title: Thirteen Individuals Charged As Part Of International Ring Targeting Cell Phone Shipments For Theft

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Thirteen members of an international network that stole thousands of shipments of iPhones and other electronic devices around the United States were charged today, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna, District of New Jersey, announced. Demetrio Reyes Martinez, a/k/a “CookieNerd,” 37, of the Dominican Republic, Andrickson Jerez, 28, of Bronx, NY, Edickson Lora Castillo, 24, of New York, NY, Raimond Cabrera De Leon, 31, of New York, NY, Luis Marte Tavares, 33, of Brooklyn, NY, Frederick Duverge Guzman, 26, of New York, NY, rgJulio Vasquez Sanchez, a/k/a “BotTrack,” 30, of Brooklyn, NY, Alejandro Then Castillo, 45, of Paterson, NJ, Wilson Peralta Tavarez, 28, of Belleville, NJ, Ecker Montero Hernandez, 25, of Paterson, NJ, Jean Luis Diaz Dominguez, a/k/a “Botija,” 24, of Paterson, NJ, Luis Nunez, 23, of Paterson, NJ, and Joel Suriel, a/k/a “La Melma,” 31, of Brooklyn, NY, were each charged in Count One of the Criminal Complaint unsealed today with conspiracy to transport and receive stolen property. In addition, Then Castillo and Peralta Tavares were charged in Count Two of the Criminal Complaint with wire fraud conspiracy. Finally, Jerez and Then Castillo (Count Three) and Lora Castillo (Count Four) were each charged with one count transportation of stolen property. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: The defendants were part of an international and nationwide ring involved in the widespread theft of electronic device shipments from FedEx and other carriers. The ring identified valuable packages to steal through two primary means: (1) the creation and use of automated computer scripts, developed by Reyes Martinez and others, to scrape data from the public and customer-facing tracking systems of FedEx and Victim-1, a major U.S. cellular provider; and (2) bribing corrupt Victim-1 employees such as Then Castillo and Peralta Tavares to provide confidential information about Victim-1 customers, including orders, names, tracking numbers, and delivery addresses. This criminal network operated in layers with some members, referred to as “dispatchers,” obtaining and selling the delivery information and others, referred to as “runners,” purchasing this delivery information and stealing the packages. Jerez, Cabrera De Leon, and Marte Tavares operated a major “fence” location out of a residential building in the Bronx, where an almost constant stream of people brought stolen devices for sale. Suriel ran a fence location in Brooklyn where he received bulk deliveries of devices stolen across the country, including by Ecker Montero, Nunez, and Diaz Dominguez, who traveled around the country stealing iPhones, iPads, Samsung phones and other electronic devices. On one occasion where FedEx security seized stolen iPhones from a shipment sent by Nunez and Diaz Dominguez, Nunez complained to FedEx customer service that his iPhones had been stolen. Then Castillo and Peralta Tavarez were Victim-1 retail store employees who accepted bribe payments in exchange for providing confidential customer information from Victim-1’s order tracking system. Lora Castillo, Duverge Guzman, and Vasquez Sanchez were dispatchers who sold and provided runners with delivery addresses, tracking numbers and customer names. They also directed runners to fence locations to sell the stolen devices. Count One carries a maximum prison sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross amount of gain or loss resulting from the offense. Count Two carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross amount of gain or loss resulting from the offense. Counts Three and Four each carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross amount of gain or loss resulting from the offense. “These defendants are alleged to have worked together as part of an international ring to steal thousands of expensive electronic devices, which caused millions of dollars of losses to the victims. They are alleged to have done so by harnessing technology through the use of computer scripts which gave them access to shipping information, including individuals’ names and their home addresses. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue these types of criminals no matter where in the world they are and seek justice for their victims.” Acting United States Attorney Vikas Khanna “As alleged, the defendants, both here and abroad, victimized American customers and businesses alike by targeting, tracking, and stealing their valuable electronic shipments. The new-age ‘porch pirates,’ these accused criminals tailored their alleged scheme to the modern times, but were stopped short of doing so successfully. HSI New York and our law enforcement partners continue to adapt as brazen bad actors relentlessly try — and fail — to find new illicit money-making methods. I thank HSI Newark, the NYPD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the FBI, and our many counterparts for their unified and unwavering support,” stated Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), New York Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “These alleged members of this international crime ring traveled the country stealing goods, for monetary profit; compromising customers’ privacy and hijacking the cellular providers’ business flow.” FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly warns that “No matter how elaborate or invasive a criminal ring may be, we will break the chain of criminality and bring the perpetrators to justice. Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations, New York Field Office, under the direction Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly, the New York City Police Department under the direction of Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Prosecutor William Daniel and Chief Harvey Barnwell with the investigation leading to these charges. Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna also thanked the Dominican Republic’s Procuraduría Especializada Contra los Crímenes y Delitos de Alta Tecnología (PEDATEC), (Specialized Prosecutor's Office for High Technology Crimes and Offenses) and HSI’s Newark Field Office for their collaboration in this matter. In 2024 New Jersey experienced a surge of over 400 identified package thefts targeting cellular devices. To combat this threat, Union County Prosecutor’s Office (NJ) partnered with New Jersey State Police Real Time Crime Center North and FBI Newark to spearhead a task force of investigators from impacted jurisdictions along with federal, state, and county agencies to collaborate on emerging intelligence. Through private sector partnerships, collusive employees were identified. Prospective delivery information was also shared amongst the task force to proactively identify, surveil, and arrest individuals involved in package theft within New Jersey. The following agencies are credited with contributing: Cranford Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Moorestown Police Department, Barnegat Police Department, Paterson Police Department, Belleville Police Department, Department of Homeland Security-U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations, Port Authority Police Department, Edison Police Department, Woodbridge Police Department, Rahway Police Department, Elizabeth Police Department, Kenilworth Police Department, Plainfield Police Department, Westfield Police Department, Summit Police Department, Linden Police Department, Scotch Plains Police Department, Berkeley Heights Police Department, Union County Police Department, Mountainside Police Department, Hillside Police Department, Fanwood Police Department, Clark Police Department, New Providence Police Department, Roselle Police Department, Roselle Park Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Union Police Department, Wayne Police Department, South Amboy Police Department, Brick Police Department, Wyckoff Police Department, Rutherford Police Department, Carlstadt Police Department, Oakland Police Department, Glen Rock Police Department, Fort Lee Police Department, Montvale Police Department, Little Falls Police Department, Wallington Police Department, Englewood Police Department, Leonia Police Department, Bloomfield Police Department, Fair Lawn Police Department, Closter Police Department, Verona Police Department, Elmwood Park Police Department, Clifton Police Department, Woodcliff Lakes Police Department, Cresskill Police Department, Palisades Park Police Department, Hillsdale Police Department, Franklin Lakes Police Department, Warren Township Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Fairview Police Department, New Milford Police Department, Bergenfield Police Department, Branchburg Police Department, Wayne Police Department, Paramus Police Department, Jersey City Police Department, Secaucus Police Department, Randolph Police Department, Teaneck Police Department, Middlesex Police Department, Montvale Police Department, Manalapan Police Department, Toms River Police Department, Riverdale Police Department, Morristown Police Department, Dover Police Department, Roxbury Police Department, Montville Police Department, Parsippany Police Department, Denville Police Department, Chatham Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, North Brunswick Police Department, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. Defendants Andrickson Jerez, Edickson Lora Castillo, Luis Marte Tavares, Raimond Cabrera De Leon, Alejandro Then Castillo, Wilson Peralta Tavares, Ecker Montero Hernandez, and Joel Suriel, a/k/a “La Melma,” are scheduled to appear before Hon. José R. Almonte, U.S.M.J. this afternoon at the U.S. District Court in Newark. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David E. Malagold of the Cybercrime Unit and Trevor A. Chenoweth of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. martinez.complaint.pdf


title: High-Ranking Sinaloa Leader Extradited to El Paso, Faces up to Life in Federal Prison

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

body_text: EL PASO, Texas – A high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel was extradited from Mexico to El Paso, indicted for criminal charges related to his alleged federal racketeering, narcotics, money laundering, firearms, and continuing criminal enterprise offenses. According to court documents, Daniel Franco Lopez aka “Micha” aka “Neon” aka “Fer,” 40, of Mexico, allegedly coordinated the shipments of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and thousands of kilograms of marijuana into the United States, along with the pickup of drug proceeds, and kidnappings and murders. Lopez was indicted in April 2012 along with Joaquin Guzman Loera aka “Chapo,” Ismael Zambada Garcia “Mayo,” and over a dozen other codefendants. He was arrested Aug. 14, 2012, and remained in Mexican custody until his extradition. Lopez made his initial appearance in federal court Monday. “The extradition of this defendant is one of many significant pieces in a very large cartel case that spans more than a decade,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Not only are we grateful for the enduring and successful efforts of our federal law enforcement partners at the DEA, FBI and ATF, but I want to emphasize our goal to put an end to these organizations is shared by this U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Justice Department and our counterparts in Mexico.” “Daniel Franco Lopez was defendant #16 on DEA’s RICO indictment that included Joaquin ‘Chapo’ Guzman and Ismael ‘Mayo’ Zambada,” said Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “This extradition demonstrates that the men and women of DEA will never tire of pursuing the most violent, drug traffickers responsible for thousands of deaths in our country. We thank our domestic and international partners for their assistance on this case.” “The extradition is one more step towards dismantling and ending violence perpetrated by criminal drug trafficking organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel,” said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for FBI El Paso. “The FBI and our partners will endlessly pursue and prosecute cartel members and associates who attempt to control and intimidate their communities through violence. This extradition starts the justice process to all of those who have suffered as a result of Franco Lopez’s criminal actions as a member of the Sinaloa Cartel.” “This case reads like a Hollywood movie script. You know the film…cartels, guns, drugs, money, feds,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C Boshek II for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Dallas Field Division. “Fortunately for the citizens of the United States, the good guys prevailed in this one. Mr. Lopez, an alleged underground criminal mastermind, left a path of destruction in his path. The American people are safer with this bandit in handcuffs and behind bars.” Lopez is charged with one count of RICO conspiracy; two counts related to conspiracy to possess and import over five kgs of cocaine and over 1,000 kgs of marijuana; one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments; one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and aid and abet; and one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted, Lopez faces up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The DEA, FBI, and ATF are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Antonio Franco, Kyle Myers and Susanna Martinez are prosecuting the case for the Western District of Texas. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Lopez. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 114 Months for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Rashid Lamont McFadden, 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court to 114 months in prison for distributing videos depicting the violent rape of prepubescent children by adults, images of young children engaged in sadistic and masochistic acts, and images of children engaging in sexual acts with animals. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean T. Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. McFadden pleaded guilty on May 29, 2024, to one count of distribution of child pornography. In addition to the 141-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered McFadden to serve 15 years of supervised release.  According to court documents, on February 16, 2023, an undercover officer (UC) from the FBI Washington Field Office was monitoring an online messaging application where individuals met, discussed, and traded sexually explicit images and videos of children. The UC observed an individual identified as “tng6” post a video of child sexual exploitation to the group. Shortly thereafter, tng6 responded to a conversation about meeting other likeminded pedophiles and their children. At that point, the UC initiated a private chat with tng6, who was later identified as McFadden. As the UC chatted with McFadden, McFadden continued to post child sex videos to the group. McFadden told the UC that he knew the children in the videos and had produced some of the videos himself. The UC then claimed to be the father of an 8-year-old daughter and that he would show McFadden images of the purported girl on FaceTime. On February 17, 2023, Baltimore Police arrested McFadden on an unrelated matter. On February 21, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McFadden’s home in Baltimore and seized McFadden’s cell phone. McFadden refused to provide the passcode for the phone. Law enforcement reviewed the contents of McFadden’s cloud storage account and found several videos and images of children being sexually abused by adults. McFadden is currently facing additional criminal charges for possession of child pornography in a separate case pending in the Circuit Court for Maryland in Baltimore County. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Division, and the Baltimore Police Department. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Shinskie. 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 . 23cr0165


title: Hardin County, Kentucky Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Mailing Threats to Kill and Extort

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY - A Hardin County, Kentucky man was sentenced yesterday to 4 years in prison for mailing letters with threats to kill and extort. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Chief Jeremy Thompson of the Elizabethtown Police Department made the announcement. According to court documents, Kyle Miller, 21, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years supervised release, for mailing threatening communications with threats to kill and extort. On July 6, 2023, August 28, 2023, and October 16, 2023, Miller mailed letters to a victim containing threats to kill. On January 28, 2024, Miller mailed letters to a victim containing threats to kill and extort. On October 13, 2023, Miller mailed a letter to a victim containing a threat to kill. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the FBI, KSP and Elizabethtown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts prosecuted the case. ###


title: Ohio Man Charged with Smuggling Body Armor from China to Sell to Law Enforcement Customers as American Made

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: CLEVELAND – Vall Iliev, 69, of Stow, Ohio, has been charged in a three-count information with smuggling foreign-made body armor and then selling it to law enforcement agencies and others, as legitimate, domestically-made certified products. From around 2017 to October 2023, the defendant allegedly imported body armor from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and sold it under claims of being made in the United States and bearing a falsified trademarked label. Body armor is commonly used by those in law enforcement and other agencies for protection from ballistic threats to the torso area. According to court documents, in May 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Blaine, Washington port of entry (POE) intercepted a Canadian-registered truck found to be carrying more than 200 ballistic body armor plates in boxes marked with the PRC as the origin. Cargo inspectors were unable to determine the manufacturer’s name. The plates were concealed in pre-packaged boxes within a larger shipping container which is a technique known as “Master Carton Smuggling” and typically used in attempts to evade detection by POE officials. The hidden boxes of the unmanifested cargo were pre-labeled and addressed to a business in Stow, Vallmar Studios, which Iliev owned and operated. Investigators found that Vallmar’s business location was used as a warehouse to process the PRC-manufactured body armor before selling to the public through a second business, ShotStop Ballistics, which Iliev also owned and operated in Stow. ShotStop Ballistics conducted business through its website and sold body armor to the public and law enforcement agencies across the country. The company marketed their Level III and Level IV body armor as “Made in Stow, Ohio” and “NIJ Certified.” The National Institute of Justice, or NIJ, is the research, development, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which has published performance standards for ballistic-resistant police body armor for more than 50 years. It utilizes a standard process by which rounds of ammunition are fired at a distance to certify body armor along a range of established threat levels. Manufacturers and distributors are permitted to use the NIJ trademarked symbol that indicates that the product meets its established standards for protection. However, inspectors who examined the intercepted body armor originating from the PRC, found that none of the items were shipped with related documentation that stated that the product met standards for NIJ certification. The seized ballistic plates were sent to Oregon Ballistic Laboratories for testing, which is one of five approved NIJ certified facilities in the United States. The final test results report from the laboratory showed that the panels failed to meet NIJ standards for Level III certification. Test failure for Level III indicates that the same plates would not have passed the more rigorous testing required for Level IV. Throughout the course of the years-long conspiracy, Iliev worked with a PRC broker company to find inexpensive manufacturers to make Level III and Level IV body armor. Once orders were placed, manufacturers were directed to ship the items to the defendant’s Vallmar business. When the PRC shipments arrived at the Summit County business, the defendant instructed employees to affix labels to the body armor plates stating “NIJ Certified” and “Made in Stow, Ohio” before going on sale to the public, to law enforcement departments, and to other agencies that rely on ballistic-resistant body armor for protection. Investigators found thousands of Chinese-produced body armor plates at Vallmar and ShotStop, which served as warehouses to receive, but had no means of producing, Level III or Level IV body armor. The ShotStop location housed a laser printer which was used to print the fake DOJ certification labels that Iliev’s employees were instructed to place on the sub-standard body armor before selling and shipping to customers. Investigators also found marketing videos produced by Iliev which he used to advertise the body armor products he sold with claims of being manufactured in Ohio and certified by the NIJ. The NIJ certification labels included fictitious “patent pending” on some products such as “Level III+” and “Level IV+HD” certified, which are non-existent designations. Although Iliev’s companies initially obtained and held valid NIJ certifications, he never sought to confirm through NIJ-certified testing that the body armor quality he imported through co-conspiring Chinese business associates met NIJ performance standards for ballistic resistance. These standards are crucial for buyers to make informed purchases about a product’s safety levels. These charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial. It will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum. This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cleveland Office alongside the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Duncan T. Brown for the Northern District of Ohio. If you have purchased ShotStop Ballistics body armor from 2018 onward, for product safety reasons, HSI recommends discontinuing use. For those who purchased items in question from ShotStop Ballistics, please email a copy of your invoice to faultyarmor@hsi.dhs.gov with “ShotStop Invoice” in the subject line no later than Monday, April 7, 2025.


title: 8 Charged in North Charleston Public Corruption Schemes, including 3 City Councilmen

body_text: CHARLESTON, S.C. — Eight people have been charged in federal court for a series of bribery, kickback, extortion, and money laundering schemes following a public corruption investigation in North Charleston. Three of the individuals charged are elected members of the North Charleston City Council. Four individuals have been charged by Information and have agreed to plead guilty: Jerome Sydney Heyward, 61, North Charleston City Councilmember; Sandino Savalas Moses, 50, North Charleston City Councilmember; Donavan Laval Moten, 46, founder of Core4Success Foundation; and Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks, 37, resident of North Charleston. A federal grand jury returned indictments against four others: Mike A. Brown, 46, North Charleston City Council Member; Hason Tatorian (“Tory”) Fields, 51, a Goose Creek resident; Rose Emily Lorenzo, 65, a North Carolina resident; and Michelle Stent-Hilton, 56, a North Charleston resident. Heyward is charged in three separate schemes with corruptly using his position as a North Charleston City Councilman to personally enrich himself through bribes, kickbacks, and extortion and to deprive the citizens and the government of North Charleston of their intangible right to the honest and faithful services of the North Charleston City Council. In the first scheme, Heyward extorted a businessman by soliciting payments in exchange for his official action as a City Councilman. In the second scheme, Heyward conspired with Mike A. Brown and Aaron Hicks to solicit and accept bribes from Aaron Hicks—working on behalf of a company with business before North Charleston City Council—in exchange for his support of the rezoning of the Baker Hospital site. In the third scheme, Heyward conspired with Donavan Moten, Rose Lorenzo, and Michelle Stent-Hilton to embezzle funds belonging to North Charleston by soliciting and accepting kickbacks from non-profit organizations run by Moten and Stent-Hilton that received violence reduction grant funds from the City. Heyward has agreed to plead guilty to: extortion under color of official right and using fear of economic harm; multiple counts of conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud; multiple counts of bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud; theft with respect to programs receiving federal funds; and multiple counts of money laundering. Heyward faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $500,000, and a term of supervised release of three years. Heyward has agreed to cooperate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Mike A. Brown is charged with conspiring with Heyward and Hicks to commit bribery and honest services wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Mike A. Brown, while serving as a North Charleston City Councilmember, solicited and accepted bribes from Hicks—working on behalf of a company requesting the rezoning of the Baker Hospital site—in exchange for his support of the rezoning application. Mike A. Brown faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of three years. He will be arraigned on these charges in March. Aaron Hicks is charged with a conspiracy to pay bribes to Mike A. Brown and Jerome Heyward and a separate conspiracy with Hason Tatorian Fields to bribe Sandino Moses in exchange for their influence on North Charleston City Council and their support of the rezoning of the Baker Hospital site. Hicks has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud; bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds, and honest services wire fraud. Hicks has agreed to cooperate fully with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Hicks faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of three years. Hason Tatorian (“Tory”) Fields is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud, bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds, and honest services wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Fields conspired with Hicks to pay bribes to Sandino Moses. Thereafter, Fields paid Moses two bribes in an attempt to influence him in connection with his official action regarding the rezoning of the Baker Hospital site. Fields faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of three years. Sandino Moses is charged with misprision of a felony. The Information alleges that Moses knew that Fields and others attempted to bribe him and paid him bribes but he failed to disclose that criminal conduct and instead took steps to conceal the bribes by returning the money to Fields. Moses has agreed to plead guilty and to cooperate fully with federal state and local law enforcement agencies. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years, a fine of $250,000, and a maximum term of supervised release of one year. Donavan Laval Moten has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud, theft with respect to programs receiving federal funds, bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering. The information alleges that Moten conspired with Jerome Heyward and Rose Lorenzo to kick back a portion of funds that Moten’s nonprofit received from North Charleston to Heyward, who at the time was on North Charleston’s City Council. The indictment further alleges that after receiving the money from North Charleston, Moten laundered Heyward’s portion through Lorenzo. Moten has agreed to cooperate fully with federal, state, and local enforcement officials. Moten faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $500,000 and a term of supervised release of three years. Michelle Stent-Hilton is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud, theft with respect to programs receiving federal funds, bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering. The indictment alleges that Stent-Hilton, who is affiliated with a non-profit and served as Jerome Heyward’s personal assistant, promised to pay Heyward a portion of money the non-profit received from the city of North Charleston. At the time, Heyward was serving on North Charleston City Council and voted on the grant proposal to distribute funds to non-profits, including Stent-Hilton’s. The indictment further alleges that after receiving money from North Charleston, Stent-Hilton laundered Heyward’s kick back through Rose Lorenzo. Stent-Hilton faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $500,000 and a term of supervised release of three years. Rose Emily Lorenzo is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud, theft with respect to programs receiving federal funds, bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering. The indictment alleges that Lorenzo conspired with Jerome Heyward and others to kick back a portion of City of North Charleston grant funds that were awarded to non-profits affiliated with Donavan Moten and Michelle Stent-Hilton to Heyward. The indictment further alleges that Lorenzo agreed to launder the funds by acting as an intermediary who received the funds from Moten and Stent-Hilton, and then wired them to Heyward for the purpose of concealing the true purpose of the transaction. Lorenzo faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $500,000 and a term of supervised release of three years. Heyward, Moten, Hicks, and Moses are scheduled to plead guilty before the Honorable Richard M. Gergel on Friday, Feb. 28. “When elected officials take their oath of office, they make a sacred promise to the people they serve. They pledge to uphold the law, to act with integrity, and to place the public interest above their own,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “Public service should never merely be a job – it is a public trust. The allegations in this case describe a profound betrayal of that trust.” “Public corruption at any level of government cannot be tolerated,” said Steve Jensen Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “Citizens have a right to expect honesty, fairness, and integrity from their leaders. The FBI, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, is dedicated to aggressively investigating corruption and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.” “SLED Agents worked hand-in-hand with our federal partners to ensure that justice will be served,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “No matter who you are, or what position you hold, you will be held accountable for breaking the law. Elected officials and citizens should be working together to better their community, not exploiting others.” The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Limehouse and Whit Sowards are prosecuting the case. All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Ashland Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Ashland, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for the sexual exploitation of a child. Scott Alan Barker, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Tuesday, Feb. 25, to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Barker to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration. Barker will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life. On Aug. 8, 2024, Barker pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. The investigation began on July 11, 2023, when federal agents received a video recovered by law enforcement in the United Kingdom from the device of a suspect in their own investigation. The video portrayed a man (later identified as Barker) with an approximately 1-year-old child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The child sex abuse video was traced to Barker and, on July 17, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Barker’s residence. Agents observed and photographed the interior of the home, which matched the background of the child sex abuse video. Barker admitted to using online live video chat webpages to chat with adults in a sexually explicit manner. According to court documents, Barker was video chatting online with an individual he knew as “Emma Long.” In reality, “Emma Long” was an online persona used by an adult male to encourage male children to expose themselves and where possible involve younger male friends or family to sexually assault. Using this persona, the adult male would also encourage adults to abuse children in their care. The adult male manipulated images and videos of a female to appear live to the end user, so they believed they were talking to a 17-year-old female. He also used a video of a 5-year-old being sexually abused, stating it was “Emma Long’s” sister. Barker admitted the video obtained by law enforcement showed him engaged in a sexual act with the child victim while video chatting with this individual, whom he believed to be a teenage girl. Additionally, during a forensic analysis of Barker’s cell phone, investigators found several videos that depicted him covertly using the iPhone camera to record young women underneath their skirts or dresses. He is seen recording these videos in Mobile, Alabama, at an awards dinner for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Tennis Championships, at Disney World Park in Orlando, Florida, and at public retail stores in Jefferson City, Columbia, Chesterfield, and St. Louis, Mo. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Turner. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Makai Boyce, 19 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possessing a machinegun, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Boyce was sentenced to 75 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in December 2023, Boyce possessed a stolen handgun with an extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device, or “switch,” capable of firing multiple bullets automatically. Boyce fired the machinegun and struck an occupied residence. Two days later, he led police on a lengthy foot chase during which he discarded the machinegun in a backyard doghouse surrounded by children’s toys. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Indiana State Police, the South Bend Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph P. Falvey and Katelan McKenzie Doyle. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Ohio County Man Sentenced to Decade for Role in Drug Trafficking Operation

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Daryl Smith, 50, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for the distribution of cocaine base. According to court documents and statements made in court, Smith was selling cocaine base in Ohio County and was involved with a drug trafficking operation that spanned from Las Vegas, Nevada to the Ohio Valley. Smith has prior drug and assault convictions. Smith will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Nogay prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, Marshall County Drug Task Force, and the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, all HIDTA-funded initiatives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; West Virginia State Police; Wheeling Police Department; Ohio County Sheriff’s Office; and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office investigated. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided. Press release on the associated case: www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/federal-grand-jury-indicts-twenty-six-drug-trafficking


title: Shelbyville Woman Pleads Guilty To Employment Tax And Wire Fraud Charges; Agrees To Pay More Than $1.1 Million In Restitution

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - On February 26, 2025, Rebekah Proctor, 33, of Shelbyville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in Chattanooga to one count of willful failure to collect, account for, and pay over a tax, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7202, and one count of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. Proctor will be sentenced on July 11, 2025, by the Honorable Travis R. McDonough, United States District Judge. She faces up to five years of imprisonment on the tax offense and up to 30 years of imprisonment for wire fraud. According to the plea agreement filed in this case, Proctor operated Franklin Springs Academy, a daycare business in middle Tennessee. Although she withheld income taxes and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”) taxes (commonly known as Social Security and Medicare taxes) from her employees’ paychecks and additionally owed the employer’s portion of the FICA taxes, Proctor willfully failed to truthfully account for and pay such taxes to the IRS for the first quarter of 2022. For that quarter alone, she owed tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes. Proctor also fraudulently applied for and received a COVID-relief Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan to which she was not entitled. Proctor made several false certifications on her April 4, 2020, application for over $100,000 in PPP funds, including that she was current on her federal tax obligations and that the loan funds would be used to retain workers and for other business expenses. In fact, Proctor used the funds for her own personal expenses and for her husband’s personal expenses. As set forth in her plea agreement with the government, Proctor agreed that the restitution owed to the IRS, for her employment taxes only, is $893,232.26, which includes unpaid taxes plus penalties and interest required by law. She further agreed that the restitution owed to the Small Business Association is $223,800, which is comprised of the $105,800 in PPP loan proceeds she received in April 2020 and $118,000 in additional fraudulently obtained PPP loan proceeds she received in February 2021. United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins of IRS Criminal Investigation, Charlotte Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph G. DeGaetano represents the United States. ###


title: Federal Jury Finds New Haven Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking and Firearm Possession Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found WILLIE FRANCO, 36, of New Haven, guilty of narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses. The trial began on February 20 and the guilty verdicts were returned this afternoon. According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2016, Franco was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 80 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine and heroin. The investigation also revealed that, in January 2015, Franco distributed heroin to an individual in East Haven who died after ingesting the drug. Franco was released from federal prison in December 2020. In December 2021, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating resumed narcotics trafficking activity by Franco and his then girlfriend, Daniella Fox. The investigation revealed that, beginning in approximately July 2021, parcels originating in Arizona and California that likely contained narcotics had been mailed to addresses associated with Franco and Fox. Investigators also determined that two overdose deaths in August 2021 in Branford and Guilford, and one overdose death in September 2021 in Milford, were connected to Franco’s drug activities. According to the evidence introduced during the trial, in early March 2022, investigators intercepted a U.S. Postal Service parcel destined for an address in East Haven associated with Franco and Fox. A court-authorized search of the parcel revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine and one kilogram of fentanyl. On March 7, 2022, investigators made a controlled delivery of the intercepted parcel to the East Haven address. Franco and Fox, who were waiting in a car that was parked on the street, were arrested after Fox retrieved the package. A subsequent search of Franco and Fox’s New Haven residence resulted in the seizure of more than one kilogram of fentanyl, a quantity of crack cocaine, digital scales and other narcotics packaging paraphernalia, a loaded Glock .40 pistol with an obliterated serial number, a drum extended magazine for a high-capacity rifle, a bulletproof vest, ammunition, and more than $300,000 in cash. Subsequent analysis of cellphones seized from Franco revealed hundreds of videos, several of which were entered into evidence during the trial, depicting Franco’s drug trafficking activity and possession of firearms. The jury found Franco guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Franco faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Franco has been detained since his arrest. Fox previously pleaded guilty to a related charge and awaits sentencing. This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the New Haven Police Department, East Haven Police Department, and Connecticut State Police. The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Hal Chen.


title: Lexington Man Sentenced for  Armed Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Firearm Possession

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington man, Sam Connor, Jr., 30, was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove to 180 months, for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to his plea agreement, on April 27, 2023, law enforcement officers received information that Connor was a possible supplier of fentanyl in Fayette County and had arranged a sale of 500 pills containing fentanyl. Upon contacting Connor, law enforcement found a stolen firearm on his person, and Connor admitted to possessing drugs as well. Officers then found a plastic bag on Connor’s person containing pressed fentanyl pills, and located an unloaded firearm and digital scales in his vehicle. Connor admitted to being in possession of the firearm and knew that he had been convicted of a felony, robbery second degree in Fayette Circuit Court in 2015, and was prohibited from possessing the firearm. Under federal law, Connor must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for eight years. Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; AJ Gibes, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by ATF and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, Acting U.S. Attorney McCaffrey coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. – END –


title: Man Convicted of Fraud Offenses in 2017 Sentenced to 2 More Years in Prison for Violating Conditions of Supervised Release

body_text: Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARC ANTHONY ALEXANDER, 44, recently residing in Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, the statutory maximum sentence, for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed prior convictions for conspiracy offenses related to two separate fraud schemes. According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2017, Alexander was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 96 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his involvement in a scheme related to the theft and negotiation of postal money orders that defrauded the U.S. Postal Service of more than $300,000, and his role in a separate scheme that involved the fraudulent sale of financed vehicles, which defrauded lenders of more than $1 million. Alexander was released from federal prison in February 2023. In February 2024, while on supervised release, Alexander was arrested by Stamford Police for illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, and failure to drive in a proper lane. In November 2024, Alexander is alleged to have used a bank statement he manipulated with false information to facilitate the purchase of a vehicle from a car dealership in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Alexander also falsely reported his address to his probation officer, left Connecticut without permission, and opened nine new lines of credit, all in violation of the terms and conditions of his supervised release. Alexander, whose criminal history includes convictions for additional fraud offenses, has been detained in federal custody since January 13, 2025. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.


title: Terre Haute Man Sentenced to Over Two Years in  Federal Prison for Firearms Trafficking Offense

body_text: Bowling Green, KY - A Terre Haute, Indiana, man was sentenced yesterday to two years and six months in federal prison for illegally transferring a firearm to a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge A.J. Gibes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Sheriff Derek Polston of the Russell County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement. According to court documents, Shawn Michael Kays, 42, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally transferring a firearm to a convicted felon. According to the plea agreement, between November of 2023 and January of 2024, Kays transported and transferred a Smith & Wesson, Model SD9VE, nine-millimeter pistol to a convicted felon. A criminal complaint filed on September 19, 2024, alleged that firearm was later used to kill a Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy on September 16, 2024. Kays is not charged with or alleged to have been involved in the shooting. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Branch Office and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the ATF Columbus Field Division, the ATF Indianapolis Field Division Office, and the Kentucky State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Nicholas Rabold, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: Attorney General Pam Bondi Dismisses DEI Lawsuits Involving Police Officers and Firefighters, Advances President Trump’s Mandate to End Illegal DEI Policies

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: This week, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division to dismiss lawsuits against various jurisdictions across the country involving the hiring of police officers and firefighters. These lawsuits, launched by the previous administration, unjustly targeted fire and police departments for using standard aptitude tests to screen firefighter and police officer candidates. “American communities deserve firefighters and police officers to be chosen for their skill and dedication to public safety – not to meet DEI quotas,” said Attorney General Bondi. Despite no evidence of intentional discrimination — only statistical disparities — the prior administration branded the aptitude tests at issue in these cases as discriminatory in an effort to advance a DEI agenda. And it sought to coerce cities into conducting DEI-based hiring in response and spending millions of dollars in taxpayer funds for payouts to previous applicants who had scored lower on the tests, regardless of qualifications. President Trump and Attorney General Bondi are dedicated to ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity nationwide, and in all sectors. But doing so is particularly important for front-line public-safety workers who protect our nation, including firefighters and police officers. Prioritizing DEI over merit when selecting firefighters and police officers jeopardizes public safety. Today’s dismissal is an early step toward eradicating illegal DEI preferences across the government and in the private sector.


title: Russian National Charged in Federal Criminal Complaint Alleging He Bit and Injured Deportation Officer Who Arrested Him

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Russian national was charged today in a federal criminal complaint alleging he bit and injured an immigration officer who had detained and arrested him on Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles. Maksim Zaitsev, 35, of Costa Mesa, is charged with assault on a federal employee resulting in bodily injury. Zaitsev is expected to make his initial appearance today in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “The men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement are critical to protecting national security and public safety and upholding the rule law,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “As alleged in the felony criminal complaint, the defendant attacked a deportation officer. He will be held accountable for his actions.” According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, on the morning of February 25, two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers announced themselves and arrested Zaitsev pursuant to an administrative arrest warrant issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. After handcuffing Zaitsev, the officers attempted to escort him to be processed. Zaitsev became agitated while the agents walked him through a hallway. Zaitsev then resisted. While the officers attempted to regain control of him, Zaitsev bit one officer on the left pinky finger. The bite broke skin, drew blood, and broke the finger. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Zaitsev would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph S. Guzman of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.


title: KC Man Sentenced for Illegal Ammunition, Assaulting Officer

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man who rammed into a federal agent’s vehicle while attempting to escape arrest was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing ammunition and assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. Charles D. Jackson, also known as “Grove Street” and “C Jackem,” 31, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. On June 13, 2024, Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and one count of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. On Aug. 24, 2023, agents and task officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence, one of multiple residential search warrants being executed for evidence related to federal violations committed by various individuals associated with an alliance of three street gangs: the Click Clack Gang, the Park Side Greasies and the South Benton Gang. As several officers approached Jackson’s residence on foot, an ATF agent pulled her Jeep into the driveway to pin in a black Kia sedan that was backed into the driveway and still running. All of the agents and officers were wearing clearly marked body armor identifying them as “ATF Police.” The officers announced themselves and the ATF agent activated the red and blue flashing lights on her Jeep, which was hood-to-hood with the Kia. Jackson, who was fully reclined in the driver’s seat, popped up and put the car in drive. He rammed into the front of the ATF vehicle, then backed up and drove forward several times in an apparent attempt to escape, nearly striking another ATF agent on foot. However, the ATF agent pushed the Kia into the garage with her Jeep, immobilizing it. Jackson must pay restitution for the damage he caused to the government vehicle. On the floorboard of the front’s driver’s seat where Jackson had been sitting, agents located a loaded AR-style 5.56-caliber pistol with no serial number and with an extended magazine, which contained 39 rounds of ammunition. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Jackson has a prior felony conviction for first degree robbery. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Constance. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Four Men for Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, and Aggravated Identity Theft

body_text: Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on February 19, 2025, charging four Jefferson County, Kentucky men with wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office, and Chief Richard Sanders of the Jeffersontown Police Department made the announcement. According to the indictment, between at least May 1, 2023, and November 14, 2023, Anthony Phillips , 61, Aubrey Walker, Sr. , 50, William Walker , 49, and Robert Lewis , 44, conspired to defraud a victim company by falsely representing they were representatives of the company’s small business clients to make purchases from the victim company and charge them to the client accounts. The defendants are also charged with several counts of execution of this wire fraud scheme. In executing this scheme, the defendants caused wires to be transmitted in interstate commerce from the Western District of Kentucky to outside of Kentucky. Anthony Phillips is also charged with transferring, possessing, or using a means of identification of another person, without lawful authority, during and in relation to the wire fraud. The defendants made their initial court appearances this week before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, Anthony Phillips faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years and a maximum sentence of 26 years in prison. If convicted Aubrey Walker, Sr. , William Walker , and Robert Lewis each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. This case is being investigated by the IRS CI and the Jeffersontown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin McKenzie is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Former School District Employee Charged with Using  AI Technology to Produce Sexual Abuse Images of Children in his Care, and Possession and Receipt of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – Defendant William Michael Haslach, 30, a former employee of Independent School District #622 (North St. Paul—Maplewood—Oakdale) and ISD #834 (Stillwater), has been charged with receipt and possession of child pornography as well as production of an obscene visual representation of child sexual abuse, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. According to court documents , defendant Haslach, of Maplewood, Minnesota, occupied several positions of trust with children. From August 2021 until January 2025, Haslach, 30, served as a lunch monitor and traffic guard for Independent School District #622 (North St. Paul—Maplewood—Oakdale). From 2021 through 2024, Haslach also served as a paraprofessional and later as a youth summer programs assistant for Independent School District #834 (Stillwater). Haslach used his access to children to take non-explicit photos of children in his care. Haslach then used those images to produce morphed/AI photos of those minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. As detailed in the indictment, Haslach also possessed and received child pornography involving children that were abused by others. “Prosecuting the predators who walk amongst us—in our neighborhoods, our communities, and particularly in our schools—will always be the top priority in the District of Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “My thoughts are with the many Minnesota parents who will be horrified to learn how Haslach used AI advances to victimize schoolchildren in his care. Rest assured, my office will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.” “Every child is entitled to a secure upbringing, and this case highlights the powerful collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in their mission to safeguard them,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Cybert, U.S. Secret Service – Minneapolis Field Office. The federal indictment charges Haslach with five counts of receipt of child pornography, five counts of possession of child pornography, and one count of production of an obscene visual representation of child sexual abuse. Haslach made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Judge Tony N. Leung. He was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing on Monday, March 3, before Judge Douglas L. Micko. Investigators believe there may be other victims relevant to this investigation. If your child has been in close contact with Haslach, and/or if you or your child is aware of Haslach taking a photo of your child, please contact the Minnesota BCA’s Tip Line at 651-793-2465 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us. If you are a parent of a child that has at any point been under the care of Haslach, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has set up a website to provide you with resources and further information about this case: Haslach Child Exploitation 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. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Secret Service, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Maplewood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla J. Baumel is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. haslach_indictment_2.26.25.pdf


title: Jackson Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison  for Illegal Possession of a Machinegun

body_text: Jackson, Miss – A Jackson man was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for illegal possession of a machinegun. According to court documents, Johnny Ragsdale, 21, was found in possession of an illegal machinegun after an attempted traffic stop on a vehicle in Jackson. Ragsdale, the driver, failed to yield to law enforcement and led Capitol Police on a high-speed chase. The chase ended after Ragsdale collided with a train car on Mill Street. A Glock pistol was recovered from the vehicle, and a machinegun conversion device, also known as a switch, was attached to the pistol. Ragsdale was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 21, 2024, for illegal possession of a machinegun. He pled guilty on October 24, 2024. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has seen an increase in cases involving illegal firearm conversion devices, commonly known as “switches” or “auto sears,” which convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons (i.e., machineguns) in a matter of seconds. The rapid fire of firearms converted to machineguns presents a significant danger in our community to both the public and law enforcement. According to a 2023 report by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), there was a 570% increase in the number of machinegun conversion devices taken into ATF custody between 2017 and 2021. Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Capitol Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber Jones prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years After Agents Seize Over 15 Kilograms of Fentanyl and Six Firearms from Phoenix Residence

component: USAO - Arizona

number: 2025-023_Lopez Alcaraz

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jefferson Alejandro Lopez Alcaraz, 45, of Phoenix, was sentenced on February 13, 2025, by United States District Judge John T. Tuchi to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, to run consecutive to the 60-month sentence Lopez Alcaraz is currently serving in CR-21-00451-TUC-JCH. Co-defendant, Jaime Solorio-Torres, was sentenced to 57 months in prison on March 20, 2023. According to court documents, on February 1, 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration was surveilling a residence in Phoenix when agents observed a Toyota Prius arrive and park on the street. Agents then observed Solorio-Torres exit the Prius carrying a white and blue cooler. He then met with Lopez Alcazar inside the residence before exiting with the cooler and placing it back inside the Prius. After Solorio-Torres drove away, agents stopped the Prius and found 6.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills inside the cooler. Agents obtained a search warrant for the residence and seized approximately 9 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 248 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 239 grams of Xanax pills, 6.6 grams of cocaine, and $26,532 in U.S. currency, along with a drug ledger and cache of six firearms. Two of the firearms had been reported stolen at the time they were seized. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart J. Zander, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-22-00103-PHX-JJT RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-023_Lopez Alcaraz # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Woman Previously Convicted of Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses Sentenced to Additional Prison Time for Violating Supervised Release Conditions

body_text: Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESSICA STUART, 42, last residing in Thomaston, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 10 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of her supervised release that followed convictions and prison term for health care fraud and identity theft offenses. According to court documents and statements made in court, Stuart does not have a college degree, was not a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or licensed medical practitioner, and did not have any formal training in applied behavior analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Between approximately May 2019 and September 2020, Helping Hands Academy, LLC, a Bridgeport-based provider of applied behavior analysis services to children diagnosed with ASD, paid Stuart at least $146,0000 and submitted to Medicaid numerous fraudulent claims for applied behavioral analysis services that Stuart performed but was not qualified to provide. Stuart stole the professional identity of a legitimate BCBA so she could impersonate a BCBA and make a BCBA’s salary. Stuart caused Medicaid to pay out on over 1,900 fraudulent claims related to 12 children with ASD. Medicaid suffered a loss of approximately $369,439 as a result of Stuart’s conduct. Stuart pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of using false identification in connection with health care fraud and, on October 15, 2021, was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay full restitution. She was released from federal prison in April 2023. In January 2025, Stuart was arrested by Bristol Police for offenses related to her alleged misuse of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits card that belonged to a resident of the Bristol Adult Resource Center (BARC) where Stuart had been employed. BARC is an organization that provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that require full-time care. The investigation further revealed that Stuart had submitted weekly certifications for, and subsequently received, state unemployment benefits for nearly a month after she began working at BARC in June 2024. Stuart also failed to timely notify the U.S. Probation Office of her contact with Bristol Police. Stuart has been detained in federal custody since January 23, 2025. The original investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.


title: Meridian Man Sentenced to 220 Months in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Jackson, MS – A Meridian, Mississippi, man was sentenced today to 220 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, Jarvis Jermaine Hampton, 28, sold methamphetamine on two occasions in January and February of 2024. After those sales, a search warrant was executed at Hampton’s residence where agents discovered pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, a pill press, and a machinegun. Hampton was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 10, 2024. He pled guilty on October 22, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi; and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigated the case with assistance from the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Goff prosecuted the case.


title: Colorado Springs Man Sentenced to 27.5 Years In Federal Prison

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Jose Baeza, 41, of Colorado Springs, was sentenced to 330 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Baeza also pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the second degree in Otero County Court. According to the plea agreement, Baeza, also known as “Terco” shot a person in La Junta, Colorado, in March 2022, over a drug debt owed to the drug trafficking organization to which he belonged. The person Baeza shot died of a gunshot wound to the chest. “Violent drug dealers have no place in our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. “I am grateful to our partners for removing this dangerous criminal from our streets and placing him behind bars for many years to come.” “I commend the work of DEA’s Colorado Springs Resident Office and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Colorado for bringing justice to Jose Baeza,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen. “Those involved in drug trafficking and murder have no place in our society, and DEA will continue to be relentless in its pursuit of individuals and criminal organizations who break the laws of the United States.” United States District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the sentencing. The Drug Enforcement Administration handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Alyssa Christine Mance and Talia Bucci handled the prosecution. Case Number: 22-CR-00345


title: Pair Of Charlotte Businessmen Convicted Of Failing To Account For And Pay Over Trust Fund Taxes Are Sentenced

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A pair of Charlotte businessmen were sentenced today in federal court for failing to account for and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) more than $150,000 in trust fund taxes over five quarters in 2016 and 2017, announced Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Charlotte Field Office, joins Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron in making todays’ announcement. Richard Brasser, 58, and Gregory Gentner, 54, were sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison, respectively, followed by a one-year term of supervised release. In March 2024, a federal jury found Brasser and Gentner guilty of multiple counts of failing to account for and pay over trust funds taxes. According to today’s sentencing hearing, evidence presented at trial, and other court documents, rFactr was a company with offices in Charlotte, that sold software that leveraged social media for sales platforms. Brasser was rFactr’s Chief Executive Officer and Gentner the Chief Operating Officer. Trial evidence established that from 2015 through 2017, Brasser and Gentner caused rFactr to collect more than $600,000 in trust fund taxes from the wages of its employees but did not account for the taxes by filing Forms 941 with the IRS. Moreover, the defendants did not pay over the withheld taxes to the IRS in a timely manner. According to trial evidence, Brasser and Gentner had a history of noncompliance with rFactr’s employment tax obligations. Specifically, between 2013 and 2017, Brasser and Gentner failed to comply with rFactr’s employment tax obligations by failing to timely file rFactr’s employment tax returns and failing to timely pay over to the IRS rFactr’s employment taxes. In total, between 2015 and 2017, Brasser and Gentner caused rFactr to owe more than $1.1 million in employment taxes. In making today’s announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron commended IRS-Criminal Investigation for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.


title: Tajik National Arrested in Brooklyn for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Mansuri Manuchekhri with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), possessing firearms while unlawfully in the United States and immigration fraud. Manuchekhri was arrested today and made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy who ordered the defendant detained. United States Attorney General Pam Bondi, John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrest and charges. “Under no circumstances will my Department of Justice tolerate terrorism,” stated Attorney General Bondi. “We stand ready to find, arrest, and prosecute those who seek to harm American citizens with the full force of the law. I stand with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who work to keep Americans safe and evil off our streets.” “As alleged, the defendant, who was in the United States illegally, not only facilitated tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to ISIS extremists overseas, but trained with assault rifles at shooting ranges in the United States and declared his readiness to ISIS,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “Protecting the homeland and prosecuting evildoers who assist terrorist organizations by funding their violent and hateful agenda, here and abroad, will always be a priority of this Office.” Mr. Durham praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD and over 50 other federal, state and local agencies. “The Justice Department will relentlessly pursue those who fund and support terrorists,” stated Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will not allow our immigration or financial systems to be exploited. Our country will not be a safe haven for those who try to harm Americans.” “Today’s arrest demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to protecting the American people from the threat of terrorism,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. “As alleged in the complaint, the defendant not only violated our immigration laws, but while unlawfully in the United States also provided substantial financial support to violent extremists affiliated with a designated foreign terrorist organization. In his promotion of violence and praise for terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, the defendant made clear his desire to support violent extremism, and I am grateful to all our folks on the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their vigilance and dedication to disrupting this threat and putting him behind bars.” “The NYPD will stop at nothing to protect New Yorkers from those who support and pledge loyalty to violent ISIS extremists,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “I commend the NYPD investigators and all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for identifying and arresting this gun-toting fraudster, and for thwarting the dangerous domestic threat he posed to our communities.” As alleged in the complaint, Manuchekhri traveled to the United States from Tajikistan in June 2016 on a non-immigrant tourist visa and remained in the country after his visa expired in December 2016. In March 2017, Manuchekhri paid an American citizen to enter into a sham marriage with him so that he could obtain legal status in the United States. However, he failed to provide certain supporting documentation that was requested by the government and his petition was never granted. From approximately December 2021 through April 2023, while residing in Brooklyn, Manuchekhri facilitated approximately $70,000 in payments to ISIS-affiliated individuals in Turkey and Syria, including to an individual who was later arrested by Turkish authorities for his alleged involvement in a January 2024 terrorist attack on a church in Istanbul for which ISIS-K publicly claimed responsibility. Manuchekhri expressed his support for ISIS to others by praising past ISIS attacks in the United States and by collecting jihadi propaganda videos promoting violence and martyrdom. The complaint further alleges that Manuchekhri possessed and used firearms and made frequent visits to shooting ranges even though he was prohibited from doing so as an alien unlawfully in the United States. In February 2022, Manuchekhri recorded himself firing an assault rifle at a shooting range in New Jersey and sent the video to one of the ISIS-affiliated individuals in Turkey with the message, “Thank God, I am ready, brother.” The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Manuchekhri faces a maximum sentence of 45 years’ imprisonment. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert M. Pollack and Andrew D. Reich are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorneys John Cella and Andrea Broach of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Paralegal Specialist Wayne Colón. The Defendant : MANSURI MANUCHEKHRI Age: 33 Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-MJ-64 manuchekhri_complaint.pdf


title: Felon Convicted of New Drug and Gun Charges at Trial

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

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A convicted felon from St. Louis, Missouri who was caught twice with guns and drugs was found guilty Wednesday of all seven charges that he faced. Jurors found Antonio Dixson, 37, guilty of two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a defaced firearm. Evidence and testimony at trial showed that on Dec. 1, 2020, Dixson was stopped in Wentzville, Missouri in a Honda SUV that had fled from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers two weeks earlier. When Dixson stepped out of the rear seat of the vehicle, a Glock pistol fell from his waist to the ground. A Taurus Judge revolver was visibly protruding from his pocket. Police then found ammunition and drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, PCP and cocaine, in his pockets. After Dixson was indicted for the Wentzville incident, he was arrested on Feb. 25, 2021, by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers who spotted a Mercury Villager driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Officers found two guns and drugs in the pockets of Dixson’s pants. Dixson is a convicted felon and is thus barred from possessing firearms. Dixson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 3. He faces a sentence of at least 10 years in prison. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Wentzville Police Department and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Dunkel and Hal Goldsmith are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Mexican National Sentenced to 27 Months  in Federal Prison for Immigration Offense

component: U.S. Attorneys (USAO)

body_text: BOISE – Jose Salvador Alcaraz-Curiel, 31, a Mexican national, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for being a deported alien found in the United States, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today. According to court records, Alcaraz-Curiel is a native and citizen of Mexico and is not a citizen of the United States. The United States lawfully removed Alcaraz-Curiel from the country in October 2018 and September 2020. After his second removal from the United States, Alcaraz-Curiel again re-entered the United States illegally and without lawful authority. Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) encountered Alcaraz-Curiel in Canyon County in March 2024. Alcaraz-Curiel has history of state misdemeanor and felony convictions in Idaho, as well as a 2020 federal conviction in the District of Arizona for being a deported alien found in the United States. Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the efforts of ICE for their work on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis J. Zebari prosecuted this case. ###


title: Miami Man Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Connected to Overdose Death

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – This week, South Florida’s United States Attorney charged a 20-year-old Miami man with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death, and with one count of possession of a machinegun in the form of a “Glock switch” machine gun conversion device. (A Glock switch is a small device that, when attached to the rear or slide of a semi-automatic pistol, can convert the pistol into a fully automatic weapon). According to allegations in the information, from at least as early as January 2024, through October 30, 2024, Domenic Pedre conspired to distribute fentanyl in South Florida, including the fentanyl dose associated with the August 2024 overdose death of a victim in Miami-Dade County. Pedre faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison for distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The United States has further alleged that Pedre is subject to forfeiture of $105,563 in cash proceeds related to the fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Pedre also faces a maximum term of up to 10 years in prison for possession of the Glock switch machinegun conversion device. The charges contained in the information are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA, Miami Field Office, made the announcement. This case was investigated by the DEA, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and the City of Miami Police Department’s Gang Intelligence Unit, with assistance from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Corrections, Probation Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sterling M. Paulson. Synthetic drugs such as fentanyl are poisoning the nation. Fentanyl has proven to be a deadly poison that does not discriminate. Its victims include every gender, race, age, and economic background, and its debilitating effects are the same across all demographics. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even in small doses, fentanyl can be deadly. Just one fentanyl pill can kill, as noted in DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign. As little as two milligrams, about the size of 5 grains of salt, can be fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The State of Florida has also seen an exponential increase in overdoses associated with fentanyl. In 2022, more than 5,622 people died from overdoses involving fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in Florida. For more information visit: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/MEC/Publications-and-Forms/Documents/Drugs-in-Deceased-Persons/2022-Annual-Drug-Report-FINAL-(1).aspx ; https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html# ; and https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl . You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 25-CR-20077. ###


title: Alleged Member of the Florencia 13 Gang is Charged Federally Following Attempted Murder on Christmas

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An alleged member or associate of the Florencia 13, a criminal organization, appeared in court today after he allegedly attempted to murder another person in the District of Utah on Christmas. Javier Pedregon-Magana, aka “Big Payaso” and “Paya,” 24, of West Jordan, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City on February 12, 2025. According to court documents, on December 25, 2024, Pedregon-Magana allegedly engaged in a pre-meditated attack on an unwitting and defenseless victim, stabbing him approximately seven times. Pedregon-Magana then drove the victim’s car and attempted to run the victim down as he fled on foot. As a result of the multiple stab wounds, the victim required immediate life-saving medical attention to prevent exsanguination. According to court documents, Pedregon-Magana is a member of a criminal street gang (CSG). The stabbing was motivated, in large part, by defendant’s desire to restore his good standing with the CSG. Pedregon-Magana is charged with violent crime in aid of racketeering – assault resulting in serious bodily injury, violent crime in racketeering – assault with a dangerous weapon, and violent crime in aid of racketeering – attempted murder. His initial appearance on the indictment was February 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated jointly by the Sandy City Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office Metro Gang Unit. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Waterbury Man Charged with Cocaine Distribution, Firearm Possession Offenses

body_text: Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a three-count indictment charging FELIX NARVAEZ, 53, of Waterbury, with cocaine distribution and firearm possession offenses. The indictment was returned on February 12, 2025. Narvaez appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty. He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on November 7, 2024. The indictment alleges that, on November 7, 2024, Narvaez possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it, and a loaded silver Ruger P90 .45 A.C.P handgun. The indictment further alleges that Narvaez’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm, assault, and controlled substances offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. The indictment charges Narvaez with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years. Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. A charge is only an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Waterbury Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth through Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn .