title: Authorities Dismantle Global Malicious Proxy Service that Deployed Malware and Defrauded Thousands of U.S. Persons, Businesses, and Financial Institutions of Millions of Dollars in Losses

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Yesterday a court-authorized international law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Justice Department disrupted SocksEscort, a residential proxy network used to exploit thousands of residential routers worldwide and commit large-scale fraud. The U.S. government executed seizure warrants against a few dozen U.S.-registered internet domains allegedly engaged in the cyber-enabled criminal activity, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, SocksEscort infected home and small business internet routers with malware. The malware allowed SocksEscort to direct internet traffic through the infected routers. SocksEscort sold this access to its customers. Since the summer of 2020, SocksEscort has offered to sell access to about 369,000 different IP addresses. As of February 2026, the SocksEscort application listed approximately 8,000 infected routers to which its customers could buy access, of those, 2,500 were in the United States. Cybercriminals used the access they purchased on SocksEscort to conceal their true originating IP addresses and locations, which furthered frauds like takeovers of U.S. bank and cryptocurrency accounts and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. These frauds cost Americans millions of dollars. Examples of victims defrauded include a customer of a cryptocurrency exchange who lived in New York and was defrauded of $1 million worth of cryptocurrency; a manufacturing business in Pennsylvania that was defrauded of $700,000; and current and former United States service members with MILITARY STAR cards who were defrauded out of $100,000. Law enforcement agencies from Austria, France, and the Netherlands successfully took down numerous SocksEscort servers. The FBI Sacramento Field Office, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and IRS Criminal Investigation Oakland Field Office are investigating the case. Investigators and prosecutors from several jurisdictions provided assistance, including Europol, Eurojust, and authorities in the following countries: Austria : Vienna Public Prosecutors Office (Staatsanwaltschaft Wien) Criminal Intelligence Service - Cybercrime-Competence-Center (Bundeskriminalamt – C4) Bulgaria : District Public Prosecution Office Plovdiv, Cybercrime Directorate of the General Directorate Combating Organized Crime - Ministry of Interior France : Public Prosecution Office Paris J3 Anti-Cybercrime unit; Investigative judge from JIRS/JUNALCO Financial and Cybercrime section - Court of Paris; Judicial Police - Office for Cybercrime Prevention (Police judiciaire - office anti-cybercriminalité (OFAC)) Germany : Düsseldorf Police Headquarters; Central Contact Point for Cybercrime North Rhine-Westphalia (ZAC NRW) Hungary : Prosecution Service of Hungary; National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Department (Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda Kiberbűnözés Elleni Főosztály) Netherlands : Public Prosecutors Office Limburg (Openbaar Ministerie); Police (Politie) Limburg Romania : Prosecution Office of the High Court of Cassation and Justice; Directorate for investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism, Central Office; Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, Central Cybercrime Unit; General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section and the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program based in The Hague, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and the California Highway Patrol provided crucial support to this operation. Additionally, the Department of Justice offers its thanks to Lumen’s Black Lotus Labs and the Shadowserver Foundation for the assistance provided by each during the investigation and the operation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern District of California Nicholas M. Fogg, Sam Stefanki, and Kevin Khasigian handled the litigation. The Justice Department is providing intellectual property and cybercrime technical assistance to foreign law enforcement, prosecutorial, and judicial partners in other countries through the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program. Learn more about the Criminal Division’s ICHIP Program, jointly administered by the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section through partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, here .


title: Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Drug Trafficking Cathy Lynn Mink, 39, of Lander, Wyoming, was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment with three years of supervised release for distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents, in April 2025, the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) learned that Mink was selling fentanyl on the Wind River Reservation. Agents conducted a controlled buy from her, purchasing 150 fentanyl tablets. Subsequently, in another event, the Wind River Police Department attempted a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle. Mink, who was driving the vehicle, initially evaded officers, abandoned the vehicle, and fled on foot before being apprehended. When Mink was booked into the Wind River Detention Center, she was found to have 180+ fentanyl tablets in her underwear. DCI and The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force investigated the offense with assistance of the Wind River Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case. Mink was indicted on July 16, 2025, and pleaded guilty on Dec. 8, 2025. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Feb. 26, 2026, in Cheyenne. Samuel J. Pratts, 32, of Jackson, Wyoming, was sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release to follow for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, in March 2025, law enforcement began investigating Samuel Pratts for the distribution of controlled substances in Teton and Sublette Counties. On April 18, 2025, a Teton County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on Mr. Pratts with a dog alerting to the odor of illegal substances in his car. Investigators conducted a subsequent search of the vehicle and located over 350 grams of methamphetamine. Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Teton County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer prosecuted the case. Pratts waived indictment and pleaded guilty on Dec. 26, 2025. U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on March 4 in Cheyenne. About the United States Attorney’s Office The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include: Project Safe Childhood Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious. Operation Take Back America Operation Take Back America is 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. It also streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Victim Witness Program The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to ensuring victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect. To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime


title: Nine-Time Felon Sentenced for Firearms Violation After Participating in Shootout

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – GERARD CARR (“CARR”) , age 27, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan on January 22, 2026 to 137 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, along with a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), his ninth felony conviction. According to court documents, in April of 2025, CARR was involved in a shootout in front of a convenience store on North Galvez Street in New Orleans. One week later, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence associated with CARR and found the gun he used during the shootout. Prior to possessing the firearm, CARR was convicted in Orleans Parish of several felony offenses, including conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, conspiracy to possess a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and illegally possessing a stolen firearm. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution. ###


title: Louisville Man Faces at Least 35 Years in Prison Following Conviction at Trial on 9 Federal Child Exploitation Charges

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was found guilty by a federal jury of nine federal child exploitation charges last week. U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Paul L. Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement. Quinnton Dawson, 35, of Louisville, used an electronic storage device to record himself engaging in sexual acts with a four-year-old child after having been previously convicted in Jefferson Circuit Court of possessing and distributing child pornography. Dawson also used his email account to seek out and trade child sexual abuse materials. Dawson committed these horrific crimes after being granted shock probation in Jefferson Circuit Court for his prior offenses of possessing and distributing child pornography pursuant to case number 20-CR-2017. Dawson has also been convicted of robbery in the second degree in Jefferson Circuit Court pursuant to case number 22-CR-2095. On Thursday March 5, 2026, Dawson was found guilty of all nine counts he was charged with at the conclusion of a weeklong jury trial in Louisville, Kentucky. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2026. United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “It is hard to quantify the depravity it takes for a man to film himself engaging in sex acts with a four-year-old child. It truly demonstrates that evil is among us. My heart goes out to this innocent little girl and her family. I want to commend the prosecutors and law enforcement officers that diligently worked to ensure this monster was convicted and removed from Louisville for decades.” Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson stated, “A jury of his peers confirmed what the FBI and our investigative partners already know to be true. Quinnton Dawson is a multiple time sex offender who not only committed horrific offenses against a young, innocent girl, but then sought to profit off of her exploitation. This guilty verdict will ensure Dawson is where he belongs—behind bars with zero access to vulnerable children.” Chief Paul L. Humphrey stated, “Crimes involving the exploitation of children are among the most disturbing cases we investigate. We appreciate the hard work of the detectives who tirelessly built the case against this dangerous offender. This conviction shows what is possible when local and federal partners work together. We will continue pursuing child predators and doing everything we can to keep them behind bars for as long as possible.” Dawson faces a minimum sentence of 35 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 340 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the FBI and the LMPD. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danielle M. Yannelli and Stephanie Zimdahl prosecuted the case with the assistance of paralegal Carissa Moss. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” ###


