title: Lowell Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy Involving Asian Boyz Gang

body_text: BOSTON – A Lowell man was sentenced on Oct. 8, 2025 for distributing thousands of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine, including to a member of the Asian Boyz gang. Scott Fournier, a/k/a “S.G.,” 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In June 2025 , Fournier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine; two counts of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine; two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine; and three counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, a long-term investigation identified that Asian Boyz gang members and associates had access to a plentiful supply of dangerous, homemade pills pressed with varying doses of methamphetamine and caffeine designed to resemble pharmaceutical-grade Adderall. Between March 2, 2023 and May 12, 2023, Fournier supplied an Asian Boyz gang member with more than 2,000 methamphetamine pills to be used in street deals. Fournier’s fingerprints were identified on one of the bags containing the pills. The investigation subsequently traced Fournier’s supply operation to a storage unit in Tyngsborough. Security video recordings from the facility showed Fournier routinely accessing the storage unit, including at the times in which he delivered methamphetamine pills to the Asian Boyz gang member. During a search of the storage unit in October 2023, 13,464 counterfeit “Adderall” pills containing methamphetamine were found – with a combined weight of over four kilograms – as well as other types of pills. Upon being approached by law enforcement, following the search of his storage unit, Fournier was found in possession of a bag that contained an additional 1,684 counterfeit “Adderall” pills made with methamphetamine. Additionally, over the course of five separate occasions between April 2024 and October 2024, Fournier sold approximately 8,000 counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine – with a combined weight of over two kilograms – in recorded deals to a cooperating witness. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Superintendent Gregory C. Hudon of the Lowell Police Department made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Billerica, Haverhill, North Andover and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/PSN . This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Ocala Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Attempting To Transfer Obscene Material To A Minor

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Nicholas Robert Davis (30, Ocala) to two years in federal prison for attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor. Davis previously entered a guilty plea on May 7, 2025. According to court documents, during an undercover operation on July 24, 2024, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent posed online as a 13-year-old girl (UC). The agent received a message from Davis on a social media platform. After learning the UC’s age, Davis had a video call with an undercover detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office who also was posing as the minor. During the call, Davis exposed his genitalia to the detective and, afterward, engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the UC. Davis also sent the UC a sexually explicit video of himself. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.


title: Tennessee Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Drug Trafficking And Firearm Offenses

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza has sentenced Obmar Garcia-Galban (25, Tennessee) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 124 grams of fentanyl and approximately 2 kilograms of a substance containing MDMA and ketamine, also known as “Tusi,” as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The court also ordered Garcia-Galban to forfeit a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle, which was involved in the offense. Garcia-Galban pleaded guilty on July 10, 2025. According to court documents, on December 19, 2024, Garcia-Galban possessed 124.6 grams of fentanyl, 1.99 kilograms of Tusi, and a firearm with the serial number removed in his vehicle. During an interview with law enforcement, Garcia-Galban stated that he planned to sell the fentanyl, Tusi, and firearm to an individual in Florida. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu. 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. NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.


title: Hyena Crips Gang Member Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Racketeering and 2019 Murder of a 15-Year-Old

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Martial H. Amilcar, also known as “Drippy,” a member of Hyena Crips, was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to 30 years’ imprisonment for racketeering, predicated on the murder of 15-year-old Samuel Joseph and the attempted gunpoint robbery of a Brooklyn pharmacy. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI) announced the sentence. “In seeking to exact retribution and promote gang violence, Amilcar ended the life of an innocent child,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “A lengthy prison sentence cannot undo the loss this family and this community has suffered but it delivers a powerful message that senseless violence carries serious consequences.” “Martial Amilcar's sentencing is a testament to HSI New York’s relentless commitment to protecting innocent New Yorkers from violent gangs that have brutalized our neighborhoods and exploited fraud schemes to fund their reign of terror,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Patel. “The defendant's cold-blooded murder of 15-year-old Samuel Joseph and the violent attempted robbery that endangered families and a child highlight the deadly grip gang violence holds on our communities. Today serves as a powerful reminder that HSI New York, together with our partners, will relentlessly pursue those who devastate our neighborhoods and shatter innocent lives with their savagery.” Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to HSI’s Violent Gang Task Force, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General for their outstanding work in this investigation. As detailed in court filings, the Hyena Crips set of the Crips street gang follows many of the rules and the hierarchical structure of other Crips sets, earning money through fraud and robberies, and protecting their reputation through violent crimes. February 22, 2019 Murder of Samuel Joseph As detailed in court documents, including the government’s sentencing memorandum, Amilcar shot and killed 15-year-old Samuel Joseph on February 22, 2019 in retaliation for an altercation earlier the same day between Amilcar’s brother, also a Hyena Crips gang member, and Joseph’s older brother, a rival gang member. Amilcar’s brother attacked the rival gang member outside a convenience store located on the 1300-block of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, and the rival gang member stabbed Amilcar’s brother in the leg. Shortly after the altercation, Amilcar changed his clothing and contacted various alleged members of the Hyena Crips, including a co-defendant who then met Amilcar. Amilcar and the co-defendant drove to Samuel Joseph’s apartment building and waited outside. As Joseph walked down a staircase towards the building’s exit, Amilcar walked into the building, pulled out a gun and shot Joseph three times at close range, killing him. The shooting and events leading up to it were captured on security camera footage taken nearby. June 9, 2020 Attempted Robbery of a Brooklyn Pharmacy On June 9, 2020, the defendant and two other alleged members of the Hyena Crips attempted to rob a pharmacy on the 3400-block of Avenue H in Brooklyn. Amilcar and the others entered the pharmacy and ordered the customers, employees and a small child to the back of the store. Amilcar placed his hands around a victim’s throat, displayed a firearm and ordered her to the back of the store. He jumped over the cashier’s counter in an attempt to rob the store but ultimately fled the pharmacy. Video surveillance from inside the pharmacy captured the incident. * * * Eight defendants were charged in the superseding indictment with racketeering in connection with their membership in the Hyena Crips. Two defendants have pleaded guilty, including Amilcar’s brother Martial C. Amilcar. Yesterday, November 12, 2025, Martial C. Amilcar was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to 96 months’ imprisonment for racketeering in connection with conspiring to commit fraud using means of identification to defraud the Small Business Administration and conspiring to murder rival gang members. Trial is scheduled to begin for the five remaining defendants on January 26, 2026. The racketeering charges at trial include the previously unsolved murders of Leandre Mallinckrodt at the West Indian Day Parade on Labor Day 2012 and Roodson Polynice in September 2020. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Devon Lash, Jessica Weigel and Joshua Dugan are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of paralegal specialists Elizabeth Reed and Erin Payne. The Defendant : MARTIAL H. AMILCAR, also known as “Drippy” Age: 28 Brooklyn, New York Previously Convicted Defendants : MARTIAL C. AMILCAR, also known as “Hype” Age: 27 Brooklyn, New York MATTHEW HARRIS, also known as “Kappy” Age: 26 Brooklyn, New York Defendants Awaiting Trial : BRADLEY AUGUSTIN, also known as “Cradley” Age: 26 Brooklyn, New York DAVE AUGUSTIN, also known as “Juice” Age: 39 Brooklyn, New York RICK JASMIN, also known as “Jab” Age: 32 Brooklyn, New York WISNY JOSEPH, also known as “Weezy” Age: 34 Brooklyn, New York RICHLER MORETTE, also known as “Breezy” Age: 30 Brooklyn, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-18 (S1)(AMD)


title: Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Chelsea, Mass. pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Oct. 22, 2025 in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. Leonardo Hernandez-Blanco, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to time served (approximately 10 months) followed by one year of supervised release. The defendant is now subject to deportation proceedings. Hernandez-Blanco was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2020. Hernandez-Blanco was deported from the United States to Mexico on July 23, 2010 and on Feb. 11, 2020. Sometime after each of removal, Hernandez-Blanco illegally reentered the United States without permission. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston; and Chelsea Police Chief Keith E. Houghton made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Former Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Years-Long Bribery and Extortion Conspiracies

body_text: BOSTON – A former Sergeant with the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) was sentenced on Oct. 14, 2025 in federal court in Boston for orchestrating a series of bribery and extortion schemes to give false passing scores to certain Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants, including individuals who had failed or did not take the CDL skills test. Gary Cederquist, 60, of Stoughton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to six years in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Cederquist was also ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $30,000, restitution in the amount of $18,300, and a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $18,300. In May 2025 , Cederquist was convicted by a federal jury of two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, one count of extortion, six counts of honest services mail fraud, three counts of conspiracy to falsify records, 19 counts of falsification of records and 17 counts of false statements. Cederquist was acquitted of one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of extortion, three counts of falsification of records and three counts of false statements. In January 2024 , Cederquist was charged in a 74-count indictment along with three other MSP troopers and two civilians: Former Trooper Calvin Butner, 65, of Halifax; Former Trooper Perry Mendes, 65, of Wareham; Former Trooper Joel Rogers, 56, of Bridgewater; Scott Camara, 44, of Rehoboth; and Eric Mathison, 48, of Boston. Cederquist was in charge of MSP’s CDL Unit, of which former Troopers Butner, Mendes and Rogers were members. Class A CDLs are required to drive combination vehicles (e.g., tractor-trailers, oil tankers). Class B CDLs are required to drive heavy single vehicles (e.g., box trucks, school buses). Test requirements for CDLs are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Members of MSP’s CDL Unit are responsible for administering CDL skills tests. The CDL skills test is a demanding, in-person test that consists of three segments: Vehicle Inspection; Basic Control Skills; and the Road Test. Test scores reported by members of MSP’s CDL Unit are material to whether applicants meet federal requirements for, and therefore whether the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is permitted to issue applicants, CDLs. In Massachusetts, the pass rate was 48% in 2019, 44% in 2020, 41% in 2021 and 41% in 2022. Between in on or about February 2019 and January 2023, Cederquist and his co-conspirators arranged to give passing scores to at least three dozen applicants regardless of whether or not they had actually passed or, in some cases, had even taken the CDL skills test, including in some instances in exchange for bribes. Cederquist and his co-conspirators used the code word “golden handshake” or “golden” to identify applicants who received special treatment and were to be given passing scores on their skills tests regardless of performance. In text message conversations, Cederquist and his co-conspirators described a number of “golden” applicants as performing poorly on their skills tests. However, all of the applicants received passing scores. Among the CDL applicants to whom Cederquist gave preferential treatment were six MSP Troopers who Cederquist falsely reported as having passed a Class A skills test. In reality, however, the Troopers did not take a real CDL skills test. For four of the Trooper applicants, Cederquist conspired with his friend Camara, who worked for a truck-driving school in Brockton, to accomplish this offense. Cederquist also conspired with his friend Mathison, who worked for a water company that employed drivers who needed CDLs, to give passing scores to certain applicants affiliated with the water company. In exchange for the passing scores, Cederquist accepted bribes – for years – of free inventory from the water company, such as cases of bottled Fiji, VOSS and Essentia water, cases of bottled Arizona Iced Tea, coffee and tea products and boxes of Twizzlers and Swedish Fish, all of which Mathison delivered to an office trailer at the CDL test site in Stoughton. Cederquist sent Mathison a text describing one applicant as “an idiot,” who had “no idea what he’s doing,” and “should have failed about 10 times already.” Cederquist then texted Mathison that Mathison’s boss “owes big time.” In exchange for using his official position to give preferential treatment to certain CDL applicants, Cederquist accepted a variety of bribes including inventory from Mathison’s water company valued at $8,300; a $750 granite post and mailbox; a new driveway valued at over $10,000; and a snowblower valued at nearly $2,000. Cederquist described one such applicant as “horrible,” and “brain dead,” but gave him a passing score anyway in exchange for the snowblower. All CDL recipients identified as not qualified during the course of this investigation have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. In August 2025 , former Trooper Calvin Butner, a co-defendant, was sentenced to three months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release with the first three months in home confinement. In August 2025 , former Trooper Perry Mendes, also a co-defendant, was sentenced to one month in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release with the first two months on home confinement. In September 2025 , civilian co-defendant Eric Mathison was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2025 , Scott Camara was sentenced to one month in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Elise Chawaga, Principal Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Adam W. Deitch of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Dorchester Man Charged with Robbery of Local Bank

body_text: BOSTON – A Dorchester man has been arrested and charged in connection with the robbery of a local bank. The defendant has a prior federal conviction for bank robbery and state convictions for armed and unarmed robberies. Joseph Wilcox, 58, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 23, 2025 on one count of bank robbery in relation to the robbery of Santander Bank in East Boston. Wilcox was initially arrested on a criminal complaint on Oct. 1, 2025. He remains detained in federal custody. According to the charging documents, at approximately 11:40 a.m. on Sept. 6, 2025, a male, allegedly later identified as Wilcox, approached the bank teller, showed a note stating “give me all 20’s and stated “don’t **** with me.” It is alleged that after the teller stated that he did not have many $20 bills, the suspect told the teller to take the money out of the box and give it to him. The teller ultimately gave Wilcox cash totaling $4,150. A subsequent investigation allegedly identified Wilcox depositing nine $100 bills into his own Santander account at another branch, with his face visible on surveillance. A query of Wilcox through the Registry of Motor Vehicles (“RMV”) revealed a photograph of an individual that resembled the suspect caught on surveillance and matched the description of the suspect provided by the victim teller. According to court records, Wilcox has a prior federal conviction from 2015 for three counts of bank robbery; a 2010 state conviction for unarmed robbery; and 2004 state conviction for armed robbery. The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra W. Amrhein of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Marion County Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Possession Of A Machinegun

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Sean Rayvon Hubbard, Jr. (19, Ocala) to three years in federal prison for possession of a machinegun. Hubbard pleaded guilty on May 22, 2025. According to court documents, on July 28, 2024, officers from the Ocala Police Department approached Hubbard to place him under arrest for outstanding warrants. Hubbard fled from the officers on foot but was ultimately apprehended. On August 7, 2024, officers received a call from an apartment complex about a firearm that had been discovered along the path where Hubbard had been running. The firearm, a black handgun with a tan extended ammunition magazine, had been modified with a “switch” that allowed it to fire more than one round of ammunition with a single pull of the trigger. Officers obtained a search warrant for Hubbard’s cellphone and recovered a video of Hubbard handling the same modified handgun just prior to his arrest on July 28, 2024. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ocala Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg. 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. NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.


title: Brazilian National Sentenced for Selling Firearms Without a License and Conspiracy

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully residing in Florida was sentenced on Oct. 29, 2025 in federal court in Worcester for conspiracy and engaging in the business of to sell firearms without a license. Marcos Alves Silva, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 18 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Silva pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license and one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Between March 2024 and June 2024, Silva shipped nine firearms to individuals in Massachusetts. In addition to firearms, Silva also sold ammunition and magazines, some of which were large capacity magazines. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Milford Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and John Reynolds of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Florida Woman Sentenced for Role in International Money Laundering Conspiracy

body_text: BOSTON – A Florida woman was sentenced on Oct. 15, 2025 in federal court in Boston for her involvement in a sophisticated international money laundering organization that laundered more than $6 million in drug trafficking proceeds from Colombian cartels through the United States, Caribbean and European banking systems. Over the course of the investigation, approximately 1,193 kilograms of cocaine were seized at sea, in addition to 1,555 kilograms of cocaine seized from shipping containers at the Port of Buenaventura, Colombia. Dawnett McGee, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 21 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. On Dec. 12, 2024, McGee pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy and three counts of laundering of monetary instruments. McGee was among 20 individuals from Colombia, Jamaica and Florida who were indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2022 in connection with the money laundering conspiracy. Over the course of the investigation, $1 million was seized from corporate bank accounts and other investigative activity. Nearly 3,000 kilograms of cocaine – with a street value of over $90 million – was traced back to the money laundering organization. This includes approximately 1,193 kilos of cocaine seized at sea, 60 miles south of Jamaica, in July 2019, as well as 1,555 kilos of cocaine seized in nine scrap metal shipping containers at the Port of Buenaventura, Colombia in March 2019. In or about October 2016, an investigation began into a sophisticated money laundering organization located primarily in Barranquilla, Colombia. During an extensive five-year investigation, the organization laundered over $6 million in drug proceeds through intermediary banks in the United States, including banks in Massachusetts, as well as additional proceeds through banks in the Caribbean and Europe by use of the Colombian Black Market Peso Exchange (BMPE). By using the BMPE, the defendants and their co-conspirators sought to conceal drug trafficking activity and proceeds from law enforcement as well as evade currency exchange requirements in the United States and Colombia through the illegal currency exchange process. As part of the conspiracy, members of the organization held roles and responsibilities relative to the needs and opportunities of the scheme, such as drug suppliers, peso brokers, money couriers and business owners/dollar purchasers. Through the BMPE, Colombian drug trafficking organizations with drug proceeds generated in the United States use third parties – generally referred to as “peso brokers” that are also based in Colombia – who agree to exchange Colombian pesos they control for the drug supplier’s dollar proceeds. Peso brokers then use money couriers in the United States and elsewhere to physically secure the drug proceeds, often in suitcases or bags on the street, and transfer the proceeds into the United States banking system. To avoid detection, peso brokers deposit the drug proceeds into bank accounts in company or individual names intended to appear as legitimate business activity, or through multiple small deposits into different bank accounts which are then consolidated into larger accounts. As a result, Colombian peso brokers control a pool of drug-derived proceeds in United States bank accounts. These dollar proceeds are then purchased by individuals or companies in Colombia seeking to exchange pesos for United States dollars at a favorable exchange rate and in a manner that avoids currency exchange and income reporting requirements. The dollar drug proceeds are transferred at the direction of the purchaser and often end up in bank accounts of individuals or companies who appear to have no direct involvement in drug trafficking crimes. Beginning in 2016 and continuing until 2022, an undercover agent infiltrated the organization by portraying himself as an international money launderer able to pick up bulk cash throughout the world, launder the proceeds through his United States-based accounts and send the money to Colombia through the BMPE. Throughout the course of the investigation, members of the money laundering organization would contact the undercover and arrange meetings for the undercover and the undercover’s purported associates to collect bulk cash throughout the world. Individuals, such as McGee performed the role of money courier. McGee delivered bulk cash on two occasions in Florida. That cash was then deposited into the undercover bank account in Massachusetts, and then subsequently wired to accounts and repatriated back to drug traffickers in Colombia. Over the course of the conspiracy, McGee was responsible for the laundering of over $330,000 in drug proceeds. McGee is the 15th defendant to be sentenced. All 20 defendants have been convicted either at trial or by pleading guilty. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Aura Liliana Trujillo Rojas, Delegate for Criminal Finance for the Colombian Attorney General’s Office; Ricardo Sánchez Silvestre, Brigadier General of the Colombian National Police Anti-Narcotics Directorate; Jervis Moore, Chief of the Narcotics Division for the Jamaica Constabulary Force; and Colonel Geoffrey Noble of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions of Cover, Rowe, and other co-defendants from Colombia and Jamaica. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Dolan and Alathea E. Porter of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Former Bank of America Employee Sentenced for Role in International Money Laundering Conspiracy

body_text: BOSTON – A New York man was sentenced on Oct. 27, 2025 for his involvement in a sophisticated international money laundering and drug trafficking organization. Rongjian Li, 38, of Staten Island, N.Y., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to three years of probation, with the first year to be served on home confinement. Following home confinement, Li will be required to perform 100 hours of community service. In February 2025 , Li pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy. In May 2023, a federal grand jury in Boston returned a superseding indictment charging 12 individuals from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and California for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated international money laundering and drug trafficking organization. The network was identified in the greater Boston area in 2021 along with the leader of the organization, Jin Hua Zhang, based in Staten Island, New York, and a number of his criminal associates. The investigation revealed that, for a fee, Zhang laundered bulk cash for drug dealers and laundered profits from other illegal businesses. In less than one year, Zhang and his organization laundered at least $25 million. A large portion of the laundered funds were generated by criminal groups operating overseas who tricked U.S. victims into falling for a variety of internet-based frauds. These frauds included tricking victims into sending money to purchase or extend warranties or soliciting victims to invest in cryptocurrencies and then stealing the invested funds. In order to help these criminal groups launder these funds, Zhang needed U.S. bank accounts. Rongjian Li was a Bank of America employee in New York who became friendly with Zhang. In 2021-2022, Zhang directed his runners to meet with Li at Li’s Bank of America branch. Li knew some of Zhang’s accounts were opened with runners using fraudulent passports and knew that the accounts were intended for use to launder “scam” money. When the bank’s financial auditing systems flagged or froze accounts for suspicious activity, Li misused the branch customer information system to help Zhang move illicit funds elsewhere. Finally, Li was seated next to Zhang at a lengthy recorded dinner in New York with undercover agents where Zhang discussed the different fee percentages he charged various criminal groups for drug trafficking and scams. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl, Brian A. Fogerty and Meghan C. Cleary of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Final Defendant Sentenced in Federal Pandemic Fraud  Unemployment Benefits Scheme

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations ABINGDON, Va. – The final defendant charged in a 17-member conspiracy who defrauded the United States, committed program fraud and mail fraud in connection with a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits was sentenced October 14 in U.S. District Court in Abingdon. On October 9, 2025, Jason Dale Worley, 47, of Meadowview, Virginia, was sentenced to serve 12 months and 1 day in prison for filing a fraudulent claim for pandemic unemployment benefits. Worley was also ordered to pay restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission in the amount of $9,698, which represents the total pandemic unemployment benefits for which he filed fraudulent claims or recertifications. Earlier this year, Crystal Shaw was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy. Shaw, one of the lead organizers of this conspiracy, was sentenced to the statutory maximum term of imprisonment. She was also ordered to pay $287,459 in restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission for her role in this conspiracy. Previously sentenced as part of the conspiracy were 15 other co-defendants: Joseph Hass, 27 months; Brian Addair, 24 months; Russell Stiltner, 24 months; Daniel Horton, 21 months; Christopher Webb, 20 months; Cara Camille Bailey, 19 months; Jessica Lester, 19 months; Justin Meadows, 18 months; Terrence Vilacha, 18 months; and Clinton Michael Altizer, Stephanie Amber Barton, Jeramy Blake Farmer, and Hayleigh McKenzie Wolfe were each sentenced to 12 months and 1 day. Jonathan Webb, the individual charged with recruiting others to file fraudulent claims, mostly inmates at local jails, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and was ordered to pay $150,218 in restitution. Josef Brown, another incarcerated individual who recruited others to file fraudulent claims, was sentenced to 35 months in prison and was ordered to pay $119,660 in restitution. In total, the defendants stole $341,205 in pandemic relief funds to which they were not entitled. All defendants were also ordered to pay restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission for the fraudulent claims and fraudulent recertifications. According to court documents, between March 2020 and September 2021, Josef Brown, Jonathan Webb, and Crystal Shaw developed a scheme to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment befits via the Virginia Employment Commission website. The scheme involved the collection of personal identification information (PII) of inmates housed at SWVRJA-Haysi and Abingdon, as well as personal friends and acquaintances of Brown, Webb, and Shaw. The conspirators used that information to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment benefits for incarcerated individuals and others who were ineligible for the benefits. As part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Task Force, this investigation was conducted by the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General were charged with identifying major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending. According to the United States Department of Labor, Virginia paid approximately $1.1 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, Ian Kaufman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, Syreeta Scott, Special Agent in Charge, Mid-Atlantic Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the sentences. Agencies that assisted with this investigation included the Dickenson County Sheriff’s Office, the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, the FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Virginia Employment Commission. Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Senior Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Section Chief of the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Danielle Stone are prosecuting the case for the United States.


title: Former Local Music Teacher and Filipino Man Charged With Sexually Exploiting and Sex Trafficking Children

body_text: BOSTON – A former local school music teacher and a Filipino national living in Baltimore, Md., have been charged with allegedly sexually exploiting and sex trafficking minor children. Joshua DeWitte, 50, of Cambridge, Mass., was indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 29, 2025 on six counts of sexual exploitation of children (and attempt and conspiracy); one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children; one count of distribution of child pornography; and one count of possession of child pornography. Christopher Allan Tisoy, 27, a Filipino national residing in Baltimore, Md., was charged by an Information on Oct. 29, 2025 with one count of sexual exploitation of children (and attempt and conspiracy) and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children. The defendants were arrested in May 2025 and charged with one count each of sexual exploitation of minors (and attempt and conspiracy). They remain detained in federal custody. According to the charging documents , at the time of the alleged conduct, DeWitte was a music teacher at a local school in Massachusetts. Tisoy, a citizen of the Philippines who lawfully entered the United States in September 2024 on a H-1B Visa, was employed as a medical technologist at the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. In December 2024, DeWitte was allegedly identified as the owner of a Snapchat account that uploaded child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the abuse of a boy who appears to be between approximately eight and 10 years old. Snapchat records allegedly showed that, in September 2024, DeWitte requested nude pictures from multiple purported minors; sent pictures of his penis to the purported minors; and discussed previous and potential in-person meetups for sexual relations with minors. Additionally, it is further alleged that DeWitte paid, and offered to pay, another Snapchat user to obtain and produce child pornography and to recruit minor boys for himself. Based on that information, DeWitte was arrested and charged in Cambridge District Court with six counts of disseminating obscene material to a child, one count of distribution of material depicting a child in a sexual act and one count of possession of child pornography. He was later released on conditions. According to the charging documents, a Telegram conversation between DeWitte and Tisoy was located on DeWitte’s phone, in which they arranged for the production of videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minor boys in the Philippines. Specifically, it is alleged that in the conversations, DeWitte and Tisoy negotiated the terms of creating sexually explicit videos involving minors, including which minors should be involved; which sex acts the minors should perform; who should film, including whether a third party or one of the minors themselves should film; what angles should be filmed; and how much DeWitte should pay Tisoy for each video. The negotiation allegedly incorporated the sexual preferences of both DeWitte and Tisoy, with both agreeing on what they would each find sexually gratifying. Tisoy then allegedly relayed instructions to the minor victims to create a video. DeWitte allegedly paid Tisoy for each video Tisoy produced and sent. It is further alleged that, between July 3, 2023 and Dec. 27, 2024, DeWitte sent 87 PayPal payments to Tisoy, in amounts ranging from $27 to $958, to film the sexual exploitation of minors in the Philippines – totaling to approximately $23,752. Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov . The charge of sexual exploitation of minors (and attempt and conspiracy) provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cambridge Police Department; HSI-Baltimore; the Maryland Department of State Police; and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez and Anne Paruti of the Criminal Division are prosecuting 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 120 Months

body_text: Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations ABINGDON, Va. – A Wise, Virginia man who conspired with others to traffic methamphetamine into Southwest Virginia was sentenced October 23 to 120 months in federal prison. Keith Edward Payne, Jr., 46, previously pled guilty to two counts of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. According to court documents, Payne conspired with Ashley Beverly, Brandon Boggs, Bradley Chester, Cody Rose, James Gamble, Thomas Houston Jr., and others, to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine into Southwest Virginia. Payne served as a major distributor for the conspiracy, regularly supplying multiple co-conspirators with up to one-fourth a pound of methamphetamine at a time. Most of Payne’s drug sales took place at his residence in Wise. Payne also combined drug distribution with the possession of firearms. A search warrant executed at Payne’s residence on the day of his arrest revealed 24 firearms, 2,954 rounds of assorted ammunition, digital scales, and drug packaging materials. In April, co-conspirator Gamble was sentenced to 151 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy. Bradley Chester was sentenced to 84 months and Cody Rose to 49 months for their roles in the conspiracy. Early this year, Houston was sentenced to 72 months. Acting U.S. Robert N. Tracci and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Southwest Drug Task Force, and Wise County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case for the United States.


title: Operation “No Limits” Apprehends 96 Wanted Violent Felons, Seizes  Drugs, Guns, and Cash

body_text: Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations DANVILLE, Va. – Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Robert Tracci, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, the Danville Police Department and Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, Danville Department of Probation and Parole, and the United States Marshals Service announced on November 3 the conclusion of Operation Washout – “No Limits,” a weeklong collaborative law enforcement operation targeting violent crime in Danville, Virginia. Operation “No Limits” resulted in the apprehension of 96 offenders on outstanding felony arrest warrants, plus 23additional offenders located incarcerated in other jurisdictions with active arrest warrants. The coordinated operation also advanced multiple investigations into violent crime and drug trafficking networks, and recovered one missing child. Local, state, and federal partners collaborated to open multiple federal and local investigations and seized substantial quantities of narcotics, firearms, and cash, including: Over 55 grams of Fentanyl (enough to kill more than 27,600 Virginians) 15 firearms 28 grams of cocaine Over 5 pounds of ammunition 65 grams of K2 Over $14,000 in U.S. Currency Violent offenders were arrested for crimes including: Homicide, Drugs, Failure to Appear, Identity Theft, Probation Violation, Cruelty Toward Child, Malicious Wounding, Burglary, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Assault, Indecent Liberties with a Child, Larceny, Weapons Offenses, Obstruction of Justice, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Rape, Armed Robbery, Abduction by Force, and Federal Supervised Release Violations. “I am grateful for the extraordinary work of our federal, state, and local partners who made No Limits a clear victory for Danville and the citizens we serve. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District is determined to build on the success of No Limits to target, prosecute, and ultimately eradicate violent crime, drug trafficking, and transnational criminal threats to our citizens and communities,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said. “Operation No Limits is an exceptional example of our tireless work with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to make Virginia communities safer, demonstrating once again the effectiveness of Ceasefire Virginia. We will continue partnering with law enforcement across the Commonwealth, particularly in our Ceasefire cities, to hold violent, dangerous, and repeat offenders accountable. My sincere thanks to all law enforcement who collaborated to the success of this operation and to U.S. Attorney Robert Tracci for continued partnership with our office,” said Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares.


title: Lynn Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Threatening an Elected Official

body_text: BOSTON – A Lynn was sentenced on Oct. 24, 2025 in federal court in Boston for making threats to an elected official. Justin David Gaglio, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to two years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. On Sept. 9, 2025 , Gaglio pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting interstate threats. He was charged in October 2024 . Beginning in or around January 2023, Gaglio began contacting the elected official via online submissions through the elected official’s website. Between January 2023 and September 2024, Gaglio submitted over 80 separate messages to the elected official via the website – sometimes sending multiple messages within minutes of each other. On or about Sept. 8, 2024, Gaglio submitted a contact request to the elected official’s website in which he threatened to violently murder the elected official and their family. Specifically, Gaglio said that the elected official’s entire family would “die a horrific death,” and that he was “contemplating going [to the elected official’s] home and butchering” the elected official’s family. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted. E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Capital Police, the United States Secret Service, the Massachusetts State Police and the Lynn and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: Story City Man Conspiring to Distribute Meth and Fentanyl  Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: William Clark, Jr. 40, from Story City, Iowa was sentenced on October 7, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa. Clark, Jr. was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl by pleading guilty on May 8, 2025. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from January 2024 through April 27, 2024, Clark, Jr. and two others conspired to distribute at least ½ pound of methamphetamine and more than 1500 pills of fentanyl. On April 21, 2024, Clark, Jr., along with two others were headed to Colorado to pick up more methamphetamine. They attempted to elude law enforcement in a 30 minute, high speed vehicle chase during which they discarded 1500 fentanyl pills. Clark, Jr. also made “false” 911 calls to law enforcement to distract them, and avoid capture. Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Clark, Jr. was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of four years of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Clark, Jr. remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Ida and Sac County Sheriff’s Offices, the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Iowa DCI Laboratory Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-4042. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Fort Dodge Man to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms

body_text: Daniel Smith, 38, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was sentenced on October 8, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City. On May 20, 2025, Smith pled guilty to one count of illegal possession of firearms. Smith was previously convicted of Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons, in 2017, and Dominion/Control of Firearm/Offensive Weapon by a Felon, in 2022 both in Iowa. These convictions prohibit a person from possessing any firearm. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that in November 2024, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Smith possessed three firearms (rifles/shotgun) which had been provided to him by another person. On November 16, 2024, law enforcement went to Smith’s residence for a shots fired call and observed evidence of a shotgun being fired. During a follow-up search warrant on November 21, 2024, at Smith’s residence, law enforcement seized 3 firearms, a .22 rifle, a .410 shotgun, and a 16-gauge shotgun. Smith admitted he had received the firearms and had fired two of the firearms to test their functioning. 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. Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Smith was sentenced to 39 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of 3-years of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Smith remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-3052. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Brazilian National Sentenced to Prison for Selling Firearms Without a License

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully living in Worcester was sentenced on Oct. 23, 2025 for engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. Israel Dos Santos, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy to two years in prison. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In July 2025, Dos Santos pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Between May 2024 and July 2024, Dos Santos sold nine firearms to a cooperating witness without the required license in exchange for cash. In addition to firearms, Dos Santos also sold ammunition and magazines, some of which were large capacity magazines. One firearm had an obliterated serial number. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Framingham and Worcester Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and John Reynolds of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Sioux City Man Sentenced to 248 Months in  Federal Prison for Meth and Firearm Convictions

body_text: Justin Derby, 46, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced October 16, 2025, to more than 20 years in federal prison. Derby pled guilty on May 22, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Derby was involved in a conspiracy that involved his distribution of more than 700 grams of methamphetamine from June 2022 through June 2024 in the Sioux City area. Derby was involved in an attempted eluding and flight from law enforcement on a motorcycle in June of 2024. Upon apprehension, law enforcement seized over 85 grams of pure methamphetamine, a loaded 9mm pistol, additional ammunition and a scale from Derby’s backpack. Derby admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with plans to distribute it to others and possessing the firearm for protection of himself and his drugs. Derby had previously been convicted of four other eluding law enforcement offenses. Derby was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Derby was sentenced to 248 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Derby is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Algona Police Department, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa DCI Laboratory. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-3033. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Pornography

body_text: Anthony Girard, 39, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty November 12, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City, to receiving child pornography. At the plea hearing, Girard admitted that from September 2023 through January 13, 2025, he received and possessed child pornography. Girard admitted he used proactive file sharing services to exchange over 13,000 files of investigative interest over the course of two years. During the investigation, agents from around Iowa were able to connect Girard’s IP to thousands of files of child pornography in 2023 and 2024. Agents observed large gaps in the dates the IP address was active, and Girard admitted the gaps in his access of child pornography were due to swings in his sex life. Girard further admitted he deleted file sharing apps off his phone while driving home on January 13, 2025, as law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home. The materials associated with Girard’s file sharing included depictions of infants and toddlers as well as sadistic and masochistic conduct. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Girard remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Girard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Sioux City Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-4023. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully living in Milford was sentenced on Oct. 24, 2025 in federal court in Worcester for conspiracy and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license. Rafaell Martins Ferreira, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Margaret R. Guzman to time-served (approximately 13 months) followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In July 2025, Martins Ferreira pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license and one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Between February and March 2024, Martins Ferreira sold two firearms to cooperating witnesses without the required license. In addition, Martins Ferreira indicated he had access to additional firearms. One of these firearms included a large capacity magazine (capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition). United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Milford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and John Reynolds of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Fort Dodge Man Pleads Guilty to  Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Distributing Child Pornography

body_text: A Fort Dodge man who sexually exploited several minors and distributed child pornography to children pled guilty November 12, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City. Pry’Shayn Mosley, 20, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of distribution of child pornography. At the plea hearing, Mosley admitted that between May 2022 and October 2022 he enticed two minors under the age of 18 to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce visual depictions of such conduct. Mosley further admitted to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material to other persons, including children. During the investigation into Mosely’s activities, a search warrant was executed at Mosley’s residence. Law enforcement seized several electronic devices along with marijuana, drug distribution paraphernalia, cash, and two loaded firearms. During the search, with police at the scene, Mosley convinced a juvenile at the residence to retrieve a package of drugs from another room and attempt to discard the drugs - cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. Officers observed the juvenile and stopped him before he could destroy the evidence. The child pornography created and distributed to children by Mosely involved material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Mosley remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Mosley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department and Webster County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-3002. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Prairieburg Man Who Sexually Exploited  At Least Six Children Sent to 40 Years in Prison

body_text: A man who used Snapchat, Instagram, and text messages to persuade children to engage in sexually explicit conduct, and send him photographs and videos of this conduct, was sentenced on October 1, 2025 to 40 years in federal prison. Bryce Hans Plower, age 37, from Prairieburg, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 17, 2025 guilty plea to sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography. Information in a plea agreement and at sentencing showed that between 2014 and 2024, Plower convinced multiple children to send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. Some minors were as young as 12 years old. He paid several children, often as little as $1. Minors then sent him sexually explicit images that they felt they owed him. Plower also possessed child pornography on his phone, including of a child engaged in sexual acts with an animal, prepubescent children, and sadistic or masochistic conduct. Plower was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Plower was sentenced to 480 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to make $6,000 in restitution to victims. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” Plower is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-91. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Brockton Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking and Possessing a Loaded Firearm

body_text: BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced on Oct. 3, 2025 in federal court in Boston for possessing with intent to distribute over 70 grams of fentanyl and possessing a handgun loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition. Edson Gomes, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In June 2025, Gomes pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Gomes was arrested on Aug. 14, 2023, after law enforcement encountered him in a Brockton apartment building. During the interaction, the bottom of a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol was observed protruding from Gomes’s pant pocket. The firearm had a defaced serial number and was loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition. Four bags of fentanyl weighing approximately 72 grams and $1,488 in cash were also located in Gomes’s pockets. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for the apartment and other items associated with drug dealing were also located. At the time of his arrest, Gomes was on supervised release for a prior federal drug dealing conviction. In June 2017, Gomes was sentenced to 71 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. As a condition of his supervised release, Gomes was banned from entering the City of Brockton without permission. At the Oct. 3, 2025 hearing, Gomes was also sentenced to 24 months in prison for violating his supervised release, which was the statutory maximum penalty. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, the Brockton Police Department and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cutshall of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Former Lawrence Police Captain Charged With Civil Rights Violations and Submitting False Reports

body_text: BOSTON – A former Lawrence Police Captain was arrested and charged in connection with an alleged assault on a man in Lawrence Police custody. Michael M. Mangan, 47, of Derry, N.H., was indicted by a federal grand jury with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reports. The defendant was arrested on Oct. 29, 2025 and was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston. According to the indictment, on March 10, 2023, while on duty as a Captain with the Lawrence Police Department, Mangan assaulted a person who had been arrested, resulting in bodily injury the victim. The indictment further alleges that Mangan submitted two false reports about the incident, including a report in which he falsely stated that during the booking process, the victim “slightly turned and bladed his body towards” Mangan “and simultaneously threw his right arm and outstretched hand at a high rate of speed towards [Mangan’s] face with his fingers in a grabbing motion. It alleged that he also stated that the victim demonstrated “assaultive action,” that there was an “imminent threat of the victim reaching to grab at [Mangan’s] face” and that he “utilized a straight arm take down” with his right arm across the victim’s chest. As alleged in the indictment, Mangan submitted these false reports intending to impede, obstruct or influence an ensuing federal investigation. The charge of deprivation of rights under color of law provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of false reports provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristina E. Barclay and Brian A. Fogerty of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Twice-Convicted North Carolina Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Entice 11-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Geoffrey Lee Dudding (39, Concord, NC) has pleaded guilty to using his cellphone and the internet to attempt to entice an 11-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Dudding faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 14, 2026. Dudding, a registered child sex offender who was previously convicted in North Carolina of indecent liberty with a minor (2007) and solicitation of a child by computer to commit an unlawful sex act (2024), was arrested by FBI agents in Concord, North Carolina on May 8, 2025. According to court documents, on January 13, 2025, an FBI agent (UC) in Jacksonville was conducting an undercover operation to identify adults seeking to make online contact with and engage in sexual activity with children. Posing as the parent of an 11-year-old child, the UC posted several short messages in a public chat room on a particular online social messaging platform (app). An individual using the app name “metalh34d321,” who was subsequently identified as Dudding, contacted the UC by private text message on the app and expressed sexual interest in the UC’s “daughter.” Dudding told the UC, “Let me know if ya ever down to let me do her.” Despite being advised several times that the “child” was 11 years old and lived in Florida, Dudding stated that he wanted to meet the “child” to “[h]ave a good time and sex.” Dudding described sexual acts that he wanted to perform on the “child” and sent the UC an explicit video of himself to show to the “child.” Dudding and the UC also communicated by cellphone text messaging. They discussed plans for Dudding to travel to Jacksonville so that he could engage in sexual activity with the “child.” Dudding told the UC that he intended to book a hotel room in Jacksonville. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cabarrus County (North Carolina) Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Orlando Middle School Employee Sentenced To 20 Years In Federal Prison For Distribution And Possession Of Child Sex Abuse Material

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Mitchell Regan (36, Leesburg) to 20 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for distribution and possession of child sex abuse material (CSAM). Regan pleaded guilty on February 24, 2025. According to court documents, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at Regan’s home on October 17, 2024. During a search of Regan’s cellphone, an HSI computer forensic agent located an image of CSAM in the phone gallery. Regan told law enforcement that he was employed by a middle school and the Boys and Girls Club and added that he taught the chess club and gave music lessons to children. A subsequent review of Regan’s social media applications by law enforcement revealed Regan had distributed two videos of CSAM on June 24, 2024. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.


title: Federal Correctional Officer Indicted For Receipt Of A Bribe By A Public Official

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Karen Torres (50, St. Cloud) with one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official. If convicted, Torres faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also specifies that the United States will seek an order of forfeiture for $43,550—an amount representing the proceeds of the criminal offense. According to the indictment, Torres was a public official employed by the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a correctional officer. She worked at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman) in Sumter County. Between May 2022 and March 3, 2025, Torres received monetary payments in return for being influenced to smuggle contraband into the prison. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the United States Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson. NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.


title: Springfield Man Charged With Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition

body_text: BOSTON – A Springfield, Mass. man has been arrested and charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Terrance Brown, 41, was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Brown was arrested on Oct. 31, 2025, and following an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield, was ordered detained. It is alleged that on or about Jan. 19, 2025, Brown possessed a 9mm Ruger model LC9 semi-automatic pistol with a defaced serial number and nine rounds of ammunition despite having a number of prior felony convictions. According to court records, Brown has a 2010 conviction for manslaughter; 2002 conviction for assault with a dangerous weapon; 2002 conviction for distribution of cocaine; and a 2001 conviction for distribution of cocaine. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Dorchak of the Springfield Branch Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Former Admissions Director for Emmanuel College Pleads Guilty to Soliciting a College Applicant to Engage in Commercial Sex

body_text: BOSTON – The former Assistant Admissions Director for Emmanuel College in Boston pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2025 to soliciting an underage college applicant to engage in commercial sex with him. Jacob Tyler Henriques, 27, of Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and one count of cyberstalking. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for March 4, 2026. Henriques was arrested and charged in May 2025 . Henriques used his position as an Assistant Admissions Director to gain access to the personal information of various admitted or prospective students, who he later contacted to solicit to engage in commercial sex with him. Specifically, on April 25, 2025, Henriques met with multiple admitted or prospective students. After meeting with at least three such students, Henriques gained access to their personal information and began contacting them, offering to “pay them for some fun,” offering to provide them with pornography, and, in some instances, sending them pornographic videos or images. Henriques began contacting a fourth victim after she formally committed to attend the college on April 25, 2025. He offered to pay her for “some fun” and began sending pornographic videos to her. Henriques attempted to traffic a 17-year-old victim, who was a prospective student after he reviewed the victim’s tour registration form, which contained her date of birth, just before giving her a tour of the college on or about April 25, 2025. Henriques asked the victim what grade she was in and the victim told Henriques what local high school she attended. Within hours of finishing the tour, Henriques began texting the victim on her phone number provided on her admissions form. Henriques offered to pay the victim $400 for “some fun” and told her that he had pornographic videos and pictures for her. Henriques continued to contact the minor victim that night, refusing to tell her who he was or how he got her number. He told the victim that “porn” and “$” was ready for her. Henriques then sent the minor victim five pornographic videos depicting men and women engaged in sex acts and asked her whether or not she wanted to participate in a “gangbang” and whether or not she wanted to have sex with him. Despite the victim rejecting Henriques’s offer multiple times, Henrique continued to text her telling her to let him know if she changed her mind and that he would buy her anything she wanted. Between April 25, 2025 and April 28, 2025, Henriques accessed the minor’s profile 47 times. After the victim blocked his phone number, Henriques began soliciting the victim via email. The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a minor provides for a sentence of no less than 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence of up to five 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Emmanuel College Campus Police and the Boston, Ware, Lunenburg, Agawam, Springfield, Ludlow and Easthampton Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig E. Estes of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit is prosecuting the case. If you have information or questions about this investigation, or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking or child exploitation, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov .


title: Miami Lakes Attorney Charged with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering in Connection with Multi-Million Dollar Embezzlement Scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Miami Lakes attorney made his initial appearance in federal court on Oct. 28 to face charges in connection with a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars in investment funds entrusted to his attorney trust account. According to court documents, Rodolfo Mario Blanco, 60, was retained to serve as an escrow agent for an investment fund. Between September and December 2023, Blanco received several million dollars from corporate and individual investors into his attorney trust account under the false pretense that he would securely hold the funds on behalf of investors and the fund. Beginning in November 2023 and continuing through July 2024, Blanco allegedly made a series of large teller transfers, cash withdrawals, and wire transfers from his trust account, including two substantial transfers used to purchase a residence in the Miami area. During this time, Blanco is alleged to have made multiple false representations to investors and fund directors regarding the status and balance of the trust account. It is alleged that in February and April 2024, Blanco emailed fund directors falsely claiming that he could not release the investment funds because his trust account was subject to diligence and compliance reviews. Blanco allegedly included fabricated bank communications and falsified account screenshots to support these misrepresentations. Blanco is charged with 11 counts of wire fraud and 11 counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. If convicted, Blanco faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and ten years for each money laundering count. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement. FBI Miami is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sterling M. Paulson is prosecuting the case. An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 25-cr-20465. ###


title: Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Forcibly Assaulting Federal Officers During Immigration Arrest

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan man pleaded guilty on Oct. 30, 2025 in federal court in Boston to assaulting multiple officers during an immigration arrest. Guido Andres Cuellar Batres, 24, pleaded guilty to forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers engaged in the performance of official duties. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Jan. 12, 2026. Cuellar was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 17, 2025 . Cuellar had overstayed his non-immigrant visa by more than four years and, as a result, there was an outstanding immigration warrant for his arrest. At approximately 9:45 a.m. on May 4, 2025, four federal officers – three Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and a Drug Enforcement Administration agent – set up surveillance in a parking lot in Marlborough. There, a vehicle was observed entering the parking lot, with Cuellar in the front passenger seat. The officers – who were wearing outer garments identifying themselves as law enforcement – approached the vehicle and ordered Cuellar, in both English and Spanish, to step out of the car. Cuellar refused. The officers then instructed Cuellar and the driver to unlock the vehicle, but they did not do so. After being instructed to keep his hands visible, Cuellar reached down such that officers lost sight of his hands – raising concern that he might be reaching for a weapon. Given this concern and the refusals to comply with orders, the officers broke the rear passenger side window, enabling them to gain entry to the vehicle and unlock the front passenger door. Upon being removed from the vehicle, Cuellar resisted officer efforts to bring his arms behind his back for handcuffing. As officers continued to attempt to handcuff Cuellar, he tried to bite one of them in the leg, did bite another officer above his wrist and struck that officer in the head multiple times. After the officers succeeded in handcuffing Cuellar, he continued to resist. As agents attempted to secure Cuellar in the rear seat of their vehicle, he jumped numerous times to avoid being put in the vehicle. One of the officers entered the opposite side of the vehicle to pull Cuellar into the rear seat. As the officer took hold of Cuellar, he head-butted the officer and spat directly into the officer’s eyes and face. The charge of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers engaged in the performance of official duties provides for a sentence of up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston; and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Man Admits Stealing, Using Credit Cards in St. Louis Area

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Rene Arviso Velasquez on Thursday admitted to a cross-country crime spree involving his theft and use of credit cards. Velasquez, 51, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to three counts of access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Velasquez admitted stealing at least $47,000 from victims in the St. Louis area and across the country in “cross-country credit card theft expeditions.” Three examples are listed in the plea agreement. On Aug. 25, 2024, Velasquez stole one victim’s Lululemon belt bag, which was hanging from her seat while she was eating at a restaurant in Cottleville, Missouri. Less than an hour later, Velasquez used the victim’s credit card to purchase five Visa gift cards and a pack of salted nuts for $1,031. That same day, Velasquez stole a different victim’s purse at a Brentwood restaurant. Less than an hour later, he bought $1,445 worth of gift cards. On Nov. 3, 2024, Velasquez stole a woman’s wallet at a St. Peters restaurant. Less than an hour later, he used one of her credit cards to buy five Visa gift cards and a Pepsi for $1035. Velasquez, who has used the names Miguel Antonio Carrasco-Gomez and Henry Diaz, was living in Tarzana, Calif., but is a Chilean national. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 17, 2026. The access device fraud charges carry a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine. The aggravated identity theft carries a penalty of two years in prison, consecutive to the other charges. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.


title: Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

body_text: BOSTON – A Queens, N.Y. man pleaded guilty on Oct. 15, 2025 in federal court in Boston to a scheme to steal over $3 million in COVID relief tax credits using the stolen identity of a corporate executive in New Jersey. Linval Jackson, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; one count of bank fraud; and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Jan. 28, 2026. Jackson was arrested and charged in July 2024. Jackson and his co-conspirator Isaiah Aaron Tenryk used a fraudulent driver’s license, as well as the name and Social Security number of a corporate executive in New Jersey, to open a bank account in Boston. Tenryk then deposited an approximately $3 million Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) check payable to the executive’s company into the fraudulent account. ERTC is a refundable tax credit for certain eligible businesses that had employees and were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. After the check was deposited, Jackson attempted to link the fraudulent account to other bank accounts he controlled to transfer the stolen money. Tenryk pleaded guilty to bank fraud and identity theft in September 2024 and was sentenced to three years in prison in December 2024 . The charges of bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy each provide for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed, one year 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Ketty Larco Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Lake County Felon Sentenced To More Than Four Years In Federal Prison For Illegal Possession Of Firearms And Ammunition

body_text: Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Brady Kyle Milton Williams (29, Lake County) to four years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. Williams pleaded guilty on February 6, 2025. According to court documents, on November 3, 2022, during an investigation into a stolen vehicle, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office discovered Williams had a loaded pistol tucked inside his waistband. Several weeks later, on January 13, 2023, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on another suspected stolen vehicle. Williams, the driver of that vehicle, fled from law enforcement. After disabling the vehicle, deputies apprehended Williams. A subsequent search revealed a loaded revolver in the vehicle’s driver-side door pocket. The passenger in the vehicle confirmed the firearm belonged to Williams. At the time of these events, Williams was a nine-time convicted felon. His previous state convictions include fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, grand theft of a motor vehicle, owning and operating a chop shop, and possession of methamphetamine. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg. 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. NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.