title: Five Charged Following Encounters with Federal Law Enforcement

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that criminal charges have been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska against five individuals following their encounters with federal law enforcement during the service of a civil search warrant on Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 10, 2025. Marvin Aleman Zepeda , age 37, is charged in a one-count Criminal Complaint. Count I alleges that Zepeda used a deadly or dangerous weapon to assault, resist, or impede a federal officer. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Osmar Lorenzo-Genchi , age 20, is charged in a two-count Criminal Complaint. Count I alleges that Lorenzo-Genchi used a deadly or dangerous weapon to assault, resist, or impede a federal officer. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Count II charges willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the United States in excess of $1,000.00. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Alejandra Lopez-Garcia , age 28, is charged in a two-count Information. Count I alleges that Lopez-Garcia assaulted, resisted, or impeded a federal officer. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 1 year of imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 1 year, and a special assessment of $25. Count II charges willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the United States. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 1 year of imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 1 year, and a special assessment of $25. Aliyah Reyna Lozano , age 18, is charged in a one-count Information. Count I alleges that Lozano assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, and interfered with a federal officer. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 1 year of imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 1 year, and a special assessment of $25. Aaron Urbanski , age 36, is charged in a two-count Information. Count I alleges that Urbanski assaulted, resisted, or impeded a federal officer. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 1 year of imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 1 year, and a special assessment of $25. Count II charges willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the United States. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 1 year of imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 1 year, and a special assessment of $25. Criminal Complaints and Informations are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Omaha Field Office said, “The FBI is supporting ICE and working with all our DOJ partners in immigration enforcement operations across the country. Assaulting a law enforcement officer engaged in their lawful duties or damaging government property is not protected under the First Amendment — it is a criminal offense which we will investigate and apprehend those responsible. As part of our newly formed Homeland Security Task Force, we are working with our partners to protect our community by eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations operating in Nebraska and Iowa.” These cases are part of the Take Back America Task Force, led by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Contact Amy Donato at 402-661-3700 for further information.


title: Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 12 unsealed Indictments charging 14 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Katherine L. Woitaszewski , age 39, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Woitaszewski with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning as early as December 1, 2024, and continuing to on or about May 27, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Woitaszewski with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about May 27, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Samuel Rosberg , age 24, of Creighton, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Rosberg with possession of an unregistered firearm, identified as a silencer, on or about June 3, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Rosberg with possession of an unregistered firearm, identified as an LC Smith double barrel shotgun with less than 18-inch barrel, on or about June 3, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Rosberg with possession of an unregistered firearm, identified as an Excel shotgun with less than 18-inch barrel, on or about June 3, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a $100 special assessment. Leah Burleigh, age 22, and Johnathon Davenport , age 33, both of Lincoln, Nebraska, are charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Burleigh with straw purchasing of a firearm on or about January 25, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Burleigh and Davenport with making a false statement during acquisition of a firearm on or about January 25, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Davenport with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on, about, or between January 25, 2025, through January 29, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a $100 special assessment. Romeo Edilzar Yaxcal-Tiul , age 26, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Yaxcal-Tiul with false representation of a Social Security number on or about October 2, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Yaxcal-Tiul with use of false immigration identification documents on or about October 2, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Yaxcal-Tiul with resisting a federal officer on or about June 1, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 1 year imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $25 special assessment. Angela Rocio Urrutia Cruz, age 35, and Miguel Angel Salazar-Zuniga , age 33, both of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged in a seven-count Indictment. Count I charges Urrutia Cruz and Salazar-Zuniga with conspiracy to encourage or induce illegal entry from about May 1, 2022, to May 28, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II-VII charge Urrutia Cruz and Salazar-Zuniga with encouraging or inducing illegal entry on or about May 1, 2022, to May 28, 2025. The maximum possible penalty on each count if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States: Israel Perez, age 47 Manuel Ramirez Ambrocio, age 24 Amilcar Lopez Saenz , age 36 Usiel Demeio Velasquez-Velasquez , age 35 The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following a felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States: Juan Carlos Garcia , age 46 Raymundo Robles-Santiago , 46 The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States: Teodoro Martinez-Sandoval , age 43 The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Amy Donato at 402-661-3700 for further information.


title: Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty To Stealing Social Security Funds

component: Office of the Inspector General

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Laura Virginia Howard, age 76, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to a one-count Felony Information of Theft of Public Monies, punishable by up to ten years in prison, and a $250,000.00 fine. The Information alleged that between February 28, 2007, and June 26, 2024, Howard willfully and knowingly embezzled, stole, and converted for her own use and the use of others, money and things of value exceeding $1,000.00 of the United States and the Social Security Administration paid to a retirement claimant, to which Howard knew she was not entitled. The charge arose from an investigation by the Social Security Administration—Office of the Inspector General. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Satter, Kara Traster, and Jonathan Soverly represented the United States.


