title: Tangipahoa Parish Man Guilty of Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – RINGO MITCHELL JR. (“MITCHELL JR.”) , age 36 of Natalbany, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 27, 2025, to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act, before United States District Judge Barry Ashe, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. MITCHELL JR. pleaded guilty to Counts 1, 9, and 10 of the indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged MITCHELL JR. with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1); 841(b)(1)(A); 841(b)(1)(B); and 846. Count 9 charged MITCHELL JR. with illegal use of communications facility, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. §843(b) and Title 18, U.S.C. §2. Count 10 charged MITCHELL JR. with possessing, with intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). On Count 1, MITCHELL JR. faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. On Count 9, MITCHELL JR. faces up to 4 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 1 year of supervised release following imprisonment. On Count 10, MITCHELL JR. faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. As to each count, he also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown but continuing until at least September 10, 2024, MITCHELL JR., and seven other individuals, conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the Tangipahoa Parish region of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The conspiracy was carried out through wire and electronic communications. 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). Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Three Former Executives for Magellan Diagnostics Plead Guilty to False Statements and FDCA Violations

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – The former CEO, COO and Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs for Magellan Diagnostics, Inc. (Magellan), a medical device company headquartered in Billerica, Mass., have pleaded guilty in connection with concealing a device malfunction that produced inaccurately low lead test results for thousands of children and other patients. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2023. Amy Winslow, 53, of Needham Heights, Mass., pleaded guilty to one felony count of introduction of misbranded medical devices into interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled her sentencing for July 23, 2025. Hossein Maleknia, 66, of Bonita Springs, Fla., pleaded guilty to two felony counts of introduction of misbranded medical devices into interstate commerce. Judge Saris scheduled his sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2025. Reba Daoust, 68, of Amesbury, Mass., pleaded guilty to one felony count of making false statements. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24, 2025. Magellan’s LeadCare II and LeadCare Ultra devices detected lead levels and lead poisoning in the blood of children and adults using either venous (i.e., blood draws through the arm) or fingerstick samples. LeadCare II, which was predominantly used to test fingerstick samples, accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the United States from 2013 through 2017. LeadCare Ultra was predominantly used to test venous samples. Winslow, Maleknia and Daoust – Magellan’s former CEO, COO and Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, respectively – misled Magellan customers and the FDA about a serious malfunction that affected Magellan’s LeadCare devices when they were used to test venous blood samples. By hiding the malfunction and later misleading customers and the FDA about when they discovered the malfunction, the nature, extent and frequency of the malfunction, as well as the risks associated with the malfunction, the defendants caused an estimated thousands of children and other patients to receive inaccurately low lead test results. “We trust that medical devices provide accurate results. We trust that when doctors give us information, it’s based on reliable science. These defendants eroded that trust by misleading regulators and customers about devices they knew could provide inaccurate results, and thereby knowingly endangered the health of children and other patients across the country,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “These convictions should make one thing clear: corporate fraud that puts public health at risk will not go unpunished. Individuals who choose to mislead rather than uphold the integrity of our healthcare system will be held accountable.” “Medical device makers have an obligation to provide truthful information to protect patients. By deliberately concealing and consistently misleading consumers and the FDA about device malfunctions, Magellan acted with gross disregard for its responsibility to comply with FDA requirements and put patients at risk,” said Fernando McMillian, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office. “We will continue to thoroughly investigate those whose actions undermine the integrity of the FDA regulatory process which exists to protect consumer health.” “What these three senior executives did was downright deceitful and dangerous,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “They concealed a medical device malfunction that resulted in inaccurate lead test results for thousands of children and other vulnerable patients in order to boost Magellan’s bottom line. The public should know the FBI and our partners are working hard every day to ensure those who put profits over patient safety won’t get away with it.” “These corporate executives knew about a serious flaw in Magellan’s lead testing devices that produced inaccurate reporting of lead levels in the blood. They chose to conceal that flaw, completely disregarding the well-being of patients, in their corrupt effort to benefit the corporate bottom line,” said Special Agent in Charge Roberto Coviello of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “These convictions serve as a strong reminder that we will continue to work tirelessly to investigate and bring to justice those who engage in dangerous schemes that put patient safety at risk.” The FDA ultimately found that the LeadCare devices could not accurately test venous samples, leading to a recall of all LeadCare devices using venous samples and a warning to the public not to use the devices for venous blood samples because of the malfunction. According to court documents, as referenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe level of lead in the blood. Lead exposure may cause irreversible lifelong physical and mental health problems. Young children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to lead exposure, especially those from low-income households and those who live in housing built before 1978 because those homes are more likely to contain lead-based paint and have fixtures containing lead. If you or a family member believe you received an inaccurate blood lead test result from a LeadCare device between 2013-2017, please complete the questionnaire located on the FBI’s website at www.fbi.gov/MagellanCaseInquiry . Information about the status of the case is located on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/press-highlights . The charges of introduction of misbranded medical devices provide for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of making false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up $250,000 or twice the gross gain from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. U.S. Attorney Foley; FDA-OCI SAC McMillan; FBI SAC Cohen; and HHS-OIG SAC Coviello made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Lawrence and Leslie Wright of the Healthcare Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case. Updated to include the quote of Fernando McMillian, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office


title: Three North Carolina Men Charged for Operating a  Website to Sell Illegal Drugs

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: NEW BERN, N.C. – A Rockingham man pleaded guilty Monday for his involvement in running an online e-commerce website that sold illegal drugs to customers nationwide. Adam Meland, 45, pled guilty to introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. Leondas Paul, 39, previously pled guilty to the same charge for his involvement in the online drug sales. Mark James Meland, also of Rockingham, was charged by Criminal Complaint in September 2023 for creating and operating the website MadisonJamesResearchChems.com. The online retail store illegally sold FDA-regulated drugs, including drugs commonly prescribed for weight loss, diabetes, erectile disfunction, and narcolepsy. M. Meland was charged with introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce and money laundering and faced more than 20 years in prison. According to court documents and evidence presented in court, M. Meland used his website MadisonJamesResearchChems.com to sell a variety of products that contained well-known active pharmaceutical ingredients. M. Meland obtained the pharmaceutical ingredients from China and other overseas suppliers. He employed workers to mix the chemicals with cutting agents and then repackage the products into capsules, bottles, and vials to fulfil website orders. M. Meland used his Rockingham business, Copy Proz, to create logos and labels for his website products and then ship them to customers nationwide. Neither M. Meland, his co-conspirators, or his businesses were registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to engage in the manufacturing or processing of drugs, nor were they practitioners licensed by law to administer prescription drugs. Many of the products sold on M. Meland’s website contained labels that did not have adequate directions for use and were false or misleading (such as stating the product was “not for human consumption”). Other drugs marketed on the website lacked requisite approval from the FDA to be lawfully marketed in the United States. A search of M. Meland’s Copy Proz business and adjacent business suites in Rockingham resulted in the seizure of hundreds of bags of capsules, as well as dozens of bottles of liquids labeled as containing steroids and testosterone, both controlled substances (photographs attached). More than $150,000 in cash was seized along with numerous illegal firearms. M. Meland died in February 2024, before the resolution of his criminal case. Paul was sentenced on March 6, 2024, to 6 months’ probation for his role working for M. Meland and operating a spin-off website LP3Health.com, which sold the same products as MadisonJamesResearchChems.com. A. Meland pled guilty for his role in assisting M. Meland run the online website. He is still awaiting sentencing and faces up to three years in prison. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after US Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr. accepted the plea. The Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Haughton is prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:23-mj-2147, 5:25-cr-00034, and 5:24-cr-00283. ###


title: Three defendants indicted on federal firearms charges

body_text: SAVANNAH, GA: Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include charges alleging felons illegally possessed firearms, while other defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges. “Removing guns from those who are prohibited from carrying them is a vital part of fighting violent crime,” said Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We appreciate the efforts of our law enforcement partners in keeping our streets safe.” The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns. Those indicted in March include: D’Vonta Ealy , 30, of Thomson, Georgia, charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Oxycodone; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Shawn Hakeem Sibert , 33, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl; and Possession of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime; and, Rashaud Johnson , 41, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. All indicted defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include: Kenyatta Dunn Nero , 40, of Augusta, was sentenced to 188 months in prison and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County deputies found a pistol in Nero’s vehicle during a July 2023 traffic stop. Nero has multiple previous criminal convictions on state charges that include illegal gun possession. Jacorey Rivers , 32, of Savannah, was sentenced to 180 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Machinegun, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. Rivers was on supervised release when he fled from a traffic stop and crashed. Officers found a Glock pistol in his possession that had been converted to automatic fire. Jordan Beverly Howard , 37, of Augusta, was sentenced to 72 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, while a co-defendant, Joshua Robert Ward , 45, of Augusta, was sentenced to 188 months in prison and fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Ward was on parole on state drug trafficking charges when Richmond County sheriff’s investigators searched the residence Howard and Ward shared and found drugs and two pistols. O’Kere Shields , 22, of Savannah, was sentenced to 36 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers found a pistol in Shields’ residence while investigating a report of gunfire. Raquan Williams , 23, of Savannah, was sentenced to 45 months in prison after pleading guilty to False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm. Williams attempted to purchase a shotgun from a Chatham County firearms dealer in June 2023, falsely claiming he was not under indictment at the time on state charges for armed robbery and aggravated assault. Christopher Jeramy Blair , 44, of Pembroke, Ga., was sentenced to 38 month in prison and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon. Acting on a tip, investigators from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives seized 11 handguns, rifles, and shotguns during a search of Blair’s residence. Eddie Leonard Tolbert , 39, of Augusta, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Grovetown police found a pistol in Tolbert’s possession during a traffic stop. Wesley Travis Bolding , 43, of Decatur, Georgia, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun. Wrens police officers found a pistol in Bolding’s vehicle during a traffic stop, and determined the gun had a device installed that converted it to automatic fire. Tommy Lee Porter , 55, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Columbia County deputies found two rifles in Porter’s possession during a traffic stop. Daniel Blount Cates , 50, of Waynesboro, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Cates, who was sentenced in federal court to probation on an illegal gambling charge in 2021, was sentenced in June to 15 months in prison after U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall ruled that Cates had violated the terms of his probation by possessing firearms. Investigators seized 44 firearms from Cates’ home, vehicle business during a search in May 2024. Luke Bunyun Jr., 46, of Waynesboro, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In June 2024, Richmond County deputies found Bunyun in possession of a 9mm pistol during the investigation of a domestic violence complaint. Jack Anthony Bragg , 44, of Statesboro, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Statesboro police found a rifle in Bragg’s vehicle in May 2024 while checking on a suspicious-person call at the Bulloch County Recycling Center. Darrell DeMarcus Golden , 31, of Lakeland, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers found a pistol in Golden’s backpack during an investigation at an arcade in downtown Savannah. Jakeem Bryant , 29, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers found Bryant in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop. Courtland Perry , 32, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, referring to a sawed-off shotgun. Savannah police found a short-barrel .410 shotgun in a bag Perry was carrying while arresting him on a state warrant for aggravated assault. The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office. Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense. For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473


title: Asbestos Removal Training Center Owner Sentenced for Making False Statements to the EPA and RI Health Department

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – The owner of an asbestos abatement training center who falsified documents attesting individuals paid for, attended, and successfully completed an Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)-approved abatement training program when, in fact, no one attended the classes was sentenced today to two years’ probation, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. On multiple occasions, between 2021 and 2023, Jose Virgilio Fernandez, owner of Rhode Island Safety Environment Training Center, submitted documents to the Rhode Island Department of Health falsely certifying that participants attended all days of instruction and achieved passing examination scores. As reflected in charging documents and information provided to the court, Fernandez falsely stated in signed documents that twenty individuals, whose names he provided, attended and successfully completed a five-day, 40-hour program the week of May 22, 2023. In fact, the only person who attended was an EPA agent acting in an undercover capacity who attended for two hours on the first day of classes. The Toxic Substances Control Act, implemented by the EPA, requires that workers who perform asbestos abatement attend and pass an EPA-approved asbestos training program which, in Rhode Island, is overseen by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Fernandez pleaded guilty on October 1, 2024, to a federal charge of making false statements. In addition to being sentenced to probation, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., ordered Mr. Fernandez to complete ethics training prior to engaging further in providing asbestos abatement training programs or courses. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams with the assistance of EPA Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Man Chak Ng. This matter was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance the Rhode Island Department of Health. ###


title: Tiverton Woman Admits Role in Bank Fraud Scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A Tiverton woman admitted to a federal judge today that she participated in a scheme to defraud a Rhode Island bank of nearly a quarter of a million dollars that had been deposited as a result of a business email compromise, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. Brenda Partin, 54, pleaded guilty today to a charge of attempted bank fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. According to information presented to the court, in May 2022, a compromised email account belonging to a Tennessee-based construction company was used to deceive a global snack-food company into altering its vendor payment information to a Rhode Island bank. An investigation later determined that the bank account to which the payment was misdirected belonged to Partin. Between August 15 and September 19, 2022, the Tennessee company sent four payments totaling nearly $225,000 that were intended to pay the snack-food company to the defendant’s account. Withdrawals from the account began almost immediately. On September 8, 2022, Partin wired $26,470.05 from the account for the purchase of an automobile, which she registered in her name. On that same date, Partin directed an associate to open a second account at a local bank, into which $30,000 was transferred from the first account. Over the next four months, multiple withdrawals and purchases were made from both accounts. On December 5, 2022, the bank closed the second account with a remaining balance of approximately $108,000. For the next nine months, the defendant and others attempted to convince bank employees to release the funds. Partin falsely claimed that the money was a settlement from a car accident; that the money had come from Partin’s fiancé; that the co-holder of the bank account earned the money working in Turkey and that he had leukemia and the funds were needed to address his affairs in the event he passed away; and in August 2023, the defendant claimed to a bank employee that her associate had passed away and that she needed the money to pay funeral expenses. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Juliane Klein. The matter was investigated by Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit and the FBI’s Rhode Island Complex Financial Crimes Task Force. ###


