title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Immigration Enforcement Actions

body_text: CLEVELAND – The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) has announced immigration enforcement actions in the Northern District of Ohio. These are separate cases and not related. Francisco Gonzalez-Lopez, 35, a citizen of Guatemala, has been charged with one count of illegal reentry. He has one previous removal from the United States on Nov. 15, 2017. On June 12, 2025, he was found in Poland Township, Ohio, without the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security for readmission. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Rolph . Jaime Ortega-Urquidi, 63, a citizen of Mexico, has been charged with one count of illegal reentry. He has previously been removed from the United States with the most recent being Oct. 10, 2017. He was again found in the country on May 28, 2025, in Lorain, Ohio without the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security to be readmitted. He was also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to court documents, investigators discovered that Urquidi had nearly five pounds of cocaine in his possession. Additionally, the defendant is charged with an enhanced penalty for a prior serious drug felony conviction in 2014. This case was investigated by U.S. Border Patrol-Sandusky Bay Station, FBI Cleveland Division, and the Lorain Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Lewis is prosecuting the case. Additionally, Edil A. Martinez-Padilla, 38, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge David A. Ruiz after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the United States twice with the last being April 24, 2013. Martinez-Padilla remains detained pending deportation from the United States. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ICE-HSI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter E. Daly . An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Charges Related to Ponzi Scheme that Resulted in $13 Million in Investor Losses

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – An Arizona man pleaded guilty today to money laundering and conspiracy to obstruct justice for his role in a scheme to defraud investors. Vincent Anthony Mazzotta Jr., 54, a.k.a. “Vincent Midnight”, “Delta Prime,” and “Director Vinchenzo,” formerly of Hollywood Hills but currently residing in Arizona, conspired with his co-defendant and others to defraud investors by falsely promising high-yield profits from investments in cryptocurrency markets using automated trading robots powered by artificial intelligence, according to court documents. Mazzotta pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer scheduled a December 15 sentencing hearing, at which time Mazzotta will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the money laundering count and a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on the conspiracy to obstruct justice count. “New types of investments such as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may seem alluring, but they also carry the risk of criminals using their relative novelty to prey on victims,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “I encourage investors to be skeptical when approached by anyone promising novel riches. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” “Vincent Mazzotta defrauded investors in a sophisticated cryptocurrency scheme and then doubled down by using a fake government entity to further victimize those who had entrusted him with their money,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Combatting fraud in digital assets is critical to the Criminal Division’s efforts to vindicate victims’ interests and to keep bad actors out of the crypto markets. The Department and its law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and hold accountable fraudsters who use the veneer of legitimacy and public trust to steal from investors.” “The defendants in this case purported to be U.S. governmental entities to legitimize their scams, before ultimately attracting the scrutiny of actual federal authorities who were special agents from IRS Criminal Investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s admission of guilt is another example of our resolve and unique ability to unravel complex financial transactions regardless of how sophisticated the scheme may be.” Mazzotta and his co-defendant, David Saffron, falsely promised victims short-term, high-yield returns from cryptocurrency trading if the victims invested with cryptocurrency investment companies Mind Capital, Cloud9Capital and others. They also created a fictitious government entity called the Federal Crypto Reserve (FCR) and further victimized the investors by soliciting thousands of dollars to hire the FCR to “investigate” Mind Capital, Cloud9Capital and other crypto-investment firms that had disappeared with the victims’ investments. Mazzotta and Saffron defrauded victims of more than $13 million. According to court documents, Mazzotta also conspired with others to obstruct justice. Specifically, Mazzotta worked with other co-conspirators after Saffron’s initial arrest to conceal and destroy evidence at Saffron’s apartment, including an iPad and the contents of a personal safe. Mazzotta also conspired to falsify the records of his business, Runway Beauty Inc., to conceal his involvement in the investment fraud scheme from a federal grand jury. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney James C. Hughes of the Major Frauds Section and Justice Department Trial Attorneys Theodore Kneller and Siji Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting this case.


title: United States Attorney's Office for the District of Utah to Participate in Community Events During National Night Out

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah will join their law enforcement partners, neighbors, and communities in National Night Out events in cities across the state. “Obtaining justice is a team effort and the U.S. Attorney’s Office could not do it without our law enforcement partnerships,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah. “Our office remains committed to building and strengthening our existing partnerships with law enforcement and National Night Out is a great way to do that and to engage with the communities that we serve.” National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country. National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization. Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe. For more information, visit https://natw.org/. Scheduled Events: 1. North Salt Lake Night Out Against Crime 2025 Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Foxboro North Regional Park 1120 West 1100 North North Salt Lake, UT 84054 2. Millcreek Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, August 5, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Big Cottonwood Regional Park 4300 South 1300 East Millcreek, UT 84117 3. Woods Cross Police Department’s National Night Out Against Crime Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Woods Cross City Building 1555 South 800 West Woods Cross, UT 84087 4. Murray City Police & Fire Safety Fair Monday, August 25, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Murray Park 296 East Murray Park Avenue, Main Parking Lot Murray, UT 84107 5. Ogden’s Night Out Against Crime Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Marshall White Community Center 222 28th Street Ogden, UT 84401 6. Clearfield Police Department’s Night Out Against Crime Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Steed Park 300 North 1000 West Clearfield, UT 84015 7. Syracuse Public Safety Jamboree Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Syracuse City Fire Station #32 3418 S. Bluff Drive Syracuse, UT 84075


title: Venezuelan Man Arrested for Alleged Human Smuggling Scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A Venezuelan national was arrested Sunday near Dilley on criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in a human smuggling conspiracy. According to court documents, Alexander Jose Barrios aka Alexander Jose Barrios-Pena was pulled over on HWY 85 by a U.S. Border Patrol agent after the agent allegedly observed Barrios’s “heavily weighted down” vehicle swerve in and out of adjacent lanes and abruptly slow to approximately 45 MPH in a 70 MPH zone. A criminal complaint alleges that, upon the USBP agent activating his emergency lights, Barrios pulled off the highway and quickly stopped in the grass before several occupants ran out of the vehicle into the nearby brush. The agent immediately detained Barrios and the front passenger while the backup agent arrived and apprehended a female subject hiding in the backseat. Barrios is charged with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement. The U.S. Border Patrol is investigating the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 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: Texas Man Arrested on Human Smuggling Charges

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A Texas man was arrested Friday near Dilley on criminal charges related to his alleged human smuggling. According to court documents, Derek Riojas was pulled over by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on IH-35. The agent had allegedly observed Riojas driving in a suspicious manner. When Riojas’s vehicle slowed down to come to a stop, the agent allegedly observed several subjects in the rear of the vehicle, and saw several subjects flee from the vehicle into nearby brush. The fleeing subjects were apprehended by backup USBP agents and were determined to be illegally present in the United States. Riojas made his initial appearance today is charged with one count of transporting illegal aliens. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement. The U.S. Border Patrol is investigating the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 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: Two Colorado Springs Residents Charged for Dealing Fentanyl Which Resulted in the Death of a 15-year-old Girl

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Eugene Edwards, 57, and Destiny Benjamin, 30, of Colorado Springs have been charged by criminal complaint with a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl which resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl. According to court documents, Edwards allegedly distributed fentanyl pills to a juvenile female who later died as a result of fentanyl intoxication. On June 7, 2025, the Colorado Springs Police Department and emergency medical services responded to a report of an unresponsive female who was declared deceased upon their arrival. Investigators found nine blue pills with the markings “M” and “30” on them, wrapped in a receipt that was later linked directly to Edwards. According to the criminal complaint, a search of the victim’s phone revealed she arranged to meet Edwards the night before her death to buy pills at an elementary school in Colorado Springs. Surveillance video and license plate reader footage confirmed Edwards’ car at and near the school. About an hour later, video captured the victim outside her home smoking what appeared to be fentanyl. She died shortly after. Edwards, who has multiple prior felony convictions for drug offenses, robbery, and burglary, was arrested on June 13, 2025, after investigators found suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine in his vehicle, including ten fentanyl pills wrapped in a receipt. During an interview with law enforcement, Edwards said he obtained the fentanyl pills that he had that evening from a female who was later identified as codefendant Destiny Benjamin. The criminal complaint further alleges that historical cell phone records and text messages between Edwards and Benjamin outline an unlawful relationship based on the exchange of money for drugs—including fentanyl and methamphetamine. Edwards told investigators his only current source of supply for fentanyl pills was Benjamin. Benjamin was also arrested on June 13, 2025. Law enforcement seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, and a loaded handgun from her at the time of her arrest. Benjamin told investigators she provided illegal narcotics to Edwards. Edwards and Benjamin made their initial appearance in Federal Court in Denver on Monday July 28, 2025, where they were advised by a United States Magistrate Judge of the charge pending against them. Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, resulting in death, carries a potential penalty of no less than 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of no more than $1,000,000, and no less than three years of supervised release. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Colorado Springs Police Department Metro, Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence (MVNI) Unit, and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office participated in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alyssa Christine Mance and Alexander Duncan are handling the prosecution. The charge in the criminal complaint is an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Case Number: 25-MJ-00145-CYC


title: Violent 24-Hour Crime Spree Nets District Man 90-Month Term in Federal Prison

body_text: WASHINGTON – Christopher Light, 22, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 90 months in federal prison for his role in a 24-hour violent crime spree that included a gunpoint carjacking and armed robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Light pleaded guilty March 24, 2025, to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. In addition to the 90-month prison term, U.S. District Court Chief Judge James E. Boasberg ordered Light to serve three years of supervised release. Joining in the announcement was Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). According to court documents, on February 4, 2024, about 6:45 p.m., Light and a co-conspirator ambushed a man in a Wharf District parking lot. Light was armed with a handgun; his co-conspirator wielded an AR-style firearm. Light and the co-conspirator threatened the man and took his iPhone 15 Pro and two gold chains with pendants. Light and his accomplice fled in a white Audi SUV. Early the next morning, Light and three other individuals pulled into the 900 block of Thayer Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland, in the same Audi SUV, and stopped behind a 2017 Mercedes E300 occupied by two individuals. Brandishing firearms, Light and the others ordered the occupants of the Mercedes to get out and turn over their possessions. Light and the others stole a Gucci handbag, a Louis Vuitton wallet, Bulgari watch, a gold necklace, a black Mark Jacobs bag, three cellphones, and various identification cards and credit cards. Two of the individuals with Light stole the Mercedes, while the others fled in the white Audi SUV. Later on February 5, 2024, at about 3 p.m., Light and another individual attempted to rob a man who was attempting to withdraw money from an ATM in the 2000 Block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE. Light and the other individual parked and exited a white Audi SUV and approached the man from behind. At gunpoint, Light and his accomplice ordered the man: “Don’t move, give me that sh--.” The man ran away and nothing was stolen from him. Law enforcement arrested Light on March 25, 2024. From a freezer in Light’s residence, officers recovered an AM-15, multi-caliber pistol along with a black magazine containing 50 rounds of ammunition. This case was investigated by the ATF and the MPD. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Tepfer. 24cr195


title: Ohio Woman Sentenced for Role in Public Corruption Scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CLEVELAND – A Cleveland woman who conspired with an elected public official to defraud local nonprofits has been sentenced. Sinera Unique Jones, aka Sinera McCoy, 46, has been sentenced to three years of probation with two months of home detention by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko, after pleading guilty in April to conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud by acting in concert with a public official to defraud multiple community stakeholders. Additionally, she was ordered to pay $143,598.47 in restitution. According to court documents, from about December 2018 to June 2021, Sinera Jones conspired with former Cleveland city councilman for Ward 7, Basheer Jones, 40, with whom she was in a romantic relationship, to persuade local nonprofits to enter into arrangements from which the two could financially benefit. Basheer Jones sought and obtained funds from the nonprofits under the guise of working on projects to redevelop Ward 7. The scheme involved convincing nonprofits to make payments toward projects they believed were for Ward 7 revitalization projects. But instead, the money went into bank accounts that Sinera Jones controlled which, at Basheer Jones’s direction, she then diverted to herself, to Basheer Jones, and to others. The two took steps to ensure that their personal connection was not discovered and used various methods to obtain money from the organizations. In one scheme, a nonprofit hired Sinera Jones as a consultant for community outreach on the recommendation of Basheer Jones. She submitted invoices to the nonprofit despite doing little work and was subsequently paid through her consulting business—all while concealing her personal relationship to the councilman. In another scheme, Basheer Jones represented to a nonprofit that he was assisting with the acquisition of a distressed piece of property from the original owner. At the same time, Basheer Jones arranged for the owner to sell Sinera Jones the property for only $1 with the promise to the seller that she would pay the $40,500 city demolition bill. Sinera Jones, who put the property in the name of a business entity when she made the purchase, immediately re-sold the property to the nonprofit for $45,000 without paying the demolition bill or disclosing it or disclosing her ties to Basheer Jones. In all, Sinera and Basheer Jones were able to defraud various nonprofits out of more than $140,000. On April 1, 2025, Basheer Jones was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud. He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $143,598.47 in restitution. This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, and the IRS – Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erica Barnhill and Elliot Morrison for the Northern District of Ohio. To report fraud, visit justice.gov/action-center/report-crime-or-submit-complaint .


title: East Aurora man pleads guilty to receipt of child pornography

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Brian O’Brien, 42, of East Aurora, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000. O’Brien will also have to register as a sex offender. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who is handling the case, stated that between June 2022, and July 19, 2023, O’Brien used Snapchat and WhatsApp to receive, view, and upload visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his cellular telephone. Between June 2022, and March 2023, O’Brien used WhatsApp to communicate with an individual located in Phoenix, Arizona. During these communications, he discussed sexually abusing minor children, and distributed files containing child pornography to the other individual. Between December 2022, and May 2023, O’Brien communicated by text message with a person he knew as “J.J.” During these communications, he solicited J.J. to find a minor boy for him to sexually abuse. J.J. provided O’Brien with a phone number for a person purported to be a 15-year-old boy. O’Brien then negotiated with the purported 15-year-old boy to perform sex acts. O’Brien then sent a message to J.J. in which he agreed to pay both the purported 15-year-old boy and J.J. for sexual activity with the purported minor, and offered to buy drugs for the purported minor. In July 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at O’Brien’s residence in East Aurora, during which numerous devices were seized, including two cell phones, a hard drive, and a laptop computer. A search of the devices recovered over 2,000 images and videos of child pornography. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. Sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2025, before Judge Vilardo. # # # #


title: Buffalo man going to prison for 20 years for selling fentanyl that led to fatal and non-fatal overdoses

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Davon Mitchell, a/k/a Blu Boyy, 35, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who handled the case, stated that beginning in 2019, Mitchell obtained and distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in the Western District of New York to numerous regular drug customers. Between March 22 and May 12, 2022, he sold approximately 2.7 grams of fentanyl, 72 grams of methamphetamine, and 3 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover police officer. On June 1, 2022, law enforcement arrested Mitchell and executed a search warrant at his Janice Street residence, recovering a quantity of methamphetamine, $3,257 in cash, a cell phone, a revolver, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. Mitchell admitted that he distributed fentanyl that resulted in the overdose deaths of two individuals from acute fentanyl intoxication. Mitchell also admitted selling fentanyl that resulted in the non-fatal overdose of another individual on three occasions. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alphonso Wright, the West Seneca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Cosgrove, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. # # # #


title: Two Sacramento Residents Sentenced to Prison for False Income Tax Return Scheme

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Dominic Davis, 40, and Sharitia Wright, 61, both of Sacramento, were sentenced today to federal prison for conspiring to file false claims, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced. Davis received a sentence of three years and four months in prison, and Wright received a sentence of one year and three months in prison. According to court documents, between March 2019 and April 2022, Davis and Wright caused at least nine fraudulent income-tax returns to be filed with the IRS claiming more than $2 million of income tax refunds. The returns were filed in the names of Davis, Wright, and family members and listed wages that the taxpayers had not received. They often listed the taxpayers’ employer as one of the various LLCs created by Davis, Wright, and their family members. Many of the returns also falsely claimed charitable contributions that were not actually made. Davis prepared and filed the false tax returns. Wright provided him information and contacted the IRS to check on the status of the refunds claimed in the false tax returns. Davis and Wright were ordered to pay restitution for the fraudulent income tax refunds that they received. This case was the product of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg prosecuted the case.


title: Hopkinton Couple Sentenced for Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON - A Hopkinton couple were sentenced in federal court in Boston for separate schemes to defraud their workers’ compensation insurance carriers, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and their mortgage lender. Ronaldo Solano, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, with the first six months on home detention. Adriana Solano, 41, was sentenced on June 23, 2025 to time served (one day), to be followed by 27 months of supervised release, with the first three months on home detention. Ronaldo and Adriana Solano were also ordered to pay $1,625,872.03 jointly in restitution. Ronaldo Solano was ordered to pay an additional $627,675.88 in restitution. In January 2025, Ronaldo Solano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of wire fraud. Adriana Solano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud. In March 2024 , Ronaldo and Adriana Solano were indicted by a federal grand jury. Between in or about 2012 and in or about 2020, Ronaldo Solano — who operated a roofing and construction company based in Framingham under the names H&R Roofing & Construction Inc. and H&R Roofing & Siding Corp. with his wife Adriana Solano — avoided more than $627,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums by underreporting payroll and paying workers through an uninsured third company. Separately, between in or about 2021 and in or about 2022, Ronaldo and Adriana Solano submitted a loan application on behalf of H&R Roofing & Siding Corp. to the SBA under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, which provided for pandemic relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In the application, Ronaldo and Adriana Solano requested $2 million in relief funds for working capital and other eligible business expenses. After receiving the relief funds, Ronaldo and Adriana Solano transferred $1 million of the funds to a personal bank account they shared, from which they used more than $825,000 for a down payment towards a luxury home in Hopkinton. Ronaldo and Adriana Solano borrowed another $770,500 from a mortgage lender to fund the purchase of the Hopkinton home but did not disclose to their lender that they were claiming $1 million of the EIDL funds as an asset and using it for the down payment. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the EIDL Program, through which the SBA offers loans that can only be used on certain permissible business expenses, which can include payment of fixed business debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other business-related expenses that could have been paid had the COVID-19 disaster not occurred. 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 . Additionally, this case was investigated in connection with the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force, which was established to promote transparency and coordinate oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC brings together federal agents from 20 agency Inspector Generals to detect fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in authorized COVID-19 funds. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence , which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help Inspector Generals and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Portland Man Charged with Assaulting a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Damaging Federal Property During Violent Protest at Local ICE Office

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore. – A Portland man made his initial appearance in federal court today after committing various offenses – including aggravated assault of a federal officer and damaging federal property – during a violent protest at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland. Robert Jacob Hoopes, 24, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offenses of aggravated assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, and depredation of federal property in an amount exceeding $1,000. According to court documents and information shared in court, on June 14, 2025, Hoopes was present at a protest at the ICE building. He was seen throwing large rocks at the building. He threw one of those rocks at an ICE officer and struck the officer in the head, causing a significant laceration over the officer’s eye. Later that same day, he and two other individuals were seen using an upended stop sign as a makeshift battering ram, which resulted in significant damage to the main entry door to the ICE building. Hoopes was identified from a photo online later that same day. Hoopes was arrested by FBI agents on Friday, July 25, 2025. Hoopes made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Hoopes was ordered released pending trial. Aggravated assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon that results in bodily injury is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Depredation of federal property in an amount exceeding $1,000 is a felony punishable by up to ten years in prison. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. Since June 13, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 23 defendants with offenses committed at the ICE building including assaulting federal officers, arson, possession of a destructive device, and depredation of government property. A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Laurel County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LONDON, Ky. – A London, Ky., man, Brandon Bustle, 39, was sentenced on Monday to 13 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release. According to his plea agreement, between December 2023 to March 23, 2024, Bustle and an associate developed access to multiple related sources from whom they regularly obtained distribution quantities of methamphetamine. Bustle and his associate would travel together to obtain methamphetamine from those suppliers, some of whom were in the Louisville area, and transport it back to the Laurel County area for further distribution. On February 28, 2024, Bustle was traveling to Laurel County to deliver a methamphetamine mixture. However, before the delivery occurred, Bustle wrecked the vehicle and removed the methamphetamine from the vehicle and tried to hide it in the woods. When law enforcement responded to the scene, they located over a kilogram of Bustle’s methamphetamine mixture that he had intended to distribute, along with a loaded firearm, scales, and $2,223 in cash. At the time of these events, Bustle was on supervised release in connection with a prior federal crime. Bustle previously had been sentenced in 2013 to 96 months in prison for the same offense, i.e., conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture. Two of Bustle’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced in the same case. On June 16, 2025, Josh Caldwell was sentenced to a total for 135 months in prison, followed by six years of supervised release, for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense. On July 10, 2025, Merinda Robinson was sentenced to 100 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiring with Bustle to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Under federal law, Bustle must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for seven years. Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, ATF, Louisville Field Division; John Root, Laurel County Sheriff; Winston Tye, Barbourville Police Chief; and Rusty Hedrick, Corbin Police Chief, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the ATF, Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, Barbourville Police Department, and Corbin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble is prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. – END –


title: Cadence Design Systems Agrees To Plead Guilty And Pay Over $140 Million For Unlawfully Exporting Semiconductor Design Tools To A Restricted PRC Military University

