. In imposing today’s sentence, the Court noted that Adi was a leader of the money laundering conspiracy, that he was significantly involved in a serious federal crime, and that laundering drug funds was critical to the operations of a drug trafficking organization. As part of Adi’s sentence, the Court also imposed a $50,000 fine and a three-year term of supervised release. Co-defendant Navjit Bhullar is scheduled to be sentenced on June 29. Ten co-defendants have already been sentenced. The DEA investigated these cases. Trial Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Kaycee Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller for the Southern District of Alabama prosecuted the cases. The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section's (MNF) mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations. MNF’s International Unit investigates and prosecutes cross-border money laundering schemes involving transnational criminal organizations, cartels, foreign official corruption and related money laundering affecting the U.S. financial system and prosecutes criminal cases and civil forfeiture matters to recover the proceeds of those crimes.


title: Arizona Woman Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy Following Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Brandy Miller, 48, of Flagstaff, Arizona, was sentenced on May 13, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Miller to 140 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing her term of imprisonment, Miller will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Miller was charged based on her involvement with a Mexico source of supply of methamphetamine known to supply the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas with methamphetamine via a local network of drug couriers. On August 30, 2024, Homeland Security Task Force investigators utilized an individual who placed a drug order with the Mexican source, who instructed the individual to meet with a courier. Later that day, the individual met with Miller who delivered one pound of methamphetamine to the individual at an Omaha location. The buy was recorded, and Miller was arrested shortly thereafter. A search warrant on Miller’s phone revealed messages with the source and evidence of multiple prior deliveries. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Nebraska State Patrol with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.


title: Out of state trucker arrested in failed human smuggling attempt of 42 in hot, locked trailer

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 43-year-old Beaver, Oklahoma, resident has been charged with smuggling numerous illegal aliens as well as possession with intent to distribute meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Juan Nasario-Reyes is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby May 19 at 9:40 a.m. On May 16, Nasario-Reyes allegedly drove a white Volvo tractor-trailer to the Border Patrol checkpoint in Sarita where authorities noticed his nervous behavior. According to the complaint, he claimed his vehicle was empty and he was alone, but a K-9 alerted to the sleeper portion of the tractor and the front of the trailer. At secondary inspection, law enforcement discovered four illegal aliens concealed inside the cab area and 38 more inside the trailer, according to the complaint. The charges further allege the trailer had been latched shut from the outside with no means for the individuals inside to open the doors or escape. A subsequent search allegedly revealed water bottles, trash, a cushion and a bucket for urination inside the trailer. According to the complaint, the temperature inside the trailer was approximately 92.5 degrees. The illegal aliens are from the countries of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Columbia, Cuba and Brazil, according to the charges. Authorities also allegedly located approximately 16 grams of meth, a glass pipe and glass funnel inside a headphone box in the cab area. If convicted of the human smuggling offenses, Nasario-Reyes faces up to five years in federal prison as well as a $250,000 maximum fine, while the drug charges carry a maximum of 40 years. A total of 13 of the illegal aliens are facing either illegal entry or reentry charges, while the remaining are expected to be immediately removed from the country. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Izaak Bruce is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Bayard Man Sentenced to More Than 22 Years for Child Pornography Charges

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Robert Crable, Jr., 60, of Bayard, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 14, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Crable, Jr. (Crable) to a total of 274 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Crable’s release from prison, he will begin a 7-year term of supervised release. Crable was additionally ordered to pay $15,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of cases. Homeland Security Investigations arrested four separate individuals located in the Philippines who were engaged in human trafficking of minors. Each of these individuals were found to have recorded child sexual abuse material of children in their care and to have sold those files to paying customers worldwide. These individuals would additionally offer “shows” in which the children would engage in sexually explicit acts in livestream video or video chats for paying customers. The traffickers would request payment for this content. The phones and accounts belonging to these four traffickers were seized and reviewed. During the review, an account belonging to Crable was identified as communicating with each of the four traffickers as a customer on a video chatting application. A search warrant for the account Crable used to communicate with traffickers revealed approximately 2,000 files of child sexual abuse material saved on the account. The account also revealed tens of thousands of lines of text conversations Crable had with traffickers from February 9, 2022, until March 13, 2025. The conversations included numerous instances of Crable purchasing child sexual abuse material from traffickers and Crable purchasing and directing livestreams or videochats in which a child was being sexually abused. Review of Crable’s financial records showed payments being made overseas consistent with these conversations and the purchase of child sex abuse material. “For years this defendant and those he conspired with caused irreparable harm to the victims in this case. The diligence of the HSI case agents proves perpetrators of these repulsive crimes cannot hide and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods. “Robert Crable committed horrific crimes that inflicted unconscionable trauma on children,” said HSI Nebraska Resident Agent in Charge Shane M. Gosnell. “I am extremely proud of our agents’ diligent work in putting him behind bars preventing other children from being abused. HSI works hard every day to find individuals like this who have no moral compass and exploit the weak and vulnerable who are unable to defend themselves.” This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.


title: Sacramento Man Sentenced to 22.5 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Michael David Dickey, 31, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 22 years and six months in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, in 2024, Dickey was identified during a law enforcement investigation into forums on the dark web where posters traded child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Law enforcement traced several usernames to Dickey whose posts indicated that he recorded video of a 13-year-old boy engaging in sexually explicit activity and posted it onto the forums. A search warrant revealed an extensive collection of CSAM. Dickey pleaded guilty on Dec. 8, 2025. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.


title: Jury convicts illegal alien for unlawfully being in United States

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 50-year-old bus passenger from El Salvador has been found guilty of illegally reentering the country without authorization, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. The jury deliberated for less than 10 minutes before finding Jose Leandro Juarez-Rivas guilty following a one-day trial. On Feb. 18, authorities were conducting immigration inspections on a commercial bus at the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint. During that time, they discovered Juarez-Rivas did not have legal authorization to be in the country. The jury heard that he was first ordered removed in May 2018 and illegally returned earlier this year. The defense attempted to convince the jury that Juarez-Rivas did not know he was ordered removed from the United States or that he was not allowed to reenter the United States. The jury rejected those claims and found him guilty as charged. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over trial and set sentencing for Aug. 19. At that time Juarez-Rivas faces up to two years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Young Min Burkett and Patrick Overman are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Ian Wyatt Justice, 24, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 1, 2026, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Justice in Huntington. Officers arrested Justice on an active warrant during the traffic stop and seized approximately 51.13 grams of fentanyl from his person. As part of his guilty plea, Justice admitted that he possessed the seized fentanyl and intended to distribute it. Justice further admitted that he intended to distribute approximately 15.2 grams of fentanyl and 24.2 grams of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” seized by officers during a December 4, 2025, traffic stop of a vehicle he was driving in Huntington. Justice is scheduled to be sentenced on August 31, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams 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. 3:26-cr-56. ###


title: Homeland Security Task Force Arrests Maduro Regime Ally Alex Saab on Money Laundering Charges Involving Venezuelan Food Contracts and Oil

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: Note: See the indictment here . MIAMI – Venezuela’s former Minister of Industry and National Production made his initial appearance in court today pursuant to an indictment unsealed in the Southern District of Florida charging him for his alleged role in a sprawling international money laundering conspiracy involving the corruption and exploitation of a Venezuelan public welfare program intended to provide food to vulnerable Venezuelans. According to court records, Alex Nain Saab Moran, 55, of Colombia, allegedly conspired with others to bribe Venezuelan public officials to secure lucrative Comité Local de Abastecimiento y Producción (CLAP) contracts to import food into Venezuela. Saab is accused of conspiring with others to fraudulently misrepresent the nature and source of the food supplies, including falsely documenting imports from Colombia and Mexico. “Thanks to the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force, Alex Saab will be prosecuted and held fully accountable under U.S. law for his alleged role in this scheme,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Alex Saab allegedly used American banks to launder hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from a Venezuelan food program meant for the poor and proceeds from the illegal sale of Venezuelan oil,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This is unacceptable. The Criminal Division will not allow foreign actors to exploit the American financial system and use it as a safe haven for the proceeds of their corruption.” “This indictment alleges that a humanitarian food program intended to support vulnerable Venezuelans was instead manipulated for massive personal enrichment,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “According to the charges, the defendant used bribery, shell companies, and fraudulent documents to siphon hundreds of millions of dollars for personal gain. When illicit proceeds are moved through the United States financial system, our courts have jurisdiction and our prosecutors will act. The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” “DEA has long investigated the alleged financial crimes and networks tied to Alex Saab and the former Maduro regime,” said Administrator Terrance Cole of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “These charges are a direct result of DEA’s continued commitment to dismantle the corrupt networks operating throughout Venezuela. This Administration’s support of law enforcement and DEA’s relentless pursuit of those enabling cartel activities allowed us, along with our HSTF partners, to return Alex Saab back to the United States to face justice once again.” “The FBI remains deeply committed to dismantling complex financial networks that fund illicit activities,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “By working closely with our federal partners, we have successfully disrupted a sophisticated operation facilitated by Alex Saab and his co-conspirators designed to conceal the origins of illegally obtained wealth. We will continue to deploy every investigative resource at our disposal to track dirty money, protect the integrity of our financial institutions, and ensure that those who profit from crime are held fully accountable under the law.” “This indictment underscores Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) ongoing commitment to follow the money, expose foreign corruption, and hold accountable those who exploit vulnerable people for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of HSI Miami. “HSI will continue to leverage the full capabilities of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) to aggressively pursue transnational criminal networks that attempt to exploit the U.S. financial system to hide illicit profits and erode public trust.” Rather than fulfilling the contracts, Saab and his co-conspirators secretly used shell companies, fraudulent invoices, falsified shipping records, and other fabricated documents — along with a network of bribes and kickbacks — to siphon off hundreds of millions of dollars that were intended to be used to purchase food for needy Venezuelans. Portions of the illicit proceeds were allegedly spent or concealed through transfers to and through bank accounts in the U.S. The indictment further alleges that, from 2019 through at least January 2026, the conspiracy expanded as U.S. economic sanctions crippled Venezuelan exports, especially oil, placing severe strain on the country’s finances and its ability to meet its foreign debt obligations, including payments to Saab and his co-conspirators as part of the CLAP program. Exploiting their corrupt relationships with government officials, Saab and his co-conspirators allegedly gained access to billions of dollars’ worth of oil owned by Venezuelan state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) and sold it under false pretenses. Proceeds from those illegal sales were then transferred to and through U.S. bank accounts to further promote and conceal the CLAP scheme. Saab is charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. DEA Miami Field Division is investigating the case, with assistance from FBI Miami and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monique Botero for the Southern District of Florida and Deputy Chief Joseph Palazzo from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section are prosecuting the case. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Miami comprises of agents and officers from the DEA Miami Field Division, FBI Miami, and HSI Miami with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Miami. MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.sdfl.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.gov , under case number 26-cr-20020. ###


title: Owner of California Medical Companies Pleads Guilty to Stealing More than $1 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds

component: Criminal Division

body_text: The owner of two Southern California non-emergency ambulatory companies pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and money laundering. According to court documents and statements made in court, Mehrdad Tabrizi was the sole owner of Life Fleet Inc. and Resonante Group, two medical businesses based in Orange County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tabrizi used these two companies to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) out of more than $1 million of COVID-19 relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, two government programs intended to provide financial assistance to Americans suffering economic harm during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020 and March 2021, Tabrizi submitted two fraudulent PPP loan applications falsely claiming Life Fleet Inc. was in operation and had employees that received wages in 2019 and 2020. In fact, Tabrizi had shuttered the company in 2018, and it had been non-operational since then. As a result of these fraudulent applications, the SBA’s lending partner disbursed approximately $696,565 in PPP funds to bank accounts Tabrizi controlled. In addition, in June and July 2020, Tabrizi submitted two fraudulent EIDL applications to the SBA falsely claiming that both Life Fleet Inc. and Resonate Group had gross revenues and paid for goods in the 12 months prior to January 2020. Because of these two fraudulent applications, the SBA transmitted an additional $319,800 to bank accounts Tabrizi controlled. Neither Life Fleet Inc. nor Resonate Group was entitled to receive any of these funds under either PPP or EIDL. In May 2020, Tabrizi withdrew $60,000 of the fraudulently obtained money to help purchase a 2019 Porsche Turbo Cabriolet. Tabrizi pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and 10 years in prison for money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli for the Central District of California made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Boris Bourget and John Gerardi of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Lincoln Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Timothy Hinrichs, 44, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 8, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for receipt of child pornography. He was found guilty on January 28, 2026, following a jury trial in front of United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis. Judge Bazis sentenced Hinrichs to 210 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. On June 10, 2022, an investigator for the Nebraska State Patrol was conducting an online investigation for offenders sharing child pornography. He noticed a computer at Hinrichs’s address was sharing child pornography files. He learned that Hinrichs was the subscriber for internet service at a Lincoln residence. He obtained a search warrant for electronic devices at Hinrichs’s residence. On July 21, 2022, investigators executed the search warrant at Hinrichs’s residence. Hinrichs was home and was interviewed. He said he accidentally downloaded child pornography, found material he wasn’t expecting, that it happened a couple months ago, that it happened only one time, and that he had cleaned up or erased his computer since that time. He said he was looking up “teenager stuff.” Hinrichs admitted he used file-sharing software to obtain these files. He said he copied the files of child pornography onto a thumb drive. Investigators found the thumb drive in a desk near Hinrichs’s computer. Investigators searched the thumb drive and located 121 files containing child pornography. Additionally, Hinrichs’s desktop computer had files in the recycle bin with titles consistent with child pornography. Finally, a desktop computer that was not in use, but also found in Hinrichs’s residence, contained artifacts of child pornography dating back several years. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.


title: Marina del Rey Woman Federally Charged with Paying Individuals, Including Homeless People on L.A.’s Skid Row, to Register to Vote

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Marina del Rey woman who worked as a longtime signature collector for ballot initiatives has been charged with paying individuals – including homeless people living in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles – to register to vote, the Justice Department announced today. Brenda Lee Brown Armstrong, 64, a.k.a. “Anika,” is charged with one felony count of paying another person to register to vote, a federal charge that carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Armstrong has agreed to plead guilty to the charge and is scheduled to make her initial appearance this morning in United States District Court in Santa Ana. She is expected to plead guilty in the coming weeks. “False registrations undermine Americans’ faith in elections – even more so when payoffs are involved,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “This Justice Department is committed to ensuring that all U.S. elections are fair and free from illegal meddling – so that all Americans can accept the results with confidence.” According to her plea agreement, for approximately 20 years, Armstrong periodically worked as a “petition circulator.” In that role, she was paid by individuals and entities – known as “coordinators” – to collect voter signatures on official petitions that qualify initiatives, referendums, and recalls for California state ballots. Armstrong drove around the Los Angeles area to find registered voters to sign the petitions. After gathering enough signatures, Armstrong returned the petitions to her coordinators, who then paid her a set amount for each registered voter’s signature. The amount she was paid varied depending on the specific ballot initiative. Because her coordinators only paid for signatures attributable to registered voters, Armstrong endeavored to ensure the people who signed her petitions were registered voters. Armstrong occasionally solicited petitioned signatures in Skid Row, an area of downtown Los Angeles notorious for its homelessness problem. Skid Row was a convenient place for Armstrong to collect signatures because of its high concentration of people in a relatively small area who were willing to sign petitions in exchange for payment. Armstrong regularly paid and offered to pay individuals cash, usually in amounts between $2 and $3, to induce them to sign her petitions. Many of Skid Row’s homeless population were not registered to vote. To ensure she maximized her pay from her coordinators, starting no later than 2025, Armstrong began offering payment to individuals not only to sign her petitions, but also to complete a voter registration form. Before going to Skid Row, Armstrong gathered a stack of voter registration forms from the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters. Some homeless people did not have an address to put on the forms. On several occasions, Armstrong provided a homeless individual with her own former address in Los Angeles so they had something to write on the registration form. These registration forms simultaneously registered an individual to vote in California elections and in federal elections. Because California automatically sends a vote-by-mail ballot to every registered voter, this also meant ballots in some homeless individuals’ names could have the potential to be sent to Armstrong’s former residence where the homeless individual did not live or collect mail. On January 30, 2026, as part of her ongoing scheme, Armstrong knowingly and willfully paid another person to register to vote. She paid the person for the purpose of causing that person to register to vote in federal elections. The FBI and investigators with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Wheat and Nandor Kiss of the Orange County Office are prosecuting this case.


title: Prior Federal Felon Sentenced to Twelve Years in Prison for Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who was previously prosecuted in the Northern District of Iowa for illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for again possessing a firearm. Davion Lashaun Trawick, age 26, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a December 8, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm as a felon. On August 9, 2025, Dubuque police responded to a 911 call. Police tried to make entry into the home, but due to concerns about the presence of firearms and hostages, remained outside. Victims later reported that Trawick, Donta Euells (co‑defendant), and another man, forced their way into the home, and that Trawick pointed his firearm at the victims, including a minor child. Previously, in 2019, defendant was convicted in the Northern District of Iowa for illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user. Trawick was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Trawick was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Trawick is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-1042-1. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Note: See the indictment here . Venezuela’s former Minister of Industry and National Production made his initial appearance in court today pursuant to an indictment unsealed in the Southern District of Florida charging him for his alleged role in a sprawling international money laundering conspiracy involving the corruption and exploitation of a Venezuelan public welfare program intended to provide food to vulnerable Venezuelans. According to court records, Alex Nain Saab Moran, 55, of Colombia, allegedly conspired with others to bribe Venezuelan public officials to secure lucrative Comité Local de Abastecimiento y Producción (CLAP) contracts to import food into Venezuela. Saab is accused of conspiring with others to fraudulently misrepresent the nature and source of the food supplies, including falsely documenting imports from Colombia and Mexico. “Thanks to the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force, Alex Saab will be prosecuted and held fully accountable under U.S. law for his alleged role in this scheme,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Alex Saab allegedly used American banks to launder hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from a Venezuelan food program meant for the poor and proceeds from the illegal sale of Venezuelan oil,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This is unacceptable. The Criminal Division will not allow foreign actors to exploit the American financial system and use it as a safe haven for the proceeds of their corruption.” “This indictment alleges that a humanitarian food program intended to support vulnerable Venezuelans was instead manipulated for massive personal enrichment,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “According to the charges, the defendant used bribery, shell companies, and fraudulent documents to siphon hundreds of millions of dollars for personal gain. When illicit proceeds are moved through the United States financial system, our courts have jurisdiction and our prosecutors will act. The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” “DEA has long investigated the alleged financial crimes and networks tied to Alex Saab and the former Maduro regime,” said Administrator Terrance Cole of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “These charges are a direct result of DEA’s continued commitment to dismantle the corrupt networks operating throughout Venezuela. This Administration’s support of law enforcement and DEA’s relentless pursuit of those enabling cartel activities allowed us, along with our HSTF partners, to return Alex Saab back to the United States to face justice once again.” “The FBI remains deeply committed to dismantling complex financial networks that fund illicit activities,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “By working closely with our federal partners, we have successfully disrupted a sophisticated operation facilitated by Alex Saab and his co-conspirators designed to conceal the origins of illegally obtained wealth. We will continue to deploy every investigative resource at our disposal to track dirty money, protect the integrity of our financial institutions, and ensure that those who profit from crime are held fully accountable under the law.” “This indictment underscores Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) ongoing commitment to follow the money, expose foreign corruption, and hold accountable those who exploit vulnerable people for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of HSI Miami. “HSI will continue to leverage the full capabilities of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) to aggressively pursue transnational criminal networks that attempt to exploit the U.S. financial system to hide illicit profits and erode public trust.” Rather than fulfilling the contracts, Saab and his co-conspirators secretly used shell companies, fraudulent invoices, falsified shipping records, and other fabricated documents — along with a network of bribes and kickbacks — to siphon off hundreds of millions of dollars that were intended to be used to purchase food for needy Venezuelans. Portions of the illicit proceeds were allegedly spent or concealed through transfers to and through bank accounts in the U.S. The indictment further alleges that, from 2019 through at least January 2026, the conspiracy expanded as U.S. economic sanctions crippled Venezuelan exports, especially oil, placing severe strain on the country’s finances and its ability to meet its foreign debt obligations, including payments to Saab and his co-conspirators as part of the CLAP program. Exploiting their corrupt relationships with government officials, Saab and his co-conspirators allegedly gained access to billions of dollars’ worth of oil owned by Venezuelan state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) and sold it under false pretenses. Proceeds from those illegal sales were then transferred to and through U.S. bank accounts to further promote and conceal the CLAP scheme. Saab is charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. DEA Miami Field Division is investigating the case, with assistance from FBI Miami and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monique Botero for the Southern District of Florida and Deputy Chief Joseph Palazzo from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section are prosecuting the case. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Miami comprises of agents and officers from the DEA Miami Field Division, FBI Miami, and HSI Miami with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Miami. MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office recognizes Columbus police officer who saved man from burning vehicle as Hometown Hero

