title: Two Indicted for Kidnapping Mother and Child, Transporting Them from Fresno to Mexico Against Their Will

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Rosa Ventura, 34, of Fresno, and Claudia Gonzales, 38, of Fresno, charging them with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, and kidnapping involving a child, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. According to court documents, on May 8, 2024, a woman reported her boyfriend after a domestic violence incident, which resulted in his arrest. In retaliation for calling the police, the boyfriend’s sister, Rosa Ventura, took the woman’s 5-month-old daughter away and drove her and her 9-year-old daughter to an unknown field outside Fresno. At the field, Ventura’s friend and accomplice, Claudia Gonzales, revealed herself after hiding in the car’s trunk area. Ventura and Gonzales then drove the mother and child straight to Tijuana, Mexico, and stranded them at an unknown bus station in order to dissuade the mother from testifying in the state domestic violence case where she was a victim. The mother and child were held against their will during the drive. At one point, the mother and child attempted to flee at a gas station, but Ventura and Gonzales chased them down and physically forced them back into the car. This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Veneman-Hughes and Cody S. Chapple are prosecuting the case. The defendants are in custody pending trial. Their next appearance is Feb. 5, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean for their initial appearance on the indictment. If convicted, Ventura and Gonzales face a statutory minimum of 20 years to a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Luchese Crime Family Soldier and Four Associates Plead Guilty to Crimes Including Racketeering, Money Laundering and Illegal Gambling

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today and throughout the past few weeks, in federal court in Brooklyn, five members and associates of the Luchese organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including racketeering, money laundering and illegal gambling related to criminal activities throughout New York City. The proceedings were held before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto. Today, Luchese crime family soldier Anthony Villani pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering and illegal gambling. As part of Villani’s plea agreement, he will pay $4 million in forfeiture. His co-defendants have agreed to pay an additional approximately $1 million in forfeiture. Villani and his co-defendants operated a large-scale, illegal online gambling business (the Gambling Business) that operated under the protection of the Luchese crime family across the New York metropolitan area. The gambling business, known as “Rhino Sports,” operated since the early 2000s and brought millions in illicit profits annually. John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty pleas. “These guilty pleas represent a victory for the rule of law over the pernicious activities of organized crime that undermine the safety of our communities,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “Illegal gambling businesses require enforcement and protection from mob rivals that carry the persistent threat of violence. However, the defendants’ luck ran out and, thanks to the hard work of the team of prosecutors and investigators, they will be held accountable for their crimes and pay their debt to society.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy stated: “Our investigations involving members of the Five Families don't make the same headlines as they have historically. However, the men pleading guilty in this case illustrate how entrenched the traditional mafia are in their noxious and familiar criminality. They are less flashy these days - and a lot of that is due to the incredible cunning and tenacity agents and investigators on our FBI New York Westchester Organized Crime Task Force use to pursue members of these organizations.” As detailed in the indictment and court filings, for over 25 years, Villani has been involved in significant gambling operations, principally based in the Bronx and Westchester, New York, that were affiliated with multiple organized crime families. Villani owned and operated the Gambling Business since at least 2004. The Gambling Business was hosted using servers in Costa Rica and employed local bookmakers to pay and collect winnings. Villani’s bookmakers included members and associates of the Luchese crime family and other La Cosa Nostra families. As part of the scheme, Villani employed trusted individuals, including defendants Louis Tucci, Jr. and Dennis Filizzola, to assist in operating the business and collecting at least $1 million annually. Records obtained of the Gambling Business’s website indicated that Villani’s illegal gambling operation regularly took bets from between 400 and 1,300 bettors each week, most of whom were based in New York City and the metropolitan area. At Villani’s direction, Filizzola took proceeds from the Gambling Business and used them to purchase U.S. Postal Service money orders in false names, which were then made payable to one of Villani’s property companies to appear as legitimate rental payments. When sentenced, Villani faces up to 20 years in prison. Louis Tucci, Jr., pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025 to illegal sports betting and faces up to five years in prison. Filizzola pleaded guilty on January 21, 2025 to illegal sports betting and money laundering and faces up to five years in prison and up to 20 years in prison on those counts respectively. James Coumoutsos pleaded guilty on January 21, 2025 to illegal sports betting and faces up to five years in prison. Michael Praino pleaded guilty on January 10, 2025 to illegal sports gambling and faces up to five years in prison. A sixth defendant remains at large. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorney Antoinette N. Rangel is in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters. The Defendants : ANTHONY VILLANI Age: 60 Elmsford, NY JAMES COUMOUTSOS (also known as “Quick”) Age: 62 Bronx, NY DENNIS FILIZZOLA Age: 61 Cortlandt Manor, NY MICHAEL PRAINO (also known as “Platinum”) Age: 47 Lake Worth, Florida LOUIS TUCCI, JR. (also known as “Tooch”) Age: 61 Tuckahoe, NY E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-405 (KAM)


title: Former Police Officer Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Corey Harris, 34, of Exeter, charging him with conspiracy to traffic firearms and unlawful dealing and manufacturing of firearms without a license, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. According to court documents, between 2021 and 2023, Harris, a peace officer with the California Department of Cannabis Control at the time of his arrest and a former officer with the Visalia Police Department, conspired with another individual to traffic in firearms. He conspired to transfer at least three firearms on three different occasions to a person he knew to be a felon, including a stolen AK-style rifle, a Glock handgun, and a privately manufactured machine gun. Privately manufactured firearms are also known as “ghost guns.” According to court documents, Harris used his status as a police officer to obtain firearms and firearms accessories that ordinary citizens could not purchase. He manufactured or directed the manufacture of firearms, including machine guns. Despite not having a federal firearms license, Harris was in the business of manufacturing and selling firearms. This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Fresno Police Department, the Selma Police Department, the California Department of Cannabis Control, the California Department of Justice, and the Visalia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case. If convicted of conspiracy to traffic firearms, Harris faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of unlawful dealing and manufacturing of firearms without a license, Harris faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Conviction of California Man for Wire Fraud and Federal Indian Arts Violations

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury in New Mexico has found Robert Haack guilty of wire fraud, mail fraud, and violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act for selling counterfeit Charles Loloma jewelry on eBay, following a 4-day trial that concluded after approximately 4 hours of deliberation. Charles Loloma is one of the most well-known Native American jewelry-makers of the 20th century. Today, his work is featured in many galleries and museums across the southwest. His authentic pieces can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Haack engaged in a sophisticated scheme to defraud buyers by creating counterfeit Loloma jewelry pieces in his California home and selling them for several thousands of dollars per piece on eBay. As part of the investigation into Haack , undercover federal agents purchased two pieces, pictured below, from him off of eBay in order to have them analyzed for authenticity. Loloma's niece, Verma Nequatewa, a jeweler who studied under her famous uncle, examined the two pieces purchased from Haack by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agents and testified at trial that they were fakes. The jury was also presented with evidence seized from Haack 's home, including raw materials for jewelry-making, unfinished Loloma-style jewelry, engraving tools hidden in a boot, practice Loloma signatures on metal shards, and design sketches. It is estimated that Haack sold more than four-hundred thousand dollars’ worth of fake Loloma jewelry before he was charged. The scheme spanned several years, causing significant harm not only to the victims who were defrauded but also to Loloma's legacy and the broader Native American art community. “We will protect the sacred cultural heritage and unique history of authentic Native American artistry as well as consumers from scammers,” said U.S Attorney Uballez. “Robert Haack’s counterfeit operation significantly impacted the Native American art and craft marketplace,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “Native American art fraud is a serious crime that exploits consumers and severely undermines the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists and Tribes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is equipped with a dedicated team of special agents focused on enforcing the Indian Art and Crafts Act on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Through these investigations, the Service endeavors to protect and preserve the authenticity of art produced by our Nation’s Native American artisans. We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for their assistance with this investigation.” “Native American art fraud is a serious crime that exploits consumers and severely undermines the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists and tribes,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for their assistance with this investigation.” “Counterfeit Indian art – like Robert Haack’s jewelry that he misrepresented and sold as made by Charles Loloma -- the father of contemporary Indian jewelry -- tears at the very fabric of Indian culture, livelihoods, and communities,” said Meridith Stanton, Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB). “The IACB by statute is responsible for administering the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA), an anti-counterfeiting law that protects Indian artists and consumers. Mr. Haack’s actions demean and rob authentic Indian artists who rely on the creation and sale of their artwork to put food on the table, make ends meet, and pass along these important cultural traditions and skills from one generation to the next. His actions undermine consumers’ confidence in the Indian art market in the Southwest and nationwide. Due to the outstanding work of the Office of the U.S. Attorney-District of New Mexico and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service IACA Investigative Unit, Mr. Haack is being held accountable and the message is clear. For those selling counterfeit Indian art and craftwork it is important to know that wherever you are we will diligently work to find you and prosecute you under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.” Following the verdict, the Court ordered that Haack remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Haack faces up to 20 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Amy Lueders, Southwest Region Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made the announcement today. The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Law Enforcement investigated this case with assistance from the Indians Arts and Crafts Board. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: CEO of Financial Firm Pleads Guilty to Running a Multimillion Dollar Fraud

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Carlos Manuel da Silva Santos, the founder and chief executive officer of San Diego-based Ethos Asset Management, Inc., which offered financing to domestic and international businesses, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft today in federal court. Santos, a Portuguese national, has been in custody since his arrest on November 13, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey, after arriving in the United States from abroad. According to his plea agreement, Santos admitted he and co-conspirators held Ethos out to the public as a “full-service project financing” company that offered loans to prospective borrowers in exchange for an upfront fee as collateral for Ethos to use. However, on many occasions when a borrower gave Ethos the upfront fee as collateral, Ethos’ funding never materialized. To induce prospective borrowers to send Ethos an upfront fee as collateral and enter into loan agreements, Santos and his co-conspirators lied about Ethos’ history of funding projects, the source of Ethos’ money, the amount of capital available to disburse loans, and how Ethos used the collateral upfront fees. For instance, Santos admitted that he used money from the upfront collateral fees to release collateral deposited by other borrowers and to disburse loans to other borrowers. Santos also admitted that he and others altered otherwise legitimate financial account statements to inflate the amount of money Ethos appeared to have at its disposal to finance projects for the purpose of luring prospective borrowers to provide collateral and financial institutions to lend money. For example, in August 2021, Santos successfully induced a borrower to wire money as a collateral upfront fee by sending a bank statement that falsely represented Ethos having $100,304,447.46 when, in fact, it did not. In February and May 2023, Santos again induced borrowers to provide collateral upfront fees by emailing a copy of Ethos’ annual financial statements reflecting falsely that Ethos had over $2.2 billion in total assets and that an accounting firm had audited the statements. Indeed, Santos admitted that he knowingly forged the signature of an employee at a bookkeeping firm on Ethos’s 2022 annual financial statement to falsely indicate that the firm had audited the statement. In each noted example, Ethos fraudulently obtained upfront fees and failed to disburse loan payments as promised. Santos further admitted Ethos’ project financing scheme was international in nature, with a presence in the United States, Brazil, Turkey, and elsewhere. Santos admitted his scheme resulted in $17,125,000 in losses to certain U.S. based victims. The plea agreement also explains that the parties will request a restitution hearing allowing the United States to offer evidence that Santos owes significantly more money to various other victims. According to the plea agreement, Santos also forged the signature of an employee at an accounting firm to make it appear that the firm had audited Ethos’ annual financial reports. “Untold numbers of people fall victim to fraud schemes every year,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Whether it’s a simple email scam or an elaborate investment scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will relentlessly pursue accountability for the defendants and restitution for the victims.” “Today’s guilty plea underscores Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) unwavering commitment to combating financial crimes,” said Shawn Gibson, Special Agent in Charge for HSI San Diego. “This successful outcome is the result of an extensive, long-term investigation where our dedicated agents and partners assigned to the Costa Pacifico Financial Task Force worked tirelessly and diligently to gather all the evidence and bring this individual to justice. Their unwavering commitment and thorough efforts have been instrumental in protecting our community and upholding the law. Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Robert S. Huie. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys E. Christopher Beeler, Carl F. Brooker IV, and Amy B. Wang. If you believe you are a victim of Carlos Santos and his company Ethos Asset Management, Inc., contact Homeland Security Investigations at ethos-victim@hsi.dhs.gov . DEFENDANT Carlos Manuel da Silva Santos Age: 30 Portugal SUMMARY OF CHARGES Wire Fraud Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1349 Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison and $250,000 fine Aggravated Identity Theft – Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1028A Maximum penalty: Mandatory two years in prison consecutive to the term for the underlying felony INVESTIGATING AGENCY Homeland Security Investigations


title: Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug Crimes

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Alvin Boone, II, age 30, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute, distribution of fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino, III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement. Boone admitted that: he and another person conspired to distribute fentanyl and cocaine throughout the Capital Region; he directed his co-conspirator to store over 25,000 fentanyl pills weighing over 3 kilograms, two handguns, ammunition, and several hundred grams of cocaine in a storage unit and at her home; he personally distributed fentanyl and directed his co-conspirator to do the same; and, before this conspiracy, he personally possessed over 1.4 kilograms of cocaine and a pistol in a safe in his home on July 28, 2023. Law enforcement seized these narcotics, firearms, and ammunition from Boone and his co-conspirator in its investigation. Boone also admitted that after his arrest, he instructed another individual to dispose of additional fentanyl pills. Boone faces a minimum term of 15 years and up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. He will be sentenced on May 30, 2025, by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The DEA investigated the case with assistance from the Colonie Police Department, Schenectady Police Department, and New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa is prosecuting the case.


title: Hot Springs Man Sentenced to More Than 18 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine and Firearms Possession

component: USAO - Arkansas, Western

body_text: HOT SPRINGS – An Arkansas man was sentenced yesterday to a combined total of 222 months in Federal Prison for Possession of More Than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm in furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings, which took place in the United States District Court in Hot Springs. According to court records, on July 23, 2023, Darius Kyri Walker , age 43, of Hot Springs, was stopped by Hot Springs Police Department Officers for a traffic infraction. Officers recognized Walker and knew that he was on active felony parole supervising through the Arkansas Department of Correction. Additionally, Officers observed an object concealed with Walker’s waistband. Ultimately, Walker was found to be in possession of 61.27 grams of pure methamphetamine, five (5) firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. On June 24, 2024, Walker pleaded guilty to Possession of More Than 50 Grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hot Springs Police Department, Special Investigations Division, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov .


title: LaPorte Brothers Sentenced to Prison

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Raymond Calvin Smith, 27 years old, and Bruce Milik Smith, 25 years old, brothers from LaPorte, Indiana, were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to federal felony charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Raymond Smith was sentenced to 70 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. Bruce Smith was sentenced to 39 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. The two brothers were ordered to pay $723,832.64 in restitution to the victims of their offense. Raymond Smith was also ordered to pay $162,928.62 in restitution to the IRS. According to documents in the case, from about January 2021 to December 2021, the Smith brothers operated an elaborate fraud scheme using Indiana mobile sports wagering applications. Using personal information of victims, such as bank account numbers and passwords, they set up dozens of accounts in victims’ names on at least 8 different sports wagering applications. Using sports wagering applications, they funneled money from victims’ bank accounts to themselves. With the personal information of approximately 60 victims, the Smith brothers stole a total of $723,832.64, and unsuccessfully attempted to steal an additional $930,782.00. Both Smith brothers pled guilty to the mail fraud scheme while Raymond Smith also pled guilty to evading taxes on the proceeds he received in 2021. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Indiana Gaming Commission. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.


title: Elkhart Man Sentenced to 228 Months in Prison

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

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Adam Motheral, 50 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Motheral was sentenced to 228 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, between October 2023 and February 2024, Motheral sold four firearms and over 400 grams of high purity methamphetamine to buyers in Elkhart. A search of his residence resulted in the recovery of approximately 150 grams of methamphetamine and nine additional firearms. Motheral has an extensive criminal history which includes 4 prior felony and 12 prior misdemeanor convictions. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration including the DEA North Central Laboratory, and Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement Unit, the Elkhart Police Department, the South Bend Police Department, and the LaGrange, Illinois Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle. 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: Nebraska Woman Sentenced in Fentanyl Drug Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Emily Clayton, age 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced January 30, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogue. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Clayton to 84 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Clayton’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. She will also forfeit $2,080.00 in United States currency as drug proceeds. From February 2022 to February 2023 Emily Clayton was involved with Daniel Lacy and Taft Burtton in selling fentanyl to other individuals. On February 15, 2023, a search warrant was executed on the residence of Clayton and Lacy. Numerous items of drug paraphernalia and distribution were located. On that day, Clayton called Burtton to bring fentanyl, and Burtton arrived with 100 grams of fentanyl and was arrested. Law enforcement received a Crimestoppers tip, and on February 24, 2023, and went back to Emily Clayton’s residence, where they seized 40 grams of fentanyl, a scale, and $2,080.00 in United States currency. On January 3, 2025, Burtton was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. On January 30, 2025, Lacy was sentenced 120 months imprisonment. This case was primarily investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Three Wichita, Kansas Women Sentenced for Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Minor & Transportation of a Minor for Prostitution

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that three Wichita, Kansas women were sentenced for charges relating to sex trafficking a minor and transportation of a minor for prostitution. Khalah Beard, age 24, of Wichita, was sentenced on January 30, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Beard to a total of 123 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Beard’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Joan Robinson, age 35, of Wichita, was sentenced on January 23, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for one count of transportation of a minor for prostitution. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Robinson to a total of 235 months’ imprisonment. After Robinson’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Alexas Davis, age 28, of Wichita, was sentenced on January 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Davis to a total of 108 months’ imprisonment. After Robinson’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. The investigation began on November 16, 2022, when Minor Victim 1 (“MV1”) and Khalah Beard were arrested for shoplifting at a Walmart in Omaha. The responding officer began to suspect that Beard and MV1 were involved in sex trafficking and the officer reported the matter to the Omaha Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit. MV1 was identified as a missing minor who was a ward of the state of Kansas. At the time of this incident, she was only 17 years old. As the Omaha Police Department and agents with Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter further, it was determined that on November 12, 2022, Robinson, Khalah Beard, Alexas Davis, and MV1 drove from Wichita to Omaha so that Beard, Davis, and MV1 could engage in prostitution at Robinson’s direction. They checked into adjoining hotel rooms in Omaha, which were booked by Robinson using her Priceline account. Photos of MV1 and Beard were placed on websites advertising that they were in Omaha and available for commercial sex acts. Davis kept track of Beard and MV1, and Davis would report to Robinson about when MV1 and Beard would have “dates.” Davis was charged with making sure Robinson was receiving her share of the proceeds from the acts of prostitution. A dispute among the group arose as to whether Robinson was receiving her full share of the proceeds. Robinson and Davis then returned to Wichita, abandoning MV1 and Beard in Omaha. When MV1 and Beard were contacted by police at Walmart on November 16, 2022, Robinson and Davis had already returned to Wichita. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Omaha Police Department, and the Wichita Police Department.


title: Nebraska Man Sentenced in Fentanyl Drug Conspiracy

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Daniel Lacy, age 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced January 30, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogue. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Lacy to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lacy’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. From February 2022 to February 2023, Emily Clayton was involved with Daniel Lacy and Taft Burtton in selling fentanyl to other individuals. On February 15, 2023, a search warrant was executed on the residence of Clayton and Lacy. Numerous items of drug paraphernalia and distribution were located. On that day, Clayton called Burtton to bring fentanyl, and Burtton arrived with 100 grams of fentanyl and was arrested. Law enforcement received a Crimestoppers tip, and on February 24, 2023, and went back to Emily Clayton’s residence, where they seized 40 grams of fentanyl, a scale, and $2,080.00 in United States currency. On January 3, 2025, Burtton was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. On January 30, 2025, Clayton was sentenced 84 months imprisonment. This case was primarily investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Mississippi Delta Grain Elevator Owner Sentenced for Fraud

component: USAO - Mississippi, Northern

body_text: OXFORD, MS – A Greenwood man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay more than $69 million in restitution for committing millions of dollars in fraud in connection with operation of a grain elevator in the Mississippi Delta. According to court documents, John R. Coleman, 48, was the owner and operator of Express Grain, a grain elevator in the Greenwood area that purchased, processed and stored grain that had been harvested by local farmers. Coleman altered the audited financial statements of Express Grain in order to receive a State warehouse license, lied about the amount of debt he owed on grain held at the Express Grain facility, and claimed to farmers that Express Grain was financially healthy when, in fact, Express Grain was on the brink of bankruptcy. Express Grain eventually filed bankruptcy in 2021 causing widespread financial hardship for farmers all over the Mississippi Delta. United States District Judge Micheal P. Mills sentenced Coleman to serve 120 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $69,841,797 in restitution to his victims. Following the sentencing, both state and federal leaders acknowledged the importance of this investigation and prosecution to the State of Mississippi and condemned the defendant’s fraudulent actions which cost Mississippi farmers millions of dollars. “This defendant’s actions were unconscionable and affected the livelihood of a large number of farmers, and he has fully earned the sentence imposed today,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “We commend and appreciate the work done by the Mississippi Attorney General’s office and our federal law enforcement partners, without whom a conviction would not have occurred.” "This sentence should serve as a stark reminder to that those who seek to deceive and exploit Mississippians - you will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “Thank you to our federal and state partners for your commitment to working with us to investigate and prosecute these crimes. My office will continue to fight on behalf of hardworking Mississippi taxpayers and farmers, and we look forward to our day in State court in the coming weeks.” "This sentence demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to investigating individuals like Mr. Coleman who betrayed the trust of farmers throughout Mississippi,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff. “The FBI continues to work with federal and state partners to investigate complex financial crimes to identify, deter, and disrupt individuals fraudulently harming financial institutions and Mississippians." “I want to thank the US Attorney’s Office, OIG special agents, and our investigative partners for their hard work on this investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Dax R. Roberson, for the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Agriculture. “When the integrity of our nation’s farming and ranching industry is violated by criminal conduct, the Office of Inspector General will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law.” “The defendant caused extensive financial harm to Mississippi farmers who bring economic output in their communities and feed the population, making them the backbone of our society,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are working on behalf of the farmers and the general public to investigate and bring to justice those whose criminal actions bring financial and emotional hardship into their lives.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton A. Dabbs prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. Announces Departure

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., announced today that he is stepping down on Monday, February 3, 2025, after leading the Office since November 2021. President Joseph Biden nominated Easley on September 28, 2021, and the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him on November 21, 2021. He was officially sworn in on November 26, 2021. “It has been the highest honor to serve as the top federal law enforcement official for Eastern North Carolina – a place I was born, raised, and am proud to call home,” said Easley. “The men and women of the Eastern District are among the hardest working in the nation – steadfast in the mission to keep America safe. Together, we helped drive down violent crime, turbocharged white-collar prosecutions, protected civil rights, and stemmed the tide of narcotics into our communities. We did it through partnering, shoulder to shoulder, with local law enforcement and community leaders to solve our region’s most challenging problems. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, and staff who give so much to see justice done every day.” “U.S. Attorney Easley is the kind of partner every sheriff hopes for - sharp, decisive, and committed to results. He didn’t just talk about law enforcement partnerships; he made them real, partnering with sheriffs for solutions and backing them up with action. Under his leadership, we made real progress— violent crime down, overdose deaths falling, and tighter collaboration. Easley set a new gold standard for what it means to lead in federal law enforcement,” said Eddie Caldwell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the North Carolina Sheriffs Association. “We are deeply grateful for the years that U.S. Attorney Easley served at the helm of the Eastern District of North Carolina. His leadership, particularly through collaborative efforts, like the VCAP initiative, played a critical role in prosecuting violent offenders. His work has significantly contributed to our goal of making Raleigh one of the safest cities in the nation. He will be greatly missed,” said Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson. Expansion of Resources to Make Communities Safer U.S. Attorney Easley fought to significantly expand investigative and prosecutorial resources in the District, including a nearly 17% increase in prosecutors and new legal support staff and investigators. Much of the new personnel were allocated through a competitive national application process, with no district in the nation receiving more new prosecutors than the Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC). The Office’s productivity and strong law enforcement partnerships also led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to add an additional team of agents to partner on violent crime reduction across the District. Easley and his Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) team also worked with Department of Justice (DOJ) leadership to have Raleigh named a National Public Safety Partnership Site (PSP) . The program aims to lower crime rates and improve quality of life through intensive training and technical assistance (TTA) to enhance gun violence investigations, constitutional policing, community engagement, crime analysis, and the use of technology in crime reduction. Driving Down Violent Crime and Dismantling Drug Traffickers Throughout his tenure, Easley and his team have led the charge to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the District by launching a Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) with formal coordination sites in Raleigh , Fayetteville , Wilmington , Rocky Mount , New Bern, and the Albemarle Region . The VCAP strategy built deeper ties and sustained partnerships with law enforcement, with VCAP sites showing double-digit percentage declines in homicides since 2022, for example, Raleigh (↓37%), Fayetteville (↓39%), Wilmington (↓15%), and Rocky Mount (↓67%). VCAP is a collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and district attorney’s offices to identify and prosecute the most significant drivers of violence, specifically targeting shooters and the gunrunners who arm them. Notable cases include the 20-year sentence for a Crabtree Valley Mall robbery and the carjacking , the sentencing of a Crips Gang member for multi-state gun trafficking ; the indictment of two Sampson County men allegedly responsible for a quintuple murder , the prosecution of gang members with fully-automatic machine guns ; and gun smuggling to Mexico . VCAP provides a forum for structured inter-agency coordination, intelligence-led policing, and deployment of federal Task Force Officers to bring federal technology to address local gun violence. In 2022 , 2023 , and 2024, EDNC prosecuted over 850 individuals for firearms offenses and took over 750 guns off the streets. In addition to VCAP, Easley revamped the Office’s Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) by expanding the use of federal wiretaps, embedding federal agents alongside prosecutors, and increasing financial investigations. During Easley’s tenure, the Office achieved a #1 national rank for the number of OCDETF cases and #1 for the number of OCDETF defendants convicted of violence. Easley encouraged partners to prioritize national-scale cases with strong local impact, dismantling the trafficking, distribution, and money laundering pillars of criminal enterprises. 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. Notable cases include the 75-year sentence of a national leader of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club for narcotics trafficking and violence; the indictment of 16 members of the Hell’s Angels and Red Devils motorcycle gangs as part of an alleged violent criminal enterprise; the 40-year sentence for a narcotics trafficker operating from a daycare ; the prosecution of the leader of white supremacist organization for armed drug trafficking; the 35-year sentence of a violent Fayetteville fentanyl trafficker; the conviction of a Raleigh Police officer for drug trafficking; the conviction of two fentanyl traffickers with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel ; the conviction of a Rocky Mount Blood Gang leader for drug trafficking and COVID-19 fraud ; the 40-year sentence of a drug trafficker linked to the murder, dismemberment and disposal of a confidential informant; the prosecution of a former Wayne County Sheriff’s deputy for drug trafficking and bid-rigging; and the 50-year sentence of a violent Sampson County Blood Gang leader for armed drug trafficking. Attacking the Fentanyl Epidemic Easley also prioritized the prosecution of cases involving counterfeit pills and overdose deaths arising from fentanyl poisoning. An Elizabeth City man was sentenced to 20 years for trafficking heroin and fentanyl after causing an overdose death, a Raleigh man received a 15-year sentence after assisting in the distribution of fentanyl that killed a young woman, and a Snapchat fentanyl trafficker whose counterfeit pills led to an overdose death received 13 years in prison. To help local law enforcement get justice for victims of fentanyl poisoning and their families, Easley launched Overdose Death Investigation Trainings to train more than 200 law enforcement officers and prosecutors across the District on building fentanyl death cases. Easley also worked to reduce demand for opioids through outreach and education through the Heroin Education Action Team (HEAT) , including educational events in local communities and schools. The team launched a powerful new educational video to teach students and communities about the dangers. Protecting America’s National Security, Sensitive Technology, and Cybersecurity Under Easley’s leadership, the Office prioritized national security cases involving domestic and international terrorism, international cybercriminals, and protecting sensitive technology from foreign adversaries. The prosecutions included a man accused of attempting to join ISIS and convictions against five members of a white supremacist plot to attack the energy grid, an anti-government bombmaker teaching how to target law enforcement , and a U.S. Army Major convicted of shipping guns to Ghana . The Office also extradited and pursued a groundbreaking case against one of the FBI’s most wanted cybercriminals responsible for tens of millions of dollars in losses from widescale ransomware attacks, including on a hospital. Easley also built deeper ties with the DOJ’s National Security Division and the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry & Security to launch a Disruptive Technology Strike Force (DTSF) cell to protect innovation in the Research Triangle’s high-tech sector. The DTSF partners with law enforcement and industry to protect advanced technology from unlawful acquisition by foreign adversaries. As home to the Research Triangle Park, world-class research institutions, and some of the Department of Defense’s largest installations, the EDNC hosts critical technology that malign foreign actors seek to obtain. The Raleigh DTSF cell is only one of fifteen in the country. Surge in White Collar Fraud and Corruption Enforcement Under Easley’s leadership, the Office saw a significant surge in white-collar enforcement, with white-collar caseloads increasing 115% in a year. Cases included the prosecution of a former Morgan Stanley financial advisor who defrauded investors in a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, an ENT doctor sentenced to 25 years for defrauding Medicaid, a man who laundered $40mm in narco-linked crypto , and a plant manager who dumped tens of thousands of gallons of toxic waste into the Cape Fear River. The Office also prosecuted a $15-million-dollar COVID fraud scheme involving more than 20 businesses and individuals. These cases arose from the launch of dedicated working groups focused on Securities Fraud, Money Laundering, Public Health, Environmental Crimes, and other priority areas . The Office also launched an annual Economic Crimes Summit to build deeper ties with investigators across about 30 different agencies. Easley also launched an Illicit Finance Task Force with the Treasury Department to combat transnational money laundering by targeting third-party money launders and money-transmitting businesses utilizing cryptocurrency, banking, and brokerages to run dirty money through the American financial system. Expanding Civil Rights Enforcement Easley launched the Office’s first dedicated Civil Rights Team to enhance the Office’s civil rights enforcement . The team includes dedicated coordinators in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions and a designated Human Trafficking Coordinator. The Civil Rights Initiative emphasizes community engagement and law enforcement training. As a part of the effort, the Office trained more than 200 officers in de-escalation, use of force, and community engagement strategies. The Office also hosted multiple outreach events through its United Against Hate Initiative to build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community and to educate communities on how to identify and report hate crimes. Easley also launched two human trafficking task forces – one in the Raleigh-Cary area and one in Southeastern North Carolina – to bring together law enforcement and community resources to share intelligence and investigative leads, provide specialized training, and promote greater public-private coordination to rescue and stabilize victims. Strong Civil Practice For the past three years, the EDNC’s Civil Division has ranked in the top 10 among large districts in the number of cases filed or responded to per AUSA. The Division has consistently ranked #1 in the Fourth Circuit for Affirmative Civil Rights and Affirmative Fraud cases and has ranked in the top five nationally compared to other large districts. EDNC’s Financial Litigation Program (FLP), responsible for collecting debts owed to the U.S. Government, collected over $58 million in the last three fiscal years. About U.S. Attorney Easley Prior to his appointment as the U.S. Attorney, Easley was a partner at a large international law firm focused on internal investigations and trial court work in state and federal courts. Born in Southport, North Carolina, Easley attended the University of North Carolina, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors and distinction in political science. He later received his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law.


title: Two Cousins Sentenced for Pandemic-Related Fraud

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Johnny Narcisse, and his cousin Johnson Dieujuste, have been sentenced to prison for their scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program of more than $2 million. “These defendants brazenly stole funds from programs designed to help individuals and businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for identifying and investigating these individuals which led to their successful prosecution.” According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, Jr., the charges and other information presented in court: In July 2021, federal agents investigating a Florida resident for suspected tax crimes obtained and executed a search warrant for the home, computer and cellular phone of Johnny Narcisse in Georgia. The search of the computer and phone revealed a large volume of evidence showing that Narcisse and his cousin, Johnson Dieujuste, had been engaged in an extensive conspiracy with each other to recruit small business owners and then file fraudulent applications for COVID-19 relief loans, including both PPP and EIDL loans, on their behalf. Narcisse and Dieujuste, after obtaining the names, business names, and employer identification numbers from the would-be borrowers, simply invented the rest of the information needed to apply for the fraudulent loans. If the loan was approved, the borrowers kicked back a percentage of the loan proceeds to Narcisse and/or Dieujuste. Dozens of loans were applied for as part of the scheme, with over $2 million dispersed. Johnny Narcisse, 46, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross to two years, four months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,000,332. Narcisse was convicted on October 21, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Johnson Dieujuste, 37, of Loganville, Georgia, was sentenced by Judge Ross on January 8, 2025, to two years, eight months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,081,559. Dieujuste was convicted on September 24, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In addition to their conspiracy to file fraudulent loan applications on behalf of others, the evidence showed that Narcisse and Diejuste each independently filed for fraudulent COVID-19 loans for themselves. Both men were held accountable for those loans as well during the sentencing process, and the losses that resulted from this additional conduct were included in each defendant’s restitution order. This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S Attorney Alana R. Black, and Trial Attorneys Jennifer Bilinkas and David A. Peters of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, prosecuted the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: New Jersey Man Convicted for Conspiring to Traffic Fentanyl-Related Substances and Launder Money