title: Cryptocurrency Financial Services Firm “Gotbit” and Founder Sentenced for Market Manipulation and Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – Gotbit Consulting LLC (Gotbit), a financial services firm known in the cryptocurrency industry as a “market maker,” was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for criminal charges relating to Gotbit’s fraudulent manipulation of cryptocurrency trading volume on behalf of client cryptocurrency companies. Aleksei Andriunin, 26, of Russia and Portugal, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to eight months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. In March 2025 , Andriunin pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit market manipulation and wire fraud. Andriunin was arrested in Portugal on Oct. 8, 2024 and extradited to the United States on Feb. 25, 2025. As part of its criminal resolution , Gotbit was ordered to forfeit a total of approximately $23 million in seized cryptocurrency. The court also sentenced Gotbit to a term of probation for five years, during which time Gotbit shall cease to exist or operate. Gotbit and Andriunin were indicted by a federal grand jury on the same charges in October 2024. The indictment also charges two of Gotbit’s directors, Fedor Kedrov and Qawi Jalili. Gotbit was a well-known “market maker” in the cryptocurrency industry. Between 2018 and 2024, Gotbit provided market manipulation services to create artificial trading volume for multiple cryptocurrency companies, including companies located in the United States and companies whose cryptocurrencies traded on platforms available to investors located in the United States. Andriunin was Gotbit’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. In a 2019 interview, Andriunin described how he developed a code to “wash trade” cryptocurrencies to artificially inflate trading volume for the purpose of getting cryptocurrencies listed on CoinMarketCap (a website that published information about “trending” cryptocurrencies) and trading on larger cryptocurrency exchanges. Andriunin and Gotbit’s employees marketed these wash trading tactics to prospective clients and explained how Gotbit used multiple accounts to avoid detection of the wash trades on the public blockchain. Gotbit made wash trades worth millions of dollars on behalf of clients and received tens of millions of dollars in payments from clients. Gotbit admitted that it engaged in manipulative trades to artificially increase the trading price and volume of tokens for clients that included Robo Inu and Saitama. Leaders of those cryptocurrency companies were charged in separate cases unsealed in October 2024 . Gotbit is the third market maker to resolve criminal charges relating to wash trading in the cryptocurrency industry. In October 2024 , the founder of MyTrade pleaded guilty in connection with providing an unlawful wash trading service identified through an undercover law enforcement operation. In April 2025 , CLS Global FZC LLC was sentenced in connection with offering illegal “volume support” services uncovered by the same operation. The Securities & Exchange Commission brought a related civil enforcement action against Gotbit alleging violations of the securities laws. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Markham and David M. Holcomb of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit is handling the forfeiture matter.


title: Kershaw County Man Sentence to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

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

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Frederick Siou Beaufort, 41, of Camden has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Sept. 3, 2023, a Kershaw County sheriff’s deputy saw Beaufort driving his car while not wearing a seatbelt. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the car and while speaking with Beaufort, the deputy spotted a large hand-rolled cigarette sitting on the front passenger seat. The officer asked him what the item was, and he stated it was a “blunt,” a street name for a marijuana cigarette. As the deputy searched the car, he located a handgun under the driver’s side floor mat. Beaufort stated he did not have a concealed weapons permit and that he was a convicted felon. At the time of his arrest, Beaufort had been convicted of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, resisting arrest, distribution of crack cocaine and was out on bond for murder. United States District Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Beaufort to 27 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Otis Elevator Company Agrees to Pay More Than $600,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegation Related to Invoices for Elevator Maintenance

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: Otis Worldwide Corporation, an international elevator services firm headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, which is branded and doing business as Otis Elevator Company (Otis), has agreed to settle allegations under the False Claims Act (FCA) related to invoices for preventive maintenance services submitted to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) that were not rendered pursuant to the terms of a Contract. Under the settlement, Otis will pay the United States $616,987.02. “A contractor, like Otis, has an obligation to submit invoices and seek reimbursement solely for work and services that have been performed as claimed,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “This settlement with Otis demonstrates that the United States Attorney’s Office and federal partners like TVA’s Office of the Inspector General are using all tools available to address fraud, waste, and abuse and protect public funds.” “The TVA Office of the Inspector General is committed to identifying and investigating instances where vendors fail to fulfill contractual obligations as well as false claims and overpayments that negatively impact ratepayers throughout the Tennessee Valley. We would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their dedicated support of such efforts,” said Assistant Inspector General, Investigations D. Eric Beals of the Tennessee Valley Authority Office of Inspector General. The United States’ investigation focused on an August 2017 Contract between Otis and TVA. The United States contended that the Contract required Otis to provide turnkey modernization and specified monthly preventative maintenance services related to certain elevators in the TVA Knoxville Office Complex. The United States maintained that it has certain civil claims against Otis arising from its performance of the Contract. Specifically, the United States contended that Otis submitted false claims for payment to TVA for preventive maintenance services that were not rendered. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the TVA Office of the Inspector General – Office of Investigations (TVA-OIG). The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating waste, fraud, and abuse impacting federal agencies. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, and mismanagement of TVA resources can be reported to TVA-OIG at 1-855-882-8585 or www.oigempowerline.com The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan G. McGonigal and Alexa Ortiz Hadley for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. ###


title: San Antonio Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court to 180 months imprisonment to be followed by 15 years of supervised release for attempted production of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. According to court documents, between May of 2022 and June of 2023, George Isaac Del Bosque, 33, made a surreptitious recording of a 15-year-old minor while the child victim was undressing and nude. A search of Del Bosque's phone revealed 16 sexually explicit images and three sexually explicit videos of the minor. Del Bosque was arrested Sept. 5, 2023. He pleaded guilty to the charge on March 11, 2025, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery. Prior to his arrest, Del Bosque was a licensed clinical vocational nurse. As a result of the charges, he voluntarily surrendered his license. “Protecting children has been and will remain one of the highest priorities of law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the handling of this case by our partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the San Antonio Police Department, and I also want to express how important it is—as demonstrated in this case—for child victims and their families to be vigilant and not hesitate to report sexual exploitation when it occurs.” "This sentencing sends a clear message that HSI is committed to holding accountable those who exploit the most vulnerable members of our society,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in internet crimes against children.” HSI and the San Antonio Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Mangels prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc. ###


title: San Antonio Man Sentenced to More than 12 Years for 2 Counts of Enticing, Coercing a Minor