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II presented today the District’s Hometown Hero award to Columbus Division of Police officer Gloria West. The Hometown Hero award commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. It honors the enduring ideals of Liberty, Service, and Civic Responsibility. This award is dedicated in recognition of a steadfast commitment to these ideals and an embodiment of the spirit upon which our Nation was founded. “Officer West represents the very best of the Columbus Division of Police,” said U.S. Attorney Gerace. “Her dedication to her community, her professionalism, and her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty make her an exemplary officer and a true hometown hero.” Officer West is recognized for her extraordinary bravery, selflessness and unwavering commitment to public safety. On Nov. 13, 2024, Officer West responded to a vehicle crash that quickly escalated into a life-threatening emergency when the car caught fire. The driver of the vehicle was trapped and in imminent peril after his vehicle’s brakes failed and he crashed into a pillar of a highway bridge. While on the phone with 911 dispatchers, the driver told them that he was trapped and, fearing he was going to die, he asked them to, “Tell my wife I love her, please tell my wife I love her.” Without hesitation and fully aware of the danger, Officer West rushed toward the burning vehicle. While demonstrating remarkable courage under pressure, Officer West acted decisively, pulling the driver from the vehicle moments before the fire fully engulfed it. Officer West suffered significant burns to her hands; the driver lived. “Officer West’s actions that day were nothing short of heroic,” U.S. Attorney Gerace added. “She placed the life of another above her own safety, embodying the highest ideals of law enforcement and public service. Because of her quick thinking and fearless response, a life was saved—an outcome that likely would not have been possible without her intervention.” # # #


title: California Man Arrested on Federal Indictment Charging Him with Assaulting Jewish Man Near Pico-Robertson Synagogue

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A San Diego County man was arrested today on a federal grand jury indictment charging him with assaulting a Jewish man near a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles, which was hosting an event to promote the purchase of real estate in Israel – an event protested by several pro-Palestinian groups. “The defendant’s conduct, if proven, is a serious violation of the law – every American deserves to live without fear of violence based on who he is or how he worships,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting such crimes of hate and violence.” Zaid Gitesatani, 28, of Carlsbad, California, is charged with one count of hate crime. He is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. According to the indictment that a federal grand jury returned on May 5, a real estate agency known as “My Home in Israel” advertised an event scheduled for June 23, 2024, at the Adas Torah Synagogue in Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson neighborhood. The event was to promote land for sale in Israel. Several pro-Palestinian groups then planned for and advertised a protest to take place at this event. One of those groups advertised a protest to “stand against settler expansion.” Gitesatani traveled to Los Angeles to attend this protest. On the afternoon of the real estate event and protest, a Jewish man identified in the indictment as “Victim A” was walking his dog near the Adas Torah Synagogue when Gitesatani approached him from behind and punched him in the jaw, resulting in pain, redness, and swelling. After assaulting the victim, Gitesatani walked away and retreated into the crowd. On the same day he assaulted Victim A, Gitesatani posted to his personal Instagram account a screenshot of his assault, a message that read, “Whooped the Zios today and we took their flag,” and two images of himself displaying his bruised knuckles following the assault. In the two days following his assault on Victim A, Gitesatani had an exchange via Instagram with another user regarding the June 23, 2024, assault. Gitesatani wrote, “I whopped 2 zios,” “whooped,” “I swung good on them,” “It was satisfying,” and “I [sic] hand it [sic] numb from punching him so hard.” Gitesatani also posted on Instagram a still image of his assault on Victim A with the caption, “The Chosen People sometimes need a good smack to wake up.” If convicted, Gitesatani faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A U.S. District Court Judge would determine any sentence after considering the Sentencing Guidelines and other information. The FBI is investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Alexander for the Central District of California and Trial Attorney Erica O’Connell of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting this case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: California Woman Federally Charged with Paying Individuals, Including Homeless People on L.A.’s Skid Row, to Register to Vote

body_text: A California woman who worked as a longtime signature collector for ballot initiatives has been charged with paying individuals – including homeless people living in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles – to register to vote. “False registrations undermine Americans’ faith in elections – even more so when payoffs are involved,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This Justice Department is committed to ensuring that all U.S. elections are fair and free from illegal meddling – so that all Americans can accept the results with confidence.” Brenda Lee Brown Armstrong, of Marina del Rey, California, 64, also known as “Anika,” is charged with one felony count of paying another person to register to vote, a federal charge that carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Armstrong has agreed to plead guilty to the charge and is scheduled to make her initial appearance this morning in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. She is expected to plead guilty in the coming weeks. According to her plea agreement, for approximately 20 years, Armstrong periodically worked as a “petition circulator.” In that role, she was paid by individuals and entities – known as “coordinators” – to collect voter signatures on official petitions that qualify initiatives, referendums, and recalls for California state ballots. Armstrong drove around the Los Angeles area to find registered voters to sign the petitions. After gathering enough signatures, Armstrong returned the petitions to her coordinators, who then paid her a set amount for each registered voter’s signature. The amount she was paid varied depending on the specific ballot initiative. Because her coordinators only paid for signatures attributable to registered voters, Armstrong endeavored to ensure the people who signed her petitions were registered voters. Armstrong occasionally solicited petitioned signatures in Skid Row, an area of downtown Los Angeles notorious for its homelessness problem. Skid Row was a convenient place for Armstrong to collect signatures because of its high concentration of people in a relatively small area who were willing to sign petitions in exchange for payment. Armstrong regularly paid and offered to pay individuals cash, usually in amounts between $2 and $3, to induce them to sign her petitions. Many of Skid Row’s homeless population were not registered to vote. To ensure she maximized her pay from her coordinators, starting no later than 2025, Armstrong began offering payment to individuals not only to sign her petitions, but also to complete a voter registration form. Before going to Skid Row, Armstrong gathered a stack of voter registration forms from the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters. Some homeless people did not have an address to put on the forms. On several occasions, Armstrong provided a homeless individual with her own former address in Los Angeles so they had something to write on the registration form. These registration forms simultaneously registered an individual to vote in California elections and in federal elections. Because California automatically sends a vote-by-mail ballot to every registered voter, this also meant ballots in some homeless individuals’ names could have the potential to be sent to Armstrong’s former residence where the homeless individual did not live or collect mail. On Jan. 30, as part of her ongoing scheme, Armstrong knowingly and willfully paid another person to register to vote. She paid the person for the purpose of causing that person to register to vote in federal elections. The FBI and investigators with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California investigated this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Wheat and Nandor Kiss for the Central District of California are prosecuting this case.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors Law Enforcement Partners and “Hometown Heroes” During National Police Week

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

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- On May 15, 2026, United States Attorney Tom Wheeler recognized more than 160 individuals from 33 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies during the Office’s annual awards ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial & Museum in downtown Indianapolis. Held during National Police Week, the ceremony honored law enforcement professionals whose exceptional work safeguarded communities across Indiana in cases concluded in 2025. In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Attorney’s Office named Matt and Laurie Shahnavaz—Founders of the Remember Officer Noah Foundation —as the 2026 Hometown Heroes . This award honors the enduring American ideals of liberty, service, and civic responsibility. Matt and Laurie were recognized for their extraordinary service, unwavering devotion to their community, and steadfast support of law enforcement in carrying forward the mission and legacy of fallen Elwood Police Officer Noah Jacob Shahnavaz. Case Awards: Outstanding Collaborative Investigation Recognizes cases demonstrating exceptional teamwork and the ability to overcome significant challenges through multi‑agency coordination. Awarded to: U.S. v. Carranza, et al and U.S. v. Patients Choice Labs Project Safe Childhood – Shield of Innocence Honors those who provide extraordinary assistance to victims of federal child sexual abuse crimes, including sustained emotional support, extensive off‑duty dedication, detailed financial analysis to secure restitution, and resolving complex investigative challenges. Awarded to: U.S. v. Austin Ryan Lauless, U.S. v. Bryan Lee Fish, and U.S. v. Moises Bojorquez L.E.A.T.H Heroism Award Presented to a case demonstrating extraordinary commitment and fortitude in pursuing justice for domestic violence victims. The award honors IMPD Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance. The LEATH Initiative—led by ATF, IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office—focuses on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms or have significant violent criminal histories. Awarded to: U.S. v. Pedro Zuniga-Lopez Investigative Excellence Award Recognizes cases that significantly advanced the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice through complex, thorough, and proactive evidence analysis. Awarded to: U.S. v. Julian Green, et al and U.S. v. Freire-Pifferrer, et al Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice Presented to a case in which local, state, and federal officials achieved extraordinary results in preventing crime, enhancing community safety, and seeking justice. Awarded to: U.S. v. James Henley, et al Community Impact Recognizes a case that produced widespread, positive impact on constituents, strengthened law enforcement relationships, and contributed to the lasting legacy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. Awarded to: U.S. v. Desha Morris , U.S. v. Aaron Strong and U.S. v. Kristopher McDonald Outstanding Agency Service Presented to cases that substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice. Awarded to: U.S. v. Lawrence Taylor , U.S. v. Otha Watkins II , U.S. v. Jeremy Mack , U.S. v. Mitchell Gibson and Quaylan Anderson v. United States. Excellence in Appellate Practice Recognizes an appellate case exemplifying excellence in legal writing, issue preservation, and advocacy before the appellate courts, contributing meaningfully to the development of the law and the protection of the United States’ interests. Awarded to: U.S. v. Fenner, et al Participating Agencies Honorees represented the following 33 agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Drug Enforcement Administration Federal Bureau of Investigation – Indianapolis and Tampa Federal Bureau of Prisons – FCC Terre Haute Homeland Security Investigations – Indianapolis and Cleveland IRS–Criminal Investigation U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Frauds Section U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General U.S. Postal Inspection Service Indiana Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Unit Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Indiana State Police Charlestown Police Department Clarksville Police Department Cleveland, Ohio Police Department Evansville Police Department Fishers Police Department Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Henry County Sheriff’s Office Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Jeffersonville Police Department Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office Morgan County Sheriff’s Office New Castle Police Department Plainfield Police Department Princeton Police Department Richmond Police Department Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Zionsville Police Department ###


title: Maryland Felon Pleads Guilty in D.C. in Possession of a Glock Pistol with an Extended Magazine

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Rashim Johnson, 30, a previously convicted felon residing in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today in connection with his possession of a Glock 19 semiautomatic pistol with a 31 round capacity magazine, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Johnson pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Judge Mehta scheduled sentencing for October 2. According to court documents, on Aug. 10, 2025, about 12:13 a.m., Johnson was loitering in the middle of the 4800 block of Sherrif Road, NE, when Metro Transit Police Department officers on patrol entered the block. Johnson sprinted away as the officers exited their vehicle. An officer pursued Johnson and observed Johnson take a black object from his waistband and toss it over a chain-link fence bordering a property on the 1000 block of 48th Street, NE. There was no one on the property when Johnson threw the object. The officer apprehended Johnson about 10 seconds later and subsequently recovered a 9mm Glock 19 pistol nearby. The pistol was equipped with an extended magazine loaded with 31 rounds plus one round in the chamber. Additionally, the firearm was equipped with a laser attachment below the barrel, and the serial number was obliterated. Due to his status as a previously convicted felon, Johnson was prohibited from possessing any firearm. This case was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative. Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump's Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms violators. This case was investigated by officers with the Metropolitan Transit Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department, and agents with the United States Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Washington Field Office. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf. ### 25cr287


title: Carlsbad Man Arrested on Federal Indictment Charging Him with Assaulting Jewish Man Near Pico-Robertson Synagogue

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Diego County man was arrested today on a federal grand jury indictment charging him with assaulting a Jewish man near a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles, which was hosting an event to promote the purchase of real estate in Israel – an event protested by several pro-Palestinian groups. Zaid Gitesatani, 28, of Carlsbad, is charged with one count of hate crime. He is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “The defendant’s conduct, if proven, is a serious violation of the law – every American deserves to live without fear of violence based on who he is or how he worships,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting such crimes of hate and violence.” According to the indictment that a federal grand jury returned on May 5, a real estate agency known as “My Home in Israel” advertised an event scheduled for June 23, 2024, at the Adas Torah Synagogue in L.A.’s Pico-Robertson neighborhood. The event was to promote land for sale in Israel. Several pro-Palestinian groups then planned for and advertised a protest to take place at this event. One of those groups advertised a protest to “stand against settler expansion.” Gitesatani traveled to Los Angeles to attend this protest. On the afternoon of the real estate event and protest, a Jewish man identified in the indictment as “Victim A” was walking his dog near the Adas Torah Synagogue when Gitesatani approached him from behind and punched him in the jaw, resulting in pain, redness, and swelling. After assaulting the victim, Gitesatani walked away and retreated into the crowd. On the same day he assaulted Victim A, Gitesatani posted to his personal Instagram account a screenshot of his assault, a message that read, “Whooped the Zios today and we took their flag,” and two images of himself displaying his bruised knuckles following the assault. In the two days following his assault on Victim A, Gitesatani had an exchange via Instagram with another user regarding the June 23, 2024, assault. Gitesatani wrote, “I whopped 2 zios,” “whooped,” “I swung good on them,” “It was satisfying,” and “I [sic] hand it [sic] numb from punching him so hard.” Gitesatani also posted on Instagram a still image of his assault on Victim A with the caption, “The Chosen People sometimes need a good smack to wake up. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, Gitesatani would face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. The FBI is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Laura A. Alexander of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Trial Attorney Erica O’Connell with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting this case.


title: Two District Men Sentenced for 2024 Daytime Shooting of Over 15 Rounds in Southeast D.C.

body_text: WASHINGTON – Vance McIlwain, 34, and Kenneth Johnson, 33, both of Washington, D.C., were sentenced today to ten years and six years in prison, respectively, for charges stemming from a daytime shooting in a residential neighborhood in southeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. McIlwain pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 16, 2026, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Today, Judge Jason Park sentenced McIlwain to serve ten years of incarceration, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Co-defendant Johnson also pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to six years of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release. On November 8, 2024, at about 3:50 p.m., McIlwain and Johnson were captured on CCTV conspiring to shoot the victim. Inside of an apartment building hallway, Johnson was captured on video passing a cross-body bag to McIlwain, which contained a gun. They both made their way to the apartment building’s entryway landing. McIlwain stepped out of the building and removed the gun from the bag but then returned to the entryway and handed the gun to Johnson. Johnson re-racked the gun and gave it back to McIlwain. McIlwain walked down the alley, turned the corner, and began firing over 15 rounds of ammunition at the victim, who was sitting on a front porch. McIlwain shot the victim seven times, including in the chest, the lower back, and the knee. He was transported to the hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries and survived. A stray bullet also went into a neighbor’s house, and another was found on the front porch. Following the attack, McIlwain ran back to the apartment building and handed the gun to Johnson. McIlwain then continued to run from the scene. Johnson entered one of the apartment units. Johnson was found inside the apartment unit and was arrested. McIlwain was arrested about an hour and a half later in the area. Both have been in custody since their respective arrests. Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, especially the Seventh District Special Mission Unit. They also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance. They acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erica Rudolf and Amanda Claire Hoover, who investigated and prosecuted the case. 2024 CF1 011350 2024 CF1 011353


title: D.C. Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for March 2025 Shooting and March 2025 Carjacking

body_text: WASHINGTON – Keon Preston, 19, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in Superior Court today to eight years in prison for his participation in an armed carjacking which took place on March 23, 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “It is only by the grace of God that the victim in this case is still alive. These violent teen criminals fired over 30 rounds at the victim and it’s a miracle that this was not a homicide,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Their shooting and carjacking spree shows their lack of regard for human beings, and one wonders whether they should be a part of a civilized society.” Preston pleaded guilty on September 19, 2025, to assault with intent to kill, possession of a machine gun, and carjacking. His co-defendant, Mekhi Greene, 19, who was seventeen years old at the time of the carjacking and charged under Title 16, pleaded guilty the same day to carjacking. The Honorable Judge Deborah Israel sentenced Preston to eight years of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised probation. Greene is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2026. According to the government’s evidence, on the afternoon of March 23, 2025, in the 4600 block of G Street Southeast, Preston and two other unidentified suspects fired approximately 30 rounds at a victim as the victim exited his house to walk towards a bus stop. Although the victim was not hit, multiple rounds struck the victim’s house and car. Later that evening, Preston, Greene, and two unidentified suspects, approached the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, Northeast, wearing masks and dark clothing, and carjacked a victim at gunpoint. After Metropolitan Police Department officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, the vehicle abruptly pulled into a dead end on the corner of 33rd Street Southeast and C Street Southeast and the defendants fled on foot. Officers recovered two illegal firearms from the vehicle, one of which had an automatic conversion switch. Preston and Greene were arrested at the scene and have been in custody since. Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Green. 2025-CF3-003167


title: Michigan Home Health Care Agency Owner Convicted of $1.6M  Medicare Fraud Scheme and Kickback Conspiracy

body_text: A federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan convicted a Michigan nurse and home health care agency owner yesterday for operating a $1.6 million scheme to defraud Medicare. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ruby Scott, 55, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, owned and operated Delta Home Health Care LLC (Delta). From 2018 through 2021, Scott bribed a discharge nurse at a Detroit hospital to identify Medicare patients and fax their confidential records to Delta, unbeknownst to the patients. Scott had developed the kickback relationship with the hospital discharge nurse at a home health company she had previously co-owned, but she offered the nurse an additional $100 patient to induce her to refer patients to her new company. Scott paid the discharge nurse over $130,000 by CashApp, PayPal, check, and cash. Scott used these stolen profiles to bill Medicare for home health services, exploiting the diagnostic and personal information of patients who were unaware their data had been compromised. The evidence at trial showed that Scott paid the discharge nurse approximately $300 for each patient Scott successfully billed to Medicare. In billing claims for patients who were obtained through kickbacks, as well as other claims between 2018 and 2024, Scott falsely represented to Medicare that a doctor had certified patients as meeting the Medicare requirements to receive home health services, including being homebound, when evidence proved no doctor had ever evaluated these patients for home health services. In many instances, Scott used the identities of real doctors to fabricate the existence of these evaluations when, in reality, these doctors had never even met the patients and did not know that Scott was using their information to fraudulently bill Medicare. A witness testified one patient for whom Delta received thousands of dollars in payments had never received services from Scott’s company. Delta failed to maintain patient files for over one-third of the patients for which it submitted claims to Medicare, for whom Medicare paid Delta over $1.2 million. Scott caused approximately $1.6 million in losses to Medicare, which a witness testified drains the Medicare trust fund and could make it difficult for Medicare to pay on claims that are true and accurate. The jury convicted Scott of five counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay illegal health care kickbacks, and four counts of paying illegal health care kickbacks. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison as to each health care fraud count, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison as to each kickback count, and a maximum penalty of five years in prison as to the conspiracy count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division; Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman of the FBI Detroit Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ethridge of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement. The FBI Detroit Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Kelly M. Warner and Ahmad Huda of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs . The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: South Texas Man Sentenced to 9 Years Imprisonment in Homeland Security Task Force Drug Trafficking Case

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A Baytown man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 108 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons. According to court documents, Terry Lynn Clay, 57, conspired in June 2021 to traffic 992.4 grams of 100% methamphetamine and 526 grams of cocaine. An investigation revealed that Clay purchased the methamphetamine from Timothy Bland in Houston on June 9, 2021. Later that day, Clay gave the narcotics to his associate Tonya Vonci Middleton-Harris for further trafficking. Texas Department of Public Safety arrested Clay and Middleton-Harris shortly after the exchange. Clay was taken into state custody upon arrest and transferred into federal custody on Feb. 8, 2022. On Oct. 29, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Clay is the last of 10 defendants to be sentenced in this case, presided over by U.S. District Judge Jason K. Pulliam. Middleton-Harris was sentenced to 24 months in prison on March 4. Bland is now serving a 235-month sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Spears prosecuted the case. This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. ###


title: U.S. Attorney Pirro Announces New Enforcement Measures Targeting Teen Takeovers

body_text: WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced a more aggressive enforcement approach to address “teen takeover” gatherings that threaten public safety in the District of Columbia. “Teen takeovers have disrupted neighborhoods, forced businesses to close temporarily, and diverted valuable law enforcement resources from the residents of the District,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “These incidents have become increasingly common in areas such as Navy Yard and NoMa and are often accompanied by criminal conduct, including assaults, robberies, fights, and other disorderly behavior. Even with the juvenile curfew being enforced by Mayor Muriel Bowser, there is still action that must be taken immediately. The D.C. Council refuses to deal with the problem, and their lack of action creates an extremely dangerous situation for the people of the District and the teens themselves. Law abiding taxpayers should not subsidize chaos caused by parental neglect. Parents do your job, or we will do ours.” As part of this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will increase enforcement of existing laws addressing parental responsibility when minors engage in criminal conduct in the District. Under the District’s curfew law and D.C. Code § 22-811 (Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor), adults who facilitate, enable, or knowingly permit a minor to engage in delinquent acts may face criminal penalties of up to six months of incarceration. Charges may be pursued regardless of whether the juvenile is separately prosecuted. The Office will work with its Metropolitan Police Department partners to seek parental citations when a minor’s curfew violation is connected to a takeover-related incident. These enforcement actions may include mandatory parental notification, court-ordered parenting classes, or family counseling as part of the resolution of the case.


title: West Tennessee Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Offense

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Jackson, TN – John David Forrest, 36 , of McKenzie, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for distributing over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. According to information presented in court, in the spring of 2024, Forrest sold methamphetamine to confidential informants who were working for law enforcement on multiple occasions. During the last controlled buy, Forrest sold an informant 55 grams of methamphetamine that was later found to be 99% pure. Officers were later able to obtain and execute a search warrant at Forrest’s home, which revealed more methamphetamine (around 112 grams that was 95% pure), six firearms, ammunition, a set of digital scales, drug packaging materials, and $657 in cash. At the time he committed these offenses, Forrest was on parole for a felony drug conviction out of Carroll County, Tennessee. Following his guilty plea in federal court to distributing over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Forrest to 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Forrest is a recidivist drug dealer who was selling methamphetamine in dangerous purity and in possession of multiple firearms while on parole. Every minute of his 17-year sentence is well deserved and will ensure better public safety for the citizens of West Tennessee.” This case was investigated by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the 24 th Judicial District Drug Task Force in Tennessee. Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Defendants Sentenced To Prison In COVID-19 Employment Tax Credit Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On May 14, 2026, Edward Zanes, 51, of Kingsport, Tennessee the last of three defendants charged in an extensive Covid-19 employment tax credit fraud scheme, was sentenced to 65 months in prison by the Honorable Judge Clifton Corker, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Following his release, Zanes will be on supervised release for three years. This sentence follows an 84-month term of prison imposed earlier this year on co-defendant, Ryan Glidewell , 53, of Kingsport, Tennessee and a 50-month prison term imposed last year on co-defendant, Alyssa Glidewell , 36, of Kingsport, Tennessee for their respective roles in the fraud scheme. Both co-defendants will be on supervised release for three years following their release from imprisonment. Judge Corker also ordered the three to pay $1,806,637 in restitution to the United States. According to court documents and statements made in court, Ryan Glidewell, Alyssa Glidewell, Edward Zanes, and others, conspired to file false tax returns seeking refunds based on the Employee Retention Credit and paid Sick and Family Leave Credit, both of which were created by Congress to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The defendants, led by Ryan Glidewell, created at least eleven phony businesses, which lacked any employees or operations, for the sole purpose of falsely claiming the credits. Members of the conspiracy then filed numerous false tax returns for those businesses and directed the tax refunds to be mailed to addresses controlled by conspirators. In total, the false returns filed from the eleven sham businesses claimed over $3.4 million in tax refunds, of which the IRS paid $1.8 million. “The defendants in this case exploited governmental efforts to assist businesses during a time of unprecedented uncertainty,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vigorously prosecute individuals that steal from the citizenry through tax fraud.” “Edward Zanes and his co-conspirators created fake companies, filed fraudulent tax forms, and tried to steal from programs meant to help Americans during the pandemic,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Charlotte Field Office. “IRS CI special agents, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to uncover COVID-19 relief fraud and hold anyone who files false tax returns fully accountable.” IRS Criminal Investigation and the United States Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Blackwell and Mac Heavener, and Trial Attorney Zachary A. Cobb formerly with the Justice Department’s Tax Division, represented the United States. ###


