title: Eight MS-13 Gang Members Plead Guilty to Multi-Year Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Murders and Witness Tampering

body_text: Eight members of the violent transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from a multi-year racketeering conspiracy that included multiple murders and acts of witness tampering. The defendants—identified as Walter Antonio Chicas-Garcia, 28, aka “Mejia,” Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, 29, aka “Discreto,” Miguel Angel Aguilar-Ochoa, 40, aka “Darki,” and Marlon Miranda-Moran, 26, aka “Chinki,”—are all citizens of El Salvador and were unlawfully residing in Houston, Texas at the time of the offenses. According to their plea agreements, Chicas-Garcia, Ventura-Mejia, and Aguilar-Ochoa will each be sentenced to 50 years of imprisonment while Miranda-Moran will be sentenced to 35 years of imprisonment. “These defendants carried out brutal murders in the name of MS-13, killing victims with machetes, baseball bats, and their bare hands, and then sending photos of the victims’ bodies to MS-13 leaders in El Salvador,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendants committed these unthinkable acts to maintain their status in a gang that spread fear in local neighborhoods and targeted those brave enough to cooperate with law enforcement. Today’s guilty pleas send a powerful message that the Justice Department will aggressively pursue and hold accountable MS-13 members who use violence and murder to terrorize our communities.” On August 11, four additional MS-13 members—Defendants Luis Ernesto Carbajal-Peraza, 33, aka “Destino,” Edgardo Martinez-Rodriguez, 35, aka “Largo,” Carlos Alexi Garcia-Gongora, 27, aka “Garcia,” and Wilman Rivas-Guido, 29, aka “Inquieto” —also pleaded guilty to the same racketeering conspiracy. All four are citizens of El Salvador and were residing in the Houston area. The parties stipulated to a sentencing range of 40 to 45 years of imprisonment for Carbajal-Peraza, and 45 to 50 years for Martinez-Rodriguez, Garcia-Gongora, and Rivas-Guido. According to court documents and statements made in court, MS-13 is a violent international street gang involved in a variety of violent criminal activities across the United States, including Texas, Virginia, Maryland, New York, and California. MS-13 also has a large international presence in El Salvador and Honduras. To protect MS-13’s power, reputation, and territory, members and associates must use intimidation and violence, including murder and assault with deadly weapons, such as machetes. As part of their plea agreement, the defendants admitted to being members of MS-13 and participating in a criminal enterprise responsible for multiple murders, extortion, drug trafficking, robbery, and obstruction of justice in and around the Houston, Texas area from 2017 through 2018. High-ranking MS-13 leaders based in El Salvador ordered and approved of the murders, sometimes listening by phone as MS-13 members carried out the murders. MS-13 members participated in the murders to increase or maintain their own position within MS-13’s ranks. MS-13 targeted the murder victims because they were believed to be members of rival gangs, cooperating with law enforcement, or working against MS-13’s interests. MS-13 members committed the murders using machetes, a baseball bat, and strangling. After the murder, MS-13 members sent photos of the victims’ bodies to high-ranking MS-13 members in El Salvador, sometimes further mutilating or dismembering the victim’s body before sending the photos. According to their plea agreements, Chicas-Garcia, Ventura-Mejia, and Aguilar-Ochoa will each be sentenced to 50 years in federal prison while Miranda-Moran will receive a 35-year-term of imprisonment. Martinez-Rodriguez, Garcia-Gongora, and Rivas-Guido have agreed to a term from 45-50 years, while Carbajal-Peraza is expected to receive 40-45 years of imprisonment. Sentencing hearings for all eight defendants are scheduled to take place later this year. A federal district court judge will consider the sentencing stipulations and impose any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Galveston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification, the United States Marshal Service, and the Texas Office of the Attorney General led or contributed to the lengthy and complex investigation of this case. Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Keri Fuller, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Britni Verdeja for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s OCDETF and Project Safe Neighborhoods.


title: Los Angeles couple charged with drug conspiracy

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Tevin Williams, 31, and Zakyia Williams, 25, both of Sherman Oaks, California, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew McGrath, who handled the case, stated that according to the complaint, in December 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating the drug trafficking activities of Tevin Williams and the associates in his drug trafficking organization. Since December 2021, and March 2023, the organization has distributed large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in Rochester area and elsewhere. Williams resides in Sherman Oaks, California with his girlfriend and co-defendant Zakyia Williams. The two shipped drug parcels through the United States Postal Service to co-conspirators in the Rochester area. Fentanyl is distributed in the form of pressed pills, which bear markings resembling 30mg Percocet pills, known as fake “Perc 30s.” Subsequent investigation determined that Tevin Williams also traveled to Rochester regularly to resupply his co-conspirators. Between February and August of 2022, investigators conducted eight controlled purchases of fentanyl from Tevin Williams and his associates. In December 2022, investigators intercepted a package containing approximately 800 grams of cocaine addressed to a residence in Webster, NY, associated with the drug trafficking organization. The cocaine was replaced with sham and a controlled delivery of the package was conducted. Once the package was delivered and subsequently opened, a search warrant was executed at the residence. No narcotics were seized but investigators did recover drug trafficking paraphernalia. In January 2023, another package was intercepted, which contained approximately 718 grams of cocaine and 555 grams of blue pills containing suspected fentanyl. In March 2023, a third package was intercepted, which contained approximately one kilogram of fentanyl pills. The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and were detained. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward. The defendants fled to Trinidad and Tobago after being charged and were located and apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Portland Man Charged with Assaulting Federal Law Enforcement Officer Near Local ICE Office

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting a federal officer during ongoing protest activity near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland. Devin P. Montgomery, 49, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer. According to court documents, on the afternoon of September 4, 2025, Federal Protective Service (FPS) observed Montgomery operating an Unmanned Aircraft System, also commonly described as a “drone,” in a temporary flight restricted area near the ICE facility in Portland. The FPS advised Montgomery that flying a drone above or around the federal facility was prohibited due to the restriction imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Montgomery ignored FPS’s instructions and continued to operate the drone in the restricted area. Federal officers approached Montgomery, who became belligerent with the officers and began cursing at them. After his arrest, Montgomery spit in an officer’s face. Since June 13, 2025, a total of 26 defendants have been charged with federal offenses committed at the ICE building, including assaulting federal officers, arson, possession of a destructive device, and depredation of government property. Montgomery made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on conditions pending further court proceedings. Felony assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to 8 years in federal prison. A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Sentenced to 27 Years for Sex Trafficking Hundreds of Women

