title: Thirteenth Defendant Pleads Guilty in Transnational Scheme to Defraud U.S. Consumers

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Peruvian national pleaded guilty yesterday for his participation in transnational mail and wire fraud schemes that targeted vulnerable United States consumers. According to court documents, David Cornejo Fernandez, 36, of Lima, Peru, facilitated fraud schemes that stole millions of dollars from Spanish-speaking victims across the United States. Cornejo provided Internet-based telephone lines, caller-ID spoofing services, and recording capabilities to a network of fraudulent call centers based in Peru. Relying on Cornejo’s services, those call centers defrauded and extorted thousands of Spanish-speaking victims by falsely threatening them with court proceedings, fines, and other consequences. Cornejo further provided the call centers with the technology – and, at times, the training – to convincingly impersonate federal agents, police officers, attorneys, court personnel, and other government officials in order to extort payments from victims. Cornejo was extradited from Peru in November 2024 to face charges related to the scheme. Cornejo is the 13th defendant to be convicted in connection with a $15 million transnational fraud scheme that defrauded and threatened Spanish-speaking U.S. consumers. These fraudsters falsely claimed the victims would suffer severe legal, financial and other consequences if they did not pay for English-language products. Collectively, the scheme was responsible for defrauding more than 30,000 United States consumers, many of whom were vulnerable. "This guilty plea marks another important victory in our relentless pursuit of transnational fraudsters who impersonate U.S. government officials to exploit vulnerable Spanish-speaking communities across the United States," said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O'Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. "David Cornejo Fernandez enabled a sophisticated network of call centers that used technology to impersonate government officials, instill fear, and steal millions from hardworking individuals. Today's outcome sends a clear message: we will work hand-in-hand with our international partners to dismantle these schemes, extradite those responsible, and ensure they face justice in U.S. courts, no matter how far they try to hide.” “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting vulnerable U.S. consumers from fraud, especially schemes carried out by criminals impersonating U.S. government officials,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Those who target American consumers from abroad will be identified, prosecuted, and held accountable for their crimes. We thank the Republic of Peru for their assistance in arresting and extraditing this defendant and others involved in these scams.” “The defendant thought he could hide behind borders and phone lines, but the Postal Inspection Service is relentless when it comes to protecting American consumers,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “Setting up fake call centers to harass and intimidate innocent victims, Cornejo and his co-conspirators, crafted a campaign of fear designed to rob people of not only their savings but their peace of mind. If you target Americans, no matter where you are in the world we will find you.” In pleading guilty, Cornejo admitted that he provided his co-conspirators with the technology to manipulate the phone numbers on victims’ caller IDs, which enabled them to place threatening calls that appeared to be coming from U.S. federal agencies, court officials or law enforcement agencies. Cornejo also placed recordings on his co-conspirators’ inbound phone lines that appeared to be recordings from actual U.S. courts, police departments and federal agencies. These recordings enhanced the apparent legitimacy of the threatening calls and were used to extort payments from vulnerable consumers in the Southern District of Florida and across the United States. Cornejo also regularly replaced telephone numbers that victims reported as fraudulent, thus enabling his co-conspirators to continue with the fraudulent scheme. Yesterday, Cornejo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Senior U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola in Miami on Sep. 25. Cornejo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O'Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and Acting Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division, made the announcement. USPIS and the Consumer Protection Branch investigated the case. Senior Trial Attorney and Transnational Criminal Litigation Coordinator Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorney Carolyn Rice of the Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda for the Southern District of Florida is handling asset forfeiture. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Peruvian National Prosecutor General’s Office and Peruvian National Police provided critical assistance. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available. More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov . You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 23-cr-20055. ###


title: Man Working Clean-up After 2024 Flood in Spencer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stolen Firearms

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man working a clean-up crew for the historic June 2024 flooding in Spencer, Iowa was sentenced July 16, 2025, to more than 3 years in federal prison. Hector Benavidez, age 38, from Donna, Texas, received the prison term after a February 12, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of firearms by a felon and one count possession of stolen firearms. Evidence in the case revealed, during a gun audit at a Spencer store, two firearms were missing. Law enforcement and the stores loss prevention personnel discovered that Benavidez had been hired by a cleaning crew to help clean up after the 2024 flooding. This crew had access to the room where the firearms were located and stored. When Benavidez was confronted by law enforcement, he admitted to taking the firearms two days prior and stated they were with his belonging in the hotel room he was staying in. Law enforcement was able to locate and recover the firearms during a search of the hotel room. Benavidez was previously convicted of felony aggravated robbery in Texas. Benavidez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 42 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Benavidez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by Spencer, Iowa Police Department, Clay County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department and the United States Department of Justice – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, (ATF). This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-4056. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Fort Dodge Man to Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced July 16, 2025, to more than 15 years in federal prison. Chad Brown, age 41, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 29, 2025, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearing, Brown admitted that from January to around April 2024, he took part in the distribution of several pounds of methamphetamine with others. Evidence further showed that, on April 22, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Brown’s residence in Fort Dodge. Law enforcement located approximately 74 grams of methamphetamine and two loaded handguns. Brown has an extensive criminal history which included a 2016 felony conviction in Oregon for delivery of methamphetamine, and multiple prior firearms-related convictions. Brown was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Brown was sentenced to 186 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Brown 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 Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-03030. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Sacramento Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Rosario Zamora Rojo, 41, of Sacramento, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to nine years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced. According to court documents, Rosario Zamora Rojo was a source of supply to a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for importing tens of thousands of fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone “M-30” pills from Mexico and distributing them in northern California and elsewhere between May 2019 and January 2021. In November 2020, Zamora Rojo supplied a pound of methamphetamine to one of the organization’s leaders, co-defendant Jose Lopez-Zamora, which law enforcement later seized from one of the organization’s distributors. After supplying this methamphetamine, Zamora Rojo moved to Mexico. In December 2020, Zamora Rojo supplied thousands of fentanyl-laced M-30 pills to the organization and also gave the organization access to his storage unit in Sacramento to store the pills. Law enforcement later searched Zamora Rojo’s storage unit and seized more than 13,000 fentanyl M-30 pills, methamphetamine, heroin, and six firearms. Fourteen other co-defendants have pleaded guilty, and ten have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from 19 months to 27 years. Jose Aguilar Saucedo is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2025, and Luis Lopez Zamora and Sandro Escobedo are scheduled to be sentenced in August 2025. Leonardo Flores Beltran is scheduled to be sentenced in October 2025, and Erika Gabriela Zamora Rojo is scheduled to be sentenced in December 2025. This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic and Gang Enforcement Task Force (NET 5), the California Highway Patrol, the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF), the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, the Sacramento Police Department, the Roseville Police Department, the Manteca Police Department, the Yuba City Police Department, and the West Sacramento Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Mexican authorities to secure the arrest and extradition of Luis Lopez Zamora to the United States from Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case. The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Stockton Man Indicted for Illegal Firearm Possession