title: Four Brazilian Nationals Arrested for Allegedly Running Illegal Prescription Drug Ring; Allegedly Distributed Misbranded Drugs Imported From Brazil

body_text: BOSTON – Four undocumented Brazilian nationals currently residing in Framingham have been arrested for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to import pharmaceutical-grade controlled substances and other misbranded drugs from Brazil and distribute them throughout the greater Framingham area. Douglas Reis de Souza, 40; Dekny Marcos de Carvaleho Reis, 33; Dekmara de Carvalho Reis, 34; and Wandiscleia Ferreira de Souza Guimaraes, 41, all of Framingham, have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants were arrested yesterday morning and, following initial appearances in federal court in Boston, were detained pending a hearing scheduled for March 13, 2025. “For years, these defendants allegedly exploited a community’s trust to peddle black-market prescription drugs under the guide of legitimacy. They entered our country illegally and put countless individuals’ health and safety in danger, all for profit,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “If you or someone you know was impacted by this scheme, we urge you to come forward and report it to law enforcement. Our office and our law enforcement partners will not allow reckless, exploitative criminals to operate in the shadows.” “The DEA is committed to ensuring that anyone prescribing and selling prescription medication is a registrant and they are in compliance with the required regulations, which are enforceable through the Controlled Substances Act said Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “Failure to do so increases the potential for diversion and jeopardizes the public health and public safety of our communities. DEA pledges to work with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are followed.” “Prescription drugs play a vital role allowing individuals to control symptoms, treat illnesses, and improve overall health. The illegal and improper dispensing of prescription drugs to vulnerable individuals without the concurrence from a medical professional or a licensed pharmacist is a deadly combination. The actions of the defendants arrested undermine that trust and endanger the community as they facilitated the distribution of dangerous narcotics to individuals for personal financial gain. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue the mission of eradicating illegal drugs from the U.S. Mail and protecting all those who use it,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. According to the charging documents, Reis de Souza held himself out to be a legitimate pharmacist to the Portuguese-speaking community in the greater Framingham area, doing business as “Droga Reis” (Portuguese for “Drug King”). In support of his operation, Reis de Souza allegedly distributed the following business card, which has been translated from Portuguese: Douglas Reis, Pharmacist [REDACTED PHONE NUMBER] Remedies from Brazil Service 24 H Call me on Whats[App] and I can help you Don’t miss your work day Pharmacist with over 22 years of experience Indication of medicines for adult and pediatric use Contraceptive pills and injectables Injectable cocktail to treat muscular and orthopedic problems Perforation of ear cells. Reis de Souza allegedly imported pharmaceutical-grade drugs, including controlled substances from various locations in Brazil and then re-sold them to customers. It is alleged that at least 24 packages sent from Brazil to Reis de Souza’s drug trafficking organization were seized during the investigation which began in October 2023 – all of which were found to contain illegally imported pharmaceutical-grade controlled substances. It is alleged that Reis de Souza employed Carvaleho Reis, Dekmara de Carvalho Reis and Wandiscleia Ferreira de Souza Guimaraes to process, fill and deliver orders for controlled substances and other prescription drugs that customers paid Reis de Souza for. In total, over the course of the investigation, Reis de Souza’s drug trafficking organization allegedly distributed 154 tablets of Codeine; 60 tablets of Tramadol; 280 tablets of Clonazepam; and 450 tablets of Morphine via controlled purchases or the mail. This morning, search warrants were executed at an apartment allegedly used by Reis de Souza and his co-conspirators as a black-market doctor’s office. There, law enforcement allegedly observed an examination/consultation area, used syringes ostensibly used to inject “patients,” as well as large quantities of controlled substances and non-controlled prescription and/or misbranded drugs: At no time did Reis de Souza possess any license authorizing him to dispense these drugs. It is alleged that Reis de Souza collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits as a result of the drug trafficking scheme. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The defendants are subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. If you were a customer of Reis De Souza, or his d/b/a “Droga Reis,” and you suffered any adverse events, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov . U.S. Attorney Foley, DEA Acting SAC Belleau and USPIS INC Larco-Ward made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations; Customs and Border Protection; and the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (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 details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Convicted Connecticut Child Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Entice And Use An 11-Year-Old Child In Florida To Produce Photos Of Her Own Sexual Abuse

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Andrew Thomas Bull (37, Tolland, CT), also known as Andrew Thomas Picard, has pleaded guilty to attempting to entice a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing photos of her own sexual abuse. Bull faces a minimum sentence of 25 years, up to 50 years, in federal prison and a possible lifetime term of supervised release. Bull was convicted of importation and illegal possession of child pornography in 2013 in Connecticut. On May 25, 2023, FBI agents arrested Bull at his home in Connecticut. He was later transported to Jacksonville for prosecution. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 9, 2025. According to court documents, on November 15, 2022, an FBI agent (UC) in the Jacksonville area was conducting an online undercover operation to identify adults seeking to meet and engage in sexual activity with children. The UC posted a text message in a public chatroom on a social media application (app) indicating that the UC had access to an 11-year-old “child.” Later that same day, user “brdr1066,” subsequently identified as Bull, contacted the UC directly using the app’s private online text messaging feature. Bull asked the UC to confirm the age and sexual experience of the “child.” Bull sent the UC explicit photos of himself to show to the “child.” During text conversations on the app between November 2022 and May 2023, Bull confirmed his desire to have sex with the “child,” and he sent the UC photos depicting young children being sexually abused. Bull solicited the UC to take and send to Bull explicit photos of the “child.” On May 25, 2023, FBI agents arrested Bull and executed a search warrant at his Connecticut residence. A search of Bull’s cellphone revealed that it contained, among other things, at least 15 videos and 40 photos depicting children being sexually abused, including an infant. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville and New Haven, Connecticut. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys D. Rodney Brown and Kelly S. Milliron. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, locate, and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Clayton Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Assistance Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Illegal Firearm

