title: City of Shreveport Law Enforcement and Community Leaders Meet to Continue Developing Strategies to Fight Violent Crime through Public Safety Partnership

component: USAO - Louisiana, Western

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, along with other civic and community leaders from the Shreveport area held meetings this week to develop strategies together to help one another as the violent crime in the Shreveport area continues. In October 2021, the City of Shreveport was chosen to participate in the National Public Safety Partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The national PSP initiative that the City of Shreveport is involved in provides an innovative framework to enhance federal support of state and local law enforcement and prosecution authorities to reduce violent crime. The City of Shreveport was chosen to participate after an application was made in an effort to assist these leaders to fight violent crime. The PSP is a three-year program that is designed to promote interagency coordination between law enforcement agencies and to support communities that struggle with levels of violent crime far in excess of the national average and that would benefit from the DOJ’s support in developing their own capacities. This week’s PSP Strategic Planning meeting was an opportunity for civic and community leaders, along with local and state law enforcement, as well as federal and state prosecutors, to get together in one room and make a list of problems to address and work on strategies to address those problems. This is one of the steps in the PSP process whereby all of these leaders get together and discuss problems, plans for solutions and strategies to address them and is a cooperative effort of these groups to continue to combat violent crime in the Shreveport area. “I am excited to take advantage of the law enforcement and non-law enforcement expertise, experience and extensiveness of the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) through its PSP program,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The application process of Shreveport being designated as a PSP city was a very competitive process and we, along with the District Attorney’s office, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and our federal investigative agencies have been having law enforcement-based meetings with BJA for over a year leading up to this point. Now we’re ready for the next phase as we integrate relevant community partners such as Caddo Parish juvenile services, Shreveport city workforce development, Caddo Parish Schools, and other city/parish government related stakeholders. It is extremely refreshing to see the cohesion and support among our federal, state, and local partners as we proceed with formulating a violent crime prevention, rehabilitation and intervention approach going forward to supplement our law enforcement strategy.” “The National Public Safety Partnership has assisted jurisdictions across America meet their most pressing violent crime challenges,” stated BJA’s Director Karhlton F. Moore. “This critical crime reduction program brings together components from across the Department of Justice to support local strategies designed to combat violent crime, strengthen communities, build bonds of trust, and deliver on the promise of public safety. The success of this program in Shreveport lies in the strong partnership between the community, Shreveport Police Department, United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith commented: “Our community faces unique challenges with regard to crimes as do other cities across the country. I am very encouraged and embrace the greater possibilities and opportunities brought about by partnerships with our federal, state, local and community stakeholders to work together collaboratively and combine resources to improve the quality of life in Shreveport. We are much stronger together and this strategic planning session has helped all of us to establish agreed upon direction moving forward, along with strategies and action plans to accomplish a specific goal, which is safety in our community. I am eternally grateful to everyone that participated in this two-day strategic planning session for the Shreveport community.” Caddo Parish Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts stated: “Since receiving the award in 2021, we have worked collaboratively for solutions to improve our violent crime related issues. This opportunity has led us to develop and expand plans with our community stakeholders through prevention and implementation strategies. We are at a pivotal point in our history where we must maximize our strengths and acknowledge our challenges. Our mission is to make our communities safer by reducing our current statistics and providing hope for our future generations.” Agencies in attendance at this week’s meetings included representatives from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Shreveport Police Department, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux, select Department Heads from the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, Caddo Parish Commission, Shreveport Fire Department, Shreveport City Marshal, Caddo Parish School Board Security, Louisiana State Police, Ochsner LSU, FBI, ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshal Service. Regular monthly meetings will be held with these agencies and civic and community groups to address violent crime strategies from a law enforcement standpoint and a non-law enforcement standpoint. Some of the strategies include rehabilitation efforts and reentry of offenders back into the community. In addition to leadership from local and federal partners, DOJ dedicates specific individuals to support each PSP site throughout the three-year engagement, to include a retired law enforcement executive, a DOJ Program Office Champion to serve as the point of contact for the site, federal law enforcement partners, and a program advisor. PSP federal law enforcement partners include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). PSP serves as a Department of Justice Department initiative that enables communities to receive coordinated training and technical assistance and an array of resources from the Department’s programmatic and law enforcement components. In addition to Shreveport, Louisiana, the other sites that were selected included: Antioch, California; Aurora, Colorado; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Gary, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; North Charleston/ Charleston, South Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; and Richmond, Virginia. # # #


title: Georgia Man Sentenced to Prison for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: Criminal Division

body_text: ATHENS, Ga. – A Watkinsville, Georgia, man who was convicted by a federal jury for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material was sentenced to serve more than eleven years in prison for his crime. Eric Paul Krumm, 47, was sentenced to serve 134 months in prison to be followed by 25 years of supervised release and $18,000 in restitution to the victims by U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on May 4. Krumm will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from federal prison. Krumm was found guilty by a federal jury on April 27, 2022, of two counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. There is no parole in the federal system. “We will not stop pursing justice on behalf of children victimized by criminal online predators,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Creating, distributing, downloading and viewing child sexual assault material are heinous crimes that yield federal consequences.” “The GBI will continue to work tirelessly to protect innocent victims. No child should be subject to online exploitation. As we work with our law enforcement agency partners and prosecutors, we are ensuring that predators like this defendant are held accountable,” said GBI Director Michael Register. In 2016, Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) began an investigation into downloads of suspected child sexual abuse material that returned to Krumm. Following that initial finding, ACCPD obtained 204 images and two videos of child sexual abuse material linking back to Krumm’s IP address. The child sexual abuse material depicted prepubescent girls and included sexual assault and molestation. A search warrant was executed by the GBI at Krumm’s residence on Feb. 15, 2017, and eleven electronics were seized, including laptops and hard drives. 56 images and one movie file found on Krumm’s electronics depicting child sexual abuse material were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for comparison to the Child Recognition and Identification System (CRIS). Krumm, a former systems administrator for a multinational corporation, downloaded and distributed child sexual abuse material via a peer-to-peer file sharing network. GBI investigators conducted an extensive forensic examination of Krumm’s electronics, which led to the discovery of the evidence of his distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The case was investigated by Athens-Clarke County Police Department and GBI, with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Solis prosecuted the case.


title: Billings man sentenced to five years in prison for attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: BILLINGS — A Billings man convicted in an undercover sting operation to identify and arrest persons who were attempting to have sex with children was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Thomas Clay Sebastian, 25, pleaded guilty in June 2022 to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that in October 2021, law enforcement conducted an undercover sting operation in Billings to identify and arrest individuals who were attempting to have sex with children. Sebastian responded to an undercover post and began corresponding with a fictitious 13-year-old girl. Sebastian engaged in a sexual conversation with the undercover and asked whether the girl would engage in intercourse with him. The undercover agreed if Sebastian brought condoms and plans were made to meet in a park. Law enforcement arrested Sebastian when he arrived at the location. Sebastian later acknowledged that it was wrong to for him to chat with the undercover about sex and that he thought “maybe I’ll get away with it one time.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. XXX


title: Two Men Arrested for Allegedly Robbing Armored Truck in Chicago Suburb

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — Two men have been arrested on federal charges for allegedly robbing an armored truck at gunpoint in a Chicago suburb earlier this week. DEVONTE DAVIS and DARRELL SINGLETON robbed the Brink’s armored truck on Tuesday morning in Homewood, Ill., according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The robbery occurred as two guards were picking up money from a bank inside of a grocery store in the 3100 block of 183rd Street in the Chicago suburb, the complaint states. During the robbery, one of the robbers struck a guard in the head with a firearm, the complaint states. Law enforcement on Tuesday afternoon located the defendants in a residence in Calumet Park, Ill., and took them into custody. The government will seek to have both defendants remain detained pending trial. Davis, 26, of Chicago, is scheduled for a detention hearing on May 8, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman. Singleton, 18, of Chicago, waived his right to a detention hearing. His case is scheduled for a status hearing on May 10, 2023, before Judge Weisman. The complaint and arrests were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in Chicago, Calumet Park Police and Fire Departments, Homewood Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Country Club Hills Police Department, Evergreen Park Police Department, Calumet City Police Department, Dolton Police Department, Alsip Police Department, Orland Park Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Lansing Police Department, and Illinois State Police. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elie Zenner and Kirsten Moran. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The robbery charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.


title: Former Washington State Patrol Officer sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted child sexual abuse

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A former member of the Washington State Patrol was sentenced to ten years in prison last week, after pleading guilty in January 2023 to Attempted Enticement of a Minor, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Trevor Smith, 30, of Marysville, was arrested in February 2021 after communicating with a woman who he believed was offering to allow him to have sex with her 6 and 11-year-old children. In reality, the woman was an undercover police officer, and the children were fictitious. Smith was arrested after meeting with the woman, purchasing condoms and traveling to the hotel where he thought the encounter would occur. At the sentencing hearing last week, U.S. District Judge John H. Chun imposed 15 years of supervised release to follow the 10-year prison term. Smith will be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison. Smith was originally charged in King County Superior Court, but the case was transferred to federal court in May 2021. Smith was released on bond until January 2023. When Smith entered his guilty plea, he also was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Seattle Police Department as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Harmon. Ms. Harmon is a Senior King County Deputy Prosecutor specially designated to prosecute child exploitation crimes in federal court.


title: Texas Man Who Lied About Origin of Chinese-Made Products Sentenced to 4 Years In Prison, Ordered to Pay $1.15 Million

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A Grand Prairie man was sentenced today to four years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1.15 million in restitution for lying to the federal government about where his company’s products were manufactured, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Suhaib Allababidi, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in November 2022. His company, 2M Solutions Inc., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of filing false or misleading export information. Mr. Allababidi was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor, who sentenced 2M to five years of probation plus a $1 million fine and ordered the company jointly and severally liable for the $1,154,634.11 in restitution. According to court documents, Mr. Allababidi, the owner and president of 2M, admitted that the company – which provided security cameras, solar-powered light towers, digital video recorders, and other electronics to various U.S. government agencies – claimed that its products were manufactured in the United States, when in actuality they were manufactured in the People’s Republic of China by Chinese companies. In order to secure contracts with U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Allababidi represented that 2M was “a USA Manufacturing Company.” In actuality, 2M did little to no manufacturing but instead often purchased products from Chinese companies, removed labels indicating the true country of origin, and replaced them with labels indicating they were manufactured in 2M’s Grand Prairie facility. By falsely representing that its products were manufactured in the United States, 2M was able to secure contracts subject to the Buy America Act (BAA), a law which generally prohibits United States Government agencies from purchasing products made outside the United States with some limited exceptions. 2M repeatedly certified to the government that its products were BAA-compliant and took various steps to conceal their Chinese origin. On one occasion, when products were to be shipped directly from a Chinese company to the government agency, a 2M employee sent the Chinese company an email reminding them, “we do not want any Chinese characters or stickers on the shipment” and adding that such stickers “will cause many problems for us.” 2M also pled guilty to submitting false information in relation to products exported to foreign customers. In contravention of export laws, the company submitted false information to the Automated Export System, a government-run platform that collects export information and distributes it to multiple federal agencies to assure compliance. The company falsified the description of items exported, misrepresented the ultimate recipient of the items, and falsely stated that no export license was needed for shipments that required a license. The Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, the General Services Administration’s Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Weimer prosecuted the case with the assistance of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.


title: Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

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

body_text: Child Pornography Gregory Scott Gage. Jr . age 30, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced on May 2, 2023, for access with intent to view child pornography. Chief District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed a sentence of time served with 10 years of supervised release, $12,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. The crime was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine M. Martens. Firearm Offenses Christopher Leroy Gaiter, age 34, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced on May 4, 2023, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson sentenced Gaiter to 57 months in prison with three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The crime was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom prosecuted the case.


title: Zuni Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Rodney Waikaniwa made an initial appearance in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country. Waikaniwa, 51 years old, and an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, will remain in custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing scheduled for May 9. According to the complaint, on or about February 10, 2023, the Zuni Police Department learned of allegations of sexual abuse against Waikaniwa. The investigation was referred to the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, which conducted interviews with two victims. Following interviews with the victims, agents interviewed Waikaniwa at his home and he admitted to sexually abusing both victims. The incidents of abuse occurred within the exterior boundaries of the Pueblo of Zuni. A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Waikaniwa faces a minimum of 30 years in prison. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case.


title: Additional Tangipahoa Parish Residents Sentenced in Jungle Life Mafia Street Gang Prosecution

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JERALD ALEXANDER, age 38, a Tangipahoa Parish resident, was sentenced on May 4, 2023, to 87 months imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. ALEXANDER previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. STAR ROBICHAUX , age 43, a Tangipahoa Parish resident, was sentenced on April 25, 2023, to 22 months imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. ROBICHAUX previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 1 kilogram or more of heroin. According to court documents, Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) agents began investigating the drug trafficking activities of the Jungle Life Mafia street gang in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana in 2019. The investigation spanned two years. JERALD ALEXANDER served as the marijuana source of supply for multiple co-conspirators, including MICHAEL ALEXANDER, SR., ATRELL ANDERSON, and TERRELL HAYNES. DEA agents executed a search warrant at his residence which resulted in the seizure of 10 pounds of marijuana, $290,339 in U.S. currency, and a Palmetto Arms, Model PA-15, multi-caliber pistol. Pursuant to a traffic stop, ROBICHAUX was found to be in possession of four ounces of heroin mixed with fentanyl that she planned to deliver to co-conspirator TERRELL HAYNES. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This 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 federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Hammond Police Department, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Twenty-First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Twenty-Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Former Chief Security Officer Of Uber Sentenced To Three Years’ Probation For Covering Up Data Breach Involving Millions Of Uber User Records

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Joseph Sullivan was sentenced to serve a three-year term of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $50,000, announced First Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. William H. Orrick, United States District Judge, after a jury found Sullivan guilty of two felonies in October 2022. Sullivan, 54, from Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, previously served as the Chief Security Officer for Uber Technologies, Inc. (“Uber”). The evidence at trial established that while Sullivan was serving in that role, Uber was under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) as a result of a data breach Uber had suffered in 2014. The FTC’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, which is charged with overseeing issues related to consumer privacy and information security, among other things, ultimately investigated both the nature and circumstances of that 2014 data breach and Uber’s broader cybersecurity program. Sullivan was hired soon after the FTC investigation launched, and he participated in Uber’s response to that investigation, including its efforts to comply with investigative demands issued by the FTC. Among other things, Sullivan participated in a presentation to the FTC in March 2016 regarding Uber’s cybersecurity program, and he testified under oath in November 2016. As established at trial, ten days after his sworn FTC testimony, Sullivan learned that Uber had been hacked again. Furthermore, the hackers had exploited the same vulnerability that had led to the 2014 breach. Unlike the 2014 breach, however, the data stolen in 2016 was massive in scale and included records associated with approximately 57 million Uber users and drivers. Despite having testified regarding that same security vulnerability and related issues ten days prior, Sullivan executed a scheme to prevent any knowledge of the breach from reaching the FTC. For example, Sullivan told a subordinate that they “can’t let this get out” and stated that the breach would “play very badly based on previous assertions” to the FTC. He also arranged to pay off the hackers in exchange for them signing non-disclosure agreements in which the hackers promised not to reveal the hack to anyone. Those contracts, drafted by Sullivan and a lawyer assigned to his team, falsely represented that the hackers did not take or store any data in their hack. Thereafter, Sullivan continued to work with the Uber lawyers handling or overseeing the FTC investigation, including the General Counsel of Uber, but he withheld information about the breach from all of them. Uber ultimately entered into a preliminary settlement with the FTC in summer 2016 without disclosing the 2016 data breach to the FTC. As part of the negotiations, Sullivan learned that the FTC was relying on false information previously provided by Uber, but he failed to alert any of Uber’s lawyers or the FTC. In Fall 2017, Uber’s new management began investigating facts surrounding the 2016 data breach. When asked by Uber’s new CEO what had happened, Sullivan lied about the circumstances of the breach, including by telling the CEO that the hackers did not steal any data. Sullivan lied again to Uber’s outside lawyers who were conducting an investigation into the incident. Nonetheless, the truth about the breach was ultimately discovered by Uber’s new management, which disclosed the breach publicly, and to the FTC, in November 2017. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew F. Dawson and Benjamin Kingsley are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Patricia Mahoney and Nina Burney. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.


title: Foreign National Extradited to the United States for Kidnapping and Assaulting U.S. Army Soldiers in Colombia

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Colombian national has been extradited from Colombia to the United States to face charges related to kidnapping and assaulting two U.S. Army soldiers who were on temporary duty in Bogota, Colombia. Jeffersson Arango Castellanos made his initial court appearance today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. According to court documents, Arango and his co-conspirators targeted, incapacitated, and kidnapped two U.S. soldiers in Bogota. The two victims were in an entertainment district in Bogota watching a sporting event on the evening of March 5, 2020. While at a pub in Bogota, the two victims lost consciousness until the following day, by which point they had been separated. Medical examinations later confirmed the presence of benzodiazepines in their systems. The defendants are alleged to have targeted the two victims at the pub, incapacitated them with drugs, and kidnapped them to acquire the victims’ valuables and credit and debit card information. Arango and his co-conspirators are each charged with kidnapping an internationally protected person, conspiracy to kidnap an internationally protected person, assaulting an internationally protected person, and conspiracy to assault an internationally protected person. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of life in prison. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Judicial Attaché Office in Bogota, and the U.S. Marshals Service provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of the defendant. The United States also thanks Colombian law enforcement authorities for their valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayron Silverio and Trial Attorneys Clayton O’Connor and Elizabeth Nielson of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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-20173. ###


title: Federal jury convicts former Los Lunas High School coach on child pornography charges

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict against Johnathon Bindues after less than three hours of deliberation. The jury convicted Bindues, 31, of Los Lunas, New Mexico, on one count each of coercion and enticement of a minor and production of child pornography. United States District Judge James O. Browning presided. A federal grand jury indicted Bindues on March 23, 2022. According to the evidence at trial and other publicly available court records, Bindues used his former position at Los Lunas High School as the coach for the girls’ basketball and track teams to gain special access to minor females. The victim, identified as Jane Doe, was a freshman and a member of the teams Bindues coached. Between September 2020 and June 2021, Bindues exchanged over 17,000 text messages with the victim. Bindues requested nude images of Jane Doe and repeatedly encouraged her to delete text messages. After discovering sexually explicit messages on her daughter’s phone, Jane Doe’s mother reported the relationship to the New Mexico State Police. “The exploitation of children requires decisive action. Those who seek to prey on children will stop at nothing to lull their victims into a false sense of trust and security,” said Amy Kaskel, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge. “Thanks to the close collaboration with our partners at the New Mexico State Police, we were able to put a stop to the defendant’s activities. This man, who was entrusted to mentor young people, was in actuality a predator of vulnerable girls. Today’s conviction is one step closer to ensuring he won't be able to victimize children for years to come.” “Our children deserve schools and sports free from sexual predation,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez. “I stand in awe of Jane Doe’s bravery, fortitude, and resilience. Her strength in facing her abuser and sharing her story is nothing short of heroic. Parents, teachers, and all members of our community must remain vigilant to protect our children from those who abuse their positions of authority.” Bindues faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for coercion and enticement and a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for production of child pornography. Upon his release from prison, Bindues would be subject to registration as a sex offender. The FBI and New Mexico State Police investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Jaymie L. Roybal and Patrick E. Cordova are prosecuting the case. # # # 23-101


title: Kyle Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on April 28, 2023. Shayne Justin Begay, 45, was sentenced to two eight-year terms in federal prison, to run consecutively, followed by five years of supervised release. Begay was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Begay was indicted for Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Possession of Child Pornography by a federal grand jury in December of 2021. He pleaded guilty on February 2, 2023. The conviction stems from Begay filming two minor females while they showered at the Juvenile Detention Center in Kyle, South Dakota, where he was employed as a corrections officer. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the FBI and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. Begay was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Man from the Ring Thunder Community Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Ring Thunder, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on May 2, 2023. Marshall Knife, 39, was sentenced to five years and eleven months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Knife was indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on January 23, 2023. In September of 2020, Knife and other individuals were consuming alcohol at Knife’s residence in the Ring Thunder Community in Todd County, South Dakota. The victim, who was approximately 14-years old at the time, was also present. As the night progressed, Knife made a comment about wanting to take the victim’s virginity and proceeded to engage in sexual acts with the victim. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case. Knife was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Extranjero extraditado a los Estados Unidos por secuestro y agresión a soldados del Ejército de los EE. UU. en Colombia

body_text: MIAMI – Un ciudadano colombiano ha sido extraditado de Colombia a los Estados Unidos para enfrentar cargos relacionados con el secuestro y agresión a dos soldados del Ejército de los EE. UU. que se encontraban en servicio temporal en Bogotá, Colombia. Jeffersson Arango Castellanos hizo su primera comparecencia ante el tribunal hoy en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Sur de Florida. Según documentos judiciales, Arango y sus cómplices atacaron, incapacitaron y secuestraron a dos soldados estadounidenses en Bogotá. Las dos víctimas estaban en un distrito de entretenimiento en Bogotá viendo un evento deportivo en la noche del 5 de marzo de 2020. Mientras estaban en un bar en Bogotá, las dos víctimas perdieron el conocimiento hasta el día siguiente, momento en el que se separaron. Posteriormente, los exámenes médicos confirmaron la presencia de benzodiazepinas en sus sistemas. Se alega que los acusados atacaron a las dos víctimas en el pub, las incapacitaron con drogas y las secuestraron para adquirir los objetos de valor de las víctimas y la información de las tarjetas de crédito y débito. Arango y sus cómplices están acusados de secuestrar a una persona protegida internacionalmente, conspiración para secuestrar a una persona protegida internacionalmente, agredir a una persona protegida internacionalmente y conspirar para agredir a una persona protegida internacionalmente. Si son declarados culpables, cada uno de ellos enfrenta una pena máxima de cadena perpetua. El Fiscal Federal Markenzy Lapointe para el Distrito Sur de Florida, el Fiscal General Adjunto Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. de la División Criminal del Departamento de Justicia, y el Agente Especial a Cargo Jeffrey B. Veltri de la Oficina Local del FBI en Miami hicieron el anuncio. La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia, la Oficina del Agregado Judicial de la Sección de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas en Bogotá y el Servicio de Alguaciles de los EE. UU. brindaron asistencia significativa para asegurar el arresto y la extradición del acusado. Estados Unidos también agradece a las autoridades policiales colombianas por su valiosa asistencia. El Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Dayron Silverio y los abogados litigantes Clayton O'Connor y Elizabeth Nielson de la Sección de Derechos Humanos y Procesamientos Especiales de la División Criminal están procesando el caso. Una acusación es simplemente una acusación. Se presume que todos los acusados son inocentes hasta que se pruebe su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia. Todos los documentos e información relacionada se pueden encontrar en el sitio web del Tribunal de Distrito, Distrito Sur de Florida en www.flsd.uscourts.gov o en http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov bajo el número de caso 23-cr-20173. ###


title: California Man Faces Federal Drug Charges After Arranging Sale of 80,000 Fentanyl Pills and 66 Pounds of Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A San Jose, California man is facing federal drug trafficking charges after he arranged the sale of approximately 80,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and 66 pounds of methamphetamine. Oscar Manuel Rosas Gaona, 20, has been charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to possess and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. According to court documents, in April 2023, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arranged to purchase 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl for 70 cents per pill. On April 14, 2023, the agents, working in partnership with the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF), completed the arranged purchase with Rosas. As the investigation continued, a second purchase from Rosas was organized and, on April 27, 2023, agents obtained an additional 70,000 fentanyl pills. The next day, on April 28, 2023, Rosas began arranging the delivery and sale of 65 pounds of methamphetamine. By May 4, 2023, the methamphetamine had arrived in Oregon and was seized by law enforcement. Rosas was taken into custody the same day. Rosas made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Armistead. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. This case was investigated by HSI and CCITF. It is being prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. CCITF, led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in Clackamas County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Canby Police Department, Oregon State Police, HSI, and FBI. A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Allen Man Sentenced for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced an Allen, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on April 28, 2023. Kordelle Running Hawk, 24, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Running Hawk will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Running Hawk was indicted for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on January 6, 2023. Running Hawk was arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2022 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Following multiple sexually explicit chats and text messages with a person Running Hawk believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent, Running Hawk proceeded to negotiate a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Running Hawk went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he was instead met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. Running Hawk was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Slidell Man Indicted for Federal Carjacking And Weapons Offenses

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SHAMPAIN POOLE , age 22, of Slidell, Louisiana, was charged by a federal grand jury on May 5, 2023, in a three-count indictment for carjacking and violations of the Federal Gun Control Act, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. POOLE is charged in Count 1 with carjacking in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(1). He is charged in Count 2 with brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). He is charged in in Count 3 with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). If convicted of Count 1, POOLE faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. If convicted of Count 2, he faces a minimum of seven years up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, which must run consecutive to any other sentence, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to five years of supervised release. If convicted of Count 3, he faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. As to each count, POOLE also faces payment of a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven 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. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Former Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Convicted of Federal Tax, Structuring, and Concealment Offenses