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Michael Pratt, the mastermind of the sprawling GirlsDoPorn sex trafficking empire, was sentenced in federal court today to 27 years in prison for orchestrating a scheme that deceived and exploited hundreds of women and left a trail of broken lives. Pratt, the owner and operator of GirlsDoPorn.com and GirlsDoToys.com, built a multimillion-dollar criminal empire by luring young women into pornography through lies, coercion, and manipulation, and then broadcasting their abuse to millions online. At today’s hearing, 40 women urged the court to hand down the maximum sentence, some tearfully describing their ordeals in San Diego hotel rooms where they were exploited, coerced, raped, abused and trapped. Some talked about the aftermath of trauma that included many years of suicide attempts; diagnoses of depression, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; lost jobs and relationships; stalkers and threats and harassment; and the heavy burden of shame and fear they still carry. Some told of having cosmetic surgery to alter their appearance; several testified that they changed their names; others spoke of substance abuse and alcoholism; one said she had a glass of wine for breakfast just to make it to court today. Most of the victims were 18-21 years old when they were exploited. Pratt and his co-conspirators posted misleading modeling ads, preyed on vulnerable women, and promised their sex videos would never be seen online. In reality, Pratt’s employees posted the videos onto his websites – which featured young women appearing in their first pornographic videos - and even promoted them on free pornography platforms like PornHub to drive traffic. Victims were coerced into finishing shoots under threats of lawsuits, cancelled flights, and exposure. Some were effectively trapped in hotel rooms by camera equipment blocking the exits. “Pratt has caused me to fear my own name,” one woman said. “The life I was meant to have, died in that hotel room,” another told the court. “Profit over people. Cruelty over humanity,” another said. Many spoke directly to Pratt: “I am not your victim. I’m your reckoning…I am the girl who took you down,” said a victim who was a 21-year-old law student at the time. “Look around! We are an army of survivors sharing our truth and we have won.” Another woman, who was a 19-year-old dance teacher to children but was fired, told Pratt: “You are evil. You are a predator. You are a rapist. This is who you are. Your ego was too big to believe you’d ever get caught but karma comes around. It is your turn now to suffer.” A woman who was a 21-year-old college student studying to become a teacher said: “This crime dismantled my identity. I lost my voice and sense of safety…The shame and despair were unbearable.” Another woman who was a college-bound high school senior but dropped out because of her ordeal said: “This was a theft of my identity, my safety, my dreams and my peace.” After hearing about five hours of testimony from the women, U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino told the defendant that his position as the leader, organizer and mastermind of the massive trafficking organization compelled her to add time to the sentence. “I’ve been doing this a very long time and I’ve never had a case like this before, of this magnitude…The sheer scope and magnitude of this offense causes this court to vary upward.” Throughout the conspiracy, GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys received millions of views. To promote the websites, video content from both sites was posted on free porn sites such as Pornhub.com, one of the world’s most visited websites. The videos from GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys posted on PornHub were often viewed millions of times according to PornHub’s own view counters. The websites charged visitors a subscription fee to access content, and generated millions of dollars in revenue for Pratt. To recruit young women to appear in videos for the websites, Pratt and some of his employees (at Pratt’s direction) often told the prospective models that their sex videos would never be posted on-line, that the videos would never be released in the United States, and that no one who knew the women would ever find out about their video, representations that Pratt and other members of the conspiracy knew were false. Women from various places throughout the United States and Canada were recruited to appear in videos based on these material misrepresentations. Even after Pratt learned that victims’ names and personal details were being doxxed on pornwikileaks.com, he pressed forward with his scheme, reaping millions in profit while ignoring desperate pleas from women begging him to take their videos down. “Pratt was a calculating and cruel predator,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “He lured young victims, caused others to abuse them on video, and then taunted them for years as they sought to reclaim their names. Afterwards these victims suffered each day the cruelty of the internet and social media. As one victim said today during sentencing, ‘Pratt caused me to fear my own name.’ We as a society failed these women. They were forced to walk alone. But today as they confronted Pratt, they personified courage and grace. They showed everyone what should have been apparent when they first were victimized - they don’t need society’s forgiveness, we need theirs.” “Pratt admittedly engaged in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, making millions off a deliberate and reprehensible scheme, showing no regard for the suffering he caused,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “At his direction, Pratt and his co-conspirators manipulated women into participating in pornographic videos and then bullied, lied, or threatened them when they tried to leave. He then cowardly fled the country in an attempt to avoid prosecution, but the FBI and our domestic and foreign law enforcement partners were determined to hold Pratt accountable for the harm he inflicted on his victims’ lives. Today’s sentence reflects that investigative persistence, ensuring justice was rightfully served.” The GirlsDoPorn investigation and prosecution spanned years, involving FBI agents, FBI analysts, the U.S. Marshal Service, victim advocates, and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to secure justice for the victims. Multiple co-conspirators have been convicted in connection with the scheme, but Pratt’s sentencing marks the most significant step in dismantling the criminal network he created. Pratt was charged in October 2019 in the Southern District of California with sex trafficking crimes in connection with the scheme to deceive and coerce young women to appear in pornographic videos. Pratt liquidated his assets and fled the United States in mid-2019. He was named to the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted list and lived as an international fugitive for more than three years until his arrest in Spain in December 2022 and extradition to San Diego in March 2024. Pratt pleaded guilty on June 5, 2025, to Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion; and Committing Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion. Prosecutors argued for the longest sentence given the serious nature of the offenses, Pratt’s leadership role, and the length of the conspiracy. For more information on Pratts’ plea, please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/girlsdoporn-owner-michael-pratt-pleads-guilty-sex-trafficking . Pratt has received the longest sentence so far of all the conspirators. Ruben Andre Garcia was sentenced to 20 years in prison on June 14, 2021. Theodore Gyi was sentenced to four years in prison on November 9, 2022. Matthew Wolfe was sentenced to 14 years in prison on March 20, 2024. Valorie Moser, the office manager, is set for sentencing on September 12, 2025. One of the women said: “Today is the day we all get to reclaim our lives. As I stand here, I feel something I haven’t felt in years: Empowerment. After today I choose healing. I choose to reclaim the dreams I once had.” Another testified: “For years I carried shame that never belonged to me…Today I will walk out of this courtroom an empowered woman. You will walk out in shackles.” DEFENDANTS Case Number 19cr4488-JLS Michael Pratt Age: 42 Sentenced to 27 years on September 8, 2025 Matthew Wolfe Age: 43 Sentenced to 14 years on March 20, 2024 Ruben Andre Garcia Age: 36 Sentenced to 20 years on June 4, 2021 Theodore Gyi Age: 47 Sentenced to 4 years on November 9, 2022 Valorie Moser Age: 43 To be sentenced on September 12, 2025 SUMMARY OF CHARGES Sex Trafficking Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1594 Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $250,000 fine Sex Trafficking – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1591 Mandatory Minimum: Fifteen years in prison Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCY FBI – Southern District of California and Legal Attaché in Spain San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force U.S. Marshals Service U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs Spanish National Police Spain’s Ministry of Justice Spain’s Ministry of Interior


title: Johnston County Resident Sentenced For Failure To Register As A Sex Offender

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lance Alden Whelchel, age 31, of Wapanucka, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender. The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Harris County Texas Sheriff’s Office. On February 20, 2025, Whelchel pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, Whelchel is required to register as a sex offender because he was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma on May 24, 2023. From July 5, 2024, until September 12, 2024, Whelchel failed to register or update his registration despite entering, leaving, or residing in Indian country, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Whelchel will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Wittlinger represented the United States.


title: Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Reentry

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gustavo Olivares-Ramirez, a/k/a Rogelio Madrigal, a/k/a Gustavo Olivares, a/k/a Gustavo Ramirez Olivares, age 54, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00. The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Heavener Police Department. The Indictment alleged that on June 3, 2025, Olivares-Ramirez, an alien previously removed on November 12, 1997, was found in the United States without having obtained the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Olivares-Ramirez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dak T. Cohen and Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.


title: Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Daphne man was sentenced to 90 months in prison for a methamphetamine-trafficking conspiracy and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it. According to court documents, Robert Keith Corte, Jr., 35, was caught on three occasions selling methamphetamine to confidential informants in September and October 2023 in Baldwin County, Alabama. On October 16, 2023, narcotics agents executed a search warrant at Corte’s apartment in Daphne, locating drugs and drug paraphernalia. In total, agents seized more than 185 grams of methamphetamine, which Corte admitted belonged to him. Corte admitted that he had recently gone to Pensacola, Florida, to obtain methamphetamine to sell in Baldwin County. Corte’s cell phone contained numerous text messages about his drug-dealing activities, including discussion of prices, payments, and amounts of drugs to be purchased. At the time of his arrest, Corte was on federal supervised release for a prior methamphetamine-trafficking conviction. In addition to the 90-month prison sentence, Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock ordered Corte to serve a ten-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will be subject to drug testing and treatment and will receive mental health evaluation and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Beaverstock ordered Corte to pay $200 in special assessments. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Okemah Resident Sentenced For Federal Drug Crime

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jeffrey Gilbert Franklin, Jr., age 50, of Okemah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to thirty-three months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The charge arose from an investigation by the Okemah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On April 9, 2025, Franklin pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on April 25, 2024, police conducting a traffic stop discovered Franklin in possession of a baggie containing approximately 36 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. After Franklin’s arrest and booking, Franklin made calls from jail coordinating distribution of methamphetamine. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Franklin will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.


title: Broken Bow Resident Sentenced For Sexual Exploitation Of A Child

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dylan Hansen Yazzie, age 29, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 180 months in prison for one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child/Use of a Child to Produce a Visual Depiction. The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Broken Bow Police Department. On February 13, 2025, Yazzie pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, between July of 2023 and September of 2023, Yazzie coerced or induced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction to transmit in interstate or foreign commerce. The crime occurred in McCurtain County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. This case was 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 . We encourage anyone who suspects or has information regarding child sexual exploitation, trafficking of minors, sextortion, child pornography, or any other means of child exploitation to immediately contact law enforcement. You can file a report through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.cybertipline.com , through the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or through Homeland Security Investigations at 1-877-4-HSI TIP. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Yazzie will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.


title: Muskogee Resident Sentenced For Federal Drug Charge

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Catherine Victoria Rogers, age 52, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to two years’ probation for one count of Acquiring Hydrocodone by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, and Deception. The charge arose from an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General. On October 23, 2024, Rogers pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, between August and November 2023, while serving as a nurse with the VA Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Rogers removed approximately 132 pills of Hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, from the medical center’s medication storage and distribution system for her personal benefit. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Cornell and Joshua Satter represented the United States.


title: Undocumented Mexican National Sentenced for Drug and Immigration Crimes in the District of Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Kevin Enrique Sanchez-Carrillo, 25, a native and citizen of Mexico, who had been living in Draper, Utah, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment by Senior U.S. District court Judge Dale A. Kimball. In addition to Sanchez-Carrillo’s term of imprisonment, upon his release, he will be remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings. The court also ordered the forfeiture of $7,750 in U.S. currency; a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun; and associated ammunition. According to court documents and admissions made at Sanchez-Carrillo’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, an investigation into the defendant began in March 2025 when a confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from Sanchez-Carrillo. On April 3, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants on Sanchez-Carrillo’s apartment and his vehicle. During the search of his apartment, law enforcement recovered, 1,249 grams of fentanyl, 571 grams of heroin, 11,099 grams of methamphetamine, and 15 grams of cocaine, along with a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun, and $7,750 in United States currency. Sanchez-Carrillo admitted that he knowingly possessed and intended to distribute the narcotics for profit and that he knew he was restricted from possessing the firearm, which affected interstate commerce because he was in the United States illegally. Additionally, court documents reveal that Sanchez-Carrillo admitted that he entered the United States on or after December 14, 2023, and eluded examination and inspection by immigration officers until his apprehension on April 3, 2025. Sanchez-Carrillo also admitted that after being in the United States illegally for 30 days or longer, he deliberately failed to apply for registration. Court documents reveal that Sanchez-Carrillo had not applied for registration at the time he was found by immigration officers in Salt Lake County, Utah, and remains unregistered. “Pumping poison in the form of illegal narcotics into our communities will not be taken lightly, said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. “Sanchez-Carrillo’s sentence sends a clear message to the defendant and others willing to break federal laws, that if you choose to engage in drug trafficking, illegally possess a firearm in the United States or unlawfully enter the United States you will face serious criminal consequences.” “Individuals like Sanchez-Carrillo seek to profit while our communities are left to bear the cost of addiction, violence, and death,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The FBI will relentlessly pursue and investigate drug traffickers who threaten public safety.” “The sentencing of Sanchez-Carrillo sends a clear message to anyone involved in bringing drugs into our community: you will be caught, prosecuted, and held accountable,” said Lester R. Hayes, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Las Vegas. “We’re proud of the hard work and strong teamwork of our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who are committed to bringing criminals like Sanchez-Carrillo to justice.” The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).


