title: Portland Sex Offender Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison for Enticing a Minor Online and Receiving Child Pornography

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison Monday for using multiple social media applications to entice a young child to send him sexually explicit images of herself. Shawn Alan Smith, 44, was sentenced to 288 months in federal prison and a life term of supervised release. Smith was also ordered to pay restitution to his victim. According to court documents, between July 11 and September 15, 2020, Smith used multiple fake online social media personas, including several on KIK messenger and TikTok, to communicate with a nine-year-old child. While posing as a minor himself, Smith instructed the child victim to take sexually explicit photos of herself and send them to him, which she did. Smith also engaged in a video chat with the child while pretending to be the father of one of his fake online personas. At the time of the offense, Smith was a registered sex offender following prior state criminal convictions for child pornography offenses in Oregon and Maryland. On March 9, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at Smith’s Portland apartment. While the agents were attempting to gain entry to the apartment through a door he had barricaded, Smith threw his phone and computer out his bathroom window. Smith was arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint with production and attempted production of child pornography. On January 21, 2025, Smith pleaded guilty to a two-count superseding information charging him with online enticement of a minor and receipt of child pornography. This case was investigated by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org . This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Fairport man who used Roblox to attempt to communicate with minors for sex arrested

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Tony Rodriguez, 40, of Fairport, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with enticement and possession of child pornography, which carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 12, 2025, the leader of an online community group, which exposes child predators, reached out to the Fairport Police Department regarding a message from the Facebook account “Tony Rodrigo,” later identified as the defendant. According to the community member, Rodriguez was told that the person he was communicating with was an 11-year-old girl named Emiry. The complaint states that the conversation began as causal small talk, but quickly turned sexual, initiated by Rodriguez. Rodriguez sent lewd pictures and offered to meet Emiry to have sex. On March 12, 2025, Rodriguez arrived at a pre-determined location, the Fairport Library, to meet Emiry. Instead, the community member arrived and confronted Rodriguez about his explicit online conversations with an alleged 11-year-old. The confrontation prompted the police to be called by a concerned citizen. The community member told police that Rodriguez admitted to meeting Emiry for sex and acknowledged communicating online with other minors between 13 to 16 years old in a similar manner. Prior to police arriving, Rodriguez left the scene. On April 15, 2025, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence located in the Town of Perinton for a report that a male named “Tony Rodrigo” was at the location to meet a 13-year-old for a sexual encounter. The report was filed by individual who oversees another online volunteer group on Facebook which exposes child predators. This individual poses as a 13-year-old girl. According to the individual, “Tony Rodrigo” reached out on Facebook to who he believed was a 13-year-old-girl. Rodriguez stated he wanted to meet up “"to have sex” with the minor. On April 15, 2025, Rodriguez showed up at the predetermined location and was confronted by the individual. Sheriff’s deputies located Rodriguez and detained him. Rodriguez utilized Roblox, an online gaming platform, to connect with the alleged 11- and 13-year-old girls on Facebook. A search of two cellular telephones seized from Rodriguez recovered approximately six images of child pornography. In addition to Facebook, an Instagram account associated with Rodriguez was located, on which he appeared to be communication with a 13-year-old minor. Rodriguez was also active on the social media platform Reddit, specifically a subreddit community associated with teens. Rodriguez made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was detained. The complaint is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, and the Fairport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Matthew Barnes. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Summerfield Man Pleads Guilty to Ponzi Scheme and Tax Fraud

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: Winston-Salem, NC – William Lamar Rhew, III of Summerfield pled guilty today, May 6, 2025, to wire fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, tax evasion, and failure to file tax return in connection with a $20 million Ponzi scheme, announced Acting United States Attorney Randall S. Galyon. According to court documents, from November 2017 to December 2023, Rhew defrauded at least 117 investors of at least $24 million. He induced victims to invest with his company Chadley Capital, LLC which would allegedly buy accounts receivable at a discount, sell them for a profit, and provide consistently high rates of return on investment. Rhew touted the company’s increasing deal flow and underwriting standards and, in offering materials, claimed $300 million in transactions in 2023, consistent returns in excess of 20% per year, and nearly 74% total growth over 24 months. All of Rhew’s representations were false. Instead of investing victims’ funds as promised, Rhew used their money to pay his personal expenses including the purchases of a boat, a beach house, and luxury cars, and to make “interest” and “withdrawal” payments to other victim-investors as part of the Ponzi scheme. In addition, for Tax Years 2018 through 2022, Rhew willfully failed to report nearly $9 million in income to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). As part of the plea agreement, Rhew has agreed to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $14,868,815.67 and to the IRS in the amount of $3,056,936. Sentencing is scheduled to take place on August 22, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, before United States District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder. At sentencing, Rhew faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, a period of supervised release of up to three years, and monetary penalties. “Sadly, we see an abundance of investment fraud schemes in which perpetrators exploit people who know and trust them,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Galyon. “We are committed to pursuing justice for victims in these cases but encourage the public to beware of any investment opportunity that sounds too good to be true, no matter who is promoting it.” “Today’s guilty plea represents the dedication of our agency in ensuring the actions of one individual are not at the expense of others,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “In this case, the defendant not only victimized his investors, but he also defrauded American taxpayers by concealing his income from the IRS and evading his tax liability. IRS Criminal Investigation’s special agents will continue to use their financial expertise to find and investigate these types of investor fraud schemes alongside our law enforcement partners.” “It’s unlikely fraudsters will be up front and admit they’re taking your money and pumping it into a Ponzi scheme. But there are warning signs: investors should be wary anytime you’re guaranteed high returns with little or no risk,” said FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt. “Hopefully, the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility will offer some comfort and closure to the victims.” “This guilty plea marks another significant victory in the pursuit of justice for the citizens of North Carolina,” said the Director of the NC SBI. “The victims in this case are hardworking men and women, many of whom are small business owners. The Financial Crimes Investigations Unit of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will continue to work diligently to combat fraud against the citizens of our great state. The SBI would like to thank the IRS and FBI for their efforts in ensuring justice for the victims involved in this case.” The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jeanne Dildine. ###


title: Lakeland Man Pleads Guilty To Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Abraham Othman Yacoub (27, Lakeland) has pleaded guilty to bank fraud. Yacoub faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, from at least January 2021 until February 2023, Yacoub made dozens of fraudulent deposits and withdrawals on behalf of his companies, Visionary Auto Body LLC and Visionary Auto Care LLC, at financial institutions throughout the Middle District of Florida. Yacoub deposited the same previously deposited checks into business banking accounts that he controlled at different financial institutions, knowing that the checks had previously been deposited and paid, causing the victim banks to credit his accounts for the amounts of the checks. Yacoub then withdrew, transferred, or otherwise spent the funds credited to his accounts before the financial institution realized that the checks had previously been deposited. Yacoub also drafted fraudulent business checks from closed business bank accounts in the name of Visionary Auto Body and Visionary Auto Care, knowing that those accounts had been closed and, therefore, that there were no funds remaining to cover the amount of the check he had drafted. Yacoub withdrew, transferred, or spent the funds credited by the bank based on these fraudulent checks, or attempt to do so, before the financial institution realized that the account on which the check had been drafted was closed and did not contain any funds to cover the amount of the check. Yacoub has agreed to forfeit $ 181,540.51, the total loss to these financial institutions that Yacoub’s schemes caused. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes.


title: Montgomery County man pleads guilty to defrauding elderly victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – Ronald Scott Daley, 53, of Miamisburg, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to wire fraud and tax evasion related to a scheme to defraud clients, including elderly victims. According to his plea agreement, which includes a recommended sentence of up to 60 months in prison, Daley was employed by a life insurance brokerage firm and advised several elderly clients with respect to life insurance and annuity products. From at least 2012 until 2020, Daley fraudulently convinced client victims to withdraw certain assets from the insurance brokerage firm and to deposit the funds into their own personal accounts. Daley then influenced the victims to make payments to a bank account for an entity that Daley controlled. For example, Daley defrauded three victims of more than $707,000 in total. Furthermore, Daley failed to file and pay taxes on the fraudulent income. As part of his conviction, he will repay the approximately $707,000 in restitution. Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigations; announced the guilty plea entered on May 5 before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Hamilton man sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms, Glock switch

body_text: CINCINNATI – A previously convicted felon was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 60 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms, including a fully automatic weapon. Justin Ervin, 35, of Hamilton, possessed a machinegun-conversion device, known as a switch. The device converts a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon. According to court documents, in May 2024, Hamilton police officers executed a search warrant at a residence in which Ervin had been living. Officers were originally called to the house in response to a strangulation incident, for which Ervin has pleaded guilty in state court. Officers discovered seven firearms, one conversion device and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition at the residence. As a previously convicted felon for robbery and arson, Ervin is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Ervin was indicted by a federal grand jury and arrested in June 2024. He pleaded guilty in October 2024. Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Thomas A. Greco, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division; and Hamilton Police Chief Trent Chenowith announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe and Criminal Chief Christy L. Muncy are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Fourteen-Time Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Unlawfully Possessing A Firearm

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Todd Wade Powers (38, Middleburg) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Powers faces a minimum sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on April 30, 2024, deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a gas station regarding a missing child complaint. While attempting to locate the complainant of the missing child report, the deputies observed a car parked near a gas pump and recognized the license plate affixed to the car as one that had been reported stolen out of Jacksonville. The deputies were able to see that there was an open backpack and a firearm on the passenger seat of the car, as well as a white powdery substance, later identified as cocaine. During a search of the car, the deputies recovered fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, as well as two firearms. Through the course of their investigation, the deputies linked Powers to the car and Powers later admitted that the firearms and drugs belonged to him. Powers was previously convicted of 14 felonies, including three counts of possession of controlled substances, two counts of felony petit theft, seven counts of sale or delivery of controlled substances, dealing in stolen property, and false verification of ownership on a pawnbroker transaction form. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Broken Bow Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charge

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jerry Wayne Shomo, aka Jerry Wayne Shomo, Jr., age 47, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm, punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine. The Indictment charged Shomo with knowingly possessing one DSP Armory Model DSP-15, multi-caliber, semi-automatic rifle on December 9, 2024, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Shomo will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia P. Staubus represented the United States.


title: Durant Resident Sentenced To Thirty-Two Years For Second Degree Murder

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kyle Hunter Laws Duffner, age 27, of Durant, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 384 months in prison for one count of Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree. The charge arose from an investigation by the Durant Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On December 4, 2024, Duffner pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing a child with malice aforethought. According to investigators, on June 27, 2021, law enforcement responded to a 911 call of a non-responsive infant. The child was life-flighted for care but succumbed to injuries shortly after transfer. During treatment, medical professionals discovered signs of acute rib fractures, older rib fractures in various stages of healing, and a possible head injury. A post-mortem examination revealed a skull fracture symptomatic of blunt force impact in the early stages of healing, multiple contusions to the forehead, jaw, and chest, and rib fractures consistent with at least three events of blunt force trauma. The crime occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Duffner will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.


title: Hugo Resident Sentenced For Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation Material

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Steven Mark McAnally, age 65, of Hugo, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for one count of Possessing Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. He will serve 5 years of supervised probation upon release from incarceration. The charge arose from an investigation by Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On December 12, 2024, McAnally pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, in July of 2023, McAnally knowingly possessed visual depictions from the internet of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which McAnally accessed with intent to view. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . We encourage anyone who suspects or has information regarding child sexual exploitation, trafficking of minors, sextortion, child pornography, or any other means of child exploitation to immediately contact law enforcement. You can file a report through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.cybertipline.com , through the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or through Homeland Security Investigations at 1-877-4-HSI TIP. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. McAnally will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.


title: Former FBI Electronics Technician Sentenced to 20 Years on Child Exploitation Charges

body_text: NASHVILLE – A former FBI electronics technician was sentenced last week to 20 years in federal prison having previously been found guilty after a jury trial on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, two counts of receipt of child pornography, and three counts of transferring obscene material on an individual under the age of sixteen, announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee. According to evidence presented at trial, between June 2020 and April 27, 2021, Justin Carroll, who was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an electronics technician, engaged in sexually explicit chats and exchanged sexually explicit images with three fourteen-year-old females over various social media platforms after connecting with the minors on chatting websites. Carroll’s conduct was discovered after one of the victims mailed a Valentine’s Day package to the FBI office. Sexually explicit images of the minor females were found in Carroll’s social media accounts and on his cell phone. Images of Carroll were found in one of the minor’s social media accounts and on another minor’s cell phone. Carroll continued communicating with the fourteen-year-old victim who mailed the package, even after receiving an e-mail from her mother inquiring why her daughter mailed him a package and advising him of her daughter’s age. “When someone in law enforcement dishonors their responsibilities by committing criminal acts, we will seek the most serious penalties in order to restore the public’s trust,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “Justin Carroll dishonored the men and women of the FBI by his deplorable actions and now, thanks to the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners, he faces the consequences of those actions.” "Today’s sentencing underscores that no matter who you are, you will be brought to justice if you are found guilty of such criminal behavior," said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "The FBI will continue to work with our partners to protect children from exploitation and hold accountable those who exploit or endanger them." “HSI is committed to justice by working with our law enforcement partners to hold anyone accountable for misconduct, reaffirming our dedication to upholding the trust the American people place in us daily,” said Homeland Security Investigations Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud. “We will pursue these investigations vigorously as it is paramount that we maintain the trust and integrity of those we swore an oath to protect.” Following his term of incarceration, Carroll will be on supervised release for 10 years. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Field Office and Providence Field Office, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica R. Morrison and Juliet Aldridge prosecuted the case. # # # # #