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal jury in Chicago today convicted a former special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – a criminal investigative unit within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – on tax, structuring, and concealment offenses. ANTHONY SABAINI, 41, of Naperville, Ill., was convicted on all counts against him: one count of structuring, one count of willfully engaging in a scheme to conceal a material fact in a matter within the jurisdiction of DHS, and five counts of willfully filing a false federal tax return. The jury returned its verdicts this afternoon after a three-week trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago. A sentencing date was not immediately set. Sabaini was assigned to HSI’s field office in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. Evidence at trial showed that Sabaini maintained a corrupt relationship with an HSI confidential informant (“CI”). Sabaini tipped off the CI to sensitive law enforcement investigations and protected the CI from other federal law enforcement investigations conducted by the FBI and DEA. In exchange for Sabaini’s protection, the CI paid Sabaini at least approximately $50,000. The evidence showed that Sabaini stole money from HSI that was earmarked for investigative activity. He also stole cash from drug dealers. Evidence at trial revealed that Sabaini deposited more than $250,000 in cash into a bank account for which he was the sole signatory. He made the deposits through more than 162 transactions, with the amount of each deposit being less than $10,000. The deposits were structured in an effort to evade federal reporting rules, which require financial institutions to notify the U.S. Department of the Treasury about transactions of more than $10,000. The evidence also showed that Sabaini lied in official HSI memoranda in 2017 and 2018 to protect his corrupt relationship with the CI. In the memoranda, Sabaini knowingly covered up material facts, including that the CI was a target of ongoing criminal investigations conducted by other law enforcement agencies, and that the CI had recently engaged in unauthorized criminal conduct that Sabaini knew would have affected his suitability as a paid HSI informant. The tax convictions pertained to Sabaini willfully filing false federal tax returns that underreported his total income. A separate federal jury in 2021 convicted Sabaini’s partner, FERNANDO ZAMBRANO, of lying to investigators during the Sabaini probe. Zambrano was a Palos Heights Police Officer assigned to an HSI task force. Zambrano was sentenced to three months in federal prison. The convictions of Sabaini were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago; and Karen Whalen, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General’s Chicago Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the DEA and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Hasten and Jonathan Shih. The structuring and concealment charges are each punishable by up to five years in federal prison. Each tax charge is punishable by up to three years.


title: Justice Department Strengthens Efforts To Address The Crisis Of Missing Or Murdered Indigenous Persons

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO -- The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5, 2023 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day . Responding to the unacceptable levels of violence that have led to the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) is a priority of the Department of Justice every day. The department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort that takes many forms. One year ago today, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco joined Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to launch the Not Invisible Act Commission , a joint Commission established by the Not Invisible Act with an essential mission — to reduce violence against American Indians and Alaska Natives. In February, they welcomed the first in-person plenary meeting of the Not Invisible Act Commission. Since then, the department’s representatives on the commission—who are department leaders and subject matter experts—have participated in the Commission’s field hearings , which will continue through the summer. Later this year, the Commission will deliver recommendations for addressing the MMIP crisis to the Attorney General and the Secretary. In addition to supporting the Not Invisible Act Commission, the department remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis. “The Justice Department is marshalling the full strength of its resources to confront the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, which has devastated the lives of victims, their families, and entire Tribal communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Addressing this crisis requires a whole-of-government approach, and we are grateful for the partnership of Tribal and other law enforcement agencies across the nation that are working alongside the Justice Department to help reduce crime and support victims in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.” “Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day calls on our nation to pause and honor the loved ones who have gone missing or who have been the victims of violent crime,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Acknowledging the many American Indian and Alaska Native people who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the pain of a missing loved one or of violent crime serves as an important reminder of the urgency and importance of the department’s work to respond to the crisis of missing or murdered indigenous persons. The Justice Department—including our dedicated agents, analysts, and prosecutors—remains steadfast in our pledge to work as partners with Tribal governments in preventing and responding to the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities.” “The Justice Department is committed to using every resource at its disposal to combat the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Crisis,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “In addition to our core law-enforcement work, we are providing grant funding and guidance to help Tribes develop response plans for missing-persons cases, partner effectively with local law enforcement, and provide resources for victims of crime.” “We are 100% committed to bringing the resources of the Department of Justice to bear in response to the crisis of missing or murdered indigenous persons,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “We are engaged with our federal law enforcement partners, Tribal leadership, and the leadership of the Department to ensure an effective and coordinated approach to preventing and addressing violent crime in the District’s Tribal communities.” Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases In July 2022, Deputy Attorney General Monaco issued a memorandum reiterating that it is a priority of the Department of Justice to address the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives, and relatedly, the high rates of indigenous persons reported missing. The memorandum directed each United States Attorney with Indian country jurisdiction — along with their law enforcement partners at DOJ — to update and develop new plans for addressing public safety in Indian country. The Northern District of California is home to 33 recognized tribes. Last October, the Northern District of California was home to the First Annual Northern California Tribal Policy Summit on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, hosted by the Yurok Tribe. Since the meeting, the attorneys and leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California has updated relevant policies, strengthened ties with tribal leaders, and made progress on individual open cases. For example, NDCA attorneys have updated the District’s internal operating plans to include Savanna’s Act Section 5(a) Guidelines and Resource Materials for Responding to Cases of Missing and Murdered American Indians. In addition, the USAO leadership sits on the Native American Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee—this subcommittee met in April in Cherokee, North Carolina, to propose updates to MMIP policy, including staffing of federal law enforcement investigating cases of missing and murdered indigenous people. Further, recent meetings and conferences coordinated with tribal leadership and federal law enforcement have focused attention on specific cases as well as the broader need to increase awareness of missing and murdered indigenous people. This effort has financial backing as nine tribes in the Northern District of California were awarded sixteen grants totaling $10,273,040 in funding. Nationwide, these grants were awarded to American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS). The CTAS is a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Publication of Updated Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance In October 2022, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued revised Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance. The revised guidelines , which was updated for the first time in a decade, address when and how department employees work with victims and witnesses of crime to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are protected during criminal justice proceedings. For the first time the guidelines include cultural and linguistic considerations for victims from American Indian and Alaska Native communities. National Native American Outreach Services Liaison Last year, the department announced the creation of a new National Native American Outreach Services Liaison. Since that announcement, the Liaison has begun to help amplify the voice of crime victims in Indian country and their families across the department as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. In the coming months, the Liaison will meet with survivors and family members of MMIP to learn more about the current challenges in MMIP cases and to make recommendations about the department’s continued response. Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and Respond to the MMIP Crisis In July 2022, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior submitted a report pursuant to Sections 2 and 4(a) of Executive Order 14053, which called for “coordinated and comprehensive Federal law enforcement strategy to prevent and respond to violence against Native Americans, including to address missing or murdered indigenous people where the federal government has jurisdiction.” The report was published late last year and is available on the department website here . Guide for Tribal Community Response Plans for Missing Persons Cases In December 2022, the department published a Guide to Developing a Tribal Community Response Plan for Missing Persons Cases . This Guide is a resource for Tribes interested in developing a plan to respond to missing person cases that is tailored to the specific needs, resources, and culture of Tribal communities. Launch of the COPS Office Tribal MOU/MOA Resource Library On Monday of this week, the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) published its Tribal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)/Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Sample Resource Library. This library provides users with the resources to research and successfully draft agreements that will help agencies develop and solidify partnerships to address missing or murdered Indigenous persons cases. Expanded Scope of the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Grant Program The department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) expanded the scope of allowable activities under its Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside (TVSSA) grant program to permit Tribal communities to pay for costs related to generating awareness of individual missing persons cases involving American Indians and Alaska Native persons, supporting private search efforts for missing American Indians and Alaska Native persons in certain circumstances, and supporting efforts to coordinate the Tribal, state, and federal response to MMIP cases. Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation on Violence Against Women In September 2022, the department’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) held the 17th Annual OVW Government-to Government Tribal Consultation on Violence Against Women in Anchorage, Alaska. OVW is responsible for conducting annual government-to-government consultations with the leaders of all Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments on behalf of the Attorney General. The 2022 Tribal consultation report is available here . National Institute of Justice Study of MMIP Cases in New Mexico Last year, the department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded a study that will provide vital information regarding the prevalence and context of cases of MMIP in New Mexico and, importantly, will inform long-term data collection, analysis, and reporting strategies on MMIP cases. These improvements will support data-driven decision-making regarding MMIP in New Mexico moving forward. Additional Department of Justice Resources For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.


title: Founder and Former CEO of Sustainable Fuel Company Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Embezzlement Scheme

body_text: A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., returned an indictment yesterday charging the founder and former CEO of a sustainable fuel company with embezzling at least $5.9 million from the company. According to court documents, Bryan Sherbacow, 54, of Charleston, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C., allegedly engaged in a scheme to defraud the company he founded by fraudulently transferring company funds to a personal bank account and making unauthorized personal expenditures from a company bank account. Sherbacow allegedly attempted to conceal his embezzlement by, among other things, emailing altered bank statements and other falsified financial records to a company accountant and members of the company’s board. Sherbacow allegedly used embezzled funds to pay for such personal items as a vintage Mercedes-Benz sports car, a Range Rover sport utility vehicle, a down payment on a condo, payments to an art auction operator, personal tax liens, personal credit card payments, rent payments on personal residences, payment to a beach club, and the installation of an audio-visual system at a personal residence. Sherbacow is charged with three counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. If convicted, Sherbacow faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the top counts of the indictment. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division made the announcement. The FBI Washington Field Office and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Charleston Resident Agency are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Kyle Crawford of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case. If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: FACT SHEET: Justice Department Strengthens Efforts to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons

component: Office of the Associate Attorney General

body_text: “The Justice Department is marshalling the full strength of its resources to confront the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, which has devastated the lives of victims, their families, and entire Tribal communities. Addressing this crisis requires a whole-of-government approach, and we are grateful for the partnership of Tribal and other law enforcement agencies across the nation that are working alongside the Justice Department to help reduce crime and support victims in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.” – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland “Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day calls on our nation to pause and honor the loved ones who have gone missing or who have been the victims of violent crime. Acknowledging the many American Indian and Alaska Native people who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the pain of a missing loved one or of violent crime serves as an important reminder of the urgency and importance of the department’s work to respond to the crisis of missing or murdered indigenous persons. The Justice Department—including our dedicated agents, analysts, and prosecutors—remains steadfast in our pledge to work as partners with Tribal governments in preventing and responding to the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities.” – Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco “The Justice Department is committed to using every resource at its disposal to combat the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Crisis. In addition to our core law-enforcement work, we are providing grant funding and guidance to help Tribes develop response plans for missing-persons cases, partner effectively with local law enforcement, and provide resources for victims of crime.” – Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day . Responding to the unacceptable levels of violence that have led to the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) is a priority of the Department of Justice every day. The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort that takes many forms. One year ago today, Deputy Attorney General Monaco joined Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to launch the Not Invisible Act Commission , a joint Commission established by the Not Invisible Act with an essential mission — to reduce violence against American Indians and Alaska Natives. In February, they welcomed the first in-person plenary meeting of the Not Invisible Act Commission. Since then, the Department’s representatives on the commission — who are Department leaders and subject matter experts — have participated in the Commission’s field hearings , which will continue through the summer. Later this year, the Commission will deliver recommendations for addressing the MMIP crisis to the Attorney General and the Secretary. In addition to supporting the Not Invisible Act Commission, the Department remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis. Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases In July 2022, Deputy Attorney General Monaco issued a memorandum reiterating that it is a priority of the Department of Justice to address the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives, and relatedly, the high rates of indigenous persons reported missing. The memorandum directed each U.S. Attorney with Indian country jurisdiction — along with their law enforcement partners at the Justice Department — to update and develop new plans for addressing public safety in Indian country. Publication of Updated Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance In October 2022, Attorney General Garland issued revised Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance. The revised guidelines , which was updated for the first time in a decade, address when and how Department employees work with victims and witnesses of crime to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are protected during criminal justice proceedings. For the first time the guidelines include cultural and linguistic considerations for victims from American Indian and Alaska Native communities. National Native American Outreach Services Liaison Last year, the Department announced the creation of a new National Native American Outreach Services Liaison. Since that announcement, the Liaison has begun to help amplify the voice of crime victims in Indian country and their families across the Department as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. In the coming months, the Liaison will meet with survivors and family members of MMIP to learn more about the current challenges in MMIP cases and to make recommendations about the Department’s continued response. Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and Respond to the MMIP Crisis In July 2022, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior submitted a report pursuant to Sections 2 and 4(a) of Executive Order 14053, which called for “coordinated and comprehensive Federal law enforcement strategy to prevent and respond to violence against Native Americans, including to address missing or murdered indigenous people where the federal government has jurisdiction.” The report was published late last year and is available on the department website here . Guide for Tribal Community Response Plans for Missing Persons Cases In December 2022, the Department published a Guide to Developing a Tribal Community Response Plan for Missing Persons Cases . This Guide is a resource for Tribes interested in developing a plan to respond to missing person cases that is tailored to the specific needs, resources, and culture of Tribal communities. Launch of the COPS Office Tribal MOU/MOA Resource Library On Monday of this week, the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) published its Tribal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)/Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Sample Resource Library. This library provides users with the resources to research and successfully draft agreements that will help agencies develop and solidify partnerships to address missing or murdered Indigenous persons cases. Expanded Scope of the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Grant Program The department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) expanded the scope of allowable activities under its Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside (TVSSA) grant program to permit Tribal communities to pay for costs related to generating awareness of individual missing persons cases involving American Indians and Alaska Native persons, supporting private search efforts for missing American Indians and Alaska Native persons in certain circumstances, and supporting efforts to coordinate the Tribal, state, and federal response to MMIP cases. Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation on Violence Against Women In September 2022, the Department’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) held the 17th Annual OVW Government-to Government Tribal Consultation on Violence Against Women in Anchorage, Alaska. OVW is responsible for conducting annual government-to-government consultations with the leaders of all federally recognized Indian Tribal governments on behalf of the Attorney General. The 2022 Tribal consultation report is available here. National Institute of Justice Study of MMIP Cases in New Mexico Last year, the Department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded a study that will provide vital information regarding the prevalence and context of cases of MMIP in New Mexico and, importantly, will inform long-term data collection, analysis, and reporting strategies on MMIP cases. These improvements will support data-driven decision-making regarding MMIP in New Mexico moving forward. Additional Department of Justice Resources For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.


title: Justice Department Looks Back on First Year of Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy and Office of Environmental Justice

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Justice Department’s Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy and Office of Environmental Justice. To mark the anniversary, the Department has issued a fact sheet highlighting its progress in its work advancing environmental justice. “In the year since I announced the creation of the Justice Department’s first Office of Environmental Justice, the Department has taken important actions across the country to advance environmental justice for all Americans – including working to improve access to safe drinking water in Jackson, Mississippi; curbing harmful pollution in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’; and securing convictions for mismanagement of industrial waste in West Virginia,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Although violations of our environmental laws can happen anywhere, communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities often bear the brunt of the harm caused by environmental crime, pollution, and climate change. We will continue to seek justice for and protect communities that are disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.” “Our accomplishments over the past year confirm that advancing environmental justice is core to the Justice Department’s mission,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “All Americans, no matter where they live or work, deserve the protection of federal laws protecting clean air, clean water, worker safety, and quality of life.” “I am proud of the progress we have made this year,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “I look forward to deepening our partnership with EPA and other federal agencies as we strive to bring relief to overburdened communities, and to ensure that every American has clean water to drink and clean air to breathe.” “Black communities and other communities of color are far too often disproportionately impacted by unsafe drinking water, illegal dumping, and other environmental hazards and injustices,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As our recent agreement in Lowndes County makes clear, we are committed to using our federal civil rights laws to address environmental injustices that have plagued our most vulnerable communities for generations.” “As we take this opportunity to reflect on the Department’s ongoing efforts to advance environmental justice, we know there is more work to do,” said Director Cynthia Ferguson of the Justice Department’s Office of Environmental Justice. “It is a privilege and an honor to engage with communities across America as we work towards a healthier, safer world for all.” The May 5, 2022 Department press release announcing the Office of Environmental Justice and the Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy may be found here . The Strategy may be found here .


title: Missouri Man Indicted for Bank Robbery

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Missouri man with robbing a bank in Kansas. According to court documents, in February 2023, Troy Robbins, 53, of Smithville, Missouri, is accused of entering a Chase Bank in Leawood, Kansas, and using force to take U.S. currency from a bank employee. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case. 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: Oklahoma City Man Sentenced to Serve 30 Months in Federal Prison for Lying During Firearms Transactions

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY — Today, a federal judge sentenced NEMORY ZAHID RAMOS CASTRO, 22, of Oklahoma City, to serve a total of 30 months in federal prison for lying during firearms transactions, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. On July 5, 2022, a federal grand jury sitting in the Western District of Oklahoma returned a one-count Indictment against Ramos, charging him with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. On August 17, 2022, a five-count Superseding Indictment charged Ramos with conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, three counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, and transferring a firearm to a person residing outside the State of Oklahoma. On January 5, 2023, Ramos pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The government agreed to dismiss the other charges against him pursuant to a plea agreement. At a sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot sentenced Ramos to serve 30 months in federal prison. In support of his sentence, Judge Friot cited, among other things, the serious nature of the offense and the dangerous nature of the specific firearms involved. Judge Friot also ordered Ramos to serve three years of supervised release upon release from prison. According to public record and evidence presented at sentencing, Ramos made false written statements in connection with the purchases of two assault-style firearms, one in Oklahoma City and one in Luther, Oklahoma. In one instance, Ramos submitted an ATF Form 4473 stating he was not acquiring the assault-style firearm for another person, but a few hours after the transfer law enforcement found another individual in possession of it during a traffic stop. The ATF requires prospective firearm buyers to complete Form 4473, which requires prospective buyers to answer several questions related to the transfer. This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsie A. Pratt and Jacquelyn Hutzell, the case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime. In October 2017, the Department announced the reinvigoration of Project Safe Neighborhoods and directed U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop crime-reduction strategies that incorporate lessons federal law enforcement has learned since the program’s launch in 2001. Reference is made to public record for further information.


title: Colombian Nationals Sentenced for International Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Mauricio Mazabel-Soto, 45, and Alfredo Molina-Cutiva, 53, both citizens of Colombia, were sentenced to 73 months and 70 months in prison, respectively, for conspiring to distribute large quantities of cocaine for importation into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Regional Director Omar Arellano. In 2018, DEA agents began investigating large-scale drug traffickers with ties to the terrorist group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). During a long-term investigation, defendant Mazabel-Soto represented himself as someone authorized to enter into large cocaine production agreements on behalf of the FARC and portrayed co-defendant Molina-Cutiva as being responsible for FARC drug trafficking logistics in southwestern Colombia. Additionally, the defendants represented that defendant Molina-Cutiva was responsible for all FARC cocaine laboratories in Huila and Caqueta, Colombia as well as transferring cocaine across the border with Ecuador for exportation north by way of the Pacific Ocean. During a series of recorded meetings, defendants Mazabel-Soto and Molina-Cutiva offered to produce large quantities of cocaine for an individual they believed was representing a major Mexican drug cartel. In one particular meeting, the defendants proposed a business agreement wherein the Mexican cartel would invest $2 million (USD) in their business and the FARC would construct a cocaine laboratory for the cartel, where they would have exclusive rights to the production. The defendants stated that the first 1,000 kilograms produced would be free and the FARC would then produce an additional 1,000 kilograms of cocaine for the cartel every few weeks, at a cost of $1,600 (USD) per kilogram. The defendants agreed to place designer stamps on each kilogram of cocaine, including the logo for the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball team. In April 2019, in Bogota, Colombia, defendant Mazabel-Soto provided another individual with a five-kilogram “sample” of cocaine to demonstrate the quality. Mazabel-Soto accepted $11,000 (USD) for this sample delivery. DEA lab results show that the cocaine was 96% pure. On June 25, 2019, defendant Mazabel-Soto was arrested in Colombia and, on April 16, 2021, was extradited to the United States; co-defendant Cutiva was arrested in Colombia on August 8, 2019 and, on January 25, 2021, was extradited to the United States. An additional co-defendant (Aldemar Soto-Charry) was arrested in Colombia on August 8, 2019, and is pending extradition. Molina-Cutiva pleaded guilty in November 2022; Mazabel-Soto pleaded guilty in December 2022. As part of their plea agreements, the defendants agreed that they were accountable for conspiring to distribute at least 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, which quantity represented the total amount involved in their relevant criminal conduct In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and DEA Acting Regional Director Arellano commended the work of those who investigated the case, including the DEA’s Bogota Country office, the FBI LEGAT Bogota, and the FBI Miami Field Office. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Rosenberg and Anthony Scarpelli, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Goddard, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section, who prosecuted the case.


title: Maryland Fraudster Pleads Guilty to Receiving and Selling Fraudulently Obtained Cell Phones Worth More Than $500,000

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – Danisha Thomas, age 39, of Bladensburg, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, related to a scheme to receive and sell cell phones that were fraudulently obtained using the identifying information of at least 24 victims. The guilty plea was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. According to her guilty plea and court documents, between July 2019 and March 2020, Thomas was part of a conspiracy to obtain new cell phones by opening new cell phone service accounts or upgrading existing accounts in the names of individual identity theft victims without the victims’ knowledge or permission, then selling the cell phones to others for a profit. Specifically, co-defendants Chantelle Harris and Robert Patterson were employed by a third-party vendor contracted to handle wireless phone transactions, including sales and phone upgrades for Walmart. Harris and Patterson, who worked inside Walmart stores, admitted that they abused their positions by conducting fraudulent transactions in furtherance of the scheme and for Thomas’ benefit. With Thomas’ agreement, or upon her request, the co-defendants applied for new cell phone accounts and for upgraded cell phones on existing cell phone accounts in the names of identity theft victims without the victims’ knowledge or permission. As detailed in her plea agreement, Thomas provided the victims’ personally identifiable information (“PII”), including date of birth and Social Security number, to Harris and Patterson for this purpose, aware that the victims were real persons who did not authorize these transactions. With Thomas’ agreement or upon her request, the co-defendants used the victims’ PII to obtain credit approval and authorization for new accounts for cell phone service and/or to upgrade existing cell phone service accounts, then charged the purchase of new cell phones to the fraudulent service accounts opened in the victims’ names. Harris communicated with the co-defendants by phone and text to coordinate the fraudulent purchase and exchange of the cell phones and was observed on video surveillance during and/or after each of the fraudulent transactions meeting with co-conspirators and/or receiving stolen cell phones directly from them. Thomas admits that the total value of the fraudulently obtained cell phones was approximately $537,000. Thomas faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and a mandatory sentence of two years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for Thomas on September 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Chantelle Harris, age 34, and Robert Patterson, age 22, both of Hyattsville, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the fraud scheme. Harris was sentenced to time served and Patterson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Colleen E. McGuinn, who is prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: D.C. Area Man Pleads Guilty to Brandishing a Firearm in Connection with 2020 Robbery

body_text: WASHINGTON – Christopher Hairston, 23, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to a felony count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel, of the Washington Field Division, and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department. The plea was entered before the Honorable Randolph D. Moss, who scheduled sentencing for September 13, 2023. Hairston admitted that on November 13, 2020, he arranged to buy marijuana from the victim. They met at a location in Northeast Washington, D.C. at which time Hairston stated he did not have enough money and had to get more. The victim agreed to go with Hairston to another location in Northeast. At this new location, Hairston entered the backseat of a vehicle where the victim was sitting. The two discussed a potential deal to purchase narcotics. Hairston then pulled out a handgun and demanded that the victim give him the bag of marijuana. After Hairston took the bag, he shot the victim in the torso and exited the vehicle. The victim was taken to the hospital and received surgery following the incident. Hairston was arrested in October 2021 and has been detained ever since. He faces a statutory minimum of seven years of incarceration. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case is being investigated and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Solomon Eppel and Sitara Witanachchi of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section (VRTO) of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Martin and Kristin Sourbeer and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian W. Lynch. The case is being investigated by the ATF’s Washington Field Division and the Metropolitan Police Department


title: DEA Operation Last Mile Disrupts Fentanyl Trafficking Fueled by the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels

body_text: The Drug Enforcement Administration announced today the results of a year-long national operation, “Operation Last Mile,” targeting the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine within the United States driven by the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels. “The results of this operation – over 3,000 arrests and the seizure of almost 44 million fentanyl pills – demonstrate the Justice Department’s unrelenting commitment to working with our state and local partners to keep fentanyl out of our communities and save American lives,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels use multi-city distribution networks, violent local street gangs, and individual dealers across the United States to flood American communities with fentanyl and methamphetamine, drive addiction, fuel violence, and kill Americans,” said DEA Administrator Milgram. “What is also alarming — American social media platforms are the means by which they do so. The Cartels use social media and encrypted platforms to run their operations and reach out to victims, and when their product kills Americans, they simply move on to try to victimize the millions of other Americans who are social media users.” Operation Last Mile comprised 1,436 investigations conducted from May 1, 2022, through May 1, 2023, in collaboration with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, and resulted in 3,337 arrests and the seizure of nearly 44 million fentanyl pills, more than 6,500 pounds of fentanyl powder, more than 91,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 8,497 firearms, and more than $100 million. The fentanyl powder and pill seizures equate to nearly 193 million deadly doses of fentanyl removed from communities across the United States, which have prevented countless potential drug poisoning deaths. Among these investigations, more than 1,100 cases involved social media applications and encrypted communications platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Wire, and Wickr.


title: Minnesota Man Indicted for Mosque Arson

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A Minnesota man was indicted on one count of arson and one count of damage to religious property, for setting fire to a mosque. According to court documents, on April 23, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Jackie Rahm Little, 36, started a fire in the bathroom of the Masjid Omar Islamic Center. On April 24, just before 7:00 p.m., Little was captured on surveillance video entering the Masjid Al-Rahma. Shortly thereafter, a fire broke out on the third floor of the mosque, and the building was evacuated. Little, who was arrested in Mankato on April 29, was arraigned Thursday morning in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright. He was ordered to remain in detention pending further court proceedings. The FBI, the ATF, the Minneapolis Police Department and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights and National Security Divisions, the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Andrew W. Lugar for the District of Minnesota made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich for the District of Minnesota, Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.