title: New York Man Charged in Multi-State Organized Cargo-Theft Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A New York man has been arrested and charged for allegedly conspiring to infiltrate email accounts of legitimate truck-load carriers, using the hacked accounts to book cargo with shippers and selling the items for illicit profit. The goods allegedly stolen include over 33,000 pounds of frozen snow crab, pallets of blueberries and more than $400,000 of designer cologne. Romoy Forbes, 31, a Jamaican national living in Deer Park, N.Y., has been charged with interstate transportation of stolen goods, and conspiracy to commit that offense. Forbes was arrested today in Long Island, N.Y. and will make his initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. According to the charging documents , on July 15, 2025, Forbes allegedly stole 33,750 pounds of frozen snow crabs worth $325,000 from a warehouse that held the goods in Worcester, Mass. Leading up to the theft, a co-conspirator allegedly hacked into the email account of a trucking carrier company (Carrier 1). The co-conspirator, pretending to work for Carrier 1, and using the email account of Carrier 1, allegedly contacted and contracted with Shipper 1, a transportation business, to ship the goods to a customer in Jacksonville, Fla. Forbes then allegedly arrived at the warehouse in Worcester pretending to work for Carrier 1, loaded the seafood into his truck and drove off. Instead of delivering the seafood to the customer in Florida, Forbes allegedly transported it to the location of a grocery store business in Queens, N.Y., where Forbes took a picture of the pallets of packaged crabs with his cellphone. Before the alleged seafood heist, Forbes, on June 25, 2025, allegedly stole a shipment of blueberries in Winslow Junction, N.J. A co-conspirator allegedly hacked into the email account of Carrier 2, a trucking carrier company, and, pretending to be Carrier 2, contacted and contracted with Shipper 2, a transportation business, to ship the goods to a customer in Illinois. Forbes then allegedly arrived at the warehouse that was holding the goods, and, pretending to work for Carrier 2, loaded the fruit into his truck and drove away. Instead of delivering the blueberries to the customer in Illinois, Forbes allegedly arranged to illicitly sell the fruit to his phone contact named, “My customer for everything.” After the seafood and blueberry thefts, on July 25, 2025, Forbes allegedly conspired to steal approximately $433,830 worth of cologne in Ronkonkama, N.Y. Again, a co-conspirator allegedly hacked into the email account of Carrier 3, a trucking carrier company, and, pretending to be Carrier 3, contracted with Shipper 3, a transportation business, to ship the goods to a customer in Los Angeles, Calif. Forbes then allegedly arrived to the warehouse that was holding the goods, and, pretending to work for Carrier 3, loaded the items into his truck and drove away. Instead of delivering the fragrances to the customer in California, Forbes allegedly contacted his “customer for everything” offering to sell the cologne and sent the contact a video of the cologne, to which the contact replied, “Ok.” The charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit that offense carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood . The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Speed and Crack Dealer, a Convicted Felon, Sentenced to 36 Months for Drug and Firearm Offenses

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – John Calvin Harris, 29, a convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 36 months in prison in connection with his illegal possession of a firearm and trafficking amphetamines and crack cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Harris pleaded guilty Sept. 18, 2025, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon and to possession with intent to distribute amphetamine and cocaine base. In addition to the prison term, Chief Judge James E. Boasberg ordered Harris to serve three years of supervised release. According to court documents, on June 30, 2025, Metropolitan Police officers were patrolling the 4000 block of Minnesota Ave, NE, when they spotted Harris in the driver’s seat of a parked Honda. Harris was wanted on an active warrant out of Maryland. Police initiated an arrest, placed Harris in handcuffs, and recovered a loaded Glock 29 pistol from the front of Harris’ pants. Officers then searched the Honda and found three containers containing more than 45 grams of a hard rock-like substance that tested positive for cocaine. Officers also found a fourth container that held 30.5 grams of a white powder that tested positive for amphetamines. Harris previously was convicted in 2023 of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, received a probationary sentence, and therefore was prohibited from possessing a firearm. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department with assistance from the ATF. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caelainn Carney. 25cr205


title: Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug Trafficking Crimes

body_text: Greenbelt, Maryland – A Lexington Park, Maryland, man pled guilty in federal court today, to drug trafficking and weapons crimes. Dominick Mackall, 37, is charged with possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Sheriff Steven A. Hall, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. According to the guilty plea, on October 26, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mackall’s residence and took him into custody in connection with a five-month narcotics trafficking investigation. During the search, law enforcement discovered multiple loaded firearms, including a ghost gun, and numerous rounds of ammunition in Mackall’s bedroom. Mackall is a convicted felon, so he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Law enforcement also uncovered several controlled substances in different quantities — including 964 fentanyl pills, cocaine, and marijuana — along with approximately $4,000 in cash. Additionally, law enforcement found reloadable government-benefit cards in other people’s names. Mackall is facing a maximum of 15 years for the firearms charges. He also faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in connection with the drug trafficking crimes. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman set sentencing for Wednesday, May 13, at 10 a.m. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Appleby-Rumon who are prosecuting this federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Repeat sex offender pleads guilty to attempted kidnapping, sexually exploiting minor he met through online gaming

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Texas man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to exploitation crimes related to traveling to Ohio to have sex with a minor he met online playing Call of Duty. Harrison Michael Barton, 38, of North Detroit, Texas, was arrested in February 2025 at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport while attempting to fly to Florida with the victim. Barton’s plea agreement includes a recommended sentence of 25 to 30 years in prison. According to court documents, in February 2025, Barton took a Greyhound bus from Texas to Ohio to meet a 15-year-old approximately one month after connecting with the victim on the Call of Duty mobile game. At the time, Barton was wanted on an outstanding parole warrant out of Texas stemming from a prior conviction for online solicitation of a minor, in which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Barton admitted that, in this instant case, the teenager picked him up in Newcomerstown, Ohio. Prior to arriving at the airport, the defendant admitted to having vaginal and oral sex with the minor and to taking sexually explicit pictures of the victim. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Coshocton County Sheriff Christopher Walters; Newark Police Chief Erik McKee; and John Glenn Columbus International Airport Police Chief Ronald Gray announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc . # # #


title: Leader Of Criminal Tow Truck And Auto Repair Company Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison For Murder

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that CHRISTIAN LUGO, a/k/a “Coco,” was sentenced today to 19 years in prison for LUGO’s leadership role in a racketeering conspiracy that used fraud and violent intimidation to run a tow truck and auto repair shop known as Certified Auto. On February 7, 2022, LUGO allowed and encouraged a co-conspirator who worked for him at Certified Auto to shoot at members of a rival tow truck company, which resulted in the death of Gloria Ortiz. In August 2025, LUGO pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses, while admitting to his role in the murder, before U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho, who imposed today’s sentence. “As Christian Lugo has now admitted, his rivalry with other tow truck companies set in motion a deadly chain of events, which caused a broad daylight shooting, killing Gloria Ortiz,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Lugo used a gun to further his tow truck business, itself part of a criminal enterprise. His actions led to the murder of a woman. He is now where New Yorkers want him—off the streets and in prison.” According to the indictment, public court filings, and statements made at court proceedings: LUGO, along with others, corrupted the operations and activities of Certified Auto, which was a company that provided towing and auto repair services to vehicles damaged in car accidents. LUGO and his co-conspirators used Certified Auto to commit wire, mail, and insurance fraud and to assert control over the towing and auto repair industry in their territory in the Bronx, New York, using violence and threats of violence. LUGO had a rivalry with a nearby tow truck shop owned by Gloria Ortiz. On February 7, 2022, one of Lugo’s tow truck drivers got into a minor car accident while driving one of LUGO’s pickup trucks (illegally used as a tow truck) with a passenger vehicle in Ortiz’s shop’s claimed territory, resulting in a physical dispute with workers for that shop over the right to tow the passenger vehicle. LUGO then contacted another subordinate member of Certified Auto (“CC-1”) to pick up the driver, after which they all met up with LUGO. At that meeting, LUGO allowed and permitted CC-1 to shoot at members of the rival company. Specifically, during that conversation, LUGO told CC-1 “are you going to take care of it or am I?” and CC-1 stated that CC-1 would do so. CC-1 then drove to Certified Auto, where Gloria Ortiz and her workers had gathered. CC-1 opened fire, causing the death of Gloria Ortiz and nonfatal injuries to two other people outside of the Certified Auto shop. * * * In addition to the prison term, LUGO, 38, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to six years of supervised release. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from the FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force and the New York City Police Department. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation. The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations and Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman, Ni Qian, and Andrew Jones are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Final Defendant Pleads Guilty in $17 Million Pandemic Fraud Scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ga. – The last remaining defendant in a pandemic-related tax fraud investigation costing U.S. taxpayers millions has pleaded guilty. Christopher Upshaw, aka “Troub,” 26, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud on Feb. 4, and faces a maximum of 30 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. The co-defendants Johnathon Swift, aka “JB,” aka “John Boy,” 34; Dontavis Williams, aka “Turk,” 41; and Donterious Sparks, 37, all of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud on Jan. 21, and face a maximum of 30 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. U.S. District Judge Clay Land is presiding over the case. Sentencing dates will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system. “The defendants devised a scheme to illegally obtain millions of dollars in COVID tax credits intended for honest business owners working to sustain their companies and employees during the pandemic, not for fraudsters seeking luxury cars and other indulgences,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Our office will continue working with our federal law enforcement partners to identify those who cheat taxpayers and ensure they are held accountable.” "This scheme attempted to steal nearly $17.5 million from programs meant to help struggling workers and small businesses survive the pandemic—not bankroll luxury purchases and personal gain,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta “The FBI will aggressively pursue anyone who exploits national emergencies for profit." “By pleading guilty to one count of mail fraud, Christopher Upshaw has admitted to unlawfully obtaining funds intended to support legitimate economic recovery efforts,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Lisa Fontanette, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Protecting taxpayer dollars remains a top priority for IRS Criminal Investigation.” According to filed court documents and statements made in court, Upshaw registered DOPE! Apparel, LLC with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office on June 26, 2022. Upshaw filed five falsified returns on April 29, 2023, using this business to fraudulently claim COVID-related tax credits, including credits to assist employers with the cost of keeping staff employed and to assist with the cost of employers providing paid sick and family leave wages to employees for COVID-related leave. As a result of these falsified returns the IRS issued five refunds to Upshaw’s business: $65,990.85, $109,680.76, $64,945.17, $65,328.07, and $105,167.36, totaling $411,112.21. Investigators discovered Upshaw did not have any W-2s filed from 2019 through 2023; there was also no record of Upshaw filing any tax returns for years 2019, 2020, 2022, or 2023, despite claiming COVID related tax credits for 2022. In addition, the Georgia Department of Labor records revealed Upshaw did not file Georgia individual income tax returns for 2020 and 2022 through 2023, nor did the agency have any records whatsoever for Dope! Apparel, LLC, or that Upshaw’s company employed any staff or paid any of the qualified wages or sick and family leave wages that were claimed on the Form 941 returns. Upshaw cashed the checks and used some of the money to purchase a luxury vehicle. Swift, Williams and Sparks similarly filed falsified tax returns, fraudulently claiming they were entitled to COVID tax credits: Swift obtained $417,095.56; Williams obtained $156,531.74; and Sparks obtained $311,072.55. All three co-defendants used LLCs registered to their names to file false tax returns claiming COVID tax credits they were not entitled to. The four co-defendants received a combined 16 checks totaling $1,295,812.06. The checks were deposited into bank accounts controlled by the defendants or cashed. The total attempted loss was $2,250,423.67. The defendants also recruited others to participate in this scheme. In exchange for a percentage of the refund, the defendants would electronically file returns on behalf of others. They also assisted some people with establishing a limited liability company and obtaining an EIN number. The defendants submitted over 150 Form 941 returns on behalf of others resulting in an additional total combined attempted and actual loss amount of $15,239,326.17. The total combined attempted and actual loss to federal taxpayers was $17,489,749.80. The case was investigated by the FBI and the IRS. Deputy Criminal Chief Veronica Hansis is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Massachusetts Company Pleads Guilty to Violating OSHA Rule Leading to Worker's Death

body_text: BOSTON – John Oliveira & Sons Stamp Concrete, Inc., a corporation doing business in East Freetown, Mass. pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to willfully violating Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards in a 2023 incident that led to a worker’s death. U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson scheduled sentencing for May 4, 2026. According to court documents, the company utilized a large soil screener for purposes of processing and screening soil and similar substances. The soil screener was approximately 46 feet long and 13 feet high, and weighed approximately 35,880 lbs. The tail conveyor of the soil screener – which weighed approximately 1,500 pounds – could be placed in a vertical closed position or could be opened to an approximate 45° angle. At various occasions in 2022 or 2023, the tail conveyor of the soil screener closed unexpectedly, and the soil screener had suffered a ruptured hydraulic pressure line. On Sept. 6, 2023, a company employee was working alongside a co-owner on the tail conveyer of the soil screener, which was in the open position. At the time, there was no equipment in place to prevent the tail conveyer from closing. According to the charging documents, as the employee was seeking to remove a bolt, the tail conveyor closed unexpectedly. The employee held onto the upper frame of the soil screener as the tail conveyer closed into the vertical position, crushing the employee’s head. The employee suffered massive head trauma and was pronounced dead soon thereafter. For willfully violating an OSHA safety standard, John Oliveira & Sons Stamp Concrete, Inc. faces a term of probation of up to five years, a fine of up to $500,000 and restitution payable to the estate of the deceased victim. Sentences are imposed by a federal judge based upon statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Anthony D’Esposito, Inspector General of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Jeff Erskine, Regional Administrator of the Department of Labor OSHA Boston Region; and Maia Fisher, Regional Solicitor for Department of Labor Boston Region made the announcement. Assistance in the investigation was also provided by the OSHA Criminal Investigations Team, Boston Region. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely, Chief of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.


title: Humboldt County Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Attempted Enticement Of A Minor

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – A Humboldt County resident was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley handed down the sentence. Joseph Raymond Shinn, 47, of Ferndale, Calif., was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 19, 2025, and pleaded guilty on Nov. 5, 2025, to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. According to the plea agreement, between Sept. 30, 2024, through Oct. 6, 2024, Shinn messaged an individual whom he believed to be a 13-year-old minor, sending sexually explicit messages and images via a messaging application. He eventually arranged a meeting with the minor to engage in sexual acts. On his way to the minor’s home, Shinn purchased sex paraphernalia that he intended to use. Shinn was arrested by law enforcement upon his arrival at the home. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement. Shinn has been in custody since November 2024. He will begin serving his prison term immediately. In addition to the prison term, Judge Corley also ordered Shinn to serve eight years of supervised release which will begin after his term of imprisonment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara E. Henderson is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Soana Katoa. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI, with assistance from the Eureka Police Department and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.


title: West Tennessee Woman Convicted of Stolen Valor for Fraudulently Claiming to be a Marine Combat Veteran

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – Amanda Kate Walker Bass , 36 , of Fayette County, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of fraudulent use of military medals, otherwise known as “Stolen Valor.” U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today. According to information provided in court, Bass claimed to be a multiple-time deployed U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was the lone survivor of an enemy ambush in Afghanistan in 2010 that left her seriously wounded. She used this fictitious narrative for financial gain by having a GoFundMe page set up for her benefit and sharing the story online and otherwise in order to gain donations, free labor, and other benefits. In July 2021, she induced The Daily Memphian to publish an article about her titled, “Disabled, legally blind veteran now dealer of luxury goods.” Bass never served in the armed forces. Bass will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris on May 14, 2026, where she faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the wire fraud conviction and up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the fraudulent use of military medals conviction. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Fraudulently claiming military service or medals for unjust personal enrichment not only victimizes our military heroes, but also preys upon the trust that citizens have in veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is offensive, and it is illegal. We look forward to imposing a real consequence on this faker and thief.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William C. Bateman III prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Biofuel Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – The owner of a company that produces and sells renewable fuel and fuel credits pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy for his role in a scheme that generated over $7 million in fraudulent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewable fuels credits and sought over $6 million in fraudulent tax credits connected to the purported production of biodiesel. According to court documents, Christopher Burdett, 59, owned a biofuel company based in Fort Pierce that claimed to turn various feedstocks into biodiesel. However, when reporting to the IRS and the EPA the number of gallons they produced, Burdett and his company vastly overstated their production volume to generate more credits. When auditors sought more information from the company, Burdett and general manager Royce Gillham, who was sentenced last year to 37 months in prison, provided false information about their fuel production and customers. “The defendant’s fraud undermines the integrity of EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard and hurts farmers and refiners who follow the law,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This guilty plea is another example of the Justice Department’s broader efforts to hold those accountable, like Burdett and Gillham, who defraud American taxpayers.” “This was not a paperwork error or a regulatory misunderstanding — it was fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “The defendant inflated production numbers to steal millions in fuel and tax credits, taking money straight from taxpayers. Working closely with our partners at EPA and IRS, we will continue to hold accountable anyone who lies, cheats, and tries to game federal programs for personal profit.” “The defendants compromised the core of a program designed to secure abundant renewable fuel. By claiming credit (RINs) for fuel they never produced or sold, the defendants not only defrauded American fuel producers and consumers but also compromised our energy security,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Lying to the federal government and to others under federal programs for profit is an elemental federal crime and intolerable in our society.” “Fraudulent tax schemes erode trust in our tax system and harm every honest taxpayer,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “Our mission is to ensure that those who attempt to exploit tax credits are identified and brought to justice, protecting the integrity of our nation’s tax laws.” Burdett pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and to file false claims. He is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months. The conspiracy count has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine whether to accept the plea agreement after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and IRS Criminal Investigations investigated the case. Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of ENRD and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Funk for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting this case. ENRD is a member of the Department of Justice Trade Fraud Task Force, a cross-agency law enforcement effort that also involves the Criminal and Civil Divisions’ Fraud Sections, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide. The Task Force was created to leverage all of the Department’s tools and authorities to prevent trade fraud that deprives the government of vital revenue, threatens critical domestic industries, undermines consumer confidence, and weakens national security. The Task Force is designed to pursue enforcement actions against parties who seek to evade tariffs and other duties, as well as smugglers who seek to import prohibited goods into the American economy. The Justice Department encourages whistleblowers to alert the government to credible allegations of fraud, including utilizing the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act or through the Criminal Division’s Corporate Whistleblower Program at CorporateWhistleblower@usdoj.gov using the form available here. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 25-cr-14071. ###


title: Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms and Machinegun Charges

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On February 4, 2026, Ladarius Lamar Knight, 25, of Montgomery, Alabama, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to the unlawful possession of a machinegun, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. According to court records, on January 7, 2025, units with the Montgomery Police Department and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) were on Zelda Road in Montgomery when they heard gunshots coming from a nearby gas station. Responding officers observed three individuals fleeing the area. ALEA troopers pursued one of the suspects into a fast-food restaurant across the street from the gas station. The suspect, later identified as Knight, was found hiding in the restaurant’s back storage area and was taken into custody. Troopers recovered a handgun Knight was attempting to conceal inside a box. Further examination revealed that the handgun was equipped with a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “switch.” When installed, such a device enables the firearm to fire continuously with a single pull of the trigger, resulting in an extremely high rate of fire that allows the weapon to discharge an entire magazine in a matter of seconds. Knight has prior felony convictions and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. At sentencing, Knight faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), including its Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit; and the Montgomery Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys John J. Geer, III and Christine Levi are prosecuting the case.


title: NDOK Collects More than $2.5 Million in  Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2025

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced that the Northern District of Oklahoma (NDOK) collected $2,586,678.72 in criminal and civil actions in fiscal year 2025. Of this amount, $1,625,271.97 was collected in criminal actions, and $961,406.75 was collected in civil actions. The NDOK is not only responsible for litigation. The Asset Recovery and Asset Forfeiture teams are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and crime victims. Under federal law, a District Judge may order a defendant to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes. The department’s Crime Victims Fund collects criminal fines and felony assessments. Those funds are distributed to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs. Additionally, a defendant may be ordered to forfeit assets. The funds from assets are deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund. In fiscal year 2025, the NDOK collected $613,330 in asset forfeiture actions. Those funds are used for a variety of law enforcement purposes and to restore funds to crime victims. Examples of Asset Recovery... In November 2024, Devin Darel Fletcher was sentenced for embezzling funds from Tulsa Public Schools, and the Court ordered Fletcher to pay $593,492.32 in restitution. The Northern District successfully garnished $111,511.98 from retirement accounts. The U.S. Secret Service seized an additional $45,710.19 that has been paid towards restitution. In November 2024, Randal Dewayne Davis was sentenced to child pornography offenses and forfeited $25,000 cash in lieu of real property. The Court ordered Davis pay $44,000 in restitution to nine identified victims of child sexual abuse material. The Northern District successfully garnished $30,976.67 from a retirement account, and the remaining $13,198.33 was collected from forfeited funds. In October 2011, Elizabeth Ann Stanley was sentenced for Misapplication of Financial Institution Funds. The Court ordered her to pay $118,956.87 in restitution to First National Bank and Trust of Miami. Multiple bank accounts were forfeited, and $48,106.38 was paid towards restitution in 2012. Throughout the years, Stanley paid monthly. The remaining $24,489.52 balance was paid in full once the Northern District began withholding portions of her retirement benefits. Examples of Asset Forfeiture... In January 2025, William Shane Garrow pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing false tax returns. Garrow was a Senior Vice President of Private Banking and lied to clients and colleagues by stealing more than $4.2 million from at least 16 accounts. The court authorized the seizure of $700,092.65 in currency and two real properties valued at $340,417. In July 2024, Eduardo Agustin Barrera-Lopez pleaded guilty to possessing heroin with the intent to distribute. Barrera-Lopez admitted to financially benefiting from distributing heroin and other narcotics he brought to Tulsa. The court authorized the seizure of $124,236 in currency. In December 2024, Kevin Gamboa-Olivas pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy. Gamboa-Olivas admitted to conspiring with others to distribute cocaine in Tulsa. The court authorized the seizure of $86,018 currency and a 2023 GMC Denali valued at $60,725.00, repurposed for law enforcement.


title: Justice Department Resolves Lawsuit Against Pennsylvania Borough Alleging Its Zoning Code Violated Religious Land Use Provisions

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG — United States Attorney Brian D. Miller and the Justice Department today announced an agreement with the Borough of Kingston, Pennsylvania, to resolve allegations that it violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by enacting and enforcing a 2023 zoning ordinance that treats religious land uses worse than comparable secular uses and unreasonably limit religious land use. The proposed consent order , which was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and must still be approved by the Court, would resolve a lawsuit the United States also filed today alleging that the 2023 zoning ordinance dramatically restricted how and where religious land uses can locate, which particularly impacted Kingston’s growing Orthodox Jewish Chabad community and prevented it from developing places needed for religious worship. “Time and time again, local governments enact zoning laws that treat places of worship and religious schools worse than comparable secular places of assembly, and unreasonably limit where religious land uses can locate. And too often the Jewish community bears the brunt of those restrictions,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will relentlessly pursue and prosecute jurisdictions that violate RLUIPA.” As alleged in the lawsuit , Kingston’s zoning ordinance violates RLUIPA because it requires that places of worship obtain discretionary special exception use permits, while comparable nonreligious assembly uses like theaters, bowling alleys, recreational facilities, and libraries are permitted as of right. The ordinance also restricts places of worship to one-acre or more parcels, while no acreage restriction is placed on comparable nonreligious assembly uses. These restrictions unreasonably limit religious land uses to only a tiny fraction of existing parcels in the entire Borough such that, in practice, there are essentially no available qualifying parcels on which to develop a new place of worship. As a result, Kingston’s Chabad community has struggled to find sufficient suitable places for prayer, religious study, religious schools, and mikvahs (ritual baths). Under the consent order, the Borough will revise its zoning ordinance to allow places of worship and religious schools as a permitted use in commercial districts and as a special use in residential districts; eliminate the acreage requirements for places of worship and religious schools; and treat places of worship on comparable terms to nonreligious places of assembly with respect to other zoning concerns like parking and landscaping. The consent order also requires the Borough to train its officials and employees on RLUIPA’s requirements, establish a procedure for receiving and resolving RLUIPA complaints, and undertake other injunctive relief. The Civil Rights Division’s Housing & Civil Enforcement Section handled this matter in collaboration with Middle District of Pennsylvania Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Butler, Civil Rights Coordinator. RLUIPA is a federal law that protects persons and religious institutions from unduly burdensome, unequal, or discriminatory land use regulations. More information about RLUIPA and the Department’s efforts to enforce it can be found on the Place to Worship Initiative’s webpage . Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the Civil Rights Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (800) 896-7743, or through the online RLUIPA complaint portal . Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing usapam.civil.rights@usdoj.gov . # # #


title: Arnold Parolee Who Led Police on High-Speed Chase with Child in Vehicle Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and Heroin

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Arnold, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 156 months of incarceration, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his conviction for fentanyl and heroin trafficking, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Kevin Watson, 36, on February 4, 2026. According to information presented to the Court, on April 26, 2019, Watson was stopped by the Pennsylvania State Police for traffic violations, with a young child present in the back seat of Watson’s vehicle. When asked to get out of the vehicle, Watson sped away and led officers on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of 115 mph before Watson crashed the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving the child, who was not seriously injured, alone and unattended in the vehicle. Later, the Pennsylvania State Police obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which revealed more than $100,000 of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin in the trunk. Watson has an extensive criminal history that includes, among other convictions, three previous drug trafficking convictions, and was on parole at the time of this offense. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly M. Locher and Barbara K. Doolittle prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Pennsylvania State Police and Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Watson. 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: Spokane Man Sentenced for Repeatedly Distributing Drugs in De Facto Open Air Drug Market in Downtown Spokane

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

body_text: Spokane, Washington – First Assistant Pete Serrano announced that on January 14, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice, sentenced Timothy Michael Hanahan, age 38, of Spokane, Washington, to 84 months of prison distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl into the Spokane community. Judge Rice also ordered that, following his sentence, Hanahan will be on 4 years of supervised release. According to court records, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives was conducting a crime reduction emphasis in the greater Spokane area. Hanahan, a homeless transplant from Texas using the moniker “Big Mike”, was identified as a distributor of methamphetamine and fentanyl. He was known to distribute drugs near the House of Charity in downtown Spokane. Over the course of numerous interactions, Hanahan bragged to undercover law enforcement agents posing as drug customers that he had connections in Idaho and Montana, and that his “connections” were moving large volumes of drugs. Ultimately, Hanahan sold the undercover agents methamphetamine and fentanyl on several occasions and introduced the undercover agents to additional drug sources who also sold drugs to the undercover agents. Hanahan has notable criminal history dating back almost 2 decades, to include several previous significant sex offenses as well as being an accessory to assault with a deadly weapon in Nevada, forgery and drug offenses in Texas, and most recently an assault in Spokane. Hanahan was transient living in and around the House of Charity at the time of the instant offense. “This case shows the impact of focused, intelligence-driven enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais of the ATF Seattle Field Division. “Mr. Hanahan repeatedly brought dangerous drugs into the heart of downtown Spokane and actively expanded their distribution. This sentence disrupts a supply chain that was harming this community, and ATF is proud to work alongside our federal and local partners and the U.S. Attorney’s office to target those who seek to profit from addiction and victimization.” “I applaud our partners at ATF for taking the lead in addressing crime in our community. Their investigation led to the prosecution of several individuals who victimize our community, including Mr. Hanahan who has a significant and concerning criminal history and came to our community to distribute his poison,” stated Mr. Serrano. “The outcome in this case is a prime example of why the City of Spokane is proud to partner and coordinate with our various law enforcement partners in the fight to remove fentanyl and methamphetamine dealers from our community,” stated City Prosecutor Justin Bingham. “Strong partnerships are key to successfully reducing crime and safeguarding our citizens from the dangerous effects of illicit drugs.” The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Border Patrol, and the Spokane Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Annika Tangvald.


title: Houston transplant doctor indicted for making false statements in patients’ medical records

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 66-year-old Houston physician has been charged with falsifying medical records which made potential transplant recipients ineligible for organ donations, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. John Stevenson Bynon Jr. has now surrendered to federal authorities and is set for his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena H. Palermo at 2 p.m. According to the indictment, returned Jan. 14, Bynon was Director of Abdominal Organ Transplantation and Surgical Director for Liver Transplantation at Memorial Hermann Health System’s Texas Medical Center in Houston. Under his care, patients were allegedly activated on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) liver transplant waitlist while awaiting an organ donation. The charges allege that even though patients should have been able to receive donations through UNOS, Bynon made false statements in their medical records which rendered them functionally ineligible for a donation. Patients, their families, and other members of their medical care team, were unaware of the false information, according to court documents. Many patients allegedly remained ineligible for months without knowing they could not receive donor organ offers during that time. “Dr. Bynon is alleged to have betrayed the most sacred duty of a medical professional—to heal,” said Ganjei. “According to the indictment, he stole years and hope from those who trusted him most by falsifying records and preventing patients from receiving organ transplants. Rest assured, the Southern District of Texas will continue to seek justice for every victim in this case.” “Ultimately, at the center of this case are vulnerable patients who hung their hope of survival on a nationally renowned surgeon now federally charged for manipulating their medical records,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson of the FBI Houston Field Office. “Dr. Bynon is accused of manipulating the criteria of patients on organ transplant waiting lists, thereby allegedly manipulating the patients’ chance of survival. Today’s indictment makes it clear that the FBI will investigate allegations of patient harm regardless of how reputable and respected the practitioner is or the hospital system they work for.” “Falsely manipulating organ transplant eligibility endangers lives and undermines the integrity of our health care system,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “The allegations in this indictment, if proven true, represent a grave betrayal of medical ethics and patient trust. HHS-OIG will work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that anyone who falsifies medical records to manipulate patient care is stopped, caught and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” The indictment further alleges that due to Bynon’s unilateral decision making and false statements, which were unknown to other care providers, patients continued receiving health care benefits, items and services that Medicare paid as if they were eligible to receive donor organ offers. Some of Bynon’s patients had dire health outcomes. The indictment alleges two others sought care at alternate facilities following the discovery of the alleged false statements and ultimately received organ transplants. Bynon is charged with five counts of making false statements in health care matters. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine upon each conviction. FBI and DHHS-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherin Daniel and Suzanne Elmilady are prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Wire Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – An Illinois man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to phishing the Snapchat access codes of nearly 600 women in an effort to hack their Snapchat accounts and steal nude photos, which he kept, sold, or traded on the internet. Kyle Svara, 27, of Oswego, Ill., pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, computer fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud and false statements related to child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy scheduled sentencing for May 18, 2026. Svara was charged in December 2025 . From at least May 2020 to February 2021, Svara used social engineering and other resources to collect victim emails, phone numbers and/or Snapchat usernames. He used those means of identification to access victim Snapchat accounts, which prompted Snap Inc. to send account security codes to victims. Using anonymized phone numbers, Svara posed as a representative of Snap Inc. and texted more than 4,500 victims requesting those Snapchat access codes. When approximately 570 women provided those codes, Svara accessed the Snapchat accounts of at least 59 women without permission and downloaded their nude or semi-nude images. Once he had the stolen images, Svara sold or traded them on internet forums or in transactions with others who had hired him to hack the Snapchat accounts. Svara advertised on internet forums like Reddit that he could “get into girls snap accounts” for others and provide content “for you or trade.” One of Svara’s co-conspirators, Steve Waithe, a former Track and Field Coach at Northeastern University hired and paid Svara to hack the Snapchat accounts of women Waithe coached or had other relationships with. In November 2023, Waithe was convicted in federal court in Boston of 12 counts of wire fraud; one count of cyberstalking; one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud; and one count of computer fraud, aiding and abetting. In March 2024 , Waithe was sentenced to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In addition to the women Waithe and others hired Svara to hack, Svara also targeted women who resided in or around the area of Plainfield, Ill. or who were students at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. When Svara was interviewed by investigators, he falsely stated that he did not know anything about hacking Snapchat. Additionally, he falsely stated that had no interest in child pornography and had never actively sought out or accessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Contrary to these statements, the defendant collected, distributed and solicited CSAM. Members of the public who believe they may be a victim of this case or have any relevant information related to this case are requested to please fill out the attached form to be contacted by a member of law enforcement: https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/snaphackvictims The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a sentence of at least two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain/loss from the offense. The charges of computer fraud and conspiracy to commit computer fraud provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Chicago and the Oswego Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Cleary of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.


title: Brazilian National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully residing in Fall River, Mass. pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation and was sentenced. Evaldo Ferreira Pinto, 51, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to time served and one year of supervised release. The defendant is now subject to deportation proceedings. Earlier in the hearing Pinto pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. According to court records, Pinto had been in custody since his arrest on Aug. 7, 2025. Pinto was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2025 . According to the charging documents, Pinto was found in the United States on Aug. 7, 2025, after previously having been removed from the United States on or about May 31, 2019. According to court documents, Pinto has previously been removed or self-deported on four occasions and has been previously convicted of unlawful reentry three times. Pinto is now subject to deportation. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: South Carolina Man and Coal Mine Owner Sentenced for  Tax Fraud

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LONDON, Ky. – A Meggett, South Carolina, man, John Quintrell, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier to 48 months in prison for willful failure to pay over more than $22 million in taxes owed to the IRS. According to his plea agreement, from at least September 2018 through April 2025, Quintrell was the sole owner of Civil LLC, a mining business, located in Harlan County. Civil LLC was required to withhold taxes from its employees’ paychecks, including federal income taxes, as well as Medicare and Social Security taxes (i.e., FICA taxes). For the period of October 1, 2019, through March 31, 2025, Quintrell caused Civil LLC to withhold federal income taxes and FICA taxes from employees' paychecks, as it should have done; however, Quintrell then willfully caused the business to fail to account for, and pay over, to the IRS approximately $22,146,389.56 in federal income taxes, FICA taxes, as well as the employer's share of such payroll taxes. Quintrell was also ordered to pay $22,146,389.56 in restitution. Under federal law, Quintrell 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 three years. Paul McCaffrey, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigations, Detroit Field Office, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the IRS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Mattingly Williams is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. – END –


title: Arkansas Company and Affiliates Pay $3.2 Million to Resolve Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program Loans

body_text: BOSTON – QP Holdings, LLC, an Arkansas company, and its affiliates, River Bend, Industries, LLC, Master Molded Products, LLC and 3D Plastics, LLC, have agreed to pay $3,295,129.76 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for which they were not eligible. Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses through the PPP, which the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administered. The PPP provided for loans in two “draws”—first draw loans became available in March 2020, with a second draw announced in January 2021. Businesses were required to certify on their loan applications that they met certain size standards based on, for example, the number of employees they, and their affiliated entities, collectively employed. QP Holdings’ affiliates each received a second-draw PPP loan. As part of the settlement , QP Holdings and its affiliates acknowledge that they were ineligible for their PPP loans because they exceeded the applicable business size standards for second-draw loans. The affiliates sought and received forgiveness from SBA for the full amount of their second-draw loans. The settlement credits the QP Holdings Entities for cooperation under the Department of Justice’s Guidelines for Taking Voluntary Disclosure, Cooperation, and Remediation into Account in False Claims Act Matters. The claims resolved in today’s settlement include claims that were brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under the Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. QP Holdings, LLC, et al., No. 24-cv-12001-NMG. As part of today’s resolution, the relator will receive 10% of the settlement amount. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and the U.S. Small Business Administration made the announcement today. Brian M. LaMacchia, Chief of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the matter.


title: Jasper County felon charged with federal firearms violation in Eastern District of Texas

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Jasper man has been charged with a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Kenneth Mitchell Woods, 28, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas this week charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Woods faces at least 15 years in federal prison. 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. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Jasper Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James. A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Jefferson County felon charged with federal firearms violation in Eastern District of Texas

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been charged with a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. David Earl Greer, Jr., 23, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas this week charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Greer faces at least 15 years in federal prison. 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. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James. A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Studio City Man Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Federal Prison for Scheme in Which Real Estate and Money Were Stolen Via Bogus Trusts

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man was sentenced today to 200 months in federal prison for breaking into an elderly man’s home, later stealing his jewelry and mail, then providing the victim’s personal identifying information (PII) to fellow criminals, who then joined him in looting the victim’s estate via a forged trust and power-of-attorney forms. Matthew Jason Kroth, 52, a.k.a. “Speedy,” of Studio City was sentenced by United States District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, who also ordered him to pay $1,947,051 in restitution. Kroth pleaded guilty in October 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He has been in federal custody since August 2023. According to his plea agreement and other court documents, Kroth in the summer of 2020 broke into the home of an elderly man, who was living alone in the house at the time. Later, Kroth returned to the victim’s home to steal items, including mail and jewelry. By this time, the victim had died, but his death went unreported to authorities. Kroth then provided to his co-conspirators the victim’s PII and his mail so they could impersonate the victim and steal his assets, including his home and money in his financial accounts. Kroth’s co-conspirators forged a trust document and power-of-attorney forms so that they could pretend that the now-deceased victim supported the sale of his assets for the benefit of Kroth’s accomplices. The conspirators then dismembered and disposed of the victim’s body so his death would be hard to discover. Kroth also received into a joint bank account held with a co-conspirator most of the proceeds of the sale of another victim’s real estate, which Kroth knew was fraudulent and had been carried out with forgeries. The co-conspirators – Kroth included – used interstate wire transfers to defraud their victims throughout the conspiracy, which lasted from at least 2020 until January 2023. “[Kroth] admitted that he had been surveilling [the victim’s] home because it looked uncared for, and therefore easy to rob,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[The victim] was alive and home when [Kroth] first broke into his residence, so [Kroth] used the ruse of performing a ‘welfare check’ to explain his presence in the house. Even though [Kroth] had encountered [the victim] during the first break in, [Kroth] went back months later to try again, by which time [the victim] had died. Rather than notify the authorities of [the victim’s] death, [Kroth] used it as an opportunity to steal not just his belongings as in a regular burglary, but his entire estate, including his home.” Kroth further admitted in his plea agreement that in January 2023 he knowingly possessed approximately 120 grams of methamphetamine along with cutting agents, a digital scale, ammunition, and baggies. Kroth possessed the methamphetamine intending to dilute it and sell it to other people. The total loss to the victims attributable to Kroth in the conspiracy is $1,947,051. Caroline Herrling, 46, of West Hills, who led the conspiracy after Kroth brought into it, is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence after she pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She has been in federal custody since January 2023. Another co-conspirator, James Rhys Kantor, 46, of Cumming, Georgia and a former resident of West Hollywood, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 19, at which time he will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Kantor pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Bureau Homicide investigated this matter. Significant assistance was provided by the Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Brown of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice .


title: Two Men Sentenced to Combined 80 years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking and Fentanyl Distribution

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: Two Arlington men were sentenced to a combined 80 years in federal prison for their roles in sex trafficking a juvenile female who had been reported as a runaway and to whom they supplied fentanyl, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. Jamal Howard, 52, was sentenced to 600 months on January 30, 2026, for Sex Trafficking Through Force Fraud and Coercion, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Distributing Fentanyl to a Person Under 21, and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. Renaldo Rojas, 27, was sentenced to 360 months for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Distributing Fentanyl to a person under 21 on January 15, 2026. Both men were indicted in June 2025 and pled guilty to the charges in October 2025. “Tragically, sex trafficking and drug trafficking are nearly always intertwined, escalating the horrific harm to victims in these cases,” said United States Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I applaud the tremendous work of HSI and Arlington Police Department that led to the victim’s rescue in this case. We embrace the difficult work removing prolific traffickers from our community’s streets and continue to pursue justice to the fullest extent against these types of offenders.” “This intensely gratifying 50-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Howard’s crimes and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to protect our children and our communities,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “The outcome is the result of outstanding teamwork and dedication from our agents, the Arlington Police Department, and our federal partners. Let this sentence serve as a warning: Those who traffic minors and distribute deadly narcotics will be brought to justice and face the full consequences of their actions.” According to plea documents, in late July 2024, a minor female had been reported as a runaway to the Arlington Police Department. Rojas provided the minor with fentanyl and sent Howard, a known trafficker, photos of the minor, offering to connect Howard with the minor in exchange for fentanyl. After providing bags of fentanyl pills to Rojas, Howard transported the minor victim to his apartment, supplied her with fentanyl, had her photographed, and posted commercial sex advertisements for the victim on a website used for engaging in commercial sex transactions. Court records show that Howard trafficked the victim to several individuals in late July through August 1, 2024. Howard also distributed fentanyl to Rojas during this period. Communications found on Howard’s phone reflect messages with Rojas discussing fentanyl transactions totaling more than 5,000 fentanyl pills. On August 1, 2024, members from the North Texas Trafficking Force, including agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Arlington Police Department, recovered the minor victim in an apartment in Arlington, Texas, along with evidence of Howard’s large-scale fentanyl distribution to Rojas and others. Two additional individuals were convicted and sentenced for their roles in Howard’s drug trafficking activity. Elnora Jordan, 63, of Arlington, Texas, pled guilty in October 2025 to conspiring to launder monetary instruments related to proceeds generated from Howard’s fentanyl sales. According to plea documents, Jordan accepted payments from Howard’s fentanyl customers using an app on her phone, transferred the funds to her bank account, and withdrew cash that she gave to Howard. She was sentenced on February 3, 2026, to 21 months in federal prison. Court records further reflect that Yolanda Gonzales, 23, of Hurst, Texas, was sentenced to twelve months in federal prison on January 22, 2026, after pleading guilty in October 2025 for using her cellphone to communicate with Howard about purchasing and distributing fentanyl. United States District Judge Mark T. Pittman sentenced each of the defendants. Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas and the Arlington Police Department conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allyson Monte.


title: Former Pinellas Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Crimes

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – Lee Hughes (46, Pinellas Park) has pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and receipt and possession of child sex abuse material. Hughes faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing date has not yet been set. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, Hughes communicated with an undercover officer online for months with the understanding the undercover officer had a 9-year-old daughter. Hughes expressed his specific explicit desire to sexually abuse the purported 9-year-old girl. During those conversations, he also sent explicit photos and videos of himself, which he requested be shown to the purported child. On May 1, 2025, Hughes arrived at a predetermined location with a purple teddy bear to engage in sexual activity with the 9-year-old girl. He was apprehended by the FBI on scene. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King. It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Inmates indicted for murder at Beaumont federal prison

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – Four federal inmates have been charged with murder in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Conrad Edward Nedd, also known as CJ, 41; Jeremy Crow, 32; Ramon James Ybarra, also known as Apache, 35; and Curtis Ray McClendon, 43; were named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas, charging them with murder. The indictment alleges that on November 21, 2025, the inmates were involved in an altercation resulting in the death of another inmate at the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont. If convicted, the defendants each face up to life in federal prison. This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross. A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Guyanese National Sentenced to 65 Months’ Imprisonment for Illegal Reentry

body_text: HARRISBURG-The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sean Allicock, age 53, a citizen of Guyana, who was illegally residing in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 65 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for illegally reentering the country after having previously been removed. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Allicock was indicted by a federal grand jury after being arrested for Theft by Unlawful Taking and related charges in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, on June 18, 2025. Allicock was previously convicted of illegal reentry in 2007. Allicock had previously been removed from the United States pursuant to a court order in 1998 and 2015. Allicock pleaded guilty to illegal reentry before being sentenced. The ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kelley K. McGraw prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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. Allicock still faces pending state charges in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. # # #


title: New Gloucester Man Pleads Guilty to Presenting Counterfeit Treasury Checks

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A New Gloucester man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to passing counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks and to a wire fraud scheme. According to court records, Keith Mitchell , 38, deposited eight counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks totaling $40,379 into his bank account in May and June of 2024. The checks contained the serial numbers and amounts of actual U.S. Treasury checks that had been issued to third parties, but were counterfeited to be made payable to Mitchell. In May of 2021, Mitchell also received $20,832 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds based on a false and fraudulent PPP loan application. The application falsely claimed that Mitchell owned a sole proprietorship business that had earned a gross revenue of $100,000 in 2020. Mitchell also submitted a falsified tax return in support of the application. Mitchell faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Paycheck Protection Program: The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the SBA that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP permitted participating third-party lenders to approve and disburse SBA-backed PPP loans to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were fully guaranteed by the SBA. ###


title: Fort Lauderdale Financial Advisor Sentenced to 20 Years for $94 Million International Investment Fraud Scheme

body_text: MIAMI – A Fort Lauderdale financial advisor was sentenced Monday to 240 months in federal prison for operating a decades-long international investment fraud scheme that defrauded international investors — primarily Venezuelan nationals — of more than $94 million. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra imposed the sentence on Andrew Hamilton Jacobus, 64, who previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. “This was a $94 million international fraud built on lies and broken trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “The defendant preyed on families, professionals, and faith-based institutions across our community and beyond. At 64 years old, he was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. That sentence reflects the real harm to victims and sends a clear message: sophisticated financial fraud will be exposed and punished in South Florida.” “Greed was Jacobus’s greatest tool — paired with a computer and a phone, it fueled a scheme that stole millions and shattered lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Florida Field Office. “IRS Special Agents will continue to work tirelessly to uncover financial fraud and deliver justice to victims.” According to court records, Jacobus falsely portrayed himself as a seasoned financial advisor managing legitimate investment portfolios while misappropriating investor funds for personal use and to pay purported returns to earlier investors in classic Ponzi-scheme fashion. After completing his education in engineering, Jacobus began a career in finance in the early 1990s. Over the years, he solicited funds through entities under his control, including Kronus Financial Corporation and Finser International Corporation, promising investors access to secure investment products and high-yield returns. In reality, Jacobus forged account statements, falsified financial documentation, and diverted client funds to support a lavish personal lifestyle and unrelated business ventures. Jacobus victimized more than 150 investors whose combined investments exceeded $90 million. His scheme spanned multiple continents, with victims located in South Florida, Venezuela, and Spain. Among those defrauded were lawyers, doctors, members of the Venezuelan Archdiocese, former employees, and members of his own family. More than 20 victims appeared in court for the sentencing hearing, with an additional 80 victims participating remotely. U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge Loecker made the announcement. IRS-CI, Florida Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitch Hyman is handling asset forfeiture. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 25-cr-20309. ###


title: Postal carrier pleads guilty to stealing gift cards

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Matthew Hurlburt, 25, of Pavilion, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to theft of mail by an officer or employee of the United States Postal Service, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Irvin Jefferson, who is handling the case, stated that Hurlburt was employed by the United States Postal Service as a city carrier assigned to the Perry Post Office, in Perry, NY. In July 2025, an individual mailed a birthday card that included a $100 Visa gift card to Perry, but it never arrived. Subsequent investigation determined that the gift card was utilized multiple times at a gas station and a restaurant by Hurlburt. In August 2025, investigators placed an integrity test envelope containing a $25.00 Visa gift card in Hurlburt’s assigned mail delivery tray. The envelope was labeled with an insufficient/no such number destinating address and should have been returned to the Post Office by Hurlburt at the end of his shift. Hurlburt did not return the envelope, instead he utilized the gift card at two different gas stations. The plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent-in-Charge Northeast Field Office. Sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2026, before Judge Vilardo. # # # #


title: Baltimore County Man Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than a Half Million Dollars in COVID-19 Cares Act Loans

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced a Baltimore County man to federal prison today, in connection with submitting fraudulent CARES Act loan applications. Judge Bennett sentenced Edward McCorkle, 37, to two years in prison, followed by six months of home detention, and then three years of supervised release, for one count of wire fraud. McCorkle pled guilty to the federal charges back on September 15, 2025. Judge Bennett also ordered McCorkle to pay $523,500 in restitution. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office, and Chief Robert O. McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — a federal law enacted in March 2020 — provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It gives financial assistance including forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses. Established by the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) — administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA) — along with the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), helped businesses meet their financial obligations. According to his plea agreement, beginning in May 2020, and continuing through February 2021 in the District of Maryland, McCorkle engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions — including Cross River Bank and the SBA — to obtain fraudulent loans for various purported businesses that he previously established under the PPP and EIDL program. McCorkle ultimately fraudulently obtained more than $523,000 as part of this scheme while attempting to obtain a total of $946,500. He used the fraudulently obtained funds for multiple impermissible purposes, including numerous personal expenses, large cash withdrawals, and to purchase and rehabilitate real estate in Baltimore City. The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and BCPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the case, and recognized Paralegal Specialists Juliette Jarman and Joanna B.N. Huber, for their valuable assistance. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Illinois Man Sentenced to 216 Months in Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: HAMMOND- United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund sentenced Robert Crayton, 48 years old, of Evanston, Illinois, to 216 months in prison after Crayton was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Crayton was sentenced to 216 months in prison followed by 6 years of supervised release. On March 14, 2023, officers of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department stopped Robert Crayton on I-65. During a search of Crayton’s car, officers found approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine hidden behind the center console and under the front passenger area floor mat. Crayton’s travel plans showed that he had flown from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Atlanta, Georgia and was driving back to Illinois when apprehended by law enforcement. Crayton has two prior felony drug distribution convictions, including a prior federal conviction for distribution of crack cocaine near a public elementary school. This case was investigated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and Drug Enforcement Administration’s Merrillville Field Office, with assistance from Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Central Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Toth and Ambris Saravanan.


title: Grand jury indicts Columbus man for threatening to kill federal agents

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was indicted today and charged federally for allegedly threatening on social media to kill federal immigration agents. Justin Mesael Novoa, 21, is charged in a two-count indictment with threatening to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer and with making threatening interstate communications. Novoa was originally charged by criminal complaint on Jan. 22. According to charging documents, HSI received information in December 2025 regarding threats to ICE employees on the social media platform X. Investigation revealed that, in June 2025, Novoa allegedly posted: “they should blast every ice agent they find.” Later, in November 2025, Novoa allegedly posted “can’t wait to shoot these p***y ice agents and r******d maga maggots.” Novoa used the screennames “Lord of Frenzied Flame” and “Father2High.” Federal agents executed a search warrant at Novoa’s residence in December 2025 and seized multiple firearms, including two rifles, two shotguns and one handgun, as well as ammunition. Novoa also possessed two helmets and a body armor vest. Threatening to kill a federal officer is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Making threatening interstate communications carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jared Murphey, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Prichard is representing the United States in this case. An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: Lame Deer man sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault and gun charges on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BILLINGS – A Lame Deer man who committed an assault with a firearm on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 10 years and 1 day in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. Jerray Eugene Rowland, 29, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that on July 15, 2023, Rowland and others were driving around and drinking. They stopped at a house to obtain more alcohol. The victim, John Doe, had been drinking at a nearby residence and was walking down the road. Doe encountered Rowland and a female. Rowland and/or the female said Doe was the man who had shot their father. Rowland then said he was “[father’s] oldest boy.” Rowland pulled out a pistol and shot Doe. In 2017, Doe shot Rowland’s father and law enforcement determined the shooting was in self-defense. Doe told law enforcement Rowland shot him with a 9mm firearm. Officers recovered a 9mm shell casing at the scene and, later, a 9mm bullet from Doe’s hospital room. Doe was shown a photo array of five individuals, including Rowland, and identified Rowland as the man who shot him. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, BIA and Northern Cheyenne Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Long Island Assistant High School Lacrosse Coach Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Joseph Garofalo pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. At the time of the offense, the defendant was an assistant high school lacrosse coach on Long Island. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury. When sentenced, Garofalo faces a minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea. “This case is a stark reminder that those entrusted with the care and mentorship of children must be held to the highest standards. Our Office will relentlessly pursue predators like this defendant who victimize the most vulnerable members of our society,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to protect victims and hold sexual predators accountable.” “Joseph Garofalo, an assistant high school coach, exploited more than 30 minors by blackmailing them into sending multiple sexually explicit photos and videos through social media threads,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle. “Garofalo, entrusted with the care and development of young teenagers, violated this trust when he victimized these children to fulfill his perverted wants. The FBI will continue to hold accountable those who manipulate their positions of authority to target vulnerable victims.” As set forth in court filings, while employed as an assistant lacrosse coach at a local Long Island high school, the defendant used social media platforms to engage in sexually explicit conversations with minors. The defendant threatened to share naked photos and videos of the minors unless they sent more naked photos or sent explicit media of their friends, which is colloquially known as “sextortion.” For example, the defendant told one minor to send naked photos of the minor’s friends or the defendant would not delete naked photos that he had of the minor. The defendant also consistently uploaded child sex abuse material (CSAM) files to the internet. On April 18, 2025, the FBI executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence, at which time the FBI interviewed the defendant, who admitted that he controlled the social media account that solicited CSAM from minors, solicited minors for CSAM, and had CSAM on his electronic devices. During the course of the investigation, the FBI seized electronic devices and recovered electronic evidence from social media platforms that contained evidence regarding approximately 30 minor victims. This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, 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 . Anyone with information about sexual exploitation by the defendant is asked to contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 212-384-1000. The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorney Adam R. Toporovsky is in charge of the prosecution with assistance from paralegal specialist Janelle Robinson. The Defendant : JOSEPH GAROFALO Age: 21 Valley Stream, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-005 (NJC)


title: Titus County drug trafficker convicted of supplying deadly fentanyl-laced pills

body_text: TYLER, Texas – A Mount Pleasant man has been found guilty of federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Jaquavion Markeith Veasley, 36, was found guilty by a jury of five counts of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The verdict was reached on February 4, 2026, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle. According to information presented in court, beginning in 2023, Veasley conspired with others to distribute illegal narcotics that he knew to be laced with fentanyl resulting in the death of at least two individuals. “The law designates illicit fentanyl as a narcotic, but illicit fentanyl is also a weapon of mass destruction,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “Veasley’s greed turned the fentanyl he sold into a deadly weapon which destroyed two lives and forever altered the lives of the victims’ families. In the Eastern District of Texas, we cherish our duty to defend this great nation and its citizens. Those who spread this poison in our communities should be on notice that we will not stand for it.” “This conviction underscores that federal drug trafficking is not a victimless crime, it is inherently violent and deadly,” said the Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner of ATF’s Dallas Field Division. “The distribution of fentanyl fuels addiction, drives violent crime, and destroys families and communities. ATF will continue to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners to target those who traffic in these lethal substances and hold them fully accountable under federal law.” “The Mount Pleasant Police Department is committed to actively pursuing those responsible for causing the deaths of others through the distribution of narcotics,” said Chief of Police Mark Buhman. “We are thankful for the support of our fellow partners in law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work in holding Veasley accountable.” At sentencing, Veasley faces at least 20 years and up to life in federal prison. The statutory sentencing range prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Texas Department of Public Safety; and the Mount Pleasant Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucas Machicek and Emil Mikkelsen. ###