title: Convicted Sex Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

body_text: WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announces that James E. Coleman, 29, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for trafficking a 14-year-old victim from Virginia in 2020 for commercial sex with strangers, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Coleman pleaded guilty on May 17, 2022, to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child, to production of child pornography, and to first-degree child sexual abuse. In addition to the 360-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss ordered Coleman to serve 15 years of supervised release, to register as a sex offender and to pay $25,000 in restitution to the victim. According to court documents, Coleman worked with a co-conspirator with the goal of trafficking the victim for commercial sex and knew that the victim was a minor. Beginning on June 30, 2020, Coleman took sexually explicit photographs and videos of the victim to market her on websites advertising commercial sex services. Coleman gave the victim directions regarding how much to charge for sexual services, with specific monetary amounts for increments of time she spent with the commercial sex customers. Coleman then pocketed the payments for sexual services the victim provided. He told the victim to tell commercial sex clients she was 21 years old, if she was asked. Coleman also used his cell phone to record a video of himself engaging in sex acts with the victim. In July of 2020 Coleman ordered the victim to give him money. When she refused, he beat her with a broomstick, assaulted her with a knife, cut off her clothing, and left her nude in the hallway of his building. Coleman was arrested by U.S. Marshals on Oct. 22, 2020, and has been held without bond since. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Burrell, Meredith Mayer-Dempsey, and Angela Buckner. This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . 21cr210


title: Member of Violent Crew that Robbed South Asian Jewelers at Gunpoint Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison

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

body_text: WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced today that Robert Sheffield, 34, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy that staged a multi-state string of violent gun-point robberies of South Asian jewelry stores. The robberies netted millions of dollars in cash and gold for a 15-member crew, allegedly led by Trevor Wright, aka rapper “Taliban Glizzy.” Sheffield, aka “Da Real Lifaa,” pleaded guilty Feb. 20, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery), and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. In addition to the nine-year prison term, Judge Cooper ordered Sheffield to serve five years of supervised release. Before they were apprehended, the co-conspirators robbed at least 11 jewelry stores, terrorized multiple victims and left behind a wake of destruction and financial loss. In his plea agreement, Sheffield admitted to his involvement in the Nov. 10, 2023 armed robbery of $1 million in cash and gold from the Baral Jewelers in Harrisburg, Pa., and his role as the gunman during the April 28, 2023 armed robbery of Yasini Jewelers in Falls Church, Va., during which the store owner fired gunshots at the intruders, who returned gunfire. In addition to the 108-month prison term, Judge Cooper ordered Sheffield to serve five years of supervised release. According to court documents, over the course of 18 months, Sheffield and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to rob multiple South Asian jewelry stores of heavy gold jewelry of high purity. The conspiracy began in January 2022 and continued until August 2023 after several of the co-conspirators had been charged and arrested. On Nov. 10, 2022, at around 6:30 p.m., Sheffield and several co-conspirators traveled from the District to Baral Jewelers in Harrisburg in two vehicles. After arriving, at least two co-conspirators remained in the vehicles to act as “getaway” drivers, while several others, including Sheffield, rushed into the store. Two armed co-conspirators remained in the front of Baral, a grocery area, subduing the employees and customers there as four others, including the Sheffield, ran to the rear where the gold jewelry was housed. As employees and customers in the front of the store cowered in terror, covering their faces or ears, a gunman held the store owner at gunpoint and took about $600 from the cash register. Meanwhile, one of the four suspects in the rear of the store used a gun to coerce an employee to the ground as Sheffield and others smashed the glass display cases and shoveled gold jewelry into large bags. A week later, a co-defendant posted an image on social media of Sheffield fanning a stack of cash. On Nov. 30, 2022, the same co-defendant posted an Instagram story of Sheffield purchasing a Rolex watch with cash at a jewelry store in Prince George’s Mall. In the Instagram video, Sheffield counts out multiple $100 bills before the camera pans over to the Rolex he is purchasing and shows a certificate showing an appraisal value for the watch of $11,500. On April 28, 2023, Sheffield and at least five co-conspirators drove from the District to Yasini Jewelers in Falls Church, Virginia, which had been a prior target of this conspiracy in January 2022, resulting in the theft of $300,000 to $400,000 in gold jewelry. At 8 p.m., a co-defendant smashed Yasini’s storefront window with a sledgehammer. Immediately, five masked suspects ran into the store through the broken window. Among them was Sheffield, who was armed with a loaded Glock 23, 40 caliber pistol. The Yasini store owner retrieved his own firearm and fired once. The co-conspirators fled the store before taking any jewelry. Sheffield fired two shots at the owner before running back to the getaway vehicle. On August 30, 2023, law enforcement arrested Sheffield and other codefendants and searched their residences. During a search, law enforcement recovered the firearm Sheffield had discharged in Yasini and further recovered 21 live rounds of 9mm ammunition from Sheffield’s home. Sheffield previously served five years in prison for an armed robbery involving use of a firearm. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, the Metropolitan Police Department, FBI Newark and Washington Field Offices, and U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi and Andrea Duvall. DEFENDANT AKA HOME CHARGES/SENTENCE Trevor Wright, 33 Taliban Glizzy Washington DC Interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery); conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; possessing a firearm during a crime of violence; money laundering; conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity. William Hunter, 28 Ill Will Washington DC Sentenced to 228 months on Dec. 11, 2024, after pleading guilty to interfering with interstate commerce by robbery, aka Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Avery Fuller, 29 Deavry Cordell Fuller, Fully Ace Washington DC Pending sentencing after pleading guilty in the Middle District of Florida to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Franklin Hunter, 30 Gino Washington DC Pleaded guilty Sept. 4, 2024, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Davon Johnson, 31 YB Washington DC Sentenced to 111 months on November 20, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Decarlos Hill, 30 Los Maryland Sentenced to 57 months on November 6, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. Lamont Marable, 28 Washington DC Sentenced to 93 months on November 11, 2024, for interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery); and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Keith McDuffie, 27 California Interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery); conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Jameise Christian, 33 Safety, Safe, Safe Play Washington DC Pending sentencing after pleading guilty in the Middle District of Florida to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Andrew Smith, 30 Drewso, Drew Maryland Sentenced to 138 months in prison on Oct.17, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Robert Sheffield, 33 Da Real Lifaa Washington DC Sentenced to 108 months on July 2, 2025, for interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery); possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Jaylaun Brown, 22 Lil Launy Washington DC Pleaded guilty Feb. 7, 2025, to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery) and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Timothy Conrad, 33 Twin Washington DC Sentenced to 168 months on October 1, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and for possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Antonio Tate, 21 Washington DC Sentenced to 120 months for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Delonte Martin, 35 Washington DC Sentenced to 108 months for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. 23cr137


