title: Newport Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Exploitation Charges

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A Newport man has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island to federal charges of enticement of a minor, attempted enticement of a minor, and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Kyle Patrick Tormey, 41, pleaded guilty on June 30, 2026, before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to three counts of an indictment charging him with enticement of a minor, attempted enticement of a minor and possession of CSAM. Torney was initially charged by way of a federal criminal complaint in April 2024. He will be sentenced on September 29, 2026. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. According to court documents, Tormey repeatedly communicated with a minor female on various social media platforms, persuading her to provide him with photographs of herself and to meet with him to engage in sexual activity in exchange for payment. During the investigation, law enforcement executed federal search warrants and recovered electronic communications and images that formed the basis for the possession of CSAM charges. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Milind M. Shah. The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and West Warwick Police Department with assistance from the Newport Police Department. 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 .


title: Court Dismisses Case Challenging Exemptions for Company to Restart Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: Last week, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan dismissed a lawsuit challenging an exemption decision by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concerning the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert Township, Michigan. The court found that the Atomic Energy Act and the Hobbs Act channel review of an exemption decision related to a licensing proceeding to the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Congress created the NRC to license and regulate commercial nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear material. Consistent with Congress’s broad grant of authority under the Atomic Energy Act, the NRC has promulgated regulations under which an individual or entity may receive, renew, amend, or terminate a license concerning a nuclear power plant. As concerns this lawsuit, the NRC may, in certain situations, grant exemptions from regulatory requirements. In March 2023, Holtec Decommissioning International LLC (Holtec) alerted the NRC that it sought to restart Palisades, a shutdown and defueled nuclear power plant. Holtec submitted to the NRC a request to be exempted from certain provisions, alongside requests to amend the Palisades operating license, and to transfer reactor-operating authority under the license. In July 2025, the NRC issued Holtec the requested exemption, alongside the requested license amendments, and the application to transfer operating authority for Palisades. Plaintiffs challenged NRC’s actions. The court’s dismissal reaffirmed that Congress charted a specific path for lawsuits challenging final orders by the NRC. Specifically, the Hobbs Act vests the U.S. Courts of Appeals with exclusive jurisdiction to review all final orders of the NRC concerning nuclear licensing, including, as is the case here, the July 2025 exemption decision. “We are pleased that the court left in place the NRC’s exemption decision, which will allow the Palisades plant to move forward toward restart,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “By clearing the way for this project, the court’s decision advances domestic energy production and allows American communities to benefit from reliable nuclear power.” Attorneys with ENRD’s Natural Resources Section handled this matter.


title: Cuyahoga County Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

body_text: CLEVELAND – A 66-year-old man has pleaded guilty in federal court for terrorizing employees at a local bank as he demanded cash and threated them with a bomb. Mason Hart, of Euclid, pleaded guilty to Bank Robbery before U.S. District Judge Charles Esque Fleming, who accepted his plea. According to court documents, on Feb. 17, Hart entered Fifth Third Bank on Lakeshore Boulevard in Euclid around 1 p.m. Hart went to a customer desk and began writing. He then waited his turn in line to speak to a teller. Hart handed a demand note to the teller, and placed a taped shoe box on the counter in the teller’s line of sight. The note to the teller read, "I HAVE A BOMB IN THE BOX ITS REMOTE CONTROL ACTAUATE DO AS I SAY AND NOBODY WILL GET HURT." In response to Hart’s threat, the teller handed over $920 in United States currency. Hart then fled the bank on foot. He was apprehended at a later time. Hart is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 10. He faces a prison sentence of up to 57 months in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Scott Zarzycki for the Northern District of Ohio.


title: Polk County Felon Sentenced To 21 Years in Prison for Assaulting Deputy U.S. Marshal with a Firearm

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – Myles Andrew Strickland (36, Bartow) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek to 21 years and 5 months in federal prison for assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Strickland was found guilty on November 20, 2025, following a jury trial. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Strickland was a convicted felon and fugitive wanted on a state arrest warrant out of Polk County. A U.S. Marshals Service task force located Strickland in Lee County. When confronted, Strickland led authorities on a foot chase. During the chase, Strickland turned to face a Deputy U.S. Marshal who had been pursuing him and racked the slide of the firearm he was carrying inside of a jacket, thus preparing the firearm to fire. Strickland was then struck by gunfire from pursuing law enforcement, but a bullet hole in his jacket and a spent cartridge casing showed that Strickland had discharged his firearm. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Winter.


title: Nampa Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: BOISE – Steven Isaac Vasquez, 26, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. “Protecting Idaho’s children is a top priority for my office, and we are grateful to work with so many dedicated partners who share the same goal. Together, we ensure that sexual offenders are held accountable for their egregious actions and that victims get the justice they deserve,” said U.S. Attorney Davis According to court records, the investigation began when the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (“ICAC”) received a CyberTip report from a social media platform. A CyberTip is a report submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”). NCMEC gathers leads and tips regarding suspected online crimes against children and forwards them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement determined that a social media account, later identified as belonging to Vasquez, had been used to upload videos of child sexual abuse material. ICAC determined the videos depicted Vasquez sexually abusing a seven-year-old child. The investigation revealed that Vasquez had used his cellphone to record the videos and then posted them to his social media account. ICAC later obtained a search warrant for his online account and located the videos he had produced. “This 30-year sentence gets one more predator off Idaho’s streets,” said Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador. “Protecting Idaho families is the foundation of everything we do in our office. I’m grateful to U.S. Attorney Bart Davis and our law enforcement partners for their work seeing this case through to justice for the family and victim.” Chief U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Vasquez to serve a lifetime term of supervised release following his prison sentence. Vasquez will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction. U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Idaho ICAC Task Force, the Nampa Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Middleton Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office, which led to the charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kassandra McGrady prosecuted the case. These cases were 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. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal 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: Federal jury convicts North Carolina man who catfished a minor for child sexual abuse material

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a North Carolina man yesterday on charges of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to court records and evidence presented at trial, between Feb. 17 and March 3, 2023, Matthew Thomas Becker, 23, of Boone, North Carolina, exchanged sexual messages and sexually explicit images and videos with a 14-year-old victim on X (formerly Twitter). After exchanging only six messages, Becker, posing as a teenage girl, began sending the victim sexually explicit images and videos. Becker sold to the victim access to a folder on a cloud-based file sharing platform that Becker claimed contained “18 pics and 2 vids” of the female he pretended to be. On Feb. 20, 2023, Becker asked the victim how old he was and the victim told Becker he was 15. Becker then negotiated to pay the victim to send Becker a sexually explicit video, which he did. On March 3, 2023, Becker convinced the victim to send again a sexually explicit video because his previous X account had been suspended. Becker faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison when sentenced on Dec. 16. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated this case. The FBI’s Charlotte Office provided substantial assistance in the investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Halper and Laura D. Withers are prosecuting the case. 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-21.


title: Rockford Man Sentenced to 6 ½ Years for Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Kendrick Payton, 31, Rockford, Illinois, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 6 ½ years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl. Payton pleaded guilty to this charge on April 15, 2026. The prison term will be followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Between December 18, 2024, and February 18, 2025, Payton sold heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine multiple times in Beloit, Wisconsin. Payton sold more than 150 grams of fentanyl over the course of four controlled buys. At sentencing, Judge Peterson found Payton’s criminal history concerning. He commented that Payton was not ready to stop dealing drugs without court intervention. Judge Peterson also noted that Payton had been involved in criminal conduct since his childhood. The charges against Payton were the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Winnebago County, Illinois Sherriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Glinzak prosecuted this case. Federal prosecutions by the U.S. Department of Justice involving drugs and guns are part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Camden County Man with Fourteen Prior Felonies Found Guilty of Unlawfully Possessing Firearm and Ammunition

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County man with a felony criminal record was convicted by a federal jury for possessing a loaded revolver, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. Michael Webb, 42, of Camden, New Jersey, was convicted on June 18, 2026, of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition following a jury trial before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel in Camden federal court. Sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2026. According to the evidence presented at trial, publicly filed documents, and statements made in court: In May 2024, members of the United States Marshals Service’s Regional Fugitive Task Force in Camden, New Jersey, received a request from Colorado for assistance with arresting Webb based on a warrant for violating the conditions of his Colorado parole. On May 13, 2024, Task Force officers went to the area of 34th and Rowe Street in Camden, after receiving information that Webb might be staying at this location. Later that day, a Task Force officer saw Webb leave a residence, enter a car, and drive down Rowe Street. When the Task Force officer tried to stop Webb’s car, Webb fled the scene. He sped away from the officer, crashed into a parked car, and ran away. While Webb was running away from the Task Force officer, he pointed a gun at a Camden resident. Webb ran through private property and jumped over fences, until he finally reached a black metal gate that he was unable to climb over. The Task Force officer arrested Webb near this black metal gate and saw a fully loaded silver revolver in the grass on the opposite side of the gate. Webb’s DNA was found on the silver revolver. Webb was previously convicted of fourteen felonies, including bias-motivated crime causing bodily injury in Colorado in 2021 and aggravated assaults with firearms in Camden in 2017 and 2019. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka; deputy marshals and task force officers with the United States Marshals Service in the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Acting U.S. Marshal Nicholas A. Ricigliano, Jr.; and officers of the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gabriel Rodriguez; and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay, with the investigation leading to the conviction. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josephine J. Park and Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden. ### Defense counsel: James P. Maguire, Esq. and Giselle R. Pomerleau, Esq. webb.supersedingindictment.pdf


title: Laurel man sentenced to 2 years in prison for illegal possession of guns, ammo

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

body_text: BILLINGS – A Laurel man who illegally possessed firearms and ammunition was sentenced today to two years and two months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Kenton Charles Maslen, 64, pleaded guilty in January 2026 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided. The government alleged in court documents that after serving a search warrant on Maslen’s property they found various types of ammunition, a shotgun and two revolvers. On April 19, 2025, law enforcement was asked to assist with the eviction of Maslen from a residence in Laurel. During the search, law enforcement observed a white crystalline substance on a piece of glass in Maslen’s bedroom. Based on this discovery, law enforcement obtained a search warrant on the same day and discovered the following: The search in Maslen’s bedroom yielded a brown leather handgun holster and a green ammunition can. The can contained boxes of .22 caliber ammo and 12-gauge shotgun ammunition. In the driveway of Maslen’s residence was a fifth-wheel camper Maslen claimed as his own. During the search of the camper, a black 12-gauge shotgun was found in a case. The shotgun did not have a serial number, and it appeared that the barrel had been cut short to approximately 16 inches. The case also contained a loaded magazine for a Smith and Wesson pistol, more shotgun ammunition and 9mm ammunition. On the floor of the camper was a compartment that agents were able to open. They discovered another firearm, a North American Arms .17 caliber revolver. Law enforcement also searched the defendant’s truck and discovered a gun box containing a Ruger “Single Six” .22 caliber revolver. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The ATF, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Jamaican National Extradited To West Michigan Pleads Guilty For His Role In Nationwide Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that Jamaican national Sefton Stewart, age 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a nationwide fraud scheme that fraudulently obtained at least $3.4 million from more than 25 victims. Stewart will be sentenced by United States District Judge Paul Maloney and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. According to court documents, between October 2019 and September 2024, Stewart, Danielle Diarbakerly, and others participated in a scheme to defraud people in the United States by claiming they had won large prizes (cash and luxury vehicles) in a multistate lottery. To claim the prizes, victims were told they had to pay taxes and fees associated with their winnings. None of those false representations were true and the conspirators used fake bank and U.S. government documents to convince some victims to believe the fraudulent representations and promises. A large portion of the victim funds ultimately were sent to Jamaica, where Stewart resided and a substantial part of the scheme was executed. At least one of the scheme’s victims was a resident of West Michigan, which prompted U.S. Attorney VerHey to file charges. “This defendant helped operate a scheme that preyed on some of our most vulnerable citizens. Today’s guilty plea is an important step toward justice for the victims and demonstrates our commitment to holding international fraudsters accountable,” said U.S. Attorney VerHey, who prosecuted co-conspirator Danielle Diarbakerly last year. Diarbakerly, a Florida resident, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to launder money obtained in the fraud scheme and was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for her role. Stewart was extradited to Grand Rapids, Michigan from Jamaica by the U.S. Marshals Service in March 2026 and has been detained since his arrival. After serving his sentence, Stewart will be removed from the United States. “Homeland Security Investigations is committed to protecting the public from transnational criminal organizations that target vulnerable individuals through complex fraud schemes,” said Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Scott Bauer, Grand Rapids Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “This case demonstrates the importance of international cooperation and the dedication of our agents to pursue justice for victims, no matter where the perpetrators may reside. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who exploit innocent people are held accountable.” “The defendant in today’s announcement and their prosecuted co-conspirator share one trait in common – greed,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kuszynski, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “This desire for money, along with the power and material items it buys, drove them to commit crimes against many of the vulnerable in our society. Thanks to the financial expertise and diligence of IRS-CI special agents, who worked side-by-side with our law enforcement partners to uncover these schemes, these criminals are facing the consequences of their actions.” The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) are jointly investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris O’Connor is prosecuting it. # # #


title: 32 Dogs Seized After Court Orders Access for USDA to Inspect Iowa Dog Breeder’s Facility

body_text: Yesterday afternoon, Iowa law enforcement seized 32 dogs from a dog breeder, Wuanita Swedlund, and placed them in a local animal shelter. The seizure occurred after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Swedlund last week based on claims that she repeatedly failed to grant Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials access to inspect her facility, animals, and records in violation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). “We filed this action to ensure that USDA inspectors had the opportunity to assess the care dogs were receiving at a breeder’s facility in Iowa,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “As a result of the district court’s order, federal and state inspectors found numerous AWA violations and moved 32 dogs to facilities that will give them the care they need. The AWA sets clear standards for the humane treatment of animals, and we are committed to ensuring those standards are enforced.” “The U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to working closely with the U.S. Department of Justice on enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. This case demonstrates as much,” said General Counsel Tyler Clarkson of the USDA. According to the complaint, filed with a motion for TRO and preliminary injunction, Swedlund allegedly engaged in a pattern and practice of violating the AWA while operating a dog breeding facility in Farmington, Iowa. Inspectors with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have allegedly tried but not been allowed to access her facility, animals, and records for routine inspections seven times over the last 10 months. The motion for emergency relief states that APHIS has cited Swedlund for at least 25 violations of the AWA since she received her license in 2023. The violations include deaths of puppies, failure to treat dogs’ obvious injuries and medical conditions, keeping dog enclosures covered in feces, and leaving dogs without access to drinking water. After the court issued the TRO requested by the United States, inspectors from APHIS and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) coordinated and obtained access to Swedlund’s facility. APHIS cited Swedlund for dozens more AWA violations and, based on the results of their concurrent inspection, the State obtained a search warrant and took possession of the animals. All 32 dogs found at the facility have been placed in a local animal shelter. The USDA referred this matter to the Justice Department based on concern about the conditions in Swedlund’s facility. The temporary restraining order will assist USDA with assessing the health and well-being of the animals in Ms. Swedlund’s possession. This lawsuit follows the Prioritization of Animal Welfare Enforcement memorandum issued by the Attorney General in February. USDA’s APHIS is investigating this matter for the federal government. Trial Attorneys Kamela A. Caschette, Michelle M. Spatz, and Bonnie M. Ballard of ENRD’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section are handling this matter.


title: Second Former Trading Firm Executive Sentenced To 24 Years In Federal Prison For Defrauding Coloradans and Clients Worldwide Of $179 Million

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Michael Shawn Stewart, 63, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was sentenced to a total of 288 months in federal prison and $93,273,838.16 in restitution after being found guilty by a federal jury in May 2024 on 14 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Co-defendant, Bryant Edwin Sewall, 59, formerly of Little Elm, Texas, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison in November 2024 after being convicted on the same counts. Evidence presented at trial showed that Stewart and Sewall were owners and executives of companies operating on various Caribbean islands under the names Mediatrix Capital and Blue Isle Markets. As part of the scheme, Stewart and Sewall provided false and fraudulent information about an algorithm-based foreign currency exchange (“ForEx”) trading program to potential investors and to salespeople they were using to solicit investors. For example, Stewart and Sewall falsely represented that Mediatrix had a history of successful ForEx trading going back to 2013 with no months of losses when, instead, Mediatrix did not exist until 2014, and its trading history included many months of net losses. Mediatrix promised its investors “100% Transparency,” “100% Liquidity” and “World Class Returns.” Additional evidence at trial showed that, after luring investors into the scheme, Stewart and Sewall fraudulently induced them to stay by manipulating account statements to show only positive trades while intentionally hiding massive losses that substantially reduced those investors’ accounts. By the end of the scheme, Stewart and Sewall had promised investors over $179 million but had only $9.8 million in their accounts, a gap that they internally referred to as “the hole.” Even as they lost approximately $32 million in trades, Stewart and Sewall rewarded themselves with approximately $28 million in performance fees. They also used their brokerage, Blue Isle, to fraudulently convert investor money into over $45 million in markup fees. They spent the money on real estate, boats, cars, jewelry, and other luxuries. “Stewart and Sewall stole millions of dollars from unsuspecting clients so they could give themselves lives of luxury. Instead, they bought themselves decades in federal prison and have been ordered to pay $93 million to the people of whom they took advantage,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “To others who think they might want to get rich by defrauding their clients, we look forward uncovering your scheme and bringing you to justice.” “Mr. Stewart and his co-defendant orchestrated an elaborate foreign currency investment fraud scheme causing significant financial harm to unsuspecting victims; they misled investors with calculated lies about profit potential while diverting the money for personal gain,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski. “The FBI remains committed to pursuing justice for individuals targeted by financial criminals.” A third partner involved with Mediatrix and Blue Isle — Michael Young — previously pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission and was sentenced to one year and one day in prison in 2024. United States District Judge William J. Martinez presided over the sentencing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Denver Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Fields and former Assistant United States Attorney Anna Edgar handled the prosecution. Case number: 21-cr-00034-WJM


title: Massachusetts Couple Sentenced to Prison for Importing Misbranded Drugs From China and Selling Them to Customers in U.S. for Performance Enhancing Purposes

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Massachusetts couple have been sentenced in federal court in Boston for conspiring to introduce misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with intent to defraud and mislead. Chenguang Gong, 43, and Yalan Tang, 45, both of Belmont, Mass., were each sentenced by U.S. District Court Richard G. Stearns to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. In January 2026, the defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to introduce misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with intent to defraud and mislead. From at least 2016 through 2020, Gong and Tang imported misbranded drugs from China, using multiple post office boxes, falsified addressees and other deceptive conduct to avoid detection. After receiving the drugs from China, Gong and Tang repackaged the materials and sold them to customers—falsely labeling their products as “For Research Purposes Only,” when, in fact, Gong and Tang knew and understood that their customers would ingest or inject the drugs for performance enhancing purposes. The performance enhancing drugs sold by Gong and Tang included drugs commonly used by bodybuilders and athletes to enhance muscle growth and strength, improve cardiovascular performance and improve endurance. Other drugs sold by Gong and Tang improved cosmetic appearance, prevented or slowed symptoms of aging, improved cognitive function and improved sexual performance. Over the course of their scheme, Gong and Tang’s gross sales exceeded $2.5 million and Gong and Tang earned profits of more than $600,000. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office made the announcement today. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Looney and Deputy Chief of the Health Care Fraud Unit Leslie Wright prosecuted the case.


title: Enola Man Indicted For Child Exploitation Offenses

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Shirley, age 33, of Enola, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on child exploitation charges. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges Shirley attempted to coerce and entice a minor to produce child pornography between June and July of 2025. The indictment also alleges Shirley produced child pornography in February 2026 depicting a separate minor than previously alleged. The indictment further alleges Shirley possessed child pornography involving a prepubescent minor on June 11, 2026. Shirley had his arraignment and initial appearance on the indictment on July 1, 2026. He is currently in custody pending trial. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen W. Dukes is prosecuting the case. 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. The maximum penalty under federal law for the charges alleged is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The production of child pornography offense also carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Alibaba Group and AUS Merchant Services Agree to Pay $600 Million to Resolve Allegations that they Failed to Prevent Illegal Sales of Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical Equipment, and Other Illegal Products

component: Civil Division

body_text: Note: The press release has been updated to clarify that AUS is a subsidiary of Ant Group. View Alibaba non-prosecution agreement here . View AUS Merchant Services non-prosecution agreement here . Alibaba Group Holding Limited (Alibaba) — one of China’s largest companies — and its U.S.-based payment processor, AUS Merchant Services Inc. (AUS, and formerly known as Alipay US), have entered a non-prosecution agreement to pay $600 million to resolve the Justice Department’s allegations that they violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by failing to prevent merchants from selling and importing illegal pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, listed chemicals, and pill presses into the United States through the Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com e‑commerce platforms. Alibaba operates e-commerce platform Alibaba.com, one of the world’s largest business-to-business (B2B) online marketplaces, and e-commerce platform AliExpress.com, a global business-to-consumer online marketplace. AUS is a subsidiary of Ant Group, which operates Alipay, one of the largest mobile and digital payment platforms in the world. Alibaba admitted that, between January 2016 and December 2024, it failed to prevent merchants using its Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com platforms from engaging in approximately 80,000 product sales involving imports into the United States, including List I and II chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical counterfeiting equipment. These sales violated the FDCA and other federal laws. The combined gross merchandise value of these transactions exceeded $200 million. During the investigation, federal law enforcement conducted over 40 undercover purchases of pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting equipment that were illegal to be imported into the United States. Although Alibaba maintained policies restricting the sale of prohibited products on Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com, employees raised concerns that the company’s compliance controls were inadequate and failed to prevent the sale and importation of illegal products. Alibaba also provided merchants and buyers with a private, in-platform messaging service that some merchants used to facilitate unlawful transactions. In some instances, merchants used Alibaba's messaging service to direct buyers to third-party encrypted messaging platforms to facilitate those unlawful transactions. Alibaba derived some profit related to those sellers' illegal activities on Alibaba.com by charging membership, marketing, advertising, shipping, and payment-processing fees. AUS admitted that, between January 2020 and December 2023, it accepted U.S. dollar-denominated payments through credit cards and wire transfers routed through U.S. bank accounts before transferring the funds offshore for settlement on behalf of its customers. When AUS implemented its own transaction-monitoring system for those transactions, it failed to fully incorporate certain wire-transfer data. As a result, its transaction monitoring did not always identify transactions involving payments from high-risk jurisdictions or multiple payors on a single invoice. Additionally, AUS admitted that its anti-money laundering compliance program failed to prevent some Alibaba merchants from using its payment processing and settlement services to facilitate the sale and importation of prohibited products into the United States. In certain instances, rather than systematically restricting merchants identified as selling prohibited merchandise, AUS instead reported those merchants to Alibaba. In at least one instance, a merchant subsequently continued selling prohibited products to U.S. buyers after AUS had investigated and reported the merchant. As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Alibaba and AUS accepted responsibility for the acts of their officers, directors, employees, and agents in connection with the above conduct. Alibaba agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $125 million and to forfeit $200 million. AUS agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $85 million and to forfeit $190 million. Alibaba and AUS also agreed to enhance their compliance programs and to continue cooperating with the department in any ongoing or future criminal investigation relating to this conduct. The Justice Department reached this resolution with Alibaba and AUS based on several factors, including their good-faith efforts to implement and refine compliance measures, engagement in remedial measures, absence of prior criminal history, commitment to cooperation with federal agencies, and the nature and seriousness of the offense. Alibaba and AUS also received some credit for their cooperation with the department’s investigation and affirmative acceptance of responsibility. “Today’s resolution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring that companies operating e-commerce and digital payment platforms keep illegal, unapproved, misbranded, and dangerous foreign pharmaceuticals off their marketplaces,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Companies operating online marketplaces — whether based in the United States or abroad — must implement appropriate safeguards to prevent bad actors from exploiting their platforms. If they fail to do so, the Department will hold them accountable.” “Without active compliance, criminals use e-commerce sites to carry on and profit from illicit activity,” said Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Alibaba and AUS have documented steps taken to improve their screening and compliance and provided a commitment to ongoing cooperation with U.S. law enforcement in the future. As a result, another channel for illegal pharmaceuticals and associated equipment is now closed.” “This resolution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding companies accountable when their platforms are used to facilitate the unlawful sale of illegal pharmaceuticals, related pharmaceutical equipment and other prohibited products in the United States,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda for the District of Rhode Island. “The $600 million resolution with Alibaba Group and Alipay US, the largest monetary settlement in the history of the District of Rhode Island, achieves meaningful accountability while securing significant compliance measures designed to strengthen oversight, prevent future violations, and better protect American consumers. The outcome would not have been possible without the exceptional efforts of the dedicated prosecutors, investigators, and numerous federal, state, and local partners, whose collaboration and commitment were critical to the success of this investigation.” “Online platforms that facilitate the sale and distribution of counterfeit and other illegal pharmaceuticals, and equipment used to make counterfeit drugs, pose a grave threat to public health and safety,” said Justin Green, Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “The FDA remains committed to pursuing those who facilitate the distribution of counterfeit and other illegal pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting equipment into the United States, regardless of where they operate.” “AUS’s Anti Money Laundering Compliance Program failed to prevent payments on behalf of bad actors, including Alibaba merchants associated with illegal goods,” said Inspector General Jennifer L. Fain of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “The FDIC OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of financial misconduct and ensure that financial institutions and other designated businesses fully comply with federal requirements to deter, detect, and prevent money laundering.” “As one of the world’s largest online retailers, Alibaba has an obligation to safeguard consumers from dangerous and illegal products, and to maintain integrity throughout its payment processes including those carried out by AUS, a U.S.-licensed money services business,” said Chief Jarod Koopman of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “This investigation revealed that the companies failed to meet those basic responsibilities. Today’s resolution underscores IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to following the money and ensuring that companies operating in the United States comply fully with federal law.” “This non-prosecution agreement, financial resolution, and required compliance reforms makes clear that global e-commerce companies must build systems that prevent the sale and distribution of illegal products before they reach the United States and the U.S. banking system,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Homeland Security Investigations, together with the broader law enforcement community, remains unflinchingly committed to identifying and dismantling schemes that allow criminal opportunists and other bad actors to exploit weaknesses in online marketplaces, payment services, and other digital spaces.” “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the U.S. Postal Service is not used as a tool to distribute illegal pharmaceuticals and other dangerous goods to our communities,” said Acting Inspector in Charge J. Buck Buckley of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)’s Boston Division. “Today’s settlement should serve as a reminder that we will remain steadfast with our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of the U.S. Mail.” The FDA Office of Criminal Investigation’s Rhode Island Task Force, FDIC Office of Inspector General’s New York Field Office, IRS-CI’s Global Illicit Financial Team, Homeland Security Task Force New York-Financial, and USPIS investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julianne Klein for the District of Rhode Island; Assistant Director Patrick Runkle and Trial Attorneys Cadesby B. Cooper and Colin W. Trundle of the Civil Division's Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch; and Trial Attorneys Rachel Agress and Elysa Wan of the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section. Senior Counsel Sarah Hawkins of FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel provided critical assistance. Alibaba NPA.pdf AUS Merchant Services NPA.pdf


title: Leaders of Chicago-based drug ring plead guilty to trafficking oxycodone

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: MISSOULA – Two men from Indiana who helped illegally obtain oxycodone from Montana pharmacies have admitted to charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Jaylan Javier Wash, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Wash faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Brandon Lavelle Winfrey, 32, who went by “Juice,” pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. Winfrey faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided at the change of plea and U.S. District Court Judge Dana L. Christensen will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Nov. 10, 2026, in Missoula. Winfrey and Wash were released pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that Winfrey and Wash, along with a group of associates, used fake prescriptions to illegally obtain oxycodone. The Chicago-based outfit flew into Montana, visited various pharmacies across the state, and used falsified prescriptions to get oxycodone and other controlled substances. Several members of the group would give the oxycodone to Winfrey and Wash, who then distributed it. Winfrey and Wash paid for expenses and directed group members which pharmacies to hit and when to enter. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and DEA conducted the investigation.


title: Former St. Louis Tax Preparer Convicted of 16 Counts Related to False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Jurors on Wednesday convicted the former owner of a St. Louis tax preparation business of 16 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent tax returns. Latasha L. Frison, 39, owned a tax preparation business in downtown St. Louis under various names including Taxed Rite. She lived in Cahokia at the time and now lives in Texas. Evidence and testimony at the trial, which started Monday, showed that Frison falsified information on more than a dozen tax returns of six taxpayers for tax years between 2020 and 2023, triggering hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds to which they were not entitled. The investigation was triggered by red flags on hundreds of individual income tax returns that Frison prepared during that period, evidence showed. Returns prepared by Frison included an unusually high percentage of refunds, Schedule Cs (which are used to report an individual taxpayer’s yearly profit or loss from operating a small business) , COVID-19 family and sick leave credits and federal fuel tax credits, evidence and testimony showed. Evidence showed that between 2021 and 2024, Frison filed more than 680 individual income tax returns, all but two of which claimed a refund. In one of those years, the average refund amount for tax returns filed by Frison exceeded $14,000, while the national and state averages in Missouri and Illinois were around $3,400. Numerous Frison clients testified that, unbeknownst to them at the time, returns filed by her on their behalf contained false information, including false income figures for small businesses that didn’t exist. Frison is scheduled to be sentenced on September 30. Each count carries a potential penalty of up to three years in prison. Frison also testified during the trial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf said in court after the verdict was announced that the jury’s verdict suggests that she committed perjury during that testimony and could face a longer penalty due to that. She was taken into custody after the hearing. The case was investigated by IRS - Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Ladendorf and Jonathan Clow are prosecuting the case.


title: Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marlon Leftwich, 46, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to production of child pornography. According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about January 1, 2016, Leftwich persuaded a 5-year-old minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him at his Huntington residence while he recorded the conduct using a cell phone. Leftwich then transferred the video file to a memory card. Leftwich is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Leftwich must also register as a sex offender. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-132. ###


title: Alleged Member of Criminal Cyber Hacking Group “Scattered Spider” Arrested in Finland and Extradited to United States

component: Criminal - Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section

body_text: CHICAGO — An alleged member of the criminal cyber hacking group Scattered Spider has been arrested in Finland and extradited to the United States to face federal criminal conspiracy charges in the Northern District of Illinois. A criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges PETER STOKES, 19, a dual citizen of the United States and Estonia, with conspiracy, cyber intrusion, and fraud offenses. Stokes was arrested by Finnish authorities in April pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice and extradited to the United States last week. He made an initial appearance on Tuesday in federal court in Chicago and was ordered to remain detained in law enforcement custody. According to the complaint, Scattered Spider, also known as “Octo Tempest,” “UNC3944,” and “0ktapus,” is a group of criminal cyber actors that has been involved with more than 100 network intrusions, resulting in more than approximately $100 million in ransom payments and millions of dollars in damages to the victims. The group has targeted numerous corporate victims in the United States by gaining access to companies’ employee accounts through fraudulent pretenses, encrypting the companies’ data or exfiltrating it to remote servers, and then extorting cryptocurrency from the companies to regain control over their data or prevent the dissemination of the data. The complaint against Stokes describes a cyber intrusion in May 2025 against a luxury jewelry retailer. Stokes and likely other co-conspirators breached the retailer’s computer system, exfiltrated data from the company, and made a ransom demand of approximately $8 million in cryptocurrency, the complaint states. The retailer’s security personnel successfully evicted the threat actors from the company’s computer network and no ransom was paid. The retailer nonetheless suffered a loss of at least $2 million due to business disruption, investigation, and mitigation of the threat. The charges and extradition were announced by A. Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The FBI’s Copenhagen Law Enforcement Attaché Office and the FBI Las Vegas Field Office assisted. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Chang and Ann Marie Ursini of the Northern District of Illinois, and Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne L. Rose of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Finnish authorities to secure the extradition of Stokes. The Department of Justice acknowledges and appreciates the assistance of Finland's National Bureau of Investigation in this matter. “The criminal complaint charges Peter Stokes with membership in Scattered Spider, a hacking group that has been involved in over 100 network intrusions, resulting in more than $100 million in ransom payments and millions more in damages to the victims,” said Assistant Attorney General Duva. “The charges unsealed today are the result of years of work by the Criminal Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, and the FBI. We will continue to partner to ensure that cybercriminals cannot evade the reach of the United States.” “The malicious attacks from Scattered Spider caused widespread disruption to businesses and organizations throughout the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “As Co-Chair of the White Collar, Cyber, and Crypto Subcommittee of Acting Attorney General Blanche’s Advisory Committee, I am acutely aware of the significant and growing threat posed by brazen cyber criminals. These charges underscore our unwavering commitment to keeping pace with technologically savvy criminal actors and holding accountable those who seek to profit from cyber intrusions, including those located in foreign jurisdictions who do harm to American businesses and victims.” “The responsibility of protecting our nation's security and welfare extends beyond our borders, over international territories, and most critically, in the cyber universe,” said FBI SAC DePodesta. “Thanks to our international partnerships and cross-agency collaboration, the FBI successfully identified a known Scattered Spider actor alleged to have targeted hardworking Americans and critical infrastructure. The FBI will stop at nothing to ensure that Americans are free from attacks and danger, wherever it may be lurking.” This action is part of Operation Riptide, an ongoing FBI campaign targeting the criminal actors, infrastructure, and financial networks behind cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime, and fraud against the American people. Last year, Americans reported over $20 billion in losses to cybercrime, a 26 percent single-year increase. Operation Riptide is the FBI's sustained enforcement response to that threat. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. stokes_superseding_complaint.pdf


title: Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crimes

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Alphonzo Keith Baker, also known as “KD,” 51, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty today to three counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Baker sold 40 grams or more of fentanyl on October 6, 2025, on November 4, 2025, and on December 2, 2025, each time in the Charleston area. Baker possessed quantities of fentanyl and cocaine with the intent to distribute them on December 4, 2025, in the Charleston area. Baker is scheduled to be sentenced on October 15, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison for each count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Baker is among eight individuals indicted following a federal investigation of fentanyl trafficking in the Charleston area. Two defendants pleaded guilty, including Baker. The indictments against the remaining defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department, and the South Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-45. ###


title: Bozeman man sentenced to 6 years in prison for receiving child pornography

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA – A Bozeman man who collected Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM) was sentenced today to six years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Jaden Douglas Batson, 24, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of receiving child pornography. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The government alleged in court documents that over the course of two years Batson purchased and collected CSAM in the form of images and videos of children. The case began in June 2023 when law enforcement received an online tip that Batson had paid $20 for illicit material that included the note, “For the cp gc.” Law enforcement continued to receive additional tips from online service providers that Batson was trading and uploading Child Sex Abuse Materials. That allowed officers to obtain multiple search warrants that they served on various electronic service accounts registered to Batson. A search warrant on Batson’s Bozeman residence served on April 9, 2025, and a subsequent search of his phone, turned up approximately 688 videos and 362 images. Batson admitted in an interview with law enforcement that he had traded CSAM on social media sites. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The Bozeman Police Department conducted the investigation. 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 Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Harrington Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and Hands-on Abuse of a Minor

component: USAO - Delaware

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – A Harrington man was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”). U.S. District Judge Gregory B. Williams imposed the sentence. According to court documents, Todd Fisher, 33, solicited, received, and exchanged CSAM involving prepubescent children, including children as young as seven years old. Fisher used an online messaging platform and an encrypted cloud storage and communication service to send and receive CSAM. The investigation also revealed that Fisher sexually assaulted a minor child known to him on multiple occasions. U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace stated, “Todd Fisher not only victimized children by watching and sharing videos of child sexual abuse, but he also molested a child with his own hands. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who hurt children, regardless of whether they do so physically or by watching their abuse over the internet. I am grateful for our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners’ tireless work to keep our community safe from people who harm children.” “This ten-year sentence puts an admitted predator in prison where he can no longer exploit and abuse innocent children,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. “For the FBI, protecting our kids from monsters like Todd Fisher is a high priority and we work diligently with our partners to ensure offenders are identified and fully held accountable.” Upon Fisher’s release from prison, he will be required to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender. The FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force investigated this 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 . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-cr-108-GBW.


title: Mexican citizen sentenced to prison for illegally reentering the U.S.

body_text: MISSOULA – A Mexican national who was in the United States after having been convicted twice for illegal reentry was sentenced today to 10 months in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Rodolfo Jaime Yanez-Contreras, 43, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of reentry after having been removed from the United States. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The government alleged in court documents that Yanez-Contreras was in the country illegally after having been deported from Texas five times between 2000 and 2017. Yanez-Contreras was detained by law enforcement on Dec. 23, 2025, during a search of the Bozeman residence where he was staying. The Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation were serving a search warrant and encountered Yanez-Contreras among those at the residence. Law enforcement learned Yanez-Contreras had previously been removed from the United States in 2000, 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2017. With his last two removals, Yanez-Contreras was convicted of felony reentry. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Missouri man headed to prison for sex meetup with “minor” who was actually an FBI agent

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri man was sentenced to 120 months in prison after traveling across state lines to have sex with who he thought was an underaged girl but was really an undercover federal agent. According to court documents, Tommie Earnest Giles, 53, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. On July 23, 2025, and July 24, 2025, Giles, used a social media platform to chat with a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent posing as a 14-year-old female living in Kansas. When the agent purported to be 14 years old, Giles responded that he was 53. Giles then directed the conversation to become sexual in nature and attempted to persuade a person who he thought to be a minor to engage in sexual activity with him. When Giles traveled from his home in Kansas City, Missouri, to Kansas for a meetup with a “minor”, the FBI arrested him. Giles told law enforcement he had believed he was talking to an actual 14-year-old girl, and that he traveled to the residence to have sex with a minor. “These undercover operations are proactive measures to find and arrest child predators,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Mr. Giles was thoroughly convinced he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl so it’s unsettling to think what could have happened had this been a child instead of an FBI agent. Parents need to be aware that child predators are lurking on the internet and should take measures to protect their children and know of their internet activity.” “The unfortunate reality is predators exist within our communities. Operations like this one reflect the FBI’s commitment to ensuring we identify those who exploit children and make sure these predators face justice. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect children, purse offenders, and keep our communities safe,” stated Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick prosecuted the case. Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Maryland Oncology Practice Agrees to Pay More Than $1.4M to  Resolve False Claims Act Allegations of Fraudulent Billing

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland oncology practice and its owner agreed to pay more than $1.4 million to settle fraudulent billing allegations. Progressive Oncology & Hematology, LLC (Progressive), an oncology practice offering chemotherapy services in Frederick, Maryland, and its owner and sole provider, Mouhamad Bazzi, MD, agreed to pay the United States $1.45 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the settlement with Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Nate Landkammer, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG). According to the United States, Progressive and Bazzi knowingly submitted claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for reimbursement for chemotherapy drugs that the defendants did not pay for. Specifically, the government alleges Progressive and Bazzi submitted claims for reimbursement for drugs that came from charitable organizations or through grant programs for specific patients at no expense to the defendants. Additionally, the government further alleges Progressive and Bazzi directed that wastage (small amounts of extra medication) from single-use vials of drugs intended for one patient be split across two or more patients. The defendants then submitted claims as if each patient received their own single-use vial. It is also alleged that Progressive and Bazzi billed federal and state health insurance programs for chemotherapy drugs Bazzi prescribed but never administered to patients at the practice. “Seeking reimbursement for chemotherapy drugs that were not paid for or not administered by the practice or this doctor is simply intolerable,” Hayes said. “This settlement reflects this office’s commitment to holding wrongdoers accountable who attempt to profit at the expense of the public fisc.” “It is incumbent upon all health care providers who participate in the Medicare program to correctly bill for services provided to beneficiaries,” Dixon said. “HHS-OIG makes it a priority to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, VA OIG and other law enforcement partners to evaluate and pursue alleged inaccurate billings submitted to federal health care programs.” “This settlement demonstrates the VA OIG’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the integrity of claims submitted to VA healthcare programs,” Landkammer said. “The VA OIG thanks the US Attorney’s Office and the Department of Health and Human Services OIG for their efforts in this investigation.” U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HHS-OIG and VA OIG for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly S. Phillips and Roann Nichols who handled this case. The United States’ settlement in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints for all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Former Wayne County Treasurer’s Office Employee,  Local Non-Profit Director Both Sentenced  In Connection With Bribery Conspiracy

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT –Two individuals who conspired to steal dozens of properties from Detroiters facing potential tax foreclosure have been sentenced today, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced. Zina Thomas, 62, of Detroit, received 90 months in federal prison following a conviction for federal program bribery. Jontae Jackson, 45, of Southfield received 66 months in federal prison for convictions for conspiracy to commit bribery and aggravated identity theft. Both were sentenced by United States District Judge Robert J. White. Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit field office. According to the court records, Thomas, formerly employed as the Director of Homeownership Programs for a local non-profit, conspired with and paid bribes to Jackson, formerly employed as a taxpayer assistant with the Wayne Counter Treasurer’s Office, in order to steal approximately 100 properties across Wayne County, predominately located in the City of Detroit. The total estimated value of the properties involved was approximately $6.4M. The scheme involved Thomas identifying properties facing potential tax foreclosure and then diverting those properties into her control through fraudulent quitclaim deeds. Multiple fraudulent deeds were involved, frequently transferring the target properties from the victim-owners to non-existent “interim owners” in the first instance. Thomas, who was also a real estate agent, then sold many of the properties to third parties. In order to conceal the scheme and free up the properties for sale, Thomas bribed Jackson to upload false documentation—including fake driver’s licenses, utility bills, and Principal Residence Exemption forms—into Wayne County’s Property Tax Administration system, which Jackson then used to halt the pending foreclosures. This process prevented dozens of properties from being auctioned off, depriving Wayne County of an estimated $1.5M in tax revenue. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Significant investigative assistance was provided by the Wayne County Register of Deeds’ Mortgage & Deed Fraud Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Particka.


title: For-Profit College Chain Agrees to Pay More Than $1 Million to Resolve Allegations of Inflated Graduation Statistics

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced today that American Higher Education Development Corporation (“AHED”), a Pennsylvania company that operates for-profit colleges, has agreed to pay $1,032,500 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by inflating graduation statistics and failing to return Federal Student Aid money at three of its schools: Stautzenberger College in Ohio, Rockford Career College in Illinois, and Madison Media Institute in Wisconsin. “Federal student aid comes with clear rules: report truthful outcomes and return unearned funds,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Through the False Claims Act, we will continue to deter misconduct, protect taxpayers, and ensure that schools meet their obligations to students and the public.” The United States contends that AHED exaggerated its graduation rates in reports to the United States Department of Education by failing to include certain students who withdrew from AHED programs after the drop period and before completing the programs. In addition, the United States contends that AHED failed to return $413,000 in Federal Student Aid for those students to the Department of Education. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The settlement provides for the whistleblower, Christopher Wargo, a former Chief Operating Officer and Compliance Officer for AHED, to receive a $227,150 share of the settlement amount. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Christopher Wargo v. American Higher Education Development Corp., et. al. , No. 23-cv-4941 (E.D. Pa.). The government recognizes the significant contribution of Mr. Wargo in bringing the issues resolved by this settlement to light. “Today’s settlement reflects the diligent work of the Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to safeguard the integrity of the Federal student aid programs,” said Jamila Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Regional Office. “We remain committed to working together to ensure that entities that participate in the Federal student aid programs do so in accordance with laws and regulations. America’s taxpayers and students deserve nothing less.” This matter was handled in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter Carr and Anthony St. Joseph. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


body_text: Note: The press release has been updated to clarify that AUS is a subsidiary of Ant Group. PROVIDENCE- Alibaba Group Holding Limited (Alibaba) — one of China’s largest companies — and its U.S.-based payment processor, AUS Merchant Services Inc. (AUS, and formerly known as Alipay US), have entered a non-prosecution agreement to pay $600 million to resolve the Justice Department’s allegations that they violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by failing to prevent merchants from selling and importing illegal pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, listed chemicals, and pill presses into the United States through the Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com e‑commerce platforms. Alibaba operates e-commerce platform Alibaba.com, one of the world’s largest business-to-business (B2B) online marketplaces, and e-commerce platform AliExpress.com, a global business-to-consumer online marketplace. AUS is a subsidiary of Ant Group, which operates Alipay, one of the largest mobile and digital payment platforms in the world. Alibaba admitted that, between January 2016 and December 2024, it failed to prevent merchants using its Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com platforms from engaging in approximately 80,000 product sales involving imports into the United States, including List I and II chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical counterfeiting equipment. These sales violated the FDCA and other federal laws. The combined gross merchandise value of these transactions exceeded $200 million. During the investigation, federal law enforcement conducted over 40 undercover purchases of pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting equipment that were illegal to be imported into the United States. Although Alibaba maintained policies restricting the sale of prohibited products on Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com, employees raised concerns that the company’s compliance controls were inadequate and failed to prevent the sale and importation of illegal products. Alibaba also provided merchants and buyers with a private, in-platform messaging service that some merchants used to facilitate unlawful transactions. In some instances, merchants used Alibaba's messaging service to direct buyers to third-party encrypted messaging platforms to facilitate those unlawful transactions. Alibaba derived some profit related to those sellers' illegal activities on Alibaba.com by charging membership, marketing, advertising, shipping, and payment-processing fees. AUS admitted that, between January 2020 and December 2023, it accepted U.S. dollar-denominated payments through credit cards and wire transfers routed through U.S. bank accounts before transferring the funds offshore for settlement on behalf of its customers. When AUS implemented its own transaction-monitoring system for those transactions, it failed to fully incorporate certain wire-transfer data. As a result, its transaction monitoring did not always identify transactions involving payments from high-risk jurisdictions or multiple payors on a single invoice. Additionally, AUS admitted that its anti-money laundering compliance program failed to prevent some Alibaba merchants from using its payment processing and settlement services to facilitate the sale and importation of prohibited products into the United States. In certain instances, rather than systematically restricting merchants identified as selling prohibited merchandise, AUS instead reported those merchants to Alibaba. In at least one instance, a merchant subsequently continued selling prohibited products to U.S. buyers after AUS had investigated and reported the merchant. As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Alibaba and AUS accepted responsibility for the acts of their officers, directors, employees, and agents in connection with the above conduct. Alibaba agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $125 million and to forfeit $200 million. AUS agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $85 million and to forfeit $190 million. Alibaba and AUS also agreed to enhance their compliance programs and to continue cooperating with the department in any ongoing or future criminal investigation relating to this conduct. The Justice Department reached this resolution with Alibaba and AUS based on several factors, including their good-faith efforts to implement and refine compliance measures, engagement in remedial measures, absence of prior criminal history, commitment to cooperation with federal agencies, and the nature and seriousness of the offense. Alibaba and AUS also received some credit for their cooperation with the department’s investigation and affirmative acceptance of responsibility. “This resolution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding companies accountable when their platforms are used to facilitate the unlawful sale of illegal pharmaceuticals, related pharmaceutical equipment and other prohibited products in the United States,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda for the District of Rhode Island. “The $600 million resolution with Alibaba Group and Alipay US, the largest monetary settlement in the history of the District of Rhode Island, achieves meaningful accountability while securing significant compliance measures designed to strengthen oversight, prevent future violations, and better protect American consumers. The outcome would not have been possible without the exceptional efforts of the dedicated prosecutors, investigators, and numerous federal, state, and local partners, whose collaboration and commitment were critical to the success of this investigation.” “Today’s resolution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring that companies operating e-commerce and digital payment platforms keep illegal, unapproved, misbranded, and dangerous foreign pharmaceuticals off their marketplaces,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Companies operating online marketplaces — whether based in the United States or abroad — must implement appropriate safeguards to prevent bad actors from exploiting their platforms. If they fail to do so, the Department will hold them accountable.” “Without active compliance, criminals use e-commerce sites to carry on and profit from illicit activity,” said Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Alibaba and AUS have documented steps taken to improve their screening and compliance and provided a commitment to ongoing cooperation with U.S. law enforcement in the future. As a result, another channel for illegal pharmaceuticals and associated equipment is now closed.” “Online platforms that facilitate the sale and distribution of counterfeit and other illegal pharmaceuticals, and equipment used to make counterfeit drugs, pose a grave threat to public health and safety,” said Justin Green, Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “The FDA remains committed to pursuing those who facilitate the distribution of counterfeit and other illegal pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting equipment into the United States, regardless of where they operate.” “AUS’s Anti Money Laundering Compliance Program failed to prevent payments on behalf of bad actors, including Alibaba merchants associated with illegal goods,” said Inspector General Jennifer L. Fain of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “The FDIC OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of financial misconduct and ensure that financial institutions and other designated businesses fully comply with federal requirements to deter, detect, and prevent money laundering.” “As one of the world’s largest online retailers, Alibaba has an obligation to safeguard consumers from dangerous and illegal products, and to maintain integrity throughout its payment processes including those carried out by AUS, a U.S.-licensed money services business,” said Chief Jarod Koopman of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “This investigation revealed that the companies failed to meet those basic responsibilities. Today’s resolution underscores IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to following the money and ensuring that companies operating in the United States comply fully with federal law.” “This non-prosecution agreement, financial resolution, and required compliance reforms makes clear that global e-commerce companies must build systems that prevent the sale and distribution of illegal products before they reach the United States and the U.S. banking system,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Homeland Security Investigations, together with the broader law enforcement community, remains unflinchingly committed to identifying and dismantling schemes that allow criminal opportunists and other bad actors to exploit weaknesses in online marketplaces, payment services, and other digital spaces.” “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the U.S. Postal Service is not used as a tool to distribute illegal pharmaceuticals and other dangerous goods to our communities,” said Acting Inspector in Charge J. Buck Buckley of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)’s Boston Division. “Today’s settlement should serve as a reminder that we will remain steadfast with our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of the U.S. Mail.” The FDA Office of Criminal Investigation’s Rhode Island Task Force, FDIC Office of Inspector General’s New York Field Office, IRS-CI’s Global Illicit Financial Team, Homeland Security Task Force New York-Financial, and USPIS investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julianne Klein for the District of Rhode Island; Assistant Director Patrick Runkle and Trial Attorneys Cadesby B. Cooper and Colin W. Trundle of the Civil Division's Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch; and Trial Attorneys Rachel Agress and Elysa Wan of the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section. Senior Counsel Sarah Hawkins of FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel provided critical assistance. Alibaba NPA/AUS NPA: Alibaba NPA.pdf AUS Merchant Services NPA.pdf


title: Wise County Woman Sentenced for Distributing Cocaine and Psilocybin

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – A Wise County, Virginia woman, who distributed hundreds of grams of cocaine and Psilocybin, was sentenced to five years in federal prison. Emily Dawn McCoy, 27, of Pound, Va., pled guilty to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing Psilocyn. According to court documents, from February 29, 2024, through September 4, 2024, McCoy distributed cocaine and Psilocybin, along with other, unnamed, co-conspirators. During the course of the investigation, members of the Southwest Virginia Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Task Force (DTF) purchased cocaine and Psilocyn from McCoy on numerous occasions in February, April, May, and September of 2024. Following the purchase in September 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McCoy’s residence and located approximately 1.8 pounds of cocaine, two bags of fungi material, 8 bags of suspected marijuana, 3 jars containing wax material, a 9 mm pistol, and 3 boxes of 9 mm ammunition. In addition, officers uncovered a spiral notebook that appeared to contain a ledger of narcotics sales. First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, Southwest Virginia Regional Narcotics Task Force, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, and Norton Police Department investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Office of the Attorney General Senior Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section is prosecuting the case.


title: Miles Guo Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Leading Billion-Dollar Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Attorney for the United States, Sean S. Buckley, Acting under Authority Conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 515, announced that MILES GUO, a/k/a “Ho Wan Kwok,” a/k/a “Guo Wengui,” a/k/a “Brother Seven,” a/k/a “The Principal,” a/k/a “Boss,” was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres to 30 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering, among other charges, for leading an expansive and complex scheme to solicit more than $1 billion of investments in various entities and programs through false statements and misrepresentations to thousands of GUO’s online followers. On July 16, 2024, GUO was convicted following a seven-week jury trial. “Miles Guo led a massive scheme to steal more than $1 billion through lies and deception from thousands of Americans and victims around the world,” said Attorney for the United States Sean S. Buckley. “After immigrating to this country, rather than being satisfied with the many legitimate opportunities afforded to him, Guo exploited the trust that thousands had placed in him for his own greed. This sentence shows that fame and wealth do not place you above the law, and that fraudsters who victimize families to enrich themselves will be met with significant consequences.” According to the charging documents, public court filings, statements made in court, and evidence admitted at GUO’s trial: GUO’s schemes began when he announced the founding in 2018 of purported charitable organizations—the Rule of Law Foundation and Rule of Law Society—by falsely promising potential donors that he was contributing the first $100 million to their cause. Trading on the Rule of Law groups’ purported charitable works, GUO launched an unregistered offering of stock in his media venture, GTV. When the GTV stock offering came under scrutiny by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, GUO and his co-conspirators turned to other schemes. GUO obtained another $100 million through a program in which victims were told they could lend money to networks of GUO’s supporters and receive GTV stock in addition to interest payments. At around the same time, GUO raised at least approximately $240 million by selling memberships in G|CLUBS, a purported membership club that promised GTV stock in exchange for members’ dues and offered little to no other material benefits. In a 2021 broadcast on GTV, GUO launched the Himalaya Exchange, a purported cryptocurrency ecosystem where people could trade “H Coin” and “H Dollar,” which were phony digital assets that were fraudulently described as blockchain-native cryptocurrencies but were in fact little more than made-up figures on an internal company spreadsheet. GUO perpetuated these interrelated fraud schemes over approximately five years by installing figurehead executives at companies that GUO actually controlled, promising investors that he would personally guarantee their funds against loss, and broadcasting serial lies about everything from the benefits available to G|CLUBS members to the made-up gold reserve that he claimed stood behind the value of his phony digital assets. Along the way, GUO and his family spent victims’ stolen funds on a $26.5 million mansion in New Jersey, an $832,000 Lamborghini, two multimillion-dollar sports cars for GUO’s son, and a $2 million yacht, among many other extravagant purchases. Between 2022 and 2023, the United States seized more than $630 million of GUO’s criminal proceeds in addition to luxurious items such as sports cars, a mansion, and expensive furniture, some of which are pictured below: If you believe you are a victim of GUO’s fraud, please find more information here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/united-states-v-ho-wan-kwok-aka-miles-guo-and-kin-ming-je-aka-william-je . * * * In addition to the prison term, GUO, 55, originally from the People’s Republic of China, was ordered to pay a $900 special assessment. GUO was ordered to forfeit $889 million in proceeds from his illegal schemes, as well as his interest in specific property including a $26.5 million mansion in New Jersey, a Lamborghini, a Rolls Royce Phantom, and a Bugatti sports car. Mr. Buckley praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Buckley further thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a parallel civil action against GUO. The case is being handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the Office’s Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Micah F. Fergenson, Ryan B. Finkel, Justin Horton, and Juliana N. Murray are in charge of the prosecution.


component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft and Fraud Conspiracy ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Alexander Jr., age 21, of Syracuse, New York, and Devin Latrell Coleman, age 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, have been sentenced in federal court in Syracuse respectively to 40 months and 36 months in prison for creating and using stolen identities to commit fraud. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. In pleading guilty previously to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, the defendants admitted that Alexander purchased fraudulent identification documents, including driver’s licenses, passport cards, and Social Security cards, from Coleman. Alexander used these fraudulent identification documents, some of which bore his image alongside the personal identifying information of identity theft victims, to commit fraud by obtaining bank loans, lines of credit, and even an apartment lease, among other things. In communicating with Coleman through an encrypted messaging application, Alexander identified himself with the handle, “9-5 will be my last resort.” Coleman coached Alexander on how to use the fraudulent identification documents, which were sophisticated enough to contain security features, to commit fraud. Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby sentenced Alexander to a total term of 40 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $30,500 in restitution to various victims and to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $15,000, and he sentenced Coleman to a total term of 36 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised released, and ordered him to pay $15,000 in restitution, jointly and severally with Alexander. First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, “The greed of these defendant’s has landed them in federal prison. With a renewed focus on weeding out fraud in our society, we will pursue all leads and investigate all individuals who attempt to defraud the system. I thank our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigations for their efforts. Together, under the leadership of the Department of Justice Fraud Division, residents in the Northern District can look forward to more successful prosecutions of defendants like Mr. Alexander and Mr. Coleman who seek to defraud the system for their personal gain.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated, “As Mr. Alexander and Mr. Coleman head to federal prison for their deception and fraud, FBI Albany will continue to work with our partners on the Northern District of New York Healthcare Fraud Task Force to aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone trying to defraud our systems and line their pockets at the expense of hardworking Americans.” FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted the case. On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs


title: MS-13 Inmate Sentenced for Assault on Prison Staff

component: Department of Justice

body_text: JACKSON, MS – A federal judge sentenced Bryan Galicia-Barillas, 29, a Guatemalan national and former inmate at Yazoo Correctional Complex on June 30, 2026, to 18 months of incarceration for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees of the United States. Galicia-Barillas had previously pleaded guilty and was serving a sentence from 2018 for conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, involving his participation in the MS-13 gang-related murders. Galicia-Barillas was convicted at trial on March 16, 2026, where he was found guilty of having struck a senior Bureau of Prisons official in the head with his fists during lunch on or about May 28, 2025. Galicia-Barillas will be required to serve today’s sentence consecutive to his previous sentence in the Bureau of Prisons. The FBI investigated the case. U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi; and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office made the announcement.