title: Department of State employee sentenced for transmitting national defense information to suspected Chinese government agents

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A U.S. Department of State (DOS) employee was sentenced today to four years in prison for conspiring to collect and transmit national defense information to individuals he knew to be working for the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). “The price of Michael Schena’s disgraceful betrayal of his country is far more than the paltry amount for which he traded his honor,” said Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “His acts of selfish avarice left that price to be paid by the faithful women and men of our intelligence community and the nation they serve. The cost Schena will pay is the loss of his integrity, his reputation, and, by today’s sentence, his freedom.” “The defendant threw away his career, betrayed his country, and abused the trust the United States placed in him by granting his Top Secret security clearance. He will spend years of his life in prison for passing classified information to individuals he believed to be Chinese government agents,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Today’s sentence serves as a warning to those who would violate the trust placed in them by our Nation and double-cross the American people.” “Michael Schena deliberately undermined U.S. national security and put American lives at risk by selling classified information to the Chinese Government,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “The Chinese government continues to aggressively target U.S. government employees to steal our classified information, and this sentencing makes clear the FBI and our partners will do everything in our power to defend the Homeland. Anyone thinking of betraying their oath to the United States should consider the severe consequences and know the FBI will work tirelessly to bring them to justice.” "As a State Department employee, Schena's mission should have been to promote U.S. security and prosperity throughout the world, but instead he jeopardized national security by transmitting classified information to individuals whom he believed worked for an adversarial government," said Daniel Wierzbicki, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Counterintelligence and Cyber Division. "As today's sentencing demonstrates, the U.S. government remains committed to investigating and prosecuting clearance holders who seek to cash in on our nation's secrets." According to court documents, beginning in April 2022, Michael Charles Schena, 42, of Alexandria, communicated with people he met online through various communication platforms and provided them sensitive government information in exchange for money. Two of these individuals represented themselves as employees of international consulting companies. Despite clear indications that they were working on behalf of the PRC, Schena continued his relationship with them. In August 2024, Schena met an individual at a hotel in Peru who provided Schena $10,000 and a cellphone that was intended to be used for Schena to receive taskings and to image and transmit information. In October 2024, while at work, Schena photographed and transmitted at least four classified documents that contained national defense information and were classified at the SECRET level. In February 2025, surveillance video captured Schena again using the cellphone he received in Peru to photograph seven documents marked as SECRET that contained national defense information. FBI agents seized the cellphone before Schena could transmit photographs of these classified documents to his handlers and was later arrested. The announcement was made after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the FBI Richmond Field Office, the Department of Justice’s Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Office of Counterintelligence. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Ben’Ary and Gavin R. Tisdale for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-158.


title: Mississippi Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution and Felon in Possession of Firearm

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

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JARVIS WILSON (“WILSON”) , age 39, a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, was sentenced on September 2, 2025, by United States District Judge Greg Gerard Guidry, after previously pleading guilty to Counts Two and Four of the indictment pending against him. Count 2 charged WILSON with distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A). Count 4 charged WILSON with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). WILSON was sentenced to a total of 188 months, comprised of imprisonment 188 months as to Count Two, and 180 months as to Count Four, to be served concurrently. Judge Guidry also sentenced WILSON to five years of supervised release. This term of supervised release consists of five years as to Count 2 and three years as to Count Four, to be served concurrently. WILSON also faces payment of a combined $200 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, on or about April 8, 2024, WILSON , sold five hundred (500) grams or more of methamphetamine, to an individual he believed to be a legitimate buyer. On April 8, 2024, agents searched WILSON’s residence due to his drug trafficking. During the search, agents recovered ammunition, a Ruger Model LCR, .22 caliber revolver, and a Smith & Wesson Model 1000 Super, 12-gauge shotgun. 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. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit. * * *


title: Hoffmann Quality Tools USA Inc. Agrees To Pay $1.4M Following Improper Receipt Of PPP Loan

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Hoffmann Quality Tools USA Inc. (“Hoffmann”) has paid $1,400,027.39 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by applying for, receiving, and obtaining forgiveness of a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) for which it was not eligible. Congress created the PPP in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, to provide relief to small businesses experiencing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 27, 2020, the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (“Economic Aid Act”) was signed into law. The Economic Aid Act authorized the Small Business Administration to guarantee second-draw PPP loans. To be eligible for second-draw PPP loans, borrowers were required to have no more than 300 employees, among other requirements. On May 21, 2020, an Interim Final Rule was published that clarified that affiliated foreign employees were to be included when a borrower calculated their total number of employees for purposes of determining PPP loan eligibility. The United States contends that Hoffmann failed to include employees employed by foreign entities affiliated with Hoffmann through common ownership when it applied for a second-draw PPP loan and forgiveness thereof. Had Hoffmann included the employees of the foreign entities affiliated with Hoffmann, Hoffmann would have exceeded the 300-employee size limitation applicable to second-draw PPP loans and would not have been eligible to receive the second-draw PPP loan. This Settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the qui tam , or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and receive a share of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Blockquote, Inc. v. Hoffmann Quality Tools USA Inc. , No. 3:24-cv-297 (E.D. Tenn.). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Cunningham and Alexa Ortiz Hadley represented the United States, with assistance from the Small Business Administration. “The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) stood as vital resource for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. “Our office will continue to work with SBA and other federal partners to recover from those who take advantage of vital resources at the expense of the public.” SBA’s General Counsel, Wendell Davis, stated, “This recovery is a direct result of the concerted efforts of SBA and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee to investigate claims of fraud in SBA’s COVID-relief programs and to recover funds lost through false statements from individuals and companies that engage in such activities.” 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 . The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Four Charged in Conspiracy to Smuggle Children From Mexico