title: Greer Man Sentenced to More than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: GREENVILLE, S.C. — Gerald Larson, II, 52, of Greer, has been sentenced to nearly 12 and a half years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On Oct. 7, 2024, Larson drove from his residence in Greer with kilograms of cocaine. North Carolina Highway Patrol stopped Larson, and a K-9 alerted to the scent of drugs in his vehicle. Law enforcement searched Larson’s car and found a suitcase containing 15 kilograms of cocaine. Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations obtained a search warrant for Larson’s residence and located over $419,000 and an additional 43 kilograms of cocaine. Larson already had numerous prior state convictions out of California for cocaine trafficking and firearms related charges. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Larson to 151 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville City Police Department, Greenville County Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Ohio Man Sentenced to 25 Years for the Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: ASHLAND, Ky. – A Gallipolis, Ohio, man, Henry Ritscher, 44, was sentenced on Friday to 25 years by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for the production of child pornography. According to his plea agreement, on September 6, 2025, Ritscher produced child pornography of a minor child in Johnson County. Specifically, the victim discovered a video depicting her showering and changing clothes, which appeared to be taken from a covert position in Ritscher’s bathroom. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on the same day and uncovered multiple electronic devices, including a covert camera hidden in a cell phone charging block that was used to produce the bathroom video. Ritscher provided a statement to law enforcement in which he admitted to covertly recording the victim and using the videos to satisfy his sexual fantasies. Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . – END –


title: Guatemalan National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Sentenced to Federal Prison for Traveling to Washington to Sexually Abuse a Minor

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.—A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Culver, Oregon, was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for traveling hours across state lines to sexually abuse a minor victim. Leonias Juber Ramos-Garcia, 26, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release. According to court documents, in February 2025, Ramos-Garcia gave the minor victim a note with cash and professed his affection for the minor. In March 2025, Ramos-Garcia sent sexually explicit messages to the minor victim and secured a hotel in Central Oregon where he sexually abused the victim. In April 2025, Ramos-Garcia traveled from Oregon to Washington and booked a second hotel where he again sexually abused the victim. On November 18, 2025, Ramos-Garcia pleaded guilty to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI, with assistance from the DEA and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. It was prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Social Media Influencer Indicted for Evading Taxes by Making False Statements on his Tax Returns

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – On April 21, 2026, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a two-count indictment against Charles Lewis Davis, 33, of Phoenix, for making false statements on his tax returns. This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s pursuit to protect American taxpayer dollars and critical government programs. Davis owns and operates Forever Investments LLC, a social media entity that posts videos involving Davis to YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, among other social media platforms. The indictment alleges that Davis failed to report the full income he earned from that work in 2020 and 2021 by withholding information from his tax preparer regarding an additional $807,142 and $390,566 in those respective years. He is alleged to have stored the unreported income in his personal and business bank, brokerage, and cryptocurrency accounts. Davis made his initial appearance in federal court on May 13, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. A conviction for making a false statement on a tax return carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Rapp, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. CASE NUMBER: 26-CR-00412 RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-076_Davis # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Justice Department Files Complaint to Protect Law Enforcement, Challenging Connecticut Mask Ban, Identification Requirements, and Use-of-Force Policies for Federal Officers

body_text: Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin, and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Eliot Prescott, challenging their unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers through the so-called “Act Concerning Democracy and Government Accountability,” also known as Senate Bill 397. “Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe, and they do not deserve to be doxed or harassed simply for carrying out their duties,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Connecticut’s anti-law enforcement policies regulate the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand.” “This week — Police Week — we honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety of our Nation’s communities,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “This Department of Justice will not stand by idly in the face of lawless efforts that endanger our brothers and sisters in blue.” “Connecticut’s attempt to regulate federal officers is dangerous and unconstitutional,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “State interference with federal operations is precisely what the Supremacy Clause was intended to prevent, as the Supreme Court has recognized for centuries.” Among other things, the law prohibits federal officers from wearing facial coverings in the performance of their official duties, requires federal officers to clearly display their badge and name tag when performing official duties, and to adhere to Connecticut’s preferred use-of-force policies when performing official duties. Not only is the law an illegal attempt to regulate the federal government, but, as alleged in the complaint, the law threatens the safety of federal officers who have exhibited extreme bravery in enforcing our Nation’s laws despite an unprecedented wave of harassment, doxing, and even violence. Threatening officers with prosecution for simply protecting their identities and their families also chills the enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive law enforcement operations. The danger is acute. Last year, the Attorney General instructed the Justice Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. Today’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in New York, New Jersey, and California.


title: D.C. Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Shooting at His Romantic Partner

body_text: WASHINGTON – Michael Manley, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for shooting his 32-year-old girlfriend in April 2025, while she sat in her car, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Today’s sentence cannot undo the pain the victim has endured, but it sends a clear message that acts of violence against intimate partners will be met with serious consequences here in the District,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Our office is committed to standing up for survivors and ensuring that justice is served.” Manley pleaded guilty on December 16, 2025, to one count each of assault with intent to kill while armed, unlawful discharge of a firearm and destruction of property. Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe ordered Manley to serve the 10-year prison term to be followed by five years of supervised release. According to the government’s evidence, Manley and the victim were in a romantic relationship for several months. On April 11, 2025, the victim was sitting in her car in front of her residence when the defendant approached her vehicle and shot at her through the driver’s side window. This was not the only time that Manley was violent towards her. On other occasions, he destroyed her property, shot at her apartment building, and repeatedly returned to her residence in violation of a court-issued stay away. Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olivia Hinerfeld and Ariel Lieberman, who prosecuted the case. 2025 FD3 004531