body_text: A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Robert Jordan, 52, of Stockton, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced. According to court documents, Jordan was pulled over by law enforcement officers for driving without license plates on his vehicle. When the officers conducted a records check on Jordan, they found that both his California Driver License and his vehicle’s registration were expired. During a later search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded revolver in the center console. Jordan is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his prior felony convictions for attempted murder and transporting a controlled substance. This case is the product of an investigation by the Stockton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt and Charles Campbell are prosecuting the case. If convicted, Jordan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Vacaville Man Indicted for Firearm and Drug Possession

body_text: A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging James Cargill, 44, of Vacaville, with two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced. According to court documents, Cargill was arrested in January 2025 for possessing more than 500 grams of a substance or mixture containing methamphetamine and a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Cargill is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his prior felony convictions for burglary, evading police officers, and possession of a firearm. After being released from custody, Cargill was arrested again in May 2025 for possessing methamphetamine and another loaded semi-automatic pistol. This case is the product of an investigation by the Vacaville Police Department, the Fairfield Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Campbell is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Cargill faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Des Moines Man Sentenced to 220 Months in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm Charges

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines man was sentenced on July 17, 2025, to 220 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, in the fall of 2024, Sean Michael O’Boyle, 34, was selling and receiving distribution-quantities of fentanyl. On September 30, 2024, law enforcement approached O’Boyle’s car, and he fled. O’Boyle hit a police vehicle, crashed into a tree, and then continued to run on foot. During the foot pursuit, O’Boyle threw a stolen, loaded firearm into a yard. In the car O’Boyle drove, police found a distribution quantity of fentanyl and another firearm. At the sentencing hearing, O’Boyle was found responsible for 315 grams of fentanyl and found to have recklessly created a substantial risk of injury during his flight from law enforcement. After completing his term of imprisonment, O’Boyle will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Fentanyl has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Fentanyl deaths for youth ages 15 to 24 more than doubled between 2018 and 2022. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills often resemble pharmaceutical pills, but contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website to learn more about One Pill Can Kill


title: Guam Meth Trafficker Sentenced to 135-Months in Federal Prison

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

body_text: Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Gavin Domingo Alimurong, age 27, from Dededo, Guam was sentenced to 135-months imprisonment. He was charged in the U.S. District Court of Guam with Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii) and 846. Alimurong also forfeited four vehicles, jewelry, luxury bags, and $350,164 in cash. The Court also ordered five years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits. Between July 2019 and July 2022, Alimurong conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Guam. He obtained methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy through the dark web, converting U.S. currency into Bitcoin to pay for drugs shipped to Guam via the U.S. Postal Service. In December 2021, Guam Police Department investigated a domestic violence incident involving Alimurong. During searches of his residence and vehicle, law enforcement seized 594 grams of methamphetamine and 401 grams of cocaine, in addition to pharmaceuticals including oxycodone, alprazolam, and amphetamine pills. Police also seized glass pipes, a pill crusher, a digital scale, plastic zip-top bags, a money counter, a postal stamp printer, and various luxury items. Officers also recovered a firearm, ammunition, and $93,124 in cash. A search of a storage locker revealed an additional $257,040 in U.S. currency from illegal drug sales. Western Union records indicated that Alimurong wired $103,165 to multiple individuals in China, Vietnam, Bolivia, Colombia, Laos, and the United States. “Law enforcement removed a prolific drug dealer from the streets of Guam,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Drug defendants, such as Alimurong, face more than a substantial term of imprisonment. We will also take any property earned from or facilitating drug trafficking. I applaud our multi-agency partners that continue to protect our communities from this dangerous activity.” “Drug trafficking will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which oversees Guam. “We will vigorously pursue all criminals who flood our streets with their poison and ensure they face the full force of the law.” "The defendant in this case callously chased profits with no concern for the impact and harm he brought to public safety," said Homeland Security Investigations Hawaii Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “HSI and its partners in law enforcement will aggressively investigate, disrupt, and dismantle the transnational flow of illegal drugs and ensure those that choose to traffic them are held accountable for the harm they bring to the communities of Guam.” “You will lose your freedom and the unlawful proceeds or your crime if you try to exploit the U.S. mail to traffic dangerous controlled substances,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Service San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen Sherwood. “I would like to thank our federal partners, and our task force partners with Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, the Guam Police Department, and the Guam Army National Guard Counter Drug Program for helping keep methamphetamine out of the mail and out of our communities.” “Drugs and guns are a losing combination,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Mr. Alimurong’s actions put the community in great harm and was only exacerbated by his possession of firearms. Because of his actions, this sentence is well deserved.” The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strategic Initiative. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF . The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Guam Police Department, with support from Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Guam Police Department Special Investigations Section, and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Rosetta L. San Nicolas prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.


title: Jury convicts South Carolina woman of human smuggling

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 46-year-old Columbia, South Carolina, resident has been found guilty of transporting illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The jury deliberated for over five hours before convicting Sharon Thompkins following a two-day trial late July 15. On April 26, a blue tractor trailer approached Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint 29 near Laredo. Ralph Young was driving with Tompkins as passenger. An x-ray examination revealed anomalies in the vehicle. Upon further inspection, authorities discovered four illegal aliens sitting side-by-side on the bed in the sleeper compartment. The jury heard that Thompkins agreed to help transport aliens with Young. Testimony revealed Thompkins instructed the aliens to sit on the bed in the sleeper compartment and closed the curtains in order to conceal them. The defense attempted to convince the jury Thompkins was merely present and did not agree to illegally transport aliens. The jury did not believe those claims and found Thomkins guilty. U.S. District Judge John A Kazen presided over the trial and set sentencing for September. At that time, Thompkins faces up to five years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. She has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. Young, 62, Columbia, South Carolina, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and also remains in custody pending sentencing. BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Manuel A. Cardenas Jr. and Tae Chon are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood .


title: Florida Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison  for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a North Lake Worth Beach, Florida, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 14, 2025. Kenneth Lee DeMarrias, age 46, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. His interest in a firearm was also forfeited. DeMarrias was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024. He pleaded guilty on April 23, 2025. In May 1998, DeMarrias fired six shots from a pistol at three teenaged boys in a Kansas City park. Two died; the third required surgery for a perforated bowel. Following his convictions for murder, aggravated assault, and armed criminal action, DeMarrias was sentenced to 26 years in prison. He was released in May 2024. On July 26, 2024, DeMarrias was staying with his family at the Grand River Casino in rural Wakpala, South Dakota, within the Standing Rock Reservation. DeMarrias loaded the magazine for his wife’s pistol in their hotel room. Later that morning, DeMarrias took the pistol to hotel lobby, where police arrested him. DeMarrias had been using methamphetamine. 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. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case. DeMarrias was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: South Bend Man Sentenced to 216 Months in Prison

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Yesterday, Quadir Quiroz, 20 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor. Quiroz was sentenced to 216 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, Quiroz robbed a person at gunpoint and stole the person’s car. Ten days later, Quiroz robbed a gas station in South Bend. During the robbery, Quiroz struck a gas-station employee in the head with his gun. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Oglala Man Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Federal Prison for Assaulting a Woman by Strangulation and for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced an Oglala, South Dakota, man convicted of Committing a Crime of Violence While Failing to Register and Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation. The sentencing took place on July 11, 2025. Aric Singing Goose, a/k/a Eric Sharpfish, age 37, was sentenced to nine years and nine months in federal prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $200 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. A federal grand jury indicted Singing Goose in December 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 9, 2025. Singing Goose is required to register as a sex offender based on convictions secured in federal court in South Dakota for two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in 2009. In July 2023, Singing Goose was living in Oglala, South Dakota, within the Pine Ridge Reservation, and knowingly failed to update mandatory registration as a sex offender with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Sex Offender Compliance Office. Then, on the afternoon of October 31, 2023, Singing Goose was drinking with a 16-year-old female at Oglala. Following a bout of drinking, the two got into a verbal argument that turned physical. Singing Goose took the minor to a location near the Oglala Dam, threw her to the ground, got on top of her, and placed his hands around her throat. In doing so, he left his DNA on her neck. The victim’s circulation was cut off and she lost consciousness, but she later awoke. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Singing Goose was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Three MS-13 Members Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Murder

component: Criminal Division

body_text: Three alleged members of the notorious gang La Mara Salvatrucha , commonly known as MS-13, made their initial appearance in the District of Maryland yesterday for their role in a racketeering conspiracy, including murder and drug trafficking. “As alleged, the defendants are MS-13 members who carried out a brutal and senseless murder in exchange for promotions within the gang and drugs,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their actions furthered MS-13’s reign of terror across communities in Maryland. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue charges against MS-13 members and associates and will not relent until this dangerous gang is eradicated from our streets.” “The brutal retaliatory murder of this victim is a chilling reminder of the MS-13 gang’s callous disregard for human life,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “Those who assault and kill others must be brought to justice and ultimately held accountable for their actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland will continue to work relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations that terrorize our communities.” “The FBI and our partners are committed to using every tool available to prevent violent criminals from terrorizing the communities they live in,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “We will not let up. We will relentlessly pursue those who engage in violent activity like murder and drug trafficking until they are held accountable.” According to court documents, on July 4, 2024, Maxwell Ariel Quijano-Casco, 24, of El Salvador; Daniel Isaias Villanueva-Bautista, 19, of El Salvador; and Josue Mauricio Lainez, 21, of Hyattsville, Maryland, allegedly killed a homeless man as part of their involvement with MS-13. On July 5, 2024, a passerby called 911 after seeing the victim sitting in a blue 2008 Dodge Caravan that was parked in a used car lot in Hyattsville, Maryland. When the police arrived, they found the deceased victim, who appeared to have been stabbed in the neck. Investigators obtained video surveillance from a nearby business that captured the incident. The surveillance video shows that at approximately 11:35 p.m Quijano-Casco and another person approach the victim. The video shows the victim wielding what looks like a metal pole at Quijano-Casco, at which point Quijano-Casco and the other person flee on foot and the victim returns to the Dodge Caravan. About 15 minutes later, Quijano-Casco returns with co-defendants Villanueva-Bautista, Lainez, and another person. At approximately 11:48 p.m., the video surveillance shows all four of them approaching the blue Dodge Caravan. The surveillance video then shows Quijano-Casco, Villanueva-Bautista, Lainez, and the unnamed person opening the van’s rear sliding driver’s side door, reaching inside, and moving as if striking someone. The victim does not exit the blue Dodge Caravan after the attack. On Aug. 23, 2024, Prince George’s County Police arrested Quijano-Casco and Villanueva-Bautista. Quijano-Casco was in possession of a black Ruger P95DC semi-automatic handgun and about eight grams of cocaine at the time of his arrest. Quijano-Casco and Villanueva both admitted that they were present for the altercation where the victim was murdered. Quijano-Casco allegedly admitted to Prince George’s County Police to stabbing the individual. Quijano-Casco, Villanueva-Bautista, and Lainez are each charged with racketeering conspiracy, including the July 4, 2024, murder. If convicted, Quijano-Casco, Villanueva-Bautista, and Lainez face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI and Prince George’s County Police Department are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Christina Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. This operation is part of Summer Heat, the FBI’s nationwide initiative targeting violent crime during the summer months. As part of this effort, the FBI has launched a multi-pronged offensive to crush violent crime. By surging resources alongside state and local partners, executing federal warrants on violent criminals and fugitives, and dismantling violent gangs nationwide, we are aggressively restoring safety in our communities across the country. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Law Enforcement Officers and Louisiana Business Owner Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud, and Mail Fraud

body_text: LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Eric Delaune, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, announced that a federal grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana has returned an indictment charging five individuals, including law enforcement officers and a central Louisiana business owner, with conspiracy and fraud charges. Those charged in the indictment and a list of their charges are as follows: Defendant Name Charges Chandrakant Patel a/k/a “Lala,” of Oakdale, LA Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count) Bribery (1 count) Mail Fraud (24 counts) Money Laundering (8 counts) Chad Doyle , Chief of Police for the City of Oakdale, LA Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count) Visa Fraud (6 counts) Mail Fraud (6 counts) Money Laundering (1 count) Michael Slaney a/k/a “Freck,” Marshal of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale, LA Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count) Visa Fraud (6 counts) Mail Fraud (6 counts) Money Laundering (2 counts) Glynn Dixon , Chief of Police for the City of Forest Hill, LA Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count) Visa Fraud (6 counts) Mail Fraud (6 counts) Money Laundering (1 count) Tebo Onishea , former Chief of Police for the City of Glenmora, LA Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count) Visa Fraud (6 counts) Mail Fraud (6 counts) The 62-count indictment alleges that from on or about December 26, 2015, and continuing until at least July 15, 2025, Patel, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea conspired together to commit Visa fraud, namely a nonimmigrant U-Visa, which defendants knew to be procured by means of false claims and statements and otherwise procured by fraud and unlawfully obtained by the defendants. The indictment alleges that Patel, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, Onishea, and others, authored, facilitated, produced and authenticated false police reports in several central Louisiana parishes. Each report listed several victims of purported armed robberies in the central Louisiana area and the defendants produced false police reports so that the purported victims of the robberies could apply for U-Visas. Congress created the U nonimmigrant status (“U-Visa”) with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act in October 2000. The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute crime while also protecting victims of crimes who are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. Foreign nationals are eligible for a U-Visa if they meet certain criteria, including but not limited to, if they were a victim of qualifying criminal activity that occurred in or violated laws of the U.S., or possessed information about the criminal activity. Qualifying crime victims could apply for U-Visa status by submitting a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status; a Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification (“I-918B”) (requires signature of an authorized official of a certifying law enforcement agency confirmation that individual was a victim of a qualifying crime); and evidence to establish each eligibility requirement. The indictment alleges that as part of this conspiracy to defraud, individuals seeking U-Visas (“aliens”) would contact Patel, or another facilitator who would then contact Patel, to be named as “victims” in police reports alleging that an armed robbery had occurred, so that they could submit applications for U-Visas. The indictment also alleges that aliens paid Patel thousands of dollars to participate, and in exchange, Patel would ask his co-conspirators, including Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea, to write false police reports naming the Aliens as victims of alleged armed robberies and provide certification and attestation of U-Visa I-918B supporting documents as representatives of their respective law enforcement agencies. It is also alleged in the indictment that Patel did corruptly give, offer, and agree to pay an agent of the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office the sum of $5,000 on February 18, 2025, intending to influence and reward said agent in exchange for a fraudulent police report from the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office. The indictment further alleges that from approximately September 27, 2023 until December 26, 2024, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea did knowingly submit false statements with respect to material facts in immigration applications by signing I-918B forms as certifying officials stating that individuals were cooperating victims of crimes, which statements the defendants knew to be false and that the individuals were never victims of the crimes alleged in the I-918B forms. In addition, the indictment alleges that for the purpose of executing the above-described scheme and artifice to defraud, Patel, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea did commit mail fraud by knowingly placing or causing to be placed in an authorized depository for mail matter, to be sent and delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, a private interstate carrier, or a commercial interstate carrier false Form I-918B created and submitted to USCIS. Also included in the indictment are money laundering charges and forfeiture allegations against each defendant seeking forfeiture of various bank accounts, real property, and vehicles. If convicted, the defendants each face a sentence of up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy charge; up to 10 years on the visa fraud charges; up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge; and Patel faces up to 10 years on the bribery charge. In addition, they could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. This case is being investigated and prosecuted by the 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). The case is being investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – Fraud Detection and National Security Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Nickel and Danny Siefker. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. # # # Attachment: patel_chandrakant_et_al.indictment.pdf


title: INMATE SENTENCED FOR THREATENING FEDERAL OFFICIALS

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Noah D. Stirn, 30, an inmate with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to making true threats to kill and injure a Federal District Judge, the Federal Clerk of Courts, and threatening the use of explosives against the Federal Public Defender’s Office. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “The public should rest assured that my office will not tolerate repeat offenders threatening to endanger individuals for simply doing their jobs, especially those in public service. If you make true threats to federal officials, you should know that we will take them seriously,” said United States Attorney Heekin. “This sentence sends a strong message that we will protect our dedicated government employees, so that they may perform their jobs and serve the public without fear.” Court documents reflect that Stirn mailed a letter threatening to kill a Federal District Judge for the Northern District of Florida and the Federal Clerk of Courts for the Northern District of Florida. Stirn also mailed a letter to the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Northern District of Florida which contained threats involving the use of explosives and claimed al-Qaeda was inspiring and sponsoring the attack. Stirn was previously prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida for mailing similar threats, and he was sentenced to 110 months custody in the Bureau of Prisons on February 12, 2020. On July 10, 2025, U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell sentenced Stirn to 37 months consecutive to his current 110-month sentence. Greg Leljedal, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Florida said: “Protecting the federal judiciary is a cornerstone of the U.S. Marshals Service. Perpetrators that threaten to physically harm federal officials can expect swift and serious consequences for these illegal actions.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Harley W. Ferguson. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: ROMANIAN NATIONAL CHARGED FOR ATM “SKIMMING” CONSPIRACY

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Daniel Balan, 46, of Bacau, Romania, has been indicted in federal court for one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, five counts of bank fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of possessing fifteen or more access devices. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges. Balan is scheduled for trial before United States District Court Judge Mark Walker on August 18, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. If convicted, Balan faces up to thirty years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy and bank fraud counts, two years’ imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft counts, and ten years’ imprisonment on the access device count. Homeland Security Investigations, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tallahassee Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Eric W. Welch are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. 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: Felon Sentenced for Florissant Bank Robbery

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Tuesday sentenced a man who robbed a Florissant bank in 2022 and fired a gun at a witness to 138 months in prison. Jeffery Alexander, 64, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis February to one count of bank robbery, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted robbing a bank in the 1000 block of North Highway 67 on April 13, 2022. During the robbery, Alexander pointed a handgun at employees and demanded that a teller put money in a bag. He was wearing a dark rain poncho, a mask and blue nitrile gloves. A witness saw the robbery and followed Alexander, who fired a shot at the witness’ vehicle so he could get away. Police quickly found Alexander in a neighborhood about two miles away, sitting in his Dodge Ram with the money from the robbery, his disguise and his Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol. Alexander is a convicted felon, having been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 1981-armed robbery in Illinois and 55 years for a second armed robbery conviction there. The case was investigated by the Florissant Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley M. Walker prosecuted the case.


title: FBI captures alleged Prairieland shooter Benjamin Hanil Song in Dallas, Texas

body_text: An intense, weeklong manhunt for Benjamin Hanil Song—an alleged shooter at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4th—has ended with his arrest by FBI agents in Dallas, Texas, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson. Song’s capture marks the fourteenth arrest in the case. Court documents reflect that Song, a former United States Marine Corps reservist, joined ten others in an organized attack against officers at the Prairieland Detention Center just after 10:30 p.m., Friday, July 4. Song has been charged by federal complaint with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Ten others charged with these offenses in a July 7th complaint include Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto. Also on July 7, Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada was charged with obstruction of justice for concealing evidence related to the ambush after talking with Rueda, who was in custody at the time. Two others, John Thomas and Lynette Sharp, were charged on July 14 with accessory after the fact when law enforcement agents determined that they helped Song abscond from the Prairieland area and evade arrest. The complaints allege that group was dressed in black military style clothing. The group began shooting fireworks towards the detention center, and some sprayed graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot at the facility. These destructive acts were designed to lure correctional officers outside the facility. After correctional officers called 911 to report suspicious activity, an Alvarado police officer responded to the scene. Upon exiting his vehicle, the officer was shot in the neck by a defendant positioned in nearby woods. Another alleged assailant across the street fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility. As alleged in the complaints, Song purchased four of the guns associated with the ambush. Additionally, defendants communicated using Signal Chat groups to plan the attack and share reconnaissance, including an image of the Prairieland Detention Center that identified the locations of six local police departments. Ten assailants charged in the July 7th complaint fled from the detention center but were apprehended by additional responding law enforcement officers. Song, however, was not located by law enforcement officers that night. As alleged, the location data associated with Song’s cellular telephone indicates that his phone was located within several hundred meters of the Prairieland Detention Center from late in the evening of July 4, 2025, until after dark on July 5, the day after the shooting. “After the immediate apprehension of Song’s coconspirators at the scene, the FBI and our federal prosecutors—together with our other law enforcement partners—worked tirelessly around the clock pursuing Song. Their tremendous efforts culminated in the arrest of this alleged violent criminal today,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “Though Song escaped by hiding overnight after the attack, we were confident he would not remain hidden for long. The fourteen individuals who planned and participated in these heinous acts will be prosecuted, and we expect justice will be swift.” “The FBI has worked tirelessly to arrest everyone associated with the shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center. We would like to thank all the entities that publicized this case and assisted in our efforts to successfully locate Benjamin Song,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “His arrest is the result of our determination to protect not only the community, but also our law enforcement partners that were the targets of a coordinated attack. We have said it before, the FBI will not tolerate acts of violence toward law enforcement and will thoroughly investigate anyone that commits these types of offenses.” A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, most of the charged defendants face a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Those defendants charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact face a maximum of ten years and fifteen years in federal prison, respectively. The investigation was conducted by the FBI—Dallas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ICE ERO), ATF, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Alvarado Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Ship Manager Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oily Waste into U.S. Waters Off Coast of New Orleans

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: Note: View factual basis here. Eagle Ship Management LLC (ESM), based in Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty yesterday to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) by deliberately polluting U.S. waters off the coast of New Orleans from the M/V Gannet Bulker , a foreign-flagged bulk carrier. If approved by the court, ESM would pay a criminal fine of $1,750,000 and serve a four-year term of probation that includes external audits by an independent technical expert. The chief engineer of the Gannet Bulker was prosecuted in a separate case and sentenced to serve a year and a day in prison for his role in the discharge of oil and obstructing justice. The Coast Guard launched its investigation after a crew member sent a message via social media on March 14, 2021, indicating that the engine room had flooded and that the resulting oil-contaminated bilge waste had been deliberately pumped overboard at night. Flooded bilges can pose a serious threat to the safety of the ship and crew, including creating a risk of electrocution, loss of power, and inability to steer. At the time, the Gannet Bulker was at an anchorage near the Southwest Passage of the Port of New Orleans, near the mouth of the Mississippi River. According to court records, the intentional overboard oily discharge into U.S. waters involved approximately 39 cubic meters (approximately 10,303 gallons), and was done without the use of required pollution prevention equipment or required recordkeeping “The Department of Justice vigorously prosecutes violations of the laws that protect U.S. ports and waters,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The criminal conduct involved here was serious, including intentional pollution and a deliberate coverup.” “This announcement sends a clear message intended to deter deliberate pollution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “This office will continue to work with our agency partners to enforce the laws that were designed to protect U.S. ports and waters.” “The United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Investigative Service remain steadfast in our commitment to enforcing maritime environmental laws to protect U.S. waters and ensure compliance with international regulations,” said Special Agent in Charge Damon J. Youmans of the Coast Guard Investigative Service’s Gulf Field Office. “We will continue to hold accountable those who violate these laws and endanger our marine environment.” In pleading guilty, ESM admitted that its crew engaged in a variety of obstructive acts to conceal the internal flooding that was caused by a botched repair. The obstructive acts included retaliation against the whistleblower whose identity was known. Senior ship officers and crew also lied to the Coast Guard and destroyed evidence including a printout from the engine control room computer that contained key information. Additionally, senior ship officers created false and backdated personnel evaluations intended to discredit the whistleblower. Sentencing has been scheduled for Oct. 16. The Coast Guard Criminal Investigations Division and the Coast Guard Heartland District investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer for the Eastern District of Louisiana and Senior Litigation Counsel Richard A. Udell of the ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.


title: California Man Indicted for Scheme to Defraud New Jersey Company of Millions of Dollars

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A California man has been indicted for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars from a victim company based in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. Joseph Rodriguez, 70, of Irvine, California, is charged by indictment with three counts of wire fraud. Rodriguez was arrested yesterday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Early in Santa Ana, California federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: In January 2015, Rodriguez, through his company Old American Incorporated, entered into a factoring agreement with a New Jersey company (identified in the indictment as “Victim-1”) to obtain loans secured or collateralized by accounts receivable. Under the factoring agreement, in which a business sells its outstanding invoices to a third party for immediate cash, Old American retained control over customer relationships and debt collection and was required to pay back Victim-1 directly within 90 days. From February 2023 through July 2023, Rodriguez submitted to Victim-1 fraudulent invoices for future accounts receivable that Rodriguez represented were owed to Old American. In fact, the customers listed in the invoices Rodriguez provided to Victim-1 did not owe any money to Old American for any outstanding invoices, and there were no accounts payable to turn over. Based on the fraudulent invoices, Victim-1 made millions of dollars of advance payments to Rodriguez, which he did not return. Each of the wire fraud charges carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Farhana C. Melo and Benjamin D. Bleiberg of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ### rodriguez.indictment.pdf


title: United States Files Complaint Against Myrtle Beach Office Furniture Supplier, Owner for Customs Fraud

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: CHARLESTON, S.C. — The United States has filed a complaint against Global Office Furniture, LLC (GOF) and its owner Malcom E. Smith alleging that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly and improperly underpaying customs duties owed on imported office chairs. GOF, located in Myrtle Beach, imports and sells office furniture manufactured overseas in the People’s Republic of China. The United States’ complaint alleges that the defendants, in coordination with a Chinese manufacturer, engaged in a scheme to fraudulently avoid or decrease the payment of customs duties owed to the United States for merchandise imported between 2019 and 2023. The defendants allegedly employed a double-invoicing scheme by submitting false entry summaries and invoices to U.S. Customs and Border Protection that undervalued imported office chairs, thereby reducing the duties paid on the merchandise. The government further alleges that the defendants undertook efforts to destroy evidence of their fraudulent scheme after they were informed that the government was investigating their practices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Austin McCullough and James Leventis are handling the matter, with assistance provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is United States ex rel. Joyce v. Global Office Furniture, LLC, et al. , No. 2:20-cv-01223-DCN. The claims asserted by the United States are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Long Island MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty to  Role in Two 2016 Murders in Nassau County

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Kevin Cuevas Del Cid, also known as “Creeper,” “Malcriado,” “Sombra,” “Vinky,” and “Dabura,” a member of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, a transnational criminal organization, pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in connection with his participation in the May 21, 2016 murder of Kerin Pineda and the October 10, 2016 murder of Javier Castillo, both of whom were killed in Freeport, New York, as well as a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), announced the guilty plea. “Today, the defendant pleaded guilty to the brutal killings of two young people, whose murders demonstrate the MS-13’s well-established obsession with committing extreme acts of violence and complete disregard for human life,” stated U.S. Attorney Nocella. “Our Office and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to hold violent gang members accountable for the fear, destruction, and death they bring to our communities.” “Kevin Cuevas Del Cid, an MS-13 member, slaughtered two victims based on their assumed alliance with a rival gang. Del Cid’s attacks reflect the gang’s brutal rhetoric designed to intimidate and punish any perceived threat to its organization,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The FBI remains committed to collaborating with our local law enforcement partners to eradicate this senseless gang violence from continuing to terrorize our communities.” “We are grateful to our federal partners for working together to take these dangerous criminals off our streets,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder. “We have no tolerance for gang violence in Nassau County and we will never stop working to protect our citizens from these violent elements.” According to court filings and statements by the defendant at the guilty plea proceeding, the defendant participated in the murder of 20-year-old Kerin Pineda, who was killed because of his suspected membership in the 18th Street gang. Specifically, in May 2016, Del Cid and other MS-13 members devised a plan where Del Cid created a fake Facebook profile of a young female to communicate with Pineda in order to lure Pineda out to be killed. On May 21, 2016, Pineda went to a secluded wooded area near the Merrick-Freeport border believing that he was meeting the young female he had been communicating with on Facebook, who was, in fact, Del Cid. When Pineda arrived, he was surrounded and violently attacked by Del Cid and the other MS-13 members, each of whom took turns hacking and slashing him with machetes. Pineda’s body was then buried in a hole that had been dug in the ground the day before in anticipation of the murder. Del Cid is the last of six previously charged MS-13 members to plead guilty to the Pineda murder. Del Cid also pleaded guilty to the murder of 15-year-old Javier Castillo, who, like Pineda, was killed because the MS-13 suspected him of being a member of the 18th Street gang. On October 10, 2016, members of the Sailors clique in Brentwood convinced Castillo, who lived in Central Islip, to go with them to Freeport – approximately 30 miles away – to smoke marijuana. Del Cid and the other MS-13 members took Castillo to an isolated marsh area along the water in Cow Meadow Park, in Freeport, where they attacked and killed him, taking turns hacking him with a machete. Thereafter, the MS-13 members dug a hole and buried Castillo’s body, which was not recovered until one year later, in October 2017. With Del Cid’s conviction, more than a half dozen MS-13 have been charged and pleaded guilty in connection with the Castillo murder. Del Cid, who was 16 years old at the time of the Pineda and Castillo murders, initially was charged by a juvenile information filed under seal on May 20, 2020. The government subsequently filed a motion to transfer Del Cid to adult status for prosecution, and an evidentiary hearing was held on June 3, 2022. On July 6, 2022, United States Circuit Judge Joseph F. Bianco, sitting by designation, issued a Memorandum and Order granting the government’s motion, and ordering Del Cid be prosecuted as an adult. Today’s guilty plea is the latest achievement in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13, a violent transnational criminal organization. The MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States. With numerous branches, or “cliques,” the MS-13 is the most violent criminal organization on Long Island. Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York. A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders, and assaults. Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 75 murders in the Eastern District of New York, resulting in the convictions of dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, NCPD, Suffolk County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Hempstead Police Department, the Rockville Centre Police Department, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at eradicating transnational criminal organizations, combating violent crime, and restoring the rule of law. This prosecution is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci, and Megan E. Farrell are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Kerry Ucci and Automated Litigation Specialist Michael Compitello. The Defendant : KEVIN CUEVAS DEL CID (also known as “Creeper,” “Malcriado,” “Sombra,” “Vinky,” and “Dabura”) Age: 25 Freeport, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-251 (S-1) (JMA)


title: Guatemalan National Charged with Assaulting Federal Officers

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A Guatemalan national who entered the United States without inspection in 2006, and who is on bail awaiting trial in Rhode Island state court on felony domestic assault charges and for violation of a protective order has been ordered detained in federal custody on a federal criminal complaint charging him with assault, resisting, and impeding a federal law enforcement officer in performance of official duties, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. According to court documents, on July 15, 2025, ICE Enforcement and Removal officers, a DEA agent, and a Deputy U.S. Marshal approached Cristian Aroldo Pineda Diaz, 37, pursuant to an immigration arrest warrant. Attempting to avoid arrest and flee, Diaz tackled the DEA agent, causing serious injury to the agent. Diaz continue to struggle as the ICE agents and Deputy U.S. Marshal worked to subdue him. An immigration officer and a DEA agents suffered injuries during the scuffle requiring medical attention. Court records reflect that on February 5, 2023, Diaz was arrested in Central Falls on domestic breaking and entering, domestic disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest charges. A no-contact order was issued prohibiting Diaz from contacting the complainant. On February 16, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued after Diaz allegedly violated the no-contact order by texting and calling the complainant. It is further alleged that on that date, Diaz followed the complainant’s car and struck the vehicle numerous times while with his vehicle. An arrest warrant was issued for Diaz charging him with six counts of felony domestic assault and violation of a protective order. Diaz was arrested on March 4, 2023, and detained at the ACI. He was released on bail on April 3, 2023. The federal assault case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney G. Michael Seaman. The matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: HONDURAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGALLY REENTERING THE COUNTRY AFTER MULTIPLE DUI ARRESTS