title: Illegal alien caught attempting to export stolen vehicles for cartel

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 19-year-old Mexican national has been arrested for his alleged role in attempting to export a stolen vehicle, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Angel David Salas-Herrera is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano at 10 a.m. The criminal complaint alleges that on May 2, law enforcement observed a Jeep Gladiator in Cameron County that had been reported stolen from Edinburg. They attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield, and a chase ensued, according to the charges. It ended as the vehicle allegedly collided near a residence in Brownsville. Salas-Herrera was the passenger, according to the allegations. During a search of the Gladiator, law enforcement allegedly found multiple key fobs and a device utilized to program them. The charges allege the Gladiator was intended to be exported to Mexico for the Gulf Cartel. Law enforcement was also able to recover two additional stolen vehicles that were allegedly intended for the same purpose. Salas-Herrera is charged with export of stolen motor vehicles. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. He could also be ordered to pay up to a $250,000 fine. This case is part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Operation Cocina de Caldo. The FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations are conducting the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, sheriff’s offices in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties and police departments in McAllen, Mission, Pharr, Brownsville, Edinburg and Rancho Viejo. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roberto Lopez Jr. and Sarina DiPiazza are prosecuting the case. The OCDETF operation 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 OCDETF and Project Safe Neighborhoods. A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Firearms trafficker sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment

body_text: BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Marion man to more than 8 years in federal prison after he admitted to trafficking firearms in southern Illinois. Lonnie J. Petty, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a machine gun and one count of illegal transfer of a machine gun. Law enforcement recovered two privately made firearms or “ghost guns”, one firearm with an obliterated serial number, five additional firearms, three machine gun conversion devices or “switches,” multiple extended and drum magazines, and a large amount ammunition. “Lonnie Petty recklessly engaged in a high-speed chase with police after trafficking firearms and selling drugs in the presence of children. These actions pose an obvious threat to the safety of our community, and the case demanded decisive action," said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Our office will hold such offenders accountable and ensure the safety of southern Illinois.” According to court documents, Petty admitted to possessing a machine gun in Williamson County in June 2023. In addition, he transferred machine guns in Williamson and Franklin counties from September through November 2023. "The increasing use of machine gun conversion devices by criminals has fueled violence in our communities, endangering both members of the public and law enforcement officers,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “ATF, in partnership with local law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney's Office, will continue its mission to investigate and hold those accountable who illegally traffic these dangerous devices into our communities." Machine gun conversion devices include traditional “drop in auto sears,” which are designed for use on AR-type firearms, and more recently developed “switches,” which are designed for use on certain semiautomatic pistols. MCDs are easily integrated with semiautomatic firearms to illegally convert them to fire automatically. MCDs are defined as machine guns under the National Firearms Act, even when not installed. ATF led the investigation with support from the Marion Police Department and the Carbondale Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Trippi and J. David Sanders prosecuted the case.


title: Guatemalan National Indicted for Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was indicted in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. William Noel Mazariegos Lopez, 43, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Mazariegos Lopez was charged by criminal complaint on March 14, 2025 and is currently being detained. According to the charging documents, at an unknown place and time, Mazariegos Lopez entered the United States without being inspected by an immigration officer. On Oct. 24, 2012, in the Lynn District Court, Mazariegos Lopez was convicted of operating under the influence of liquor and compulsory insurance violation. On Oct. 30, 2017, after determining Mazariegos Lopez illegally entered the United States, immigration authorities initiated deportation proceedings. On Nov. 29, 2017, Mazariegos Lopez was removed from the United States to Guatemala. Thereafter, on an unknown date and at an unknown location, Mazariegos Lopez reentered the United States. On April 28, 2018, he was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol. On May 7, 2018, Mazariegos Lopez was removed from the United States to Guatemala for a second time. Thereafter, on an unknown date and at an unknown location, Mazariegos Lopez reentered the United States without authority. On Aug. 15, 2021, immigration authorities became aware that Mazariegos Lopez was present in the United States following an arrest by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. On June 9, 2022, in the Lynn District Court, Mazariegos was convicted of operating under the influence of liquor – 2nd offense, operating under the influence of liquor and operating after suspended license. He was sentenced to 2.5 years (suspended, 90 days to serve) for operating under the influence of liquor-2nd offense and two years (suspended, 90 days to serve) for operating under the influence of liquor. On Dec. 22, 2023, the court issued a violation of probation. 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, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Covington Man Sentenced for Being a  Felon in Possession of Firearms, Silencers and Machineguns

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JOE LYNN BEATTIE (“BEATTIE”) , age 53, of Covington, Louisiana, was sentenced on April 29, 2025 by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 63 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release and payment of a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. BEATTIE previously pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025, to a three (3) count indictment. Count One charged him with being a Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Count Two charged him with possession of silencers, that were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5841. Count Three charged him with possession of machineguns, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 922(o). According to court records, federal agents received information that BEATTIE had received unlawfully imported firearm parts from China. Thereafter, Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies, executed a search warrant at his residence. The search yielded five (5) firearms, ammunition, sixteen (16) silencers, and five (5) machinegun conversion devices that turn firearms into fully automatic weapons. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Registered Sex Offender Charged With Sending Obscenity To A Massachusetts Minor

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Crowley, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the arrest of DAVID FERNANDES III. FERNANDES is charged with sending obscenity to a minor and being a registered sex offender when he sent obscenity to a minor. FERNANDES was arrested Thursday, May 1, and presented Friday, May 2, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court and detained. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “Allegedly, David Fernandes III, a registered sex offender, was not deterred by his previous involvement with the criminal justice system. This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children. The women and men of the Southern District and the FBI will use every tool available to investigate and prosecute those who sexually exploit children.” FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge James Crowley said: “Anyone willing to sexually exploit children deserves to feel the full force of the law. The FBI has arrested David Fernandes, a registered sex offender, for sending sexually explicit material to an 11-year-old child in Massachusetts. Each time we’re able to step in and protect a child from further sexual exploitation, it’s a good day.” As alleged in the Complaint filed on April 29, 2025, in White Plains federal court and statements made in court [1] : On or about October 8, 2024, FERNANDES knowingly transmitted to an 11-year-old an obscene photo of an adult male hand holding a penis. At the time FERNANDES engaged in this felony offense involving a child, he was required to register as a sex offender. On March 19, 2019, FERNANDES was convicted in New York state of Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor, for which he received a sentence of five years’ probation. He completed this sentence on or about September 12, 2024. On or about October 11, 2024, the mother of an 11-year-old child (“Victim-1”) reported to the Holden Police Department, in Holden, Massachusetts, that she had discovered sexually explicit images and communications on Victim-1’s phone with a phone number ending in 4245 (the “4245-Phone”). She also reported that her daughter had advised her that her daughter’s 12-year-old friend (“Victim-2”) had been in communication with the user of the 4245-Phone. A forensic review of Victim-1’s phone revealed over 4000 messages exchanged between Victim-1’s phone and the 4245-Phone between October 4, 2024, and October 8, 2024. In the messages, the user of the 4245-Phone identified himself as a 26-year-old man and transmitted sexually explicit videos and photos of an adult man to Victim-1’s phone. At approximately 4:41 a.m. on October 4, 2024, the 4245-Phone transmitted a video to Victim-1’s phone revealing an adult holding an erect penis, masturbating and ejaculating. At approximately 3:58 a.m. on October 8, 2024, the 4245-Phone texted, “I wanna feel u,” “Like genuinely feel inside u” and “I wanna be all the way inside you.” At approximately 4:00 a.m. on October 8, 2024, the 4245-Phone transmitted a photo of a male hand holding an erect penis. Shortly thereafter, the 4245-Phone texted, "Imagine that inside u." Victim-1 advised law enforcement that she first communicated with the 4245-Phone on or about October 4, 2024. Victim-2 advised law enforcement that she began communicating with the user of the 4245-Phone, who identified himself to her as “David,” in approximately September 2024 and communicated with him on Snapchat, Roblox, and through video chats on Google Meet. Victim-2 advised that “David” requested sexually explicit pictures and videos of Victim-2 and that she transmitted them to him, mostly via Snapchat. Victim-2 provided “David” with Victim-1’s phone number so that she and David could message one another. Anyone who may have encountered FERNANDES, who used the Snapchat user names “tazjazz,” “diamondboy24k,” “itsmagikyouknow,” and “retrovxrse, or whose child may have had any communications with FERNANDES, is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). * * * FERNANDES, 27, of Lagrangeville, New York, is charged with one count off transferring obscene material to a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of committing the offense while being required to register as a sex offender, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison. The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Clayton praised the efforts of the FBI, including the FBI New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force and FBI Boston; the Holden Police Department; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts; the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office; and the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department in connection with this investigation. The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. u.s._v._fernandes_complaint.pdf [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Charlotte Clinic Owner Agrees To Settle Allegations Of Medicaid Fraud

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Steven Osbey, of Kernersville, N.C., has agreed to entry of a consent judgment against him in the amount of $4,711,159.00 in favor of the United States and State of North Carolina (the Governments), subject to a separate agreement regarding his participation in the Governments’ ability to pay process. The judgment represents repayment to the government for allegations that Reign & Inspirations, LLC (R&I), a clinic co-owned by Osbey and Aljihad Shabazz, charged Medicaid for physician home visits that never occurred. More specifically, the Governments alleged Osbey and Shabazz conspired to carry out an extensive health care fraud scheme wherein they submitted or caused to be submitted claims to NC Medicaid for in-home physician visits with patients that simply never occurred—in all, billing more than 30,000 hours of these purported physician visits and sometimes billing as if the physician provided over 100 in-home visits in a single day, purportedly lasting an hour each (an obvious physical impossibility). This investigation was conducted in parallel between the civil and criminal divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Shabazz pleaded guilty to criminal healthcare fraud conspiracy and money laundering charges and was sentenced to 52 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. The civil settlement obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Department of Justice and the FBI field offices in Charlotte, with assistance from the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. AUSAs Caroline McLean and Seth Johnson were responsible for the civil investigation. The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care 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 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).


title: Mexican National Guilty of Illegally Using Social Security Number to Obtain Louisiana Driver’s License

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – ActingUnited States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JOSE GUADALUPE MUNOZ-PEREZ (“MUNOZ”) , age 46, a native of Mexico, pleaded guilty on April 29, 2025 to illegally using a social security number to obtain a Louisiana driver’s license, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B). MUNOZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. United States District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter set sentencing for June 5, 2025. According to court documents, on July 24, 2020, MUNOZ applied for the renewal of a Louisiana driver’s license using the name of a real person, and that person’s Social Security number at a Public Tag Agency in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. A Public Tag Agency is an authorized entity that handles various vehicle-related transactions of behalf of the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. The Social Security Administration confirmed that Social Security number was legitimately issued to an individual in Puerto Rico. MUNOZ admitted that by applying for the renewal, he knowingly intended to deceive others, including employers, by falsely representing that the name and Social Security number had been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Prince George’s County Man Faces Federal Indictment for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Joel Thomas Biermann, 46, of University Park, Maryland, for multiple child exploitation offenses. Biermann is charged with two counts of producing child sexual abuse material, one count of distributing child sexual abuse material, and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). According to the indictment, between approximately October 26, 2012, and October 28, 2024, Biermann employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced one or more victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Biermann also produced and possessed visual depictions of the exploitation. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Biermann distributed child sexual abuse material on March 13, 2016. If convicted, Biermann faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for the production of child sexual abuse material; a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years for the distribution of child sexual abuse material; and a maximum of 20 years for possession of child sexual abuse material. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc . Click the “Resources” tab on the left side of the page to learn about Internet safety education. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and PGPD for their work in the investigation. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy and Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills, Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Level One Sex Offender Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: BOSTON – A Holyoke man, who is a registered sex offender, has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Justin Ouimette, 34, was charged with possession of child pornography. Ouimette will make an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield at a later date. In October 2022, Ouimette was convicted of possession of child pornography in Massachusetts Superior Court. According to the charging documents, in July 2024, during a search of Ouimette’s residence and person, over 200 files that appeared to depict CSAM, including children as young as three years old, were allegedly located on Ouimette’s electronic devices. A search of Ouimette’s Dropbox resulted in the discovery of an additional 200 files allegedly depicting CSAM. On July 25, 2024, Ouimette was issued a probation violation, and he was subsequently sentenced to one year incarceration, which he is currently serving. The charge of possession of child pornography as a registered sex offender provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Pittsburgh Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Firearm

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to three years of imprisonment on his conviction of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Deon Cortez Dutrieuille, 24, on May 1, 2025. According to information presented to the Court, on November 25, 2023, the Monroeville Police Department were called to the Monroeville Mall in connection with a retail theft investigation. When they arrived, Dutrieuille was in the driver’s seat of a vehicle wearing a stolen jacket for which he admitted not paying. At that time, Dutrieuille had an outstanding arrest warrant in connection with an unrelated incident. When the officers tried to speak with Dutrieuille, the defendant provided fake names and then fled on foot. After apprehending and taking Dutrieuille into custody, officers conducted a search of the car and seized a stolen Glock handgun. Dutrieuille’s fingerprints were found on the gun by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Dutrieuille had multiple prior felony convictions, including in a robbery and prior illegal gun possession cases. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Monroeville Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Dutrieuille.


title: Mexican National Sentenced For Illegal Re-entry

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – ActingUnited States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that SANTIAGO PUENTE-GARCIA (“PUENTE-GARCIA”) , age 26, a native of Mexico, was sentenced on April 30, 2025 after previously pleading guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1326(a). United States District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced PUENTE-GARCIA to an imprisonment term of time served , followed by one (1) year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court records, PUENTE-GARCIA was previously removed from the United States on February 4, 2022. He was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on October 29, 2024. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Federal Jury Finds Atlanta Woman Guilty of Methamphetamine Trafficking

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury convicted Vannesa Violante-Lujano of attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in June 2022, federal authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border seized approximately 220 pounds of Cartel-sourced methamphetamine destined for Minnesota. Special agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) then conducted an undercover operation in Lakeville, Minnesota. During the undercover operation, Violante-Lujano and a co-conspirator met an undercover officer at a Lakeville truck stop and attempted to pick up the 220-pound shipment of methamphetamine. The attempted drug deal was captured on video, and Violante-Lujano and her co-conspirator were apprehended by the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) shortly thereafter. “Minnesota has become a hub for Cartel-sourced methamphetamine,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “In 2022, the Cartel was flooding the border with their poison. In this case, the Cartel sent 220 pounds of deadly methamphetamine—worth $6 million—across the border, bound for Minnesota. I am grateful to the excellent work of law enforcement, who not only seized these drugs, but also utilized an undercover operation to catch the state-side drug dealers.” After a four-day trial before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court, Violante-Lujano was convicted by a jury on one count of attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Following the verdict, Violante-Lujano was taken into custody pending sentencing. This case is the result of an investigation by the DEA and MSP. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and David P. Steinkamp tried the case.


title: Honduran National Guilty of Illegal Re-Entry of a Removed Alien

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced today that DARWIN XAVIER GONZALEZ-MUNOZ (“GONZALEZ-MUNOZ”) , age 30, pled guilty on April 30, 2025 to illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). According to the bill of information filed against him, GONZALEZ-MUNOZ reentered the United States after being previously deported on or about June 24, 2024. At sentencing, GONZALEZ-MUNOZ faces up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Florida Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Multi-Year $1.1M Retail Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: CHARLESTON, S.C. — Daniel Cavey, 51, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his role in a multi-year wire fraud scheme to defraud a chain of home improvement stores. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Daniel Cavey, along with his conspirators, were involved in an extensive, multi-state scheme to defraud a chain of home improvement stores. Cavey, and others, would gain access to corporate accounts and then create fraudulent forms of identification for authorized users on the corporate account. Once at the home improvement store, Cavey would shop and charge the purchases to the various corporate accounts. Once the merchandise had been fraudulently obtained, Cavey would sell it for a profit. “Defrauding businesses in this manner not only causes financial harm to the business but also drives up prices for consumers,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to holding individuals accountable for complex financial crimes and protecting our business community from such elaborate schemes." “The success of this investigation is a testament to the strong partnerships between the U.S. Secret Service, local law enforcement and the private sector,” said Ben Stafford, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Charleston Resident Office. “This sentencing reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and sends a message that defrauding businesses and individuals in our state will not be tolerated. I appreciate the hard work and commitment of our South Carolina partners, especially the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, and Synchrony Bank’s Special Investigations Team.” United States District David C. Norton sentenced Cavey to 108 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. The sentence was broken down as follows: 84-months for counts 1 and 2 and 24 months for count 8, which charged Cavey with aggravated identity theft. There is no parole in the federal system. Cavey was also ordered to pay $1,126,686.29 in restitution. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the City of Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case.


title: Texas Man Sentenced For Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SAUL MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ (“MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ”), age 38, a resident of Texas, was sentenced on April 30, 2025, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ was sentenced to one hundred twenty (120) months imprisonment, three (3) years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ and other co-conspirators distributed multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin within the Eastern District of Louisiana. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Orleans Field Division Office and assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, the Kenner Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit. * * *


title: Dominican National Arrested for Child Pornography Offense

body_text: BOSTON – A Dominican national has been arrested and charged with transportation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Jorge Junior Alvarez Rodriguez, 21, was charged with one count of transportation of child pornography. Alvarez will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston later today. According to the charging documents, On May 3, 2025, upon arrival at t Boston’s Logan Airport from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Alvarez was flagged for secondary screening. It is alleged that during a review of Alvarez’s cell phone, files depicting CSAM were found. It is further alleged that law enforcement identified multiple files depicting children as young as four to seven years old. The charge of transportation of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Boston Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Two Men Sentenced for Roles in Straw Purchase of a Firearm

body_text: CHARLESTON, S.C. — Joshua Paul Stewart Turner, 25, of Summerville, and Noah Olen Fowler, 26, of Moncks Corner, have each been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to straw-purchase a firearm. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Fowler, knowing Turner was prohibited from possessing and/or purchasing a firearm, purchased a firearm for Turner. During the purchase of the firearm, Fowler false certified on the ATF Form 4473 that he was purchasing the firearm for himself. Evidence also revealed that Turner sent Fowler information on which firearm to purchase and, further, paid him for the firearm via CashApp. When Fowler purchased the firearm for Turner he was employed as a correctional officer at the Berkeley County Detention Center. “Straw purchases undermine our efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of those legally prohibited from possessing them,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We’ll continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute individuals who attempt to circumnavigate the proper procedure to purchase firearms.” “Straw purchasing is a dangerous tactic that circumvents our laws and puts guns in the hands of prohibited individuals,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Whether you are the prohibited individual in possession of a firearm or the individual who lied to supply that firearm, both are considered threats to public safety and both face serious consequences.” “Weapons in the hands of those prohibited from possessing them are a direct threat to public,” said Reid Davis, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia field office. “These sentences underscore the serious consequences of violating federal firearms laws and send a clear message: the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring those who violate these laws are held accountable.” United States District Bruce H. Hendricks sentenced Turner to 20 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. United States District Bruce H. Hendricks sentenced Fowler to a time-served sentence, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI Columbia field office, and the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Shooter Who Injured Stranger on a Metro Bus in March 2025 Pleads Guilty

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Javarry Peaks, 19, of the District, pleaded guilty Friday May 2nd, to the March 2025 shooting of a stranger while inside of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority bus that was traveling along the V2 route, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Chief Michael Anzallo of the Metro Transit Police Department. Peaks pleaded guilty in the Superior Court to aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Sentencing is scheduled for July 3, 2025, before the Honorable Rainey Brandt. Peaks faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. According to the government’s evidence, on March 8, 2025, Peaks and the victim both boarded a WMATA bus at the Anacostia metro station at approximately 9:30 p.m. Multiple other, unidentified people were also on the bus at the time. While the bus was driving along the V2 route, the victim began talking to Peaks while they were seated across from each other. When the defendant stood up to walk, the victim momentarily blocked him from proceeding. After a few seconds, the victim walked toward the front of the bus where the defendant was standing. Peaks and the victim then continued to move around the bus for the next several minutes. At 9:45 p.m., the victim attempted to push the defendant off the bus, at which point the defendant briefly exited the bus before boarding again and walking past the victim toward the back of the bus. Within approximately a minute, at 9:46 p.m., while the defendant was standing at the front of the bus near the bus operator, and the victim was behind him in the middle of the bus, the defendant asked the bus operator if he could get off. As soon as the bus operator opened the doors, the defendant reached into his left jacket pocket, spun around, and shot the victim, who was approximately two feet away, one time in the chest. The defendant then ran off the bus and away from the area. Peaks was arrested March 25, 2025, and has been in custody ever since. This case was investigated by the Metro Transit Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Goldstein. This enforcement action is part of President Donald J. Trump’s ‘Make DC Safe and Beautiful Again’ initiative


body_text: Illegal Alien and Mexican National Convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Kilograms of Methamphetamine Defendant possessed over four pounds of 100% pure Methamphetamine BRUNSWICK, GA: A jury convicted a Mexican national illegally living in Hazlehurst, Georgia at trial for receiving a package from Jalisco, Mexico containing over two kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine. Ismael Delgado-Celis, 37, of Mexico, was convicted of Possession and Attempt to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine following a jury trial in the Southern District of Georgia, said Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The Defendant is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years and up to life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. During testimony and evidence produced during the trial the Government established that on September 12, 2024, the Defendant attempted to receive a package directly from Mexico containing what was described as a horse saddle. Before the package was delivered, law enforcement agents removed the saddle and discovered over two kilograms of pure methamphetamine that had been hidden inside. The package was then delivered to the Defendant by law enforcement under the guise of a United States Postal delivery. The Defendant accepted the package from law enforcement and brought it inside his residence. “This case represents the continued commitment of the DEA to identify and hold accountable those who engage in the distribution of dangerous drugs,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Keeping our communities safe is our highest priority.” “This conviction sends a strong message to those who attempt to smuggle dangerous narcotics into our communities,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thanks to the dedicated collaboration between HSI and our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels, we were able to disrupt a major methamphetamine trafficking operation and hold the perpetrator accountable.” “This conviction highlights the critical role Customs and Border Protection plays in disrupting the transnational flow of deadly narcotics,” said Zachary Thomas, Acting Director of Field Operations for CBP Atlanta. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners at every level to safeguard our communities from the scourge of illicit drugs.” This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigation, Customs and Border Protection, and the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Bondura and Deputy Criminal Chief Greg Gilluly.


title: Repeat Illegal Alien Border Crossers from Honduras Indicted in Miami

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Two serial illegal border crossers from Honduras have been charged by South Florida federal grand jurors with Illegal Reentry After Removal, in violation of 8 U.S.C. 1326. According to the indictment in case number 25-cr-20192, this is at least the fifth time Marvin Wilton Max Ayala (Max Ayala), an alien from Honduras, has unlawfully entered the United States. He was encountered in South Florida on April 1, after having entered the country illegally, without inspection, admission, or parole by an immigration officer. It was not Max Ayala’s first brush with immigration: The Honduran national was previously removed from the United States on November 21, 2012, April 6, 2015, May 4, 2020, and August 5, 2021. According to the indictment in case number 25-cr-20186, this is at least the fourth time Brayan Josue Matute-Lobo (Matute-Lobo), also an alien from Honduras, has unlawfully entered the United States. He was encountered in South Florida on March 8, after having entered the country illegally, without inspection, admission, or parole by an immigration officer. It was not Matute-Lobo’s first brush with immigration: This Honduran national was previously removed from the United States on February 12, 2016, April 21, 2016, and December 22, 2016. Both defendants will be held at the Federal Detention (FDC) Miami pending resolution of their criminal cases. U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne of the Southern District of Florida and acting Field Office Director Juan Agudelo of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) Prosecutions Unit Miami announced the charges. ICE-ERO investigated the cases. Special Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Roca Shaw is prosecuting them You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 25-cr-20186. ###


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced To More Than 15 Years For Selling Drugs And Guns

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington has sentenced Noe Alegria (30, Ruskin) to 15 years and 1 month in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Alegria pled guilty on December 3, 2024. According to court documents, on July 13, 2023, Alegria sold cocaine to an undercover officer outside of Alegria’s residence. During the sale of cocaine, Alegria had a Glock firearm in his pants pocket. After completing the sale, the undercover asked about purchasing a firearm. Alegria and the undercover then went inside Alegria’s residence, where Alegria sold him a separate firearm. Alegria also sold the undercover firearms on future occasions. In total, law enforcement purchased or recovered 14 firearms from Alegria over the course of the investigation. Alegria was previously convicted for possessing controlled substances in 2020. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Boston City Councilor Pleads Guilty to Federal Public Corruption Charges

body_text: BOSTON – Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to public corruption charges after receiving a $7,000 kickback from a staff member’s city funded bonus. Tania Fernandes Anderson, 46, of Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2025. Fernandes Anderson was indicted in December 2024 . Per the plea agreement , the government is recommending a sentence of one year and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $13,000. “Councilor Fernandes Anderson abused her position of trust for personal gain and turned a public checkbook into her own private slush fund. Her constituents deserve better than this. They deserve a city representative who respects the role of public service and does not use the power and position to line her own pockets,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Her guilty plea today says what she refuses to admit in her media interviews: she broke the law, lied to the public, and used her office for her own personal gain. Ms. Fernandes Anderson leaves a legacy not of a selfless trailblazer, but one of fraud, greed, and deceit. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring elected officials are held accountable for this kind of corruption and dishonesty.” “Tania Fernandes Anderson used the city of Boston. She wielded her official powers for her own financial gain, and grossly betrayed the trust of the residents she was elected to serve,” said James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Insidious corruption like this undermines people’s faith in, and expectations of, their government. Today’s conviction should reinforce, to both Boston’s politicos and the public, that the FBI remains committed to bringing to justice any elected official who deprives constituents of the honest services to which they are entitled.” “The guilty plea of Tania Fernandes Anderson demonstrates IRS-CI’s commitment to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting all instances of public corruption, both in the Commonwealth and across New England,” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Elected officials are held to a higher standard when they take an oath to serve their constituents, but Fernandes Anderson forsook this oath when she conspired to orchestrate a kickback scheme to enrich herself at the cost of the American taxpayers.” Fernandes Anderson currently serves as City Councilor for Boston’s District 7, which includes Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and part of the South End. She was first elected to a two-year term in November 2021 and won re-election in November 2023. In or about 2022, Fernandes Anderson hired two members of her immediate family as salaried employees of her City Councilor Staff. Because City Councilors are prohibited by law from hiring immediate family members to their paid staff, Fernandes Anderson was required to terminate their salaried employment in or about August 2022. Additionally, in May 2023, the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission notified Fernandes Anderson that it would be seeking a $5,000 civil penalty payment from her as a result of the violation. In or about November 2022, Fernandes Anderson emailed a City of Boston employee regarding her hiring of Staff Member A – a relative of Fernandes Anderson who was not an immediate family member – as a salaried employee. In her email to the City of Boston employee, Fernandes Anderson falsely represented that she and Staff Member A were not related: From in or about early to mid-2023, Fernandes Anderson was facing personal financial difficulty, which included the outstanding $5,000 civil penalty payment to the Ethics Commission. In or about early May 2023, Fernandes Anderson told Staff Member A that she would give them extra pay in the form of a large bonus, but that Staff Member A would have to give a portion of the bonus back to Fernandes Anderson. Staff Member A agreed to the arrangement with Fernandes Anderson. On May 3, 2023, Fernandes Anderson emailed a City of Boston employee instructing them to process a $13,000 bonus for Staff Member A – more than twice the total bonuses given to her other staff – without disclosing the repayment arrangement. Staff Member A deposited the check on May 26, 2023 and, following Fernandes Anderson’s instructions, made three separate cash withdrawals over the following weeks in the amounts of $3,000; $3,000; and $4,000. Following the last withdrawal on June 9, 2023, the two met in a bathroom at Boston City Hall, where Staff Member A handed Fernandes Anderson $7,000 in cash. According to the signed plea agreement, in 2022 and 2023, Fernandes Anderson used funds from her campaign account for her own personal enrichment, and not for campaign-related expenses. Additionally, for tax years 2021, 2022 and 2023, Fernandes Anderson filed fraudulent federal income tax returns with the IRS. Specifically, Fernandes Anderson omitted approximately $11,000 in income that she earned from a Massachusetts-based corporation from her 2021 tax return; willfully omitted campaign funds that she used for her own personal enrichment from her 2022 and 2023 tax returns; and willfully omitted the $7,000 kickback that she received from Staff Member A from her 2023 tax return. The charge of wire fraud 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 charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. U.S. Attorney Foley, FBI Acting SAC Crowley and IRS Acting SAC Demeo made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy and Dustin Chao of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.


title: Joseph Nocella, Jr. Appointed Interim United States Attorney  for the Eastern District Of New York

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Joseph Nocella, Jr. has begun serving as Interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York as per the authority of United States Attorney Pamela Bondi. Judge Nocella was sworn in on Monday, May 5, 2025 by United States Chief District Judge Margo K. Brodie. He will serve as Interim United States Attorney for a period of 120 days or until a Presidential nominee has been confirmed by the Senate. Judge Nocella stated: “I am deeply honored that President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pamela Bondi have appointed me United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. It is especially gratifying to return to the very District where I began my prosecutorial career. Together with the exemplary staff that has made the Eastern District renown for its excellence, and the dedicated law enforcement agencies that work with the District, I look forward to prosecuting zealously the narcotics-traffickers, gang members, terrorists, human-traffickers and other criminals who have plagued the people of Nassau, Suffolk, Kings, Queens and Richmond Counties. I would also like to thank Acting United States Attorney John J. Durham for his service and leadership.” Immediately before his appointment, Judge Nocella, 60, was serving as a Nassau County Family Court Judge, following several years of service as a Nassau County District Judge. Judge Nocella began his career in public service as the first law clerk to the Honorable Lawrence M. McKenna, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. Judge Nocella continued his career in public service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Eastern District of New York, where he served from 1991 to 1995, prosecuting cases involving narcotics-trafficking, organized crime, money laundering and fraud, among others. Judge Nocella was in private practice in New York and Los Angeles from 1989 to 1990, and from 1995 to 2010. He also held various public service roles in government on Long Island, including Hempstead Town Attorney, Oyster Bay Town Attorney, Managing Attorney of the Nassau County Attorney’s Office and Counsel to the Nassau County Executive and Legislative Offices. Judge Nocella graduated from Chaminade High School in 1982, received his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in 1986 and graduated from Columbia University School of Law in 1989.


title: Ohio Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison After Admitting to Sexually Abusing and Exploiting Minors

body_text: TOLEDO, Ohio – Michael D. Aspinwall, 38, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced to 27 years in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp, after he admitted to creating and distributing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Aspinwall pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. He was also ordered to serve lifetime supervised release after imprisonment and register as a sex offender, per the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. According to court documents, from about Oct. 1, 2023 to Feb. 9, 2024, Aspinwall admitted to producing sexual abuse materials of children and sending and receiving the digital files through mobile applications. FBI-Toledo, along with the assistance of Toledo Police officers, executed a search warrant on Feb. 9, 2024, and seized the defendant’s cellphone which was found to contain sexually explicit photos and videos of minors, including infants and toddlers. Additionally, during conversations with an online covert investigator, Aspinwall admitted to sexually abusing children−whom he babysat−while they were sleeping. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Toledo Field Office and the Toledo Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali for the Northern District of Ohio. To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


title: Restaurant Chain to Pay $7.8 Million for Misrepresenting Eligibility for Pandemic-Relief Funds

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – CoreLife Eatery, LLC, which operates restaurants throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky, will pay $7,809,373 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by falsely certifying its eligibility for a Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant when it knew or should have known that it operated too many locations to qualify. “The Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created to support certain small businesses facing the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “By submitting false information about its size to obtain a grant, CoreLife not only diverted funds from eligible recipients but also eroded public trust in critical relief efforts. Our office remains committed to enforcing the False Claims Act and holding accountable those who misrepresent their eligibility for federal funding.” Congress enacted the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021, as a continuation of the federal government’s efforts to provide relief to American individuals and businesses suffering the economic and public health effects of the pandemic. The Act allocated $28.6 billion to the RRF, which allowed the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) to award grants to qualifying restaurants and other eligible entities based on pandemic-related revenue losses. Under the program, any restaurant that—together with its affiliated businesses—owned or operated more than 20 locations as of March 13, 2020, was ineligible for RRF funding. As part of the settlement agreement, CoreLife admittedthat it and its affiliates owned and operated 29 restaurant locations as of March 13, 2020, and therefore it was ineligible for an RRF grant. Nevertheless, in May 2021, CoreLife’s managing member submitted an RRF application on the company’s behalf. The application specifically asked whether the applicant owned or operated more than 20 locations as of the eligibility date, to which CoreLife’s representative falsely responded “no.” That same question warned that applicants answering “yes” would not be eligible. Later in the application, the managing member also initialed next to the statement: “The Applicant, together with its affiliates, does not own or operate more than 20 locations.” “Those who violate the False Claims Act by fraudulently receiving and retaining SBA program funding will be held accountable,” said SBA Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “This settlement demonstrates that wrongfully obtaining taxpayer dollars will not go unnoticed. Violators will be identified and pursued. I want to thank the Department of Justice for its support and dedication to pursuing justice in this case.” This matter arose from a qui tam complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The False Claims Act allows private individuals to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. Under the settlement agreement, the relator will receive $1,171,405.96. The settlement is captioned United States ex rel. Howitt v. CoreLife Eatery, LLC, et al. , No. 3:24-cv-0263 (N.D.N.Y.). The investigation and resolution of this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, SBA Office of Inspector General, and SBA Office of General Counsel. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam J. Katz and Christopher R. Moran, and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Samuel Robins. corelife_settlement_agreement_fully_executed_5.5.2025_0.pdf


title: Credit Suisse Services AG Admits to Conspiring with U.S. Taxpayers to Hide Assets and Income in Offshore Accounts and Admits that Credit Suisse Breached Its Prior Plea Agreement

component: Tax Division

body_text: Credit Suisse Services AG pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to conspiring to hide more than $4 billion from the IRS in at least 475 offshore accounts. The guilty plea by the Swiss corporation is the result of a years-long investigation by U.S. law enforcement to uncover financial fraud and abuse. In addition to the plea, Credit Suisse Services AG entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia in connection with U.S. Accounts booked at Credit Suisse AG Singapore. Under the NPA, Credit Suisse Services AG agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department in ongoing investigations and to pay significant monetary penalties for maintaining accounts in Singapore on behalf of U.S. taxpayers who were using offshore accounts to evade U.S. taxes and reporting requirements. According to the Plea Agreement, NPA, and documents filed in court today: from Jan. 1, 2010, and continuing until about July 2021, Credit Suisse AG, which had ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individual clients around the globe, conspired with employees, U.S. customers, and others to willfully aid U.S. customers in concealing their ownership and control of assets and funds held at the bank. This enabled those U.S. customers to evade their U.S. tax obligations in several ways, including by opening and maintaining undeclared offshore accounts for U.S. taxpayers at Credit Suisse AG, and providing a variety of offshore private banking services that assisted U.S. taxpayers in the concealment of their assets and income from the IRS and allowed for their continued failure to file FBARs. Among other fraudulent acts, bankers at Credit Suisse falsified records, processed fictitious donation paperwork, and serviced more than $1 billion in accounts without documentation of tax compliance. In doing so, Credit Suisse AG committed new crimes and breached its May 2014 plea agreement with the United States. Between 2014 and June 2023, Credit Suisse AG Singapore held undeclared accounts for U.S. persons, which Credit Suisse AG Singapore knew or should have known were U.S., with total assets valued at over $2 billion. Credit Suisse AG Singapore failed to adequately identify the true beneficial owners of accounts and failed to conduct adequate inquiry about U.S. indicia in the accounts. In 2023, during the post-merger of UBS AG Singapore and Credit Suisse AG Singapore, UBS became aware of accounts held at Credit Suisse AG Singapore that appeared to be undeclared U.S. accounts. UBS froze some of the accounts, voluntarily disclosed information about those identified accounts to the Justice Department and cooperated by undertaking an investigation into the identified accounts. Under today’s resolutions, Credit Suisse Services AG and, by extension, UBS AG, is required to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations and affirmatively disclose any information it may later uncover regarding U.S.-related accounts. The agreements provide no protections for any individuals. Pursuant to the guilty plea and the NPA, Credit Suisse Services AG will pay a total of $510,608,909 in penalties, restitution, forfeiture, and fines. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement. Special Agents from IRS-CI’s International Tax & Financial Crimes specialty group, a team based out of Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to uncovering international tax crimes, is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in obtaining important evidence. Senior Litigation Counsels Nanette L. Davis and Mark F. Daly as well as Trial Attorney Marissa R. Brodney of the Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly M. Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. Credit Suisse Services AG - NPA - Statement of Facts.pdf Credit Suisse Services AG - NPA.pdf US v. Credit Suisse Service AG - Statement of Facts.pdf US v Credit Suisse Services AG - Information.pdf US v. Credit Suisse Service AG - Plea Agreement.pdf


title: Career Criminal Sentenced to 17 Years After Federal Adoption from Second Judicial District Attorney's Office

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man with nine prior felony convictions was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison after robbing a local Whataburger at gunpoint and firing a shot inside the restaurant to effectuate the robbery. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court records, on June 10, 2023, Jonas Brandon Sanchez , 40, entered the Whataburger in the South Valley, brandished a 9mm “ghost gun” equipped with a high-capacity magazine, and stole approximately $60. During the robbery, Sanchez fired a round into a wall when an employee walked away, endangering everyone present. The incident was captured on multiple high-resolution surveillance cameras. Sanchez firing gun inside restaurant Sanchez removing cash from drawer Sanchez pointing gun at employee On July 7, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sanchez ’s residence, recovering the firearm used in the robbery and the clothing he wore during the crime. Ballistics analysis from the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) matched the shell casing found at the scene to Sanchez ’s pistol. At the time of the offense, Sanchez was a nine-time convicted felon. Upon his release from prison, Sanchez will be subject to five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman made the announcement today. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Haynes is prosecuting this case as part of an agreement with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Through the agreement, Assistant District Attorneys are designated Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) in the United States Attorney’s Office. The SAUSA from the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office screens felony criminal complaints filed in Bernalillo County for federal criminal offenses, prioritizing federal charges against those who drive violence in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Since 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office has reviewed almost 3,000 cases and has charged more than 300 criminal cases pursuant to this program. The United States Attorney’s Office has similar agreements with the New Mexico Department of Justice and the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office and plans to expand the program throughout the state.