title: FORMER PHYSICIAN SENTENCED TO OVER SEVEN YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Jesse Roger Armstrong, 35, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to ninety months in prison after previously pleading guilty to distribution of child pornography. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “Our state and federal law enforcement partners are committed to identifying, investigating, and rooting out the scourge of exploitation and sexual abuse of children online, and my office will continue to back up those efforts with aggressive prosecutions of anyone found to be peddling in child sexual abuse material. Keeping our kids safe is the highest priority for my office, and it begins with sending predators like this defendant to prison.” Court documents reflect that the defendant knowingly uploaded images of child pornography to the Internet while searching for additional child pornography. Detectives with the Gainesville Police Department also located additional files of child pornography and images of sexual bestiality on the defendant’s electronic devices at his residence. At the time of these offenses, Armstrong was completing his residency in the psychiatric division of a local hospital. “Keeping our children safe online is a priority,” said Chief Nelson Moya, Gainesville Police Department. “We will continue to pursue anyone who chooses to prey on our children via the internet.” “HSI is committed to protecting children from exploitation, especially when offenders are in trusted roles like physicians,” said Nick Ingegno, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for HSI in Tallahassee. “Abusing that trust is unacceptable, and we will continue working with our partners to hold these individuals accountable and safeguard our communities.” The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Pasco County Woman Sentenced to 16 Years for Trafficking  Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – Lizbet Sanchez-Alvear (29, Dade City) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernadez Covington to 16 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Judge Covington also sentenced Cecelia Yalitza Ruiz (29, Dade City) to 27 months in federal prison for destroying evidence relating to Sanchez’s investigation. Sanchez pleaded guilty on October 27, 2025, and Ruiz pleaded guilty on August 12, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, over the last three years, Sanchez was the main source of supply and broker for mid-level narcotics dealers in Pasco County, distributing to one dealer alone at least 50 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3 kilograms of fentanyl. Sanchez specialized in connecting the sources of narcotics supply in Mexico and Atlanta with mid-level narcotics dealers in the Middle District of Florida, brokering numerous deals and receiving payment for her services. Brokering and coordinating narcotics transactions was Sanchez’s primary source of income, and Sanchez often conducted narcotics transactions in the presence of her young children. On March 6, 2025, Sanchez arranged for one of her customers to retrieve 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine from one of her suppliers in Apopka. After coordinating the logistics of the transaction and arranging her fee, Sanchez sent her customer the address to retrieve the drugs, which were later seized by law enforcement. Picture of seized methamphetamine On March 11, 2025, federal and local law enforcement officers attempted to interview Sanchez about her narcotics activities. Sanchez and Ruiz exited a restaurant together in Zephyrhills. Once Ruiz realized that law enforcement was trying to question Sanchez about her narcotics offenses, Ruiz became agitated, causing a chaotic scene in the parking lot, screaming and cursing at law enforcement officers. Ruiz then walked to Sanchez’s vehicle and retrieved Sanchez’s phone, knowing it contained evidence of Sanchez’s narcotics trafficking. Ruiz brought the phone to her vehicle and destroyed the device. During a break in law enforcement’s questioning of Sanchez, Ruiz told Sanchez that she had destroyed Sanchez’s phone. Sanchez then told Ruiz not to give the phone to the law enforcement officers. Shortly after this conversation, Ruiz drove away from the scene with the destroyed phone, which was never recovered by law enforcement. Ruiz has previous convictions for assaulting and battering law enforcement officers, including for punching a police officer in the face. This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Pardo. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Two Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Kanawha County Drug Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Ashley Dawn Smith, 32, of St. Albans, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and Adrian Lamont Carter, 45, of Charleston, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Smith and Carter admitted to their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Charleston area between June 2024 and May 2025. According to court documents and statements made in court, Smith was distributing fentanyl to customers that she was obtaining from two out-of-town sources. One of her co-conspirators would re-distribute the fentanyl that he obtained from Smith. When officers executed a search warrant at Smith’s St. Albans residence in February 2025, they located a quantity of fentanyl as well as other items indicative of fentanyl distribution. Carter obtained fentanyl from an out-of-town source and distributed it to several customers in the Charleston area. When officers executed a search warrant at Carter’s Charleston residence in April 2025, they located a quantity of fentanyl as well as other items indicative of fentanyl distribution. Smith and Carter are among 16 individuals indicted as the result of a federal investigation on charges alleging they participated in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Charleston area between June 2024 and May 2025. Five defendants in the main indictment pleaded guilty including Smith and Carter. Four additional defendants pleaded guilty in separate cases that resulted from the investigation. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-78. ###


title: GAINESVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 22 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DRUG AND GUN CRIMES COMMITTED WHILE ON FEDERAL SUPERVISION

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

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Dovico Raynard Miles, a/k/a “Vico,” 47, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to a total of 270 months in prison after pleading guilty to narcotics and firearm offenses as well as violating the terms of his federal supervised release. The defendant pleaded guilty to three federal charges: possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 500 Grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine, 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base, N,N-Dimethlpentylone, and marijuana; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This is yet another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, through which President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have unleashed the full might of the Department of Justice to eliminate the threats to the safety of our communities by drug traffickers and violent felons, like this defendant. We will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute anyone who peddles this poison on our streets.” Court documents reflect that in 2022 two armed robbers kicked in the front door of the defendant’s residence intending to steal drugs and cash. During the home invasion, one of the robbers shot and killed the defendant’s niece. After the defendant returned gun fire and both robbers fled, the defendant proceeded to hide large quantities of drugs and firearms in the backyard. Law enforcement ultimately recovered over 1,000 grams of cocaine, over 70 grams of cocaine base, over 1,400 grams of methamphetamine, over 70 grams of marijuana, multiple firearms, and over $10,000 in cash. At the time of the investigation, the defendant was on federal supervised release for a 2008 conviction involving trafficking cocaine and cocaine base. The defendant was also prohibited from possessing firearms after having been convicted of eight different felonies. “We have zero tolerance for violent crime and will work with all our partners to seek justice,” said Chief Nelson Moya, Gainesville Police Department. “Keeping our community safe from guns and drugs will always be a priority.” “Floridians are much safer with this violent drug dealer behind bars,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Harrell. “This joint investigation is yet another reminder that serious crimes come with serious penalties.” “Bringing this poly-drug distributor to justice will make North Florida communities safer,” said DEA Miami Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Bobbitt. “Methamphetamine can tear apart families and its impact on communities is immeasurable.” The defendant was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment for his gun and drug crimes. He received an additional 30 months’ for violating the terms of his supervised release. Following his term of incarceration, the defendant will be on federal supervised release again for an additional ten years. The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner and Former Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Elsey. 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, human and drug trafficking. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: WILLISTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Michael Theondra Mozell, Jr., 32, of Williston, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, with support from our federal law enforcement partners, this violent felon has been taken off our streets and will now find himself in federal prison. This is yet another successful prosecution by my office in fulfillment of the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will Take Back America from the perpetrators of violent crime who have victimized and terrorized our streets for far too long.” Court documents reflect that during the course of a traffic stop in Gainesville, Florida, a .25 caliber pistol, five grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were seized from the defendant’s vehicle. The defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition as he has prior convictions for attempted robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, aggravated assault with deadly weapon, and possession of cocaine. Mozell faces a total of up to 15 years’ imprisonment. The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt. Sentencing is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 11:00 am, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. 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, human and drug trafficking. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Former Commissioner of Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation Sentenced for Bribery Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A former Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation (SP&R), Calvert White, was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for soliciting and accepting a bribe from a government contractor in exchange for assistance in attempting to obtain a $1.43 million dollar government contract. His co-conspirator, Benjamin Hendricks, was also sentenced yesterday to 68 months in prison for his role in the same scheme. “Calvert White rigged a public bid process in exchange for a bribe,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He abused the trust of those who live in the community he was supposed to serve. The Criminal Division will continue to prosecute government corruption. Such conduct undermines the integrity of our institutions at every level of government.” “The defendants’ convictions send a message: public corruption is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by our community,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Sleeper for the District of the Virgin Islands. Public officials take an oath based on trust and assume a responsibility of service to the people,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Claudia Dubravetz of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “When that trust is violated through acts of corruption, it undermines confidence in government and harms the communities it is meant to serve. This is unacceptable, and the FBI will continue to work with our partners to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those who abuse their positions for personal gain.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, White solicited and accepted a bribe from a government contractor, David Whitaker, through Hendricks, who acted as an intermediary to facilitate payment of the bribe. The scheme lasted about seven months, beginning in at least December 2023 and continuing until the FBI approached the defendants in June 2024. As part of the scheme, in December 2023, White demanded the bribe from Whitaker to be later paid through Hendricks. In exchange for the bribe, White agreed to assist Whitaker in obtaining a valuable contract for the installation of security cameras at SP&R properties in the Virgin Islands. As part of the scheme, White provided confidential bid information to Whitaker and took official action to encourage the awarding of the contract to Whitaker. During the bid selection process, Whitaker sent the bribe payment to a bank account controlled by Hendricks, who later delivered the funds to White. The jury convicted both White and Hendricks of one count of honest services wire fraud, and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. The FBI San Juan Field Office, St. Thomas Resident Agency investigated the case. Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case. Former PIN Trial Attorney Lina Peng also provided significant assistance in the investigation and prosecution.


title: Kanawha County Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kelli Rucker, also known as “Kelli Engler,” 48, of Nitro, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, to wire fraud. According to court documents and statements made in court, Rucker was hired by the West Virginia Division of Labor as an Administrative Services Manager I in 2020 and assigned three state purchasing credit cards. From 2022 through February 2023, Rucker fraudulently made unauthorized purchases with the three cards that resulted in losses totaling $18,472.75 to the State of West Virginia. As part of her guilty plea, Rucker admitted that she knew she was not permitted to make personal purchases with the state issued card and that she electronically paid personal expenses including gas and electric bills, hospital expenses and cable television bills as part of her fraudulent scheme. Rucker further admitted that her fraudulent use of the cards included a $2,200 charge transmitted electronically on January 28, 2023. Rucker is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Rucker also owes $18,472.75 in restitution. Rucker has a criminal history that includes prior convictions for access device fraud on October 13, 2010, and failure to appear on October 11, 2016, both in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the West Virginia Commission in Special Investigations and the assistance provided by the West Virginia Division of Labor. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-176. ###


title: Seven Individuals Sentenced to Federal Prison for Charges Related to Methamphetamine Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Seven individuals were sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Council Bluffs and Omaha metropolitan area. According to public court documents, between June and September 2024, seven co-defendants conspired together to distribute methamphetamine throughout the Council Bluffs and Omaha metropolitan areas. Defendants were supplied with several pounds of methamphetamine from Mexican-based drug suppliers. Aaron Matthew Lewis, 39, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced to a 180-month prison term, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Devon Leigh Miller, 35, of Omaha, was sentenced to a 204-month prison term, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Spencer Allen Cornell, 32, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced to a 224‑month prison term, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. James Dwight Mills, 38, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced to a 264-month prison term, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Sanel Dizdarevic, 32, of Omaha, was sentenced to a 132-month prison term, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Kiley Lucille Marie Parrish, 24, of Omaha, was sentenced to a 96-month prison term, followed by a seven-year term of supervised release. Alyx Megan O’Hare, 37, of Omaha, was sentenced to a 60-month prison term, followed by a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by Council Bluffs Police Department, Omaha Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Pottawattamie County Sheriff Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. 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: Brazilian National Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national, residing in Milford, was arrested and charged in federal court in Worcester for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Joao Carlos Tavares Da Silva, 21, was charged with possession of child pornography. The defendant was detained after making an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester. According to the charging documents, Tavares Da Silva is a Brazilian citizen with an outstanding warrant in Brazil for statutory rape; production, reproduction, direction, recording or filming of scenes of explicit sexual acts or pornography involving children or adolescents; and selling or offering for sale any photograph, video, or other recording that contains scenes of explicit sexual acts or pornography involving a child or adolescent. During a search of Tavares Da Silva’s home in Milford, multiple electronic devices were seized. According to the criminal complaint affidavit, images containing CSAM were located on one of those devices. The images appeared to be of an alleged victim in Brazil. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for life and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Milford Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ . The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Miami Executive Sentenced in Brooklyn Federal Court to 20 Years in Prison for Massive Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Pushpesh Kumar Baid, also known as “PK Jain,” was sentenced by United States Second Circuit Judge Denny Chin, sitting by designation, to 20 years’ imprisonment for his role in schemes to defraud investors in Tradepay Capital LLC (“Tradepay”), a purported factoring company, and in Luxestreet, Inc. (Luxestreet), a purported luxury goods pawn shop. Baid pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in April 2025 , approximately one week before trial was scheduled to commence. As part of the sentence, Baid was preliminarily ordered to pay $35,056,852.83 in restitution to the victims of both the Tradepay and Luxestreet schemes. Additionally, the Court ordered Baid to forfeit $2,607,689.00 in ill-gotten gains. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Terence G. Reilly, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, (FBI), announced the sentence. “Baid and his co-conspirators orchestrated an elaborate fraud, creating sham companies and using straw bank accounts and fraudulent documents to deceive their victims for years into investing millions of dollars into businesses that simply did not exist,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The significant sentence imposed today should send a message to anyone who chooses to enrich themself through fraud that false statements to investors will lead to a prison term.” Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation for its work on the case. “Pushpesh Baid repeatedly spun webs of lies to manipulate his investors into pooling tens of millions of dollars in fabricated companies directly utilized for Baid’s personal expenditures” stated Acting FBI Assistant Director in Charge Reilly. “Baid abused his position to create fraudulent investment opportunities at the expense of his clients. The FBI remains dedicated to exposing those who implement deceitful practices designed to betray investors’ trust for selfish financial gain.” Baid pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the Tradepay scheme. As part of his plea, Baid also admitted to his participation in the Luxestreet scheme. Details of the schemes, as reflected in court filings, are set forth below. Tradepay Scheme Baid was the Business Head of Tradepay, which purported to be an international factoring business run by an executive team experienced in factoring invoices in particular industries and geographic regions. Factoring involves the sale of an invoice to a third party at a discount. In a factoring transaction, the seller of an invoice obtains immediate funding from the buyer of the invoice, and the buyer of the invoice makes a profit when the invoice is paid in full. Between approximately April 2017 and October 2019, Baid and his co-conspirators implemented a scheme to defraud investors in Tradepay, making it appear that Tradepay was a legitimate and successful business when it was, in fact, an elaborate scam. For example, hundreds of invoices from various businesses that Tradepay purported to be factoring were fraudulent and included fake signatures on both sides of the supposed transactions. Baid and his co-conspirators also funneled millions of dollars of investors’ funds—which they represented would be sent to Tradepay’s business partners—through a sprawling network of bank accounts that Baid controlled through shell entities and straw signatories. From those accounts, Baid and his co-conspirators spent millions of dollars on personal expenses, including on luxury cars and watches. Baid even lied about his identity, concealing his real name from investors to obscure the fact that he was wanted for criminal offenses abroad. Investors in Tradepay initially received payments on the invoices, which led them to continue contributing large sums of capital. By approximately July 2019, however, the payments on the invoices stopped, resulting in approximately $35 million in losses. Luxestreet Scheme In 2018, Baid founded a separate company called Asset Capital Partners, which began doing business as Luxestreet. Baid and his co-conspirators claimed that Luxestreet operated like a pawn shop for high end goods, including luxury watches, and solicited investment in the business. In reality, Luxestreet contracts were forged and the physical watches held by the company were knockoffs. To further this fraud and continue to deceive their investors, the defendant and his co-conspirators agreed to create fake websites, use fake phone numbers, and generate fake contracts and valuation reports for the knockoff watches. * * * The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Dylan A. Stern, Benjamin Weintraub and Molly N. Delaney are in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Claire Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters. The Defendant : PUSHPESH KUMAR BAID (also known as “PK Jain”) Age: 44 Miami, Florida E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-367 (DC)


title: New Hampshire Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of Justice

body_text: BOSTON – A New Hampshire woman has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to attempting to obstruct and interfere in a grand jury investigation involving her brother, former State Senator Dean Tran. Tuyet T. Martin, 55, of Pelham, N.H., pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2026 to one count of obstruction of justice. U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for May 13, 2026. In June 2024 , Martin was charged along with her brother, Dean Tran. In November 2023 , Tran was arrested and charged in 28-count federal indictment for his fraudulent collection of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits and his willful omission of consulting and rental income from his tax returns in 2020, 2021 and 2022. As part of the investigation into Tran’s unemployment benefits and tax fraud schemes, an investigation began into a job offer and job offer letter from Martin to Tran at the New Hampshire-based business where Martin was the owner and the CEO. During a July 2023 grand jury session, Martin provided false testimony regarding the employment offer letter. The charge of obstruction of justice provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Tran pleaded guilty in December 2025 and it scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 30, 2026. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Labor Racketeering and Fraud, Northeast Region; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy and Lauren Maynard of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Attleboro Woman Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Embezzling More Than $400,000

body_text: BOSTON – The former office manager for a Franklin environmental services business was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for embezzling more than $400,000 from her employer. Marie Hobson, 55, of Attleboro, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper to 18 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Hobson was also ordered to pay restitution of $511,119 and to forfeit $429,980. In October 2025 , Hobson was charged with and pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. Between December 2019 and March 2025, Hobson inflated her own payroll by adding approximately $268,046 in phony expense reimbursements, such as uniform costs even though Hobson did not wear a uniform in her position. To conceal the thefts, Hobson manipulated her employer’s accounting software to make it appear she was only receiving her weekly salary. Hobson also misused her company-issued credit card to pay for country club memberships, vacations, cruises, timeshares and personal residence costs totaling more than $105,000. To further conceal her scheme, Hobson failed to report the funds that she embezzled on her federal income tax filings for tax years 2021 through 2024, resulting in a tax loss to the government of approximately $81,000. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas E. Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. The Franklin Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Kosto, Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, prosecuted the case.


title: Boston-Area Gang Member Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A member of the Annunciation Road/Mission Hill gang was sentenced yesterday in connection with crack cocaine and fentanyl possession with intent to distribute. Shakeem Johnson, a/k/a “Sha-Money,” 35, was sentenced U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to five years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. On Oct. 14, 2025, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack cocaine) and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. In early 2025, while on parole upon his release from state prison for a 2016 conviction for manslaughter in a gang-related shooting – for which he was sentenced to 12 to 14 years in state prison – Johnson was captured on recorded jail calls discussing his drug trafficking activity with another Annunciation Road/Mission Hill gang member who was incarcerated. Following these communications, the defendant was observed repeatedly traveling to the “Mass and Cass” area of Boston, a location known for drug use and drug distribution, and engaging in hand-to-hand drug transactions. Search warrants executed in April 2025 resulted in the seizure of more than 45 grams of crack cocaine from Johnson and more than 24 grams of fentanyl from his Lynn residence. Other items indicative of street-level drug distribution were also seized. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip C. Cheng and John Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.


title: Davenport Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced January 20, 2026, to three years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Areion Marshaun Watson, 29, possessed a loaded pistol, which was recovered during a traffic stop. Watson fled on foot from the passenger’s seat during the stop. He was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was convicted of a felony, including a 2020 conviction for felon in possession of a firearm in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. After completing his term of imprisonment, Watson will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department. 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: Former Treasurer of New Mexico Abbey Indicted for $2 Million Fraud and Tax Evasion

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $2 million in funds from the Norbertine Community of New Mexico and Santa María de la Vid Abbey and filing a false federal tax return. According to court records, from May 2022 to March 2023, James Joseph Owens , 68, a former member of the Norbertine Community of New Mexico (NCNM) and the treasurer for NCNM and Santa María de la Vid Abbey, allegedly abused his position of trust by transferring more than $2 million in abbey funds to accounts he controlled, including accounts associated with a nonprofit law practice he established, and used the funds for personal benefit, including deposits into investment accounts and the purchase of a residence in Placitas, New Mexico. Prosecutors further allege Owens conducted domestic and international wire transfers, brokerage and cryptocurrency transactions, and other monetary transactions to conceal the origin of the funds and increase his profits from his crimes. Owens also allegedly failed to report the income derived from these transactions on his 2022 federal tax return and filed a false amended return that substantially understated his taxable income, thereby concealing the misappropriation from the Internal Revenue Service. Owens is federally charged with eight counts of wire fraud, 23 counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity and one count of attempt to evade and defeat tax. If convicted, Owens faces up to 20 years in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory of IRS Criminal Investigation's Phoenix Field Office, made the announcement today. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case. View the Indictmnent (Owens).pdf An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Executive Director of South L.A.-Based Charity Arrested on Federal Complaint Alleging $23 Million Swindle of Homelessness Funds

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Westwood man was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with fraudulently obtaining $23 million in public money intended to combat homelessness and pocketing at least $10 million of it, including using it for a $7 million house in Westwood, $125,000 Range Rover, private school tuition for his children, private jet travel, and stays at luxury resorts. Alexander Soofer, 42, is charged with wire fraud. He was arrested this morning and is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. “California is the poster child of rampant fraud, waste, and abuse of tax dollars,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “The state has facilitated the spending of billions of dollars to combat homelessness, with little to show for it and almost no oversight. Thankfully, the federal government has begun auditing California’s spending and today’s is just one example of how fraudsters have swindled millions of dollars from taxpayers. This money should have gone to those in need, instead in lines the pockets of individuals subsidizing their lavish lifestyle.” “Soofer allegedly prioritized his own greed over decency and respect for the laws of our country,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain dedicated to investigating and holding accountable those, like Soofer, who we contend flagrantly disregarded our laws by seeking to enrich himself at the public’s expense.” According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Soofer is the executive director of Abundant Blessings, a Hyde Park-based charity. Through this charity, Soofer contracted with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to provide housing for people who were homeless or were at risk of becoming homeless. By July 2023, Soofer had multiple contracts with LAHSA to provide housing and supportive services to more than 600 homeless program participants at multiple sites across South Los Angeles. In total, between 2018 and 2025, Soofer received more than $23 million in homeless housing funding. Of that, more than $5 million came directly from LAHSA and more than $17 million came through a downtown Los Angeles-based non-profit called Special Service for Groups Inc. In some contracts, Soofer agreed to house participants at sites he managed. In other contracts, he committed to pay third parties, including hotels or motels, to provide this housing. And regardless of where participants were housed, Soofer committed to provide participants with three meals a day, which the contracts defined as meals that were healthy, balanced, and met participants’ nutritional needs. But Soofer lied to LAHSA about how he was using the taxpayer money his charity received, falsely stating he used it exclusively to combat the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, when he was misappropriating millions of dollars for himself. He also lied about payments supposedly being made to third party vendors for homeless housing services and took steps to conceal that he was diverting the money to his personal bank accounts. He also made it falsely appear he was leasing properties for homeless housing from third-party landlords at a market rate, when he was instead paying himself above market rate and again misappropriating money that could have been used to help alleviate the homeless housing crisis. To cover up the fraud, Soofer fabricated fake and misleading invoices – at times stealing the names, addresses, and logos of real companies – to make it appear that the vendor and rent payments were legitimate. When a LAHSA investigator asked Soofer if his charity’s board knew how he was spending money, he said they did, but the investigator later learned that the board was fake – some of the people did not exist, and others had never heard of Abundant Blessings or Soofer. Soofer further failed to appropriately shelter and feed the homeless housing participants at his sites. After receiving hotline complaints and noticing discrepancies in Soofer’s billing and services, city and county investigators conducted site visits and found the only food items being served at these sites were things such as Ramen noodles, canned beans, and breakfast bars – which was in contrast to the three-meal-a-day commitment Soofer had made and for which the City of Los Angeles had paid. Rather than providing the services for which he billed these public entities, Soofer pocketed at least $10 million. He used that public money for a down payment on his $7 million Westwood home, millions of dollars of upgrades to that home, private schooling for his children, lavish spending in Las Vegas, private jet travel, and stays at luxury resorts across the United States – from Hawaii to Florida. Soofer also appeared to use $475,000 to purchase a vacation property in Greece, sending this money to a Greek property developer. “Alexander Soofer is alleged to have stolen millions of dollars designated to combat homelessness in Los Angeles,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “These funds were intended to support the city’s most vulnerable residents. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to pursuing those who exploit public programs for personal gain. Today’s action demonstrates our determination to hold accountable individuals who misuse taxpayer dollars for self-enrichment.” “Soofer is charged with embezzling funds designated to provide services for homeless individuals – some of the most vulnerable, struggling members of our community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron McCullough with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG). “HUD-OIG remains committed to working alongside our partners on the Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Joint Task Force to aggressively pursue individuals who compromise the integrity of HUD programs and exploit communities in need.” A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court. If convicted, Soofer would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Kerry L. Quinn and Kevin B. Reidy of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Albuquerque Man Sentenced for Online Sextortion and Sexual Exploitation of Two Minors

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison for coercing a 15-year-old girl into producing sexually explicit images over several years and for sexually exploiting a second victim who was 12 years old. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court records, between 2019 and 2022, Adrian Puentes , 26, engaged in an ongoing pattern of sextortion and sexual exploitation involving two minor victims. Beginning when Jane Doe 1 was in eighth grade, Puentes used multiple social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, to coerce her into producing and sending sexually explicit photos and videos of herself. Puentes repeatedly threatened to post the explicit material online for her social media followers to see if she did not comply, and when Jane Doe 1 blocked his accounts, he created new ones to continue the abuse. Over the course of three years, Puentes harassed, manipulated, and threatened Jane Doe 1, misrepresenting his age and identity and ultimately posting explicit material of her publicly online. Puentes also exploited a second victim, Jane Doe 2, who was 12 years old. Using his cellphone, he communicated with Jane Doe 2 to request sexually explicit material, sent her money, and arranged to meet her on multiple occasions at a public park, where he engaged in sexual acts with her. As with Jane Doe 1, he misrepresented his age to further the abuse. Puentes subsequently pled guilty to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. Upon his release from prison, Puentes will be subject to 15 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Pecoraro prosecuted the case 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: Argentine National Sentenced to 80 Years in Federal Prison for Producing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – An Argentine national was sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles sentenced Osvaldo Daniel Fernandez, 61, on Jan. 6 to 80 years of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after a federal jury convicted him of two counts of production and one count of possession of CSAM a trial in September 2025. “At 61 years old, this defendant will spend the rest of his life in federal prison for crimes that stole childhoods and inflicted lasting harm,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “An 80-year sentence reflects both the severity of his conduct and the justice owed to the victims. Our message is clear: those who sexually exploit children will be removed from society, no matter their age, nationality, or how long they think they can hide.” According to evidence presented at trial, Fernandez sexually abused two minor victims over an extended period and recorded the abuse. Investigators determined that one victim was abused between the ages of nine and 17, and another between the ages of six and 15. A search of Fernandez’s residence resulted in the seizure of multiple cellphones and a laptop containing hundreds of explicit images and videos, including more than 500 files depicting one victim and more than 900 files depicting other minors, including pre-pubescent children, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami, Field Office, made the announcement. FBI Miami investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Miami Beach Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Smukler-Dominguez and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey Pence Tomanelli prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc . 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-20406. ###


title: Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women Hosts 20th Annual Tribal Consultation and Announces Awards of more than $75M in Grants to Support Public Safety in Indian Country

component: Office of the Associate Attorney General

body_text: On Jan. 21, 2026, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) convened the 20th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation on the lands of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. provided opening remarks in which he reaffirmed the Department of Justice’s commitment to Indian Country and its dedication to protecting Tribal communities — particularly women and children — from violent crime, exploitation, and drug trafficking. The Justice Department announced today that it awarded over $75 million through six grant programs that support American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and communities in combatting domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, sex trafficking, and stalking. The Tribal Affairs Division (TAD) of the OVW administers these funds. The OVW fiscal year 2025 awards announced today are: The Tribal Governments Program Nearly $47.5 million through 64 awards in support of efforts to combat domestic and sexual violence, trafficking, and stalking in Tribal communities. The Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Initiative More than$3.3 million through three awards to cross-designate Tribal prosecutors as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys, to prevent violent offenders from causing more harm. The Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program More than $8 million through 17 awards to establish, maintain, and expand assistance programs for sexual assault victims. The Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) Program More than $7 million through eight awards to protect victims of assault or abuse by non-Indian offenders and to bring criminals to justice. The Tribal Coalitions Program More than $8 million awarded to 21 Tribal nonprofit coalitions to support organizations that serve victims in Tribal communities. The National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault One award of $980,100 to provide resources on effective responses to sexual assault of American Indian and Alaska Native women. OVW administers grant programs designed to combat sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. Tribal organizations and governments interested in applying for these and other grants can visit the OVW website for more details and application guidelines.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collected $16 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2025

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Missouri collected $16,070,376 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2025. Of this amount, $14,077,382 was collected in criminal actions and $1,992,993 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, the Eastern District of Missouri worked with other U.S. Attorney’s offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $76,319,861 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $274,366 was collected in criminal actions and $76,045,494 was collected in civil actions. “Last year, we recovered more than one million dollars for Medicare and Medicaid in one case alone, and millions of dollars more that were fraudulently obtained by faking disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Albus. “Those contemplating fraud in the Eastern District of Missouri should know that the U.S. Attorney’s office will aggressively pursue the recovery of ill-gotten gains and do our best, even years later, to recover assets due to victims.” Among the collections in criminal actions in the Eastern District of Missouri was a total of $1,323,318 recovered from Michael McCormac to reimburse Medicare, the Missouri Medicaid program and the Ohio Medicaid program. McCormac is the former owner of a mail order pharmacy who pleaded guilty to two counts of violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute and admitted paying kickbacks to marketing companies to generate prescriptions for expensive medications. The office has also continued to recover funds from a disability fraud case involving two Jefferson County chiropractors and more than two dozen patients. About $2.9 million was collected last year in those cases. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $5,420,367 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2025. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. The office also obtained the forfeiture of 334 firearms involved in criminal offenses.


title: Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security Recognize National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) today observe National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to combating all forms of human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors. Human Trafficking Prevention Month presents an opportunity for DHS and DOJ, through Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) to intensify operational efforts, raise public awareness, and strengthen partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt trafficking networks, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure traffickers are brought to justice. “This Department of Justice is working tirelessly alongside our partners to dismantle human trafficking networks, help survivors, and protect vulnerable populations from being exploited,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under this administration we have seen an increase in human trafficking prosecutions, and during Human Trafficking Prevention Month we reaffirm our commitment to prosecuting traffickers and encourage Americans to report instances of human trafficking in their communities.” “Through the Homeland Security Task Force, President Trump is taking the fight directly to human trafficking networks and disrupting their modern-day slave trade while seizing their assets and arresting their kingpins and foot soldiers. The American people should not have to live in fear of cartels, gang bangers, and foreign terrorists preying upon the most vulnerable among us,” the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement. “The Homeland Security Task Force is the largest coordinated campaign against transnational criminal organizations in U.S. history, and I’m proud to co-lead it with Attorney General Bondi.” “During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the FBI reiterates our work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and national victim-based advocacy groups in joint task forces to protect our communities across the country,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The horrifying reach of human trafficking spreads far and wide. Homeland Security Task Forces are fighting back to disrupt these perilous networks and put a stop to that reach. The FBI will continue our investigations and bring justice to those exploited by human traffickers.” In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Section 6 of this order directed the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly establish HSTFs in every state nationwide. The HSTF objective is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) throughout the United States; dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks; end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children; and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States. In January 2026, DHS and DOJ are surging resources to fight and raise awareness about human trafficking, including: Identifying ongoing investigations and prioritizing featured operations across 45 federal locations and 10 state locations with an emphasis on border states. Coordinating with FBI Human Trafficking Squads and multi-agency Human Trafficking Task Forces to conduct victim recovery. Partnering with AMTRAK and FAMS to increase law enforcement resources and distribute posters with QR codes for reporting human trafficking in all station bathrooms and trains. Running advertisements related to $250 million recovery from Backpage to distribute to victims and additional victim restitution efforts by DOL-OIG. Organizing Human Trafficking seminars and outreach events with DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking at high schools and colleges to highlight the role of HSTFs in addressing human trafficking. On August 25, 2025, HSTF officially launched its effort to protect the Homeland with a September Surge encompassing 400 operations nationwide. In just 43 days, HSTF nationwide operations resulted in 3,266 arrests and seizures including: 1,041 Sinaloa members, 856 Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (“CJNG”) members, 641 MS-13 members, 456 Tren de Aragua members, 1,067 weapons More than $3,250,000 in currency Approximately 91 metric tons of narcotics Since January 20, 2025, the Department of Justice has: Secured substantial sentences and landmark convictions against sex traffickers and labor traffickers who used violence, addictive drugs, and psychological coercion to exploit victims in Alabama , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Hawaii , Indiana , Kansas , Massachusetts , Ohio , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Texas , and beyond. Seized $15 billion from a wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy originating from a Cambodian forced labor scam center . Secured high-impact sex trafficking indictments in New York against an enterprise associated with the notorious Tren de Aragua Transnational Criminal Organization and in California against traffickers affiliated with local street gangs. Pursued extraditions of fugitive traffickers to permanently disrupt and dismantle transnational labor trafficking and sex trafficking enterprises Secured sizable restitution orders , including several over a million dollars , to aid victims in their recovery from the unspeakable losses they endured. Launched a Remission Portal for survivors of sex trafficking that was facilitated through Backpage or CityXGuide to seek compensation. Conducted nationwide crackdowns this month and during Operation Justice for All in August 2025. Streamlined and strengthened Joint Task Force Alpha efforts to combat combined human trafficking, human smuggling, and transnational organized crime threats by integrating the Department’s National Human Trafficking Coordinator and human trafficking prosecution experts into the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section; and Announced new grant funding opportunities to support victim services for the year ahead.


title: Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Officers During His Arrest

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS PETERSON ROHR FERREIRA BORGES, 25, a citizen of Brazil, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to assault on a federal officer. According to court documents and statements made in court, Ferreira Borges has a case pending in Connecticut Superior Court stemming from an arrest on September 16, 2023. In that case, he is charged with assault of public safety, emergency medical, public transit or health care personnel; assault in the third degree; breach of peace in the second degree; interfering with an officer; and intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the first degree. On October 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an arrest warrant for Ferreira Borges charging him with being present in the United States in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. On June 25, 2025, federal law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations officers, apprehended Ferreira Borges in the area of Zion Street in Hartford. Ferreira Borges was non-compliant and resisted arrest. After being placed in a government vehicle, he kicked, flailed, and screamed obscenities at the ERO officers. As the vehicle traveled to the federal building on Main Street in Hartford, Ferreira Borges began raising and moving his leg, which was inches away from the ERO officer who was driving the vehicle, and Ferreira Borges stated he was going to kick the officer in the neck. Ferreira Borges then started to bite another ERO officer who tried to control him, and spit on the ERO officer who was driving the vehicle. Ferreira Borges has been detained since his arrest. Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for April 16, at which time Ferreira Borges faces a maximum term of imprisonment of one year. This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Temple Hills Man Sentenced for Firearms and Drug Trafficking Crimes, and CARES Act Unemployment Insurance Fraud

body_text: Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman sentenced a Maryland man to federal prison in connection with two cases — one involving drug-trafficking and firearms crimes — and the other relating to identity-theft and wire-fraud charges. Lawrence Nathanial Harris, 33, of Temple Hills Maryland, received a 15-year prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and also for possessing a machine gun, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense. Judge Boardman also ordered Harris to pay $952,225 of restitution. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). The fraud and identity theft charges are connected to Harris submitting fraudulent Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment insurance (UI) claims. According to his plea agreement, beginning in at least January 2021, and continuing until about September 2023, Harris and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to defraud the United States, State of Maryland, multiple financial institutions, and multiple individuals, including identity theft victims. The co-conspirators submitted false and fraudulent UI benefits claims to the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL), Maryland’s agency responsible for processing the claims. Harris participated in submitting UI claims resulting in losses exceeding $950,000, and he used debit cards issued in the names of aggravated identity theft victims to obtain UI fraud funds. Additionally, Harris admitted that on November 16, 2022, while law enforcement executed a residential search warrant at his home, he threw a firearm and a bag of marijuana from his room. He possessed this firearm in furtherance of his drug-trafficking activities. During a search of Harris’s attic, law enforcement recovered two duffle bags filled with marijuana as well as four additional firearms. The firearms included a pistol equipped with a switch that converted it into a machine gun. Harris admitted to possessing the guns and drugs found in the attic. The District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. For more information about the Department’s response to the pandemic, visit justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . 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 DOL-OIG, ATF, FBI, and PGPD for their work in the investigation and the MD-DOL for its assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Joseph L. Wenner, Christopher Sarma, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanay Mitchell, who prosecuted this case. She also recognized the Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber for her valuable assistance. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Non-Citizen Charged with Fraudulently Voting in Numerous Elections

component: USAO - Alabama, Northern

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury in Birmingham has charged a Canadian man after he violated Alabama law by voting in multiple elections as a non-citizen, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. A four-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Franc Neil Maloney, 71, with fraudulent voting. According to the indictment, Maloney is a lawful permanent resident that lives in Blount County, but has never obtained U.S. citizenship. Despite this, Maloney registered to vote and voted—even though he knew that only U.S. citizens are permitted to do so under Alabama law. In fact, Maloney voted in every major election since registering, including primary and general elections in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. HSI investigated the case, with the assistance of the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office and IRS-CI. Assistant United States Attorney Brett A. Janich is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty for the charged offense is 5 years imprisonment. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.


title: Federal Government Seeks Further Review After Release Of Convicted Murderer From Immigration Custody

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS — The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada will seek further legal action after a court ordered the release of a man convicted of murder and identified by the Department of Homeland Security as a member of the MS-13 gang. United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II ordered the release over the government’s objection. “Our office remains committed to protecting public safety and enforcing the law remain top priorities,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “In this matter, however, the outcome results in the release of a convicted murderer and known MS-13 gang member into the community, raising serious public-safety concerns. We are deeply troubled by the risks posed to the public and will continue to pursue all lawful avenues to address those concerns and safeguard the community.” The individual has a final order of removal from the United States. Under federal law, people with final removal orders are required to remain in immigration custody for a set period of time so that removal can be carried out and to help protect public safety. The government maintains that releasing this individual conflicts with that law. While the individual’s immigration case was ongoing, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declined to stop his removal and ordered that removal should proceed. That decision triggered the mandatory detention period required by federal immigration law. In accordance with the Court’s Order, the individual was released on January 21, 2026. If the individual was not released from detention the federal government faced sanction by the Court, including being held in contempt for failing to follow the Court's Order. ###


title: Jamaican Nationals Convicted Of Maritime Drug Trafficking Offenses Following Federal Jury Trial

component: USAO - Virgin Islands


title: Former Commissioner Of Virgin Islands Department Of Sports, Parks, And Recreation Sentenced For Bribery Scheme

body_text: St. Thomas, VI –United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that on January 23, 2026, former Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation (SP&R), Calvert White, was sentenced to five years in prison for soliciting and accepting a bribe from a government contractor in exchange for assistance in attempting to obtain a $1.43 million dollar government contract. His co-conspirator, Benjamin Hendricks, was also sentenced yesterday to 68 months in prison for his role in the same scheme. “Calvert White rigged a public bid process in exchange for a bribe,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He abused the trust of those who live in the community he was supposed to serve. The Criminal Division will continue to prosecute government corruption. Such conduct undermines the integrity of our institutions at every level of government.” “The defendants’ convictions send a message: public corruption is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by our community,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Sleeper for the District of the Virgin Islands. “This case sends a clear message that public corruption will not be tolerated at any level. The resources meant to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands, must be respected,” said Claudia Dubravetz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “The FBI remains committed to working alongside our partners to safeguard public funds, and ensure integrity in government contracting by pursuing and imposing consequences on those who would exploit the system.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, White solicited and accepted a bribe from a government contractor, David Whitaker, through Hendricks, who acted as an intermediary to facilitate payment of the bribe. The scheme lasted about seven months, beginning in at least December 2023 and continuing until the FBI approached the defendants in June 2024. As part of the scheme, in December 2023, White demanded the bribe from Whitaker to be later paid through Hendricks. In exchange for the bribe, White agreed to assist Whitaker in obtaining a valuable contract for the installation of security cameras at SP&R properties in the Virgin Islands. As part of the scheme, White provided confidential bid information to Whitaker and took official action to encourage the awarding of the contract to Whitaker. During the bid selection process, Whitaker sent the bribe payment to a bank account controlled by Hendricks, who later delivered the funds to White. The jury convicted both White and Hendricks of one count of honest services wire fraud, and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. The FBI San Juan Field Office, St. Thomas Resident Agency investigated the case. Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case. Former PIN Trial Attorney Lina Peng and former AUSA Michael Conley also provided significant assistance in the investigation and prosecution.


title: Tucson Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Cylus Miller Alvarado, 25, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced on Jan. 15, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Sharad H. Desai to 192 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. Alvarado previously pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact of a child. “When children are targeted by sexual predators, it causes long-lasting harm to survivors, their families and often their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Our justice system must protect children, decisively and without compromise. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal and tribal law enforcement partners continue to use every available tool to identify and bring to account individuals, like Alvarado, who perpetrate crimes against the most innocent among us.” “One of the most important things FBI Phoenix does is protecting children around the world from predators seeking to harm them. We thank the brave victim and witness who came forward in this case to help us put Cylus Alvarado behind bars for more than a decade,” said FBI Phoenix Acting Special Agent in Charge Joe Hooper. “The FBI hopes this sentence shows our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for all victims of similar abuse and sends the message to all offenders—you will be pursued, prosecuted, and punished.” Between April 1, 2022, and June 12, 2023, Alvarado engaged in abusive sexual contact with a minor victim who was under the age of 12 on multiple occasions at the residence where he was living in Parker, Arizona, on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Indian Reservation. Alvarado and the minor victim are enrolled members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The FBI Phoenix, Lake Havasu office, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina J. Reid-Moore, District of Arizona, Phoenix, prosecuted the case. CASE NUMBER: CR-24-02020-PHX-SHD RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-006_Alvarado # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Mexican Citizen Sentenced for Distribution of Child Pornography Charges

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACAUSE, NEW YORK – Edwin Morones, age 23, a Mexican citizen who formerly resided in Watertown, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 25 years (300 months) in federal prison for three charges of distribution of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea Morones admitted that during November and December 2024, Morones used a social media platform to participate in groups dedicated to trading child pornography and sent numerous child pornography files to other users, including one child pornography file Morones had personally created. Morones also distributed non-pornographic but still sexually explicit images of children that Morones had personally created. An analysis of Morones’ social media account revealed over a dozen images and videos constituting child pornography. Morones has no current legal status in the United States. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The defendant, who was illegally present in the U.S., used what he thought was a secure social media platform to distribute child pornography and indulge his sick sexual fantasies. But our law enforcement partners, including the dedicated agents at HSI, have methods to monitor and identify child predators, no matter how they communicate. We thank those who work with law enforcement and honor their oaths to protect and defend the constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic by apprehending dangerous criminals like this. We cannot play politics in ensuring the safety and security of the citizens we serve.” Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan stated: “Edwin Morones, a Mexican national illegally in our country, shamelessly abused his unlawful presence to prey on children and distribute vile content online. Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI Syracuse will bring predators in our communities to justice, no matter their background or status, as reflected with today's sentence. HSI Syracuse will continue to defend our neighborhoods and safeguard our children from those who exploit our most vulnerable and flout U.S. rule of law." United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi also sentenced Morones to serve a 15-year term of supervised release to begin after Morones is released from prison. Morones will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release. HSI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Three Charged With Sex Trafficking a Minor

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – Jamar Geeter, 38, of California, Jada Hasty, 29, of Pennsylvania, and Khloe Gregory, 21, of Tennessee, have been charged by criminal complaint with trafficking a minor across state lines for prostitution. According to court documents, Geeter contacted the minor victim through social media. When the victim told Geeter that she had a difficult home life, Geeter promised to help her and convinced her to travel from her home in North Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Once the victim arrived, she was picked up by Hasty and Gregory. Geeter—who was incarcerated in California following a prior conviction for sex trafficking two minors—spoke to the victim over the phone. At that time, the victim learned that Geeter intended to force her to prostitute herself for Geeter’s financial benefit. Geeter, Hasty, and Gregory exerted control over the victim, including by destroying her personal phone and taking possession of her social-security card and birth certificate. Geeter also made various threats of violence towards the victim and her family if the victim left or did not otherwise comply with their rules. As a result, the victim engaged in prostitution in Delaware and gave the proceeds to Hasty and Gregory, at Geeter’s direction and for his ultimate benefit. Eventually, the victim was able to get away from Hasty and Gregory and ask a stranger to contact 911, at which point the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force and the Delaware State Police intervened. Geeter, Hasty, and Gregory have been charged with sex trafficking of a child; conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking; and transportation of a minor for prostitution. If convicted on all charges, the defendants face a maximum term of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum term of 15 years. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. “The alleged criminal conduct in this case is depraved: three adults are charged with preying on an unusually vulnerable child and subjecting her to both sexual exploitation and threats of physical violence,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. “We thank our law-enforcement partners at the FBI and DSP for the excellent investigative work that brought us to the point of charging. We now look forward to proving our case and getting justice for the victim in court.” “I am proud of the diligent work of the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force and Delaware State Police which resulted in saving a young girl who was ruthlessly lured into human trafficking,” said FBI Baltimore SAC Jimmy Paul. “These arrests and prosecutions not only show the power of our partnerships here in Delaware, but the breadth and reach of the FBI as this investigation spans five states from North Carolina to Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and California. We will find and fully hold accountable anyone abusing our children.” The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 25-692M, 25-693M, and 25-694M. The charges contained in the criminal complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ###


title: USAO-KS Recognizes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: KANSAS CITY – KAN. – Today the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Kansas observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and joins the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) in reaffirming the administration’s commitment to combating all forms of human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors. Human Trafficking Prevention Month presents an opportunity for DHS and DOJ, through Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) to intensify operational efforts, raise public awareness, and strengthen partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt trafficking networks, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure traffickers are brought to justice. “This Department of Justice is working tirelessly alongside our partners to dismantle human trafficking networks, help survivors, and protect vulnerable populations from being exploited,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under this administration we have seen an increase in human trafficking prosecutions, and during Human Trafficking Prevention Month we reaffirm our commitment to prosecuting traffickers and encourage Americans to report instances of human trafficking in their communities.” “Through the Homeland Security Task Force, President Trump is taking the fight directly to human trafficking networks and disrupting their modern-day slave trade while seizing their assets and arresting their kingpins and foot soldiers. The American people should not have to live in fear of cartels, gang bangers, and foreign terrorists preying upon the most vulnerable among us,” the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement. “The Homeland Security Task Force is the largest coordinated campaign against transnational criminal organizations in U.S. history, and I’m proud to co-lead it with Attorney General Bondi.” “During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the FBI reiterates our work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and national victim-based advocacy groups in joint task forces to protect our communities across the country,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The horrifying reach of human trafficking spreads far and wide. Homeland Security Task Forces are fighting back to disrupt these perilous networks and put a stop to that reach. The FBI will continue our investigations and bring justice to those exploited by human traffickers. “Oftentimes Hollywood movie culture reinforces myths that human trafficking exists only in a dark, underground world. The truth is that forced labor victims work in restaurants, cleaning services, construction sites, factories, and in private homes as domestic servants,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Stopping these crimes requires knowing the signs of human trafficking and also dispelling misconceptions that make us less perceptive and dismissive when we should see red flags. All this helps us catch and prosecute the traffickers.” In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Section 6 of this order directed the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly establish HSTFs in every state nationwide. The HSTF objective is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) throughout the United States; dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks; end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children; and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States. Since January 20, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office - District of Kansas has: • Secured convictions of six former cult members for engaging in a conspiracy to exploit minor victims by keeping them in forced labor for years. Five of the six defendants received prison sentences. In January 2026, DHS and DOJ are surging resources to fight and raise awareness about human trafficking, including: • Identifying ongoing investigations and prioritizing featured operations across 45 federal locations and 10 state locations with an emphasis on border states. • Coordinating with FBI Human Trafficking Squads and multi-agency Human Trafficking Task Forces to conduct victim recovery. • Partnering with AMTRAK and FAMS to increase law enforcement resources and distribute posters with QR codes for reporting human trafficking in all station bathrooms and trains. • Running advertisements related to $250 million recovery from Backpage to distribute to victims and additional victim restitution efforts by DOL-OIG. • Organizing Human Trafficking seminars and outreach events with DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking at high schools and colleges to highlight the role of HSTFs in addressing human trafficking. On August 25, 2025, HSTF officially launched its effort to protect the Homeland with a September Surge encompassing 400 operations nationwide. In just 43 days, HSTF nationwide operations resulted in 3,266 arrests and seizures including: • 1,041 Sinaloa members, • 856 Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (“CJNG”) members, • 641 MS-13 members, • 456 Tren de Aragua members, • 1,067 weapons • More than $3,250,000 in currency • Approximately 91 metric tons of narcotics ###


title: Sober Home Manager Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Mortgage Fraud Schemes

body_text: BOSTON – A manager of numerous sober homes in Massachusetts was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his involvement in three different fraud schemes involving sober homes in the Greater Boston area, the Mass Save Program and a mortgage lender. Nicholas Espinosa, 39, formerly of Randolph, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2024 , Espinosa pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy; one count of conspiracy to make false statements to a mortgage lending business (mortgage fraud conspiracy); 15 counts of wire fraud; six counts of unlawful monetary transactions (money laundering); and one count of making false statements to a mortgage lending business. Espinosa was arrested and charged in March 2023 along with co-conspirator Daniel Cleggett. Cleggett was the founder of the sober home business A Vision From God LLC (AVFG). Established in November 2016, AVFG owned and operated sober homes in Boston, Wakefield, Quincy and Weymouth under trade names including Brady’s Place, Lakeshore Retreat and Lambert House. Espinosa managed the day-to-day affairs of Cleggett’s sober home business. Cleggett, Espinosa and a sober home client entered into a conspiracy to defraud a New York-based family trust that was paying for the client’s room and board at Brady’s Place, located in Quincy. Specifically, Cleggett and Espinosa overcharged the family trust for room and board by up to $12,500 per month by submitting false and fraudulent invoices to the family trust. Cleggett and Espinosa would then issue “refund” checks to the client in furtherance of the fraud scheme. From approximately October 2019 to December 2021, Cleggett personally, and through straw purchasers including Espinosa, purchased three residential properties in Weymouth and Boston to use as sober homes. Cleggett, Espinosa and others submitted false information and fraudulent documentation including falsely representing that the three properties were intended to be purchased as primary residences when, in reality, each was intended to be a sober home. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Kingston, Randolph and Quincy Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and John T. Mulcahy and Dustin Chao of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.