title: Owner of Three North Shore Restaurants Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – The owner and operator of three restaurants in Salem, Peabody and Seabrook (N.H.) was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for defrauding the Internal Revenue Service of federal employment taxes and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of state meals taxes over a six-year period. John Drivas, 66, of Hampton, N.H., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julia E. Kobick to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Drivas was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,596,775 to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and $439,341 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in addition to a $20,000 fine. In September 2024, Drivas pleaded guilty to five counts of failure to collect and pay over employment taxes owed to the IRS and four counts of wire fraud for state meals taxes he collected from restaurant customers but failed to pay to the state Department of Revenue. Between January 2016 to October 2022, Drivas was the owner and operator of three restaurants: Red’s Sandwich Shop in Salem, Red’s Kitchen and Tavern in Peabody and Red’s Seabrook in Seabrook, N.H. He was the sole shareholder of the Salem restaurant until he sold it to an employee in September 2022. He was the 100% owner of the Peabody restaurant with his wife and the 52% owner of the Seabrook restaurant with his children. From at least January 2017 to June 2022, Drivas paid “under-the-table” wages of $1,496,417 to multiple restaurant employees and did not report those wages to the IRS or pay employment taxes on them. Federal tax law requires employers to withhold from any employee wages an amount for income taxes and other amounts for Social Security and Medicare taxes. Drivas caused more than $439,000 in employment tax losses. Drivas also collected the state and local “meals taxes” paid by restaurant customers, which he failed to pay over to the state as required by law. In Massachusetts, all owners and operators of restaurants and bars are required to collect 6.25 sales taxes on meals. Salem and Peabody also require restaurants and bars to collect an additional 0.75% local option meals excise tax. Although Drivas collected the taxes from restaurant customers, he intentionally withheld $1,596,775 of those taxes from monthly reports and payments owed to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office and Katherine Mulligan, Chief of Investigations for the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Criminal Investigations Bureau. Assistant United States Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Assaulting United States Postal Worker

component: Department of Justice

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Springfield, Illinois, man, Larry French Jr., 23, was sentenced on January 14, 2025, to eighteen months in federal prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, for assaulting a United States Postal Service employee. At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless, the government presented evidence that on May 15, 2024, French punched a United States postal carrier in the face after the carrier attempted to stop French from battering his sister on a public street in Springfield. French was involved in a physical altercation with his sister in the roadway, which prevented the USPS carrier from driving through an intersection. When the carrier yelled that the police were going to be called, French approached the carrier and punched the carrier through an open window in the delivery vehicle. The carrier suffered injuries that will require corrective surgery. At the hearing, Judge Lawless said that French acted irrationally when he punched the victim and that his actions caused the victim serious bodily injury. Judge Lawless noted that the victim acted as a Good Samaritan in stopping the initial attack and by trying to call law enforcement. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging French with the assault in July 2024, and French pleaded guilty in September 2024. He has remained in the custody of the United States Marshal since his arrest. The statutory penalties for assaulting a federal officer are up to twenty years of imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Springfield Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore represented the government in the prosecution.


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A Springfield, Mass. man was sentenced yesterday for drug trafficking and possession of a firearm and ammunition. William Scott, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In September 2024, Scott pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking felonies. On Oct. 12, 2023, Scott possessed cocaine intended for distribution and a Glock .380 semi-automatic handgun after being convicted of a felony. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers; and Brian A. Kyes, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.


title: American Express Agrees to Pay More Than $138 Million to Resolve Wire Fraud Investigation In Connection With The Sales And Marketing Of Wire Products

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Judy Philips, Acting Attorney for the United States for the Eastern District of New York and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), announced today that American Express Company (AMEX) has entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York (the Office), and has agreed to pay more than $138 million for engaging in sales practices that provided inaccurate tax advice to customers and potential customers of AMEX for two wire products, Payroll Rewards and Premium Wire (PR/PW). Under the terms of the NPA, AMEX agreed to pay a criminal fine of $77,696,000 and forfeit a total of $60,700,000. The NPA requires AMEX to continue to cooperate with and provide information to the Office for at least the 36-month term of the agreement. In the event that AMEX violates the NPA, the Office may prosecute AMEX for any of the conduct that gave rise to the NPA and any newly discovered criminal activity. Separately, AMEX has entered a civil settlement with the Department of Justice’s Civil Division Fraud Section (Civil Frauds) related to the tax-avoidance scheme, for which AMEX has agreed to pay a $60,700,000 civil penalty. The Office and Civil Frauds have each agreed to credit approximately $30,350,000 of the forfeiture amount and civil fine to their respective resolutions. “Financial institutions like American Express have no business pitching inaccurate tax avoidance schemes to sell products and turn a quick profit,” stated Acting Attorney for the United States Philips. “This resolution ensures that American Express will be held financially accountable for the unacceptable conduct of its sales employees in misrepresenting the tax benefits of these products.” Ms. Philips expressed her appreciation to Civil Frauds and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors for their work on the case. “American Express misled their customers by touting tax breaks that simply didn’t exist. This deceitful marketing campaign that involved hundreds of employees defrauding their customers and the government, resulted in AMEX paying more than $138 million to cover their deceit. Regardless of a company’s size, every business is required to comply with the laws of this nation, including all tax laws,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis. The Improper Sales and Marketing of PR/PW In approximately April 2018, AMEX launched “Payroll Rewards,” a wire product that allowed business customers to pay their payroll via a direct payment from an AMEX account. AMEX charged a percentage-based fee—ranging from 1.77% to 3.5%—based on the size of the wire, even though, at the time, competitors offered wiring services for nominal fees of $0 to $50, irrespective of the size of the wire. In exchange for AMEX’s fee, customers earned one Membership Reward (MR) point for each $1 of the wire, which could be deposited into any personal or business account at AMEX. In May 2019, Payroll Rewards was expanded to include Premium Wire, thereby allowing customers to use the products for wire payments beyond payroll. Whereas Payroll Rewards underwent a compliance and legal review process at AMEX, Premium Wire was determined to be a spin-off product, and only underwent a limited review process. PR/PW were sold within the AMEX divisions Global Commercial Services, which offered corporate credit cards and financial services, and FX International Payments, which offered foreign and domestic wire transfer services. AMEX’s official marketing material for PR/PW listed benefits of the products as being, chiefly, the ability to earn MR and utilize AMEX’s “white glove service” in connection with customer wiring needs. The official marketing materials also contained the disclaimer: “The value of the [MR] may be taxable income to the Card Member and the Card Member is responsible for any federal or state taxes resulting from the [MR].” In practice, however, the products were marketed as a means to generate tax savings. The products were primarily marketed to small and mid-size businesses that valued a reduced tax burden over increased profitability. Customers were advised: first, that the fees were tax-deductible as a business expense, and thereby had the effect of lowering their overall profit and taxable income; second, that they otherwise would have paid taxes on the fees, so the true cost of the fees had to be evaluated in the context of their effective tax rate; and, third, that the MR received in exchange for the transaction was earned tax-free (the Pitch). As a result, the value of the MR outweighed the true cost of the fees adjusted to account for the tax savings they generated. The Pitch relied on incorrect tax advice, namely, that the wiring fee was deductible in its entirety as a business expense. Business expenses must be “ordinary” and “necessary.” Incurring a wiring fee—far in excess of that offered by competitors in the marketplace—for the purpose of generating a personal benefit is not an “ordinary” and “necessary” business expense. AMEX did not consult with tax professionals to verify the tax advice being offered. In early 2021, as concerns grew regarding the way PR/PW was marketed, an internal investigation commenced, which ultimately resulted in the termination of approximately 200 employees. In the summer of 2021, AMEX stopped enrolling new customers in the products. In September 2021, a cap was instituted of $280,000 per wire sent. In November 2021, the products were discontinued entirely. The Non-Prosecution Agreement AMEX has agreed to pay a fine of $77,696,000 and forfeit $60,700,000, which represents the net revenue that could reasonably be attributed to the sale of PR/PW. The Office reached this resolution with AMEX after carefully weighing all the factors relevant to the appropriate corporate resolution, including the nature and seriousness of the offense. The NPA recognizes that AMEX voluntarily took substantial remedial measures beginning in 2021 to mitigate and correct the sales and marketing practices described above and improving compliance measures, including terminating employees involved in the misconduct, discontinuing PR/PW, and making significant improvements to AMEX’s product approval and internal audit processes. AMEX also has no prior criminal history in the past 18 years. Furthermore, AMEX has cooperated with the Office in its investigation and has agreed to continue to cooperate fully with the Office. The agreement announced today is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS-CI. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section in coordination with the Office’s Bank Integrity Task Force, which is charged with investigating and charging corporate and individual actors who launder criminal proceeds using the U.S. banking system and enforcing anti-money laundering controls under the Bank Secrecy Act. Assistant United States Attorneys Hiral D. Mehta, Gillian Kassner and Tara McGrath, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian D. Morris prosecuted the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Timothy Migliaro. The Defendant : amex_npa_agreement_print.pdf AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY


title: Falmouth Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Embezzling more than $1.3 Million

body_text: BOSTON – The former bookkeeper for a Falmouth flooring company was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for embezzling more than $1.3 million from her employer. Susan Figuerido, 73, of Falmouth, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to two years in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Figuerido was also ordered to pay $1,714,921.01 in restitution. In October 2025, Figuerido pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing a false tax return. Between June 2015 and February 2023, Figuerido embezzled more than $1.3 million from her employer by writing checks to herself drawn on her employer’s bank account. To conceal her scheme, Figuerido did not record the checks that she wrote to herself in her employer’s accounting system. Figuerido did not report or include the funds that she embezzled on her federal income tax filings, resulting in a tax loss of approximately $353,000. U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. The Falmouth Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Owner of Oregon Tree Company Indicted for Employment Tax Crimes and Not Filing Tax Returns

component: Tax Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in Portland, Oregon, returned an indictment earlier this week charging a business owner with not paying employment taxes and not filing tax returns. According to the indictment, Joyce Leard, of Boring, Oregon, owned and operated Mr. Tree Inc., a Happy Valley, Oregon-based company that provided tree removal and landscaping services to customers. Between 2018 and 2020, Mr. Tree allegedly employed approximately 50 to 75 employees. Leard was allegedly responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from her employees’ wages and paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. She was also responsible for filing quarterly tax returns with the IRS. From the fourth quarter of 2018 through the fourth quarter of 2020, Leard allegedly withheld approximately $655,000 from employees’ wages but did not pay over all those funds to the IRS or file quarterly tax returns as required by law. Instead of paying all the funds over, Leard allegedly purchased real estate that was titled in her name. Finally, according to the indictment, Leard did not file individual tax returns for 2018 through 2020, as required by law. If convicted, Leard faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each employment tax charge and a maximum penalty of one year in prison for each failure to file a return charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys J. Parker Gochenour and Megan E. Wessel of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former Army Officer and JAG Attorney Sentenced for Destruction of U.S. Army Property and Lying to Federal Investigators

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: LYNCHBURG, Va. – A former Army officer and attorney assigned to the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (JAG School) in Charlottesville, Virginia, was sentenced today to 54 months in federal prison on multiple federal charges related to his destruction of U.S. Army property and subsequent false statements to federal investigators. Manfredo Martin-Michael Madrigal, 38, formerly of Charlottesville, Va., pled guilty in July 2024 to one count of destruction of U.S. Army materials and three counts of making a false statement. According to court documents, in February 2022, Madrigal was assigned to a staff position at the JAG School in the Training Developments Directorate, whose mission was to design and develop training products for the JAG Corps and the Army. Madrigal possessed an active security clearance and previously served overseas on sensitive operations. In early 2022, Madrigal was under investigation by the U.S. Army and the JAG School for failing to report a previous arrest for driving under the influence (DUI). While his Army investigation was pending, Madrigal deleted, without authorization, online JAG training materials and filmed himself doing so while graphically describing his ill-will towards the Army. The FBI’s investigation also revealed that Madrigal made a phone call to the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C. the same night that he deleted the training materials and then texted a witness that Russia wanted to know what he knew. On February 22, 2022, Madrigal was discharged from the JAG School and claimed in his exit paperwork that he had no unreported contact with a foreign national. In April and May 2022, Madrigal was interviewed by the FBI about his actions. In these interviews, Madrigal made multiple false statements regarding his actions, including denying any involvement in the deletion of materials and that he only learned of the deletion from a coworker, as well as falsely denying his contact with a foreign national at the Embassy. Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee of the Western District of Virginia and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Attorneys Katie Burroughs Medearis, Vito A. Iaia, Sean M. Welsh, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Joyce are prosecuting the case for the United States.


title: Hopi Law Enforcement Services Officer Recognized for Exceptional Valor in the Line of Duty

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Hopi Law Enforcement Services (HLES) Officer Tony Pawasiema was honored on Monday at the U.S. Attorney’s Law Enforcement Awards ceremony for his exceptional valor. Officer Pawasiema was recognized for rendering life-saving aid to a man who shot him. In 2023, Officer Pawasiema was investigating a burglary call in Sichomovi Village on the Hopi Reservation when he was shot in the chest. Officer Pawasiema returned fire, striking his assailant. He then rendered life-saving aid to the shooter until additional help arrived. Fortunately, Officer Pawasiema was not seriously injured. Officer Pawasiema was celebrated by members of his family, HLES, and tribal leadership. As one of only a few HLES officers serving a large geographic area, Officer Pawasiema faces a number of challenges. Despite being fired upon more than once in his six-year career, Officer Pawasiema continues to serve the Hopi community with distinction. RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-006_HLES Officer Pawasiema Valor Award # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to COVID Relief Fraud and Social Security Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fraudulently obtaining and misusing COVID-19 relief funds and stealing Social Security benefits totaling over $200,000. Randolph Dominguez, 57, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of theft of government money. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2025. In June 2020, Dominguez submitted a loan application on behalf of an interpreter business he owned and operated, Dominguez SP Interpreters, to the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which provided loans to small businesses that suffered substantial economic injury due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dominguez fraudulently obtained $74,900 in EIDL funds from the SBA in July 2020 when he claimed falsely on his EIDL application that his gross business revenue was $600,000 the previous year, when it was only $16,989. Further, Dominguez improperly spent all of the EIDL funds received on non-business expenses. Separately, from April 2001 through April 2023, Dominguez stole approximately $163,642 in Social Security benefits. Dominguez’s father was receiving Social Security benefits at the time of his death in March 2001. His death was never reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the agency continued to pay monthly benefits on his behalf. Dominguez used his deceased father’s debit card to withdraw the improperly paid benefits at ATMs and to make purchases more than 22 years after his death. 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 or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Miami-Based Real Estate Broker Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Violate Russia-Ukraine Sanctions and to Commit Money Laundering

component: Criminal Division

body_text: Miami real estate broker Roman Sinyavsky pleaded guilty today to engaging in a scheme to violate U.S. sanctions and commit money laundering by conducting transactions involving blocked properties owned by sanctioned Russian oligarchs Viktor Perevalov and Valeri Abramov. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Perevalov and Abramov for conduct including owning and operating VAD, AO, a Russia-based construction company responsible for constructing the Tavrida Highway in the Russian-occupied Crimea Region of Ukraine. Perevalov was designated again by OFAC in December 2024 for operating in the construction sector of the Russian economy. As described in court documents, from in or around January 2018 through in or around March 2023, Sinyavsky conspired with others to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and commit money laundering by maintaining, transferring, selling, and leasing several luxury condominiums in the Miami area that Perevalov and Abramov owned and by collecting, sharing, and using the proceeds to maintain the properties. Sinyavsky faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. As part of the plea agreement, Sinyavsky agreed to forfeit the proceeds he received from the scheme totaling $182,442.45. On Feb. 22, 2024, the United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleging that two luxury condominiums owned by Perevalov are subject to forfeiture based on the unlawful transactions. On Jan. 6, the court ordered forfeiture of $1.8 million representing the proceeds from the sales of those properties. Abramov’s property was sold in June 2018. Concurrent with today’s guilty plea, OFAC announced a separate settlement with Sinyavsky and his real estate company Family International Realty LLC in connection with a related, parallel proceeding. Under the terms of that resolution, Sinyavsky and his company have agreed to pay a civil penalty of approximately $1,076,923. In recognition of the amount Sinyavsky has agreed to forfeit in connection with today’s guilty plea, OFAC will credit the forfeiture against its civil penalty. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Miami Field Office is investigating the case with assistance from the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided valuable assistance. Trial Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Lindsay Gorman of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Trial Attorney Joshua E. Kurland of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Rubin for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that, beginning in 2014, the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.


title: Former Gary Mayor Sentenced for Wire Fraud

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: HAMMOND – Jerome Prince, age 60, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his plea of guilty to an Information charging wire fraud announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. According to documents in the case, Prince, who served from 2020 to 2023 as Mayor of Gary, Indiana, illegally used approximately $26,750 of his campaign committee funds for a non-campaign purpose of financing the purchase of his personal residence. “By entering into a plea agreement to the criminal Information, former Mayor Prince demonstrated that he accepted responsibility for his criminal conduct,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “It is in the best interests of our society, the citizens of the Northern District of Indiana, and criminal defendants themselves, when individuals swiftly and completely accept responsibility for their crimes, as Mr. Prince did here. I want to thank the FBI for the thorough investigation which supported this prosecution.” “Serving the public as mayor is a privilege, not an opportunity to exploit the position for personal gain. This sentence should send a clear message that public officials who betray the trust of their communities will be held accountable for their actions,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI is committed to investigating and uncovering corruption at all levels of government and will continue to work diligently to ensure those who engage in illegal conduct face responsibility for their decisions.” The United States Attorney continues to urge the public to come forward and contact the United States Attorney’s Office ( usainn.pctips@usdoj.gov ) or the FBI in Merrillville, Indiana 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) if they have information related to public corruption within the Northern District of Indiana. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin F. Wolff and Philip C. Benson.


title: Prominent D.C. Rapper ‘Migo Lee,’ a Leader in the KDY Drug Trafficking Crew, Sentenced to 168 Months in Federal Prison

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

body_text: WASHINGTON – Khali Ahmed Brown, 23, and Keion Michael Brown, 21, brothers from Washington D.C. and members of the violent Kennedy Street Crew (KDY), were sentenced today for their roles in a massive drug trafficking organization that operated open-air markets in Northwest Washington D.C. Khali Brown, aka rapper “Migo Lee,” pleaded guilty on September 20, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, fentanyl, and oxycodone. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and to assault with a dangerous weapon. U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell today sentenced Khali Brown to 168 months in federal prison and ordered him to serve five years of supervised release. Keion Brown, pleaded guilty on September 20, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and oxycodone and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Judge Howell sentenced Keion Brown today to 147 months in federal prison and ordered him to serve five years of supervised release. The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Washington Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Washington D.C. Field Office. According to court documents, KDY members operated open-air drug markets on an 11-block stretch of Kennedy Street in Northwest Washington, D.C., as well as surrounding streets. Like many drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), KDY armed itself with fire power to facilitate the drug trade and defend its territory from rival crews. As Migo Lee, Khali Brown served as the leading public face for the Kennedy Street Crew, functioning as a driver of escalating crew-related violence through beefs incited through his social media activity and music videos. The music videos put a finer point on the dangerousness he presents. Generally, in his videos, Khali Brown glorified violence, referring to himself by the tagline used among KDY crew members, “young and violent”, and/or characterizing himself as part of “Seal Team 6” or “ST6”, evoking militaristic tactics to eliminate the opposition. He is notorious for producing “diss” music videos taunting rival crew members, including those who have been murdered. In addition, by Khali Brown’s admission, he is accountable for trafficking no greater than 40 grams of fentanyl; no greater than 125 grams of oxycodone; and more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, but no more than 2,000 kilos of marijuana. The converted drug weight for these quantities of narcotics, under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, was at least 1,000 kilograms but no greater than 3,000 kilograms. Khali Brown’s role as a drug trafficker for KDY is further documented in a review of his social media activity, along with his travel patterns and encounters with law enforcement. Khali Brown regularly utilized Instagram to advertise his narcotics, most predominantly pills, for sale. Independent of the ads, Khali Brown also regularly boasted on social media about the spoils of his drug trafficking. Early in the morning of October 10, 2022, Prince Georges County police were called for a report of a shooting at a stash house in Bowie, Maryland that Khali Brown maintained. After executing a search warrant, law enforcement recovered three firearms, as well as numerous live rounds of ammunition, firearms accessories, and large capacity magazines. Overall, throughout the residence, officers found and seized nearly $47,000 in cash. In addition, law enforcement seized 103 pounds of marijuana stored in hardshell luggage; 66.2 grams of crack cocaine; and an aggregate of 106.4 grams of oxycodone pills and 79.6 grams of methamphetamine pills. Khali Brown, his brothers Keion and Miasiah, as well as co-conspirator Jovan Williams, lived in the Bowie, MD, house. Despite the Browns’ mother denying to police that anyone had been injured during the shooting, responding officers noticed multiple bullet holes in the living room window, blood on the living room floor, spent shell casings, and a trail of blood near the front door. Khali Brown’s social media activity led law enforcement to confirm another of his stash houses, this one on the 1700 block of D Street, NE. On the morning of January 26, 2023, DEA and ATF agents conducted an interdiction at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), where Khali Brown and several other KDY members were stopped as they returned on a redeye flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) smuggling bulk quantities of marijuana. At BWI, Khali Brown and codefendant Herman Signou managed to evade law enforcement, but surveilling ATF agents followed their vehicle to the residence on D Street NE. MPD officers watched as the two men entered the house with two pieces of luggage. Law enforcement compared open-source photos of the interior of the house to the Instagram stories posted by Khali Brown, and noticed distinct characteristics of the living room that were also present in his Instagram ads. When officers entered the D Street home, they found Khali Brown along with two of his brothers and three other co-defendants. Scattered throughout the basement of the stash house officers found 10 loaded firearms, two of which were machine guns. Four of those firearms were found in a suitcase resembling one officers had seen Khali Brown had been seen with as he entered the house earlier in the day. The suitcase also contained bulk quantities of marijuana, 351 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, and 50 oxycodone pills. Khali Brown’s DNA was included on two of the 10 firearms law enforcement recovered from the D Street residence: a Glock 17 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number equipped with a machine gun conversion device that was used in the November 18, 2022, shooting at Jackson-Reed High School in Northwest D.C.; and a Glock 29 10 mm pistol equipped with an extended magazine. The DNA of Keion Brown, Khali’s brother and codefendant, was included on three firearms, including a Glock 45 9mm handgun equipped with an extended magazine. The Glock 4 was linked to two shootings on October 10, 2022, one in Takoma Park and another in Southeast Washington D.C. On June 26, 2023, Khali Brown was arrested with his co-defendants, Tristan “Greedy” Ware and Miasiah Brown, at a known stash house at Fifth and O Streets NW where both Khali and Miasiah Brown had been observed by law enforcement conducting narcotics transactions. Law enforcement was able to identify the apartment as being associated with Khali Brown based upon a music video he published shortly before his arrest. Agents found six loaded firearms concealed within the apartment, four of which were machine guns; a high-capacity drum magazine; nearly $3,000 in cash; and numerous bags containing about 3.5 kilograms of marijuana packaged for distribution. This investigation was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, the DEA’s Washington Division, ATF’s Washington Field Division, with assistance from FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the IRS-Criminal Investigation Washington, D.C. Office. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey and Sitara Witanachchi, of the of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. DEFENDANTS NAME AGE CHARGES/SENTENCES Kenneth Ademola Olugbenga 27 Pleaded Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or more of Cocaine Base, and a Detectable Amount of Marijuana; and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. Sentencing is scheduled for February 28, 2025. Khali Ahmed Brown, aka “Migo Lee” 23 Sentenced January 16, 2025, to 168 Months after Pleading Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Oxycodone; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense; and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. Keion Michael Brown 21 Sentenced January 16, 2025, to 147 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and Oxycodone and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Miasiah Jamal Brown, aka “Michael Jamal Crawford” 21 Sentenced August 16, 2024, to Five Years for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Tristan Miles Ware, aka “Greedy” 23 Sentenced December 13, 2024, to 120 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilos of Marijuana; and Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime. Jovan Williams, aka “Chewy” and “Choo” 20 Pleaded Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and Armed Carjacking. Sentencing is scheduled for January 24, 2025. Herman Eric-Bibmin Signou, aka “Herman Signour” 23 Sentenced March 22, 2024, to 40 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 100 Kilograms of More of Marijuana Cameron Xavier Reid 26 Sentenced May 31, 2024, to 60 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms of More of Marijuana. Warren Lawrence Fields, III, aka B-Dub 26 Sentenced May 16, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Offense and for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Juwan Demetrius Clark, aka “Squirrel” 28 Sentenced January 10, 2025, to 37 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Aaron DeAndre Mercer, aka “Curby,” 27 Sentenced September 13, 2024, to 120 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Marijuana, and Cocaine Base. David Penn, aka “Turtle” 31 Sentenced November 15, 2024, to 220 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl, and a Mixture of Cocaine Base; and Two Counts of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. Ronald Lynn Dorsey, aka “Ron G” and “HBGeezy” 29 Sentenced September 13, 2024, to 30 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Antonio Reginald Bailey, aka “Boy Boy,” and “Fellow King” 22 Sentenced February 8, 2024, to 24 Months for Receiving a Firearm While Under Indictment. Anthony Trayon Bailey, aka “Fat Ant,” and “Bizzle” 27 Sentenced April 26, 2024, to 15 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana, 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base. Angel Enrique Suncar, aka “Coqui” 29 Sentenced December 12, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime. Adebayo Adediji Green 30 Sentenced August 16, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Defendant Cameron Reid is from Falmouth, VA; all remaining defendants are from Washington, D.C. Examples of Khali Brown’s public advertisements of narcotics, in the form of Instagram Stories. Khali Brown also boasted of his drug trafficking earnings on social media, as seen in these postings to Instagram. Khali Brown also regularly posted photographs of his drug inventory. Khali Brown maintained a stash house in Bowie, Maryland. Secreted within the walls in his sleeping area was a separate hardshell suitcase, containing various drum magazines, a pistol conversion kit to convert a handgun into a short barrel rifle, additional opioids, and a digital scale. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Khali Brown’s stash house in Bowie, MD, and seized over 100 pounds of marijuana in hardshell suitcases. The weapons, narcotics, and cash seized on Oct. 10, 2022, at Khali Brown’s stash house in Bowie, MD. Law enforcement seized 10 firearms, including two machine guns, marijuana, and assorted narcotics on January 23, 2023, at Khali Brown’s stash house on the 1700 block of D Street, NE. 23cr0202


title: Morrisdale Woman Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Morrisdale, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Jennifer Quick, 50, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to Count Two of a Superseding Indictment and Counts One and Two of an Indictment. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around October 2019 to January 2020, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Quick conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Quick was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of methamphetamine that she distributed to others. Further, from in and around February 2023 to March 2023, Quick conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for May 8, 2025. On Count Two of the Superseding Indictment, the law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. On Counts One and Two of the Indictment, the law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Quick. Additional agencies participating in this investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; United States Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office; Erie County District Attorney’s Office; Millcreek Police Department; Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: New Jersey Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Juan Aquino, 53 years old, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Aquino was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in December 2023 Aquino obtained four kilograms of cocaine from Colorado and was transporting it back to New Jersey in hidden vehicle compartments when he was stopped by law enforcement on the Indiana Toll Road. At the time of the offense, Aquino was on court release awaiting the start of a 63-month term of federal imprisonment for distributing fentanyl and conspiring to distribute fentanyl. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, including the DEA North Central Laboratory, with assistance from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph P. Falvey and Katelan McKenzie Doyle.


title: Local woman sentenced for embezzling funds from dental office

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 45-year-old Hockley resident has been sentenced for her role in a scheme to steal more than $200,000 from her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Jennifer Lynn Thornton pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud July 20, 2023. Senior U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt has now ordered Thornton to serve 41 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. She was also assessed 10 $100 special assessments. Restitution will be determined at a later date. In imposing the sentence, the court noted “I don’t believe you have proper respect for authority. The harm you caused to the victims was very personal.” Thornton had been a financial coordinator in a dental office in Houston. The dentist had been in business for 38 years. In July 2021, he began a detailed review of his company accounts to prepare for retirement. At that time, he discovered Thornton had been stealing from him. She had created a shell company called SGS Healthcare and had payments intended for the dental practice diverted there. Insurance companies made checks payable to the dental practice which she then deposited into her own accounts. She also manipulated the company books to allow her to take cash she had received from patients. The victim hired a private auditor who identified $243,597 in losses. Thornton was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation along with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman prosecuted the case.


title: Nashville Man Sentenced to Four Years for COVID Fraud

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – A Nashville man was sentenced to 48 months in prison, and three years of supervised release, for orchestrating a scheme to fraudulently obtain emergency rental assistance designated for households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 12, 2024, Joe Lewis Jefferson, age 50, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of failure to file a tax return. As part of the judgment, Jefferson was also ordered to pay $323,824 in criminal restitution to the U.S. Department of Treasury. According to information presented in court, Jefferson recruited others to falsely pose as landlords for properties located in Eastern North Carolina. In the names of these nominee landlords, Jefferson prepared and submitted fraudulent North Carolina Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (NC HOPE) loan applications for emergency rental assistance. When the applications were approved, NC HOPE mailed checks to addresses controlled by Jefferson. Jefferson traveled with the nominee landlords to area banks to negotiate the checks and split the proceeds. Jefferson and his co-conspirators were responsible for the submission of at least 44 fraudulent applications for rental assistance, resulting in the disbursement of approximately $279,000. The NC HOPE Program administered federal COVID-19 relief funds and provided emergency rental assistance to North Carolina renters who faced eviction and homelessness during the pandemic. The program allowed renters to submit an online application to apply for rental assistance. If approved, the program paid the tenant’s rent, in checks sent directly to the landlord, for up to 15 months of overdue or future rent payments Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The investigation was conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-00068-D.


title: United States takes possession of Union Hill house from occupants who used it to sell drugs for over a decade

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A house in the Union Hill neighborhood of Richmond was ordered forfeited to the United States today based on its longstanding use as a drug-involved premises. According to court documents filed in federal court, the house at 2221 Venable Street had been used by its occupants for over a decade both to sell and use a wide variety of drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, and crack and powder cocaine. Occupants had even sold a mixture of fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and the animal tranquilizer drug xylazine out of the house, a combination commonly referred to as “tranq” or “the zombie drug.” Drug trafficking had been occurring at the house as far back as 2008. The property was the site of four drug trafficking-related search warrants executed by Richmond Police (RPD), one of which occurred in 2010 and three in 2022. RPD and EMS also responded to two drug overdose deaths at the property, one in 2016 and another in 2020. Frustrated local residents had repeatedly written to their city councilwoman to complain about the incessant criminal activity occurring at the property. Local residents referred to 2221 Venable Street as “the Yellow House.” Several neighborhood residents wrote to local officials for help, having witness, among other things, open prostitution, illicit drug use, public indecency, public urination and defecation, violent fights, drug overdoses, theft, and more. “This successful action demonstrates the positive impact of coordinated federal and state law enforcement partnerships to improve our community,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The Yellow House was more than a blight on this neighborhood. For years, it was a haven for criminal activity, endangering the safety and wellbeing of local residents. I am proud that we were able to use federal tools to help RPD address this quality of life issue for Union Hill.” “Drug trafficking had been occurring at the house as far back as 2008,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division. “The property was the site of four drug trafficking-related search warrants executed by Richmond Police, one of which occurred in 2010 and three in 2022. RPD and EMS also responded to two drug overdose deaths at the property, one in 2016 and another in 2020. In the fall of 2022, the DEA Richmond District Office team collaborated with the Richmond Police Department to investigate the drug distribution activities at 2221 Venable Street as part of Operation Overdrive – Phase 2. The collaborative efforts of the Richmond Police Department, DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office culminated in the seizure of the residence. Frustrated local residents had repeatedly written to their city councilwoman to complain about the incessant criminal activity occurring at the property.” “There are times in public safety when law enforcement cannot arrest a problem away,” said Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police. “Investigations and charges to individuals, even across several years of enforcement, did not solve this problem. I truly appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other federal law enforcement agencies, for partnering with RPD to address this longstanding issue in one of our neighborhoods.” The United States began a civil forfeiture action against this drug-involved premises by publicly filing a civil forfeiture complaint in U.S. District Court. The government then sent notice of the forfeiture action to every person who appeared to have a potential property interest in the house, in addition to giving notice more broadly through online publication. This gave potential claimants an opportunity to contest the forfeiture action in court. Since no claimant came forward to contest the forfeiture action, the United States obtained a default forfeiture judgment. The house will now be sold by the United States Marshals Service, which will remove it from the possession of the occupants who were using it as a base of operations for drug sales. Some of those occupants have been prosecuted in state court. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Janet Jin Ah Lee and Kevin Hudson. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cv-207.


title: Pointing weapon at law enforcement sends violent felon to prison

body_text: HOUSTON – A 33-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Tomas Rodriguez pleaded guilty April 25, 2024. U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now ordered Rodriguez to serve 90 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a three-year-term of supervised release. At the hearing, the court saw body worn camera video of Rodriguez pointing a firearm at an officer and surveillance video of Rodriguez repeatedly assaulting a female. Judge Bennett also heard testimony from the police officer involved in the incident. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the seriousness of Rodriguez’s conduct, particularly his vicious assault of a female victim and assault on a law enforcement officer. On Sept. 5, 2021, a local police department officer responded to a report of an assault in a parking lot near a Houston bar. Witnesses directed him to Rodriguez who had fled towards an injured female lying face down on the ground. Rodriguez fell as he ran and the officer commanded him to remain on the ground. However, Rodriguez got up and pointed a loaded .22-caliber pistol at the officer who responded by discharging his duty weapon in self-defense. Not struck, Rodriguez proceeded to flee and discarded the weapon. Authorities apprehended Rodriguez following a foot pursuit and subsequently recovered his firearm. Rodriguez has multiple prior felony convictions. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition per federal law. Rodriguez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Houston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black prosecuted the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods ( PSN ) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: KC Man Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Phone Call That Targeted IRS Employee, Led to Lockdown

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to making a hoax telephone call that led to an IRS employee being detained and the IRS office on Pershing Road being locked down. Anthony M. Alford, 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of intentionally conveying false and misleading information. By pleading guilty today, Alford admitted he placed a hoax telephone call to emergency services, falsely claiming that an individual was armed with a firearm and was threatening to shoot people in an IRS building. Alford called 911 on Sept. 10, 2024, and reported that a person identified in court documents as “Victim One” had a gun and was threatening to shoot up the Internal Revenue Service building at 333 W. Pershing Road in Kansas City, Mo. Victim One is an employee of the IRS. Kansas City police officers were dispatched to the building, where they contacted IRS security and Federal Protective Service officers. Victim One had been detained and searched for weapons based on the 911 call. Following the 911 call, the B-Wing of the IRS building was locked down. The IRS announced that there was an active shooter in the building and told those in the B-Wing to stay locked down. Victim One, though, was unarmed and had no intent to harm anyone. Victim One told investigators she had been dating Alford for about a month and was trying to break up with him. Alford had never been violent, she said, but had exhibited controlling, possessive, and jealous behavior. Alford had repeatedly called and messaged her the previous night, she said, and earlier that morning sent her messages threatening to involve the police. Alford messaged Victim One saying he was “[o]n the phone with IRS police have fun when you get there” and later he said “… just wait until you get to work.” Alford was arrested on Sept. 25, 2024. Alford told investigators that Victim One did not threaten to shoot up the IRS Building, as he had said in the 911 call. He said he had been drinking alcohol and was upset when he made the 911 call. Under federal statutes, Alford is subject to a sentence of up to five in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant 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 United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.


title: Former Postal Service Employee Sentenced for Mail Theft

body_text: BOSTON – A former employee for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for stealing packages he was responsible for delivering. William J. Paige, 35, of Duxbury, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to two years’ probation. Paige was also ordered to pay $5,119 in restitution to the victims. In September 2024, Paige pleaded guilty to three counts of theft of mail matter by a Postal Service employee. Paige worked as a mail carrier with USPS in Whitinsville. Between January and February 2022, Paige stole collector’s coins and other items from packages he was entrusted to deliver, collectively valued at over $5,000. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.


title: Philadelphia Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 108 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on James Pearcy, 60. According to information presented to the Court, from in and around January 2021 to in and around June 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Pearcy conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Pearcy was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of cocaine that he distributed to others. Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Pearcy. Additional agencies participating in the investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Lowell Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: BOSTON – A Lowell man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy with the Asian Boyz street gang. Brian Gingras, a/k/a “Cheech,” 39, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for April 15, 2025. Gingras was a drug supplier in an extensive trafficking network allegedly involving Asian Boyz gang member, Bill Phim. Between May 2022 and September 2022, Gingras allegedly delivered counterfeit pills made to resemble the pharmaceutical product, Adderall, to Phim on at least five occasions. Phim then allegedly sold the pills to an undercover federal agent for more than $18,000. Chemical testing confirmed that the pills were not actually Adderall but a dangerous compound of methamphetamine and caffeine, instead. When investigators searched Gingras’ residence, they discovered hundreds more counterfeit “Adderall” pills, counterfeit “Xanax” pills, and a pill press. The search also revealed that Gingras maintained a storage unit where he was keeping a loaded firearm and even more counterfeit pills. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, each provide for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charges also involve the forfeiture of property derived from or used to commit the offenses, including a 2014 Mercedes Benz C Class car that Gingras used to transport the drugs to Phim. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Phim has pleaded not guilty and his case is pending trial. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and Superintendent Greg Hudon of the Lowell Police Department made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Billerica, Haverhill, North Andover and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. 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 gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/PSN . This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants in the case are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Kissimmee Businessman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Millions Of Government Funds

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Edwin Rivera today pleaded guilty to theft of government property. Rivera faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, between October 2023 and July 2024, Rivera and his co-conspirators operated a scheme to steal government funds. As part of the scheme, Rivera stole the identity of large corporations and filed fraudulent tax returns with the IRS on behalf of those companies, causing the IRS to generate tax refunds and mail them to Rivera. Rivera then deposited the checks into bank accounts he and his co-conspirators controlled. As part of this scheme, Rivera obtained at least four fraudulent tax refunds for a total of $2,741,581.74. This case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations . It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.


title: Roanoke Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Drug Supplier, Setting Body on Fire

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man, who robbed, shot, and killed his drug supplier then later burned the body to conceal his crimes, pled guilty today in Federal Court in Roanoke. Joseph Richard Walker, 30, pled guilty today to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence. He faces up to 35 years in prison. A second man, Garrett Isaac Williams, has been indicted on related charges and is pending trial. “The Department of Justice has no greater mission than to hold accountable those individuals who commit violence in our communities,” Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee said today. “Our strong partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are critical in bringing about successful prosecutions of our most violent criminals. The Department will continue to fight against gun violence through important prosecutions like this one and in conjunction with programs such as Project Safe Neighborhoods.” “This multiyear investigation and subsequent guilty plea reflect the diligent and collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies committed to safeguarding our communities. Gun violence and drug trafficking have no place in our neighborhoods, and FBI Richmond is proud to work alongside our Safe Streets Task Force partners to hold accountable those who seek to undermine the safety and security of our citizens,” said Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division. “The Virginia State Police is committed to bringing violent offenders to justice. Our special agents work tirelessly with our federal and local partners every day to make Virginia a safer place to live," said Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Hanley, Interim Superintendent of Virginia State Police. "This judicial outcome is a victory for the citizens of the Commonwealth.” According to court documents, beginning no later than January 2023, Mr. Walker and Mr. Williams conspired to distribute marijuana. Their source of supply was E.B., an individual who lived in Pennsylvania. E.B. often traveled from Pennsylvania to Roanoke to meet Walker and Williams to conduct marijuana sales. These sales often occurred at Walker’s Roanoke residence. Eventually, in an effort to collect money that he was owed, E.B. inadvertently called Mr. Walker’s mother. This phone call caused Walker and Williams to set in motion a plan to end their relationship with E.B. However, instead of paying E.B. the money that was owed, they planned to order more marijuana from E.B., rob E.B. of that marijuana when he made the delivery, and in so doing, scare him from returning to Virginia. On April 17, 2023, E.B. traveled from Pennsylvania to Walker’s residence bringing with him approximately 10 pounds of marijuana and two pounds of marijuana wax. Prior to E.B.’s arrival, Walker had concealed a Sig Sauer, .45 caliber pistol on his person, intending to use it as part of the robbery. Upon E.B.’s arrival, Walker confronted E.B. about the phone call E.B. made to his mother, before ultimately shooting him twice, killing him. To conceal his crime, Walker dragged E.B.’s body out of his residence, placed it in the truck of his car and drove to Bedford County, Virginia where he set it on fire. Prior to departing his residence in E.B.’s car, Walker took the marijuana that E.B. had brought with him. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Virginia State Police, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Roanoke City Police Department, the Roanoke County Police Department, the City of Lynchburg Police Department, and the Bedford County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office are investigating the case. The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force also aided in the investigation and is comprised of officers from the Roanoke City Police Department, Roanoke County Police Department, City of Salem Virginia Police Department, the Vinton Police Department, and Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Salem Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys M. Coleman Adams and Kelly McGann are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman. 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: Worcester Roofer Agrees to Plead Guilty to Tax Evasion

body_text: BOSTON – The owner of a commercial and residential roofing business has been charged with, and has agreed to plead guilty to, concealing $1.6 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Jake Miller, 42, of Worcester, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of tax evasion. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. According to the charging documents, Miller owned and operated Kostas Roofing, a business that he conducted under the alias “Paul Kostas” rather than under his own name. It is alleged that, between 2013 and 2021, Miller cashed the checks that he received from roofing customers and deposited the proceeds into his personal bank accounts. Despite receiving at least $1.6 million from the roofing business during this period, Miller allegedly filed no income tax return for any of these years. As a result, Miller allegedly evaded income taxes of approximately $450,000. The charge of tax evasion provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. 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 Joshua S. Levy; Tom Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing AI Child Sex Abuse Images

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Daniel Weatherly (42, Brownwood, TX) has pleaded guilty to possession of an obscene visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Weatherly faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Weatherly has also agreed to forfeit an iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is traceable to proceeds of the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, Weatherly used an application on his cellphone to create and possess synthetic or “AI” images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the North Port Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Abigail K. King. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Member of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Drug Trafficking

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston area man pleaded guilty today to his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang. James Rodrigues, 34, of Boston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Jan. 30, 2025. Rodrigues was identified as a member Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation. Cameron Street members use firearms to murder and assault gang rivals as well as protect narcotics and drug proceeds. Rodrigues worked with other Cameron Street members to distribute hundreds of grams of cocaine and cocaine base, more commonly referred to as “crack” cocaine, from a stash house in Somerville. On Aril 15, 2022, during a search of the stash house, 398 grams of cocaine along with packaging materials, two hydraulic presses, a digital scale, a cell phone, and $14,986 in U.S. currency were seized. The charge of RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force or violence each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of 20 years, at least three years and up to lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. 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. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Sacaton Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Shooting Death

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Tyshon Andrew Redcloud Norris, 23, of Sacaton, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 15 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On November 12, 2021, Norris, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, shot the victim multiple times and killed him. Norris pleaded guilty on October 29, 2024, to Voluntary Manslaughter. The Gila River Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Raynette Logan and Amanda Tesarek, District of Arizona, Phoenix. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01029-PHX-SMB RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-007_Norris # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Miami-Based Real Estate Broker Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Violate Russia-Ukraine Sanctions and to Commit Money Laundering

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Miami real estate broker Roman Sinyavsky pleaded guilty today to engaging in a scheme to violate U.S. sanctions and commit money laundering by conducting transactions involving blocked properties owned by sanctioned Russian oligarchs Viktor Perevalov and Valeri Abramov. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Perevalov and Abramov for conduct including owning and operating VAD, AO, a Russia-based construction company responsible for constructing the Tavrida Highway in the Russian-occupied Crimea Region of Ukraine. Perevalov was designated again by OFAC in December 2024 for operating in the construction sector of the Russian economy. As described in court documents, from in or around January 2018 through in or around March 2023, Sinyavsky conspired with others to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and commit money laundering by maintaining, transferring, selling, and leasing several luxury condominiums in the Miami area that Perevalov and Abramov owned and by collecting, sharing, and using the proceeds to maintain the properties. Sinyavsky faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. As part of the plea agreement, Sinyavsky agreed to forfeit the proceeds he received from the scheme totaling $182,442.45. On Feb. 22, 2024, the United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleging that two luxury condominiums owned by Perevalov are subject to forfeiture based on the unlawful transactions. On Jan. 6, the court ordered forfeiture of $1.8 million representing the proceeds from the sales of those properties. Abramov’s property was sold in June 2018. Concurrent with today’s guilty plea, OFAC announced a separate settlement with Sinyavsky and his real estate company Family International Realty LLC in connection with a related, parallel proceeding. Under the terms of that resolution, Sinyavsky and his company have agreed to pay a civil penalty of approximately $1,076,923. In recognition of the amount Sinyavsky has agreed to forfeit in connection with today’s guilty plea, OFAC will credit the forfeiture against its civil penalty. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Miami Field Office is investigating the case with assistance from the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Rubin for the Southern District of Florida, Trial Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Lindsay Gorman of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and Trial Attorney Joshua E. Kurland of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx P. Calderon for the Southern District of Florida is handling asset forfeiture. The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that, beginning in 2014, the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression. ###


title: Taunton Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Oxycodone Conspiracy

body_text: BOSTON – A Taunton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in an oxycodone conspiracy. John Campbell, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Campbell was also ordered to pay a fine of $25,000. In September 2024, Campbell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills. Campbell was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023. Between approximately July 2022 and June 2023, Campbell distributed oxycodone pills to others for further re-distribution. He also obtained oxycodone pills from his co-conspirator and co-defendant Kenneth Veiga. The quantities of oxycodone pills distributed ranged from hundreds to more than 1,000 on several occasions. Campbell also distributed oxycodone pills to an undercover agent on at least four occasions. Laboratory testing of pills seized as part of the conspiracy confirmed that the pills contained oxycodone. During intercepted calls, Campbell was overheard discussing oxycodone prices and quantities in telephone calls and text messages. On July 12, 2023, during a search of Campbell’s residence, agents seized evidence of drug trafficking including a digital scale and rubber bands. Veiga pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and, in July 2024, was sentenced to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations, Boston Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; United States Coast Guard Investigative Service; Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office; and the Barnstable, Dennis, Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Yarmouth and Sandwich Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Second Man Convicted in 2022 St. Louis Murder-For-Hire

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Jurors on Thursday found a St. Louis County, Missouri man guilty of the murder-for-hire of a New Jersey man in 2022. Moreion Lindsey, 35, was found guilty of on one count each of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire. Evidence and testimony at Lindsey’s trial, which began Monday, showed that he fatally shot Titus Armstead on April 21, 2022, in Penrose Park in St. Louis. Lindsey had been hired for the murder by Jerome Williams, at the behest of a New Jersey man, Ray Bradley, who trafficked cocaine and marijuana to St. Louis and other cities. Armstead counted drug proceeds and watched Bradley’s “stash” house, and Bradley blamed him for the theft of drugs and millions of dollars in cash from that house. Bradley arranged for Armstead to fly to St. Louis. Armstead thought Bradley was sending him to St. Louis to protect him from possible harm, but Bradley was sending him there because Williams said he knew someone who could kill Armstead. Lindsey met Armstead at the airport at about 9:15 p.m. and then immediately drove him to Penrose Park, where he fatally shot Armstead with a .45-caliber handgun, evidence showed. He took a photo of the body using a prepaid “burner” phone to provide proof of the death to Williams and Bradley. Lindsey was later paid $15,000 by Williams. Williams disposed of evidence, including the burner phone, Armstead’s Social Security card and other belongings. Lindsey had the SUV that he used to drive Armstead to the park reported stolen. He used $5,000 of the money the next day to buy a Chevrolet Suburban. Lindsey is scheduled to be sentenced April 24. The crimes carry a mandatory life sentence in prison. Bradley, 46, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in June to one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and one count of murder-for-hire. He was sentenced in September to 25 years in prison. Williams, 52, pleaded guilty in December to a charge of destruction of evidence to obstruct a federal investigation. The case was investigated by the FBI, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Atlanta Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angie Danis, Ryan Finlen and Nathan Chapman are prosecuting the case.


title: Previously Deported Sex Offender Sentenced to 3 years in Federal Prison for Illegal-Reentry

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: Del Rio, Texas – A Guatemalan national was sentenced today to 3 years in prison for illegally re-entering the United States following deportation. According to court documents, Heraldo Agustin Huesgen-De Leon, also known as Heraldo Agustin Hueskin-De Leon, 47, was arrested on May 16, 2024, after being encountered by United States Border Patrol agents near Eagle Pass, Texas. Defendant was previously removed from the United States on September 19, 2018. Defendant had previously been sentenced in 2011 to 20 years imprisonment for second degree rape. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement. The United States Border Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Fleming and Matt Kass prosecuted the case.


title: Mansfield Woman Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for $8.5 Million PPP Fraud

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A Mansfield businesswoman was sentenced today to more than 7 years in federal prison in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $8.5 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Tamara Starks, 42, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to wire fraud. She was sentenced Thursday to 86 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who also ordered her to pay $4,476,523.73 in restitution. According to court documents, from approximately May 2020 to May 2021, Ms. Starks devised a scheme to defraud the PPP program through materially false pretenses. As part of the scheme, Ms. Starks created and submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications that included false payroll information and tax documentation for companies owned by her and her husband. She also obtained PPP loans for other individuals. In total, Ms. Starks, and others working with her, submitted more than 100 PPP loan applications totaling approximately $8.5 million and received $4.5 million in PPP loan funds. Once the loans were funded, Ms. Starks directed loan recipients to set up fraudulent payrolls through third-party vendors to make the PPP funds appear as though they were being used for legitimate purposes. In many cases, Ms. Starks received money back from their “employees” and used the PPP funds for personal expenses and purchases. Once the loan proceeds were distributed, the loan recipients paid Starks a portion of the loan proceeds as a “fee” for obtaining the loan. The Dallas Field Offices of FDIC-OIG, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and SSA-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dimitri Rocha and Nashonme Johnson (fmr.) prosecuted the case. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who suffered the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. Anyone with general information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures 25-Year Sentence for Farmington Man in Fatal Shooting Case

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Farmington man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2021 murder of one woman and the serious injury of another on the Navajo Nation. According to court documents, on September 5, 2021, Hanson Tsosie , 34, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, used a 12-gauge shotgun to fire multiple rounds into a group of individuals gathered around a tree in the yard of a residence near Nenahnezad, New Mexico, killing one woman and seriously injuring another. Neither woman posed any threat to Tsosie ; they were simply innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of his violent actions. After the shooting, Tsosie fled approximately 46.1 miles to dispose of the vehicle he had been driving. Upon his release from prison, Tsosie will be subject to five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark A. Probasco and Matthew J. McGinley is prosecuting the case. # # #