title: Maryland Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Directing 11 Year Child to Engage in Sexually Explicit Acts Over FaceTime

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on January 15, 2026, District Court Judge United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke, sentenced Talha Ahmed, age 28, of Towson, Maryland, to 10 years of imprisonment for the crime of Enticement of a Minor. Judge Dimke also ordered that following his sentence, Ahmed shall serve a 5 year term of supervised release, pay $15,600 in restitution to the minor victim, and register as a sex offender. According to court documents and information revealed at the sentencing hearing, on May 19, 2021, Ahmed met an 11 year old minor from the Tri-Cities on an online application. Ahmed, who resided in Maryland, continued to communicate with the 11 year old minor via text message, FaceTime, and telephone calls into the early morning hours of May 20, 2021. During the course of the communications, Ahmed directed the minor to send sexually explicit videos and images of herself. Ahmed also directed the 11 year old minor to engage in live, sexually explicit performances via FaceTime. Ahmed paid the child via an online application to engage in this conduct. This content was ultimately discovered by the victim’s mother and confirmed by evidence obtained by law enforcement officers with the Kennewick Police Department and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Dimke addressed the gravity of Ahmed’s conduct, stating that this “is an offense that has lifelong implications for the victim…and create[s] emotional insecurity that lasts a lifetime.” “This case highlights the very real dangers children face in online spaces and the devastating impact these crimes have on victims and their families. The ICAC Task Force is committed to identifying and stopping individuals who exploit children, regardless of where they are located. Through strong collaboration with our local, state, and federal partners, we were able to ensure accountability and justice for the victim in this case,” said Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Commander, Damon Jansen. “This sentence should serve as a stark warning about the dangers children face online and a call for the public to work with HSI and our federal partners to protect children from this grave harm,” said HSI Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “We commend the child’s mother, whose courage in contacting authorities was crucial to securing Ahmed’s prison time for this horrific crime of soliciting child sexual abuse material. If you suspect a child is being exploited by an adult, teen, or another child—report it to law enforcement immediately. Your action can protect a child and prevent further abuse.” “This is a case that very easily could have gone cold due to extenuating circumstances surround Ahmed’s criminal behavior. It did not go cold because of the local law enforcement and my team’s commitment to the pursuit of justice. This case also demonstrates the dangers of online interactions, and it shows how easily our children can be manipulated by an adult while online. Sadly, Ahmed’s behavior will have lasting, significant trauma to the victim and her family. I am grateful for the tireless efforts of the law enforcement agencies in the Eastern District of Washington, both state and federal, to bring justice to the victim and our community,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Serrano. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Kennewick Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel Holland.


component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Greenville Man Indicted for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material While on Parole for Similar Offenses CONCORD – A Greenville man was indicted on charges of possession and access with intent to view child sex abuse material, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. According to court documents, Paul Birner, 50, was previously convicted of possessing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) in Utah. He served a term of incarceration and, after his release, relocated to New Hampshire. As part of his sentence, the defendant was under the supervision of New Hampshire Probation/Parole (NHPPO). On September 10, 2025, NHPPO conducted a scheduled meeting with Birner and reviewed data on his cell phone. A subsequent review revealed numerous images and videos containing CSAM. 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. The charging statute provides a sentence of not less than 10, and not greater than 20 years of imprisonment. 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. The FBI is leading the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo is prosecuting the case. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.


title: Atlantic Biologicals Corporation co-owner agrees to pay half a million for alleged failure to report suspicious controlled substance orders

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 64-year-old Miami, Florida, woman has agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve violations of the Controlled Substances Act, including failing to maintain effective controls, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Karen Moody is the co-owner of Atlantic Biologicals Corporation, a licensed wholesale distributor registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration to distribute Schedule II-V controlled substances. The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with distribution warehouses there and in Morrisville, North Carolina. The company distributed pharmaceutical and medical products under its DEA registration through National Apothecary Solutions. From 2018 through at least March 2023, nearly all opioids NAS distributed were sold to Houston-area pharmacies, according to DEA records. Most were hydrocodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone in their highest strengths which are commonly diverted to the Houston-area black market. During that time, the company also distributed millions of dosage units of opioids, as well as large quantities of other commonly abused controlled substances, including carisoprodol, alprazolam and promethazine with codeine. Under the Controlled Substances Act, distributors must provide effective controls and procedures to guard against theft and diversion of controlled substances to include reporting suspicious orders and conducting due diligence on their customers. According to the allegations, NAS failed to report a single suspicious order to the DEA, despite at least 128 orders that were unusually large, deviated substantially from normal patterns or occurred with unusual frequency. “For half a decade, Moody and Atlantic Biologicals turned a blind eye to keeping these dangerous and addictive controlled substances out of the wrong hands. Now, her bill has come due,” said U.S. Attorney Ganjei. “Moody will personally pay $500,000 to the United States; this is in addition to the $450,000 her company is paying. When distributors fail to identify and report suspicious orders of controlled substances, they are a part of the problem—and they will face the consequences.” “NAS is the latest example of a drug wholesaler profiting at the expense of Houstonians, fueling the opioid crisis by allowing millions of highly addictive controlled substances to slip into the wrong hands,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian C. Leardo. “The DEA is committed to holding companies like NAS accountable and combating the illegal diversion of controlled substances that drives drug overdose deaths and crime in our communities.” DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill O. Venezia prosecuted the case. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no admission of liability.


title: Tennessee Man Pleads in Hacking U.S. Supreme Court, AmeriCorps, and VA Health System

body_text: WASHINGTON – Nicholas Moore, 24, of Springfield, Tennessee, pleaded guilty this morning in U.S. District Court in connection with hacking the electronic filing system of the U.S. Supreme Court at least 25 times and additionally hacking accounts at AmeriCorps and the Veterans Administration Health System, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Moore pleaded guilty to a one count information charging him with fraud activity in connection with computers, a Class A misdemeanor. Moore is eligible for up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 when he is sentenced by Judge Beryl A. Howell on April 17. According to court documents, the electronic filing system was restricted to authorized users. Between Aug. 29, 2023, and Oct. 22, 2023, Moore accessed the filing system without authorization using the stolen credential of an authorized user over 25 days, sometimes returning to the site multiple times on the same day. On three occasions, Moore posted screenshots to his Instagram account, @ihackedthegovernment, of his victim’s Supreme Court filing system details including the victim’s name and other information. Moore also used the stolen credentials of an authorized user of MyAmeriCorps to access a second victim’s AmeriCorps account. Between Aug. 17, 2023, and Oct. 13, 2023, Moore obtained the second victim’s personal information from the AmeriCorps servers. On Oct. 17, 2023, Moore posted that victim’s personal information to the @ihackedthegovernment Instagram account. Additionally, Moore used the stolen login credentials of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran to access the Department of Veterans Affairs “MyHealthEVet” platform on five days between Sept. 14, 2023, and Oct. 14, 2023. The hack allowed Moore to access the veteran’s private health information including prescribed medications and other intimate data. Moore then posted the veterans' health information to @ihackedthegovernment and boasted about gaining access to the VA’s servers. This case was investigated by the Supreme Court of the United States Police - Protective Intelligence Unit and the FBI Washington Field Office with assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Borchert and Rami Sibay for the District of Columbia. 26cr3


title: Southern District of Texas continues its relentless pursuit of border security, charging 319 people with new cases

body_text: HOUSTON – A total of 318 additional cases have been filed in immigration and border-related matters from Jan. 9-15, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Of those charged, 113 people face illegal entry charges, while another 180 face charges of felony reentry after removal. Many of those charged have prior felony convictions involving narcotics, violent crimes and immigration offenses. An additional 24 people are accused of engaging in human smuggling, while the remaining two face charges related to other immigration crimes. Among those charged this week are Mexican nationals Carlos Ricardo Lucio-Lucio and Fernando Soto-Guerrero. Criminal complaints allege both men attempted to unlawfully reenter the United States within six months of their most recent removals. The complaints detail that Lucio-Lucio and Soto-Guerrero were previously removed Aug. 1, 2025, and Dec. 29, 2025, respectively. Both allegedly have prior felony convictions for transporting and harboring of illegal aliens. According to court documents, law enforcement discovered both aliens within the United States without any legal authorization. Another illegal alien facing charges this week is Mexican national Maclovio Esparza-Salas, whom law enforcement allegedly discovered unlawfully in the United States near Roma. According to court documents, he was previously removed Oct. 11, 2024, and has a prior conviction for possession of a weapon. If convicted of felony illegal reentry after removal as charged, all three face up to 20 years in prison. In addition to the newly filed cases, Honduran national Jose Castro Orellana received a 54-month federal prison sentence for illegally reentering the United States without authorization. He has prior convictions for domestic violence, evading arrest and illegal reentry. He was first removed in 2012 and illegally returned twice. Two Mexican nationals in Brownsville and Corpus Christi also received prison sentences for illegal reentry after removal. Gabriel Rodriguez-Martinez received a 60-month federal prison sentence, while Jose de Jesus Galicia-Castillo received 41 months. Both have prior felony convictions for illegal reentry. These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners. The cases are 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. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Guatemalan National Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced CARLOS EGBERTO JIMENEZ-TUN, also known as Carlos Egberto-Jimenez, 28, a citizen of Guatemala, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with illegally reentering the United States after being deported. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Jimenez was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol in Texas as part of a criminal alien smuggling investigation. U.S. Border Patrol determined that Jimenez was in the U.S. illegally and he was deported to Guatemala in July 2019. In September 2019, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Jimenez in Texas again. He was arrested for being in the U.S. illegally and was deported to Guatemala in November 2019. Jimenez subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S. Between November 2023 and October 2025, Jimenez was arrested, convicted, and sentenced multiple times in Connecticut Superior Court for larceny, failure to appear in court, interfering and resisting arrest, and violating probation. Jimenez was arrested today in Bridgeport by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations following his release from state custody. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained. If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Jimenez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 2 years. U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearm and Ammunition

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty today in federal court to being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition. Gilbert Morin, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2026. In September 2025 , Morin was indicted by a federal grand jury. On May 30, 2025, police responded to a report of a man with a firearm outside of a downtown nightclub. Upon not finding the individual at the scene, officers drove a short distance away and observed a man appearing to be concealing an item in his hand. When police attempted to stop the individual, later idented as Morin, he led police on a foot chase through the Worcester Common behind City Hall. Upon being apprehended, Morin was found to have possessed a Taurus pistol, loaded with ammunition. Morin was previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Morin was arrested and charged in state court on May 30, 2025 and has remained in custody since. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 15 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 other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; and Paul Saucier, Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America . HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.


title: Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Victor Antwan Perez, age 24, to 11 Years in federal prison for armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, after a federal jury convicted him earlier this year. “Crime doesn’t pay. If you try to steal money from a bank while terrorizing the nice employees and innocent customers, you deserve to go to prison for a long time. He will spend 11 years reconsidering his antisocial behavior and hopefully become a productive member of society.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Perez entered the PNC Bank in Zebulon on the morning of February 7, 2024, wearing a ski mask with a distinctive pattern, a black jacket, grey pants, black latex gloves, lavender crocs, and a black handgun. Perez walked up to a teller, waved the handgun in her face, and demanded money while pointing the gun at her. As the teller gathered the money, Perez threatened to shoot her fingers off. Perez sped off with the stolen loot. About three weeks later, law enforcement conducted a search warrant of Perez’s home and car. They recovered the distinctive patterned mask, and matching black jacket, grey pants, black latex gloves, lavender crocs, and a black handgun. Officers also seized Perez’s phone. Forensic analysis of that phone placed it at the bank during the robbery. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Loeser and Logan Liles prosecuted the case. The Zebulon Police Department and the FBI’s Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force investigated the case. A copy of this press release is located on USAO EDNC website . Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-110-D.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico Weekly Immigration and Border Crimes Report

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics for this week. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies. In the one-week period ending January 16, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico: 60 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326) 6 individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324) 58 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325) 18 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. 797) and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. 1382), arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico. Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions for sexual assault, drug trafficking, and prior immigration offenses. In one significant case, Denis Houston Puente-Rios was charged this week with illegally re-entering the United States and assaulting a female border patrol agent who attempted to arrest him. While the agent was trying to handcuff Defendant, he wrestled with her until they fell to the ground where Defendant pinned her arms to the ground. The agent eventually broke free and struck Defendant with a rock. Defendant has criminal history for a domestic disturbance. Protecting law enforcement officers is a key part of border security. During Fiscal Year 2025, 88 El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents were assaulted, down from 103 assaults in Fiscal Year 2024. U.S. Border Patrol is collaborating closely with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office to ensure that those who assault federal officers are brought to justice. This interagency cooperation is crucial in protecting the men and women who serve on the frontlines of our nation's border security efforts and in deterring future attacks on law enforcement personnel. These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children. The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.


title: Five people arrested for alleged drug conspiracy at Dumfries motel

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Five defendants made their initial appearance in court today on charges relating to criminal activity alleged to have taken place in and around the Red Carpet Inn in Dumfries. “Drug trafficking and sex trafficking devastate communities by exploiting vulnerable individuals and fueling violence and addiction,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our office is committed to dismantling criminal enterprises that profit from human suffering. Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we will continue to hold offenders accountable and disrupt the cycles of exploitation that threaten our communities.” “These arrests stem from a joint investigation between the FBI, the Prince William County Police Department, and the Virginia State Police,” said Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal Division. “I want to thank our partners for the investigative work they have done to further this investigation and to support one of our top priorities — combating violent crime. The FBI will continue to collaborate with federal and local law enforcement agencies to dismantle drug and sex trafficking rings and bring traffickers to justice.” According to court documents, since May 2023, Kosha Sharma, aka Ma or Mama K, 52, and Tarun Sharma, aka Pop or Pa, 55, and Kosha LLC, doing business as “Red Carpet Inn,” have leased and operated the motel. As alleged in a criminal complaint, Kosha and Tarun Sharma, who are married, take a cut of the profits made from illegal activity conducted on the third floor of the hotel. From May 28, 2025, through Dec. 17, 2025, law enforcement conducted nine prostitution encounters and 15 controlled purchases of fentanyl at the Red Carpet Inn. Eleven of the controlled purchases were for fentanyl, the other four for cocaine. The complaint alleges that Margo Waldon Pierce, aka Marko, 51, distributed the illegal narcotics in all 15 controlled purchases. Joshua Roderick, aka Josh, 40, and Rashard Perrish Smith, aka Sean/Shawn, B, B-more, or Baltimore, 33, were also arrested for their alleged roles in the criminal activity at the Red Carpet Inn. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl. If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine Rosenberg and Megan Braun are prosecuting the case. The FBI, Prince William County Police Department, and Virginia State Police are investigating the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-MJ-1. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This release was revised on January 16, 2026, to correct the spelling of defendant Joshua Roderick.


title: Jefferson County Man Accused of Distributing Fatal Dose of Fentanyl

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from Jefferson County, Missouri has been accused of supplying the fentanyl that killed a man in 2024. Daryn Joshua Odell Karnes, 21, was indicted December 10 with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. The indictment accuses Karnes of supplying a mixture containing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a man in Jefferson County, Missouri on Jan. 5, 2024. A motion seeking to hold Karnes in jail until trial says the victim and his girlfriend bought capsules containing a mix of fentanyl, xylazine and heroin from someone known as “Luh Daryn.” An investigation led to Karnes, the motion says. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohsen Pasha is prosecuting the case.


title: Virginia Beach man sentenced to 45 years in prison for auto loan scheme and identity theft

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to 45 years in prison for defrauding and exploiting numerous victims including romantic partners, credit unions, auto dealers, and even strangers. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Dion Lamont Camp, 41, conned numerous women into romantic relationships and leveraged those relationships to obtain fraudulent loans and credit cards. He typically sought out women with good jobs and high credit scores, particularly enlisted U.S. Navy servicemembers. Camp caused six fraudulent loans to be issued from a national credit union in 2020 through 2022 for luxury cars that were never purchased or for which financing was obtained both from a credit union and the car dealership for the same car. Evidence presented at trial and sentencing showed that his scheme to defraud involved coercing women through repeated sexual, physical, and mental abuse. He used the proceeds of the scheme to buy luxury goods, even though he was over $100,000 in default for child support judgments for his 22 children. His proceeds from the scheme exceeded $1.7 million. On March 21, 2025, a federal jury convicted Camp on 19 charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false representation of a social security number. “Dion Camp’s fraudulent scheme inflicted lasting harm on victims who entrusted him with their financial futures,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Victims of identity theft often spend years rebuilding their credit and restoring their financial stability. This sentence demonstrates the seriousness of these crimes and sends a clear message that financial exploitation carries substantial and lasting consequences.” "Dion Camp preyed on women who were seeking connection and companionship, exploiting their trust to steal their identities and cause lasting financial and emotional harm,” said Dominique Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Norfolk Field Office. “The victims in this case were manipulated through false relationships and left to rebuild their lives after being deceived. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes and affirms that those who abuse trust for personal gain will be held accountable. The FBI remains committed to standing with victims and aggressively pursuing those who commit romance scams and identity fraud.” Camp obtained an American Express card using a victim’s personal identifying information without her knowledge. He also obtained supplemental American Express cards from the accounts of other victims using the Social Security number of an individual who had never met or had any relationship with Camp. Camp applied for a property rental in Virginia Beach using a false Social Security number, a fake credit report with a highly inflated credit score, and a false IRS business tax filing that showed that his alleged house flipping business, Camp Investments LLC, made hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Gantt prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-63.


title: Matthew L. Harvey Formally Sworn in as United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: SHEPHERDSTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Matthew L. Harvey has taken the formal oath of office in a special ceremony today at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. U.S. Attorney Harvey was nominated by President Donald J. Trump on June 30, 2025, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 7, 2025. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh administered the oath of office to U.S. Attorney Harvey and the Honorable Shelley Moore Capito, United States Senator, read the Presidential Proclamation before friends, family, and colleagues. “I am grateful that President Trump has entrusted me to enforce the law, keep our communities safe, and stand with law enforcement,” said Harvey. The Investiture Ceremony was attended by former United States Attorneys, Federal Judges, lawmakers, colleagues, staff, Harvey’s family, and friends. Messages of congratulations were shared by Senator Capito, the Honorable Riley Moore, United States Congressman, as well as video messages from the Honorable Jim Justice, United States Senator, and the Honorable Carol Miller, United States Congresswoman. Randall Reid-Smith, with Senator Justice’s office, sang the National Anthem. The Jefferson High School ROTC presented the colors at the ceremony and were invited as honored guests by U.S. Attorney Harvey. Shepherd University President Dr. Mary Hendrix and the Shepherd University Ram Marching Band also helped to celebrate the day. The ceremony was followed by a reception hosted by U.S. Attorney Harvey’s family. As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Harvey oversees the prosecution of federal crimes including violent crime, narcotics trafficking, public corruption, financial fraud, and offenses impacting vulnerable populations. He also supervises civil litigation on behalf of the United States, defending federal agencies and advancing the government’s legal interests. Mr. Harvey previously served as the Prosecuting Attorney for Jefferson County, having been elected to three terms, after having served as an Assistant Prosecutor in both Berkeley and Kanawha Counties. Mr. Harvey has an extensive career within the criminal justice system. Prior to his time as the elected Prosecutor for Jefferson County, he spent six years in private practice. From 2021 to 2022, Mr. Harvey served as president of the West Virginia Association of Counties and has been active in many civic organizations. The most rewarding of which came in 2023, when Mr. Harvey was appointed by then governor, James C. Justice to serve on the board of the West Virginia First Foundation. The Foundation was created to receive and disburse Opioid Funds from the state’s litigation against drug manufacturers and distributors, which are used to fund programs and services that promote the health and safety of West Virginians. Mr. Harvey was selected by the Foundation’s board to serve as its first chairman, where he continued to serve until his confirmation by the United States Senate. A graduate of Bluefield State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, he went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the Appalachian School of Law. Mr. Harvey is a proud native of Monroe County and currently resides in Shepherdstown.


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy and Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Mexican National, Israel Ortiz Velasco, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves to 300 months for a money laundering conspiracy and a conspiracy to import controlled substances into the United States, including 400 grams or more of fentanyl and five kilograms or more of cocaine. According to his plea agreement, from approximately June to December 2017, Ortiz agreed with others to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, knowing and intending that those drugs would be unlawfully imported from Mexico into the United States for distribution. During the conspiracies to distribute drugs and to launder money, Ortiz was in Mexico, and his Mexico-based coconspirators supplied the fentanyl and cocaine imported into the Eastern District of Kentucky. Ortiz admitted his role in the distribution of kilograms of powder fentanyl and fentanyl pressed into counterfeit pills, and approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine. Once the drugs were distributed in the Eastern District of Kentucky, the bulk cash proceeds of distribution were collected and transferred to Mexico by wire transfers, structured deposits at financial institutions, and other money laundering methods. Under federal law, Ortiz must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon Ortiz’s release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years. Paul C. McCaffrey, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Lawrence Weathers, Chief of Police, Lexington Police Department, and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the DEA and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from FBI, ATF, DEA, IRS, and HSI with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. — END —


title: Human Trafficking Prevention Month

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern


title: Man sentenced for PPP loan fraud of more than half a million dollars

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri man was sentenced to 21 months in prison for submitting false information on applications for disaster relief loans resulting in a loss of $522,000 for the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") was intended to provide financial relief to business owners dealing with economic losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to court documents, Dion Daniel, 36, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. As part of his sentence, Daniel must pay $552,214 in restitution. In 2020, Daniel lied on multiple PPP loan applications about the number of employees and the amount of monthly payroll expenses at his two Missouri-based businesses. He submitted Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms with the loan applications that had not been filed with the IRS. Daniel attempted to conceal spending loan proceeds for his personal use instead of for business expenses. He wrote checks to individuals who did not work for him. After they cashed the checks, Daniel gave them part of the money and kept the rest for himself. “Although we are now years removed from the COVID-19 pandemic, prosecutions continue of individuals who abused the Paycheck Protection Program,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “To those of you who committed perjury to get government money you weren’t entitled to, don’t think because you haven’t yet faced justice that you’re in the clear. We’re federal prosecutors. We don’t overlook crimes, nor do we forget about the people who commit them.” “When the CARES Act was enacted into law nearly six years ago, the federal government simplified the loan application process to get relief into the hands of desperate small businesses as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, fraudsters found ways to exploit the process,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation St. Louis Special Agent in Charge William Steenson. “Our special agents are experts at uncovering where funds originated and where they were spent. We’re proud to use our expertise alongside our law enforcement partners to bring accountability for hardworking taxpayers.” The IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Oakley prosecuted the case. ###


title: Mexican Child Rapist Alien Charged with Perjury  and Immigration Fraud

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – On January 6, Juarez Sanchez-Montiel, 41, a Mexican alien had an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge. On November 18, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Sanchez with perjury and immigration fraud. The indictment alleges that Sanchez lied about his criminal history on his application to obtain a non-immigrant visa. “We take protecting our children and borders very seriously.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. We will continue to focus on investigations into this type of alleged behavior to bring justice, safety, and prosperity to North Carolina and The United States.” According to the indictment and previously issued court documents, Sanchez allegedly knowingly made materially false statements under penalty of perjury on his application to obtain a non-immigrant visa when he submitted it to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) in November of 2021. In response to the questions “Have you EVER committed a crime or offense for which you have not been arrested?” and “Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following:…[e]ngaging in any kind of sexual conduct or relations with any person who was being forced or threatened?” he answered “No.” On December 11, 2023, in Montgomery County Superior Court, a grand jury returned two indictments against Sanchez. The first charged him with one count of first-degree statutory rape, two counts of statutory rape of a child under the age of 15, and three counts of sex act by a substitute parent or custodian for crimes he allegedly committed against the first victim in May 2016. The second indictment charged him with three counts of statutory sex offenses with a child and three counts of sex act by substitute parent or guardian, for crimes he allegedly committed against the second victim in September 2023. On August 19, 2024, Sanchez was convicted of statutory rape of a child under the age of 15, statutory sex offense with child under the age of 15, and two counts of sex act by substitute parent or custodian. The Superior Court Judge sentenced him to a term of imprisonment of between 216 and 320 months and ordered to register as a sex offender. Sanchez confessed to having committed the offenses in 2016 and 2023. Both victims were under the age of 13 and the crimes resulted in the birth of two children. Sanchez is charged in a two-count indictment. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. ICE ERO officers are investigating the case as part of Operation False Haven , an ongoing initiative designed to aggressively target child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtain immigration benefits. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:25-CR-00114. An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.


title: Port Huron Resident Pleads Guilty to Stealing $900,000 From His Employer

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – Peter Paulus, 51, of Port Huron, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon. Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to court documents, between November 2020 and August 2023, Paulus worked as a sales manager at Countertops Direct in Harrison Township, Michigan. During this time, Paulus devised a scheme to divert customer credit card payments from Countertops Direct to bank accounts that he controlled. To cover up the scheme, he falsified transaction display information and receipts, making it appear that the money that he appropriated was in fact remitted to Countertops Direct. Paulus embezzled approximately $900,000 from his employer. "Peter Paulus’s guilty plea reaffirms that financial crimes carried out through deception come with consequences,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Our team from the FBI Macomb County Resident Agency continues to do outstanding work, alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, with the goal of protecting public trust and ensuring financial crimes are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.” Sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2026. A conviction for wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alyse Wu and Philip A. Ross.


title: High-ranking Sinaloa Cartel member extradited to Atlanta to face cocaine trafficking charges

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA – Following his extradition from Mexico to the United States, Roberto Najera Gutierrez, a/k/a Kunfu Panda and a/k/a La Gallina, pleaded not guilty in the Northern District of Georgia to a federal charge of conspiring to manufacture and distribute cocaine that he knew would be imported into the United States. "Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and our brave DEA agents, the cartels are no longer free to import poison into our communities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We appreciate the work of our Office of International Affairs which secured the extradition of this alleged narco-terrorist, and our attorneys in the Northern District of Georgia will ensure he’s met with swift justice in the United States.” “As a senior member of the brutal Sinaloa Cartel, Najera Gutierrez is allegedly responsible for distributing massive amounts of cocaine from South America and through Mexico that were intended to poison communities in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “This federal indictment, as well as the recent arraignment in Atlanta of alleged Sinaloa Cartel trafficker Zhi Dong Zhang, demonstrates the global reach of the Drug Enforcement Administration and underscores that narco-terrorists abroad will ultimately face justice in American courtrooms.” “This indictment is part of a multi-agency collaboration dedicated to dismantling transnational criminal organizations responsible for drug trafficking and violence,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Through sustained cooperation, we are holding cartel leaders accountable and reducing the harm they cause to our communities.” “IRS-CI is proud to stand alongside our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks responsible for trafficking massive amounts of cocaine and other illegal drugs into the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information presented in court: In 2013, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation of drug traffickers working with the Sinaloa Cartel to transport cocaine from South America to Mexico for importation into the United States, including into the Northern District of Georgia. The Sinaloa Cartel is a transnational criminal group based in Mexico. On February 20, 2025, the Sinaloa Cartel was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. As part of the investigation, agents identified Roberto Najera Gutierrez as a then-high-ranking member of the cartel who allegedly led and coordinated the transportation of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine by boat from Colombia and Ecuador to Honduras and Guatemala. Once the drugs were in Central America, they were smuggled across the Guatemalan border into Mexico. Najera Gutierrez allegedly distributed that cocaine to other high-level drug traffickers in Mexico who imported the cocaine into Atlanta, Chicago, and the states of Florida, New York, and California. Najera Gutierrez also allegedly coordinated the collection and remission of drug proceeds through bank accounts. Roberto Najera Gutierrez, 48, of Tizimín, Yucatán, Mexico, is in federal custody. The recently unsealed indictment against Najera Gutierrez was returned in March 2018. In October 2023, Najera Gutierrez was served with a warrant pursuant to the U.S. request for his extradition. On January 8, 2026, he was extradited from Mexico and surrendered to the United States. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the DEA and IRS Criminal Investigation. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in transporting Najera Gutierrez from Mexico to appear before the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Georgia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurel Milam and Jonell L. Lucca are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department Criminal Division Office of Enforcement Operations assisted in the investigation, and the Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and January 8, 2026, extradition of Najera Gutierrez. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. These prosecutions are also part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Anchorage woman indicted, arrested for wire, bank fraud scheme involving mail theft and aggravated identity theft

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage woman was arrested Wednesday in Anchorage after a federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment last month alleging she executed a wire and bank fraud scheme where she stole victims’ personal identifying information to use in fraudulently obtaining funds from several Alaskan organizations and financial institutions. According to court documents, between February 2021 and February 2022, Dusty Starr, 47, devised and executed a scheme to defraud and obtain money from victims through materially false and fraudulent pretenses. The indictment alleges Starr executed a wire fraud scheme using stolen identities to fraudulently apply for rent relief funds available during the pandemic. On one occasion in July 2021, Starr applied for rent relief funds using a fraudulently created email account with information stolen from a victim. Starr used the victim’s stolen identity and a fraudulent business certificate she obtained in the victim’s name for an LLC to apply. In the application, Starr falsely claimed that the victim was a landlord needing help with a renter who could not pay rent. Between July and November 2021, three separate payments were made to a bank account Starr fraudulently opened in the victim’s name and that Starr controlled. The three payments totaled to over $17,000. Starr used similar conduct on other occasions to obtain additional funds. The total estimated loss from Starr’s fraudulent applications for rent relief is over $47,500. Court documents also allege that Starr committed bank fraud by forging checks belonging to Alaska organizations to steal funds from their accounts at various financial institutions. On one occasion in September 2021, Starr deposited a forged check funded from a religious organization’s account at a federally insured financial institution to a different account in her name for $918. The organization reported the check and others to the Alaska State Troopers (AST). AST and the financial institution identified five fraudulent checks and one unauthorized electronic funds transfer from the organization’s account. The religious organization’s total estimated loss from the fraudulent transactions is over $6,250. Starr used similar conduct on other occasions to steal additional funds from other Alaska organizations. Starr is charged with three counts of wire fraud, three counts of bank fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft and two counts of possession of stolen mail. The defendant is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Jan. 20, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for each aggravated identity theft charge, and up to 30 years in prison for the other charges. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman of the District of Alaska, Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Seattle Division Office and Chief Sean Case of the Anchorage Police Department made the announcement. More information about this case is available at www.justice.gov/usao-ak/united-states-v-dusty-starr . The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Anchorage Domicile and APD are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. If anyone has information concerning Starr’s alleged actions, please contact the USPIS Hotline at 877-876-2455 or online at USPIS.gov/report . Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Stewart is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Jacksonville Woman Charged with Assaulting Officers Conducting an Immigration Operation

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida - Jennifer Susan Cruz (40, Jacksonville) has been charged by complaint with assaulting officers conducting an immigration operation. If convicted, Cruz faces a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to the complaint, federal immigration officers, assisted by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), were conducting an operation in Jacksonville to locate and administratively arrest aliens who were illegally present in the United States. Cruz was driving by and was recording on her cell phone as an FHP Trooper was pulling over a vehicle for a traffic infraction. Cruz parked near the site of the traffic stop and was yelling at the Trooper as she continued to record. Immigration officers subsequently determined that the two occupants of the vehicle were aliens who were illegally present in the United States. Another Trooper approached Cruz and talked with her about using her cell phone while driving. He asked for Cruz’s driver’s license, and she stated that she did not have it but that she had a photograph of it on her cell phone. During this interaction, Cruz was argumentative, standoffish, and continued recording. The Trooper advised Cruz that he had no issue with her recording and that his concern was solely her unsafe and unlawful use of a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. During the encounter, Cruz made unsolicited and inflammatory statements, asking whether the Trooper supported the “Nazis,” which she clarified as referring to ICE, and asking him not to shoot her in the face. The Trooper advised Cruz that ICE officers were present in an official capacity and that he was not there to discuss personal or political beliefs, but solely to address her traffic violation. Cruz showed the Trooper a photograph of her driver’s license and the Trooper told Cruz to remain in her vehicle while he conducted further investigation. A records check revealed that Cruz’s license was suspended as of June 17, 2025. Because Cruz’s license was suspended, the Trooper requested a tow truck to impound Cruz’s vehicle, as she was not legally authorized to operate it. While the Trooper was waiting for the tow truck, Cruz drove away. Multiple Troopers immediately activated their emergency lights and sirens and maneuvered their patrol vehicles to box in Cruz’s vehicle, and they stopped it approximately 200 feet away from the traffic stop. After the vehicle was stopped, the Trooper advised Cruz that the traffic stop had not been concluded, and that the vehicle was going to be towed because her license was suspended. He told her to exit the vehicle and surrender the keys so that the vehicle could be released to the tow company. Cruz exited the vehicle but immediately became verbally hostile, cursing at the officers, and repeatedly refusing to surrender the keys. In response to the Trooper’s directives, Cruz said that she was “ready to go” and, when asked, stated that she meant that she was ready to fight. When a Trooper attempted to retrieve the keys from Cruz, Cruz struck the Trooper in the face with a closed fist. Multiple officers then converged on Cruz to arrest her for the assault. Cruz resisted arrest, including by attempting to strike and kick the officers. As Cruz continued to struggle with them, officers took her to an FHP patrol vehicle, during which she attempted to kick the Trooper whom she had punched. As officers were trying to place Cruz inside the vehicle, Cruz kicked at an ICE officer, a Customs and Border Protection agent, and a Trooper, and successfully struck the CBP agent and ICE officer, whose left hand was injured. Officers were eventually able to secure Cruz in the patrol vehicle, but she continued kicking at the vehicle’s windows, roof, and in-car camera. While being transported in the patrol vehicle, Cruz stated that her actions were not worth the incident escalating “over a set of car keys.” Later, while awaiting further transportation, Cruz made a phone call in which she said that she messed up “really ugly” and that what she did was not okay. She subsequently told the Trooper who she had punched that she was sorry for hurting her, that she was not sure why she acted that way, and that she knew that the Trooper had a job to do. A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO), the Florida Highway Patrol, FBI-Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.


title: District Man Sentenced to 21 Years for April 2023 Murder at Southeast Apartment Complex

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Darrell Hinkle, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 21 years in prison for the April 2023 murder of Dajuan Blakney in front of an apartment complex in Southeast Washington, DC, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. On September 4, 2025, defendant Hinkle pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed in D.C. Superior Court. In sentencing the defendant, the Honorable Jason Park accepted the agreed-to sentencing range of 17 to 21 years and sentenced the defendant to 21 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. According to the government’s evidence, at 12:01 a.m. on April 21, 2023, Hinkle parked his vehicle in front of an apartment complex located at 1511 19th Street SE. Thereafter, the defendant approached the victim, who was seated on the steps leading to the entrance of the complex. When Hinkle was within a few feet of the victim, he shot him with an assault-style rifle, killing him. He then fled the scene in his vehicle. The defendant was arrested in October of 2023 and has been in custody since. Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was investigated by officers, detectives, and other personnel of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Carson. 2023 CF1 007468


title: Defense Contractor President Sentenced to 48 Months in Bribery Scheme

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Philip Flores, the owner, president, and chief executive of Intellipeak Solutions, Inc., a former defense contractor based out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was sentenced in federal court today to 48 months’ custody, after admitting that he participated in a bribery scheme with former Naval Information Warfare Center employee James Soriano. In announcing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson explained that the “fraud was pervasive” and “it is hard to understate in terms of this area of business practice any offense conduct which would be of a more serious nature – it goes to heart of the fairness of the contracting system.” U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson also ordered Flores to pay $80,500 in restitution to three victims of the offense. According to his plea agreement, Flores gave various things of value to Soriano, including expensive meals at restaurants in San Diego and Washington, D.C., field level tickets and parking passes to Game 5 of the 2018 World Series in Los Angeles, and tickets to the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. The cost of tickets to these premier sporting events totaled over $18,000. In return, Soriano used his position as a contracting officer’s representative at the Naval Information Warfare Center to ensure that Intellipeak was awarded numerous no-bid contracts through the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program. Soriano secured the contracts by falsifying technical evaluations, providing high ratings to Intellipeak to do the contracted work, and approving Intellipeak’s invoices on the awarded contracts, despite knowing that Intellipeak was not doing the work but instead subcontracting out all or most of the work to non-8(a) companies in violation of the SBA 8(a) rules. Soriano also exploited competitive contracting through the SBA 8(a) program to benefit Intellipeak over other contractors. For example, Soriano secretly allowed Flores to draft contract discriminators to ensure that Intellipeak was selected as a winning bidder on a competitive contract. Soriano also allowed Flores to secretly draft procurement documents for an $87 million competitive contract and then performed multiple steps to attempt to award the contract to Intellipeak even though its bid was $7 million higher than another contractor. According to his plea agreement, Flores also exploited Intellipeak’s 8(a) small business status by marketing Intellipeak to other defense contractors, who were not part of the 8(a) program, as a way for those companies to get access to 8(a) sole source contracts, generally in exchange for “pass through” fee that was equal to 6 to 8 percent of the contract value. Flores charged his 6 to 8 percent fee to the government, which Soriano approved, even though both knew that Intellipeak was not doing the work on the contracts and the fee did not reflect performed work. According to his plea agreement, as a result of the conspiracy, the government paid Intellipeak more than $16 million to perform work on approximately 26 government contracts and task orders. The profit Intellipeak made from these contracts and task orders was conservatively estimated to be between $550,000 and $1.5 million despite performing little to no work on them. According to the United States’ sentencing memorandum, this was not the first time that Flores and Intellipeak defrauded the government. Years before the bribery conspiracy, Flores engaged in a separate scheme to draft procurement documents and use sham quotes to ensure Intellipeak would be awarded millions of dollars of contracts through the SBA 8(a) program. Once obtained, Flores subcontracted the work to other companies in exchange for a fee. In 2022, Flores was indicted in the Northern District of Georgia with one count of conspiracy and two counts of major fraud against the United States. Flores went to trial and was found guilty of all charges. Flores was sentenced to four months in custody and allowed to remain on bond pending the resolution of his appeal. “The integrity of the procurement process is not for sale,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “Those who trade bribes for government contracts undermine our warfighters and betray the American taxpayer—and they will be held accountable.” "The successful prosecution of Mr. Flores underscores the serious consequences for undermining the integrity of the Department of Defense’s procurement process. This outcome serves as a significant deterrent to any individual who would exploit their position for personal financial gain at the expense of U.S. taxpayers," said John E. Helsing, Special Agent in Charge for the DoD Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “DCIS remains committed to working with the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to root out public corruption within the DoD.” "The integrity of our defense acquisitions is built on fairness and transparency, but Mr. Flores’ illicit bribery scheme eroded that foundation and betrayed the public's trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS remains steadfast in protecting the Department of the Navy procurement process by holding wrongdoers accountable and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent in accordance with the law.” “Today’s sentence sends a clear message: Anyone who exploits a position of trust to fuel personal greed will be found and held accountable,” said Marcus Sykes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Funneling money into bribery schemes instead of delivering promised services undermines the integrity of federal programs. HHS-OIG will continue collaborating with our law enforcement partners to pursue justice against those who defraud the American people.” "This sentencing shows what happens when someone abuses the system for personal gain. Philip Flores cheated taxpayers and hurt fair competition for government contracts,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Los Angeles Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation remains steadfast in working with our law enforcement partners to follow the money, expose corruption, and ensure that those who exploit positions of trust are held fully accountable." “Fraud and bribery have no place in SBA programs. SBA-OIG is committed to protecting the integrity of the 8(a) program and ensuring these opportunities benefit eligible small businesses,” said SBA Inspector General William Kirk. “We will continue partnering with DOJ and law enforcement to pursue accountability and safeguard taxpayer funds.” “The 8(a) Program is designed for legitimate small businesses in federal contracting – not as a vehicle for DEI, bribery, or political agendas,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “SBA is grateful to our law enforcement partners for their work to stop fraud and put criminals behind bars. We will continue to audit participants and investigate the 8(a) Program, while implementing oversight and accountability on behalf of America’s taxpayers and job creators.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Swan and Carling E. Donovan. DEFENDANT Case Number 23-cr-2282-TWR-2 Philip Flores Age: 53 Nashville, TN SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Commit Bribery - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371 Maximum penalty: Five years in prison; a maximum $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest. INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Defense Criminal Investigative Service Naval Criminal Investigative Service Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General If you have information regarding fraud, waste, or abuse relating to Department of Defense personnel or operations, please contact the DoD Hotline at 800-424-9098


title: False Claims Act Settlements and Judgments Exceed $6.8B in Fiscal Year 2025

component: Civil Division

body_text: Settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act exceeded $6.8 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, announced today. That amount is the highest in a single year in the history of the False Claims Act. This year, whistleblowers filed 1,297 qui tam lawsuits, the highest number in a single year, and the government opened 401 investigations, including matters announced as Administration policy objectives . Settlements and judgments since 1986, when Congress substantially strengthened the civil False Claims Act, now total more than $85 billion. “Stopping rampant fraud is a top priority, and this record-breaking year proves the False Claims Act remains one of the government’s most powerful weapons against fraud,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We will continue to aggressively deploy it to protect taxpayer dollars and hold all fraudsters accountable.” “The achievements announced today reflect exemplary work by the Department’s dedicated employees to investigate and litigate cases involving fraud against the government and to ensure that America’s taxpayer dollars are used for their intended purpose,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The False Claims Act and its whistleblower provisions are crucial tools for ensuring that public funds are spent properly and in the public interest.” “The False Claims Act is at its best when it protects taxpayers and the Americans who rely on government programs,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brenna Jenny of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department’s False Claims Act enforcement is guided by a simple principle: the statute is a powerful tool, and it should be used responsibly. The record-breaking recoveries announced today show our commitment to holding bad actors accountable, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and protecting vulnerable populations.” The False Claims Act imposes treble damages and penalties on those who knowingly and falsely claim money from the United States or knowingly fail to pay money owed to the United States. The False Claims Act thus safeguards government programs and operations that provide access to medical care, support our military and first responders, protect American businesses and workers, help build and repair infrastructure, offer disaster and other emergency relief, and provide many other critical services and benefits. The resolutions in fiscal year 2025 also reflect the Department’s focus on key enforcement areas, including combating fraud in the federal health care system and in the government’s procurement, loan, and grant programs and redressing the improper avoidance of tariffs and customs duties that are owed. Health care fraud remained a leading source of False Claims Act settlements and judgments. Of the more than $6.8 billion in False Claims Act settlements and judgments reported by the Department of Justice this past fiscal year, over $5.7 billion related to matters that involved the health care industry. These recoveries restore funds to federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, the health care program for service members and their families. But just as important, in many cases, enforcement of the False Claims Act also protects patients from medically unnecessary or potentially harmful conduct. As in years past, the Act was used to pursue matters involving a wide array of health care providers, goods, and services. Most notably, the Department continued and expanded its success in three major areas: Managed Care, Prescription Drugs, and Medically Unnecessary Care. The amounts included in the $5.7 billion reflect recoveries arising only from federal losses, but in many of these cases, the department was instrumental in recovering additional amounts for state Medicaid programs. The Department also continued its pursuit of fraud matters involving the purchase of goods and services by the government. Fraud on the military squanders government funds, can deprive servicemembers of critical resources and potentially put them at risk, and creates potential national security risks. The Department also continued to advance cases holding government contractors and grantees accountable when they knowingly violate applicable cybersecurity requirements. It likewise continued to invest resources in recovering hundreds of millions of dollars lost to fraud in pandemic programs. Finally, the Department directed resources to combatting fraud that evades tariffs and customs duties, launching a cross-agency Trade Fraud Task Force to enhance efforts to prevent trade fraud that deprives the government of vital revenues, threatens critical domestic industries, undermines consumer confidence, and weakens national security. These matters focus on those who attempt to misrepresent the type of goods imported or an item’s country of origin or disguise items to evade duties. In furtherance of its efforts to recover funds for the public fisc, the Department remained committed to incentivizing and rewarding entities and individuals that self-disclose misconduct, demonstrably cooperate in the course of an investigation, and take effective remedial measures. Several settlements over the last year acknowledged such cooperative measures and reflected credits afforded to the defendants in the form of reduced penalties or damage multiples in connection with the resolution, including several of the matters discussed in the attached Fact Sheet . These cooperative measures can include self-disclosures, assistance with the determination of government losses, disclosures of internal investigations and facts not known to the government, and remedial measures such as implementing compliance program enhancements or terminating or separating culpable employees. In 1986, through the leadership of Senator Charles Grassley, Congress strengthened the False Claims Act by increasing incentives for whistleblowers to file lawsuits alleging false claims on behalf of the government. These whistleblower, or qui tam, actions comprise a significant percentage of the False Claims Act cases that are filed. Qui tam cases may be pursued by the government or the whistleblower, and this past year, significant recoveries were obtained by both. When a qui tam action is successful, the whistleblower, also known as the relator, typically receives a portion of the recovery ranging between 15% and 30%. The 1,297 qui tam suits filed in fiscal year 2025 breaks the prior record set in 2024 of 980 such cases. This past year, the Justice Department reported settlements and judgments exceeding $5.3 billion in these and earlier-filed qui tam suits. On behalf of the Civil Division, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jenny expressed appreciation for the many public servants over the past year who supported the department’s enforcement efforts. “The results of the past fiscal year are the product of a talented team of civil servants who pursue righteous FCA cases and return funds to American taxpayers. These hard-working individuals tackle the most complex civil fraud matters and serve at offices across the country, including the Fraud Section of the Civil Division, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the agency Offices of Inspector General and Offices of General Counsel, and many other federal and state agencies that contribute to this important work.” Except where indicated, the government’s claims in the matters described in the attached Fact Sheet are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. The numbers contained in this press release may differ slightly from the original press releases due to accrued interest. View the statistics sheet here .


title: D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Pointing a Gun at Taxi Driver

body_text: WASHINGTON – Erick Blanco-Cordova, 24, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to pointing a firearm at a taxicab driver in November 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Blanco-Cordova pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. The Honorable Judge Robert Salerno scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2026. Blanco-Cordova’s codefendant, Lesly Taracena, was found guilty by a jury in April 2025 of conspiracy to commit an armed crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and other related charges, and was sentenced to five years in prison in June 2025. According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 6:55 p.m., on November 11, 2019, Blanco-Cordova and Taracena were picked up in Arlington, Virginia by the victim, a taxicab driver, and asked to be taken to Union Station in Washington, D.C. The victim drove the defendants to the corner of 7 th and F Street, NW, at which point Blanco-Cordova and Taracena exited the victim’s taxicab without paying their fare. The victim followed them and asked them to pay. Taracena turned around and pulled a firearm out of her pocket, pointing it at the victim while Blanco-Cordova stood next to her. The victim ran away in fear. When MPD stopped the defendants, they found a 40 caliber Smith and Wesson SD40VE semi-automatic handgun on Blanco-Cordova. Blanco-Cordova was arrested in Maryland in March 2025 on weapons charges and has been in custody ever since. This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katerina Qesari. The co-defendant Lesly Taracena was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Skopicki and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katerina Qesari. 2019 CF3 014456


title: High-Ranking Sinaloa Cartel Member Extradited from Mexico to Atlanta to Face Cocaine Trafficking Charges

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Following his extradition from Mexico to the United States, Roberto Najera Gutierrez, also known as “Kunfu Panda” and “La Gallina,” pleaded not guilty in the Northern District of Georgia to a federal charge of conspiring to manufacture and distribute cocaine that he knew would be imported into the United States. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and our brave DEA agents, the cartels are no longer free to import poison into our communities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We appreciate the work of our Office of International Affairs which secured the extradition of this alleged narco-terrorist and our attorneys in the Northern District of Georgia will ensure he’s met with swift justice in the United States.” “As a senior member of the brutal Sinaloa Cartel, Najera Gutierrez is allegedly responsible for distributing massive amounts of cocaine from South America and through Mexico that were intended to poison communities in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “This federal indictment, as well as the recent arraignment in Atlanta of alleged Sinaloa Cartel trafficker Zhi Dong Zhang, demonstrates the global reach of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and underscores that narco-terrorists abroad will ultimately face justice in American courtrooms.” “This indictment is part of a multi-agency collaboration dedicated to dismantling transnational criminal organizations responsible for drug trafficking and violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Through sustained cooperation, we are holding cartel leaders accountable and reducing the harm they cause to our communities.” “IRS-CI is proud to stand alongside our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks responsible for trafficking massive amounts of cocaine and other illegal drugs into the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Atlanta Field Office. According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information presented in court: In 2013, DEA agents began an investigation of drug traffickers working with the Sinaloa Cartel to transport cocaine from South America to Mexico for importation into the United States, including into the Northern District of Georgia. The Sinaloa Cartel is a transnational criminal group based in Mexico. On Feb. 20, 2025, the Sinaloa Cartel was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. As part of the investigation, agents identified Roberto Najera Gutierrez as a then-high-ranking member of the cartel who allegedly led and coordinated the transportation of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine by boat from Colombia and Ecuador to Honduras and Guatemala. Once the drugs were in Central America, they were smuggled across the Guatemalan border into Mexico. Najera Gutierrez allegedly distributed that cocaine to other high-level drug traffickers in Mexico who imported the cocaine into Atlanta, Chicago, and the states of Florida, New York, and California. Najera Gutierrez also allegedly coordinated the collection and remission of drug proceeds through bank accounts. Roberto Najera Gutierrez, 48, of Tizimín, Yucatán, Mexico, is in federal custody. The recently unsealed indictment against Najera Gutierrez was returned in March 2018. In October 2023, Najera Gutierrez was served with a warrant pursuant to the U.S. request for his extradition. On Jan. 8, 2026, he was extradited from Mexico and surrendered to the United States. This case is being investigated by the DEA and IRS-CI. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in transporting Najera Gutierrez from Mexico to appear before the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Georgia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurel Milam and Jonell L. Lucca for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations assisted in the investigation, and the Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and Jan. 8 extradition from Mexico of Najera Gutierrez. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. These prosecutions are also part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.


title: Boyfriend Who Strangled His Romantic Partner Pleads Guilty

body_text: WASHINGTON – Marcus Hazel, 32, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to strangling his romantic partner Sandy Watts, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Hazel pleaded guilty today in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to a charge of strangulation. A Superior Court judge released the defendant today over the government’s objection pending sentencing, which is set for March 20, 2026. According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 9:00 a.m., on November 28, 2025, the defendant and Ms. Watts were at an apartment in the 2700 block of New York Avenue, NE, when Hazel became angry about losing his cell phone. Ms. Watts offered to let the defendant use her cell phone until his was found or he bought a new one. Hazel became upset by this response and told Ms. Watts he did not want to use her phone. He wanted her to buy him a new cell phone. He began cursing at Ms. Watts and arguing with her. She asked the defendant several times to leave the apartment. He then placed both hands around Ms. Watts’ neck, applying pressure and restricting her ability to breathe. After that, he slammed the victim to the floor and continued applying pressure to her neck with both hands, again restricting her breathing. By the time Hazel released her, the victim had nearly lost consciousness. He then fled the scene on foot. The defendant was arrested on November 29, 2025, and has been in custody ever since. Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elias Feldman of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. 2025 CF3 016192


title: 40 Year Prison Term for Man Who Murdered Woman Inside Her Hotel Room in March 2023

body_text: WASHINGTON – George Sydnor, 46, of Washington, DC, was sentenced today for charges related to the stabbing of Christy Bautista, 31, in March 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Sydnor pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder while armed (premeditated) on October 17, 2025. Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz sentenced Sydnor to the prison term to be followed by five years of supervised release. “The victim, Christy Bautista, was visiting D.C. to attend a concert—an experience that should have been safe and routine,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Instead, this monster brazenly rode his bike up to her motel, entered her room, and launched a deadly stabbing attack against an innocent woman. Today’s 40-year prison sentence delivers justice and sends a clear message: those who commit acts of extreme violence will be held fully accountable.” According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 5:22 p.m., on March 31, 2023, the victim, Ms. Bautista, arrived at the Ivy City Hotel, located in the 1600 block of New York Avenue Northeast, D.C., after traveling from her home in Harrisonburg, Virginia to D.C. to attend a concert. She rented a room at the hotel and, after checking in, began to unload her personal items from her car. Sydnor was captured on surveillance footage, arriving at the hotel on a rideshare bike, approximately an hour and a half later. The defendant rode his bike towards a group of hotel rooms located on the ground floor—near Ms. Bautista’s room. The rooms were accessible from the street. Sydnor parked his bike in front of Ms. Bautista’s window and then stood at her door as if listening in before abruptly entering her room slamming the door behind him. Once inside, the defendant attacked Ms. Bautista, stabbing her multiple times, killing her. Hotel surveillance footage captured several loud thud noises immediately after Sydnor entered Ms. Bautista’s room and a witness heard a woman screaming for help. At the time of this offense, Sydnor was on release for a previous attempted robbery case. Sydnor was arrested on March 31, 2023, and has been in custody since. Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended those who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Santiago and Lindsey Merikas, who prosecuted the case.


title: Former postal employee sentenced for stealing gift cards and money from the mail

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Anita D. Miller, 42, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of theft of mail by a postal employee and delay of mail by a postal employee, was sentenced to serve three years’ probation and 100 community service by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who handled the case, stated that on six occasions in February and March 2022, Miller, while employed by the U.S. Postal Service, stole gift cards and cash from mailed envelopes. In addition, one two occasions in March 2022, Miller delayed delivery of mailed envelopes. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent-in-Charge Northeast Field Office. # # # #


title: U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller Commends the  Confirmation and Swearing-In of Former  Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook as  District Court Judge for the Western District of Louisiana

component: USAO - Louisiana, Western

body_text: LAFAYETTE– Alexander C. Van Hook has been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. This confirmation comes after a long and impactful tenure as a prosecutor and supervisor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. After being sworn in by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter, Mr. Van Hook began his service on the bench on January 13, 2026. “Alec’s impact on the Office as a manager was profound and lasting, but people will remember him most as a prosecutor’s prosecutor and a lawyer’s lawyer—as someone who exemplifies the qualities that our society demands of its leaders in the criminal justice system,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “I have no doubt that Alec will carry his deep experience and the wisdom he’s gained into this new role in public service, continuing the work of achieving justice for our Louisiana community.” Mr. Van Hook served in a variety of leadership positions in his 26+ years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Those roles including his leading the office as Acting U.S. Attorney during three separate timespans: from March 2017 to April 2018, from August 2020 to December 2021, and finally from January 2025 through September 2025. Mr. Van Hook also served as the Office’s Deputy Criminal Chief, First Assistant United States Attorney, and Special Counsel to the United States Attorney, as well as a line prosecutor who prosecuted and tried cases for many years. Mr. Van Hook graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and from Louisiana State University Law School in 1997. After law school, Mr. Van Hook served as a law clerk for United States District Court Judge Tom Stagg in the Western District of Louisiana and then for Judge Henry A. Politz in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals before joining the Office in 1999. Van Hook, 55, was nominated by President Trump on October 21, 2025, and the United States Senate confirmed his nomination on January 8, 2026. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla . ### CONTACT: Public Affairs United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Louisiana USALAW-News@usdoj.gov www.justice.gov/usao-wdla Twitter @USAO_WDLA


title: Justice Department Sues Virginia for Failure to Produce Voter Rolls

body_text: WASHINGTON – Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced it has filed a federal lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Virginia for failure to produce their full voter registration lists upon request. This brings the Justice Department’s nationwide total to 24 states and the District of Columbia. “This Department of Justice has now sued 24 states for failing to provide voter roll data and will continue filing lawsuits to protect American elections,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Accurate voter rolls are the foundation of election integrity, and any state that fails to meet this basic obligation of transparency can expect to see us in court.” “Accurate voter rolls are essential to ensuring that American citizens’ votes count only once, and only with other eligible voters,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to safeguarding fair and free elections, and will hold states accountable when they refuse to respect our federal elections laws.” “When states attempt to hide information they are required to disclose, they undermine public trust and violate the law,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This office will enforce the law to ensure the public and federal authorities receive the information they are entitled to.” According to the lawsuits, the Attorney General is uniquely charged by Congress with the enforcement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which were designed by Congress to ensure that states have proper and effective voter registration and voter list maintenance programs. The Attorney General also has the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (CRA) at her disposal to demand the production, inspection, and analysis of the statewide voter registration lists.