title: Jefferson City Restaurant Owner Charged with Harboring Illegal Aliens

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo., man was charged in federal court for harboring illegal aliens. Danny Wei Cheng, 46, self-surrendered on an arrest warrant related to a criminal complaint signed June 18, 2026, by Chief United States Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. Cheng, who owns Dragon Kitchen, a Chinese Buffet in Jefferson City, is accused of employing, housing, and transporting multiple illegal aliens. The complaint alleges that Cheng housed multiple illegal aliens in a residential home owned by Cheng in Jefferson City. The residence was divided into at least eight rooms using plywood and other materials. The City of Jefferson City has since condemned the home. Individuals who worked for Cheng transported illegal aliens to and from work utilizing a van owned by Cheng. The charges contained in this criminal complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, and the Jefferson City Police Department. Homeland Security Task Force 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 Kansas City comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri.


title: Williston Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms

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

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Demetrius McIlwain, 52, of Williston, has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that deputies with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office responded to a location looking for a suspect alleged to have committed domestic violence. During their investigation, deputies found McIlwain in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle and a woman in the passenger seat. The deputy attempted to identify McIlwain to determine if he was involved in the incident, but McIlwain refused to cooperate. When deputies asked McIlwain to step out of the vehicle, he told them that there was a shotgun in the vehicle, then he immediately drove away. After McIlwain tried to evade the deputies, he wrecked his truck and ran. During a search of the vehicle, deputies found an AR style pistol in the front seat, a shotgun in the back seat, and a third firearm in a toolbox in the vehicle. Deputies also found a small amount of fentanyl in the driver’s side cupholder. The passenger later identified McIlwain as the driver, and deputies further connected him to the vehicle from paperwork found inside of the truck. McIlwain was later arrested and admitted he was the driver of the vehicle. McIlwain was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon prior criminal convictions for grand larceny, burglary, criminal sexual conduct, malicious injury to personal property, and assault and battery with intent to kill. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced McIlwain to 135 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case. ###


title: D.C. Woman Sentenced to 29 Years in Prison for 2023 Rock Creek Parkway Crash That Killed 3 People

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Nakita Walker, 45, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 29 years in prison, for the March 15, 2023, vehicular deaths of three people on the Rock Creek Parkway, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Walker was found guilty of three counts of involuntary manslaughter for each of the occupants of the car she struck, one count of fleeing a law enforcement officer, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon on April 6, 2026. The Honorable Judge Rainey Brandt of the D.C. Superior Court, sentenced Walker to the prison term. “Three lives were lost because of Nakita Walker’s reckless and violent choices,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Their families now carry a grief that can never fully heal. Today’s sentence reflects the profound harm caused and reinforces that fleeing law enforcement and endangering others has devastating consequences.” According to the government’s evidence, on the evening of March 14, 2023, Walker went to a movie and hung out with friends. She drove home in the early hours of March 15, 2023, and was pulled over by a Park Police officer for speeding and running a red light in front of him. She initially complied with the stop, then midway through she took off in the vehicle, reaching speeds of 100 mph on Rock Creek Parkway. While fleeing, she crossed the double-yellow lane line and crashed into another vehicle, killing all three of its occupants. Joining the announcement was Chief Scott Brecht of the United States Park Police. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Chief Brecht commended the work of those who investigated this case from the United States Park Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Carter, who prosecuted and tried the case. 2023 CF1 003258


title: Springfield man convicted at trial of federal firearms and explosives charges

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a dual U.S.-Jordanian citizen today on charges of possession of an unregistered firearm and improper storage of explosive materials. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on March 18, 2025, deputies with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) served a writ of eviction against Amer Taisir Zghailat Qaralleh, 42, at a residence in Springfield. Deputies observed several firearms in plain view. Deputies secured four firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun. When asked if there were any additional weapons inside the residence, Qarallah indicated there was another firearm in a backpack in the living room. Deputies located the backpack and found the firearm as well as four explosive devices. The shotgun Qaralleh possessed was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law. Zghailat Qaralleh is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6. He faces up to 10 years in prison for possession of an unregistered firearm and up to a year in prison for improper storage of explosive materials. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division investigated this case with assistance from FCSO. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas A. Durham and Robert Strange are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 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-cr-2.


title: Drug Dealing Duo Indicted for Drug Distribution Charges

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Pensacola, Florida – James Christopher Bradford, 34, of Pensacola, Florida, and William Kody Montgomery, 38, of Mobile, Alabama, have both been indicted in federal court on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Bradford was also indicted for one count of distribution of Ketamine and MDMA. Montgomery was indicted for one count of distribution of cocaine and a separate count of distribution of LSD, MDMA, and cocaine. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges. Bradford and Montgomery appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho for their initial appearances at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for July 6, 2026, at 8:30 am in Pensacola before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, Bradford and Montgomery face at least 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to 40 imprisonment on the conspiracy count. Bradford faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the distribution of Ketamine and MDMA count. Montgomery faces at least 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, on the distribution of LSD, MDMA, and cocaine count; and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the distribution of cocaine count. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brooke Lindsay. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Repeat Offender Sentenced To 180 Months In Prison For Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 20, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Robert Joseph McNabb, age 35, to 180 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to trafficking significant amounts of fentanyl while on federal supervision. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane Police Department identified a Mexico-based distribution network operating in the greater Spokane area. Through surveillance and vehicle tracking data, they identified a particular residence in Spokane Valley as a location where couriers for this organization would drop off large quantities of controlled substances for further distribution into the community. Messages located on a cell phone for one of the couriers identified Robert McNabb as the recipient of the drugs at that residence. The messages further indicated McNabb had just received approximately ½ kilogram of fentanyl powder in exchange for $18,000. Investigators also learned of an active arrest warrant for McNabb’s multiple violations of his federal supervised release conditions. McNabb was previously convicted of distribution of methamphetamine in 2019 and served a 5-year federal sentence. He was released onto federal supervision in March of 2023 and, based upon this investigation, quickly returned to trafficking drugs. On October 7, 2025, a search warrant was executed on residence where McNabb was living in the basement with a 16-year-old female, who later advised that she was McNabb’s girlfriend; she also advised that they used drugs together. In their shared bedroom, under the bed, law enforcement located approximately 450 grams (just short of ½ kilogram) of pressed fentanyl powder, a scale, and unused baggies to package the fentanyl. In a backpack on one side of the bed, law enforcement located a loaded firearm, U.S. Currency, and a wallet containing McNabb’s identification. On the other side of the bed, law enforcement located a pink backpack that contained high school paperwork. First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, “Our office takes peddling fentanyl and recidivism seriously. While some in the criminal justice system seize the opportunity to better their lives after serving their sentence, others, like McNabb, do not. McNabb is a repeat offender, who, while under court supervision, continued to traffic poison to our community – he also preyed on a child. This child should have never been exposed to an offender like McNabb, nor to the poison he peddled. McNabb, as a convicted felon, should never have possessed a firearm, but he did, exposing it and fentanyl to this child. My office will prosecute repeat offenders, especially dangerous ones like McNabb, and we will seek sentences that protect our community.” “Robert McNabb showed a blatant disregard for the law and for the safety of our community when he continued trafficking dangerous amounts of fentanyl even while under federal supervision,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “This sentence reflects DEA’s commitment to hold repeat offenders accountable and protect Americans from the deadly threat of fentanyl. Through Fentanyl Free America, we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt drug trafficking networks and save lives.” “This case is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal law enforcement work together with a shared commitment to protecting our community. I am proud to recognize the exceptional work of the Spokane Police Department detectives and our law enforcement partners, whose persistence, professionalism, and attention to detail helped dismantle a dangerous drug trafficking operation and remove a significant amount of fentanyl from our streets. Their dedication and the collaboration with the USAO continue to make Spokane a safer place for everyone.” For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. 2:25-CR-00165-TOR-1 2:18-CR-00045-TOR-1


title: Second Federal Inmate Indicted Following Attack at Federal Prison

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Francisco Avalos, 28, an inmate in a Federal Correctional Institution, was indicted by a federal grand jury for accessory after the fact and possessing contraband in prison. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today. Avalos is the second person to be indicted for an alleged incident on April 18, 2024. Jose Melendez-Rivera was indicted by a federal grand jury for assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and possessing contraband in prison. Read more here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/federal-inmate-indicted-multiple-assault-charges-and-possession-contraband . Avalos appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 am before United States District Judge Mark E. Walker. The case was a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher C. Patterson and Eric Welch are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Recidivist Sex Offender Charged in Connection With Sex-Trafficking Minors

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A recidivist sex offender faces indictment, today, for committing sex-trafficking crimes against two minor victims. Lorenzo Turner, 43, of Washington D.C., is charged with two counts of sex trafficking a minor; two counts of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; and commission of a felony crime involving a minor by a registered sex offender. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Akil Baldwin, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland, and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD). According to the indictment, beginning in May 2024, and continuing through July 2024, Turner recruited, enticed, harbored, and transported Minor Victim 1, who was under the age of 18 years, to engage in commercial sex acts. The indictment further alleges that beginning in July 2024, and continuing through August 2024, Turner sex trafficked Minor Victim 2, who was also under the age of 18 years. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding. If convicted, Turner faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison for each count of sex trafficking a minor through force, fraud, or coercion; a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life for each count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; and a mandatory 10 years consecutive to any other sentence for the commission of a felony crime involving a minor by a registered sex offender. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI and BPD for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maryam Zhuravitsky and Reema Sood who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Repeat Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Hector Delacruz, 36, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Krissa M. Lanham to concurrent prison sentences of 300 months and 120 months for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The underlying convictions stem from Delacruz’s involvement in a conspiracy focused on the sale of more than 19 pounds of methamphetamine in West Phoenix on September 26, 2023. On October 20, 2025, a federal jury convicted Delacruz for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The jury also found that Delacruz had committed two prior serious drug offenses. “Delacruz’s 25-year sentence reflects his repeated disregard for the law and the devasting effects that methamphetamine inflicts on individuals, families, and communities across America,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the DEA and local enforcement agencies, will continue the fight to dismantle organizations that distribute these deadly drugs into our communities.” “In protecting our communities, DEA Arizona is never out of the fight and will continue to be tenacious in dismantling organizations that are distributing these deadly drugs,” said Apolonio Ruiz, Jr., DEA Phoenix Special Agent in Charge. “This sentence sends a clear message: those who endanger our communities will be held accountable,” said William Mack, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Office. “Through strong partnerships with our federal, state, and local counterparts—and by leveraging our unique technical and investigative capabilities—we remain committed to bringing to justice those who threaten the safety of the people of Arizona.” “Violent crime and Illicit drug trafficking go hand-in-hand,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge A. J. Gibes. "This significant sentence exemplifies how our combined partnerships give us the collective power to target, convict, and remove violent criminals from our communities and hold them accountable.” This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Glendale Police Department, the United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01374-002-PHX RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-109_Delacruz # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Jewelry Store Robbery Crew Charged in Superseding Indictment

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – Ivel Sanchez Rivera (52, Hialeah), Osmani Barrios Carrera (37, Hialeah), Yunior Lopez Delgado (42, Miami), and Alberto Perez Elias (57, Miami) have been charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interference with commerce by robbery and use, and carry and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, along with a consecutive sentence of 7 years for brandishing a firearm during the robbery. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to the superseding indictment and other court documents, the defendants robbed a jewelry store in Cape Coral on January 6, 2026, by breaking into a vacant business next door. They then broke through the wall into the jewelry store before holding the manager at gunpoint. The robbers gained access to a safe and took thousands of pieces of jewelry worth more than $1 million. They then fled to Miami before they were eventually arrested following an investigation. Alberto Perez Elias has not been arrested and remains at large. An indictment 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 was investigated by the Cape Coral Police Department, the Hialeah Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jesus M. Casas.


title: Illegal Alien from Mexico Charged with Possessing  Firearm and Fraudulent Immigration Documents

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – A Mexican citizen, living illegally in Danville, Virginia, was arraigned in federal court this week on charges of illegal reentry of a previously removed alien, unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon and alien illegally in the United States, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of fraudulent immigration documents. Fernando Bahena Ruiz, 28, was charged based on an incident on March 25, 2026. According to court records, several people called 9-1-1 to report gunfire in a Danville neighborhood. One person saw muzzle flashes coming from Bahena Ruiz’s backyard. Officers arrived and saw Bahena Ruiz carrying a gun before he went back inside his house. Officers ultimately took Bahena Ruiz into custody, then executed a search warrant on his house, where they found a handgun, magazines, ammunition, and fraudulent immigration documents, including a green card and Social Security card. Officers also found at least 71 spent shell casings on Bahena Ruiz’s back porch and peyote plants containing mescaline (a Schedule I controlled substance) in Bahena Ruiz’s basement. First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations and the Danville Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States.


title: Florida Woman Pleads Guilty for Role in Business Email Scam

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – A Florida woman pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to execute a business email compromise scheme that stole more than $3 million from victims throughout the United States. Zamar McPherson, 49, of Boynton Beach, Florida, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. She has agreed to pay restitution for the entire scope of her criminal conduct. In addition, she has agreed to forfeit $154,474.85. Two of McPherson’s coconspirators—Garland Shelton, 57, of Wytheville, Virginia, and Olivia Oxley, 35, of Brooklyn, New York—each pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. McPherson, Shelton, and Oxley each face up to 30 years in prison for their roles in this conspiracy. According to court documents, McPherson conspired with Shelton, Oxley, and others to engage in a business email compromise scheme. The victims in this case had planned to send legitimate wire payments to certain payees. A member of the conspiracy compromised the email accounts of these payees, however, and provided new account information for the wire payments to the victims. The victims were then defrauded into sending large sums of money to bank accounts belonging to McPherson, Shelton, and Oxley. McPherson, Shelton, and Oxley created and utilized personal and illegitimate business accounts at various financial institutions to facilitate these fraudulent wire transfer payments. First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division and Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. made the announcement. Several law enforcement agencies throughout the United States investigated the case, including Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C., St. Paul; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Eden Prairie, Minnesota Police Department; Virginia State Police; Middlesex County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office; and Palm Beach County, Florida Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Hall is prosecuting the case.


body_text: The District of New Hampshire and the New England Strike Force Charges Money Laundering Operation Tied to Nearly $3 Billion Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme Multi-Agency Operation Targeted International Network Accused of Laundering Proceeds from Health Care Fraud Scheme Built on Stolen Identities of Citizens from New Hampshire, Across New England, and the United States CONCORD- U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announced today that two alleged associates of a Transnational Criminal Organization have been charged for their roles to launder proceeds of a nearly $3 billion dollar health care fraud scheme as part of the Justice Department’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges are the result of the partnership between the District of New Hampshire and the New England Strike Force and represent the single largest health care fraud-related money laundering prosecution in New Hampshire history. “These charges expose the staggering scale of fraud and money laundering that Transnational Criminal Organizations are willing to inflict on our health care system and the people of New Hampshire. This was not a local scheme. It was a transnational operation that stole the identities of New England patients and doctors to defraud our health care system of nearly $3 billion in intended losses and then launder those proceeds internationally to escape detection. Working alongside the New England Strike Force, we tracked that money. The people of New England deserve a health care system free from this kind of exploitation, and my Office will continue to pursue these criminal networks when they target New Hampshire,” said Erin Creegan, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. According to court documents, Kakha Bendeliani, 48, and Goga Danelia, 37, both of the country of Georgia, were charged with conspiring to commit money laundering in connection with a nationwide health care fraud scheme in which nearly $3 billion in fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare for durable medical equipment (“DME”). As a result of the claims, Medicare and Medicare Supplemental Insurers paid at least approximately $12.5 million to Centennial Med Supply LLC (“Centennial”), a fraudulent DME company linked to Bendeliani and Danelia. Both Bendeliani and Danelia allegedly laundered proceeds for the Transnational Criminal Organization that perpetuated the largest health care fraud intended loss case ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice, as uncovered by Operation Gold Rush . The Organization, based in Russia and elsewhere, orchestrated a multi-billion-dollar health care fraud and money laundering scheme to target, exploit, and steal from Medicare, other government-sponsored health insurance programs, and private health insurance companies. As alleged in charging documents, the fraudulent claims relied, in part, on the stolen identities of citizens from New Hampshire, across New England, and throughout the United States to justify the fraudulent billings. Hundreds of thousands of Americans, including the elderly and disabled Americans, reported their concerns to Medicare and its contractors after receiving explanation of benefit forms that reflected them purportedly receiving DME that they did not in fact receive, that was purportedly prescribed by doctors whom they had never visited, and purportedly delivered from DME companies with which they were unfamiliar. As further alleged, the Organization exploited the United States’ financial system by depositing insurance reimbursement checks from the fraud. The health care fraud proceeds were particularly susceptible to laundering because they originated from legitimate sources—Medicare and established private insurance carriers—giving the funds the initial appearance of legitimacy. To gain access to the United States’ financial system, the Organization deployed a range of tactics to circumvent internal controls at multiple banks and in some cases coordinated directly with associates employed at the banks, and, in doing so, exposed United States banks to substantial compliance risk. As further alleged, to open financial accounts, the Organization armed its nominee owners, many of whom were not lawfully present in the United States, with false sale documentation and false corporate registration documents. This documentation falsely reflected that the nominee owners maintained beneficial ownership and control of various fraudulent DME companies. This disguised the true beneficial ownership and control of the companies and the financial accounts. Upon opening the financial accounts, the Organization funneled fraud proceeds from Medicare and other legitimate health care insurers into the accounts as seemingly “clean” money. From there, the Organization siphoned off the funds to shell companies and various banks overseas. Surveillance showing Goga Danelia at a financial institution during the conspiracy Surveillance showing Kakha Bendeliani at a financial institution during the conspiracy “This transnational operation is accused of defrauding Medicare out of big money by using vulnerable patients, including many right here in New England, as pawns,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “The FBI would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of Americans who noticed that Medicare was being billed for catheters they either did not need, or did not receive, and reported it. By working together, we increase our chances of bringing those who fleece the U.S. government to justice.” “Criminal efforts to steal billions from Medicare are, at their core, a direct theft from the pockets of America’s taxpayers,” said Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “As alleged, these defendants helped launder millions in fraudulent Medicare proceeds overseas, and HHS-OIG will use every tool at our disposal to bring to justice those who participate in schemes that target federal health care programs.” “These charges demonstrate the VA OIG’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the integrity of claims submitted to VA healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, the New England Strike Force, and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation.” “Millions of dollars that should have gone to patients with legitimate medical needs were siphoned away and sent to overseas accounts by this wide-ranging fraud scheme,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski. “The FBI’s health care fraud teams will continue to expose the criminals illegally taking hard-earned money from American taxpayers. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, and Trial Attorneys Thomas D. Campbell and John W. Howard of the New England Strike Force. The New England Strike Force , led by DOJ Assistant Chief Kevin Lowell, is a specialized white-collar enforcement team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting complex fraud schemes impacting the New England health care market. Leveraging sophisticated analytics and tools as well as financial-tracing techniques, the Strike Force partners with investigative agencies to target individuals and entities involved in criminal activity that undermines the integrity of the U.S. health care system and harms New England residents. Complementing its fraud-detection efforts, the Strike Force tracks and traces the flow of illicit funds laundered as a result of these schemes for seizure and forfeiture. These charges are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 455 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes that involved over $6.5 billion in alleged fraud. The charges are the result of investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Tioga County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child  and Transportation of Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tristan Kovacs, age 22, of Waverly, New York, pled guilty on June 17, 2026, in federal court to sexual exploitation of a child and transportation of child pornography announced First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). As part of his guilty plea, Kovacs admitted that in April of 2025, he produced a sexually explicit image of himself and a 10-year-old female child which Kovacs then uploaded to a pornographic website where other users could access and download the image. The sexual exploitation charge against Kovacs carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in federal prison and maximum sentence of 30 years while the charge of transportation of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of five years and maximum sentence of 20 years. Both charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Kovacs will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Sentencing is currently scheduled for October 6, 2026, in Utica, New York before United States District Judge, Anthony J. Brindisi. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This defendant has finally admitted the reprehensible conduct he engaged in which included his victimization of a nine-year-old child. My office will now ensure the defendant spends decades in federal prison where he belongs. Let this be a message to others who target and exploit children: we will find you, we will charge you, and we will put you behind bars.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig A. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Kovacs’ depraved abuse caused irreparable trauma to the child he victimized. This plea ensures he will spend at least the next two decades in federal prison. This investigation should send a strong message to any predator looking to perpetuate the abuse of our most vulnerable that the FBI will find you and send you to prison where you belong.” This case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the New York State Police with assistance from the Waverly New York Police Department and the Broome County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Handgun and Drug Trafficking

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Webster, Massachusetts, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Jonathan Bethune (a/k/a “Lord Smitty”) , 40 , to 111 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Bethune pleaded guilty on January 7, 2025. According to court records, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant at Bethune’s Biddeford residence. From a safe, agents recovered a loaded pistol, several baggies of cocaine, approximately 159 grams of cocaine, and $6,820 in cash. Agents also recovered additional firearms from the residence. Bethune possessed the pistol to protect himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds. Bethune was a convicted felon at the time and therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. HSI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. ###


title: Fake ID Dealer Pleads Guilty

body_text: CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Fluvanna County man, who used social media platforms to sell hundreds of fraudulent IDs to underage customers, pled guilty in U.S. District Court. Sebastian Andres Arquilla, 22, of Palmyra, Virginia, pled guilty to knowingly transferring in the mail false identification documents that were and appeared to be driver’s licenses. According to court documents, beginning in 2022 and continuing through October 2024, Arquilla advertised, sold, and shipped fake identification documents, primarily “scannable” driver’s licenses, to underage customers around the country using a variety of social media platforms and the U.S. mail. Arquilla created accounts in the name of “The Novelty Team” to market the fake identification documents online using social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram, and Discord. Through “The Novelty Team,” Arquilla sold hyper-realistic, polycarbonate IDs for $125 apiece and promised customers they “scan everywhere. All bars/clubs, grocery stores, liquor stores, cannabis dispensaries, vape shops.” As part of his guilty plea, Arquilla agreed to forfeit at least $84,449 in illicit profits, as well as electronic devices and a magnetic scanner device. First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood made the announcement. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher B. Browne is prosecuting the case.


title: Thirteen Indicted in Albany-Based Bank Fraud Conspiracy

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jahquel Robertson, 31, of Albany, and twelve others were charged in April with participation in a large-scale bank fraud scheme involving over $1 million dollars in stolen checks, according to a fourteen-count indictment fully unsealed June 16th in the Northern District of New York. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Anthony Patrone, Special Agent in Charge (Acting) of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Matthew M. Modafferi, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. According to the indictment, Robertson, a/k/a “Jolly;” Nathaniel Williams, 35, of New York City; Anisa Marie Figueroa, 35, of Albany; Tyler Whittingham, 30, of New York City; Mishak Sam-Hinton, 29, of Newark, New Jersey; Britani Williams, 26, of North Adams, Massachusetts; Kedar Morton, 35, of Albany; Ray Hernandez, 28, of Albany; Slyvia Harris Thomas, 22, of Troy; Ladezma Scurry, 32, of Schenectady; Raheen Williams, 30, of Albany; Kaitlyn Thompson, 38, of Albany; and Emahnee Shelton, 28, of Schenectady, allegedly conspired to defraud various businesses, individuals, and financial institutions throughout the United States using stolen, forged and counterfeited financial instruments to fraudulently obtain money under the control of financial institutions. As alleged, Robertson received more than $1,000,000 of checks stolen out of the mail by bribing a corrupt United States Postal Service employee. The USPS employee provided Robertson with checks that were originally mailed to or sent by individuals and businesses in the Northern District of New York. The indictment alleges that Robertson and his coconspirators then used personal identifying information and banking information of willing participants in the scheme to attempt to make fraudulent deposits of checks designed to appear identical to those stolen by the USPS employee. The defendants have been arraigned in Albany, New York over the last several weeks, and have been released on conditions pending trial before United States District Court Judge Anne M. Nardacci. First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone said: “Jolly and his merry band of alleged co-conspirators attempted to defraud national financial institutions by depositing fraudulent checks into theirs and others bank accounts then quickly move to withdraw the funds. As alleged in the indictment, he bribed a public official to do so and committed a host of other federal crimes in the process. We will work quickly to seek justice against these defendants and are thankful for our legion of partners in this matter, including HSI, the USPS-OIG, and the NYSP.” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone stated: “These charges describe a far-reaching bank fraud scheme that diverted more than a million dollars in stolen checks and victimized honest residents, businesses, and financial institutions that sustain our communities. HSI Albany remains firmly dedicated to uncovering and disrupting fraud schemes that prey on hardworking people and exploit the banking and mail systems for personal gain. Working in close coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, HSI continues to prioritize safeguarding the public and protecting the integrity of our financial systems." “Postal Service employees hold positions of public trust, and allegations involving mail theft, check fraud, or bribery are taken seriously. The USPS OIG remains committed to working with our partners to protect the integrity of the U.S. Mail and hold those who exploit it accountable. We appreciate the continued partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI, and the New York State Police.” Said Matthew M. Modafferi, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office USPS-OIG. New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “As alleged, these individuals concocted a scheme to engage in fraud and theft for the purpose of depriving unsuspecting individuals out of their rightfully owed money. Our members and law enforcement partners have once again removed deceptive criminals from our community, putting an end to fraudulent and dishonest acts. I applaud the work of all those involved for holding these bad actors accountable and pursuing a justice for the victims.” The indictment further alleges that Robertson and his co-conspirators committed a variety of federal criminal violations, including bribing a public official, receipt of stolen mail, engaging in transactions in criminally derived property, use of fraudulent financial instruments, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Not all defendants are alleged to have committed all crimes listed in the indictment. The charges against Robertson, Figueroa, Whittingham, and Shelton, which include aggravated identity theft, carry a mandatory minimum of two years. The bank fraud conspiracy charges against all defendants carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, a maximum fine of $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of up to five years. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. HSI, USPS-OIG, and New York State Police are investigating the case, with assistance from the Rensselaer Police Department, Cohoes Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph S. Hartunian is prosecuting the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Illegal Alien from El Salvador Federally Charged for Firearm Possession

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: Pensacola, Florida – Clisma Segovia, 18, a citizen of El Salvador living in Douglasville, Georgia, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges. Segovia appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Hope Cannon for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, at 8:30 am in Pensacola before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, Segovia faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Jamaican Nationals Charged with Running Sweepstakes Scheme that Targeted Elderly Victims Across the U.S.

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, and J. Buck Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that the following six individuals have been charged with federal fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from their alleged participation in a sweepstakes scam that defrauded primarily elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars: ANDRE-JON GAYLE , 33, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida AALIYAH MAYNE , 25, of Dania, Florida ONAJE CHEVERS , 29, of Dania, Florida MATTHEW HUTCHINSON , 24, of Williamsburg, Virginia, COURTNEY REYNOLDS , 31, of Miami, Florida ROSHAUN THOMPSON , 24, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida Gayle, Mayne, Chevers, Hutchinson, and Reynolds are citizens of Jamaica. Thompson is a U.S. citizen. The indictment alleges that, beginning in approximately 2022, the defendants participated in a “Publishers Clearing House scam.” As part of the scheme, the defendants and others purchased lists of names of elderly individuals located in Connecticut and throughout the U.S. Claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House, they then contacted individuals on the lists and informed them that they won millions of dollars in the Publisher Clearing House sweepstakes. Victims were told that to claim their prize they had to pay upfront fees or taxes and were directed to send checks, cash, and money orders to the defendants and others. At times, victims were told to send money to other victims of the scheme who believed that, as part of a “sponsor program,” the money was coming from previous winners who were “sponsoring” them by helping to pay their taxes and fees. The “sponsored” victims were then directed to send the money they received on to other victims, the defendants, and their associates. The indictment further alleges that certain victims also provided scheme participants with their driver’s license, other personal identifying information, and banking and credit card information, which scheme participants used to make personal expenditures. Scheme participants also diverted victims’ social security benefits into Green Dot banking accounts that scheme participants opened and controlled. On June 2, 2026, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging each of the six defendants with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, five counts of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each of these offenses carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Mayne, Chevers, and Reynolds were arrested on June 4, Thompson was arrested on June 5, Hutchinson was arrested on June 9, and Gayle was arrested on June 10. Gayle, Hutchinson, Reynolds, and Thompson appeared today in Bridgeport federal court, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, and were released on $ 250,000 bonds. Mayne and Chevers are currently detained. “As alleged, this was an organized sweepstakes scam that ruthlessly preyed upon the vulnerability of our elderly citizens to defraud them out of millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners, we have dismantled this illicit operation and will hold those responsible accountable for their actions. It is crucial for the public to know that legitimate sweepstakes winners will never need to pay upfront fees or taxes in order to claim a prize. Anyone who demands money to release a lottery or sweepstakes payout is a fraudster, plain and simple.” “The indictment of these six individuals demonstrates IRS-CI’s ongoing commitment to investigate all those that prey upon the American public,” said Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “These individuals attempted to not only steal the life savings of the elderly to enrich themselves but took it a step further by siphoning off their Social Security benefits, a financial safety net that many older Americans depend on to survive. IRS-CI is committed to our continued cooperation with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify any and all individuals that victimize the nation’s elderly population.” “These charges demonstrate our unwavering commitment to holding fraudsters accountable,” said Acting Inspector in Charge J. Buck Buckley. “Exploiting vulnerable communities through these schemes is a cruel crime, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to aggressively investigate operations that target vulnerable citizens for personal gain. We are deeply grateful to our law enforcement partners and prosecutors whose dedication and teamwork made these charges possible.” U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, the West Saint Paul (Minn.) Police Department, and the Southborough (Mass.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.


title: Court Clears Way for Energy Development in Gulf of America

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland today dismissed a lawsuit challenging the National Marine Fisheries Service’s 2025 biological opinion and incidental take statement for oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America. The court held that the case is moot and that it lacks jurisdiction to proceed because the Endangered Species Committee exempted those activities from the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The dismissal was effective yesterday. On March 31, the Endangered Species Committee voted unanimously to exempt all Gulf of America oil and gas activities from the ESA, after the Secretary of War found that the exemption was necessary for reasons of national security. This is the first exemption the committee has ever granted on national security grounds. As the United States explained in its motion to dismiss, the exemption removed the underlying federal action from the ESA’s requirements. With this exemption, the challenged biological opinion and incidental take statement retain no legal force, leaving no live controversy for the court to resolve and no effective relief it could grant. “The Endangered Species Committee’s exemption reflects a judgment at the highest levels of government that producing American energy in the Gulf of America is essential to our national security,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Today’s decision clears away litigation that threatened development in the Gulf, in furtherance of President Donald J. Trump’s directive to unleash American energy.” The Endangered Species Committee consists of six senior federal officials and is chaired by the Secretary of the Interior. Congress authorized the Committee to exempt agency actions from Section 7 of the ESA and directed that it grant an exemption whenever the Secretary of War determines that an exemption is necessary for reasons of national security. Because that exemption now governs the Gulf oil and gas program, today’s dismissal ensures that the ESA cannot be used to disrupt energy production the government has determined is vital to the Nation. Attorneys with ENRD’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section handled this matter.


title: Four Charged in Scheme to Smuggle Contraband into Wyatt Detention Facility

body_text: Providence - A federal grand jury in Rhode Island has indicted a former Wyatt Detention Facility programs counselor, two former Wyatt detainees, and a Massachusetts woman for their alleged roles in a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility. Adrina Hamrick Cannnon, 51, of Cranston, RI, Randy Diaz-Pizarro, a/k/a Fresh, 34, of Boston, MA, Jaquori Lyons, a/k/a Gizzle and Tottie Y Gizzle, 28, of Boston, MA, and Bernice Carvalho, 25, of Boston, MA, are all charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance. Hamrick Cannon and Carvalho are also charged with providing contraband to a prison inmate and Diaz-Pizzaro and Lyons are also charged with being an inmate of a prison who obtained contraband. Hamrick Cannon was arrested on May 21, 2026, and was arraigned on the indictment that same day. Carvalho appeared and was arraigned on the indictment on May 26, 2026. Diaz-Pizarro and Lyons were both arraigned on the indictment on June 24, 2026. According to charging documents, on dates between June 25, 2024 and July 10, 2025, while Diaz-Pizarro and Lyons were inmates at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center, Hamrick Cannon and Carvalho did provide and Diaz-Pizarro and Lyons did receive pieces of paper containing a detectable amount of MDMB-4en-PINACA, a Schedule I controlled substance. Diaz-Pizarro and Lyons were inmates at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center on the dates of the alleged offense conduct because each of them had been detained in federal cases that had been charged in the District of Massachusetts. Diaz-Pizarro was charged in the District of Massachusetts on February 7, 2024, with drug and firearm offenses. Diaz-Pizarro was detained after his arrest in that case. Diaz-Pizarro pled guilty in that case on January 13, 2025, and was sentenced to a term of 120 months imprisonment. He is currently serving that sentence. (24-cr-10039-WGY). Lyons was charged by complaint, on May 24, 2023, and thereafter, on July 19, 2023, by indictment in the District of Massachusetts with drug, firearm, and conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity offenses. (23-cr-10186-ADB). In that case, Lyons was detained after his arrest. He is awaiting trial on that case. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise M Barton. The matter was investigated by FBI and members of the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center Professional Standards Unit.


title: Major Drug and Weapon Seizure in Johnson City

body_text: BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Robert Randesi of Johnson City was charged federally on June 11 th , 2026. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Johnson City Police Department Chief Brent Dodge made the announcement. The charges in this case are merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. After the execution of search warrants on this case, including at a warehouse style building in Johnson City, New York, police arrested Robert Randesi, age 69, and located evidence including: over 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, quantities of marijuana, approximately $24,000 in cash, several firearms including AR-15 style rifles and privately made firearms (also known as “ghost guns”), lower receivers for firearms, and firearm parts and ammunition including a firearm suppressor. Police also located machinist tools and metal fabricating equipment consistent with tools used to construct or mill firearms/firearms parts. First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III: “It is disturbing for a small community to have this level of alleged criminal actively going on so brazenly. That’s why I’m grateful to be partnering with our local and federal partners to bring criminal actors to justice. Thanks to the partnerships of the Johnson City Police, Binghamton Police Department, Broome County Sheriff’s Office, and our federal partners that allowed us to unite on this case to achieve a coordinated response.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli: “As alleged in the criminal complaint, Mr. Randesi was in possession of a dangerous amount of illegal narcotics that was intended for distribution throughout our Broome County communities. He was met with the full force of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships and is now facing serious federal charges that, if convicted, will send him to federal prison for a substantial amount of time. The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to aggressively investigate and hold accountable any individual looking to poison our communities through the sale of illicit narcotics.” Johnson City Police Department Chief Brent Dodge Said: “To put this seizure into perspective, 21 pounds of methamphetamine represents more than half a million dosage units. That’s enough to get every man, woman, and child in Broome County high three times over. I cannot overstate the value, of getting these dangerous drugs and these dangerous weapons off our streets.” The investigation was conducted by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit, a task force composed of members of the Binghamton Police Department , Broome County Sheriff's Office , and Johnson City Police Department. Assisting agencies included: the FBI - Albany ; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the Broome County District Attorney's Office. Additional support was provided by the Johnson City Department of Public Works, the Broome County Highway Department, the Johnson City Fire Department, the Binghamton Fire Department, and the Owego Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Grabowski is prosecuting the case. First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone Johnson City Police Department Chief Brent Dodge FBI Special Agent in Charge Albany Field Office Craig L. Tremeroli


title: Mexican National Indicted and Arrested on "Kingpin" Drug Trafficking Charges from Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Jorge Luis Castro-Mercado, 51, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, was arrested earlier this month by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nogales Special Agents as he tried to cross the border into the United States from Mexico. Castro-Mercado faces federal charges related to drug trafficking from an indictment in March. On March 11, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned a 12-count indictment against Castro-Mercado, for operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise; Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine; Conspiracy to Import Fentanyl and Methamphetamine; Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Aiding and Abetting; three counts of Importation of Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Aiding and Abetting, and Importation of Methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that Castro-Mercado was a principal leader of a drug trafficking enterprise that involved the importation and distribution of dangerous drugs into the United States from Mexico. The law that prohibits the operation of a continuing criminal enterprise is known as the “kingpin” statute. As charged in the indictment, this crime carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison. This investigation 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 Tucson comprises agents and officers from HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Tucson Police Department, Pima County Sheriff's Office, Oro Valley Police Department, Marana Police Department, and Arizona HIDTA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Lizano, District of Arizona, is handling the prosecution. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. CASE NUMBER: 26-CR-01041-TUC-SHR RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-108_Castro-Mercado # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: DuBois Resident Indicted on Social Security Fraud Charges

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of DuBois, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on fraud and theft of government property charges, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The two-count Indictment named Steven Paul Gearhart, 61, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, from in and around April 2022 until in and around June 2024, Gearhart concealed and failed to disclose events to the Social Security Administration with the intent to fraudulently misuse Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits as representative payee for his personal use. SSI is a monthly, needs-based payment benefit that is afforded to people with disabilities and the elderly who have little or no income. Applicants are required to report their wages, assets, and living arrangements as those matters are considered by the Social Security Administration when determining eligibility for SSI. The Indictment further alleges that Gearhart converted SSI benefits as a representative payee to his personal use and stole over $1,000 in SSI benefits. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Twice-Convicted Sex Offender Charged with Distributing Child Pornography

body_text: WASHINGTON – A complaint was unsealed this week in U.S. District Court charging Jason Robert Birk, 50, of the District of Columbia, with distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. According to court documents, on June 23, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Birk’s residence and recovered his cell phone and laptop. A review of the phone showed that Birk distributed videos showing the sexual abuse of children by adult males and sexual acts between animals and adult males. On April 26, 2026, Birk distributed two videos depicting the violent sexual abuse of a toddler by an adult male. Birk has two prior convictions for sex offenses, including a 2019 conviction for distribution of child pornography. Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office. This case is being investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Janani Iyengar. This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . C harges in a complaint are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 26mj104 ## Follow us on X , Instagram , and YouTube Or at https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc


title: Columbia Felon Indicted for Illegally Possessing Gun Connected to 2025 Shooting Incident

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a single-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Jeremiah Antwon Tyleek Drawhorn, 23, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to statements made in court, on June 27, 2025, Drawhorn fired multiple rounds at a group of individuals in the Colony Apartments. When arrested on warrants for charges stemming from that incident, Drawhorn had a 9 mm pistol and ammunition in the car he was driving. Further investigation revealed that Drawhorn’s girlfriend had recently purchased the firearm and that the firearm had been used in the June 27 shooting. Drawhorn has prior convictions for domestic violence, unlawful carrying of a firearm, assault and battery, among other offenses. His criminal history prohibits Drawhorn from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Drawhorn faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. Drawhorn is currently detained pending trial. Drawhorn also participated in the April 2025 Ceasefire program hosted by the City of Columbia Police Department. The Ceasefire program identifies prior offenders who are at risk of future firearms offenses and introduces them to community resources such as substance abuse treatment and employment services. During participation in the program, law enforcement emphasizes the likelihood of future state and federal prosecution if participants, like Drawhorn, reoffend. This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Columbia Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Timmons is prosecuting the case. All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Sidney Man Sentenced for Receiving Child Pornography

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Sidney man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for receiving child pornography. U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Jeremy Grignon , 30, to five years in prison, to be followed by seven years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution. According to court records, Grignon used online platforms, including Snap and the now-shuttered Omegle, to receive images and videos of minor females engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the videos were sent from the minors themselves. Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit–Special Victims investigated the case. To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678 . If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741 . Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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 via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc .


title: Memphis Man Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison for RICO Conspiracy

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: WASHINGTON – Larry Wilson, also known as “L,” 36 , of Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison following his conviction for RICO conspiracy. According to court documents and statements made in court, Wilson admitted to attempting to commit and committing a robbery and distributing methamphetamine as part of a pattern of racketeering activity for Young Mob, a Memphis-based gang founded in 2007. In June 2024, Wilson and multiple other members and associates of Young Mob robbed at gunpoint three customers at a Memphis tattoo shop. Wilson also distributed and conspired to distribute methamphetamine with other Young Mob members. From March 14, 2024, until June 13, 2024, by court order, investigators monitored wire and electronic communications between Wilson and other Young Mob members. Intercepted communications revealed that Wilson and certain Young Mob members were conspiring to distribute and distributing large quantities of controlled substances to include fentanyl and methamphetamine. Those communications also revealed that Wilson and other Young Mob members were committing acts of violence as part of a pattern of racketeering activity. On June 11, 2024, Wilson, and certain Young Mob members, to include Braxton Beck, also known as “B Mack,” attempted to rob a customer at the Therapeutic Ink tattoo shop in Memphis. When investigators learned of the plot, they dispatched Memphis Police Department (MPD) marked units to the tattoo shop to prevent the robbery attempt. The MPD deployment succeeded and the Young Mob co-conspirators abandoned their plan. The next day Wilson, Beck, and others learned that the same customer had returned to the tattoo shop and a second robbery plot was hatched. Investigators again dispatched MPD marked units to the tattoo shop. Investigators believed that the second deployment succeeded in preventing the robbery, but later learned that Wilson, Beck and others returned to the tattoo shop after MPD units left the area. Wilson and Beck, both armed with firearms, stormed the tattoo shop and robbed three individuals, including the customer who was the target of the original plot. Young Mob gang insignia seized during warrant search of co-defendant Brian Lackland’s house. Beck previously pleaded guilty to his role in the tattoo shop robbery as part of the RICO conspiracy. On May 12, 2026, Beck was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee, and Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division made the announcement. The ATF and the Memphis Police Department and Multiagency Gang Unit (MGU) are investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Amanda Kotula of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case. This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative in Memphis conducted in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee and local, state, and federal law enforcement. The joint effort addresses violent crime by employing, where appropriate, federal laws to prosecute gang members and their associates in Memphis. ### CRM 26-701 If you have questions, please use the contacts in the message or call the Office of Public Affairs at 202-514-2007.


title: Williamsport Man Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison For Failure To Register As A Sex Offender

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Darrell Crose, age 47, of Williamsport, PA, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann to 18 months in federal prison on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, from at least January 2025 until October 28, 2025, Crose was required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and did not do so after traveling in interstate commerce, moving from Michigan back to Pennsylvania. He has a lifetime requirement to register and must report any change in residency. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robin Zenzinger prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Illegal Alien from Honduras Sentenced for $89 Million Off-the-Books Payroll Tax Fraud Scheme Employing Illegal Aliens

body_text: Orlando, FL - An illegal alien from Honduras was sentenced yesterday to 96 months in prison for his role in operating a years-long off-the-books cash payroll scheme that facilitated the employment of illegal aliens working in the United States. The scheme caused a total loss to the United States of more than $38 million. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 to 2022, Mario Flores, of Honduras, an illegal alien, conspired with others to create a series of shell companies to run an unlicensed check cashing and cash courier service business. These shell companies cashed approximately $89 million in checks from subcontractors in the construction industry, charging them a percentage of the dollar amount of the checks they cashed as a fee for this service. Through this scheme, construction contractors and subcontractors paid their workers in cash without withholding and paying required payroll taxes, allowing them to operate without regard to the workers’ legal authority to work in the United States. Flores also caused the filing of false tax documents with the IRS to conceal the scheme. “These individuals didn’t just run an off the books payroll scheme—they built a pipeline of fraud that stole from taxpayers and helped sustain an unlawful employment scheme,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation, working hand in hand with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, is laser focused on cutting off the financial lifeblood of schemes that exploit workers, cheat honest businesses, and undermine the integrity of our tax system. When criminals think they can hide in the shadows, our agents follow the money—and bring the truth into the light.” “Today, we held an illegal alien from Honduras accountable for a brazen scheme that stole more than $38 million from American taxpayers to facilitate the employment of illegal aliens,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “This case exposes how unchecked illegal immigration fuels widespread payroll tax fraud and underground economies that harm American workers and taxpayers. This sentence sends a strong message: those who exploit our open borders, cheat the U.S. Treasury, and violate federal laws will face justice.” “Homeland Security Investigations is committed to protecting the integrity of our financial system and enforcing our nation’s laws. Those who orchestrate large-scale payroll tax fraud and facilitate the illegal employment of unauthorized workers will be held accountable,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John Condon. “HSI, alongside IRS Criminal Investigation and our federal, state, and local partners, remains dedicated to dismantling schemes that defraud the United States and undermine the integrity of our workforce.” In addition, Flores and his conspirators defrauded workers’ compensation insurance companies by leasing their certificates of insurance to contractors and by providing false and fraudulent information to the insurers about, among other things, the number of workers covered by the insurance and the amount workers were paid. Flores pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. Iris Villafranca, Osman Zapata, and Francisco Alvarez, who conspired with Flores, were previously sentenced . Villafranca was sentenced to 17 years in prison. She was ordered to pay more than $38 million in restitution to the United States and forfeit $89 million of criminal proceeds from the scheme. Zapata was sentenced to more than four years in prison and was ordered to pay more than $2.5 million in restitution to the United States. Francisco Alvarez was sentenced to four years of probation and ordered to pay more than $2.3 million in restitution. Conspirator Michael Mayorga awaits sentencing. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe of the Middle District of Florida and Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. ICE ERO Miami (Orlando sub-office), Florida Highway Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Marshals Service, State Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have assisted in arrest operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu of the Middle District of Florida, Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty, and Trial Attorney Kavitha Bondada of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and are prosecuting the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Non-Profit Executive Sentenced to Three Years of Probation for Theft of Federal Funds

component: Civil Rights - Criminal Section

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – ZOE MARIE FRANCIS (“FRANCIS”) , age 47, of New Orleans, was sentenced on June 24, 2026, after previously pleading guilty to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A), to three years of probation, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. According to court documents, FRANCIS was the chief operating officer of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (“IWES”), a non-profit organization based in New Orleans that received grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other federal funds. In that role, FRANCIS embezzled funds for the benefit of herself and family members, including unauthorized expenditures for personal events and Amazon purchases. Using her authority with IWES, FRANCIS used falsified contracts to hide these expenses and invoices, and she granted herself unauthorized pay increases. On January 7, 2026, FRANCIS pleaded guilty before Judge Milazzo to Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A). Under the terms of FRANCIS ’s plea agreement, FRANCIS agreed to pay at least $100,000 in restitution to IWES, and she also agreed to forfeit at least $150,000 in IWES funds that she spent on unauthorized expenses. On June 24, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced FRANCIS to three years of probation, twelve months of home detention and payment of a $100 special assessment fee . U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services in investigating this matter. Trial Attorney Gary A. Crosby II of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses, Deputy Chief of the Public Corruption Unit, are in charge of the prosecution. The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: Woman Pleads Guilty to Nearly $1 Million Hearing Aid Fraud Scheme

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Julianna C. Lung pleaded guilty in federal court today to health care fraud, admitting she marketed and sold hearing protection devices to United States Border Patrol agents, other federal employees, and their family members, then falsely billed insurance providers for what she claimed were medically-necessary hearing aids. According to her plea agreement, Lung submitted approximately 385 fraudulent claims to health insurance plans participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. The claims falsely represented that beneficiaries suffered from hearing loss or tinnitus that required treatment. In reality, Lung told customers the devices were intended to protect their hearing—not treat a medical condition—and assured them their insurance would cover the cost for that purpose. As a result of the scheme, FEHB plans paid approximately $2,500 per device, totaling about $962,500 in fraudulent reimbursements. Lung is scheduled to be sentenced on September 11, 2026, at 9 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Robert S. Huie. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Manahan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California. DEFENDANT Case Number 26cr2399-RSH Julianna C. Lung Age: 60 San Diego, California SUMMARY OF CHARGES Health Care Fraud—Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1347 Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCY U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Office of the Inspector General On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Former Social Security Administration Employee Found Guilty of 23 Counts including Theft of Social Security Funds, Social Security Misuse and Aggravated Identity Theft

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On June 24, 2026, after a week-long trial, a federal jury convicted Myrna Faria, a/k/a Myrna Oliveras-Santiago, a former Social Security Administration employee, of embezzling and stealing SSA funds, namely Retirement Insurance Benefits, Survivors Insurance Benefits and Auxiliary Benefit payments, to which she knew she was not entitled. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Faria was employed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) from approximately 1991 through 2019 as a “Social Insurance Specialist” and “Claims Specialist” working in the Workload Support Unit in San Juan, Puerto Rico. From March 2012 through March 2024, Faria embezzled and stole approximately $1,812,455.10 in SSA funds, namely Retirement Insurance Benefits, Survivors Insurance Benefits and Auxiliary Benefit payments, to which she knew she was not entitled. Faria utilized her position within SSA to submit false claims on behalf of others, using the identity of individuals she believed to be deceased. She then approved those false claims and submitted her own bank and address information to fraudulently receive the corresponding SSA beneficiary proceeds. Faria proceeded to withdraw, transfer, and spend the money from the accounts that fraudulently obtained the SSA funds. Over the span of twelve years, Faria submitted and approved 13 fraudulent claims. U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge for the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General; Carlos Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office; and Blasdimir Rojo, Postal Inspector in Charge, Miami Division made the announcement. The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case with assistance from the Puerto Rico Police Department. Social Security Administration Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vanessa D. Bonano-Rodríguez and Niranjan Emani prosecuted the case. Myrna Faria is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Gina R. Méndez-Miró on September 29, 2026. She faces a mandatory sentence of two years imprisonment for violating 18 U.S.C. §1028A (aggravated identity theft) which must be served consecutively to any sentence imposed for the violation of 18 U.S.C. §641 (theft of government funds), 18 U.S.C. §1343 (wire fraud), and 18 U.S.C. §1341 (mail fraud). ###