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN JOSE – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California (NDCA) and the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) of the Justice Department’s National Security Division (NSD) today announced that Cadence Design Systems Inc. (Cadence), a multinational electronic design automation (EDA) technology company headquartered in San Jose, California, has agreed to plead guilty to resolve charges that Cadence committed criminal violations of export controls by selling EDA hardware, software, and semiconductor design intellectual property (IP) technology to the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT). NUDT, a university in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the leadership of the PRC’s Central Military Commission, was added to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List in February 2015 due to its use of U.S.-origin components to produce supercomputers believed to support nuclear explosive simulation and military simulation activities in the PRC. Today, the Department filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California a criminal information charging Cadence with conspiracy to commit export control violations and the Department’s plea agreement with Cadence, pursuant to which the company has agreed to plead guilty and pay criminal penalties of nearly $118 million to resolve the charges. In addition to the criminal charges, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) today announced the resolution of a parallel civil enforcement action against Cadence in which Cadence has agreed to pay over $95 million in civil penalties. The Department of Justice and BIS have coordinated the resolution of the parallel criminal and civil actions, with each agreeing to credit against their respective fines a portion of the payments made by Cadence to satisfy the other agency’s fine. After the Department of Justice and BIS credit payments made by Cadence under the coordinated agreements, Cadence will pay aggregate net criminal and civil penalties and forfeiture totaling more than $140 million. “Export controls safeguard America’s advanced technological know-how from falling into the wrong hands, which is particularly important in the Silicon Valley as the epicenter of groundbreaking innovation,” said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California. “With this plea, Cadence has admitted to unlawfully exporting its semiconductor design technology to a restricted PRC military university using a front company, and accepted responsibility for its wrongdoing. Cadence’s remedial measures are a positive step toward rectifying the company’s violations of export control laws and demonstrating corporate responsibility.” “Cadence has agreed to accept responsibility for unlawfully exporting sensitive semiconductor design tools to a restricted Chinese military university and has implemented a strong export compliance program to help prevent any further illegal transmission of American technology,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “American ingenuity is one of our Nation’s most precious assets, and the National Security Division will vigorously enforce U.S. export control laws to protect the technological advantage we enjoy because of that ingenuity.” “Protecting the U.S. semiconductor industry is critical to our national defense,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Working with NUDT, which has been on the entity list for a decade for its work to advance China’s military capabilities, is unacceptable. The FBI will stop at nothing to defend the homeland from China’s Communist Party.” “The United States leads the world in semiconductor innovation, with Silicon Valley at the forefront of that global leadership. The FBI, working alongside our partners at the Department of Commerce, is committed to protecting sensitive U.S. technology from falling into the hands of the PRC government,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. “Today’s guilty plea is a clear reminder that U.S. companies must take export control laws seriously and closely monitor where their most advanced technologies are headed. This case should serve as a wake-up call to the broader emerging tech and innovation ecosystem: safeguarding our technological edge is not optional – it is essential to national security.” According to Cadence’s admissions and court documents, from February 2015 to April 2021, Cadence and its indirectly owned and wholly controlled subsidiary in the PRC, Cadence Design Systems Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (Cadence China), engaged in a conspiracy to commit export control violations in connection with the provision of EDA tools that were subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to NUDT through Central South CAD Center (CSCC), an alias for NUDT, and another associated entity, Phytium Technology Co. Ltd. (Phytium), without seeking or obtaining the requisite licenses from BIS. Specifically, Cadence, Cadence China, and their employees exported, reexported, and transferred in-country U.S.-origin EDA tools to CSCC in the PRC, despite having knowledge that CSCC was an alias for NUDT. As a result, Cadence and Cadence China exported and caused to be exported EDA tools at least 59 times through September 2020, when Cadence terminated Cadence China’s business relationship with CSCC due to CSCC’s association with NUDT. In court documents, Cadence admitted that Cadence China employees installed EDA hardware on NUDT’s Changsha, China, campus and that NUDT personnel downloaded EDA software and IP technology from Cadence’s download portals while Cadence and Cadence China, through its employees, had knowledge that NUDT had been added to the Entity List. On Feb. 18, 2015, the same day that NUDT was added to the Entity List, Cadence’s export control officer emailed Cadence and Cadence China employees that NUDT had been added to the Entity List “meaning that export licenses will be required if sales are made.” Further, in March 2016, a Cadence China employee authored a presentation for a quarterly sales review meeting with her colleagues stating (as translated from Chinese) that as of Feb. 18, 2015, the U.S. Department of Commerce had “embargoed” four national supercomputer centers in the PRC, including NUDT, due to U.S. microprocessor chips being used in the “TianHe” supercomputing systems believed to be used for nuclear explosion simulation. Cadence also admitted that its employees who conducted work at CSCC’s location on NUDT’s campus knew about connections between CSCC and the PRC military. According to Cadence’s admissions and court documents, employees of Cadence China did not disclose to and/or concealed from other Cadence personnel, including Cadence’s export compliance personnel, that exports to CSCC were in fact intended for delivery to NUDT and/or the PRC military. For example, in May 2015, a few months after NUDT was added to the Entity List, Cadence’s then-head of sales in China emailed colleagues, cautioning them to refer to their customer as CSCC in English and NUDT only in Chinese characters, writing that “the subject [was] too sensitive.” Further, in October 2019, a Cadence China employee instructed another to recall and recirculate an updated version of a weekly email on Cadence China’s customers in the PRC. The updated version of the weekly email removed a reference to the People’s Liberation Army of the PRC in relation to CSCC that was written in the original version. Employees of Cadence’s subsidiaries, including employees of Cadence China involved in sales to CSCC, also received sales commissions that incentivized achieving sales quotas as part of their compensation packages. Further, in October 2020, while Cadence and Cadence China had knowledge that items previously sold and exported to CSCC had in fact been exported to NUDT in violation of U.S. export control laws, Cadence consented to CSCC’s assignment to Phytium, a semiconductor company closely associated with CSCC and NUDT in the PRC, of CSCC’s contracts for Cadence EDA tools. Prior to the transfer of Cadence’s business from CSCC to Phytium in or about October 2020, Cadence’s business with CSCC included contractual agreements with Phytium, reflecting Phytium’s ongoing collaboration with CSCC and NUDT during the period in which CSCC was used as an alias for NUDT. Cadence, through its subsidiaries, including Cadence China also had knowledge that Cadence China’s business with CSCC involved Phytium, and that NUDT personnel were affiliated with Phytium. Some of Cadence China’s contracts with CSCC listed Phytium as the contractual party and stated that the work would occur at NUDT. Internal Cadence communications show certain Cadence employees’ understanding that CSCC and Phytium were effectively the same entity both before and after the decision to transfer Cadence China’s business from CSCC to Phytium. Cadence and Cadence China transferred U.S.-origin EDA software and IP technology to Phytium until February 2021. In March 2021, Cadence placed Phytium on export hold as a result of its internal compliance review and discontinued transactions with Phytium without completing all of the originally anticipated transfers, including any hardware transfers. Phytium was later designated on the Entity List in April 2021. NDCA and CES entered into the plea agreement with Cadence after considering the factors set forth in the Department’s Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations and the National Security Division Enforcement Policy for Business Organizations (NSD Enforcement Policy). The Department reached this resolution with Cadence based on a number of factors, including Cadence’s failure to voluntarily disclose the misconduct to NSD pursuant to the NSD Enforcement Policy; the nature and seriousness of the offense, which included exports of sensitive semiconductor design tools and technology to a restricted PRC military university involved in the development of supercomputers with applications for military and nuclear explosive simulations, and which included Cadence agreeing to an assignment of the hardware and software contracts to another PRC-based company despite being aware that those items had been unlawfully exported to a restricted PRC military university; Cadence’s willingness to accept responsibility for the actions of its employees and agents, including its subsidiary Cadence China, by entering into the plea agreement with the Department and resolving the parallel civil investigation with BIS; and Cadence’s efforts to remediate the root cause of the offense conduct by enhancing and agreeing to enhance further its export control compliance program. Cadence received partial credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which involved collecting and disclosing relevant evidence, facilitating interviews with certain employees, making detailed factual presentations, and agreeing to toll the statute of limitations, but Cadence did not receive full credit for cooperation because it failed proactively to obtain and disclose to the government relevant communications, and it failed proactively to facilitate interviews of certain China-based employees with information relevant to the offense conduct. Accordingly, the amount of the criminal monetary penalty attributable to the criminal fine reflects a 20 percent reduction off the statutory maximum fine. The plea agreement is subject to the approval of a federal district judge in the Northern District of California. BIS’s Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Cheng of the National Security and Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and Chief Counsel Ian C. Richardson, Deputy Chief Counsel Christian J. Nauvel, and Trial Attorney Emma Dinan Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting this case. Cadence Information Cadence Plea Agreement


title: Delaware County Man Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Brent G. Trimbell, age 44, of Delaware County was arrested Sunday evening and had his initial appearance today on a charge of sexual exploitation of a child. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. The complaint alleges that Trimbell exchanged sexually explicit messages with a female child victim, including messages persuading her to create and send him videos of her engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The child created the content Trimbell requested and sent it to him over social media. The complaint also alleges that Trimbell had sexual contact with the victim on at least three occasions and sent the victim videos depicting him masturbating. Trimbell was first charged by state authorities with state sex offenses related to the foregoing conduct, but late last week he was released on bail. If convicted of sexual exploitation of a child, Trimbell faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life, a fine of $250,000, forfeiture of property used to commit the offense, and restitution to the victim. Trimbell also would be required to register as a sex offender. Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Trimbell was charged with serious state sex offenses but was released on bail. Now, Trimbell is in federal custody—facing serious federal offenses—which if convicted, will result in a mandatory term of imprisonment of 15 years. This is how we keep the children in our community safe.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “FBI Albany is incredibly thankful for the swift coordination from our partners at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and United States Attorney’s Office that has now resulted in serious federal charges against Mr. Trimbell. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to coordinate with our state and local partners to share the information and resources needed to ensure anyone hurting our most vulnerable is investigated and brought to justice.” Following the initial appearance, Trimbell was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending further proceedings. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Fairfield Man Sentenced for Prescription Drug Diversion

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Des Moines, Iowa – A Fairfield man was sentenced on July 28, 2025, to four years of probation for stealing thousands of prescription pills from a pharmacy that he owned and operated. According to public court documents, Bryan Paul Vander Linden, 43, admitted that from June 2022 to at least November 2023, he obtained prescription pills from Summit Pharmacy of Iowa for his own use. To obtain the pills, Vander Linden would order and not report the pills in the pharmacy’s inventory, take from the pharmacy stock, or take pills from the controlled substance collection bin. In total, Vander Linden obtained more than 3,500 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills, Schedule II controlled substances, and more than 400 carisoprodol pills, a Schedule IV muscle relaxant. Vander Linden was ordered to pay a $9,500 fine. “Pharmacists are entrusted with the handling of controlled substances and ensuring that laws are followed in their handling,” DEA Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei said. “This Iowa pharmacist broke that trust by diverting controlled substances for his own use. I commend the DEA Diversion Investigators whose work uncovered the diversion of controlled substances in this case and who work diligently to ensure that pharmacies follow the law and maintain a safe and secure environment.” United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa and Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Mother-Daughter Duo Sentenced in Elder Fraud Scheme

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A mother and daughter have been sentenced for their involvement in an elder fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Mykia L. Henderson, 32, of Moody, to 87 months in prison, and Cynthia H. Mixon, 50, of Fairfield, to 57 months in prison. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to the plea agreements, between December 2020 and February 2022, Mixon and Henderson were the in-home caretakers for the elderly victim. In their role as caretakers, Henderson and Mixon had access to the victim’s financial information, which they shared with one another and with other members of the conspiracy. The defendants devised a scheme to defraud the victim by using fake and fraudulent accounts they set up through Square, Inc. and Stripe, Inc. Through the scheme, the defendants charged the victim’s credit cards through the Square and Stripe accounts and then deposited the funds into their bank accounts or shared the proceeds with one another. The defendants hid the charges from the victim by including false “descriptions” to prevent their discovery. The defendants also wrote unauthorized checks to themselves that were drawn on the victim’s bank accounts. In total, members of the conspiracy stole nearly $500,000 from the victim. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Mountain Brook Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan S. Rummage prosecuted the case. Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcements’ efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. [ET]. English, Spanish and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov .


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to Nearly Nine Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Handgun

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A convicted felon who possessed drugs and handgun and fled from police was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison. Daijon Stokes, age 32, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 10, 2025, guilty plea to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Information from the sentencing hearing showed that on December 3, 2023, Stokes was stopped by an officer with the Waterloo Police Department. During the stop, Stokes took off in his car. While driving through a residential area, he reached speeds of nearly 90 mph. Stokes eventually crashed his car into another vehicle. A woman and two young children were in the other vehicle. Stokes then ran from officers on foot and had to be tackled. Officers found a loaded handgun, marijuana, and other drugs in the car. Stokes was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Stokes was sentenced to 104 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. 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. Stokes is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-cr-2012. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Venezuelan National Indicted For Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the arrest of Alexander Jose Barreto-Rodriguez (31, Venezuela) on an indictment charging him with distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). If convicted, Barreto-Rodriguez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison. He was indicted on July 23, 2025. His case is set for trial in September 2025, before United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger. According to court documents, Barreto-Rodriguez distributed CSAM using various messaging applications in December 2024. These videos depicted children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. In addition to distributing the CSAM, Barreto-Rodriguez advised a confidential source working for law enforcement that he could arrange for various female children from ages 8 to 13 to engage in sexually explicit conduct. 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 Homeland Security Investigations, the Flager County Sheriff’s Office, and the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Major Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Supplier Sentenced to 145 Months

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – A major supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl, who conspired with others to traffic over 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and fentanyl into Southwest Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 145 months in federal prison. Andora Lee Smith, 62, of Whitesburg, Kentucky, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Smith conspired with others, including Eric Coffey, Daniel Hafemeister, Michael Hicks, Cody Rose, and Ashley Beverly Jr., to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Southwest Virginia. Most of Smith’s distributions took place at her Kentucky residence, where she kept multiple pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl and distributed ounce-plus quantities at a time to her customers. Smith also delivered drugs to Virginia and routinely traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, to obtain quantities of xylazine and fentanyl (“black”) for distribution. Smith worked as a teacher at Norton Elementary School and John I. Burton High School in Norton, Virginia, for 15 years prior to committing her crimes. C. Todd Gilbert, United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Southwest Drug Task Force, Kentucky State Police, and Wise County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case for the United States.


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry after Deportation

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Mexican man convicted of Illegal Reentry after Deportation. The sentencing took place on July 23, 2025. Francisco Jimenez-Grijalva, 31, was sentenced to time served and ordered to be removed from the United States. Jimenez-Grijalva was indicted for Illegal Reentry after Deportation by a federal grand jury in May 2025. He pleaded guilty on June 6, 2025. Jimenez-Grijalva, a non-citizen of the United States and a Mexican national, was deported from the United States to Mexico in 2015 and was found back in the United States in May 2025. He was arrested for DUI in Pennington County. After the arrest, it was discovered Jimenez-Grijalva had been deported from the United States on three separate occasions. Reentering the United States after deportation is a felony. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case. Jimenez-Grijalva was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Harrold Man Sentenced to Prison  for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Shulte has sentenced a man from Harrold, South Dakota, who was convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 21, 2025. Jerrod Fallis, age 47, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Forfeiture of the firearm and silencer was also ordered. Fallis was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024. He pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025. On December 8, 2023, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle driven by Fallis. During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a Rock River Arms AR15 rifle, silencer, and methamphetamine paraphernalia. Fallis is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior state felony drug convictions. 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. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case. Fallis was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: GAINESVILLE MAN INDICTED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Jesse Roger Armstrong, 35, of Gainesville, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges. Armstrong is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori Lowry at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida on July 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. If convicted, Armstrong faces up to 40 years’ imprisonment. This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Gainesville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Dominican National Indicted For Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Luis de Jesus Pichardo, age 57, a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for a charge of reentry of previously removed aliens. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Pichardo, a foreign national, having previously been removed in both 1996 and 2000, was found to be in the United States on or about July 16, 2025, in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, and he did not have authority for readmission to the United States at the time he was encountered. The case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Berti is prosecuting the case. Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Former Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Chairman Pleads Guilty to Tax Crimes

body_text: BOSTON – The former Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and former President of the Tribe’s Gaming Authority pleaded guilty yesterday to failing to report more than $177,000 in income on his federal income tax returns for 2014 - 2017. Most of the income was related to the First Light Resort and Casino, which the Tribe’s Gaming Authority is building in Taunton. Cedric Cromwell, 60, of Attleboro, Mass. pleaded guilty to four counts of filing a false tax return. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Nov. 5, 2025, 2025. Judge Gorton will impose sentence on both Cromwell’s tax convictions and his reinstated extortion convictions at that time. In March 2021 , a federal grand jury sitting in Boston indicted Cromwell on the tax charges and charges that he extorted an architecture-and-design firm that had a contract to serve as the Gaming Authority’s “owner’s representative” for the casino project. The trial court severed the tax counts from the extortion counts, which went to trial in the spring of 2022. On May 5, 2022 , a federal jury sitting in Boston convicted Cromwell of three counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. The trial court dismissed the jury’s convictions, but the First Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated them on Sept. 27, 2024. Cromwell filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court but the Court declined to hear his appeal. Cromwell’s unreported income included $57,549 that he extorted from the architecture-and-design firm. Cromwell also failed to report $45,023 that he received from the initial architect on the casino project. Finally, he failed to report $74,821 that he received from one or more companies which developed and supplied forest carbon offsets. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $100,000. The charges of extortion under color of official right and conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. 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. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and Jared C. Dolan of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Previously Convicted Murderer in Possession of a Glock Sentenced to 32 Months in Prison

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Wendell Smith, 60, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 32 months in federal prison for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a loaded Glock firearm when he was stopped by police for speeding on the Suitland Parkway, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Smith pleaded guilty on April 18, 2025, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the 32-month prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. AliKhan ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release Joining in the announcement of Smith’s sentencing was Chief Jessica Taylor of the U.S. Park Police. According to court documents, on Nov. 4, 2024, U.S. Park Police officers observed a black Mercedes speeding on the Suitland Parkway near Alabama Ave. SE, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. After the sedan came to a halt, officers saw the driver reach to his right side. Smith presented his driver’s license. Officers asked Smith to step out of the vehicle. A K-9 unit indicated the presence of controlled dangerous substances in the car. Officers searched the car and, from a backpack on the passenger’s seat, recovered a Glock 27, .40 caliber pistol loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. In another bag on the floor, officers discovered more than $78,000 in cash. Smith previously was convicted of first degree murder while armed and other offenses in D.C. Superior Court and in February 1990 was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. This case was investigated by the U.S. Park Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Strong. 24cr534


title: USP Lewisburg Inmate Charged With Possession Of Child Porn And Possessing Contraband In Prison

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Carl Jones, age 51, from Chester, PA, was charged on July 24, 2025, with possession of child pornography and for possessing contraband in prison. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges that from February 24, 2025 to April 9, 2025, Jones possessed a cell phone containing images of a minor, including a minor under the age of 12, engaged in sexually explicit conduct, while he was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution Lewisburg (FCI Lewisburg), Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense is 20 years and a fine. A sentence for this offense must also include a period of supervised release of 5 years up to life following imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. # # #


title: U.S. Enforces Fugitive's Appearance Bond By Selling Greenwich Mansion for $7.35 Million

body_text: BOSTON – United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced today that her office enforced the appearance bond for fugitive defendant Iftikar Ahmed by selling his Greenwich, Conn., mansion for $7.35 million. In April 2015 , Ahmed was charged with one count of securities fraud. He was released from pre-trial custody subject to conditions, including that he and his wife, as sureties, sign a $9 million appearance bond secured by their Greenwich, Conn., residence, which they did. At some time in May 2015, Ahmed violated his conditions of release by fleeing to India and has remained at-large ever since. “There are serious consequences for evading justice,” said U.S. Attorney Foley. “An appearance bond is not simply a procedural formality; its purpose is to deter defendants from violating conditions of their release and ensure they appear in court to face their charges. Those who contemplate fleeing should know that my office will doggedly seek to find them and enforce their bond obligations.” In May 2019, the government commenced proceedings to enforce Ahmed’s appearance bond. After the bond was declared forfeited, default judgment was entered and was affirmed on appeal. A petition for remission was denied and, pursuant to appearance bond documents signed by Ahmed and his wife, the Court tendered the deed to the United States and ownership was transferred. Pursuant to a court order, the United States Attorney’s Office listed the property for sale and on July 15, 2025, the house sale closed at a price of $7.35 million. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley made the announcement today. The bond forfeiture action was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service in the Districts of Massachusetts and Connecticut.


title: FCI Lewisburg Inmate Charged with Assault with A Dangerous Weapon and Possession of Weapons in Prison

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Andrew Dion, age 57, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution Lewisburg (FCI Lewisburg), Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on July 24, 2025, by a federal grand jury on two counts of possessing contraband in prison and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on June 2, 2025, Dion was in possession of a broken, wooden broom handle, approximately 13 inches in length, which he used to assault another inmate. The indictment further alleges that Dion was also in possession of a bent brush with exposed metal prongs, approximately 8 inches in length. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine. A sentence would also include a period of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged by indictment are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. ###


title: HAWTHORNE MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG AND FIREARM OFFENSES

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

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – William Hernandez, 27, of Hawthorne, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge. Hernandez is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida on July 29, 2025, at 2:15 p.m. If convicted, Hernandez faces up to life imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gainesville Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Adam Hapner. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Brazilian National Indicted for Illegal Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully residing in Weymouth has been indicted for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Josimar Fernandes-Pessoa, 38, is charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. According to the indictment, Fernandes-Pessoa was removed from the United States in 2019 after being apprehended near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. Prior to his removal, Fernandes-Pessoa pleaded guilty to improper entry by an alien in the Western District of Texas. It is alleged that sometime after his 2019 removal, Fernandes-Pessoa unlawfully reentered the United States. This charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cutshall of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: TALLAHASSEE MAN SENTENCED FOR MULTIPLE FEDERAL CHILD EXPLOITATION CRIMES

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Danny Reams, Jr., 32, of Tallahassee, Florida was sentenced to 168 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to attempted enticement of a minor as well as receipt and distribution of child pornography. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: There is no greater charge than the protection of our children, and I am deeply appreciative of the excellent work of our state and federal law enforcement partners to target those who attempt to prey upon our kids. This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment of my office to protect our most vulnerable from the predations of sex offenders, and should serve as a warning to others who seek to target our children. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.” According to court records, the Defendant distributed an image of child pornography in June 2024 through a social media application. He then received child pornography in a second social media application in August 2024. Finally, in September 2024, the Defendant solicited sex from an undercover officer who was pretending to be a 14-year-old child. The defendant was arrested upon his arrival at a predetermined meeting location. “HSI is committed to working with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of children throughout North Florida,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “Sexual predators, like Reams, should know that HSI is unwavering in our dedication to finding you and holding you accountable.” Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said: “We at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office are unwavering in our commitment to protect our children from those who seek to exploit them. I commend our investigators, along with our federal partners, for their relentless work in uncovering and stopping these repugnant crimes.” This conviction was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch. 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Middleburg Man Sentenced To Prison For Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT-The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeffrey Snyder, age 47, of Middleburg, was sentenced yesterday to 188 months in prison by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, Snyder led Pennsylvania State Police officers on a 90-mile-an-hour chase through Union and Snyder counties on April 8, 2024. When Snyder was finally arrested, he possessed approximately 376 grams of methamphetamine, $1,390.40 in cash, was driving a stolen vehicle, and had a loaded, stolen revolver in the driver’s side door. Snyder previously pleaded guilty on March 6, 2025. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Northern Colorado Couple Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution Linked to Death of a Minor

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Destiny Salazar, age 22, and Gabriel Orozco, age 23, both of Weld County, Colorado, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and to distribution of fentanyl. According to the plea agreements, Salazar and Orozco used cellphones, Facebook, and email to sell fentanyl pills to a variety of customers. They referred to the pills as “blues," "30s," "percs," "perxs," and "yerks” on Facebook. They also used their various devices and accounts interchangeably, with Orozco sometimes responding for Salazar on her account. The plea agreements further state that the defendants engaged in a series of transactions with an individual on July 24 th , 2021, who purchased six pills in total from Salazar and Orozco. This individual shared the pills with a minor female, who died shortly thereafter as a result of fentanyl intoxication. Both defendants and the individual who purchased the pills were aware they contained fentanyl. Salazar and Orozco continued to conspire and distribute fentanyl through at least March 2022, when they were arrested on burglary charges. At the time of their arrest, they possessed distribution quantities of fentanyl, according to the plea agreements. United States District Court Senior Judge John L. Kane presided over the hearing. Salazar will be sentenced on October 21 st , 2025, and Orozco will be sentenced on October 23 rd , 2025. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greeley Police Department, Brighton Police Department, Weld County District Attorney's Office, and the Weld County Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brad Giles. Case Number: 24-cr-310-JLK


title: Madisonville Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Paducah, KY – A Madisonville, Kentucky man was sentenced on July 22, 2025, to 10 years in federal prison for possessing over 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Chief Steve Bryan of the Madisonville Police Department made the announcement. Michael Skinner, 65, admitted in his plea agreement that he was stopped by law enforcement on August 3, 2024, based on excessive window tinting. A K-9 subsequently alerted to the presence of narcotics coming from the vehicle, resulting in the discovery of 80.77 grams of methamphetamine hidden under the hood of the vehicle. Skinner admitted to distributing methamphetamine and to frequent prior drug distribution. As a result of his conduct and his criminal history, the Court imposed a sentence of 10 years in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty and the Madisonville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case. This conviction is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). ###


title: Florida Man Sentenced To More Than 17 Years For Scheme To Steal More Than $10.8 Million From Medicare

body_text: Tampa, FL – District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Lino Mallari Gutierrez, a/k/a “Joe Gutierrez,” (59, Palm City) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay more than $5.6 million in restitution for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare. Gutierrez and his co-conspirators submitted over $10.8 million in fraudulent claims for durable medical equipment (DME) that Medicare beneficiaries did not want or need and that were procured through the payment of kickbacks. Gutierrez was convicted at trial in April 2025, of eleven health care fraud-related offenses, including conspiracy, health care fraud, and paying kickbacks. According to court documents and testimony, over a six-month period from October 2018 to April 2019, Gutierrez conspired with others to steal millions of dollars from Medicare by creating sham companies that shipped braces to Medicare beneficiaries —some of whom co-conspirators identified through telemarketing and others whose personal identifying information conspirators stole to submit fraudulent Medicare claims. Gutierrez and his conspirators paid kickbacks to other companies in exchange for signed doctors’ orders. These companies used overseas call centers to solicit patients and fraudulent telemedicine companies to procure fake prescriptions for braces for Medicare beneficiaries. As part of the conspiracy, Gutierrez, a licensed broker, also filed false records with his employer and a private regulatory organization of brokers to conceal his involvement in the DME companies. On April 9, 2019, multiple federal law enforcement agencies participated in a nationwide action referred to as “Operation Brace Yourself.” The operation targeted ongoing schemes, such as Gutierrez’s, in which companies were paying illegal bribes to secure signed physicians’ DME brace orders for use as support for fraudulent claims submitted to the federal programs. In the Middle District of Florida, the April 2019 operation included, among other efforts, the execution of search warrants at numerous DME storefronts and civil actions. Before the operation, Gutierrez was in the process of establishing six more DME companies, which were thwarted by law enforcement action. To hide the profits from the government, Gutierrez and his conspirators laundered the Medicare proceeds. “The sentencing underscores HHS-OIG’s commitment to protecting patients and taxpayers from fraudulent schemes that exploit our health care system and are motivated by pure greed,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Lynch with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations that individuals and entities are profiting from deceiving and abusing federal health care programs.” “Mr. Gutierrez orchestrated a scheme to cost taxpayers over $10 million. When federally funded healthcare systems are cheated, we ALL pay the price. The FBI is dedicated to working with our partners to investigate and hold accountable those who exploit the health care system at the expense of patients,” said FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor. This case was investigated by the HHS-OIG and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Peresie and Trial Attorney Margaret Mortimer of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.