title: Terrorgram Member Sentenced To 51 Months In Prison For Possessing An Unregistered Firearm

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Alexander Lightner (27, Venice) to four years and three months in federal prison for possessing an unregistered firearm. Lightner pleaded guilty on March 11, 2025. According to court records, Lightner is a member of the Terrorgram Collective—an online organization that promotes the belief that the white race is superior, and that violence and terrorism are necessary to ignite a race war and accelerate the collapse of the government and the rise of a white ethnostate. Inside an exclusive Terrorgram chat, on December 29, 2023, Lightner made several threatening posts conveying his intent to commit violent acts motivated by far-right extremist ideology, including “2024 there shall be saints,” and “Highscore shall be defeated.” The term “saints” refers to a trend within white supremacist online circles where individuals who have committed severe acts of violence motivated by hate are venerated as saints. The phrase “Highscore shall be defeated” refers to a future attack by a white supremacist that will generate a number of casualties surpassing that of previous attacks. Less than a week later, federal agents executed a search warrant at Lightner’s residence in Venice, Florida where they found a firearm silencer, several firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and a copy of Mein Kampf . Agents also found extremist literature with detailed descriptions of mass shooting events and praising historical white supremacist mass murders. When Lightner was interviewed by law enforcement, he admitted that the firearm silencer was his and he had made it himself. He also confessed to making the threatening Telegram posts. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, with valuable assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Sarasota Police Department, and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Schmidt.


title: Justice Department Files Lawsuit to Stop New York’s Unlawful “Protect Our Courts Act” from Obstructing Immigration Enforcement

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: On Thursday, the United States filed a complaint against the State of New York, challenging state policies that blocked immigration officials from arresting individuals at or near New York courthouses. Specifically, the complaint challenges a law, called the Protect Our Courts Act, that purposefully shields dangerous aliens from being lawfully detained at or on their way to or from a courthouse and imposes criminal liability for violations of the shield. This law and accompanying polices violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution because they obstruct the execution of federal immigration authorities. “Lawless sanctuary city policies are the root cause of the violence that Americans have seen in California, and New York State is similarly employing sanctuary city policies to prevent illegal aliens from apprehension,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This latest lawsuit in a series of sanctuary city litigation underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to keeping Americans safe and aggressively enforcing the law.” New York’s law comes after Executive Order 10866, Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border, which directs the Department of Homeland of Security to issue guidelines for the safe and effective enforcement of immigration laws around the country, specifically at or near courthouses. As is true in all types of law enforcement, conducting an arrest at or near a courthouse often reduced the risk of flight and potential safety risks to the public, law enforcement officers, and targets themselves due to the enhanced security screenings in place at courthouses. New York’s law runs counter to common sense and endangers communities by eliminating safe places for law enforcement officers to act. As explained in the complaint, filed by newly confirmed Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, “Through these enactments, New York obstructs federal law enforcement and facilitates the evasion of federal law by dangerous criminals, notwithstanding federal agents’ statutory mandate to detain and remove illegal aliens.” This is the latest in several lawsuits the Department of Justice has filed challenging state interference with immigration enforcement. In May, the Department sued several New Jersey cities who had enacted sanctuary policies. Read the full complaint HERE .


title: Guatemalan National Illegally in the United States  Indicted for Impeding and Assaulting Federal Agents

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A previously deported Guatemalan national illegally present in the United States has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island on two counts of assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, or interfering with federal officers engaged in official duties, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. It is alleged that on April 30, 2024, Miguel Tamup-Tamup, a/k/a Miguel US Tamup, 28, struggled with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents as they attempted to apprehend him as authorized by an arrest warrant. An HSI agent suffered a serious injury during the encounter. Charging documents reflect that on April 19, 2025, Tamup-Tamup was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after his car allegedly collided with another vehicle. He was subsequently arraigned and released. Tamup-Tamup's fingerprints matched ICE fingerprint records associated with a person flagged as being in the United States illegally. It is alleged that on April 30, 2025, an ICE deportation officer and Homeland Security Investigations agents stopped a car that Tamup-Tamup was operating. After he refused to exit, Tamup-Tamup was guided out of the vehicle. While the agents attempted to place Tamup-Tamup in handcuffs, he allegedly resisted, threw his upper body and shoulders against the agents, flailed his arms, and broke an agent’s hold. During the encounter, one of the agents fell to the ground and suffered a serious leg injury. Tamup-Tamup fled as the injured agent was attended to. On May 16, 2025, ICE and HSI agents located Tamup-Tamup at a Providence residence and took him into custody. He has been detained since making an initial appearance on that date before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Milind Shah. ###


title: Deven Moffitt of Bennington Sentenced for Federal Gun and Drug Charges

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on June 10, 2025, Deven Moffitt, 34, of Bennington, Vermont, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a term of 150 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 7-year term of supervised release. Deven Moffitt previously was convicted by a jury on May 16, 2024 of possessing fentanyl and cocaine with the intent to distribute, knowingly possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking, and of possessing firearms while being a convicted felon after a four-day trial. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Moffitt was arrested by the Vermont State Police in Bennington, Vermont on June 1, 2022. During a search of the bags Moffitt was carrying that day, law enforcement recovered over 3,500 individual bags containing fentanyl, additional bags of cocaine and cocaine base, as well as two firearms: a .22 High Standard Manufacturing Corporation revolver and a 9mm Hi-Point semi-automatic pistol. Both guns were loaded, and the 9mm pistol had a bullet in its chamber, with its safety off. Moffitt also possessed over $16,000 in cash upon his arrest. “Vermont State Police encountered Deven Moffitt, as he possessed two fully loaded handguns, one with a bullet chambered and the safety off,” stated Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher. “He possessed those weapons to protect his stash of over 3500 bags of fentanyl and more than $16,000 in drug proceeds. It was a likely just a matter of time before the danger of armed drug dealing would have become a violent reality. We recognize the courage and skill of the VSP for their efforts protecting the public not only in this case, but everyday across the state.” “This sentence of more than 12 years in prison sends a strong message that our communities will not tolerate those who traffic illegal drugs, especially when they bring firearms into these already extremely dangerous situations,” said Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police. “We are grateful for the efforts of our federal partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement to investigate and prosecute offenses of this nature, collaborating with us to ensure accountability and make Vermont a safer place for everyone.” The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman as well as Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia “Jules” Torti. Deven Moffitt was represented by Kevin Henry, Esq. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.


title: Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to 69 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

