title: Mexican National Sentenced for Attempting to Receive Child Pornography and Unlawfully Being in the United States

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A Mexican national living in Oklahoma City was sentenced today after being arrested in Owasso for attempting to meet a minor child for sex, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson sentenced Jose Luis Granados Baltazar, 33, for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography and Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Granados Baltazar was ordered to serve 60 months imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervised release. Upon his release, Granados Baltazar is expected to face removal proceedings. In May 2025, Granados Baltazar began Facebook messaging with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old. For several days, Granados Baltazar was communicating with an undercover police officer. Granados Baltazar discussed sexual topics, sent the purported minor child a photograph of his penis, requested a sexually explicit photograph, and wanted to meet for sex. When Granados Baltazar arrived at the agreed-upon location in Owasso, he was detained. While booking Granados Baltazar into jail, law enforcement determined that he had been previously removed from the United States in 2022. Granados Baltazar will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The Owasso Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan E. Michel 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 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, local, and tribal resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Utqiagvik man sentenced to 18 years for producing child pornography

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: FAIRBANKS, Alaska – An Utqiagvik man was sentenced last Friday to 18 years in prison for sexually exploiting minor victims to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to court documents, in August 2024, the FBI received an anonymous tip suggesting that Donovan Nungasak, 32, had CSAM on his phone. The tip prompted an investigation that revealed Nungasak was corresponding with at least one underage victim for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Nungasak sent photos of his genitalia to the minor victim and possessed multiple sexually explicit photos of her. After Nungasak was indicted in May 2025, two additional victims came forward. One minor victim reported that Nungasak began communicating with her when she was roughly 15 years old. He sent her messages on Instagram and Snapchat and requested nude images of her. The minor victim would send nude images and Nungasak would send money via an online money transferring service. The third minor victim began receiving messages from Nungasak on Facebook Messenger and Snapchat when she was in high school. Nungasak requested sexually explicit images of her and sent her photographs of his genitalia. The third minor victim blocked Nungasak and did not send any sexually explicit images. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement found 41 images of CSAM on Nungasak’s phone, some depicting prepubescent females. Law enforcement also spoke to a witness that came forward after Nungasak had told the witness that he liked younger girls because he could “groom” them to his liking. Nungasak was arrested at his residence in Utqiagvik on April 28, 2025, and a grand jury returned an indictment charging him with child exploitation offenses on May 21, 2025. Nungasak pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography on Oct. 30, 2025. In handing down the sentence, the Court ordered Nungasak to serve 20 years on supervised release upon completing his custodial sentence. “Mr. Nungasak targeted young females because he liked to control and exploit their perceived vulnerabilities and then lied about his conduct when confronted on multiple levels” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “His sick torment is over thanks to the actions of law enforcement, our attorneys and the victims and witnesses that came forward during the investigation. He will now spend nearly two decades behind bars.” “There is no greater priority than safeguarding our children from predators like Nungasak, whose disturbing pattern of conduct involved grooming minors for CSAM in his own local community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI and our partners are steadfast in our commitment to identify, investigate, and hold accountable any individual that seeks to harm our most vulnerable.” The FBI Anchorage Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the North Slope Borough Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . ###


title: Chinese Nationals Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Saipan, M.P. – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that Dong Han, age 52, and Yinhua Yang, age 49, both Chinese nationals, were sentenced on March 26, 2026, in the U.S. District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Han is a lawful permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen. Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona sentenced Han and Yang to 36 months imprisonment each for Conspiracy to Possess Five Grams or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, within 1,000 feet of an Elementary School, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B)(viii), 846, and 860(a). Both defendants were also sentenced to one year of supervised release, 50 hours community service, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating the defendants in March 2025 after receiving information from a cooperating defendant about methamphetamine trafficking in Saipan. The cooperating defendant identified Han as a methamphetamine distributor and reported purchasing drugs from him on several occasions. Investigators later determined that Han was working with Yang, the manager of a business known as Smile Bar in the Paseo de Marianas in Saipan. Surveillance, business records, and information from the CNMI Department of Public Safety confirmed Yang’s connection to the establishment. In April 2025, law enforcement monitored a meeting at Smile Bar during which Han offered to sell methamphetamine to the cooperating defendant. On May 9, 2025, while under law enforcement supervision, the cooperating defendant met with Han and Yang at Smile Bar and provided $1,000 for methamphetamine. Yang later directed the cooperating defendant to retrieve the drugs near a stairwell of the business. The cooperating defendant obtained 10.3 grams of methamphetamine packaged inside a cigarette pack. “Law enforcement continues to combat drug trafficking by foreign nationals in the CNMI,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “As this case demonstrates, we will seek sentencing enhancements to hold drug dealers fully accountable for their unlawful conduct. I commend the work of this multi-agency team in bringing these defendants to justice.” “This sentencing sends a stern message to criminals who peddle dangerous drugs and endanger the safety and wellbeing of our communities. The fact that these drug traffickers were conducting illicit activity within yards of a school was especially concerning,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Division, which oversees Guam. “Eventually, they were held accountable for their actions. The strong partnership between local, state, and federal agencies demonstrates DEA’s relentless commitment to bringing drug criminals to justice and halting the flow of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs.” This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with the CNMI Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Flores, Jr. and Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. O’Malley prosecuted this case in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.


title: Former Guam Customs Officer Sentenced to 235 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

body_text: Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Jesus K. Paulino, Jr. (“Paulino”), age 36, from Dededo, Guam was sentenced, to serve 235 months in federal prison. On December 10, 2025, Paulino was convicted by a jury in the District Court of Guam for Attempted Possession with the Intent to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1). The Court also ordered five years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits. On February 19, 2025, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) obtained a search warrant and discovered approximately 14,533 net grams—roughly 32 pounds—of methamphetamine concealed inside a U.S. priority mail package addressed to another person at Mailhub, Oka, Tamuning. The drugs were removed from the package, replaced with sham material, and fitted with a court authorized tracking device as part of an ongoing investigation. On February 26, 2025, law enforcement observed Paulino carrying the package at Mailhub and placing it in a Toyota 4‑Runner. Paulino dropped off a female passenger and drove around Tamuning and Tumon before arriving at his residence in Tamuning. On the afternoon of February 27, 2025, law enforcement was alerted that the package had been opened. Officers knocked on the door of the residence, secured the location, and obtained a warrant to search the residence. Authorities seized the package, its contents, the tracking device, two electronic scales, a cellular phone, an Apple iPad, and a SIM card. A search of Paulino’s vehicle revealed trace residue that tested positive for MDMA. Paulino was found with visible amounts of clue spray on his clothing, arms, and hands. Paulino, was previously employed as a Guam Customs and Quarantine Officer. During that time, he was convicted of Conspiracy to Defraud and Deprive Honest Services, in violation of federal law, in connection with the smuggling of untaxed cigarette shipments from the Philippines. “Our aggressive mail-stream interdiction efforts removed this drug dealer from Guam for decades,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “The lengthy sentence was warranted by the weight of drugs shipped and Paulino’s troubling history. This case is another example of the many successes of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative that keeps our communities safe.” “Postal inspectors will not relent when drug traffickers attempt to mail controlled substances that harm our communities and endanger postal workers,” said Stephen Sherwood, Postal Inspector in Charge of the San Francisco Division. “I extend my sincere appreciation to the members of the Guam Interdictions Anti-Narcotics Trafficking Task Force (GIANT TF)—including the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, the Guam Police Department, and the Guam Army National Guard Counterdrug Program—for their dedication and collaboration. I also thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam and our federal law enforcement partners for their invaluable teamwork in bringing this offender to justice.” “This case highlights how HSI works every day to keep our community safe from criminal organizations. By teaming up with other agencies through the Homeland Security Task Force, we’re able to tackle these threats together. HSI is committed to finding and stopping criminal networks that put Guam and the United States at risk,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucia Cabral-DeArmas. “The defendant attempted to exploit the U.S. mail system, making a calculated effort to expand distribution, which endangered countless lives,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “ATF will hold these traffickers accountable, and we remain committed to disrupting drug distribution at every level.” “Through coordinated efforts and strong partnerships, this individual has been brought to justice for trafficking destructive narcotics that endanger the health and wellbeing of our island community. Drug peddlers, regardless of occupation or status, will be pursued and held accountable for the devastation they cause,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which oversees Guam. “DEA is in lockstep with our HSTF partners, remaining ever committed to disrupting global drug networks and halting the flow of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs.” This investigation was led by United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) with key participation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Guam Police Department Special Investigations Section, and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Rosetta L. San Nicolas prosecuted the case in the District of Guam. 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. HSTF Guam comprises agents and officers Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Marshals Service (USMS), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the United States Secret Service (USSS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.


title: Armed Drug Trafficking on Kickapoo Tribal Land Leads to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Eagle Pass Man

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – An Eagle Pass man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 360 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana on Kickapoo Tribal Land while possessing two firearms, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons. According to court documents, in 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration and ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents began investigating Rolando Oyervides Jr. aka “Roly,” 40, for distribution of methamphetamine. A search warrant for a social media account belonging to Oyervides Jr. led to the discovery of photos depicting cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, Farmapram, small plastic bags and scales. The search also revealed that Oyervides Jr., as a fugitive, was illegally in possession of multiple firearms. Messages pertaining to the distribution of controlled substances were also found. Further investigation revealed Oyervides Jr. was selling narcotics out of various residences with children present and used females as drug mules to traffic three to four ounces of narcotics per person, three to four times per week. On Jan. 29, 2020, DEA and HSI agents executed a search warrant at an Eagle Pass residence, where they encountered Oyervides Jr. and two other individuals, one being a juvenile. Oyervides Jr. was arrested and agents seized marijuana, methamphetamine, scales, and a drug ledger, as well as two .380 caliber semi-automatic pistols, nearly 200 rounds of .380 ammunition, and three 12-gauge shotgun shells. Oyervides Jr. was indicted on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during and in relation to and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On June 24, 2021, he pleaded guilty to counts one and two in the indictment. He was additionally found guilty of the third count in a bench trial on Oct. 29, 2021. In 2004, Oyervides Jr. was convicted of possession with intent of distributing cocaine and sentenced to 40 months in prison. His supervised release was revoked in 2009, resulting in an additional 11-month imprisonment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nallely Duarte and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Rivera prosecuted the case. This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America . HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. ###


title: HONDURAN NATIONAL PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED COERCION AND ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced that William Alexander Ruiz-Ponce, age 28, a Honduran national who is present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, in February 2025, Ruiz-Ponce used social media applications and text messages to convince someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl in Denham Springs, Louisiana, to have an illegal sexual relationship with him. Ruiz-Ponce traveled to Denham Springs to meet the supposed 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual acts. An undercover law enforcement officer posed as the 14-year-old girl and officers arrested Ruiz-Ponce when he arrived at the agreed-upon location. During their conversation, Ruiz-Ponce sent the undercover officer sexually explicit images of himself, including photos of his genitals. Ruiz-Ponce also asked for the undercover officer’s location and expressed his desire to engage in illegal sex acts in person. Ruiz-Ponce’s conviction is punishable by a minimum of ten years and a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to a lifetime period of supervised release, and includes sex offender registration requirements. He is also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completing his sentence. This matter was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, and Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Vick and Special Assistant United States Attorney Allen Ross. 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc . This case is also 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 Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Tallahassee Man Sentenced For Drug Distribution & Firearms Charges

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

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Ramon Velazquez Rodas, 46, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for charges relating to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of a stolen firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This successful prosecution and substantial prison sentence is yet another win for the citizens of the Northern District of Florida, as my office continues to aggressively prosecute these cases to deliver the safe, drug-free streets they deserve. We have more work to do, and thanks to the support of President Donald J. Trump through Operation Take Back America , we will continue to deploy the full power of the Department of Justice to dismantle the drug trafficking rings that have funneled deadly drugs into our communities for far too long.” Court documents reflect that on August 11, 2022, as part of an ongoing drug investigation targeting multiple individuals, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a suspected drug house where the defendant was found in Tallahassee, Florida. Pursuant to the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine and fentanyl, a stolen handgun, $2,900 in currency, and other items indicative of drug distribution. The defendant is legally barred from possessing firearms as a multi-time convicted felon, including prior convictions for burglary of a dwelling, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, possession of burglary tools, dealing in stolen property, and possession of controlled substances. “It’s been a busy few weeks as DEA and its law enforcement partners have brought numerous North Florida drug traffickers to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Drug Enforcement Administration Tampa Field Division. “DEA will pursue, investigate, and arrest all who poison its communities.” The case involved a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Enticement of a Minor

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – An Alabama man, who coerced a 13-year-old Danville, Virginia, girl to send him sexually explicit images and video, pled guilty recently. Kenneth Melvin Doss, 31, of Huntsville, Alabama, pled guilty recently to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. According to court records, in July 2025, Doss used Facebook Messenger to convince his 13-year-old relative in Danville to send him sexually explicit images and video of herself. When the minor victim hesitated, saying Doss was her cousin, Doss responded it could be their secret, and they could delete the chats. Doss also sent videos of himself masturbating to the minor victim, and he described the sex acts they could engage in if they met up in person. First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Drew Inman is prosecuting the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ .


title: Hillsville Man to Serve 156 Months for Sexually Exploiting Children Online

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – A Hillsville, Virginia man was sentenced recently to 156 months in federal prison. Michael Tibbs, 25, of Carroll County, Virginia, previously pled guilty to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to court documents, in April 2023, a then-15-year-old minor victim submitted a tip to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center, reporting that a man had been grooming her for approximately one year and continually requesting nude images. FBI agents identified Tibbs as the victim’s groomer and obtained records of his Discord messages. The Discord records revealed that beginning as early as November 2022, Tibbs engaged in sexual chats with several minor girls and paid them to record and send him sexually explicit images and videos. Agents were able to identify and interview some of the minor victims, who confirmed that Tibbs paid them to record sexually explicit content for him. On July 18, 2024, agents executed a search warrant at Tibbs’ home and seized his phone, which contained many sexually explicit images and videos of women with indeterminate ages. Agents were able to identify one of the minor victims, 13 years old, depicted in two of those videos. Tibbs’ phone also held hundreds of computer-generated and animated images of children, including toddlers, being graphically, sexually abused. Agents interviewed Tibbs, who admitted to using Discord to purchase sexual content from minors. He estimated that he purchased from 10 to 15 underage girls. Tibbs explained that he developed an interest in purchasing sexual content from minors after viewing child pornography on TikTok. First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, and Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Inman is prosecuting the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ .


title: Plant City Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill the President of the United States

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – Nick Guadalupe Cruz-Lopez (20, Plant City, FL) has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a threat to kill the President of the United States. If convicted, Cruz-Lopez faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to the complaint, on April 2, 2026, Cruz-Lopez posted the following photo on his Instagram account, which stated, “MAGA Otw to kill trump” and showed Cruz-Lopez in a vehicle holding an AR-15 style rifle: Federal agents located Cruz-Lopez that day and arrested him. A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts.


title: Previously convicted felon returning to prison for drug and firearm crimes

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Prince George man was sentenced to five years and 11 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents, on March 15, 2024, responding to a report of a man looking into vehicles with a flashlight, Colonial Heights police officers located and spoke with Earnest Thomas, 34. As officers attempted to gather Thomas’ identifying information, Thomas fled. The officers apprehended Thomas after a brief pursuit, confirmed his identity, and determined that he had outstanding arrest warrants from Chesterfield, Petersburg, and Hopewell. From Thomas’ vehicle, investigators recovered 28.62 grams of 93.7% pure methamphetamine, two digital scales, two ski masks, a handgun, a folded $5 bill containing 1.0685 grams of fentanyl, and a vile containing an additional 0.3957 grams of methamphetamine. Thomas previously was convicted of, among other crimes, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a concealed weapon, and domestic assault and battery. As a convicted felon, Thomas cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division investigated this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gilliland 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-63.


title: McNairy County Man Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Jackson, TN – Clint Allen Wolf, 34 , of Selmer, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. The investigation in this case began in August 2024 when a cyber tip was sent to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the transmission of 22 files containing child sexual abuse material on a social media application. The report was assigned to the Knoxville, Tennessee Police Department, who then transferred it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jackson for further investigation. That investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at Wolf’s residence in Selmer in December 2024 and the seizure of multiple cell phones and other electronic devices. A search of Wolf’s cell phone revealed more than 600 images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including prepubescent minors and minors under the age of 12 engaging in such conduct. In January 2025, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Wolf charging him with possession of child pornography. Following his guilty plea to the indictment, Senior United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Wolf to 100 months in prison and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Possession of child pornography is a despicable crime that endangers and harms real child victims forever. And we know that demand drives supply. By seeking out and possessing hundreds of images of young children being sexually abused, Wolf contributed to their past victimization, and he will now spend over 8 years in prison where he cannot contribute to the future harm to children in the name of profit.” This case was investigated by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Knoxville Police Department, Selmer Police Department, and the McNairy County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


body_text: Dominican National and Former Massachusetts Resident Pleads Guilty to Distributing Almost 700 Grams of Fentanyl CONCORD – A citizen of the Dominican Republic and former Boston resident pleaded guilty today to distributing almost 700 grams of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Niulmi Baez, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, specifically, at least 400 grams of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for August 3, 2026. According to court documents and statements made in court, in late 2021 law enforcement learned that the defendant was selling drugs. Between November 2021 and June 2022, an undercover officer engaged in a series of controlled purchases of drugs from Baez. Sometimes Baez delivered the drugs in person, while other times he used a drug runner, including his co-defendant Hamet Badia, to sell drugs. For example, in June 2022, the undercover officer arranged to purchase 400 grams of fentanyl and 200 oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl from Baez. Baez responded that his “brother” would arrive in an Uber rideshare, and that Baez himself would arrive a few minutes later. Badia arrived at the designated meeting spot carrying a green shoe box containing the drugs. Badia gave the drugs to Baez, who exchanged the drugs for a bag containing fake U.S. currency. Baez left the United States and returned to the Dominican Republic. Law enforcement learned he planned to return to the United States and arrested him at Logan Airport on October 2, 2025. Baez has been detained since. The charging statute provides a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and a maximum fine of $10 million. 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. Badia was previously sentenced to a term of 18 months’ imprisonment for his role in the offense. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The U.S. Marshals and Hampton Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (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: Scarborough Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing  Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Scarborough man pleaded guilty on March 31, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Portland to possessing child sexual abuse material. According to court records, Robert E. Milholland, Jr. , 49, became the target of a law enforcement investigation after being linked to child sexual abuse material over the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file-sharing network. In July 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at his residence, resulting in the seizure of multiple digital media devices that contained child sexual abuse material. Milholland faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a maximum supervised release term of life. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. HSI and the Lewiston Police Department investigated the case. To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678 . If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741 . Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc . ###


title: North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Murder-for-Hire Plot

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Xin Guang Guo, 48, of Plymouth, North Carolina, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Harvey Bartle III on two counts of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of a murder-for-hire. The defendant was arrested on a criminal complaint and warrant in October of last year and charged by indictment the same month, arising from his effort to pay another individual $30,000 to kill two people residing in the Philadelphia area. As detailed in court filings, on September 30, 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) received information that the defendant wanted to contract a hitman to murder his former business partner and business partner’s paramour (“Person-1” and “Person-2”). Investigators received copies of text messages written by the defendant, whom they were able to identify as Xin Guang Guo, detailing his plan and providing identifying information about Person-1 and Person-2. In subsequent phone calls monitored by the ATF, Guo discussed the terms of the contract, in which he would pay $15,000 for each murder. Guo also arranged to meet an individual he thought was the hitman in Philadelphia on October 6, so Guo could give him $2,500 to buy a gun. At the October 6 meeting, the defendant gave the $2,500 to an ATF undercover officer and requested photographic proof that Person-1 and Person-2 had been murdered before he would pay the remaining balance. The agreement was made, Guo departed in his vehicle, and shortly thereafter was arrested by the ATF without incident. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15 and faces a maximum possible term of 20 years in prison. This case was investigated by the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McCool.


title: St. Louis County Man Admits $637,000 in Pandemic, Disability Fraud

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis County on Monday admitted committing disability fraud and pandemic loan fraud totaling $637,000. Preston Randall, 62, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to five counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft of government property and one count of concealment from the U.S. Social Security Administration. Randall admitted applying to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a series of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for various businesses using various names. The EIDL program was intended to support small businesses that had been negatively affected by the pandemic. On the applications, Randall falsely inflated revenue and workforce figures to get more money. Randall sought a total of $8,506,000 in loans and received $620,000. Randall also fraudulently obtained $17,906 in Social Security disability benefits. On his application for benefits, Randall hid the fraudulent EIDL income, his ownership of five vehicles and the ownership of a $500,000 home near Florissant. Randall quitclaimed the home to a shell company to hide the home’s ownership. Randall was indicted in May of 2024 and jailed later that year after he was accused of threatening a potential witness and placing utility bills in that man’s name without his consent. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolene Taaffe is prosecuting the case.


title: McMinnville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A McMinnville, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last Tuesday after possessing methamphetamine with the attempt to distribute in Yamhill County, Oregon. John Billy Donnahoo, 52, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. According to court documents, on May 25, 2024, police officers executed a search warrant on Donnahoo’s residence and seized over one pound of methamphetamine, multiple firearms, ammunition, digital scales, and over $16,000 in cash. On July 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a multi-count indictment. On November 19, 2025, Donnahoo pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the McMinnville Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott M. Kerin.


title: Federal Correctional Officer Convicted of Bribery, Smuggling, and Drug Conspiracy

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ATLANTA – Following a six-day trial, a federal jury convicted Patrick Shackelford, a former federal correctional officer, for accepting bribes and conspiring with inmates to smuggle narcotics and other contraband into the U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta (“USP-Atlanta”) using an elaborate scheme through which visitors introduced contraband into the prison through a secret hole in the visitation area. Shackelford was immediately taken into federal custody upon entry of the jury’s verdict on April 2. “Instead of fulfilling his duty to safeguard a federal prison, Shackelford took bribes from inmates to facilitate their smuggling of large quantities of methamphetamine and other contraband for distribution to other inmates,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Shackelford betrayed his oath, chose to be a corrupt tool of the inmates in his charge, and potentially endangered the safety and security of his fellow officers and prisoners through his brazen conduct.” “Correctional facilities depend on the integrity of those entrusted to safeguard them,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Georgia. “By abusing his position to smuggle drugs and other contraband into USP-Atlanta, Shackelford undermined the safety and security of the institution, his fellow officers, and the inmates in their custody. The FBI remains committed to rooting out corruption at every level and holding accountable those who violate the public’s trust.” “The Correctional Officer’s acts compromised the safety and security of the federal prison. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to rooting out corruption and bringing perpetrators to justice,” stated Eric Fehlman, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Southeast Region. According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: From approximately June 2018 through February 2019, Shackelford conspired with federal inmates Patrick Kirkman, Mitchell Arms, James Hughes, and others to smuggle prohibited items and narcotics, including methamphetamine and marijuana, into USP-Atlanta, a then medium-security federal prison. Shackelford was a federal correctional officer and plumbing supervisor at USP-Atlanta who managed a crew of inmate plumbers, including Hughes. As part of the scheme, Shackelford informed Hughes about a hidden room and “voided area” that adjoined the prison visitation area. With Shackelford’s assistance, Hughes and another inmate, under the guise of making plumbing repairs, used a sledgehammer and power drill to create large passageways into the hidden room and voided area. From that space, they created a small hole under a sink in the restroom of the visitation area. They then concealed the passageway with a metal plate. During weekend visitation, some of the inmates’ associates brought tightly wrapped packages containing contraband to the prison and pushed them through the hole under the restroom sink into the “voided area.” On a nearly weekly basis between June 2018 and February 2019, Hughes and another inmate retrieved the contraband from the voided area, using their plumbing cart and tools as cover to move the contraband across USP-Atlanta. Shackelford further helped the inmates by allowing them to hide the contraband in the “plumbing shop,” including in the ceiling of an empty staff office that was next to Shackelford’s. For safety and security reasons, inmates were not supposed to have access to such offices. However, Shackelford unlocked the adjacent office for Hughes so often that it came to be known as “Jamie’s office.” Shackelford also helped escort his inmate co-conspirators through checkpoints to deliver contraband packages to the cellblocks. In exchange for permitting inmates to smuggle and distribute contraband, Shackelford received $5,000 and pain pills from Hughes, and Hughes and the inmate plumbing crew completed Shackelford’s plumbing assignments for him. Kirkman and Arms, both of whom were serving sentences for federal drug trafficking crimes, were among the inmates at USP-Atlanta who received the contraband, including narcotics, through the scheme. While the operation was ongoing, Kirkman paid Hughes nearly $20,000 via Cash App to smuggle in the contraband and provided the cash for Shackelford’s $5,000 bribe. Hughes learned from Kirkman, Arms, and others when the packages had been smuggled through the visitor’s bathroom. In February 2019, prison officials discovered a batch of contraband hidden in the ceiling of the plumbing office. Specifically, officials found roughly two dozen packages containing over a pound of 100% pure methamphetamine, over a kilogram of marijuana, synthetic marijuana or “spice,” tobacco, and several cell phones. This was one of the largest contraband recoveries in the history of USP-Atlanta. Shackelford’s inmate co-conspirators pleaded guilty in connection with this prison bribery and contraband smuggling scheme: Patrick Kirkman, 39, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, pled guilty to federal bribery on February 11, 2026. Mitchell Arms, 45, of Columbia, Tennessee, pled guilty to possessing, obtaining, or attempting to obtain a prohibited object in federal prison, namely, methamphetamine, on June 18, 2024. James Hughes, 48, of Etowah, Tennessee, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to provide and possess prohibited objects in a federal prison, including methamphetamine, marijuana, and cellular phones, on October 7, 2023. Sentencing for Patrick Shackelford, 51, of Senoia, Georgia, is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge William M. Ray, II. Shackelford faces a mandatory minimum of ten years of imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Garrett L. Bradford are prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., Announces New Leadership for the Office’s Long Island Division and Criminal Section

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today the appointment of Catherine Mirabile as Chief of the Long Island Division and Chief of the Criminal Section of the Long Island Division. Additionally, Megan Farrell has been appointed as a Deputy Chief of the Long Island Criminal Section, joining current Deputy Chiefs Justina Geraci and Michael Maffei. Catherine Mirabile Ms. Mirabile joined the Office in 2002 and originally served in the Civil Division, including as Chief of the Employment Practice and as an Acting Deputy Chief of the Civil Division. Since 2012, she has served in the Criminal Division’s General Crimes (GC), Public Integrity, and Long Island Criminal Sections (LI). Among other supervisory roles, she was Deputy Chief of LI and Senior Litigation Counsel in the Criminal Division. Ms. Mirabile is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School and received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. After law school, she served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the New York City Law Department. During her time in the Office, Ms. Mirabile has led the investigation and prosecution of several significant public corruption cases, including: a Nassau County Executive; a leader of the Suffolk County Conservative Party who was also a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Correction Officer; a former New York City Police Department officer charged with plotting the murder for hire of her estranged husband and her boyfriend’s daughter; and a criminal defense attorney who defrauded a minor estate beneficiary of an inheritance. Ms. Mirabile has also prosecuted several significant fraud cases, including: a case involving a defendant who was convicted at trial of healthcare fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme that defrauded insurance companies of more than $700 million and resulted in one of the largest restitution and forfeiture orders in a healthcare fraud case nationwide; and a prosecution in which the defendants engaged in a scheme to induce victims to invest in a series of web-based companies that purportedly traded in Bitcoin. Ms. Mirabile is also a member of the team that has prosecuted several other significant cases on Long Island, including: a case involving violent sex trafficking out of the Sayville Motor Lodge; and a case against a drug dealer who distributed heroin laced with fentanyl that caused the death of a young Long Island man. Megan Farrell Ms. Farrell joined the Office in February 2018 and has served in GC, LI, and the Human Trafficking and Civil Rights (HTCR) Section. Ms. Farrell most recently served as Deputy Chief of HTCR and previously served as an Acting Deputy Chief in GC and the Organized Crimes and Gangs Section. From 2021 to 2025, she was a Project Safe Child Coordinator and developed outreach programs for middle-school students, speaking to thousands of children and parents about internet safety. Ms. Farrell graduated from Boston College and received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Following law school, Ms. Farrell was a Public Fellow, serving as a misdemeanor Assistant District Attorney at the King’s County District Attorney’s Office for one year. From 2010 until 2018, Ms. Farrell was an associate at Clifford Chance US LLP. During her time in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ms. Farrell has prosecuted significant organized crime, gang, sex trafficking, and child exploitation cases. Ms. Farrell was part of a team that secured the convictions of two MS-13 defendants to racketeering and other charges in connection with eight murders. Ms. Farrell was also a member of the team that secured the convictions of three high-ranking MS-13 gang members on racketeering charges in connection with nine murders. In another case, Ms. Farrell was part of the team that secured a sentence of 50 years after the defendant, an MS-13 gang associate, was convicted in April 2022, following a four-week trial, of racketeering, including predicate acts of murder, conspiracy to murder rival gang members, and obstruction of justice and murder in aid-of racketeering, in connection with luring four young men to their violent deaths by more than a dozen gang members and associates in a park in 2017. Additionally, Ms. Farrell is leading the team currently prosecuting seven MS-13 members, including two national leaders, charged with two murders committed on Long Island. Ms. Farrell secured the conviction of a Bloods gang member who was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sex trafficking of minors, and she led the trial team that secured a defendant’s conviction for sex trafficking of two victims. Ms. Farrell is a member of the team currently prosecuting the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch and two other individuals charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.


title: Lowndes County Man Sentenced in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation for Trafficking Methamphetamine

body_text: OXFORD, MS – A Lowndes County man was sentenced to thirteen years for trafficking in excess of fifty grams of methamphetamine. According to court documents, Calvin Baskin, 55, of Columbus, Mississippi previously pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District to Mississippi to the charge stemming from his arrest on August 8, 2024. Baskin was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson to 157 months in prison for the charge. He was further sentenced to five years supervised release following his release from prison. U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary, who made this announcement, said, “Mississippians are historically hard workers, not perfect by any means, but dedicated hard workers. Together we have progressed, creating a State that is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. However, some communities here face daily violence driven by the illegal drug trade. To help these communities requires hard work, dangerous work, tirelessly pursued by our state and federal officers. On one level this case may seem mundane, but it is not. This investigation and prosecution reflect the daily vigilance exhibited by state and federal law enforcement. Working together, day by day, we can help our communities be places of safety where hard work and devotion pay off. A special thanks to Sheriff Eddie Hawkins and his Lowndes County office and the DEA for making this a reality.” “Methamphetamine trafficking brings nothing but misery and crime to our doorsteps,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw. “This sentence reflects the gravity of the threat posed by illegal drugs and the power of interagency cooperation. The DEA and our partners will never waver in our efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals who prioritize profit over the safety and well-being of our community." Sheriff Eddie Hawkins, stated, “We are grateful for the strong partnership between the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics in bringing this case to a successful conclusion. We also appreciate the diligent prosecution by the United States Attorney's Office, whose work ensured that justice was served. This sentencing sends a clear message that those who traffic illegal drugs and endanger our communities will be held accountable. Through continued cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement efforts, we remain committed to protecting the citizens of Lowndes County and keeping our communities safe.” The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and U.S. Marshal’s Service investigated and assisted with the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case. This case 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. This case is also a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: D.C. Sex Offender Charged with Receiving Child Pornography

body_text: drew_collin_imparato_x3_attachments.pdf WASHINGTON – A complaint was filed Friday, April 3, in U.S. District Court charging Drew Collin Imparato, 26, a registered sex offender residing in the District of Columbia, with Receipt of Child Pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. According to court documents, in 2019, Imparato was convicted of Interstate Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and Distribution of Child Pornography and was sentenced to five years’ incarceration. Following his release from custody, Imparato sought out online forums that sold child sexual abuse material. Imparato spent $12,000 to purchase hundreds of videos of child sexual abuse material through Telegram and other online applications. Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office. This case is being investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Bohlen. This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . Charges in a complaint are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 26mj71 Follow us on Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube Or at https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc


title: Avondale Woman Indicted For Theft of Social Security Disability Benefits

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – On April 2, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted DENISE BROOKS , (“BROOKS”), age 65, of Avondale, for theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to court documents, in or around November 2014 through November 2023, BROOKS stole Social Security Disability Benefits in the approximate amount of $65,764.00 which was meant for the benefit of her two minor children. BROOKS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment cost. U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General in investigating this matter. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Anne Flippo of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Operation Mobile Order Defendant Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A key member of an armed drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing kilograms of cocaine in the Macon community was sentenced to serve more than 20 years in prison resulting from Operation Mobile Order, a collaborative multi-agency investigation led by FBI and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Antonyo Daniels, aka “Tony,” 31, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 250 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on April 2, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Jan. 8. “Operation Mobile Order sends a clear message that law enforcement at every level is focused on shutting down armed criminal groups threatening the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners, armed drug traffickers are being held accountable for their crimes with lengthy prison sentences.” “Operation Mobile Order dismantled a violent drug trafficking organization that treated a Macon neighborhood like a retail storefront for cocaine, backed by an arsenal of firearms,” said Robert Gibbs, Supervisory Senior Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta’s Macon office. “This investigation shows the FBI’s commitment to targeting criminal networks that fuel addiction, violence and fear in our communities. We will continue to work should-to-shoulder with our partners to make Central Georgia a safer place to live.” “Operation Mobile Order represents the best in local and federal law enforcement partnerships,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. “Together, FBI agents and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office investigators worked tirelessly to bring this cadre of criminals to justice. Our community is much better off with these peddlers of poison off our streets.” The following defendants were sentenced to prison on March 2: Devonta Jackson, 31, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 155 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Dec. 2, 2025; Laderion Jacobs, aka “Johnny,” aka “Johnny Cain,” 30, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 100 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Dec. 2, 2025; and Ladarrious King, 31, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Dec. 2, 2025. The following defendant was sentenced to prison on Feb. 5: Leroy Mintz, aka “Booman,” 29, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Nov. 20, 2025. The following defendants pleaded guilty and will be sentenced later: Eddie Reese, 53, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on June 18, 2025, and faces a maximum of 40 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release and a maximum $5 million fine; Roddreckious Williams, 33, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine base and one count of distribution of cocaine on Jan. 21, and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum $1 million fine per count; Alton Oliver, aka “Alo,” aka “Lo,” 43, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on Jan. 8, and faces a maximum of life in prison; Trayvon Simmons, aka “Abo,” 28, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Jan. 6, and faces a maximum of 40 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release and a maximum $5 million fine; Marvin Huff, aka “Black,” 50, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Jan. 8, and faces a maximum of 40 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release and a maximum $5 million fine; and Roosevelt Cole, aka “Froball,” 52, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Jan. 6, and faces a maximum of 40 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release and a maximum $5 million fine. Sentencing dates are determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents and statements in court, in 2022 and 2023, the FBI conducted Operation Mobile Order, a Macon-centered investigation targeting an armed drug trafficking organization led by Reese, and in which Daniels was a key member. During the investigation, the FBI ran nine controlled purchases of cocaine and crack cocaine, and intercepted phone calls and text messages, detailing transactions involving kilograms of cocaine from an Atlanta supplier. The main drug distribution site, also known as a trap house, was located on Richard Street in Macon. This busy location functioned similarly to a restaurant, with members of Reese’s organization assigned shifts to distribute drugs. Daniels assisted Reese in distributing controlled substances and acted as a key point of contact for other members. Recorded calls captured Reese discussing drug overdoses in the community, claiming that if the drugs causing those overdoses had come from his Richard Street operation, “everyone in Macon would be dead.” The FBI executed 11 federal search warrants in Macon, Warner Robins and Atlanta on Nov. 20, 2023, including at the Richards Street trap house, seizing cocaine, 26 firearms and $93,247. The machinegun was seized at co-conspirator Oliver’s home on Williamson Road in Macon. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The FBI and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. U.S. Attorney Will Keyes is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Pontotoc Man Sentenced on Federal Kidnapping Charges

component: USAO - Mississippi, Northern

body_text: Aberdeen, MS – A Pontotoc man was sentenced today to over 14 years in prison on federal kidnapping charges when he forcibly took his victim from Alabama to Mississippi and then to Tennessee where she escaped. According to court documents, Luis Carlos Noyola, 50, previously pled guilty to the charges in the indictment which show on or about April 19, 2025, Noyola did unlawfully “seize, confine, abduct, carry away and hold” a female victim. After kidnapping the victim in Cherokee, Alabama, he forced her to travel against her will to Corinth, Mississippi, located in the Northern District of Mississippi. Additionally, Noyola forced her to travel from North Mississippi into McNairy County, Tennessee. After the victim escaped in Tennessee, Noyola fled back to Corinth, where he was arrested. During the course of the kidnapping, Noyola struck the victim multiple times, causing her bodily injury. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson sentenced Noyola today to 175 months imprisonment. Upon release from prison, Noyola will be placed on supervision for a period of five years. Noyola was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following sentencing. “We live in a wonderful place but understand, it is still a dangerous world,” expressed U.S. Attorney Scott Leary. “In this case, a man kidnapped an older lady and took her across state lines. State and local law enforcement responded immediately, and the subject was ultimately arrested in Corinth, Mississippi. In such situations an aggressive response by law enforcement is not only required, it is laudable. Excellent work by the Corinth Police Department; the Cherokee, Alabama, Police Department; the Colbert County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office; and the McNairy County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office; and the FBI. Stay safe!” Landon Tucker, Chief of Police for the Corinth Police Department stated, “The Corinth Police Department would like to thank the FBI, the Cherokee (Alabama) Police Department, the Colbert County (Alabama) Sheriff’s Office, and the McNairy County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office. This successful outcome was made possible by the coordinated efforts of all involved agencies.” “Noyola’s victim endured profound trauma that will have lasting effects for the remainder of her life,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff. "Kidnapping reflects a blatant disregard for human life, personal safety and the rule of law. The FBI, in coordination with its law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in its commitment to aggressively pursuing violent offenders and upholding justice within our communities.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Corinth Police Department, Cherokee, Alabama, Police Department, Colbert County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office, and McNairy County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mims.


title: Raleigh Professor Agrees to Pay $152,500 To Resolve Allegedly False National Science Grant Claims

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Dr. Michael Harrington and his company Genoverde Bioscience, Inc., have agreed to pay $152,500 to the United States to resolve claims of allegedly false payments under National Science Foundation grants and Payment Protection Program (“PPP”) loans. “This civil fraud settlement demonstrates our commitment to protect taxpayer money and guard the integrity of our grant programs,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Our office will zealously pursue damages and civil penalties against grant recipients whether the amounts taken are large or small.” This settlement arose from allegations that Dr. Harrington’s company, Genoverde, made false and duplicative expense claims under government grants, and also improperly sought PPP loans and PPP loan forgiveness. The Genoverde grants included expenses for research on harvesting industrial hemp and trees. “Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards are highly competitive grants intended to fund American-owned small businesses to conduct research that will lead to the commercialization of innovative new products and services,” said Megan E. Wallace, NSF’s Acting Inspector General. “The NSF Office of Inspector General is committed to ensuring the integrity of NSF’s SBIR grant program by holding accountable those who choose to engage in false claims and misrepresentation schemes. We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice in pursuing this matter and will continue to vigorously pursue oversight of taxpayer funds devoted to scientific research.” The False Claims Act mandates that the Government recover three times the amount of money falsely obtained, plus substantial penalties for each false claim submitted. The civil claims here were resolved by settlement and are allegations only. No judicial determination or admission of liability occurred. The United States Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of North Carolina partnered with the NSF Office of Inspector General; and Assistant United States Attorney Neal Fowler represented the United States.


title: Ecuadorian National Deported after Child Sex Assault Conviction Admits Illegally Reentering U.S.

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CARLOS CABRERA-ZARUMA, 45, a citizen of Ecuador, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to unlawful reentry of a removed alien. According to court documents and statements made in court, Cabrera-Zaruma illegally entered the U.S. from Mexico in 2000. In 2008, he was convicted and sentenced in Connecticut Superior Court of sexual assault in the second degree against a victim under the age of 16, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was deported to Ecuador in September 2010. Cabrera-Zaruma subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S. and returned to Connecticut. On September 6, 2025, he was arrested in Danbury and charged with motor vehicle violations. Cabrera-Zaruma has been detained since his federal arrest on October 7, 2025. He is scheduled to be sentenced in Hartford on June 29. The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Federal Charges Filed Against Naples Man In $3.7 Million Fraud Scheme

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – Leonard W. Krane (75, Naples) has been charged by indictment with four counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. If convicted, Krane faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of over $3.7 million and other assets traceable to the proceeds of the offenses. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court records, between at least August 2017 and February 2025, Krane engaged in a long-running scheme where he allegedly made false representations that he possessed substantial funds overseas and required upfront payments from victims to access those funds. He promised that, in exchange for wiring him money, often tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, victims would receive significant returns once the overseas funds were recovered. Instead, as alleged in the indictment, Krane did not invest the funds and the promised returns never materialized. Rather, the funds were used to support his personal lifestyle or were transferred overseas. The total loss attributable to the scheme exceeds $3.7 million. The indictment further alleges that victim funds were rapidly withdrawn or laundered through international wire transfers to individuals located in the United Kingdom. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. If you believe you may be a victim of the alleged crimes, you can contact the FBI at 800-CALL FBI (225-5324). This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.


title: Montgomery Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Conspiracy Involving Stolen Mail and Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today that a Montgomery woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a mail theft and bank fraud scheme that resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent deposits. On April 1, 2026, a federal judge sentenced Rhashema Shackleford, 37, of Montgomery, Alabama, to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. In addition to her term of imprisonment, the court entered a money judgment against Shackleford in the amount of $376,679.95. According to her plea agreement and other court records, from August 2022 through June 2023, Shackleford participated in a scheme with multiple co-conspirators to steal mail and use stolen checks to commit bank fraud in Montgomery, Alabama. Shackleford worked with others, including 32-year-old Laportia Webster and 48-year-old Otis Daniels, to obtain checks from the mail, alter them, or use them to create counterfeit checks for deposit into various bank accounts. As part of the scheme, between August 26, 2022, and January 20, 2023, Shackleford conspired with Webster to use Webster’s bank accounts to conduct approximately $114,311.50 in fraudulent deposits. Additionally, between December 29, 2022, and February 7, 2023, Shackleford worked with Daniels to use his accounts for approximately $264,368.16 in fraudulent deposits and withdrawals. As a result of these transactions, Shackleford obtained and cashed three cashier’s checks totaling $64,000. The investigation further revealed that on March 31, 2023, Shackleford fraudulently deposited a check in the amount of $12,480.29 drawn on the account of a business victim. On June 16, 2023, agents executed a search at Shackleford’s residence in Montgomery, where they discovered stolen checks, identification documents, and other materials used to facilitate fraud. Shackleford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank and mail fraud on September 18, 2025. Daniels was previously sentenced to 27 months in prison for his role in the scheme. A sentencing hearing for Webster is scheduled on April 15, 2026. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the Montgomery Police Department investigated this case, which Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted.


title: Bakersfield Resident Pleads Guilty to Operating an Illegal Money Transmitting Business

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Ifeanyi Emmanuel Ugwu, 49, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business involving more than $5 million in illegally obtained funds, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, between December 2020 and August 2023, Ugwu owned, operated, and served as chief executive officer of Franklin Finance Inc. Through this business, Ugwu opened and controlled 20 bank accounts across nine banks and financial institutions where he received approximately $5 million from more than 100 individuals in the United States. He then transferred the funds to individuals in China, Nigeria, and elsewhere. At no point did the company have the required licenses to operate a money-transmitting business. Several of the individuals who sent Ugwu funds were victims of cybercrimes and fraud. Ugwu received and transferred approximately $580,000 in fraud proceeds from these victims. Ugwu was able to operate his unlicensed business by making various misrepresentations to individuals, banks, and other financial institutions to conceal his fraudulent activity. Several of the individuals in the United States who sent funds to Ugwu were victims of fraud and cybercrimes. The IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is prosecuting the case. Ugwu is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on July 27, 2026. Ugwu faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.


title: Illegal Alien Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Reentering U.S.A.

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: An illegal alien and Mexican citizen who unlawfully reentered the U.S.A. after being previously removed was sentenced today to six months in federal prison. Christian Vega-Camacho, age 29, from Guadalupe, Mexico, received the prison term after a January 16, 2026, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry. At the guilty plea, Vega-Camacho admitted he had previously been removed from the U.S.A. in 2018. Sometime later, he reentered the country without permission. In April 2021, law enforcement officers arrested Vega-Camacho in Decorah, Iowa. He was using fraudulent documents to work in the country. Vega-Camacho was released from custody pending trial. Vega-Camacho fled from release in June 2021. His whereabouts were unknown until he was arrested in Postville, Iowa, in November 2025. Vega-Camacho was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Vega-Camacho was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. 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. Vega-Camacho is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by Immigrations and Custom Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 21-CR-2027. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Four gang members sentenced to prison after “Operation Sob Story” investigates an illegal drugs/firearms network

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: TOPEKA, KAN. – A partnership of federal and local law enforcement taking part in “Operation Sob Story”, an investigation by the Homeland Security Task Force, resulted in prison sentences for four Topeka area gang members for offenses such as drug trafficking and illegal firearms trafficking. According to court documents, in 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) launched a joint investigation into several known members of the Crips. The individuals include: • Marcos Esteban Arredondo, 25, • Pedro Galicia-Hernandez Jr, 35, • Daequan Rayton, 28, and • Elijah Eugene Wilson, 23. Marcos Arredondo pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Arredondo sold cocaine, fentanyl, and a firearm to a confidential source acting on behalf of law enforcement. He was sentenced to 123 months in prison. Pedro Galicia-Hernandez Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced to 151 months in prison. A confidential source made multiple controlled buys of fentanyl from Galicia-Hernandez in amounts of between 500 and 1,500 pills. Law enforcement received a tip that Galicia-Hernandez was returning to Kansas after a trip out of state and informed the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP). During a traffic stop, a state trooper found a bag in the vehicle Galicia-Hernadez was in with what was later determined be 16,246 fentanyl pills. Daequan Rayton pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a machine gun and two counts of illegal possession and transfer of machine guns. He was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Elijah Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession and transfer of machine guns, two counts of failure to register as a dealer and manufacturer of machine guns, and one count of unlawful trafficking in firearms. He was sentenced to 45 months in prison. A confidential informant bought machine guns from Rayton on two occasions. Subsequent evidence collected by investigators showed a connection between Rayton and Wilson. While executing a search warrant on Wilson’s home, agents found a 3D printer capable of producing firearms and silencers, machine conversion devices, hand tools for making firearms and silencers, a machine gun, and a silencer. In February 2024, the SCSO responded to a call involving “shots fired” at a park in Topeka. Witness information led authorities to Rayton. In his vehicle, law enforcement found a privately manufactured pistol that had an extended magazine loaded with “full metal jacket” rounds. The firearm had no serial number, and deputies took Rayton into custody. Forensic lab tests later showed Wilson’s DNA inside the weapons Rayton sold to the confidential informant and analysis showed the weapon in Rayton’s possession when he was arrested was made using Wilson’s equipment. “During my tenure as U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, I have been focused on enhancing state and federal collaboration.” Said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “This operation serves as an example of the great achievements that are possible with seamless law enforcement collaboration through the Homeland Security Task Force. We will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle criminal networks to make our communities safer.” “The sentences send a clear message that those who traffic drugs and machine guns will face serious federal consequences,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge, Bernard “Butch” Hansen, of the Kansas City Field Division. “This HSTF-led, multi-agency effort reflects the strength of intelligence-driven coordination between ATF, our law enforcement partners, and the United States Attorney’s Office. I commend the outstanding work of our agents and task force officers whose efforts helped dismantle a dangerous criminal operation and deliver a strong deterrent to others.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough prosecuted the case. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force 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 U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes these organizations commit, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Kansas City comprises agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security investigations; FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Internal Revenue Service-Crimina l Investigation Division, with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas leading the prosecution. ###


title: Worcester Man Charged with Snap Fraud

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – As part of the United States Attorney’s ongoing enforcement priority to investigate and prosecute benefit fraud involving federal and state assistance programs, a Worcester man has been charged with using the identity of a deceased U.S. citizen to obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. John Doe, an individual whose true identity is alleged to be that of a 57-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic believed to be unlawfully present in the United States, was charged with unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits and false representation of a Social Security number. The defendant was arrested on April 2, 2026 and remains detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester. According to the charging documents, since at least 2001, John Doe has been living in Massachusetts under the identity of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico who died in 2006. It is alleged that under the deceased citizen’s identity, the defendant fraudulently obtained Massachusetts identification cards and a Social Security card. According to court documents John Doe has criminal convictions in Massachusetts under the deceased citizen’s identity, including assault and drug convictions. Specifically, in September 2012, John Doe was convicted in Worcester Superior Court of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (gun) as well as trafficking cocaine, for which he was sentenced to state prison for 8-10 years and 11-15 years in state prison, respectively. Upon his release from prison in January 2022, the defendant allegedly used the stolen identity to apply for SNAP benefits. It is alleged that, in connection with his SNAP application, John Doe spoke with an employee of the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in April 2022, claiming that he was the individual listed on the application, that he was a U.S. citizen, and verified his purported Social Security number. According to the charging documents, the DTA employee noted in the file: “Death match ??? – reviewing with suoervisor [sic]” – apparently indicating that the Social Security number that John Doe allegedly provided corresponded to a deceased person. However, the application was ultimately approved by Massachusetts DTA, and John Doe allegedly proceeded to collect SNAP benefits. In total, from April 2022 through February 2026, John Doe allegedly applied for and obtained approximately $12,623 in SNAP benefits under the stolen deceased citizen’s identity. The charge of unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of misrepresenting a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Guilty Verdicts for Woman Who Killed Three People in 2023 Rock Creek Parkway Crash

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Nakita Walker, 45, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a Superior Court jury today for the March 15, 2023, vehicular deaths of Mohamed Kamara, Jonathan Alberto Cabrera Mendez and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, on Rock Creek Parkway, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Walker was found guilty of three counts of involuntary manslaughter for the occupants of the car she struck, one count of fleeing a law enforcement officer, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon of her passenger. According to the expected sentencing guidelines range, Walker faces a maximum sentence of twenty-nine and a half years in prison for these crimes. “We continue to rid this city of those who commit homicide," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Their place is behind bars. Three lives were lost—a hardworking Lyft driver and two passengers who trusted they would arrive safely. Their families have endured unimaginable loss, and while nothing can undo that pain, this outcome affirms that reckless and violent actions have consequences. Justice has been served, and our thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones.” Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2026. According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, on the evening of March 14, 2023, Walker went to a movie and hung out with friends. As she was driving home in the early hours of March 15, 2023, she was pulled over by a Park Police officer for speeding and running a red light in front of him. She initially complied with the stop, then midway through she took off, reaching speeds of 100 mph on Rock Creek Parkway. While fleeing, she crossed the double-yellow lane line and crashed into another vehicle, killing all three of its occupants. Walker was arrested on May 22, 2023, where she has been in custody since. Joining the announcement was Chief Scott Brecht of the United States Park Police. This case was investigated by the United States Park Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. This case was prosecuted and tried by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Carter. 2023 CF1 003258


title: Halifax County Felon Sentenced for Possessing and Selling Fentanyl

body_text: New Bern, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Lorenizo Reshaud Simmons, 33, to over 6 years in federal prison for possession with intent to sell over 40 grams of fentanyl. “Fentanyl kills kids. This repeat offender should have learned his lesson before, but he returned to this shameful exploitation of his own community. We should all join together in our close-knit Eastern North Carolina communities to reject this evil and keep our families together. Simple lesson: drugs kill, prison awaits: Do right.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. Inmate Simmons sold fentanyl in Halifax County from a residence he used to store and package his drugs. In August 2022, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) launched an investigation into Inmate Simmons’ conduct after receiving complaints of drug activity in Garysburg, North Carolina. HCSO, with the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), conducted three controlled buys of fentanyl from Inmate Simmons. On May 4, 2023, HCSO and Northampton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) executed a search warrant at Inmate Simmons’ house finding over 300 grams of a fentanyl analogue, 90 milligrams of morphine, a digital scale, extended gun magazines, hundreds of bullets, and other drug paraphernalia to include needles and syringes. Inmate Simmons is a convicted felon, most recently for selling opiates and possession of oxycodone in 2018. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan announced the sentence. The HCSO, SBI, and the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Dixon 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. 4:25-CR-9-FL.