title: Federal Jury Finds Sarasota Woman Guilty of Making Threats on TikTok

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida –A federal jury has found Desiree Doreen Segari (41, Sarasota) guilty of interstate communication of a threat to injure. Segari faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 5, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. Segari was indicted on September 18, 2025. According to evidence presented at trial, on August 17, 2025, Segari posted a video on TikTok calling for MAGA supporters to be shot on sight. Segari stated, “so if we all get our guns and use our second amendment right…and you see somebody with a MAGA hat, ‘pew pew’ that’s what we do, that’s the way, it’s the only way.” While saying “pew pew,” Segari used hand gestures mimicking the firing of a gun. She further stated, “Put them back in their basements, make them scared again to be racist, homophobic, and terrible just awful [expletive],” and “MAGA people deserve to be terrified and scared to walk in the streets because they should know that real Americans are gonna [mouths expletive] kill them.” When Segari posted the video, she included a caption: “#seemagapewpewmaga starting a new trend, hope it catches on. Please spread the word. Share this video. Repost it. Use the hashtag all over the internet. Let's go guys. It's time to fight back in a potentially effective manner.” The next day, Segari posted another video on TikTok, in which she stated, “See MAGA pew pew MAGA, see MAGA pew pew MAGA, see MAGA pew pew MAGA so these [expletive] know we ain’t here to play” while again using hand gestures to mimic the firing of a gun. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sinacore.


title: Thirteen members of a prison-based methamphetamine distribution ring sentenced

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ROME, Ga. – Thirteen members of a prison-based methamphetamine distribution ring have been convicted and sentenced. Before they were identified by federal agents, state inmates Edward Kelvin Pope, David Wilson, and Kevin Josue Campos Rivera coordinated with Jose Santos Isaola Cisneros, a federal inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Atlanta, to distribute methamphetamine to couriers and customers throughout north Georgia. At the time of the offense, Pope, also known as “Paw Paw,” was a 68-year-old felon serving life imprisonment plus 70 years for armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. “From behind prison walls, these defendants egregiously continued to violate the law by coordinating the distribution of massive amounts of methamphetamine throughout north Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “The prison sentences imposed in this case without the possibility of parole follow a multiyear, closely coordinated partnership among federal, state, and local law enforcement to protect our communities from the spread of deadly drugs.” “Methamphetamine continues to fuel addiction, violence, and instability in our communities,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta Field Division. “These defendants believed they could orchestrate a drug trafficking organization from inside a correctional facility, but the sentences show that law enforcement will pursue traffickers wherever they operate. DEA will continue working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle networks responsible for distributing dangerous drugs.” “The U.S. Marshals Service, in conjunction with our partners at the DEA, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and state agencies, will never stop in our efforts to bring criminals to justice,” said Chief Deputy John B. Stevens, U.S. Marshals Service, Northern District of Georgia. “It doesn’t matter if you are already in custody, if you continue to violate the laws of the United States, we will come for you, and you will be held accountable.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: The investigation began in November 2020 when law enforcement learned that Pope and Wilson were using couriers outside of Central State Prison in Macon, Georgia, to distribute methamphetamine to customers in and around the metro Atlanta area. Agents identified other inmates involved in the methamphetamine ring, including Isaola, a federal inmate, and Campos Rivera, a fellow state inmate at Central State Prison. The investigation also identified Marcelo Ibarra, a distributor who sold kilogram quantities of methamphetamine on behalf of Isaola to various customers. The investigation established that the organization repeatedly distributed large quantities of methamphetamine in north Georgia, including: On April 30, 2021, Pope, Wilson, and Isaola supplied Ibarra with approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine that Ibarra distributed at a gas station in Cartersville, Georgia. On June 14, 2021, Wilson and Campos Rivera conspired with Luis Cisneros Ruiz to sell approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine that Cisneros Ruiz distributed in a restaurant parking lot in Stockbridge, Georgia. Two weeks later, agents searched Cisneros Ruiz’s residence in Stockbridge, Georgia, where they found an active methamphetamine conversion lab and seized more than 3,000 kilograms of methamphetamine. On August 11, 2021, Wilson and Campos Rivera conspired with Carlos Ruben Ramirez Romero to supply approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine to a drug customer who was actually an undercover DEA agent. Agents later searched Ramirez’s apartment in Norcross, Georgia, and located approximately 13 kilograms of methamphetamine, $49,000 in bulk U.S. currency, and a rifle. The following defendants were sentenced in this case: Jose Santos Isaola Cisneros, 35, of Hampton, Georgia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to engage in concealment money laundering. Ramon Rodriguez, Jr., 46, of Dalton, Georgia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison to be followed by twenty years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Carlos Ruben Ramirez Romero, 41, of Norcross, Georgia, was sentenced to 19 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and conspiracy to engage in concealment money laundering. David Wilson, 53, of Carrolton, Georgia, was sentenced to 18 years, and four months in prison to be followed by eight years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and conspiracy to engage in concealment money laundering. Kevin Josue Campos Rivera, 27, of Snellville, Georgia, was sentenced to 15 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to engage in concealment money laundering. Gustavo Omar Martinez, 37, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was sentenced to 14 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Luis Cisneros Ruiz, 27, of Stockbridge, Georgia, was sentenced to 12 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Edward Kelvin Pope, 72, of Commerce, Georgia, was sentenced to serve ten years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Marcelo Ibarra, 33, of Dalton, Georgia, was sentenced to eight years six months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and conspiracy to engage in concealment money laundering. Julio Estuardo Mijangos Chinchilla, 37, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to six years five months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Kelyn Roxana Ortiz Flores, 36, of Norcross, Georgia, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison, after pleading guilty to assault of a federal agent and conspiracy to engage in concealment money laundering. Max Donald Whitlock, 55, of Nicholson, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and five months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Oscar Valdez Samaniego, 45, of Rex, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and five months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service, with valuable assistance provided by the Cartersville Police Department, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel B. Milam and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua May prosecuted this case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. These prosecutions are also part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY & IMMIGRATION CHARGES FOR PENSACOLA ILLEGAL ALIEN

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Osman Edgardo Cubas-Alvarenga, 36, of Pensacola, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with one count of production of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of illegal reentry into the United States by an unlawful alien. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today. Jury trial is scheduled for April 20, 2026, at 8:30 am before United States District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. If convicted, Cubas-Alvarenga faces a mandatory minimum 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 30 years’ imprisonment. Cubas-Alvarenga remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service in the Santa Rosa County Jail pending trial. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion . The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: FRAUDSTER SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR COVID & BANKRUPTCY SCHEMES

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Sean Eric Thompson, 44, formerly of Pace, Florida, was sentenced to four years in prison after previously pleading guilty in federal court to five counts of wire fraud, three counts of making a false statement, six counts of money laundering, and three counts of bankruptcy fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This defendant tried to rip off the federal government by enriching himself with U.S. taxpayer funds intended to help small businesses struggling during the COVID pandemic, and then followed that up with further fraud during subsequent bankruptcy proceedings. My office remains committed to ensuring every last fraudster who stole taxpayer money during the COVID pandemic is held accountable.” Court documents reflect that in May 2021, the defendant, who was a partial owner of a business that owned a brewery and restaurant, electronically submitted a fraudulent Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) application and supporting documents to the Small Business Administration (SBA). The RRF was created to provide funding for restaurants, bars, and similar businesses that served food and drink to keep their doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic. The application and supporting documents electronically submitted by the defendant falsely stated that the business had sustained $1,128,233 in COVID-19 related losses, and on May 25, 2021, the SBA paid $1,128,233 in RRF funds into an account designated by the defendant. The defendant then spent the RRF funds on personal expenses, including transferring substantial funds to his personal investment account. Specifically, between August and November 2021, the defendant transferred $150,000 in RRF funds to his personal investment account. In August 2023, the defendant filed for bankruptcy. The petition and schedules submitted by the Defendant contained a number of materially false statements and omissions, including failing to disclose the RRF funds and the defendant’s interest in a second, unrelated business. In connection with his bankruptcy proceeding, the defendant then testified falsely under oath during a September 2023 meeting of his creditors. Finally, in February 2024, the defendant caused fraudulently altered financial statements to be submitted to the trustee administering his bankruptcy estate. “Pandemic relief funds were created to support businesses in crisis, not enrich individuals like Mr. Thompson,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and hold accountable anyone who abuses public trust and defrauds critical government programs for personal gain.” “SBA Office of Inspector General remains committed to aggressively pursuing individuals who exploited pandemic relief programs for personal gain,” said Jason Xerri, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the SBA OIG’s Eastern Regional Office. SBA-OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate fraud, protect taxpayer funds, and ensure those who abused these critical programs are held accountable.” The case involved a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Zuni Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man pleaded guilty to the shooting death of an individual in the heat of passion. According to court documents, on December 1, 2024, Glendon Laate , 49, a member of the Zuni Pueblo, shot and killed John Doe with a homemade shotgun in the heat of passion. Laate pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. At sentencing Laate faces up to 15 years in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meg Tomlinson and Michael Pahl are prosecuting the case.


title: Hobbs-based Drug Trafficking Network Supplied by Mexican Illegal Alien Dismantled

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A previously deported Mexican national, together with his Hobbs‑based distributor and her associates, has been charged in federal court with running a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking network that brought large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl and armed drug dealers into the Hobbs community. According to court documents, Arturo Chihuahua‑Martinez , 61, a Mexican national previously deported from the United States, is alleged to have served as a source of supply bringing multi‑pound quantities of methamphetamine from California into Lea County, New Mexico, for redistribution in and around Hobbs. On or about February 17, 2025, Chihuahua‑Martinez was allegedly returning from Los Angeles when a Lea County Sheriff’s deputy stopped the truck on New Mexico Highway 380, near Tatum, and, following a positive canine alert, discovered a cooler and backpack containing 20 vacuum‑sealed packages with nearly 20 pounds of pure methamphetamine. In a separate indictment, Natasha Ruiz , 33, is alleged to be a Hobbs‑based distributor who obtained methamphetamine and fentanyl from Chihuahua‑Martinez and coordinated retail‑level distribution through a network of local associates. On or about March 17, 2025, Ruiz allegedly met Chihuahua‑Martinez at a Hobbs hotel, where she picked up 421 grams of pure methamphetamine and 34.3 grams of fentanyl, which officers later recovered from a black backpack during a traffic stop. The indictment further alleges that Ruiz used trusted associates to expand the organization’s reach by managing street‑level sales and insulating herself from direct contact with customers. On or about September 3, 2025, Ruiz allegedly agreed to sell fentanyl to an undercover agent and directed Erik L. Almaguer , 32, to complete the transaction. Almaguer then allegedly delivered 5.2 grams of fentanyl to the undercover agent for $500. Ruiz also allegedly used Lorenzo Luna‑Espinoza , 30, Eli G. Rodriguez , 54, and Taylor Lydick , 31, to move methamphetamine into neighboring communities. On or about October 8, 2025, Ruiz allegedly supplied methamphetamine to Eli Rodriguez at a cabin in Seminole, Texas. When Eli Rodriguez left the cabin, officers stopped his vehicle and seized 44.56 grams of pure methamphetamine. On the following day, October 9, 2025, Ruiz allegedly coordinated with Lydick to pick up methamphetamine from her the same cabin, and Lydick was later stopped while transporting 153.2 grams of pure methamphetamine. Luna‑Espinoza , a Mexican national who had previously been removed from the United States, is alleged to have acted as both a methamphetamine and fentanyl supplier and a broker of firearms for the organization. On or about November 13, 2025, Luna‑Espinoza allegedly stored an AR‑15 rifle at another person’s residence, possessed 8.29 grams of pure methamphetamine and 22.89 grams of fentanyl in a vehicle, and discussed selling firearms, narcotics, and a ballistic vest. During one of the calls, Luna-Espinoza stated that he was not working and that he was instead concentrating on his narcotics trafficking. The indictment charges Ruiz with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and use of a communication facility to further a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. Almaguer is charged with conspiracy and distribution of fentanyl and faces up to 20 years in prison. Eli Rodriguez is charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and use of a communication facility, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison. Lydick is charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. Luna‑Espinoza is charged with conspiracy, distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute, multiple communication‑facility counts, illegal reentry after removal, and being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison. In separate but related cases, two associates of Ruiz , Jamus Clydrell White , 38, and Gabriel Tercero , 48, are alleged to have possessed firearms and ammunition despite prior felony convictions. White is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition based on alleged conduct on or about July 10, 2024, while Tercero is charged with being a felon in possession of two handguns and ammunition on or about March 17, 2025. If convicted of the current charges, both men face up to 15 years in prison. In another related case, Pedro Rene Palacios allegedly arranged to sell methamphetamine to a customer through Luna-Espinoza at a residence in Hobbs. On March 4, 2026, agents executed a search warrant at that residence and recovered approximately 3.5 grams of methamphetamine from Palacios ’s bedroom and a firearm from his person. Palacios is charged with distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the current charges, Palacios faces no less than 10 years and up to life in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today on behalf of the Homeland Security Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Williams and Renee Camacho are prosecuting these cases. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Region II CORE 7 is comprised of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Customs and Border Protection – Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and Air and Marine (AMO), Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), United States Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Joint Task Force North (JTF-N), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), United States Marshal Service (USMS), Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS), El Paso Police Department (EPPD), New Mexico State Police (NMSP), West Texas / New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico Sixth Judicial District, Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Districts of Western Texas and New Mexico. An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lawrence, Mass. pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. Jose Alberto Tejeda Turbi, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for April 2, 2026. In January 2026 , Tejeda Turbi was indicted by a federal grand jury. In July 2015, Tejeda Turbi was convicted in federal court in Boston of heroin distribution and conspiracy, for which he was sentenced to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. Tejeda Turbi was deported from the United States in March 2020 upon his completion of the sentence imposed. Sometime after his March 2020 removal, Tejeda Turbi illegally reentered the United States without permission. In June 2024, Tejeda Turbi was sentenced in Lawrence District Court to two years in prison for assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury and three years of probation for remaining charges. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad A. Rocheville of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: New York City Man Sentenced for Trafficking Ecstasy

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Nan Wu, age 38, of New York, New York, was sentenced on March 5, 2026, to 78 months in prison for trafficking methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly referred to as “MDMA” or “ecstasy,” through the mail. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations, Buffalo Office, made the announcement. As detailed in Wu’s plea agreement, Wu worked with a drug trafficking organization that used the dark web and postal system to traffic MDMA from points outside of the United States to New York City for distribution. Wu received packages in the mail containing MDMA and delivered the MDMA to a co-conspirator in New York City. The packages entered the United States through the Champlain, New York Port of Entry and were seized by HSI. In total, HSI seized more than 10 kilograms of MDMA meant for Wu and his co-conspirators as part of the case. United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also ordered a 3-year term of supervised release to follow Wu’s release from prison. First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “Nan Wu thought he could hide behind the anonymity of the dark web and misuse the U.S. mail to flood our communities with dangerous drugs. He was wrong. Thanks to the vigilance of federal law enforcement, this trafficking scheme was shut down and more than 10 kilograms of MDMA were seized. This case underscores the importance of continuing to marshal the resources, partnerships, and vigilance needed to stop criminals from exploiting the U.S. mail system to traffic dangerous drugs into our communities.” HSI Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan stated: “Nan Wu’s 78‑month prison sentence reflects the damage caused by his role funneling ecstasy into New York and fueling addiction and potential crime in our neighborhoods. This investigation disrupted a global supply line, removed more than 10 kilograms of MDMA from circulation, and shielded the community from drugs meant to slip through undetected. HSI Albany and our law enforcement partners are relentless in tracking and dismantling international narcotics schemes that exploit our ports of entry and the postal system.” HSI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer prosecuted this case.


title: Jamaican National Sentenced for Role in Lottery Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A Jamaican national is headed to federal prison in connection with a lottery fraud scheme. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Nickoy Campbell, 30, to 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Judge Hurson also ordered him to pay $3,074,765.28 in restitution. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Javan S. Wilson, U.S. Treasury, Office of Inspector General (Treasury OIG); and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). According to public filings, beginning in September 2022, and continuing through February 2024, Campbell conspired with others to use the mail to obtain money from victims across the United States. Many victims impacted by the scheme were elderly. Perpetrators use a lottery fraud scheme to lead victims to believe they won a large cash prize through a lottery or sweepstakes. When it’s time to collect the purported winnings, the victim is falsely led to believe that they must pay taxes or other fees in advance. The victim never receives their winnings, but instead, loses their advanced fees or payments. In this case, Campbell and his co-conspirators solicited victims and led them to believe that they won a lottery or sweepstakes. Then they misled the victims to think that they were required to pay taxes and other fees in advance to Campbell and his co-conspirators’ attention. The conspiracy caused more than 10 victims to lose money in purported taxes and fees and to lose their winnings. Some victims of the scheme lost most of their life savings. In total, the court found that the victims lost more than $3 million, with Campbell receiving more than $500,000 of the victims’ funds. Co-conspirators Tavoy Farquharson, 34, a Jamaican national, and brothers Wayne Henry, 36, and Dwayne Henry, 34, both of Landover Hills, Maryland, previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Farquharson and Dwayne Henry both face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing for Dwayne Henry is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, and Farquharson’s sentencing is slated for Monday, March 23. Wayne Henry faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in federal prison, including a mandatory sentence of two years consecutive to any other imposed sentence, for aggravated identity theft. Sentencing for Wayne Henry is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, which seeks to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a collaborative and comprehensive response to the growing threat to public safety and national security. The HSTF integrates personnel, including law enforcement agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, from federal agencies to combat crime in our communities. Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older, and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers through assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps, including identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting or connecting them with agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. Learn more about the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at www.elderjustice.gov . If you have information about criminal activity in your community should contact ICE’s Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or submit a tip online . U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS, HSI, Treasury OIG, and PGPD for their investigative efforts. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Motsay who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Two Former NYPD Officers Charged With Federal Civil Rights Violations

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, a three-count indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Justin McMillan and Justin Colon, two former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers, with felony conspiracy against rights and willfully depriving an individual of her constitutional rights while acting under color of law, in connection with an incident that occurred while they were on duty in the 115th Precinct in Queens, New York in July 2024. The defendants were arrested today and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg. They resigned from the NYPD in March 2025. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department, announced the charges. “As alleged, the defendants’ response to a 311 complaint about prostitution on their beat was to commit multiple criminal acts that shock the conscience and violated the civil rights of a vulnerable victim,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Upholding the integrity of law enforcement and holding accountable those who violate their sworn duty will always be a priority of our Office. These defendants will be vigorously prosecuted because the community and their former colleagues in the NYPD deserve nothing less.” Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Queens District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the matter. “Former NYPD officers Justin McMillan and Justin Colon allegedly failed to appropriately respond to a non-emergency call and instead used their official authority to commit a series of criminal acts, violating the rights of a vulnerable individual,” stated FBI Assistant Director Barnacle. “In doing so, they allegedly betrayed their sworn commitment to serve and abused the power entrusted to them while on duty. While the overwhelming majority of NYPD officers uphold the highest standards of integrity and honor, the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who tarnish the badge.” “We hold our police officers to the highest standards and have zero tolerance for misconduct of any kind," stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “The alleged actions taken by Justin McMillan and Justin Colon are despicable and a complete violation of the public's trust in the NYPD. Let me be perfectly clear: Any officer who violates their oath will be investigated, exposed, and held fully accountable. That standard will never change. I want to thank the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their work on this investigation.” As alleged in court documents, McMillan and Colon were police officers on duty in the 115th Precinct on July 19, 2024, when they responded to a 311-call related to prostitution inside a residential building on 89th Street near Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens. When the officers arrived at the location, they shut off their body-worn cameras and stole a key to the entrance door from a woman who had just exited the premises. Without reporting the contact, the officers then proceeded with their foot patrol duties. Approximately eight hours later, at about 4:50 a.m. on July 20, 2024, the defendants returned to the location, unlocked the entrance door with the stolen key and found a woman engaged in sex with a customer. The customer fled, leaving the victim naked and alone in the dark with the defendants. While Colon kept watch, McMillan stole money from the woman’s purse and groped her bare breast and buttock. The victim fled, and the officers returned to their patrol and ultimately to their stationhouse. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the charges, McMillan and Colon face up to ten years in prison. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorney Erin Reid is in charge of the prosecution. The Defendants : JUSTIN MCMILLAN Age: 26 Atlantic Beach, Long Island JUSTIN COLON Age: 24 Long Island City, Queens E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-49 (FB)


title: Hagerman Man Sentenced in Federal Firearms and Drug Trafficking Case Adopted from Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A previously convicted felon was sentenced to 100 months in prison following multiple encounters with law enforcement which resulted in the recovery of multiple firearms and large quantities of narcotics. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, between June 2022 and January 2025, Jorge De La Cruz , 30, a previously convicted felon, was repeatedly found in possession of firearms and large quantities of narcotics during multiple encounters with law enforcement in Roswell and elsewhere in New Mexico. During these incidents, officers recovered several firearms, including stolen handguns, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl. Specifically, on June 28, 2022, Roswell Police officers responded to a report of De La Cruz armed and using drugs. Officers recovered a loaded stolen .38 revolver, methamphetamine, and other narcotics from his vehicle. During a February 7, 2023, traffic stop, Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force (CCMNTF) agents seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, and multiple firearms from De La Cruz . On April 16, 2024, CCMNTF agents executed a search warrant at a residence where De La Cruz was present. Officers recovered a loaded handgun, fentanyl, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and additional firearms stored in a vehicle at the property. In a traffic stop on October 2, 2024, Pecos Valley Drug Task Force agents recovered nearly 15 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and multiple firearms from a vehicle driven by De La Cruz . At a highway checkpoint on January 7, 2025, Border Patrol agents located 94 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, a stolen firearm, drug paraphernalia, and ammunition in a backpack inside a vehicle with De La Cruz . Phone records later confirmed he had coordinated the distribution of these narcotics. On October 21, 2025, De La Cruz pled guilty to five counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Upon his release from prison, he will be subject to five years of supervised release. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso made the announcement today. HSI El Paso investigated this case with assistance from the Roswell Police Department U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Williams and Renee Camacho prosecuted the case.


title: Akron Career Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Trafficking Meth, Fentanyl, and Cocaine

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: AKRON, Ohio – A Summit County man has been sentenced to prison for possessing and intending to distribute more than 1,400 grams of methamphetamine, as well as distribution quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, and for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Cedric Thomas, 47, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese after pleading guilty in December 2025 to the following charges: Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; prior convictions include Trafficking in Cocaine and Possession of Cocaine in 2008; and Trafficking in Marijuana in 2020. Thomas was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release after imprisonment. Due to Thomas’ previous drug convictions, he was designated as a career offender. According to court documents, detectives from the Akron Police Department Narcotics Unit began investigating Thomas’ suspected drug trafficking activity in November 2023. On Jan. 24, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at his residence and caught Thomas attempting to flush drugs down a toilet. Investigators found that Thomas possessed 1,400 grams of methamphetamine, 29 grams of fentanyl, and 28 grams of cocaine, all intended for distribution throughout Northeast Ohio. Agents also seized: $2,132 in U.S. currency A Smith & Wesson model Bodyguard .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol A Taurus model GC3 9mm caliber semiautomatic pistol Miscellaneous ammunition The investigation was conducted by the Akron Police Department Narcotics Unit. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter E. Daly for the Northern District of Ohio.


title: Tucson Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Deadly Human Smuggling Related Crash Near Arivaca

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Samuel Lopez-Ozuna, 20, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Angela M. Martinez after pleading guilty to Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit, Resulting in Death, stemming from a deadly crash in 2024. On Aug. 9, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol agents attempted to pull over a Chevrolet Tahoe on suspicion that the driver, Lopez-Ozuna, was smuggling illegal aliens near Arivaca, Arizona, about five miles north of the border. Instead of yielding to law enforcement, Lopez-Ozuna fled at a high speed, causing the Tahoe to crash and roll almost immediately. Lopez-Ozuna was smuggling seven aliens, all of whom were ejected from his vehicle during the crash. One person died and three others were seriously injured. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: 24-CR-6035-TUC-AMM (EJM) RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-047_Lopez-Ozuna


title: Cincinnati man sentenced to prison for laundering proceeds of romance fraud conspiracy that scammed dozens of victims out of more than $2 million

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – Richard Opoku Agyemang, 41, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 41 months in prison for laundering the proceeds of a romance fraud conspiracy involving more than $2 million in losses to dozens of victims. For years, Agyemang laundered millions of dollars in fraud proceeds to others in the United States and abroad and kept a substantial sum for himself. The targets of the conspiracy were elderly or recently bereaved people who were looking for love on dating websites. As part of the romance fraud scheme, other individuals used stolen photographs and false information to create profiles on dating websites and establish online romantic relationships with victims. Victims were tricked into sending money under the false pretense that doing so would support a romantic partner for things like medical expenses. Victims in this case detailed having to sell their homes and vehicles, cash in life insurance policies and 401k accounts, and max out credit cards because of their financial losses from the scam. Many perpetrators were individuals living in Ghana. Because Agyemang lived in the United States, he was able to open American bank accounts to receive the fraud proceeds, which he then laundered to other accounts in the United States and in foreign countries. According to court documents, victims sent more than $2 million by either wiring money or depositing checks to accounts controlled by Agyemang. Separately from his money laundering, Agyemang also defrauded the Small Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic by fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program loan requesting pandemic relief funds. He ultimately received a loan for nearly $21,000 that was later forgiven. The defendant was charged federally in April 2024 and pleaded guilty in September 2025. As part of his sentence, the Court has ordered him to pay nearly $1.4 million in restitution to the individual victims who could be identified and approximately $20,800 in restitution to the Small Business Administration. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie D. Garcia and Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANGEL ECHEVARRIA, also known as “Frenchie” and “Gordo,” 30, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2024, the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department investigated an open-air drug market that was operating in the area of Noble Avenue and Shelton Street in Bridgeport. The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, and controlled purchases of narcotics. Between March and September 2024, investigators made 11 controlled purchases of narcotics, primarily fentanyl, from various sellers, including Echevarria. At the time, Echevarria had pending state firearm possession and narcotics distribution charges and was released on bond. Echevarria has been detained in state custody since September 11, 2024. On October 27, 2025, he pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl. This investigation has been conducted by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Stratford Police Department. The Task Force is composed of personnel from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Trumbull Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.


title: New York woman pleads guilty to mail fraud

body_text: BILLINGS – A New York woman accused of selling diet pills laced with methamphetamine through the mail admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said. The defendant, Carrie Ann Taylor, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. Taylor faces 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set at a later date. Taylor was released with conditions pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that on September 5, 2023, victim John Doe 1 submitted an online tip regarding the sale of diet pills laced with methamphetamine. John Doe 1 said he ordered “Skald” brand diet pills on eBay in February of 2023 and started taking them in May. John Doe 1 was drug tested by his employer in June and failed a drug test. John Doe 1 believed the “Skald” diet pills were laced with illegal drugs. An FBI special agent met with John Doe 1 and collected what was left of the “Skald” diet pills. The pills were tested and showed positive results for methamphetamine. The investigation revealed Taylor also mailed diet pills to a woman in Montana, Jane Doe 1. Taylor sent Jane Doe 1 six bottles of pills labelled “Skald Oxydynamic Fat Scorcher” in March of 2023. Jane Doe 1 told the FBI she used the pills for several months but did not experience weight loss, so she stopped taking them. She threw out most of the remaining pills but still had one bottle. Agents took custody of the bottle, tested the pills, and determined they contained methamphetamine. On April 3, 2024, an FBI undercover agent ordered two kinds of diet pills from Taylor’s eBay account, “PhenQ Ultra” and “PhenGold.” Both orders were sent to Billings, and both tested positive for methamphetamine. At the same time, agents ordered bottles of “PhenQ Ultra” and “PhenGold” directly from the manufacturers. Those pills tested negative for methamphetamine. On April 4, 2024, agents learned Taylor sent Jane Doe 2, located in Randolph, Wisconsin, illicit diet pills. The FBI reached out to local law enforcement and were able to collect the pills from Jane Doe 2. They were tested and also tested positive for methamphetamine. In total, the FBI collected pills from five separate shipments sent by Taylor. Some were sent in 2023 and some in 2024. Every single pill tested had methamphetamine in it. Taylor fraudulently sold every bottle of pills by falsely claiming the pills were legitimate diet supplements manufactured by real supplement companies including brand names “Skald,” “PhenQ,” and “PhenGold.” The pills were shipped and delivered in bottles falsely labelled as these products. The FBI determined Taylor began selling the counterfeit diet pills through eBay on October 27, 2021 and continued to do so until April 5, 2024. Several customers told Taylor her pills were counterfeit and one manufacturer sent her a cease-and-desist notice accusing her of selling counterfeit versions of their products. Taylor’s victims were harmed in various ways. John Doe 2, a member of the U.S. Army, tested positive for meth during a random urinalysis and had to spend a significant sum of money hiring a lawyer to defend against allegations he was abusing drugs. John Doe 3 reported being fired from his job after testing positive for meth following a workplace drug test. During the entire scheme, Taylor sold approximately 1,517 bottles of counterfeit diet pills and made about $56,454.26 in profits. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Hartford Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking Offenses

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAFAEL ORLANDO GARCIA, 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl and cocaine. According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force identified Garcia, who has a prior federal conviction , as a significant Hartford-area narcotics trafficker. Between February and April 2025, investigators made three controlled purchases of narcotics from Garcia. Investigators purchased approximately 36 grams of fentanyl and 28 grams of cocaine on February 28, approximately 80 grams of fentanyl on March 12, and approximately 100 grams of fentanyl and 280 grams of cocaine on April 1. Garcia was arrested on April 8, 2025. On October 15, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine. Garcia, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on May 11. This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Mahard. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Wilmington Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Federal Prison for  Unlawful Possession of Ammunition

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

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – A Wilmington man was sentenced today to 37 months in federal prison for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika imposed the sentence. According to court documents, on June 15, 2024, Wilmington Police Department officers attempted to stop a car for a suspected illegal window tint. The driver, later identified as Andre McDougal, 45, fled from officers before losing control of his car and crashing into a commercial fence. He then reversed his car and continued fleeing until he crashed into a residential building. Police then arrested McDougal after a brief foot chase. A later lawful search of the car revealed approximately 50 rounds of ammunition. McDougal was prohibited from possessing ammunition because of multiple prior felony convictions. U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace of the District of Delaware and Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Baltimore office made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Laksin prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-92-MN. ###


title: Mexican National Living Illegally in West Virginia Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Federal Fraud Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jose Alfredo Cruz-Perez, 22, a Mexican national living illegally in Nitro, pleaded guilty today to fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents and was sentenced to time served. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an immigration detainer on Cruz-Perez for his transfer to ICE administrative custody for removal proceedings. According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 16, 2026, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant in Nitro and encountered Cruz-Perez working there. Investigators determined that Cruz-Perez used a counterfeit Immigration Form I-551, also known as a Permanent Resident Card or Green Card, to obtain employment at the restaurant from on or about November 26, 2024, to on or about January 16, 2026. Cruz-Perez is among six foreign nationals indicted following the execution of the January 16, 2026, search warrant on charges alleging they were working at the restaurant without legal status. Restaurant owner Miguel Aguirre-Arello Sr., 65, and manager Miguel Angel Aguirre, 42, both of Nitro, were indicted on charges alleging each aided and abetted alien harboring. That indictment further alleges that Miguel Angel Aguirre aided and abetted the unlawful employment of aliens and aided and abetted fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents. The indictments against Miguel Aguirre-Arello Sr., Miguel Angel Aguirre, and the other defendants remain pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This case is the result of Operation Country Roads , conducted by ICE with state and local law enforcement partners in January 2026 and yielding over 650 arrests throughout West Virginia. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), the Nitro Police Department, and the St. Albans Police Department. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing and imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case, as part of a special unit within the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia focused on the immigration enforcement objectives of Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-12. ###


title: RALEIGH MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – The FBI arrested Andrew Swenson, 42, of Raleigh, on a federal warrant in downtown Raleigh. The FBI obtained the warrant after a U.S. magistrate judge signed a federal criminal complaint. The Complaint accuses Swenson of sexually soliciting one minor online and traveling to sexually abuse another minor. According to the complaint, Swenson met a thirteen-year-old online after another criminal advertised her for sexual abuse. Swenson chatted with her on social media platforms Zangi and Discord and persuaded her to send images of child sexual abuse material. He made plans to drive to her home in Nebraska, pick her up, and bring her to North Carolina to continue to sexually abuse her. The FBI executed a search warrant at Swenson’s residence. His roommate reported that Swenson routinely travels out of town to have sex with what Swenson claimed were women. In Swenson’s bedroom, investigators found bags containing rope, zip ties, and duct tape: The FBI also discovered that Swenson had recently met a woman on the internet who had an infant baby, traveled to visit her in New York, and produced images and videos of him sexually abusing the baby. “Those who prey on children and solicit them to produce child abuse sexual material are morally reprehensible and will be held accountable for their heinous crimes,” said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. “The FBI remains committed to protecting our children.” Swenson is charged with coercion and enticement of a minor and production of child pornography and faces a mandatory minimum of fifteen years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted of all charges. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. FBI, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Raleigh Police Department, and Apex Police Department are investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin C. Blondel is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on our website . Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:26-mj-1351-RJ. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.


title: Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Postal Carrier Robbery

body_text: CLEVELAND – A 21-year-old man has pleaded guilty to his role in robbing a postal carrier of the key used to open U.S. Mail collection boxes. The robbery was part of a larger conspiracy to steal checks and later cash them for personal benefit and use. Je’Vion Tolliver-Maddox, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty on March 9 to the following charges in the superseding indictment: Robbery of Mail, Money, or Other Property of the United States Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Bank Fraud According to court documents, Tolliver-Maddox was one of the individuals who robbed a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) worker while delivering mail on Cleveland’s West 48 th Street on the afternoon of Sept. 9, 2025. Co-conspirator Terran Johnson, 29, also of Cleveland, allegedly used a firearm to threaten the postal worker with violence and demanded the arrow key that opens USPS mailboxes. The postal worker complied, and the defendants fled the scene in Tolliver-Maddox’s white Ford sport utility vehicle (SUV). Later that same evening, Tolliver-Maddox went to the Cleveland Division of Police’s Fifth District to report that his car, a white Ford SUV, was stolen, despite evidence showing he was in the car during the robbery. Following the robbery of the arrow key, agents discovered Tolliver-Maddox was altering checks—that had been stolen out of USPS mailboxes—with his name to deposit into his bank accounts. He also recruited others on social media platforms to further the conspiracy and fraudulently deposit checks into their own bank accounts. Victim banks implicated in the scheme were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and included: U.S. Bank, Citizen’s Bank, PNC Bank, Huntington, Citi Bank, Fifth Third Bank, and First Bank. A federal grand jury indicted co-conspirator Johnson on March 4 for his role in the conspiracy and was additionally charged with using a firearm to threaten the postal worker with violence. He faces up to 30 years in prison. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Tolliver-Maddox is scheduled to be sentenced July 9 and faces a maximum prison sentence of 30 years. The investigation in this case was conducted by The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Cleveland Division of Police. Assistant United States Attorney Brenna L. Fasko for the Northern District of Ohio led the prosecution. About the United States Postal Inspection Service USPIS is the law enforcement branch of the United States Postal Service. To report mail theft or other crimes committed through, or towards, the United States Postal Service, call the USPIS at 1-877-876-2455 or visit uspis.gov/report . For more information about combatting mail theft visit uspis.gov/project-safe-delivery.


title: German National Sentenced To 121 Months In Prison For Enticement And Sexual Abuse Of A Minor

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that THOMAS ALEXANDER BRANDENSTEIN, a German national, was sentenced today to 121 months in prison by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in connection with BRANDENSTEIN’s enticement of a 15-year old minor victim (the “Minor Victim”) to engage in sexual activity, and then traveling across state lines in order to engage in illicit sexual activity with the Minor Victim in 2023. On September 8, 2025, BRANDENSTEIN pled guilty to one count of enticement of a minor before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo. “Brandenstein twice traveled from Germany to New York to entice a minor victim—over forty years his junior—to engage in illegal sexual acts,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Thanks to the extraordinary investigative work of our law enforcement partners at HSI and NYPD, Brandenstein was apprehended before he could prey on other innocent victims. Sexual abuse of children can cause severe trauma, often lasting into victims’ adulthood or their entire lives. This needs to stop. New Yorkers want law enforcement to do everything we can to prevent underage abuse, and we will. Today’s sentence underscores our commitment to prosecuting those who engage in predatory sexual behavior with our city’s children.” According to the Indictment, other public court documents, and statements made during court proceedings: From March 2023 through September 2023, BRANDENSTEIN, a German national, enticed a 15-year-old boy residing in New York (the “Minor Victim”) to engage in illegal sexual activity. While in Germany, BRANDENSTEIN, who was 57-years-old at the time, used internet-enabled messaging applications to send sexually explicit communications to the Minor Victim, including an image of a naked male in which the male’s penis was exposed. BRANDENSTEIN also sent sexually explicit videos to the Minor Victim, which depicted BRANDENSTEIN lying in bed, blowing kisses, and exposing his penis and masturbating, among other things. BRANDENSTEIN further communicated with the Minor Victim over these messaging applications about his plans to travel to New York with his spouse and co-defendant JOHN-PHILIPP PIEHL-BRANDENSTEIN, who is also a German national, and sent the Minor Victim a video message depicting the two men on an airplane and writing, “next stop, New York.” In June 2023, BRANDENSTEIN and PIEHL-BRANDENSTEIN traveled from Germany to the United States. In July 2023, they arrived in New York, where they met with the Minor Victim to engage in illegal sexual activity at a Manhattan hotel (the “Hotel”). BRANDENSTEIN and PIEHL-BRANDENSTEIN reserved a room at the Hotel from July 5, 2023 until July 13, 2023. BRANDENSTEIN brought the Minor Victim to the Hotel where BRANDENSTEIN and PIEHL-BRANDENSTEIN engaged in illegal sexual activity with the Minor Victim. Some of that illegal sexual activity was video recorded by BRANDENSTEIN. On July 13, 2023, BRANDENSTEIN and PIEHL-BRANDENSTEIN departed from New York and returned to Germany. Following the July 2023 trip, BRANDENSTEIN continued to maintain consistent contact with the Minor Victim through frequent video calls, some of which involved sharing sexually explicit conduct. Several images recovered from BRANDENSTEIN’s phone, which was seized incident to his arrest, depict stills of those video calls. In September 2023, BRANDENSTEIN returned to the United States for the purpose of engaging in additional sex acts with the Minor Victim. The defendant made a reservation at a hotel in Brooklyn where he directed the Minor Victim to meet him. On September 29, 2023, the defendant flew from Berlin to Queens, New York. The defendant was arrested upon arriving at the airport. * * * In addition to the prison sentence, BRANDENSTEIN, 59, of Berlin, Germany, was sentenced to five years of supervised release. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi S. Steiner is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Fraud Ring Members Sentenced for $3.5 Million Credit Card Scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Five individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a large-scale credit card fraud and money laundering scheme that resulted in more than $3.5 million in fraudulent charges. Willan Pupo, 38, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison; Joel Castillo, 39, to 58 months; William Castillo, 42, was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison; Miriam Pupo, 36, to 37 months; and Jessica Forpomes, 40, to 36 months. Each defendant previously pleaded guilty to commit money laundering. “This was a coordinated fraud ring that generated more than $3.5 million in fake charges by manipulating point-of-sale systems, stolen credit cards, and shell companies,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “They exploited legitimate businesses, abused financial systems, and shifted losses onto banks and processors. Large-scale fraud like this undermines confidence in our financial markets. Those who build criminal enterprises around deception and stolen data will face serious federal prison time.” According to court records, from at least February 2023 through June 2024, the defendants orchestrated a credit card fraud and money laundering scheme involving more than $3.5 million in fraudulent charges. To carry out the scheme, the defendants used legitimate businesses and shell companies to obtain point-of sale (POS) devices from merchant processors. These devices allowed them to process credit and debit card transactions and route funds into accounts under their control. Once equipped with the POS devices, the defendants conducted fraudulent transactions in several ways. First, they used credit cards belonging to associates to generate sham purchases for goods and services that were never provided. Those associates later disputed the charges to obtain refunds. Second, the defendants purchased stolen credit card numbers on the dark web and through encrypted messaging platforms, including Telegram, and used those numbers to process unauthorized transactions. Third, they use credit cards stolen from the mail to conduct additional fraudulent purchases. After processing the fraudulent transactions, the defendants quickly transferred or withdrew the proceeds from the associated bank accounts to prevent discovery by merchant processors. When victims reported the fraudulent charges, credit card issuers reversed the transactions, leaving merchant processors and financial institutions to absorb the losses. To further facilitate the scheme, William Castillo, Willan Pupo, and Joel Castillo accessed a database containing extensive personal identifying information, including names, aliases, dates of birth, social security numbers, addresses, and other sensitive data. They used this information to identify and exploit victims, enabling them to activate stolen credit cards and accelerate their fraudulent activity. As part of their efforts to make restitution, Joel and William Castillo have paid over $800,000 to date. In addition to the credit card fraud scheme, Willan Pupo and Joel Castillo admitted to using shell companies to fraudulently obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), receiving more than $650,000 in proceeds. U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones, Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, and Assistant Inspector General for Investigations (AIGI) Scott Moffit of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Cybercrimes Investigations Division (CCID), made the announcement. USSS Miami and TIGTA investigated the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Quin Landon prosecuted the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annika Miranda and Robin Waugh, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon, handled asset forfeiture. 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 numbers 25-cr-20184 (Miriam Pupo), 24-cr-20302 (Joel Castillo and Willan Pupo), 25-cr-20185 (Forpomes), and 25-cr-20177 (William Castillo). ###


title: Massachusetts Man Sentenced in Federal Court in Rhode Island for Trafficking More Than Three Pounds of Crystal Meth

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A Lawrence, Massachusetts man who trafficked more than three pounds of crystal methamphetamine was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. Hector Gonzalez Michel, 35, was sentenced on March 5, 2026 by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 121 months of imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. “Methamphetamine trafficking continues to pose a serious threat to public safety and well-being of our communities,” said United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “This sentence holds the defendant accountable and reflects the tireless work of our law enforcement partners to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs throughout New England.” “Trafficking pounds of crystal meth isn’t just a crime, it’s a direct attack on the safety and health of our communities,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge, New England Field Division. “When someone moves this amount of methamphetamine, the damage reaches far beyond one neighborhood. Our mission is to stop that pipeline and hold those responsible accountable.” Court records show that members of the Rhode Island DEA Task Force developed information that Gonzalez Michel was preparing to deliver a substantial quantity of crystal meth to an individual in Boston. Rhode Island and Boston DEA Task Force agents and Boston Police Detectives later intercepted the delivery as he arrived outside a Boston residence where he was delivering the drugs. Police recovered approximately 3.4 pounds of crystal methamphetamine stored inside a small cooler that Gonzalez Michel was carrying. Gonzalez Michel previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey A. Erickson. The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel from the DEA, Rhode Island State Police, the East Providence, Cranston, Coventry, Newport, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Providence, South Kingstown, Warwick, West Warwick, and Woonsocket Police Departments, Amtrak Police, and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. Members of the DEA Boston Task Force Group 5 assisted in the investigation and arrest of Gonzalez Michel. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.


title: Department of Justice Releases First-Ever Corporate Enforcement Policy for All Criminal Cases

component: Criminal Division

body_text: The Department of Justice released today the first-ever Department-wide corporate enforcement policy for criminal matters, promoting uniformity, predictability, and fairness in how it pursues white-collar cases to protect the American people. “This Department of Justice is committed to transparency and fairness, and our first-ever Department-wide corporate enforcement policy is yet another example of that,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This policy draws on decades of experience across the Department and creates incentives for companies to come forward and do the right thing when misconduct occurs so that we may hold accountable the individual wrongdoers. Well-intentioned businesses know that, across the Department, they will be rewarded when they self-disclose wrongdoing, cooperate with our investigations, and remediate the misconduct. But for those that do not, make no mistake — we will not hesitate to seek appropriate resolutions against companies and individuals alike that perpetrate white collar offenses that harm American interests.” “The Criminal Division has a long and storied history of corporate enforcement, and the corporate enforcement policy announced today takes the principles the Division has long promoted — disclosure, cooperation, and remediation — and applies them uniformly across the Department,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Division’s own corporate enforcement policy traces its roots to 2016. Since that time, based on our experience prosecuting the most sophisticated white-collar schemes, we refined our approach, culminating in the revisions announced in May 2025. Having helped craft the Department-wide policy, our prosecutors will continue to reward good corporate behavior, seek individual accountability, and root out criminal conduct in our mission to protect the American people.” The Department-wide Corporate Enforcement Policy (CEP) provides concrete benefits to incentivize companies to voluntarily disclose discovered misconduct, cooperate with our investigations, and timely and appropriately remediate the wrongdoing. For companies that do, absent certain limited aggravating circumstances, the Department will decline to prosecute the company. Incentivizing corporate self-disclosures — while still permitting prosecutions in appropriate circumstances — allows the Department to quickly pursue culpable individuals, secure justice for victims, and deter white-collar crime, all while not unduly burdening American businesses. The CEP also provides predictability for companies and their counsel that approach these issues as it applies to all corporate criminal cases across the Department (aside from those relating to antitrust), superseding all component-specific or U.S. Attorney’s Office-specific corporate enforcement policies currently in effect.


title: KC Man Sentenced to 11 Years after Detective Witnessed Shooting

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man who shot at another man with a firearm was sentenced in federal court today for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing methamphetamine. Clifford E. Porter, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 11 years in federal prison without parole. On Sept. 11, 2025, Porter pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine. On July 1, 2025, a Kansas City, Mo. Police Department detective observed a male riding a bicycle in the roadway on Spruce Avenue in Kansas City, Mo. The detective observed the male arguing with a group of approximately five people. The detective observed Porter run after the male, remove a firearm from his waistband, and fire a single round in the direction of the male on the bicycle. The detective immediately notified uniformed officers of the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department, who contacted Porter within seconds of the shooting. Porter refused verbal commands by the officers to raise his hands in the air and lie on the ground. Officers eventually arrested Porter and searched him incident to arrest. Porter had a small bag containing approximately 2.73 grams of methamphetamine in his pocket. Officers located a Hi-Point, Model C9, 9mm semi-automatic pistol on the sidewalk, just to the south of where Porter was arrested. The firearm was loaded with a live round of ammunition in the chamber and additional live ammunition in the magazine. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Porter has two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and prior felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, burglary in the first degree, and robbery in the second degree. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. Operation Take Back America This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: St. Louis Carjacker Sentenced to 162 Months in Prison

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District John A. Ross on Tuesday sentenced a felon to 13 1/2 years in prison for carjacking a woman in St. Louis in 2024. On Jan. 5, 2024, Deionte Grice approached the woman, who had just parked her 2020 Kia Optima in the 5300 block of Devonshire Avenue in St. Louis. Grice pointed a gun at her, demanded her belongings and took her car, phone and purse. Grice later struck a curb as he drove into Forest Park, disabling the vehicle. He abandoned it and got on a MetroBus. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers stopped the bus and found Grice with the stolen purse and two handguns. Grice, 31, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in October to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He also admitted violating his supervised release in a 2020 case in which he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Martin prosecuted the case.


title: Pittsburgh Felon Pleads Guilty to Failing to Surrender for 10-Year Term of Imprisonment and Distributing Fentanyl and Heroin While a Fugitive

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to failure to surrender for a term of imprisonment and to violating a federal narcotics law, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Julian Thompson, 33, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy to one count of failure to surrender and one count of distributing a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on November 21, 2024, Thompson was sentenced in the Western District of Pennsylvania to 10 years of imprisonment on his convictions for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, with the Court granting a request to allow Thompson to self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons at a later date. Thompson failed to surrender on the date instructed, leading to a search and investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force. In the summer of 2025, authorities learned that Thompson had returned to Pittsburgh and was distributing controlled substances as part of a new drug investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In September 2025, the FBI purchased controlled substances from Thompson, which included a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin packaged across more than 250 glassine bags (with one glassine bag commonly considered a single dose). Authorities then executed federal search warrants upon Thompson and a residence, along with the arrest warrant related to Thompson’s failure to surrender. The searches resulted in the seizure of a loaded drum magazine, jewelry, and $65,900. Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for July 21, 2026. The maximum total penalty for the failure to surrender count is up to 10 years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other offense, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The maximum total penalty for the distribution of controlled substances count is up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $2 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Pending sentencing, Judge Hardy ordered Thompson remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Thompson.


title: Aetna Agrees to Pay $117.7 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Violated the False Claims Act by Submitting or Failing to Correct Inaccurate Diagnoses for Medicare Advantage Enrollees

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced today that Aetna Inc., a national insurer incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $117,700,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting or failing to withdraw inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for its Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees in order to increase its payments from Medicare. “The government pays Medicare Advantage Organizations to facilitate vital healthcare to our seniors and other vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “When corporations or individuals threaten the Medicare Advantage program by diverting those limited government resources through fraud, waste, or abuse, we will continue to pursue all available remedies against them.” Under the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare beneficiaries may opt out of traditional Medicare and enroll in private health plans offered by insurance companies known as Medicare Advantage Organizations, or MAOs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays MAOs a fixed monthly amount for each enrolled Medicare beneficiary. CMS adjusts these monthly payments to account for various “risk” factors that affect expected health expenditures for the beneficiary. In general, CMS pays MAOs more for sicker beneficiaries expected to incur higher healthcare costs and less for healthier beneficiaries expected to incur lower costs. To make these “risk adjustments,” CMS collects medical diagnosis codes from the MAOs. Aetna owns and operates MAOs that offer MA plans to beneficiaries across the country. The United States alleges that Aetna submitted inaccurate and untruthful patient diagnosis data to CMS in order to inflate the payments it received from CMS, failed to withdraw the inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis data and repay CMS, and falsely certified in writing to CMS that the data was accurate and truthful. The settlement announced today resolves these allegations. The United States contends that, for payment year 2015, Aetna operated a “chart review” program, under which it retrieved medical records (also known as “charts”) from healthcare providers documenting services provided to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Aetna’s MA plans. Aetna retained diagnosis coders to review those charts to identify all medical conditions that the charts supported and to assign the beneficiaries diagnosis codes for those conditions. Aetna relied on the results of those chart reviews to submit additional diagnosis codes to CMS that the healthcare providers had not reported for the beneficiaries to obtain additional payments from CMS. According to the United States, Aetna’s chart reviews did not substantiate some diagnosis codes reported by providers that had previously been submitted by Aetna to CMS. Aetna did not delete or withdraw these inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes, however, which would have required Aetna to reimburse CMS. The United States alleges that Aetna used the results of its chart reviews to identify instances where Aetna could seek additional payments from CMS while improperly failing to use those same results when they provided information about instances where Aetna was overpaid. $106,200,000 of the settlement amount resolves those allegations. The remaining $11,500,000 of the aggregate settlement amount resolves further allegations that, for payment years 2018 to 2023, Aetna obtained increased payments from CMS by knowingly submitting or failing to delete inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for morbid obesity for individuals whose recorded BMI was inconsistent with a diagnosis of morbid obesity. The settlement related to morbid-obesity codes resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The settlement provides for the whistleblower, a former Aetna risk-adjustment coding auditor, to receive a $2,012,500 share of the settlement amount. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Mary Melette Thomasv. Aetna Inc., et. al. , No. 24-cv-339 (E.D. Pa.). “The government pays private insurers over $530 billion each year to care for Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “We will continue to hold accountable insurers that knowingly submit inaccurate or unsupported diagnoses to improperly inflate reimbursement.” “Medicare Advantage relies on accurate reporting and attempts to manipulate the system undermine both the program’s integrity and the beneficiaries it serves,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s settlement makes clear that no company is beyond accountability, no matter how large or well known. Those who seek to exploit Medicare Advantage should expect to be identified and held responsible, and HHS‑OIG will continue to protect taxpayer funds and the integrity of this vital program.” The matter was handled in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Carr and Gregory B. in den Berken, former auditor George Niedzwicki, and litigative consultant Lauren M. Cordrey, along with Civil Fraud Section attorney Nelson Wagner and Assistant Director, Edward C. Crooke. HHS-OIG assisted the investigation. The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ or 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Michigan Man Sentenced for Role in Cocaine Trafficking Organization

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Westland, Michigan, has been sentenced in federal court on his conviction of cocaine trafficking, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed a sentence of three years of probation on Roy Brown, 57, also ordering Brown to serve the first 30 days of his probation period on home detention. Brown previously pleaded guilty in the case to conspiring to distribute cocaine between August 2023 and August 2024. According to information presented to the Court, Brown was part of a drug trafficking conspiracy based in Detroit and in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Specifically, Brown participated by assisting with cocaine trafficking in Detroit. Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, New Castle Police Department, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Mercer County Drug Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service, Department of Homeland Security, and Douglas County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Brown. This prosecution was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations that have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.