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

body_text: WASHINGTON – Jovan James, 45, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced yesterday to 69 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition on November 25, 2024. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, , Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. James pleaded guilty on March 5, 2025, to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon ordered James to serve three years of supervised release. According to court documents, on Nov. 25, 2024, at about 4:55 p.m., MPD officers were patrolling the 5000 block of H Street SE, when they noticed James smoking marijuana in a public space. Officers placed James under arrest. During a search incident to arrest, officers recovered a loaded black Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number from James’s waistband. The handgun was loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition. James was previously convicted of first degree murder while armed in February 1998 in the District of Columbia and sentenced to a 30-year prison term. James was resentenced in August 2019 to a 22-year prison term and placed on supervised probation for five years under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA). This case was investigated by the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sabena Auyeung. 24cr541


title: Kenner Woman Guilty of Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SHAWNA MARTIN (“MARTIN”) age 56, a Kenner resident, pled guilty on May 8, 2025, before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe to an indictment charging her with distribution of a quantity of fentanyl (Count 1), distribution of forty grams or more of fentanyl (Count 2), and possession with intent to distribute forty grams or more of fentanyl (Count 3), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and ), 841(b)(1)(C), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. According to court documents, on August 24, 2025, and September 6, 2025, MARTIN distributed, and possessed with intent to distribute, quantities of fentanyl pills, 220 pills with a net weight of 30.7 grams, and 500 pills with a weight of 67 grams, within the Eastern District of Louisiana. At the time of arrest on September 20, 2025, MARTIN also possessed 861 pills with a net weight of 114.86 grams. For Count 1, MARTIN faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. For Counts 2 and 3, MARTIN faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years up to a maximum term of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, at least four years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 on each count. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Six Defendants Charged In Multimillion-Dollar Check Theft And Bank Fraud Ring

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and the Acting Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Edward Gallashaw, announced today the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging six defendants – MICHAEL EDWARDS, a/k/a “Only1Giela”; SHAKEEMO HILL, a/k/a “Keemo,” a/k/a “LBA Menace,” a/k/a “Lex”; WILLIAM HILL, a/k/a “Eway,” a/k/a “Skinny”; ALIXANDRIA LAUTURE, a/k/a “A$”; SHURON MALONE, a/k/a “First Name Last Name”; and CARLOS MERCADO, a/k/a “Kiz,” a/k/a “Kizzle” – with participating in a scheme to steal millions of dollars in checks from the mail. EDWARDS and MERCADO were previously taken into custody on related charges, and SHAKEEMO HILL, WILLIAM HILL, LAUTURE, and MALONE were arrested earlier today. SHAKEEMO HILL, WILLIAM HILL, and LAUTURE are expected to be presented before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, and MALONE is expected to be presented in the Middle District of Florida. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl. “As alleged, the six defendants charged today lined their pockets by stealing checks destined for hard working New Yorkers and others,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Together with our partners at the Postal Inspection Service, we will fight to protect the integrity of the U.S. mail system—a public service upon which millions of Americans rely every day to send items of financial, professional, and personal importance.” “The arrests today should send a very clear message that those who engage in mail theft and bank fraud will be held accountable,” said USPIS Acting Inspector in Charge Edward Gallashaw. “These charges highlight the commitment of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to bring individuals to justice who steal from USPS customers. Thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our investigative partners for working tirelessly on this case, and helping to maintain the public’s trust of the U.S. Postal Service.” As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings: [1] From at least in or about January 2022 through at least in or about July 2024, the defendants perpetrated a massive scheme to steal millions of dollars in checks from Postal Service collection boxes in New York and elsewhere. As part of their scheme, the defendants conspired to buy or otherwise obtain keys that would allow them to unlock the Postal collection boxes and steal mail, bank cards, and other bank account information. After stealing checks from the mail, the defendants and their coconspirators fraudulently altered the information on those checks either by digitally altering the checks and printing them on check stock, or by chemically “washing” the checks to remove the ink. To avoid getting caught, the defendants also conspired to obtain and exchange information for bank accounts held in the names of third parties for the purpose of depositing the fraudulently altered checks. In total, the fraud ring posted millions of dollars in checks for sale on a third-party messaging application, and also deposited millions of dollars in fraudulently altered checks in bank accounts at national banks along the East Coast. The members of the conspiracy played different roles. EDWARDS served as the leader of the organization, coordinating the purchase of postal keys with others, such as WILLIAM HILL, and the use of those keys to steal mail from postal boxes with other coconspirators, such as WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, and MERCADO. The organization’s activities were lucrative: in the early morning hours of July 10, 2023, EDWARDS and MERCADO used a postal key to steal approximately $176,000 in checks from the mail. Other members of the conspiracy, such as EDWARDS, WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, LAUTURE, and MALONE recruited people they knew to supply their bank account information, including account balances and log-in information. And because the stolen checks were not made out to the names on the third-party bank accounts, the members of the fraud ring—including EDWARDS and SHAKEEMO HILL—altered the checks to match the names on those bank accounts. After the checks were altered, the members of the conspiracy, including EDWARDS, WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, LAUTURE, and MALONE, deposited or recruited others to deposit them into third-party bank accounts. * * * A chart containing the defendants’ names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties is set forth below. The statutory maximum and minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS and Homeland Security Investigations. Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut for their assistance. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry J. Fang and William K. Stone are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. COUNT CHARGE DEFENDANTS MAX. PENALTIES 1 Conspiracy to commit bank fraud 18 U.S.C. § 1349 MICHAEL EDWARDS, a/k/a “Only1Giela,” 30; [2] SHAKEEMO HILL, a/k/a “Keemo,” a/k/a “LBA Menace,” a/k/a “Lex,” 22; WILLIAM HILL, a/k/a “Eway,” a/k/a “Skinny,” 29; ALIXANDRIA LAUTURE, a/k/a “A$,” 27; SHURON MALONE, a/k/a “First Name Last Name,” 29 30 years in prison 2 Conspiracy to commit theft of a postal key 18 U.S.C. § 371 MICHAEL EDWARDS, a/k/a “Only1Giela,” 30; WILLIAM HILL, a/k/a “Eway,” a/k/a “Skinny,” 29; CARLOS MERCADO, a/k/a “Kiz,” a/k/a “Kizzle,” 22 Five years in prison 3 Conspiracy to commit theft of mail and receipt of stolen mail, and sale and receipt of stolen money 18 U.S.C. § 371 MICHAEL EDWARDS, a/k/a “Only1Giela,” 30; SHAKEEMO HILL, a/k/a “Keemo,” a/k/a “LBA Menace,” a/k/a “Lex,” 22; WILLIAM HILL, a/k/a “Eway,” a/k/a “Skinny,” 29; CARLOS MERCADO, a/k/a “Kiz,” a/k/a “Kizzle,” 22 Five years in prison 4 Theft of a postal key 18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2 MICHAEL EDWARDS, a/k/a “Only1Giela,” 30; CARLOS MERCADO, a/k/a “Kiz,” a/k/a “Kizzle,” 22 10 years in prison 5 Theft of mail and receipt of stolen mail 18 U.S.C. §§ 1708 and 2 MICHAEL EDWARDS, a/k/a “Only1Giela,” 30; CARLOS MERCADO, a/k/a “Kiz,” a/k/a “Kizzle,” 22 Five years in prison 6 Aggravated identity theft 18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1), 1028A(b), and 2 MICHAEL EDWARDS, a/k/a “Only1Giela,” 30; SHAKEEMO HILL, a/k/a “Keemo,” a/k/a “LBA Menace,” a/k/a “Lex,” 22; WILLIAM HILL, a/k/a “Eway,” a/k/a “Skinny,” 29; ALIXANDRIA LAUTURE, a/k/a “A$,” 27; SHURON MALONE, a/k/a “First Name Last Name, 29” Mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison to run consecutive to any other prison term edwards_et_al_indictment_pr.pdf [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and the descriptions of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. [2] Counts One, Three, and Six charge EDWARDS with committing those offenses while on pretrial release, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 3147, which subjects him to an additional maximum sentence of 10 years in prison consecutive to any other prison term imposed.


title: Tennessee Man Sentenced in Kentucky to 25 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A Tennessee man was sentenced yesterday in the Western District of Kentucky for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; obstructing a sex trafficking investigation; interstate transportation for prostitution; and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Portier Q. Govan, 37, of Memphis, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release after a jury found Govan guilty in December 2024. Evidence presented during the trial established that Govan and his co-defendant, Brittany R. Howard, 25, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, recruited and enticed the victim to engage in commercial sex by preying on her young age and financial situation, and by making false promises of easy money. To establish his control over the victim, Govan threatened to kill her by pressing a pistol against her head while she was in the front passenger seat of a car, and then lowered and discharged the gun, firing a bullet across her lap and missing her body by inches. Govan also showed her a video of himself torturing a defenseless man tied to a chair. He sexually assaulted her and compelled her to engage in commercial sex acts for his profit by making her fear for her life. “The defendant used brazen acts of violence to compel the 18-year-old victim to engage in commercial sex, even holding a gun to the victim’s head,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This significant sentence reflects the severity of the defendant’s conduct and sends a clear message that the DOJ will relentlessly prosecute and hold accountable human traffickers who abuse and exploit others for financial gain.” The FBI Louisville Field Office, Bowling Green Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Bowling Green Police Department. “This sentence is the culmination of a tremendous joint effort between the Bowling Green Police Department and the FBI’s Bowling Green Resident Agency,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky Kyle G. Bumgarner. “Thanks to their efforts, Portier Govan will spend a significant portion of his adult life in federal penitentiary for his depraved conduct. While his sentence is lengthy, there is no sentence that sufficiently remedies the trauma he inflicted on his victim—who will continue to have unwavering support from our office” “Depriving an innocent victim of their civil rights by violently forcing them to engage in commercial sex is unconscionable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Portier Govan’s criminal activity. The FBI, in collaboration with our state and local law enforcement partners, will never stop working to identify and hold accountable violent criminals and to help victims receive the support needed as they recover from significant trauma.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Sewell for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Francisco Zornosa of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking


title: Armed Threat of Insurance Inspector Leads to 21-Month Sentence for Springfield Man Convicted of Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: BANGOR, Maine : A Springfield man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor today for unlawfully possessing a firearm. U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced James Elliott , 67, to 21 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Elliott pleaded guilty on February 4, 2025. According to court records, in February 2024, a deputy from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that Elliott had threatened an insurance company home inspector with a firearm. During a search of Elliott’s home in March 2024, deputies found six firearms, including a loaded .44 magnum lever-action rifle. Elliott is precluded from possessing firearms due to two prior felony convictions in the state of Kansas. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine Warden Service, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Project Safe Neighborhoods : 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psn . ###


title: Ypsilanti Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years in  Federal Prison on Child Exploitation Charges

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – Mubasher Riaz, 41, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison after having pleaded guilty to charges of coercion and enticement of a minor, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division. According to court records, in July 2023, local police in Maumee, Ohio, learned that Riaz was messaging a 13-year-old girl, Minor Victim 1 (MV-1) on Snapchat. Communications between Riaz and MV-1 showed that Riaz had requested and received nude images of the minor and that he attempted to gather information about her home with the intent to meet with her to engage in sexual activity. FBI agents reviewed Riaz’s Snapchat communications and found that Riaz messaged numerous other individuals on Snapchat who identified themselves as minors, some as young as 11 years old. For example, Riaz communicated with Minor Victim 2 (MV-2), who was 13 years old when Riaz contacted her. Riaz drove to MV-2’s foster home and engaged in sexual activity with her in his parked car. Riaz offered MV-1 and MV-2 tobacco and other items in exchange for sex acts. As part of his sentence, Riaz will be required to pay $150,000 in restitution to his minor victims. “This defendant preyed in the most disgusting ways on vulnerable girls as young as 11 years old. Those are the actions of an evil man. And we will do everything in our power to prosecute fiends who prowl around pursuing our children,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said. “The sentencing of Mubasher Riaz sends a powerful and unequivocal message: those who exploit children will be investigated aggressively and held fully accountable under federal law,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “I commend the exceptional efforts of our Ann Arbor Resident Agency and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. Their unwavering dedication to justice was instrumental in securing this conviction. The FBI in Michigan is resolute in its mission to protect children and ensure that anyone who seeks to harm them will face justice.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Zurek.


title: Washington man sentenced to 14 years in prison for possessing meth, fentanyl and heroin

body_text: GREAT FALLS – A Tacoma, Washington man who possessed and distributed drugs that impacted Butte and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 14 years in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. Scott Trent Miller, 42, pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The government alleged in court documents that on September 11, 2024, law enforcement in Butte was informed by a source that Miller was routinely traveling from Washington to Montana to sell drugs. Law enforcement surveilled Miller at a hotel in Butte. They saw him leave and get into a car with another person. A traffic stop was conducted, and Miller denied a request to search the vehicle. During a pat search of Miller, officers found a marijuana pipe and $1,583 in cash. Drug paraphernalia was also found on the other person in the car. An officer with a K9 dog was called to the scene and the K9 alerted to the scent of illegal drugs. A search warrant was issued, and officers seized a trash bag containing a large amount of methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, 100 fentanyl pills, and heroin. Law enforcement reviewed Facebook records for Miller’s account, which showed him messaging individuals for the purpose of distributing drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the DEA, State of Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Blackfeet Tribes Department of Law and Justice. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Hamburg sex offender arrested on new child pornography charges, investigators  looking to the public for assistance

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Bernard (“Bernie”) J. Keller, 27, of Hamburg, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that in 2017 and 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received reports that files of suspected child pornography had been shared on the Kik application. Subsequent investigation traced the files to Keller, who was ultimately convicted in Erie County Court of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child less than 16 in August 2022, sentenced to 10 years’ probation, and placed on the New York State Sex Offender registry. In March 2025, the New York State Police received another report from NCMEC that four files of suspected child pornography were shared between two users on the Kik application. Subsequent investigation traced the files once again to Keller. On May 21, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Keller’s residence, during which investigators seized his cellular telephone. A preliminary search located suspected child pornography on the cell phone. If any members of the public have information regarding this defendant, you are asked to call the FBI at 716-856-7800. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: FBI Dallas and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Announce the Results of Operation Soteria Shield

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: The North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and FBI Dallas’s North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force announce the conclusion of Operation Soteria Shield, a month-long collaborative enforcement effort conducted in April 2025 aimed at rescuing children from online sexual exploitation and bringing perpetrators to justice. This operation was run in conjunction with the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and was jointly managed by the FBI Dallas Division, Dallas Police Department, Plano Police Department, Wylie Police Department, and Garland Police Department. More than 70 Texas law enforcement agencies joined forces throughout the month of April to combat the exploitation of children in the digital space. These agencies leveraged the expertise of highly skilled computer crimes investigators that worked around the clock to identify victims and apprehend offenders engaged in the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Operation Soteria Shield resulted in the rescue of 109 children and the arrest of 244 offenders. In addition to these enforcement actions, investigators seized extensive volumes of digital evidence, including terabytes of illicit data stored on electronic devices that were used in the commission of these crimes. These devices are undergoing forensic analysis and may lead to further arrests and the identification of additional victims. “Operation Soteria Shield brought together over 70 agencies from across the state of Texas, including police departments, federal agencies, state and federal prosecutors, children’s advocacy centers, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. We had a common goal, which was to rescue children from abuse and exploitation,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “This was not an easy operation, but a necessary one. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the children in our communities, and we will hold child predators accountable for their crimes.” “Operation Soteria Shield was a massive team effort and a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we unite around one clear mission: protecting our kids and holding offenders accountable. I am proud that the Dallas Police Department is the lead agency for the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and am grateful for the many, many agencies who contributed to this successful operation,” said Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux. “Online exploitation of children is one of the most insidious crimes we face as a society. It reaches into every community, crosses every boundary, and leaves lasting harm on its youngest victims. Operation Soteria Shield brought together an unprecedented level of collaboration and resolve to confront this crisis head-on. Through this operation, we not only rescued children from unimaginable abuse, but we also sent a clear message: those who seek to harm our children online will be found and brought to justice. Our work is far from over, but this effort has made our communities safer and brought hope to those who need it most.” Said Plano Police Chief Ed Drain. "The coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in Operation Soteria Shield serve as a powerful demonstration of unwavering dedication in the battle against online child exploitation. By exposing the darkest corners of the internet, this operation has targeted predators who seek to harm vulnerable children,” said Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson. “The trauma inflicted by these crimes runs deep, affecting not only the victims, but also their families and entire communities. With every arrest made and every child protected, the operation moves us closer to a safer community. Every step forward in this operation reflects a shared commitment to protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring those who seek to exploit children are brought to justice." "The Garland Police Department is proud to stand alongside our local, state, and federal partners in the fight against those who exploit our most vulnerable, our children. Operation Soteria Shield was more than an enforcement effort; it was a mission to rescue, protect, and restore hope,” said Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan. “The scale of this operation sends a strong message: predators will be pursued, and survivors will never stand alone. We are grateful to the FBI, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), and all the agencies involved for their tireless work. This operation demonstrates our shared commitment to the safety of every child in every community." Operation Soteria Shield stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished with coordinated, interagency cooperation. It reflects the shared commitment of law enforcement professionals across Texas to relentlessly pursue those who prey on children and to ensure that survivors are no longer silenced or hiding in the shadows. The participating agencies also extend their gratitude to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) for their unwavering support. NCMEC analysts provided vital intelligence and case coordination that proved instrumental to the success of this operation.


title: Arizona Residents Charged in Felony Indictments with Assaulting FBI Agents During Immigration Operation

component: USAO - Arizona

number: 2025-092_Sarinana, et al

body_text: PHOENIX Ariz. – On June 10, 2025, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a three-count indictment against Jose Sarinana, 42, and Abran Villa, Jr., 40, both of Chandler, Arizona for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding Federal Officers. The indictment alleges that on June 1, 2025, FBI agents were assisting ICE/ERO with immigration enforcement operations. As part of those operations, FBI and ICE/ERO pulled over Villa’s vehicle and arrested the passenger, who was illegally present in the United States. After the passenger was arrested, Villa returned to the passenger’s residence and told Sariana, at which point both men got into their vehicles and returned to the scene of the arrest. As one of the FBI agents involved in the immigration enforcement action was leaving the scene, Sarinana followed the agent and made several attempts to run the agent off the road with his vehicle. The agent called for backup and multiple FBI agents responded to the scene to stop Sarinana. While agents were pursuing Sarinana, Villa used his truck to block one of their cars, revving his engine as he obstructed the agent’s exit from a parking lot. Villa eventually left after the agent called for assistance. After agents successfully pulled Sarinana over and detained him, Villa appeared again, driving up to the group at a high rate of speed in his truck. Villa stopped shortly before reaching the agents, but pointed the truck directly at them and revved his engine. Villa eventually complied with commands from the FBI agents after several of them unholstered their firearms, and he was taken into custody without further incident. A conviction for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding Federal Officers carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The FBI is conducting the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-25-00865-PHX-DWL-JZB RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-092_Sarinana, et al. # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Buckhannon Man Sentenced to Decade in Prison for Child Pornography Offense

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – David Walter McCauley, 66, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for a child pornography charge. According to court documents and statements made in court, McCauley enticed a 17-year-old boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct for photo and video production. Several electronic devices containing illegal images and videos of the minor engaged in sexual acts with McCauley were seized from McCauley’s residence and office. McCauley will serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pittsburgh Police Department, and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: Mescalero Man Receives 27-Month Prison Sentence for Violent Domestic Assault

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for assaulting his girlfriend in a violent domestic incident. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on October 9, 2023, Frank Shorty Trujillo , 20, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, assaulted the victim, Jane Doe, at a residence on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. The incident occurred in the presence of her one-year-old child. During the assault, Trujillo repeatedly punched Jane Doe and bit her on the left leg above the knee. Jane Doe reported fearing for her life during the attack. Upon his release from prison, Trujillo will be subject to two years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Saltman is prosecuting the case.


title: Little Water Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Navajo Nation Shooting and Homicide

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Little Water man pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from his involvement in a violent April 2024 shooting and subsequent homicide on the Navajo Nation. According to court records, on April 24, 2024, Dewayne George , an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, accompanied Brittania Navaho to a pawn shop in Gallup where she purchased a .22 caliber revolver and ammunition for Rydell Happy, who is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. Later that day, the group, joined by John Doe, drove through the Gallup area and encountered a vehicle on U.S. Highway 491 within the Navajo Nation. Happy initially fired a shot into the air, then, after a pursuit, multiple shots were fired at the vehicle by Happy, George , and John Doe. George admitted to reloading and discharging the firearm several times at the fleeing vehicle, which was struck by multiple bullets. Fortunately, the occupants were not injured. After the shooting, the group drove near Shiprock, New Mexico, where a confrontation led to Happy fatally shooting John Doe. George helped Happy drag John Doe’s body over a cliff in an attempt to conceal the body and avoid arrest and prosecution. Brittania Navaho pled guilty to federal charges related to the straw purchase of the firearm and faces up to 15 years in prison. Rydell Happy is charged with first degree murder, two counts of using and carrying a firearm during and relation to a crime of violence and discharging said firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He remains in custody pending trial, which is currently scheduled for July 14, 2025. George pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and discharging said firearm. At sentencing, George faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, George will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Navajo Nation Police Department, the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney R. Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners. View the Plea Agreement (George).pdf


title: Georgia Student Pilot Pleads Guilty to Stealing Aircraft, Flying to North Carolina

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A student pilot who admitted to stealing a private plane from a Perry, Georgia, hanger and flying it to North Carolina and back—at one point flying in foggy weather conditions requiring specialized instrument training for safety—is facing up to ten years in prison for his crime. Rufus Crane, 27, of Coconut Creek, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen aircraft on June 11. Crane faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000. U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell is presiding over the case. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 17. There is no parole in the federal system. “By choosing to steal a single-engine aircraft and fly to North Carolina—making landings at several regional airports along the way—the defendant put his own life and the lives of others at risk, despite not being fully trained or holding a pilot’s license,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. "The regulations governing our nation's airspace are designed to ensure the safety of everyone. Those who disregard federal law will be held accountable. I want to thank the Perry Police Department investigators for their diligent work alongside our federal partners in this case." “The theft and unauthorized operation of an aircraft is not just a property crime—it’s a serious threat to public safety,” said Captain James Jones of the Perry Police Department. “Mr. Crane’s reckless actions placed countless lives at risk across multiple states. I’m proud of the investigative work done by Perry Police Detective Ike Wilcox and thankful for the strong collaboration with our federal partners to bring this case to justice.” “A situation like this can escalate quickly when critical aviation safety laws and regulations are brazenly disregarded,” said Joseph Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Southern Region. “We’re committed to working closely with our law enforcement, agency and prosecutorial partners to pursue those whose actions endanger lives and jeopardize the safety of our nation’s airspace.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Crane stole a Bonanza A-36 aircraft stored at the Perry Airport in Perry, Georgia, on May 4, 2024. Without having the required lawful flying credentials, Crane took the single-engine aircraft and flew it to the JAARS-Townsend Airport in Waxhaw, North Carolina, landing at approximately 12:42 a.m. on May 4. Crane departed from Waxhaw on May 5 at approximately 3:14 a.m. After stopping in South Carolina to attempt to refuel, Crane began a return flight in the stolen aircraft to Perry. When Crane arrived in Perry at approximately 5:47 a.m., he could not land safely because the area was too foggy for him to see the runway. Crane operated the aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), meaning he used the aircraft's instruments and navigation aids instead of visual cues to fly the plane. Because of the fog, Crane flew to Cochran Municipal Airport in Cochran, Georgia, where he refueled before landing the stolen aircraft back in Perry at around 11:01 a.m. on May 5, and returned the plane to the hangar. At the time of these flights, in addition to not having permission to fly the stolen aircraft, he only held a Student Pilot Certificate. Crane had not received the proper endorsements required to fly alone or to fly the make and model of the plane. During these flights, which took place in the middle of the night, he also kept the transponder of the Bonanza turned off, which meant the plane did not send signals to air traffic control to provide information on the plane’s location, altitude and speed. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Perry Police Department with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: New Hampshire Man Arrested for Unlawful Delivery of a Firearm

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A New Hampshire man was arrested today in connection with an ongoing firearm trafficking investigation. Isaiah Johnson, 24, of Merrimack, N.H., was charged with firearm trafficking by unlawful delivery. Johnson was arrested today and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 2:00 PM today. According to the charging documents, a co-conspirator from Brockton, who was ineligible for a license to carry firearms, paid Johnson to purchase a particular firearm from a gun store in New Hampshire. It is alleged that on Feb. 3, 2024, Johnson went to the gun store, texted photographs of a tan-colored Glock 19X and an extended magazine to the co-conspirator, before purchasing the firearm. The following week, Johnson allegedly texted another photograph of the firearm to the co-conspirator, before ultimately delivering it to the co-conspirator on or about Feb. 11, 2024. In December 2024, the co-conspirator was arrested at his Brockton residence on state charges in connection with an investigation into a high-end car theft enterprise. During a search of the residence, the tan-colored Glock 19X that Johnson had allegedly purchased was located, as well as two large-capacity magazines. It is further alleged that videos posted online showed the co-conspirator firing what appeared to be the same firearm while it was equipped with a “selector switch,” rendering it a fully-automatic weapon. The video was allegedly filmed nearby a public school in Brockton, where approximately 43 9-millimeter shell casings and 10 .40 caliber shell casings were later located. The charge of firearm trafficking by unlawful delivery provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Brockton (Mass.), Merrimack (N.H.) and Manchester (N.H.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cutshall of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Federal agents arrest Morrow County man for 2 armed banked robberies

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Morrow County man was arrested this morning and charged with committing two armed bank robberies. James Travis Scurlock, 44, of Cardington, is charged with bank robbery and using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. According to charging documents, on March 6 and May 16, Scurlock robbed the same bank near the Polaris mall while carrying a firearm. Scurlock allegedly wore a black sweatshirt, jeans, white Nike shoes, black gloves and a white camouflage mask during both robberies. An affidavit details that the first time Scurlock robbed the Huntington Bank on Gemini Place, he initially inquired about opening a bank account. After the teller asked him for two forms of identification, he allegedly pointed a handgun at the teller and told the teller to put money in his backpack. Scurlock allegedly stole approximately $13,700. During the May robbery, Scurlock allegedly pointed the handgun at a teller before walking to two tellers’ drawers and taking cash. It is alleged that he then ordered the tellers to the vault and placed more cash into his backpack. Scurlock allegedly stole approximately $27,700 during the second robbery. Scurlock appeared in federal court this afternoon and his case was unsealed at that time. Bank robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence carries a penalty of at least five years and up to life in prison. Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case. A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: Man Accused of Choking, Assaulting Woman on Gateway Arch Grounds

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man has been accused of strangling and assaulting a woman on the grounds of Gateway Arch National Park. Darrion Lamont Evans, 20, of Belleville, Illinois, was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis with one count of assault by strangulation and two counts of interstate domestic violence, including allegations that he assaulted the victim after causing her victim to travel across state lines. He appeared in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The indictment accuses Evans of strangling the victim, who he had been dating, on April 28, 2025. A motion seeking to have Evans held in jail until trial says he took the victim from Belleville to the Arch grounds without her knowledge or consent, and then hit and strangled her. National Park Rangers found her in a vehicle parked on a service road after the assault, the motion says. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine. The National Park Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Hoag is prosecuting the case.


title: Box Elder woman sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for trafficking drugs on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation

body_text: GREAT FALLS – A Box Elder woman who trafficked large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl while possessing a firearm on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 210 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. Melody Rose Bernard, 50, pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The government alleged in court documents that from October 2023 to May 21, 2024, Bernard trafficked substantial amounts of meth, fentanyl, and cocaine to the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in Hill County. One witness told law enforcement about making four trips for Bernard since November 2023 and estimated transporting 23 pounds of meth, 4,500 fentanyl pills, five ounces of fentanyl powder, and three ounces of cocaine for Bernard. The witness further estimated transporting $230,000 for Bernard and watched as Bernard distributed narcotics from her house in Box Elder and from her business, Ziah’s. The witness also admitted that a firearm located in the residence belonged to the witness and that Bernard had given it to the witness for protection. Law enforcement learned from other individuals that Bernard was selling narcotics out of Ziah’s. One of the individuals described buying fentanyl pills two or three times from Bernard, received 25 to 40 pills each time and was charged $10 to $20 per pill. In an interview with another person, law enforcement learned Bernard was a source of supply for the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, dealing from 500 to 1,000 fentanyl pills at a time. Bernard’s common price for a pill was about $40, but she would sell them for as little as $10 or $20 per pill to customers willing to buy larger quantities. On May 21, 2024, law enforcement executed a state search warrant at Bernard’s residence. Both Bernard and a codefendant were in the house. The codefendant was located hiding in a bathroom. The agent observed a large amount of meth and cocaine in the bathtub with the water running, and it was apparent to the agent the codefendant was attempting to destroy evidence. Law enforcement recovered meth, cocaine, fentanyl pills, approximately $8,800 in cash, and a firearm. In addition, on March 27, 2024, another co-defendant purchased two firearms from North 40 Outfitters in Havre and immediately traveled back to Box Elder where the firearms were traded to Bernard in exchange for four oxycodone pills. The two firearms were recovered several hours later after they were used in a double homicide and were still in the possession of the homicide suspects. The co-defendant admitted to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Form 4473 to buy the firearms for Bernard, a transaction known as a straw purchase. The firearms were a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by FBI, ATF, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, and Hill County Sheriff’s Office. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Employee at Multinational DVD Company Pleads Guilty to Stealing, Selling Pre-Release Commercial DVDs for Blockbuster Films

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – Steven R. Hale , 37 , of Memphis, appeared before United States District Court Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman on May 27, 2025 and entered a guilty plea to criminal copyright infringement in one case and to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in another case. Interim United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. announced the guilty pleas today. According to information presented in court, from approximately May 2019 to March 2022, Hale worked for a multinational company in Memphis that, among other things, manufactured and distributed DVDs and Blu-rays of movies. From approximately February 2021 to March 2022, Hale stole hundreds of “pre-release” DVDs and Blu-rays, that is, discs being prepared for commercial distribution in the United States and not available for sale to the public. Hale’s theft included DVDs and Blu-rays for such popular films as “F9: The Fast Saga”, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”, “Godzilla v. Kong”, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, “Dune”, and “Black Widow”. Hale then sold the discs through e-commerce sites. As a result of Hale’s illegal activities, at least one pre-release Blu-ray, “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, was “ripped” — that is, extracted from the Blu-ray by bypassing the encryption that prevents unauthorized copying — and copied. That digital copy was then illegally made available over the internet more than a month before the Blu-ray’s official scheduled release date. Copies of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” were downloaded tens of millions of times with an estimated loss to the copyright owner of tens of millions of dollars. In his plea agreement, Hale agreed to make full restitution to his victims and return approximately 1,160 stolen DVDs and Blu-rays he unlawfully possessed. In addition, Hale also unlawfully possessed a Sarsilmaz 9mm firearm that was loaded with one live round in the chamber and 13 rounds in the magazine. Hale has a prior felony conviction for armed robbery in 2008 for which he served seven years' imprisonment. Hale is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman on August 29, 2025. There is no parole in the federal system. The two cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Memphis Police Department. Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti and Trial Attorney Debra Ireland of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the cases. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Texas Narcotics Trafficker who Burglarized Local Pharmacy Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Michael Tremayne Smith, a 40-year-old resident of Sugarland, Texas, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for Burglary of a Pharmacy, aiding and abetting, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a quantity of Oxycodone, aiding and abetting. Smith pled guilty on March 11, 2025. According to the court documents and other information presented in court, Drugco Discount Pharmacy in Littleton, North Carolina, was burglarized on January 28, 2022. Security footage showed two people jump through the drive-thru window into the area behind the pharmacy counter. Both burglars were wearing hooded sweatshirts, gloves, and masks and were carrying large bags. They quickly grabbed numerous bottles of prescription medication, threw them into the bags, and ran out. The stolen drugs were worth $5,786. Later that morning, a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy stopped Defendant driving south on I-85. Inside his car were 15 unopened pill bottles labeled Oxycodone, 12 opened pill bottles labeled Oxycodone, and two bottles of liquid labeled promethazine, which matched substances taken during the burglary of Drugco Discount Pharmacy. Defendant’s passenger, LaCarlton Lee Johnson, Jr., was also charged. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge James C. Dever III. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 4:23-CR-00060-D. ###


title: Hazleton Man Sentenced To 151 Months In Prison For Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brian Castillo, age 33, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 12, 2025, to 151 months’ imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani for distribution of methamphetamine. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on August 20, 2021, and September 10, 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents made two controlled buys of methamphetamine from Castillo in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Castillo sold 42 grams during the first sale and 55 grams of the drug on the second sale for $1,000 on each occasion. Before he was arrested, Castillo fled the country when he learned he was under investigation. He was later arrested on July 8, 2024, when attempting to re-enter the country. On February 21, 2025, Castillo entered a plea of guilty to one of the charges in the indictment. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police. Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus 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: North Carolina Narcotics Trafficker Sentenced to 22 Years

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Shaborn Amar Nesbitt, a 37-year-old resident of Smithfield, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. Nesbitt pled guilty on April 26, 2023. According to the court documents and other information presented in court, the investigation began in October 2019, when law enforcement learned that Nesbitt was distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in the Eastern District of North Carolina. On October 14, 2019, Nesbitt traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to get more methamphetamine to distribute in Eastern North Carolina. Law enforcement stopped his car, and a K9 unit alerted on it. Inside, they found almost two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, small amounts of marijuana and mushrooms, $10,920 cash, and two cell phones. Nesbitt admitted to driving to Atlanta to pick up the methamphetamine. Ultimately, Nesbitt was found responsible for approximately 11.98 kilograms of methamphetamine, 4.53 kilograms of marijuana, 10 kilograms of heroin, 56.7 grams of cocaine, and 3.8 grams of mushrooms. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Goldsboro Police Department, Selma Police Department, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, and Johnston County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:21-CR-00056-D. ###


title: Louisiana Men Receive Lengthy Federal Prison Sentences for Trafficking Controlled Substances

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

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that several men have been sentenced in related Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) cases involving the trafficking of controlled substances. James Cordell Zeno , 37, of Jennings, Blaze Duhon, 27, of Kinder, Jamarcus Jamall Epps , 31, of Many, and James Spikes , 28, of Zwolle, have all been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. Another defendant, Desmond Antoine Jackson , 40, of Zwolle, has pleaded guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing. Zeno was sentenced to 282 months (23 years, 6 months) in prison, and Duhon was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to information presented in court, in July 2022, the United States Postal Inspector intercepted a suspicious package that was destined for Duhon’s residence. Agents obtained a search warrant for the package and found it contained suspected methamphetamine. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office then obtained a search warrant for the residence, and Duhon was located inside. Days after the search warrant, the United States Postal Inspector intercepted a second suspicious package destined for Duhon’s residence. Agents obtained a search warrant for this package and found it also contained suspected methamphetamine. A search of Duhon’s phone revealed text messages between him and Zeno. Two text messages sent by Zeno to Duhon contained photos of United States Postal Service receipts containing tracking information for two packages. The tracking information matched both packages of methamphetamine that were intercepted by the United States Postal Inspector. The suspected methamphetamine from both packages was seized and sent to the crime laboratory for testing and the results were positive for methamphetamine with a total weight of 280 grams. Zeno and Duhon were indicted, and both pleaded guilty. Jamarcus Jamall Epps and Desmond Antoine Jackson were also charged as the result of an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Sabine Parish area. In December 2021, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team conducted a controlled purchase of a Taurus PT738 .380 caliber pistol from Epps. An audio/video recording of the transaction was captured by law enforcement. An examination of the firearm by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) determined that the firearm sold by Epps was a working firearm. At the time of the sale of this firearm, Epps was a convicted felon, with a prior conviction of aggravated second degree battery in 2019 and he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Epps pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 months (6 years, 5 months) in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Approximately one month later, law enforcement agents conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Jackson and that transaction was also recorded. The suspected controlled substance was sent to the crime laboratory for analysis and determined to be pure methamphetamine weighing at least 50 grams. Jackson was charged and pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine in February 2025 and is awaiting sentencing. James Spikes was also involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine in the Sabine Parish area. In August 2022, an audio/video recording was made of a controlled purchase from Spikes in connection with this investigation. The suspected controlled substance purchased from Spikes was sent to the crime laboratory for testing and confirmed to be approximately 62 grams of pure methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison. These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ATF, and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy. These cases were part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. # # #


title: Florida Fuel Supplier Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Defraud U.S. Department of Defense, other Federal Agencies

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment charging a Florida business owner with multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and forgery for orchestrating a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies by submitting altered and fake invoices to U.S. Navy ships and other vessels through the SEA Card Program, which allows U.S. vessels to purchase critical fuel from suppliers at ports around the world. According to court documents filed in the Southern District of Florida, between August 2022 and January 2024, Jasen Butler, 37, of Jupiter, Florida, the owner of Independent Marine Oil Services LLC, submitted dozens of falsified documents to multiple U.S. warships — including the USS Patriot — demanding and receiving over $5 million dollars in payments for phony expenses that Butler had not incurred. These ships were attempting to purchase fuel in international ports such as Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Croatia, among others. Butler also concealed his identity from government officials by using a false name and feigning employment by a fictitious fuel division of a different company. As alleged in the indictment, Butler used the millions in fraud proceeds to personally enrich himself and purchase multiple properties, including in Florida and Colorado. “Our office is steadfast in its commitment to prosecute individuals that seek to unjustly profit at the expense of the U.S. military,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “Such fraud undermines military readiness and jeopardizes the dedicated service members who selflessly defend our country.” “This indictment sends a clear, public message: the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Force under President Trump will not rest until all who defraud the brave men and women of the U.S. military and the American taxpayers receive swift justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail A. Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Investigating complex fraud schemes which impact U.S. Coast Guard operations is a priority for CGIS,” said Special Agent in Charge Josh Packer of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Southeast Field Office. “CGIS remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate any fraud which undermines the integrity of the Coast Guard’s supply chain.” “Mr. Butler’s alleged involvement in unlawfully submitting fraudulent invoices related to U.S. naval ships receiving fuel during port visits is an affront to the warfighter and taxpayer,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS remains committed to thoroughly investigating those who commit fraud impacting the Department of Navy.” If convicted, Butler faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years for each count of forgery, and up to 10 years for each count of money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant Chief Sara Clingan and Trial Attorney Jonathan Pomeranz of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section are prosecuting the case. Anyone with information about this investigation or other procurement fraud schemes should notify the PCSF at www.justice.gov/atr/webform/pcsf-citizen-complaint . The Justice Department created the PCSF in November 2019. It is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force . An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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-80093. ###


title: Methamphetamine And Gun Trafficker Is Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Jamal Marqui McDaniel, 46, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine and firearms offenses, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. According to court documents and evidence presented during court proceedings, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Asheville Police Department (APD) launched a joint investigation after receiving information that McDaniel was engaged in the illegal sale of narcotics and firearms in the Asheville area. Over the course of the investigation, McDaniel sold methamphetamine, firearms, and ammunition on multiple occasions to individuals who were cooperating with law enforcement. Court records show that, in total, McDaniel is accountable for distributing nearly half a kilogram of methamphetamine, and illegally selling eight firearms. McDaniel pleaded guilty February 21, 2025, to distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending placement by the federal Bureau of Prisons. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the ATF, the DEA, the APD, and the Buncombe Country Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville handled the prosecution. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: United States returns over $680,000 in stolen cryptocurrency using civil asset forfeiture

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The United States has recovered and cleared title to over $680,000 worth of stolen cryptocurrency using civil asset forfeiture and is in the process of returning those funds to the victim, a cryptocurrency and blockchain company. According to court documents, on March 28, 2023, an unidentified person sought to exploit a vulnerability in a cryptocurrency product created by SafeMoon, LLC. SafeMoon used a reserve, called a liquidity pool, to allow trading between different types of cryptocurrency by securing a supply of cryptocurrency assets to ensure sufficient liquidity in the market. This allowed SafeMoon to prevent large fluctuations in the price of SafeMoon’s cryptocurrency. The liquidity pool was secured and managed by a digital program called a “smart contract” that automatically executed when specified conditions occurred. The smart contract was mistakenly programmed, however, so that it could be used by anyone to “burn,” or destroy, tokens from the SafeMoon liquidity pool. The exploiter’s scheme involved manipulating SafeMoon’s cryptocurrency by initiating a transaction that would burn a large number of SafeMoon tokens simultaneously, resulting in an artificial price spike. Then the exploiter could sell tokens back to the liquidity pool at an artificially inflated price at a loss to SafeMoon. At the same time, however, an automated cryptocurrency trading program called a “bot” was engaged in “front-running,” which exploits normal delays in the processing of transactions by scanning and simulating pending transactions to determine how profitable they are, then executes profitable trades ahead of the original trader. In this case, the front-running bot caused the exploiter’s transaction to fail and directed the profits from its own trade to an account the bot operator controlled. The cryptocurrency stolen from SafeMoon was worth over $8.5 million on the day it was stolen. Within a few hours of the attack, the front-running bot operator contacted SafeMoon, claiming to have prevented an attack. While purportedly offering to return the stolen cryptocurrency, the bot operator also threatened to withhold the entirety of the cryptocurrency stolen from SafeMoon if SafeMoon did not allow the operator to keep a percentage. SafeMoon relented and let the bot operator keep 20 percent of the stolen cryptocurrency. On May 15, 2023, the FBI seized $680,467.92 and 480.996 BNB from accounts at OKX, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, representing approximately half of the 20 percent extorted from SafeMoon. SafeMoon has since filed for bankruptcy, but the funds are being returned to the bankruptcy trustee for SafeMoon. Neither the original exploiter nor the bot operator has been identified to date and they may be located abroad. Without the possibility of a criminal prosecution, the United States used a civil asset forfeiture action against this stolen cryptocurrency to recover these funds for theft victims. The civil asset forfeiture action afforded all potential claimants an opportunity to contest the forfeiture in court and put the government to its burden of proof. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Emily Odom, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Divisions, made the announcement after the settlement order between the United States and the SafeMoon bankruptcy trustee was issued by U.S. District Judge Patricia T. Giles. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Keim and Former Eastern District of Virginia prosecutor Jay V. Prabhu supported the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cv-1065.


title: Illegal Alien from Dominican Republic Sentenced for Impersonating U.S. Citizen to Vote in Federal Election

body_text: MIAMI – Carlos Abreu, 36, has been sentenced to 65 months in prison followed by three years supervised release, after pleading guilty in two consolidated federal cases (24cr60155 and 25cr60015) to the following charges: (1) falsely claiming United States citizenship to register to vote; (2) using a United States citizen’s name to vote; (3) possessing firearms as an alien without lawful status; (4) making false statements in support of a passport application; and (5) aggravated identity theft. As a condition of his supervised release, he was also ordered to turn himself into immigration authorities for removal proceedings. According to the two factual proffers, Abreu entered the United States without inspection and, in 2007, assumed the identity of the victim, “C.R.V.” Between 2007 and his August 2024 arrest, Abreu held himself out as “C.R.V.” to Federal, state, and local government agencies. The victim, “C.R.V.,” is a United States citizen living in Puerto Rico who did not know Abreu. Abreu obtained a Florida driver’s license in 2007. He registered to vote under the name “C.R.V.” in 2016, and renewed his registration in 2020. He admitted to voting in federal elections in 2016 and 2022. Abreu also admitted to obtaining a Florida concealed carry permit in “C.R.V.’s” name and purchasing four firearms. Abreu also conceded that, in 2021, he had attempted to obtain U.S. passports for his two minor daughters as well as himself, using “C.R.V.’s” name and personal identifying information, all without lawful authorization. United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Conklin of the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office made the announcement. DSS’ Miami Field Office investigated the case. The DSS San Juan Resident Office in Puerto Rico and ATF Miami provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brianna Coakley and Daniel Rosenfeld are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadya Z. Cheatham is handling asset forfeiture. 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 numbers 24-cr-60155 and 25-cr-60015. ###


title: Money Launderer for Mexico Based Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A Chicago‑area man who acted as a money launderer for a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization was sentenced June 11, 2025 to nearly five years in federal prison. Jose Eladio Medina Valenzuela, age 45, from Cicero, Illinois, received the prison term after a January 6, 2025 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. n a plea agreement, Medina Valenzuela admitted that, from May 2020 to October 2020, he worked with others to obtain proceeds from the sale of methamphetamine in Iowa and transfer those proceeds to individuals in Mexico to promote and facilitate the drug trafficking organization and operation. Two drug traffickers obtained and distributed over 100 pounds of methamphetamine in Iowa, and they took a portion of those methamphetamine proceeds—over $335,000—to Medina Valenzuela in Cicero. Medina Valenzuela then worked with others to get the methamphetamine proceeds to sources of supply in Mexico. Medina Valenzuela was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Medina Valenzuela was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Medina Valenzuela is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and Homeland Security Investigations. This effort 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 . Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-02041-LTS. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Sioux City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth Convictions

body_text: Phillip Plummer, age 42, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced today in federal court in Sioux City to 120 months’ imprisonment. Plummer pled guilty February 10, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, and another count of distributing methamphetamine. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that between 2022 and May 2023, Plummer and others conspired to distribute more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. Plummer admitted to distributing methamphetamine on seven separate occasions to an individual cooperating with law enforcement, four of which occurred within 1,000 feet of schools, namely, Mater Dei Elementary School and Hunt Elementary School in Sioux City. During the search of Plummer’s residence in May 2023, law enforcement officers seized 271.7 grams of pure methamphetamine, 155.6 grams of cocaine, 31.6 grams of suspected MDMA, 55.1 grams of suspected marijuana, 37.9 grams of suspected cocaine, two bags of medicated Jolly Rancher Gummies 600mg THC (109.9 grams) and two vape pens (73.2 grams). Plummer intended to sell the majority of these controlled substances to persons in the Sioux City area. Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Plummer was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and must serve ten years of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Plumer remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-4069. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Hopkins Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Auditors

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. —William Lee Grooms, Sr., 65, of Hopkins, has pleaded guilty to making a false representation to a federal agency. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Grooms was the Statewide Asset Manager for the South Carolina Department of Transportation Office of Public Transit (OPT). The OPT oversees government funding for public transportation in South Carolina, including rural and small urbanized areas, for programs aimed at assisting seniors and individuals with disabilities. The federal funds were distributed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), part of the United States Department of Transportation. Every three years, the FTA conducts a review of state offices receiving its money. Part of that review concerns the “Buy America” program, which requires a certain percentage of each vehicle acquired to have been produced domestically. Also, the final assembly must occur in the United States. This certification should take place before purchase. The collective goal of the OPT was to pass the review with zero deficiencies. The OPT staff realized during the review that they had not conducted the pre-award Buy America audits. To address the shortcoming, the OPT staff developed a scheme to back-date emails and certifications, a task taken on by Grooms. These falsified documents were then given to another staff member to upload to a shared website accessed by the FTA compliance review team. “Our government functions best when those entrusted with its money operate with honesty and transparency,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “This prosecution reinforces the bedrock principle that public service demands integrity.” “Together with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we remain firmly committed to safeguarding the integrity of the procurement process and enforcing compliance with federal program requirements,” said Joseph Harris, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Southern Region. “Those entrusted with the stewardship of taxpayer dollars are expected to meet the highest standards and will be held accountable when they knowingly fall short.” Grooms faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States Senior District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Grooms on Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. This case was investigated by the United States Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General, and the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston D. Holliday, Jr., is prosecuting the case. ###