title: Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown

body_text: WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country. “The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.” “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.” Those arrested are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims. In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, NY. This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education. The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc . The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org . The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office. Other online resources: Electronic Press Kit Violent Crimes Against Children How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ### OAG, CRM 25-474 Do not reply to this message. If you have questions, please use the contacts in the message or call the Office of Public Affairs at 202-514-2007.


title: Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 210 Months In Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: FORT WAYNE – Willie J. Hatch, 32 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady following his plea of guilty to 5 drug counts and a finding of guilt by a jury on a gun count announced Acting United States Tina L. Nommay. Hatch was sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, on four occasions in September and October 2022, Hatch distributed methamphetamine. In October 2022, Hatch possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessed a firearm while being a prohibited person. He pleaded guilty to the five drug counts, and after a trial in December 2024, a jury found him guilty of the firearm offense. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey Speith and Justin Sheridan. This case was also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: South Bend Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Demetrius Clark, 41 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Clark was sentenced to 135 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in February 2024, Clark delivered 5 pounds of methamphetamine to another distributor. A search warrant was executed at Clark’s home in South Bend resulting in the recovery of an additional 5 pounds of high-purity methamphetamine along with packaging materials, a firearm, and over $8,000 cash. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration including the DEA North Central Laboratory with assistance from the South Bend Police Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle.


title: Six More Sentenced in Eastern Panhandle Fentanyl Drug Trafficking Operation

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Six more people have been sentenced for their roles in a major drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of large quantities of illegal drugs in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Gary Brown, Jr., age 39, of Baltimore, Maryland, was the leader of the operation. He was sentenced today to 327 months in prison and fined $1,000,000. The indictment, returned in January 2024 against Brown, Jr., and eighty-one others, charged that the defendants caused substantial amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine to be distributed in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Others sentenced this week include: Linda Abshire, age 33, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. Christopher Sterling Cogle, age 42, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was sentenced to 96 months. Saul Percy Powell, Jr., age 56, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison. Nathaniel Frederick Downing, Jr., age 69, of Charles Town, West Virginia, was sentenced to 18 months. James Sanford, age 40, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Of the 82 defendants, 80 have been convicted. Including today’s six, 59 defendants have been sentenced. One defendant, Charles Delroy Singletary, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, remains a fugitive. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Kyle Kane prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided. Investigative agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Pittsburgh Field Division and Baltimore Field Division); the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office; the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office; Ranson Police Department; Martinsburg Police Department; Charles Town Police Department; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; Stafford County Sheriff's Office (Virginia); Frederick County Sheriff's Office (Maryland); Frederick County Sheriff's Office (Virginia); Winchester Police Department; and the Clarke County Sheriff's Office (Virginia). This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown, Including 3 in the Southern District of Alabama MOBILE, AL – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country. “The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.” “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.” “Protecting south Alabama from predators is a mission we pursue day in and day out,” said Sean P. Costello, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. “Criminals who seek to exploit, abuse, or harm children in our community will find dedicated, talented prosecutors and law enforcement agents who are all eager to bring them to justice.” Timothy O’Malley, Special Agent in Charge of the Mobile Field Office of the FBI, said: “The FBI is unwavering in its commitment to identifying and apprehending those who prey on children. Through relentless investigation and strong partnerships, the FBI works tirelessly to protect our communities and safeguard the most vulnerable – our children. The dedication of the men and women behind these efforts is a clear reflection of the FBI’s core mission and values.” In the Southern District of Alabama, 3 individuals were charged with federal crimes, including: James Eugene Dees, charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Possession of Obscene Visual Representations of the Sexual Abuse of Children, and Penalties for a Registered Sex Offender. Zachary Norris, charged with Distribution of Child Pornography and Access with Intent to View Child Pornography. Jason Jones, charged with Sexual Exploitation of Minors, Coercion and Enticement, Distribution of Child Pornography, Access with Intent to View Child Pornography, and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor. Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims. In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y. This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education. The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc. The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org. The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office. Other online resources: Electronic Press Kit Violent Crimes Against Children How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Grand Island Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that Lonnie Mason, 42, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 7, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Mason to 250 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mason is released from prison, he will begin a lifetime term of supervised release On January 30, 2024, Mason and co-conspirator Jolene Armentrout flew from Omaha to Los Angeles, California, and purchased 25 pounds of methamphetamine. Meanwhile, co-conspirators Robert Burkhardt and Stephanie Cummings drove Mason’s car from Omaha to Las Vegas, Nevada. Burkhardt and Cummings met Armentrout and Mason in Las Vegas. Mason and Cummings then flew back to Nebraska while Armentrout and Burkhardt drove to California from Las Vegas and picked up the 25 pounds of methamphetamine. Armentrout and Burkhardt then drove the 25 pounds of methamphetamine back to Mason’s apartment in Grand Island, Nebraska and arrived on February 4, 2024. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and located the 25 pounds of methamphetamine contained in a hidden compartment. On that date, law enforcement also executed a search warrant of Mason’s apartment and located a stolen firearm, methamphetamine, ammunition, and venue to Mason from his recent trip to California. Cummings, Armentrout, and Burkhardt have all been convicted and sentenced in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for this conduct. Cummings received 108 months’ imprisonment, Armentrout received 94 months’ imprisonment, and Burkhardt received 57 months’ imprisonment. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Grand Island Police Department. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown, Including One in the District of Nebraska

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country. “The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.” “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.” Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our local FBI partners have a long history of prioritizing these types of cases and working together to achieve justice for victims of these crimes. We were proud to contribute to this initiative.” On April 29, 2025, Kody Dickes, 34, of Ashland, Nebraska, was arrested by criminal complaint for distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims. In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y. This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education. The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc . The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org . The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office. Other online resources: Violent Crimes Against Children How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Murray County Resident Pleads Guilty To Assault With A Dangerous Weapon And Eluding A Peace Officer

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jayson Geoffrey Evans, age 50, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine, and one count of Eluding Peace Officer in Indian Country, punishable by not less than one year imprisonment and up to five years imprisonment, and a fine of not less than $1,000.00 and up to $5,000.00. The Indictment alleged that on December 30, 2023, Evans assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, with intent to do bodily harm. The Indictment further alleged that on December 30, 2023, Evans willfully attempted to elude a peace officer while operating a motor vehicle after receiving a visual and audible signal directing him to stop. The crimes occurred in Murray County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Evans will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.


title: Tahlequah Resident Sentenced For Arson

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Wesley Wayne Sutton, age 60, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for one count of Arson in Indian Country. The charge arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On October 23, 2024, Sutton pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on July 1, 2024, Sutton approached a Tahlequah residence, broke one window, attempted to break a second, then used gasoline to ignite the front door of the dwelling before entering the building and assaulting a resident. The crime occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Sutton will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.


title: Spiro Resident Sentenced For Possessing An Unregistered Firearm

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Bryant Dewayne Underwood, age 36, of Spiro, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for one count of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the LeFlore County Sheriff’s Office. On January 13, 2025, Underwood pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on October 26, 2023, deputies conducting a traffic stop in LeFlore County discovered Underwood in possession of a 5.56 NATO (.223) caliber, short-barreled rifle. The rifle had previously been reported stolen from a location in Arkansas and Underwood was not the registered owner of the rifle in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Underwood will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarrod Leaman and Edith A. Singer represented the United States.


title: Stilwell Resident Sentenced For Federal Drug Crime

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Clint Rogers Chuculate, a/k/a Clint Robert Chuculate, age 40, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The charge arose from an investigation by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On December 18, 2024, Chuculate pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on September 19, 2024, Chuculate was stopped for a traffic violation while driving through Stilwell, Oklahoma. During the stop, law enforcement discovered approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, along with a 7.62x39mm caliber semi-automatic rifle loaded with a high capacity magazine and a 9mm caliber Luger semi-automatic pistol. During the ensuing investigation, Chuculate admitted to selling approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine in the month prior to the traffic stop. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Chuculate will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.


title: Credit Suisse Services AG admits to conspiring with U.S. Taxpayers to hide assets and income in offshore accounts and admits that Credit Suisse breached its prior plea agreement

component: Tax Division

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Credit Suisse Services AG pled guilty and was sentenced for conspiring to hide more than $4 billion from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in at least 475 offshore accounts. The guilty plea by the Swiss corporation is the result of a years-long investigation by U.S. law enforcement to uncover financial fraud and abuse. In addition to the plea, Credit Suisse Services AG entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the Department of Justice, Tax Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia in connection with U.S. Accounts booked at Credit Suisse AG Singapore. Under the NPA, Credit Suisse Services AG agreed to cooperate with the Department of Justice in ongoing investigations and to pay significant monetary penalties for maintaining accounts in Singapore on behalf of U.S. taxpayers who were using offshore accounts to evade U.S. taxes and reporting requirements. According to the Plea Agreement, NPA, and documents filed in court, from Jan. 1, 2010, and continuing until at least July 2021, Credit Suisse AG, which has ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individual clients around the globe, conspired with employees, U.S. customers, and others to willfully aid U.S. customers in concealing their ownership and control of assets and funds held at the bank. This enabled those U.S. customers to evade their U.S. tax obligations in several ways, including by opening and maintaining undeclared offshore accounts for U.S. taxpayers at Credit Suisse AG, and providing a variety of offshore private banking services that assisted U.S. taxpayers in the concealment of their assets and income from the IRS and allowed for their continued failure to file Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. Among other fraudulent acts, bankers at Credit Suisse falsified records, processed fictitious donation paperwork, and serviced more than $1 billion in accounts without documentation of tax compliance. In doing so, Credit Suisse AG committed new crimes and breached its May 2014 plea agreement with the United States. Between 2014 and June 2023, Credit Suisse AG Singapore held undeclared accounts for U.S. persons, which Credit Suisse AG Singapore knew or should have known were U.S., with total assets valued at over $2 billion. Credit Suisse AG Singapore failed to adequately identify the true beneficial owners of accounts and failed to conduct adequate inquiries about U.S. indicia in the accounts. In 2023, during the post-merger of UBS AG Singapore and Credit Suisse AG Singapore, UBS became aware of accounts held at Credit Suisse AG Singapore that appeared to be undeclared U.S. accounts. UBS froze some of the accounts, voluntarily disclosed information about those identified accounts to DOJ, and cooperated by undertaking an investigation into the identified accounts. Under today’s resolutions, Credit Suisse Services AG and, by extension, UBS AG, is required to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations and affirmatively disclose any information it may later uncover regarding U.S.-related accounts. The agreements provide no protections for any individuals. Pursuant to the guilty plea and the NPA, Credit Suisse Services AG will pay a total of $510,608,909 in penalties, restitution, forfeiture, and fines. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Karen E. Kelly, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Matters for the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and Guy Ficco, Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement. Special Agents from IRS-CI’s International Tax & Financial Crimes specialty group, a team based out of Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to uncovering international tax crimes, is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in obtaining important evidence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly M. Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia and Senior Litigation Counsels Nanette L. Davis and Mark F. Daly and Trial Attorney Marissa R. Brodney of the Tax Division, are prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.


title: Mexican National Sentenced To More Than A Year In Federal Prison For Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara has sentenced Emilio Nolasco-Carbajal (40, Mexico) to one year and one day in federal prison for illegal reentry by a deported alien. Nolasco-Carbajal pleaded guilty on February 6, 2025. According to court records, Nolasco-Carbajal is a native and citizen of Mexico. He was previously removed from the United States on three occasions – March 27, 2013, May 5, 2014, and January 25, 2018. Prior to his last removal, Nolasco-Carbajal was also convicted of illegal reentry by a deported alien. On December 16, 2024, federal immigration authorities found Nolasco-Carbajal in the Hillsborough County Jail following his arrest on an unrelated matter. This case was investigated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.


title: Jamaican National Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison For Illegal Reentry

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara has sentenced Hubert Richard Crew (55, Jamaica) to five years in federal prison for illegal reentry by an aggravated felon. Crew pleaded guilty on February 13, 2025. According to court records, Crew is a native and citizen of Jamaica. He was initially removed from the United States on January 26, 2007, following his release from a federal prison sentence for misprision of a felony, failure to appear, and making a false statement on a passport application. Crew subsequently reentered the United States and was removed on two more occasions on April 26, 2013, and November 30, 2016. On November 7, 2024, federal immigration authorities found Crew at a residence in Tampa after receiving an anonymous tip that he had reentered the United States illegally. This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.


title: Guatemalan National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. William Estuardo Rodriguez-Botello, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to three months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the sentence imposed. Earlier in the same hearing Rodriguez-Botello pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. In February 2025, Rodriguez-Botello was indicted by a federal grand jury. Rodriguez-Botello is a citizen of Guatemala who entered the United States illegally in 2005 and 2012 having been removed to Guatemala in each instance. Sometime after his 2012 removal, Rodriguez-Botello illegally returned the United States and on Feb. 3, 2024, immigration authorities became aware Rodriguez-Botello was present in the United States following his arrest by the Waltham Police Department. Rodriguez-Botello was arrested and convicted on charges of Operating Under the Influence Liquor 2nd offense in Waltham District Court. Rodriguez-Botello was released from custody on this matter before ICE could take immigration or criminal enforcement action. On Feb. 4, 2025, immigration authorities encountered Rodriguez-Botello following his arrest and subsequent release from custody on conditions pending his case in Dedham District Court. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney Announces Amanda Houle As Chief Of SDNY Criminal Division

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today announced Amanda Houle as Chief of the Office’s Criminal Division. Ms. Houle returns to the Office from the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where she was a partner. From 2015 to 2023, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York and served, from 2020 to 2021, as Chief of the Narcotics Unit, and from 2021 to 2023, as Chief of the National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Amanda has also served in public service as a law clerk to the Honorable Denny Chin in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to the Honorable Cathy Seibel in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Amanda received her B.A. from Barnard College and her J.D. from Fordham University. In announcing this selection, Jay Clayton said: “I’m thrilled to announce Amanda as Chief of the Criminal Division, and the Office is thrilled to have her return. During her prior tenure at SDNY, Amanda distinguished herself as an exceptional trial lawyer, a standout case maker, and a devoted colleague and public servant. She led some of the Office’s most significant cases against terrorists, cartel leaders and their money launderers, sex traffickers, violent gang members, and those seeking to evade economic sanctions critical to protecting our national security. Throughout her time in Government service and private practice, Amanda has been known to all as a dynamic and strategic advocate, a consummate professional, and a steady hand. Amanda’s talents are matched by her love of the Office and deep commitment to the mission of protecting the public with our law enforcement partners. She will make an outstanding leader of the Criminal Division, and we are grateful to have her return to serve.”


title: Former NYCHA Superintendent Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison After Trial Conviction For Bribery And Extortion Offenses

body_text: Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that HECTOR COLON, a former superintendent for the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”), was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for soliciting and accepting approximately $30,000 in bribes from contractors in exchange for awarding repair contracts or approving repair work worth at least approximately $400,000. COLON’s sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who also presided over a one-week trial at which COLON was convicted of bribery and extortion under color of official right. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “Hector Colon abused his position at NYCHA to demand bribes from contractors for his personal gain. The women and men of this Office are committed to pursuing those who abuse the public’s trust.” According to the Indictment, public court filings, statements made in court, and evidence presented during trial: NYCHA is the largest public housing authority in the country, providing housing to New Yorkers across the City and receiving over $1.5 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) every year. When repairs or construction work at NYCHA housing require the use of outside contractors, services must typically be purchased via a bidding process. However, when the value of a contract was under a certain threshold, designated staff at NYCHA developments, including superintendents, could hire a contractor of their choosing without soliciting multiple bids. With either type of contract, a NYCHA employee needed to certify that the work was satisfactorily completed in order for the contractor to receive payment from NYCHA. COLON, a superintendent at three different NYCHA developments in Manhattan between 2018 and 2022, demanded and accepted cash in exchange for NYCHA contracts. He required contractors to pay bribes in order to be awarded the contracts or required bribe payments after the contractor finished the work and needed a NYCHA employee to sign off on the completed job so that the contractor could be paid by NYCHA. COLON typically demanded 10% of the contract value—between $500 and $1,000, depending on the size of the contract. In total, COLON demanded and accepted approximately $30,000 dollars in bribes in exchange for awarding no-bid contracts or approving payment on previously awarded contracts worth approximately $400,000. Of the 70 individual NYCHA employees charged with bribery and extortion offenses who were arrested in February 2024, 62 have pled guilty, and three have been convicted after trial. COLON is the second of the three NYCHA employees convicted after trial to be sentenced. The cases of the five remaining defendants, who are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, remain pending. If you believe you have information related to bribery, extortion, or any other illegal conduct by NYCHA employees, please contact OIGNYCHA@doi.nyc.gov or (212) 306-3356. If you were involved in such conduct, please consider self-disclosing through the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program at USANYS.WBP@usdoj.gov. * * * In addition to the prison term, COLON, 47, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,000 and to forfeit $30,000. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Department of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the HUD Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, which work together collaboratively as part of the HSI Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, as well as the Special Agents and Task Force Officers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (“OCDETF”) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob R. Fiddelman, Catherine Ghosh, Jane Kim, Jerry J. Fang, and Meredith C. Foster are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Jayda Foote and Shirel Garzon.


title: Leader Of $48 Million Healthcare Fraud Scheme Sentenced To 14 Months In Prison

body_text: Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that MANISHKUMAR PATEL was sentenced to 14 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield for defrauding Medicare. PATEL previously pled guilty to conspiring to commit health care fraud, wire fraud, and violating the Anti-Kickback Statute. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As he previously admitted, Manishkumar Patel bilked Medicare for nearly $50 million. Frauds on our Medicare system increase costs for all Americans, and worse yet, potentially restrict access to those in need of critical healthcare. Patel’s 14 month sentence in federal prison sends an important deterrent message to those who would seek to bilk our Medicare system.” According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court: Between 2019 and 2022, PATEL and a coconspirator (“CC-1”) fraudulently sold prescriptions and doctors’ orders for durable medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and laboratory tests (collectively, “scripts”) to durable medical equipment suppliers, pharmacies, and laboratories (collectively, the “Medicare Providers”). PATEL obtained the scripts from call centers that called Medicare beneficiaries and asked them perfunctory questions designed to justify a script that would be reimbursed by Medicare. PATEL turned the information from those calls into scripts by, variously: arranging cursory telemedicine appointments with the beneficiaries; a practice called “doctor chasing,” in which the information was sent to a doctor who signed the script without seeing the patient and who was frequently unaware of what they were signing; and obtaining forged scripts. PATEL then sold the scripts to Medicare Providers, which filled the orders and billed Medicare. Because the scripts were fraudulently obtained, many beneficiaries rejected the items they were sent by the Medicare Providers, many doctors threatened to report PATEL for fraud, and Medicare frequently refused to pay for the scripts. The Medicare Providers made payments to PATEL for the scripts in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. PATEL and the Medicare Providers entered into sham contracts for generic marketing services at flat rates in an attempt to conceal their illegal kickback scheme. PATEL was a leader of the scheme, which resulted in losses to Medicare of approximately $48 million. * * * In addition to the prison term, PATEL, 44, of Pelham Manor, New York, was sentenced to one year of home detention. PATEL was also ordered to pay $48,150,692.49 in restitution to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and to forfeit $6,839,900. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mead is in charge of the prosecution.


title: California Resident Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Violations

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Coachella, California, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Freddy Felix, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from July 25, 2023, to August 30, 2023, Felix conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, on August 30, 2023, Felix possessed with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for August 6, 2025. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of not less than 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Pending sentencing, the Court ordered that the defendant remain detained. Assistant United States Attorney Katherine C. Jordan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Felix. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Palestinian Nationals Charged With Unlawful Possession Of Firearms And Ammunition

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of indictments charging Mohammed Aburidi (24, Palestinian) and Tareq Aburidi (19, Palestinian) with possessing firearms and ammunition as aliens admitted to the United States on nonimmigrant visas. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. According to the indictments, on November 26, 2024, Mohammed Aburidi and Tareq Aburidi possessed firearms and ammunition after being admitted to the United States on nonimmigrant visas. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with valuable assistance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Risha Asokan. 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.


title: Springfield Man Convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Less Than 12 and Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor in a Foreign Place

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was convicted on May 5th following a guilty plea to three counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Less Than 12 Years and a single count of Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor in a Foreign Place. The defendant plead guilty to all four counts of a federal indictment on the first day of a jury trial after the conclusion of the first witness’s testimony. John Michael Bradley, 65, was charged by indictment in December 2023 that involved Bradley’s criminal conduct occurring between 2005 and 2006 while he was an active-duty member of the United States Army in Honduras, and between 2007 and 2008 when he returned to Honduras multiple times as a civilian. In his plea of guilty the defendant admitted that while he was stationed in Honduras in 2005, he met the minor victim. Over the course of the next three years, beginning when the minor victim was four years old, the defendant sexually abused the child on numerous occasions. The defendant admitted that after his active-duty tour in Honduras ended in 2006 he returned to Honduras from the United States with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the minor victim and did engage in sexual acts with the minor victim. The minor victim, now an adult, reported the crimes to U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division in 2021. The defendant has a previous federal conviction in 2019 for possession of child pornography also in the Western District of Missouri. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of not less than 30 years and up to life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Luna and Kenneth W. Borgnino. It was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and U.S Army Criminal Investigations Division. Project Safe Childhood 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: Minnesota Man Charged with Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: ST. PAUL, Minn. – Michael Thompson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been charged by complaint with one count of production and attempted production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. According to court documents, on December 29, 2024, Michael Benjamin Thompson, 37, drove from Minnesota to Iowa to visit a teenage minor, whom he had met online. While there, Thompson engaged the minor in various sexual activities. Thompson and the minor continued messaging and on January 30, 2025, Thompson induced the minor victim to send him sexually explicit images. Thompson was charged via criminal complaint in U.S. District Court. He had his detention hearing on May 2, 2025 before Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings. “We are experiencing an epidemic of online-facilitated sex abuse in Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute predators who use the internet to prey on our vulnerable children.” "Crimes against children violations are among the most reprehensible crimes we investigate,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure that those who exploit or harm children are brought to justice. We will continue to work closely with our partners to pursue offenders and safeguard our communities.” This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Ankeny Police Department. If you believe you or your child may be a victim of Michael Thompson, please call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth S. Shnider is prosecuting the case. A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Bradenton Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison For Receiving And Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody has sentenced Christopher Clark (53, Bradenton) to 10 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. Clark entered a guilty plea on January 22, 2025. According to court documents, the FBI executed a search warrant at Clark’s home in September 2024. During the search, the FBI seized approximately 45 electronic devices. A review of several of those devices showed that Clark had received and possessed thousands of photos and videos of child sexual abuse material. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradenton Police Department, and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Using Instagram to Prey on Minors

body_text: EVANSVILLE— William Virgil Russell, II, 33, of Evansville, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of sexually explicit material involving minors. According to court documents, on April 3, 2023, social media application, Instagram, reported that an account owned by William V. Russell had accessed at least one video suspected of containing child sexual abuse material. The video depicted an adult male attempting to rape a prepubescent minor female. Working with Instagram to review the account, law enforcement investigators found additional child sexual abuse material, as well as posts by Russell soliciting underage videos that stated, "Looking for freaks with young kids or siblings that need $$” and "Looking for under l2 to buy from hit me up.” On September 26, 2023, investigators searched Russell’s home in Evansville and recovered his cellphone. Further investigation uncovered 21 sexually explicit images involving minors, as well as numerous chat session transcripts in which Russell describes himself as a pedophile, says he prefers toddlers, and asks women to provide him with nude and sexually explicit images of their children. Russell often offered to pay for the images. At the time of the offenses described above, Russell was a registered sex offender based on a felony conviction for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material in Warrick County, Indiana. Following his release, Russell must continue to remain registered as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school. “Every parent should know that social media apps like Instagram are not safe spaces for young children and are often hunting grounds for predators who seek gratification from their exploitation,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “I commend the investigators with FBI, Evansville PD, and the efforts of our AUSA for working together to ensure more vulnerable individuals are not victimized.” The FBI and Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood ###


title: President of North Carolina-Based Entertainment Production Company Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Fraud

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – An entertainment-production company president was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for embezzling more than $400,000 from a television production and from defrauding investors in various other television productions. David Ozer, 59, of Roslyn Heights, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., who also ordered him to pay $399,344.52 in restitution. Ozer, who is free on $25,000 bond, was charged in two separate federal criminal cases. He pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of wire fraud in the first case, then later pleaded guilty on January 28 to an additional wire fraud count in a separate case. Ozer was the president of Strong Studios Inc., a production company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also was the producer of “Safehaven,” a supernatural thriller television series. From February 2023 to January 2024, Ozer defrauded Ravenwood-Productions LLC, the principal financial backer of “Safehaven” by misappropriating approximately $214,486 in production funds from bank accounts for the production. To create the false appearance that the funds he embezzled were spent on legitimate production costs, Ozer created fraudulent accounting records, including falsified invoices, and forged a letter purportedly from his accountant. In fact, Ozer’s accountant did not write the letter, the contents of the letter were false, and Ozer used his accountant’s name without his accountant’s authorization. Ozer provided these falsified documents to a lawyer for Strong Studios and caused him to transmit them in an email on January 3, 2024, to a lawyer for Ravenwood-Productions. In a separate scheme, from March 2023 to June 2024, Ozer enticed two victims to loan him money in connection with a television series titled “Endangered.” In return, Ozer’s victims were promised executive producer credits. He also solicited funds from another victim in connection with drafting a script. Despite Ozer’s claims that the script development was in progress, the victim learned from the screenwriter that the script had not been written nor had the screenwriter been paid by Ozer. Instead, Ozer misappropriated the three victims’ funds, along with two others, for a total of approximately $207,100. To create the false appearance that the misappropriated funds had been used for their intended purpose, Ozer created fraudulent documents, including falsified bank records, as well as forged correspondence from another producer. “[Ozer] is an experienced businessman in the entertainment industry,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “He knew it was wrong to embezzle funds from his company’s principal financial backer, and he knew it was wrong to misappropriate funds from individual investors. [Ozer] did these things anyway.” The FBI investigated these matters. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander B. Schwab of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Matt Coe-Odess of the General Crimes Section prosecuted these cases.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Time Served for False Statement

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of False Statement. The sentencing took place on April 25, 2025. Marino Waters, age 32, was sentenced to time already served, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Waters was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 17, 2025. On the early morning of September 15, 2022, a male drove his partially clothed girlfriend to the Indian Health Services (IHS) hospital on the Pine Ridge Reservation and dropped her off at the Emergency Department. The male did not provide his identity nor the female’s identity. The male told medical personnel that a firearm went off while they were engaged in intimate relations and that she had been shot accidentally. Law enforcement identified and located the male at his residence several hours later. The male was cleaning the crime scene and sent text messages to the female claiming the shooting was an accident. A search of the residence was conducted. Law enforcement was unable to locate the handgun that the male claimed was used in the shooting. The male was arrested and eventually charged with second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. A digital surveillance system that recorded traffic to the male’s house was seized by law enforcement. After reviewing the footage, law enforcement identified a vehicle that appeared at the male’s residence shortly after midnight and just before the female was brought to IHS. After several months, law enforcement was able to identify the driver of the vehicle as Marino Waters, and the passenger as Clayton Fire Thunder. The investigation revealed that Waters drove Fire Thunder to the male’s residence just east of Pine Ridge two times on the morning of September 15, 2022. Fire Thunder intended on selling a firearm to the male in exchange for cash and/or methamphetamine. The male did not answer the door when Fire Thunder knocked, and unexpectedly, Fire Thunder discharged one round from the firearm into the residence. The round ended up penetrating the siding, backboard, and drywall of the residence and struck and killed the male’s girlfriend, a 27- year-old female. When Waters was interviewed by the FBI in March of 2023, he gave a false statement and said that neither he nor Fire Thunder had a firearm when the shooting occurred when he knew that Fire Thunder did in fact possess one at the time. Fire Thunder was tried for the death of the female in January 2025. The jury found Fire Thunder guilty of the shooting death of the 27-year-old female. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. ###


title: Largest Fentanyl Bust in DEA History: Authorities Seize Over 400 Kilograms of Fentanyl in Record-Shattering Operation

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Federal authorities have arrested 16 individuals and seized record-breaking quantities of fentanyl, cash, firearms, and vehicles across multiple states, dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations in U.S. history. “This historic drug seizure, led by the DEA, is a significant blow against the Sinaloa Cartel that removes poison from our streets and protects American citizens from the scourge of fentanyl,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the United States.” As part of this operation, law enforcement executed coordinated search warrants across five states, resulting in the following seizures: Albuquerque, NM : Approximately $610,000 in U.S. currency 49 firearms, some with switches, and some ghost guns 396 kilograms of fentanyl pills 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder 1.5 kilograms of cocaine 3.5 kilograms of heroin 7 pounds of methamphetamine A Ford Raptor and GMC Denali Two vehicles valued at approximately $140,000 Drugs and cash seized in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico Guns seized in Albuquerque, New Mexico Salem, OR : More than $2.8 million in U.S. currency Jewelry valued at approximately $50,000 A Mercedes AMG and Ford F-150 Shelby valued at approximately $150,000 Cash seized in Salem, Oregon Layton, UT : Approximately $780,000 in U.S. currency A Dodge TRX Mammoth valued at approximately $150,000 Cash seized in Layton, Utah Dodge TRX Mammoth Phoenix, AZ : More than $390,000 in U.S. currency 72 pounds of methamphetamine 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills 2.4 pounds of heroin 5 kilograms of cocaine Cash and drugs seized in Phoenix, Arizona Las Vegas, NV: Illegal alien apprehended and removed More than $93,000 in U.S. currency 2.7 kilograms of cocaine 1 pound of methamphetamine “Our communities are safer today because of the tireless dedication and coordination among federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement,” said United States Attorney Ryan Ellison. “By dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous fentanyl trafficking organizations in U.S. history, we have removed millions of lethal doses from our streets and sent a clear message: those who profit from poisoning our citizens will be held accountable. The fight continues, but this operation marks a decisive step in protecting families across the western United States.” “Behind the three million fentanyl pills we seized are destructive criminal acts thwarted and American lives saved. This wasn't just a bust—it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “This case represents DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date. I commend the men and women of DEA for their extraordinary work, day in and day out, and I remind the cartels that DEA is relentlessly in pursuit and will not stop until we destroy your networks.” Heriberto Salazar Amaya , 36, is the leader of the drug trafficking organization. He, along with Cesar Acuna-Moreno , 27, Bruce Sedillo , 26, Vincent Montoya , 35, David Anesi , 42, George Navarette-Ramirez , 25, Alex Anthony Martine z, Jose Luis Marquez , Nicholas Tanner , Brian Sanchez , Kaitlyn Young , Alan Singer , and David Altamirano Lopez are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Seven defendants face additional charges of distributing fentanyl: Cesar Acuna-Moreno , Brian Sanchez , Kaitlyn Young , Alan Singer , Bruce Sedillo , and Nicholas Tanner . Jose Luis Marquez and Bruce Sedillo are each charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Bruce Sedillo is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Heriberto Salazar Amaya faces three additional immigration-related charges: illegal reentry after deportation, hiring an unauthorized alien, and conspiracy to harbor unauthorized aliens. During the operation, three additional individuals were arrested and charged by criminal complaint: Phillip Lovato , 39: On April 29, 2025, agents seized approximately 110,000 fentanyl pills from Lovato ’s stash house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lovato is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking. Cash and drugs seized in Santa Fe, New Mexico Roberta Herrera , 31; On April 28, 2025, agents seized approximately 365,000 pills fentanyl pills, 1,543.5 grams of heroin, 569.9 grams of cocaine, and 24 firearms from Herrera ’s apartment. Agents also encountered a minor child at the location. Herrera is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Misael Lopez Rubio , 25; on April 28, 2025, agents seized approximately 165.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills from a storage unit rented by Lopez Rubio. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking. Drugs seized in Albuquerque, NM U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, made the announcement today. The DEA’s El Paso Division investigated this case with assistance from the IRS Criminal Investigation. The following law enforcement agencies participated in the law enforcement operation: Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Lea County Drug Task Force, United States Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, Isleta Police Department, Laguna Pueblo Police Department, Pojoaque Police Department and Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew McGinley, Blake Nichols and Raquel Ruiz-Velez are prosecuting the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. 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. [use if applicable] Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). View the Indictment View the Motion to Detain View Lovato’s Criminal Complaint View Herrera’s Criminal Complaint View Lopez Rubio’s Criminal Complaint An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking and Other Charges Related to the Sexual Extortion and Death of a Local Young Man

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Imoleayo Samuel Aina, aka “Alice Dave,” 27, of Nigeria entered a plea of guilty before United States District Court Judge Joel H. Slomsky Monday to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and four counts of wire fraud, in connection with the sexual extortion and death of a young man in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Aina and co-defendant Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, 25, were arrested on a complaint and warrant in Nigeria, taken into custody by the FBI on July 31, 2024, and extradited to the United States to face charges in this case. They and another Nigerian co-defendant, Afeez Olatunji Adewale, 25, were then charged by indictment in August 2024. Aina is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11 and faces a statutory maximum of lifetime imprisonment. Abiodun pleaded guilty in December to money laundering conspiracy and four counts of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10 and faces a statutory maximum of 100 years’ imprisonment. Adewale has also been charged with money laundering conspiracy and four counts of wire fraud. He remains in Nigeria, pending extradition to the U.S. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Abington Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Brown. Aina and Abiodun were extradited to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with assistance of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché in Abuja, and the FBI. The support and assistance of Nigerian security authorities was essential to this effort, notably that of Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.


title: Bethlehem Man Who Burglarized Firearms Dealers and Stole More Than 150 Guns Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Ismael Terrero-Terrero, 22, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Timothy J. Savage to 40 months’ imprisonment and $26,798 in restitution for multiple burglaries in which he stole more than 150 guns from licensed firearms dealers. The defendant was charged by indictment in January of 2024, and pleaded guilty this January to three counts of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. As detailed in court filings, on April 28, 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was notified of a burglary at a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in Easton, Pennsylvania. Surveillance video showed that, at approximately 2:40 a.m., the defendant used a pry bar to make entrance into the building and immediately began taking AK-style pistols and AR-style rifles from the wall. He then used the pry bar to break open three glass display cases that contained pistols, placed the guns into a bag, and exited the building with 29 stolen firearms. In the early morning hours of June 29, 2023, law enforcement officers were dispatched to an FFL in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, for a report of a security alarm activation. Surveillance video showed that at approximately 1:35 a.m., the defendant and another man forced entry into the building. They broke the firearm display cases with a metal tool, took handguns from the display case and put them into a backpack. The men then exited the business and fled the scene with 44 stolen firearms. On August 11, 2023, at approximately 4:16 a.m., the Telford Police Department (TPD) in Telford, Pennsylvania, received a notification of a burglar alarm activation at an FFL in the borough. Approximately three minutes later, a TPD officer arrived at the location and observed a male with a duffle bag entering the passenger seat of a nearby vehicle, which immediately started to flee from the officer. The officer’s pursuit of the vehicle was terminated a short time later, consistent with TPD policy. Upon examination of the scene and review of video surveillance footage, investigators determined that the defendant and another man had forced entry into the FFL and smashed multiple display cases containing firearms. The men then loaded numerous firearms into a large bag and a rolling suitcase, leaving the store with 82 stolen firearms. “This defendant committed three separate burglaries, stealing an astonishing 157 firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “These guns have now found their way into our communities and are being recovered in shootings and other crimes from Connecticut to the Caribbean. Terrero-Terrero was actively putting guns in criminals’ hands and the repercussions will continue, at society’s expense. Public safety demands that we prevent offenders from getting their hands on guns — and punish those providing a steady stream of illegal weapons.” “Stolen guns are crime guns that endanger our communities,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “Ismael Terrero-Terrero burglarized three Pennsylvania gun shops, stealing more than 150 firearms connected to crimes up and down the East Coast and overseas. Working with the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, Pennsylvania State Police, local police departments, and U.S. Attorney’s Office, this far-reaching and dangerous criminal operation was ended, and the perpetrator is going to prison for years.” This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maureen McCartney.


title: St. Louis County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Drug Robbery, Carjacking

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a convicted felon who used a machine gun to rob and a carjack the woman selling him drugs to 15 years in prison. On April 25, 2024, Walter C. Moore, 20, arranged to buy $900 worth of the painkiller Oxycodone from the woman. The seller drove to Moore’s house and invited him to sit in her 2014 Mazda6 to complete the sale. Moore pulled out a handgun, grabbed the Oxycodone pills and ordered the seller out of the car, threatening to shoot her. Moore then sped away. St. Louis County police located the car near the 1800 block of Chambers Road. Moore ran as police approached, discarding a Glock handgun equipped with a “switch,” or machinegun conversion device, rendering it a fully automatic weapon. It also had an extended magazine and a laser sight. Police quickly located and arrested Moore. Moore had pictures in his phone of himself holding multiple guns. As a convicted felon, he is barred from possessing firearms. Moore pleaded guilty in February in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, robbery, carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Paterson Man Charged with Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Paterson man was charged with distribution and possession of child pornography that he shared on multiple messaging platforms, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. Dwayne Smalls, 25, was charged by complaint and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Smalls posted messages on certain messaging platforms advertising images and videos of child pornography, including those involving prepubescent minors. Specifically, he represented that he could provide images and videos depicting child sexual-abuse material (“CSAM”) for a fee. Law enforcement conducted a search of his cell phone and residence and determined that between August 2023 and October 2023, Smalls distributed CSAM on multiple occasions. In addition, law enforcement found approximately eleven unique video files containing CSAM on Smalls’ cell phone. The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the FBI Newark’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly for their assistance. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/psc . The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Stern of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ### Defense counsel: Tatiana Nnaji, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender smalls.complaint.pdf


title: Dixmont Woman Sentenced for Role in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug Trafficking Ring

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Dixmont woman was sentenced on Monday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for her role in a northern Maine drug trafficking ring. U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Sarah McBreairty, 36, to 60 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. On March 24, 2023, McBreairty pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and conspiring to make false statements to a federal firearms licensee. According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, McBreairty and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. McBreairty regularly arranged to obtain quantities of the two drugs from an out-of-state supplier through phone calls and texts using coded language and then distributed those drugs through a network of dealers she supplied in Penobscot and Aroostook Counties. McBreairty used the proceeds of her distribution to purchase more drugs from her supplier. In addition, during the conspiracy, McBreairty and a co-defendant made false statements to an area federal firearms licensee in an attempt to obtain several firearms. Twenty-two defendants have been charged in this and related cases for their part in a widespread northern Maine drug trafficking conspiracy. To date, 19 of the defendants have been sentenced while three await sentencing: Sentenced: Andrew Adams (32, Aroostook County) – 10 years Matthew Catalano (38, Penobscot County) – 165 months Christopher Coty (44, Bangor) – 4 years Jason Cunrod (42, Caribou) – 48 months Blaine Footman (38, Bangor) – 5 years Nicole Footman (41, Holden) – 3 years Dwight Gary, Jr. (54, Medway) – Time served (approx. 5 months) Carol Gordon (53, Bangor) – Time served (approx. 31 months) plus 6 months of community confinement Thomas Hammond (26, Charleston) – 84 months Joshua Jerrell (30, Orrington) – Time served (approx. 36 months) James King (55, Caribou) – 165 months Shelby Loring (29, Bangor) – Time served (approx. 32 months) Danielle McBreairty (34, Glenburn) – 20 years John Miller (24, Caribou) – 54 months Aaron Rodgers (43, Bangor) – Time served (approx. 33 months) Wayne Smith (33, Bangor) – 85 months Joshua Young (48, Presque Isle) – Time served (approx. 2 months) plus 24 months home detention Tamara Davis (29, Fall River, MA) – Time Served (approx. 14 months) Sarah McBreairty (36, Dixmont) – 60 months Awaiting sentencing: Daquan Corbett (30, Brockton, Mass.) – sentencing to be scheduled Daviston Jackson (28, Boston, Mass.) – sentencing to be scheduled James Valiante (42, Linneus) – sentencing scheduled for May 27, 2025 The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. ###


title: Morris County Man Admits to Transmitting Death Threats Against Political Commentator

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County man admitted to making interstate death threats against a political commentator, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. Haim Braverman, 47, of Morris Plains, New Jersey, entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Court Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court to an Information charging him with transmitting threats in interstate commerce. Sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2025. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On or about September 10, 2024, Braverman posted a video of himself on a social media platform in which he made various threats to a political commentator. Braverman admitted to having been angered by the commentator’s public statements about a prominent, now-deceased rabbi whom Braverman respected. In the video, Braverman threatened to use a bat he was holding against the commentator, stating: “[y]ou’ll get what’s coming to you . . . , I’ve never met someone . . . if I could f**king kill you right now, I would not even . . . , f**k it I’ll give you the steel bat. I wouldn’t even stop. I’d kill you. Dead. . . . I’m threatening a death sentence against [the commentator].” Braverman also included a written comment on his post in which he stated: “[The commentator] needs to be killed.” Braverman also transmitted an audio message to a group chat on a messaging application, referencing the commentator and stating, “[a]fter I heard what . . . [the commentator] said, I will go to prison, gladly find her and kill her . . . I will find a f**king weapon and f**king kill her. I am outraged.” U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Gannon, with the investigation leading to this plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek of the National Security Unit in Newark. ### Defense counsel: Candace Hom, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark braverman.information.pdf


title: Two Indian Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking More Than 100 Pounds of Cocaine

body_text: TOLEDO, Ohio – Gurpinder Singh, 30, and Gursharn Singh, 25, both citizens of India, have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Knepp. Both defendants pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to court documents, on Oct. 3, 2023, a U.S. Border Patrol agent and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers observed a semi-tractor trailer truck parked for an unusually extended amount of time at a travel plaza in Wood County off Interstate 280. Upon the verification of the truck’s displayed U.S. Department of Transportation numbers, they learned that one of the numbers had a previous association with drug trafficking and was therefore not authorized to haul interstate commerce. Officers then began to conduct surveillance on the truck. The following day, the truck was observed being relocated to a second travel plaza also located along Interstate 280, where it again remained parked for an extended period of time. Because authorities observed the truck being stationary for a total of over 24 hours at two different travel plazas, they proceeded to contact the DEA Toledo Field Office for assistance. Agents then had a consensual encounter with the two defendants associated with the truck. During the encounter, Gurpinder Singh denied being parked at the previous location where the truck was observed the day before. A border patrol agent then deployed a K-9 partner near the defendants’ truck. The K-9 conducted an exterior sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics on the passenger side of the truck. Officers then conducted a probable cause search of the truck and found several duffel bags with kilogram-sized packages of suspected cocaine. Two of the packages yielded a positive field test result for cocaine. The remaining substances were submitted to the DEA crime laboratory for analysis. Lab tests conducted on the substances yielded a net result of 49.9 kilograms of powder cocaine. Upon further investigation, federal agents discovered that the defendants lacked legal status in the United States. They will be subject to removal from the United States upon the completion of their sentences. This case was investigated by the DEA Task Force of Toledo Field Office in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Border Patrol Sandusky Bay Station. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank H. Spryszak for the Northern District of Ohio.


title: Shaktoolik man pleads guilty to cyberstalking, sexually exploiting a child

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A Shaktoolik man pleaded guilty today to cyberstalking and sexually exploiting a child to produce child pornography. According to court documents, between December 2021 and July 2023, Matthew Jackson, 23, used a phone to send messages to three 15-year-old victims asking them to create and send him pictures and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct. All three victims sent the visuals Jackson requested. During that same time period, Jackson also asked an adult victim for nude images. The adult victim sent Jackson nude images as requested. Jackson then began harassing and threating the adult victim via messaging platforms. Jackson alleged he could make money by selling the images, and that he would sell them if the adult victim refused to engage in sexual intercourse with him. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22, 2025, and faces a between 15 years and life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Anchorage Field Office, with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek prosecuted the case. ###


title: St. Louis County Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography Involving Toddler

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Tuesday sentenced a woman from St. Louis County, Missouri to 25 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material involving a two-year-old. Judge Sippel also ordered Raven Ainesis Pointer, 27, to pay $15,000 in restitution. After her release from prison, Pointer will be on supervised release for life. Pointer pleaded guilty in October in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of production of child pornography. Pointer admitted coercing the victim in 2022 into engaging in sexual conduct and using her phone to produce videos containing child sexual abuse material. On six occasions, Pointer recorded the sexual abuse of the toddler and shared it with others for their “perverse sexual” entertainment, a sentencing memo filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Becker says. In jail, Pointer continued to try and contact the child and berated the child’s father for seeking restitution, the memo says. “The production and sharing of child sexual abuse material is an appalling betrayal of human decency. This defendant targeted an innocent toddler – someone who should have been protected, not exploited – and did so for her own twisted purposes and the gratification of others who feed on this sickness. Crimes like this are not only horrific, but they are also unforgivable,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito. “We will use every tool we have to find predators like this, to stop them, and make sure they spend as many years as possible behind bars. There is zero tolerance for those who harm children.” The investigation began in August of 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama, where Homeland Security Investigations agents learned that a man who had been distributing child sexual abuse material had received videos involving a two-year-old victim from Pointer. Investigators then tracked down Pointer in St. Louis. Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .