title: Italian National Sentenced to Over 26 Years in Prison for International Child Exploitation and Money Laundering

body_text: MIAMI – An Italian national has been sentenced to 320 months in federal prison for using social media and online payments to entice minor victims in the United States and around the world to produce and send him sexually explicit images of themselves. U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman imposed the sentence on Marco Pagano, 41, following his guilty plea on February 25 to charges of child exploitation and international promotional money laundering. According to court documents and statements made in court, Pagano engaged in illegal online exchanges with multiple minor victims, including four victims between the ages of 14 and 16 living in the United Kingdom. Pagano used online payment systems to pay those minor victims to create sexually explicit photographs and videos and send them to him through a social media application. For the four minor victims living in the United Kingdom, Pagano used his online payment accounts more than 180 times to send thousands of dollars from the United States. More broadly, Pagano’s online accounts revealed more than one thousand payments made in small denominations to victims across the world. In addition to his prison sentence, Pagano was ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release. The court will determine restitution at a later date. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of FBI Miami made the announcement. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . Anyone with information relating to child sexual exploitation or abuse is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. 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-20360. ###


title: Three Indicted in Multi-State Prescription Fraud Ring

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ciera Washington, age 35, of the Bronx, New York; Raven White, age 35, of the Bronx; and Bryan Otero, age 36, of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, have been arrested on an indictment charging them with healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges that between April 2023 and October 2024, White and Otero provided Washington with the names, dates of birth, and Medicaid identification numbers of various people. Washington used that information to submit fraudulent prescriptions to numerous pharmacies, including in the Northern District of New York. The conspirators then dispatched rideshare drivers to the pharmacies to pick up the medications, whose costs were substantially covered by Medicaid. Washington directed the stolen medications to be delivered to Otero or other buyers, who paid Washington. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “As alleged, these defendants stole identities, submitted fraudulent prescriptions, got Medicaid to pay for those fraudulent prescriptions, and then sold the prescribed drugs. This was an abuse of the system on multiple levels, across several states. Working with our law enforcement partners, we have stopped this pernicious scheme. The perpetrators will now be held fully accountable.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli, Albany Field Office, said, “The alleged fraud in this case was widespread, compromising not just personally identifiable information of our citizens, but also exploiting Medicaid and our healthcare systems. The FBI will continue to work with all our federal law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice anyone looking to defraud valuable government programs meant to help those in need in order to line their own pockets.” Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) said, “The defendants in this case perpetrated multiple avenues of fraud against the Medicaid program by stealing beneficiary information and causing false claims to be submitted for transportation and medications, which were diverted and sold. HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of the federal health care system and hold accountable those engaging in fraud that targets its programs.” New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said, “Ciera Washington, Raven White and Bryan Otero are alleged to have callously preyed upon vulnerable New Yorkers in a complex scheme to defraud our state’s Medicaid system and illegally peddle drugs. Medicaid fraud undermines a vital program that provides health care to people in need. My thanks to Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services for their partnership in protecting Medicaid’s integrity and bringing these individuals to justice.” The healthcare fraud and conspiracy charges filed against the defendants carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to twice the loss amount, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years; and the aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory two-year prison term that must run consecutively to any other prison term. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The FBI, HHS-OIG, and the New York State Comptroller are investigating the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting.


title: Iowa Man Sentenced to 216 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine Charge

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Gregory Scott Dreher, 49, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on August 14, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Dreher to 216 months’ imprisonment. Dreher, who was on federal supervision when he committed this offense, was sentenced to an additional 16 months of imprisonment for violating the of his supervised release. Dreher also forfeited any claim to $4,000 in US currency seized from his possession. There is no parole in the federal system. After Dreher’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Dreher was charged as a result of his involvement with a Mexico Source of Supply (SOS) of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs area. Dreher assisted a local courier who was distributing the SOS’s methamphetamine in Nebraska and Iowa. On October 2, 2023, law enforcement observed Dreher meet with a suspected drug courier at an Omaha location. Directly following the meet, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle occupied by Dreher. A search of the vehicle revealed more than 400 grams actual methamphetamine. Dreher was arrested and $4,000 of drug proceeds were seized from his possession. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Earling Man Sentenced to Four Months in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – An Earling, Iowa, man was sentenced on August 15, 2025, to four months in federal prison for wire fraud. According to public court documents, from September 2021 to October 2022, Mitch William Gross, 34, defrauded his employer, Ruan Transportation Corporation, by using business-related credit cards for personal purchases, including prepaid gift cards, Pokemon cards, and gaming items. Gross submitted falsified receipts and mischaracterized fraudulent charges on his expense reports so that the purchases appeared as legitimate business expenses. His fraudulent purchases totaled over $140,000. After completing his term of imprisonment, Gross will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Gross was also ordered to pay $146,590.15 in restitution. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Des Moines Police Department.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years for Robbing a United States Postal Service Mail Carrier and Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Ronnie James Colvin, III, 22, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 14, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, for assaulting a United States Postal Service mail carrier, and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Colvin to 42 months’ imprisonment for the bank fraud and 42 months’ imprisonment for the robbery, to run concurrently; and 84 months’ imprisonment for the firearm offense, to run consecutive to the bank fraud and robbery offenses, for a total of 126 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Colvin’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. Additionally, Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Colvin to pay $6,406.89 in restitution. On January 31, 2023, a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail delivery man was delivering mail in a neighborhood near North 25th and Crown Point avenues in Omaha when he was robbed at gunpoint. The armed robbers demanded his arrow key and were able to obtain it. An arrow key is like a mastery key, allowing the holder to gain access to secure publicly accessible USPS drop boxes, such as blue collection boxes. U.S. Postal Inspectors canvassed the area of the robbery and obtained surveillance video from several neighboring homes, which captured a black sedan that appeared to be following the mail carrier on his route. Footage identified the black sedan leaving the area at an accelerated speed around the time of the robbery. No suspects were immediately identified, but the investigation into the robbery continued. In April 2023, a victim placed two checks in the blue collection box at the Florence Post Office in Omaha. In May 2023, the victim checked his bank account and saw that one of the checks, originally made out to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had cleared his bank account. The check was originally made out to the IRS in the amount of $15,171. The image of the deposited check had been altered. The victim indicated the writing on the check was all fraudulent and that the only thing that was the same was his signature. The victim reported another check was attempted to be cashed; however, the payment was declined by the bank as a stop payment was placed on the check. The check was in the amount of $10,913 and written out to the Nebraska Department of Revenue. The attempted cashing showed the check was altered and the payee was also changed. In May 2023, a U.S. Postal Inspector had contact with the Florence Post Office. The clerk indicated they believed they were having issues with an arrow key being used at the location as the volume of mail picked up from the blue collection box outside the Post Office was lower than normal. Investigation into the bank fraud ultimately identified two addresses in Omaha of interest, which were neighboring homes. The investigation also revealed two possible suspects who were captured on surveillance video cashing checks at ATMs and in Walmart stores. One of the suspects drove a black sedan. Investigation ultimately revealed Jonathan Ayer and Ronnie Colvin, III were suspects in both the robbery and bank fraud. A search and arrest warrant were simultaneously executed on both Ayer and Colvin in the early morning hours of December 7, 2023. Colvin was pulled over in a vehicle away from the home. Subsequent searches revealed thousands of checks, stolen mail matter and firearms. Colvin was charged with the firearm, robbery, and bank fraud offense. Ayer was charged with bank fraud. This scheme involved obtaining legitimate checks from the mail and altering the original payee and amount of the check, replacing it with names and identities of individuals whose banking account information Ayer and Colvin had access. Ayer and Colvin would pass the fraudulent checks, obtaining cash. As a result of this scheme, the intended loss amount was over $4.4 million, and the actual loss was more than $200,000. “The safety and security of our employees, customers, and the U.S. mail remain paramount to the mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” said Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Postal employees deserve to go to work each day to deliver an essential service to the American public without the fear of being robbed or attacked. Postal Inspectors will continue to relentlessly pursue individuals who commit acts of violence against postal employees and seek to exploit the nation’s mail system for their criminal activities.” Ayer pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud on June 12, 2025. His sentencing is scheduled for September 5, 2025. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.


title: Oahu Basketball Coach Sentenced to 405 Month in Prison for Child Exploitation and Harassment Offenses Involving Ten Charged Victims

component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Dwayne Yuen, a 52-year-old resident of Honolulu, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 405 months’ imprisonment followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for eleven counts related to child exploitation and harassment offenses. Yuen is also required to register as a federal sex offender. Yuen was arrested in February 2023 for child exploitation offenses. He pleaded guilty in December 2024 to committing crimes against three minor victims, including sex trafficking Minor Victim 1 in 2005 and 2006; coercing and enticing Minor Victim 2 to engage in sexual activity in 2006; and producing, receiving, and possessing child pornography of Minor Victim 3 in and around 2020 to 2023. He also pleaded guilty to harassing victims identified in court documents as Victims 4 through 9 through anonymous communications and Victim 10 through obscene communications in and around 2021 to 2023. According to information provided to the Court, Yuen’s criminal conduct spanned nearly two decades, from at least 2005 through February 2023, when he was arrested in this case. Yuen was a youth basketball coach of mostly middle school- and high school-aged girls. He coached both private club teams and teams at various private and public schools on Oahu. Minor victims 1 through 3 and Victims 4 through 10 were all basketball players coached by Yuen or associated with him in their basketball activities. They were minors or at or near eighteen years old when Yuen began sending a relentless barrage of harassing and sexually explicit communications. Yuen targeted student-athletes he coached or mentored with particular vulnerabilities, such as family or financial stressors. He groomed these victims for years when they were minors, starting with some victims as young as twelve-years old. He bought them gifts and food and over time engaged in increasingly graphically sexualized and obscene communications and imagery. He boasted about sexual contact he claimed to have with other student-athletes. He repeatedly threatened Minor Victims 1 and 2 and subjected Minor Victim 2 to sexual violence to coerce them into repeated sexual contact when they were fifteen and sixteen years old. For Minor Victim 2, when she stopped responding to his communications and attempted to stop the sexual abuse, he threatened to ruin her life, rape and kill her, and told her he was untouchable. He also got Minor Victim 3 to engage in a sexually explicit video call with him in 2020, which he then took screenshots of and sent to another victim. For almost twenty years, his relentless pressure tactics involved targeting victims by using dozens of anonymous numbers to call and message victims and sending thousands of messages, sometimes up to one hundred a day, often with graphic sexual content. To coerce and entice victims to engage in physical and virtual sexual activity with him, he paid them, told them they owed him for any gifts they had received from him, threatened to ruin their reputations, expose their sexual past, and destroy their basketball careers. At sentencing, Senior District Judge J. Michael Seabright stated that Yuen was a “predator with a whistle” who “groomed” and “preyed” on the victims “over and over again.” He was “truly relentless” in the “number of victims that he targeted” and “how he treated each of them.” In sentencing Yuen, Senior District Judge Seabright reiterated that the “scars clearly run deep” and remain “for life.” “Dwayne Yuen grossly and repeatedly violated the sacred trust placed in him by his employer and the parents and families of his young female victims. He used his power and position to groom and then serially exploit and victimize the young girls entrusted to his care” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “While nothing can ever undo the harm he has caused these children and their families, it is our sincere hope that today’s sentence will ensure that our community and children are protected from him, and serve to deter other predators like him in the future. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our dedicated law enforcement partners at the FBI will always continue to hunt down and bring to justice all who seek to exploit Hawaii’s children.” “Yuen held a position of trust that demanded he protect and inspire young athletes,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Jose A. Perez. “Instead, he abused his authority by preying upon and threatening his young victims. Today’s sentencing reinforces the message that the victimization of children will not be tolerated by law enforcement. The FBI will continue to meticulously investigate these crimes, which cause irreparable harm and trauma to our nation’s youth.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Honolulu Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca A. Perlmutter and Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Mobile Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison  for Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 46 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud. According to court documents, Travis Sopson, 45, pleaded guilty to defrauding numerous banks and credit unions between August 2022 through January 2023. Sopson admitted he carried out the scheme by applying for and receiving multiple loans using fraudulent documents. In addition to the 46-month prison term, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Sopson to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Sopson to pay $274,722.21 in victim restitution and $200 in special assessments. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The United States Secret Service and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Court Sentences Mexican Drug Smuggler Caught On The High Seas With Approximately 1,148 Kilograms Of Cocaine

body_text: On August 14, 2025, United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Adrian Palomeque Gordillo, a Mexican national, to 108 months’ imprisonment for smuggling 1,148 kilograms of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean following his prior guilty plea on the charges. Court documents show that on September 24, 2024, while on routine patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter from the USCG Cutter Munro spotted a suspected drug trafficking vessel in international waters, approximately 160 nautical miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico. The helicopter signaled the vessel to stop and eventually fired warning shots which were ineffective in stopping the vessel. The helicopter then shot out the engines of the vessel to stop the drug smuggling boat. Helicopter crew then recorded video of the drug smugglers jettisoning packages while the boat was disabled. USCG personnel launched a Zodiac boat from the Cutter and boarded the vessel. USCG personnel recovered 24 bales from the water surrounding the drug smuggling vessel, which yielded a weight of approximately 1,148 kilograms of cocaine. Gordillo and four other smugglers were taken into custody from the vessel and transferred to USCG Cutter Munro with the cocaine and brought to the United States for prosecution under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. The vessel was deemed a danger to navigation due to no suitable tow points and its distance from land. Consequently, the vessel was sunk upon completion of law enforcement activities. The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney George F. May prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. 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: Okemah Resident Pleads Guilty To Accessory After The Fact

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Sejaryee Lee Bear, age 41, of Okemah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Accessory After the Fact to Murder in Indian Country, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Superseding Indictment alleged that on June 30, 2024, knowing that the offense of Murder in Indian Country had been committed, Bear assisted Michael Wayne Lambert in order to hinder and prevent Lambert’s apprehension, trial, and punishment. The crime occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Okemah Police Department, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Bear was released on bond with conditions pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Ryan F. Conway represented the United States.


title: Broken Arrow Resident Sentenced For Failure To Register As Sex Offender

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dale Lynn Taylor, age 60, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a term of 30 months in prison, followed by 10 years of Supervised Release, for one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender. The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force. On March 19, 2025, Taylor pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, Taylor was convicted of Rape-Second Degree in the State of Oklahoma on May 28, 2014, and was required to register as a sex offender, and that from April 2, 2019, until July 8, 2024, Taylor failed to register and update his registration despite entering, leaving, or residing in Indian country, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Taylor will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.


title: Henryetta Resident Pleads Guilty To Distributing Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Matthew Wayne Wasson, age 31, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine, punishable by no less than ten years and up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. The Indictment alleged that on October 3, 2024, Wasson knowingly and intentionally distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Wasson will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.


title: Sequoyah County Resident Sentenced For Federal Firearm Charges

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Joseph Charles Riddle, age 35, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to eighteen months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition, and eighteen months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. The Court ordered the terms to be served concurrently. The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office. On May 5, 2025, Riddle pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, between January 17, 2024, and August 2024, Riddle knowingly possessed a pump action rifle, a pump action shotgun, a bolt action rifle, and 15 rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. Investigators also determined that on January 6, 2025, Riddle knowingly possessed 20 rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Riddle will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.


title: Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Reentry

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Mariano Gabriel-Gabriel, a/k/a Mariana Gabriel, a/k/a Gabriel Mariano, age 28, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00. The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division. The Indictment alleged that on June 30, 3035, Gabriel-Gabriel, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed in 2017 without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Gabriel-Gabriel will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.


body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kender Jose Alvarez-Hernandez, a/k/a Kender Alvarez-Hernandez, age 21, a Guatemalan national unlawfully present in Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00. The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. The Indictment alleged that on June 17, 2025, Alvarez-Hernandez, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed in 2025 without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Alvarez-Hernandez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dak T. Cohen and Richard J. Lorenz represented the United States.


title: Monongalia County Man Admits to Methamphetamine Charge

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – LaShawn Monroe, 30, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, Monroe possessed and intended to unlawfully distribute more than 1,700 grams of methamphetamine in Marion County, WV. Monroe faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Three Rivers Drug Task Force investigated. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.


title: Montgomery County Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Francis T. DiCaprio, age 30, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty yesterday to distributing and possessing child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement. DiCaprio admitted that from June 2023 through February 2024, he used messaging applications to receive and distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and stored the CSAM on his cell phone. In the course of exchanging CSAM with others, he repeatedly – but falsely – told others that he was sexually abusing an 8-year-old child he knew. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, “DiCaprio committed these abhorrent crimes while vividly describing sexual abuse he fantasized about inflicting on a child he knew. I am grateful to the FBI for finding this disgusting and dangerous individual, getting him off the street and away from children, and bringing him to justice.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. DiCaprio’s guilty plea ensures he will now spend years in federal prison for his despicable actions. The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to swiftly investigate any individual who knowingly possesses and distributes detrimental images that re-victimize our most vulnerable every time they are circulated.” At his sentencing on December 15, 2025, DiCaprio faces a term of imprisonment of at least 5 years and up to 20 years for the distribution count and up to 20 years for the possession count. DiCaprio also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. This case is being investigated by FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and investigators from state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Rotterdam Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Harrison County Woman Indicted on Theft and Fraud Charges Relating to Veterans Benefits and Federal Student Loans

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Bridgeport, West Virginia woman is accused of falsifying medical records to unlawfully receive Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits and the fraudulent discharge of her federal student loans. Christina Nolte, 42, was indicted on one count of theft of public money, property, or records; three counts of making false statements; and one count of student loan fraud. According to the indictment, Nolte falsified medical records to receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to which she was not entitled. Nolte is also accused of using her fraudulent VA disability rating to unlawfully obtain a discharge of her federal student loan debt in the amount of $242,528. The indictment seeks forfeiture and a money judgement in amount of $360,466.38. Nolte faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the theft count, up to 5 years for each of the false statement counts, and up to 5 years in federal prison for the student loan fraud count. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer T. Conklin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government, and the matter was investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Department of Education Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Halifax Man Sentenced as Armed Career Criminal

body_text: NEW BERN, N.C. – Trevonta Lynch, 34, a convicted felon and armed career criminal, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a traffic stop in which he reached for a firearm in front of law enforcement. “Trevonta Lynch is a violent repeat offender who pulled a loaded gun on law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “That dangerous act could have cost lives – now it’s costing him 15 years of freedom. Let this be a warning: if you threaten our officers or our communities, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and you will spend years in federal prison where you can’t hurt anyone again.” “This case is not about marijuana. It’s about a violent career criminal with a history of violent felonies and disregard for the law,” said Halifax County Sheriff Tyree Davis. “Thanks to our partnership with federal law enforcement, we removed this dangerous individual from the streets of Halifax County and into federal prison where he belongs. I have said repeatedly – we are not playing. We will use every legal resource to protect our citizens and will not allow criminals to disrupt our neighborhoods.” According to court documents and other information presented in court, on October 2, 2023, Halifax County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was driving without its headlights after dark. When approached, Lynch produced a small baggie of marijuana and told deputies that was the only thing he had on him. During the encounter, Lynch continued to reach around the rear floorboard of the car. Deputies told him to stop, and after several requests for Lynch to tell Deputies what he was reaching for, Lynch admitted that he was reaching for a firearm. Deputies searched the vehicle and recovered a loaded 9mm pistol with a large capacity magazine, 83 grams of marijuana, and various paraphernalia consistent with trafficking marijuana. Lynch, who was on supervised probation at the time of the stop, has been convicted of 12 instances of breaking and entering in North Carolina, which are violent felonies. As Lynch has committed three or more violent felonies before his possession of the firearm on October 2, 2023, he is subject to enhanced federal penalties, including a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-CR-66-FL.


title: Waterbury Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ELVIN SANTOS, 26, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses. According to court documents and statements made in court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopted three separate state cases involving Santos for federal prosecution. On March 21, 2021, Waterbury Police observed Santos and others conducting what appeared to be hand-to-hand drug transactions from a car Santos was driving. Law enforcement apprehended Santos and two others, and a search of the car revealed three loaded handguns, additional ammunition, a digital scale, and distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine. In June 2021, Waterbury Police obtained a state search warrant based on continued narcotics trafficking by Santos. On July 8, 2021, officers arrived as Santos’s residence to execute the search warrant and stopped Santos as he exited his vehicle. A search of a satchel Santos was carrying revealed approximately 50 grams of crack, 280 baggies of fentanyl, more than 120 narcotic pills, a digital scale, a .40 caliber bullet, and other items. A search of Santos’s car revealed quantities and marijuana, a digital scale, drug packaging material, and other items. A search of his residence revealed more than a kilogram of marijuana, 250 baggies of fentanyl, drug packaging material, gun magazines, empty firearms boxes, and more than $10,000 in cash. In May 2022, Waterbury Police obtained a state search warrant for Santos based on continued narcotics trafficking. Santos was arrested on June 14, 2022. On that date, a search of a satchel Santos carried revealed more than 900 baggies of fentanyl; quantities of cocaine, crack, and marijuana, and a digital scale. The search of Santos’s residence revealed a .38 caliber revolver, a distribution quantity of marijuana, and more than $2,000 in cash. A related search of stash location Santos and others used on Gilyard Drive in Waterbury revealed more than 5,500 baggies of fentanyl and drug packaging materials. Santos has been detained since June 14, 2022. On August 3, 2023, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and other controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. This matter was investigated by the Waterbury Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.


title: Lynn Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Two Drug Dealers

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to two armed robberies which took place in March 2020 and January 2023, targeting drug dealers and their drug proceeds. Claudio Melo, a/k/a “Blue Drilla,” 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2025. In February 2025 , Melo was arrested and charged. Melo is a Crip street gang member who is a convicted felon with an extensive record of criminal offenses for which he served various state prison sentences, including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny and malicious destruction of property. The first armed robbery took place in March 2020 and targeted a drug customer of Vincent Caruso, a/k/a “Fatz.” Vincent Caruso was then on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. Caruso orchestrated an armed robbery and home invasion in which Melo and another coconspirator broke into an apartment and robbed the occupants of approximately $18,000 in drug proceeds and jewelry. During the incident, Melo engaged in a struggle with the victim and struck him with a weapon. Caruso previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the armed robbery and was sentenced to nearly 21 years in federal prison in June 2022 . The second armed robbery took place on Jan. 30, 2023. A drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Melo was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. During the transaction, Melo and another individual entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. The $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in. Melo and the other individual forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash. The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. Claudio Melo, a/k/a “Blue Drilla,” 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2025. In February 2025, Melo was arrested and charged. Melo is a Crip street gang member who is a convicted felon with an extensive record of criminal offenses for which he served various state prison sentences, including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny and malicious destruction of property. The first armed robbery took place in March 2020 and targeted a drug customer of Vincent Caruso, a/k/a “Fatz.” Vincent Caruso was then on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. Caruso orchestrated an armed robbery and home invasion in which Melo and another coconspirator broke into an apartment and robbed the occupants of approximately $18,000 in drug proceeds and jewelry. During the incident, Melo engaged in a struggle with the victim and struck him with a weapon. Caruso previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the armed robbery and was sentenced to nearly 21 years in federal prison in June 2022. The second armed robbery took place on Jan. 30, 2023. A drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Melo was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. During the transaction, Melo and another individual entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. The $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in. Melo and the other individual forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash. The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: St. Louis County Man Convicted of Child Sex-Related Charges

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A jury on Wednesday afternoon found a St. Louis County man guilty of all the child sex-related charges that he faced. David S. Becker, 69, was found guilty of one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and one count of receiving/distributing child pornography. Evidence and testimony at the trial, which began Monday, showed that Becker began corresponding with a person on a nudist website. That person claimed to be the mother of an 11-year-old girl in France. Becker and the person discussed having sex with each other and the child. Becker bought plane tickets for France and obtained an extended-stay visa, planning to travel there in June of 2023, evidence and testimony showed. Investigators were already working on a cyber tipline report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about someone uploading child sexual abuse material (CSAM). On May 22, 2023, investigators conducted a court-approved search of Becker’s home. Becker admitted planning the trip to France to meet the mother and her daughter. Investigators found CSAM on Becker’s electronic devices, as well as years of communications about Becker’s plans to sexually abuse the child, evidence and testimony showed. In her opening statement to jurors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson called Becker’s conduct “deranged and unnatural.” Becker is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1. The coercion charge carries a penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and the child pornography charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. The St. Louis County Police Dept. Special Investigations Unit, the FBI and the Maryland Heights Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jillian Anderson and Michael Hayes are 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: Jamaican National Charged with Firearms Crimes in Vermont

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on June 26, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Alex Dwayne Bignall, 30, of Jamaica, with lying about his immigration status while attempting to purchase a firearm, and attempting to receive a firearm knowing that such receipt would be a felony. Bignall entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on August 8, 2025 before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Bignall be released on conditions. According to court records, in the summer of 2023, Bignall, who did not have legal status in the United States, attempted to buy a Taurus 9mm firearm from a federal firearms licensee in Vermont. In connection with that attempted purchase, Bignall filled out a form, swearing under oath that he was not an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States. At the time of the attempted firearm purchase, Bignall lacked legal status in the United States. Weeks before he attempted to purchase the firearm, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services denied an application Bignall had submitted for immigration benefits, and informed him he was no longer authorized to remain in the United States. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Bignall is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Bignall faces up to 15 years if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecutor is Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Flynn. Bignall is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender. 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: Warsaw Man Convicted by Jury

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Late yesterday, Gary Schmucker, 47 years old, of Warsaw, Indiana, was found guilty after a two-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor. The jury returned a verdict of guilty against Schmucker on the sole count of the Indictment charging him with possessing a firearm as an unlawful drug user. Sentencing is scheduled for November 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph P. Falvey and Jerome W. McKeever. 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: BRONSON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSING A FIREARM AS A CONVICTED FELON

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Kashone Demetrious Bing, 20, of Bronson, Florida, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “I deeply appreciate the great work of our state and federal law enforcement partners in this case, and my office remains committed to prosecuting violent felons like this defendant to keep our communities safe.” Court documents reflect that Bing had a loaded firearm in his lap when law enforcement went to execute an arrest warrant at his residence. Bing is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was previously convicted of two felonies, including aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement. Bing faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner. Sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2025, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Baltimore Man Sentenced for Possession of Firearm and Ammunition by Convicted Felon

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – Ethan King, 20, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person and was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD). According to the guilty plea, on February 7, 2024, law enforcement observed surveillance video of King, a previously convicted felon, entering a Baltimore convenience store. While inside the store, King purchased a Glock 19 handgun equipped with an extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device from another individual. Then on March 15, law enforcement recovered the Glock 19 handgun during a search of King’s residence. When law enforcement recovered the firearm, it was equipped with an extended magazine loaded with 31 rounds of 9mm ammunition and a machinegun conversion device. Machinegun conversion devices, also known as “Glock switches,” are designed to convert a semi-automatic Glock-style pistol into a fully automatic firearm. 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. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, ATF, and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tsuei who prosecuted this case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Justice Department Charges Five Senior Leaders of the United Cartels, a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization

component: Criminal Division

body_text: WASHINGTON — Today the Justice Department announced criminal charges against five high-ranking members of the United Cartels. Those charged are Juan Jose Farias Alvarez (“El Abuelo); Alfonso Fernandez Magallon (“Poncho”); Luis Enrique Barragan Chavez (“Wicho / R5”); Edgar Orozco Cabadas (“El Kamoni”); and Nicolas Sierra Santana (“El Gordo”). “Today’s charges are designed to dismantle the United Cartels and bring their leaders to justice for unleashing death and destruction on American citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Working closely with our partners throughout President Trump’s Administration, we will continue our historic effort to destroy foreign terror organizations and prosecute terrorists wherever they may hide.” “Today’s sanctions action draws further attention to the diverse, insidious ways the cartels engage in violent activities and exploit otherwise legitimate commerce,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Treasury, alongside our partners in U.S. law enforcement, will continue to target every effort by the cartels to generate revenue for their violent, criminal schemes.” “Today’s announcement marks a significant step in the Justice Department’s efforts to totally eliminate the United Cartels and bring its leaders to justice,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This investigation began in a small town in Middle America and led to clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in Michoacán, Mexico. It involved extraordinary policework by our partners, some of whom came under fire in a brazen shootout – underscoring the dangers law enforcement faces every day. This case demonstrates our relentless pursuit of cartel leaders who flood our communities with illegal drugs and terrorize citizens on both sides of the border with violence.” “Today, the Department of State is continuing to fulfill one of President Trump’s first promises when he took office — to stop the brutal criminals who are trafficking deadly drugs into our country,” said Senior Bureau Official Chris Landberg of the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. “We are announcing reward offers totaling up to $26 million for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of Mexican narcotics traffickers associated with Cárteles Unidos, a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist.” “Today’s charges reflect the far-reaching impact of transnational criminal networks and the decisive action U.S. law enforcement is taking to dismantle them,” said Acting Executive Associate Director Derek W. Gordon for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. “The United Cartels are responsible for flooding our communities with dangerous narcotics and profiting through violence, extortion, and corruption. ICE HSI, in close coordination with domestic and international partners, led a years-long investigation that traced the cartel’s footprint from clandestine labs in Michoacán to major U.S. distribution hubs. This case underscores our commitment to holding cartel leaders accountable, wherever they operate and safeguarding public safety on both sides of the border.” “The United Cartels has flooded every corner of our country with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “The indictments announced today exemplify the great work that can be achieved when federal, state, and local forces partner together to confront our greatest law enforcement challenges. What started out as an ordinary drug case in the Eastern District of Tennessee grew into a sprawling multinational investigation that will take down a transnational criminal organization precisely because law enforcement at all levels partnered together enthusiastically with mission-first single-mindedness. We are particularly grateful for our close partnerships with HSI Knoxville, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 9th Judicial Task Force, and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, without which these results would have been impossible.” According to court documents, the United Cartels is a transnational criminal and drug trafficking organization that controls large areas of Michoacán, Mexico. Acting as an umbrella organization, it unites several Michoacán-based cartels to acquire, manufacture, and distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine for smuggling into the United States. Profits from U.S. drug sales are allegedly used to acquire heavy weaponry, hire mercenaries, bribe local officials, and fund lavish lifestyles for cartel leaders. The United Cartels is among the most prolific methamphetamine producers capable of manufacturing multiple tons every month. Its distribution network spans the United States, with hubs in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City (Mo.), Sacramento, California, Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago, and extends to Europe, Australia, and other regions. On Feb. 20 , the U.S. Department of State designated the United Cartels (Cárteles Unidos), as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, as amended. Court filings allege that Farias Alvarez serves as the top leader of the United Cartels, directing the importation of cocaine from Colombia via air and maritime routes, personally overseeing large shipments to the United States, and imposing a tax on methamphetamine and fentanyl producers operating in his territory. Los Reyes Cartel, allegedly led by Fernandez Magallon, is a Michoacán-based cartel that currently operates under the United Cartels umbrella. As alleged, Los Viagras Cartel, led by Sierra Santana, is another Michoacán-based cartel that until recently operated under the United Cartels umbrella. Orozco Cabadas and Barragan Chavez allegedly each lead armed factions of the United Cartels that enforce cartel control using assault weapons, improvised explosive devices, armed drones, armored vehicles, and foreign mercenaries. The five defendants allegedly participated in decades-long conspiracies to manufacture and distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, to be unlawfully imported into the United States. In addition, Farias Alvarez, Fernandez Magallon and Barragan Chavez are alleged to have carried, brandished, or discharged firearms, including semi-automatic weapons, machine guns, and destructive devices during and in relation to the alleged drug trafficking crimes charged in their indictments. If convicted, all five defendants face maximum penalties of life in prison. The five defendants are still fugitives. The U. S. Department of State announced today that it is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to Farias Alvarez’s arrest and/or conviction; a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Fernandez Magallon’s arrest and/or conviction; a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Sierra Santana’s arrest and/or conviction; a reward of up to $3 million for information leading to Barragan Chavez’s arrest and/or conviction; and a reward of up to $3 million for information leading to Orozco Cabadas’s arrest and/or conviction. Also today, the U. S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced economic sanctions against these five defendants, and the United Cartels (Cárteles Unidos) and Los Viagras as entities. HSI Knoxville investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by HSI Mexico City, HSI Denver, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Fresno Field Division, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Tennessee 9th Judicial Drug Task Force. Additional assistance was provided by HSI Atlanta, HSI Laredo, HSI Outer Banks, HSI Houston, HSI San Diego, HSI Kansas City, DEA Bogota, HSI Bogota, HSI Las Vegas, HSI The Hague, FBI Kansas City, FBI St. Louis, FBI Sacramento, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and DEA Los Angeles. U. S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Western District of Missouri, the District of Colorado, the Eastern District of California, and the Northern District of Georgia also provided significant assistance in the investigation. Trial Attorneys Kirk Handrich and Roger Polack of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Quencer for the Eastern District of Tennessee are prosecuting the cases. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods . Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. ###


title: Five Illegal Aliens with Criminal Histories  Indicted for Unlawfully Reentering the United States After Deportation

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington announced that five illegal aliens have been charged with Illegally Re-Entering the United States After Deportation, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Illegal Re-Entry is a criminal offense and separate from civil immigration enforcement. All of the individuals charged have criminal records and each had previously been removed from the United States. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other Federal law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting the lives of American citizens. As such, these Federal agencies are continually looking for illegally present foreign nationals who have a history of violating state, local, and Federal law. A Federal Grand Jury returned indictments as to the individuals listed below. Pablo Carmona-Carmona , age 47, a Mexican national, was previously convicted of DUI in California. Carmona-Carmona has been removed to Mexico on two prior occasions. On October 31, 2024, Carmona-Carmona was arrested by the Yakima Police Department on charges of Child Molestation in the 1 st Degree and Child Molestation in the 2 nd Degree. That case remains pending. Rodolfo Cortes-Sorroza, age 38, a Mexican national, was previously convicted of Illegally Re-Entering the United States after Deportation. Cortez-Sorroza also has been convicted of Assault and Burglary in State Court. Cortez-Sorroza has been removed to Mexico on two prior occasions. On July 26, 2025, Cortez Sorroza was arrested in Klickitat County on warrants for Residential Burglary and Failure to Appear. Alfredo Ventura-Gutierrez (a/k/a “Jose Ventura Dias”), age 48, a Mexican national, was previously convicted in California on felony domestic violence charges, violating a restraining order, and DUI, as well as Illegally Entering the United States in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1325. Ventura-Gutierrez has been removed to Mexico on two prior occasions. On August 3, 2024, Ventura-Gutierrez was arrested by the Wapato Police Department on Rape in the 2 nd Degree, Rape in the 3 rd Degree and two counts of violation of an order of protection. That case remains pending. Carlos Antonio Moran-Arce , age 52, a Mexican national, was previously convicted of Illegally Re-Entering the United States after Deportation. Moran-Arce also has state convictions for theft and battery. He has been removed to Mexico on two prior occasions. On April 24, 2025, Moran-Arce was arrested by the Yakima Police Department on state charges of Hit and Run and Harassment Threaten to Kill. That case remains pending. Raul Partida-Farias , age 50, a Mexican national, was previously convicted in Yakima County Superior Court of Alien in Possession of a Firearm and in Benton County Superior Court of assault. He has been removed to Mexico on one prior occasion. Partida-Farias is facing charges in Benton County for DUI and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. These charges remain pending. These indictments reflect the commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and our law enforcement partners to protecting the public from individuals who take advantage of their illegal status within the United States to commit criminal offenses against others. Prosecuting individuals for Illegally Re-Entering the United States After Deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. §1326, both serves national security and increases trust. These, and similar prosecutions, are a deterrent to criminal future conduct and disincentivize illegal entry (and re-entry) into the United States. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was involved in these investigations. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Letitia A. Sikes. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Albuquerque Couple Indicted for Conspiring to Harbor Illegal Aliens and Laundering Human Smuggling Proceeds Through Real Estate

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque couple is accused of conspiring with human smugglers, turning their rental properties into stash houses for human smuggling operations, and laundering what they believed to be human smuggling profits through a real estate deal structured to avoid detection. According to court records, between March 2023 and July 2025, Nan Zhang , 44, and her husband Sanjay Khurana , 62, both naturalized U.S. citizens, conspired with human smugglers to rent properties in Albuquerque to be used as stash houses for individuals who had been unlawfully brought into the United States. The properties included four locations in Albuquerque: An eight-unit apartment complex at 919–923 Alvarado Dr. SE A six-unit apartment complex at 529–535 Utah St. NE A three-story townhouse at 4505 Villa Loma Ln. NE A six-unit apartment complex at 1033–1037 Alvarado Dr. SE The indictment further alleges that Zhang and Khurana charged inflated rents for units used to harbor illegal aliens, warned co-conspirators of law enforcement activity, and continued leasing apartments to human smugglers even after law enforcement discovered undocumented individuals at the properties. In one instance, officers responded to a shooting and found 12 undocumented individuals hidden inside a stash house. Beginning in late 2024, Zhang and Khurana also allegedly conspired to launder money they believed to be proceeds of human smuggling. According to court documents, they offered to sell real estate for large cash payments while structuring the deals to avoid financial reporting requirements, including offering to use a third-party name and falsify sale records. “This case exposes the dangerous lengths to which some will go to profit from human suffering,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “Turning homes into hideouts for smuggling operations and disguising illicit profits through real estate transactions not only fuels crime but endangers our communities. By targeting criminal enterprises that exploit our city’s neighborhoods and real estate market, we are cutting off the infrastructure these smugglers rely on to operate.” “Human smugglers prey on the vulnerable and exploit them for profit, showing complete disregard for human life,” said Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso. “This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to dismantle these dangerous networks, protect our communities from harm, and ensure that those who enable or profit from these crimes are brought to justice.” “The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to defend our homeland. By leveraging our Safe Street and Transnational Organized Crime Task Forces, we were able to combat the influence and reach of these organized crime groups," said Philip Russell Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque Field Office. "We are grateful for our partnerships with HSI, IRS, and APD as we fight to eliminate the transnational organized crime groups that threaten the national and economic security of the United States.” Zhang and Khurana are charged with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conducting unlawful financial transactions. If convicted, they face forfeiture of the properties and up to 20 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison, Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick of IRS Criminal Investigation's Phoenix Field Office made the announcement today. Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and IRS Criminal Investigation jointly investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley and Patrick E. Cordova are prosecuting the case as part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorney’s Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 405 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. View the Indictment (Zhang and Khurana).pdf An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Identity thieves sentenced to prison for bank fraud conspiracy

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man was sentenced today to two years and two months in prison for a years-long scheme to defraud financial institutions of at least $930,000 using stolen identities. A co-defendant was sentenced last week to three years in prison. According to court documents, Akinsegun Oyekunle, 44, and previously convicted identity thief Rasheed Olalekan Williams, 51, impersonated identity theft victims, pretended to be the corporate representatives for legitimate manufacturing and trucking businesses, and then stole funds from those businesses. Oyekunle created fictitious business registrations with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and obtained fictitious Internal Revenue Service identification numbers in the names of the companies. Williams then opened multiple fraudulent bank accounts in the names of the companies, and Williams and Oyekunle falsely purported to represent the companies they were impersonating. On at least six separate occasions, Williams deposited stolen and forged checks that he and his co-conspirators illicitly obtained into the corporate bank accounts he opened. These checks were often intended for the real businesses the criminals were impersonating. Oyekunle and his co-conspirators then quickly drew down funds by making ATM withdrawals and transferring funds to other bank accounts controlled by the conspirators before the banks could catch on. Oyekunle, Williams, and their co-conspirators impersonated at least five identity theft victims, one of whom was deceased, including by obtaining victims’ personal identifying information, opening fictitious bank accounts in the victims’ names, and creating fraudulent identification documents in the victims’ names. Investigators recovered an electronic fraud ledger containing victims’ information in Oyekunle’s possession, along with several debit cards in victims’ names. Williams was arrested separately in possession of a fake driver’s license and debit card in the name of a victim associated with the scheme. Williams and Oyekunle pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, on April 9 and April 22, respectively. On August 7, Williams was sentenced to three years in prison. Oyekunle was sentenced today to two years and two months in prison. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth prosecuted the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth R. Simon Jr. provided substantial assistance to the prosecution. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:25-cr-97 (Williams) and 1:25-cr-104 (Oyekunle).


title: Baltimore County Woman Admits to Impersonating Nurses,  Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland –Thomasina E. Amponsah, 50, of Baltimore County, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to false statements in connection to health care matters and aggravated identity theft. Amponsah used stolen nursing licenses to obtain employment as a registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) but never held a nursing license or credential of her own. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). According to the plea agreement, beginning in or about September 2019, and continuing until in or about August 2023, Amponsah used stolen nursing credentials and false educational and professional histories. This helped her to obtain health care work as a purported licensed nurse at no less than 40 facilities in Maryland. Most of the facilities served as skilled nursing facilities that provided in-patient rehabilitation and medical treatment centers and were staffed with trained medical professionals. These facilities billed for services that Amponsah provided to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Other facilities included a Baltimore City public school and multiple nursing homes. Amponsah earned at least $100,000 in wages from working at these facilities with her false credentials. On or about August 21, 2019, Amponsah submitted a job application to Nursing Facility 1. In her application, Amponsah fraudulently used a Maryland nursing license number issued to Identity Victim T.R.S. She also provided a duplicated picture of Identity Victim T.R.S.’s nursing license to Nursing Facility 1. Additionally, on her application, Amponsah modified her name to falsely include Identity Victim T.R.S.’s last name as part of her purported name. In her purported professional and educational history, Amponsah also claimed that she previously served as an LPN supervisor, and that she held a nursing degree from Florida State University, although neither claim was true. As a result of this fraudulent application, Nursing Facility 1 hired Amponsah as an LPN. Nursing Facility 1 terminated Amponsah after she admitted forging a physician’s signature for Tramadol — an opioid painkiller — on a controlled medication prescription form and then faxing the form to a pharmacy. Amponsah also admitted she used a second stolen identity to obtain nursing positions. On or about July 18, 2021, Amponsah submitted an online job application to Staffing Agency 1. Nurses who work for Staffing Agency 1 can sign up for nursing shifts at partner facilities. On her Staffing Agency 1 application, Amponsah used a Florida nursing license number that belonged to Identity Victim E.A. She also provided a duplicated picture of Identity Victim E.A.’s nursing license to Staffing Agency 1 and submitted a fictitious resume. Additionally, Amponsah used her fabricated application to obtain employment in numerous other skilled nursing facilities. In total, between July 18, 2021, and October 9, 2022, Amponsah worked for at least 21 different skilled nursing facilities in connection with her fictitious Staffing Agency 1 application. Through Staffing Agency 1, Amponsah also obtained several shifts at Nursing Facility 2 in October 2022. During these shifts, Amponsah failed to administer prescribed medication to multiple patients and falsified the corresponding medical records. Although Nursing Facility 2 and Staffing Agency 1 confronted and eventually terminated Amponsah for working as an unlicensed nurse, she continued applying for and accepting employment as a licensed nurse using Identity Victim T.R.S.’s and Identity Victim E.A.’s credentials. Amponsah faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for false statements related to health care matters, and a mandatory two-year sentence, consecutive to any other imposed sentence, for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Amponsah’s sentencing is currently set for Wednesday, November 12, at 2:30 p.m. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HHS-OIG for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph L. Wenner and Sean Delaney, who are prosecuting the case, and recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Phelps and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber for their valuable assistance. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Trenton Man Sentenced to a Total of 190 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Illegally Possessing Ammunition

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – A Mercer County man was sentenced to a total of 190 months in prison for possessing quantities of fentanyl he intended to distribute and being a felon in possession of ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced. Jaquan Picott, 30, of Trenton, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court to an Information charging him with possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possessing ammunition by a convicted felon. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: In December 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and other law enforcement agencies began an investigation of Picott for drug trafficking and firearm activities. The investigation revealed that from December 2022 through April 2023, Picott sold approximately 450 grams of fentanyl, unserialized privately manufactured firearms (commonly called “ghost guns”), and ammunition in Ocean and Mercer Counties. On June 1, 2023, Picott was arrested for this conduct. In December 2024, Picott absconded from pre-trial supervision and on June 27, 2025, was arrested by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF). The NY/NJ RFTF was formed in 2002 and has made an extraordinary impact on the investigation and apprehension of the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives striving to make communities safer. “We will not tolerate drug traffickers who poison our community with fentanyl. This sentence reflects our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to flood our neighborhoods with deadly drugs. And if you run to avoid justice, know that we and our law enforcement partners will find you to face your fate.” - Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba Picott was sentenced to 190 months for possessing quantities of fentanyl he intended to distribute and 180 months for being a felon in possession of ammunition, with both counts to run concurrently. Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, and the ATF Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr. with the investigation leading to the charges, and the USMS, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., with the investigation leading to the apprehension of Picott after he absconded. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton. ### Defense counsel: Andrea G. Aldana, Esq., Trenton