title: Des Moines Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Exploitation and Child Pornography Charges

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines man pleaded guilty on May 1, 2026, to three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography. According to public court documents, Tyler Boyd Pavlick, 33, placed a mini video camera in the tank of a porta-potty at three Central Iowa events: co-ed middle school and high school cross-county meets, one held in State Center on September 23, 2025, and another held in Osceola on September 30, 2025; and an arts, craft, and harvest event held in Des Moines on October 4, 2025. Pavlick placed the cameras with the purpose of creating visual depictions of minors lasciviously exhibiting their anus, genitals, or pubic area. Law enforcement seized electronic devices during a search of Pavlick’s Des Moines residence on October 15, 2025, including mini cameras that were the same model as those seized by police from the porta-potties in State Center and Des Moines. One of the electronic devices seized from Pavlick’s residence contained video footage of minors using the porta-potty at the Osceola event, including footage of a minor under the age of 12. Pavlick is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2026 at 9:15am. Each of the three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child carry a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the United States sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The FBI Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Des Moines Police Department, and Iowa DCI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Kerndt is prosecuting the case.


title: Lime Springs Man Sentenced to  Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison. Dustin George Burnikel, age 45, from Lime Springs, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 27, 2025, guilty plea to one count of distribution of a controlled substance. Between June 2022 and January 2024, Burnikel received packages containing controlled substances through the mail from an individual in California. In August 2023, Burnikel sold methamphetamine to an individual who was working with law enforcement. In October 2023, Burnikel sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Burnikel was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Burnikel was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Burnikel is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector Service, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, and the Waterloo Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-2036. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Repeat Felon Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – Jacques Devone Sullivan, 51, of Mobile was sentenced on May 1, 2026, to fifty-three (53) months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Sullivan was also sentenced to fifty-two (52) months to be served consecutively for violating his probation in a case involving Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Possession of a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Felony. According to court documents Sullivan has multiple prior felony convictions for Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, Driving Under the Influence, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. After his convictions, on May 10, 2024, the United States Probation Office along with deputies from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of Sullivan’s residence after receiving information that Sullivan was distributing fentanyl. In his bedroom deputies found a firearm, which was manufactured outside Alabama, and ammunition. Sullivan admitted he was a felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms. Following the term of incarceration, Sullivan will be placed on three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms along with Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Hutchins III prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Charges Announced Against Member of Online Cybercriminal Group “Purgatory” for Placing Swatting Calls to Universities; Victims Asked to Contact FBI

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that charges have been filed against a juvenile [1] following a rash of swatting calls aimed at universities and other institutions in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere in August 2025. A “swatting call” is a hoax call made to emergency services typically reporting an immediate threat to human life. The goal of the caller is to draw a response from law enforcement—and specifically a special weapons and tactics (“SWAT”) team—to the victim’s location. In the most egregious cases, the party responsible reports a crime of violence or an impending crime of violence to have heavily armed law enforcement dispatched to apprehend the victim of the call. Perpetrators frequently place swatting calls to harass rivals or to raise their profile within their online communities by demonstrating a willingness to cause havoc and terrorize unsuspecting victims. The defendant in this case was a self-identified member of the cybercriminal group “Purgatory.” The defendant selected the victim institutions at random and was not affiliated with any of those institutions. Recently, swatting calls have become an increasingly common crime. Swatting calls waste valuable resources for local police departments and first responders who are responsible for responding to the calls believing there is an actual and immediate threat. The perpetrators are often part of online cybercriminal communities and believe that they will not be caught or punished. They are wrong. Federal law enforcement will investigate and prosecute these crimes regardless of who commits them or where they reside. The FBI and the prosecutors in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are legally mandated to identify and inform victims of the federal crimes they investigate. Victim institutions who were subjected to the conduct that underlies the charges in this case will be provided with a method for contacting the FBI. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Radnor Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Upper Merion Police Department, and assisted by dozens of state, local, and university police departments, ambulance companies, fire companies, and other first responders in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and across the country. The charges and allegations are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. [1] This press release pertains to the federal prosecution of a juvenile. Please note that, under the Juvenile Delinquency Act, the entire proceeding is subject to the limitations set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 5038, which forbid disclosure of the identity of the juvenile, as well as information and records related to the juvenile proceedings , to anyone except the court, the prosecuting authorities, the juvenile’s counsel, and others specifically authorized to receive such records. More information on confidentiality requirements in federal juvenile prosecutions can be found here .


title: Task Force Publishes Report on Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias and Restoring Religious Liberty

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: WASHINGTON — Today, the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias published a report detailing how the Biden Administration’s prosecutions, policies, and practices demonstrated anti-Christian bias throughout the federal government, in accordance with Executive Order 14202 . The Acting Attorney General serves as Chair of the Task Force, and the Justice Department coordinated this significant interagency effort. “No American should live in fear that the federal government will punish them for their faith,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Chair of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. “As our report lays out, the Biden Administration’s actions devastated the lives of many Christian Americans. That devastation ended with President Trump. The Department of Justice will continue to expose bad actors who targeted Christians and work tirelessly to restore religious liberty for all Americans of faith.” The 200-page report collects the detailed findings of the seventeen federal agencies on the Task Force, as well as other agencies who also uncovered religious discrimination. The report examines how the Biden Administration pushed its radical policy agenda, even when its actions infringed on Christian beliefs, free exercise, and on matters of deep personal importance to nearly every American: life, family, marriage, self-identity, education, medical decisions, and more. To support these findings, the Report contains over 1100 footnotes and over 300 pages of exhibits. In creating its portions of the report, the Justice Department conducted a thorough review of internal discussions, case files, and prosecutorial decisions, some of which are detailed in the recent report published by the Weaponization Working Group about the FACE Act. The Justice Department met with and received information from over 100 stakeholders and victims in its review of the impacts of the Biden Administration’s anti-Christian bias. The report touches on a broad array of federal policies and programs, including conscience rights, the Johnson Amendment, fines against Christian universities, girls’ sports, vaccine mandates, and the exclusion of Christians from public programs, among many others. The Task Force also highlights related findings at the state and local level and in the private sector. Among the many findings, the Justice Department discovered: President Biden pushed policies to eliminate statutory protections for religious Americans that interfered with his policy goals. Although he failed to change federal law, under his direction, federal agencies used policy and regulatory means to accomplish the same goals. The Biden Justice Department aggressively opposed concerned parents through the Garland School Board Memo and diligently attempted to use its enforcement authority against parents who defended their children’s safety at local school board meetings. The Biden Justice Department immediately mandated the adoption of gender ideology throughout the federal government far beyond the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County . The day after Biden was sworn into office, career employees at the Justice Department urged for the reversal of a Trump Justice Department memo on Bostock that directed the department to “respect its employees’ right to express traditional views" regarding marriage and gender identity. Career employees called the memo “an affront to the dignity of our transgender employees,” and called for the memo to be rescinded under Biden's Executive Order on gender ideology. The Biden Justice Department also considered requests for religious exemptions related to gender ideology as harmful conduct to be regulated and consistently pushed its incorrect Bostock interpretation in amicus briefs, even though federal courts repeatedly rejected it. The Biden Justice Department advised White House and senior leadership in a phone call that federal employees’ religious objections to the Covid vaccines were “insincere” or “not religious.” The Civil Rights Division under President Biden sidelined Christians in favor of preferred constituencies. It published materials suggesting that Christians could not be victims of religious discrimination, only other faith groups. While this report details the egregious actions of the Biden Administration against Christians, it also demonstrates how the Trump Administration is restoring the rights of Christians—and all Americans—to practice their faith without fear of retribution. The Trump Justice Department is protecting parental rights by rescinding the Garland Memo and taking legal actions to protect students, including a lawsuit to stop the Loudoun County School District from unlawfully forcing gender ideology on students who have sincerely held religious beliefs on marriage and human sexuality. The Trump Justice Department has restored law and order by rescinding the Biden Bostock memo. As a result, all people of faith may once again freely exercise their faith. The Trump Justice Department is protecting religious liberty in the federal workplace by issuing an Office of Legal Counsel opinion affirming religious liberty protections for federal employees, which include accommodation requests. The Trump Justice Department is ending the weaponization of the FACE Act by protecting houses of worship from violence and threats under the FACE Act. The Trump Justice Department is protecting religious congregations from discrimination under RLUIPA. The Civil Rights Division has filed statements of interest supporting faith communities in RLUIPA cases across the country. The Department of Justice is committed to religious liberty for all and will continue to support President Trump’s mandate to eradicate anti-Christian bias throughout the federal government.


title: Former “America’s Most Wanted” Fugitive Sentenced for His Role in Multi-State Drug Trafficking Operation

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – One of the leaders in a larger drug trafficking operation in the Eastern Panhandle has been sentenced in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. Samuel Rose, 53, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, will serve 190 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to a cocaine distribution charge. Rose, one of 35 defendants in an investigation that spanned multiple states, resided in Berkeley County, West Virginia at the time of the investigation. Rose was distributing large quantities of cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl, getting his supply from the operation headquarters “Top 3 Sources,” an appliance store and warehouse in Hagerstown. As a part of the illegal operation, drugs were hidden and shipped within appliances. The drugs seized during the investigation amounted to nearly 19 pounds of cocaine, more than two pounds of heroin, and nearly one pound of cocaine base “crack,” with a street value of approximately $471,000. Rose was on supervised release from a prior drug conviction in the Northern District of West Virginia during the commission of the crimes. Rose was a fugitive in this case from the indictment in 2021 and was featured on “America’s Most Wanted.” Rose was apprehended in 2024 and currently has other drug charges in Pennsylvania pending. Lenin Luna Mota, the leader of the drug organization, was sentenced to 280 months in October 2025. To date, 33 of the 35 defendants have been convicted and were sentenced to a combined 109 years in prison. Chelsea Nicole Pinkcett, 37, is still wanted in connection to this case by the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Find her wanted information here: https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive/local/chelsea-nicole-pinkcett . Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; the U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative (agencies included are the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County Sherriff’s Department, Ranson Police Department, Charles Town Police Department, and Martinsburg City Police Department); West Virginia State Police; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Hagerstown Police Department; the National Resources Police Department; FBI-New York Safe Streets Task Force; the New York Police Department; the New Jersey State Police; the Washington County (Maryland) Drug Task Force; the Maryland State Police; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania investigated. Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided. Find the related case here: www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/34-indicted-expansive-drug-trafficking-operation


title: Albany County Man and Alleged Member of Nihilistic Violent Extremist Organization 764 Charged with Receiving Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ryan Catello, a.k.a. “Stabzone,” a.k.a. “Mors,” age 24, of Ravena, New York, appeared in federal court yesterday after being charged with receiving child pornography. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. According to the criminal complaint, between March 18 and March 27, 2026, Catello sexually exploited at least two minors by coercing them into self-producing images of child pornography, and he received those images files via the Internet. The complaint also alleges that Catello is a member of “764,” a criminal organization of Nihilistic Violent Extremists (NVE) operating within the United States and abroad. Those involved with “764” and related NVE networks methodically target vulnerable, underage populations by using social media to encourage the possession, production, and sharing of extreme gore media and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Members of 764 seek to desensitize young people to violence and break down societal norms regarding violence. They normalize the possession, production, and sharing of explicit CSAM and gore material to corrupt and groom their victims toward future violence, gain notoriety among other members of the network, and spread fear for the purpose of accelerating chaos under the 764 ideology with an aim toward the disruption of society. “Ryan Catello, an alleged member of the nihilistic violent extremist group ‘764,’ has been charged for allegedly receiving sexually explicit content of minors via the Internet. Preying on our nation’s children, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, is beyond comprehension,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “I thank the FBI and the New York State Police for their hard work and the sacrifices they make every day to keep our communities safe. I also recognize the importance of social media platforms that take steps to alert law enforcement to crimes like the ones alleged here. I encourage all companies in a position to do something about child sexual exploitation to be as aggressive as possible in identifying predators and making sure they are held accountable.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “As alleged in the complaint, Mr. Catello is a suspected member of the disturbing Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) group ‘764’ who preyed on minors and coerced them to send him explicit photos. The FBI, together with our partners at the Northern District of New York, is laser focused on investigating the predators connected to this sick network and ensuring they are brought to justice for their disturbing behavior.” The charge filed against Catello carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute(s) the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Catello had an initial appearance yesterday in Albany, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista, and was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 1, 2026. The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Wentworth-Ping and Allen J. Vickey are prosecuting 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 . The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ###


title: Sussex County Man Pleads Guilty to Transportation of a Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – A Sussex County man pleaded guilty yesterday to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika accepted the plea. According to court documents, Miles Clark, 22, transported a 12-year-old girl from a church near her residence in Pennsylvania to his residence in Delaware where the two had sexual intercourse. Approximately one week before, Clark and the minor victim met on Snapchat. Their conversations quickly turned sexual with Clark describing in detail the various sex acts he wanted to engage in with the minor. Clark also sent the minor videos of himself masturbating. Clark knew the victim was a minor. Clark pleaded guilty to transportation of a minor and faces a maximum of life imprisonment with a mandatory-minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for August 27, 2026. U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul made the announcement. FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force investigated the case with the assistance of Delaware State Police Troop 4. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . 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 No. 25-cr-3-MN. ###


title: Three Foreign Nationals Sentenced in April for Illegally Reentering the United States After Deportation

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that three foreign nationals convicted separately of illegally reentering the United States after prior deportations were sentenced this month. Demer Ramirez-Diaz , aka Demer Neftali Ramirez Diaz, 38, a Guatemalan national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release for illegal reentry. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be removed from the United States again. Ramirez-Diaz has been removed from the U.S. four times prior: in June 2009, February 2012, and July 2012, following arrests by the U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona and New Mexico, and in February 2022, after having served a six-month sentence for a previous illegal reentry conviction in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In September of last year, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) officer who recognized Ramirez-Diaz from his previous arrest and prosecution in this district saw the defendant walking down the street in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. The officer approached, identified himself, and took Ramirez-Diaz into custody without incident. Ramirez-Diaz was charged by indictment with illegal reentry in October and pleaded guilty in November. Ubdulio Santiago-Morales , 32, a Mexican national, was sentenced by United States District Chief Judge Wendy Beetlestone to time served, approximately three months, for illegal reentry. Having completed his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again. Santiago-Morales first entered the country unlawfully in August 2011, was quickly encountered by immigration officers, and voluntarily returned to Mexico the following day. He was subsequently removed from the U.S. twice: in July 2012 and in January 2015. In April of last year, the defendant was arrested by local police in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and charged with DUI and related violations. He was released on bond in that case and informed that he must return to court for his preliminary hearing on July 11, 2025. The defendant failed to appear on July 11 and remained a fugitive for six months. ICE took Santiago-Morales into custody in January of this year on a federal criminal complaint and warrant. He was charged by information with illegal reentry in February and pleaded guilty in March, waiving prosecution by indictment. Efrain Villegas Lopez , 35, a Mexican national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Catherine Henry to time served, approximately three months, for illegal reentry. Having completed his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again. Lopez had previously been removed from the U.S. in June 2012, following his arrest by the U.S. Border Patrol in Texas. In January of this year, ICE became aware that the defendant had been arrested by the Lower Providence Township Police Department. Lopez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint that month, charged by information with illegal reentry in February, and pleaded guilty in April, waiving prosecution by indictment. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The cases were investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Andrew Jenemann, Nancy Potts, and Robert Schopf.


title: Four Charged with Cocaine and Fentanyl Trafficking

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Three residents of Western Pennsylvania and one resident of California have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating various federal narcotics and firearm laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The six-count Indictment named Darius Dudley, 33, of Duquesne, Pennsylvania; Robert Gonzales, 41, of Jurupa Valley, California; Vince Kelly, 36, of White Oak, Pennsylvania; and Keontae Spears, 42, of Homestead, Pennsylvania, as defendants. According to the Indictment, from in and around April 2025 to in and around August 2025, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. The Indictment also alleges that Kelly and Spears attempted to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine on two separate occasions during that timeframe, also attempting to obtain 400 grams or more of fentanyl on one of the occasions. Spears is additionally charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon in August 2025. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. The Indictment further alleges that, in June 2025, Gonzales distributed 500 grams or more of cocaine, and that, in August 2025, Dudley possessed with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 500 grams or more of cocaine. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of up to $20 million, or both for each defendant. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. 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. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Mescalero Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Officer

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal officer after striking a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer multiple times during an arrest. According to court documents, on May 29, 2025, Dominic James Isaac Sandoval Peralta , 24, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, assaulted and forcibly resisted a Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services officer who was responding to a call at a residence on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. When the uniformed officer attempted to take Peralta into custody, Peralta advanced on him and initiated a physical confrontation, striking the officer multiple times in the head and causing injuries. The officer deployed a taser to subdue Peralta and place him under arrest. Even after being handcuffed, Peralta continued to resist by refusing to comply with commands to enter the patrol vehicle. Peralta pleaded guilty to assault upon a federal officer involving physical contact and faces up to eight years in prison at sentencing. 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 Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Dickens is prosecuting the case.


title: Illegal Alien Indicted for Identity Theft and Social Security Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mexican national has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using fraudulent immigration and identification documents and another person’s Social Security number to obtain bank accounts, vehicle financing, and consumer loans. According to the indictment, on or about February 5, 2026, Maria de Jesus Avila-Hernandez , 55, a Mexican national illegally present in the United States, knowingly used and possessed fraudulent immigration and identification documents, including a lawful permanent resident card and Social Security card in the name of another person which she knew were forged or unlawfully obtained. She also falsely represented that Social Security number to obtain things of value, including bank accounts, vehicle financing, and consumer loans, and used that identity without lawful authority in connection with social security fraud. Hernandez is charged with fraud and misuse of a visa, social security fraud and aggravated identity theft. She will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Hernandez faces up to 10 years in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho of Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso made the announcement today. Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso investigated this case with assistance from the Roswell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amos Nam is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Tallahassee Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm

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

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida - Theodore Roosevelt Robinson, Jr., 32, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to five years in federal prison following his guilty plea to possession of a firearm 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 the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America initiative, which has marshalled the full might of the Department to keep our communities safe from the perpetrators of violent crime. Felons, like this defendant, are legally barred from possessing firearms, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute any and all violations of our laws to deliver the safe streets the citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve.” A federal investigation revealed that on or about September 16, 2025, the defendant sold a 12-gauge shotgun during a law enforcement operation. At the time of the firearm sale, the defendant was a felon and could not legally possess a firearm, based upon his prior convictions on state charges of possession of methamphetamines, drug trafficking, and attempted armed robbery. The case involved an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo 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. 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: Roswell Man Sentenced for Making Bomb Threats to Government Offices

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Roswell man was sentenced to 21 months in prison for a series of violent threats to government offices across several states. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on February 14, 2025, Jeffrey Ramon Diaz , 44, made threatening calls to several governmental agencies and offices, including a United States Senator’s office, the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Bernalillo County, the Doña Ana County Magistrate Court, and the Governor of Pennsylvania’s office. During the calls, Diaz identified himself by name and made explicit threats of violence and bombings. He told a congressional staffer he was threatening to bomb the Senator’s office. He left a voicemail for a New Mexico state court judge threatening to blow up the judge’s building and harm the judge. He also spoke directly to an employee at the Doña Ana County Magistrate Court, declaring a bomb threat and threatening to set the building on fire. Additionally, Diaz called the Pennsylvania Governor’s office claiming he had placed a bomb in the Governor’s home and threatened to kill those inside. Diaz pled guilty to four counts of malicious threats to injure by fire or explosive. Upon his release from prison, Diaz will be subject to 3 years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and A.J. Gibes, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Las Cruces Police Department and Chaves County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher McNair is prosecuting the case.


title: Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of Unregistered Firearm

body_text: Pensacola, Florida – Jesse Allen Hudson, 43, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of unregistered firearm. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges. Hudson appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for June 15, 2026, in Pensacola before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. If convicted, Hudson faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon count, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the possession of unregistered firearm count. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Civil Division Announces FOCUS Initiative for Data Miners Filing Qui Tam Complaints

component: Civil Division

body_text: Today, the Justice Department is announcing an anti-fraud initiative that will materially strengthen its working relationship with whistleblowers. The Civil Division has experienced a rapid increase in the number of qui tam complaints filed in recent years. Much of this surge has been driven by companies or individuals who analyze publicly available government data for potential signals of fraud (data miners), rather than the insiders who have traditionally served as relators under the federal False Claims Act (FCA). The Civil Division welcomes the contributions of data miners but will prioritize working with data miners that demonstrate an insightful application of sophisticated technological capabilities to regulatory frameworks to help identify potential fraud that would otherwise go undetected. To support the Civil Division’s capacity to identify and partner with the best data miners, the Civil Division is launching the Fraud Oversight through Careful Use of Statistics (FOCUS) initiative. “Sophisticated data analytics have become an increasingly important means of identifying fraud trends and uncovering patterns of misconduct across federal programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The FOCUS initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that the Civil Division is engaging with the strongest and most effective partners in the war against fraud.” “We are interested in hearing from data miners who believe they have developed particularly effective tools for detecting fraud against the government,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brenna E. Jenny of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Participants should be prepared to explain what differentiates their approach, how they validate their findings, and why their methodology provides a reliable basis for identifying high-quality, actionable False Claims Act matters.” Through the FOCUS initiative, data miners will have an opportunity to meet with the Civil Fraud Section to discuss their capabilities and outline why and how their data signals reliably correlate to fraud. Such meetings are not a pre-filing requirement, but the Department will prioritize working with data miners that have demonstrated an investment in pre-filing diligence and commitment to analytical rigor, familiarity with program rules, and legally sufficient allegations. Data miner relators interested in meeting with the Department may reach out to FOCUS.dataminers@usdoj.gov.


title: Sharon Felon Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Firearm Charges

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Sharon, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to committing firearm and drug trafficking crimes, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Bruce Lindsey, 47, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on March 20, 2025, Lindsey possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base, as well as a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime and after previously having been convicted of a felony. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for September 1, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $1.5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The Mercer County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lindsey.


title: Former Youngsville Resident Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Child Sex Offenses

body_text: LAFAYETTE– On April 21, 2026, Nicholas J. Miller, a 45-year-old Youngsville resident, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, after his January 2026 conviction for distribution of child sexual abuse materials (“CSAM”). Evidence presented in court showed that in July 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) received information that Miller had shared CSAM with Brad William Blanchard, another pedophile and former resident of Abbeville who was prosecuted separately in this District and sentenced in November 2025 to 150 months in prison. The FBI opened an investigation and confirmed that Miller had distributed CSAM to Blanchard. When arrested, Miller admitted that he had created social media accounts and enticed minors to provide him with sexual abuse material and that he had captured CSAM on hidden cameras, with Miller distributing the CSAM to Blanchard. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement. The FBI investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer , under Case Number 6:25-CR-00258. ### Public Affairs United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Louisiana USALAW-News@usdoj.gov www.justice.gov/usao-wdla Twitter @USAO_WDLA


title: Previously convicted felon sentenced to federal prison for possessing firearm

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – Robert Isham, 41, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 51 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. According to court documents, on Aug. 20, 2024, in Hamilton, Isham possessed a loaded semi-automatic handgun. Officers observed Isham walk into the middle of a street, causing disturbance to the traffic flow. When they approached Isham, he began to flee on foot. During the pursuit, Isham reached into his pocket, pulled out a handgun and threw it. He was tased by officers and taken into custody without further incident. Isham’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, including for aggravated robbery and domestic violence. Isham previously served 10 years in state prison. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Police Interim Chief Adam Hennie announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is representing the United States in this case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. # # #


title: Leader of Brooklyn-Based “Bully Gang” Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Moeleek Harrell, also known as “Moe Money,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan to 60 years in prison for his crimes as the leader of the Bully Gang, a violent street gang based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Harrell was one of 53 defendants charged and convicted in connection with the Eastern District of New York’s case against the Bully Gang. Harrell and three other high-ranking members of the gang were convicted by a jury in July 2024 following a 13-week trial. Harrell was convicted of racketeering, two murder conspiracies, two assaults, two instances of using a gun during a crime of violence, two drug trafficking conspiracies, and two money laundering conspiracies. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), and Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the sentence. “Moeleek Harrell learned today that there is a heavy price to pay for leading a gang responsible for extensive criminal conduct, and his sentence should serve as a warning to those underlings who foolishly obeyed the defendant’s orders. They too will learn that following Harrell’s footsteps will lead a path straight to federal prison for a very long time,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “His sentence ensures that our neighborhoods will remain protected from Harrell’s criminal conduct and demonstrates our Office’s commitment to prosecuting the leaders of violent criminal organizations.” “This case exposed a ruthless criminal organization responsible for murder conspiracies, brazen violence in public, and large-scale drug and weapons trafficking that stretched from New York to Maine,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo. “This 60 year sentence ensures that a dangerous individual who directed countless acts of violence will never again threaten our communities. The men & women of ATF/ NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations and protect the public. “The Bully Gang carried out a series of brutal crimes that spread violence through Brooklyn and beyond, and today’s sentencing ensures that its leader, Moeleek Harrell, will never again threaten our communities,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “This case reflects the NYPD’s focus on dismantling violent gangs and taking illegal guns off our streets. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the ATF for their partnership in bringing Harrell to justice.” “Moeleek Harrell and his gang sowed terror and fear through their violent crimes, and trafficked drugs into the City’s jails, undercutting the security and safety of these facilities,” stated DOI Commissioner Shihata. “There is no outcome that can repair the deep and destructive impact of this gang in New York City and Maine. But today’s decades-long sentence for the gang’s leader, and the dozens of convictions associated with this prosecution, demonstrate that New York City has zero tolerance for these crimes and will hold those who perpetrate them accountable. I thank the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the ATF and the NYPD for their partnership on this significant investigation.” Harrell, along with deceased gang member Charles Williams, was the founder and leader of the Bully Gang. Harrell directed and oversaw the gang’s many crimes, including the gang’s violent rivalries. In connection with these rivalries, Harrell was personally involved in two murder conspiracies, targeting Christopher King and members of a rival gang known as the Stukes Crew. Harrell and the Bully Gang targeted King because King had killed Williams. Over the course of several weeks, Harrell tracked dates on which King would be going to court (including for a case related to Williams’s killing) and confronted King at one of his court appearances. On one occasion, Harrell and his co-conspirators went to King’s house to try to find King. Harrell’s efforts to find King culminated in a shooting on October 1, 2017, in which King and an innocent bystander were both shot and wounded. Harrell’s violent rivalry with the Stukes Crew lasted at least five years. During this time, Harrell and his co-conspirators made multiple attempts to murder members of the Stukes Crew. On October 1, 2017, the same day that Harrell committed the King shooting, Harrell also targeted members of the Stukes Crew in another shooting in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. No one was injured in this shooting. In March 2018, while at a gender reveal party for Harrell’s child, fellow Bully Gang member and co-defendant Derrick Ayers shot and killed Jonathan Jackson, an associate of the Stukes Crew. Harrell praised Ayers for committing this murder, and taunted his rivals for allowing their associate to be killed. Harrell then shot at members of the Stukes Crew on two consecutive days in June 2018. These shootings again took place in Crown Heights, and the second resulted in a car crash that injured multiple people. Throughout the time that Harrell was targeting members of the Stukes Crew, he took extraordinary steps to learn personal information about his targets, including their addresses, Social Security numbers, license plates, phone numbers, and family members. Harrell then used this information to locate and try to kill his targets. Harrell was also deeply involved in the gang’s drug trafficking schemes. Harrell ran the day-to-day operations of the gang’s Rikers drug smuggling scheme. In connection with this scheme, from 2019 to 2021, Harrell and his co-conspirators arranged for papers and comic books soaked in synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “K2,” to be delivered to Rikers. Once inmates received the K2-soaked papers, they sold smaller quantities to other inmates at a substantial profit. Harrell made hundreds of thousands of dollars from this scheme. To get drugs into Rikers, Harrell and his co-conspirators sent drugs through the mail, had visitors to the jail bring in drugs, and bribed corrupt corrections officers to bring drugs in themselves. Harrell also had a leadership role in the gang’s scheme to sell heroin and cocaine base in Maine. As part of this scheme, the Bully Gang and its associates transported large quantities of drugs, including cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl, from New York and New Jersey to Maine, where they sold the drugs out of multiple stash houses spread throughout the state. The gang made millions of dollars from these drug sales. Harrell directed others who sold and transported drugs in connection with conspiracy and personally profited from the drug sales. He also ensured the discipline of the conspiracy, including by orchestrating the violent punishment of co-defendant Tyquan Lane when Lane violated the rules of the drug conspiracy. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas J. Moscow, Lindsey R. Oken, Joy Lurinsky, and Victor Zapana and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew Rolle and Michael J. Castiglione are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Lead Legal Administrative Specialist Samantha Ward, and Paralegal Specialist Kavya Kannan. The Defendant: MOELEEK HARRELL (also known as “Moe Money”) Age: 36 Brooklyn, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-239 (S-8) (BMC)


title: Justice Department Launches Investigations Concerning Gender Ideology in Pre-K-12 Schools in 36 Illinois School Districts

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division launched investigations into 36 Illinois public school districts to determine whether they have included sexual orientation and gender ideology (SOGI) content in any class for grades pre-K-12. If they are teaching SOGI-related content, the investigations will examine whether the schools have notified parents of their right to opt their children out of such instruction. The investigation will also assess whether the Illinois School Districts limit access to single-sex intimate spaces (such as bathrooms and locker rooms) and girls’ sports teams based on biological sex. “This Department of Justice is determined to put an end to local school authorities keeping parents in the dark about how sexuality and gender ideology are being pushed in classrooms,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Supreme Court precedent leaves no doubt: parents have the fundamental right and primary authority to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children. This includes exempting their children from ideological instruction that contradicts their values or decisions about their children’s health and best interests.” The investigations will examine whether these Illinois School Districts, which are recipients of hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer funding, are adhering to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Supreme Court’s extensive precedents on parental rights as recently reiterated in Mirabelli v. Bonta and Mahmoud v. Taylor . The Civil Rights Division has not reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigations. The Illinois School Districts under investigation include: Atwood Heights School District 125 Bloomington Public Schools District 87 Bluford Unit School District 318 Buncombe Consolidated School District 43 Center Cass School District 66 Central School District 104 Community High School District 155 Country Club Hills School District 160 Crete-Monee School District 201-U DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 East Dubuque Unit School District 119 Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 Freeport School District 145 Galena Unit School District 120 Gillespie Community Unit School District 7 Iroquois County Community Unit School District 9 Leyden Community High School District 212 Lick Creek Community Consolidated School District 16 Lyons School District 103 Martinsville Community Unit School District C3 Meridian Community Unit School District 223 Noble Network of Charter Schools North Chicago Community Unit School District 187 North Palos School District 117 Norwood Elementary School District 63 O’Fallon Community Consolidated School District No. 90 Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Odin Public School District 722 Oregon Community Unit School District 220 Pembroke Community Consolidated School District 259 Reavis Township High School District 220 Ridgeview Community Unit School District 19 Stockton Community Unit School District 206 Tamaroa School District 5 Thornton Fractional Township High School District 215 Will County School District 92


title: Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy HSTF Case

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man pled guilty in federal court to drug trafficking crimes in connection with a drug trafficking conspiracy. Jeremy Bethea, 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Through an investigation, law enforcement caught Bethea and his co-conspirators with more than 400 grams of fentanyl, more than 28 grams of cocaine base, commonly referred to as “crack cocaine”, and a quantity of cocaine intended for distribution. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division, and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD). According to the plea agreement, from August 2022, through October 2023, Bethea conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. Bethea and his co-conspirators regularly obtained quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine to sell to customers in the Baltimore area. Beginning in November 2022, and continuing through May 2023, undercover investigators conducted 15 controlled purchases of fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine from Bethea. In January 2023, Bethea sold more than 40 grams of fentanyl to an undercover investigator. Additionally, from June 2023 through August 2023, investigators received authorization to utilize a federal wiretap to intercept communications from three cellphones. The cellphone users included Bethea and other members of the conspiracy.During the wiretap investigation, law enforcement intercepted numerous conversations between Bethea and his co-conspirators discussing and coordinating fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine sales. Then on April 17, 2023, as a result of the intercepted calls, BPD officers stopped a vehicle enroute to a planned drug transaction. During the traffic stop, law enforcement encountered Bethea and recovered several hundred gelcaps from the source of supply. A DEA laboratory performed an analysis of the substance found inside the recovered gel caps and confirmed it as fentanyl with a total weight of more than 400 grams. During the investigation, investigators also discovered that Bethea used a Sharp-Leadenhall residence to store fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine for distribution. On August 22, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the residence. Investigators uncovered 105 grams of crack cocaine packaged for retail sale and more than 300 grams of marijuana at the location. Bethea faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute. He also faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Baltimore comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Maryland; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); the United States Marshals Service (USMS); the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA (W/B HIDTA); the Maryland State Police (MSP); the Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tsuei who is prosecuting this federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Kenton County Man Sentenced for Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: COVINGTON, Ky. – A Covington man, Trintin Peeno, 31, was sentenced on Thursday to 150 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to his plea agreement, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Peeno’s residence on July 10, 2025, after receiving information about drug trafficking at the residence. During the search, officers recovered 28.9 grams of methamphetamine, 1.373 grams of fentanyl, 1.125 grams of cocaine, and a loaded handgun near the drugs. Peeno claimed ownership of the gun and the drugs and admitted to distributing controlled substances. Peeno also admitted that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity. At sentencing, Peeno admitted that he had threatened to murder a neighbor who approached police about this activity. Under federal law, Peeno must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years. Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Justin Wietholter, Covington Police Department, announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. – END –


title: Billings felon sentenced for illegal possession of firearms

body_text: BILLINGS – A Billings man with a felony conviction for strangulation of a family member who sold multiple guns to undercover agents was sentenced yesterday to 57 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said. Frank Spencer Marr, 50, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that on September 27, 2024, law enforcement conducted an undercover methamphetamine purchase from Marr in Billings. After the drug transaction, he offered to sell investigators a Taurus 9 mm pistol for $300. They agreed to buy the gun, but Marr left and did not return. Investigators contacted Marr later, who agreed to sell a different pistol to them. A controlled purchase of the pistol took place on January 29, 2025, in Billings. In exchange for $400, Marr sold a Glock model 20, 10 mm pistol. On February 18, 2025, Marr contacted investigators and said he had an “Italian 9 mm” he would be willing to sell them. The following day, he contacted investigators again to advise he had sold the “Italian 9 mm,” but would be willing to sell them an AR-15; 1,500 rounds of .223 ammunition; and 4 magazines. That same day, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of a Surplus Ammo & Arms model Low 15 semiautomatic rifle and 780 rounds of ammunition. Marr reached out the following week and claimed he had more firearms to sell. Investigators arranged for the controlled purchase of an Armscor model 1911-A1 FS 9 mm pistol on February 27. An undercover agent picked up Marr at his residence and drove him to an agreed-upon location for the purchase. When they arrived, the agent bought the 1911 from Marr and left the vehicle. Other law enforcement officers on scene converged on the vehicle and arrested him. During a subsequent interview, Marr admitted to possessing the 1911 pistol he sold to law enforcement for “6 or 7 years.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger prosecuted the case. The ATF, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Drug dealer sentenced for distributing deadly doses of  fentanyl- and xylazine-laced cocaine to three Grosse Pointe Woods residents

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – Aerian Porter-Craig, 34, formerly of Harper Woods, Michigan, was sentenced to 210 months in prison after having pleaded guilty to distributing deadly doses of fentanyl-laced cocaine to three Grosse Pointe Woods residents, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI Detroit Field Office and John Kosanke, Director of Public Safety, Grosse Pointe Woods. Porter-Craig was arrested on September 11, 2024. According to the complaint and Porter-Craig in her guilty plea, she regularly sold drugs to her three victims prior to the fatal incident. On the evening of June 9, 2023, Porter-Craig delivered drugs to Adult Victim 1 (AV-1) and AV-2 at one house, and then delivered to AV-3 at another house in Grosse Pointe Woods. Communications from all three victims’ phones stopped shortly after Porter-Craig left each house. At AV-1’s house, police found a tray next to AV-2’s body with white powder that tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl. At AV-3’s house, police found a tray next to AV-3’s body with white powder that contained fentanyl, cocaine, and xylazine. According to their text messages, the victims thought they were buying cocaine. The Wayne County Medical Examiner determined that AV-1 and AV-2 died from fentanyl toxicity, and AV-3 had died from fentanyl and xylazine toxicity. Xylazine is a deadly animal tranquilizer sometimes mixed with fentanyl by drug traffickers. “This drug dealer peddled deadly doses, floating like the grim reaper from one house to the next. She claimed three lives in one day—just so she could make a few bucks,” said Gorgon. “Anyone who profits from pushing deadly drugs like fentanyl into our Michigan communities should expect to spend years in federal prison. This sentence makes that message unmistakably clear,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “While no sentence can bring back the lives lost due to this defendant’s criminal actions, this outcome delivers justice. I am grateful to the dedicated members of FBI Detroit and our partners at the Grosse Pointe Woods Police Department for their relentless investigative work. We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those who traffic deadly narcotics, while protecting our communities from those who endanger lives.” Director Kosanke stated, “Today’s sentence of Aerian Porter-Craig, shows the justice system holds people accountable for their actions. A person who chose to profit from others addiction will now answer to the system that protects the innocent.” This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Grosse Pointe Woods Detective Bureau. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Franzinger.


title: The Fraud Division Launches West Coast Strike Force to Target Health Care Fraud Schemes Across Arizona, Nevada, and Northern California

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division) today announced the formation of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force, a multi-district enforcement initiative uniting the Division’s Health Care Fraud Section with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Arizona, District of Nevada, and Northern District of California. The Health Care Strike Force model has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in the federal enforcement arsenal, responsible nationally for the prosecution of over 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. “Driven by data showing a significant and accelerating increase in health care fraud across all three districts, the Strike Force builds on a foundation of recent landmark prosecutions — including the successful prosecution of digital health technology executives in the Northern District of California and the dismantling of Medicaid, sober home, and wound care fraud schemes in the District of Arizona,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s Fraud Division. “The Fraud Division is committed to bringing that same relentless, data-driven prosecutorial force to bear across every corner of this region, making unmistakably clear that no scheme is too sophisticated, no network too large or small, and no fraudster too distant to escape federal accountability.” “Silicon Valley has become ground zero for technology-driven health care fraud schemes that seek to cheat taxpayer-funded programs like Medicare,” said Craig H. Missakian, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California. “The Health Care Strike Force announced today is a powerful partnership that brings together the resources and expertise needed to detect and dismantle even the most sophisticated fraud schemes.” “Defrauding the government steals from Americans who need help the most. In Arizona alone, federal law enforcement and the United States Attorney’s Office have disrupted fraud schemes worth over a billion dollars of taxpayer money,” said Timothy Courchaine, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “Our mission as part of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force is to ensure Americans who need critical services are not used as pawns to make bad actors rich. Through excellent investigations, trial work, and seizures of ill-gotten gains, the District of Arizona will continue safeguarding those services.” “The dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorneys and professional staff in the District of Nevada are working in coordination with our partners at the FBI, HHS, DEA and other federal, state, and local agencies to unravel fraud schemes and to hold criminals fully accountable,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “With each indictment and conviction, we are achieving justice for victims who were taken advantage of by these fraudsters. We are proud to be part of the newly created West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force and we are committed to bringing our skill and expertise to the Justice Department’s fight against fraud.” This expansion brings enhanced federal enforcement resources to one of the nation’s most significant health care technology hubs in the Northern District of California and what data analytics show is the migration of fraud schemes to Arizona and Nevada. Late last year in San Francisco, the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of a digital technology company were convicted for an over $100 million scheme to commit health care fraud and distribute over Adderall over the internet, resulting in addiction and patient harm. These convictions followed other recent high-impact prosecutions that were jointly prosecuted by the Strike Force and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices prosecutors: United States v. Gehrke and King (DAZ) : Two wound graft company owners pled guilty and were sentenced to 15.5 and 14 years in prison for a $1.2 billion wound graft fraud scheme targeting Medicare and Medicaid. The Government seized $126 million in assets, including cash, luxury vehicles, and gold bars, related to this case. United States v. Ali (DAZ) : The owner of a Pakistan-based medical billing company was indicted in June 2025 for an alleged scheme involving the exploitation of substance abuse patients at over 41 substance abuse treatment clinics that fraudulently billed Arizona Medicaid over $650 million. The defendant is a Pakistani national and fugitive from justice. United States v. Schena (NDCA) : The president of a Silicon Valley-based medical technology company was convicted at trial and sentenced to eight years in prison in the first criminal securities fraud case related to COVID-19 charged by the Justice Department, the first criminal COVID-19 health care fraud case brought to trial, and a significant prosecution delineating the scope of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act. United States v. Schena, No. 23-2989 (9th Cir. 2025). As part of the expansion, Health Care Fraud Acting Chief Jacob Foster and Acting Assistant Chief Gary Winters will coordinate closely with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to establish the Strike Force. The Strike Force will work in partnership with the HHS Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other law enforcement partners, reflecting the Department’s determination that the need for coordinated, aggressive action in this region is urgent and undeniable. Health care fraud in these districts imposes an enormous and growing burden on American taxpayers and undermines the integrity of Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. The victims are real: elderly patients denied access to legitimate care, disabled individuals whose benefits are stolen by criminal networks, and low-income families who rely on these programs for basic medical services. The Strike Force’s west coast expansion makes clear that the Fraud Division will use every available legal tool to identify, investigate, and prosecute these offenses. Members of the public are encouraged to report wrongdoing in the health care industry, and the new Department-wide corporate enforcement policy for criminal matters creates incentives for companies to voluntarily disclose when misconduct occurs. “DEA’s involvement in the West Coast Fraud Task Force demonstrates our continued commitment to work across government to safeguard the health and safety of our communities. Our message to health care professionals who profit their patients’ pain is clear: if you use your license to harm the public, you will be held accountable,” said Assistant Administrator Cheri Oz, DEA Diversion Control Division. “Whether you are a medical professional who diverts controlled substances, like Adderall or Xanax, or a criminal enterprise that defrauds federal health care programs and private insurers, DEA will continue its pursuit of those who exploit our health care system and poison our communities.” “The FBI is proud of the work we do to combat health care fraud, and we are eager to continue investigating those who illegally abuse our systems,” said Assistant Director Heith Janke of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “This Strike Force allows for further joint actions that will prevent more criminals from lining their pockets at the expense of the American taxpayer. We look forward to playing our part in this whole-of-government approach to combating these schemes.” “Strike Force partnerships between HHS-OIG, DOJ, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, and the DEA are a proven force multiplier that utilizes a coordinated and data-driven approach to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting fraud,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “Recent enforcement actions across Arizona, Nevada, and California have revealed emerging threats targeting billions of taxpayer dollars from federal health care programs. Many of these schemes are driven by sham operations designed to appear legitimate while exploiting patients and inflating claims through increasingly sophisticated methods. The expansion of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force ensures that HHS‑OIG can apply our investigative tools and coordinated enforcement capabilities to identify these threats earlier and act with strategic precision.” The establishment of the West Coast Strike Force builds on the recent expansion of the Strike Force program to the District of Massachusetts and a record-setting year for health care enforcement in 2025 —leading the largest ever National Health Care Fraud Takedown, charging more than $15 billion in alleged loss, forfeiting and returning to the public fisc more than $560 million, and bringing four corporate matters. A third-party consulting group analyzed return on investment and showed that the average return on investment (FY21-24) from funding the Health Care Fraud Section by year 10 is $106.76 per $1 spent, and over $4.5 billion in projected savings. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: The Dismantling of an Interstate Drug Trafficking Operation Sends Two to Prison

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men were sentenced for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that stretched from Philadelphia to Detroit to Morgantown, West Virginia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. Rex Jenkins, 34, of Southfield, Michigan, was sentenced to 124 months in federal prison after a jury convicted him in March 2025 of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine trafficking. James Elli, 43, of Point Marion, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 79 months. Jenkins and Elli were part of a larger drug trafficking operation based in Philadelphia that was selling methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in Morgantown. Drug amounts between the two men totaled more than 43 grams of fentanyl, 126 grams of methamphetamine, and more than four grams of cocaine. The 24 defendants involved in the drug trafficking conspiracy were convicted for their roles. Twenty, including Jenkins and Elli, have been sentenced to a combined 183 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case was investigated by the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. The task force consists of members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office; the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; the Morgantown Police Department; the WVU Police Department; the Granville Police Department; and the Star City Police Department. Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: United States Files Suit Against Naples Immunologist for False and Fraudulent Claims in Connection with Subcutaneous Immune Globulins

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – The United States has filed a civil complaint in federal district court against Dr. Kevin Rosenbach, a doctor practicing in allergy and immunology in Naples Florida, and Kevin P. Rosenbach, M.D. P.A. The complaint alleges that Dr. Rosenbach and Kevin P. Rosenbach, M.D. P.A knowingly caused false claims for subcutaneous immune globulins to be submitted to Medicare Part B. As part of these claims, Dr. Rosenbach would change or add diagnoses to a rare immunodeficiency disease for patients who did not meet the definition of that disease to obtain Medicare Part B coverage. The complaint further alleges that by falsely diagnosing patients, Dr. Rosenbach caused the submission of false claims to Medicare Part B by special pharmacies dispensing immune globulins, resulting in a loss of over $1.9 million to Medicare Part B. “The United States Attorney’s Office will vigorously pursue and prosecute those who violate the law and compromise the integrity of federally funded programs,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “This action sends a message that our office will continue to protect Medicare funds and the valuable healthcare services the program provides.” The claims asserted against Dr. Rosenbach are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. This case was investigated by the Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. It is being litigated on behalf of the United States by Assistant United States Attorney Chad Spraker. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Oshkosh Resident Receives 15 years in Federal Prison for Kwik Trip Robbery

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 29, 2026, Lorenzo Wood, Jr. (age 59) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment for Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a), and possession of a firearm as a felon by an armed career criminal, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e)(1). According to court documents, just after midnight on October 13, 2025, Wood Jr. walked into the Kwik Trip located off Highway 41 on Jackson Street in Oshkosh with a revolver in his hand. He pointed the firearm at the clerk and demanded money from the cash register. The clerk gave Wood Jr. $170. Wood Jr. left in a silver SUV. Law enforcement tracked the travel of his vehicle and quickly identified Wood Jr. by his vehicle and his distinct walking gait which was seen on surveillance cameras inside the store. A search of his residence led law enforcement to recover the revolver used in the robbery. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Byron B. Conway noted the serious nature of the offense and profound impact the robbery had on the victim. He further noted that Wood Jr. has spent much of his adult life in and out of state prison for similar convenience store robberies. Judge Conway ultimately imposed a sentence of 180 months’ incarceration while noting that the defendant’s age and poor health means he will spend much of the remainder of his life in federal prison. Following his release from prison, he will spend 5 years on supervised release. “The message is clear,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “Violent criminals who terrorize our community with firearms will be caught and locked up in prison. I am proud of our law enforcement and prosecution team that works hard day and night to keep our communities safe.” “I want to express my appreciation to the deputies that solved this case,” said Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz. “It was not only Kwik Trip video but also the use of Flock that brought this incident to a close. As always, we appreciate collaborating with our federal partners.” This case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble. # # # For further information contact: Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero (414) 297-1700 Follow us on X


title: Multiple Illegal Aliens Sentenced for Unlawful Presence in U.S., Including Portugal Citizen Who Destroyed Government Property

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – Several aliens, unlawfully in the United States, recently pled guilty and received their sentences, including a Portugal citizen and national, who destroyed government property. These prosecutions are in connection with the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America . Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the prosecutions with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office. U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Austin sentenced Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins, 30, to time served — totaling 103 days — after he pled guilty to using his van to ram government vehicles while attempting to escape immigration officers. Judge Austin also ordered Sousa-Martins to pay $1,000 in restitution. Additionally, U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan sentenced: Sergio Gonzalez-Suchite, 36, to time served after he pled guilty to illegally entering the United States. Law enforcement found the Guatemalan citizen and national in Trappe, Maryland. Nelson Mejia-Amaya, 36, to time served after he pled guilty to illegally entering the United States. Law enforcement discovered the Honduran citizen and national in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Esner Gudiel Garcia-Ortiz, 33, to time served after he pled guilty to illegally entering the United States. Law enforcement encountered the Guatemalan citizen and national in Ocean City, Maryland. In addition, Nery Adelso Asmen-Raymundo, 43, is charged by criminal complaint with illegal re-entry by a previously deported alien. Authorities removed Asmen-Raymundo from the U.S. on two prior occasions – once in November 2009, and again in March 2010. Law enforcement found the Guatemalan citizen and national in Baltimore. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO and FBI for its work in these investigations. Ms. Hayes also thanked the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted these federal cases. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Former U.S. Postal Carriers, Bank Manager, and Convicted Felon Indicted on Federal Charges for Nearly $5 Million Bank Fraud and Mail Theft Scheme

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA – Two former U.S. Postal Service mail carriers, a former Alpharetta assistant bank manager, and a convicted felon face federal charges after participating in a scheme to steal valuable items from the mail, including a $4.9 million U.S. Treasury check. “Francina Sutton worked with two corrupt U.S. Postal Service mail carriers to steal dozens of checks, credit cards, and gift cards from the mail and separately conspired with an assistant bank manager to launder a stolen $4.9 million U.S. Treasury check,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “My office places a special emphasis on prosecuting employees who abuse their positions inside trusted institutions to steal from and defraud the public.” “ Today’s arrests send a strong message to anyone who thinks mail theft and check fraud will go unpunished,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “Protecting the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service is our mission, and our special agents, along with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will aggressively investigate these federal crimes to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail and maintain the public’s trust.” “It is the mission of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to protect the integrity of the IRS and promote the fair administration of our federal tax system,” said TIGTA Special Agent in Charge Joel Weaver. “TIGTA continues to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners to hold individuals responsible for their attempts to interfere with our nation’s tax system for personal gain.” “Stealing mail, misusing personal information, and trying to wash a $4.9 million Treasury check are serious attacks on our financial system,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS-CI Atlanta Field Office. “IRS‑CI will continue to follow the money, expose these schemes, and shut down anyone who seeks to profit from fraud against the American public.” “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service relentlessly pursues criminals who exploit the U.S. Mail for unlawful purposes,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Atlanta Division. “The indictments of these co-conspirators who allegedly stole Treasury Checks and other financial instruments and defrauded the American taxpayer serve as a resounding message to anyone who wants to steal U.S. Mail. We will unwaveringly work with our partners in law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold criminals accountable for their actions.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Beginning in or about March 2020 and continuing through September 2025, Shanda Goode and Carnisha Hamilton, who were then employed as U.S. Postal Service City Carriers assigned to the Ralph McGill Post Office in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Marietta Main Post Office in Marietta, Georgia, respectively, allegedly stole mail containing checks, credit cards, gift cards, and other items of value in order to sell them to Francina Juantez Sutton and other individuals. On at least one occasion in December 2023, Hamilton stole three dozen pieces of mail containing checks and credit cards on a single delivery run. After obtaining the stolen mail, Sutton used the credit cards and cashed the checks for her own personal use. Sutton also allegedly conspired with Tonya Bailey, who was an Assistant Financial Center Manager at a bank in Alpharetta, Georgia, to open bank accounts in the names of unsuspecting persons in order to deposit a $4.9 million U.S. Treasury check that had been stolen from the mail. In February 2023, Sutton entered Bailey’s bank branch wearing a dark-colored mask and opened a bank account, with Bailey’s assistance, in the name of an entity that resembled the name of the payee listed on the stolen check. Sutton and Bailey then deposited the stolen check into the new bank account. Two weeks later, Sutton returned to Bailey’s bank branch wearing a surgical mask; drew two cashier’s checks for $150,000 each from the account; and opened two new bank accounts, with Bailey’s assistance, using stolen personally identifiable information. Sutton and Bailey then deposited $300,000 into the new accounts. The U.S. Secret Service seized over $4.7 million from the fraudulently opened bank accounts, and the United States will seek to forfeit the seized funds in the criminal case. Francina Juantez Sutton, 46, of Smyrna, Ga., Shanda Goode, 57, of Douglasville, Ga., Carnisha Hamilton, 42, of Marietta, Ga., and Tonya Bailey, 58, of Ellenwood, Ga., will be arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Sommerfeld after a federal grand jury returned an indictment on March 24, 2026. Goode, Hamilton, and Sutton face federal charges for conspiracy and theft of mail by a postal employee. Sutton and Bailey were charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Sutton also was charged with possession of stolen mail, access device fraud, and felon in possession of a firearm. Sutton has multiple prior felony convictions for theft, forgery, and identity fraud. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General, U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service also provided valuable assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Sekret T. Sneed is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .