title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Over 500 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct in Arizona

component: USAO - Arizona

number: 2024-014_Immigration Enforcement

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – During two weeks of enforcement operations from January 21, 2025, through February 3, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has brought immigration-related criminal charges against over 500 defendants. Specifically, the Office charged 565 defendants with immigration-related crimes. These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Apart from interdiction efforts at the border, Federal law enforcement has been prioritizing immigration enforcement operations and prosecutions of aliens unlawfully in the interior of the country who have connections to criminal activity in the United States, including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, who have active warrants for their arrest, or who have outstanding final orders of removal from the United States issued by an immigration judge. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearms, and alien smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect us all. Recent matters of interest include: United States v. Edwin Santiago Marquez Flores: On January 27, 2025, Edwin Santiago Marquez Flores was under surveillance by HSI special agents on suspicion of engaging in human smuggling activity via social media. During a traffic stop, Marquez was found to be illegally in possession of two Century Arms AK47-style rifles, along with over $1,400 in U.S. currency. He was charged by criminal complaint with being an Alien in Possession of a Firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5). Marquez admitted to being in the United States without legal status and admitted that he picked up the rifles with the intention that they be smuggled into Mexico. Marquez further admitted that he had sold approximately 50 firearms, including 40 to one specific individual who smuggles them to Mexico. He also admitted to transporting and selling cocaine in the United States and to coordinating approximately 300 drivers to smuggle approximately 800-1,000 illegal aliens within the United States. In total, Marquez said he was paid over $1.2 million for his smuggling activities. Case No. 25-3007 MJ. United States v. Jason Kyle Dunn: On January 31, 2025, Jason Kyle Dunn, a U.S. Citizen, was charged with smuggling aliens in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324. Dunn was encountered at a U.S. Border Patrol immigration checkpoint on Interstate 19, driving a Ford F-550. After a human-detecting canine alerted to the vehicle, aliens were found concealed inside toolboxes in the bed of the truck. Specifically, Border Patrol found one subject locked in the driver’s side toolbox, two locked in the passenger side toolbox, and three locked in the main toolbox. The smuggled aliens reported they had no way of opening the toolboxes from the inside and that they had been locked inside the toolboxes for up to two hours before being rescued by Border Patrol. Case No. 25-8428 MJ. United States v. Alfonso Garcia Vega: On February 2, 2025, ICE ERO Phoenix arrested Alfonso Garcia Vega, a Mexican citizen and criminal alien, who had previously been removed after a federal felony conviction and had unlawfully returned to the United States. Vega was charged by criminal complaint for illegal reentry after deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a), as enhanced by 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) because of his prior felony convictions in the United States. Court papers in that prior case reflect that Garcia Vega’s criminal history includes DUIs, assault, illegal reentry, a drug trafficking offense, and misconduct involving weapons. See United States v. Alfonso Garcia-Vega , No. CR-19-00198-PHX-DLR. ICE ERO began its investigation in this matter based on a referral from ATF that Garcia Vega had previously attempted to illegally buy a firearm in the United States, and which purchase had been denied. Garcia Vega had been deported from the United States in 2020 pursuant to a final order of removal issued by an immigration judge after his 2019 federal felony conviction, for which he was sentenced to two years in custody. ICE officers attempted to consensually encounter and arrest Garcia Vega while he was on the sidewalk in front of his residence, but he fled into his residence in an attempt to avoid arrest. ICE ERO then obtained an arrest warrant to enter the residence. Case No. 25-3078 MJ. A criminal complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. CASE NUMBER: 25-3007 MJ 25-8428 MJ 25-3078 MJ RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-014_Immmigration Enforcement


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement with Oklahoma City Public Schools to Resolve Alleged Discrimination Against U.S. Air Force Reserve Member

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that a federal judge in Oklahoma City has approved an agreement with Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) to resolve allegations that OKCPS violated Air Force Reserve Staff Sergeant Michael J. McCullough’s rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). The department’s lawsuit alleged that OKCPS violated USERRA when it failed to renew Mr. McCullough’s employment contract because of his military deployment and then failed to reinstate him on his return. “When servicemembers answer their nation’s call — leaving home and work to serve and protect us — federal law protects them against employment discrimination and unjust termination,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Wolfe of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Veterans must be able to serve their country free from worry about jeopardizing civilian career opportunities.” “We owe it to our service members to safeguard their employment rights when they are deployed,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Doing so shields the service member and their families from suffering financial and other hardships extending beyond the term of the deployment. My office will continue to vigorously defend the rights justly earned by military veterans who serve our country.” According to the complaint , filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Mr. McCullough was employed as a music teacher at OKCPS’s Fillmore Elementary School in January 2022. He was under contract for the remainder of the school year, and his principal told him that she wanted him to return to teach the following year. In February 2022, Mr. McCullough was ordered to perform military service. When he notified his principal, she suggested it would be easier if he just resigned his teaching position. Less than a month later, during his deployment, OKCPS advised Mr. McCullough that his contract would not be renewed for the 2022-2023 school year. Prior to and on his return from active military duty, OKCPS refused Mr. McCullough’s repeated requests for reemployment, despite available positions. Under the agreement, OKCPS will pay Mr. McCullough monetary damages, and it will revise its polices, practices, and trainings to prevent violations of USERRA. USERRA is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on military status, service, or obligation and protects the rights of uniformed servicemembers to retain their civilian employment following absences due to military service obligations. The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites at https://www.justice.gov/crt/laws-we-enforce and www.justice.gov/servicemembers , as well as on the Department of Labor’s website at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra . The Department of Labor referred this matter to the Justice Department following an investigation by its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. Senior Trial Attorneys Robert Galbreath and Kathleen Lawrence of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Fagan for the Western District of Oklahoma are handling this case.


title: Missouri Sex Offender Admits Possessing, Sending Child Pornography

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A registered sex offender from Farmington, Missouri on Friday admitted possessing child sexual abuse material and sending it to his girlfriend’s father. Stephen Curtis Mincey Watters, 39, of Farmington, Missouri, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of possession of child pornography as a prior offender. He admitted sending four images containing child sexual abuse material via Facebook on Aug. 3, 2023, to the father of his girlfriend. That triggered a cyber tipline report to law enforcement from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children. On Sept. 28, 2023, Missouri State Highway Patrol investigators conducted a court-approved search of Watters’ home. Watters admitted searching for and viewing child pornography. Investigators also recovered communications between Watters and his girlfriend’s father, Brandel Lee Akers. Akers told investigators that Watters had been sending him child sexual abuse material for about one year via text messages and Facebook. Watters is scheduled to be sentenced May 7. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will recommend a sentence of 12 years in prison. Akers, now 55, of St. Francois County, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson 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: Jacksonville Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Bank Fraud Involving Stolen Mail

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Frank Anthony Acanda (27, Jacksonville) to one year and one day in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Acanda was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims he and his co-defendant, Jonathan Benavide Hidalgo, (27, Jacksonville) defrauded. According to court documents, for several months, Acanda, Hidalgo, and others drove around Fleming Island, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine and stole large volumes of mail from residential and business mailboxes. After opening the mail and stealing checks and money orders, Acanda, Hidalgo, and others acting on their behalf, deposited the items into bank accounts controlled by them and then used ATMs to immediately withdraw cash. In some instances, the co-defendants altered the stolen checks by increasing the amount of the checks to maximize the amount of money they could withdraw from ATMs. Hidalgo pled guilty on September 5, 2024. He is set for sentencing on February 28, 2025. This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Postal Inspection Service - Jacksonville Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.


title: Ocala Man Pleads Guilty To Attempted Enticement Of A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity

body_text: Ocala, Florida– United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Scott Alan Colson (60, Ocala) has entered a guilty plea to the offense of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Colson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A federal grand jury indicted Colson on August 6, 2024. According to court records, on July 24, 2024, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office undercover detective posed as a 15-year-old girl on an online messaging application. Colson contacted the undercover detective’s account and inquired as to whether the “girl” ever had ever been with older men and asked to meet her. Colson added, “You keep secrets if we meet up.” Colson then engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the undercover detective, telling the detective to “make it easy to get down ur pantys.” Colson eventually agreed to meet the girl at a predetermined location in Marion County, where he was arrested by law enforcement. When interviewed by law enforcement, Colson admitted to engaging in the sexually explicit conversation and then traveling to meet the fictional minor to engage in sexual activity. An examination of Colson’s cellular telephone revealed other child sexual exploitation materials. This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by AUSA Hannah Nowalk Watson. 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 Attorney’s 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.justice.gov/psc.


title: Vicksburg Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A Vicksburg man was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to court documents, Marquette Cornell McCroy, 43, was found in possession of a firearm in Vicksburg following a traffic stop. McCroy, who was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, had previously been convicted of a felony and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. McCroy threw the firearm on the ground as he attempted to flee the vehicle on foot. McCroy was indicted by a federal grand jury and he pled guilty on October 3, 2024. Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon and Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement. The Vicksburg Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bert Carraway prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Mexican National Charged With Illegally Transporting Undocumented Aliens

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the filing of a criminal complaint charging Maria Lopez-Vega (51, Mexico) with being paid to transport undocumented aliens to further their illegal presence in the United States. If convicted, Lopez-Vega faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. According to the complaint, on February 3, 2025, a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper stopped an SUV on Interstate-75 for a traffic violation. Lopez-Vega was driving the SUV, which contained five passengers. Lopez-Vega provided the Trooper with a photograph of her Mexican passport. Because the Trooper suspected that Lopez-Vega was unlawfully present in the United States and was transporting aliens who were unlawfully present in the United States, he contacted U.S. Border Patrol agents for assistance. At the scene, the agents questioned Lopez-Vega and at least one of the passengers about their citizenship and immigration status. Lopez-Vega stated that she was a citizen of Mexico and did not have legal authorization to be in the United States. It was also determined that the five passengers were illegally present in the United States and were citizens of Mexico, Honduras, and/or Guatemala. During later questioning, Lopez-Vega told agents that she received payment to transport the aliens from Texas to Florida. Two of the passengers stated they entered the United States illegally and had paid for assistance in crossing the Mexican border and being transported to Florida. A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.


title: Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

component: USAO - Wyoming

body_text: Public Lands Violations Boston Heil , 25, of Jackson, Wyoming, was sentenced to 7 days of incarceration with credit for 2 days previously served. The Defendant was also sentenced to pay a total of $980.00 in fines and court costs and placed on 2 years of unsupervised probation. Mr. Heil pled guilty to speeding, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and refusal of a motor vehicle operator to provide a breath test while in Grand Teton National Park. For refusing the official breath he also may not operate a motor vehicle for a period of 1 year on any federal lands pursuant to 18 USC 3118. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the crime and U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on February 5, 2025 in Mammoth. Drug Trafficking Heather Kathline Harker , 33, of Torrington, Wyoming, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison with three years of supervised release to follow for the distribution of methamphetamine. According to court documents, in January and February of 2024, agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) conducted multiple controlled purchases from the defendant resulting in a total of 132.72 grams of methamphetamine. Harker entered federal custody on Sept. 13, 2024, she was indicted on Sept. 18, 2024, and pleaded guilty on Nov. 21, 2024. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Feb. 5, in Casper. DCI and the Wyoming Highway Patrol investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-00135 Firearm Offenses Reginald Troy Perry , 52, with no permanent residency, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison with three years of supervised release to follow for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on June 1, 2024, the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a U-Haul truck traveling on I-80 East that was reported stolen. Upon further inspection, deputies found a High-Point .45 handgun. Perry is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was indicted on July 18, 2024, and pleaded guilty on Nov. 15, 2024. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Feb. 4, in Cheyenne. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service, and Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime. Case No. 24-CR-00157 Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses Jesse Alexander Mostaert , 33, of Casper, Wyoming was sentenced to 47 months and 8 days in federal prison with three years of supervised release to follow for being a felon and unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and ammunition. According to court documents, Mostaert has been the subject of several drug conspiracy cases in the Natrona County area and within the State of Wyoming. On Feb. 8, 2024, the Casper Police Department (CPD) encountered Mostaert. During the arrest, Mostaert tried to elude police officers while attempting to reach for a 9mm handgun in his waistband. He had methamphetamine, fentanyl, and steroids in his possession as well. He is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Mostaert was indicted on May 16, 2024, and pleaded guilty on Nov. 13, 2024. U.S. District Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Feb. 3, in Cheyenne. DCI and CPD investigated the crime. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Sprecher prosecuted the case. Case No. 24-00065 Illegal Re-Entry of a Previously Deported Alien Edgar Cruz-Miguel, 29, of Quezaltepeque, Chiquimula, Guatemala, was sentenced to time served and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on June 11, 2024, the defendant was arrested by the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Teton County Detention Center for driving under the influence of alcohol, no driver’s license, open container, and not maintaining a single lane of traffic. The defendant claimed to be a citizen of Guatemala and agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were contacted. They determined that Cruz-Miguel had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in February 2017. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Feb. 5, in Casper. Case No. 24-CR-00141 Fernando Coeto-Arellano, 28, of Palmar de Bravo, Puebla, Mexico, was sentenced to time served and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on June 9, 2024, the defendant was arrested by the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Teton County Detention Center for driving under the influence of alcohol. Agents with ICE were contacted and found his fingerprints and a passport that indicated he was from Mexico. They determined that Coeto-Arellano had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in September 2020. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Feb. 5, in Casper. Case No. 24-CR-00144 Luis Lopez-Romero, 38, of Guanajuato, Mexico, was sentenced to time served and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on Oct. 2, 2022, the defendant was arrested by the Jackson Police Department and booked into the Teton County Detention Center for three charges of failure of duty to report upon colliding with an unattended vehicle or property. Agents with ICE were contacted and determined that Lopez-Romero was a citizen of Mexico. They also determined that Lopez-Romero had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in August 2013. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Feb. 7, in Cheyenne. Case No. 24-CR-00143 Juan Torres-Flores, 40, of Mexico City, Mexico, was sentenced to time served and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on July 16, 2024, the defendant was arrested by the Jackson Police Department and booked into the Teton County Detention Center for driving under the influence of alcohol. The defendant claimed to be a citizen of Mexico and agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were contacted. They determined that Torres-Flores had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in June 2010. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. Chief District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Feb. 7, in Cheyenne. Case No. 24-CR-00142 Jesus Cervantes-Garcia, 31, of San Simeon, Tlaxcala, Mexico, was sentenced to time served and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on Aug. 2, 2024, the defendant was arrested by the Jackson Police Department and booked into the Teton County Detention Center for charges of contempt of court/probation violation on April 23, 2024. Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were contacted. They determined that Cervantes-Garcia had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in October 2019. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Feb. 7, in Cheyenne. Case No. 24-CR-00140 About the United States Attorney’s Office The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include: Project Safe Childhood Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious. Project Safe Neighborhoods Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide commitment to reducing gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful. Victim Witness Assistance The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to making sure that victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect. To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime


title: Mexican National Sentenced To Federal Prison For Illegal Reentry Into The United States

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Ignacio Juan-Velazquez (34, Mexico) to one year in federal prison for illegal re-entry into the United States. Juan-Velazquez previously pled guilty on November 13, 2024. According to court documents, Juan-Velazquez is a citizen of Mexico. He previously has been deported from the United States on four occasions between 2012-2017 and never has obtained permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to apply for readmission to the United States. On September 24, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered Juan-Velazquez at a rest area on Interstate 75 in Sumter County, Florida. Juan Velasquez presented the agents with his Mexican voter card as identification. He then admitted that he was illegally in the country. This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.


title: Defendant Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Soliciting a Minor and Lying to the FBI About Pro-ISIS Social Media Postings

body_text: CHICAGO — A defendant has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for soliciting a minor to engage in commercial sex and lying to the FBI about social media postings supportive of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). HARDY LEE BROWNER, 37, of Chicago, pleaded guilty in 2023 to one count of making a materially false statement to the FBI involving international terrorism and one count of soliciting a minor to engage in commercial sex. U.S. District Judge Andrea R. Wood imposed the sentence on Wednesday and ordered that it be followed by five years of court-supervised release. Browner admitted in a plea agreement that Browner used various accounts on the social media site formerly known as Twitter to communicate with individuals associated with ISIS, including a media arm of the terrorist group. Browner also used the accounts to make public posts regarding, among other topics, jihad, martyrdom, and ISIS. When FBI agents interviewed Browner about the posts, Browner falsely claimed not to have used the accounts and not to have communicated with certain Twitter users, including the ISIS media arm. The solicitation charge relates to Browner’s attempt to traffic a minor with whom Browner had engaged in a sexual relationship. Browner communicated with the minor on Instagram and through texts and phone calls. Browner then met the minor on multiple occasions and had sex with the minor. Browner sometimes gave the minor cash or other items of value. Browner also took steps to traffic the minor for sex with others for money, although Browner’s crimes were discovered before the minor was trafficked. The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. “The defendant disrespected law enforcement agents and sought to thwart the FBI’s mission in defending against terrorist organizations,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barry Jonas and Julia Schwartz argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. With regard to the solicitation, the prosecutors argued, “Traffickers operating today should receive the message that if you traffic children in the Chicagoland area, the sentence will be severe.”


title: Newton Man Arrested for Abusive Sexual Contact of Minor Aboard Flight to Boston

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Newton man has been arrested and charged for allegedly making repeated sexual contact with a 17-year-old female passenger (minor victim) seated directly in front of him onboard a flight from Puerto Rico to Boston in August 2024. Jonathan Alan Lefman, 46, is charged with one count of abusive sexual contact while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. Lefman was arrested today and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 2:30 p.m. today. According to the charging documents , on Aug. 30, 2024, Lefman was a passenger onboard a JetBlue flight flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Boston with his wife and four children. On multiple occasions during the flight and while on the ground waiting to deplane in Boston, Lefman allegedly engaged in abusive sexual contact with the minor victim. Specifically, it is alleged that Lefman intentionally worked his hand in between and through the area between the back and bottom of the seat directly in front of him, where the minor victim was seated, and touched the minor victim’s buttocks without her permission. On at least one occasion when he did so, the minor victim saw his reflection leaning between the seats in the seatback monitor in front of her. On the last occasion when he allegedly touched or attempted to touch her buttocks, the minor victim was able to use her cell phone camera to take a video of Lefman’s fingers protruding between the back and bottom of the minor victim’s seat. According to court documents, after she exited the aircraft, while still on the jet bridge, the minor victim took a video of Lefman as he got off the aircraft. It is alleged that, after deplaning, the minor victim’s adult female family member who had been traveling in a different row reported Lefman’s alleged conduct to a JetBlue supervisor and confronted Lefman, showing the video of his fingers to support her statement. The charge of abusive sexual contact while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year 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; Jodi Cohen, 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 Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum 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: Anderson County Man Pleads Guilty to $13M Ponzi Scheme and Cyber Stalking

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Michael J. French, 41, of Pendleton, has pleaded guilty to operating a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme and to stalking two social media content creators. Evidence put forth at the plea hearing established that French owned MJF Holdings, LLC and MJF Capital, LLC. Beginning in March 2019, through these companies, French offered promissory notes to investors that projected annual returns of 12 percent. He represented to investors that their funds would be used to provide loans to small businesses and that he had experience in the financial industry, including underwriting the loans in which the investor would be invested. French represented to investors that he would not receive compensation unless the promissory notes earned in excess of the 12 percent guaranteed to investors. These were false representations. French paid previous investors with new investor monies because his investment product was not generating returns. This lulled investors into believing the product was successful, when, in fact, French was spending investor money to maintain a lavish lifestyle that included supporting female social media content creators by paying them thousands of dollars each month. At one point, the content creators stopped communicating with French. He became angry with the women and began harassing them through various “burner” phone numbers and fake email accounts. French claimed that he was a sniper, had killed people, and that the police could not protect them. French traveled to one woman’s home unannounced, forcing her to hide in a locked vehicle in the garage with her 2-year-old child. She called 911 as French attempted to force his way into the home. He was arrested by local police before he could reach them. United State Chief District Judge Timothy Cain accepted French’s guilty plea and will sentence him after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office. French faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. The FBI Columbia Field Office and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Mexican National Arrested For Illegal Reentry

body_text: Ocala, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Luis Marcos Hernandez-Granillo (42, Mexico) with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Hernandez-Granillo faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. According to court documents, Hernandez-Granillo is a citizen and national of Mexico. He was previously removed from the United States on July 26, 2018, and August 28, 2024. Afterward, Hernandez-Granillo was found voluntarily back in the United States on January 29, 2025, when he was arrested in Marion County on a local warrant. Hernandez-Granillo has not received the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to apply for readmission to the United States. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.


title: Former Stoneham Auxiliary Police Officer Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Bribery Charges

body_text: BOSTON – A former Stoneham Auxiliary Police Officer was sentenced in federal court in Boston for a bribery and kickback scheme that netted millions of dollars in Mass Save contracts. Christopher Ponzo, 50, of North Reading, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 27 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Ponzo was also ordered to pay a $300,000 fine. In November 2024, Christopher Ponzo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, 24 counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of making false statements to government officials. Christopher Ponzo was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023 along with his brother Joseph Ponzo. Christopher Ponzo, along with his brother and co-conspirator, Joseph Ponzo, conspired to pay, and did pay, tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, kickbacks and other in-kind benefits, including a John Deere tractor, a computer, home bathroom fixtures and free electrical work, among other things, to Company A employees (Associates 1 and 2) in exchange for the Associates’ assistance in getting the defendants millions of dollars in Mass Save contracts. Massachusetts law requires utility companies to collect an energy efficiency surcharge on all Massachusetts energy consumers. These funds, which amount to hundreds of millions of dollars each year, are to be disbursed by the utility companies to fund energy efficiency programs and initiatives in Massachusetts. Under the Mass Save program, the utility companies select lead vendors, like Company A, to approve and select contractors to perform energy improvement work for residential customers. This contracting work – performed by contractors at no-cost or reduced cost to the customer – is then paid for by Company A with Mass Save funds. On a weekly basis, from 2013 to 2017, Christopher Ponzo paid Associate 1 $1,000 in cash. At times, Christopher Ponzo paid Associate 1 $5,000 to $10,000 in cash, telling Associate 1 that the extra money was from Joseph Ponzo for his part in the bribery scheme. In return for these payments, Associate 1, among other things, helped Joseph Ponzo set up a shell company, Air Tight, to do insulation work and get approved as a Company A contractor under the Mass Save program. Joseph Ponzo put his spouse’s name on Air Tight incorporation documents and contracting licenses in order to conceal his involvement in his corrupt side business. Despite having no professional experience in residential insulation work, Joseph Ponzo collected over $7 million under the Mass Save program. After Associate 1 left Company A in 2017, Christopher Ponzo and Joseph Ponzo recruited Associate 2 to the bribery-kickback scheme from approximately 2018 to 2022, paying Associate 2 thousands of dollars in cash and hiring a relative of Associate 2 as part of the ongoing scheme. In April 2022, both Joseph Ponzo and Christopher Ponzo falsely denied making bribe payments to any Company A employees when interviewed by federal agents. Joseph Ponzo pleaded guilty in November 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 28, 2025. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Dustin Chao of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Amherst Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – An Amherst man pleaded guilty on Feb. 5, 2025 in federal court in Boston to distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Bradley Driscoll, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for May 13, 2025. Driscoll was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2023. The investigation determined that on or about Aug. 29, 2022, Driscoll knowingly distributed and possessed CSAM. Specifically, Driscoll engaged in a Kik on-line chat conversation with an undercover agent, where he expressed an interest in obtaining CSAM materials. Driscoll also distributed a link to the undercover agent which contained approximately 345 CSAM files depicting minor children, some as young as one year old, being sexually penetrated by adult males. In September 2023, Driscoll told federal agents that he was the owner of the Kik username and that he located the link containing CSAM files through other Kik messenger chat groups. He acknowledged asking the undercover agent to send him sexual material related to child pornography and acknowledged that the Mega link he shared contained sexual materials involving young children. The distribution charge provides for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, supervised release of no less than five years and a maximum of life and a $250,000 fine. The possession charge provides for up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. 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; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations; and Gabriel Ting, Chief of the Amherst Police Department made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ .


title: New Kensington Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Charges in Connection with Transnational Criminal Operation

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on February 6, 2025, to charges of violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. James Pinkston, 35, pleaded guilty to Counts One, Three, and Four of the Second Superseding Indictment before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around August 2021 to in and around June 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Pinkston conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine. Pinkston was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that he distributed to others. Similarly, in and around March 2023, Pinkston possessed with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. Further, from in and around April 2022 to in and around March 2023, Pinkston conspired to commit money laundering by using a payments app to receive and initiate payments for drug transactions. Pinkston was one of 35 individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown in December 2023 on narcotics, conspiracy, and money laundering charges for their participation in a violent transnational drug and money laundering operation. The Second Superseding Indictment alleges that the operation imported from Mexico millions of fentanyl pills, kilograms of fentanyl powder, hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, and dozens of kilograms of cocaine that then were distributed and sold throughout the United States (read the news release regarding the Second Superseding Indictment here ). Pinkston served as the western Pennsylvania connection to the Phoenix, Arizona, drug trafficking organization responsible for importing the drugs from Mexico. Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for May 28, 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. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is 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 Pinkston. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Bristol Man Who Made Interstate Threats is Sentenced

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DENNIS JOHN HERNANDEZ, also known as “DJ Hernandez” and “Jonathan Hernandez,” 38, of Bristol, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to approximately 18 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release for making interstate threats. According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 6 and 7, 2023, Hernandez communicated with an individual via Facebook Messenger and made multiple statements threatening to carry out a shooting incident at UConn. The statements included “I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I’m taking down everything And don’t give a f--- who gets caught in the crossfire. I’ve died for years now and now it’s others people turn. I’m prepared to give my life. So if I don’t get to see you on the outside know I love you always Not all shootings are bad I’m realizing. Some are necessary for change to happen.” Court documents allege that Hernandez’s vehicle was identified on UConn’s campus on July 7. On July 18 and 19, 2023, Hernandez made multiple Facebook posts threatening to harm or kill three individuals who reside out of state, including a state court judge. In addition, on July 19, in a conversation via text message with one of the victims, Hernandez stated “We’re taking lives if s--- isn’t paid up. It’s been years in planning just taking notes, names and locations. They talked their way into this and it’s almost point game. I know we don’t play in my family. If we have to take lives or buildings we will. So just letting you know so you can be prepared for a media circus one way or another.” Hernandez has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on July 19, 2023. On December 18, 2024, he pleaded guilty to transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure. While on supervised release, Hernandez must continue mental health and substance abuse treatment and allow his electronic devices to be monitored by the U.S. Probation Office, and he is prohibited from visiting UConn and other locations that he targeted in his threats. This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bristol Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.


title: Repeat Offender Sentenced To 10 Years For Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possessing images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced. Jonathan Lattif, 46, of Jersey City, New Jersey previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an Information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography. Judge Cecchi imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On March 18, 2022, Lattif possessed videos depicting sexual abuse of minors, including prepubescent children, on his mobile device. He possessed over 500 videos files and 1 photograph of child sexual abuse material. Lattif also has a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography. In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Lattif to 10 years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark; and Customs and Border Protection Officers from the Port of New York/Newark, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations New York Field Office, under the direction of Acting Port Director Jeffrey Greene, with the investigation leading to the charge. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fatime Meka Cano of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.


component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY — The Justice Department announced today that a federal judge in Oklahoma City has approved an agreement with Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) to resolve allegations that OKCPS violated Air Force Reserve Staff Sergeant Michael J. McCullough’s rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). The department’s lawsuit alleged that OKCPS violated USERRA when it failed to renew Mr. McCullough’s employment contract because of his military deployment and then failed to reinstate him on his return. “When servicemembers answer their nation’s call — leaving home and work to serve and protect us — federal law protects them against employment discrimination and unjust termination,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Wolfe of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Veterans must be able to serve their country free from worry about jeopardizing civilian career opportunities.” “We owe it to our service members to safeguard their employment rights when they are deployed,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Doing so shields the service member and their families from suffering financial and other hardships extending beyond the term of the deployment. My office will continue to vigorously defend the rights justly earned by military veterans who serve our country.” According to the complaint , filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Mr. McCullough was employed as a music teacher at OKCPS’s Fillmore Elementary School in January 2022. He was under contract for the remainder of the school year, and his principal told him that she wanted him to return to teach the following year. In February 2022, Mr. McCullough was ordered to perform military service. When he notified his principal, she suggested it would be easier if he just resigned his teaching position. Less than a month later, during his deployment, OKCPS advised Mr. McCullough that his contract would not be renewed for the 2022-2023 school year. Prior to and on his return from active military duty, OKCPS refused Mr. McCullough’s repeated requests for reemployment, despite available positions. Under the agreement, OKCPS will pay Mr. McCullough monetary damages, and it will revise its polices, practices, and trainings to prevent violations of USERRA. USERRA is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on military status, service, or obligation and protects the rights of uniformed servicemembers to retain their civilian employment following absences due to military service obligations. The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites at https://www.justice.gov/crt/laws-we-enforce and www.justice.gov/servicemembers , as well as on the Department of Labor’s website at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra . The Department of Labor referred this matter to the Justice Department following an investigation by its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Fagan and Senior Trial Attorneys Robert Galbreath and Kathleen Lawrence of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section are handling this case.


title: Ecuadorian Man Charged with Being in the United States Illegally After Having Been Previously Removed by Immigration Officials

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that during an arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on February 5, 2025, Alex Patin-Patin, 28, of Ecuador, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with being unlawfully present in the United States after having been previously removed by immigration officials. At a detention hearing held on February 6, 2025, Judge Doyle ordered that Patin-Patin be detained during the pendency of this matter. According to court records, Patin-Patin unlawfully entered the United States in or around February 2022, and was then removed from the United States by federal authorities in or around July 2022. It is unknown where or when Patin-Patin re-entered the United States, but in April 2024 Patin-Patin was arrested in South Burlington, Vermont, and charged by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office with, among other charges, aggravated domestic assault. Because Patin-Patin had not obtained permission to re-enter the United States, his presence in the country was in violation of U.S. law. The federal grand jury returned the indictment charging Patin-Patin with this offense in October 2024 and at that time a federal warrant for his arrest was issued. Court records indicate that Patin-Patin’s arrest earlier this week followed surveillance indicating he had been living at an address other than that required by conditions imposed on him by the Vermont Superior Court in connection with his state domestic assault prosecution. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Patin-Patin is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Patin-Patin faces up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 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 collaborative investigatory efforts of the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement/ Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Marshals Service. The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Lasher and Michelle Arra. Patin-Patin is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.


title: Former Postal Employee Guilty of Delay of Election Mail

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On February 5, 2025, a federal jury convicted María De Lourdes Martínez-Garriga, a former United States Postal Service City Carrier, for unlawfully delaying and not delivering four pieces of election mail. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on August 5, 11 and 15, 2022, Martínez-Garriga, 34, a then City Carrier assigned to the 65th Infantry Postal Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico unlawfully delayed four certified mail envelopes containing ballots for the 2022 Special Election for the District of San Juan. All affected voters confirmed, and four of them testified at trial, that despite having requested early vote ballots from the Puerto Rico Elections Commission they never received the Election Mail envelopes. “Our democracy depends on the right of eligible voters to cast a ballot and to have that ballot counted. If voters do not receive their ballots, they cannot execute one of our fundamental rights as United States citizens -- the right to vote,” said United States Attorney Muldrow. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office along with our law enforcement partners will continue to protect this fundamental pillar of our society.” “Placing mail into the hands of the Postal Service is an act of public trust all postal employees must uphold,” said Tammy Hull, Inspector General, U.S. Postal Service. “Ms. Martínez violated that trust by delaying the delivery of election mail. Through our investigation USPS OIG special agents brought her to justice and she has been convicted of her crimes by a jury.” “The FBI is committed to protecting the integrity of our democratic processes, including ensuring that every voter’s voice is heard. Any attempt to interfere with election mail is a violation of public trust and a threat to the foundation of our democracy,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “This case is the result of our unwavering dedication to holding accountable those who undermine the electoral system.” Three other former U.S. Postal Service employees were charged in separate indictments, and they are all pending trial. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) is investigating the case with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), consistent with the mission to ensure efficiency, accountability, and integrity in the U.S. Postal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Colón and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tania Salas-De Jesús from the USPS-OIG are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Martinsville Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Distributing  Double, Fatal Dose of Fentanyl

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – A Martinsville, Virginia man, who distributed cocaine that was laced with fentanyl to a pair of individuals that later died from overdoses, was sentenced yesterday to 18 years in federal prison. Okoyte Devon Gaston, 31, pled guilty in September 2024 to one count of distributing fentanyl. According to court documents, in February 2023 Gaston, a known drug dealer in Southside Virginia, arranged to sell what was supposed to be one-fourth an ounce of cocaine powder to victim “C.U.” Unbeknownst to C.U., the cocaine was laced with fentanyl. Gaston met C.U. and her boyfriend, victim “M.A.” and another individual, J.U. in the parking lot of a Sheetz gas station in Franklin County, Virginia. Gaston sold the group what they believed was cocaine for $350. Shortly after meeting with Gaston C.U., M.A., and J.U. all used some of the drugs they purchased from Gaston. The group then made a short drive back to C.U.’s Franklin County trailer home. Once there, J.U. said he did not feel well and went inside to go to sleep, leaving C.U. and M.A. alone in the car. The next morning, J.U. woke up disoriented, nauseous, and incoherent. He found C.U. and M.A. unresponsive. M.A. was still in the passenger seat of the vehicle and C.U. was on the ground outside of the driver’s door. J.U. called 911 and when police arrived, they pronounced C.U. and M.A. deceased. The medical examiner later determined that both C.U. and M.A. died of acute fentanyl and cocaine toxicity. Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with the assistance of the Virginia State Police, the Roanoke City Police, and the Roanoke County Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly McGann and Keith Parrella are prosecuting the case.


title: Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Entry Into the United States

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Antonio Bayarri-Barrera, 35, a citizen of Spain, pleaded guilty to a criminal complaint charging him with illegally entering the United States at a time or place other than designated for entering the country by immigration authorities. According to court records, on January 31, 2025, at approximately 2:52 a.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents were notified of a single individual walking south towards the United States-Canada international border near the Haskell Free Library in Derby Line, Vermont. Minutes later, a Border Patrol Agent stopped the individual, who had crossed into United States, and conducted an immigration inspection. In response to the agent’s questions, Bayarri-Barrera admitted that he was a citizen of Spain and that he had just walked over the border near the library. During his initial court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on February 3, 2025, Bayarri-Barrera entered his guilty plea and received a time-served sentence. Bayarri-Barrera had faced up to 6 months’ imprisonment. Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Gilman. Bayarri-Barrera is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Emily Kenyon.


title: Kalispell man sentenced to prison for possessing stolen firearm

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

body_text: MISSOULA — A Kalispell man who admitted to possessing a stolen gun was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Joseph Christopher Steele, 24, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to possession of a stolen firearm. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. In court documents, the government alleged that in December 2022, a man, identified as John Doe, filed a report with the Kalispell Police Department that his firearm safe containing a .45-caliber pistol and two magazines, along with the title to his pickup truck, had been stolen from his vehicle. Five days later, while investigating an unrelated incident, police officers found Doe’s stolen pickup title in a Subaru that also had been reported stolen. While being interviewed about the Subaru, Steele admitted he had been driving the vehicle but denied knowing it was stolen. Doe’s pickup title was not discussed. In January 2024, Whitefish Police Department officers executed a search warrant on Steele’s residence to locate evidence related to a stolen cell phone. Steele was on state probation at the time. During the search, officers located a pistol in a gun case with two magazines. Based on the gun’s serial number, officers determined the pistol was the firearm Doe had reported stolen. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Kalispell and Whitefish police departments and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. 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: Thibodaux Woman Guilty of Misprision of a Felony

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that TAMMY THOMPSON (“THOMPSON”) , age 56, a resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 4, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Brandon Long to misprision of a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4. Judge Long scheduled sentencing for May 13, 2025. At sentencing, THOMPSON faces up to three (3) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to one (1) year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court records, law enforcement in Thibodaux, saw THOMPSON’s son, Earl Henry Jr. (“Henry Jr.”) purchase narcotics from Roy Robinson (“Robinson”) in a parking lot. After the purchase, Robinson placed two bags inside of Henry Jr.’s vehicle. Henry Jr. then drove directly back to the residence he shared with his mother, THOMPSON . After a brief visit inside the residence, Henry Jr. left the residence but was quickly detained by law enforcement. After concluding that Henry Jr. had moved the bags into his mother’s house, officers got a search warrant for THOMPSON’s residence, while also surveilling the house, to prevent THOMPSON from concealing or destroying evidence. THOMPSON was then seen on camera leaving her home and placing the two bags inside a nearby parked vehicle. Law enforcement arrived later to execute the search warrant, and seized the that contained approximately 7,227.3 total gross grams of methamphetamine. By moving the methamphetamine from her residence and into a nearby vehicle, knowing her adult son had already been detained, THOMPSON was concealing evidence of her son’s drug trafficking activities. In so doing, she committed misprision of a felony. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . 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. United States Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police, the Thibodaux Police Department, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Maryland Man Facing Federal Felony Charges For Illegally Operating A Drone During The National Football League Wild Card Game

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Alexis Perez Suarez, 43, of Baltimore, Maryland, on federal felony charges related to flying a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during a National Football League Wild Card Game in Baltimore on January 11, 2025. The federal charges were announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Greg Thompson of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG), Mid-Atlantic Regional Office; and Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (MSP). “We are very serious about temporary flight restrictions,” said U.S. Attorney Barron. “You will be charged and held accountable for any incursion into restricted airspace, including around sports and entertainment venues such as the Super Bowl.” "If you are going to fly a drone, you are responsible for learning all the laws and requirements to responsibly operate it. Failing to do so will not excuse you from the consequences of breaking the law," said Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “Federal laws and regulations related to owning and operating drones are in place to protect the public and our nation's airspace,” said Greg Thompson, Special Agent in Charge of DOT OIG’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “We will continue to partner with law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue those whose actions jeopardize public safety.” According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on January 11, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration had put in place a temporary flight restriction (TFR) for M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore during the NFL Wild Card game, which precluded the flight of any UAS, including flying a UAS under the Exception for Recreational Flyers. A TFR temporarily restricts certain aircraft, including an UAS, from operating within a three nautical mile radius of the stadium. This is a standard practice for stadiums or sporting venues where a regular or postseason Major League Baseball, NFL, or NCAA Division I Game is occurring; or a NASCAR Cup, Indy Car, or Champ Series Race is occurring. The TFR goes into effect one hour before the scheduled start time and lasts until one hour after the end of a qualifying event. During the game, the incursion of an unidentified and unapproved drone was deemed a serious enough threat that NFL Security temporarily suspended the game. MSP Troopers and FBI Special Agents tracked the movement of the drone over the stadium and deployed it to the area where the drone landed in Baltimore, Maryland. Despite Suarez having left the scene, law enforcement was able to track down his whereabouts. Suarez stated that he purchased a DJI UAS for recreation and also claimed he used it for work. The drone was not registered, nor did Suarez possess a Remote Pilot certificate to operate it. Suarez allegedly flew the drone approximately 400 feet or higher directly over the NFL stadium. According to the affidavit, while in flight, Suarez captured approximately seven photos of the Stadium while the game was going on and thousands of people were below his flight path. There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding UAS/drone use anywhere within the No Drone Zone established by the FAA . Anyone who attempts to fly a UAS/drone in any prohibited manner may be subject to arrest, prosecution, fines, and/or imprisonment. Members of the public are encouraged to report all suspicious activity. Law enforcement will be actively monitoring the airways for illegal UAS/drones and is committed to identifying, investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting the careless or criminal use of drones in the area. If convicted, Suarez faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison for knowingly operating an unregistered UAS and for knowingly serving as an airman without an airman’s certificate. Suarez faces a maximum of one year in federal prison for willfully violating United States National Defense Airspace. 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. An initial appearance and arraignment will be scheduled later this month. A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding. U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI, DOT OIG, and MSP for their work in the investigation, and thanked the FAA Office of Security & Hazardous Materials Safety and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their substantial assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert I. Goldaris, who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Chicago Man Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Manufacturing and Using Counterfeit Bills

component: USAO - Illinois, Northern

body_text: CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for manufacturing counterfeit $100 bills and using them in retail stores. MARQUISE SHORES used chemicals and a printer in his Chicago residence to manufacture approximately $92,000 in counterfeit $100 bills. Shores then used Facebook Messenger to recruit young women, including girls as young as 16 years old, to use the counterfeit bills to buy merchandise at retail stores, while Shores waited outside. He later instructed the young women to return the merchandise for genuine currency, with Shores retaining most of the illicit proceeds. Shores, 28, pleaded guilty last year to a federal counterfeiting charge. U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Kendall on Wednesday sentenced Shores to seven years and three months in prison. The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Dai Tran, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Siegal. “Marquise Shores manufactured counterfeit currency and used it to defraud local businesses and enrich himself,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute counterfeiters and ensure the integrity of our economy.” “The U.S. Secret Service is dedicated to combatting crimes that threaten or harm our nation’s financial infrastructure,” Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Tran said. “Counterfeiting not only harms that infrastructure, but also hurts law-abiding citizens as evidenced by the businesses defrauded in this case. I’m proud of our agents, and I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their diligent work on this case.”


title: Former Massachusetts State Senator Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for COVID and Tax Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – Former Massachusetts State Senator Dean A. Tran was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for scheming to defraud the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and collecting income that he failed to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Tran, 48, of Fitchburg, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to 18 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Tran was also ordered to pay $25,100 in restitution to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and $23,327 to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as a $7,500 fine and a mandatory assessment of $2,300. In September 2024 , Tran was convicted of 20 counts of wire fraud and three counts of filing false tax returns. The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023. Tran served as an elected member of the Massachusetts State Senate, representing Worcester and Middlesex Counties from 2017 to January 2021. After Tran’s State Senate term ended in 2021, Tran fraudulently received pandemic unemployment benefits while simultaneously employed as a paid consultant for a New Hampshire-based retailer of automotive parts (the Automotive Parts Company). While working as a paid consultant for the Automotive Parts Company, Tran fraudulently collected $30,120 in pandemic unemployment benefits. In addition, Tran concealed $54,700 in consulting income that he received from the Automotive Parts Company from his 2021 federal income tax return. This was in addition to thousands of dollars in income that Tran concealed from the IRS while collecting rent from tenants who rented his Fitchburg property from 2020 to 2022. “When Dean Tran took his oath of office as a Massachusetts State Senator, he willingly entered into a world of being in the public eye. He chose to violate the public’s trust not once, but twice by defrauding the government out of unemployment benefits and willfully omitting his taxable income. His fraud and calculated deception erode the public’s trust in elected officials and diverted money away from those who truly needed it,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Our office and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out public officials who violate the law and holding them accountable for their actions.” “Former Massachusetts State Senator Dean Tran stole taxpayer funds intended for American workers who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His sentencing affirms the Office of Inspector General’s commitment to prioritize and investigate allegations of fraud involving the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) unemployment insurance (UI) program. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the UI system from those who exploit this critical benefit program,” stated Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “Today’s sentencing of Dean Tran demonstrates that no one is above the law, even elected officials,” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Elected officials are held to a higher standard when they take an oath to serve but to Tran, his oath meant nothing when he chose to steal from the America taxpayers on two separate occasions. Tran stole from a pandemic unemployment program designed to help those most in need. Tran proceeded to harm the American public further when he decided not to report his taxable income, the most basic of principles all Americans are expected to follow.” “Former Massachusetts State Senator Dean Tran blatantly defrauded a government program meant to keep businesses and workers afloat during the pandemic, using the money for his own personal expenses, effectively stealing funds from others who needed them,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Boston Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue to crack down on frauds like this because willfully defrauding the government and cheating honest taxpayers is a federal crime.” U.S. Attorney Foley, DOL-OIG SAC Mellone, Acting IRS-CI SAC Thomas Demeo and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and John T. Mulcahy of the Office’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions prosecuted the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form .


title: Member Of Darrin Southall Drug Organization Sentenced In Federal Court

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL –A Mobile man involved in Darrin Southall’s drug trafficking organization was sentenced in federal court this afternoon. Marvin McCaine, 55, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in April of 2023. According to court documents, McCaine was one of Southall’s distributors who was listed in Southall’s drug ledgers. During the investigation, telephone calls between McCaine and Southall were intercepted by federal investigators. McCaine and Southall used coded language to attempt to disguise the criminal nature of their calls and conceal their drug trafficking activities from detection. McCaine received multiple kilograms of cocaine for further distribution in Mobile, which was documented by the phone calls and the information uncovered during an analysis of the cell phones seized following the arrests in the case. Federal and state investigators arrested Southall and numerous members of his organization during 2021 and 2022. Approximately 30 members of Southall’s organization have been prosecuted in federal court to date. United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer imposed a sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment in McCaine’s case. Because McCaine was under federal supervised release from a previous federal drug conviction, Judge Moorer revoked his supervised release term and ordered that McCaine serve an additional 37 months’ imprisonment, which will run consecutively to the sentenced imposed for the conspiracy count. The judge further ordered that McCaine would also serve an additional 10 years on supervised release following his release from imprisonment. As conditions of his supervised release, McCaine will also undergo testing and treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse, and he will be subject to a search of her person and premises upon reasonable suspicion. The judge also ordered that McCaine pay $100 in special assessments. Any interest McCaine had in a long list of seized property was ordered forfeited to the United States. The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Saraland Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Former Whitefish Housing Authority executive director sentenced to prison for embezzling from organization; $144,842 restitution ordered

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA — The former executive director of the Whitefish Housing Authority was sentenced today to four months in prison and four months of home confinement, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $144,842 for embezzling from the organization, which receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Dwarne Lamont Hawkins, 46, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to theft from organization receiving federal funding. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court also ordered Hawkins to perform 200 hours of community service. Hawkins was allowed to self-report to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. In court documents, the government alleged that from about May 2023 to January 2024, while working as the Whitefish Housing Authority’s executive director, Hawkins embezzled from the organization. The Whitefish Housing Authority provides safe, decent and affordable housing options for low-income families in the Whitefish community and received approximately $468,616 in federal funds from HUD during the period of the indictment. Hawkins stole housing authority money by diverting and inflating payroll, fraudulently paying personal expenses with the Whitefish Housing Authority credit card and creating and paying fraudulent invoices to businesses over which he had control. The investigation identified approximately $144,842 in restitution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Oklahoma City Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking of a Child

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, MARLON DEWAYNE MARTIN , 44, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On September 17, 2024, a federal Grand Jury returned a four-count Indictment against Martin, charging him with sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child, and distribution and possession of child pornography. According to the Indictment, between September 15, 2023, and February 26, 2024, Martin knowingly recruited and caused a child to be engaged in a commercial sex act, while also producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material. Today, Martin pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment, and admitted he arranged commercial sex dates between the minor child and others and provided hotel rooms for that purpose. At sentencing, Martin faces a minimum of ten years and a maximum of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly is prosecuting the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Mexican National Sentenced To 14 Months In Prison For Illegal Reentry

body_text: Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger today sentenced Maria Del Carmen Sobarso-Gonzalez (61) to 14 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States. Sobarso-Gonzalez pled guilty on November 1, 2024. According to court documents, earlier in 2024, law enforcement received a tip reporting that Sobarso-Gonzalez resided in Jacksonville, Florida, after having been removed from the United States three times. Sobarso-Gonzalez also was previously convicted of a felony illegal reentry into the United States by a deported alien in the Middle District of Florida. Law enforcement then surveilled several known locations where Sobarso-Gonzalez visited and resided, which resulted in her arrest. This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Milliron.


body_text: MOBILE, AL –A Mobile man involved in Darrin Southall’s drug trafficking organization was sentenced in federal court on January 29, 2025. Nathaniel Hines, 41, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in August of 2021. According to court documents, Hines was one of Southall’s distributors who was listed in Southall’s drug ledgers. During the investigation, telephone calls between Hines and Southall were intercepted by federal investigators. Hines and Southall used coded language to attempt to disguise the criminal nature of their calls and conceal their drug trafficking activities from detection. Hines received multiple kilograms of cocaine for further distribution in Mobile, which was documented by the phone calls and the information uncovered during an analysis of the cell phones seized following the arrests in the case. Federal and state investigators arrested Southall and numerous members of his organization during 2021 and 2022. Approximately 30 members of Southall’s organization have been prosecuted in federal court to date. United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of 75 months’ imprisonment in Hines’ case. The judge further ordered that Hines would also serve five years on supervised release following his release from imprisonment. As conditions of his supervision, Hines will also undergo testing and treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse, and he will be subject to a search of his person and premises upon reasonable suspicion. The judge also ordered that Hines pay $100 in special assessments. Any interest Hines had in a long list of seized property was ordered forfeited to the United States. The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Saraland Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Walnut Ridge Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years in Federal Prison For Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Being A Felon in Possession of 26 Firearms

component: USAO - Arkansas, Eastern

body_text: JONESBORO—Terry Duane Qualls, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 262 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky. On September 20, 2024, Qualls, 37, of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms. Qualls was indicted on April 5, 2024, in a superseding indictment, on one count of conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of being a felon in possession of 26 firearms, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. In addition to the sentence, which equals 21 years and 10 months, Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Qualls to five years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. In the spring of 2021, law enforcement received information that Qualls was a multi-pound distributor of methamphetamine, and also a distributor of marijuana, heroin, fentanyl, LSD, and ecstasy in the northeast Arkansas area. Law enforcement arrested Qualls twice in the following months, finding him in possession of drugs and drug proceeds. Law enforcement also conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Qualls. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on sprawling property off Greene 707 Road, which was occupied by Qualls. Law enforcement located several stolen vehicles and a marijuana grow on the property. Inside of a camper where Qualls resided, law enforcement located 26 firearms, body armor, 25 additional magazines, and five full cans of ammunition. Law enforcement also located approximately 340 grams of methamphetamine in multiple baggies, over 3,000 grams of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, suboxone, LSD, mushrooms, alprazolam, clonazepam, THC wax, 60 sudephedrine tablets, and steroids, along with a plastic bin full of syringes, five digital scales, 13 pipes, and a marijuana grinder. Qualls was sentenced as a career offender on the drug conviction due to his criminal history that includes three serious drug convictions. Qualls was sentenced as an armed career criminal on the gun conviction due to his criminal history as well. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, and Jonesboro Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary. # # # Additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at https://www.justice.gov/edar X (formerly known as Twitter): @USAO_EDAR


title: Rapid City Man Convicted of Sexual Abuse and Child Abuse Committed on the Pine Ridge Reservation

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Victor Dominquez, age 57, of Rapid City, South Dakota, of one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, five counts of Abusive Sexual Contact, and two counts of Felony Child Abuse following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on February 5, 2025. The defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 30 years up to life in custody. Each conviction carries the possible maximum of a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of up to life, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Dominquez was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024 for the listed charges. Evidence at trial established Dominquez sexually abused his biological daughter and stepdaughter for years while the family lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation between 2006 and 2012. Dominquez used a variety of tactics against the children to prevent them from disclosing the sexual abuse. He created an environment of fear by beating the children in the home, resulting in a charge of child abuse. He also groomed the girls by showing them pornography beginning when they were very young. The sexual abuse and domestic violence persisted throughout the girls’ childhoods, and they ultimately disclosed the abuse when they were adults. This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered, and sentencing has been scheduled for April 14, 2025. Dominquez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.