title: Hanover Foods Agrees to Pay $1.15M Penalty and Implement Actions to Address Clean Water Act Violations at Wastewater Treatment Facility

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), today announced a proposed consent decree with Hanover Foods Corporation. Under the proposed settlement, Hanover Foods would pay a $1.15 million civil penalty and take a series of actions to address violations of the Clean Water Act at its wastewater treatment facility in Hanover, Pennsylvania. “Hanover Foods allegedly failed to properly treat industrial wastes at its wastewater treatment facility, jeopardizing human health and the environment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The Clean Water Act was enacted more than 50 years ago with the purpose of putting a stop to this type of water pollution. If accepted by the court, the consent decree will hold the company accountable and help ensure it continues to upgrade its facility and take other steps to prevent unlawful discharges of industrial waste.” “Ensuring that Hanover Foods takes the necessary steps to prevent the release of nutrients and other pollutants underscores the EPA’s commitment to protecting our nation's waterways,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Craig Pritzlaff of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). “The measures outlined in the consent decree are essential for bringing Hanover’s facility into compliance with the Clean Water Act. They are vital for safeguarding the Chesapeake Bay and ensuring that local water sources remain clean, thereby protecting the health and well-being of the communities that rely on them.” As alleged in a complaint filed with the proposed consent decree, Hanover Foods failed to comply with a state-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to operate its wastewater treatment plant in Hanover, Pennsylvania. NDPES permits are required if wastewater is being discharged into a water of the United States (WOTUS). At this facility, Hanover Foods industrially processes foods, including beans and vegetables, for canning and fresh packing. Hanover Foods treats industrial waste associated with these operations before discharging wastewater into Oil Creek, which eventually flows into the Susquehanna River and then the Chesapeake Bay. Since 2016, Hanover Foods violated its NPDES permit on more than 600 occasions by exceeding its permit limits for pollutants including suspended solids, ammonia nitrogen, and phosphorus. In addition, environmental inspections identified numerous alleged violations of operations and maintenance requirements at Hanover Foods’ facility. Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, Hanover will install new equipment and take other measures to prevent violations of its permit limits for certain nutrients and for temperature. Excessive nutrients and high temperatures can be harmful to aquatic life, including fish, shellfish, and underwater grasses that support aquatic ecosystems. In addition to upgrades made while this case was under investigation, Hanover Foods will upgrade its wastewater treatment system, closely monitor compliance with its discharge permit, report any violations, identify their root causes, and take corrective action to address them. The upgrades include installation of a permanent boiler to maintain proper temperatures in its treatment process, implementation of spare-parts programs to avoid equipment downtime, and improvements to Hanover’s operations and maintenance program, including additional monitoring and tracking requirements. More information on the settlement is available from the Hanover Foods CWA Settlement case summary page: www.epa.gov/enforcement/hanover-foods-corporation-cwa-settlement-summary . EPA investigated the case and worked closely with the PADEP. Attorneys with ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section are handling the case. The proposed consent decree was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree and information on how to submit a public comment are available on the Justice Department’s website: www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees .


title: Marrero Woman Sentenced in Cares Act Fraud Investigation

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on October 30, 2025, LINDA TRIGGS (“TRIGGS”) , age 74, a resident of Marrero, was sentenced to three-years’ probation by United States District Judge Brandon S. Long, after previously pleading guilty to making a false statement related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2). TRIGGS faced a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release up to three years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Additionally, TRIGGS was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $64,065.00 to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). TRIGGS was also ordered to complete 150 hours of community service and pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the CARES Act, which provided emergency assistance, administered by the SBA, to small business owners affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. One of the primary sources of funding for small businesses was the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). According to the charging documents, or about April 18, 2021, TRIGGS , on behalf of a non-profit corporation that she owned, made false statements to an approved lender to obtain approximately $64,065.00 for PPP loans. For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Cryptocurrency Money Launderer Pleads Guilty to RICO Conspiracy in Scheme that Stole $263 Million in Crypto

body_text: WASHINGTON – Kunal Mehta, 45, of Irvine, California, pleaded guilty today in connection with his role in a multi-state conspiracy that used social engineering to steal hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from victims throughout the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Mehta, aka “Papa,” “The Accountant,” and “Shrek,” pleaded to participating in a RICO conspiracy before U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly and admitted that he helped to launder at least $25 million. Joining in the announcement were FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the Washington Field Office Criminal Division and Executive Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office. “Kunal Mehta along with his co-conspirators stole hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from victims and then laundered that money to give it the appearance of legitimacy, spending it lavishly on themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “We are committed to rooting out fraud and holding those responsible fully accountable.” ‘Mehta is the eighth defendant to plead guilty for his role in this scheme,” said the FBI’s Davis. "Today's plea reaffirms the FBI's commitment to exposing fraudsters and should remind Americans to beware of online scammers: Do not reply to calls, emails, or texts that request personal information, such as your password, PIN, or any one-time passwords that are sent to your email or phone." According to the court documents, the social engineering enterprise began before October 2023 and continued through at least March 2025. It grew from friendships developed on online gaming platforms and was comprised of individuals based in California, Connecticut, New York, Florida, and abroad. Mehta was a money launderer for the group which also included database hackers, organizers, target identifiers, callers, money launderers, and residential burglars targeting hardware virtual currency wallets. According to court documents, members of the enterprise stole cryptocurrency from victims throughout the United States through elaborate ruses committed online and through spoofed phone numbers. They then used the stolen virtual currency to purchase, among other things, nightclub services ranging up to $500,000 per evening, luxury handbags valued in the tens of thousands of dollars that were given away at nightclub parties, luxury watches valued between $100,000 and $500,000, luxury clothing valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, rental homes in Los Angeles, the Hamptons, and Miami, private jet rentals, a team of private security guards, and a fleet of at least 28 exotic cars ranging in value from $100,000 to $3.8 million. The original indictment alleges that on Aug. 18, 2024, Mehta’s co-conspirator Malone Lam and another associate contacted a victim in the District of Columbia and, through the communications with that victim, fraudulently obtained over 4,100 Bitcoin – valued then at $263 million, and valued this week at more than $384.5 million. Mehta first met the members of the in early 2024 through a money exchanger who was friendly with the owner of a Los Angeles exotic car dealership. The money exchanger solicited Mehta’s assistance with crypto-to-cash conversions in the tens of thousands of dollars. Mehta charged a 10% fee for converting the cryptocurrency to fiat cash. Mehta created multiple shell companies in 2024 for the purpose of laundering funds through bank accounts created to give the appearance of legitimacy. To facilitate crypto-to-wire money laundering services, Mehta received stolen cryptocurrency from the group which they had already laundered. Mehta then transferred the cryptocurrency to associates who further laundered it through sophisticated blockchain laundering techniques. The solen funds returned to Mehta’s shell company bank accounts through incoming wire transfers from additional shell companies organized by others throughout the United States. When members of the conspiracy requested cash, Mehta often delivered it himself. Mehta also performed wire transfers for the group, sending stolen funds to an exotic car dealership, a private jet company and real estate rental companies in exchange for a 10% fee for himself. In addition, Mehta used his shell companies to facilitate exotic car purchases for members of the criminal enterprise. The co-conspirators -- predominately 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds -- did not want Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Porsches, Ferraris and the like held in their true names because it would bring unwanted attention to their unexplained wealth as unemployed young men. Mehta titled the vehicles in the names of his shell companies to help disguise the true owners. He also sought out straw signers who would place their names on the car titles and purchase documents in exchange for payments which exceeded $10,000 per signing. In turn, Mehta would typically charge a 10% fee for his services. The FBI, IRS-CI, and U.S. Attorney's Office are committed to helping prevent Americans from falling victim to cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes. If someone claiming to be a company "representative" contacts you and asks you to provide personal information or to verify your account by providing a code, you should initiate a new call to that company by dialing the company's verified customer service line. You can visit the FBI's website for more information about cryptocurrency investment fraud. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the IRS-Criminal Investigation Washington D.C. Field Office. Significant investigative and operational support was provided by the FBI’s Los Angeles and Miami field offices. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rosenberg, Co-Chief of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. 24cr417