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Note : View a copy of the criminal complaint . Four people were charged for their roles in a scheme to smuggle children from Mexico into the United States, sometimes using candy laced with THC to sedate them during smuggling events. “This Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.” “These defendants allegedly risked the lives of children by using drug-laced candy to keep them quiet while being smuggled into the United States,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Targeting children in this way is especially dangerous and cruel. The Criminal Division is dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable populations and dismantling the for-profit smuggling networks that exploit them.” “When these cartels and the Alien Smuggling Organizations with which they partner see children, they see dollar signs,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “This case shows that cartels and alien smuggling organizations care nothing for the wellbeing of the people they move into the United States. They only care about enriching themselves. In the Western District, we will muster all our resources to remove from society those who would profit off of the hopeless and helpless.” “Every child placed in a smugglers hands is a life placed in danger,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso. “These predators see desperation as an opportunity. To these criminals, vulnerable children as nothing more than currency-a means to turn human lives into profit. The smuggling of children is one of the most callous and reprehensible crimes HSI investigates, and we won’t stop pursuing those who profit by endangering young lives.” Mexican nationals Susana Guadian and Daniel Guadian, both 50; Dianne Guadian, 32, a U.S. citizen; and Manuel Valenzuela, 35, a lawful permanent resident residing in El Paso, Texas, were charged in the Western District of Texas by a criminal complaint with conspiracy to transport aliens and bringing aliens to the United States for financial gain. Defendants Dianne Guadian and Manuel Valenzuela were arrested in El Paso on Aug. 30 and had their initial appearances on Sept. 2. According to the complaint, between on or about May 1 through Oct. 17, 2024, the defendants were part of an alien smuggling organization (ASO) that brought unaccompanied alien children between the ages of five and 13 illegally into the United States from Juarez, Mexico. The complaint alleges that Susana Guadian and Daniel Guadian recruited drivers to transport the children by car from Mexico to a port of entry at the U.S. border. The drivers and their coconspirator would then present U.S. documents to inspecting officers falsely claiming the documents belonged to the children, and that they were the parents of the children. During at least one smuggling event, the alien children were given gummy candies containing marijuana to sedate them. One of the children was taken to a local hospital and later diagnosed with marijuana poisoning. Once inside the United States, the children were then transported to El Paso, where, according to the complaint, Dianne Guadian and Manuel Valenzuela would pick up the children and provide payment to the drivers. The drivers were paid $900 for each minor that they brought into the United States. The investigation and indictment were supported by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the northern and southern borders. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 410 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. HSI El Paso and U.S. Border Patrol led investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. Trial Attorney Bethany Allen of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Hines for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). U.S. V. GUADIAN ET. AL., WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, CASE NO: EP-25-M-04855-MAT, FILED 08/29/2025 U.S. V. GUADIAN ET. AL., WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, CASE NO: EP-25-M-04855-MAT, FILED 08/29/2025 U.S. V. GUADIAN ET. AL., WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, CASE NO: EP-25-M-04855-MAT, FILED 08/29/2025


title: Greenbrier County Couple Plead Guilty to Immigration Crimes

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: BECKLEY, W.Va. – Today, Rajesh N. Patel, 51, of Ronceverte, pleaded guilty to knowingly transporting an illegal alien and his wife Avanibahen Patel, 44, pleaded guilty to unlawful employment of aliens. According to court documents and statements made in court, from November 2020 through at least September 2024, Aakash Prakash Makwana, 30, a citizen of India unlawfully residing in Ronceverte, was employed at a Fairlea business owned and operated by the Patels. Makwana assisted with the daily running of the business during the time period. As part of their guilty pleas, the Patels each admitted that they agreed to hire Makwana knowing that he was living in the United States illegally after his immigration visa expired. Rajesh N. Patel further admitted that he drove Makwana to and from work and other locations because Makwana did not own a vehicle. Rajesh N. Patel also admitted that he did not collect or pay over to the United States government any payroll taxes from Makwana’s gross pay, and paid Makwana’s rent and supplied him with groceries during most of the time Makwana was employed at the business. Makwana pleaded guilty on May 14, 2025, to aggravated identity theft, admitting that he committed the offense as part of a scheme to marry a United States citizen to evade U.S. immigration laws. In or around August 2021, Makwana conspired with others to marry a U.S. citizen so he could apply for Lawful Permanent Residence status, also known as obtaining a Green Card. The marriage fraud scheme was not successful. Makwana is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025. As part of his guilty plea, Rajesh N. Patel admitted that he knew of the marriage fraud conspiracy and aided and abetted it by making cash payments to Makwana’s co-conspirators. Kalee Ann Huff, 28, of Fairbury, Illinois, admitted to marrying Makwana as part of the conspiracy and was sentenced on June 12, 2025, to five years of federal probation for marriage fraud and perjury. Huff’s brother-in-law, Joseph Sanchez, admitted to helping to arrange the fake marriage and to pressuring Huff to take part. Sanchez, 33, of Fairbury, Illinois, was sentenced to five years of federal probation on May 28, 2025, for participating in an immigration marriage fraud conspiracy. Rajesh N. Patel is scheduled to be sentenced on January 9, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Avanibahen Patel is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of six months in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $3,000. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the cases. 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 (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 (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:25-cr-136 (Rajesh N. Patel) and 5:25-cr-137 (Avanibahen Patel). ###


title: Twelve People Charged for Their Roles in International Alien Smuggling, Asylum Fraud, and Money Laundering Conspiracies

body_text: Twelve people have been charged in a superseding indictment for their roles in an international conspiracy involving alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering schemes that brought thousands of aliens illegally into the United States for profit. According to court documents, the defendants operated a prolific alien smuggling operation (ASO) that facilitated the unlawful entry of Cuban nationals into the United States by preparing visa applications, laundering millions of dollars in payment, and exploiting the immigration process. “This DOJ is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.” “This indictment exposes a criminal organization that smuggled people into the United States on a massive scale, and then fraudulently secured immigration benefits for them,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Posing as a legitimate immigration service, the defendants used social media promotions and false legal filings to attract new clients and perpetuate their fraud. The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will continue to dismantle these schemes, protect vulnerable people from exploitation, and safeguard the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.” “The defendants in this case conspired with others to deliberately violate our nation’s immigration laws while personally seeking to enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the interagency coordination and diligence of our dedicated law enforcement agencies, their crimes have been thwarted. We will continue working with our partners to protect our national borders.” “This superseding indictment exposes the depth of a multi-year conspiracy of alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering that preyed on vulnerable individuals and weakened public trust in the immigration system,” said Acting Director Todd M. Lyons of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “This highlights the critical role ICE has in dismantling these criminal networks, combating immigration fraud, and ensuring criminals who abuse our systems are held accountable. We are absolute in our resolve to protect the integrity of our immigration system and safeguard our national security. “It is because of the unfettered Department of Justice support we charge criminals with every available statute to provide consequences to those that erode the moral fabric of our society,” said Chief Jeffrey J. Dinise of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Miami Sector. “The message is clear, the United States is closed to illegal immigration and terrorist organizations, and those that make an attempt, will be met with fierce consequences. We are committed to protecting our Florida communities and safeguarding our nation.” “Through diligent investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and our partners exposed a multi-national, multi-year, multi-million dollar criminal conspiracy operated by aliens that attempted to undermine our immigration system and flood our country with illegal aliens — none of whom had any intention of following our laws,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “This criminal organization operated a front for fake asylum claims, churning out frivolous applications around the country. To criminals who seek to exploit our immigration system: we will find you, shut down your schemes, and you will face justice.” The superseding indictment charges: Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, 27, of Hialeah, FL (unlawfully residing in the United States); Yuniel Lima-Santos, 30, of Tampa, FL; Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, 26, unlawfully residing in Lebanon, TN; Marianny Lucia Lopez-Torres, 25, residing in Cuba, (formerly Hialeah, FL); Frandy Aragon-Diaz, 33, of Cuba, (formerly unlawfully residing in Tampa, FL); Erik Ventura-Castro, 23, residing in Hialeah, FL; Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, 30, of Tampa, FL; Walbis Pozo-Dutel, 30, residing in Katy, TX ; Emanuel Martinez Gonzalez, 28, unlawfully residing in Hialeah, FL; Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, 31, of Tampa, FL; Layra Libertad Treto Santos, 31, of Tampa, FL; and Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra, 40, of Tampa, FL. According to the superseding indictment: All defendants except Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra are charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain. Yuniel Lima-Santos and Frandy Aragon-Diaz are also charged with alien smuggling for financial gain. Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Layra Libertad Treto Santos, and Gisleivy Peralta Consuerga are charged with conspiracy to commit asylum fraud. Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Erik Ventura-Castro, Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, and Layra Libertad Treto Santos are charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. From January 2021 through June 2025, the defendants promoted bogus visa services online, claiming Cuban nationals could secure U.S. entry through false claims of European citizenship. They filed hundreds of fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, using fake addresses and fabricated documents. The ASO promoted its services on social media accounts and encrypted messaging platforms, including a WhatsApp group titled, “TRÁMITE DE ESTA Y VISA DE TURISMO A USA PARA CIUDADANOS ESPAÑOLES” (Processing of ESTA and tourist Visas to the USA for Spanish citizens). One promotional video advertised the scheme by showing stacks of passports, airline tickets, and visa approvals. What began as a small operation grew into a commercial enterprise. The defendants charged clients between $1,500 and $40,000, sometimes even chartering private planes to move groups of aliens. Records show they spent over $2.5 million on flights alone and funneled more than $7 million through payment apps such as Zelle. Based on a financial analysis conducted of 27 known accounts associated with the defendants and their co-conspirators, the alien smuggling organization took in over $18 million during the course of the conspiracy. The ASO also smuggled unaccompanied minors. In one case, a teenage girl was told to pose as the lifelong friend of an unrelated adult man when crossing the border. The defendants operated a sham immigration business, ASESORIA Y SERVICIOS MIGRATORIOS LLC, which promised asylum filings, work permits, and residency applications. In reality, the company churned out boilerplate asylum claims without clients’ knowledge or consent and even blocked them from accessing their own USCIS online accounts. ASESORIA marketed itself on Instagram with flashy ads for immigration services while simultaneously posting videos of aliens being smuggled into the country. The investigation and superseding indictment were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along southern and northern borders. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 410 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. HSI Tampa, U.S. Border Patrol Miami Sector, and USCIS’s’ Fraud Detection and National Security led U.S. investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. Authorities in the Cayman Islands provided valuable assistance. Trial Attorney Jenna Reed of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods. An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Note : You can read the Indictment here


title: Portsmouth carjacker sentenced to over 10 years in prison

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man and member of the Portsmouth neighborhood street gang “600” was sentenced yesterday to 10 years and 10 months in prison for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. According to court documents, on July 10, 2022, in Virginia Beach, Cedric Rashad Davis Jr., aka Ced, Luh Ced, or Grim Reaper, 22, robbed a victim while brandishing a firearm and demanding the keys for the victim’s vehicle. The victim gave Davis the keys, and Davis entered the vehicle and fled the scene. On July 11, 2022, Davis used Instagram to stream videos depicting himself driving the stolen vehicle and holding a handgun. A search of Davis’ phone revealed text messages in which Davis attempted to sell the stolen vehicle. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker. This case resulted from a joint investigation involving the ATF, Virginia Beach Police Department, and Portsmouth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Heck and Megan M. Montoya prosecuted 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 protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-17.


title: Six Members Of Bronx Crew Charged For Spree Of 2020 Violence That Killed Two People And Wounded A Third

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton; Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ricky J. Patel; and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced a Superseding Indictment charging STORM JONES; MICHAEL ORTIZ, a/k/a “Dot”; RANDY MACCOW; MARIO MEDINA, a/k/a “Flacco”; JAYSON HOLLAND, a/k/a “Jerry,” a/k/a “Ninety”; and FRANCIS OFORI, a/k/a “Ghana,” in connection with two homicides and a third non-fatal shooting in 2020. The charges relate to the August 2, 2020, killing of 53-year-old Clarence Adams; the September 1, 2020, murder of 29-year-old Jeffrey German; and the November 3, 2020, shooting of a third individual, who survived. Each of the defendants was either in New York City or New York State custody and brought into federal custody, with the final two defendants arraigned in Manhattan federal court today. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman. “As alleged, these defendants wreaked havoc across a Bronx neighborhood through a string of robberies and killings,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New Yorkers want and deserve safe streets and those who pursue violence as a way of life will be brought to justice.” “As alleged, these defendants carried out their violent sprees with depravity, which resulted in the deaths of two victims and the near loss of a third,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “However long it takes, HSI New York, the NYPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York will relentlessly target violent criminals to ensure no victims suffer in vain and the public remains as safe as possible.” “These alleged Elsmere crew members carried out cold-blooded murders, violent crime sprees, and tried to dodge accountability—all while carrying illegal guns and illicit narcotics,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Two New Yorkers lost their lives, another was seriously injured, and entire communities were shattered by this violence. The NYPD’s strategy is simple: to keep our streets safe, remove gangs from the equation—and that’s why we have carried out more than 50 gang-related takedowns and arrested almost 400 gang members this year alone. I want to thank the NYPD investigators, HSI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their relentless work to make sure these defendants are brought to justice.” According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment, other court documents, and statements made during court proceedings: [1] Beginning in at least 2020, a group of individuals (the “Elsmere Crew”) utilized the residence located at 804 Elsmere Place in the Bronx (“804 Elsmere”) as a gathering place to use narcotics, carry firearms, plan crimes of violence, and hide from law enforcement after committing those crimes. On August 2, 2020, Elsmere Crew member JONES, while selling drugs several blocks from 804 Elsmere, shot 53-year-old Clarence Adams, who had confronted JONES about JONES’s drug dealing. Adams died from his injuries. After the shooting, JONES fled to 804 Elsmere, where he met with other members of the Elsmere Crew. In fall 2020, JONES, ORTIZ, MACCOW, MEDINA, HOLLAND, and OFORI planned and carried out two similar robberies near 804 Elsmere. In each robbery, members of the Elsmere Crew persuaded a victim to deliver marijuana to the vicinity of 804 Elsmere, left together from 804 Elsmere to the site of the purported drug purchase, confronted and robbed the victim with firearms, and fled to 804 Elsmere afterward. JONES, ORTIZ, MACCOW, MEDINA, and HOLLAND committed the first robbery, in which they shot and killed 29-year-old Jeffrey German on September 1, 2020. ORTIZ and OFORI participated in the second robbery with other Elsmere Crew members on November 3, 2020, in which they shot a victim, who survived. * * * A chart containing the defendants’ names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties is set forth below. The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman and Patrick R. Moroney are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Count Charge Defendants Maximum Penalty 1 Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery (Jeffrey German robbery and murder) 18 U.S.C. § 1951 STORM JONES, 26; MICHAEL ORTIZ, a/k/a “Dot,” 26; RANDY MACCOW, 24 MARIO MEDINA, a/k/a “Flacco,” 31; JAYSON HOLLAND, a/k/a “Jerry,” a/k/a “Ninety,” 25 20 years in prison 2 Hobbs Act robbery 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2 (Jeffrey German robbery and murder) 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2 JONES, ORTIZ, MACCOW, MEDINA, and HOLLAND 20 years in prison 3 Murder through the use of a firearm (Jeffrey German robbery and murder) 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j) and 2 JONES, ORTIZ, MACCOW, MEDINA, and HOLLAND Life in prison 4 Firearm use, carrying, and possession (Jeffrey German robbery and murder) 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2 JONES, ORTIZ, MACCOW, MEDINA, and HOLLAND Life in prison 5 Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy (Non-fatal shooting) 18 U.S.C. § 1951 ORTIZ and FRANCIS OFORI, a/k/a “Ghana,” 22 20 years in prison 6 Hobbs Act robbery (Non-fatal shooting) 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2 ORTIZ and OFORI 20 years in prison 7 Firearm use, carrying, and possession (Non-fatal shooting) 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2 ORTIZ and OFORI Life in prison 8 Narcotics conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846 JONES 20 years in prison 9 Firearm use, carrying, and possession (Clarence Adams homicide) 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2 JONES Life in prison u.s._v._jones_et_al._indictment.pdf [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: 75th Defendant Charged in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – Muna Wais Fidhin, 44, has been charged in a ten-count indictment with three counts of Wire Fraud, four counts of Federal Programs Bribery, and three counts of Money Laundering for her role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. Fidhin is the 75 th defendant charged in this scheme, the largest Covid fraud case in the country. She was arrested this morning. “With the 75 th defendant charged in the Feeding Our Future scandal, the message could not be clearer,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Feeding Our Future is only one of the many frauds against the state we are pursuing. If you touched these frauds in any way, pick up the phone and call the FBI today. You will still be held accountable, but it will be far better for you than if you wait until we come knocking.” Fidhim participated in a scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program by exploiting changes in the program intended to ensure that underserved children received adequate nutrition during the Covid-19 pandemic. Feeding Our Future was a non-profit organization purportedly in the business of helping community partners participate in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Aimee Bock, convicted at trial and pending sentencing, was the founder and executive director of Feeding Our Future. Prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Feeding Our Future was a small non-profit that sponsored the participation of daycares and after-school programs in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Beginning in approximately April 2020, Feeding Our Future dramatically increased the number of sites under its sponsorship as well as the amount of Federal Child Nutrition Program funds received by those sites. Feeding Our Future went from receiving and disbursing approximately $3.4 million in federal funds to sites under its sponsorship in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021. In 2020, Fidhin enrolled her company, M5 Café, in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. Fidhin later created a nonprofit organization called M5 Care, which, in 2021, she also enrolled in the program under another sponsor. Fidhin fraudulently claimed to be serving meals to 500 children a day, seven days a week, at her sites. In reality, Fidhin served few, if any, children at her sites. Fidhin submitted fake invoices purporting to document the purchase of food for use in feeding these children. In all, Fidhin fraudulently claimed to have served more than 300,000 meals at her two food sites, for which she claimed to be entitled to approximately $1 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. Fidhin did not use these funds to purchase food to feed children. Instead, she used the money to pay off her home mortgage, to purchase a car, and to fund her lifestyle. Fidhin also wired tens of thousands of dollars out of the country. She paid approximately $27,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee in exchange for his sponsorship and submission of her fraudulent claims. “Today’s arrest of Muna Wais Fidhin represents yet another major milestone in this investigation: the 75th indictment in this massive fraud scheme,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. “As alleged in the indictment, Fidhin, using fraudulent documents, stole more than $1 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program. Fidhin, and all of those charged in connection with this scheme, may have underestimated the FBI’s ability to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals who steal from taxpayers with funds intended for hungry children. Rest assured; the FBI will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners, together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, until every culpable person is held responsible.” “The Feeding Our Future fraud investigation ignited an awareness of the pervasive fraud that exists in government-funded programs in this state,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Well-intentioned assistance programs will always be targeted for fraud and when the system fails to protect federal funds, IRS Criminal Investigation will work with the United States Attorney’s Office and partner agencies to expose those who use deception and fraud to enrich themselves at the expense of those who truly need help. While we take a moment to reflect on the great investigative work performed by talented and devoted investigators and attorneys resulting in charges filed against seventy-five individuals, there is still more work to be done on this and other fraud schemes targeting government funded programs. Our agents will continue to provide their investigative and financial expertise to these fraud investigations.” United States Postal Inspection Service Denver Division Inspector in Charge Bryan Musgrove said, “The arrest of the 75th defendant in this case demonstrates the Postal Inspection Service’s steadfast pursuit of justice for anyone who uses the mail in a scheme to divert emergency funds intended to help those most in need. The US Postal Inspection Service is proud to work with its law enforcement partners to bring this kind of greed to an end.” These cases result from an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: D’Iberville Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Plus Fifty Years for  Coercion of Minors and Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: Department of Justice

body_text: Gulfport, MS – A D’Iberville, Mississippi man was sentenced today to life in prison, plus a consecutive fifty years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for coercing minor victims to participate in sexual activity and for producing images and videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. In December 2024, multiple minor children notified law enforcement that they were being sexually abused by Sean Parol, a 53-year-old male. That same month, a search warrant was executed at Parol’s residence. During the search warrant, officers with the D’Iberville Police Department found various electronic devices belonging to Parol and hidden cameras throughout Parol’s house. Parol was able to record some of the sexual abuse with the hidden cameras. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and a forensic examiner with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Cybercrime Division conducted a forensic analysis on the devices and cameras that were in Parol’s house and found videos of Parol performing oral sex on multiple minor boys as well as having the minor boys perform oral sex on him. On one electronic device, Parol was in possession of over 30,000 images and/or videos of child sexual abuse material. The investigation revealed that to continue the sexual abuse, Parol would give the children vapes, buy them various items, and show the children adult pornography. Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement. The case was investigated by the FBI, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Cybercrime Division, and the D’Iberville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Smith prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.


title: Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for  Role in Large-Scale Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in Rapid City Area and within the Pine Ridge Reservation

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a man from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 29, 2025. Harrison Caldwell, 31, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The sentence was ordered to run consecutively to a 33-month sentence for a separate assault case. Caldwell was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024 for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. He pleaded guilty on June 16, 2025. The investigation showed that Caldwell and others distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine in Pine Ridge and Rapid City beginning around November 2023. The conspiracy was responsible for distributing nearly 100% pure methamphetamine that came from Mexican cartels. In sentencing Caldwell to ten years in prison, Judge Schreier noted that his involvement was less significant than other higher-ranking members of the conspiracy. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Caldwell was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Two Men Admit Role in St. Louis Drug Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Two men caught with pounds of fentanyl and other drugs have pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy charge. Dennis M. Davis, 47, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl. Shem J. Guy, 34, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in June. Both men admitted participating in a conspiracy to sell drugs that began at least as early as 2019. During the investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration special agents caught David, Guy and their conspirators discussing drug purchases and sales. On Sept. 6, 2023, investigators conducted a court-approved search of a Davis “stash” house in St. Louis and found $12,323 in cash, four rifles, two pistols and a money counter. They also found 4.9 kilograms of fentanyl, almost a pound of marijuana, 285 grams of heroin, 168 grams of cocaine, 127 grams of cocaine base and 137 grams of meth. In Davis’ house, they recovered three pistols and fentanyl. Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 15, 2026, and Guy on October 1. Davis faces a potential penalty of 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $5 million. Guy faces a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million or both prison and a fine. Both men have also agreed to forfeit cash, firearms and a 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn truck that were seized during the investigation. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Bridgeton Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Charles County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Delworth is prosecuting the case. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Worcester Man Charged with Possessing Firearm and Ammunition

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Worcester man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition. Gilbert Morin, 39, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Morin will make an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. According to charging documents, on or about May 30, 2025, Morin allegedly possessed a Taurus pistol and ammunition after previously having been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Morin was arrested and charged in state court on May 30, 2025, and has remained in custody since. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; and Paul Saucier, Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (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 details contained in the court documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 51 Months for Leadership Role in Drug Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Concord to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Antonio Aguasvivas, 30 years old, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 51 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In February 2025, Aguasvivas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, namely, cocaine and fentanyl. The defendant was originally charged with conspiracy on April 26, 2023, along with 20 other defendants. To date, 10 defendants have been sentenced. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of trafficking drugs in our communities and underscores our commitment to holding those at every level of the supply chain accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “Every role within these criminal networks is critical to their operation, and all involved will be held responsible for their contribution to the drug trade in the Granite State.” “Antonio Aguasvivas led a major drug trafficking organization in our region that pumped large quantities of deadly narcotics into our communities, profiting off the addiction of others,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Now Mr. Aguasvivas will spend the next four years behind bars where he can’t harm anyone else. The FBI and our partners will continue to investigate and disrupt sprawling drug trafficking operations like this one, as we work to make our neighborhoods safer.” “New Hampshire is in the midst of a devastating opioid crisis, as deaths from fentanyl soar. The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those, like Mr. Aguasvivas, who are contributing to the crisis by distributing dangerous drugs like fentanyl and cocaine in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge, Jarod Forget, New England Field Division. “Yesterday’s sentence holds Mr. Aguasvivas accountable for his crimes, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put other callous distributers like him behind bars.” According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, the defendant played a lead role in a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine in Manchester and elsewhere. The organization used a dispatch operation to sell drugs: customers called a phone line to purchase narcotics and would speak to the defendant who would then put the customer in touch with a drug runner to complete the drug sale. Between October 6, 2022 and March 7, 2023, law enforcement agents observed and recorded ten sales of fentanyl and crack cocaine in Manchester conducted by the defendant and others working for him. Law enforcement obtained information that, during this timeframe, the defendant would drive to New Hampshire every day from Rhode Island to deliver large amounts of narcotics to his runners. When customers called the dispatch line, on some occasions, the defendant would personally deliver the narcotics to customers himself, while on others, his runners would do so. Law enforcement recovered 120 grams of fentanyl and 70 grams of crack cocaine from runners’ vehicles and drug sales the defendant conducted with individuals working for law enforcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kennedy is prosecuting the case. This effort 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: Missouri Man Sentenced to 6 ½ Years for Child Pornography Offense

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Thursday sentenced a man to 78 months in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material on multiple electronic devices and in a cloud account. Judge Ross also ordered Davie John Metzger, 55, of O’Fallon, Missouri, to pay $24,000 in restitution to the victims that have been identified in the material he possessed, as well as $40,000 that will go to other child pornography victims and victim services. Metzger possessed 369 images of child sexual abuse material on a flash drive, 24 images on a hard drive, 211 in an online cloud storage account and 343 on a cell phone. Metzger’s conduct triggered three CyberTipline reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A court-approved search of his online account revealed photos that he’d surreptitiously taken of women and girls in public places. Metzger pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in April to one count of receipt of child pornography. The FBI and the St. Charles County Cybercrime Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: New Jersey Man Charged with Enticing Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, Distributing Cocaine to Minor Victim

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL FRANCISCO GUZMAN, 30, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, with child exploitation and drug distribution offenses. The indictment was returned on August 5, 2025, and Guzman has been detained since his arrest on August 12. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was ordered detained. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in March 2025, Guzman began messaging on Snapchat with a child under the age of 13 (“minor victim”) in Connecticut. Guzman solicited sexually explicit images from the minor victim and sent sexually explicit images of himself to the minor victim. Guzman then travelled to Connecticut to engage in sexual conduct with the minor victim. He also provided cocaine to the minor victim. It is further alleged that a court-authorized search of Guzman’s Snapchat account has revealed attempts by Guzman to solicit sexually explicit images and sexual encounters with other minors between March and May 2025. The indictment charges Guzman with one count of enticement of a minor and one count of attempted enticement of a minor, charges that carry a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life on each count, and one count of distribution of a controlled substance to a person under age 21, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of local police in Connecticut and the Woodbridge (N.J.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: Three Plead Guilty in Federal Crackdown on Treasury Check Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – Three individuals pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to separate charges relating to the theft of U.S. Treasury tax refund checks in Massachusetts. Domingo Villari, 49, of Framingham, Mass. pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money, one count of bank fraud and seven counts of money laundering; Gurprit Singh, 34, of Framingham, Mass. pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, four counts of theft of government money, one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy; and Amarpreet Singh, 33, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy, one count of theft of government money and one count of bank fraud. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencings for Dec. 16, Dec. 22, and Dec. 22, 2025, respectively. The defendants were charged separately in June 2025 along with five others as part of an investigation into the theft of U.S. Treasury tax refund checks in Massachusetts. According to the charging documents, the defendants separately obtained a combined total of over $4.36 million in tax refund checks that had been forged as payable to their respective companies. Specifically, Villari was the sole owner and officer of Flipp Construction LLC, a construction company in Framingham. In March 2024, Villari obtained a tax refund check that the U.S. Treasury had issued to a German company, which had been altered to be payable to Villari’s business. Villari deposited the check into an account he controlled and thereby stole $1,288,575 from the U.S. Treasury. Gurprit Singh was the sole officer of a purported Massachusetts business called Café H, Inc. Although the business had never filed a tax return of any kind, Gurprit Singh deposited four tax refund checks between January and June 2024, purportedly payable to his business. However, the checks had actually been issued to other companies and altered to be payable to Gurprit Singh’s business. As a result, Singh stole a total of $2,547,508 from the U.S. Treasury. In April 2024, Amarpreet Singh opened a business checking account in the name of Beattie Roofing, Inc., and listed herself as the company’s sole owner. In May 2024, Amarpreet Singh deposited a $536,214 U.S. Treasury Check payable to the roofing company at a bank in Shrewsbury, Mass. However, the check had been issued to a financial trust in California, not to the roofing company. Each defendant also then used a company bank account to launder the stolen funds, typically using cashier’s checks made payable to other sham businesses in Massachusetts. The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three of supervised release and a fine of $500,000. 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; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Michael Carpenter, Treasury Inspector General; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Needham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil, Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the cases.


title: Richmond woman pleads guilty to embezzling over $239K from local school

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond woman pled guilty today to wire fraud in connection with her embezzlement of $239,820 from her employer. According to court documents, from May 2021 through June 2024, Shannel Peoples-Hilliard, 46, was the business manager for a private school in Richmond. As business manager, Peoples-Hilliard’s responsibilities included management and maintenance of the school’s books and records, performance of periodic bank reconciliation reports, and making purchases and payments on behalf of the school. As part of those responsibilities, Peoples-Hilliard had control of a credit card in the school’s name for official school business only. From November 2021 through July 2024, Peoples-Hilliard used the school’s credit card to pay for personal expenses, including trips to Orlando, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, and Miami; performances such as Hamilton and concerts such as Usher, LL Cool J, and Capitol Jazz; luxury goods such as purses and jewelry; and rent for Peoples-Hilliard’s personal residence. On May 24, 2024, Peoples-Hilliard used the credit card for a $1,591.77 payment to the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing for a personal graduation party. Peoples-Hilliard attempted to conceal her embezzlement by falsifying the school’s bank reconciliation reports, including misrepresentations that certain expenses fell under categories of approved spending. For example, Peoples-Hilliard attributed personal expenses such as a cruise on Royal Caribbean, a hotel stay in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a deposit to the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing to category for ongoing construction at the school. Peoples-Hilliard is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 22, 2026, and faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Jordan-Detamore is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-130.


title: Man Charged With Armed Robbery And Firing Machine Gun That Killed 69-Year-Old Bystander

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton; Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ricky J. Patel; and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging FAISIL McCANTS in connection with an August 27, 2025, armed robbery and shooting in which McCANTS fired 15 rounds from a machine gun on a public street in East Harlem, New York, striking and killing a 69-year-old woman. McCANTS was arrested today and is expected to be presented tomorrow before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. “As alleged, after robbing a drug dealer at gunpoint, Faisil McCants fired a machine gun in the middle of the day on the busy streets of New York City, killing another person,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The death of that wholly innocent bystander, a 69-year-old woman who was merely standing with her walker on the sidewalk in East Harlem, is as tragic as it is senseless. It is unacceptable. Because of the hard work of our partners at HSI and the NYPD and the prosecutors of this Office, McCants will now answer for his alleged crime. This tragic and senseless act shows again we must do all we can to get violent criminals off our streets.” "As a result of this defendant’s allegedly ruthless and utterly reckless violence, an innocent victim was gunned down in broad daylight while simply going about her daily life,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “New Yorkers deserve better—full stop. HSI New York—together with our partners at the NYPD and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York—will not rest until the other individuals involved are captured and, like this defendant, face the full force of the criminal justice system for their accused, unacceptable crimes.” “Faisil McCants allegedly armed himself with a machine gun during a robbery and opened fire in broad daylight, killing a 69-year-old mother, grandmother, and beloved East Harlem community member,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Robin Wright was an innocent bystander who lost her life to gun violence—and today, justice was served in her memory. Removing illegal firearms from our streets remains at the forefront of the NYPD’s public safety mission, and we will continue to ensure that those who carry them are held accountable. I am grateful to the NYPD investigators, HSI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their swift work to keep our streets safe.” As alleged in the Complaint: [1] On or about August 27, 2025, shortly before 12:30 p.m., FAISIL McCANTS and two co-conspirators (“CC-1” and “CC-2”) robbed a drug dealer (“Individual-1”) near East 109th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. During the robbery, McCANTS and his co-conspirators got into a physical altercation with Individual-1 before both McCANTS and CC-2 grabbed backpacks from Individual-1—which contained marijuana—and then fled north on Madison Avenue, turning onto East 110th Street. As he fled the robbery, McCANTS pulled a black machine gun out of his right sweatshirt pocket and fired 15 shots in rapid succession in the general direction of Individual-1. A 69-year-old woman who was standing with a walker on the northwest corner of East 110th Street and Madison Avenue—in the direction that McCANTS shot the machine gun—was hit by the gunfire. From the scene, she was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. * * * McCANTS, 18, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of the use, carrying, and possession of a machine gun, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD. He also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the New York State Board of Parole. This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra S. Messiter and Kathryn Wheelock are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. u.s._v._mccants_complaint.pdf [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Orange County felon charged with federal drug and gun violations

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – An Orange, Texas, convicted felon has been charged with federal drug and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Mario Peeples, 35, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a controlled substance on a premises where children are present. The indictment alleges that in February and July 2025, Peeples, a previously convicted felon, was found in possession of a total of three firearms and methamphetamine intended for distribution. As a convicted felon, Peeples is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms. 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). If convicted, Peeples faces up to 30 years in federal prison. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Beaumont Police Department, and the Orange Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman. A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Laredo Weapons Trafficking Coordinator Pleads Guilty to Charges for Conspiring to Smuggle Military Grade Firearms to Mexican Drug Cartel

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A Laredo man pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio today to four conspiracy counts related to his role as the coordinator for a weapons trafficking organization that illegally obtained hundreds of firearms and smuggled them from the U.S. to Mexico in support of the Cartel Del Noreste (CDN). According to court documents, Gerardo Rafael Perez Jr. aka Jerry, 24, and his network of straw purchasers illicitly obtained the firearms, including FNH SCAR rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, FNH M249S rifles, M240s and M1919s, from gun stores and unlicensed dealers in San Antonio and other Texas cities. They also acquired FightLite MCR belt-fed upper receivers, which allow standard AR-15 lower receivers to use belt-fed ammunition and provide for a greater capacity of continuous fire before reloading. Perez directed the acquisition, trafficking, and illegal export of guns and parts in support of the cartel, all without an export license or a license to deal firearms. Agents searched the cell phones of multiple straw purchasers of firearms who were receiving directions from Perez, revealing communications in which Perez sent instructions on specific guns to buy from specific sellers across Texas. On one occasion, a straw purchaser purchased six firearms for Perez in San Antonio with nearly $50,000 in cash, including three FN SCAR 17S 7.62 caliber rifles, an FN SCAR 20S 7.62 caliber rifle, an FN M249S belt-fed rifle 5.56 caliber, and a Barrett M82A1 .50 caliber rifle, all of which Perez acquired for the purpose of delivery to Mexico. Communications showed Perez telling another straw purchaser he was obliterating serial numbers from trafficked guns so there was no way the gun could be tracked to the original seller. On Sept. 26, 2023, law enforcement conducted a search of Perez’s residence and recovered multiple firearms and various types of ammunition, blank ATF Form 4473s, and CDN jewelry. Agents seized and searched Perez’s cell phone and found photos depicting him in tactical gear and wearing CDN jewelry, as well as photos of numerous guns. His phone also contained messages in which Perez solicited firearms, coordinated their purchase, and negotiated prices with sellers. Perez was arrested March 20, 2024, along with co-defendants Antonio Osiel Casarez, Luis Matias Leal, Francisco Alejandro Benavides Jr., and Mark Anthony Trevino Jr. Three other co-defendants, Gerardo Ibarra Jr., Gerardo Corona Jr., and Jose Emigdio Q. Mendoza were named in an earlier indictment and arrested in 2023. The ninth and tenth co-defendants, Armando Mata Jr., and Felipe Vasquez III, were charged in a superseding indictment and arrested in March 2025. Perez pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces up to 25 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (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: Guatemalan National with Negligent Homicide Conviction Admits Illegally Reentering U.S., Attempting to Engage in Sex with Minor

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAFAEL VINCENTE VINCENTE, also known as “Rafael Vicente Vicente,” “Vincente Carlos Vincente,” “Carlos Vincente,” “Carlos Vicente,” “Rafael A Vincente,” and “Rafael A Vicente,” 41, a citizen of Guatemala last residing in New London, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to illegally reentering the United States after being deported. In pleading guilty, he also admitted that he attempted to entice, patronize, or solicit a minor in violation of federal law. According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2004, Vincente, who has never held legal immigration status in the U.S., was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of negligent homicide and evading responsibility for a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, and was sentenced to a 10-year term of incarceration, suspended after 13 months. In July 2005, he was deported to Guatemala. Vincente subsequently reentered the U.S. and, on June 7, 2024, was arrested by Groton Town Police and charged with attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor, attempted sexual assault in the second degree, and attempted risk of injury to a child. The state charges stem from Vincente being caught in an undercover law enforcement operation in which he responded to an advertisement on Skip the Games, a website commonly used to advertise commercial sexual activity, and traveled to a hotel in Groton to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex. Vincente has been detained since his federal arrest on November 21, 2024. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for January 7, 2026, at which time Vincente faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. This matter has been investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Gordon. U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of New London for its cooperation in the prosecution of this case.


title: Ohio Man Sentenced for a Firearms Violation, Marion County Man Admits to Firearms Charge

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Rodney S. Knotts, 55, of Ravenna, Ohio, was sentenced today to 20 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon. According to court documents and statements made in court, Knotts sold firearms, ammunition, and firearms parts in Ritchie County. Knotts is prohibited from having firearms because of three prior felonies. In a separate case, Daniel Earl Spell, 35, of Fairmont, West Virginia, has admitted to two counts of the unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Spell had a pistol in Marion County. Spell has a prior domestic battery conviction and a felony conviction in Monongalia County, prohibiting him from having firearms. Spell faces up to 15 years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Rhee is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated both matters. The 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. [use if applicable] Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.


title: The Department of Justice Announces Significant Enforcement and Expansion Efforts to Dismantle Transnational Human Smuggling and Trafficking Networks

body_text: Today, the Department of Justice announced recent enforcement actions by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) to combat human smuggling and trafficking networks that undermine U.S. national security and public safety. In addition to these actions, the Department also announced the expansion of JTFA to districts along our northern and maritime borders to further dismantle cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) operating in those regions. “This Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.” “Joint Task Force Alpha has shown the power of bringing together prosecutors, agents, and international partners to target and dismantle some of the most dangerous criminal networks,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “By elevating and expanding JTFA, we are extending that reach across both our northern and southern borders and sending a clear message to cartels and transnational criminal organizations: the Department of Justice will relentlessly pursue those who endanger human life through smuggling and trafficking activities, and we will not stop until these groups are eliminated.” Today in the Middle District of Florida, Department officials highlighted major developments in recent days in four significant JTFA prosecutions: first, a superseding indictment in the Middle District of Florida charging defendants allegedly involved in a large alien smuggling ring; second, an indictment in the District of Vermont charging an alleged human smuggler who operated at the northern border; third, the extradition from Guatemala to the Southern District of Texas of three defendants allegedly involved in a human smuggling mass-casualty event and lastly, on Aug. 30, two individuals were arrested in El Paso and two Mexican nationals were charged for their roles in a scheme to smuggle children from Mexico into the United States, sometimes using candy laced with THC to sedate them during smuggling events. Expanding Joint Task Force Alpha JTFA’s mission will expand to regions along the country’s Northern border, including U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern District of New York and District of Vermont, as well as additional resources along the southern border with prosecutors from the Southern District of Florida. These offices will join forces with the Southern District of California, District of Arizona, District of New Mexico, and Western and Southern Districts of Texas, that already have prosecutors and resources dedicated to JTFA efforts. These offices and personnel are partnered with a whole-of-Department network of expert prosecutors and other support personnel from numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and elsewhere, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT); the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; the Office of Enforcement Operations; the Office of International Affairs; and other sections within the Criminal Division, National Security Division, and Civil Division. JTFA will also deepen its partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, adding new partnerships with the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to its existing partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and its components. Given JTFA’s experience and expertise in handling large-scale smuggling cases, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices will now consult with JTFA on all significant human smuggling and trafficking matters to ensure all available Department resources are utilized for the highest priority cases. This will include prosecutions of those who engage in the abuse and exploitation of unaccompanied alien children, who are brought across the border without a parent or guardian and often fall prey to smuggling, sex trafficking, sexual assault, and forced labor. Joint Task Force Alpha Successes JTFA’s hallmark achievement in 2025 has been the announcement of the first material support of terrorism charges brought against a CJNG cartel member. On May 16, the Justice Department announced the unsealing of an indictment in the Western District of Texas charging Mexican national Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez with conspiracy to provide and attempting to provide grenades to CJNG, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Additionally, Navarro-Sanchez is charged with conspiracy to smuggle and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and trafficking in firearms, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Two other Mexican nationals were also charged with offenses involving alien smuggling, firearms trafficking, and drug trafficking. Additionally, JTFA has achieved substantial sentences this year, in part due to its focus on prosecuting the most complex smuggling cases involving grave, egregious misconduct. In June 2025, in a JTFA-supported case out of the Western District of Texas, prosecutors obtained sentences of life in prison and 83 years in prison, respectively, for two defendants responsible for a human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in a 2022 mass casualty in San Antonio, Texas where 47 adults and six children died. Since its founding, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 410 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant prison sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.


title: Salvadoran Man With Three Prior Felony Convictions Sentenced To 15 Months In Prison For Illegally Reentering The United States

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Salvadoran national was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Andrew Gordan to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally reentering the United States after being removed from the country. According to court documents and statements made in court, David Cristales-Machado was found by immigration officials in Clark County, Nevada, after he was arrested and convicted of carry a concealed weapon without a permit in October 2024, and a second time in January 2025. Cristales-Machado was first deported to El Salvador in 2014 after serving a prison sentence for three felony convictions: two for attempt possession of a stolen vehicle, and one for attempt burglary. Cristales-Machado pleaded guilty to one count of Deported Alien Found in the United States. After Cristales-Machado serves his sentence, he will be deported to El Salvador for a second time. Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Jason Knight made the announcement. The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case. Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form . ###


title: Jefferson Parish Man Guilty Of Possessing Machine Gun

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on August 21, 2025, JAHBRELL PRICE (“PRICE”), age 25, of Marrero, La. plead guilty before United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to a two-count indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged PRICE with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(3). Count 2 charged PRICE with possession of a machine gun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2). Sentencing is set for December 4, 2025. According to court documents, on January 7, 2024, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives located PRICE at a motel in the 6700 block of Westbank Expressway, Marrero, Louisiana. He was taken into custody for an outstanding Orleans Parish arrest warrant. Detectives then secured a search warrant for PRICE’s hotel room and located twenty (20) bottles of promethazine (9,460 ml), $1,375.00 in United States currency, and a Glock Model 45 nine-millimeter handgun with an attached external and visible machine gun conversion device. PRICE faces up to 1 year imprisonment, up to a $100,000 fine, and a $50 mandatory special assessment fee as to Count One, and up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for Count Two, as well as payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count. 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. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman of the General Crimes Unit .


title: Caregiver Who Abused Vulnerable Adult in His Care Gets Sentenced

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Fouodzing Mbord, 49, of Maryland, was sentenced today in Superior Court for the physical abuse of a vulnerable adult in his care in November 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Mbord pleaded guilty on August 29, 2025, to one count of abuse of a vulnerable adult – injure or threat to injure. The government asked that the defendant be ordered to serve 180 days in jail. However, Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur ordered 180 days in jail but suspended the sentence in full and placed the defendant on probation for one year. According to the government’s evidence, Mbord was a home health aide who was caring for the victim, a vulnerable adult, who needed 24-hour care due to his inability to care for himself. On November 19, 2023, Metropolitan Police Officers were called to the victim’s apartment in the 100 block of I Street, SE, for a report of the abuse of a vulnerable adult who was bedridden after suffering a stroke. When officers arrived at the residence they met with the victim’s sister. She explained that she installed security cameras in the victim’s home after being concerned about her brother’s welfare. The security camera footage showed that on November 12, 2023, the defendant struck the victim on his backside while cleaning him. After seeing the footage, the victim’s sister asked the defendant why he struck her brother. He said that the victim passed gas in his face while he was cleaning him. He also threatened to do it again if the victim continued the behavior. Then, on November 16, 2023, the victim’s sister, while viewing the security camera, observed the defendant raised his hand up high and strike the victim, who was completely naked at the time. Mbord was arrested on November 20, 2023. Joining in the announcement was Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas of the D.C. Office of the Inspector General (D.C.-OIG). In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Inspector General Lucas commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, the DC OIG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They also acknowledged Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmanuela Charles, who prosecuted the case, while on detail from the DC-OIG.


title: California Man Guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property and Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that PATRICK GARLAND (“GARLAND”) , a California resident, pled guilty on September 3, 2025, to a two-count indictment for conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and interstate transportation of stolen goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2314. According to the indictment, GARLAND and others conspired to transport cigarettes that had been stolen during a burglary at a warehouse facility on November 21, 2024. The group then traveled out of state before being apprehended in Fort Stockton, Texas the following day while still in possession of the cigarettes. The group was further implicated in similar burglaries in North Carolina and Texas in February of 2024. For Count 1, GARLAND faces up to 5 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. As to Count 2, GARLAND faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, up to 3 years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Knightdale Police Department, the Atlanta Police Department, the Rockmart Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Fort Stockton Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Former CEO Of Tribal Telecom Subsidiary Pleads Guilty To Embezzling Over $500,000 From Yurok Tribe

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Jessica Engle pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday afternoon to embezzling more than $500,000 from the Yurok Tribe. Engle, 42, of Gold Hill, Oregon, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sept. 25, 2024, on charges of embezzling approximately $579,574 from an Indian tribal organization and theft from programs receiving federal funds. She pleaded guilty to both counts in the indictment. In connection with pleading guilty, Engle admitted that she embezzled funds from the Yurok Tribe while she served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Yurok Telecommunications Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Yurok Tribe, and converted the funds to her own use. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement. Engle’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2026, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Maxine M. Chesney. Engle faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of theft from programs receiving federal funds in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666 and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of embezzlement from an Indian tribal organization in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1163. Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Sampson and Sophia Cooper are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI appreciate the assistance of the Yurok Tribal Police.