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court to 151 months in federal prison and 20 years of supervised release for attempted online enticement and coercion of a minor. According to court documents, between June and August of 2023, Stephen Eugene Hall, 41, communicated with two undercover law enforcement agents whom he believed to be 12- and 14-year-old girls. Throughout their conversations over the Kik app, Hall attempted to entice them to engage in sexual activity and to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Hall was arrested by FBI agents on Aug. 23, 2023, when he traveled to a hotel in San Antonio with the intent to engage in sex with the individual whom he thought was a 14-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2025, to two counts of attempted online enticement and coercion of a minor and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez. “These proactive law enforcement operations, using the social media apps many children use today, are vital and necessary in order to catch child predators before they can cause their irreparable intended harm,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the work of our FBI partners in Boston and in San Antonio, we were able to put another child predator in federal prison for over a decade, with another 20 years of supervised release to follow.” “This sentencing sends a clear message that neither the FBI, our law enforcement partners, nor the American people will tolerate those who seek to sexually abuse or exploit children," said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. “We want to thank our colleagues at the San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding work and ongoing partnership as we continue to seek justice on behalf of the victims in this case.” The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Mangels prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc. ###


title: Nevada Man Sentenced to 32 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

component: Department of Justice

body_text: MOLINE, Ill. – Luisito Espanola, 65, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced on May 21, 2025, to 32 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons following his convictions for wire fraud and money laundering. United States District Judge Sara Darrow ordered Espanola to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on June 23, 2025. During the one-week jury trial, the government presented evidence that on December 2, 2020, and December 22, 2020, Espanola created and sent fraudulent emails to the City of Moline requesting that the City make ACH (payment information) changes for two vendors with which the City conducted business. As a result of that fraud, the City of Moline suffered a loss of $404,764.59. “We thank the thorough and professional efforts of the Moline Police Department and the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter and bringing this fraudster to justice,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Bass. Espanola faced a penalty of up to twenty years in prison on each of his two fraud convictions and a penalty of up to twenty years in prison on each of his two money laundering convictions. The United States Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bass and Jennifer L. Mathew represented the government in the prosecution.


title: Former Fiscal Manager For The Children’s Advocacy Center Of Northeastern Pennsylvania Sentenced For Wire Fraud

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Angela Saar, age 51, of Olyphant, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 29, 2025, to 366 days in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, by Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion for wire fraud related to her on-going theft from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, in Scranton. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, from November 2018 to June 2022, while employed as the fiscal manager for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CAC/NEPA), Saar engaged in a scheme to defraud the CAC/NEPA. Formed in 1998, the CAC/NEPA, is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), whose mission is to provide excellence in the assessment and treatment of child abuse and neglect. During her tenure as the fiscal manager for the CAC, Saar diverted fraudulent payments of various kinds from CAC/NEPA bank accounts into her own personal bank accounts for her personal benefit. Some of the diverted payments involved fraudulent mileage reimbursements, while others involved Saar inflating her bi-weekly paychecks by thousands of dollars. The total amount of restitution ordered payable to the CAC/NEPA was $411,940.11. Saar also similarly defrauded a second charitable organization in Lackawanna County for which she paid restitution prior to her sentencing in this matter. Saar has been ordered to surrender herself to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons on or before June 20, 2025. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Scranton Resident Office of the Philadelphia Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Berti prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 420 Months in Prison

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Late yesterday, Jonathan Alan Peters, 33 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Peters was sentenced to 420 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release. Restitution will be imposed at a later date. According to documents in the case, Peters took photographs depicting images of child sexual abuse material. He then distributed the images to other people on the Internet. The investigation revealed he possessed 110 images and 29 videos which depicted child sexual abuse material. This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: Gary Man Sentenced to 88 Months in Prison

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Yesterday, Nvaun Lewis, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Lewis was sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, police conducted a traffic stop in Michigan City and found Lewis in possession of a loaded pistol with an extended magazine and a “full auto” switch. Lewis had multiple prior felony convictions, including robbery and armed robbery, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Michigan City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Bradenton Men Plead Guilty In Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Colin Zirpoli (44, Bradenton) and Tony Marsh (25, Bradenton) have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition, Zirpoli pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and Marsh pleaded guilty to two counts of the same offense. They each face a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The sentencing dates have not yet been set. According to court records, in February 2024, Zirpoli sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Law enforcement determined Zirpoli’s source of supply was Elizabeth Poff, a co-defendant who previously pleaded guilty. Law enforcement then later determined that Poff’s source of supply was Marsh. Law enforcement continued to investigate the case, leading to four additional arrests in connection with the methamphetamine distribution. This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.


title: Mexican National Charged With Illegally Reentering The United States After Previously Being Deported Four Times

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Armando Soto-Carbajal (29, Mexico) with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Soto-Carbajal faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. According to documents, on June 9, 2025, Soto-Carbajal was encountered on Interstate 95 during a traffic stop conducted by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. While a deputy was conducting database queries, Soto-Carbajal fled on foot. Deputies pursued, located, and detained Soto-Carbajal several hundred feet into the woods off the highway. The indictment alleges that Soto-Carbajal is a citizen of Mexico who was previously deported from the United States on four separate occasions. When found back in the United States, he had not obtained the consent of immigration authorities to lawfully reenter the country. 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 is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Tysen Duva.


title: Asheville Company Agrees To Pay Over $2.1 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating To COVID Pandemic Relief Loan

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced today that d&b audiotechnik Corporation (D&B) has agreed to pay $2,130,185.14 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by certifying in an application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan that it had fewer than 300 employees, when it was a U.S. subsidiary of a German corporation with well over 300 employees. As a result of the misrepresentation, d&b audiotechnik obtained a loan that was forgiven by the United States. d&b audiotechnik has agreed to repay the original loan amount, plus a penalty—ultimately paying twice what was originally borrowed. Congress created the PPP in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The PPP was administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and provided forgivable loans to small businesses struggling to pay employees and other expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020, Congress approved funding for a second round of forgivable PPP loans. When applying for PPP loans, borrowers were required to certify that they were eligible for the requested loans and that the information they provided was true and accurate. This matter arose from a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel GNGH2 Inc. v. D&B Audiotechnik Corporation , W.D.N.C. Case No. 1:24-cv-246. The government’s investigation was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Johnson. Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.


title: Former Hedge Fund Manager Arrested for Insider Trading  and Obstruction of Justice

body_text: BOSTON – A former Miami-based hedge fund manager was arrested today in connection with his alleged role in a multi-million-dollar insider trading scheme and obstruction of justice. Kris Bortnovsky, a/k/a “Kris Bort,” 44, of Bal Harbour Village, Fla., has been charged in a six-count indictment unsealed today. The indictment charges Bortnovsky with two counts of securities fraud; two counts of conspiracy to commit securities fraud; one count of making false statements; and one count of witness intimidation. The defendant was arrested today in the Southern District of Florida and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. According to the indictment, Bortnovsky served as a hedge fund manager and, from at least 2017 through 2019, allegedly conspired with others to trade in the stocks of several publicly traded companies based on material non-public information regarding the earnings results and merger-and-acquisition activity of those companies. It is further alleged that, when interviewed by agents, Bortnovsky made several materially false statements. It is further alleged that, after being charged with securities fraud, and in violation of his pre-trial conditions of release, Bortnovsky intimidated and attempted to intimidate a then-cooperating witness. Charges against three other defendants who have previously pleaded guilty to their involvement in the insider trading scheme were also unsealed today. A fifth defendant who participated in the scheme previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in prison. The government’s investigation remains ongoing. The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud in violation of Title 18 provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud in violation of Title 15 provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of securities fraud in violation of Title 18 provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of securities fraud in violation of Title 15 provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of making false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of obstruction of justice through witness intimidation provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, with an additional maximum potential 10-year consecutive prison term because the offense was allegedly committed while Bortnovsky was on pre-trial release, as well as three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division made the announcement today. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, provided valuable assistance in this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Ian J. Stearns and Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of Foley’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Nigerian-Born Man Previously Convicted in an $80 Million  Fraud Case Indicted on New Charges of Naturalization Fraud

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: GREENVILLE, N.C. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Wednesday charging Omoyoma Christopher Okoro, 51, a United States citizen born in Nigeria, with naturalization fraud. The indictment alleges that Okoro lied about his criminal history on his application to obtain U.S. citizenship. According to the indictment and previously issued court documents, Okoro is alleged to have made knowingly and materially false statements under penalty of perjury on an application for naturalization. In response to one question “Have you EVER committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit, a crime or offense for which you were NOT arrested?” he answered “No.” Okoro took the oath of citizenship and naturalized on December 13, 2018. On September 19, 2024, following a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Okoro was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail, wire, and bank fraud. He was also convicted of two additional counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of bank fraud. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 100 months and ordered to pay over $22 million dollars in restitution. According to the jury’s verdict, Okoro committed those crimes from at least August 13, 2008, through January 1, 2011. He was not arrested until after he naturalized in 2018, so immigration officials were unaware of his crimes prior to granting citizenship. Okoro is charged in a three-count indictment with naturalization fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison as well as the automatic revocation of his United States citizenship. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations Division is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:25-CR-130. An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. ###


title: California Man Sentenced for Making Violent Threats  Against North Carolinians

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Kevin Day Dunlow, age 62, of Huntington Beach, California, was sentenced to more than a year in prison, six months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release for two counts of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. According to court records and evidence presented in court, between May 1, 2024, and May 16, 2024, Dunlow made numerous threats targeting multiple entities and individuals, including an elected official, members of law enforcement, a church located in northeastern North Carolina, and two synagogues located in Raleigh and Durham. Specifically, on May 1, 2024, Dunlow called the Wake County Sheriff’s Office dispatch to threaten there was a bomb at the sheriff’s office and told the dispatcher: “were going kill you.” Additionally, on May 10, 2024, Dunlow called a Rabbi just prior to the commencement of evening services and stated: “Jews didn’t deserve to live. Jews didn’t deserve to be on this earth. I’m going to kill the Jews. I’m coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.” “Threats of violence against the Jewish community and law enforcement officials are not only despicable, they are also a grave federal crime that we take seriously,” Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar stated. “I commend the FBI’s quick and decisive response to these messages, so that Mr. Dunlow can be held responsible and our community can breathe easier.” “Kevin Dunlow made violent threats against several groups of people. He targeted law enforcement, elected officials and their families, even local faith leaders, spewing vicious threats over the phone. These people serve our communities in varies ways and should feel safe as they do so,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Terrence W. Boyle. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Raleigh-based Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel J. Diaz and Erin Blondel prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:24-CR-00190. ###


title: Three Indicted for Elaborate $24 Million Transnational Gold Smuggling and Money Laundering Scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A federal indictment unsealed today charges Beatriz Eugenia Hernandez (B. Hernandez), 57; her son Carlos Mathias Gonzalez, 26; and her brother Esteban Hernandez (E. Hernandez), 47, of an elaborate transnational gold smuggling and money laundering scheme that involved the wire transfer of over $24 million from the United States to Colombia. According to allegations in the indictment, B. Hernandez, Gonzalez, and E. Hernandez received shipments from a Colombian company that purported to contain various types of metal widgets when, in fact, half of the packages would contain undeclared gold cylinders that were inserted within the widgets and painted over to avoid detection. B. Hernandez, Gonzalez, and E. Hernandez would extract the gold cylinders, sell the gold through two U.S. corporate entities, and then wire the funds between the entities’ bank accounts before ultimately wiring the funds to the Colombian company’s accounts in Colombia. The scheme’s systematic cycle of gold importation, followed by international wire transfers, resulted in approximately $24,628,943 being wired to Colombia from the United States between December 2018 and May 2022. U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement. HSI investigated the case with assistance from Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller is prosecuting this case. An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 25-cr-20236. ###


title: Eastern Shore Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing With Intent to Distribute Cocaine

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Today, U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Rydell Washington, 37, of Salisbury, Maryland, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Baltimore. According to the guilty plea, on May 6, 2023, USPIS agents identified an inbound parcel, addressed to a residence in Federalsburg, Maryland, that contained suspected controlled substances. On May 9, USPIS obtained a federal warrant for the parcel, opened it, and discovered approximately two kilograms of white powder wrapped in two, roughly equal-sized, brick-shaped packages within the shipping box. USPIS removed one kilogram of the substance to seize as evidence and repackaged the other to conduct a controlled delivery. Then on May 10, USPIS performed a controlled delivery to the residence. The parcel contained approximately one kilogram of cocaine, a GPS tracker, and a beacon that law enforcement placed in the parcel. Authorities identified Washington as the recipient of the package during the controlled delivery operation. Washington now admits that he knowingly possessed at least 1002.9 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS and HSI for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Kalim and Patrick Rigney who prosecuted the 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 and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Illegal Alien Sentenced for Assaulting a Federal Officer and Setting an Apartment Building on Fire

body_text: ATLANTA – Armando Carrillo-Diaz, 45, an illegal alien from Rioverde, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, has been sentenced for assaulting a federal officer, arson, and illegally reentering the United States. “When illegal aliens resort to extreme and dangerous measures to avoid removal, they not only violate our immigration laws but also put law enforcement officers and the public at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Our Office is committed to taking decisive action to hold accountable those who attack law enforcement officers and endanger the community.” “This conviction sends a strong message to those who think they can evade justice by resorting to dangerous and reckless actions,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thanks to the dedicated collaboration between HSI and our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels, we were able to catch Armando Carrillo-Diaz, an illegal alien, and hold him accountable for his reckless and fiery attempts to evade justice.” “Carrillo-Diaz posed a serious threat to law enforcement and the community,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons. “Our top priority is working with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges and other information presented in court: On April 26, 2023, deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) attempted to arrest Armando Carrillo-Diaz in the parking lot of his apartment complex. Carrillo-Diaz nearly struck one of the officers as he fled from the scene in a pickup truck. When ERO officers later returned to his residence to locate him, Carrillo-Diaz attempted to evade capture by setting his apartment on fire. The fire spread, prompting the Gwinnett County, Georgia, Fire Department to evacuate residents from the building. Carrillo-Diaz then sliced his own throat with a box cutter when the officers tried to apprehend him. The officers immediately rendered medical aid and arranged for Carrillo-Diaz’s transport to a local hospital. On June 26, 2024, a federal grand jury seated in the Northern District of Georgia returned a superseding indictment charging Carrillo-Diaz with the offenses of Assaulting a Federal Officer, Arson, and Illegally Reentering the United States. On June 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen sentenced Carrillo-Diaz to five years in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Carrillo-Diaz was convicted of these charges on January 29, 2025, after he pleaded guilty. This case was investigated by ERO, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Gwinnett County Fire Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dash A. Cooper prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Afghan National Pleads Guilty to Plotting Election Day Terror Attack in the United States

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, a native and citizen of Afghanistan, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Oklahoma City to two terrorism-related offenses: conspiring and attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and receiving, attempting to receive, and conspiring to receive firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a federal crime of terrorism. “By pledging allegiance to ISIS and plotting an attack against innocent Americans on Election Day, this defendant endangered lives and gravely betrayed the nation that gave him refuge,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s guilty plea guarantees he will be held accountable, stripped of his immigration status, and permanently removed from the United States, and shows the Justice Department has zero tolerance for those who exploit our freedoms to spread violence.” “The defendant admits he planned and obtained firearms to carry out a violent terror attack on Election Day in 2024, a plot that was detected and disrupted through the good work of the FBI and our partners,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Let this serve as notice to anyone who tries to conduct attacks in our homeland for ISIS or any other terror group: we will find you and you’ll face American justice. I want to commend the FBI teams and our partners for their hard work and success in executing the mission.” “Through incredible law enforcement effort and coordination, a violent terrorist attack on American soil was thwarted, and those responsible are being held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “I commend the outstanding work by the FBI, our law enforcement partners, and prosecutors to diligently discover, thoroughly investigate, and completely foil this terror plot. These guilty pleas serve as an emphatic reminder that the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue those who attempt to harm Americans through terrorist acts.” “Thanks to outstanding work by the Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force, the defendant’s plan to kill innocent Americans in a terrorist attack on Election Day was stopped,” said Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. “The FBI is grateful to all who stand beside us in our fight against terrorism. Together, we will continue to safeguard our communities from those who conspire against the United States.” According to court documents, Tawhedi admitted that between June 2024 and October 2024 he conspired with at least one other individual to purchase two AK-47 rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, and 10 magazines, with the intent to carry out a mass-casualty attack on or around Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, on behalf of ISIS. According to a criminal complaint affidavit filed in the case, Tawhedi communicated with an ISIS facilitator about his plan to purchase firearms for use in the terror plot, including asking the individual whether 500 rounds of ammunition would be sufficient. Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, Abdullah Haji Zada, were arrested on Oct. 7, 2024, after purchasing the firearms and ammunition from an undercover FBI employee. Zada, 18, pleaded guilty in April 2025 to the firearms offense in connection with his role in the terror plot and is awaiting sentencing. Zada, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, entered his guilty plea as an adult and will be sentenced as an adult. At sentencing, Tawhedi faces a maximum penalty 20 years in prison for the material support charge and up to 15 years in prison for the firearms charge. Zada faces up to 15 years in federal prison. Upon completion of any sentence, Tawhedi and Zada will be permanently removed from the United States and barred from reentry under stipulated judicial orders of removal to Afghanistan. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Marshals Service, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Edmond Police Department, the Moore Police Department, the Oklahoma City Police Department, the Oklahoma City Community College Police Department, and the Oklahoma City University Police Department, is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica L. Perry and Matt Dillon for the Western District of Oklahoma; Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian, who previously served in the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section; and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Mark Stoneman of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, who previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, also assisted with the prosecution.


title: Federal Grand Juries in Bowling Green and Paducah Indict 4 Illegal Aliens for Immigration Offenses

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Bowling Green and Paducah, KY – Federal grand juries in Bowling Green and Paducah, Kentucky, returned indictments on June 10 and 11, 2025, charging three individuals with illegal reentry after deportation or removal and one individual with use of a false passport. U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville, and Sam Olson, Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago, U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement made the announcement. According to the indictments: Santiago Tehandon-Paneda , age 45, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Owensboro, Kentucky, with reentry after deportation or removal and false claim to United States citizenship. On or about May 12, 2025, Tehandon-Paneda was an alien found in United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about May 4, 2007, and August 13, 2012. On or about May 15, 2025, Tehandon-Paneda willfully represented himself to be a citizen of the United States. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO. Feliz Morales-Rangel , age 38, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Bowling Green with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about March 26, 2025, Morales-Rangel was an alien found in United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about March 20, 2008, and May 1, 2010. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO. Francisco Campos-Guardian , age 32, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about May 8, 2025, Campos-Guardian was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about January 7, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO. Bogdan Drapac , age 41, a citizen of Romania, was charged in Paducah with use of a false passport. On or about May 14, 2025, Drapac willfully and knowingly used and attempted to use a false, forged, and counterfeited Spanish passport; that is, he presented the passport to law enforcement during a traffic stop to conceal his identity. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, and Raymond McGee, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, are prosecuting the cases. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Davenport Man Convicted For Fentanyl Trafficking

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Jose David Figueroa Pacheco (33, Davenport) guilty of fentanyl trafficking. Figueroa Pacheco faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2025. Figueroa Pacheco was indicted on August 7, 2024, along with co-defendant Alberto Ismael Salinas Valencia. Salinas Valencia pleaded guilty on January 23, 2025, and has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, between August 2023 and August 2024, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation to identify firearms and narcotics traffickers in the Orlando area. As part of that investigation, on December 13, 2023, an undercover officer arranged to buy a firearm and fentanyl pills from Salinas Valencia. Salinas Valencia arrived with the firearm at the buy location as a passenger in Figueroa Pacheco’s truck. Figueroa Pacheco then made phone calls to coordinate the delivery of the fentanyl pills, inspected the pills, and facilitated the transaction. ( firearm and fentanyl pills sold during the December 13, 2023 drug transaction ) This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Richard Varadan and Risha Asokan.


title: Baxter Springs man charged with child pornography possession

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man has been charged through criminal complaint in Wichita, Kansas, on allegations related to child sexual abuse materials. According to court documents, Kenneth Norman Baker, 41, of Baxter Springs is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case. 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 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 . A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Newton Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Offense

body_text: BOSTON – A Newton man pleaded guilty on June 10, 2025 in federal court in Boston to illegally possessing two firearms and ammunition. James Welch, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Sept. 11, 2025. Welch was charged in February 2025. On Feb. 28, 2025, during a search of the defendants Newton residence a pistol and a rifle, as well as ammunition were recovered. Welch is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions. The charge of possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of a $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah Foley and Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The Newton Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric L. Hawkins of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Former New York State Assembly Candidate Charged with Wire Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, a criminal complaint was unsealed charging Dao Yin, a Queens resident and former 2024 New York State Assembly candidate, with wire fraud in connection with his scheme to defraud New York State’s public campaign finance system by reporting false campaign contributions—including forged signatures of purported contributors—to secure matching funds. Yin was arrested today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation, announced the charges. “As alleged, the defendant, a former candidate for public office, submitted forged campaign contribution cards from members of the very community he hoped to represent, to fraudulently obtain thousands of dollars in public matching funds that he was not entitled to receive,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s arrest demonstrates that this Office will protect the integrity of elections and pursue candidates for elected office who violate campaign finance laws.” Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board (PCFB) for its assistance. “Through lies and deceit, the defendant allegedly stole over $160,000 in taxpayer dollars to fund his campaign for elected office,” stated Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. “Fraud and public corruption threaten the integrity of our elections and will not be tolerated. The Criminal Division remains committed to aggressively prosecuting frauds that undermine U.S. interests and waste public funds.” “Dao Yin allegedly fabricated support to be unlawfully awarded more than $150,000 to further his election campaign. Yin also allegedly abused his position to defraud a matching funds program that could have been used to support other candidates for state office. The FBI remains committed to investigating any individual who implements deceitful tactics to find a seat in public office,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “As charged, this former candidate for the New York State Assembly manipulated the campaign finance system through fraudulent campaign contributions in order to claim matching funds that he was not eligible to receive,” stated DOI Commissioner Strauber. “DOI and our law enforcement partners in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI remain committed to protecting the integrity of the campaign finance system and public dollars.” The New York State Public Campaign Finance Program The PCFB oversees and administers the New York State Public Campaign Finance Program (the Program), which provides candidates running for statewide or state legislative office the ability to qualify for and receive public matching funds based on small donations from residents in applicable districts. To participate in the Program, a candidate must register an authorized committee with the PCFB, be in a covered election for a covered office, meet threshold requirements for the number of matchable contributions received, and total monetary contributions received, and adhere to all other program requirements such as making periodic disclosures to the PCFB. Contributions between $5 and $250 are generally eligible for public matching funds provided they meet certain criteria. For a State Assembly race, the candidate generally must have raised a minimum of $6,000 in matchable contributions and have a minimum of 75 matchable donations. For cash contributions to qualify for matching funds, the candidate’s authorized committee is required to submit contribution cards that, among other information, list each contributor’s name, residential address, and date of contribution. The contribution card also must be signed by the contributor. The Fraudulent Scheme As alleged in the complaint, the defendant registered his campaign committee, Dao Yin for New York 2024 (the Committee), with the PCFB so that it could receive funds through the Program. The defendant served as the treasurer of the Committee. To qualify for public matching funds, the defendant submitted fraudulent contribution cards through the Committee to the PCFB that listed the names and purported to bear the signatures of individuals he falsely claimed had donated to the Committee. By doing so, the defendant obtained approximately $162,800 in public matching funds from the Program. The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of all charges, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section and the Public Integrity Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew D. Grubin and Rebecca Schuman, along with Trial Attorney Lina Peng, are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Daniel Arakawa. The Defendant : DAO YIN Age: 62 Flushing, NY E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-MJ-208 yin_complaint_signed.pdf


title: Prime Capital Ventures Owner Indicted for Wire Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kris Roglieri, age 45, of Queensbury, New York, was indicted yesterday on a wire fraud conspiracy charge in connection with the operation and collapse of his purported commercial lending business, Prime Capital Ventures, LLC. Roglieri had been previously indicted on five counts of wire fraud , and yesterday’s superseding indictment added a wire fraud conspiracy charge and seeks the forfeiture of millions of dollars’ worth of vehicles, watches and real estate that Roglieri purchased as part of his fraudulent scheme. 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), made the announcement. According to the superseding indictment, Roglieri operated Prime Capital Ventures, LLC (“Prime Capital”) and, between March 2022 and January 2024, conspired with others to fraudulently obtain tens of millions of dollars from Prime Capital’s clients. The indictment alleges that Roglieri and his co-conspirators fraudulently promoted Prime Capital as a lending business capable of making large commercial loans, and deceived clients into sending Prime Capital “Interest Credit Account” (or “ICA”) payments based on false promises that these payments would allow Prime Capital to make these large loans and that the ICA payments would be refunded if those loans did not materialize. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “As alleged, Kris Roglieri perpetrated a massive fraudulent scheme against clients across the country that came to Prime Capital Ventures for loans to fund their business projects. Instead of giving these clients legitimate loans, Roglieri gave them lies, and spent millions of dollars on his made-for-Instagram extravagant lifestyle. He spent millions on exotic vehicles and watches, and on private international jet travel, including a vacation to Anguilla that he took as Prime Capital was in bankruptcy proceedings and with the company’s creditors beset with confusion, anger and grief. But today’s indictment shows that these crimes ultimately did not pay for Roglieri, as he now faces the prospect of many years in prison.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Today’s indictment illustrates the staggering depth of the alleged fraud committed by Mr. Roglieri. The FBI takes very seriously our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud for personal gain. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use illegal means and criminal behavior to take advantage of others.” The charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The superseding indictment alleges that Prime Capital held itself out as a commercial lending business, but never had the ability to legitimately fund loans. As part of contractual arrangements with its borrower clients situated across the country, Prime Capital obtained upfront interest payments from prospective borrowers while it sought to secure loans for those borrowers; these upfront interest payments were characterized by Prime Capital as the “Interest Credit Account” payment, or “ICA” payment for short. ICA payments did not represent fees to Prime Capital. Instead, each borrower’s upfront ICA payment would be debited over time as the loan was funded and accrued more interest. An ICA payment would also be refundable if Prime Capital failed to secure a loan for the borrower client. Depending on the size of the loan that Prime Capital promised, an ICA payment could be in the millions of dollars. Prime Capital obtained ICA payments as large as $20 million. The indictment alleges that because Prime Capital never had a source of loan funding, Roglieri used ICA payments from newer borrower clients to partially fund loans to, and to refund ICA payments to, older borrower clients, contrary to promises that each ICA payment would be kept in a pledged account and would be used only for the benefit of the client that made the ICA payment. Roglieri also drew on ICA payments to pay his debts and buy the following, all of which the Government has since seized or secured, and is now seeking to forfeit: A Ferrari LaFerrari F150, a Ferrari Enzo, a Ferrari 812 Competizione, and a Ferrari engine table (this is a table with a Ferrari engine as its base); Eight Mercedes Benzes including a Mercedez Benz SLR McLaren; A Porsche Carrera; A Maserati MC 12 Corse; Two Richard Mille watches; Six Rolex watches; A multi-million-dollar residential property in Virginia Beach, Virginia; and $764,000.83 seized from bank accounts. Roglieri has been in custody since his arrest on a criminal complaint on May 31, 2024. United States District Judge Mae D’Agostino has set a firm trial date of January 5, 2026. If convicted of wire fraud or wire fraud conspiracy, Roglieri faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. 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. The Government is also seeking an asset forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $183,818,821.82. Two co-conspirators have pled guilty in connection with this case. Kimberly Owen, a/k/a Kimberly “Kimmy” Humphrey, age 41, and her brother Christopher Snyder, age 45, both of Virginia Beach, have each pled guilty to a charge of wire fraud conspiracy. Both Owen and Snyder admitted to conspiring with each other and Roglieri to defraud Prime Capital clients. The FBI is conducting this ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Michael Barnett are prosecuting this case.


title: Tennessee Man Sentenced in Kentucky to 25 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: WASHINGTON — A Tennessee man was sentenced yesterday in the Western District of Kentucky for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; obstructing a sex trafficking investigation; interstate transportation for prostitution; and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Portier Q. Govan, 37, of Memphis, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release after a jury found Govan guilty in December 2024. Evidence presented during the trial established that Govan and his co-defendant, Brittany R. Howard, 25, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, recruited and enticed the victim to engage in commercial sex by preying on her young age and financial situation, and by making false promises of easy money. To establish his control over the victim, Govan threatened to kill her by pressing a pistol against her head while she was in the front passenger seat of a car, and then lowered and discharged the gun, firing a bullet across her lap and missing her body by inches. Govan also showed her a video of himself torturing a defenseless man tied to a chair. He sexually assaulted her and compelled her to engage in commercial sex acts for his profit by making her fear for her life. “The defendant used brazen acts of violence to compel the 18-year-old victim to engage in commercial sex, even holding a gun to the victim’s head,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This significant sentence reflects the severity of the defendant’s conduct and sends a clear message that the DOJ will relentlessly prosecute and hold accountable human traffickers who abuse and exploit others for financial gain.” The FBI Louisville Field Office, Bowling Green Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Bowling Green Police Department. “This sentence is the culmination of a tremendous joint effort between the Bowling Green Police Department and the FBI’s Bowling Green Resident Agency,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky Kyle G. Bumgarner. “Thanks to their efforts, Portier Govan will spend a significant portion of his adult life in federal penitentiary for his depraved conduct. While his sentence is lengthy, there is no sentence that sufficiently remedies the trauma he inflicted on his victim—who will continue to have unwavering support from our office” “Depriving an innocent victim of their civil rights by violently forcing them to engage in commercial sex is unconscionable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Portier Govan’s criminal activity. The FBI, in collaboration with our state and local law enforcement partners, will never stop working to identify and hold accountable violent criminals and to help victims receive the support needed as they recover from significant trauma.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Sewell for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Francisco Zornosa of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking. ###


title: New Orleans Resident Guilty of Being Felon in Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that DERRICK HINES , age 52, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on June 5, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sentencing is set for October 9, 2025. According to court documents, on September 28, 2023, while investigating a shooting, New Orleans Police Department officers discovered that DERRICK HINES illegally possessed a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony. The maximum penalty for this firearm offense is fifteen years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of one hundred dollars. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Hays woman appears on witness tampering and failure to report child abuse charges

body_text: GREAT FALLS – A Hays woman accused of witness tampering and failing to report child abuse appeared this week for arraignment, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. The defendant, Chantel Lee King, 56, pleaded not guilty to a superseding indictment charging her with two counts of attempted obstructing justice by witness tampering and two counts of failure to report child abuse. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the superseding indictment, King faces 20 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston presided. King was released on conditions pending further proceedings. Count 1 of the superseding indictment alleges that in September 2020, King knowingly attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade another person, with intent to hinder, delay, and prevent the communication to a law enforcement officer or judge of the United States of information relating to the commission or possible commission of a federal offense, namely aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country, sexual abuse in Indian Country, and abusive sexual contact in Indian Country, and took a substantial step towards the commission of the offense. Count 2 of the superseding indictment alleges that in September 2020, King, a teacher, school counselor, instructional aide, teacher’s aide, and teacher’s assistant, employed by a tribal, Federal, public, and private school, knowing or having reasonable suspicion that Jane Doe 1 was abused in Indian Country, did fail to immediately report such abuse to the local child protective services agency or local law enforcement agency. Count 3 of the superseding indictment alleges that in October 2020, King, a teacher, school counselor, instructional aide, teacher’s aide, and teacher’s assistant, employed by a tribal, Federal, public, and private school, knowing or having reasonable suspicion that Jane Doe 2 was abused in Indian Country, did fail to immediately report such abuse to the local child protective services agency or local law enforcement agency. Count 4 of the superseding indictment alleges that in October 2020, King knowingly attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade another person, with intent to hinder, delay, and prevent the communication to a law enforcement officer or judge of the United States of information relating to the commission or possible commission of a federal offense, namely aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country, sexual abuse in Indian Country, and abusive sexual contact in Indian Country, and took a substantial step towards the commission of the offense. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. PACER case reference. 25-38. The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html . To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl . XXX


title: Prison Term for Unprovoked Attack on a Man at Navy Yard Metro Station

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Rashad King, 20, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in Superior Court to eight and a half years in prison for assaulting a man at the Navy Yard Metro station in July 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). King pleaded guilty March 27, 2025, to one count of aggravated assault while armed. In addition to the prison term, Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman ordered five years of supervised release. According to the government’s evidence, just before midnight on July 20, 2024, King approached the victim at the Navy Yard Metro Station and, unprovoked, started to punch him until he fell to the ground. The defendant then stomped on the victim’s head over twenty times. As the victim lay unconscious, King took the victim’s bag and fled the scene. An off-duty FBI Special Agent saw the encounter, followed the defendant, and observed him enter a Metro Bus. The agent flagged down an officer and pointed out the defendant. King was arrested and has been in custody since. At the time he was arrested, the defendant had the victim’s bag, which contained the victim’s license. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They also acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke Albi and Mark Levy, who prosecuted the case.


title: Guatemalan National Indicted for Unlawful Reentry into the United States

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Guatemalan national was indicted on the charge of unlawful reentry into the United States, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces. Jorge Misael Niz, 42, a Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Salem, was previously deported back to Guatemala on March 30, 2006. He was located in Salem on April 27, 2025. Niz is currently in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. He will appear in federal court at a later date. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Immigration and Customs Enforcement led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo is prosecuting the case. This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Texas Man Guilty Of Drug and Racketeering Offenses

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JULIO CESAR DELGADO (“DELGADO”) , age 39, formerly a resident of Brownsville, Texas pled guilty on June 5, 2025, before United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, 846; and Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1952(a)(3). The charge of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Cocaine, now carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $8,000,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 8 years. Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Each offense also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Sentencing will occur on October 9, 2025. Court documents reflect that the Defendant was part of a sophisticated conspiracy that smuggled cocaine from Mexico into the United States at Brownsville, Texas and transported it to customers in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Michigan. DELGADO, and others, would also collect payment from the customers. During the investigation, the Louisiana State Police seized approximately $31,000 from DELGADO and another individual during a traffic stop. The money was payment received for cocaine delivered to a trafficker in Michigan. This money is subject to forfeiture. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller of the Narcotics Unit is assigned the prosecution.


title: Midlands Men Sentenced for Injuring Officers During Riot on May 2020

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Brandon Jemar Pickett, 38, of Cayce and Luis Rosario, 29, of Columbia, have been sentenced to four years and one year and one day, respectively, in federal prison for interfering with law enforcement officers during civil disorder. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on May 30, 2020, organizers held a peaceful protest at the South Carolina State House to protest the death of George Floyd. After the protest, some individuals continued protesting at the City of Columbia Police Department. However, the protest turned into a violent riot when multiple individuals began throwing objects at police officers, destroying property, and setting police cars on fire. During the riot, Brandon Pickett picked up a large rock and threw it at a police officer causing the officer to suffer a chipped tibia. Rosario threw water bottles with an unknown substance at officers and picked up a wooden barricade and threw it at an officer resulting in a head injury requiring seven stitches. Pickett has prior convictions for assault with intent to kill, failure to stop for a blue light, and attempted burglary. Rosario has no prior convictions. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Pickett to 48 months imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. Judge Lewis sentenced Rosario to one year and one day followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Fyall is prosecuting the case. ###