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury in Newark convicted a New Jersey man on Jan. 27 for conspiring to traffic fentanyl-related substances and launder money. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from approximately January 2014 through September 2020, William Panzera, 51, of North Haledon, and other members of a drug trafficking organization, agreed to import and distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, including fentanyl analogues, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylone, and ketamine. Co-conspirators ordered controlled substances and analogues from a source in China and paid those sources hundreds of thousands of dollars via wire transfer and cryptocurrency. The conspirators distributed the substances throughout New Jersey in bulk and in the form of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills that actually contained fentanyl analogues. Eight other defendants have pleaded guilty in the case. The jury convicted Panzera of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of furanyl fentanyl and 100 grams or more of 4 fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl and conspiracy to commit international promotional money laundering. Panzera faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million for the drug trafficking conspiracy charge, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for the money laundering conspiracy charge. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna for the District of New Jersey, and Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark made the announcement. HSI Newark is investigating the case. HSI Philadelphia, the FBI Newark Field Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Newark Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Newark Police Department, and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office provided valuable assistance. Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit Chief Stephen Sola of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Hasapidis-Sferra for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case. Financial Investigator Kathryn Montemorra of the MLARS Special Financial Investigations Unit supported the investigation. This case 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Passaic County Man Convicted Of Fentanyl Analogue Distribution And Money Laundering Conspiracies

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County man was convicted by a jury in connection with his role in a drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl analogues, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced. Defendant William Panzera, 51, of North Haledon, New Jersey was convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy and international promotional money laundering conspiracy by a jury in Newark, New Jersey. Eight other defendants have previously pleaded guilty in related cases. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From approximately January 2014 through September 2020, William Panzera and other members of the drug trafficking organization agreed to import and distribute various controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, including fentanyl analogues, MDMA, methylone, and ketamine. Members of the conspiracy placed orders with a source in China and agreed to distribute, and did distribute, the controlled substances and analogues in New Jersey, both in bulk and in the form of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills that actually contained fentanyl analogues. In total, they imported over a metric ton of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. They also sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to China using wire transfers and Bitcoin to pay for the drugs. The charge of drug trafficking conspiracy of which Panzera was found guilty carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of international promotional money laundering conspiracy of which Panzera was found guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 25, 2025. Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) – Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New Jersey, New York, and Kentucky, HSI in Philadelphia, the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Newark Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Newark Police Department, and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Hasapidis-Sferra of the Criminal Division in Newark and Trial Attorney Stephen Sola, Chief of the Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. Financial Investigator Kathryn Montemorra of the MLARS Special Financial Investigations Unit supported the investigation. The case is being prosecuted jointly by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey and the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) of the United States Department of Justice. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (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 . ### Defense counsel: Jeffrey G. Garrigan, Esq.; Christopher L. Patella, Esq.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Sentencing of Las Cruces Man for Carjacking and Firearms Offenses

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for carjacking and firearms offenses stemming from a violent incident in February 2023. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on February 19, 2023, officers from the Las Cruces Police Department attempted to stop a black Cadillac sedan with no visible license plate. The vehicle refused to pull over and was later located parked in front of the Rack Room Shoes store on E. Lohman Ave. Officers observed Sergio Ivan Enriquez , 41, walking towards the Cadillac. Upon seeing the officers, Enriquez fled on foot. Shortly after, officers heard on the radio that an individual matching Enriquez 's description had stolen a vehicle at gunpoint in the same parking lot. During the carjacking, Enriquez entered the victim's vehicle through the front passenger door, demanding that the victim "get out or drive." When the victim refused, Enriquez pulled out a gray handgun, forcing the victim to exit the vehicle. Enriquez then drove off in the car with the victim's dog still inside. Later that day, authorities located the stolen Volkswagen, the dog, and Enriquez at a residence in Las Cruces. A search of the residence uncovered a gray handgun in the kitchen oven. Additionally, a shotgun was found in the Cadillac from which Enriquez had initially fled. At the time of the incident, Enriquez , previously convicted of child abuse in 2014, was prohibited from possessing firearms. Upon his release from prison, Enriquez will be subject to three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and Ry Ellison prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Former FBI Employee Sentenced for Paycheck Protection Program Fraud

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A former FBI employee was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to three months of home confinement and five years of probation for one count of wire fraud related to fraudulent use of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). According to court documents, Christopher James Phillips, 41, of Schertz, formed Phillips Global Realty LLC on Dec. 20, 2019 and submitted a PPP application on May 29, 2020, using his FBI-issued credentials to confirm his identity. In his application, Phillips represented that he employed two individuals and had an average monthly payroll of $15,000. Additionally, he submitted an IRS Form 941 (Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return) for the fourth quarter of 2019, claiming a payroll of $50,000 over the three-month period. IRS records indicate that Phillips did not file such a form any time between 2019 and 2022, meaning the Form 941 he submitted as part of his PPP loan application was fraudulent and the representations were false. Phillips also certified that PPP funds would be spent only on authorized expenses, to include payroll, utilities, rent and mortgage interest. On June 2, 2020, he received $37,500 in PPP funds. Six days later, on June 8, Phillips wired $25,000 to a personal trading account and subsequently lost all of it due to trading activities. On June 9, 2020, he made a $5,117 payment toward his personal auto loan. On June 16, 2020, he paid approximately $8,500 toward his home mortgage. Phillips was indicted Jan. 3, 2024 for one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds. He was arrested Jan. 5, 2024 and released that day on a $30,000 bond. Phillips pleaded guilty to the wire fraud charge Sept. 18, 2024. In addition to his home confinement and probation, Phillips was ordered to pay $39,771 in restitution. “The United States government will aggressively prosecute criminals, even if those individuals work within our own ranks,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “As a result of his actions, Phillips is now a convicted felon and will spend the next five years under the watchful eye of the United States Probation Department. This sentencing should send a message to all government personnel who would consider using their position for personal gain. This office will carry out its duty and seek to hold you accountable for betraying the invaluable trust of the American people.” The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons prosecuted the case. ###


title: Bridgewater Man Sentenced to More than Six Years in Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Bridgewater man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for possessing and distributing cocaine. Kevin Mercado, 38, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 78 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. In October 2024, Mercado pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. In 2019, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization selling cocaine and fentanyl in the southeastern part of Massachusetts, including Brockton. From March 2020 through November 2023, 11 controlled purchases of drugs were made from Mercado. In November 2023, a search was conducted at Mercado’s apartment in Bridgewater where nearly a kilogram and a half of cocaine and cocaine base, three digital scales, a money counter and $16,086 in drug proceeds were found. An additional search of Mercado’s SnapChat account showed communications evincing regular access to large quantities of cocaine and willingness to cook cocaine into crack cocaine. In 2010, Mercado was sentenced to 48-months in federal prison after being convicted of two counts of distribution of cocaine base. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Massachusetts State Police and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. 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: Leader of a Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty for Trafficking Cocaine

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A man from Puerto Rico, formerly living in Manchester, pleaded guilty today in federal court for leading a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces. Lewistone Baez Miranda, age 50, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, cocaine. Baez Miranda is the third of six defendants charged in this conspiracy to plead guilty. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for May 7, 2025. The defendant was indicted on December 20, 2023. According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, the defendant was the leader a drug trafficking organization that shipped cocaine from Puerto Rico to Manchester, New Hampshire. The defendant’s son, based in Puerto Rico, used fictitious information to send packages of cocaine through the United States Postal Service to Manchester at the direction of the defendant. The cocaine was often packaged in 500-gram or 1,000-gram bundles and hidden inside children’s games. The defendant employed co-conspirators to retrieve the packages of cocaine for him in Manchester. The defendant also sent suspected drug proceeds to his son in Puerto Rico, in one instance sending him a parcel containing $11,000. Between September 2020 and December 2021, the defendant’s drug trafficking organization shipped over 5.6 kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Manchester for redistribution. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Former High-Ranking FDNY Official Pleads Guilty To Bribery Conspiracy

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANTHONY SACCAVINO pled guilty today to conspiring to solicit and receive bribes in his role as Chief of the New York City Fire Department (“FDNY”) Bureau of Fire Prevention (“BFP”). SACCAVINO pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2025. U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “Anthony Saccavino betrayed the City agency he was chosen to lead by repeatedly selling access to the Bureau of Fire Prevention’s services in a pay-to-play bribery scheme. This Office will continue to ensure that City officials who place their own interests above those of the public will be held accountable.” According to the Indictment, plea agreement, and statements made in court: From 2021 to 2023, SACCAVINO repeatedly abused his position as a Chief of the BFP by participating in a scheme to solicit and receive $190,000 in total bribe payments from a former FDNY firefighter named Henry Santiago, Jr. In exchange for those bribe payments, SACCAVINO used his authority within the BFP to improperly “expedite” BFP inspections and plan reviews for Santiago’s customers. SACCAVNO personally profited $57,000 as part of this scheme. To carry out this conspiracy, SACCAVINO lied to his BFP subordinates to justify otherwise improper expediting requests. SACCAVINO also lied to law enforcement when interviewed about his involvement in the scheme. If you believe you have information related to bribery, fraud, or any other illegal conduct by FDNY or BFP employees, please contact squad6complaint@doi.nyc.gov or (212) 825-2402. If you were involved in such conduct, please consider self-disclosing through the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program at USANYS.WBP@usdoj.gov. * * * SACCAVINO, 59, of New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Under the terms of his plea agreement, SACCAVINO agreed to forfeit $57,000. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation. This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Greenwood, Matthew King, and Daniel H. Wolf are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Parkersburg Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Charleston Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael Dale Cain, 49, of Parkersburg, was sentenced today to eight years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Cain admitted to a role in a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) that distributed methamphetamine in the Charleston area. According to court documents and statements made in court, from in or about January 2024 to in or about May 2024, Cain conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Charleston and within the Southern District of West Virginia. On May 5, 2024, co-conspirator Anthony Michael Mowery arranged for Cain to travel to Charleston for the purpose of picking up approximately 3 pounds of methamphetamine from another co-conspirator, Kirt Ray King, that Cain intended to transport to Parkersburg and distribute to others. After Cain acquired the methamphetamine, he was stopped by law enforcement officers who searched his vehicle, seized the methamphetamine, and arrested Cain. King, 48, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Anthony Michael Mowery, 48, of Parkersburg, also pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. King and Mowery are scheduled to be sentenced on April 21, 2025. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case. The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-95. ###


title: Austin Man Charged with Smuggling Dozens of Firearms into Mexico Through Eagle Pass

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – An Austin man was arrested in Eagle Pass on criminal charges related to his alleged smuggling of firearms from the United States into Mexico. According to court documents, Victor Hugo Diego-Avellaneda, 39, was attempting to leave the U.S. and enter Mexico at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry on Jan. 19. He made a negative declaration regarding possession of weapons, ammunition and currency, and was referred to a secondary inspection. A criminal complaint alleges that Customs and Border Protection officers located 40 rifles, six shotguns, one pistol, 80 magazines, and two rifle scopes stored in two large duffel bags. Diego-Avellaneda allegedly claimed that he was being paid approximately $100 for each firearm he smuggled into Mexico, and that 11 of the firearms belonged to him. Diego-Avellaneda is charged with one count of smuggling goods out of the United States. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Garland and Katherine Gorski are prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: California Food Distributor Settles False Claims Act Liability Relating to Self-Disclosure of Small Business Contracting Violations

component: Civil Division

body_text: GS Foods Group Inc. (GS Foods), headquartered in Ontario, California, has agreed to pay $949,696.90 to resolve False Claims Act liability in connection with bidding on contracts reserved for small businesses when GS Foods did not qualify as a small business. The contracts involved supplying food to facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that GS Foods took significant steps entitling it to credit for cooperating with the government. “Businesses that participate in federal small business contracting programs must ensure that they comply with applicable rules and regulations relating to eligibility,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When businesses run afoul of small business contracting requirements, they can mitigate the consequences by making timely self-disclosures, cooperating with investigations, and taking appropriate remedial measures.” The settlement resolves allegations that, between Oct. 1, 2018 and March 8, 2024, GS Foods did not qualify as a small business because of its affiliation with certain other companies. The United States alleged that subsidiaries of GS Foods, GoodSource Solutions Inc., and Dori Foods Inc., bid on contracts and orders that had been expressly reserved, or set-aside, exclusively for small businesses. As a result, GoodSource Solutions and Dori Foods allegedly obtained contracts for which they were not eligible. GS Foods timely self-reported the conduct to the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General (DOJ-OIG), and cooperated with the Justice Department’s investigation, including, for example, by identifying key witnesses and documents and making employees available for interviews. The company also took remedial measures, including updating its code of conduct, establishing an Ethics and Compliance Management Committee, establishing the position of Chief Compliance Officer, and developing and implementing additional employee training. “It is a disservice to small businesses when contracts that were expressly set aside to create opportunities for small businesses are awarded to ineligible organizations,” said Special Agent in Charge Andrew Hartwell of DOJ-OIG, Fraud Detection Office. “The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to playing our part to maintain the integrity of small business contracts.” The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and DOJ-OIG. Fraud Section Senior Trial Counsel Jonathan H. Gold handled the matter. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Charleston Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ricky Steve John, 50, of Charleston, was sentenced today to three years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 20, 2024, a law enforcement officer responded to a report of a break-in at a church in the West Side neighborhood of Charleston and detained John after seeing him in the area. The officer found that John had an outstanding warrant and arrested him. After John was placed in custody, an unloaded Ruger model EC9 9mm semiautomatic pistol fell out of his pant leg. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. John knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for voluntary manslaughter in Kanawha County Circuit Court on July 21, 2016. John has a long criminal history that also includes prior convictions for aggravated vehicular assault, theft, and possession of a weapon. The investigation of the current offense established that John possessed three different firearms over approximately six weeks that he traded or attempted to trade for drugs or other firearms. Two of those firearms were stolen from vehicles on Charleston’s West Side. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department-Special Enforcement Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Samuel D. Marsh and Alexander A. Redmon prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-136. ###


title: Defendant Extradited To Face Charges Related To International Bank Fraud And Money Laundering Ring That Caused Over $60 Million In Losses

body_text: Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Patrick J. Freaney, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the United States Secret Service (“USSS”), announced today that ERICK JASON VICTORIA-BRITO was extradited from the Dominican Republic and will appear in a federal courtroom in Manhattan later today. VICTORIA-BRITO is charged in a two-count Indictment with conspiring to commit bank fraud and money laundering from December 2017 through November 2022. In connection with the scheme, VICTORIA-BRITO and other members of the charged conspiracy registered over 1,000 fake businesses, used those fake businesses to open bank accounts to receive money stolen through business e-mail compromise schemes, and then laundered that money. Members of the conspiracy caused over $60 million in actual losses and attempted to steal over $150 million. U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “As we allege, Erick Jason Victoria-Brito and his co-conspirators ran an international bank fraud and money laundering scheme designed to help carry out business email compromise scams. These scams cause significant harm to businesses, nonprofits, and even local governments. As the successful extradition of Erick Jason Victoria-Brito shows, this Office and our partners will not rest until every individual responsible is held accountable.” USSS Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Freaney said: “This alleged scheme rained down financial ruin upon unwitting businesses and individuals. While the suspects operated with impunity across the nation and beyond, the U.S. Secret Service and its partners remained steadfast in building a strong case — no matter where the evidence took them. I commend the investigators and prosecutors for their commitment to disrupting this type of insidious fraud on behalf of all those victimized by it.” As alleged in the Indictment, Superseding Indictments, and court filings: [1] From at least December 2017 through at least November 2022, a group of individuals perpetrated a massive, international bank-fraud and money-laundering scheme (the “Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme”) designed to obtain and launder the proceeds of business e-mail compromise schemes. In a business email compromise scheme, a scheme member fraudulently induces a company or individual to send money to a bank account controlled by that scheme member or the scheme member’s compatriots. The Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme operated across borders and preyed on businesses large and small. Between 2020 and 2021 alone, participants in the scheme stole tens of millions of dollars, targeting victims that included a major American sports organization, a publicly traded healthcare company, and a prominent international nonprofit organization, along with multiple city governments, law firms, construction companies, and investment funds. Participants in the Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme registered over 1,000 fake businesses, then used those businesses to open bank accounts. Those bank accounts then received the proceeds of business email compromise schemes. Once the stolen funds reached those fraudulent bank accounts, participants in the Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme worked quickly to take advantage of the international banking system by either withdrawing the money or helping to launder it by wiring it to overseas banks, thereby preventing victims from recouping their losses. The co-conspirators accomplished that primarily by wiring stolen money to banks in China, outside the reach of American banks. During the course of the charged conduct, members of the conspiracy participated in inflicting over $60 million in actual losses and attempted to inflict losses of over $150 million. * * * VICTORIA-BRITO, 30, of Hollywood, Florida, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, USSS, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. Ms. Sassoon further thanked the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations for their assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the extradition from the Dominican Republic of Victoria-Brito. This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Burnett and Amanda C. Weingarten are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment and Superseding Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Indictment and Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.


title: Ecuadorian National Pleads Guilty To Armed Fentanyl Trafficking

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Alberto Ismael Salinas Valencia (20, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Salinas Valencia, who is present illegally in the United States, faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, between August 2023 and August 2024, Salinas Valencia ran an online business selling firearms, fentanyl, and cocaine in the Orlando area. An undercover law enforcement officer found Salinas Valencia’s online store and set up several undercover transactions. Over the course of the investigation, Salinas Valencia sold the undercover officer several firearms, including two machineguns, fentanyl pills, and cocaine. Examples of firearms and pills Salinas Valencia sold to the undercover officer This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan. 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: Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Over Twenty Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl, Meth, and Cocaine Charges After High-Speed Police Chase

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS— Lamone Lauderdale, 37, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 248 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, on January 19, 2022, a Zionsville Police Department K9 officer pulled Lamone Lauderdale over for speeding. A K9 sniff indicated the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. When Lauderdale was asked to step out of the car, he fled and led officers on a high-speed pursuit down US-421. Lauderdale eventually came to a stop after striking two other vehicles and popping his tire on a median near Michigan Road in Indianapolis. Lauderdale then fled on foot carrying a black bag. Lauderdale was eventually found and arrested but was no longer carrying the black bag. Officers located the abandoned bag, which contained 170 grams of methamphetamine, 60 grams of fentanyl, 111 grams of cocaine, a pill press, a digital scale, a 9mm handgun, and 11 rounds of live ammunition. A later search of Lauderdale’s vehicle recovered an additional 22 grams of methamphetamine, another digital scale, another handgun and five rounds of ammunition. “Traffickers of deadly drugs, armed with deadly weapons, are a poison in our communities,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Those who choose to endanger our families to further their own greed will be identified and prosecuted. With our federal, state, and local partners, we are committed to ensuring dangerous criminals are taken off our streets and held accountable for their actions. I commend the talented professionals at the Zionsville Police Department and ATF, and our federal prosecutor, for their efforts to apprehend and successfully prosecute this dangerous criminal.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Zionsville Police Department and investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, who prosecuted this 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: Waterbury Felon Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm Offense

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANFERNEE D. DANCY, 28, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by 30 months of supervised release, for unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 22, 2023, Waterbury Police attempted to stop an SUV Dancy was driving in Waterbury. Dancy reversed the SUV, collided with one of the police cruisers, and attempted to flee on foot. After a struggle, he was taken into custody. A search of the SUV revealed a loaded Jimenez Arms, Inc. 9mm handgun, a quantity of crack cocaine, a digital scale, and $282 in cash. Dancy’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for burglary in the first degree, risk of injury to children, and failure to appear in the first degree. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Dancy has been detained since his arrest. On October 7, 2024, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Waterbury Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Mahard. This prosecution was brought through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn .


title: Guatemalan National Charged With Illegal Reentry

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Edgar Rolando Suruy-Xiquin, a/k/a Marvin Martinez-Vazquez (30, Guatemala), with illegal reentry by a deported alien. If convicted, Suruy-Xiquin faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. Suruy-Xiquin was arraigned on the charges on January 28, 2025. His trial is set for March 3, 2025. According to the indictment, Suruy-Xiquin was previously deported from the United States on four occasions. Following his most recent removal, he did not receive the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. On January 13, 2025, Suruy-Xiquin was found to be voluntarily in the United States. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.