title: Ruston Area Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization Dismantled

body_text: SHREVEPORT – In June 2026, the last three defendants in a fourteen‑defendant methamphetamine trafficking organization were sentenced to federal prison. After pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, the defendants received sentences of varying lengths, with the highest reaching 27 years. According to court documents, in February 2024, federal authorities began investigating Shedrick Green III , 41, and Cornelius Boston , 45, for distributing methamphetamine in and around Ruston, Louisiana. As part of the investigation, agents made controlled drug purchases, obtained Title III wiretaps, subpoenaed financial records, conducted traffic stops, and carried out multiple search warrants. The investigation revealed that the men obtained their supply of methamphetamine from two sources: Ferrano Barnes , 55, of Lodi, California, and Felipe Penaloza Gomez , 40, of Mexico. The methamphetamine was then stored and distributed from five locations in Ruston. Search warrants and CashApp records revealed coordinated payments among conspirators used to obtain, transport, and distribute the drugs. Searches ultimately led to the seizure of more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately $55,000 in cash from locations in Ruston and Sulphur. “This case shows the power of coordinated effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement, who worked together here to dismantle a large and complex drug trafficking conspiracy devoted to poisoning our rural North Louisiana community with methamphetamine,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our Office is tirelessly working with our partners to disrupt and dismantle these networks throughout the District as part of the nationwide Operation Take Back America initiative.” For their roles in the methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, the defendants were sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment: Cornelius Boston , 45, of Ruston, LA 180 months Shedrick Green , 41, of Ruston, LA 146.5 months Landon Askins , 44, of Ruston, LA 300 months Ferrano Barnes , 55, of Lodi, CA 168 months Jakevdrick Carter, 35, of Ruston, LA 162 months Reyna Chavez-Rios , 43, of Mexico 18 months Broderick Graham , 32, of Ruston, LA 120 months Marcus Gray , 42, of Salinas, KS 210 months Ladavid Hunter , 38, of Jonesboro, LA 262 months Kimoni McMurray , 47, of Ruston, LA 324 months Jason Potts , 47, of Ruston, LA 120 months Tangua Raybon, 57, of Winnfield, LA 40 months Roy Lee Williams , 41, of Ruston, LA 120 months Felipe Penaloza Gomez , 40, of Mexico Fugitive U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Ruston Police Department, Sulphur Police Department, Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug Unit, Louisiana Air National Guard, and U.S. Marshals Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Cassidy and Elliott Cassidy with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Emily Favrot. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 24-cr-00264-01. ## CONTACT: Public Affairs United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Louisiana USALAW-News@usdoj.gov www.justice.gov/usao-wdla Twitter @USAO_WDLA


title: Oak Ridge Man Sentenced To 27 Years For Distribution And Possession Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On June 23, 2026, Travis O’Neil Todd, 48, of Oak Ridge, TN was sentenced to 324 months imprisonment by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Following his imprisonment, Todd will be on lifetime supervised release and will be required to register with state sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions. As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Todd agreed to plead guilty to two counts in the indictment charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(2) and (b)(1); and one count of possession and access with intent to view child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2). Investigators with the Homeland Security Investigations-Internet Crimes Against Children (HSI-ICAC) in Detroit, MI were conducting an undercover operation into KiK groups related to child exploitation. An undercover agent with HSI was contacted by KiK user “Loudnhard” now known to be the defendant regarding exchanging child sexual abuse material. Todd sent the undercover agent two images of a nude, teenage female. HSI and Todd set up an interchange on the Wire application, where Todd sent the undercover agent more sexually explicit images: one of two nude, teenaged girls engaged in sexually explicit conduct; one of a nude, teenage girl in a sexually provocative position; and one of a nude, female toddler with sexually explicit writing on her stomach and legs. Investigation into the KiK user’s subscriber information identified Todd as the account holder residing in Oak Ridge, TN. HSI and Knoxville Police Department executed a search warrant of Todd’s home. Forensic examination of Todd’s phone identified 26 videos and 5 images containing child pornography. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement. The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by HSI-ICAC and Knoxville Police Department–ICAC, assisted by Oak Ridge Police Department. This investigation was led by HSI-ICAC Task Force Officer Tom Evans. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC 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 PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click the tab "resources.” ###


title: Pekin Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: PEORIA, Ill. – A Pekin, Illinois, man, Mark Steven Peterson, 42, was sentenced on June 18, 2026, to 120 months in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for attempted enticement of a minor. Peterson is also required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, the evidence showed that in April 2025, Peterson engaged in multiple online conversations with a person he believed to be a stepfather of a 10-year-old female, discussing specific sexual acts he would like to perform, he then scheduled a meeting to engage in those acts. Peterson traveled from Pekin to Peoria for the purpose of having a sexual encounter with the minor stepdaughter and was subsequently arrested by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Peterson in May 2025, and he was released on bond with conditions in July 2025. In August 2025, Peterson was arrested for a violation of his pre-trial release and pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor in December 2025. Peterson has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest in August 2025. The statutory penalties for attempted enticement of a minor include a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, five years to life term of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Peterson was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov


title: Nine Illegal Aliens Convicted of Immigration Offenses in May

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: Pensacola and Tallahassee – Today, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced that nine illegal aliens were convicted of federal immigration crimes in the month of May. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “These criminal aliens tried to lie, cheat, and steal their way into our country, but thanks to my office’s commitment to aggressively prosecuting all criminal offenders and the strong partnerships we have with our state and federal law enforcement agencies, they are being held accountable for willfully – and often repeatedly – violating our immigration laws. These successful prosecutions were made possible thanks to the Department of Justice’s commitment to the rule of law under Operation Take Back America , and my office will continue to deliver the safe, crime-free streets our citizens deserve.” According to court records, nine previously indicted illegal aliens were convicted of federal offenses in the Northern District of Florida in the month of May. Eight of the criminal aliens were convicted of illegal reentry by a removed alien, including: Edwin Rodriguez-Gonzalez, 31, of El Salvador, who was previously removed in July 2019, was encountered in Gadsden County on November 6, 2025. Rodolfo Garcia Martinez, 38, of Guatemala, who was previously removed in February 2009, May 2014, and May 2017, was encountered in Escambia County on February 17, 2026. Ricardo Castrejon Lucatero, 31, of Mexico, who was previously removed in April 2018, was encountered in Santa Rosa County on May 12, 2025. Anibal Murcia-Barrera, 27, of Honduras, who was previously removed in August 2017, was encountered in Okaloosa County on March 4, 2026. Santos Gomez-Diaz, 41, of Mexico, who was previously removed in November 2013 and November 2017, was encountered in Walton County on September 11, 2022. Simon Mateo-Simon, 36, of Mexico, who was previously removed in December 2015, was encountered in Okaloosa County on March 21, 2026. Noe Alexis Lopez Suarez, 27, of Mexico, who was previously removed in November 2022, was encountered in Santa Rosa County on April 4, 2026. Deyzon Altamirano Pineda, 21, of Mexico, who was previously removed in February 2024, was encountered in Taylor County on March 14, 2026. Two illegal aliens were also convicted of false document crimes: Luis Armando Lopez Lopez, 27, of Guatemala. Rodolfo Garcia Martinez, 38, of Guatemala, who also pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a removed alien, as noted above. The cases involved investigations by Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations with the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Naval Air Station Pensacola Police, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Gulf Breeze Police Department and the Perry Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain, Thomas S.P. Geeker, Brooke Lindsay, Jessica S. Etherton, Jeffrey M. Tharp and Eric Welch are prosecuting the cases. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 15 through June 18, 2026)

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

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 15 through June 18, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations. Convictions through Guilty Pleas: On June 16, 2026, Eli Couvertier Pollock pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun in Criminal Case 24-182. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 5, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Laura Díaz-González are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 18, 2026, Lino Calcaño-Rodríguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Laura Díaz-González are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 18, 2026, Jan C. Dalmau-Román pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Laura Díaz-González are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 18, 2026, Carlos Mercado-Molina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Laura Díaz-González are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 18, 2026, Rodney Alexis Maldonado-Marquez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Criminal Case 25-365. Defendant was arrested on September 11, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 16, 2026. Special AUSA Javier Rivera and AUSA Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 18, 2026, Efraín Ramírez-Cortés pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Criminal Case 25-365. Defendant was arrested on September 11, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 16, 2026. SAUSA Javier Rivera and AUSA Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. Sentencings: On June 15, 2026, Carlos Obed La Llave Otero was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 60 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 20, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 15, 2026, Merchisede Rivera Rivera was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 60 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 20, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 15, 2026, Isaías Molina Valle was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 144 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 24, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 15, 2026, Jomael Aponte Rivera was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colon to 144 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 6, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 15, 2026, Luis Joel Couret Clas was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colon to 12 months of imprisonment to be served consecutively to the sentence imposed in case number 24-059 (MAJ) to followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 2, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 15, 2026, Carlos Rodríguez Núñez was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colon to 27 months and fifteen days of imprisonment, to be served concurrently and consecutively to state court sentences, to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 6, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On June 16, 2026, Isaías Caleb De Jesús was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Maria Antongiorgi Jordan to 84 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 11, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ) and pleaded guilty on March 17, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case. These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department. ###


title: Chemours Agrees to $450M Landmark Settlement Agreement for Releases of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: Today, the Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) announced a multi-state settlement with The Chemours Company under the Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Toxic Substance Control Act, and West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act. The settlement covers four Chemours facilities — located in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey — that use or produce PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are synthetic “forever chemicals” used to make products resistant to water, grease, and stains. Chemours also manufactures PFAS for various industrial and military applications, including those where substitutes are not readily available. This is the first comprehensive settlement by the federal government to resolve enforcement claims over pollution by a manufacturer of forever chemicals. Under the agreement, Chemours will pay a civil penalty of $22.5 million for alleged violations and conduct a multi-year, $90 million program to mitigate PFAS discharges. Chemours will also install PFAS pollution controls for surface water discharges and air emissions at its facility in West Virginia, at an estimated cost of $60 million, supply clean drinking water for more than a decade to communities that surround its facilities in West Virginia and New Jersey at an estimated cost of $280 million, and evaluate options and implement corresponding controls to reduce releases of PFAS and other toxic chemicals from its facility in North Carolina. Combined, the cost of the penalty and injunctive relief programs are estimated to exceed $450 million. The settlement allows Chemours to continue manufacturing PFAS for critical commercial and military applications while preventing future contamination and protecting communities from that contamination. “This landmark settlement shows the Administration’s commitment to protecting the public from harmful pollution,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Through this commitment, Chemours will better control PFAS at its plants, allowing the company to continue its manufacturing operations while protecting communities in North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Jersey from PFAS exposure. This agreement ensures that the company will manufacture these critical materials in a responsible manner.” “This first comprehensive federal settlement against a major PFAS manufacturer delivers on the Trump Administration’s promise to make polluters pay and stop PFAS contamination at the source,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “By appropriately employing the full suite of existing legal authorities, we can greatly reduce PFAS contamination of water, land, and air and even begin to mitigate past harm. This settlement brings Chemours into compliance with the law and holds it fully accountable.” “As Attorney General, my office investigated Chemours and took crucial steps needed to reach this settlement and position the state to reach justice for West Virginians — we will continue to ensure that every company complies with our laws,” said West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. “This settlement is an encouraging first step, but it addresses only one piece of a much larger issue. We remain actively engaged in discussions to reach a comprehensive resolution for the Washington Works facility that protects our citizens and ensures West Virginia's communities have confidence that these issues are being addressed for the long term. We look forward to continuing those discussions and achieving an outcome that serves the best interests of the Mountain State.” The complaint alleges that three of the facilities that Chemours operates in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey discharged PFAS into the Ohio River, Cape Fear River, and Delaware River, in violation of permits required by the Clean Water Act and the West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act. Also, Chemours was allegedly not complying with legal requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act at all four facilities. These alleged violations continued for over a decade. The facilities were previously owned for many decades by DuPont, and today’s settlement does not resolve DuPont’s liability for forever chemicals. As a result of the alleged violations, people living around these facilities were exposed to illegal PFAS. PFAS are widely used and found around the world, with scientific studies showing that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. To remedy the alleged violations, the consent decree calls for 14 specified projects to reduce PFAS in wastewater, stormwater, and groundwater from the West Virginia plant, such as treatment systems using granulated activated carbon. And for people drinking water near the plants in West Virginia and New Jersey, Chemours will test the drinking water and provide treated or alternative clean water. Also, Chemours will be required to control releases of the chemical compound GenX — used to aid in making plastics called fluoropolymers — from each facility at an efficiency of at least 99%. Additionally, Chemours will implement controls at its North Carolina facility to mitigate releases of PFAS and other toxics based on recommendations from a third-party engineering firm. These programs will last for 15 years. Chemours will also implement enhanced Leak Detection and Repair programs to reduce emissions of PFAS. Finally, Chemours must certify compliance with respect to its storage of hazardous waste. Attorneys with ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section lodged the consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. The consent decree is subject to a public comment period and is available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees . The EPA investigated the case with assistance from WV DEP. More information on the settlement is available on EPA’s Chemours Settlement Summary – June 2026 webpage. Senior Counsel Steve O'Rourke and Katherine Abend and Trial Attorneys Sylvia Lam, and Jonah Seligman with ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Bailey for the Southern District of West Virginia are handling this matter. Gracie Pendleton is the lead EPA attorney.


title: Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to Over Nine Years in Prison for Robbing Weymouth Bank at Gunpoint

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Quincy man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for the December 2024 armed robbery of a Santander Bank in Weymouth. Glenn Legere, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to 110 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In December 2025 , Legere pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. Legere was arrested and charged in June 2025 . At approximately 4:52 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2024, law enforcement was dispatched to a Santander bank branch in Weymouth for a reported bank robbery. There, a bank teller told law enforcement that as employees were preparing to close the bank, a man wearing a sweatshirt, baseball hat, face covering and gloves entered the bank through the main entrance. The suspect, later identified as Legere, approached a teller’s window, removed a black firearm from the front pocket of his sweatshirt, opened a black cloth bag and demanded all the money. As the bank teller handed Legere money from the cash box, Legere yelled words to the effect of “I need money,” “I want the money” and “I don’t play.” At various times, Legere pointed the firearm directly at the teller. Legere also ran towards other teller windows, gesturing towards the cash box areas and demanding more money, but the teller explained that there was no more money and displayed an empty cash drawer. Legere then left the bank with approximately $947 in stolen cash. A subsequent review of surveillance video footage from nearby locations determined that Legere drove to and from the robbery location in a silver or grey Jeep Grand Cherokee. A vehicle matching the description was captured on cameras in Quincy immediately before and after the robbery. The vehicle was registered to Legere. Legere has multiple prior convictions for committing armed and unarmed robberies, including a 2011 conviction of armed robbery in Norfolk Superior Court for which he was sentenced to three to five years in state prison, as well as a 2010 conviction for armed and unarmed robbery of banks in Braintree, Hanover, Duxbury and Plymouth for which he was sentenced to three years in state prison. At the time of Legere’s arrest, a firearm and some of the clothing believed to be used by Legere during the robbery were recovered. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Weymouth Police Chief Richard M. Fuller made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Wellesley Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Erie Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release on his conviction of possessing child sexual abuse material, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Dana Lindstrom, 44, formerly of Erie, Pennsylvania. According to information presented to the Court, in August 2019, Lindstrom possessed videos depicting a minor female engaged in sexually explicit conduct. These videos were located by investigators on Lindstrom’s phone. Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Erie Police Department and the Erie County Detectives Bureau for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lindstrom. 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.justice.gov/psc .


title: Jefferson County Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Machinegun Possession

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Jefferson County man has been sentenced for illegally possessing a machinegun, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced De’Corlion Keshaun Robinson, 24, of Bessemer, Alabama, to 120 months in prison, the statutory maximum for the offense. In November 2025, Robinson pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun. “This maximum sentence reflects the devastating consequences of the defendant’s actions,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners whose dedication to justice made this prosecution possible. Together, we will continue to target those who use illegal firearms and machinegun conversion devices to threaten the safety of our communities.” “Machine gun conversion devices are illegal and extremely dangerous,” said ATF SACJamey Vanvliet. “The ATF will continue to work alongside our local, state, and federal partners to disrupt individuals who, knowingly and willingly, use them to carry out violent and devasting crimes within the communities that we serve. Today’s sentence underscores the collective efforts to address this public safety threat.” According to the plea agreement, on August 13, 2025, an officer with the Birmingham Police Department was dispatched to Lakeshore Ridge apartments on a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, the officer found Robinson standing in the parking lot. The officer asked Robinson if he had shot someone. Robinson admitted to shooting the victim, who was found deceased inside of an apartment. The officer asked Robinson for the location of the firearm. Robinson told the officer that he threw it into the woods. A short time later, the officer recovered a Glock 10mm pistol that had been converted to a machinegun using a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch,” on the grounds of the apartment complex. During an interview with law enforcement, Robinson admitted that he had purchased the pistol with the machinegun conversion device already attached and that he knew the effect of it. ATF investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer prosecuted the case.


title: Anchorage man guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal jury convicted an Anchorage man yesterday for attempting to meet with a child for sexual purposes. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between Aug. 29 and 30, 2025, August Seabrease, 40, used his cell phone to access various social media and messaging applications to chat with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. Seabrease turned the conversations sexual, requesting the minor send explicit photos and discussing an in-person meeting for implied sexual purposes. Throughout the conversation, Seabrease explicitly asked how old the minor was and she stated she was 13. In one message, he acknowledged that he was three times her age. Over the course of two days, Seabrease sent the person he believed to be a minor a photo of his genitalia and incessantly requested photos of the minor through messages. He specified “naughty pics,” “sexy pics,” “fresh pics,” “more pics,” and “right now.” Seabrease arranged to meet with the minor the following night at a mall in Anchorage. On Aug. 30, 2025, law enforcement observed Seabrease leave his home and drive to the local mall. He circled the mall parking lot several times before parking. Law enforcement contacted him shortly after to arrest him and seized his cell phone. On Sept. 2, 2025, Seabrease was formally charged by criminal complaint and a federal grand jury indicted him roughly two weeks later. The federal jury found Seabrease guilty of one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor following a two-day trial. U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office and Special Agent Timothy Weinhold, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 631 Commander made the announcement. The FBI Anchorage Field Office and U.S. Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mac Caille Petursson and Michelle Delgado 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 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . ###


title: Jefferson County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sex Acts with Teen

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Joshua M. Divine on Wednesday sentenced a Jefferson County, Missouri man who engaged in sex acts with a 13-year-old and requested and obtained nude photos of her to 20 years in prison. Anthony A. Moore, now 49, engaged in sex acts with the victim in 2023 and 2024, beginning when she was 13 and he was 46. The victim’s father reported to law enforcement that he went through her cell phone and discovered communications between Moore and his daughter, including Moore’s requests for nude photos of her. Investigators found images of her on Moore’s phone after his arrest. Moore pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in March to one count of receipt of child pornography. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Mississippi Man Arrested for Advertising Child Pornography on the Dark Web

body_text: BOSTON – A Mississippi man has been arrested and charged with allegedly publishing and advertising child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. Jesse Ladner, 26, of Pass Christian, Miss., was charged in U.S. District Court in Boston with one count of advertisement of child pornography. Ladner was arrested today in the Southern District of Mississippi and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. According to the charging documents, as part of an ongoing international investigation into online child exploitation, law enforcement has been targeting individuals who advertise, distribute, or access CSAM on dark web platforms. One such platform, referred to as “Website A,” operated on the Tor network from approximately August 2024 to October 2025 and was dedicated to the exploitation of children. It is alleged that Ladner was identified as an active participant on the site from approximately Aug. 29, 2024, through Sept. 3, 2025, during which time he contributed approximately 1,450 posts depicting CSAM. Investigators reviewed posts allegedly by Ladner on Website A, demonstrating his history and use of Website A over time. On Sept. 5, 2025 numerous posts allegedly contributed by Ladner were located across various sections of Website A. including on a thread previously created by Ladner. On this thread Ladner allegedly advertised CSAM files including those with titles like, “Next up Melissa the naked 11 yo! Incoming Live Preview:” and “Next up a classic blonde! (2 Vids). Incoming Live Previews.” The charge of advertisement of child pornography provides for no less than 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. 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 Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Gulf Port, Miss. and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov . 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: Two Charged in District of Rhode Island as Part of National Fraud Takedown

component: Department of Justice

body_text: Providence: First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda announced charges against two defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicaid. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. “Fraud against public health care programs is not a victimless crime. It undermines trust in essential government programs and drains resources intended to provide care and assistance to the members of our community that need it most,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “The District of Rhode Island is proud to participate in this nationwide effort to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse these programs for personal profit.” The charges announced on June 23, 2026, are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. This Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms. This coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including: Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers. 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025. The following individuals were charged in the District of Rhode Island: Mareli Arias Batista, 57, of Providence, Rhode Island, was charged by indictment with false representation of a social security number, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, false statement in application for a passport, use of a false passport, and bank fraud, in connection with a scheme to obtain benefits using the identity of another person. Among other benefits, Batista fraudulently obtained approximately $28,236.42 in Rhode Island Medicaid benefits. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Moreira of the District of Rhode Island and the Social Security Administration. Balni Pimentel Lara, 59, of Providence, Rhode Island, an alien living unlawfully in the United States, was charged by indictment with false representation of a social security number, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and health care fraud, in connection with a scheme to obtain benefits using the identity of another person. Among other benefits, Lara fraudulently obtained approximately $24,018.86 in Rhode Island Medicaid benefits. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Moreira of the District of Rhode Island and the Social Security Administration. The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today. Descriptions of each case involved in the enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here . The District of Rhode Island worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service Boston Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations Providence, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations Providence, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: United States Reaches $1 Million Settlement over Waived Pharmacy Copays

body_text: ST. LOUIS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri has finalized a civil settlement to resolve allegations that SSM Health Care, at its Saint Louis University Hospital’s pharmacy, improperly waived patient copays, causing Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to overpay for prescriptions. SSM has agreed to pay $939,290, or double the amount of the restitution owed. SSM will also pay $150,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs to the whistleblower who filed a qui tam suit in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in 2023 (4:23-cv-1396). The whistleblower will receive $159,210 of the settlement amount. The settlement contains no admission of liability by SSM, which fully cooperated in the investigation and took appropriate remedial action. The qui tam suit alleged that from Sept. 1, 2020, through Feb. 28, 2023, employees of the retail pharmacy at SSM-SLUH, including the pharmacist-in-charge, routinely waived and failed to collect copays. Routine waivers of copays are improper because they are viewed as improperly inducing patients to use a specific pharmacy. They also misrepresent the actual cost of the prescription, resulting in Medicare and FEHBP paying inflated costs for the prescriptions in violation of the False Claims Act. “Consistently failing to collect patient copays in any instance, other than a well-documented case of financial hardship, violates federal law and inflates the prescription costs that federal health care programs must pay,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus. “Without the willingness of whistleblowers to shed light on allegations of fraud, preserving government funds would be far more challenging.” “Routinely waiving copays is not a minor oversight—it misrepresents the true cost of prescriptions and leads Medicare to pay improperly inflated amounts,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “These improper financial incentives undermine fair competition and weaken federal program safeguards. HHS-OIG will continue to pursue individuals and entities whose actions compromise the integrity of the Medicare program.” This civil settlement was a result of the combined work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, a private party can file a civil action on behalf of the United States, thereby bringing allegations of fraud to the Government’s attention, and share in any financial recovery.


title: Ohio Man Back in U.S. Custody After Fleeing to Bangkok To Avoid Drug Trafficking Charges

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: CLEVELAND – A 35-year-old man is in federal custody after being charged for possessing numerous illicit drugs intended for distribution. After his initial encounter with law enforcement, he fled the country. Authorities located him in Asia where he was arrested and deported back to the United States. According to the criminal complaint and affidavit filed in April, the U.S. Postal Service received for mailing, three packages in late 2025 that were suspected of containing illicit drugs. The packages were mailed from San Bernadino, California, to an address in Parma, Ohio. During a search warrant execution on the packages, agents found pills which later tested positive for being 1,136 grams (2.5 pounds) of methamphetamine. The packages were destined for a residence connected to Stanislav Vinokurov. During a consensual search of the residence, investigators located various controlled substances and drug trafficking tools, including: Methamphetamine – approximately 7,149 grams Fentanyl – approximately 305.1 grams Bromazolam – approximately 193.6 grams Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) – approximately 101.3 grams Cocaine – approximately 79.3 grams Ketamine – approximately 17.4 grams Dimethyltryptamine – approximately 17.3 grams Approximately $24,512 in U.S. Currency Scales, a vacuum sealer, and packing materials In May, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Vinokurov with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Fentanyl, and MDMA. Federal and international law enforcement partners located him in Bangkok, Thailand. They arrested him and brought him to the United States to face pending charges. If convicted, Vinokurov faces up to life in prison. U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio, Acting Inspector in Charge David Cunningham for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Pittsburgh Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph O. Dixon for the DEA Detroit Field Division, made the announcement. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, DEA Cleveland District Office, and the Parma Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Service for their valuable assistance in this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Joines is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Illegal Alien Sentenced for Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: Criminal Division

body_text: Samuel Flores de Dios, 36, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after he placed a camera in his bedroom and recorded himself sexually abusing a victim who was under 13-years old. He was also required to register as a sex offender. According to court documents, on several occasions between February 2025 and March 2025, Flores de Dios brought the minor victim to his residence in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he sexually abused her. On at least four different occasions, Flores de Dios recorded the sexual acts using cellular telephones positioned around his bedroom. One of the cellular telephones belonging to Flores de Dios also contained videos of a second adult male abusing the victim. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Eric J. Weindorf of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington D.C. Field Office made the announcement. This case was investigated by HSI with substantial assistance from the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Angelica Carrasco of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov.


title: Four Individuals Sentenced to Prison for Insider Trading Scheme

body_text: Two individuals were sentenced yesterday for their participation in a scheme to trade securities based on material nonpublic information about the $3.2 billion merger of two companies, which resulted in illicit profits of over $600,000. Two other individuals were previously sentenced in connection with this scheme on May 4. Specifically, Rouzbeh Ross Haghighat was sentenced to 40 months in prison, Kirstyn Pearl was sentenced to six months in prison, Seyedfarbod “Fabio” Sabzevari was sentenced to 14 months in prison, and James Roberge was sentenced to two months in prison. “Rouzbeh Ross Haghighat abused his position as a board member of a publicly traded company to exploit his insider knowledge of an upcoming acquisition. He encouraged his friends and family to buy company shares so that they could reap hundreds of thousands of dollars off of that inside information to the detriment of investors,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Insider trading undermines fairness in the economy and American investors. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue illegal activity that affects U.S. markets.” “This case makes one thing clear: if you think you can game the system using insider information, think again,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “Ross Haghighat and his associates thought they were above the law and colored outside the lines for financial gain, but yesterday’s sentencing proves no one is above the law. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will not hesitate to pursue and bring to justice anyone who tries to corrupt the integrity of our financial markets.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Haghighat, 62, of Massachusetts; Pearl, 36, of Puerto Rico; Sabzevari, 31, of California; and Roberge, 71, of Massachusetts, illegally bought the securities of a biopharmaceutical company in Seattle, Washington (Company-1), where Haghighat served on the board of directors. In May 2023, while in his position as a board director, Haghighat got important inside information about another pharmaceutical company’s (Company-2) proposed acquisition of Company-1, including sensitive deal terms. Haghighat then purchased securities and tipped off others about the deal — including Pearl, Sabzevari, and Roberge — so that they would purchase securities of Company-1, which they did. In May 2023, Company-2 made a confidential proposal to acquire Company-1 at a price per share above the then-current market value. The two companies then negotiated an agreement for the acquisition, which was announced in June 2023, causing the share price of Company-1 to spike. Collectively, the defendants profited more than $600,000 from their purchases of Company-1 securities based on their insider information. In December 2025, Haghighat was convicted of one count of securities fraud, 16 counts of insider trading, and two counts of conspiracy. Pearl was convicted of one count of securities fraud, one count of insider trading, and one count of conspiracy. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Trial Attorney Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant Chief Laura Connelly.


title: Kyle Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison  for Assault on a Federal Officer

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault on a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on June 15, 2026. Robert Wayne Old Horse, 58, was sentenced to serve two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Old Horse was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury in August 2025. He pleaded guilty on April 6, 2026. On April 5, 2025, at Pine Ridge, Old Horse was arrested by tribal law enforcement. While inside the correctional facility, he became combative with the corrections officers and refused to enter his cell. At one point, Old Horse laid on the ground and while a female corrections officer was attempting to get him up, Old Horse kicked her in the abdomen with his foot. The officer was eight months pregnant at the time. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paige Petersen and Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Old Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Chinese citizen arrested, charged with money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy involving gold coins/bullion

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Didi Zou, 39, a citizen of China, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. According to the criminal complaint, on May 15, 2026, the Victim, a resident of Tonawanda, NY, received a Microsoft alert on their computer screen stating, “Microsoft Security” and to call (650) 479-XXXX. The Victim called and spoke to a purported “Microsoft security representative” named “Logan,” who informed them that someone was attempting to access the Victim’s account and attempting an approximate $22,000.00 transaction, which never went through. Logan provided Victim 1 with a “case number” and then transferred them to “Chirstopher Martin” from the “Cyber Fraud Division” of their bank. The Victim spoke with “Martin,” who stated he was also the liaison between the Internal Revenue Service and the bank. Martin advised the Victim to set up a bank account with the IRS on their personal banking website and move their funds to the IRS Bank because of the “hackers” in their computer. At Martin’s instruction, the Victim downloaded a software that enables remote access to a computer for an external user via a user-provided password, which allowed Martin to essentially take over the Victim’s keyboard. Martin guided the Victim through an online banking process, likely gaining access to the Victim’s banking details and passwords. The Victim obeyed all instructions, fearing hackers would obtain their assets, which included profits from the sale of their parents’ house, inherited savings, and multiple CDs. The Victim subsequently, again at Martin’s instruction, gave $20,000 to an IRS “Agent” at a coffee shop near their residence and obtained gold coins/bullion to protect their funds in the “IRS Banking” account. The Victim made five purchases of gold coins/bullion and each time an “IRS agent” would travel from Flushing, NY to pick up the gold package. The fifth purchase occurred on June 18, 2026. After the Victim, working with investigators, gave the gold coins/bullion to the “IRS Agent,” defendant Zou was taken into custody. Zou made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and is being held pending a detention hearing. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Bonanno and Colleen M. McCarthy. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Kevin Epstein Designated as Interim U.S. Trustee for Louisiana and Mississippi

component: U.S. Trustee Program

body_text: Kevin Epstein has been designated by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as the U.S. Trustee for Louisiana and Mississippi (Region 5) on an interim basis effective June 29. Epstein replaces David Asbach, who is retiring after 35 years of distinguished service to the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP). Under 28 U.S.C. § 585, the Attorney General may fill U.S. Trustee vacancies by designating an incumbent U.S. Trustee to serve in a second region. Since 2021, Epstein has been the U.S. Trustee for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas (Region 7), and he will remain in that position while also overseeing Region 5. From July 2023 to November 2024, Epstein was the Interim U.S. Trustee for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas (Region 6). The Executive Office for U.S. Trustees made the announcement. The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 82 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at www.justice.gov/ust .


title: Illegal Aliens Sentenced to Decades in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking Child Orphan

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – Two illegal aliens from Venezuela were sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to a combined 32 years in prison for sex trafficking of a 16-year-old starting in Colombia and extending to Richmond, Kentucky and San Antonio, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Giannys Alexandra Ramirez-Fernandez, 21, and Nelson Adrian Perez-Martinez, 23, conspired, knowing that a 16-year-old undocumented Venezuelan orphan, would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. Ramirez-Fernandez, who was 17 years old at the time, began a relationship with the minor victim when the minor was 13 years old and living with her adopted parents in Colombia. The two crossed illegally into the United States in December 2022. Perez-Martinez, a friend of Ramirez-Fernandez from Venezuela, crossed illegally into the U.S. in December 2023 and joined them. Perez-Martinez and Ramirez-Fernandez traveled with the minor victim from Kentucky to San Antonio for the minor victim to engage in prostitution. Once in San Antonio, an advertisement was posted on personals for commercial sex with the minor victim. All three – Ramirez-Fernandez, Perez-Martinez, and the minor victim – shared in the proceeds from the commercial sex. An investigation revealed that, in 2024, Perez-Martinez and Ramirez-Fernandez accompanied the minor to approximately six different motels in San Antonio from July 19 to July 30. The three shared a room at each location, paid for in cash by proceeds from the child’s commercial sex acts. Perez-Martinez and Ramirez-Fernandez were arrested on July 30, 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation into domestic sex trafficking. An undercover San Antonio Police officer with the Human Exploitation Unit responded to an advertisement posted on a website for escort services. Posing as a customer, the officer contacted the phone number on the advertisement and was instructed to meet at the Studio 6 motel on Pasteur Court in San Antonio. Once the undercover was in the motel room with the minor, the victim agreed to sexual services for a fee, and the officer signaled for the arrest team. Simultaneously, Perez-Martinez and Ramirez-Fernandez were arrested, as they were identified as spotters for the operation. On Sept. 17, 2025, Ramirez-Fernandez pleaded guilty to three counts: aiding and abetting sex trafficking of children, conspiracy to sex traffic children, and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. On Oct. 1, 2025, federal prosecutors filed a five-count superseding indictment charging Perez-Martinez with aiding and abetting sex trafficking children; aiding and abetting benefitting from sex trafficking children; conspiracy to sex traffic children; aiding and abetting coercion and enticement; and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. A jury found Perez-Martinez guilty on all counts on Feb. 23, 2026. Prior to that, in October, an initial trial for Perez-Martinez resulted in a hung jury. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced Perez-Martinez to 240 months in federal prison and lifetime supervised release. On Tuesday, Judge Biery sentenced Ramirez-Fernandez to 150 months in federal prison. “We will not abide illegal aliens who come to this country, take advantage of our many freedoms, and then enrich themselves to the detriment of others,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “The illegal alien defendants in this case sought to enrich themselves to the detriment of a child by forcing that child to engage in sex with adult men, and now they’re getting paid exactly what they’re owed: decades in prison.” “Human trafficking has no place in the world,” said acting Special Agent in Charge, John A. Pasciucco, HSI San Antonio. “The suffering and abuse endured by the minor victims at the hands of this organization is unconscionable, and these sentences reflect the severity of those crimes. Our agents, analysts, and specialists work tirelessly—both globally and domestically—to pursue traffickers and, most importantly, to rescue victims across the country and around the world,” Homeland Security Investigations and the San Antonio Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia McNab and Sade Bogart prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. ###


title: U.S. Attorney Announces Major Health Care Fraud Cases in Western District of Texas

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons announced criminal charges against Christina Charles , 52, in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Medicare. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Charles is charged by indictment with conspiracy to defraud the United States and to solicit and receive health care kickbacks in connection with a hospice fraud scheme. As alleged in the indictment, Charles received illegal kickbacks in return for referring patients to multiple San Antonio area hospice companies. Based on those referrals, Charles caused the submission of over $9 million in claims for hospice services that were procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes and ineligible for Medicare reimbursement. Medicare paid approximately $3 million based on those claims. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung of the Western District of Texas. “Americans place a lot of trust in their healthcare providers,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “When those in the healthcare field engage in fraudulent conduct, it erodes that trust. Here in the Western District of Texas, we have and will continue to hold providers accountable, both civilly and criminally, when they attempt to defraud federal healthcare programs and steal from the American taxpayer.” The charges announced by U.S. Attorney Simmons are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. The Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involved the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms. This coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including: Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers. 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025. Also, as part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, Ellen B. Duncan, M.D ., of Boerne, and her practice entity, Ellen Boyle Duncan, PLLC d/b/a Duncan Medical Group , located in San Antonio, reached a civil settlement in the amount of $3,440,538.65 to resolve allegations that Dr. Duncan: (i) caused the submission of claims to Medicare and TRICARE for injections of Fluid Flow, aka Fluid GF, an amniotic-based product that is considered an experimental, unapproved biologic; and (ii) upon being later informed this product was not eligible for reimbursement, took steps to avoid repayment of the reimbursements. The case was settled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin M. Van De Walle of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit for the Western District of Texas. In Killeen, Trevor’s Place LLC , an applied behavioral analysis clinic located in Killeen, Texas, agreed to entry of a $430,280.79 civil consent judgment to resolve allegations the company submitted inflated claims for reimbursement to the TRICARE program by misrepresenting and billing for services not provided. The case was settled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham for the Western District of Texas. Descriptions of each case from Districts across the country involved in the Health Care Fraud enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here . An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Manager of U.S. Freight Forwarding Company Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Circumventing Export Controls

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Natalya Ivanovna Mazulina, also known as “Natasha Mazulina,” a resident of Federal Way, Washington, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for crafting a scheme to circumvent U.S. export laws related to Russia. Mazulina was the Western Regional Manager of Delex Air Cargo LLC, a freight forwarding company based in Jamaica, New York, which operated out of John F. Kennedy International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Mazulina was arrested in December 2024 and, in October 2025, pled guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act. As part of her sentence, Mazulina was ordered to forfeit $77,000 in criminal proceeds. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York Field Office; and James Guanci, Special Agent in Charge, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office, announced the sentence. “The Russian oil and gas industry is the lifeblood that fuels the Russian war machine,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “This defendant put her own profits above the national security of the United States by conspiring to illegally export industrial oil and gas equipment to Russia. Our Office will continue to use all our law enforcement tools to investigate and prosecute those who evade export control laws.” Mr. Nocella extended his appreciation to the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, and the OEE’s Boston Field Office for their assistance in this case. “Natalya Mazulina bolstered Russia’s military capabilities and jeopardized our country’s security by violating U.S. export regulations. The FBI maintains its unwavering commitment to quash threat actors who exploit American companies to support adversarial agendas of hostile nations,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle. “This case shows that BIS will work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue all those who violate our export control laws,” stated Special Agent in Charge Guanci. As described in court filings, from at least December 2022 through December 2024, Mazulina conspired with Russian freight forwarding companies and others to unlawfully ship controlled items, including industrial oil and gas equipment, from the United States to Russia, through intermediary countries. At one point, in June 2023, Mazulina told colleagues that her clients were paying through bank accounts in third party countries because “[m]ost of [her] clients [were] currently sanctioned with USA.” Mazulina attempted to conceal the unlawful scheme by submitting and causing the submission of false export documents to the U.S. government, which omitted the information that the goods were destined for Russia. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Skurnik is in charge of the prosecution. The Defendant: NATALYA IVANOVNA MAZULINA (also known as “Natasha Mazulina”) Age: 43 Federal Way, Washington E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-493 (EK)


title: Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Firearm Offenses and Unlawful Entry into the U.S.

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A Massachusetts man who unlawfully entered the United States and was found in possession of a loaded firearm following a Providence traffic stop, has been sentenced to federal prison. Everton Luis Teixeira Da Silva, 23, of Framingham, Massachusetts, was sentenced on June 18, 2026, by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 12 months and one day in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States. The court also imposed a sentence of time served for unlawfully entering into the United States. Da Silva was not ordered to serve a term of supervised release due to pending deportation proceedings following completion of his prison sentence. Da Silva pleaded guilty in February 2026 to possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien unlawfully present in the United States and unlawful entry into the United States. According to court documents, on August 17, 2025, during a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Da Silva was a passenger conducted by the Providence Police Department, Da Silva fled from officers on foot. During the pursuit, he discarded a firearm and approximately $900 in cash. Following his apprehension, police immediately recovered the firearm and identified it as a green 9mm pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition and bearing an obliterated serial number. Further inquiry by investigators into Da Silva’s background following his arrest determined that he entered the United States unlawfully. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron. The matter was investigated by the FBI and the Providence Police Department. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.


title: Jamaican National Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Operating Sweepstakes Scam

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JIMMY SMITH, 31, a citizen of Jamaica residing in Hinesville, Georgia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment for operating a sweepstakes scam. According to court documents and statements made in court, in a sweepstakes scam, scam participants contact victims by telephone and falsely inform them that they have won large sums of money. Victims are told that they need to pay fees or taxes to claim their winnings and they are instructed to send money through the mail to various addresses controlled by scam participants, or to various bank accounts through wires. Smith and others defrauded at least four victims residing in Connecticut, New York, Texas, and California, by telling them they had won a Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes and needed to pay taxes or money to claim the prize. Smith recruited others to use their bank accounts to deposit money that had been mailed by scam victims. Smith’s co-conspirators then withdrew cash and gave it to Smith, or sent Smith money using bank transfer applications. For example, in July 2022, a Connecticut victim was contacted by telephone and told that she had won a $2.5 million sweepstakes prize and needed to pay taxes to claim her winnings. In August 2022, the victim mailed a $75,000 check paid to the order of Keshelski & K Transport to an address in Brooklyn, New York. The account was deposited into an account in the name of Keshelski&K Transports LLC, which was controlled by Keshelski Bates, a co-conspirator of Smith. Smith also participated in a separate scheme that defrauded an Arkansas resident who believed he was paying for farm equipment. Victims lost more than $2.6 million through these schemes. Smith was arrested on March 17, 2025. On November 18, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. Smith, who is released on bond and is on electronic monitoring, must report to prison on August 24. Bates pleaded guilty to the same charge and awaits sentencing. This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of Army CID, the Hinesville (Ga.) Police Department, and the Orlando (Fla.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather M. Cherry. U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Litchfield for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.


title: Marshall, Missouri Man Sentenced to 265 Months on Drug and Firearms Charges Linked to Search Warrant Shooting that Injured Two Deputies

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Marshall, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for drug and gun charges arising out of a May 2025 search warrant, during which two Pettis County deputies were injured. James Joseph Elsea, 63, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 145 months’ imprisonment on two counts relating to his possession of methamphetamine and firearms, and an additional consecutive sentence of 120 months’ imprisonment for possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The total sentence of 265 months will be followed by a term of supervised release. Elsea previously pleaded guilty on Jan. 13, 2026, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, discharging and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing firearms after a prior felony conviction. In a plea agreement filed with the court, Elsea admitted that while Pettis County Sheriff’s Office deputies were executing a no-knock search warrant at his home on May 2, 2025, Elsea fired shots from inside the residence, hitting and injuring two deputies. Approximately nine minutes after the shots were fired, Elsea made a 911 call reporting that he believed he had shot someone. Later, after the officers arrested Elsea and made entry into his residence, they found evidence that Elsea had discarded methamphetamine down the toilet, leaving loose methamphetamine on the bathroom floor, around and underneath the toilet, on the toilet seat, and in the toilet bowl. Firearms were also found within the home. Elsea has prior felony convictions and is not permitted to possess a gun. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Operation Take Back America This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Former San Diego State University Police Sergeant Sentenced to Almost 4 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A former sergeant with the San Diego State University Police Department was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for possessing more than 600 images that contained sexually explicit videos and images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Paul Aurelio McClain, 47, of Menifee, was sentenced by United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, who also ordered McClain to be placed on supervised release for 20 years following his release from federal prison, and ordered him to pay a total of $22,100 in special assessments, including a $17,000 special assessment pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018. McClain pleaded guilty on March 18 to one count of possession of child pornography. He has been in federal custody since March 2025. According to his plea agreement, in July and August of 2024, law enforcement conducting an undercover operation on a peer-to-peer network determined that an Internet Protocol (IP) address linked to McClain’s home in Riverside County had been used to possess a sexually explicit video of a girl who appeared to be approximately 6 to 8 years of age. In March 2025, federal agents executed search warrants at McClain’s home and seized multiple digital devices, including a hard drive that contained videos of girls who appeared to be approximately 8 to 10 years old. Law enforcement found other CSAM files during this investigation, totaling more than 600 images. McClain admitted in his plea agreement that he knowingly possessed CSAM that he downloaded from the internet onto his digital devices, that he knew the depictions involved the use of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and that the CSAM depicted real children who were less than 18 years old. He further admitted to knowingly possessing CSAM that he downloaded from the internet depicted prepubescent minors and minors who had not yet reached the age of 12 years old. “Possession and trade of child pornography is abhorrent in and of itself, but it is especially disturbing and unacceptable considering [McClain’s] role in the community as a member of law enforcement and a university police department,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter with assistance from the West Covina Police Department, the San Bernardino Police Department, the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team, and the San Diego State University Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Cory L. Burleson of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Sonah Lee of the Major Crimes Section prosecuted this case.


title: Camden Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison  for Uploading Child Pornography

component: USAO - Arkansas, Western

body_text: EL DORADO – A Camden man was sentenced on June 15, 2026, to 108 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for uploading child pornography to an online storage platform. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in El Dorado. According to court documents, Calvin Thomas Brown , age 43, uploaded images and videos depicting child pornography to an internet-based storage program. The upload sparked a CyberTipline Report by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that was later transferred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation revealed that Brown had not only uploaded child pornography but also possessed more than a hundred similar images and videos on his cellphone. Additionally, agents discovered that Brown had been chatting online with like-minded offenders and soliciting and receiving child pornography files. Brown was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Arkansas in July of 2025 and entered a plea of guilty in November of 2025. U.S. Attorney Kevin R. Holmes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Camden Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Still prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov .


title: United States Pays Approximately $17M Settlement for Nearly 630 Plaintiffs in Red Hill Jet Fuel Spills

component: Civil Division

body_text: On June 22, the Department of Justice, Civil Division, issued payments to 629 Plaintiffs in Feindt v. United States and Hughes v. United States who brought claims against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) as a result of the 2021 jet fuel spills at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (2021 Red Hill Spills). Settlements totaling approximately $17 million were approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii on May 19. “This Justice Department is proud to announce the fair and efficient resolution of claims relating to the Red Hill jet fuel spills,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “These latest settlements show that we strive to handle all potential settlements justly, and according to the public interest, without exception.” “These settlements are the latest example of the United States’ good faith efforts to resolve the over 6,500 FTCA claims arising from the 2021 Red Hill Spills,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The settlements represent a fair and just resolution of claims and we look forward to paying additional claims once they are approved.” In 2024, following extensive discovery, the claims of 17 Plaintiffs went to trial. Based on the results of that trial, the Civil Division has reached settlements with approximately 3,600 civilian Plaintiffs, including the 629 Plaintiffs who recently received payment. The Civil Division continues to process settlements and has filed several additional motions for settlement approval, which are pending with the Court for approval or with the Treasury Department for payment. The Civil Division is prepared to file additional motions for settlement approval as soon as Plaintiffs provide sufficient proof of eligibility and signed releases. Currently, there are more than 300 Feindt and Hughes Plaintiffs that have met all settlement criteria and need only provide a signed release. Additionally, the Civil Division is waiting on sufficient proof of settlement eligibility from approximately 400 Feindt and Hughes Plaintiffs who accepted the United States’ settlement offer as long ago as October 2025. Once these documents are provided, the Civil Division will file additional motions for settlement approval and, once they are approved, pay additional claims. Note : The first quotation has been updated from a previous version.