title: Founder and Former CEO of Biscayne Capital Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for $130 Million Dollar Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Roberto Gustavo Cortes Ripalda (Cortes), the co-founder, co-owner, and former Chief Executive Officer of the international investment advisory firm Biscayne Capital, was sentenced by United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Cortes pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2023 after being charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. As part of the sentence, Cortes was also ordered to pay $3.4 million in forfeiture and $103 million in restitution to over 110 victims. John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Kareem A. Carter, Executive Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Washington Field Office (IRS-CI) announced the sentence. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Roberto Cortes’s criminal conduct in orchestrating a years-long scheme with his co-conspirators to prop up a failing business while defrauding Biscayne Capital investors and clients around the globe,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “Using illegal Ponzi payments to their victims, Cortes and his co-conspirators were able to disguise and perpetuate this scheme for years until Biscayne Capital finally collapsed under the defendants’ lies. Today’s sentence demonstrates our Office’s commitment to holding accountable investment professionals who abuse the trust of their clients for personal profit.” Mr. Durham thanked The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for providing significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Spain and obtaining evidence in this case. The Department of Justice also thanks the Governments of Spain and Switzerland for their valuable support. “For more than five years, Roberto Cortes and his co-conspirators lied to Biscayne Capital investors — including their friends and family members — about how they were using millions of dollars of their investments,” stated Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “When Biscayne Capital’s debt spiraled with no hope of paying back its early investors, they concealed the scheme by using new and existing investor funds to pay off other investors, resulting in more than $100 million in losses to investors. The sentence will hold Cortes accountable for his years of lies and deception.” “Regardless of the complexity of the investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents and our law enforcement partners will utilize their skills and unique authorities to hold bad actors like the defendant accountable,” stated IRS-CI Executive Special Agent in Charge Carter. “This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions. Mr. Cortes and his co-conspirators prioritized their own greed, stealing $155 million from investors. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that we remain vigilant and will vigorously pursue those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraudulent means.” According to court filings, in approximately 2001, Cortes and his co-defendant Ernesto Heraclito Weisson Pazmino (Weisson) founded South Bay as a real estate development business. South Bay would acquire properties, demolish the houses on those properties, and build new luxury homes. After an initial period in which Cortes and Weisson raised the funds for South Bay’s operations from individual investors and bank loans, they founded Biscayne Capital in 2005 to create a more institutionalized form of financing for South Bay’s operations. Between 2005 and 2018, Biscayne Capital operated in Miami, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay, Bermuda, Switzerland, the Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands. After South Bay began to experience financial trouble in 2007, Cortes and Weisson created and marketed to investors a series of private structured investment products (the Proprietary Products) to raise funds for, among other things, South Bay’s operations. However, rather than using the investor funds raised through the sale of the Proprietary Products to fund South Bay’s real estate development projects, Cortes, Weisson, co-defendant Fernando Haberer, and additional co-conspirators used the bulk of the investor funds to pay outstanding interest and principal debt obligations to other Proprietary Products investors. By the time the scheme collapsed and Biscayne Capital went into liquidation, Biscayne Capital clients had lost over $130 million. Cortes and his co-conspirators took calculated steps to perpetuate and conceal the scheme. Cortes directed Biscayne Capital financial advisors to raise new investor funds in order to repay older investors. Cortes was also directly involved in the creation and marketing of the Proprietary Products whose investments were misappropriated. For example, Cortes was instrumental in creating and marketing the Liquidity Note Proprietary Product “as a money market product where clients would have daily access to liquidity.” Cortes and his co-conspirators then misappropriated all the Liquidity Note funds—over $29.6 million—to perpetuate the scheme. Cortes also directed the co-conspirator to fabricate account statements that were sent to clients to conceal how Cortes and his co-conspirators had misappropriated the clients’ funds. In another complex effort to keep the scheme afloat, Cortes’s co-conspirators devised a scheme to obtain short-term credit from banks based on misrepresentations regarding purchases and sales of the Proprietary Products from Biscayne Capital client custody accounts that caused overdrafts in client accounts. Cortes and his co-conspirators used the short-term credit obtained from the banks to cover payments owed to other clients in the scheme and to pay their own salaries, among other things. Weisson pleaded guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing. Haberer is not in U.S. custody. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section and by the Department of Justice’s Fraud and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Sections. Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Weintraub and Drew Rolle, and Trial Attorneys Randall Warden and Morgan Cohen, are in charge of the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition from Spain and obtaining evidence in this case. The Department of Justice also thanks the Governments of the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Ecuador, Spain and Switzerland for their valuable support. The Defendant: ROBERTO GUSTAVO CORTES RIPALDA Age: 58 Key Biscayne, Florida E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-458 (CBA)


title: Three Members of an International Money Laundering Organization Charged with Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in Florence, South Carolina, returned an indictment on April 22, charging Nasir Ullah, 28, and Naim Ullah, 32, both of Sumter, South Carolina, and Puquan Huang, 49, of Buford, Georgia, with conspiring to launder millions of dollars of proceeds derived from drug trafficking. “As alleged in the indictment, the defendants laundered tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds from the United States through China and the Middle East, enabling a continuous flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our country from Mexico,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Dismantling transnational criminal organizations and Chinese Money Laundering Organizations that support them is a critical priority for the Department. Alongside DEA and our local law enforcement partners, we will continue to prosecute the financial networks that fuel illegal drug trade and profit from the sale of deadly substances.” “We are committed to dismantling criminal organizations that seek to profit through the distribution of dangerous drugs like cocaine and fentanyl across South Carolina and beyond,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “This $30 million money laundering operation, which has international ties, was conducted in multiple communities in our state. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to trace these illicit funds, disrupt these networks, and hold those involved accountable for the harm they present.” “Cases like this exemplify the value of partnerships,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung of the DEA Atlanta Division. “The volume of dangerous drugs, including deadly fentanyl, impacts our communities beyond comprehension. This investigation and subsequent arrests demonstrate DEA’s commitment to protecting our community by destroying these drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.” According to court documents, unsealed today, Ullah, Naim Ullah, and Huang allegedly worked for a money laundering organization that laundered at least $30 million in proceeds related to the distribution of illegal drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, which were unlawfully imported into the United States, typically through Mexico. Ullah, Naim Ullah, Huang, and their co-conspirators allegedly traveled throughout the United States to collect drug proceeds. They communicated with co-conspirators in China to arrange for the laundering of these proceeds through transactions designed to conceal the illegal source of the proceeds, including disguising the source of the drug proceeds by moving money through the shipment of electronic goods to China and the Middle East. Ullah, Naim Ullah, and Huang are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The DEA’s Charleston, South Carolina Resident Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit; DEA’s Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit; DEA’s offices in Columbia, South Carolina and Atlanta; the FBI’s offices in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina; the U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations; the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office; the South Carolina Highway Patrol; the Fort Mill Police Department; the York County Sheriff’s Office; the North Charleston Police Department; the Mount Pleasant Police Department; and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Trial Attorneys Mary K. Daly and Jasmin Salehi Fashami of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett E. McMillian for the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case. The Third and Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Offices of South Carolina provided assistance in this case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Payroll Services Company Owner Sentenced to Prison

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Florida man was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for not paying taxes withheld from his employees’ wages and filing a false tax return. The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Matthew Brown, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, owned and operated multiple businesses in and around Martin County, Florida. One of these businesses was a payroll services company known as Elite Payroll. Elite Payroll provided payroll services to small businesses in and around St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties. Elite Payroll was hired by its clients to collect and pay over the Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes withheld from clients’ employees’ wages and to pay over those funds to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, including because they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year. Between 2014 and 2022, Brown did not pay over $20,000,000 in taxes withheld from the wages of employees of clients of Elite Payroll and from other businesses he controlled and instead enriched himself. To effectuate his scheme, Brown charged his clients the full amount of their tax liabilities but then filed false employment tax returns with the IRS that substantially underreported their liabilities, and pocketing the difference. For example, for one quarter in 2021, a client owed approximately $219,000 in taxes. Elite Payroll collected that amount from the client but filed a false tax return with the IRS claiming that the client only owed approximately $32,000, which Elite paid. Brown then kept the remaining approximately $190,000. Instead of paying over the funds, Brown purchased commercial and residential real estate, including his multimillion-dollar home, a Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht, a Falcon 50 Aircraft, and a large collection of cars including Porsches, Rolls Royces, and 27 Ferraris. In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon for the Southern District of Florida ordered Brown to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $22,401,585 in restitution, and a $200,000 fine to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Bryne of the Southern District of Florida made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorney Andrew Ascencio of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Porter for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.


title: Dog Fighting Operation Shutdown and Owner Detained on Twenty-Three Counts of Illegal Dog Fighting

component: Office of the Inspector General

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa man was charged today by Criminal Complaint for running an illegal dog fighting camp. Law enforcement seized 17 dogs. Julius Deane Griffin, 43, is charged with: Twenty-three counts of Illegal dog fighting; Illegal Possession, Training, Transport, Delivery, Sale and Receipt of Dogs Intended to be Used in an Animal Fighting Venture; Causing an Individual Under the Age of 16 to Attend an Animal Fighting Venture; Felon in Possession of Ammunition; Possession of Ammunition After a Misdemeanor Conviction of Domestic Violence; and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. “The allegations against Griffin are disturbing,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Prior to Griffin’s arrest, prosecutors partnered with animal rescue agencies that specialize in treating and caring for dogs seized from illegal dog operations. I want to thank law enforcement and all the agencies that collaborated to ensure these dogs receive the medical treatment and care they deserve to have.” “HSI will go to no end to pursue criminals who inflict harm and exploit innocent animals for their deviant entertainment and financial gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard Homeland Security Investigations Dallas. “Our investigations into illegal dog-fighting rings are vital to public safety as these types of criminal activities are often precursors into other organized criminal activity such as drug trafficking and money laundering.” Court documents show that the Creek County Sheriff’s Office began this investigation in 2024. On April 21, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) executed a search warrant at Griffin’s home. Law enforcement seized 17 live pit bull-type dogs and other fighting dogs, and one deceased pit bull-type dog, among other evidentiary items. The dogs seized were placed with outside caregivers. Some of the dogs exhibited missing and damaged body parts, visible scars, and open wounds, all consistent with dog fighting. The deceased dog exhibited visible scars and open wounds, consistent with dog fighting, and was recently deceased. Law enforcement seized several other items from Griffin’s home. Among some of the items seized were ammunition, gun magazines, more than $16,000 in cash, more than 20 cellphones and electronic devices, trophies from dog fighting, dog treadmills, kennels, digital scales to weigh the dogs, dog food, Narcan, injectable steroids, syringes, and dog medications. Law enforcement further found clothing advertising the name of the illegal kennel, more than 700 grams of mushrooms, and a planner or drug ledger. Griffin advertised and publicized his illegal dog-fighting operation through social media. Law enforcement's review of that data shows communication, pictures, and videos related to controlled substances, firearms, domestic abuse, and dog fighting. One of the videoed dog fights revealed a child cheering on the fight. In Griffin’s communication with others, he discusses dogs being injured, killed, “murdered,” and “dogs with their faces ripped off.” He also discusses merchandise with the illegal kennels slogan or name, which includes blue to align with gang affiliation. Conversations with a “dog fighting commentator” horrifically describe the graphic and violent fights that Griffin was involved in. Court records show that Griffin was previously convicted in 2005 for his involvement in a separate dog fighting ring with more than 40 dogs. He was also convicted of domestic assault and battery in 2009. HSI, the USMS, the USDA-OIG, the Creek County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tulsa Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Niko Boulieris is prosecuting it. The U.S. Marshal Service National Seized Animal Program, the City of Tulsa Animal Services, and the Humane Society of Tulsa are assisting in the medical treatment of the dogs and their recovery. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Guatemalan National Indicted for Unlawful Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan national has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Mario Lopez, 35, was charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Lopez was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in March 2025 and has been detained pending trial. According to the charging documents, Lopez was deported from the United States on Dec. 8, 2010 after an assault conviction in Maryland. It is alleged that sometime after his removal, Lopez attempted to return to the United States twice in 2022 but was denied entry. Sometime after that, Lopez unlawfully reentered the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement became aware of Garcia’s unlawful presence in the United States following arrests in November 2023, March 2024 and December 2024. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien in this case provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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 Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds of the Criminal Division 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: Ex-Orange County Resident Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Kickbacks from Sober Living Homes, Firearms Trafficking

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A former resident of Orange County was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison for soliciting and receiving nearly $500,000 in illegal kickbacks from corrupt sober living homes in exchange for finding them new patients in a process known as “body brokering” and for firearms trafficking. Darius Moore, 31, formerly of Santa Ana but most recently of North Carolina, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton. Moore pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of conspiracy to pay or receive illegal remunerations for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and one count of soliciting or receiving illegal remunerations for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. From no later than February 2020 to December 2020, Moore conspired with addiction treatment facility owners to broker patients to the facilities for drug addiction treatment services. Moore knew the facilities would bill the referred patients’ private health insurance plans for the treatment services and then pay Moore a share of the resulting insurance proceeds as kickback payments. Over the course of his time working as a body broker, Moore was paid nearly $500,000 in kickbacks from the facilities. While free on bond in the “body brokering” criminal case, Moore violated his pretrial release conditions on several occasions, including in May 2023 when he sold two firearms and a drum magazine to buyers. In September 2023, a federal grand jury in the Western District of North Carolina charged him with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. After the North Carolina federal case was transferred to this district, Moore pleaded guilty in Los Angeles on February 14 to that count. Moore has been in federal custody since August 2023. The FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this matter with assistance from the California Department of Insurance. Assistant United States Attorney Nandor F.R. Kiss of the Orange County Office and Trial Attorney Siobhan M. Namazi of the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division prosecuted this case.


title: Ecuadorian National Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on April 23, 2025, Alvaro Andres Valarezo Sandoval, age 35, an Ecuadorian National residing in Miami, Florida, was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 30 years’ imprisonment on two counts of production of child pornography. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Sandoval sexually exploited six Central Pennsylvania minors by deceiving and threatening them into creating and sending him explicit photos and videos between 2013 and 2019. As part of the scheme, Valarezo Sandoval would often build a rapport with the minor victims by showing affection and then entice and encourage them to send images or videos of themselves that were sexually provocative and/or sexually explicit. If a minor attempted to cease the relationship, Valarezo Sandoval would extort them by threatening to post their explicit images online unless they complied with his demands to continue providing him with sexually explicit content. There were at least six victims in central Pennsylvania and at least 30 others worldwide. One victim gave an impassioned statement to the court explaining the devastating impact this crime had on her and her family. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . # # #


title: Ten Defendants Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Charges in Connection with Transnational Criminal Operation

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Ten individuals from Arizona, Ohio, Washington, and Mexico—including a member of the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Cártel de Sinaloa and one person illegally residing in the United States—pleaded guilty in federal court this week to charges of violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws in relation to an international drug trafficking organization (DTO), Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The defendants were among 35 individuals charged through a Second Superseding Indictment unsealed in January 2024 for their participation in a domestic and international narcotics and money laundering conspiracy involving substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine (read the Second Superseding Indictment news release here ). Pleading guilty this week before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan were: Plea Date Defendant Age Residence April 21 Humberto Arredondo-Soto 25 Culiacan, Mexico Jaime Ledesma 27 Phoenix, Arizona Stephanie Ortiz 26 Avondale, Arizona April 22 Samuel Aguirre 23 Phoenix, Arizona Jesus Lopez 24 Phoenix, Arizona Diego Monarrez 23 Phoenix, Arizona Adrian Lopez Rivera 24 Phoenix, Arizona April 23 Donnell Collins 29 Cleveland, Ohio Luis Fentanes 24 Phoenix, Arizona Mohamed Kariye 36 Kent, Washington In connection with the guilty pleas, the Court was advised that, on various dates from in and around August 2021 to in and around June 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and/or methamphetamine. Specifically, Arredondo-Soto, Ledesma (who was residing in Phoenix illegally), Ortiz, Aguirre, Lopez, Rivera, and Monarrez each conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, with all except Monarrez also having conspired to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Similarly, from in and around August 2021 to in and around March 2023, Collins and Fentanes conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, with Collins also having possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine on March 2, 2023, while Kariye conspired to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The defendants were intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that they distributed to others. Further, from in and around April 2022 to in and around March 2023, Aguirre conspired to commit money laundering, packaging drug proceeds and delivering large amounts of U.S. currency to couriers to smuggle into Mexico to pay for re-supplies of drugs. Arredondo-Soto, a Mexican national with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, was the source of supply for the DTO and was responsible for trafficking millions of fentanyl pills and hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine that the DTO distributed. Numerous military-grade firearms were trafficked into Mexico for Arredondo-Soto as payment from members of the DTO for the drugs. In coordination with Homeland Security Investigations, Arredondo-Soto was arrested in Mexico in November 2023 by Mexican law enforcement authorities and extradited to the United States in February 2024. Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencings for November 3-5, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both, or, for Kariye, not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of each defendant. With this week’s 10 guilty pleas, 19 of the 35 defendants charged in the Second Superseding Indictment have now pleaded guilty in the case, with six defendants having been sentenced thus far. Included among those sentencings is Mark Camacho, 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, who Judge Ranjan sentenced this week to 57 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy. Assistant United States Attorneys Arnold P. Bernard Jr. and Tonya S. Goodman are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the defendants. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition from Mexico of Arredondo-Soto. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, 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: Franklin County Couple Indicted For Sexual Exploitation Of Children And Drug Trafficking Offenses

body_text: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sean Banks, age 55, and Asheyla Barbour, age 31, both of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and sexual exploitation of children charges. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment brings forward a total of fourteen counts and alleges that Banks produced multiple videos depicting the sexual exploitation of two minor victims between June 2023 and March 2024. The Indictment further alleges that Barbour knowingly permitted the victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Banks and Barbour are charged with distribution and receipt of child pornography, respectively. It is further alleged that Banks and Barbour possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Dukes is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. The maximum penalty under federal law for each violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a) is 30 years of imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Lackawanna County Man Sentenced To Six Years’ Imprisonment For Drug Trafficking Offense

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Corey Wylam, age 34, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to six years of imprisonment and four years of supervised release by Senior United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani for one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Wylam previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine between June and July of 2021, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Wylam arranged the transfer of a firearm to another conspirator in exchange for a quantity of methamphetamine and the forgiveness of a drug debt. The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Kingston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. # # #


title: Grand Jury Returns Four Indictments

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments yesterday. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation, and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. WAUSAU MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE FOR DISTRIBUTION Christopher Harter, 49, Wausau, Wisconsin is charged in a two-count indictment with possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine for distribution. The indictment alleges that on March 7, 2025, Harter possessed 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, Harter faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison on each count. The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the case. JACKSON COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING METHAMPHETAMINE FOR DISTRIBUTION Elvin Amundson, 39, Sparta, Wisconsin is charged with possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine for distribution. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on April 14, 2021. If convicted, Amundson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life. The charge against Amundson is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the case. ROTHSCHILD MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY POSSESSING A FIREARM Edward L. Jackson III, 28, Rothschild, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon. The indictment alleges that on May 20, 2024, Jackson possessed a loaded Sig Sauer pistol. If convicted, Jackson faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Wausau Police Department, the Wausau Police Department’s Community Resource Unit, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force (CWNTF), with assistance from the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force and the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office. The CWNTF is comprised of agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Metro Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers (TFOs) from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger is handling the case. MEXICAN CITIZEN FOUND IN EAU CLAIRE CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY REENTERING UNITED STATES Mario Govea-Monarca, 23, a citizen of Mexico found in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with reentering the United States after having been previously removed. The indictment alleges that on November 29, 2023, Govea-Monarca was found in the Western District of Wisconsin after having previously been removed and without having obtained the express consent of the United States Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. If convicted, Govea-Monarca faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling the case. All cases involving illegal immigration and firearms are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 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: Honduran National Arrested and Charged for Unlawful Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – A Honduran man residing in Brockton has been arrested and charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. Oscar Lopez, 41, also known as “Luis Maldonado” and other names, is charged in U.S. District Court in Boston with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Lopez was arrested on April 16, 2025 and ordered detained pending trial. According to the charging documents, Lopez is a citizen of Honduras who entered the United States illegally in 2003. Lopez did not appear for an Immigration Court date in 2003 and was ordered to be removed from the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were not able to remove Lopez until January 2013. It is alleged Lopez returned to the United States just a few months later without permission and was removed again in May 2013. At some point, Lopez allegedly returned again and Immigration and Customs Enforcement became aware of Lopez’s unlawful presence in the United States following arrests in March and April 2024. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien in this case provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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 Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds of the Criminal Division 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: Founder and Former CEO of Biscayne Capital Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for $130M Fraud Scheme

body_text: Roberto Gustavo Cortes Ripalda (Cortes), 58, the co-founder, co-owner, and CEO of international advisory firm Biscayne Capital, was sentenced earlier today in Brooklyn, New York to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Cortes pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2023. Cortes was also ordered to pay $3.4 million in forfeiture and $103million in restitution to over 110 victims. “For more than five years, Roberto Cortes and his co-conspirators ran Biscayne Capital as a Ponzi scheme, lying to investors — including the defendant’s own friends and family members — and ultimately causing more than $155 million in investor losses,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The sentence will hold Cortes accountable for his years of lies and deception. Thank you to our partners for their hard work and collaboration to achieve this result.” “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Roberto Cortes’s criminal conduct in orchestrating a years-long scheme with his co-conspirators to prop up a failing business while defrauding Biscayne Capital investors and clients around the globe,” said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. “Using illegal Ponzi payments to their victims, Cortes and his co-conspirators were able to disguise and perpetuate this scheme for years until Biscayne Capital finally collapsed under the defendants’ lies. Today’s sentence demonstrates our Office’s commitment to holding accountable investment professionals who abuse the trust of their clients for personal profit.” “Regardless of the complexity of the investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents and our law enforcement partners will utilize their skills and unique authorities to hold bad actors like the defendant accountable,” stated IRS-CI Executive Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter. “This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions. Mr. Cortes and his co-conspirators prioritized their own greed, stealing $155 million from investors. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that we remain vigilant and will vigorously pursue those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraudulent means.” According to court filings, Cortes and his co-defendant Ernesto Heraclito Weisson Pazmino (Weisson) founded Biscayne Capital in 2005 to support the financing of South Bay, their real estate development business focused on acquiring and demolishing properties to build luxury homes. After South Bay began experiencing financial trouble in 2007, Cortes and Weisson recruited investors to inject funds into South Bay’s operations. Rather than using those investor funds to fund South Bay’s real estate development projects, Cortes, Weisson, and their co-conspirators used the bulk of the funds to pay outstanding interest and principal debt obligations to other investors. Cortes and his co-conspirators took numerous steps to perpetuate and conceal the scheme, including distributing investment documents with false and misleading information, deceiving investors about the purpose, risk, return, and security of their investments, and creating and sending fake account statements to unsuspecting clients to conceal the scheme. By the time the Biscayne Capital/South Bay Ponzi scheme collapsed and Biscayne Capital went into liquidation, Biscayne Capital clients had lost over $155 million. IRS-CI investigated the case. Bank Integrity Unit Deputy Chief Randall Warden and Trial Attorney Morgan Cohen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew Rolle and Benjamin Weintraub for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Brandon Burkart of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section assisted with the investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition from Spain and obtaining evidence in this case. The Department of Justice also thanks the Governments of the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Ecuador, Spain and Switzerland for their valuable support.