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – Darnell William King, age 42, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the indictment and information presented in court, King entered into separate conspiracies to commit Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud and to use stolen identities to obtain personal lines of credit from various private lenders in the Eastern District of North Carolina. “The Paycheck Protection Program was an essential tool used to support the economy against an unforeseen international health crisis and provide much needed relief for small businesses,” Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar stated today. “Instead, King saw the PPP as an opportunity to commit serious fraud, and is being held responsible for his crimes because of the good work of IRS-CI and our other federal and state partners.” “The defendant caused immeasurable hardship to innocent victims and businesses by stealing identities and using them to borrow money he never intended to repay,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. “IRS Criminal Investigation, along with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney's Office, remain vigilant in finding, investigating and prosecuting those individuals who seek to willfully defraud the United States Treasury and blatantly disregard the victims of their schemes.” According to the indictment, King and others recruited “mules” to obtain fraudulent personal loans. King created fake driver’s licenses and other identity documents using a true photo of the mule and stolen personally identifying information belonging to unknowing victims. The mules then used the fake identity documents and other forged business records to obtain personal loans based on applications for credit that King or others had previously submitted online. The mule would then deliver the loan proceeds to King or his co-conspirators and would receive kickbacks anywhere between $100 and $2,000. In a second conspiracy, King and other conspirators applied for a PPP loan in King’s name with falsified bank and tax records claiming that King had been working as an Uber driver before the pandemic, resulting in the disbursement of over $15,000 in funds guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. Finally, during the execution of a search warrant in Clayton seeking evidence related to the identity theft conspiracy, law enforcement discovered King in possession of a firearm with a high-capacity drum magazine, even though King is a previously convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms. “This extensive investigation, known as Operation Overload , uncovered a sophisticated criminal enterprise that fraudulently utilized thousands of North Carolina driver licenses, resulting in financial crimes that impacted individuals across multiple states,” said Captain Vaughn of the North Carolina DMV License & Theft Bureau. “Bureau commends its inspectors, intelligence analysts, and all partner agencies for their hard work and collaboration. Their efforts underscore the importance of interagency cooperation in combating complex fraud schemes and safeguarding the identities of North Carolina residents.” Sentencing will occur later this year before United States District Judge Richard E. Myers, II. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the plea. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations; the Wake County Sheriff’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles License & Theft Bureau. The Clayton Police Department and other local agencies have also aided over the course of the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley H. Foxx prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5-24-CR-00156. ###


title: Massachusetts Man Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Obstructing Federal Hate Crimes Investigation

body_text: BOSTON – A Massachusetts man, who was extradited from Stockholm, Sweden, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for obstructing an investigation of fires set at Jewish institutions in Arlington, Needham and Chelsea, Mass., in May 2019. Alexander Giannakakis, 37, formerly of Quincy, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 42 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In November 2024, Giannakakis pleaded guilty to concealing records in a federal investigation; tampering with documents and objects; and tampering with an official proceeding. In February 2022 , Giannakakis was indicted by a federal grand jury. In February 2024 he was extradited to the United States from Sweden. “Rather than assist authorities, Alexander Giannakakis chose instead to impede the FBI’s investigation by lying to investigators and destroying and concealing evidence,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Obstructing law enforcement is a serious crime that can embolden individuals to continue criminal behavior, sometimes with serious or even deadly consequences. Today’s sentence leaves no room for doubt, that this type of deceit and obstruction will not be tolerated.” "With today’s sentence, Alexander Giannakakis learned the hard way that the family ties that bind you together can also land you in federal prison,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Mr. Giannakakis destroyed evidence and obstructed the FBI’s investigation into his brother’s acts of domestic terrorism that sent shockwaves of fear throughout the Jewish community. Instead of doing what was right and calling out his brother’s vile conduct, Mr. Giannakakis tried to cover for him. Anyone who thinks they can lie to us and get away with it, should think twice. The FBI can’t properly carry out investigations, if the people we interview think they can deceive us without consequence.” In approximately February 2020, Giannakakis’ younger brother became the prime suspect in an investigation into four fires set at Jewish institutions in the Boston area: the first during the evening of May 11, 2019 at a Chabad Center in Arlington; the second at the same location during the evening of May 16, 2019; the third at a Chabad Center in Needham; and the fourth during the evening of May 26, 2019, at a Jewish-affiliated business in Chelsea. At the time Giannakakis’ brother was identified as a suspect, he was hospitalized in a coma. He remained in a coma until his death later that year. Shortly after his brother was identified as a suspect, Giannakakis left the United States for Sweden, where he was living at the time, with his brother’s electronic devices and documents. According to court documents, when Giannakakis returned to the U.S. in March 2020, he was questioned by investigators about his brother’s involvement in the arsons and made false and misleading statements. He later concealed and destroyed physical evidence being sought by investigators that implicated his brother in the arsons. Within hours of concealing and destroying that evidence, Giannakakis fled the United States for Sweden. Giannakakis remained in Sweden until his arrest by Swedish authorities in February 2022. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Chief Juliann Flaherty of the Arlington Police Department; Chief John Schlittler of the Needham Police Department; and Chief Keith E. Houghton of the Chelsea Police Department made the announcement today. Substantial assistance was provided by Swedish authorities. Additional assistance was provided by the Quincy Massachusetts Police Department; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance to secure the arrest and extradition from Sweden of Giannakakis. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey of the National Security Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Man Sentenced for Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JERAD M. BARRETT, (“BARRETT”), age 41, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on February 26, 2025, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fifty kilograms or more of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute, fifty kilograms or more of marijuana, and maintaining a drug-involved premises, violations of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), 846, and 856(a)(1), respectively, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. BARRETT was sentenced to 135 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, BARRETT , with the assistance of his mother, maintained his residence to cultivate and distribute kilogram quantities of marijuana. Agents also uncovered communications between BARRETT and his mother related to distribution, packaging, and relocation of narcotics within the Eastern District of Louisiana. During the investigation, agents recovered approximately 940 kilograms of marijuana stored in plastic bins and barrels from within BARRETT’S residence and multiple storage units associated with BARRETT . This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Jacksonville Woman Sentenced To Federal Prison For Credit Scheme And COVID Relief Fraud Involving The Paycheck Protection Program

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Crystal Denean Harvell (37, Jacksonville) to two years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud involving a line of credit scheme and wire fraud involving COVID relief fraud through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The court also ordered Harvell to pay $131,782.63 in restitution to the victims she defrauded and to the United States government. Harvell agreed to forfeit $20,415, which is traceable to proceeds of the wire fraud offense involving COVID relief fraud. Harvell entered a guilty plea on September 4, 2024. According to court documents, Harvell and her co-conspirators fraudulently obtained the Social Security numbers (SSNs) of others. From February 2016 through September 2019, Harvell and others recruited individuals to obtain lines of credit at various businesses using the SSNs. After fraudulently obtaining the lines of credit, they obtained jewelry and other merchandise. Harvell resold some of the merchandise and lines of credit on social media platforms. In April 2021, Harvell submitted a PPP loan application to a lender authorized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to lend funds for approved PPP loan applications. The PPP loan application falsely claimed that Harvell operated her own business. Throughout the loan application Harvell made multiple false statements regarding her purported gross income and expenses associated with operating her business. In support of her PPP loan application, she submitted a false IRS Form 1040 - Profit or Loss From Business. It contained false statements about operating expenses, gross income, and wage expenditures for her purported business. Harvell’s business did not exist. In reliance on the false statements made in her loan application, Harvell’s application was approved, and she received a PPP loan totaling $20,415. After receiving the PPP loan proceeds in her bank account, Harvell began making withdrawals and spending the funds on personal expenses. In October 2021, Harvell submitted a PPP loan forgiveness application to the SBA that included multiple false representations. In the application, she falsely claimed that she spent more than $18,000 on payroll costs and that the PPP loan proceeds were only used for eligible purposes. In reliance on her false statements the SBA forgave the entire loan, plus accrued interest. This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The asset forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Harrington.


title: Arkansas man guilty of transporting illegal aliens in wheel well and fuel tank

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 48-year-old man from Jonesboro, Arkansas, has been convicted of unlawfully transporting four illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes following a less than two-day trial before finding Noel Mercado guilty on two counts of alien smuggling. On the evening of Jan. 5, Mercado drove to the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint in a Ford F350 pickup truck. After a K-9 alerted to the vehicle, authorities referred him for further inspection. An x-ray scan revealed at least two individuals in the truck’s wheel wells – found bolted inside modified wheel well compartments. Law enforcement also discovered two more individuals in the auxiliary fuel tank below the truck bed. All four were illegal aliens from the countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala with no authority to be in the United States. At trial, Mercado claimed he had travelled to the Rio Grande Valley to trade baseball cards and other collectibles. He testified he had no idea any of the four individuals were concealed inside the truck he was driving. The jury did not believe his claims and found him guilty as charged. “As the Department cracks down on human smuggling and illegal immigration, we can expect smugglers to get more desperate, and thus more creative,” said Ganjei. “I would like to thank the jury for their service.” U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for June 11, at which time Mercado faces up to five years in federal prison for each count of conviction as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Pruitt prosecuted the case.


title: Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Brian Gregory Brightman (31, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Brightman faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, beginning no later than July 7 and continuing through September 11, 2024, Brightman, a convicted felon, orchestrated and led a drug trafficking organization to distribute controlled substances. The investigation revealed that Brightman supplied, staffed, directed, and profited from the sale of drugs from at least six different locations in and around Jacksonville. Brightman arranged for mid-level distributors, his co-conspirators, to sell more than a kilogram of actual methamphetamine to a confidential informant. They also sold crack cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. Brightman or an associate would drop off drugs on a near daily basis for his co-conspirators to sell, then Brightman or an associate would pick up cash proceeds from the drug sales. As a conservative estimate, two of the locations sold approximately $3,000 worth of methamphetamine and fentanyl per day. Brightman engaged in these activities while on pretrial release for separate offenses charged in the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County. On September 11, 2024, federal agents executed search warrants at eight locations associated with Brightman’s conspiracy. Drugs, including oxycodone, fentanyl, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and four firearms were seized at those locations. As part of his plea, Brightman has agreed to forfeit a Glock firearm, a Smith & Wesson .380 pistol, a Radical Firearms AR-15, and a 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol and associated ammunition because these assets facilitated the drug conspiracy. On January 31, 2025, Trey Allan King, one of Brightman’s co-conspirators, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and distribution of 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. His sentencing is pending. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lasry.


title: Houston Man Guilty of Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Today , Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that ANACLETO SILVA-HERRERA (“SILVA-HERRERA”) , age 38, a resident of Houston, Texas, pled guilty on February 26, 2025, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession, with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A). According to court documents, SILVA-HERRERA, and other co-conspirators, distributed and possessed with intent to distribute, multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine within the Eastern District of Louisiana. SILVA-HERRERA transported kilogram quantities of cocaine, and proceeds from the sale of narcotics, on behalf of a co-conspirator, a known Mexico-based source of supply. On both counts, SILVA-HERRERA faces a minimum term of imprisonment of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Orleans Field Division Office, and assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, the Kenner Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit. * * *


title: Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing A Machinegun

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Andres Felipe Mejia (19, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to possessing a machinegun. Mejia faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. According to court documents, on August 13, 2024, undercover agents with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives met Mejia to purchase a “switch.” The “switch” Mejia sold was a machinegun conversion device designed to convert a semiautomatic Glock pistol into a fully automatic machinegun. During the sale, Mejia explained to the undercover agents how to use the switch and offered to sell them more in the future. This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Twenty-Eight Leaders And Members Of The Valentine Avenue Crew Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Racketeering

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”); Leslie R. Backschies, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo”; HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec”; JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little”; NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio”; DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank”; EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR”; JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine”; CHRISTIAN SERRANO, a/k/a “Chris”; JOHNNIE CAPELES a/k/a “Jon Boy”; JAMIL BANKS a/k/a “Mel”; EMILIO BARRERA, a/k/a “Colombia,” a/k/a “E”; JASON RIVERA, a/k/a “Colombo”; HECTOR CEREZO, a/k/a “Red”; JOSUE VARGAS, a/k/a “Leo”; JUAN KUANG, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Blanco”; STEVEN SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Swizz”; VICTOR MENDENG, a/k/a “Cali”; ANGEL VILLAFANE, YADIRA REYNOSO, a/k/a “Yadi”; ERIKA DAWSON; ARIYAN LABELLA, a/k/a “Ari”; DELILAH CARRIEL; ROSEMARIE SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Rosie”; JOHANA ALCANTARA; JUAN CALDERON, a/k/a “Jazzo,” a/k/a “Juanito”; KAREEM SMITH, a/k/a “K”; and CHRISTOPHER MEADOWS with participating in a racketeering enterprise, committing multiple violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including murder, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, distributing narcotics, and carrying and using firearms in connection with an armed drug trafficking operation based on Valentine Avenue in the Bronx, New York for well over three decades from 1993 to the present. CARASQUILLO and ALCANTARA are also charged with the June 25, 2020, murder of Jozei Hullex. CARRASQUILLO, HECTOR HERNANDEZ, JOSE HERNANDEZ, MANNING, MARCUS, MORENO, BANKS, RIVERA, CEREZO, VARGAS, KUANG, SANTIAGO, MENDENG, VILLAFANE, CARRIEL, SANCHEZ, ALCANTARA, CALDERON, and MEADOWS were previously taken into custody on related charges. SAMUELS, SERRANO, CAPELES, REYNOSO, DAWSON, LABELLA, and SMITH were arrested either yesterday evening or earlier today. BARRERA is still at large. All seven of the defendants arrested yesterday or today are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger later this afternoon. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero. Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Today, we have filed charges against twenty-eight alleged members of a violent drug trafficking gang that held an entire neighborhood of this city hostage for over three decades. On a daily basis, this street crew, including those arrested today, allegedly distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack along several blocks on Valentine Avenue, creating an open-air drug market in the middle of a Bronx neighborhood. And to protect their territory, they allegedly carried guns, extorted people with substance abuse issues through violence, and attacked rivals and anyone else attempting to weaken their control on their block. This violence resulted in multiple shootings, as well as the murder of Jozei Hullex. It is a brutal reality that has lasted for far too long. It ends now. The streets of this great city belong to its people, and the career prosecutors of this Office will not stop until our streets are returned to the law-abiding people of New York City and their families.” DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino said: “Today’s indictment against the Valentine Avenue Crew and its members, shows the commitment the Drug Enforcement Administration and our law enforcement partners have when targeting drug trafficking organizations and individuals who routinely use threats, violence, extortion, robbery, and murder in order to run their criminal enterprise and flood our neighborhoods with illicit and synthetic drugs. The DEA remains committed to ensuring our citizens and communities remain healthy and safe.” FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Leslie R. Backschies said: “For over three decades, these 28 Valentine Avenue Crew members allegedly protected their illicit narcotics distribution scheme and the enterprise’s dangerous reputation through violent gunfights and murder. Their alleged commandeering of a Bronx neighborhood allowed criminality and violence to flourish, threatening the lives of innocent residents. The FBI remains committed to dismantling all criminal organizations that utilize our city as their personal playground to promote illegal racketeering operations and endanger our communities.” NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “The Valentine Avenue Crew created immense fear within their community for decades, fueling our streets with senseless gun violence, polluting our sidewalks with deadly poisons, and costing lives through their ruthless gang behavior. These indictments send a clear message: this era of lawlessness ends today. The NYPD remains steadfast in its mission to remove illegal firearms from the hands of criminals—having already seized over 1,000 firearms this year alone—and to dismantle the illicit drug trade they are so often associated with. I commend the relentless NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners in the FBI, DEA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their unwavering commitment to placing members of organized networks such as these behind bars.” As alleged in the Indictment: [1] CARRASQUILLO, HECTOR HERNANDEZ, JOSE HERNANDEZ, MANNING, MARCUS, MORENO, SAMUELS, SERRANO, CAPELES, BANKS, BARRERA, RIVERA, CEREZO, VARGAS, KUANG, SANTIAGO, MENDENG, VILLAFANE, REYNOSO, DAWSON, LABELLA, CARRIEL, SANCHEZ, ALCANTARA, CALDERON, SMITH, and MEADOWS are charged for their involvement in an armed drug trafficking organization (the “Valentine Avenue Crew”) that took over the block of Valentine Avenue between East 194th Street and East 196th Street in the Bronx (the “Block”) and its surrounding neighborhood. Since the mid-1990s, for multiple decades, the members and associates of the Valentine Avenue Crew, including the defendants, operated as a drug trafficking gang that was organized in a hierarchal structure and that took over and controlled the Block, working in shifts throughout the day and night to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base, in a form commonly known as “crack.” These drugs were often manufactured and packaged elsewhere and then delivered to the Block, where members and associates of the Valentine Avenue Crew, many of whom were typically armed with firearms and other weapons, sold them to a large base of end-user customers. In control of the sidewalks and the street of the Block, as well as the public spaces of multiple buildings along the Block, the Valentine Avenue Crew and its members and associates, including the defendants, worked freely, creating an open market for drugs, in which they extorted payments, including in-kind sexual acts, from customers through violence and the threat of violence. The members and associates of the Valentine Avenue Crew, including the defendants, also used violence—including multiple shootings—to compete with rival drug traffickers and within the Valentine Avenue Crew itself, principally to maintain dominance over the drug trade on the Block and control of the Valentine Avenue Crew. On or about June 25, 2020, CARRASQUILLO, one of the leaders of the Valentine Avenue Crew, and ALCANTARA used fentanyl to poison and murder Jozei Hullex, a disfavored member of the Valentine Avenue Crew. On or about June 25, 2020, CARRASQUILLO, HECTOR HERNANDEZ, JOSE HERNANDEZ, MANNING, MARCUS, and SAMUELS participated in a shootout for control of the Valentine Avenue Crew and in turn the Block. On or about September 22, 2020, CARRASQUILLO and CEREZO participated in shooting at a rival gang member. On or about January 1, 2021, CARRASQUILLO, MARCUS, MORENO, and SAMUELS used a chain and one or more firearms to assault a disfavored member of the Valentine Avenue Crew, who was seriously injured and hospitalized following the attack. In addition, VILLAFANE remains charged for his commission of two non-fatal shootings in Manhattan in July 2020 and January 2021. Specifically, in or about July 2020, VILLAFANE paid a co-conspirator (“CC-1”) to lure a victim to a location in Manhattan where VILLAFANE attempted to murder the victim over a drug debt, resulting in personal injury to the victim. Additionally, on or about January 8, 2021, VILLAFANE committed another non-fatal shooting in Manhattan. * * * A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA, FBI, and NYPD. Today’s operation was conducted by the Trident Task Force, a joint task force of the DEA and FBI, among other federal, state, and local law-enforcement authorities, which is working on this case together with the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman, Timothy Ly, and Thomas John Wright are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. u.s._v._carrasquillo_et_al._indictment.pdf COUNT CHARGE DEFENDANTS MAX. PENALTIES 1 Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) All DEFENDANTS Life in prison 2 Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” and JOHANA ALCANTARA 10 years in prison 3 Murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2 EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” and JOHANA ALCANTARA Death or mandatory sentence of life in prison 4 Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2 EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little,” NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” and JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine” 20 years in prison 5 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2 EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little,” NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” and JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine” Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison 6 Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2 EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” and HECTOR CEREZO, a/k/a “Red” 20 years in prison 7 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2 EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo” Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison 8 Assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR,” and JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine” 20 years in prison 9 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2 EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR,” and JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine” Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison 10 Narcotics conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846 EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little,” NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR,” JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine,” CHRISTIAN SERRANO, a/k/a “Chris,” JOHNNIE CAPELES a/k/a “Jon Boy,” EMILIO BARRERA, a/k/a “Colombia,” a/k/a “E,” JASON RIVERA, a/k/a “Colombo,” HECTOR CEREZO a/k/a “Red,” JOSUE VARGAS, a/k/a “Leo,” JUAN KUANG, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Blanco,” STEVEN SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Swizz,” VICTOR MENDENG, a/k/a “Cali,” ANGEL VILLAFANE YADIRA REYNOSO, a/k/a “Yadi,” ERIKA DAWSON, ARIYAN LABELLA, a/k/a “Ari,” DELILAH CARRIEL, ROSEMARIE SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Rosie,” JOHANA ALCANTARA, JUAN CALDERON, a/k/a “Jazzo,” a/k/a “Juanito,” KAREEM SMITH, a/k/a “K,” and CHRISTOPHER MEADOWS Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison 11 Continuing criminal enterprise EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little,” NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR,” JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine,” CHRISTIAN SERRANO, a/k/a “Chris,” JOHNNIE CAPELES, a/k/a “Jon Boy,” JAMIL BANKS, a/k/a “Mel,” EMILIO BARRERA, a/k/a “Colombia,” a/k/a “E,” JASON RIVERA, a/k/a “Colombo,” JOSUE VARGAS, a/k/a “Leo,” JUN KUANG, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Blanco,” and STEVEN SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Swizz” Life in prison Mandatory sentence of life in prison for CARRASQUILLO and HERNANDEZ Mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison for other defendants 12 Murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 848(e)(1)(A) EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” and JOHANA ALCANTARA Death or life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison 13 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo” Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 14 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec” Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 15 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little” Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 16 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio” Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 17 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank” Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 18 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR” Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 19 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine” Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 20 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime HECTOR CEREZO, a/k/a “Red” Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 21 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime ANGEL VILLAFANE Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 22 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime CHRISTIAN SERRANO, a/k/a “Chris,” JOHNNIE CAPELES, a/k/a “Jon Boy,” JAMIL BANKS, a/k/a “Mel,” EMILIO BARRERA, a/k/a “Colombia,” a/k/a “E,” JASON RIVERA, a/k/a “Colombo,” JOSUE VARGAS, a/k/a “Leo,” JUAN KUANG, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Blanco,” STEVEN SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Swizz,” VICTOR MENDENG, a/k/a “Cali,” YADIRA REYNOSO, a/k/a “Yadi,” ERIKA DAWSON, ARIYAN LABELLA, a/k/a “Ari,” DELILAH CARRIEL, ROSEMARIE SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Rosie,” JOHANA ALCANTARA, JUAN CALDERON, a/k/a “Jazzo,” a/k/a “Juanito,” KAREEM SMITH, a/k/a “K,” and CHRISTOPHER MEADOWS Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 23 Murder for hire ANGEL VILLAFANE 20 years in prison 24 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime ANGEL VILLAFANE Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison 25 Felon in possession of ammunition ANGEL VILLAFANE 10 years in prison [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Former U.S. Marine Pleads Guilty to Submitting False Purple Heart Application

body_text: BOSTON – A former United States Marine pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. to submitting a false Purple Heart application to the United States Marine Corps through his local Congressman. Paul John Herbert, 54, of Shelburne Falls, Mass., pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for June 17, 2025. In September 2023, Herbert was indicted by a federal grand jury. “Military veterans deserve the respect of every citizen for their service to our country. Veterans know well that the Purple Heart honors those brave service members who were injured or killed in the line of duty. Mr. Herbert knew that he did not deserve this widely recognized and respected award, but that did not stop him from lying about a traumatic brain injury and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability benefits, intended to take care of veterans truly in need.” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Claiming valor for a false injury is an affront to all the members of the military who serve our country with courage and honor.” “Today’s guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for falsifying his service record to steal funds intended for our nation’s deserving veterans,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “The VA Office of Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate those who would represent themselves as something they are not in order to exploit VA programs and services.” “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement component of the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General, will continue to partner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice to protect the interests of those who selflessly serve our country,” said Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. “We are committed to investigating individuals who falsely represent themselves as decorated veterans and steal benefits intended for our nation’s servicemembers.” Beginning on Oct. 13, 2010, Herbert submitted numerous false statements to the VA concerning IED-related injuries in support of a claim for disability compensation. Based upon these false claims, between January 1, 2010 and March 1, 2023 the VA overpaid Herbert $344,040. On Oct. 24, 2018, Herbert issued a request to his Congressman to assist with the application for a Purple Heart. The request contained a notarized letter from Herbert, that falsely stated he had been injured by a roadside explosion. The charge of making a false statement provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. U.S. Attorney Foley, VA-OIG SAC Algieri and DCIS SAC Hegarty made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.


title: Turkish Citizen Charged with Illegal Re-entry into U.S.

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A citizen of Turkey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of illegal re-entry of a removed alien, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The one-count Indictment named Izzet Kurt, 60, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, on or about February 25, 2025, Kurt was found in western Pennsylvania after having been removed from the United States on or about March 15, 2018, following a conviction in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for conspiracy to bring unauthorized aliens to the U.S. for profit. Because the defendant’s removal was subsequent to a conviction for commission of an aggravated felony, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: New Orleans Man Charged with Possessing Files Depicting Sexual Victimization of Children

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that ERVIN DALVECCHIO COOPER , (“ COOPER”) age 23, a resident of New Orleans, was charged on February 27, 2025, by bill of information, with possession of files depicting the sexual exploitation of children under the age of twelve years old, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2252(a)(4)(B). COOPER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years. COOPER also faces a lifetime of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and can be required to register as a sex offender. He also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Acting U. S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 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 United States 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. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Portage Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: HAMMOND – David Allen Swisher, 29 years old, of Portage, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography with a prior conviction, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Swisher was sentenced to 120 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, on or about June 23, 2023, Swisher knowingly possessed multiple videos and several images of child sexual abuse material after having being convicted of possession of child pornography in the State of Indiana. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Police Digital Forensics Unit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nadia D. Wardrip and Steven J. Lupa. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: Gang Member Sentenced for Bank Fraud Conspiracy

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A Central Falls man described in court documents as being a member of a dangerous Providence street gang and a driver of violence within that group, who recently completed a term of incarceration on a federal firearms charge, was sentenced today for bank fraud conspiracy, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. Ryan DaCruz, 28, pleaded guilty in February to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy. He admitted to a federal judge that between February 2022 and May 2023, he opened bank accounts at four Rhode Island banks into which he deposited tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of checks that had been stolen from the U.S. Mail stream by confederates. According to information presented to the court, the stolen checks, most of which were third party business checks, appeared to have been “washed” so that the payee names could be changed to Ryan DaCruz. The deposited funds were rapidly depleted through cash withdrawals and/or money transfers. As banks recognized the deposited items as fraudulent, banks closed the accounts. DaCruz would then open a new account at a different bank. The intended loss to banks totaled approximately $46.000. DaCruz completed a federal sentence imposed in January 2024 for being a felon in possession of a firearm while being detained on the current charge of bank fraud conspiracy. He was sentenced today on the bank fraud conspiracy charge by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to a term of incarceration of eighteen months to be followed by three years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John P. McAdams and Paul F. Daly, Jr. The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Providence Police Department. ###


title: Ontario man attempting to enter U.S. arrested for making a false statement

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Omid Kazemimanesh, 38, of Mississauga, Ontario, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a false statement, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that on October 18, 2024, Kazemimanesh attempted to enter the United States at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge Port of Entry. During primary inspection, he stated he had served in the Iranian Army approximately 13 years ago, but could not provide any documentation related to the military service. As a result, Kazemimanesh was denied entry, and advised that he would need his military completion card and supporting documentation issued by the Iranian military that showed which branch of the military he had served to gain entry. On March 8, 2025, Kazemimanesh arrived at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge Port of Entry and during a secondary inspection, he was asked to provide proof of Iranian military service. Kazemimanesh provided an Iranian military service card as well as Iranian military discharge paperwork, stating the Iranian military documents were originals and were provided by the Iranian government approximately 3-4 months after the completion of his military service with the Iran Army Ground Forces. After a review of the military card, a Customs and Border Protection officer suspected the card was fraudulent. Subsequent review determined that the card was in fact fraudulent. The complaint is a result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan. 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: Texas Man Sentenced to Imprisonment for Enticement of a Minor

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Joshua Michael Bowden, 43, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment after he admitted to attempting to engage in sexual acts with an 11-year-old and was convicted of coercion and enticement of a minor. According to court documents and statements made at Bowden’s change of plea and sentencing hearing, on September 28, 2023, while in Utah for a business trip, he began engaging in an online conversation with an individual he thought was the father of an 11-year-old boy. The individual Bowden was communicating with was an undercover officer. During communication, Bowden expressed his interest to engage in sexual acts with the 11-year-old boy. When Bowden arrived at the meet up location to act on his interest, he was arrested. A search of Bowden’s phone found child sexual abuse material. Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case was investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Joey Blanch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse 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 .


title: All Four Chinatown Walgreens Conspirators Have Pleaded Guilty in a Series of Inside-Job Robberies

body_text: WASHINGTON – Michael Robinson, 34, and Kemanye Williams, 25, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to their roles in a series of seven inside-job robberies of the Walgreens drug store in the District’s Chinatown neighborhood. The pleas were announced United States Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Michael Robinson, who was a store manager at the Walgreens, and Williams each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. In addition, Williams pleaded guilty to a second count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Two other co-conspirators entered pleas last month. Gianni Robinson, 27, pleaded guilty on February 28 to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. London Teeter, 21, who was also employed at the Walgreen’s as a store manager, pleaded guilty February 13, to her role in the inside-job robberies. The four defendants are each eligible for up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine when they are sentenced. The Honorable Jia M. Cobb scheduled a June 10 sentencing date for Michael Robinson. Kemanye Williams, Gianni Robinson, and London Teeter will be sentenced on June 12. According to court documents, the four co-conspirators devised a scheme to carry out armed robberies of the Walgreens store in Chinatown nearly once a month, beginning in July 2023, when either Michael Robinson or Teeter were working. As a store managers, Michael Robinson and Teeter knew the timing of cash transfers within the business. The co-conspirators would also relay information to each other on how many armed security guards were present in the Chinatown Walgreens and how much cash was in the Manager’s Office at any given time. When Michael Robinson was on duty, he gave the inside information to his nephew, Gianni Robinson, who then relayed it to Williams so that Williams could more easily rob the Walgreens. The robberies occurred on July 18, 2023, August 2, 2023, September 2, 2023, November 10, 2023, December 4, 2023, January 9, 2024, and February 11, 2024. In their plea agreements, the co-defendants admitted that they stole and split at least $28,983. In each robbery, Williams entered the Chinatown Walgreens wearing clothing selected to disguise his identity. Williams brandished a firearm at employees of the Walgreens, and at Special Police Officers assigned to guard the store, and then demanded business proceeds located in the Manager’s Office. Williams forced employees into the manager’s office or accessed the manager’s office using a code provided by Michael Robinson or Teeter. Williams then robbed the employees and fled through a rear exit. Michael Robinson and Teeter took turns pretending to be the “victim” manager on duty, knowing that the robberies would be captured on internal surveillance. Michael Robinson later admitted that he and Teeter reviewed internal surveillance footage of the robbery that occurred on August 2, 2023, and later discussed over text message as to how to make future robberies look more authentic. Michael Robinson asked Williams to assault him during the robberies to make the robberies look more real. In response to the robberies, the Chinatown Walgreens hired armed Special Police Officers to protect the business. On February 12, 2024, law enforcement searched the residence where Gianni Robinson and Teeter lived. Officers recovered a loaded Glock 45 pistol loaded with 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition from the bedroom floor. This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin F. Song and Sarah Martin, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Svetoslavov of the Federal Major Crimes Section. 24cr96


title: Former Pharmacy Tech is Sentenced for Using His Role to Order Drugs for Unlawful Distribution

body_text: CLEVELAND – Curtis Green, 35, of Cleveland, has been sentenced to 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent after pleading guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. According to court documents, between Dec. 30, 2022 and April 9, 2023, the defendant used his position as a certified pharmacy technician for a hospital in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, to order controlled substances during the course of his employment. Under the guise of ordering on behalf of the hospital, he ordered them for his own unlawful distribution. During this time, Green was found to possess 103 grams of oxycodone and 77.5 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, all schedule II controlled substances. During a federal search warrant execution of Green’s residence on April 9, 2023, agents seized $72,880 in cash. An additional $2,025 was seized from the defendant on the following day. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mayfield Heights Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Sweeney .


title: Illegal Alien Charged with Immigration and  Firearm Offenses for Shooting a Man in Front of His Daughter

body_text: NASHVILLE – A federal indictment unsealed today charges Jose Guadalupe Vazquez-Delgado, 36, of Mexico, with possession of ammunition by an illegal alien and unlawful reentry into the United States, announced Robert E. McGuire, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. According to court documents, Vazquez was drinking heavily in a house in Antioch, Tennessee, when he started arguing with the victim. The argument continued outside of the house, and the victim’s seven-year-old daughter followed the men outside. Moments later, Vazquez shot the victim numerous times before running away from the house. The victim was transported to the hospital where he received life-saving emergency surgery. Vazquez left 14 shell casings, his truck, his Mexican passport, and other items at the house. Before this shooting incident, immigration officials had previously deported Vazquez from the United States to Mexico on at least two prior occasions. If convicted, Vazquez faces up to fifteen years in federal prison for the firearms offense and up to two years in prison for the immigration offense. “Operations like this underscore the FBI's commitment to working with our partners to keep dangerous people and weapons from infecting our communities” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “The FBI in Tennessee is committed to actively investigating and apprehending individuals wanted for federal violations and those unlawfully present in the United States and remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the Constitution." This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ahmed A. Safeeullah and Joshua Kurtzman are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # # # #


title: Former deportation officer sentenced to 12 years in prison for federal crimes related to depriving victims’ civil rights

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – A former ICE deportation officer was sentenced in U.S. District Court here to 144 months in prison for crimes related to using his position to solicit and coerce sex from vulnerable women under his supervision. Andrew Golobic, 53, of Cincinnati and Mason, Ohio, abused his position to deprive the civil rights of a woman under his supervision in the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. ATD allows certain asylum seekers and other immigrants who ICE has determined pose a low risk to public safety to remain in their communities while their immigration cases are pending. Following a jury trial in January 2024, Golobic was found guilty on four of seven counts – obstructing a sex trafficking investigation, deprivation of rights under color of law, witness tampering and destruction of records in a federal investigation. The jury found that Golobic deprived a woman under his supervision in the ATD program of her fundamental right to bodily integrity by engaging in unwanted, forced or coerced sexual activity. The defendant was employed as a deportation officer with ICE from 2006 to 2020 and was assigned to the ICE office in Blue Ash, Ohio. He was assigned to the ATD program from approximately 2015 to 2020. In his role, Golobic had discretion over the degree of freedom and movement afforded to participants under his supervision. He had the authority to decide the type of monitoring, frequency of reporting and level of supervision, as well as the authority to recommend that ATD participants who violated conditions of the program be detained or deported. To cover up his crimes, Golobic misled investigators, destroyed evidence and tampered with witnesses. Notably, after being approached by agents from FBI and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General in June 2020 as part of this investigation, Golobic deleted evidence from his cellphones. The sentence was imposed on March 10 by Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (DHS-OIG) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo and Ashley N. Brucato represented the United States in this case. # # #


title: Milton Man Sentenced to 336 Months In Prison For Production Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert A. Kohl, age 50, of Northumberland County, PA, was sentenced on March 7, 2025, to 336 months of imprisonment to be followed by ten years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann, for production of child pornography. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Kohl previously pleaded guilty on September 11, 2024, to production of child pornography. On January 3, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Kohl’s residence following a cyber tip. Pursuant to the warrant, several electronic devices were forensically examined and thousands of images that contained child sexual abuse material was discovered, including a video depicting a 4-year-old child. Kohl produced child pornography on five separate occasions between August 2021 and September 2022. Multiple members of the victims’ family addressed the Court and expressed the devastating impact this crime has had on the victim and their family. The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case. 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.usdoj.gov/psc . # # #