title: Tonawanda doctor pleads guilty for his role in prescription scam

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that William Stephan, 65, of Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of misprision of felony, was sentenced to one year probation and 100 hours community service by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who handled the case, stated that Stephan is a medical doctor with a family practice located in Tonawanda, NY. In April 2015, Stephan was asked by Erik Berg to sign prescriptions for compounded medications. Over a several-month period, he signed compounded prescriptions for 19 patients. When Berg presented these prescriptions to Stephan, they had already been filled out, as well as the number of refills. Stephan then typically signed these prescriptions based on Berg's representation that the patient had a medical need for the prescription(s). When signing the prescriptions, Stephan did not take note of any refills he was authorizing. Prescriptions signed by Stephan for these patients were refilled more than 500 times. None of the 19 patients were Stephan’s patients. The compounded medications prescribed by Stephan carried substantial reimbursement rates, which averaged more than $16,000 per prescription. Health care benefit programs paid $8,750,315 in reimbursement for the prescriptions, including refills. Pharmacy benefit managers providing the prescriptions signed by Stephan, would not have approved the prescriptions for reimbursement if they had known that Berg had presented the prescriptions to Stephan already filled out, the compound formula did not address the particular medical needs of a particular patient, but rather to obtain the highest reimbursement from the insurance companies, and that Berg knew that Stephan did not have a doctor-patient relationship with the individual for whom the prescription was written. In addition, Stephan signed compounded prescriptions for other individuals, including Scott Trapp and Michael Luehrsen. In June 2016, Express Scripts, Inc. performed an audit of certain prescriptions written by Stephan. During the audit, he and Berg completed audit forms on which Stephan stated that he had written and signed certain prescriptions for compounded medications, concealing the fact that he had not, in fact, written out the prescriptions, and that he did not have a doctor-patient relationship with the patients. Berg and Luehrsen were previously convicted and awaiting sentencing. Trapp was previously convicted and sentenced. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm. # # # #


title: McLaughlin Man Sentenced to Just Under 2 Years in Federal Prison  for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on June 30, 2025. Patrick Red Legs, age 31, was sentenced to one year and 11 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Red Legs was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024. He pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025. Red Legs is required to register as a sex offender under federal law for sexually abusing a 13-year-old-girl. This is his third conviction for failure to register as a sex offender. Following his last release from prison on June 10, 2024, Red Legs registered a McLaughlin, South Dakota, address with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. On or about July 1, 2024, Red Legs moved to his girlfriend’s home in Little Eagle without updating his registration. Because her children also lived there, Red Legs was prohibited from visiting his girlfriend’s house, much less living there. Red Legs only updated his address following his arrest for violating his supervised release on August 12, 2024. 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case. Red Legs was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Tucson Man Arrested for Selling Devices to  Convert Glocks into Automatic Firearms

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Damien Jax Schaffer, 45, of Tucson, was arrested on June 24, 2025, by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) special agents, and charged by criminal complaint for Engaging in the Business of Dealing in Firearms without a License and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. Schaffer appeared in court today for his initial appearance. According to the complaint, from May 8, 2025, through June 24, 2025, ATF monitored Schaffer and learned that he had manufactured and sold 15 illegal machinegun conversion devices. These devices are used to allow semi-automatic firearms, like Glocks, to expel more than one projectile with a single press of the trigger, effectively converting a semi-automatic firearm into a machinegun. Machinegun conversion devices are required to be registered with ATF in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. After learning of Schaffer’s activities, ATF agents queried that record and determined that his devices were not registered to anyone. Agents also learned that Schaffer does not possess a federal license to sell firearms. This case was 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). A criminal complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. ATF is conducting the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: 25-MJ-09160 RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-109_Schaffer # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Wasilla man sentenced to 50 years for kidnapping, sexually assaulting child in 2022

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Wasilla man was sentenced today to 50 years in prison and will serve the rest of his life on supervised release for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Wasilla. According to court documents, on Nov. 2, 2022, a 14-year-old girl exited a school bus in Wasilla and started walking home. A dark colored vehicle driven by David Anderson, 52, drove past the victim and turned around to head back toward her. Anderson pulled up alongside the victim and coerced her into the vehicle before pointing a revolver at her. Anderson covered the victim’s head with a blanket, punched her at least once in the face and bound her hands with duct tape. Anderson drove the victim to a remote area where he stopped the car and led the victim into the woods with the blanket still over her head. Anderson proceeded to forcibly sexually assault the victim. After assaulting her, Anderson stood over her, shielded his eyes, and randomly shot at her with the revolver. Without checking to see if she was dead, he then left her in the woods and drove away. After leaving the woods, he disassembled the revolver and threw the pieces into a nearby river. Once Anderson left, the victim freed herself from the restraints before walking out of the woods to flag down a passing vehicle. The Alaska State Troopers arrested Anderson later that day based on descriptions and statements from the victim. An investigation revealed that on the day of the incident, Anderson decided to grab his revolver and go out looking for a victim. At the time of the offense, Anderson was a convicted sex offender following another conviction in 2000 for sexually assaulting a minor. On Jan. 13, 2025, Anderson pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping a minor and one count of committing an offense as a registered sex offender. In handing down the sentence, the Court recognized both the depravity of Anderson’s conduct and the bravery of the survivor. Anderson was also charged by the State of Alaska Department of Law for his offense. He was sentenced on Oct. 7, 2024, and is currently serving an 85-year state sentence. “Mr. Anderson perpetrated an unimaginable random act of horror and will spend the rest of his life in the only appropriate place, prison,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “The survivor showed extraordinary bravery in escaping this horror and the Alaska State Troopers and FBI mounted an incredible investigation to hold this predator accountable.” “Today’s federal sentence, combined with the State of Alaska’s sentence of 85 years means that this violent man will never be released back into our community to victimize another Alaskan child,” said Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes. “Your Alaska State Troopers most important duty is to protect our most vulnerable, and this case stands as a powerful example of how federal and state law enforcement can work together to bring the full weight of justice to bear.” “While walking home from school, an innocent child was violently kidnapped and assaulted – not only was this a horrific attack on a child, but also on the very fabric of our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “I commend this young survivor’s extraordinary courage, along with the special agents, prosecutors, and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to ensure this dangerous predator will never walk free or harm another child again.” The FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Alaska State Troopers investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI's Joint Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (J-CARD) Team. The FBI’s J-CARD Team consists of specially trained investigators and intelligence personnel from the FBI, Alaska State Troopers, and Anchorage Police Department who are experienced in child abduction cases and can rapidly deploy anywhere in the state. The team is designed to provide investigative, technical, and resource assistance to state and local law enforcement during the most critical time following a child abduction. Assistant U.S. Attorney's Chris Schroeder and Adam Alexander prosecuted the case. UPDATE: This release has been updated to correct the defendant's age. The correct age is 52. ###


title: Guatemalan National Unlawfully Residing in Oregon Faces Federal Charges for Traveling to Washington to Sexually Abuse a Minor

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.—A suspected child abuser is facing federal charges today for enticing and sexually abusing a minor in Oregon and Washington. Leonias Juber Ramos-Garcia, 25, a Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Culver, Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. According to court documents, in 2024, Ramos-Garcia met the minor at a business in Jefferson County, Oregon. In February 2025, undeterred by the minor’s age, Ramos-Garcia gave the minor a note which contained cash and professed his affection for the minor. In March 2025, Ramos-Garcia is alleged to have engaged in sexually explicit communication with the minor and, despite the victim’s reluctance, Ramos-Garcia persuaded the minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct at a hotel in Central Oregon. In April 2025, Ramos-Garcia traveled from Oregon to Washington and took the victim to a second hotel where he again sexually abused the minor. Ramos-Garcia was arrested Tuesday in Culver, Oregon, and made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Madras Police Department. It is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org . Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org . 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Alien Smuggler Sentenced for Role in Fatal Crash Following High-Speed Pursuit

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Sergio Josue Palomera of Chula Vista was sentenced in federal court today to 71 months in prison for smuggling undocumented immigrants in a manner that resulted in the deaths of the two people he was smuggling. On October 22, 2024, Palomera picked up two undocumented immigrants —a man and a woman—in his car near the U.S.–Mexico border in Otay Mesa. Border Patrol agents saw this load-up using remote video surveillance, and an agent responded to the location. The agent saw Palomera’s car traveling west on State Route 905 and activated his lights and sirens to pull the car over. According to his plea agreement, Palomera initially slowed down and began to move over onto a highway offramp, as if yielding to the Border Patrol agent’s attempt to pull him over. Palomera then quickly accelerated, drove through a red traffic light, and re-entered the highway in an attempt to flee. By the time the agent could safely proceed through the traffic light and onto the highway, Palomera had gained considerable distance. As he lost sight of the car, the agent decided to terminate the pursuit. Soon after, he saw a cloud of dust in the direction Palomera had been fleeing. Palomera was traveling over 110 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone. In less than minute, Palomera lost control of the car and it rolled over. The smuggled woman was ejected from the car and died instantly. The smuggled man suffered a traumatic head injury and died from his injuries later that evening in the hospital. At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson emphasized the “very aggravated” nature of the offense, noting that the crime “has deprived a little girl of her mother, has deprived that little girl’s father of his wife, and has deprived another family of their son.” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said: “This defendant treated human lives as disposable cargo - and two people paid the ultimate price. This sentence reflects the grave consequences of putting profit over people. We will continue to hold smugglers accountable for the death and suffering their crimes inflict.” “We are glad Mr. Palomera will be held accountable for his irresponsible and senseless actions,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker. “This case emphasizes the dangers and possible consequences of entrusting your life to a human smuggler.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett. DEFENDANT Case Number: 24cr2466 Sergio Josue Palomera Age: 23 Chula Vista, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Transportation of Certain Aliens Resulting in Death – Title 8, U.S.C., Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) and (B)(iv) Maximum penalty: Death or life in prison; $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCY United States Border Patrol This case was investigated and prosecuted by the California Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Honduran National Unlawfully Residing in Oregon Faces Federal Charges for Role in Portland Overdose Death

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—Hugo Gomez-Soto, 50, a Honduran national unlawfully residing in Portland, made his first appearance in federal court today after being charged for distributing fentanyl that was linked to the fatal overdose of a Portland man. According to court documents, in January 2024, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Narcotics and Organized Crime (NOC) Unit began investigating a suspected fentanyl overdose of an adult male victim in Southwest Portland. Investigators identified Gomez-Soto as the individual who allegedly sold fentanyl to the victim and, on January 25, 2024, he was arrested on state charges. At the time of his arrest, Gomez-Soto was in possession of both fentanyl powder and counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. On June 18, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Gomez-Soto with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Gomez-Soto made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending a four-day jury trial scheduled to begin on September 9, 2025. If convicted, Gomez-Soto faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and PPB’s NOC Unit. It is being prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org . Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Texas Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charge

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kameron Vaughn Barrett, age 27, of Desoto, Texas, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, punishable by not less than 60 months in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. The Indictment alleged that on November 11, 2023, Barrett knowingly possessed a firearm in furtherance of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, a drug trafficking crime. The charge arose from an investigation by the Durant Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Barrett will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.


title: Checotah Resident Sentenced For Illegally Possessing A Firearm

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Douglas Ray Lollis, Jr., age 33, of Checotah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On March 4, 2025, Lollis was found guilty by a federal jury at trial for one count of illegally possessing a firearm. According to investigators, on December 22, 2022, Lollis pawned a 9x19mm pistol which he possessed illegally. At the time of that transaction, Lollis was prohibited from owning firearms after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. 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. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Lollis will self-report on August 4, 2025, to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan E. Soverly, Patrick M. Flanigan, and Edith Singer represented the United States.


title: Sioux City Man Found Guilty by Jury of Possessing Firearms as a Drug User and Making False Statements During the Purchase of Firearms

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Victor Howard, age 28, from Sioux City, was convicted by a jury today after a 3-day trial in federal court in Sioux City. Howard was found guilty of two-counts of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, and two-counts of making false statements during the purchase of firearms. The verdict was returned this afternoon following about 4 hours of jury deliberations. The evidence at trial showed that Howard, while being investigated as a victim of a shooting, admitted to shooting at an individual who came to his residence over a dispute. Howard claimed to be waiting for the shooter and as the shooter approached, Howard shot at him multiple times. Howard admitted to law enforcement that he was smoking a “blunt” while he was waiting for the shooter to arrive, and further admitted to smoking marijuana, as well as illegally using Xanax. During the investigation, Sioux City Police noted multiple gun purchases, 25 total, between November 2021 and September 2022—many after the initial shooting incident. When purchasing these firearms, Howard made false statements in order to purchase the firearms. Namely, certifying that he was not an unlawful user of controlled substances. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Howard was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the verdict was returned and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Howard faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case was investigated by Sioux City Police Department, Sgt. Bluff Police Department, the United States Department of Justice – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, (ATF) and the United States Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-4005. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison

body_text: A man who sold fentanyl in Dubuque was sentenced on July 1, 2025, to 60 months in federal prison. Shon Dwayne Perkins, age 37, received the prison sentence after a December 19, 2024, guilty plea to one count of distribution of a controlled substance near a protected location. Evidence at the hearing established that in addition to selling a fentanyl-xylazine mixture near a protected location, Perkins on multiple occasions sold fentanyl that contained xylazine. Due to his distribution of the fentanyl xylazine mixture, a drug user buying and using the controlled substances distributed by Perkins developed necrosis of the arms that resulted in permanent scarring. Perkins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. He was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 6-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Perkins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin and was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-01034. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces 5 Individuals Charged as Part of Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – Today, United States Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky announced criminal charges against five defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicaid and divert controlled substances. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges stem from conspiracy to illegally use a DEA registration number issued to another, conspiracy to obtain a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge, health care fraud, theft of medical products, tampering with consumer products, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit, and burglary involving controlled substances. “Health care providers must be trusted to appropriately prescribe highly-addictive medications only to those in need. Doing otherwise only exacerbates the opioid epidemic that has ravaged our Commonwealth and destroyed families,” said U.S. Attorney Bumgarner. “As alleged in each of the charging documents, these defendants breached that trust and illegally diverted controlled substances. While these defendants are professionally obligated to help communities, the charging documents allege that they have unfortunately done the opposite. They will be held to account.” “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.” The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Bumgarner are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. The United States has seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets in connection with the takedown. The following individuals were charged in the Western District of Kentucky: Ashley Barnett , 41, of Louisville, Kentucky, Laura Webb , 37, of Springfield, Kentucky, and Rachel Goldstein , 43, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, were charged by information. According to the information, Barnett and Webb , both doctors of veterinary medicine, were charged in a conspiracy to illegally use a DEA registration number issued to another. In addition, Barnett and Goldstein were charged with conspiracy to obtain a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge. As part of the conspiracy, Barnett , Goldstein , and others conspired to issue prescriptions for over 25,000 Schedule II controlled substances, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, in the names of various canines, including some deceased and fictitious canines, when in reality, Barnett and Goldstein were the recipients of the controlled substances. Barnett was also charged with theft of medical products for taking and concealing buprenorphine from her employer prior to the controlled substances being made available for retail purchase by a consumer. Finally, Barnett and Goldstein were charged with health care fraud in connection with a scheme whereby Barnett requested Goldstein fill Goldstein ’s dextroamphetamine prescription, a Schedule II controlled substance, and provide it to Barnett . Goldstein caused the submission of the claim for the dextroamphetamine prescription to Medicaid. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Ansari of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky. Kristina Coomer , 43, of Louisville, Kentucky, was charged by information with theft of medical products. According to the information, Coomer , an employee of a retail pharmacy in the supply chain for oxycodone, took, carried away, and concealed oxycodone from the pharmacy, prior to the controlled substances being made available for retail purchase by a consumer. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Ansari of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky. Matthew Ryan Elkins , 40, of Crestwood, Kentucky, was charged by indictment with tampering with consumer products, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit, and burglary involving controlled substances. According to the indictment, Elkins , an advanced practice registered nurse-certified registered nurse anesthetist, tampered with one pre-filled, capped syringe containing fentanyl citrate and bupivacaine, prescribed to a patient by removing a portion of the listed ingredients and replaced it with another liquid. Elkins was also charged with obtaining and attempting to obtain three injectable vials containing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, by misrepresentation, deception, and subterfuge. Finally, Elkins was charged with burglary involving controlled substances when he entered a business registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration with the intent to steal any material and compound containing any quantity of a controlled substance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin McKenzie of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky. Nationwide, cases are being prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys' Offices in the Western and Eastern Districts of Kentucky, the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorneys General’s Offices for California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team used cutting-edge data analytics to identify and support the investigations that led to these charges. The Western District of Kentucky, in particular, worked with the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period: the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Kentucky State Police, the Louisville Metro Police Department, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website: https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/2025-national-health-care-fraud-takedown. A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Justice Department Charges Two Individuals with Acting as Agents of the PRC Government

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Two nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) made their initial appearances in federal court in Portland, Oregon, and Houston, Texas, yesterday to face charges issued out of the Northern District of California for acting as agents of the Government of the PRC without prior notification to the Attorney General. The defendants, Yuance Chen, 38, a PRC national and legal permanent resident who resides in Happy Valley, Oregon, and Liren “Ryan” Lai, 39, a PRC national who traveled from the PRC to Houston, Texas, on a tourist visa in April 2025, were arrested Friday on a criminal complaint charging them with overseeing and carrying out various clandestine intelligence taskings in the United States on behalf of the PRC Government’s principal foreign intelligence service, the Ministry of State Security (MSS). These activities included facilitating a “dead drop” payment of cash for information relating to the national security of the United States previously provided to the MSS, gathering intelligence about U.S. Navy service members and bases, and assisting with efforts to recruit other individuals from within the U.S. military as potential MSS assets. Chen and Lai were arrested on June 27, 2025, by the FBI in Happy Valley, Oregon, and Houston Texas, as part of a coordinated counterintelligence and law enforcement operation across multiple states. “This case underscores the Chinese government’s sustained and aggressive effort to infiltrate our military and undermine our national security from within,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Justice Department will not stand by while hostile nations embed spies in our country – we will expose foreign operatives, hold their agents to account, and protect the American people from covert threats to our national security.” “The FBI arrested two Chinese nationals who were allegedly attempting to recruit U.S. military service members on behalf of the PRC,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The Chinese Communist Party thought they were getting away with their scheme to operate on U.S. soil, utilizing spy craft, like dead drops, to pay their sources. This case was a complex, coordinated effort and is an example of outstanding counterintelligence work done by FBI San Francisco, Portland, Houston, San Diego, and the Counterintelligence Division. The FBI will continue to vigilantly defend the homeland from China’s pervasive attempts to infiltrate our borders.” “Adverse foreign intelligence services like the PRC’s Ministry of State Security dedicate years to recruiting individuals and cultivating them as intelligence assets to do their bidding within the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Under my leadership, the National Security Division will continue to defend our nation and neutralize our adversaries’ clandestine spy networks.” “These charges reflect the breadth of the efforts by our foreign adversaries to target the United States — this time by conducting illegal intelligence-gathering operations aimed at our national security information and military service members,” said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California. “My office and the FBI remain ever vigilant in guarding against these threats to the United States. We will continue to undertake counterespionage investigations and prosecutions, no matter how complex and sensitive, to disrupt attempts to weaken our national security.” “NCIS and the Department of the Navy take the foreign intelligence gathering threat very seriously, as the PRC has for years attempted through various means to recruit U.S. service members as intelligence assets due to their access to sensitive military information,” said Director Omar Lopez of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). “NCIS and the Department of the Navy (DON) remain committed to working together to root out any attempts to compromise the DON’s critical warfighting and shipbuilding capabilities.” As alleged in the criminal complaint unsealed yesterday, the PRC Government conducts intelligence activities against the United States through multiple arms, including the MSS. The MSS handles civilian intelligence collection for the PRC and is responsible for counterintelligence and foreign intelligence, as well as political security. The MSS and its bureaus seek to obtain information on political, economic, and security policies that might affect the PRC, along with military, scientific, and technical information of value to the PRC. The MSS and its bureaus are tasked with conducting clandestine and covert human source operations, of which the United States is a principal target. As alleged in the criminal complaint, Lai recruited Chen to work on behalf of the MSS in or about 2021. While in Guangzhou, China, in January 2022, Lai and Chen worked together to facilitate a dead-drop payment of at least $10,000 on behalf of the MSS, working with other individuals located in the United States to leave a backpack with the cash at a day-use locker at a recreational facility located in Livermore, California. Following the January 2022 dead drop, Lai and Chen continued to work on behalf of the MSS, including by attempting to help identify potential assets for MSS recruitment within the ranks of the U.S. Navy. For example, in 2022 and 2023, Chen was tasked by Lai to visit a U.S. Naval installation in Washington State and a U.S. Navy recruitment center in San Gabriel, California. While in the recruitment center, Chen obtained personal information for recruits that he appears to have transmitted to an MSS intelligence officer in China. The complaint also alleges that Chen received instruction from the MSS on how to engage and recruit future Sailors and methods for minimizing his risk of exposure. Eventually, Chen began contacting a Navy employee over social media and provided information about the employee to the MSS. The complaint alleges that Chen traveled to Guangzhou and met with MSS intelligence officers in April 2024 and March 2025 in order to discuss compensation and specific taskings. The complaint also alleges that Lai traveled to Houston, Texas, in April 2025, claiming that the purpose of his visit was related to his business as an online retail seller, and that he would be staying in the Houston area for two weeks. However, on May 9, 2025 – more than four weeks after his arrival in the United States – Lai traveled by car with a companion from Houston to Southern California, via New Mexico and Tucson, Arizona, before returning to Texas, on May 15, 2025. Chen and Lai are charged with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 951, which makes it a crime for a person to operate or agree to operate within the United States as an agent of a foreign government without notification to the Attorney General of the United States. If convicted, the defendants face a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years. The FBI San Francisco Field Office is leading the investigation, with valuable assistance provided by the FBI Portland, Houston, and San Diego Field Offices. NCIS also provided valuable assistance during the operation. The National Security and Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are in charge of the prosecution. Significant operational support and assistance is also being provided by the District of Oregon, the Southern District of Texas, and the Southern District of California. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Guatemalan National Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Reentry; Faces Deportation

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Erikx Soto-Gomez, age 41, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced yesterday to time-served (75 days in prison) by United States District Court Judge Julia K. Munley for illegally reentering the country after having previously been removed. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Soto-Gomez was indicted by a federal grand jury after being arrested for Driving Under the Influence in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, on April 10, 2025. Soto-Gomez had previously been removed from the United States pursuant to a court order in 2012. Soto-Gomez pleaded guilty to illegal reentry before being sentenced. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis P. Sempa and Tatum Wilson prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Soto-Gomez still faces pending state charges in Lebanon County, and an ICE detainer is lodged against him for deportation proceedings. # # #


title: Federal Grand Jury in Louisville Returns 4 Indictments Charging 22 Defendants with Drug Trafficking, Firearms, and Money Laundering Offenses

body_text: Louisville, KY – On May 6, 2025, a federal grand jury in Louisville charged a total of 20 defendants from across Kentucky and California in 3 separate indictments involving methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking offenses and firearms offenses. On May 21, 2025, a federal grand jury charged 4 defendants, 2 of whom were previously charged, in an indictment involving methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking and money laundering offenses. The indictments charging all 22 defendants were the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies. U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of the Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Cincinnati Field Office, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the Pittsburgh Division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chicago Director of Field Operations Lafonda Sutton-Burke, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement. The following 9 defendants were charged in the first indictment on May 6, 2025: James Havlicheck , 34, of California Rodney Hollie , 38, of California Joseph Nguyen , 38, of California Minh Ngo , 40, of California Kevin Nguyen , 30, of California Johnathan Nguyen , 35, of California Ordell Smith, Jr. , 38, of Louisville Vanray O’Neal , 38, of Louisville Darren Render , 33, of Louisville According to the first indictment, Havlicheck , Hollie , Joseph Nguyen , Ngo , Kevin Nguyen , and Johnathan Nguyen were charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine for a conspiracy beginning as early as April 2024 and continuing through July 19, 2024. Havlicheck and Ngo were also charged with one count of distribution of methamphetamine 50 grams or more. Smith, Jr. was charged with four counts of distribution of methamphetamine 50 grams or more. O’Neal was charged with three counts of distribution of methamphetamine 50 grams or more and two counts of firearms trafficking. Render was charged with four counts of firearms trafficking, four counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, three counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of heroin, and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Render was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offense. On April 2, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Render was convicted of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. If convicted, Havlicheck , Hollie , Joseph Nguyen , Ngo , Kevin Nguyen , Johnathan Nguyen , Smith, Jr. , and O’Neal face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Render faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison. All the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. The following 9 defendants were charged in the second indictment on May 6, 2025: Antonio Taylor , 39, of Louisville Terry Matthews , 44, of Louisville Dylan Bradley , 21, of Louisville Demetrius Brown , 42, of Louisville Dominic McCray , 30, of Louisville Joshua James , 42, of Louisville Gregory Jackson , 34, of Louisville Thai Quoc Tran , 24, of Louisville Devon Wilson , 43, of Louisville According to the second indictment, Taylor , Matthews , Bradley , Brown, McCray , James, and Jackson were charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl for a conspiracy beginning as early as August 21, 2024, and continuing through October 23, 2024. Taylor was also charged with one count of distribution of 400 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, eight counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Taylor was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On or about May 21, 2018, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Taylor was convicted of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and trafficking in a controlled substance first degree unspecified less than ten dosage units (two counts). Matthews was also charged with one count of distribution of 400 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, three counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, two counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count firearms trafficking, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of distribution of a controlled substance. Matthews was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offense. On March 9, 2018, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Matthews was convicted of flagrant non-support. Bradley was also charged with three counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Brown was also charged with one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, one count of distribution of a fentanyl mixture, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Brown was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On or about July 17, 2017, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Brown was convicted of assault in the second degree, criminal mischief in the first degree, receiving stolen firearm, and wanton endangerment in the first degree. McCray was also charged with one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. James was also charged with one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture. Jackson was also charged with one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture. Tran was also charged with one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Wilson was also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Wilson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On July 16, 2024, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Wilson was convicted of flagrant non-support. On January 9, 2017, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Wilson was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, schedule I heroin less than two grams. If convicted, Taylor , Matthews , Bradley , Brown , James , Jackson , and Tran face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. McCray faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Wilson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Matthews and McCray have not been federally arrested and are not yet before the Court. The following 2 defendants were charged in the third indictment on May 6, 2025: Mark Foster, Jr. , 33, of Louisville Devante Rice , 30, of Louisville Foster was charged with two counts of distribution of controlled substances, nine counts of distribution of fentanyl, ten counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, seven counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of illegal possession of a machine gun, and one count of firearms trafficking. Foster was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On or about March 30, 2018, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Foster was convicted of receiving stolen property (firearm) and illegal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, heroin. On or about June 15, 2021, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Foster was convicted of complicity to trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, opioids, complicity to trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, methamphetamine, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and tampering with physical evidence. Rice was charged with eleven counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, one count of firearms trafficking, and two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm. Rice was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On January 10, 2014, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Rice was convicted of burglary in the second degree and receiving stolen property over $500. On April 30, 2019, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Rice was convicted of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. On August 8, 2023, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Rice was convicted of complicity to possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, theft by unlawful taking – firearm (two counts), and theft by unlawful taking over $500 but under $10,000. If convicted, Foster faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 70 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Rice faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on each count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and the single count of firearms trafficking and a 10-year maximum sentence for the two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. The following 4 defendants were charged in the fourth indictment on May 21, 2025: Antonio Taylor Joshua James Celotia Evans , 39, of Louisville Jaremei Hinkle , 24, of Louisville According to the fourth indictment, Taylor , James , Evans , and Hinkle were charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl for a conspiracy beginning as early as June 2024 and continuing through July 11, 2024. Hinkle was also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute of 400 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture. James was also charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture. Taylor is also charged with engaging in monetary transactions derived from specific unlawful activities and laundering of a money instrument during his purchase of a vehicle. If convicted, Taylor , James , Evans , and Hinkle face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. All the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. Evans and Hinkle have not been federally arrested and are not yet before the Court. The cases are being investigated by the FBI, HSI, ATF, DEA, IRS-CI, CBP, USPIS, KSP, and LMPD. These cases were investigated and prosecuted by the Kentucky Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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). An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison  for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor. The sentencing took place on June 23, 2025. William Danery Sebastian, age 34, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison with five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Sebastian must also register as a sex offender upon release from federal prison. Sebastian was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024. He pleaded guilty on March 27, 2025. The conviction stemmed from an undercover chat operation in March 2024, when Sebastian started a conversation with a person he thought was a 15-year-old female on Facebook. The conversation turned sexual in nature and Sebastian asked the 15-year-old to meet up to have a sexual encounter. Sebastian arrived at the meet location where he was arrested by law enforcement. Unbeknownst to Sebastian, he had actually been chatting with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old female. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . Sebastian was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Franklin Driver's Education Company Agrees to Settle Allegations It Violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by Discriminating Against a Hearing-Impaired Student

component: USAO - Tennessee, Middle

body_text: NASHVILLE – The United States has reached an agreement with Spanky’s Driving Academy, Inc., located at 120 Holiday Court, Suite 5, Franklin, Tennessee, and its owner Chris Medina (collectively, the “Academy”) to resolve allegations that the Academy violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee. The Academy is alleged to have had impermissible eligibility criteria and failed to provide an auxiliary aid or service where necessary to provide effective communication to a person with a disability. “This settlement shows that the Department of Justice is committed to assisting those with disabilities in having equal access to services offered in our community,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “Not only is it inappropriate to stereotype members of our community who are deaf or hearing impaired, it is against federal law to discriminate against them when it comes to offering services such as drivers education classes and lessons.” According to the settlement agreement, the Complainant is a parent of a minor child who had registered their child to attend the Academy’s series of driver’s education sessions and driving lessons starting in September 2024. The child is now deaf and was hearing impaired at the time of the incident and had (and still has) a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other ear. The Complainant alleged that in August and September 2024, the Academy had impermissible eligibility criteria and failed to provide an auxiliary aid or service where necessary to provide effective communication to the minor. At the time of the incident, the minor was hearing impaired and relied upon American Sign Language as their primary means of communication during high school. After the Complainant had registered their child to attend the Academy’s series of driver’s education sessions and driving lessons, the Complainant emailed Chis Medina and stated that the minor is hard of hearing and uses a sign language interpreter at school. The Complainant asked Chris Medina to assist the minor with effective communication. The Complainant ultimately provided a method for the Academy to use to allow their child to effectively communicate and participate in the classes, but Chris Medina allegedly refused to use it during class. The Complainant further alleges that Chris Medina declined to conduct the in-car driving component of the class, based on myths, fears, and stereotypes about persons with hearing impairments. As a result of not having effective communication, the Complainant alleges that that they withdrew their child from the Academy’s class. The ADA prohibits public accommodations from discriminating against an individual on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, privileges, advantages, or accommodations, and requires public accommodations to take those steps and make reasonable modifications that may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, unless the public accommodation can demonstrate that taking those steps or making reasonable modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of its goods and services or would result in an undue burden. The ADA also prohibits public accommodations from discriminating against an individual on the basis of disability by imposing eligibility criteria that screen out an individual with a disability from fully and equally enjoying any goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations, unless such criteria can be shown to be necessary for the provision of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations being offered. As part of the settlement, the Academy has agreed to not discriminate against any individual, including students, on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the Academy’s goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations by excluding or providing unequal treatment to persons with disabilities. The Academy will provide to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing reasonable modifications and appropriate auxiliary aids and services, where necessary, to ensure effective communication unless it can demonstrate that taking the steps would result in a fundamental alteration to the nature of its goods and services or would result in an undue burden. The Academy also will pay the Complainant $4,000 as part of the settlement and will pay a civil penalty to the United States in the amount of $2,000 to vindicate the public interest. Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly Veirs and Ellen Bowden McIntyre in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee investigated the complaint and negotiated the Settlement Agreement. The civil claims settled by this resolution are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The ADA was passed on July 26, 1990. The Act reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities have the right to live, work, and fully participate in the community alongside their fellow citizens. More information about the ADA is available at the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and via the ADA website at http://www.ada.gov or through contacting the U.S. Attorney’s civil rights hotline at 313-226-9151. ADA complaints may be filed by email to ada.complaint@usdoj.gov . # # # # #


title: Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation a Minor

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On June 23, 2025, United States District Court Judge Camille Vélez-Rivé sentenced Eric Jonuel Collazo-Colón to 135 months (11 years and 3 months) in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for child exploitation charges against a female minor. Collazo-Colón, 34, from Orocovis, PR, was indicted on August 1 st , 2024, and plead guilty to the coercion and enticement of a minor on March 24, 2025. According to court documents, from October 2023, through June 2024, Defendant Eric Jonuel Collazo Colon, used a cellular phone, internet instant text messaging services, and social media, to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a female minor when she was between 14 and 15 years of age to engage in sexual activity, and to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct, for which Collazo Colon could be charged with a criminal offense under the laws of the United States of America and Puerto Rico. “Our dedicated team of prosecutors, victim witness coordinators, and support personnel will continue to work with our equally dedicated law enforcement partners to combat child exploitation and to bring these offenders to justice,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “This sentence brings to justice a teacher who abused his position of public trust to sexually exploit our most vulnerable, our children. Let this case serve as a warning to all individuals in positions of authority: the consequences are severe, and the repercussions are real. This individual does not represent the dedicated educators of Puerto Rico who work tirelessly every day to guide, protect and inspire our youth,” said Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations San Juan. “This case also highlights the critical responsibility of parents and guardians to actively monitor digital devices, as predators often use technology to target minors. The parents’ intervention saved this victim from further emotional damage. HSI remains vigilant in safeguarding the mental health and safety of our children, and we continue to dedicate our resources to investigating crimes against minors.” Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case and Assistant US Attorney Jenifer Y. Hernández-Vega, Chief of the Child Exploitation Unit and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Schuylkill County Man Charged With Drug Trafficking Offenses

body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Darious Felder, age 34, of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking offenses. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that beginning from on or about January, 2025, to on or about April 25, 2025, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Felder conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The indictment further alleges that on three separate occasions in March and April of 2025, Felder distributed and possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (“FBI”), the Shenandoah Police Department, and the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 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 maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is imprisonment for forty years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mark Thompson, age 49, of Ashland, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking offenses. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that beginning in January of 2025, to on or about April 25, 2025, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Thompson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The indictment further alleges that on or about April 8, 2025, Thompson distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (“FBI”), the Shenandoah Police Department, and the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 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 maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is imprisonment for twenty years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Barnstable Man Sentenced to Over Two Years in Prison for  Drug Possession and Distribution Charges

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Barnstable man was sentenced yesterday in federal court for felony narcotics charges. John Kirk Costello, 45, originally of Milton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Senior Judge William G. Young to 30 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. On July 11, 2024, Costello pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. On Jan. 13, 2021, Costello sold approximately 1,000 counterfeit Adderall pills to an undercover law enforcement officer. The pills were illegally manufactured and laced with methamphetamine. During a search of Costello’s home in November 2021, a substantial quantity of drugs was seized, specifically: approximately 264 grams of 95% pure methamphetamine; approximately 6 kilograms of 7% pure methamphetamine; approximately 2,472 counterfeit Adderall pills laced with methamphetamine; and approximately 1,707 counterfeit Percocet pills laced with fentanyl. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Tolkoff of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: Greenville Man Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison for Ponzi Scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Greenville man was sentenced Monday to 63 months in prison and three years of supervised release for mail fraud in connection with a multi-year investment fraud scheme. Willard Timothy Sutton, age 64, pled guilty to the charge on February 26, 2025. The court also ordered Sutton to pay $8,986,162 in restitution to the victims of the offense. “The defendant orchestrated a complex and brazen Ponzi scheme that exploited the trust of hard-working North Carolinians, based upon his own greed,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “We are committed to holding those accountable who prey on the citizens in our communities for personal gain.” "Mr. Sutton ran a local business for many years, purporting to help those with poor or no credit get much needed vehicle loans. When he ran into financial trouble, he chose to commit a federal crime rather than admit his business was failing. The FBI hopes today's sentence and restitution offers some sense of justice to those who trusted him to legitimately invest their hard-earned money," said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. According to court documents and other information presented in court, between at least 2019 and 2023, Sutton conducted a largescale Ponzi scheme in connection with an investment program offered through his business, Greenville Auto World, LLC (GAW). As a result of the scheme, more than 65 victims in Eastern North Carolina suffered net losses totaling approximately $9 million. Federal investigators estimate that Sutton collected more than $63 million in investor funds during the offense period. GAW was a “buy here pay here” (BHPH) car dealership. BHPH dealerships enable customers with poor or no credit history to finance the purchase of a vehicle directly through the dealership, rather than through a bank or credit union. Such loans typically carry significantly higher interest rates than traditional car loans. Between approximately 2012 and 2023, as part of an investment program sponsored, promoted, and administered by GAW, Sutton sold BHPH finance contracts to outside investors through direct solicitation, referrals, and word-of-mouth advertisement. Beginning in approximately 2019, Sutton falsely and fraudulently led BHPH investors to believe that their investments were safe and secure, and that GAW was collecting sufficient repayments from loan customers to be able to fully pay the principal and interest owed to them. In truth, GAW was collecting millions from investors, but it did not have the means to service the debt through BHPH revenue or any other legitimate business income. To conceal GAW’s financial condition, and forestall the collapse of his business, Sutton operated the BHPH program as a Ponzi scheme in which Sutton would (in a typical transaction) sell a legitimate loan contract to one investor and then sell one or more false and fabricated versions of that same contract to other investors without their knowledge. Sutton then used the proceeds of the fraudulent sales to pay off earlier investors. Among other things, the defendant forged loan customer signatures to the fake contracts and provided fake title documents to investors to convince them that their investments were appropriately secured. In approximately 2022, to generate additional funds to meet GAW’s massive debts to investors, Sutton solicited some BHPH investors to help finance GAW’s vehicle inventory. Sutton falsely and fraudulently represented to these investors that he was using their funds to purchase vehicles when, in fact, the funds were being used to conceal and perpetuate the Ponzi scheme. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the sentencing concluded. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam F. Hulbig prosecuted the case for the government. 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. 4:24-CR-83-M.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office to participate in Collinsville naturalization ceremony

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – The U.S. District Court and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both of the Southern District of Illinois, will take part in a naturalization ceremony to welcome new citizens in Collinsville on Wednesday. “As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence on Friday, we’re reminded of our country’s long-standing tradition of accepting immigrants from all over the world through the naturalization process,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “It’s with great enthusiasm that we acknowledge the efforts by our friends and neighbors who have prioritized entering the U.S. legally. Together, we are bound by our shared values of liberty and freedom.” The event is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. Sixty-one candidates from 27 countries are slated to take the Oath of Allegiance during the ceremony. Naturalization resources are available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website .


title: PENSACOLA MAN INCARCERATED FOR NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING & FIREARM POSSESSION

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marcus Devon Rayford, 42, of Pensacola, Florida was sentenced to 60 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the substantial efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate, arrest, and help bring this drug trafficker to justice. These offenses are not victimless crimes; the victims are the members of our community who experience the addiction and violence that too often follows from drug traffickers flooding our streets with this poison. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi promised to Take Back America with the aggressive pursuit of drug traffickers victimizing our communities, and that is exactly what my office will continue to do.” In January 2024, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives initiated a criminal investigation into an armed drug trafficking organization in Pensacola, Florida. The investigation revealed that Marcus Rayford was a key member within the organization with law enforcement observing him distributing firearms and narcotics on numerous occasions. In December 2024, state and federal law enforcement executed a search warrant at Marcus Rayford’s residence and located five firearms, cocaine base, cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, and heroin. These sentences were the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Escambia County Sherriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Oshkosh Man Sentenced to Federal Prison and Ordered to Forfeit Over $500,000 After Drug Trafficking Conviction

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on June 30, 2025, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Peter J. Henkle (age: 51), of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to 72 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. According to court records, in August 2024, investigators with the Oshkosh Police Department executed a search warrant at Henkle’s residence and located over 950 grams of cocaine, over 7½ pounds of marijuana, and $321,880 cash. Investigators also located and obtained orders to seize large sums of money in Henkle’s bank accounts and additionally seized numerous vehicles that were purchased with drug proceeds. Henkle admitted to obtaining and distributing numerous kilograms of cocaine over the course of approximately two years. In addition to the prison term, Judge Griesbach ordered Henkle to forfeit to the government $579,207, two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a 2019 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack, and a 2020 Ford F250 Lariat Tremor. Judge Griesbach further ordered Henkle to pay a fine of $50,000. This case was investigated by the Oshkosh Police Department – Vice and Narcotics Unit and the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM), with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros. # # # For further information contact: Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero (414) 297-1700 Follow us on Twitter