title: Amidst the Government Shutdown, the United States Attorney’s Office Continues Efforts to Combat Transnational Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that while the Government was shut down, the United States Attorney’s Office was continuing to work important cases where our communities were placed at risk due to transnational drug trafficking, violent crimes and weapons offenses. The following are impactful cases that have occurred during the shutdown. Moses Lake, WA- Moses Lake Man Sentenced to an Additional 10 Years in Prison for Dealing Drugs from Federal Prison . On November 13, 2025, Chief District Court Judge Stanely Bastain sentenced Joshua Isaac Stine, age 40, of Moses Lake, Washington, to 120 months of incarceration following his guilty plea to Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl. Judge Bastain ordered Stine’s sentence to commence after he finishing serving his current 20-year federal prison sentence, which was imposed for his previous significant drug trafficking in the Moses Lake area. Stine will be on 8 years of supervised release upon his release from this sentence. Evidence shows that while serving this federal prison sentence at FCI Forrest City (Arkansas), Stine utilized contraband cell phones and other methods, to facilitate the criminal enterprise “La Nuestra Familia” or “NF”, including distribution of fentanyl pills into the Moses Lake community. His criminal history dates back to 2000 and this is his 3rd federal conviction. In imposing this sentence, Judge Bastain noted Stine’s recidivism and unwillingness to change his behavior even after receiving a significant sentence. The full press release is located here . Spokane, WA- Career Offender Convicted after Jury Trial of Sex Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Unlawful Possession of Firearms . James Anthony Stinson, age 55, of Spokane, Washington was convicted following a 3-day jury trial of eleven felonies pertaining to Sex Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Unlawful Possession of Firearms. Based on evidence presented during the jury trial, the investigation into Stinson began in 2021 following a series of controlled purchases of crack cocaine. Some of those purchases occurred from Stinson’s hotel room in Spokane Valley. Based on that information, law enforcement with the FBI, Spokane Police Department, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Stinson’s hotel rooms and located distribution quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl pills, along with multiple illegally possessed firearms as well as evidence consistent with sex trafficking. Stinson’s phones and other digital evidence revealed videos of Stinson threatening and violently beating a commercial sex worker. Messages on Stinson’s phones revealed his ongoing use of force, fraud, and coercion, described as an “atmosphere of fear” to force multiple victims to engage in sex work for Stinson’s personal financial enrichment. Stinson was previously convicted in Washington State Superior Court for Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine), for which he served 132 months and was released in 2011. In 2012, Stinson was convicted in federal court in the Eastern District of Washington for Addict and Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, for which he served 120 months in prison. At the time of his arrest in 2021, Stinson was on federal supervised release. The full press release is located here . Spokane, WA- Mexican National Unlawfully Present in the United States Sentenced to 20 Years for Discharging a Firearm at Spokane Police During a Drug Trafficking Crime . On September 18, 2025, Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastain sentenced Israel Garcia, 36, to 20 years in federal prison after his guilty pleas to Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime and Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl. Garcia was ordered to pay over $6,000 in restitution to the Spokane Police Department and placed on a period of 5 years of supervised release should he again return to the United States after serving his sentence. According to information disclosed in court documents and proceedings, Garcia, a documented gang member living in the Yakima, Washington area, was convicted in 2015 of Assault on Federal Officers related to a drug and firearm trafficking investigation. Garcia was released in 2021 and deported to Mexico. Garcia returned unlawfully to the United States in 2022 and resumed his drug trafficking. On October 16, 2022, Garcia traveled from Yakima to Spokane to deliver 10,000 fentanyl pills. When Spokane Police identified themselves and approached him to effectuate his arrest, Garcia got out of his vehicle and immediately opened fire on the officers, while attempting to flee to avoid arrest. The path of the bullets from Garcia were directed at multiple law enforcement officers; as well as in direction of his vehicle, which still contained his male and female passengers and a minor child. But for the angle of a car door window, which redirected one of Garcia’s rounds, a law enforcement officer would have been shot in the head. That officer nevertheless suffered injuries to his head and face. Officers returned fire, striking Garcia and ending the clear and present danger he presented to the officers and the community. The female passenger and minor child were terrified but otherwise reported to be physically unharmed. The full press release is located here . Clarkston, WA- Clarkston Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Illegally Possessing Firearms . Loyal Otis Dickson, III, age 40, of Clarkston, Washington was sentenced on firearm and drug trafficking charges. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Dickson to 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Based on court documents and argument presented through the pendency of the case, a search warrant was executed on Dickson’s residence on November 6, 2024, based on prior observations of drug trafficking activities and his possession of a large amount of methamphetamine in his residence. At the residence, law enforcement located in total approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine shards, along with multiple firearms, including the components of an AR-style semiautomatic rifle consistent with a “ghost gun” which lacked markings or a serial number. Dickson was initially arrested and then subsequently released on state charges. Following his federal indictment, local law enforcement in Clarkston attempted to contact Dickson. Dickson fled into Idaho and engaged in a short foot pursuit with officers before being arrested. The full press release is located here . Yakima, WA - Yakima Woman Sentenced to 151 months in Jail for Trafficking Methamphetamine with Firearm . on October 9, 2025, United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell, sentenced Allicianna Lynnzie Clark, age 31, of Yakima, Washington, to 151 months imprisonment for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Judge Pennell also ordered that, following her sentence, Clark be on supervised release for a period of five years. According to court documents, on August 5, 2024, two Yakima police officers were in a marked police vehicle when they observed a vehicle with expired tags. The officers observed that the driver was a female and was the only person in the vehicle. The officers initiated a traffic stop and the driver sped away into a neighborhood. A few minutes later the officers found the vehicle abandoned in an alleyway. The officers found Clark a short distance away, identified her as the driver of the vehicle, and arrested her. Inside a bag Clark possessed police found approximately 120 grams of actual methamphetamine and 25 grams of fentanyl. A Glock model 19, 9mm pistol was also inside the bag. Clark had previously served long prison sentences for assault, robbery, and illegal firearm possession. The full press release is located here . Yakima, WA- Yakima Woman Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison Following Probation Violation . on October 21, 2025, Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian, sentenced Susen Ann Gorst, 37, of Yakima, Washington, to 57 months incarceration following violation of her terms of probation. Chief Judge Bastian also ordered that, following her sentence of incarceration, Gorst be required to complete 3 years of supervised release. According to court documents, on April 30, 2024, Gorst was sentenced to thirty-six months of probation following a guilty plea for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Gorst incurred multiple violations of the terms and conditions of probation imposed by the Court, resulting in the Court revoking Gorst’s probation and re-sentencing her to 57 months imprisonment. On August 15, 2024, Gorst failed to report to her probation officer as directed. She was also found to have previously consumed controlled substances and failed to submit to random drug testing. Gorst was arrested on July 7, 2025, by the Toppenish Police Department and on July 9, 2025, she was discovered in possession of controlled substances while in detention pending her probation revocation proceedings. Following evidentiary hearings on August 12, 2025, and October 6, 2025, Chief Judge Bastian sentenced Gorst on October 21, 2025. The full press release is located here .


title: Tripoli Man Sentenced to Over 38 Years in Federal Prison  for Child Exploitation Crimes

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who sexually abused three children, and distributed, received, and possessed child pornography, was sentenced on November 14, 2025, to more than 38 years in federal prison. Austin Kingsbury, age 24, from Tripoli, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 20, 2025, guilty plea to distribution and possession of child pornography. Evidence at sentencing showed that over many years, Kingsbury sexually abused three children. Kingsbury photographed himself sexually abusing one of the children. Kingsbury also distributed child pornography to multiple people in May 2023, and he downloaded child pornography between August 2022 and June 2023. Kingsbury was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Kingsbury was sentenced to 460 months’ and 22 days’ imprisonment and was ordered to make $18,000 in restitution to victims in this case. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” Kingsbury is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Devra T. Hake and Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Tripoli Police Department, the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Anchorage, Alaska, Police Department, and the Alaska State Troopers Technical Crimes Unit. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-2049. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Maryland Man Who Robbed Two Iowa Convenience Stores  Sentenced to Federal Prison

body_text: A man who was previously convicted of robbing the Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust on January 3, 2024, was sentenced on November 14, 2025, to nearly three years in federal prison after convictions for robbing two convenience stores. Andrew Philip Derr, age 23, from Fredrick, Maryland, received the prison term after a June 24, 2025, guilty plea to robbing two convenience stores and one count of money laundering. In a plea agreement, Derr admitted that after being discharged from the military for misconduct in 2023, he moved to Iowa City and conducted a series of robberies in the Cedar Rapids area. Derr admitted that, on December 27, 2023, he robbed the Casey’s General Store in Robins and obtained over $7,000 in cash and other merchandise. On January 1, 2024, he robbed the Kum & Go store on Four Oaks Drive in Cedar Rapids. Derr was previously convicted and sentenced in state court for robbing the Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust branch on Council Street in Cedar Rapids on January 3, 2024, stealing over $16,000 in cash. Derr admitted that after each robbery he laundered the stolen funds by making multiple deposits into his Maryland Bank account to disguise the nature, source, and ownership of the funds. On January 3, 2024, Derr flew to Maryland, and subsequently made two deposits of robbery proceeds totaling more than $4,800. When the United States Marshals Service tried to arrest Derr at his Iowa City apartment, they found a note stating, “Catch me if you can.” As a result of the United States Marshals Service efforts to apprehend him, Derr turned himself into the Orleans Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office on January 12, 2024. Derr was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Derr was sentenced to 34 months and 29 days’ imprisonment. This prison term was imposed concurrently with the remainder of Derr’s state prison sentence for the bank robbery. The court ordered Derr to pay $7,359.89 in restitution to Casey’s, $308.20 to Kum & Go, and $16,705 to Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. The United States Marshals Service is holding Derr in custody until he can be transported back to the Iowa prison system to continue serving his state prison sentence. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the United States Marshals Service’s Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Robins Police Department, Linn County Attorney’s Office, the University of Iowa Police Department, and the Orleans Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-00105. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Cedar Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting Children and Possessing Child Pornography

body_text: A man who sexually exploited children and possessed child pornography pled guilty on November 13, 2025, in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Dawson Sanderson, age 24, of Cedar Rapids, was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography. At the plea hearing, Sanderson admitted that, in 2021, he got minors to produce and send depictions of sexually explicit conduct. He also possessed child pornography. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Sanderson remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Sanderson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, $67,200 in special assessments, and supervised release for five years to life following any imprisonment. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is CR 25-51. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Waterloo Felon Sentenced to  Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Gun

body_text: A two-time convicted felon who possessed a gun was sentenced on November 17, 2025, to six years in federal prison. Jimarus Westley Puckett, age 38, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 28, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. On July 23, 2023, in Waterloo, Iowa, police officers stopped a car. Puckett was a passenger in the car. Officers searched the car and found a rifle that was equipped with a large capacity magazine in the back seat. Puckett was prohibited from possessing guns based on two prior felony convictions and a prior misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence. Puckett was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Puckett was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. 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. Puckett is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-2037. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Honduran Man Indicted for Illegal Reentry of a Removed Alien

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Miguel Angel Lopez-Mejia (“ LOPEZ-MEJIA ”), age 32, a Honduran national, was indicted on October 31, 2025, for illegal reentry of a previously removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). According to the charging document, LOPEZ-MEJIA was found in the United States on October 16, 2025, having reentered the United States without authorization from the Attorney General of the United States after being previously deported on July 15, 2022. LOPEZ-MEJIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two (2) years, followed by up to one (1) year of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 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). Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Protection in investigating this case. Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Dubuque Felon Sent Back to Prison for Possessing a Gun While on Federal Supervised Release

body_text: A convicted felon who was on federal supervised release when he possessed marijuana and a loaded and stolen handgun was sentenced on November 17, 2025, to seven years in federal prison. Tremaine Laron Moore, Jr., age 25, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 22, 2025, guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a November 15, 2025, admission that he violated the terms of his supervised release in a prior federal gun case. Evidence at the hearing showed that, on December 19, 2024, United States Probation Officers went to Moore’s house in Dubuque for an unannounced home visit. The officers, along with a police officer from Dubuque, searched the home. They found a loaded, previously stolen 9mm handgun, baggies of marijuana, a scale, and cash. The District Court sentenced Moore to five years in prison for the new firearms charge and a second consecutive sentence of two years in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release. Moore was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Moore was sentenced to a total of 84 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. 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 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. Moore is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by the United States Probation Office for the Northern District of Iowa, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Dubuque Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file numbers are 25-CR-01003 and 22-CR-01007. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Teen Shooter Arrested and Charged for October 2025 Shooting at Howard University’s Homecoming

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

body_text: WASHINGTON – Kaevaughn Dudley, 17, of the District, was arrested November 14, 2025, and charged in a criminal complaint with twenty counts for the shooting at a Howard University Homecoming event on October 24, 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Dudley appeared before Superior Court Judge Danya A. Dayson on Saturday and is charged with five counts each of assault with intent to murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for each of the five victims who were struck by gunfire. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for December 18, 2025. According to the the arrest warrant, at approximately 8:22 p.m. on October 24, 2025, as people gathered for Howard University Homecoming in the 600 block of Howard Place, NW, a group of nine males, dressed in black clothing, some wearing black face masks, were observed walking in the area. The larger group encountered a smaller group of individuals, including a 13-year-old victim and his friends, who were also walking in the area. While walking, the larger group yelled to the victim’s group, “What’s up with y’all?” to which the victim’s group responded “Nothing” and continued to walk toward Georgia Avenue, NW. Shortly after, surveillance shows the defendant walking several paces away from the victim’s group and firing several shots at the group using a hand gun. Dudley shot five victims, including the 13-year-old. Metropolitan Police Department officers were already detailed in the area because of the homecoming event and responded to the scene immediately after hearing the gunshots. Police located the five victims who were taken to nearby hospitals and each treated for gunshot wounds. One victim is a Morgan State University student, who is paralyzed from the chest down as a result of the shooting. Officers located three handguns at the scene including a privately made firearm Polymer 80, a Smith and Wesson SD9 2.0, 9mm handgun, and a Glock 19 9mm handgun. They also found a .40 caliber bullet and eight cartridge casings. Joining in the announcement was Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department, ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood and Chief Michael Anzallo of the Metro Transit Police. This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Metro Transit Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmanuel Hampton. A complaint or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 2025 CF1 015455


title: Owner of Chelsea Painting Business Charged With Tax Evasion and COVID-19 Loan Fraud

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – The owner of a painting company in Chelsea has been arrested and charged in connection with a five-year scheme to evade over $2.3 million in federal income taxes and with fraudulently obtaining $377,500 in COVID-19 loans. Helcio Sperandio, 52, of Chelsea, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on charges of filing false tax returns, tax evasion and wire fraud. The defendant was arrested today and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 2 p.m. this afternoon. According to the charging document, Sperandio owned and operated Aquarelle Painting & Services (Aquarelle). It is alleged that, from 2018 through at least 2022, Sperandio cashed hundreds of customer payment checks instead of depositing them into his business bank accounts. When tax time came, Sperandio allegedly gave his tax preparer Aquarelle’s bank statements, but he did not disclose information about the payment checks that he cashed. Using this information, the preparer filed Sperandio’s corporate and individual tax returns, unwittingly underreporting Sperandio’s income and allowing him to evade $2,309,466 in federal income tax. It is further alleged that when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Sperandio obtained a $150,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration (SBA) by providing false revenue numbers and falsely certifying that he was not engaged in any illegal activity, even though he was activity defrauding the U.S. Treasury. Later, Sperandio allegedly obtained an additional $277,500 from the SBA as a loan increase and used some of the money to start a new real estate company, a purpose prohibited under the EIDL program. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of tax evasion 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 wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the monetary gain or loss, whichever is more, restitution and forfeiture. 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; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form . The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Mission Man Sentenced to Federal Prison  for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on October 21, 2025. Darrell Dean Ponca, a/k/a Darrell Dean Richards, age 67, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Ponca was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2025. He pleaded guilty on July 21, 2025. Ponca was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in November 1994. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and update his registration within three business days of relocation or change in employment or student status. In December 2024, Ponca failed to update his sex offender registration following his release from custody on a previous conviction for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Ponca was arrested in Mission, South Dakota, on January 31, 2025. 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 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case. Ponca was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Winner Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison  in Child Sex Trafficking Case

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a man and a woman, both from Winner, South Dakota, following their convictions in a case charging Sex Trafficking of a Child and Production of Child Pornography. Richard Alan Kucera, age 67, was found guilty of two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child and two counts of Production of Child Pornography following a four-day federal jury trial in July 2025. On October 20, 2025, he was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $400 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Ivy Rose Heron, age 37, pleaded guilty on April 9, 2025, to one count of Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Child. On October 21, 2025, she was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Kucera and Heron were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023. At trial, the evidence established that between 2019 and 2021, Kucera and Heron entered into an agreement to recruit local girls in the Winner area to engage in sexual activity with Kucera in exchange for payment. Heron received a fee for each girl she recruited whom Kucera selected. Between 2020 and 2021, Heron recruited two sixteen-year-old girls, each of whom Kucera paid to engage in sexual activity on multiple occasions. Kucera also created child pornography images and videos of both minor victims, which he uploaded to Facebook. The arrangement between Kucera and Heron was discovered in June 2022, when the minor victims were interviewed by law enforcement. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case. Kucera and Heron were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Mission Man Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years in Federal Prison  for Assaulting a Man with a Machete

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Mission, South Dakota man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on October 20, 2025. Robert Romero, age 48, was sentenced to five years and eight months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Romero was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 21, 2025. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in May 2024 within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On May 12, 2024, Romero was driving a vehicle in Mission when he observed the victim walking alongside the roadway. Romero stopped his vehicle and argued with the victim. Romero then exited his vehicle and produced a machete, which he used to strike the victim’s arm, inflicting a serious injury that required hospitalization. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case. Romero was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Connecticut Tobacco Wholesaler Who Defrauded State of $1.2 Million Sentenced to 20 Months in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KHAWAR M. KHOKHAR, 37, of Ellington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 20 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for defrauding the State of Connecticut of more than $1.2 million in tobacco tax revenue. According to court documents and statements made in court, Khokhar operated Smokin’ Wholesale LLC, a Connecticut-licensed tobacco wholesale business that acquired smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products from out-of-state distributors, including businesses in Pennsylvania and Illinois, and sold the products to retail merchants in Connecticut. Between approximately May 2017 and June 2019, Khokhar and Smokin’ Wholesale purchased approximately $2 million in tobacco products from the distributors, but failed to report accurately to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services the value of the products imported into the state, and failed to pay to the state the tobacco-related taxes owed. Through this scheme, Khokhar and others caused Connecticut to suffer a tax loss of more than $1.2 million. Judge Nagala ordered Khokhar to pay restitution in the amount of $1,140,994.13, and to forfeit $60,707 that was seized during the investigation. Khokhar was arrested on May 20, 2024. On April 3, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy. Khokhar, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison January 19. This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, Criminal Investigations Division. The case was by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.


title: Sioux Falls Teacher Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Federal Prison  for Producing Child Pornography

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ronald A. Parsons, Jr. announced today that United States District Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a former middle school teacher from Sioux Falls, South Dakota convicted of four counts of Production of Child Pornography, three counts of Attempted Production of Child Pornography, and one count of Transfer of Obscene Materials to a Minor. The sentencing took place on October 14, 2025. Justin Preuschl, age 29, was sentenced to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison, 7 years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $1,000, a special assessment of $1,000 under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Act of 2018, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $800. Upon release from federal prison, Preuschl must register as a sex offender. Preuschl was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 15, 2025. Between 2022 and 2024, Preuschl created multiple social media personas posing as a teenage boy. Using his personas on SnapChat and TikTok, Preuschl targeted and sexually groomed over 20 young teenage and preteen girls and convinced several of them to produce for him child sexual abuse materials. The victims included some of his own students, ages 13-15 years old, while he was a teacher at Whittier Middle School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Division of Criminal Investigations, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . Preuschl was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Former Killeen Housing Authority Executive Sentenced to Federal Prison

body_text: WACO, Texas – An Austin woman was sentenced in a federal court in Waco today to 37 months in prison for embezzling federal funds for personal use while serving as the executive director of the Killeen Housing Authority (KHA). According to court documents, Deadra Johnson, 53, fraudulently obtained KHA funds and used them to pay for her personal expenses, including rent, utilities, auto maintenance, internet service, airline tickets, and furniture. A portion of the funds also went towards the purchase of a new vehicle. In an attempt to conceal her actions, Johnson developed multiple kickback schemes. Johnson was arrested on Jan. 17, 2024, and charged with theft of government property. She pleaded guilty on Feb. 11, 2025. In addition to three-years imprisonment, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered Johnson to pay $297,473.30 in restitution. “In stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars while overseeing the Killeen Housing Authority, Deadra Johnson selfishly betrayed not just the federal government and American taxpayers, but also the hundreds of families who depended on KHA services,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “My office is proud to partner with federal, state, and local authorities to protect the interests of this Nation, to protect our local communities, and to ensure that fraudsters like this defendant are brought to justice.” “Deadra Johnson exploited her position and violated the public trust by stealing federal funds that were intended to help provide housing for the most vulnerable people in our community. She orchestrated a plot to use that money to pay for a life of luxury for herself and her family members, which included purchasing multiple vehicles, first-class plane tickets, and paying for other personal expenses,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Lawler with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to diligently pursue and hold accountable individuals who take advantage of their positions of trust to defraud HUD programs.” “Our responsibility is to protect the integrity of federal programs and uphold the trust the American people place in us,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran for FBI San Antonio. “Deadra Johnson's actions diverted critical government funds away from individuals who depend on them during their most challenging moments. We remain committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to safeguard public resources and ensure they reach those they were intended to help.” HUD OIG and the FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff prosecuted the case. ###


title: Rossiter Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison for Throwing Homemade Explosive Device at Estranged Wife’s Residence

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Rossiter, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 97 months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of possession of a destructive device, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Roam L. Beer, 51. Beer was convicted of the offense at the conclusion of a jury trial on August 7, 2025. The evidence presented during the day-and-a-half trial established that, on January 5, 2024, Beer threw an ignited homemade explosive device, which had been weaponized with steel shot, at the side of the residence of his estranged wife, who was in the room immediately inside the wall of the house where Beer threw the device, but was uninjured in the incident. Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Fischer spoke of Beer’s lengthy criminal history, during which Beer “moved from threats to making bombs,” and described Beer’s offense in this case as “a very dangerous act warranting a serious penalty.” First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and New Kensington Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Beer. 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: Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to Nearly 3 Years in Federal Prison  for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on October 20, 2025. Jacob Henry Leroy, 22, was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Henry was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in December 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 21, 2025. On November 14, 2024, law enforcement arrested Leroy and found him in possession of a .38 Special Caliber, double-action revolver, inside his pant leg. Officers also found methamphetamine in Leroy’s pocket and sock. Leroy is prohibited from possessing the firearm because he has a prior felony conviction and because he was, at the time, a drug user. This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case. Leroy was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 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). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.


title: Chief Executive Officer Of Steel Manufacturer Charged With $66 Million Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Christopher G. Raia, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging DEREK WACHOB with wire fraud in connection with his multi-year scheme to defraud individual investors, a bank, an investment firm, and at least two steel pipe distributors of at least $66 million. WACHOB was arrested today in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and will be presented this afternoon in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken. “Derek Wachob claimed to be a billionaire and successful CEO, but as alleged, that image was built on lies,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “He stole more than $66 million from a range of victims that included some of his closest friends, then used those funds to maintain a lifestyle of expensive cars, vacation homes, private jets, helicopters, and yachts. The steel industry is a pillar of our manufacturing community, where honest and hard-working success is to be celebrated, but there is no place for fraud. This Office will work relentlessly to bring high-flying fraudsters to justice.” “Derek Wachob allegedly stole at least $66 million from investors, including some of his closest friends, and financial institutions to secretly fund his failing company and extravagant lifestyle through false promises of profitable business ventures,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia. “Wachob allegedly abused his authority as CEO to entice his targets with a mirage of success while shrouding the truth in deceit. The FBI remains committed to investigating any business leader who siphons from the accounts of trusting victims for personal enrichment.” As alleged in the Indictment: [1] From at least in or about October 2022 through in or about August 2024, WACHOB—the Chief Executive Officer of a large manufacturer of steel pipes based in Sapulpa, Oklahoma (“Company-1”)—engaged in a scheme to defraud individual investors, a bank, an investment firm, and at least two steel pipe distributors of at least $66 million. To obtain money from each of the victims, WACHOB lied and misled the victims by, among other things, falsely claiming to offer purported business opportunities based on future steel purchases that WACHOB pledged to make. WACHOB used these misrepresentations to take millions of dollars from even some of his closest friends. Instead of using the victims’ money as promised, WACHOB spent the funds to maintain his extravagant lifestyle of expensive cars, vacation homes, private jets, helicopters, and yachts, and prop up Company-1, which was struggling financially and in debt. * * * WACHOB, 53, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI. Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma for its assistance. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danielle Kudla and Adam Sowlati are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Fresno Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation Offenses

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Monico Erich Gastelo, 44, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday 40 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child and receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. The sentence will be followed by 15 years of supervised release, during which time Gastelo’s access to children, computers, and the internet will be restricted. He was also ordered to pay $40,000 in monetary penalties, and he will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from custody. According to court documents, in January 2019, Gastelo created a social media account in which he pretended to be an 18-year-old boy. Gastelo used the account to converse with younger individuals and request sexually explicit content from them. Between January and March 2020, Gastelo began communicating on Wickr, Snapchat, and Telegram with other individuals sexually attracted to children. He sent and received multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on these platforms. Forensic review of Gastelo’s phones revealed that he had more than 1,500 images and videos of suspected CSAM. Gastelo’s conduct escalated in May 2020. A minor victim told law enforcement that he had been sexually exploited online and that an individual later identified as Gastelo had added him as a friend on Snapchat. Gastelo sent over a dozen images of his penis to this minor victim and enticed the victim to send back CSAM. This case was the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, specifically the Fresno Police Department, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa and the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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 www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Honduran Man Indicted for Assault on a Federal Officer

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JOSE WALTER NIETO-CASTELLANOS (“ NIETO-CASTELLANOS ”), age 31, a Honduran national illegally in the United States, was indicted on October 31, 2025, for Assault on a Federal Officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 111(a)(1) and(b). According to court documents, on October 14, 2025, NIETO-CASTELLANOS forcibly assaulted a United States Border Patrol Agent, with Customs and Border Protection, United States Border Patrol, by hitting the back of a law enforcement vehicle with his white Toyota Tundra, while the agent was engaged in the performance of his official duties. NIETO-CASTELLANOS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, followed by up to three (3) year of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 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). Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Protection in investigating this case. Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Arcadia Woman Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Role in $11.6 Million Money Laundering Racket that Conned Elderly Victims

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley woman was sentenced today to 121 months in federal prison for orchestrating a large-scale international money laundering conspiracy that funneled more than $11.6 million in fraud proceeds from hundreds of victims – many of them elderly – who were conned by criminals pretending to be law enforcement, government officials, or computer support representatives. Cynthia Song, 43, a.k.a. “Iris Song” and “Xin Wang,” of Arcadia, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., who also ordered her to pay $10,069,518 in restitution. Song pleaded guilty on June 10 to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. She has been in federal custody since October 2024. From December 2022 to October 2024, Song conspired to launder millions of dollars in proceeds derived from various fraudulent schemes. Victims were conned via impersonation and technical support scams, in which fraudsters – often operating overseas – posed as government officials, law enforcement, or computer support representatives. The perpetrators deceived victims, typically elderly individuals, into sending large payments – sometimes their entire life savings – to bank accounts in the United States controlled by Song and her co-conspirators. Song first joined the scheme by personally money laundering fraud proceeds in her accounts. For example, in December 2022, multiple victims were induced to wire at least $170,850 into an account controlled by Song under the business name SW Prosperity Real Estate Development LLC. Within days, nearly all the funds were withdrawn and transferred abroad. Soon afterward, Song became a manager of money launderers and recruited at least 15 money launderers into the global scheme. Song and her network of recruited money launderers then opened dozens of business bank accounts to receive and transfer fraudulent funds. Once the victims’ funds were received, Song directed her associates to withdraw or transfer the money, taking a 5% to 10% cut before sending the remaining proceeds to fraud organizers overseas, primarily in China and Hong Kong. Throughout the scheme, Song directed the recruited money launderers on how to deceive banks that questioned the suspicious transfers, and she provided them with cover stories for the transfers, victims’ driver’s licenses, and other information in order to deceive the banks into believing the transfers were legitimate and therefore to not freeze the accounts or funds. Song and her co-conspirators continued to launder money through various bank accounts until the banks froze the accounts for fraud, at which point, Song and her co-conspirators would switch to different bank accounts and co-conspirators. Song admitted in her plea agreement that she knew the funds were criminal proceeds and she warned her recruited co-conspirators that the money they handled was not “clean.” Song and her co-conspirators laundered at least $11,692,931 in fraud proceeds from approximately 180 victims across the United States. Of that amount, approximately $2,736,240 was frozen or recovered by financial institutions. “The harm these crimes caused the victims cannot be understated,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “Some lost their entire life savings, others continue to experience shame, regret, and depression. Many dreamed to enjoy their golden years of retirement, but are now confronted with the harsh realities of lost savings and shattered dreams. Many have had to materially change their standard of living and most will never financially recover from these life-changing financial losses given their age.” IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew M. Roach of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this case. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice .


title: Guilty Verdicts in Southwest Georgia Repeat Offender Cases

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: ALBANY, Ga. – Two repeat offenders were found guilty of federal crimes at trial earlier this month, following separate investigations in two Southwest Georgia cities. Johnny Will Murray, Jr., 41, of Moultrie, Georgia, was found guilty of one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on Nov. 5, following a three-day trial that began on Nov. 3, before Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands in Valdosta. The defendant faces a maximum of ten years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2026. Lucis Lamar Williams, 42, of Pelham, Georgia, was found guilty of four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, two counts of aiding and abetting the possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Nov. 6, following a four-day trial that began on Nov. 3, before Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner in Albany. Williams faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2026. There is no parole in the federal system. “Our trial teams, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, have successfully delivered justice to repeat offenders who continue to ignore the law and harm the community,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Agencies at all levels of law enforcement are working to improve community safety across the Middle District of Georgia and hold criminal offenders accountable.” According to court documents and statements referenced at Murray, Jr.’s trial, on Nov. 11, 2021, the Moultrie Police Department executed a search warrant at Murray, Jr.’s home on suspicion of armed drug trafficking. Officers found approximately two ounces of methamphetamine, two digital scales, several empty vacuum-sealed bags and a rifle in Murray Jr.’s bedroom. Inside the bedroom closet was a safe with three more firearms, magazines, ammunition and $5,600. Officers also found a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine ice floating on top of the water in a toilet. Murray, Jr. has several past felony convictions; it is illegal for a felon to possess a firearm. According to court documents and statements referenced at Williams’ trial, GBI launched an investigation into Williams for drug trafficking in Pelham, conducting a series of controlled buys between September and December 2022. Each time, Williams sold between one and four ounces of methamphetamine to either a confidential informant or an undercover. This is William’s third serious felony drug conviction. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The Murray Jr. case was investigated by the Moultrie Police Department and the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Daniels. The Williams case was investigated by GBI and prosecuted by Criminal Chief Leah McEwen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid. This press release about cases that occurred during the 43-day government shutdown is now available after the return to normal operations.


title: Lehigh County Man Pleads Guilty to Scheme That Defrauded Victims of Nearly $2 Million

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Chinedu Ekuma, 45, of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge John M. Gallagher on two counts of wire fraud, in connection with a scheme that defrauded victims of nearly $2 million. The defendant was charged by information earlier this month. As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, from about August 2020 through March 2023, Ekuma devised a scheme to defraud victims and to obtain money and property of these victims by materially false pretenses, representations, and promises. The victims were individuals and businesses that intended to make payments to businesses and individuals for personal and/or business reasons. Ekuma owned entities called Intelaris Solutions, LLC (“Intelaris Solutions”) and Verge Capital (“Verge Capital”), and opened several bank accounts in the name of these entities. He and others caused the fraud victims to send payments to the Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital bank accounts, by falsely representing to the victims that those accounts were associated with the businesses and individuals who the victims intended to pay, when, in fact, the Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital bank accounts were controlled by Ekuma, and Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital had no legitimate relationship with any of the victims. As part of the scheme, the defendant and co-schemers created, or caused the creation of, fraudulent documentation that falsely represented that Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital were entitled to payments from the victims. After the fraud proceeds were received into the Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital bank accounts, Ekuma transferred most of the fraud proceeds to other co-schemers and retained other amounts of the fraud proceeds for himself. In total, Ekuma and the others caused the Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital bank accounts to receive more than $1.75 million from fraud victims and attempted to cause these accounts to receive over $650,000 more from fraud victims. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12 and faces a maximum possible term of 40 years in prison. The case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Allentown Resident Agency and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Francis Weber.


title: Former South Carolina Legislator and Lowcountry Attorney Indicted

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment against Marvin Rashad Pendarvis, 36, of Charleston, for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. The indictment alleges that Pendarvis, who was a personal injury attorney licensed by the State of South Carolina and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, pursued claims, filed lawsuits, and negotiated settlements on behalf of his clients and, in some instances, would forge client signatures and not pay clients any portion of the settlement funds. Through the scheme, Pendarvis received at least $532,000 in settlement funds to which he did not pay his clients any portion of the funds. Pendarvis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years for the wire fraud and money laundering counts. Further, for each count of aggravated identity theft, Pendarvis faces a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment. Pendarvis was arraigned by United States Magistrate Judge Molly Cherry on Nov. 18 and released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Bower and Whit Sowards are prosecuting the case. All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Justice Department Sues Former Property Owner for Sexual Harassment Committed by Former Owner and Manager of Arkansas Rental Apartment Complex

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Thomas Ray Kelso, the former owner and manager of rental properties formerly known as Briarwood Apartments in Searcy, Arkansas, for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit also names as a defendant Avatar Investments LLC, which owned the rental properties during Kelso’s management and sexual harassment of female tenants. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, alleges that Kelso sexually harassed female tenants beginning in 2001, until his arrest, in 2023, and conviction for federal sex trafficking charges in 2025. According to the complaint, Kelso made repeated and unwelcome sexual comments to female tenants, touched female tenants’ bodies without their permission, requested sexual contact, offered reduced or free rent in exchange for sexual contact and took retaliatory actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances, including threatening to cut electricity or denying laundry access. “No one should have to endure sexual harassment to keep a roof over his or her head,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit reinforces the Justice Department’s commitment to holding landlords and housing providers accountable for illegally harassing and retaliating against tenants.” “This defendant intentionally lured and threatened vulnerable victims, forcing them to perform sexual acts in exchange for some of life’s essentials — shelter and electricity. He was rightfully sentenced to serve 20 years in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Just as Kelso continues to be held accountable for his reprehensible acts, the housing provider, Avatar Investments, LLC, should also be held accountable for its total lack of oversight of its property.” The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination. If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online . More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt . This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative . The initiative, which the Department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 51 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered nearly $16.2 million for victims of such harassment.


title: Elderly Man in Delaware County Defrauded by  a Citizen of India in the United States on Student Visa

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A citizen of India residing in San Antonio, Texas, and in the United States on a student visa, was indicted for defrauding an elderly man in Delaware County. Venkateswara Chagamreddy, 27, is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Demand Money and Property While Falsely Impersonating a Federal Officer; and Conspiracy to Obstruct, Delay, and Affect Commerce by Extortion. According to court documents, the elderly victim called a phone number that he believed was Microsoft support. While speaking with “Microsoft,” the victim was told that criminal activity had been detected on his computer and that information would be turned over to the federal government. The victim was then contacted by someone who identified themselves as a federal officer and provided a false badge number. The fake federal officer told the victim that his identity had been stolen and provided to criminals, which resulted in him being “investigated,” and that his identity was used to commit federal crimes. The fake federal officer spoke with the elderly victim about his finances and stated that he would be transferred to the “treasury department.” The victim was told that his money needed to be transferred to gold and that an “officer” would pick it up the following day. The elderly victim complied and provided photos of the gold. When the fake officer arrived, the victim handed him the package of gold. A few days later, the victim was contacted again by the fake federal officer, who demanded more funds. The victim contacted a family member, who explained that he was being scammed and contacted the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. With the victim's cooperation, deputies scheduled another pickup. While deputies watched the arranged location, Chagamreddy arrived, and court documents allege that Chagamreddy was on the phone with the elderly victim when deputies arrested him. When deputies searched his vehicle, they found gold and marijuana, among other things. After waiving his right to an attorney present, Chagamreddy explained that he was in the United States on a student visa and was at risk of deportation after being suspended from school. Chagamreddy alleged that he recently travelled out of state to enroll in a different college and that, upon his return, the gold was in his vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Greenough is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Caldwell Couple Sentenced To 120 And  70 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Crime

component: USAO - Idaho

body_text: BOISE – Ray Gordon Capistrant, 57, and Patricia Lynn Webber a/k/a Patricia Lynn Capistrant, 56, both of Caldwell, were sentenced to 120 months and 70 months, respectively, in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart Davis announced today. According to court records, in December of 2024, the Idaho State Police began investigating the Caldwell couple for distributing methamphetamine in the Treasure Valley. On four occasions from December 2024, and through January 2025, a confidential source purchased methamphetamine from Webber at the couple’s shared residence. During two of these occasions Capistrant was present nearby in the residence. On February 8, 2025, the Idaho State Police executed a search warrant at Capistrant and Webber’s shared residence along with a rental vehicle that they had used to go to Arizona to purchase methamphetamine. In the trunk of the rental vehicle, law enforcement found 22 heat-sealed bags that contained methamphetamine wrapped in tinfoil. The combined weight of the methamphetamine in the 22 heat-sealed bags was approximately 9,847.7 grams. In the shared residence, law enforcement also found additional methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia including multiple scales and plastic bags. In total, Capistrant and Webber possessed 10,839.55 grams—approximately 24 pounds—of methamphetamine that they intended to distribute to others. U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Idaho State Police which led to the charges. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kane Venecia prosecuted the cases. This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney position. ###


title: Milan Man Sentenced to Over 8 years in Prison for Federal Firearms Offense

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Jackson, TN – A Milan, Tennessee man has been sentenced to over eight years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. According to information presented in court, on February 5, 2025, officers with the Milan Police Department responded to the Mega Mart in Milan concerning an attempted robbery. Officers learned that Fleming Williams, 35 , had entered the store and became upset with the clerk because of the price of a cigarillo. Williams then threatened to rob another customer at the store if he did not give him a dollar. Williams then pulled a handgun out of his pocket and held it in his hand before leaving the store. Officers subsequently apprehended Williams at a nearby motel where he was living. Before he was arrested, Williams discarded his gun in a trash can near the motel. Officers searched the area following Williams’s arrest and found the gun in the trash can. Williams is a convicted felon and was thus prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm. On March 10, 2025, Williams was indicted in federal court in Jackson with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and he pled guilty to that offense on June 18, 2025. On October 23, 2025, United States District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Williams to 100 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "As a threatening felon in possession of a firearm, Williams presented a clear danger to the public in multiple ways. The eight-plus year sentence imposed in this case rightly punishes him for his recidivist behavior, removes him from the community, and makes Milan and Gibson County a safer place." “We appreciate our federal partners for their continued efforts in prosecuting gun crimes and ensuring that offenders receive appropriate sentences,” said Milan Police Chief Bobby Sellers. “This is one less felon that the Milan Police Department and the citizens of Milan will have to deal with, and it demonstrates the impact of strong partnerships between local and federal law enforcement.” This case was investigated by members of the Milan Police Department and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Derby Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Meth and Cocaine

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDRE MESSAM, also known as “Dre,” 49, of Derby, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine and cocaine. According to court documents and statements made in court, in May and June 2023, the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force conducted two controlled purchases totaling approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine and five grams of cocaine from Messam. Laboratory analysis of the methamphetamine determined that it was 100 percent pure. Investigators then arranged to purchase a kilogram of cocaine from Messam. On July 19, 2023, as he traveled to the planned meeting location to conduct the cocaine transaction, Messam fled from law enforcement officers who attempted to stop his car in North Haven. Later that day, he was located and arrested at a rental car agency on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington. Messam possessed approximately $7,200 in cash at the time of his arrest. Approximately two weeks later, a review of surveillance video revealed that Messam had thrown an object from the car as he drove on an entrance ramp to I-91 North. Investigators went to the area and found a kilogram brick of cocaine wrapped in cellophane. On May 20, 2024, Messam pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, five grams or more of methamphetamine. Messam’s criminal history includes state convictions and a federal heroin trafficking conviction . In June 2011, he was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 105 months of imprisonment. In March 2015, after federal sentencing guidelines were amended, his sentence was reduced to 81 months of imprisonment Messam, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 6. This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force, including members from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Brookfield and New Milford Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.


title: Tennessee Resident Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Coercing Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, has been sentenced in federal court to 12 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Terron Slatton, 26. According to information presented to the Court, in late December 2022, Slatton used a messaging application to contact and persuade and entice a 10-year-old girl from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to engage in sexual activity. During their subsequent online conversations, Slatton discussed sex with the child and solicited the minor to send him sexually explicit images of herself. Slatton then suggested they meet in person to engage in sex. Slatton was arrested at his residence in Tennessee following the issuance of federal arrest and search warrants. Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations–Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Slatton. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .