title: Multi-Million-Dollar Prescription Fraud Scheme Results In Prison Sentence For Three East Tennesseans

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On June 11, 2026, Barbara A. Smith, 75, of Powell, Tennessee, was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release by the Honorable Katharine A. Crytzer, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Smith was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,810,878. Judge Crytzer previously sentenced Smith’s codefendants and coconspirators Jared Grant Riddle (“Grant Riddle”), 47, of Clinton, Tennessee, and Brian M. Woods, 48, of Dandridge, Tennessee. Both Grant Riddle and Brian Woods were sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Grant Riddle was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,687,531.89, and Woods was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,365,897.89. As part of the plea agreements filed with the court, Smith, Riddle, and Woods each pleaded guilty to an indictment charging them with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Riddle Formulary Fraud Case: Barbara Smith, Grant Riddle, Brian Woods As set forth in plea agreements filed with the Court, from May 2018 to October 2020, United Apothecary, LLC, operated six retail pharmacies doing business as Riddle Drugs or Riddle Express Pharmacy. Grant Riddle, a licensed pharmacist, created a drug formulary that listed certain drugs, including pain creams and an oral muscle relaxer called chlorzoxazone 250 mg, based solely on their high reimbursement values. Riddle Drugs hired Woods to market the formulary to local pain clinics, including to a Knoxville-area pain clinic and primary care facility where Smith was the office manager. Woods provided stacks of blank paper formularies to Smith and the clinic’s providers. Riddle Drugs agreed to pay Woods off-the-books cash bonuses based on the volume of signed formularies he delivered to Riddle Drugs. Woods agreed to pay Smith cash for formularies signed by the clinic’s providers. Woods and Smith then began to alter signed formularies, adding check boxes next to unprescribed medications and increasing the number of refills written on the formularies. The clinic’s patients began to complain about receiving medications in the mail that their provider had not prescribed and that they did not want, which led the clinic’s providers to suspect Smith of altering their formularies. As a result, the providers completed formularies to prevent alterations, including crossing out medications by drawing an “X” on them. Woods and Smith then used blank formularies to create wholly forged formularies: they handwrote patient names on the formularies, marked boxes next to various medications, wrote in refills, and forged providers’ signatures—either by hand or by using a photocopy of the provider’s signature without the provider’s knowledge. Woods paid Smith in cash for Smith’s role in altering and forging the formularies. Grant Riddle submitted, or caused United Apothecary to submit, the altered and forged formularies to drug plans and pharmacy benefits managers for reimbursement. As a result of those fraudulent claims, the drug plans and pharmacy benefits managers paid to United Apothecary approximately $7,365,897.89, including approximately $4.8 million paid by Medicare Part D. During portions of the scheme, Riddle Drugs’ Oliver Springs, Tennessee, pharmacy was the top pharmacy in the country for distribution of chlorzoxazone 250 mg. Riddle Health Care Kickbacks Case: Ernest Riddle and Grant Riddle In a separate case also involving Riddle Drugs, George Ernest Riddle (“Ernest Riddle”), 78, of Clinton, Tennessee, was sentenced by Judge Crytzer to 15 months’ imprisonment, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,321,634.00. As indicated in plea documents filed with the Court, Ernest Riddle, who owned United Apothecary and its six retail pharmacies, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to solicit, pay, and receive health care kickbacks, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. From July 2016 to January 2020, Ernest Riddle and his son Grant Riddle conspired with each other to pay kickbacks and bribes to out-of-state marketers in exchange for the marketers delivering signed prescriptions to Riddle Drugs. Riddle Drugs then submitted the prescriptions to Medicare Part D drug plans for reimbursement. Medicare paid approximately $1,321,634.00 to United Apothecary for the prescriptions United Apothecary acquired by paying kickbacks and bribes. As part of his plea agreement filed with the Court, Grant Riddle admitted to his involvement in the kickbacks scheme and agreed to pay restitution to Medicare Part D. “Medicare fraud undermines the integrity of our nation’s most critical healthcare programs, which are relied upon by millions of patients, doctors, and honest healthcare professionals,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “Fraud of this kind wastes taxpayer dollars and increases the cost of healthcare for all Americans. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who steal from taxpayers and exploit our healthcare system for their own personal gain.” “These sentencings underscore the serious consequences faced by individuals who exploit federal health care programs for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The Riddles’ scheme diverted valuable taxpayer funds from programs designed to support beneficiaries in need. Working closely with our law enforcement partners, HHS OIG will continue to pursue those who compromise patient trust, inflate health care costs, and undermine the integrity of Medicare.” “Healthcare fraud undermines trust in a system that millions of Americans rely upon and costs taxpayers and consumers billions of dollars each year,” said Special Agent in Charge Terence Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that those who exploit our healthcare system for personal gain will be identified, investigated, and brought to justice. The FBI and our partners remain committed to protecting public healthcare resources and holding fraudsters accountable.” The criminal indictments were the result of an investigation by HHS-OIG and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys William A. Roach, Jr., and Michael S. Deel represented the United States. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. ###


title: Federal Jury Convicts Saluda County Man and Charlotte, NC Woman for $25M Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Demani Jawara Bosket, 51, of Saluda, South Carolina and his niece, Tanya Lashawn Bosket, 53, of Charlotte, North Carolina have been convicted by a federal jury following seven days of trial. Both Boskets were found guilty of one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Demani Bosket was found guilty of six separate counts of wire fraud, and Tanya Bosket was found guilty of four counts of wire fraud. Evidence introduced at trial showed that foreign entities conducted a campaign of business email compromises (BECs) targeting companies across the United States. In these BEC frauds, the foreign entities would gain access to a business user’s email account. The foreign entities would monitor email communications in search of upcoming large transactions. Once they identified a large transaction, the foreign entities would send false email messages to the companies and direct payments to bank accounts controlled by the fraudsters. Multiple victims testified during the trial that a variety of real estate transactions, vendor payments, loan disbursements, and even an inheritance transfer were compromised and diverted away from the intended recipient. The scheme was dependent on US-based bank accounts to receive the fraudulently obtained funds. Evidence produced during the trial showed that Demani Bosket was a US-based recruiter and manager of the fraud ring. Demani Bosket instructed other individuals, including Tanya Bosket, to register sham businesses with state authorities and then open business accounts at multiple banks. Once a business was targeted in a BEC scheme, the funds would be deposited or transferred into bank accounts controlled by the fraud ring. Demani Bosket would then direct the others to quickly drain the funds from the account by cash withdrawal and cashier’s checks. The funds would be transferred and withdrawn through multiple accounts to stymie the banks and victims of the fraud from recovering the funds. Demani Bosket and other members of the fraud ring would retain a portion of the funds before sending the funds overseas. Between 2020 and 2024, the scheme bilked over $25 million from individuals and businesses in the United States. The United States Secret Service was able to recover approximately $2.5 million to return to victims. “This case involved a sophisticated transnational fraud ring that stole more than $25 million from victims across the country – targeting everything from real estate closings to inheritance transfers,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The jury saw through this scheme and rendered the right verdict. Our office will always prioritize protecting South Carolinians and all Americans from financial predators who exploit trust and technology for person gain.” “This verdict underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting American businesses and individuals from complex, organized cyber enabled fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “The Boskets were part of a scheme that siphoned more than $25 million from victims across the country, exploiting trust, technology, and the financial system for personal gain. Thanks to the diligent work of IRS-CI special agents and our law enforcement partners, the perpetrators will be held accountable. We will continue to pursue those who engage in business email compromise schemes and ensure they face justice.” The majority of those indicted in the conspiracy entered guilty pleas to wire fraud conspiracy for their roles in the fraud ring prior to the end of trial. Those defendants are Jahbir Rolando Fowle, 45, of Charlotte, North Carolina; Raymone Tyshay Scott Sr., 49, of Jacksonville, Florida; Michael Bevans-Silva, 39, of Savannah, Georgia; Carlise Roland, 33, of Auburn, Washington; Daniel Alexander Edwards, 52, of Jacksonville, Florida; Danny Heard, 42, of Jacksonville, Florida; and Jamian Butler, 36, of Jacksonville, Florida. Demani Bosket faces a maximum penalty of 30 years, a fine of up to $50,000,000 and restitution. Tanya Bosket faces a maximum penalty of 20 years, a fine of up to $50,000,000 and restitution. U.S. District Judge Sherri Lydon presided over the trial and will sentence Demani and Tanya Bosket after receiving and reviewed a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office. The case was investigated by the U.S. Agency for International Development – Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI Columbia Field Office, and United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. DeWayne Pearson and A. Lothrop Morris prosecuted the case.


title: Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – Ben Gordon (35, St. Petersburg) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Badalamenti to 16 years and 6 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Gordon pleaded guilty on February 22, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, on September 6, 2023, DEA task force officers conducted an operation utilizing a confidential source to purchase one pound of methamphetamine and approximately 27 grams of fentanyl from Gordon. On November 3, 2023, the officers conducted another operation utilizing the same confidential source to buy one pound of methamphetamine and approximately 56 grams of fentanyl from Gordon, and Gordon was later arrested. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brooke M. Padgett.


title: Iowa Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking and Drug Distribution

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury in the Southern District of Iowa convicted a Des Moines man today on charges related to sex trafficking and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. “Dave Shumpert preyed on vulnerable young women, using violence, drugs, and their fears of homelessness, to profit from their exploitation,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He even continued to run his enterprise from jail, and tried to obstruct the testimony of witnesses against him. Human trafficking and preying on vulnerable victims have no place in our communities. This jury verdict will ensure that the defendant is separated from society once he is sentenced for these crimes.” “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa will aggressively prosecute human traffickers who exploit vulnerable victims through violence, coercion, and drug addiction,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Waterman for the Southern District of Iowa. “The defendant’s conviction — on all eight charged counts — reflects the outstanding work of federal prosecutors and law enforcement officers who relentlessly pursued justice for these victims.” “I thank our partners at the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and Des Moines Police Department for their exceptional collaboration throughout this case,” U.S. Attorney Waterman continued. “This conviction demonstrates the strength of our partnership, as well as our shared commitment to dismantling human trafficking conspiracies, holding traffickers accountable, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.” “This case represents some of the most egregious forms of exploitation — using violence, threats, drugs and weaponized addiction to force vulnerable women into commercial sex,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Kansas City Field Office. “HSI is committed to investigating and dismantling criminal networks that profit from human trafficking and drug distribution. This conviction sends a clear message: those who prey on the vulnerable through brutality and coercion will be held accountable. We will continue to pursue justice for victims and ensure traffickers face the full consequences of their actions.” According to court documents, witness testimony, and evidence presented at trial, Dave Shumpert III, 30, of Des Moines, Iowa, aided by his co-defendant, Haley Morrison, 30, also of Des Moines, coerced three women to perform commercial sex acts using a combination of physical force, threats of force, a coercive debt scheme, withholding of drugs, and other threats of harm. Shumpert and Morrison targeted vulnerable young homeless women struggling with drug addiction, provided them with shelter and drugs, and then used violence and other coercive means to compel the women to engage in commercial sex. Shumpert and Morrison advertised the women online, set the prices for the commercial sex acts, communicated with the sex buyers, rented hotel rooms, and kept most of the proceeds of the commercial sex acts. Electronic communication evidence between Shumpert and Morrison demonstrated that Shumpert directed Morrison on how to manage and control the victims. One of the victims testified about the physical violence Morrison employed, such as hitting a victim with closed fists and dragging her by the hair. The victims explained their fear of homelessness, drug withdrawal, and of being indebted to Shumpert. Shumpert kept up his coercive scheme even after being arrested, placing thousands of calls to Morrison to discuss his criminal commercial sex business, and even received over $32,000 on his commissary accounts from the victims’ commercial sex proceeds. While incarcerated, Shumpert sought to intimidate and threaten a government witness by having someone outside of the jail post threatening messages on his social media accounts. Morrison previously pled guilty to sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion on Nov. 25, 2025, and will be sentenced on July 7. The jury convicted Shumpert of three counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, obstruction of a sex trafficking prosecution, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance to a person under 21, conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. A sentencing date has not been set. Shumpert faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. HSI is investigating the case with assistance from the Des Moines Police Department. Trial Attorney Slava Kuperstein of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Jennings for the Southern District of Iowa are prosecuting the case. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking .


title: OPERATION TAKE BACK AMERICA: Convicted Felon Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison for Illegally Re-entering the United States

component: USAO - Alabama, Northern

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An illegal alien has been sentenced for unlawfully re-entering the United States after deportation, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. Chief U.S. District Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Walter Anselmo Rosa-Menjivar, 29, a citizen of Honduras, to 16 months in prison. In January 2026, Rosa-Menjivar pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry after deportation. “This sentence demonstrates that individuals who unlawfully reenter the Unites States will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Phil Williams. “My office remains committed to prosecuting offenders who threaten public safety and to working alongside our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.” “Rosa-Menjivar’s history of drug trafficking and unlawful reentry underscores the importance of strong border enforcement and community safety partnerships,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI will not tolerate those who endanger the public and violate our immigration laws—serious consequences await anyone who attempts to do so.” According to court documents, Rosa-Menjivar was deported on March 9, 2020, after he was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Rosa-Menjivar came to law enforcement’s attention again when officers with the Bessemer Police Department were dispatched to Rosa-Menjivar’s residence on October 24, 2025, after his roommate called 911. The roommate reported that Rosa-Menjivar threatened to shoot him during a verbal argument. After having been found illegally in the United States a second time, Rosa-Menjivar was arrested on October 25, 2025. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case along with the Bessemer Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittney L. Plyler and J. Patrick Lamb are prosecuting the case.


title: Four Individuals Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, Social Security Misuse, Aggravated Identity Theft and Forced Labor

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On June 10, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a 21-count indictment charging six individuals with conspiracy to commit identity theft, wire fraud, bank fraud, social security misuse, aggravated identity theft, and forced labor. The following agencies partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate the case and execute the arrests today: Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), with the collaboration of the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the United States Secret Service. According to court documents, defendants Josué A. Marrero-Otero (fugitive) Yesenia Marrero-Collazo (arrested) Anthony Marrero-Rosario (arrested) Vivian D. Marrero-Ginés (arrested) José A. Vilorio-Figuereo (arrested) conspired with each other and a sixth defendant (not identified publicly or arrested) to produce and transfer identification documents, authentication features and false identification documents including, Puerto Rico birth certificates, social security cards, and Puerto Rico driver’s license, that appeared to have been issued by or under the authority of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and were in and affected interstate commerce, knowing that such documents and features were stolen and produced without lawful authority. As noted above, defendant Josué A. Marrero-Otero remains a fugitive from justice. To execute the fraudulent scheme, defendant Anthony Marrero-Rosario produced the documents with identifying information belonging to real individuals, provided them to his brother Josué A. Marrero-Otero who knowingly transferred and used the falsified documents to fraudulently apply for bank loans with Bank A and Bank B using the stolen identities. Marrero-Otero and his partner Yesenia Marrero-Collazo forced vulnerable victims to fraudulently apply for bank loans with Bank A and Bank B using the stolen identities; and along with defendant Vivian D. Marrero-Ginés forced vulnerable victims to fraudulently apply for lines of credit with Bank C and Bank D and retail stores, using the stolen identities. The defendants obtained approximately $114,559.49 in money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. Josué A. Marrero-Otero and Yesenia Marrero-Collazo are facing one count of forced labor. From September 2023 through December 2023, these defendants forced Victim-1 through threats of physical violence to submit false information using false and fraudulent identification documents to obtain commercial credit and property for the benefit of Marrero-Otero and Marrero-Collazo. Defendant José A. Vilorio-Figuereo participated in the conspiracy and knowingly transferred false identification documents by mail to the continental United States. “Financial fraud is one of the largest challenges facing American citizens and businesses today. Prevention and prosecution of crimes of this nature will remain a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said United States Attorney, W. Stephen Muldrow. “The defendants took advantage of vulnerable victims and used them to get loans and credit lines fraudulently, to enrich themselves. We understand there may be more victims, so if you suspect you could be one, or know about other victims, please contact HSI at (787) 729-6969 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).” “Today’s arrests demonstrate HSI San Juan’s steadfast commitment to protecting our communities from those who exploit the most vulnerable for financial gain,” said Yariel Ramos, HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge. “This criminal organization not only stole identities and defrauded financial institutions, it preyed on people experiencing homelessness and coerced them into participating in its schemes. Thanks to the outstanding collaboration between our federal, state, and local partners, we have dismantled a dangerous network and sent a clear message that those who engage in identity theft, document fraud, and forced labor will be aggressively investigated and brought to justice.” "In this case vulnerable individuals were exploited through identity theft, fraud, and coercion for personal gain," said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's San Juan Field Office. "The FBI remains committed to protecting our communities from those who seek to profit by manipulating and victimizing others, and we will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those who seek to enrich themselves through fraud, and the victimization vulnerable members of our communities.” The defendants will make their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mariana Bauzá-Almonte of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa D. Bonano-Rodríguez from the Social Security Administration is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Poplar man sentenced to 20 years for aggravated sexual assault

body_text: GREAT FALLS – A Poplar man who strangled and sexually assaulted a teenage girl was sentenced today to 120 months in prison on one count of aggravated sexual abuse and 120 months on one count of commission of a sex offense by a registered sex offender. The two sentences will be served consecutively. He was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Arthur Dion Longee, 38, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to the two charges. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The government alleged in court documents that Longee, who had previously been convicted of a sex crime in 2013, repeatedly strangled and sexually assaulted a teenage girl after spending the day drinking alcohol and smoking meth with her and a friend. On Jan. 22, 2025, Longee brought a 17-year-old girl and her friend over to his grandmother’s house in Poplar to smoke meth and drink alcohol. Later in the day, after dropping off the friend at her apartment, Longee and the 17-year-old girl returned to his bedroom. The girl was on her tablet and Longee got angry, strangling her to unconsciousness. She regained consciousness before Longee strangled her again. When she awoke each time, she was in various stages of undress. At one point during the assault, she coughed up blood. She said Longee told her, “I’m sorry, babe. Am I scaring you?” The girl cried and asked to leave but Longee wouldn’t let her, instead telling her that she was with him tonight. When she told him again that she wanted to go home and was scared, he again got angry, yelled at her and sexually assaulted her again. After another assault in the living room, the 17-year-old was able to escape through the kitchen and run to a friend’s house where the friend called 911. At the hospital, the girl was interviewed by law enforcement, who obtained a search warrant for the Longee residence. They found Longee there, passed out on the floor and the house exactly as described by the girl. Agents awakened Longee, arrested him and swabbed him for DNA. At the hospital, the 17-year-old was evaluated by a sexual assault nurse examiner, who found injuries, bruising and other evidence of the assault. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Fort Peck Tribes and the FBI conducted the investigation.


title: Somerset County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Possession of Six Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was sentenced on June 9, 2026 to 300-months’ imprisonment for drug trafficking, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and illegal possession of firearms, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. Malachi A. Muhammad, 51, of Somerset, was previously convicted on April 11, 2025 of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin, and cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon, following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court. On June 9, 2026, Judge Castner imposed a 300-month sentence of imprisonment. According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial: On August 19, 2021, officers from the Lawrence Township Police Department responded to calls from concerned citizens about a car stopped in the middle of Route 1 near the Quaker Bridge Mall. Officers found Muhammad, the only occupant and driver of the car, initially unresponsive and believed that he was asleep or having a medical emergency. After officers woke him up, they noticed the handle of a handgun in between his legs. Officers secured the loaded handgun, took Muhammad out of the vehicle, and arrested him. In the vehicle, officers found 91 pills of methamphetamine, 468 wax folds of fentanyl and heroin, 5 bags of cocaine, and five additional firearms, including two semi-automatic rifles, and over 150 rounds of ammunition. The drug and gun evidence introduced at trial is depicted below: In addition to the prison term, Judge Castner imposed three years of supervised release following Muhammad’s term of imprisonment. U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr., the Lawrence Township Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief Kevin Reading, the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Linda Estremera, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict. The government is represented by Attorney-in-Charge Tracey Agnew and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton. ###


title: Canadian national sentenced and deported for illegally reentering U.S.

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: GREAT FALLS – A Canadian woman who illegally reentered the U.S. after she was deported in 2023 was sentenced today to time served following her April 2026 arrest and will be deported again, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Eva Fehr, 24, pleaded guilty in May 2026 to one count of illegal reentry after deportation. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The government alleged in court documents that Fehr and a companion illegally drove across the border into Montana without possessing the necessary documentation. At 6:33 a.m. April 19, 2026, a border sensor was tripped when a gray 2002 Chevy Avalanche crossed into Montana. A U.S. Border Patrol agent tracked down the truck and pulled it over north of Hinsdale about an hour later. The agent verified that the Avalanche had failed to cross the border into Montana at a proper Port of Entry. Inside the truck were Fehr and a companion, and both admitted they were not U.S. citizens and had no immigration documents authorizing them to live, work, or travel in the United States. The two were taken into custody at the Malta Border Patrol Station, where Fehr acknowledged she was a Canadian citizen without the legal documentation needed to be in the U.S. Fehr previously had been deported in October 2023 after a warrant was issued for overstaying her visa. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation.


title: St. Louis Felon Caught with Gun in Stolen Minivan Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

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

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Thursday sentenced a convicted felon who was caught with a gun in a stolen minivan after ramming a police cruiser to 12 years in prison. On Aug. 1, 2023, detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spotted a minivan at a gas station in the 1600 block of South Jefferson Avenue that had been stolen earlier that day. Rodney Patterson was alone in the passenger seat of the vehicle, which was running. Instead of turning off the vehicle, Patterson tried to drive away, striking a police cruiser. He then tried to flee on foot but was arrested. Police found a Ruger LC Charger handgun on the front passenger seat. Patterson is a convicted felon and is thus barred from possessing a firearm. Patterson, 49, pleaded guilty in February to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.


title: Illegal alien sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child after communicating on social media

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for producing child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Erasmo Alexandro Rodriguez-Estrada pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2025. U.S. District Judge John Kazen has now sentenced Rodriguez-Estrada to 188 months. At the hearing, the court considered additional information including letters detailing the psychological harm the victim has suffered. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the seriousness of the crime and its consequences. Rodriguez-Estrada will also be ordered to register as a sex offender and will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Restitution will be determined at a later date. Not a U.S. citizen, he is also expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. The investigation began May 19, 2025, when authorities discovered the whereabouts of a minor previously reported as a runaway. Upon discussion with the young female, law enforcement observed multiple hematomas, commonly known as a hickey, on her neck and learned she had spent the previous night with Rodriguez-Estrada. Rodriguez-Estrada indicated he sent the minor a friend request on social media before their sexual involvement. Authorities seized his electronic device and uncovered five videos of the two engaging in sexual acts. The investigation revealed Rodriguez-Estrada knew the victim’s age at the time of the encounters. Rodriguez-Estrada is a citizen and national of Mexico who had been previously removed from the United States in December 2024 and illegally resided in Laredo. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Lopez prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page . For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page .


title: CEO among those guilty of falsifying wastewater test results

body_text: HOUSTON – Three Texas residents have admitted they violated the Clean Water Act, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Derek McCoy, 52, was CEO of a laboratory that sampled and tested wastewater from local treatment facilities, while Deena Higginbotham, 56, served as director of Client Services. The two Spring residents and John Montgomery, 60, Llano, all admitted to falsifying or aiding and abetting the falsification of data required under federal and state law. For roughly three years, all three aided or abetted in changing wastewater test results to falsely ensure that treatment facilities did not exceed pollutant limits in state-issued discharge permits. These falsified results, including exceedances of ammonia, E. coli and phosphorous levels, were then submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “By submitting falsified data, these defendants undermined the integrity of a program specifically designed to safeguard human health,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. “Today's guilty pleas show that we and our partners at EPA – Criminal Investigation Division and Office of Inspector General, as well as TCEQ, are committed to rooting out and holding accountable those who not only violate the law but also endanger the safety and erode the trust of the public we serve.” U.S. District Judge David Hittner accepted the pleas and set sentencing for Sept. 3. At that time, each faces up to two years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. EPA - Criminal Investigation Division, EPA - Office of Inspector General and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Environmental Crimes Unit conducted the investigation through the Texas Environmental Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Liesel Roscher and Special AUSA Nathan Stopper are prosecuting the case.


title: Reno Man Indicted for Sexually Exploiting Child in 2008 in Placer County

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Jeffrey Alan Koehl, 60, of Reno, Nevada, charging him with sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, in February 2008, in a residence in Roseville, Koehl coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct and used a handheld camera to record two videos. The victim, now an adult, learned of the videos, and on Jan. 20, 2025, submitted an online tip that was received by the FBI National Threat Operations Center (NTOC) leading to the federal investigation. Koehl has been in custody since his arrest on Jan. 30, 2026, in Carmichael. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from the Reno Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Koehl faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the sexual exploitation counts. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.


title: Iola man charged for online threats that included blowing up White House and killing federal law enforcement

body_text: HOUSTON – A 35-year-old man from a small town in Grimes County has been charged for allegedly transmitting interstate threats via social media, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Authorities took Peter James Bloomfield into custody June 10 where he remains on related charges. He is expected to make his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in Houston in the near future. The criminal complaint alleges authorities discovered a Texas-based X account with multiple threatening messages directed at federal law enforcement and others. The account allegedly made several posts about where the closest FBI building was, killing federal agents and others, spending money to blow up the White House and negative comments about America. Bloomfield is linked to that account, according to the allegations. Law enforcement also allegedly identified a Facebook account in Bloomfield’s name that used the same profile image as the X account which posted additional threats against federal agents and notable figures. The charges further allege the Facebook account included comments about making a hit list and who would be on it during a Fox News broadcast of a recent Senate floor hearing. According to the complaint, Bloomfeld was angry and had researched explosives and their effect on demolishing a building. A federal search warrant allegedly resulted in the discovery of over 20 firearms and a significant amount of ammunition. If convicted, Bloomfield faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. The FBI - Bryan Resident Agency conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety; Houston County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office; Secret Service; and Grimes County Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ganz is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Warms Springs Man Sentenced to Prison for Sexually Abusing Two Minors

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for sexually abusing two minors at a sleepover, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. Desmond Ray Florez, 34, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. According to court documents, on April 13, 2025, Florez sexually abused two minors while they were at a sleepover at Florez’s residence on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Investigators at the Warm Springs Police Department learned that Florez had also previously sexually abused one of the minor victims four years ago. On July 1, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Florez with sexual abuse of a minor and sexual abusive contact. Florez pleaded guilty to both counts on February 19, 2026. The FBI and Warms Springs Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin Heinz prosecuted the case. This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Opelika Woman Sentenced to Over 11 Years for Sex Trafficking Scheme Involving Minor

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Today, United States Attorney Thomas Govan announced that an Opelika, Alabama, woman has been sentenced for her role in a commercial sex trafficking scheme involving a minor. On June 10, 2026, a federal judge sentenced 24-year-old Jada Renee Coggins to 135 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Coggins is also required to register as a sex offender for life. There is no parole in the federal system. “Commercial sex trafficking inflicts deep and lasting harm, especially when minors are involved,” said U.S. Attorney Govan. “Removing those who exploit minors from our streets makes our communities safer and protects future potential victims. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals who participate in these schemes and seek justice for the victims.” “Sex trafficking of minors is one of the most appalling crimes our society faces, " said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. "No child should ever be subjected to this kind of exploitation and abuse. The pain inflicted on victims and their families is profound and lasting. HSI, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and dismantle trafficking networks, and we will not rest until those who prey on children are brought to justice.” According to court documents and her plea agreement, in December 2023, Coggins conspired with her co-defendant, Chloe Michelle Alexander, 31, also of Opelika, to induce a 17‑year‑old to engage in commercial sex acts. As part of the conspiracy, Coggins admitted that she photographed the minor and used sexually explicit images to advertise commercial sex on various websites. She also admitted transporting the minor to locations where the minor engaged in commercial sex acts. Both Coggins and Alexander pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Alexander is scheduled to be sentenced in August and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine her sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Opelika Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Tara S. Ratz, J. Patrick Lamb, and Russell T. Duraski prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: Portland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Aggravated Assault

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison today after striking an officer in the head with a large rock at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. Robert Jacob Hoopes, 25, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $8,000 in restitution. “Today’s message is clear – violence is not a protest. When you cross the line and assault a federal officer, you will be prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Bradford. “My office will continue to pursue those who seek to harm our law enforcement partners.” “The FBI will not stand idly by and allow federal officers to be assaulted by rioters,” said FBI Portland Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Torres. “We will investigate any perpetrator using violence to express their views and hold them accountable.” According to court documents, on June 14, 2025, Hoopes threw a large rock and struck an ICE officer in the head, causing a significant laceration over the officer’s eye. Later that same day, he and two other individuals were seen using an upended stop sign as a makeshift battering ram, which resulted in significant damage to the main entry door to the ICE building. On August 5, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Hoopes with aggravated assault on a federal employee with a dangerous weapon and depredation of federal property. On February 18, 2026, Hoopes pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on a federal employee with a dangerous weapon. The FBI investigated this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.


title: Jury finds Honduran woman guilty of transporting a Mexican national illegally in the U.S.

body_text: GREAT FALLS – A woman from Honduras who was accused of illegally reentering the country and transporting a Mexican national was found guilty by a federal jury today, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Following a three-day trial, Yolanda Ernestina Soto-Antunez, 41, was found guilty of being in the county illegally and transporting someone in the country illegally. Soto-Antunez faces up to five years of prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is set for July 9, 2026, Soto-Antunez was detained pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents and at trial that Soto-Antunez was illegally transporting a Mexican national in the U.S. and that she had illegally reentered the country in 2016. A Phillips County Sheriff’s deputy pulled over Soto-Antunez on March 6, 2026, on Highway 2 near Malta for speeding. The deputy eventually requested translation help from two U.S. Border Patrol agents after he struggled to understand Soto-Antunez’s broken English. Law enforcement learned Soto-Antunez was in the county illegally from Honduras and the passenger in her car was in the country illegally from Mexico. Through the course of their investigation, agents found $18,000 in a duffle bag that belonged to her passenger. He told agents he was traveling to Washington to borrow an additional $12,000 from a cousin for a total of $30,000 to pay for his sister to be transported illegally into the U.S. He was told to give the money to Soto-Antunez, who would deliver it to a group in Tijuana to get his sister across the border. Agents also learned Soto-Antunez had been previously deported from the U.S. in June 2012 and had reentered the country illegally in August 2016. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Phillip’s County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Guatemalan human smugglers admit to roles in 2021 mass casualty event in Chiapas, Mexico

body_text: LAREDO, Texas - Two foreign nationals have pleaded guilty to human smuggling charges related to the crash of a tractor-trailer packed with at least 160 illegal aliens which resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people, including unaccompanied children, and injured over 100 more. Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, 43, and Alberto Marcario Chitic, 32, both of Guatemala, acknowledged that they conspired with other smugglers to transport illegal aliens, both adults and unaccompanied minors, from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. Canil De Zavala, Chitic and others recruited Guatemalan aliens, collected payment, and arranged for the aliens to travel by foot, inside microbuses, cattle trucks, and tractor-trailers. Aliens paid Canil De Zavala and Chitic and their co-conspirators to be smuggled to the United States. In some cases, Canil De Zavala, Chitic and their co-conspirators provided scripted language to unaccompanied minors for their use if U.S. immigration authorities apprehended them. During the conspiracy, on Dec. 9, 2021, Canil De Zavala, Chitic and others arranged for the aliens they were smuggling to the United States to be loaded into a tractor trailer that was to transport them through Mexico. The vehicle ultimately crashed north of the Guatemala/Mexico border near Tuxtla Guiterrez, Chiapas, Mexico, resulting in deaths and serious bodily injury. “The defendants ran a calculated alien smuggling operation that moved people across borders like a supply chain—recruiting them in Guatemala, collecting their money, and packing them into cattle trucks and tractor-trailers for a dangerous journey through Mexico,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “This was an organized, profit-driven network that even handed scripts to children so they could lie to law enforcement if caught entering the United States. That operation ended with the loss of more than 50 lives on a Mexican roadside, and today’s convictions make clear that the Southern District of Texas will work to shut down these networks at every level.” “This tragic event shows that human smugglers do not care about the illegal aliens they come in contact with and transport despite the numerous risks, including extreme heat and dangerous travel conditions,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duvan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This defendant and her co-conspirators maximized their profits by packing more than 100 men, women, and children into a tractor trailer, which ultimately ended in an accident that claimed the lives of 56 people.” “This case highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering commitment to dismantling transnational criminal organizations that exploit vulnerable individuals for profit. This horrific tragedy, which claimed dozens of lives, underscores the urgent need to combat human smuggling,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John Condon. “The successful prosecution of these smugglers reflects the dedication of our agents and the coordinated efforts of our domestic and international partners to safeguard our borders and uphold the rule of law.” Canil De Zavala and Chitic pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring and attempt to bring an illegal alien into the United States, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury and resulting in death. U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has set sentencing for Sept. 9. At that time, Ramos faces up to life in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Canil De Zavala, Chitic and three other Guatemalan nationals: Daniel Zavala Ramos, 41, Tomas Quino Canil, 37, and Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 25, were extradited from Guatemala in 2025 to face charges. U.S. authorities arrested an additional Guatemalan national illegally present in the United States, Jorge Agapito Ventura, 33, at his residence in Cleveland in December 2024. Ramos entered a guilty plea in April. The others are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. HSI’s Counter Proliferation Investigations Group in Washington D.C. conducted the investigation in partnership with HSI Guatemala and HSI Mexico. Valuable assistance was provided by HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C.; HSI Houston; HSI Laredo; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force; U.S. Border Patrol; Liberty County Constable, Precinct 6; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas; and the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions. Guatemalan prosecutors from the Office of Public Ministry and Mexican prosecutors from the Republic of Mexico’s Federal Prosecutions Office, with the support of law enforcement officials from both countries, were also instrumental in furthering the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Lou Castillo and Jennifer Day are prosecuting the case along with Senior Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section with substantial assistance from HRSP Latin American Specialist/Historian Joanna Crandall. The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha, the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking cartels and transnational criminal organizations commit. A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s HRSP Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section; Office of International Affairs and Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 458 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 408 U.S. convictions; more than 357 significant jail sentences imposed and forfeitures of substantial assets. This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Armed Career Criminal from Memphis Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Bank Robbery and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Arkansas, Eastern

body_text: LITTLE ROCK—Freddy Najil, who robbed three banks at gunpoint in the span of three months, will spend the next 211 months in federal prison for bank robbery and 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 down today by United States District Court Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker. On June 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Arkansas charged Najil, 37, of Memphis, Tennessee, in a two-count Indictment with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of bank robbery. On March 4, 2025, a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Mississippi charged Najil in a six-count Indictment with two counts of bank robbery, two counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On May 9, 2025, Najil consented to the transfer of his Mississippi case to the Eastern District of Arkansas for plea and sentencing. On November 3, 2025, Najil pleaded guilty to bank robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the 17-year and 7-month sentence, Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Najil to serve three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. On February 9, 2024, officers with the Horn Lake (Mississippi) Police Department responded to a bank robbery at Renasant Bank. Witnesses advised and security footage confirmed the suspect, later identified as Najil, pointed a firearm at four different bank employees while demanding money. In total, Najil fled with approximately $2,724 from Renasant Bank. On April 18, 2024, officers with the Southaven (Mississippi) Police Department responded to an armed robbery at the Securtrust Bank. The suspect, later identified as Najil, pointed a firearm at the bank teller, directed her “not to do anything stupid,” and fled with $12,251 from Securtrust Bank. On May 3, 2024, officers with the West Memphis Police Department responded to an armed bank robbery at Evolve Bank. There, Najil pointed a firearm at employees, demanded money, and fled with $22,251. Hidden in the cash were GPS monitoring devices, which were used to locate and track Najil’s movements. West Memphis police officers and Arkansas State Police Troopers pursued the suspect in a black Infiniti GS3 into Memphis, where it crashed. Najil fled on foot, with money flying from his arms, until he was apprehended by authorities. Najil was located near loose bills and a .40 caliber pistol. At the scene, police recovered approximately $22,134 in U.S. currency. During post-Miranda interviews, Najil admitted to officers that he robbed the banks in Horn Lake, Southaven, and West Memphis. He further admitted that he stole the vehicle he used to commit the bank robbery in West Memphis on May 3, 2024. Najil’s multiple prior convictions for violent felonies and serious drug offenses classify him as an armed career criminal and therefore subject him to an enhanced sentence. His criminal history includes eight convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon, six convictions for second-degree kidnapping, a conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, a conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver, and a conviction for possession of cocaine. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jackson, Mississippi, Field Offices, with assistance from the Horn Lake Police Department, Southaven Police Department, Memphis Police Department, Arkansas State Police, and the West Memphis Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Eldridge for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee, Senior Litigation Counsel, for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi. # # # 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: Modesto Felon Indicted for Two Charges of Illegal Possession of a Firearm

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Anthony Welch, 27, of Modesto, charging him with two counts of being a felon in possession of firearm, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, on Feb. 1, 2026, Welch possessed a Glock 26 handgun, and on June 2, 2026, he possessed a Glock 23 Gen4 .40 caliber handgun. Welch is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction of assault with a deadly weapon with a firearm. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zulkar Khan is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Welch faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Wainwright man sentenced to 16 years for sexually exploiting minors to produce, receive child pornography

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A Wainwright man was sentenced today to over 16 years in prison for sexually exploiting multiple minor victims to produce and receive child pornography. According to court documents, on Oct. 22, 2024, the North Slope Borough Police Department received a report from a 15-year-old minor victim about Robert Segevan, 32. The minor victim reported that Segevan requested sexually explicit pictures on Snapchat. Throughout the course of the investigation, four other minor victims came forward, ranging from 11 to 13 years old. The victims reported that anytime they attempted to block him, Segevan would create a new account and continue to ask for explicit pictures. Law enforcement obtained search warrants for Segevan’s accounts. The warrants revealed that between August and October 2024, Segevan contacted multiple females suspected to be minors asking for sexually explicit images. Law enforcement seized multiple devices and found 62 images and 21 videos that depicted child sexual abuse with some victims as young as five years old. On July 30, 2026, Segevan was arrested after being charged by criminal complaint and was formally indicted by a federal grand jury roughly one month later. On March 6, 2026, Segevan pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child: attempted production of child pornography, one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and one count of receipt of child pornography. At sentencing, the Court ordered Segevan to serve 15 years on supervised release upon completion of his prison sentence. In handing down the sentence, the Court emphasized the need to protect Segevan’s community from his predatory behavior. “Mr. Segevan persistently targeted minors known to him, going as far as creating new digital accounts when the minors blocked him over and over again for his sick conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “I want to commend the courageous victims who came forward to disclose Segevan’s crimes and our law enforcement partners that ultimately stopped his perverse pattern of behavior. We must work together to protect Alaska’s children.” “Segevan’s child exploitation crimes against multiple young victims were deliberate, predatory, and have no place in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI and our partners remain steadfast in our commitment to protect our most vulnerable, identify offenders, and secure justice for victims of these atrocious crimes.” “The North Slope Borough Police Department is dedicated to protecting our communities and ensuring that those who target and exploit our youth are held fully accountable,” said Deputy Chief Phillip Brymer of the North Slope Borough Police Department. “This case highlights the vital importance of our local investigators working hand-in-hand with federal partners like the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We hope this sentencing brings a sense of justice and closure to the victims and their families.” The FBI Anchorage Field Office and North Slope Borough Police Department are investigating the case, with assistance from Anchorage Police Department as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carly Vosacek and Ibad Jafri prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . UPDATE: This release has been updated to include a quote from the North Slope Borough Police Department. ###


title: Springfield, Missouri-Based Investment Professional Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Money Laundering and Embezzling Retirement Funds

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today for his commission of a scheme of wire fraud and money laundering that involved fraudulent embezzlement of the retirement funds of his clients. This is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Bob Hunter, 72, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush, to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. According to the plea agreement, Hunter, working as an investment and retirement professional in the Springfield, Mo. area, promoted various retirement programs, including Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERP). Hunter would promote the use and administration of SERPs to area executives who could invest their money with an eye toward building an investment retirement account that would be available for an investor during their retirement years. Instead of utilizing the monies he received from his clients to invest in their individual retirement accounts, Hunter utilized those monies for his own personal expenses. In total, $373,230.50 in intended retirement funds were embezzled by Hunter from his clients. Hunter’s clients only became aware of his fraud after realizing that he was misleading them with false investment reports that claimed they had money in their investment accounts that never truly existed, known as “lulling” letters or documents. These lulling letters and documents significantly delayed investors from reporting the fraud to law enforcement and even attempted to conceal the nature and scope of Hunter’s true embezzlement. Under federal statutes, Hunter is subject to sentences of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole and a maximum fine of $250,000 for Count One, Wire Fraud, and up to 10 years in federal prison without parole and a maximum fine of $250,000 for Count Two, Money Laundering. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the IRS-CI and the FBI. National Fraud Enforcement Division On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Fayette County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Eddie Daivon Morgan, also known as “Gutta,” 45, of Mount Hope, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 30, 2022, law enforcement officers had an active warrant for Morgan’s arrest on a malicious wounding charge when they observed him enter a vehicle in Fayette County. Officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and found Morgan laying in the back seat of the vehicle. Officers seized a loaded Glock model 42 .380-caliber pistol and a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol from Morgan’s person. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Morgan knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on January 24, 2013. Morgan has a criminal history that also includes felony convictions for second-degree manslaughter, attempted second-degree murder, malicious assault, wanton endangerment involving a firearm, and use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Morgan is scheduled to be sentenced on November 4, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Oak Hill Police Department. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-92. ###


title: Tucson Man Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Shams Khan Rehman, 31, of Tucson, Arizona, pleaded guilty on June 8, 2026, to two counts of Production of Child Pornography. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Angela M. Martinez. According to the plea agreement, Rehman admitted that he used Snapchat to communicate with individuals whom he paid to exploit several minors under the age of 12. At Rehman’s direction, those individuals produced images and videos documenting the abuse and sent the files to him. The plea agreement further states that Rehman also redistributed some of the produced images and videos to other Snapchat users. A conviction for Production of Child Pornography carries maximum penalties of 30 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, and lifetime supervised release. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson Office conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Walters and Jennifer H. Berman, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: 25-CR-04780 RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-096_Rehman # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: New Haven Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Drug-Related Firearm Offense

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HARRY WHITLEY, 23, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 4, 2024, Whitley, who had an active state arrest warrant and was on probation, was observed participating in a suspected drug transaction in New Haven. He was arrested a short time later in Waterbury. At the time of his arrest, Whitley possessed fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone; a Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine; and a Glock-style machine gun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.” Whitley’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm possession and larceny offenses. Whitley has been detained since his arrest. He pleaded guilty to the offense on March 19, 2026. This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Nathan Guevremont. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. Honors Six First Responders for Their Exceptional Acts of Bravery

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan presented the Department of Justice’s Hometown Hero Award to six first responders whose extraordinary courage and bravery during two separate critical incidents saved lives and ensured public safety. The Hometown Hero award commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. It honors the enduring ideals of Liberty, Service, and Civic Responsibility. This award is dedicated in recognition of a steadfast commitment to these ideals and an embodiment of the spirit upon which our Nation was founded. “These brave men answered the call without hesitation. They held the line for us against terrorists who attacked and burned a church and temple. And through their sacrificial acts, these American heroes saved countless lives. We thank God for each of them,” said United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. The honorees include Michigan Conservation Officer Luke Robare (not pictured) and Grand Blanc Township Police Officer Jason Carpentier, who were honored for their tremendous composure, courage, and bravery during a terror attack. These men were the first to respond to a September 28, 2025, call regarding an active shooter at the Jesus Christ House of Latter-Day Saints, where hundreds of worshipers were in attendance. Upon arrival at the scene, the officers heard a barrage of gunfire in the parking lot of the church where members of the congregation were fleeing from the assailant, who was armed with an AK-47. Both officers selflessly ran together toward the sounds of gunfire, engaged the assailant with their department-issued rifles, and immediately ended the threat. This devastating attack resulted in four innocent lives being taken and eight more injured due to gunfire. Without these officers’ brave, courageous actions, many more lives could have been lost, as there were hundreds of church members in attendance. L-R Captain David Malloch, DNR Sgt. Keven Luther on behalf of Officer Luke Robare, U.S. Attorney Jerome G. Gorgon, Jr., Grand Blanc Twp Officer Jason Carpentier and Chief William Renye Also recognized were the Temple Israel Security Team who displayed tremendous composure, courage, and bravery during a terror attack. These men were working the day a Hezbollah-inspired attacker drove his vehicle into the synagogue in a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. The officers took immediate action to stop the attacker before he could kill any of the nearby children and teachers who were in the building at the time of the attack. They bravely stood between the attacker and the dozens of innocent men, women and children who were worshiping at the Temple that day. Their actions prevented what would have been a tremendous loss of life and are a testament to their bravery and professionalism. For more information on Freedom 250 and the Hometown Hero award, go to https://freedom250.org


title: Billings man sentenced to 32 months on drug charges

body_text: BILLINGS – A Billings man who shipped fentanyl pills to his partner as part of a drug trafficking scheme was sentenced today to 32 months of prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Robert Roy Vincent, 36, pleaded guilty in January 2026 to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided. The government alleged in court documents that Vincent shipped a box of fentanyl pills from a UPS store in California to his partner’s house in Billings. In April 2024 law enforcement in Yellowstone County received a tip that Vincent was selling fentanyl in Billings; he was already wanted by police for a number of outstanding warrants. Officers obtained a search warrant for Vincent’s CashApp profile and learned he had received $4,800 from his partner between March and April 2024. The CashApp data included a transaction from a UPS store in California on April 9, 2024. Investigators contacted the UPS store and learned Vincent had mailed a package to his partner’s home in Billings. Law enforcement intercepted the package and found it contained approximately 2,000 fentanyl pills. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Godfrey prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the DEA, and the Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.


title: Justice Department Sues New Mexico Supreme Court and Board of Bar Examiners for Violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against the New Mexico Supreme Court and the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners, alleging that they violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by refusing to recognize the out-of-state law licenses of qualifying servicemembers and their spouses. “The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act gives servicemembers and their spouses the right to have their covered out-of-state law licenses recognized in a state where they have relocated due to military orders,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “State supreme courts and bar associations in other states should take note of this lawsuit and come into full compliance with the SCRA immediately, or risk a lawsuit by the Department of Justice.” “New Mexico is the proud home of four major military installations and more than 14,000 active-duty servicemembers. Our military servicemembers and their families bear great burdens to protect our Nation, including frequent moves and interruptions or barriers to employment,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico. “In fact, spousal unemployment is a leading cause of servicemembers leaving military service and is a significant readiness and retention issue. This lawsuit highlights the fact that license portability is a critical tool for our military spouses to be able to earn a living in the manner of their choosing.” The complaint alleges that the New Mexico Supreme Court and Board of Bar Examiners refused to allow a military spouse to practice as an attorney in New Mexico after his wife was transferred to Holloman Air Force Base. As a result, the military spouse, who is licensed to practice law in the states of Texas, Washington and Maryland, was unable to accept a higher-paying position at the Las Cruces District Attorney’s Office. The complaint also alleges that New Mexico imposes requirements on military applicants that exceed what is allowed by the SCRA, by requiring them to provide transcripts, test scores, and references and to submit to a full character and fitness evaluation. The Department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Since 2011, the Department has obtained over $489 million in monetary relief for over 152,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. For more information about the department’s SCRA enforcement efforts, please visit www.servicemembers.gov . Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA may have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations can be found at legalassistance.law.af.mil .


title: Jury Convicts D.C. Man of Brutally Stabbing His Romantic Partner Multiple Times

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – James Callen, 42, of Washington D.C., was found guilty by a Superior Court jury today for charges stemming from an incident on July 13, 2024, where he stabbed his then-romantic partner multiple times, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Callen was found guilty of one count of assault with intent to kill while armed. In addition, the jury also found Callen guilty of one count of aggravated assault while armed, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and three counts of contempt. Sentencing will be scheduled before Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. “James Callen stabbed his girlfriend multiple times, following his previous history of physical abuse, and then from his jail cell, tried to convince his victim to take the blame for ‘accidentally’ injuring herself,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Let this verdict be a warning: if you commit violence against your partner, you will face serious consequences. If you contact that partner in violation of court orders, you will face the full wrath of this office.” According to the government’s evidence, on July 12, 2024, Callen and the victim met at Callen’s brother’s apartment in southeast Washington, D.C., to hang out. Callen asked the victim to move in with him and became enraged when she said she didn’t want to live with him. In the early morning hours of July 13, 2024, Callen walked from the living room to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and returned to the victim. He proceeded to stab her multiple times, including slicing her neck, which lacerated her jugular vein. As the victim started to bleed out on the floor of the apartment, Callen panicked and called 911. When EMTs arrived, they immediately rushed the victim to the hospital before law enforcement arrived. When police officers arrived, Callen told them that the victim had arrived at the apartment already bleeding and injured. From September 2024 to February 2025, Callen called the victim numerous times from the D.C. Jail in violation of a court order to stay away from and have no contact with the victim. In those calls, Callen changed his story and attempted to convince the victim that she had accidentally injured herself. During trial, the jury learned that this was not the first time Callen had assaulted the victim but instead was part of a pattern of abuse. Callen broke her leg in August 2023 and gave her two black eyes in January 2024. Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Olivia Hinerfeld and Anne Cotter. 2024 FD3 006890


title: Indictment Unsealed Charging Two Individuals with Distribution of Methamphetamine and One of the Two with Murder for Hire

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An indictment unsealed today charges two individuals with distribution of methamphetamine and one of the individuals with a related murder for hire, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. A six-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Joshua Cole Rasberry, 34, and Donald Paul Sheets, 38 — both of Birmingham, Alabama — with distribution of methamphetamine. Rasberry was also charged with murder for hire, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence. The alleged incidents occurred in January 2026, in Jefferson County, Alabama. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Cross and Kristy M. Peoples are prosecuting the case. An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Modesto Gang Member Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury today returned an indictment charging Bendrelle Williams, 28, of Modesto, with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, on May 17, 2026, Williams, a member of a violent Modesto street gang, possessed an assault-style rifle loaded with 50 rounds of 5.56 ammunition. Williams is prohibited from possessing ammunition because of prior felony convictions including attempted robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Modesto Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney George Biko is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Williams faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Sacramento Man Indicted for Bringing Explosive Material into Sacramento International Airport

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury today returned a three-count indictment today against Kimani Osayande Jones, aka Kimani Osayande Jackson, 49, of Sacramento, charging him with attempting to place a destructive device on an aircraft, unlawfully possessing explosive material in an airport, and attempting to carry a dangerous weapon or explosive onto an aircraft, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at approximately 9 p.m. Jones attempted to pass through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at the Sacramento International Airport to board American Airlines flight 2464. Jones was wearing a scarf covering his face and latex gloves. Inside his carry-on bag, Jones had an M-type explosive device, a torch lighter capable of igniting the device, a knife, scissors and scissor blades, an aerosol can, and zip ties. Jones also had five cellphones; one displayed a 15‑minute timer ready to begin. The explosive device was safely removed by Sacramento County Sheriff bomb technicians and an FBI Special Agent bomb technician. When the device was later examined and tested, authorities determined that both the powder and fuse were viable and energetic. The device had the potential to cause injury and, if it had detonated near a window on a pressurized aircraft flying above 10,000 feet, it could have damaged the aircraft and potentially caused a loss of cabin pressure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Wong is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Jones faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for attempt to place a destructive device in an aircraft, a maximum of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for unlawful possession of explosive material in an airport, and up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for attempt to carry a dangerous weapon on an aircraft. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.