title: Wichita woman sentenced to prison for trafficking fentanyl

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas woman was sentenced to 48 months in prison for drug trafficking. According to court documents, Shakorra D. Bonds, 36, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance. In March 2024, the Kansas Bureau of lnvestigation (KBI) received information that Bonds was selling fentanyl in Wichita. Agents coordinated a purchase of controlled substances from Bonds which resulted in the sale of 1,000 fentanyl pills. In her plea agreement, Bonds admitted to selling pills that she knew contained fentanyl. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 44, with fentanyl as a major culprit in causing many lives to be tragically cut short,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “We at the Department of Justice are grateful for our state and local law enforcement partners who work hand in hand with us to try to rid our communities of this toxic substance.” The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak prosecuted the case. ###


title: Honduran National Illegally In The United States Sentenced To Over Eight Years For Trafficking Firearms, Including A Machinegun, And Drugs

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Honduran man illegally present in the United States was sentenced to prison yesterday for trafficking guns, including a firearm fitted with a machinegun conversion device known as a “switch,” and drugs, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Eddie Cathey of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement. Michael Naun Antunez Vasquez, 22, was sentenced to 101 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to trafficking in firearms, possession of a machinegun, transfer of a machinegun, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. After serving his prison sentence, Vasquez will be removed from the country and is forbidden from returning to the United States. “Vasquez was in the country illegally and profited by putting dangerous guns on our streets—including a firearm converted into a machinegun,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “When someone traffics guns and drugs and utterly disregards our nation’s laws and public safety, federal prison is the appropriate punishment.” “Firearms trafficking makes our communities less safe by putting guns in the hands of prohibited and possibly dangerous individuals,” said Special Agent in Charge Jones. “ATF, along with all of our law enforcement partners, is committed to stopping the illegal exchange of firearms and making sure that those who threaten our communities are held accountable.” According to court documents, Vasquez was a Honduran national who was in the United States illegally. On July 9, 2024, Vasquez sold a Romarm/Cugir pistol with a 30-round magazine to an individual working with the ATF. Vasquez also told the individual that he was able to sell additional firearms, machinegun conversion devices, and controlled substances. On July 18, 2024, Vasquez met with an undercover ATF agent, who told Vasquez he was purchasing guns to resell in another state for profit. Vasquez sold the agent two firearms: a Glock Model 30, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol with a 25-round magazine, and a Glock, Model 19, 9mm semiautomatic pistol. The Model 19 was assembled from different parts that were stolen. Court documents show that on August 1, 2024, the ATF agent bought two more firearms from Vasquez. The first firearm was a Glock, Model 19, 9mm pistol that had been converted to a machinegun. The second firearm was a Glock, Model 48. During that meeting, Vasquez told the agent that he could also obtain pounds of methamphetamine. Vasquez agreed to sell the agent a machinegun, a Romarm/Cugir pistol, and a pound of methamphetamine. According to court records, Vasquez was riding in the front passenger seat of a car on the way to meet with the undercover agent when the vehicle was stopped by Union County Sherriff’s deputies. The deputies seized from the vehicle a machinegun conversion device, a Romarm/Cugir pistol, a Glock pistol, a Beretta pistol, a Palmetto State Armory pistol, several high-capacity magazines, ammunition, and approximately 28.7 grams of methamphetamine. Vasquez will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the ATF and the Union County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.


title: Federal grand jury indicts 3 defendants on charges related to public shootings

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – Three defendants allegedly involved in public shootings in Cincinnati have now been indicted by a federal grand jury. Franeek Cobb, 24, and Derrick Long, 29, were originally charged by federal criminal complaint last week. They face felon-in-possession charges for their alleged involvement in a mass shooting on March 1 at Riverfront Live. Shaquille Ferguson, 24, was allegedly involved in an October 2025 shooting outside the City Bird restaurant on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati. He was also originally charged by criminal complaint last week. According to charging documents for Cobb and Long, on March 1, Cincinnati police officers responded to Riverfront Live on Kellogg Avenue for a report of a shooting inside the night club and event venue. Nine individuals were wounded in the incident. Cobb and Long were identified as the two alleged shooters based on a review of surveillance footage from Riverfront Live and the recovery of a firearm and ammunition. Cobb is charged in an indictment filed today with illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition. Long’s indictment charges him with illegally possessing eight .45 cartridge cases. As previously convicted felons, Cobb and Long are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Cobb has a 2022 felony conviction of having weapons while under disability. Long has several prior felony convictions, including two separate cases involving trafficking in heroin, trafficking in fentanyl, failure to comply, carrying concealed weapons, arson and receiving stolen property. According to Ferguson’s charging documents, in October 2025, Ferguson fired three shots and struck two individuals outside City Bird. He was allegedly involved in an altercation inside the restaurant. After exiting the restaurant, he allegedly brandished and fired his weapon. His indictment charges him with illegally possessing three 9mm cartridge cases. In July 2025, Ferguson was convicted of aggravated assault, prohibiting him from possessing ammunition. Each of the defendants faces up to 15 years in prison. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Henni; and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Members of the ATF & Cincinnati Police Department Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) participated in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in these cases. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: Bowling Green Man Sentenced to 27 Years and 6 Months in Federal Prison for Online Enticement of Minors

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A Bowling Green man was sentenced on March 10, 2026, for online coercion and enticement of minors, sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography, cyberstalking and tampering with a witness. U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement. James Clark, 40, was sentenced to 27 and a half years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for one count of sexual exploitation of children, one count of receipt of child pornography, five counts of online enticement of a minor, one count of cyberstalking and one count of tampering with a witness. For a span of three years, Clark used social media applications to persuade, induce, entice and coerce five young girls to send him sexually explicit images and videos in exchange for gifts and money. Clark also used threats to coerce young girls to send him sexually explicit images. United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Clark’s conduct was pure evil. A 40-year-old man preying on young girls is hard to comprehend and simply reprehensible. Because of law enforcement’s strong work, Clark will not see the light of day for nearly three decades and Bowling Green is better off because of it!” Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson stated, “For years, Clark terrorized young girls. He not only solicited sexually explicit images from them for his own personal gain, but he also levied threats against them if they didn’t follow through with his demands. His sentence reflects the depravity of his actions, and we hope it serves as a warning to current sex offenders. We will find you and justice will be served.” There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Yannelli prosecuted 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 . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” ###


title: Grand jury indicts New York man charged with federal sexual exploitation crimes

body_text: CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury indicted the New York man who was arrested in late February on federal sexual exploitation charges filed in the Southern District of Ohio after investigation into a missing Colerain teenager revealed he was previously involved with the minor. Kyle D. Lawrence, 43, of Buffalo, New York, appeared in federal court in Cincinnati on March 10 and was ordered to remain in custody pending trial. His two-count indictment was filed today. According to charging documents, on Feb. 16, Colerain Township police began investigating the circumstances surrounding a missing teenager. Officers reviewed video surveillance from the minor’s home and discovered that in January, the teenager entered a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with New York license plates. License plate readers and receipts confirm that Lawrence allegedly rented the vehicle and that he and the minor stayed at a Cincinnati hotel together on Jan. 31. It was discovered that Lawrence was the subject of a report to the FBI in May 2024. Lawrence was confronted by a citizen vigilante group while in Canada for allegedly traveling to Canada to have sexual contact with a purported 15-year-old girl. Agents in Buffalo had previously been in contact with Lawrence in response to the report. Further investigation by the FBI revealed two cyber tip reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding Lawrence’s Snapchat account and child exploitation activity. On Feb. 26, FBI agents in Buffalo executed a federal search warrant at Lawrence’s residence and seized several electronic devices, which contained child sexual abuse material. An affidavit details that Lawrence told agents he communicated with the minor from Colerain on Snapchat and traveled to the Cincinnati area twice in January to meet up. He used the location services on Snapchat to locate the minor when he picked her up. Law enforcement’s investigation into the whereabouts of the missing teenager remains ongoing. The indictment charges Lawrence with transportation with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (a crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison) and transportation of child pornography (five to 20 years in prison). Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Colerain Township Police Chief Edwin C. Cordie III and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the charges. This is a joint investigation being conducted by the FBI divisions in Cincinnati and Buffalo, Colerain Township Police Department, New York State Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case. This case is being 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. Attorney’s 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 . An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: New Orleans Resident Sentenced for Making Ransom Demand for Release of Kidnapping Victim

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –JANETTE RAMIREZ (“RAMIREZ”) , age 34, was sentenced on January 15, 2026 by U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe to 42 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, along with a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to interstate transmission of a ransom demand, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(a), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to court documents, the victim was kidnapped by RAMIREZ ’s co-defendants, Hector Mondragon-Flores and Edwin Salgado-Nunez. They bound the victim’s hands and legs together, held him at gunpoint in Mondragon-Flores’s apartment, and demanded the payment of $7,000 ransom from the victim’s father for the victim’s release. Salgado-Nunez was arrested by New Orleans Police Department officers during a ransom exchange after the victim’s father paid Salgado-Nunez’s associate $3,000 in cash. Following Salgado-Nunez’s arrest, Mondragon-Flores took the victim to RAMIREZ ’s apartment. Mondragon-Flores then instructed the victim to facilitate a payment from the victim’s girlfriend for the victim’s release. RAMIREZ translated a conversation between the victim and his girlfriend in English, concerning the ransom payment, to Spanish for Mondragon-Flores, so that he could monitor the conversation. RAMIREZ also agreed to use her CashApp account to receive the ransom payment and sent the victim’s girlfriend CashApp payment requests knowing that they would be viewed as a request for ransom for the victim’s release. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys David Berman and Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit are in charge of the prosecution. ###


body_text: Dominican National Sentenced to More Than Ten Years for Unlawful Reentry into the United States and for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine CONCORD – A Dominican man was sentenced today in federal court for illegally reentering the United States and drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Robely Eladio De Jesus Guerrero, 38, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 125 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release. In September 2025, De Jesus Guerrero pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien and one count of distribution of a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine. “The defendant is a repeat offender who entered the country illegally and distributed dangerous drugs in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “Today’s sentence reflects the serious threat posed by those who deal in dangerous drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl, and the serious sanction that must follow.” “This sentencing sends a clear message to those who think they can violate our borders and poison our communities with deadly drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, New England Field Division “By trafficking both fentanyl and methamphetamine, this individual showed a blatant disregard for human life and the laws of this country. This sentence ensures that a repeat offender is removed from our streets and held accountable for the harm he sought to inflict on New England families. The DEA, alongside our federal and local partners, will never waver in our mission to dismantle the networks that bring these lethal substances into our neighborhoods.” According to the court documents and statements made in court, in 2020 and 2021, De Jesus Guerrero, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was convicted of identity theft and a child sex offense in Massachusetts. In November 2021, ICE deported him to the Dominican Republic. The fingerprints on De Jesus Guerrero’s deportation documents match the prints taken when he was arrested in Massachusetts. After his deportation, De Jesus Guerrero reentered the United Sates and sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to a DEA cooperating source. Between August and September 2024, a DEA cooperating source negotiated the sale of fentanyl and methamphetamine from De Jesus Guerrero. Through two sales in August, De Jesus Guerrero sold the cooperator approximately 120 grams of Fentanyl. In September, De Jesus Guerrero sold the cooperating source approximately one pound of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Jurors Convict Former Missouri Police Officer of Civil Rights Violation, Other Charges

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Wednesday convicted a former Northwoods, Missouri police officer of charges related to the assault of a handcuffed man in 2023. Jurors found Samuel Davis, 28, guilty of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, one count of witness tampering by way of misleading conduct for making a misleading statement to a police dispatcher and one count of falsifying records in a federal investigation for turning off his body-worn camera. He was found not guilty of one count of conspiracy. Jurors acquitted another former officer, Michael Hill, 54, of all charges. “Law enforcement officers are given immense public trust because of the gravity of the work they do to keep communities safe,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The defendant violated that trust when he took matters into his own hands and savagely beat the victim rather than processing him for the alleged theft. The jury’s verdict makes clear that these violations of trust will not be tolerated.” Evidence and testimony at the trial, which began March 2, showed that Northwoods police were called to a Walgreens store on the evening of July 4, 2023, about a shoplifter, C.G. C.G. had shoplifted from the store before and was known to Davis. Davis handcuffed C.G., who was compliant and cooperative, and then placed him in Davis’ police vehicle. Instead of taking him to jail, Davis drove him to an empty field in a desolate area of Kinloch. C.G. testified during the trial that Davis pepper-sprayed him, beat him with a baton while he was still handcuffed, breaking his jaw, and then tased him. A passerby interrupted the attack, causing Davis to flee, evidence and testimony showed. She returned and found C.G., bloodied and crying out for help. C.G. told responding St. Louis County Police Department officers and medical personnel that he had been beaten by a Northwoods officer. Medical records documented the broken jaw. Davis’ TASER records indicated that it had been used around the time of the attack. Davis did not file a report about the arrest of C.G., the trip to Kinloch or any use of force. He also turned off his body-worn camera. Davis faces up to 10 years in prison for the deprivation of rights under color of law charge and 20 years in prison for the other charges. The FBI and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug of the Eastern District of Missouri and Trial Attorney Taylor Payne of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Arizona Cardiology Group to Pay $4.75M to Resolve  Allegations of Unnecessary Vein Ablations

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX— Tri-City Cardiology, P.C., a physician group based in the metro area of Phoenix, Arizona, and three individual physicians, have agreed to pay $4.75 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by performing medically unnecessary vein ablations. “Physicians should not prioritize profit over patient needs,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Medicare and other federal programs pay only for medical care that meets accepted standards, and the falsification of medical records undermines efforts to assess whether medical care was appropriate.” “Paying for unnecessary medical procedures reduces federal programs’ capacity to pay for truly necessary procedures,” said Timothy Courchaine, United States Attorney for the District of Arizona. “When medical providers do not respect the difference between the two and bill in the interest of their own bottom line instead of their patients, the United States Attorney’s Office has pursued and will continue to pursue appropriate recoveries to protect taxpayer funds.” The civil settlement announced today resolves allegations that, from January 1, 2017, to April 27, 2022, Dr. Jaskamal Kahlon, Dr. Joshua D. Cohen, and Dr. M. Joshua Berkowitz knowingly performed ablations on perforator veins that did not qualify for treatment under accepted standards of medical practice. Perforator veins are small veins that connect deep and superficial leg veins and require treatment only in certain circumstances. The United States contends that Tri-City and the physicians acted knowingly in incorrectly measuring or documenting in medical records the duration of outward blood flow, the diameter of veins, patient symptoms, and conservative therapy measures, which gave the appearance that the ablations met accepted medical standards and were justified. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, with assistance from HHS-OIG. The investigation and resolution of 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 from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Nicholas C. Perros of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lon Leavitt of the District of Arizona. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-047_TriCity Cardiology # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Swansea man accused of robbing a credit union

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A man appeared in federal court Wednesday to face a federal charge for allegedly robbing a credit union in Swansea. Deondre E. Jones, 55, is facing one count of bank robbery. “Thanks to a strong, coordinated response by law enforcement, this defendant’s attempt to rob the credit union ended almost as quickly as it began,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Anyone who robs or attempts to rob a bank will face certain justice in a federal prison.” According to the complaint, Jones is accused of robbing a credit union on North Illinois Street in Swansea around 2:14 p.m. on March 6. He allegedly approached the teller, demanded cash and said he had a firearm. After receiving the cash, Jones took off from the credit union on foot. Minutes later around 2:22 p.m., officers with the Swansea Police Department took Jones into custody. “The rapid response by Swansea Police Officers was critical in neutralizing this bank robbery,” said FBI Springfield Acting Special Agent in Charge, Ruben Marchand-Morales. “The quick action by the Officers paved the way for a successful arrest, highlighting how collaboration between local and federal partners ensures we use every available resource to protect our community.” A complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The FBI Springfield Field Office is being jointly investigated with support from the Swansea Police Department, Fairview Heights Police Department, Belleville Police Department, and Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Arshi is prosecuting the case.


title: Five Sentenced for Helping Overseas Scammers Defraud Elderly Victims

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Thursday sentenced a man who participated in a scheme that stole millions of dollars from elderly victims in ten states to four years in prison. Judge Schelp also ordered Sital Singh, 43, to pay $6.6 million in restitution to victims. Singh, Dariona Lambert, 24, Zhamoniq Stevens, 24, Chintankumar Parekh, 52, and Mehulkumar Darji, 42, all pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Lambert and Stevens were couriers who picked up gold bars or coins from scam victims. Darji, Parekh and Singh were the “handlers” who collected the gold and paid the couriers in cash. Overseas scammers contacted elderly victims via telephone calls and electronic messages, falsely claiming that the victims’ savings and retirement accounts had been compromised. They told their victims that they needed to transfer their funds to keep their accounts secure, often via the purchase of gold bars or coins. The government believes that the overseas scammers netted $9.3 million from victims. One of the victims, an 82-year-old St. Louis woman, was contacted by someone claiming to represent a computer software support team and told that her financial accounts had been compromised. Among other things, they told her to buy about $250,000 worth of gold bars. They sent Lambert to pick up the gold. On May 1, 2024, she flew from Gainesville, Florida to St. Louis. Parekh rented a car and drove Lambert to a parking lot near the victim’s home. She then took a rideshare to the victim’s home, where she was intercepted by law enforcement agents. After Parekh was alerted by Lambert that she had been apprehended, he fled to Pittsburgh. Singh worked as a handler in gold bar pickups from victims in Collierville, Tenn.; Universal City, Texas; and Greendale, Wis. Parekh worked as a handler in pickups from victims in Yuma and Scottsdale in Arizona; Placentia and La Jolla in California; Largo, Florida; Chapel Hill, N.C.; and Pittsburgh, Penn. Darji worked as a handler in pickups from Scottsdale, Largo and La Jolla. Lambert worked as a courier in Scottsdale; Placentia; La Jolla; Largo; Universal City; Hanover, Mass.; and Erie, Penn. Stevens worked as a courier in gold bar pickups from victims in Yuma; La Jolla; Collierville; Largo; Greendale; Oxnard, Calif.; Long Island, N.Y.; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Darji and Parekh have been sentenced to four years in prison. Lambert was sentenced to two years in prison and Stevens was sentenced to 18 months. All were also ordered to pay restitution Parekh and Darji are in the United States unlawfully and will be deported upon their release from prison. Parekh overstayed his work visa and Darji was removed from the country in 2014. “Sital Singh and his co-conspirators in the U.S. and overseas are parasites. Their crimes devastated their elderly victims by robbing them of their life savings. In one example, an elderly couple in their 90s lost all the money they had saved to ensure their disabled adult child would be taken care of for life,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “The FBI will continue to aggressively dismantle these types of organized networks operating in the U.S., while working with our international law enforcement partners to go after the ringleaders overseas.” This case was investigated by the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Tampa, Florida. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll is prosecuting the case. If someone you know is a victim of a cyber scam, report it to the FBI. You can file the complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or use 1-800-CALL-FBI.


title: Jamaican illegal alien who volunteered as local teacher, youth minister sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for child pornography crimes

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – An illegal alien from Jamaica who volunteered as a teacher and youth minister in Worthington was sentenced in federal court here today to 160 months in prison for distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography. Andrew Brown, 51, of Columbus, possessed a total of 15 terabytes of child sexual abuse material across multiple devices. Brown’s IP address was flagged by the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) as the most active IP address in the state of Ohio using peer-to-peer software to download child pornography. “This defendant, who overstayed his visa in the United States, was such a prolific perpetrator that when agents arrived at his apartment to execute a search warrant, he was at his computer actively downloading and exchanging images and videos of children being sexually abused, including child pornography depicting infants and toddlers,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Adding to the alarm, Brown placed himself in a position of trust with children as a religion teacher and youth minister. Our children undoubtedly are safer with Brown serving this significant term of imprisonment.” Further investigation revealed that Brown was using the computer where he volunteered at Worthington Adventist Academy and Worthington Seventh-Day Adventist Church to download child pornography when not at home. In fact, the IP address for the church and school was flagged as the third most active IP address in Ohio downloading child pornography. Between October 2023 and April 2024, Brown possessed more than 40,000 files of minors engaged in sex acts. Brown was charged by a bill of information and pleaded guilty in March 2025. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and other members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s ICAC Task Force; Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley; and Ohio ICAC Task Force Commander David Frattare announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s 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. # # #


title: Suburban Chicago Man Charged With Sending Threatening Letters to Two Federal Judges

component: USAO - Illinois, Northern

body_text: CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been charged in federal court with sending threatening letters to federal judges in Texas and Florida. JAMES LEBUHN, 65, of Libertyville, Ill., is charged with two counts of mailing a threatening communication, according to a criminal information filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Arraignment is set for March 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis. According to the information, Lebuhn mailed letters in March of last year to U.S. District Court judges in Amarillo, Texas, and Fort Pierce, Fla. Lebuhn mailed the letters for the purpose of making a true threat and knowing that the letters would be viewed as such, the information states. When mailing the letters, Lebuhn also recklessly disregarded the substantial risk that others would regard the communications as a threat, the charges allege. The charges were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Federal Protective Service, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Rothblatt of the Northern District of Illinois. “The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to holding accountable anyone who seeks to intimidate and instill fear in members of the federal government, including the esteemed public servants on the bench,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “When a threat such as this occurs, our Office will find, arrest, and prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. We are grateful for the close collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the Northern District of Texas and Southern District of Florida and the fine work they provided in support of this prosecution.” “In today’s times of increasing threats of violence, these criminal charges should serve as a warning to others contemplating such behavior,” said Ryan Raybould, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. “I applaud the investigative efforts of our agents in this District and the prosecution team in the Northern District of Illinois for their outstanding work.” The public is reminded that an information 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. Each count in the information is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. lebuhn_information.pdf


title: Former Veterans Affairs Nursing Assistant Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining PPP Loan

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A former Veterans Affairs Nursing Assistant was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. Wigenie Francois, 44, of Brockton, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to one year of probation. Francois was also ordered to pay $62,499 in restitution. In December 2025 , Francois pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Francois was charged in October 2025. In April 2021, Francois submitted an application seeking a PPP loan. In the application, Francois made false claims regarding gross income purportedly earned from a sole proprietorship. To support these false claims, Francois attached fraudulent tax documents as part of the application. The PPP loan application was approved and Francois received $20,833. Francois used that money on personal expenses. However, in March 2024, Francois submitted a loan forgiveness application that falsely claimed the entire $20,833 was spent on payroll. Based on the misrepresentation, the entire loan was forgiven. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: Local Businessman Charged with Filing False Tax Returns

body_text: BOSTON – The former manager of a Lowell, Mass. temporary employment agency has been arrested and charged with tax crimes that deprived the U.S. Treasury of approximately $980,000 in revenue. Siharath Panyanouvong, 56, of Dunstable, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return. Panyanouvong was arrested today and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston. According to the charging documents, Panyanouvong was the manager of Viscosity Inc. It is alleged that, between approximately 2017 and 2019, Panyanouvong deliberately failed to report more than $3.5 million of Viscosity’s gross receipts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As a result, Viscosity allegedly avoided paying more than $980,000 in federal income taxes. The indictment alleges that Panyanouvong, often using the alias “Mike Pan,” cashed more than $4.5 million in customer checks. Panyanouvong allegedly used a substantial portion of the cash to operate an off-the-books cash payroll for Viscosity employees and to pay himself. The charge of aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: New Orleans Felons Indicted for Federal Drug-Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –DONELL BARTHELEMY (“BARTHELEMEY”) , age 22, and MICHAEL BROOKS (“BROOKS”) , age 30, were charged in a recently unsealed eight-count indictment with violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Controlled Substances Act on February 6, 2026, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. BARTHELEMEY and BROOKS are each charged with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a), (b)(1)(C), and 846; conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(o); and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). BROOKS is additionally charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i). BARTHELEMY is additionally charged with possessing a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(B)(ii), and possession of a machinegun, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(o) and 924(a)(2). According to the indictment, on August 13, 2025, BARTHELEMY and BROOKS possessed marijuana and tapentadol, with the intent to distribute those substances, and possessed firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. One of the firearms was a Glock handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device, making it a fully automatic machinegun. BARTHELEMY has a prior felony conviction for negligent homicide in Orleans Parish, and BROOKS has prior felony convictions for first degree robbery, aggravated battery, and unauthorized use of a movable in Orleans Parish. As to each of the drug-trafficking counts, BARTHELMEY and BROOKS face up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. They face up to 20 years in prison for the firearms conspiracy and up to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, along with up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release for each of those counts. As to the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, BROOKS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. As to the charge of possession of a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking, BARTHELEMY faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence, up to a $250,00 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. As to the possession of a machinegun charge, he faces up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Each of the eight counts also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Former Robeson County Sheriff’s Deputy and Family Plead Guilty to Stealing Over $542,000 in Fraudulent Covid Loans

component: Asset Forfeiture Program

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Robeson County Sheriff’s deputy, his wife, and two adult sons engaged in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and by submitting false loan applications which resulted in the disbursement of $542,288 in loan proceeds pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Ricky McMillian, 50, Erica McMillian, 46, Dwayne McMillian, 29, and Derian McMillian, 27, face a maximum term of thirty (30) years in prison, and a $1,000,000 fine when sentenced later this year. They will also be ordered to pay a Forfeiture Money Judgment of $542,288. “Although the Covid loans may have stopped, our government continues to dole out billions in other forms of loans, subsidies, and programs. This office will continue to hold accountable anyone who defrauds any of our taxpayer funded programs. This entire family of Covid fraudsters learned this lesson the hard way. CHEATERS. NEVER. WIN.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Deputy McMillian and his family members submitted five EIDL and PPP loan applications for four different businesses located in Robeson County. The McMillians and a co-conspirator made false representations about the number of employees and gross revenues. They also submitted false and fraudulent tax forms and bank statements. Following approval of each loan application, the government disbursed funds into personal accounts controlled by the McMillians. W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Jones accepted the guilty pleas from the defendants. The FBI and the IRS-CI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on our website . Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:25-CR-126-FL, 7:25-CR-113-FL, 7:25-CR-120-FL, 7:25-CR-122-FL.


title: West Haven Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child Sex Abuse Material through Telegram App

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADAM C. SALGADO, JR., 32, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 72 months of imprisonment and seven years of supervised release for receiving and possessing child sex abused material. According to court documents and statements made in court, a cloud-based storage company that provides services for wireless customers made multiple CyberTipline reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) that a user, identified as Salgado, had videos of child sexual abuse stored on the account. Subsequent investigation revealed that Salgado had a history of downloading and deleting the encrypted messaging app Telegram, which he used to connect with others who traded in child sex abuse material and to view and download hundreds of child sex abuse images and videos. Salgado was arrested on June 5, 2024, in Texas where he was serving in the U.S. Army. On November 10, 2025, he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography. Salgado, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 16. This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Middletown Police Department and the Army Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: Bridgeport Man Sentenced to More Than 8 Years in Prison for Gunpoint Robberies of Retail Stores, Amazon Delivery Truck

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICKYEEM PROFIT, 22, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 102 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his participation in the violent armed robberies of multiple retail stores and an Amazon delivery truck in December 2022. According to court documents and statements made court, Profit and others committed gunpoint robberies of Omega Deli, located at 999 Maplewood Avenue in Bridgeport, on December 15, 2022; Milford Convenience & Tobacco, located at 784 Boston Post Road in Milford, on December 21, 2022; an Amazon delivery truck and merchandise in Bridgeport on December 23, 2022; and Smoke Shop, located at 2175 Boston Avenue in Bridgeport, on December 23, 2022. In addition, Profit’s associates committed a gunpoint robbery of Cumberland Farms, located at 1290 West Broad Street in Stratford, on January 2, 2023. During the store robberies, Profit and his accomplices entered businesses with firearms, threatened employees, forced victims to the ground, and stole money and property. At Milford Convenience & Tobacco, Profit stepped on a victim while holding a gun to her head. During the Amazon truck robbery, Profit and his accomplices forced the driver into the back of the truck at gunpoint where they assaulted him. Profit has been detained since his arrest on January 2, 2023. On October 2, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”) and one count of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Stratford Police Department, and the Milford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.


title: PASCO MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR SOLICITING SEXUAL ACTS AND EXPLICIT CONTENT FROM MINORS ONLINE

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on March 11, 2026, Chief United States District Court Judge Stanley A. Bastian, sentenced Manuel A. Rodriguez, age 29, of Pasco, Washington, to 20 years of imprisonment for Online Enticement of a Minor and Attempted Production of Child Pornography. Judge Bastian also ordered that following his sentence, Rodriguez will serve a lifetime term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and abide by a number of conditions, to include those pertaining to Rodriguez’s access and use of electronic devices. According to court documents, in February of 2023, a student at a local high school disclosed that she had been sexually assaulted by a 26-year-old male when she was 15 years old. The sexual assault resulted in a pregnancy. A subsequent investigation by the Pasco Police Department (PPD) identified the male as Manuel A. Rodriguez, who resided in Pasco, Washington. Further investigation by PPD revealed that Rodriguez sought out the 15-year-old girl on the Snapchat application in October of 2022. Rodriguez messaged with the 15-year-old in a sexually explicit manner for an extended period of time. In December of 2022, Rodriguez picked the 15-year-old girl up in his vehicle on two occasions. Each time, Rodriguez transported the minor girl to a location in Pasco, Washington, and sexually assaulted her. PPD and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SER-ICAC) obtained records from Rodriguez’s Snapchat account. Therein, detectives discovered that Rodriguez had communicated with numerous Snapchat users who identified themselves as minor girls, including girls as young as 13. The communications were sexually explicit. One such minor was identified as a 14-year-old girl living in another state. Rodriguez received and requested image and video files depicting the 14-year-old girl. “Rodriguez reprehensibly used online applications to target, meet, and sexually abuse children in the Eastern District of Washington. I applaud the courage of the 15-year-old victim, whose report enabled law enforcement to protect other children from Mr. Rodriguez’s conduct,” stated First Assistant Serrano. “Through the courage of the victim and the tireless efforts of our ICAC Team, this offender will no longer be in the community to harm children. Although no sentence can overcome the ongoing harm suffered by the minor victims in this case, the collaborative work of the state and federal law enforcement officers and my office in this case makes clear that we will use every available tool and resource to protect our children.” “Offenders who use social media platforms to exploit children often believe they can hide behind a screen,” said Hyrum Stohel, Sergeant with the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (SER-ICAC) Task Force. “But through careful investigation and digital forensics, law enforcement is often able to identify those responsible and stop further victimization. Investigations like this demonstrate the importance of partnerships between local law enforcement and federal agencies to identify offenders, protect victims, and prevent further harm to children in our communities.” “The extraordinary bravery of a victim, who worked with local law enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations special agents to provide crucial digital evidence, was instrumental in putting this child predator behind bars,” said Homeland Security Investigations Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “Her courage not only brought Rodriguez to justice, but also protected other children from potential harm. Predators who use online platforms to groom and arrange meetings with vulnerable children will find no refuge from law enforcement.” This case was investigated by the Pasco Police Department and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is comprised of special agents with Homeland Security Investigations and local detectives from the Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco Police Departments, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland. 4:25-CR-6003-SAB


title: Navy Commander Sentenced for Federal Cyberstalking

body_text: Greenbelt, Maryland – A Navy Lieutenant Commander learned his fate in federal court today, after a jury found him guilty of cyberstalking his ex-wife and her boyfriend late last year. The Honorable Lydia Kay Griggsby sentenced Jason Michael Leidel, 45, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to 41 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In December 2025, after a two-week trial, a federal jury found Leidel guilty of cyberstalking. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Greg Thompson, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG) – Mid-Atlantic Region; Special Agent in Charge Hanna Porterfield, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) – Washington, D.C. Field Office; Chief Marc R. Yamada, Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD); and Chief Paul Neudigate, Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD). According to court documents, and evidence presented at trial, on multiple occasions, Leidel sent emails with false allegations to get Victim 1, his ex-wife, fired from her job as a special education teacher at a public school. Additionally, Leidel sent emails trying to get his ex-wife and their children evicted from their house. He also repeatedly filed false child protective services claims against Victim 1. When Victim 1 started dating someone new, Victim 2, Leidel filed false claims, stating that Victim 2 was abusing children. Then Leidel repeatedly emailed Victim 2’s supervisors with false claims to get him investigated and fired. Leidel harassed Victim 1 and Victim 2 for several years until law enforcement arrested him in connection with this case. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, DOT OIG, NCIS, MCPD, and VBPD. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Sarma and Ken Clark, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Former St. Louis Building Inspector Accused of $1.6 Million Fraud

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A former building inspector with the City of St. Louis has been indicted and accused of steering $1.67 million meant for the repair of decrepit buildings in St. Louis to himself and relatives. Adebanjo “Banjo” Popoola was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Wednesday with three counts of wire fraud. He is in custody and will be in court Friday for his initial appearance. The indictment says that while a building division inspector with the City of St. Louis, Popoola steered money that was meant to renovate and rehabilitate privately-owned buildings into companies owned by his sister and his wife. Popoola had his sister, who lives in Texas and has no construction background, register a company in Missouri in October of 2022 called Farst Construction LLC. Popoola’s longtime paramour (and later wife) incorporated a Missouri business called Premier Finish Contractors LLC in February of 2021. The indictment says Popoola steered about $1.4 million to Farst from the city’s Stable Communities STL program and about $339,500 from the city’s Prop NS program for purported rehabilitation and stabilization work. Popoola caused about $1.3 million from the Stable Communities STL program and about $1 million from the Prop NS program to be awarded to Premier, the indictment says. Of the 59 contracts awarded through the Stable Communities STL program, Popoola caused 13 to be awarded to Farst and 10 to be issued to Premier, the indictment says, for a combined total of about 42% of the $7.99 million awarded. Of the 144 contracts awarded through the Prop NS program, Popoola caused 8 to be awarded to Farst and 23 to be awarded to Premier, the indictment says, for about 24% of the $5.6 million total. Stable Communities was funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act funds received by the city. Prop NS was funded through city-issued general obligation bonds. Farst and Premier did not perform the contracted work on multiple properties, but Popoola falsely certified to the city’s Comptroller that the work had been performed completely and properly, the indictment says. Popoola and his wife had one or more joint bank accounts where the city funds were deposited. He had the same arrangement with his sister. In one example provided in the indictment, when Farst received a $29,500 check from the Prop NS program in February of 2023, Popoola’s sister immediately issued herself a $15,000 check from the Farst business account and deposited it into her personal bank account, then immediately wrote a $10,000 check to Popoola. Popoola, his sister and his wife obtained about $1.67 million after paying subcontractors for purported work on the stabilization projects, the indictment says. Popoola used the money for residential mortgage payments, multiple vehicle purchases and repairs, travel expenses, his September 2023 Hawaii wedding, casino gambling, and other dining and entertainment expenses, the indictment says. Popoola lied on city documents when he falsely stated that he had no personal interest, directly or indirectly, in a contract with the City of St. Louis and that he had no interest in any business, the indictment says. His sister and wife lied on contract documents when they falsely claimed that “No officer, employee, or member of the governing body of the City of St. Louis, Missouri who exercises any functions or responsibilities in connection with the carrying out of the Project to which this Contract pertains shall have any private interest, direct or indirect, in this contract,” the indictment says. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The FBI investigated the case, with substantial cooperation from the City of St. Louis Comptroller’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith prosecuted the case. public_indictment.pdf


title: Columbia Woman Who Coerced Minor Boy to Engage in Sex Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALYSON CRANICK, 44, of Columbia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 240 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for coercing a minor boy to engage in sexual activity. According to court documents and statements made in court, Cranick, first using text messaging and Snapchat, and then using the internet chat service Discord, coerced an 11-year-old boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct with her. Several times during the summer and into the fall of 2022, Cranick induced the minor victim to leave his house after midnight to meet up with her. Cranick sexually assaulted the minor victim during these meetings. Between July and October 2022, Cranick exchanged more than 4,700 messages with the minor victim on Discord. Cranick was arrested on related state charges on November 14, 2023, and has been detained since November 28, 2023. She was federally charged in July 2024. On November 18, 2025, she pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force and the Connecticut State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Unit. The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel E. Cummings and Katherine E. Boyles through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Tolland for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Charged in Double Homicide Apprehended in Mexico

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Samuel Ramirez Jr., 33, of Federal Way, Washington, was apprehended without incident on Tuesday, March 10, at 11:13 a.m. PT in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, only one hour and 13 minutes after being announced as the 538th addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The previous record for shortest arrest time was Billie Austin Bryant , arrested in 1969 two hours after being added to the list. “Unlike the prior Administration, this Department of Justice is arresting the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted criminals as quickly as they are added to the list,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “President Trump has unleashed American law enforcement against the worst criminals in our country — Director Patel is doing great work to Make America Safe Again.” “Samuel Ramirez Jr.’s apprehension is a direct result of the FBI’s relentless pursuit of justice for victims and their families,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “His senseless acts of violence placed him on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List, and it is that same commitment to the victims that brought him to justice today. There is no border, no amount of time, and no place to hide from the full force of the FBI and its partners.” “The United States Attorney’s Office supports the pursuit of justice in both federal and state prosecutions,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd for the Western District of Washington. “This case is an example of how a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution can open investigatory avenues and resources to help assist our local law enforcement partners pursue critical prosecutions. Mr. Ramirez’s addition to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List brought attention to a case that has deeply affected our community and resulted in a swift apprehension of a dangerous fugitive.” “This capture shows the power of local, federal, and international law enforcement working together, armed with timely and actionable information from the public,” said Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington, of the FBI Seattle field office. “Assistance from the public quickly helped us learn where Mr. Ramirez was hiding and successfully bring him back to King County to face justice.” “We are deeply grateful for the FBI’s partnership and the swift coordination among local, federal, and international law enforcement that led to Samuel Ramirez Jr.’s capture so quickly,” said Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang. “This arrest is an important step toward justice for the victims, Jessyca Hohn and Katie Duhnke, and toward bringing some measure of closure to their families and our community. We remain committed to ensuring that the suspect is held fully accountable.” Ramirez Jr. is a U.S. citizen who was deported from Mexico to the United States to face murder charges in King County Superior Court. Ramirez Jr. returned to Washington state Wednesday night. His next court appearance will be his arraignment, which will be approximately two weeks after he is booked into jail in King County, Washington. Questions about the prosecution of this case should be directed to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Samuel Ramirez Jr. was wanted for his alleged involvement in the murders of two female victims on May 21, 2023, at the Stars Bar and Grill in Federal Way, Washington. A third person was also injured in the shooting. After the homicide, Ramirez Jr. was believed to have fled the state and country. Ramirez Jr. was considered armed and dangerous. On May 24, 2023, the King County Superior Court, State of Washington, issued an arrest warrant for Ramirez Jr. after he was charged with Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, and Attempted Murder in the First Degree. On Nov. 14, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Ramirez Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington after he was charged with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. On Dec. 10, 2025, the FBI announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. On March 10, the FBI increased that amount and offered up to a $1 million reward. Ramirez Jr. was the first new individual added to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List to receive the new standard reward amount of up to $1 million, increased from the previous standard reward of up to $250,000. FBI Seattle credits the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Mexico City, Mexico, Secretaria de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Washington in coordinating the apprehension of Ramirez Jr. Charging documents contain only allegations of criminal misconduct, and defendants are presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. To protect the privacy of individuals and to ensure the public’s continued cooperation and incentivization for future assistance, the FBI does not confirm the identity of individuals who assist the FBI by providing information or share whether or not reward money is paid, to whom, and in what amounts. The FBI offers monetary rewards to incentivize the public to come forward with tips and information when they have information that law enforcement is seeking to further an investigation and keep the public safe. The FBI has paid reward money to tipsters who have provided valuable information and continues to do so. Receiving tips from the public remains one of the FBI’s best tools in preventing, detecting, and deterring crime. The FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List is one of the longest running and most recognizable law enforcement initiatives in U.S. history. Since its creation in 1950, the program has relied on national publicity and public participation to assist in the capture of dangerous fugitives. 538 fugitives have appeared on the list, and 501 have been apprehended or located, many due to tips from citizens. Over the years, 12 Ten Most Wanted Fugitives have been FBI Seattle cases. In addition, eight fugitives on the list were arrested in Washington state with seven fugitives arrested in the Seattle area and one in Spokane. Additional information and wanted posters in English and Spanish can be found at this link: www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten


title: Brazilian National Unlawfully Residing in U.S. Charged with Child Exploitation Offense

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, today announced that MAX MOTA PINHO, 45, a citizen of Brazil residing in Stamford, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. As alleged in court documents, a cloud-based storage company that provides services for wireless customers made multiple CyberTipline reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) that a user, subsequently identified as Pinho, had videos and images of child sexual abuse stored on the account. Subsequent investigation confirmed that child sex abuse material was stored on Pinho’s account. Pinho was arrested yesterday at his Stamford residence. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was released on a $50,000 bond. Pinho, who overstayed a tourist visa issued in 2003, was then taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Stamford Police Department, the Watertown Police Department, and the Westport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: Two Colorado Women Charged in Multi State Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Conspiracy

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Two Colorado women and an associate are charged in a drug‑trafficking and money‑laundering conspiracy that allegedly funneled methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico through New Mexico into other locations in the United States. According to court records, between November 2023 and July 2025, Ebajelina Silva , 41, of Arvada, Colorado, and Tania Maldonado , 42, of Denver, Colorado, allegedly participated in a drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracy that moved methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico through New Mexico to other locations in the United States. Court records allege Silva coordinated narcotics pickups and deliveries with Reymondo Mandonado , 43, of Thornton, Colorado, while Maldonado allegedly helped transmit drug proceeds to individuals in Mexico through money service businesses using structured wire transfers. The investigation tied the conspiracy to repeated border crossings, communications and location data, financial records, and a July 7, 2025, traffic stop in Otero County, New Mexico, during which law enforcement seized 146.7 net kilograms of pure methamphetamine and 4.875 net kilograms of cocaine from a concealed compartment in an enclosed trailer driven by Mandonado . Silva and Maldonado are each charged with one count of conspiracy and conspiracy to launder money. They will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, they both face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. Mandonado pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Mandonado faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today on behalf of the Homeland Security Task Force Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Camacho is prosecuting the cases. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Region II CORE 7 is comprised of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Customs and Border Protection – Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and Air and Marine (AMO), Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), United States Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Joint Task Force North (JTF-N), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), United States Marshal Service (USMS), Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS), El Paso Police Department (EPPD), New Mexico State Police (NMSP), West Texas / New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico Sixth Judicial District, Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Districts of Western Texas and New Mexico. View the Criminal Complaint (Mandonado).pdf View the Criminal Complaint (Silva and Maldonado).pdf View the Indictment (Silva and Maldonado).pdf An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Federal grand jury indicts former Rochester school teacher for promoting prostitution from his residence

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Eric Simpson, a/k/a Major Hands, 66, of Macedon, NY, with use of interstate facilities to promote, manage, establish, carry on, and facilitate a prostitution enterprise. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey L. Chalbeck, who is handling the case, stated that Simpson was recently a public-school teacher in Rochester, who lived on Canandaigua Road in Macedon, NY. According to the indictment, between 2021, and December 2025, Simpson maintained and utilized his Canandaigua Road residence as a location where commercial sex workers met with customers and engaged in commercial sex transactions. Simpson regularly promoted, managed, and carried on prostitution parties, arranging to have commercial sex workers present and available to perform commercial sex acts with himself and with those he invited to the parties. Simpson promoted the prostitution parties via email. In these emails, he detailed how many women would be present, sometimes identifying them by first name. Simpson managed the terms of the prostitution parties, including setting a cover charge for admission to the party, designating what rooms and other accommodations would be available, and telling prospective customers where to park, to avoid being parked too close to his house. The emails directed customers to negotiate “donations” for services directly with the “dancers.” In addition to the prostitution parties, Simpson promoted, established, and carried on prostitution activity by authorizing commercial sex workers to use his residence to meet with customers and engage in prostitution services even when he was not present. Simpson utilized the internet to advertise which commercial sex workers were working out of his residence, and to inform prospective commercial sex customers what specific sex acts the commercial sex workers would perform. Simpson was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions. The indictment is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Macedon Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Colella, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Two Sentenced for Kidnapping St. Louis County Toddler

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Thursday sentenced Kendal “KD” White, one of the men who kidnapped a toddler in St. Louis County, Missouri in a bid to recover missing guns, to 20 years in prison. Cam’Ron Henderson, 21, of St. Louis, was sentenced in January to 130 months in prison. Both men previously pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping. White, 21, of St. Charles, believed that the father of the 2-year-old kidnapping victim had taken items from him, including firearms. On Aug. 10. 2023, White, Henderson and others began looking for the man and eventually found their way to the victim’s mother’s apartment in St. Louis County. When she did not answer the door, White and Henderson kicked it in. Both men were armed. After learning that their quarry was not in the apartment, White demanded that the mother turn over her daughter. When she refused, White struck her in the head with his gun repeatedly before grabbing the toddler and fleeing. The toddler’s mother called police. When White and Henderson learned that an Amber Alert had been issued and included a description of the Hyundai Elantra they were driving, White paid three women to return the toddler to her uncle’s home. “This was an incredibly violent offense,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski said during Thursday’s hearing. The St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuted the case.


title: Mexican National Indicted for Possessing and Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A Mexican national was arrested and indicted for possessing child sexual abuse material. The indictment shows that Ruben Manuel Barraza Reyes, 26, is charged with Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, Possession of Child Pornography, and Obscene Visual Representations of the Sexual Abuse of Children. In August 2025, law enforcement identified and arrested an individual in Alaska who was receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material using the messaging application, Telegram. Court documents show that the person arrested was chatting with a user later identified as Baraza Reyes. Within two days, they shared dozens of images and videos that contained child sexual abuse material, including obscene drawings of children being sexually abused. Through search warrants, agents seized devices at Barraza Reyes home and a cellphone he possessed at the time of arrest. While booking Barraza Reyes into jail, agents discovered that he is unlawfully residing in the United States. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Dewhurst is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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 .