title: Massachusetts State Representative Arrested and Charged in Alleged Fraud and Cover-Up Scheme

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – Massachusetts State Representative for the First Barnstable District has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly orchestrating a multi-faceted scheme that defrauded a local trade association of tens of thousands of dollars to fund personal and political expenses, and falsifying records to conceal his alleged conduct. Christopher Flanagan, 37, of Dennis, Mass. was indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. Flanagan was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at 2:30 p.m. today. “Today’s charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust. According to the indictment, Mr. Flanagan defrauded the very organization he was supposed to serve – allegedly funneling tens of thousands of dollars into his own pockets to pay off personal bills, buy luxury items and bankroll his political campaign. He allegedly stole money and then went to extraordinary lengths to cover it up, going so far as fabricating fake personas to mislead those who questioned his conduct. This alleged scheme was calculated on every level,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better.” “Today’s arrest of Massachusetts State Representative, Christopher Flanagan, demonstrates that postal inspectors will not permit elected officials to commit fraud and play by different rules. Flanagan’s egregious betrayal to his positions of trust and his deplorable actions of lining his own pockets for personal or political reasons are unacceptable. The people of Massachusetts deserve better. I want to thank the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their dedication to make this arrest happen. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to serve the public and take action against those who take part in this type of atrocious behavior,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division. “The indictment of Christopher Flanagan demonstrates IRS – Criminal Investigations commitment to rooting out public corruption, at all levels of government,” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Flanagan not only stole from his employer to enrich himself, but also to fill the coffers of his campaign in an effort to become an elected official. Flanagan failed his constituents, who trusted in him to uphold the law, by using embezzled funds to become a State Representative and then actively obstructing the investigation into his scheme.” Flanagan is currently the Massachusetts State Representative for the First Barnstable District, which includes the towns of Dennis, Yarmouth and Brewster on Cape Cod. Prior to being elected to his first two-year term to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2022, Flanagan served two consecutive three-year terms as a member of the Town of Dennis Select Board. Flanagan received an annual compensation of approximately $97,546 and $100,945 in 2023 and 2024, respectively, from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. From approximately early 2019 to mid-2024, Flanagan also served as the Executive Officer of a Home Builders Association in Cape Cod (HBA) – a professional trade association that represented the Cape Cod building industry comprised of over 300 members. As HBA Executive Officer, Flanagan reported to a Board of Directors and had signatory authority over HBA bank accounts. Flanagan received annual salary and benefits ranging approximately from $65,800 to $81,600 from 2019 to 2024 from the HBA. It is alleged that, beginning in at least as early as October 2021, Flanagan was facing personal financial difficulty, with thousands of dollars in outstanding credit card debt, missing mortgage payments and hundreds of dollars in bank overdraft fees. According to the indictment, from in or about November 2021 to January 2023, Flanagan stole a total of $36,000 in HBA funds from the association’s bank account via wire transfers: Approx. Date Amount Transaction Nov. 18, 2021 $8,000 Transfer via PayPal to FLANAGAN BOA Acct. Nov. 22, 2021 $8,000 Official Check deposit to FLANAGAN BOA Acct. Nov. 3, 2022 $1,500 Transfer via PayPal to FLANAGAN PayPal Acct. Dec. 19, 2022 $8,500 Official Check deposit to FLANAGAN BOA Acct. Jan 28, 2023 $10,000 Official Check deposit to FLANAGAN BOA Acct. Total $36,000 Flanagan allegedly used the majority of the stolen funds to pay personal mortgage bills, to pay down thousands of dollars in credit card debt and to make other personal expenditures. In one instance, in January 2023, Flanagan allegedly stole $10,000 from HBA in order to fund his campaign account for State Representative. It is further alleged that, in addition to stealing HBA funds via official checks and PayPal transfers, Flanagan also stole hundreds of dollars via direct debit transactions from the association’s bank account funds to pay for personal psychic services in July 2022. According to the indictment, on or about May 5, 2024, Flanagan concealed the stolen funds from the HBA Board by logging onto HBA’s accounting/bookkeeping software using another employee’s account, entering backdated transactions to account for the stolen funds and entering false transaction codes (e.g., “office supplies,” “travel” and “bank charges”) for the withdrawals. As part of his concealment, it is alleged that Flanagan told the HBA Board that he withdrew funds to reimburse himself for HBA-related expenses that he had paid for out-of-pocket with his personal funds. When the HBA Board requested proof, Flanagan allegedly provided two phony expense reports: On the first expense report, Flanagan allegedly claimed he had spent $159.36 on “Technology Expenses” at Best Buy on March 4, 2022 and $537.26 on “Office Supplies” at 4Imprint on April 18, 2022. Records of the actual purchases, however, allegedly showed that the Best Buy purchase was for a portable Bluetooth speaker and that the 4Imprint purchase was for t-shirts supporting Flanagan’s State Representative campaign: Additionally, in the second expense report, Flanagan allegedly claimed to have spent a total of $3,784.84 on “Office Supplies.” Records of the actual purchases, however, allegedly showed that $2,118.10 of this amount was actually used for Flanagan’s personal expenses. Specifically: $613.70 and $361.24 Best Buy purchases were allegedly for an electric dryer and an air conditioner, both delivered to Flanagan’s home; a $1,050.30 Macy’s purchase allegedly for men’s ties, dress shirts, slacks and sports coats; and a $92.86 purchase at Target allegedly for children’s clothes and toys. According to the indictment, in or about December 2022, the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) opened an investigation regarding a campaign mailer that was distributed during Flanagan’s 2022 campaign for State Representative, purportedly a group called “Conservatives for Dennis.” It is alleged that Flanagan obstructed the OCPF investigation by attributing the source of the mailer to a false persona he created named, “Jeanne Louise,” whom Flanagan claimed was a member of an independent conservative group that had endorsed his candidacy. It is further alleged that Flanagan created and sent phony emails to OCPF purporting to be on behalf of vendors responsible for creating and distributing the mailer. In or about October 2023, after Flanagan admitted to OCPF that Jeanne Louise was fake and that he himself was the source of the mailer, OCPF expanded its investigation into Flanagan’s campaign finance activity. Specifically, OCPF requested Flanagan produce evidence that the $10,000 deposited into his campaign account in January 2023 had indeed come from his personal funds. However, it is alleged that Flanagan’s bank statements from the time of the deposit in January 2023 would reflect that he could not have issued the $10,000 campaign check without his theft of HBA money – showing a beginning balance of approximately $42.28 just one week before depositing the stolen funds. In response, Flanagan allegedly provided OCPF with falsified expense reports that claimed that: the $10,000 check from HBA constituted legitimate HBA-reimbursed expenses; that HBA had a practice of allowing Flanagan to withdraw large sums of money for the purpose of expense reimbursement; and therefore, the $10,000 campaign check was a legitimate donation of Flanagan’s own personal funds. The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of falsification of records provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. U.S. Attorney Foley; USPIS INC Larco-Ward; IRS Acting SAC Demeo made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao, Chief of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, and Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: York County Man Pleads Guilty To Filing False Income Tax Returns That Omitted More Than $13 Million In Income From Digital Artwork Sales

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Waylon Wilcox, age 45, of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, appeared in federal court April 9, 2025, before Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, and pled guilty to a two-count criminal information charging him with filing false individual income tax returns. According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 10, 2022, in Cumberland County, Wilcox filed a false individual income tax return for tax year 2021 that underreported his income for tax year 2021 by approximately $8,511,238 and reduced Wilcox’s tax then due and owing by approximately $2,180,452. On October 10, 2023, in Cumberland County, Wilcox filed a false individual income tax return for tax year 2022 that underreported Wilcox’s income for tax year 2022 by approximately $4,599,532 and reduced Wilcox’s tax then due and owing by approximately $1,098,623. Wilcox obtained most of this unreported income after acquiring and selling 97 pieces of digital artwork from the “CryptoPunks” collection of 10,000 unique art characters. Individual pieces from the digital artwork collection were referred to as “Punks.” Each Punk was unique and contained digital proof of ownership that could be tracked on a blockchain, a digitally distributed, decentralized, public ledger. Two Punks from the same blockchain could look identical but were not interchangeable, meaning they were non-fungible. These so-called “non-fungible tokens” (or NFTs) could be traded and sold for money or cryptocurrency. In 2021, Wilcox sold approximately 62 Punks for a total of approximately $7,402,935. In 2022, Wilcox sold approximately 35 Punks for a total of approximately $4,899,180. On his 2021 individual income tax return, Wilcox falsely answered “no” to the question “At any time in 2021, did you receive, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of financial interest in any virtual currency?” On his 2022 individual income tax return, Wilcox falsely answered “no” to the question “At any time during 2022, did you: (a) receive (as a reward, award or payment for property or services); or (b) sell, exchange, gift or otherwise dispose of a digital asset (or a financial interest in a digital asset)?” When a taxpayer sells an NFT, including a Punk, then the taxpayer must report sales proceeds and any gains or losses from the sale of the NFT on their tax return. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling complex financial schemes involving virtual currencies and non-fungible token (NFT) transactions designed to conceal taxable income,” said Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. “In today’s economic environment, it’s more important than ever that the American people feel confident that everyone is playing by the rules and paying the taxes they owe.” The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams is prosecuting the case. The total maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is up to six years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. # # #


title: Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Machine Gun Possession in Federal Court

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

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Garrick Powell, 32, of Baltimore, has pled guilty to the unlawful possession of a machine gun in federal court. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the plea with Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) – Baltimore Field Division, and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD). According to the guilty plea, on April 19, 2023, law enforcement found Powell in possession of a machine gun. BPD officers from the Eastern District Baltimore Community Intelligence Center — who were surveilling the 500 block of North Patterson Park Avenue — spotted Powell displaying the characteristics of an armed person. An officer observed Powell enter a vehicle and drive away from the block. Officers then conducted a traffic stop, searched Powell’s vehicle, and recovered a loaded Poly80 9mm handgun with an extended magazine. The Poly80 firearm is frequently referred to as a “ghost gun” because there is no serial number on the firearm. Additionally, the Poly80 had a conversion device attached to the weapon which converted the semi-automatic weapon into an automatic Poly80, making it a machine gun. Officers also recovered a second extended magazine and 63 rounds of 9mm ammunition from Powell’s vehicle. Sentencing is set for July 16, at 10 a.m. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia McLane and Stanton Lawyer who are prosecuting the case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn . # # #


title: Del Rio Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – A Del Rio man was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for production of child pornography. According to court documents, Hector Sanchez, 33, used his Facebook account to contact a 13-year-old female in October 2020. Sanchez demanded that the child send him explicitly nude photos, which she eventually did, and told her he was going to purchase condoms. On Oct. 6, 2020, he met the child victim outside her house and later messaged that he wished she wasn’t so young so that they wouldn’t “have to hide.” He also told her to ensure she deleted their conversations. On Oct. 26, Sanchez sent the child nude photos and a sexually explicit video of himself. On Nov. 23, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations received information originating from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspected child exploitation in violation of federal law. The following day, agents were able to conduct a forensic interview with the child victim. Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography on July 21, 2023. “Sanchez knowingly and deliberately befriended a minor over social media with full intent to develop a discreet sexual relationship with her,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “I am very grateful for the involvement of NCMEC and our law enforcement partners in this case. Because of the systems and processes available to us and our capabilities to investigate and prosecute crimes against children, Sanchez will spend the next three decades paying for his actions in federal prison.” “This lengthy sentence is a testament to the disgusting nature of child exploitation crimes, particularly the production of child pornography,” said ICE HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig S. Larrabee. “HSI agents make it a priority to protect vulnerable children from victimization by working with their law enforcement partners to investigate predators involved with the possession and distribution of child pornography and ensure they are held accountable for their actions.” HSI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nallely Duarte and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley 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 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. ###


title: Dunn County Man Sentenced to More than 12 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl and Crystal Methamphetamine

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: NEW BERN, N.C. – A Dunn County man was sentenced Wednesday to more than 12 years (151 months) in prison for possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Zachary Antoine Williams aka “Fendi”, age 23, pled guilty to the offense on December 13, 2024. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Williams was stopped by law enforcement in Four Oaks, North Carolina on September 18, 2023. Law enforcement searched Williams’ car and found digital scales, fentanyl powder, and drug paraphernalia. In addition, between September 2023 and January 2024, law enforcement conducted five undercover purchases of crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl from Williams. The evidence also showed Williams sold $1,500 of heroin per week since at least January 2022. In January 2024, law enforcement searched William’s house and found two loaded pistols, $3,445 in U.S. currency, and digital scales. Williams has a prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Dunn Police Department investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aria Q. Merle prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-00164. ###


title: Ohio Resident Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Narcotics Trafficking

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced in federal court to 72 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and crack, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Deangelo Ward, 35, on April 10, 2025. According to information presented to the Court, from in and around July 2022 to in and around March 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Ward conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of cocaine, 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl, and a quantity of a mixture of crack. Ward was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that he distributed to others. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ward. Additional agencies participating in the investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Ahoskie Gang Member Sentenced to 71 Months in Prison  for Firearm and Drug Trafficking Offenses

body_text: NEW BERN, N.C. – An Ahoskie man was sentenced today to 71 months in prison for gun and drug crimes. Nyjawaun Ezell, a.k.a. “Nike,” age 28, pleaded guilty to the charges on November 13, 2024. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Ezell, a high-ranking member of the G-Shine set of the Bloods gang, unlawfully obtained multiple firearms over a 10-month period while under indictment for allegedly murdering a rival gang member in Hertford County. In one instance, Ezell tried to purchase an AR-style rifle at a local gun store and made a false statement on the ATF gun-purchase form about being under the felony indictment, which disqualified him from being able to purchase a firearm. The evidence also showed that Ezell was engaged in dealing narcotics and other controlled substances in Hertford County during this time period. Ezell pleaded guilty to three counts of receipt of a firearm while under felony indictment; one count of knowingly making a materially false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer; and one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of oxycodone. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF); the Down East Drug and Violent Crime Task Force; and the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on our website . Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-CR-22-FL-RJ. ###


title: Chinese National Charged with Escaping from FCI Danbury

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on April 9, 2025, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging XIAOQIN YAN, 31, a citizen of China, with escape from the custody of the Attorney General. The indictment alleges that, on December 10, 2024, Yan escaped from the Federal Satellite Low facility at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury (FCI Danbury) where she was serving a federal prison sentence imposed in the Middle District of Alabama for arson and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Yan was apprehended on December 10, 2024. If convicted of the charge, Yan faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. A charge is only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Danbury Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.


title: Roanoke Rapids Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Multiple  Narcotics and Firearm Charges

body_text: NEW BERN, N.C. – A Roanoke Rapids man was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for charges related to the sale of narcotics and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. On November 4, 2024, Danny Steven Bryant, Jr., age 33, pled guilty to thirteen charges, including nine drug-related charges and four counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. According to court documents and other information presented in court, in June 2021, Nash County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) began investigating Bryant for narcotics and firearms sales in Nash County, North Carolina. Investigators with NCSO, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Roanoke Rapids Police Department (RRPD), and Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) conducted multiple controlled purchases from Bryant from June 2021 through November 2021 for methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and several firearms, including one .223 AR-15 and two high capacity magazines capable of firing 100 rounds of ammunition, a .22 caliber revolver, and two .38 caliber revolvers. Bryant is a convicted felon, having previous convictions for unlawful wounding and felon in possession of a firearm. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie A. Childress and Katherine S. Englander prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-00252-FL. ###


title: Roanoke Drug Dealer to Serve More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke methamphetamine and fentanyl dealer, who possessed nearly a pound of pure methamphetamine, was sentenced this week to 150 months in federal prison. Jeffrey Javontae Knight, 27, a.k.a. “Jefe,” was sentenced earlier this week to 150 months in prison. Knight pled guilty in December 2024 to possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. According to court documents, on March 25, 2024, investigators observed Knight conducting a drug transaction from his car at a gas station in Roanoke County. Officers stopped the car, and, after a K-9 officer alerted to the odor of drugs, searched the vehicle. Inside, officers found close to a half-pound of pure methamphetamine, pill presses, digital scales, a fentanyl pill, and nearly an ounce of fentanyl/xylazine mixtures. In addition, Knight was carrying thousands of dollars in cash. Messages on his phones showed that he had been extensively selling methamphetamine and opioids from his Roanoke County hotel room for months. Phone messages also revealed that one of Knight’s associates asked him for guns because “we at war,” and Knight offered to provide a .357 Magnum revolver. Further evidence showed that Knight was previously brokering sales of pounds of methamphetamine out of Pulaski County. Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the DEA Washington Division made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Roanoke County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman prosecuted the case for the United States.


title: Jury Convicts Lake George Man of Defrauding Investors, Failing to File Tax Returns

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael E. Conner, age 56, of Lake George, New York, was found guilty yesterday of defrauding investors and failing to file tax returns. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Harry Chavis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement. The jury voted to convict Conner of 22 counts of wire fraud and two counts of failing to file tax returns, following an 8-day trial presided over by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. The trial evidence proved that Conner was an inventor of household products and held patents on his inventions, such as a paint bucket (called the Paint Caddy), a knife with a heated blade, and a rotatable refrigerator shelf. Starting in about 2008, as a resident of Virginia, Conner convinced other people to invest in his patents and loan him money that he said would help him market and sell his patents. The trial evidence proved that in 2020 and 2021, as a resident of Warren County, New York, Conner fraudulently sought and obtained loans from people who believed they were loaning money to Conner for business purposes, including to complete the sale of his patents, to pay the IRS, and to pay attorney’s fees and accountant’s fees associated with anticipated patent sales and IRS filings. But Conner did not use the loaned funds for business purposes, and instead used the money for personal expenses and to fund his lifestyle; his expenditures included many outings to high-end restaurants in Saratoga Springs, cases of expensive French wine, and concert tickets. Since 2008, Conner has received, from investors and lenders, approximately $6 million; he has never sold a patent nor earned revenue from any of his inventions. Conner’s victims included residents of Virginia, North Carolina and Warren County. The jury also voted to convict Conner of failing to file personal income tax returns for tax years 2020 and 2021. The trial evidence proved that Conner, while living in Warren County, held himself out as a successful businessman, while receiving more than $136,000 in loans in 2020 and more than $257,000 in loans in 2021. During this time Conner had no savings and no job. The jury found that Conner had no intention of repaying the loans and treated them as his income and, as such, willfully failed to file tax returns with the IRS that would have reported the income. The jury voted to acquit Conner on one count of wire fraud and two counts of failing to file tax returns (for tax years 2018 and 2019). Conner was remanded to custody following the jury’s verdict. At sentencing on August 14, 2025, on the wire fraud convictions, Conner faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years. On the tax convictions, which are misdemeanors, Conner faces up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $100,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. IRS-CI investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Mikayla Espinosa are prosecuting this case.


title: Fairfax PCP trafficker sentenced to a decade in prison after fleeing justice

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Fairfax man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute Phencyclidine (PCP) and distribution of PCP after fleeing arrest and living under a fake name as a fugitive for nearly eight years. According to court documents, Otis Chevalier, 46, was a kilogram-level dealer who shipped PCP through the mail from California to Virginia and elsewhere. To avoid detection, Chevalier sent PCP-laden packages to the residences of the mothers of his children, rather than his own residence. After retrieving the packages of PCP, he redistributed it. Chevalier utilized a storage unit in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to store, prepare, and repackage PCP for redistribution. Chevalier used solvents, including starter fluid, to prepare the PCP for distribution, and used various paraphernalia, including liquid droppers and Mason-style glass jars, in the repackaging of PCP. On June 6, 2015, U.S. Postal Inspectors responded to a report of a leaking parcel shipped from California to an apartment in Alexandria. The parcel contained multiple Mason-style jars containing approximately two gallons of PCP. On Dec. 11, 2015, Chevalier shipped three packages from California to Virginia and Maryland. On Dec. 18, 2015, U.S. Postal Inspectors seized one of the packages, which had been mailed to an address in Chantilly. The parcel contained approximately 6.5 kilograms of a mixture containing PCP. On Feb. 18, 2016, law enforcement searched Chevalier's residence in Fairfax and located marijuana, syringe-style droppers with PCP residue, three starter fluid cans, multiple cellphones, and $27,704. On Jan. 4, 2017, law enforcement searched Chevalier's storage unit and seized multiple containers holding two to three gallons of PCP. Agents also seized material used to prepare and process PCP, including masks, pumps, and droppers. On Jan. 5, 2017, a federal magistrate judge issued a warrant for Chevalier’s arrest. After Chevalier’s attorney notified him of the pending arrest warrant on federal charges, Chevalier fled to avoid prosecution, using the alias Delone Jones, and remained a fugitive until his arrest on Aug. 29, 2024. Chevalier was previously convicted of a felony drug charge involving PCP. In that case, Chevalier was found to have caused a residential explosion in Bowie, Maryland. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Fairfax County Police Department, Reston District, assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather D. Call prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-228.


title: Salvadoran National Indicted for Illegal Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – A Salvadoran national has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Arsenio Valladares, 44, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. According to the indictment, Valladares was deported from the United States on or about April 23, 2008. It is alleged that sometime after his removal, Valladares illegally reentered the United States without permission. Prior to his removal, Valladares was convicted of offenses including assault and battery with a deadly weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery, operating under the influence, larceny and malicious destruction of property. In November 2024, federal immigration authorities became aware of Valadares’ presence in the United States after being notified that his fingerprints were taken in connection with criminal charges in Massachusetts. Valladares was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 18, 2025. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Benjamin is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Louisville, Kentucky Man Found Guilty of Methamphetamine Distribution

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – This week, following a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Louisville, Kentucky man of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on April 17, 2023, Terry Masden , 51, distributed approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine to the co-defendant, Dominique Kemp , 43, of Louisville. The Jury also found that Masden had previously been convicted of the following serious drug felony. On August 24, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Masden was convicted of the offense of possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Masden is scheduled for sentencing on July 15, 2025, before a United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky. Masden was ordered detained in federal custody pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The judge will determine the sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Kemp was previously convicted and sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for this charge. There is no parole in the federal system. The DEA and LMPD investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Dahl and Joshua Porter are prosecuting the case with assistance from paralegal specialist Aaron Cooper. This conviction is a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). ###


title: Justice Department Implements Critical National Security Program to Protect Americans’ Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: Today, the Justice Department took significant steps to move forward with implementing a critical program to prevent China, Russia, Iran, and other foreign adversaries from using commercial activities to access and exploit U.S. government-related data and Americans’ sensitive personal data to commit espionage and economic espionage, conduct surveillance and counterintelligence activities, develop AI and military capabilities, and otherwise undermine our national security. The Data Security Program implemented by the National Security Division (NSD) under Executive Order 14117 addresses this “unusual and extraordinary threat…to the national security and foreign policy of the United States” that has been repeatedly recognized across political parties and by all three branches of government. The Justice Department’s continued prioritization of the Data Security Program delivers on promises made by President Trump in his America First Investment Policy and NSPM-2 on Imposing Maximum Pressure on Iran , addresses threats identified in the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community and President Trump’s 2017 National Security Strategy , and responds to the national emergency President Trump declared in Executive Order 13873 . “If you’re a foreign adversary, why would you go through the trouble of complicated cyber intrusions and theft to get Americans’ data when you can just buy it on the open market or force a company under your jurisdiction to give you access?” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Data Security Program makes getting that data a lot harder.” To address this urgent threat, the Data Security Program establishes what are effectively export controls that prevent foreign adversaries, and those subject to their control, jurisdiction, ownership, and direction, from accessing U.S. government-related data and bulk genomic, geolocation, biometric, health, financial, and other sensitive personal data. To assist the public in coming into compliance with the Data Security Program, NSD has issued a Compliance Guide , an initial list of over 100 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) , and an Implementation and Enforcement Policy for the first 90 days. NSD will be taking additional steps over the coming weeks and months to implement the Data Security Program, including publishing an initial Covered Persons List that identifies and designates persons subject to the control and direction of foreign adversaries. The Data Security Program went into effect on April 8, 2025. Newly Issued Guidance and FAQs The Data Security Program Compliance Guide identifies and describes best practices for complying with the Data Security Program, thereby mitigating the unacceptable national security risk of enabling countries of concern to access and exploit Americans’ sensitive personal data. The document provides guidance on key definitions, prohibited and restricted transactions, and the requirements for building a robust data compliance program. The Compliance Guide also provides model contractual language and suggests best practices for complying with the Data Security Program’s audit and recordkeeping requirements. It is crucial that U.S. persons familiarize themselves and become prepared to comply with the Data Security Program’s prohibitions and restrictions once they became effective on April 8, 2025. The Data Security Program FAQs address high-level clarifications about Executive Order 14117 and provides valuable information about the Data Security Program, its scope, and accompanying processes for requesting licenses and advisory opinions, making disclosures of Data Security Program violations, and reporting rejected prohibited transactions. The FAQs reflect some of the comprehensive feedback and common issues the Department received and addressed through the rulemaking process, both as public comments in response to the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking , as well as questions delivered during dozens of engagements with individuals, businesses, trade groups, and other stakeholders that were potentially interested in or impacted by the Data Security Program. NSD will update these FAQs as necessary and appropriate to address additional questions raised by the public. NSD’s primary mission with respect to the implementation and enforcement of the Data Security Program is to protect U.S. national security from countries of concern that may seek to collect and weaponize Americans’ most sensitive personal data and government-related data. U.S. persons should “know their data” and the front-line role they play in mitigating these risks. As further explained in the Compliance Guide, individuals and entities subject to U.S. jurisdiction, as well as foreign individuals and entities conducting business in or with the United States or with U.S. persons, must comply with the Data Security Program. The Compliance Guide and FAQs are explanatory and intended to provide general guidance to regulated parties about compliance with the Data Security Program. Nothing in these documents supplements, modifies, or supersedes the requirements set forth in the Data Security Program. NSD intends to update the FAQs on an ongoing basis as NSD identifies additional questions and responses that should be made public to aid the regulated community in compliance. Newly Issued Enforcement Policy for the First 90 Days The Data Security Program went into effect on April 8, 2025. Starting April 8, 2025, entities and individuals were required to comply with the Data Security Program’s prohibitions and restrictions on engaging in covered data transactions. To provide additional time for entities and individuals to come into compliance, the Data Security Program delays certain affirmative due-diligence obligations, which do not go into effect until Oct. 6, 2025. NSD recognizes that individuals and companies may need to take a number of steps to determine whether the Data Security Program’s prohibitions and restrictions apply to their activities, and to implement changes to their existing policies or to implement new policies and processes to comply. To allow the private sector to focus its resources and efforts on promptly coming into compliance and to allow NSD to prioritize its resources on facilitating compliance, NSD will target its enforcement efforts during the first 90 days to allow U.S. persons ( e.g. , individuals and companies) additional time to implement the changes required by the Data Security Program, provide additional opportunities for the public to engage with NSD, and to minimize potential disruptions for businesses. As explained in NSD’s Data Security Program Implementation and Enforcement Policy Through July 8, 2025, NSD will not prioritize civil enforcement actions against any person for violations of the Data Security Program that occur from April 8 through July 8, 2025, so long as the person is engaging in good faith efforts to comply with or come into compliance with the Data Security Program during that time. These efforts include engaging in compliance activities described in that policy, such as amending or renegotiating existing contracts, conducting internal reviews of data flows, deploying the CISA security requirements , and so on. At the end of this 90-day period, individuals, and entities should be in full compliance with the DSP. This policy does not limit NSD’s lawful authority and discretion to pursue civil enforcement if entities and individuals did not engage in good faith efforts to comply with, or come into compliance with, the Data Security Program. During this 90-day period, NSD encourages the public to contact NSD at nsd.firs.datasecurity@usdoj.gov with informal inquires or information about the DSP and the guidance NSD has released. Although NSD may not be able to respond to every inquiry, NSD will use its best efforts to respond consistent with available resources, and any inquiries or information submitted may be used to develop and refine future guidance. Correspondingly, NSD discourages the submission of any formal requests for specific licenses or advisory opinions during this 90-day period. Although requests for specific licenses or advisory opinions during this 90-day period can be submitted, NSD will not review or adjudicate those submissions during the 90-day period (absent an emergency or imminent threat to public safety or national security).


title: Man Who Threatened High School Prom Murders Pleads Guilty in Miami Federal Court

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A 21-year-old Miami man who used social media messaging to threaten to “kill everyone” attending a high school junior prom in New Jersey pled guilty this week to transmitting threats through interstate communications, a felony offense. During his change of plea hearing, Onil Compres Rodriguez admitted that on April 30, 2024, he sent a series of direct messages to social media accounts, including accounts belonging to schools in New Jersey. He wrote: “I will kill everyone,” “they should never have hurt me,” “See you on May 2 at the junior prom . . . I will be charged for the damage they did to me,” “They don’t know who they messed with,” and “Wear your bulletproof vests there will be a lot of blood hahaha.” Compres Rodriguez sent two photographs with the messages: one of an invitation to a New Jersey high school prom on May 2, 2024, the other of three firearms and ammunition. The threats were reported to law enforcement, whose investigation led them to Compres Rodriguez in Miami. On May 2, 2024 (the date of the New Jersey prom) they learned that Compres Rodriguez had just booked a flight at Miami International Airport headed for Newark, New Jersey. When the flight landed in Newark, law enforcement was there, waiting for him. They arrested Compres Rodriguez, who never made it to prom. Senior U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno will sentence Compres Rodriguez in Miami on June 25. He faces up to five years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of FBI Miami announced the guilty plea. FBI Miami investigated the case, with collaboration from FBI Newark, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and Clifton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Hannah is prosecuting it. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 24-cr-20490. ###


title: McKeesport Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Ammunition Recovered from Apartment Complex Shooting Involving Two Fatalities

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on April 10, 2025, to a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Desmond Dontae Lee, also known as Desmond Donte Lee Belton, 46, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer to a one-count Indictment charging Lee with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on March 1, 2023, Lee and his son were both part of a group of individuals congregating outside of an apartment in a McKeesport apartment complex. When the resident of the apartment confronted the group and asked them to leave, one of the group members approached the resident and struck him with a closed fist, which led to the resident shooting and killing his attacker. Lee entered and proceeded through the apartment next to the resident’s, exiting that apartment from the rear, and then approached the rear of the resident’s apartment, firing five rounds from a 9mm semi-automatic pistol into the apartment before fleeing the scene. At that time, Lee’s son shot back at and killed the resident at the front of the apartment. The firearm used by Lee was never recovered, but investigators with the Allegheny County Police Department Homicide Unit collected the shell casings fired from Lee’s gun. Lee was previously convicted on state drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Fischer scheduled Lee’s sentencing for July 15, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Allegheny County Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lee. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Jury Finds Drug Trafficker Guilty in Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that a jury found Leonardo Medina of Denver guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit methamphetamine; one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; two counts of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine. According to evidence presented at the five-day trial, Medina operated a large-scale drug-trafficking organization in Colorado. Medina supplied bulk methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to subordinate dealers in Denver and Colorado Springs throughout 2021 and 2022. In July 2022, the Defendant coordinated the delivery of more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico for his drug-trafficking organization. That load of methamphetamine was seized by law enforcement in Texas at the request of investigators in Colorado. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Denver Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Dustin Andre-Vandenberg and Sonia Dave. Case Number: 23-cr-00049-PAB


title: Zaquikon T. Roy Facing New Charges

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Rutland, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on Wednesday, April 1, 2025, the grand jury sitting in Rutland, Vermont, returned a Second Superseding Indictment charging Zaquikon T. Roy, 35, previously of Brooklyn, New York, with fifteen charges: conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; conspiracy to use and possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; three counts of distribution of cocaine base; two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; three counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm; and one count of discharge of a firearm while using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The count related to the discharge of a firearm relates to a shooting that occurred in Leicester, Vermont on June 4, 2023. Roy has not yet been arraigned on these charges and no date for the arraignment has been set. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and that Roy is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty. If convicted of these offenses, Roy faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and/or a $8,000,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Vermont State Police. The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul J. Van de Graaf and Wendy L. Fuller. Roy is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN .


title: Hartford, Vermont Man Charged with Production of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Matthew Isaacs, 33, of Hartford, Vermont, has been charged by criminal complaint with producing child sexual abuse materials (previously referred to as child pornography). Isaacs’ initial appearance in court is scheduled for today at 2pm before United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford in Burlington. According to court records, Isaacs repeatedly sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl who lived on the same floor of his apartment building in Hartford. During the sexual abuse, Isaacs took photographs of the child’s genitalia. Isaacs thereafter modified the images of the child’s genitalia by adding words (including the first name of the child victim and a slang word for vagina), and images (including an erect penis pointed at the child’s vaginal area). Some of the images depict Isaacs actively abusing the child, with his hand down her pants. Isaacs is identifiable by a distinctive tattoo on his arm. Isaacs had been previously charged in Vermont Superior Court with Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child, and was on conditions of release at the time of his federal arrest. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Isaacs is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Isaacs faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years of imprisonment, and up to thirty years of imprisonment, if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Hartford, Vermont Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Isaacs is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender. 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: Los Angeles Man Sentenced For Conspiring With Lee County Man To Distribute Methamphetamine And Fentanyl Through The U.S. Mail

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Esdras Joel Garcia De La Rosa (28, Los Angeles, CA) to nine years in federal prison for conspiracy with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. De La Rosa pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024. According to court documents, De La Rosa conspired with Durand Dijoun Demetiu Colbert (35, Lee County) to distribute various controlled substances including methamphetamine and fentanyl. De La Rosa resided in California and supplied Colbert, a Florida resident, with controlled substances that would later be distributed to others. The controlled substances were sent by De La Rosa to Colbert through the U.S. mail or other packaging carriers. On November 17, 2023, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Colbert’s residence. At that time, Colbert had roughly 1,700 fentanyl pills at his residence, which investigators determined had been sent by De La Rosa. Colbert previously pleaded guilty for his role in this case. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 2025. This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.


title: Third man guilty of laundering funds from 9-year fraud scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 62-year-old Houston resident has admitted to laundering proceeds from a large-scale bank fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. William Mills admitted that from 2014 to 2023, he conspired with others in a bank fraud scheme involving dozens of loans totaling at least $35 million in fraudulent loan proceeds. As part of the plea, Mills acknowledged opening and maintaining shell companies and bank accounts to collect money from the scheme. He then laundered the fraud proceeds by wiring them to bank accounts other co-conspirators controlled. Mills and others accomplished the bank fraud by preparing loan applications that contained false and fraudulent information and documents, including fake equipment sales invoices, income tax returns and financial and bank statements. U.S. District Keith Ellison will impose sentencing June 27. At that time, Mills faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine or twice the amount involved in the transaction. He will remain in custody pending that hearing. Two other Houston residents charged in the case, Jeremiah Almaguer, 45, Bun Khath, 44, both of Houston, previously pleaded guilty to money laundering in the same scheme and are awaiting sentencing. Another Houston resident charged in the case - Hugo Villanueva, 70, - is considered a fugitive, and a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 713-693-5000. The Federal Housing Finance Agency-Office of Inspector General (OIG), IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.


title: New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty of Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on April 10, 2025, DJOHN BRYANT (“BRYANT”) , age 32, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D) and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). According to court documents, on or about February 4, 2024, New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officers observed BRYANT conducting drug transactions. Upon arresting him, officers found that BRYANT possessed cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, oxycodone, tapentadol, marijuana, and a Glock Model 27, .40 caliber handgun and ammunition. As to the drug trafficking charges, BRYANT faces up to twenty years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. As to the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life in prison, which is to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney James Ollinger of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Mississippi Man Guilty of Attempted Receipt of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – AVERY FREEL (“FREEL”) , age 23, of Ocean Springs, MS, pled guilty on April 10, 2025, before United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon, to Attempted Receipt of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. FREEL faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years, up to a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00. In addition, FREEL faces a term of supervised release of no less than five (5) years and up to life, after his release from prison, as well as a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. 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 United States Attorney’s 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 . The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Hammond Police Department, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.


title: Violent Bridgeport Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 13 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: ERIC HAYES, also known as “Heavyweight Champ,” 28, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 165 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in a violent Bridgeport street gang, including the murder and attempted murder of rival gang members. Today’s announcement was made by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter; Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick. According to court documents, statements made in court, and the evidence presented during a month-long trial, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. Hayes has been a member of the “East End gang,” which began as a local street gang based in the East End of Bridgeport, but currently has members and associates who are either incarcerated or living throughout Bridgeport and surrounding towns. The East End gang has been aligned with other groups, including the PT Barnum Gang, the East Side gang and 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport. These groups were aligned against rival organizations in Bridgeport, including the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”) and the “Greene Homes Boyz,” (“GHB/Hotz”), based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End. Due to the level of gun violence Bridgeport was experiencing, the investigation commenced shortly before East End members shot and killed Myreke Kenion and shot and attempted to kill D’Andre Brown, both members and associates of the GHB/Hotz gang, on January 26, 2020. The next day, in retaliation for these shootings, GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. members attempted to kill East End gang members and associates in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a state courthouse on Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport that resulted in four victims being shot while sitting inside a car. For a time, Hayes was the de facto leader of the East End gang. Hayes and other East End members distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; used and shared firearms; and committed at least six murders and other acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals. East End members celebrated their criminal conduct in rap videos on YouTube and on social media websites such as Facebook, and committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities. The investigation determined that on March 5, 2019, Hayes shot and killed Jerrell Gatewood, a member of the Terrace, a rival group to the East End gang. Also, Hayes helped coordinate the attempted murder of Marquis Isreal, also known as “Garf” or “Gbaby,” a member and associate of the O.N.E. gang. On September 15, 2019, East End member Trevon Wright shot Isreal 12 times inside a restaurant in Bridgeport’s East End. Isreal survived the shooting. Hayes has been detained since his arrest on September 25, 2019. On that date, he possessed a loaded .45 caliber handgun. Subsequent forensic analysis of the firearm connected it to shell casings recovered from the restaurant after the Marquis Isreal shooting. On December 5, 2023, a jury found Hayes, Wright, Keishawn Donald, and Travon Jones guilty of conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity. Approximately 47 members and associates of the East End, O.N.E. and the GHB/Hotz gangs have been convicted of federal offenses stemming from this investigation, which has and solved eight murders and approximately 20 attempted murders. Wright , Donald , and Jones were previously sentenced. This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory, and the Waterbury Police Department. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Stephanie T. Levick, Rahul Kale, and Karen L. Peck. This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty To The Unlawful Transportation Of Aliens And Illegal Reentry Into The United States

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Timoteo Son-Gonzalez (40), a Guatemalan national, has pleaded guilty to unlawful transportation of an illegal alien for the purpose of financial gain and illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. Son-Gonzalez faces a maximum penalty of 12 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, in February 2025, agents from the U.S. Border Patrol stopped a car driven by Son-Gonzalez. The car contained six passengers, all of whom were illegal aliens. After interviewing the passengers, agents determined that Son-Gonzalez was transporting illegal aliens for financial gain. Son-Gonzalez was also found to be unlawfully present in the United States, after having been removed in June 2024. This case was investigated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Washington Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting Federal Officers

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Filiberto Santana, age 34, to 84 months in prison for assaulting two federal officers. Chief Judge Bastian also imposed 3 years of supervised release. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on April 11, 2025, the Columbia River Drug Task Force had requested the United States Marshals Service to assist in the apprehension of Filiberto Santana, who had active state arrest warrants. A United States Marshals Service (USMS) Task Force Officer spotted Santana and a female sitting in a stolen vehicle at a “Park and Ride” in Wenatchee, WA. Santana was seated in the passenger seat and the female was seated in the driver’s seat. The female was also known to law enforcement and had an active state arrest warrant. Although in a parking space, the vehicle’s engine was running. Law enforcement decided to pin the stolen vehicle between two patrol cars to prevent Santana, who had a history of fleeing law enforcement, from avoiding capture. Law enforcement approached the vehicle and ordered Santana and the female to put their hands up where they could be seen. Instead of complying with the lawful order, the female placed the car in reverse, then shifted to drive, spinning the tires in the snow in a failed attempt to escape. Santana immediately rolled up the front passenger window, which had been down, and began moving as if searching for something in the car. Because law enforcement could not view Santana’s hands and believed he was potentially searching for a weapon, law enforcement broke out the rear passenger window to better see inside the vehicle and access the occupants. Law enforcement continued to order the female to put the car in neutral and for the occupants to put up their hands. Instead, the female pressed the accelerator pedal spinning the tires. Santana momentarily raised his hands, however, he quickly lowered them and resumed searching for something around the floorboards and seat area. After repeated orders to place the car in neutral and to put up their hands were disregarded, officers attempted to tase both the female and Santana. However, Santana and the female had on thick layers of clothing and the taser prongs did not work effectively and both Santana and the female continued to disregard law enforcement’s directions. Santana then grabbed an object from the seat area where he had been reaching, and with a pistol grip pointed the object at the officers. Initially the officers believed from the manner he grasped the object that it was a firearm, however, an officer closer to the car saw that it was a spray bottle and yelled out to the other officers, “He’s got spray!” Santana sprayed an unknown liquid directly at law enforcement striking a deputy United States Marshal in the eyes. He then climbed to the back seat and fled out the rear driver’s side window in an attempt to escape. He was stopped and taken into custody by law enforcement. After apprehending Santana, officers had to pull the noncompliant female out of the window and were able to handcuff her after a brief struggle outside the vehicle. The Deputy United States Marshal was treated by medics at the scene. His eyes were bloodshot and burned and remained irritated for several days. A second federal Task Force Officer who was also struck by the spray and had breathed it in suffered from burning in his lungs for several hours after the incident. He did not seek medical treatment. The spray used by Santana was later found in the vehicle and identified as an interior detailing spray. Law enforcement also located several stolen items in the car, including a Ruger handgun in the driver’s door compartment, as well as multiple magazines for the Ruger. Also found were several magazines from other caliber firearms, a holster, and 9mm ammunition. “Everyday law enforcement officers take on tremendous dangers; yet, they put their lives on the line to protect our communities,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker. “I am grateful to be able to work closely with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement, who work tirelessly to secure Eastern Washington Communities.” “Every day, law enforcement officers bravely put themselves in uncertain situations to perform their duties and keep the public safe," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "These subjects were actively resisting arrest and repeatedly refusing to comply. I want to commend these officers for their courage and professionalism in such a dangerous situation, which allowed them to successfully resolve the situation and take the subjects into custody. We are thankful the injuries to the officers were not even worse due to the dangerous actions of the subjects.” “In bringing fugitives to justice, law enforcement faces the very real threat of assault from violent offenders,” stated U. S. Marshal Craig Thayer. Every effort is made to effectuate these arrests as safely as possible, and with only reasonable and necessary force. However, these offenders will be arrested, and will face justice, as Chief Judge Bastian’s sentencing today demonstrates.” This case was investigated by the FBI and the Columbia River Drug Task Force. 2:23-cr-00133-SAB


title: Butler County Resident Charged with Making Threats to Assault and Murder President Donald J. Trump, Other United States Officials, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Shawn Monper, 32, a resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with making threats to assault and murder President Donald J. Trump, other United States officials, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. “I want to applaud the outstanding and courageous investigative work of the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department, who thankfully identified and apprehended this individual before he could carry out his threats against President Trump’s life and the lives of other innocent Americans,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest, and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment.” According to the federal criminal complaint, on April 8, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Threat Operations Section (NTOS) received an emergency disclosure regarding threats posted to YouTube by user “Mr Satan.” Federal agents determined that the threatening statements occurred between January 15, 2025, and April 5, 2025. The subsequent federal investigation affirmed that the internet activity associated with “Mr Satan” corresponded with Shawn Monper’s residence in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The investigation further established that Monper sought and obtained a firearms permit shortly following President Trump’s inauguration. In February 2025, Monper commented using his “Mr Satan” account: “I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office.” Further, in March 2025, Monper commented using his account: “Eventually im going to do a mass shooting.” One week later, Monper commented: “I have been buying 1 gun a month since the election, body armor, and ammo.” The criminal complaint identified the following threatening statements regarding President Trump, other United States officials, and ICE agents: February 17, 2025 : “Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way. Remember, we are the majority, MAGA is a minority of the country, and by the time its time to make the move, they will be weakened, many will be crushed by these policies, and they will want revenge too. American Revolution 2.0” March 4, 2025 : “im going to assassinate him myself.” This threat was made in a YouTube video titled “Live: Trump’s address to Congress.” March 18, 2025 : “ICE are terrorist people, we need to start killing them.” April 1, 2025 : “If I see an armed ice agent, I will consider it a domestic terrorist, and an active shooter and open fire on them.” On April 9, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Butler Township Police Department, arrested Monper on the federal criminal complaint. On April 10, 2025, Monper was ordered detained pending preliminary and detention hearings scheduled for April 14, 2025, at 1:00 pm. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Butler Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the criminal complaint against Monper. A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Armed Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Mobile woman was sentenced to 180 months in prison for a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. According to court documents, Desiree Rose Carlock, 33, was surveilled by narcotics agents in January 2024 traveling from Mobile to Pensacola, Florida, where she would purchase pounds of methamphetamine to bring back to Mobile and sell. On February 21, 2024, agents seized nearly a pound of methamphetamine and a loaded .380 caliber pistol from Carlock during a traffic stop. Carlock admitted to agents that she had just obtained the methamphetamine from a supplier in Pensacola. She confessed that she typically picked up methamphetamine in Pensacola twice a week and distributed the drugs to individuals in Mobile. Agents searched Carlock’s cell phone, which contained text messages, photos, videos, and other data regarding her drug-trafficking activities. In April 2024, agents arrested Carlock in possession of methamphetamine on two occasions. First, during a traffic stop on April 2, 2024, agents seized 21 grams of methamphetamine from Carlock. Second, during a traffic stop on April 22, 2024, agents seized 349 grams of methamphetamine from Carlock. In addition to the 180-month prison sentence, United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose ordered Carlock to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon her release from prison, during which time she will be subject to drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge DuBose ordered Carlock to pay $200 in special assessments and forfeited her firearm, ammunition, and cell phone to the United States. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The Escambia County, Florida Sheriff’s Office substantially assisted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: North Ridgeville Doctor Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud Conspiracy

body_text: CLEVELAND – An Ohio doctor has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy that prescribed medical equipment and lab tests for patients who did not need them and then submitted claims to Medicare to receive payment. Medicare is a federal health benefit program administered under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and most notably covers beneficiaries aged 65 and older. According to court documents, Timothy Sutton, 43, of North Ridgeville, Ohio, admitted that he and other co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to fraudulently bill more than $14.5 million in payments from Medicare. Sutton was employed by two telemedicine companies; Real Time Physicians, LLC, based in Nevada, and 24 Hour Virtual MD, LLC, based in Florida. The companies provided Sutton with pre-completed orders for durable medical equipment (DME), such as braces, and/or cancer genetic testing (CGX) for him to approve and digitally sign. In doing so, he affirmed that he had examined patients using a telemedicine platform and determined that they needed DME or that CGX testing was necessary. In truth, he never examined any of the patients who resided throughout Ohio and Florida. Once Sutton prescribed the equipment or ordered testing, Real Time Physicians and 24 Hour Virtual MD furthered the conspiracy by forwarding the orders to companies under their control or sold the orders to other medical entities to provide DME or conduct the lab testing. Sutton defrauded Medicare by submitting claims that were not reasonable and necessary for medical treatment and did not comply with Medicare rules and regulations or applicable federal laws. On April 4, 2025, Sutton pleaded guilty to attempt and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, false statements related to health care matters, and aggravated identity theft. He faces a maximum penalty of 27 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 26, 2025. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI Cleveland Division. In the Northern District of Ohio, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Om Kakani and Rebecca Lutzko are prosecuting the case. About the Northern District of Ohio The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio covers the 40 northern-most counties in the state of Ohio, which is home to nearly six million people. The office operates from its main headquarters in Cleveland, with additional branches in Akron, Toledo, and Youngstown. The U.S. Attorney serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the District and oversees the prosecution of federal crimes and protect victims’ rights.


title: Jury Convicts Pasco Drug Trafficker

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Pierre Marquis Fowler (36, Tarpon Springs), a/k/a “Durk,” guilty of conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; possessing with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; possessing a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes; and two counts of illegal monetary transactions. Fowler faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Pierre Marquis Fowler and his brother, Marcus Jamar Fowler, a/k/a “Drastic,” conspired with each other and others to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The Fowlers used a stash location in Tarpon Springs as a place to distribute narcotics. Between 2020 and 2022 one witness estimated that Pierre Fowler had provided them with at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, and multiple kilograms of cocaine. Firearms recovered from safe at stash location Evidence from search warrants included eight firearms, including two machineguns, 989.1 grams of fentanyl, 715 grams of methamphetamine, and 781 grams of cocaine at the stash location. In addition, seven parcels had been shipped from California to the Middle District of Florida, in the span of one week, which contained 3,981 grams of fentanyl and 4,458 grams of methamphetamine. Contents of two boxes bound for a residence in Pasco County Evidence also showed that Pierre Fowler had used proceeds of drug trafficking to make purchases of more than $10,000, including a piece of real property in Holiday. Certain assets being forfeited by the government include property located in Holiday and $10,409 in cash seized from Pierre Fowler during a search warrant on February 8, 2023. Marcus Jamar Fowler previously pleaded guilty for his role in this case. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2025. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Tarpon Springs Police Department, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman. The forfeiture is being handled by AUSA James Muench. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Key West Man Pleads Guilty in D.C. to Smuggling Firearms from Florida to Haiti

body_text: WASHINGTON – Jean Wiltene Eugene, 57, of Key West, Florida, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to one count of smuggling for his role in a gun running operation that illegally exported firearms to Haiti. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Justin Fleck of the Miami Field Office. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22. According to court documents, Eugene is a U.S. citizen who was born in Haiti and resides in Key West, Florida. On or about September 23, 2021, Eugene knowingly exported more than two firearms from the United States to Haiti without having first obtained the required license from the Bureau of Industry and Security, located in the District of Columbia. Any person who exports a firearm without proper authorization may be fined up to $1 million and imprisoned for up to 20 years. According to court records, Eugene arranged to ship vehicles to Haiti through a Florida-based export company. Eugene signed the company’s terms and conditions of shipments, which required the shipper to affirm that the vehicles did not contain any firearms or ammunition. In a subsequent interview with law enforcement, Eugene admitted that, in 2020 and 2021, he shipped two vehicles to Haiti with firearms hidden inside. Eugene stated that he placed food and other items around the bins holding the firearms so border authorities would not find the weapons. In a later interview with federal agents Eugene stated that nine firearms he purchased in Key West under his name were currently located at his gas station in Haiti and that none of those firearms remained in the United States. He admitted that he knew it was illegal to ship weapons to Haiti when confronted by the federal agents. Pursuant to an active arrest warrant, Eugene was arrested at a traffic stop on May 4, 2024, in Key West. This case is being investigated by the FBI Miami Field Office with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Paschall and Trial Attorney Beau Barnes of the National Security Division. 25cr78


title: Unlawful Illinois DEI Scholarship Program Suspended After Justice Department Threatened Lawsuit

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Today, the Justice Department announced that it has acted to end the state of Illinois’ unlawful minority-only scholarship program. After the Justice Department threatened to file suit, the state and six universities suspended the program. On March 31, 2025, the Justice Department found that an Illinois scholarship program unconstitutionally discriminated on the basis of race in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellow of Harvard Coll. , 600 U.S. 181 (2023), colleges and universities are prohibited from using race to select winners and losers in higher education. The scholarship program established by Illinois law used race as a prerequisite for participation, specifically excluding students of some races but not others in violation of federal law. After the Justice Department notified the educational institutions of its findings, multiple universities informed the Justice Department that they had ended their participation in the program, including Northwestern University, Loyola University of Chicago, and the University of Chicago. None of the institutions that the Department notified of its findings is currently electing to continue its participation in the program. Additionally, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, which administers the state-created DEI scholarship program, responded to the Department’s threatened lawsuit by suspending all its activities relating to the program until it can comprehensively review the program with the Illinois General Assembly during the current legislative session. “This Department of Justice is committed to rooting DEI out of American institutions, including in the education system," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "This latest victory illustrates that the threat of legal action can be enough to force bad actors into dissolving harmful practices that disregard merit and divide Americans based on race.” To learn more about the Civil Rights Division visit www.justice.gov/crt , and to report possible violations of federal civil rights laws go to www.civilrights.justice.gov or call toll-free at 800-253-3931.