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Herixson Rene Rodriguez-Perez, 34, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal reentry by a removed alien. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This criminal alien has demonstrated a flagrant disregard for our national and state laws, and his repeated drunk driving poses a threat to our community. He must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, and removed from our country immediately thereafter. Let it be clear: violations of our nation’s immigration laws will be aggressively prosecuted by my office.” Court documents reflect that Rodriguez was deported in 2019 after pleading guilty to a 2016 driving under the influence charge in Tennessee. He returned to the United States and was arrested in 2022 under a false identity for driving while intoxicated in Texas. Rodriguez failed to appear on his Texas charges and has an active warrant. In May 2025, the Pensacola Police Department arrested Rodriguez for driving under the influence following a traffic stop. Rodriguez faces up to two years in prison followed by removal from the United States. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke DiSalvo is prosecuting the case. Rodriguez’s sentencing is scheduled for July 16, 2025, at 11:30 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. 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 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: SIX ILLEGAL ALIENS CONVICTED FOR ILLEGALLY REENTERING COUNTRY AFTER PRIOR REMOVALS

body_text: TALLAHASSEE & PENSACOLA – United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced today that six previously deported aliens were recently convicted for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court records, the defendants had each been previously removed due to being unlawfully present in the country, and illegally reentered without seeking the necessary permission or approval from the United States. Juan Gomez Perez, a Mexican national, was previously removed in September 2022. He was encountered in Tallahassee on May 29, 2025. Baltazar R. Mixteco-Temaxtle, a Mexican national, was previously removed in June 2013 and December 2017. He was encountered in Pensacola on February 22, 2025. Fredy Bravo Galvez, a Mexican national, was previously removed in March 2013 and March 2020. He was encountered in Tallahassee on June 14, 2025. Jose Larios-Cortez, a citizen of Honduras, was previously removed in November 2014. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on April 27, 2025. Juan Carlos Hernandez Vallejos, a citizen of Nicaragua, was previously removed in 2006, twice in 2014, and again in 2015. He was encountered in Tallahassee. Juan Rodolfo Martinez-Hernandez, a Mexican National, was previously removed in 2017 and in 2022. He was encountered in Pace on April 11, 2025. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “You will see a pattern in many of these cases: aliens who continue to return this country believing they will not face criminal consequences for violating our immigration laws. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have promised to Take Back America by making the enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws a top priority, and my office will aggressively pursue these cases to ensure that those who continue to illegally enter our country are prosecuted and swiftly removed.” The cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, with assistance state and local partners. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen, Jeffrey Tharp, Jennifer H. Callahan, and Eric Mountin prosecuted the cases. The cases are 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 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: Guatemalan National Charged With Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Springfield, Mass. has been charged with illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Noe Yonildo Ambrocio-Perez, 38, a/k/a “Noe Perez,” “Noe Ambrocio,” Noel Perez,” Wilder Noel Perez,” “Noe Velazquez Ambrocio-Perez,” and “Rodolfo Lopez Velasquez,” was charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Ambrocio-Perez was arrested on July 3, 2025 and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield, the Court took the matter of detention under advisement. Ambrocio-Perez remains in federal custody. According to court filings, Ambrocio-Perez illegally entered and was subsequently removed from the United States three times. The defendant was first encountered by immigration authorities in 2002, after he entered the United States illegally using the alias “Rodolfo Lopez-Velazquez,” and was processed for a voluntary removal. It is alleged that sometime thereafter, Ambrocio-Perez illegally reentered the United States for the second time. In July 2008, he was arrested in Springfield, Mass. for assault and battery after he allegedly became drunk and punched his girlfriend in the face with a closed fist. The arrest report listed another alias for the defendant, “Wilder Noel Perez.” It is further alleged that Ambrocio-Perez was arrested again in Springfield in 2009, after he was involved in an accident while operating a motor vehicle that was both uninsured and unregistered. Ambrocio-Perez allegedly identified himself to police with another alias, “Noel Perez.” In 2010, in Springfield, he was allegedly placed into protective custody when law enforcement encountered him “too drunk to walk or care for himself,” and allegedly used a fourth alias, “Noe Yonildo Perez.” According to court records, in 2012 Ambrocio-Perez was arrested for driving in an erratic and dangerous manner. During the arrest, he identified himself with a fifth alias, “Neri Perez,” and provided breath alcohol test samples of .255, .077, and .245. He was later convicted of motor vehicle crimes in 2013 and sentenced to a period of confinement. Following his release from state custody, Ambrocio-Perez was arrested by immigration authorities and ultimately released on order of recognizance that directed him to appear for immigration proceedings later that year. After the he failed to appear, an Immigration Judge ordered Ambrocio-Perez to be removed to Guatemala in absentia. Two years later, in 2015, Ambrocio-Perez was arrested in West Palm Beach, Fla., for driving erratically and speeding. According to court records, at the time of the arrest, Ambrocio-Perez presented a Guatemalan consular identification card in the name of one of his aliases, “Noe Perez,” which had two outstanding warrants for two separate motor vehicle cases. Ambrocio-Perez subsequently pleaded guilty to driving without a license, was sentenced to three days in jail and was later remoted to Guatemala for the second time. It is alleged that sometime thereafter, Ambrocio-Perez illegally entered the United States for the third time. In 2018, he was again arrested in West Palm Beach, Fla., for driving away from the scene of an accident and operating a motor vehicle beyond his normal faculties. In a subsequent case brought in the Southern District of Florida, Ambrocio-Perez pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of illegal reentry and was removed from the United States in 2019. At some point after his 2019 removal, it is alleged that Ambrocio-Perez illegally entered the United States for the fourth time. According to court documents, he was arrested in May 2025 in Springfield, Mass. after he crashed his motor vehicle and attempted to drive away from the scene. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: BATON ROUGE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO  POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced that Thomas Mills V, age 58, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles to possession of child pornography. A jury trial had commenced before Mills entered his guilty plea. According to admissions made during his plea, on or about October 22, 2018, officers with the Zachary Police Department were dispatched to an area on Highway 19 in reference to a suspicious vehicle. An anonymous caller advised that an unknown male was parked in an alley behind a party store. Upon arrival, officers approached the entrance of the alleyway and encountered Mills who was the driver and sole occupant of a 2008 Honda Fit. Mills exited the vehicle and initially told officers that he was cleaning his car behind the buildings. He then advised he was using the internet to send emails. Mills presented officers with his Louisiana driver's license, which indicated that he was a resident of Baton Rouge and a registered sex offender. Because Mills initially told officers that he lived in Zachary but was registered as a sex offender in Baton Rouge, officers believed that Mills was possibly in violation of state sex offender registration laws. Mills was observed acting nervously when speaking with the officers. Despite officers requesting Mills to remain in front of one of the patrol vehicles as they attempted to verify his information, Mills was observed moving towards his vehicle and was ordered to return to the front of the patrol unit on three separate occasions. While officers were questioning Mills about the address discrepancy, they approached Mills' vehicle and observed a laptop computer in plain view on the driver's side floorboard and a USB storage device on the front passenger seat. Officers initiated a criminal history check on Mills which revealed Mills had a previous federal felony conviction for possession of child pornography in 2012. After learning this information, Mills was asked if he was on probation. Mills responded affirmatively, identified his probation officer, and provided their contact information. Officers also verified that the 2008 Honda Fit was registered to Mills. While on scene, officers contacted the probation officer and learned that Mills was in violation of his conditions of supervised release by possessing a computer and computer components such as USB storage devices. The probation officer requested that officers seize the electronic devices in Mills' possession. After securing Mills inside of unit, officers recovered approximately nineteen electronic devices from Mills' vehicle. The nineteen devices seized from Mills were sent to a forensic examiner with U.S. Probation and Pretrial for forensic analysis. The analysis revealed approximately 1,325 pictures and 6 videos depicting child exploitation images. In 2013, Mills was sentenced to 62 months imprisonment for his 2012 conviction for possession of child pornography. This matter was investigated by the Zachary Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eli J. Abad and Ben Wallace. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Baltimore Man Indicted for Assaulting U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – A federal grand jury returned an indictment, charging Jamie Paul Taylor, 47, of Baltimore Maryland, with assaulting a federal employee. Taylor assaulted a United States Postal Service letter carrier who was engaged in performing official duties. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division, and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD). According to the indictment, Taylor assaulted a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier with a deadly or dangerous weapon, a knife, inflicting bodily injury to the letter carrier. On June 11, 2025, law enforcement officers responded to a stabbing in the 3100 block of Strickland Street in Baltimore. The victim and witnesses told law enforcement that Taylor accused the victim of not being a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, announced that he was going inside his residence to get a knife, and then returned with a knife and attacked the victim. The victim sustained an injury to his finger and his elbow while he attempted to flee from the assault. Taylor subsequently threw the knife at the postal worker before the victim and witnesses subdued him. If convicted, Taylor faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Rigney who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Missouri Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Pornography

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A Warrensburg, Missouri man was sentenced today for Possession of Child Pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Jimmie Lloyd Skelton, 34, to 168 months imprisonment, followed by 15 years of supervised release. Upon his release, Skelton will also be required to register as a sex offender. According to court documents, the Claremore Police Department responded to a report of child exploitation. The homeowner found Skelton masturbating to a video of a child under 12 years old. When law enforcement searched the home, they found several electronic devices owned by Skelton. Investigators found videos that Skelton recorded secretly of the child victim. Skelton will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The FBI and the Claremore Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Dunn and Stacey Todd prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Possessing More than  65 Pounds of Methamphetamine and Seven Firearms

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A Mexican national was sentenced today for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Marcos Javier Suazo-Mancilla, 23, to 270 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a drug trafficking organization believed to be responsible for trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine in the Tulsa area. When law enforcement conducted a search warrant at a residence, Suazo-Mancilla was present, and documentation showed that he was residing in the home. During a search of the residence, approximately 26 pounds of methamphetamine, 41 grams of cocaine, seven firearms, and more than $9k in cash were found. The investigation further revealed that this organization rented an auto body shop. When law enforcement searched that business, they found an additional 39 pounds of methamphetamine. Suazo-Mancilla was previously removed from the United States in August 2018. He will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nasar prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Camden County Man Admits Preparing False Tax Returns and Causing Tax Loss of More Than $16,000,000

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County tax preparer admitted to preparing false tax returns for his clients and causing more than $16,000,000 in tax losses, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today. Michael Sigall, 55, of West Berlin, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to two counts of aiding or assisting the preparation of false tax returns. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From 2018 through 2024, Sigall operated an income tax return preparation business. During this period, he prepared and filed income tax returns for hundreds of clients that contained materially false statements relating to tax credits for residential energy improvements. As a result of these false and fictitious credits, Sigall’s clients received inflated refunds to which they would not have been entitled if Sigall had prepared accurate tax returns. The false tax returns prepared by Sigall caused a tax loss of more than $16,000,000. Each count of aiding or assisting the preparation of false tax returns is punishable by a maximum of 3 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross loss or gain from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2025. U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division. ### Defense counsel: Rocco C. Cipparone, Jr., Haddon Heights, New Jersey sigall.information.pdf


title: Former Maryland Police Officer Sentenced for Excessive Force Conviction

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Former Fairmont Heights, Maryland, Police Officer Philip Dupree was sentenced today following his conviction at trial on June 17, 2024. Dupree was sentenced to six years and two months in prison. During the weeklong jury trial, the evidence established that Dupree was on duty as a Fairmont Heights Police Officer on Aug. 4, 2019, when he conducted a traffic stop in the District of Columbia. After detaining a man, Officer Dupree pepper sprayed the man while he was handcuffed and seated in Dupree’s police car. The jury found that Dupree’s use of force constituted excessive force by a law enforcement officer. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Howland for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case.