title: Rogersville Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearm

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Rogersville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm. Lloyd Eugene Mathis, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 84 months in federal prison without parole. On Nov. 13, 2024, Mathis pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On Feb. 21, 2024, deputies with the United States Marshals Service, who were searching for Mathis in relation to outstanding warrants out of Oklahoma, located Mathis in the parking lot of a strip mall in Springfield, Mo. When the marshals identified themselves and approached Mathis he attempted to flee on foot. The deputies tackled Mathis and attempted to take control of his arms. Mathis physically resisted, ignored commands and reached under his body. During the struggle, deputies observed a firearm in the Mathis’s waistband. The firearm, an SCCY, model CPX-2, 9mm pistol, was loaded with eight rounds of live ammunition. According to court records, Mathis continued to physically resist and was verbally combative with officers. Mathis threatened to headbutt officers as they attempted to place him in the patrol vehicle. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Mathis has prior felony convictions for automobile theft, burglary, arson, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, domestic assault, attempting to elude a police officer, and driving under the influence of drugs. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service. 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.


title: 4 Southern California Siblings Sentenced to Federal Prison Terms  for Their Roles in $1.1 Million Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Kern County man and three of his sisters were sentenced today to federal prison terms for participating in a scheme in which they created nonexistent businesses and then claiming more than $1.1 million in unemployment benefits for purported employees of those fake businesses. United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt sentenced the following members of the same family: Evelyn Taylor, 41, of South Los Angeles, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison; Laron Taylor, 38, of California City, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison; Latrice Taylor, 42, of Buena Park, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison; and Raschell Taylor, 35, of San Bernardino, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison. The defendants were ordered to pay $567,334 in restitution. At the conclusion of a six-day trial in July 2024, a jury found each of the Taylors guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. From February 2013 to July 2016, the Taylor defendants, along with their co-conspirators, stole $1.1 million in unemployment insurance benefits from the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The Taylors created and registered fake companies with EDD – typically using the names of clothes cleaning services – with no real business or real employees – and submitted fraudulent unemployment claims in their own and others’ names, sometimes using stolen identities; and withdrew cash using different EDD-funded debit cards from numerous ATMS across the greater Los Angeles area. In total, the defendants fraudulently obtained approximately $1,106,282 in unemployment insurance benefits. The United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the California Employment Development Department Investigation Division investigated this matter, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Marshals Service. The Taylors are the second set of defendants to be sentenced for participating in this fraud scheme. Catrina Gipson, 49, of Moreno Valley, in February 2023 was sentenced to 54 months in prison ; and Vernisha Jolivet, 32, of Ripley, was sentenced in May 2022 to six months in federal prison. Assistant United States Attorney Solomon Kim of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.


title: Turner Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: BOSTON – A Turner Falls man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield, Mass. to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Edward Dunphy, 79, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni who scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2025. In August 2023, Dunphy was indicted by a federal grand jury. Dunphy was identified through an investigation of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. During a May 18, 2023 search of Dunphy’s home, over 340,000 files containing child sexual abuse material were located on Dunphy’s computer and external hard drives. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to life 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 Randy Maloney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Montague Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.


title: Jury convicts Cahokia Heights man of drug distribution, gun charges

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A southern Illinois jury convicted a Cahokia Heights man of possessing cocaine base with intent to distribute and a firearm to further the drug operation. The jury found Demarkee D. Jimerson, 45, guilty of one count of one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. “Armed drug dealers belong in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Demarkee Jimerson was a gun toting felon pedaling crack cocaine and methamphetamine, and he’s heading to federal prison, where he belongs. I appreciate the work of our attorneys who tried the case and the law enforcement professionals who investigated the case. Their work has made our community safer.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, law enforcement agents executed a warrant to search Jimerson’s house in Cahokia Heights in July 2021. Agents recovered approximately 88 grams of cocaine base, meth, MDMA, marijuana, nine firearms and ammunition. “Drug traffickers rely on weapons, including firearms, to feel empowered,” Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “They inflict fear in communities while pushing poisonous products that destroy lives and hurt families. Demarkee Jimerson now faces several years in prison to reflect on his actions and the pain he has caused so many people around him.” Jimerson had previously been convicted of felony drug distribution offenses and therefore unable to legally possess firearms. The drug possession charge is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment. Felon in possession of a firearm convictions can earn up to 10 years’ imprisonment and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is a mandatory five years in federal prison. Jimerson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis. DEA led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karelia Rajagopal and Tom Leggans are prosecuting the case.


title: Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Selling Firearms Without a License and Conspiracy

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national, who was living in Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and dealing firearms without a license. Lucas Henrique Moreira DePaiva, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license and one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for July 22, 2025. Moreira DePaiva was arrested and charged on Sept. 17, 2024. Between Feb. 28, 2024 and Sept. 17, 2024, Moreira DePaiva sold 15 firearms across 10 dates in exchange for cash. In addition to firearms, Moreira DePaiva also sold ammunition and magazines. In February 2024, he also conspired with another to sell one of these firearms. The charge of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and conspiracy to engage in the same provides for a sentence for each of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Weymouth and Malden Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and John Reynolds of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.


title: Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty To Assaulting Correctional Officer And Inflicting Bodily Injury

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Ali Odeh Abdeljaber (31, Kentucky) has pleaded guilty to forcibly assaulting, resisting, and impeding an officer and employee of the United States. Abdeljaber faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the court records, Abdeljaber is an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex, United States Penitentiary I, in Sumter County. On March 18, 2024, a Federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officer tried to escort Abdeljaber to his assigned cell. Abdeljaber, however, became combative, lunging forward and using his head to strike the officer in the face. The officer suffered injuries from the attack, including two fractured teeth. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.


title: Norwalk Man Sentenced to 22 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Cocaine

body_text: Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER ADAMS, 58, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 22 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine in southwestern Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Stamford Police Department identified Rodney Canada, also known as “Supreme,” as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Stamford and elsewhere in southwestern Connecticut. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Canada and others coordinated the street level distribution of narcotics, and that Canada sold bulk quantities of cocaine to Adams for further distribution. On March 8, 2024, Adams was arrested on related state charges after a court-authorized search of a Norwalk hotel room where he was living revealed approximately 80 grams of cocaine. After Adams was released on bond in his state case, he resumed his narcotics trafficking activity. Canada and several other members of the conspiracy were arrested federally on May 14, 2024. On that date, investigators conducted court-authorized searches at locations in Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and Darien and seized approximately three kilograms of cocaine, nearly 400 grams of raw fentanyl, more than 500 bags of fentanyl, five firearms, a bulletproof vest, and seven vehicles. Adams was arrested federally on May 18, 2024. On December 10, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He has been detained since his arrest. Canada has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Danbury, and Darien Police Departments. The DEA HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Stolfi Collins and Geoffrey M. Stone through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: San Antonio Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced in federal court to 50 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kgs or more of cocaine. According to court documents, Gisselle Cabrera Rodriguez, 25, was pulled over by Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Feb. 6, 2024, for committing multiple traffic violations. A search of her vehicle resulted in the discovery of 1.2 kgs of cocaine located in the front passenger compartment. Two cell phones were also seized in the search. Rodriguez was arrested and a federal search warrant was executed on her residence, leading to the discovery of another 2.3 kgs of cocaine packaged in two bundles. Agents also located $45,700 in cash, which was determined to be proceeds from Rodriguez’s drug trafficking activity. Rodriguez also admitted to trafficking at least five kgs of cocaine per week during the five to six months leading up to her arrest. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of a two-count indictment. In addition to the imprisonment, Rodriguez was ordered to forfeit the $45,700 located in the search warrant. Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement. The FBI investigated the case with valuable assistance from BCSO and the San Antonio Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock prosecuted the case. ###


title: Three Individuals Charged with Illegal Re-Entry and Other Offenses

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury in separate cases this week for illegally re-entering the United States after they were previously deported. Mexican National charged with Immigration and Child Exploitation Offenses According to a superseding indictment returned this week, Erik Santana-Garcia, aka Erik Cayetano, 33, was charged with transporting a 15-year-old minor in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity, being an alien in possession of a firearm, illegal re-entry by a previously deported alien, and possession of child pornography (also referred to as child sexual abuse material). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alison D. Dunning and Stephanie Bradshaw. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Oak Grove, Missouri Police Department. Guatemalan National Charged with Immigration and Fraud Offenses in Indictment Romeo Perez-Bravo, 42, was charged in a superseding indictment on one count of illegal re-entry by an alien previously convicted of a felony. His previous charges of aggravated identity theft and misuse of a social security number were also included in this superseding indictment. The superseding indictment alleges Perez-Bravo had been living under the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen since 2009. The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General received a referral from the St. Joseph, Missouri Police Department that a man had been fraudulently living and working under a Minnesota man’s identity. SSA-OIG identified him as Perez-Bravo who had previously been removed from the United States three times and did not have permission to return. Due to his illegal alien status, he stole a Minnesota man’s identity and used it to work for local area employers for several years. Perez-Bravo had previously been convicted of multiple felonies in Minnesota including terroristic threats and identity theft. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Hanson. It was investigated by Social Security Administrations’ Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), St. Joseph, Missouri Police Department, and the Oliva, Minnesota Police Department. Mexican National Charged in Indictment Andres G. Angel-Martinez, 25, was found on or about April 15, 2025, after having been removed November 11, 2019. This case was referred by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. The charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Operation Take Back America These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Arkansas Woman Sentenced to 36 Months in Federal Prison for Stealing Over $300,000 from Elderly Customers at a New Hampshire Credit Union

component: USAO - Arkansas, Eastern

body_text: CONCORD – An Arkansas woman was sentenced today in federal court for stealing over $300,000 from elderly customers at a New Hampshire credit union, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack and U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross announce. Tyra Brown, 27, of Benton Arkansas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On January 23, 2025, Brown pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Arkansas to one count of wire fraud. “The defendant deliberately abused her position of trust and chose to target elderly account holders, knowing some of whom were unfamiliar with electronic banking,” said Acting U.S. Attorney McCormack. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are vigilantly working to protect Granite Staters from fraudsters like the defendant.” “Tyra Brown had no compunction about swindling elderly victims out of their hard-earned money. What she did isn’t just cowardly, it’s cruel,” said James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI will never stop working to shut down elder fraud schemes like this one.” Brown was a customer service representative for a New Hampshire credit union. Because of her job, Brown could access customers’ personal identifying information, security questions and answers, and account balances. She was only permitted to access customer account information for business purposes, such as to answer customer questions on calls. Brown used that access to steal $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly victims and attempted to steal $428,526.85 in total. Brown used wires, electronic debits, and Zelle to transfer victim funds to other accounts. The Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Hampshire led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen of the District of New Hampshire and Katie Hinojosa of the Eastern District of Arkansas prosecuted the case. ###


title: Harrisville Man Plead Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material While on Federal Supervised Release

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Harrisville man pleaded guilty today in federal court for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces. Ryan Vallee, age 31, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott scheduled Vallee’s sentencing for August 18, 2025. According to the charging documents and statements made in court, on June 6, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Vallee’s home, car, and electronics. During the search, law enforcement found a cellphone that contained four videos of CSAM and 175 images of CSAM, and an SD card that contained 11 videos of CSAM. At the time, Vallee was on federal supervised release following prior convictions in 2017 for interstate threats, computer fraud and abuse, aggravated identity theft, and cyberstalking. The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years of imprisonment, but if any image of child pornography involved in the offense involved a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age, the maximum penalty is increased to 20 years of imprisonment. The statute provides for a supervised release term of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Department of Homeland Security led the investigation. The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office, the Harrisville Police Department and the Belmont Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Missoula woman sentenced to 8 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA – A Missoula woman who distributed significant amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine was sentenced today to 96 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. Taylor Gale Penny, 35, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen presided. The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement investigated Penny and her co-defendant for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine from November 2023 through her September 2024 arrest. In a series of vehicle searches, law enforcement recovered over 1,000 fentanyl pills and 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine. Law enforcement received information that Penny and her co-defendant were moving over 100,000 fentanyl pills and pounds of methamphetamine. Confidential sources stated they were the biggest dealers in the Missoula area. After her arrest on September 3, 2024, Penny told law enforcement she began distributing fentanyl in January 2024 to support her habit. By March 2024, she was distributing approximately 5,000 fentanyl pills per week in the Missoula area. In total, she admitted to distributing well over 120,000 pills during the nine months preceding her arrest. This amount was corroborated by a confidential source who told law enforcement Penny had distributed approximately 120,000 fentanyl pills and six ounces of fentanyl powder over six months. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, and the investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force. 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: KC Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Fentanyl Conspiracy

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Colt Justin Draggoo, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to five years in federal prison without parole. On September 12, 2024, C. Draggoo plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. C. Draggoo admitted that he sold fentanyl pills and collected drug money for his brother and co-defendant, Tiger Dean Draggoo. Between December 29, 2021, and October 22, 2022, C. Draggoo either brokered or sold approximately 263 pills containing fentanyl on behalf of his brother. C. Draggoo is the third defendant in this case to be sentenced. On Oct. 16, 2024, Tiger Dean Draggoo plead guilty to his role in the fentanyl conspiracy and to three counts of distributing fentanyl resulting in death. Three additional defendants have plead guilty and await sentencing. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Raymore, Mo., Police Department, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI.


title: Jasper County man sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for drug trafficking in Newton County

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Jasper man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. Jeremy O’Quinn Brown, 34, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 264 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 17, 2025. According to information presented in court, in October 2023, Brown was identified by law enforcement as a drug trafficker distributing large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in Newton County. A search warrant was executed at Brown’s residence resulting in the discovery of methamphetamine; cocaine; $94,997 in U.S. currency; and two firearms. Brown is believed to have been responsible for distributing 497.44 grams of “actual” methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Jasper Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lee. ###


title: Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – A Mexican national has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. Luis Fernando Lara Uribe, 49, pleaded guilty on April 22, 2025 to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for July 15, 2025. Lara Uribe was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2024. Lara Uribe was previously deported five times, the last being in February 2015. Sometime after his removal in 2015, Lara Uribe unlawfully reentered the United States. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Arrest in Chinatown Results in Illegal Firearm Charge

body_text: WASHINGTON – Vankese Russell, 26, a resident of the District of Columbia, has been indicted on a federal firearms charge as part of the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Make D.C. Safe Again is a public safety initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin that is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators. Russell is charged in an indictment in federal court with unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. According to court documents, MPD officers from the First District Crime Suppression Team arrested a man in the Chinatown area on Jan. 28, 2025, following the public consumption of marijuana and subsequent discovery of an illegal firearm. Court documents say that while on foot patrol near 7th and H Streets NW, officers observed smoke and detected the odor of burning marijuana behind a Metrobus stop. The individual, later identified as Vankese Russell, attempted to extinguish and discard a hand-rolled cigarette upon noticing the officers. During a search incident to arrest, officers recovered a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun from Russell's waistband. Russell was convicted of a felony in 2018, and thus, he was not permitted to possess the firearm. This case is being investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman is prosecuting this case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.ocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Washington, Missouri Man Admits Recording Sexual Abuse of a Minor

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from Washington, Missouri on Wednesday admitted recording his sexual activity with a 14-year-old. Todd Kelly, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography. He admitted making the recordings on his cell phone in June and July of 2023. The victim’s father contacted authorities after learning about the relationship in August of 2023. Kelly is scheduled to be sentenced July 28. The U.S. Attorney’s office will recommend a prison sentence of 25 years. The Warren County Sheriff’s Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Becker is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Citrus Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Participation in $1 Million Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud Scheme and to Firearm Charge

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Deshawn Oshaea Campbell, 36, of Citrus Heights, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm and mail fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. According to court documents, between June 2020 and December 2020, Campbell and Rochelle Pasley, 34, of Citrus Heights, conspired to defraud by filing fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) seeking Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits under the CARES Act. During the conspiracy, the defendants obtained the identifying information of other individuals and used their identities to submit dozens of fraudulent claims. The claims represented, among other things, that the claimants had recently lost employment or were unable to find employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These claims were fraudulent because, for instance, many of the individuals whose identities were used did not reside in California and were thus ineligible for benefits from EDD. In the applications, the defendants used mailing addresses that were under their control, or under the control of their family and friends. EDD approved more than 50 of the fraudulent claims and authorized Bank of America to mail out EDD debit cards containing benefits. The defendants then obtained these debit cards and used them to withdraw the benefits at ATMs throughout California and to make direct purchases, all for their own benefit. The scheme resulted in EDD paying out more than $1 million. In addition to the mail fraud scheme, Campbell pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, and the EDD – Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Delaney and Justin Lee are prosecuting the case. Campbell is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta on Aug. 7, 2025. Campbell faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of mail fraud and faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of firearm possession. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. Pasley is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Calabretta on June 26, 2025. Pasley faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of conspiracy and mail fraud, and a mandatory, consecutive two-year prison term for aggravated identity theft. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. This effort is part of a California COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force operation, one of five interagency COVID-19 fraud strike force teams established by the U.S. Department of Justice. The California Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources in the Eastern and Central Districts of California and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces use prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.


title: Orleans Parish Man Indicted for Firearm and Narcotics Violations

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – KEITH CALDWELL (“CALDWELL”) , age 41, of New Orleans, was charged on January 31, 2025, in a recently unsealed, three-count indictment, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Count 1 charged CALDWELL with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D). Count 2 charged him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Count 3 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to the indictment, on September 28, 2024, Louisiana State Police troopers and federal agents arrested CALDWELL for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act while he was in possession of firearms. Further investigation determined that CALDWELL was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his prior felony conviction(s). If convicted, CALDWELL faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release for Count 1; a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to life imprisonment to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed , up to a $250,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release for Count 2; and up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for Count 3. CALDWELL also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee as to all three counts. Acting United States Attorney Simpson reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the Violent Crimes Unit. 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: Associate of Violent Gang Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Drug Distribution and Firearms Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A Brockton man associated with Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang, was sentenced today for trafficking drugs and firearms. Steve Depina, 38, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 66 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2024 , Depina pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine and cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. During the investigation, Depina was identified as an older associate of the Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation. In February 2022, Depina was recorded by law enforcement as he sold approximately 58 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness, whom he believed to be a fellow Cameron Street member, near his workplace. In March 2022, Depina sold approximately 60 grams of cocaine base as well as a 9-millimeter pistol and 16 rounds of ammunition to the same cooperating witness. During a search of Depina’s residence in April 2022, an additional quantity of cocaine base as well as another firearm were seized. At the time of the offenses, Depina was on state probation for a 2018 conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Plymouth Superior Court, for which he was sentenced to 3-5 years in prison. He is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case. This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. 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 . The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Payroll Services Company Owner Sentenced to Prison

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: Defendant Defrauded the United States of More than $20M in Taxes While Amassing a Large Collection of Luxury Goods Including 27 Ferraris MIAMI – A Florida man was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for not paying taxes withheld from his employees’ wages and filing a false tax return. The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Matthew Brown, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, owned and operated multiple businesses in and around Martin County, Florida. One of these businesses was a payroll services company known as Elite Payroll. Elite Payroll provided payroll services to small businesses in and around St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties. Elite Payroll was hired by its clients to collect and pay over the Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes withheld from clients’ employees’ wages and to pay over those funds to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, including because they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year. Between 2014 and 2022, Brown did not pay over $20,000,000 in taxes withheld from the wages of employees of clients of Elite Payroll and from other businesses he controlled and instead enriched himself. To effectuate his scheme, Brown charged his clients the full amount of their tax liabilities but then filed false employment tax returns with the IRS that substantially underreported their liabilities, and pocketing the difference. For example, for one quarter in 2021, a client owed approximately $219,000 in taxes. Elite Payroll collected that amount from the client but filed a false tax return with the IRS claiming that the client only owed approximately $32,000, which Elite paid. Brown then kept the remaining approximately $190,000. Instead of paying over the funds, Brown purchased commercial and residential real estate, including his multimillion-dollar home, a Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht, a Falcon 50 Aircraft, and a large collection of cars including Porsches, Rolls Royces, and 27 Ferraris. In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon for the Southern District of Florida ordered Brown to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $22,401,585 in restitution, and a $200,000 fine to the United States. U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Bryne of the Southern District of Florida and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Porter for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Andrew Ascencio of the Tax Division prosecuted the case. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 24-cr-14045. ###


title: Butte County Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Child

body_text: Kevin Leslie Gipson, 58, of Oroville, pleaded guilty today to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. According to court documents, in July 2024 Gipson communicated with an individual he believed to be the father of a 10-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover officer. Gipson communicated his desire to perform sex acts on the child and planned to meet the undercover officer and child at a hotel room to do so. Gipson purchased various sex items in preparation for the meeting and bought a stuffed animal with the intent to provide the stuffed animal to the child. When Gipson approached the undercover officer with the stuffed animal, he was arrested by law enforcement officers. This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Delaney is prosecuting the case. Gipson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Feb. 5, 2026. Gipson faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.


title: DEA's National Take Back Day Returns April 26th to Help Prevent Prescription Drug Misuse

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – The Drug Enforcement Administration, in coordination with more than 4,400 law enforcement partners across the country, will host the 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering communities across the United States a safe, convenient, and anonymous way to dispose of unneeded prescription medications. With nearly 4,500 collection sites nationwide, Take Back Day aims to reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse by helping Americans safely remove expired, unwanted, or unused medications from their homes—medications that might otherwise be misused. “Disposing of unneeded, expired medications helps us protect the safety and health of our communities,” said DEA Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz. “Families can minimize the risk of medications falling into the wrong hands by simply bringing unused medications to one of the 4,500 drop-off locations this Saturday. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day would not be possible without our incredible local and state law enforcement partners and the community groups who work every year to make Take Back Day a success.” “I encourage everyone to join us this weekend and participate in Take Back Day,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “The small act of cleaning out your home medicine cabinet can have a big impact on the safety of our community by keeping addictive medications away from those who might abuse them.” DEA and its partners will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids, such as cough syrups, must remain tightly sealed in their original containers. Take Back Day locations will accept vaping devices and cartridges if the lithium batteries are removed. Syringes, sharps, and illicit substances will not be collected. According to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine are among the most frequently misused prescription pain medications. In October 2024, DEA and its partners collected nearly 630,000 pounds of medications. Since the program’s inception in 2010, more than 19.2 million pounds of medications have been collected and safely destroyed. For Saturday’s event, find a collection site near you by visiting www.DEATakeBack.com . For those unable to participate on April 26, nearly 17,000 pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and law enforcement locations offer year-round drug disposal options across the country to ensure Every Day is Take Back Day. ###