title: Kennebec County Man Pleads Guilty to Accessing Child Pornography with Intent to View

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A China, Maine, man pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Portland to one count of Access with Intent to View Child Pornography. According to court records, in June 2024, the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit began investigating a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding Kik, a free instant messaging mobile app. According to the Cybertip, a Kik user, later identified as Jeffery Furlong , 53, uploaded multiple videos of child sexual abuse material. Based on further investigation, a search warrant was executed at Furlong’s residence in October 2024. During the execution of the search warrant, Furlong admitted that he had obtained multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse material on his cellular telephone via Kik. A search warrant on Furlong’s Kik account revealed child sexual abuse material and the defendant’s expressed sexual interest in children 6-to-12 years old. Furlong faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and up to a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated the case. To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, NCMEC received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678 . If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741 . Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc . ###


title: PANAMA CITY MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON  FOR CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING OFFENSES

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Terrance Vertrone Alwayne Lowder III (a/k/a “Trey”), 29, of Panama City, Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking a minor, and receiving benefits from sex trafficking a minor. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I deeply appreciate not only the excellent investigative work by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office that helped bring this offender to justice, but also the vigilance of the private citizen who reported the suspicious activity that led to his arrest. This offender exploited and victimized a vulnerable minor for his own financial gain, and now a prison cell awaits him for his heinous crimes.” Court documents reflect that between January 2, 2024, and January 3, 2024, Lowder recruited and directed a 16-year-old to engage in commercial sex acts with adults at a local motel. Lowder conspired with others to transport the minor to the motel and to provide the minor with drugs and alcohol. Lowder offered the minor for sex to multiple adults via text messaging and social media. The motel alerted the Bay County Sheriff’s Office to unregistered guests in the motel room which led to the minor’s recovery and Lowder’s arrest. Sheriff Tommy Ford said: “Thanks to the quick action of our deputies and the strong partnership we share with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this young victim was rescued, and the offender will never again have the opportunity to harm another child. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in our commitment to protect the most vulnerable among us and to bring to justice those who would prey upon them.” “Lowder admitted to orchestrating the trafficking of a juvenile, and today’s sentence ensures he can no longer harm vulnerable victims,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “Human trafficking is a crime that happens all around us and impacts the safety of our neighborhoods and our quality of life. FBI Jacksonville will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners at every level to disrupt and dismantle the people responsible for this illegal activity.” Lowder’s sentence of imprisonment will be followed by ten years of supervised release and a requirement to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: TALLAHASSEE MAN CHARGED WITH STEALING  DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FUNDS

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Anthony Curtis Brewer, 47, of Tallahassee, FL, was indicted by a federal grand jury this week and charged with theft of government property. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today. Brewer appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick for his arraignment in federal court on September 3, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. Trial is set for November 4, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor. If convicted, Brewer faces up to ten years’ imprisonment. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Harley W. Ferguson is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Twelve People Charged for Their Roles in International Alien Smuggling, Asylum Fraud, and Money Laundering Conspiracies

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL — Twelve people have been charged in a superseding indictment for their roles in an international conspiracy involving alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering schemes that brought thousands of aliens illegally into the United States for profit. According to court documents, the defendants operated a prolific alien smuggling operation (ASO) that facilitated the unlawful entry of Cuban nationals into the United States by preparing visa applications, laundering millions of dollars in payment, and exploiting the immigration process. “This Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.” “This indictment exposes a criminal organization that smuggled people into the United States on a massive scale, and then fraudulently secured immigration benefits for them,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Posing as a legitimate immigration service, the defendants used social media promotions and false legal filings to attract new clients and perpetuate their fraud. The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will continue to dismantle these schemes, protect vulnerable people from exploitation, and safeguard the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.” “The defendants in this case conspired with others to deliberately violate our nation’s immigration laws while personally seeking to enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the interagency coordination and diligence of our dedicated law enforcement agencies, their crimes have been thwarted. We will continue working with our partners to protect our national borders.” “This superseding indictment exposes the depth of a multi-year conspiracy of alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering that preyed on vulnerable individuals and weakened public trust in the immigration system,” said Acting Director Todd M. Lyons of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “This highlights the critical role ICE has in dismantling these criminal networks, combating immigration fraud, and ensuring criminals who abuse our systems are held accountable. We are absolute in our resolve to protect the integrity of our immigration system and safeguard our national security. “It is because of the unfettered Department of Justice support we charge criminals with every available statute to provide consequences to those that erode the moral fabric of our society,” said Chief Jeffrey J. Dinise of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Miami Sector. “The message is clear, the United States is closed to illegal immigration and terrorist organizations, and those that make an attempt, will be met with fierce consequences. We are committed to protecting our Florida communities and safeguarding our nation.” “Through diligent investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and our partners exposed a multi-national, multi-year, multimillion dollar criminal conspiracy operated by aliens that attempted to undermine our immigration system and flood our country with illegal aliens — none of whom had any intention of following our laws,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “This criminal organization operated a front for fake asylum claims, churning out frivolous applications around the country. To criminals who seek to exploit our immigration system: we will find you, shut down your schemes, and you will face justice.” The superseding indictment charges: Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, 27, unlawfully residing in Hialeah, FL; Yuniel Lima-Santos, 30, of Tampa, FL; Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, 26, unlawfully residing in Lebanon, TN; Marianny Lucia Lopez-Torres, 25, residing in Cuba, (formerly Hialeah, FL); Frandy Aragon-Diaz, 33, of Cuba, (formerly unlawfully residing in Tampa, FL); Erik Ventura-Castro, 23, residing in Hialeah, FL; Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, 30, of Tampa, FL; Walbis Pozo-Dutel, 30, residing in Katy, TX ; Emanuel Martinez Gonzalez, 28, unlawfully residing in Hialeah, FL; Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, 31, of Tampa, FL; Layra Libertad Treto Santos, 31, of Tampa, FL; and Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra, 40, of Tampa, FL. According to the superseding indictment: All defendants except Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra are charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain. Yuniel Lima-Santos and Frandy Aragon-Diaz are also charged with alien smuggling for financial gain. Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Layra Libertad Treto Santos, and Gisleivy Peralta Consuerga are charged with conspiracy to commit asylum fraud. Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Erik Ventura-Castro, Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, and Layra Libertad Treto Santos are charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. From January 2021 through June 2025, the defendants promoted bogus visa services online, claiming Cuban nationals could secure U.S. entry through false claims of European citizenship. They filed hundreds of fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, using fake addresses and fabricated documents. The ASO promoted its services on social media accounts and encrypted messaging platforms, including a WhatsApp group titled, “TRÁMITE DE ESTA Y VISA DE TURISMO A USA PARA CIUDADANOS ESPAÑOLES” (Processing of ESTA and tourist Visas to the USA for Spanish citizens). One promotional video advertised the scheme by showing stacks of passports, airline tickets, and visa approvals. What began as a small operation grew into a commercial enterprise. The defendants charged clients between $1,500 and $40,000, sometimes even chartering private planes to move groups of aliens. Records show they spent over $2.5 million on flights alone and funneled more than $7 million through payment apps such as Zelle. Based on a financial analysis conducted of 27 known accounts associated with the defendants and their co-conspirators, the alien smuggling organization took in over $18 million during the course of the conspiracy. The ASO also smuggled unaccompanied minors. In one case, a teenage girl was told to pose as the lifelong friend of an unrelated adult man when crossing the border. The defendants operated a sham immigration business, ASESORIA Y SERVICIOS MIGRATORIOS LLC, which promised asylum filings, work permits, and residency applications. In reality, the company churned out boilerplate asylum claims without clients’ knowledge or consent and even blocked them from accessing their own USCIS online accounts. ASESORIA marketed itself on Instagram with flashy ads for immigration services while simultaneously posting videos of aliens being smuggled into the country. The investigation and superseding indictment were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along southern and northern borders. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 410 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. HSI Tampa, U.S. Border Patrol Miami Sector, and USCIS’s’ Fraud Detection and National Security led U.S. investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. Authorities in the Cayman Islands provided valuable assistance. Trial Attorney Jenna Reed of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods. An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Note : You can read the Indictment here


title: Franklinton Mail Contractor Sentenced for Bank Fraud and Mail Theft

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that RACHEL WATTS SANDERS (“SANDERS”) , age 39, of Loranger, Louisiana, was sentenced on August 28, 2025, to five (5) years of probation. The determination of restitution will be held at a later date. SANDERS previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and mail theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708. According to court documents, while working in Franklinton Louisiana as a Postal Highway Contract Route contractor, SANDERS stole over forty checks from the mail, forged endorsements on the stolen checks, and deposited them into her own bank account. The losses totaled $22,717.66. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Calogero of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Louisiana man charged in Jefferson County violent crime spree that included carjackings, a shooting, and a convenience store attempted robbery

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

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Sunset, Louisiana, man has been charged with federal violations related to a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Bracelon Armon Charles, 22, was named in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with two counts of carjacking, two counts of brandishing or using a firearm during a violent crime, and Hobbs Act robbery. The indictment alleges that in October of 2023, Charles and a juvenile, engaged in a violent crime spree that included the attempted carjacking of a vehicle in Beaumont, the shooting of the vehicle’s owner, another carjacking in Port Arthur, and an attempted robbery of a convenience store in Beaumont. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). If convicted, Charles faces up to 30 years in federal prison. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Beaumont Police Department; the Port Arthur Police Department; and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman. A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Orleans Parish Man Guilty of Wire Fraud

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JASON PICK (“PICK”) , age 44, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on September 3, 2025 to an eight-count indictment for wire fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson. According to court documents, from June 2020 through October 25, 2021, PICK worked as an accounting clerk for a company that manages residential and commercial real estate in the New Orleans area. During his employment, PICK stole approximately $64,137.00 from the company by altering the face of money orders intended to be rent payments from tenants and deposited the altered money orders into his own bank account. While awaiting sentencing for a scheme to defraud his previous employer, PICK submitted a fraudulent letter from the company to a federal judge, requesting that his prison report date be delayed because it was a busy period for the company. In truth and in fact, the letter was forged by PICK , and the owner of the company was unaware of the letter, or PICK’s crimes. The Court granted the defendant’s request, and PICK used this delay to further conceal his crimes. Before reporting to serve his prison sentence, PICK lied to the company about his upcoming absence by stating that he needed to undergo immediate emergency kidney surgery. He advised the company that he would be able to complete his duties on a remote basis during this time. On his way to prison, PICK remotely accessed the company’s computer system and fraudulently edited the accounting books to conceal the money he had stolen. If convicted, PICK faces up to 20 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Chief of the General Crimes Unit, is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Eugene Couple Arrested and Charged with Sex Trafficking

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.— Anthony D’Montrez Crawford (Crawford), 29, and Kaytlynn Ann Crawford a/k/a Alderman (Alderman), 27, of Eugene, Oregon, have been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with violations of sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion, transportation for prostitution, persuading or coercing to travel to engage in prostitution, use of an interstate facility to induce or coerce a minor to engage in prostitution, transportation of a minor for prostitution, and conspiracy. According to the criminal complaint, Crawford forced individuals to engage in prostitution in the Eugene and Springfield area. Crawford advertised online for sexual services, coordinated prices and services with customers, rented hotel rooms for prostitution, and collected money from the victims through intimidation, threats of violence, and actual violence. Crawford also transported victims using rental cars to other cities, including Portland, to engage in these services. Alderman facilitated Crawford’s sex trafficking criminal venture. Alderman opened a car rental account and rented vehicles for Crawford, allowed hotel bills to be paid with her bank card, and allowed payments from customers to be received through a CashApp account in her name. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Seattle rescued a minor victim who was forced to engage in prostitution there as well as in Portland and the Eugene and Springfield area. An adult victim was also identified as being forced to engage in prostitution in Portland and the Eugene and Springfield area. Crawford and Alderman made their first appearances in federal court today. Crawford was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. Alderman was released pending further court proceedings. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Huynh is prosecuting the case. This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website . A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Convicted Felon Charged with Arson and Destruction of Government Property

body_text: ATLANTA – Federal charges were unsealed today against Ronald Watson, a/k/a Sarah Watson, a/k/a Miranda Kyle, a/k/a Emily Smith, 28, of Kennesaw, Ga., for arson and destruction of government property. The charges stem from an attack on the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) building located in downtown Atlanta during the summer of 2020. “The right to peacefully protest never excuses acts of violence, like smashing windows and attempting to set fire to a government building,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Anyone who perpetrates or threatens violence against federal officers or property must be identified, found, and held accountable.” “The First Amendment does not allow individuals to commit arson or destroy property,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our communities while respecting individuals’ First Amendment rights.” “Those who attack our government institutions with fire and violence will be held accountable. Setting fire to a government building is not only an attack on bricks and mortar—it is an attack on the rule of law and the safety of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama Steven N. Schrank. “Homeland Security Investigations, working alongside our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue those who endanger lives and destroy public property. HSI remains committed to protecting the people, safeguarding government facilities, and ensuring that justice is served.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information filed in court: On July 25, 2020, shortly before midnight, a crowd gathered at the Atlanta ICE building and protested outside a fenced area. At the same time, several masked individuals wearing dark clothing breached the fences and vandalized the building. The rioters used rocks, cinder blocks, modified fireworks, Molotov cocktails, lighter fluid bottles, and other materials to cause more than $78,000 in damage. Inside the building, law enforcement found blood near a broken window and a lighter fluid bottle near an unexploded Molotov cocktail. Although the vandals attempted to conceal their identities, law enforcement identified Watson based on evidence collected following his January 2023 felony conviction for assaulting a public safety officer in Oregon. Prior to the attack on the ICE building, Watson posted numerous anti-ICE messages on social media, including a depiction of an ICE agent about to be struck in the head with a baseball bat. Watson also claimed on social media to have “thrown bricks, done other things not to be mentioned, . . . [and] Doxxed people” as examples of “taking action.” Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. If you know Watson’s whereabouts or have information that may lead to Watson’s arrest, please contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 800-CALL-FBI. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the location and arrest of Watson. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Former Mail Handler Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Mail, Selling Bank Information

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Vincent Anthony Gailliard Jr., 41, of Sumter, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that between April 2022 and May 2023, Gailliard was employed as a mail handler at the USPS Processing and Distribution Center in Columbia. Gailliard would steal mail containing bank checks that had been mailed by individuals and businesses and take pictures of these checks with his personal cell phone. He would offer to sell an image of the check online that included the account and routing numbers. The buyer could then use the stolen information to create false and fraudulent checks which could be used in obtaining and attempting to obtain money, goods and services. “Consumers must be able to trust those who process and deliver our mail,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We’ll continue to prosecute those who abuse their positions of trust to defraud members of our community.” “As a result of coordinated investigative efforts, the sentence handed down in this case will send a clear message to mail thieves that you will be vigorously pursued and brought to justice,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “An important part of the U. S. Postal Inspection Service mission is to ensure public trust in the mail and to defend the nation’s mail system.” Senior U.S. District Court Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Gailliard to 30 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Gailliard was ordered to pay $149,692.14 in restitution. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Mid-Atlantic Area Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potterfield is prosecuting the case.


title: Two Pennsylvania Residents Charged Separately With Election Fraud Offenses

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that two defendants have been charged separately with election fraud offenses, one in connection with the 2020 presidential election, and the other in connection with the 2024 presidential election. Matthew Laiss , 31, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment with one count of voting more than once in a federal election and one count of voter fraud. As detailed in the indictment, from at least October 2012 until about August 2020, Laiss resided in, and was lawfully registered to vote in, Ottsville, Pennsylvania, a municipality located in Bucks County. In or around August 2020, Laiss moved his primary residence from Ottsville, Pennsylvania, to Frostproof, Florida. The same month, he applied for and obtained a Florida driver’s license and registered to vote in Florida. In or about October 2020, the Bucks County Board of Elections mailed a ballot for the November 2020 general election to the defendant’s former address in Ottsville, Pennsylvania, where Laiss’s parents continued to reside. The indictment alleges that, on or about October 31, 2020, Laiss filled out and returned the Pennsylvania mail-in ballot, casting a vote for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America. The indictment further alleges that, on or about November 3, 2020, Laiss went to a polling location in or around Frostproof, Florida, and voted in the 2020 general election, casting a vote for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America. If convicted, on each count of the indictment the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $10,000 to $250,000 fine. The case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of State, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Dubnoff. Miya Pack , 39, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment with one count of voting more than once in a federal election and one count of voter fraud. The indictment alleges that Pack was registered to vote in Bergen County, New Jersey, and had been registered there since in or about 2004, and was also registered to vote in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, since in or about 2016. The indictment further alleges that, on or about October 26, 2024, the defendant voted in person at an early voting location in Teaneck, New Jersey, casting a vote for the office of President of the United States of America. On Election Day, November 5, 2024, as alleged in the indictment, Pack went to a polling place in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, and cast another ballot in the 2024 general election, to include a vote for the office of President of the United States of America. If convicted, on each count of the indictment the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $10,000 to $250,000 fine. The case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Office of the Superintendent of Elections for Bergen County, New Jersey, and the Office of Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy Potts. The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.


title: Baltimore Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Commercial Robberies and Carjacking

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced John Hyman, 21, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for two armed commercial robberies and a carjacking in Baltimore County and Baltimore City, Maryland. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Baltimore Field Division; Chief Robert O. McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD); and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD). According to his guilty plea, in November 2022, Hyman and two other men committed two armed robberies of two commercial businesses and carjacked a vehicle from an employee. On November 29, Hyman and his co-defendants entered a 7-Eleven convenience store in East Baltimore. Upon entering the store, the men brandished a handgun and proceeded to rob the store. The suspects stole money from the cash register before fleeing the store. Unknown to the suspects, a money tracker was within the stolen money. This alerted the police and enabled them to track the suspects. Both BPD and BCPD dispatched officers, detectives, and aviation squads to locate the suspects. After leaving the store, the money tracker showed the suspects traveled to the Stokos carry-out restaurant, approximately 0.6 miles away from the store they robbed. While at that restaurant, one of the co-conspirators brandished a handgun, confronted a delivery driver, and robbed the man of the keys in his pocket. Then the men stole money from the store’s cash register and fled the location. BPD and BCPD aviation units soon located two vehicles closely following each other that matched the movements of the money tracker. The vehicles then separated and attempted to flee police, but law enforcement ultimately apprehended Hyman and the other two men who committed the robberies and carjacking. During the arrests, law enforcement recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm. Co-defendant Devin Grimes previously pled guilty and received a 10-year sentence. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF, BCPD, and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr. who prosecuted the case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach .


title: Mentmore Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Felony Assaults

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mentmore man has pleaded guilty to all counts in a federal indictment charging him in relation to assaulting and strangling an intimate partner and causing her substantial bodily injury. According to court records, on December 5, 2024, Alery Al Reid , 26, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, punched, strangled and threatened to kill Jane Doe. Reid pleaded guilty to a count of assault of an intimate partner by strangling and a second count of assault of an intimate partner resulting in substantial bodily injury. At sentencing, Reid faces up to 10 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Reid will be subject to three years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case.


title: Cuba Man Sentenced to Prison for Fatal Shooting and Highway Chase

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Cuba man was sentenced to eight years in prison for shooting into a vehicle during a highway chase resulting in the killing a 14-year-old passenger. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, May 16, 2022, Rodgerick Tsosie , 32, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, chased a vehicle carrying several occupants along New Mexico Highway 197 near Torreon. Tsosie had been called to break up a fight between the driver of the vehicle, John Doe 2, and other family members. As he pulled alongside the vehicle, Tsosie fired once towards John Doe 2 but inadvertently struck John Doe 1, his 14-year-old nephew, in the head. Despite efforts by an off-duty EMT, ambulance, and medivac crew, John Doe 1 was pronounced dead that evening at a hospital in Santa Fe. Law enforcement from the Navajo Nation Police Department, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI responded to the scene. Witnesses identified Tsosie ’s vehicle, and multiple occupants immediately told authorities he was the shooter. Tsosie later admitted to firing a shot, stating, “I guess I’ll take the fall for it.” Tsosie pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Upon his release from prison, Tsosie will be subject to five years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today. The FBI’s Albuquerque Violent Crime Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office and the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco prosecuted the case.


title: Albuquerque Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A convicted felon who trafficked massive quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine and continued committing crimes while in custody was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, the FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force began investigating Jerry Bezie , 36, after he openly flaunted gang affiliation, firearms, and illicit wealth on social media, drawing attention to his suspected role in large-scale drug trafficking. On March 23, 2023, FBI SWAT executed a search warrant at Bezie ’s residence in the South Valley. Agents encountered Bezie coming from the hallway leading to the master bedroom, where they found a loaded pistol beneath a bag of Xanax pills, a gold-colored money counter, and blue fentanyl pills marked “M-30” in and around the toilet. A backpack containing crystal methamphetamine was located near a semi-automatic assault rifle, and another pistol was found next to a bag of cash. Outside, agents discovered a large diaper box inside Bezie ’s Hummer H2 containing approximately 114,000 fentanyl pills. Bezie admitted the drugs, firearms, and cash belonged to him and that he had tried to flush pills down the toilet. Drugs, money and body armor seized from Bezie's residence In total, investigators seized more than seven kilograms of methamphetamine, over 100,000 fentanyl pills, $64,000 in cash, multiple firearms, and body armor. While being held at the Cibola County Correctional Center, Bezie continued his criminal activity by trafficking drugs, smuggling contraband, and participating in a violent assault on a correctional officer. Bezie subsequently pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Upon his release from prison, Bezie will be subject to five years of supervised release. As part of his sentence, Bezie was ordered to forfeit the $64,000 in cash, multiple vehicles including a 2018 Polaris Slingshot motorcycle, a 2018 CanAm ATV, and two trailers, his Albuquerque residence, five firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, ballistic vests, jewelry, a gold-colored money counter, and seven cell phones. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today. The FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec is prosecuting the case.


title: OPERATION LOW VOLTAGE- Homeland Security Investigations Executes Federal Search Warrant at the HL-GA Battery Company, LLC, located on the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant American Campus in Ellabell, Georgia

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Ellabell, Georgia, Southern District of Georgia: On September 4, 2025, hundreds of federal agents executed a federal search warrant at the HL-GA Battery Company, LLC, in Ellabell, Georgia, searching for evidence related to the unlawful employment of illegal aliens in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324. Upon execution of the criminal search warrant, several people attempted to flee the location. For example, a handful of people ran into a sewage pond located on the premises. Agents used a boat to fish them out of the water. One of the individuals swam under the boat and tried to flip it over to no avail. These people were captured and identified as illegal workers. Over the course of the day, federal, state, and local law enforcement executed the search warrant and identified hundreds of illegal workers. Law enforcement identified over 475 people who were unlawfully working at the location. United States Attorney Margaret E. Heap states: “This was a significant undertaking with substantial results. Over 400 agents participated in this massive event, and over 400 illegal workers were identified and detained. The goal of this operation is to reduce illegal employment and prevent employers from gaining an unfair advantage by hiring unauthorized workers. Another goal is to protect unauthorized workers from exploitation.” This investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigations, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, United States Marshal Service (USMS), and Georgia State Patrol. Assistant United States Attorneys Tania Groover, Ryan Bondura, Kelsey Scanlon, and E. Greg Gilluly, Jr., are investigating this case. The investigation is ongoing. All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). For any questions, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422. 45-22


title: Harlan Man Convicted of Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LONDON, Ky.- A Harlan, Ky., man was convicted on Thursday by a federal jury in London for producing child pornography. After 45 minutes of deliberation following a two-day trial, the jury convicted 42-year-old Brandon Farley of two counts of production of child pornography. According to testimony at trial, Farley sexually abused a minor that was in his care and took photos of that abuse. Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Division; and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police jointly announced the conviction. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Farley is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7, 2026. He faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. — END —


title: Grand jury indicts Kansas man for drug trafficking

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with drug trafficking. Vicente Rodriguez, 45, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting the case. OTHER INDICTMENTS John J. Hicks Jr, 38, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case. Robert D. Veales, 31, of Wichita was indicted on one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and two counts of prohibited person in possession of ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting the case. Jacob Navarrette, 34, of Wichita was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography. Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon is prosecuting the case. Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: September Federal Grand Jury 2025-A Indictments Announced

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the September Federal Grand Jury 2025-A Indictments. The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence. Jeffrey Todd Christner. Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. Christner, 59, of Paden City, West Virginia, is charged with attempting to coerce and entice a person he believed was under 18 years old to engage in sexually explicit conduct. He is additionally charged with traveling from West Virginia to Tulsa to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The Homeland Security Investigations Tulsa, Homeland Security Investigations Charleston, the Broken Arrow Police Department, and the Tulsa Airport Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Robert is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-325 Christopher Don Harl. First Degree Burglary in Indian Country; Retaliation by Threatening to Cause Bodily Injury; Retaliation by Damaging Tangible Property; Tampering with a Witness and Victim by Using the Threat of Physical Force. Harl, 41, of Tulsa and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with breaking into an occupied home with the intent to commit a crime. He knowingly threatened to cause bodily harm and damage the property of a victim if they provided information about the burglary. Lastly, Harl is charged with threatening to use physical force in an attempt to keep the victim from cooperating with law enforcement. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Heign is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-332 Roderick Douwey Jordan; Bertram Jerome Leonard. Conspiracy (Count 1); Passing and Attempting to Pass Counterfeit Obligations and Securities of the United States (Counts 2 through 5). Jordan, 30, of Port Lucie, Florida, and Leonard, 30, of Miami, Florida, are charged with conspiring with each other and with others to pass counterfeit currency by purchasing items from several retailers. Further, they are both charged with attempting to use and using counterfeit currency that was knowingly altered and forged. The U.S. Secret Service, the Tulsa Police Department, the Catoosa Police Department, and the Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Whipple is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-326 Kameron Lee King. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun. King, 20, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition, knowing he was previously convicted of a felony. Further, King is charged with knowingly possessing a handgun fitted with a machinegun conversion device. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elmore is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-323 Agustin Luevano Najera. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Najera, 52, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Sep. 2015. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Ihler is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-324 Barry Wayne Newberry. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. Newberry, 60, of Tulsa and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is charged with assaulting the victim with a dangerous weapon that resulted in bodily injury. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Dunn is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-321 Eduin Osmar Ramos-Lemus. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Ramos-Lemus, 39, a Honduran national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Mar. 2022. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Dill is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-322 Noe Nava Mata. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Nava Mata, 39, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in June 2023. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Niko Boulieris is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-320 Joseph Lee Starkey. Failure to Appear After Pretrial Release. Starkey, 45, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly and willfully failing to appear before the court as required under the conditions of his pretrial release in a separate case. The Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Greenough is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-331 La’Dontae Lavere Taylor. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition (Counts 1 & 2); Sex Trafficking (Count 3); Transporting an Individual for Prostitution (Count 4) (superseding). Taylor, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition in Dec. 2024 and Feb. 2025, knowing he was previously convicted of felonies. He is charged with benefiting financially from recruiting, harboring, and providing transportation to an individual to engage in commercial sex acts. Lastly, Taylor is charged with transporting a person to engage in prostitution and other sexual activities. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Dowdell and Kenneth Elmore are prosecuting the case. 25-CR-134


title: Carjacker Charged with Federal Crimes for Carjacking Spree that Killed Two Women and Injured a Child

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – Edward Tiki Arrington, 45, was charged by complaint this morning with one count of carjacking and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. Yesterday morning, Arrington engaged in a carjacking and shooting crime spree, targeting at least eight victims. Arrington crashed the vehicle he carjacked, killing two women and seriously injuring a child. “Two young women should be alive today. Instead, their lives were cut short by a senseless crime committed by a career criminal,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “They deserved better. We all deserve better. I am weary of this endless violence. Minnesota deserves peace. We will keep fighting to restore it.” According to the complaint, around 8 am on September 4, 2025, 911 calls began to come in about a man with a gun around 334 Lake Street East in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Edward Tiki Arrington, also known as Troy Mike Payton, was the gunman. Arrington was driving erratically towards Lake Street that morning. He was speeding, swerving into oncoming traffic, and driving on the sidewalk. Arrington drove his red SUV through a red light and crashed into another car, a white Infiniti SUV. Arrington got out of his red SUV and ran towards the other car, pointing a gun at the driver. Arrington tried to open the door of the white Infiniti, but the driver accelerated and was able to get away from Arrington. Arrington then ran towards another car, a black Volkswagen Passat. Again, Arrington brandished his firearm at the driver. Arrington carjacked the driver, a second victim. He ordered the driver out of her car at gunpoint, got into the black Passat, and drove the car against traffic. Arrington drove the black Passat back to his red SUV. Arrington tried to remove two dogs from his red SUV. He was eventually able to get the dogs into the carjacked Passat. As this was happening, a black Jeep approached the intersection. Arrington pointed his gun at a third victim, the driver of the black Jeep. The driver ducked and she was able to accelerate away. Arrington then ran up to a fourth victim, a woman walking on foot on Lake Street. Arrington ran up to the pedestrian and pointed his gun at her. The pedestrian put her hands up. Arrington grabbed her hands and demanded to know where her guns were. The pedestrian said she didn’t have a gun. Arrington released her and ran back to the carjacked Passat. As Arrington began to drive away in the black Passat, he fired a shot out of the vehicle. He appeared to be shooting at a work van, whose driver was driving past the black Passat. Arrington left the intersection around 8:10 am and drove to North Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Police Department sent out a city-wide notice that the black Volkswagen Passat was used in a shots-fired call. MPD officers located Arrington driving the carjacked black Passat in North Minneapolis. Officers attempted to pull Arrington over but he fled, driving towards downtown Minneapolis. Recognizing the immediate threat to public safety and human life, officers followed. Arrington sped through the intersection of Penn Avenue and Olson Memorial Boulevard, running a red light without stopping. As he did so, Arrington crashed at full speed into a blue Ford Focus sedan, which was driving lawfully through the intersection. In crashing his carjacked vehicle into the blue sedan, Arrington killed two women in their twenties and seriously injured a six-year-old child in the back seat; the child suffered bilateral femur fractures and a traumatic brain injury. One of the women killed was the child’s mother. Arrington has a long and extensive criminal history that includes state convictions for assault and firearms offenses and a 2009 federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Arrington faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison and up to a maximum of life in prison if convicted of these offenses. Carjacking resulting in death is a death penalty-eligible crime. “This violent suspect had an extensive criminal history and showed a complete disregard for the value of human life,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “His reckless and violent actions claimed the lives of innocent people and put countless others at risk. We are grateful for the partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office as we all work to ensure that he is held fully accountable and that justice is pursued for the victims and their families to the fullest extent of the law.” “Two innocent young women died yesterday, and a young child was hospitalized, due to the reckless and senseless actions of Edward Tiki Arrington, aka Troy Mike Payton,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. “Violent carjackings have permeated Minneapolis for far too long; these federal charges represent the commitment by the FBI, our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to reduce violent crime in Minnesota. The FBI will bring every resource available to ensure a safe community where its residents can thrive. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.” These cases result from an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department and the FBI, with assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol. The U.S. Attorney’s Office extends its profound sympathies to the families of the decedents and to all the victims in this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates its strong partnerships with the Minneapolis Police Department, the FBI, the Minnesota State Patrol, and many other state and local partners. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is grateful to the men and women of law enforcement who serve and protect Minnesota. Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Green is prosecuting the case. A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.