title: Connecticut and North Carolina Residents Charged with Tax Fraud Offenses

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 20-count indictment charging MICHAEL JOSEPH MEADE, 61, of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and CHET LEE WEST, 70, of Nebo, North Carolina, with numerous tax fraud offenses. The indictment was returned on April 8, 2026, and Meade and West were arrested and presented today. Meade is detained pending a hearing that is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in New Haven federal court, and West is released on a $25,000 bond pending his arraignment in the District of Connecticut, which is scheduled for May 7. The indictment alleges that Meade, who has owned and operated Innovative Components LLC, and subsequently Liquidlevel.com LLC, a Southington-based business engaged in the manufacturing and sale of liquid level float control mechanisms, has a federal tax obligation of approximately $2.5 million for the years 2001 through 2010, 2012, and 2013. Since approximately 2016, Meade has attempted to evade the payment of his tax obligation in various ways, including by withdrawing large amounts of cash and purchasing cashier’s checks from his business accounts and using the funds for personal expenditures; depositing company funds into a family member’s trust account; transferring company funds to cryptocurrency wallets and accounts that he controlled; establishing new business bank accounts with a different company name, Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), and using nominees; notifying customers that he was no longer connected with his business and directing them to send payments to the newly opened bank account associated with a new TIN; using a shell company to purchase a personal vacation property in Maine; and opening bank accounts using a false social security number. The indictment further alleges that, beginning in 2021, Meade conspired with West to structure various financial transactions in an effort to obstruct the IRS from assessing and collecting Meade’s federal tax obligation. Meade and West also conspired to provide fraudulent tax-related information to customers of Meade’s business and to cause false information and false documents to be filed with the IRS. The indictment charges Meade with one count of tax evasion, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and six counts of failure to file a tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year on each count. The indictment charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count, and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count. U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. McGarry and Peter S. Jongbloed.


title: Armed meth dealer going to prison for 151 months

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kavon A. Wilson, 32, of Elmira, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve 151 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. Wilson was also ordered to forfeit two firearms and 14 rounds of ammunition. On April 2, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an Erie Street residence in Elmira. Investigators encountered Wilson’s girlfriend lying on the living room couch with an infant in her arms. Two other small children were also in the residence. Under a couch pillow, they recovered a loaded handgun. Investigators also seized another loaded handgun, approximately 1,559 grams of methamphetamine, 124 grams of cocaine, 154 fentanyl pills, and over $11,500 in cash. During the search, Wilson approached the residence and was taken into custody. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola handled the prosecution of the case. The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Violent Crimes Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the Elmira Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kristen Thorne. # # # #


title: Pinal County Man Sentenced to 129 Months in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – A Pinal County man was sentenced last week in federal court for distribution of child pornography from 2016 to 2017. James Stacey Porter, 59, was sentenced April 13, 2026, by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 129 months in prison. Porter previously pleaded guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography on Oct. 10, 2025. “Child Sexual Abuse Material causes significant emotional distress to the children depicted in the images and videos,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Every offender in a file sharing network, like BitTorrent used in this case, is able to grow his collection exponentially with a click of the button at the expense of the minors depicted. We are committed to focusing on not only the producers, but on those who participate in distributing and receiving such illegal materials and bring them to justice.” “The actions perpetrated by this defendant are reprehensible and will not be tolerated,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge, Rebecca Day. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain resolute in keeping children in our communities safe, and those who prey on children will be pursued, investigated, and held accountable – no matter how long it takes.” Porter was detected in the BitTorrent file sharing network during a proactive FBI investigation in 2016 through 2017. Law enforcement connected to Porter’s computer in Phoenix, Arizona, and received child pornography files that Porter’s computer was sharing. Porter gave a statement where he admitted to using search terms specific for finding child pornography files. He also stated he had sought out child pornography for several years. Porter was in possession of approximately 3,509 image files and 175 video files of child pornography. The federal sentence followed a separate conviction in Pinal County Superior Court for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor for a different case, in which he was sentenced in August 2024 to 10 years in prison. 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, local, and tribal 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. The FBI’s Phoenix field office, as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, conducted the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: 18-CR-00240 RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-066_Porter (note PR originally sent out as #067 to media) # # # 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: USAO-KS marks National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: KANSAS CITY, KAN. – U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser of the District of Kansas champions National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), an initiative to raise awareness about the importance of providing crime victims with resources and support. Since 1981, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime has designated this time to challenge the nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for victims of crime. The theme for 2026 is: While NCVRW applies to all victims of crime, U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser is drawing added attention to those victims whose images were used to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) either as actual images or through generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). USAO-KS wants the public to know that federal, state, and local agencies are actively working to bring those who produce, share and/or possess CSAM before a court of law. “Whether the image is real or fake, creating, sharing, and possessing CSAM is a crime. It’s our job to prosecute these offenses, and we will work diligently so that the people engaging in this behavior are convicted and sentenced to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser. U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser speaks during a press conference in Kansas City, Kansas. USAO-KS is committed to educating the public about the legal parameters surrounding the use of GenAI. In 2025, Congress passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act to protect victims from the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated digital forgeries. This Act includes enhanced criminal penalties when the victim is a minor. “When it comes to the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes, our office is filing an increasing number of cases against defendants under the age of 25,” said Kriegshauser. “We are encouraging parents to talk to their teenagers and young adult children so that they understand this behavior is not a joke. It’s a felony.” This week, U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser gave interviews warning of the dangers of CSAM on morning talk radio shows in Wichita and Kansas City. The USAO-KS also held a joint press conference with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) in Kansas City, Kansas. The topics included trends in the numbers of CSAM cases reported to law enforcement and sextortion. Sextortion is when an online predator coaxes victims into providing sexually explicit content then blackmails them by threatening to share this content with the public. “Thousands of FBI agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff work daily to combat the threat of child exploitation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Berkebile of the FBI-Kansas City Office. “Collectively, these crimes contribute to one of the most pervasive and urgent problems facing our world today: children being targeted and abused online. We must all work together to stop it. What we do, and how we teach our children to recognize and avoid this danger, will make all the difference.” U.S. Attorney Kriegshauser also voiced a public service announcement on NCVRW that was sent to college radio stations throughout Kansas. Here are some resources that parents and other trusted adults can use to help protect our children from predators. https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect/training https://icactaskforce.org/OCEPI#:~:text=The%20Online%20Child%20Exploitation%20Prevention,online%20sexual%20exploitation%20and%20abuse . ###


title: Justice Department Seeks to Forfeit Beverly Hills Mansion Purchased with Proceeds of Scheme to Defraud U.S. Military and Bribe an Iraqi Official

component: Criminal Division

body_text: The Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California seeking the forfeiture of a mansion located in Beverly Hills, California, alleged to have been purchased and renovated with approximately $30 million in proceeds of a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), pay bribes to an official of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and violate U.S. money laundering laws. As alleged in the complaint, from 2016 through 2020, a Virginia-based defense contractor and others engaged in a corrupt scheme to obtain more than $700 million from DLA for fuel deliveries to the U.S. military during Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The Erbil International Airport (EIA) located in Kurdistan, where Kurdish Peshmerga forces provided internal security and controlled entry to the facility, served as a critical delivery point for fuel used by the U.S. military in Iraq and Syria during the campaign. The complaint alleges that officers of the contractor agreed to pay General Mansour Barzani, a senior Peshmerga official, a bribe of $0.25 per liter for exclusive access to deliver jet fuel in Kurdistan for the U.S. military and coalition forces and received hundreds of millions of dollars under DLA contracts. During the same period, the contractor’s competitors were blocked from accessing EIA for jet fuel deliveries on behalf of DLA, and DLA issued one-time-buy contracts to the contractor often at noncompetitive and greatly inflated prices. According to the civil forfeiture complaint, funds that the contractor received from DLA as a result of the scheme were transferred to NYJD Trust No.1, a trust established in Virginia for the private benefit of Barzani. In 2018, approximately $30 million of those funds were transferred from Barzani’s trust to purchase the Beverly Hills mansion as well as the renovation and improvement of the property from 2019 to 2022. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and IRS Criminal Investigation. Deputy Chief Michael B. Redmann and Senior Trial Attorney Steven Parker of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) are handling the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant support. The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations. MNF’s International Unit investigates and prosecutes cross-border money laundering schemes involving transnational criminal organizations, cartels, foreign official corruption and related money laundering affecting the U.S. financial system and prosecutes criminal cases and civil forfeiture matters to recover the proceeds of those crimes. A civil complaint is merely an allegation. The government has the burden of establishing the assets are subject to forfeiture by a preponderance of the evidence.


title: Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Photographing Air Force Base and Vital Military Equipment

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Chinese national pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for unlawfully photographing a vital military installation and military equipment without authorization. Qilin Wu, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris to one count of taking photographs of a vital military installation and military equipment without authorization. According to court documents, on Dec. 2, 2025, the Whiteman Air Force Base Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) investigated a report of a suspicious minivan near the perimeter of the military installation. Air Force patrolmen were dispatched to the area to investigate, and encountered Wu, who stated that he was there to observe the B-2 Spirit aircraft. The patrolmen informed Wu that he was not permitted to take photographs or make video recordings of the military installation. AFOSI was notified the following day that the same minivan was identified at a perimeter fence of Whiteman Air Force Base. Whiteman Air Force agents went to the area to investigate and again contacted Wu. Wu admitted to taking videos of the B-2 Spirit aircraft and numerous photographs of Whiteman’s perimeter fencing, a gate, and military equipment. Wu showed investigators his phone, including images of Whiteman Air Force Base and military equipment that Wu had recorded. In total, investigators observed 18 images and videos that Wu admitted he had taken of the installation and of military equipment. Wu also admitted to photographing another U.S. Air Force base and its military aircraft. According to court documents, Wu is a Chinese national who illegally entered the United States on June 22, 2023, near Nogales, Az. At that time, Wu was arrested by immigration authorities for illegally being present in the United States. Due to a lack of detention space, Wu was released on his own recognizance to await immigration removal proceedings originally scheduled for Feb. 9, 2027. On Dec. 3, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) re-arrested Wu. Under federal statutes, Wu is subject to a sentence of up to one year in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes; any sentence would 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 U.S. Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Chlarson with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Brendan P. Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. It was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Air Force’s Security Forces, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.


title: Tacoma grocery store owner indicted for food stamp fraud scheme

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – The 64-year-old owner of a small Tacoma market was arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma for multiple counts of wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Manjit Bedi, of Kent, Washington, pleaded not guilty in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa L. Fricke. Trial is scheduled for June 22, 2026, in front of U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright. “Every assistance dollar lost to fraud, is a dollar that could be feeding hungry children,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “This crime steals from taxpayers -- including our most needy, cutting the dollars they have for food. We are committed to rooting out such fraud so that federal dollars go to where they are most needed.” The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division . The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support 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. According to the indictment, Bedi owned and operated a small grocery store in Tacoma. In February 2024, the store was authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits – formerly known as food stamps. The indictment alleges that beginning in March 2024, Bedi agreed to provide SNAP recipients with cash in exchange for the money loaded on their electronic benefits card (EBT). For example, Bedi would charge $200 against a recipient’s EBT card, providing $100 in cash to the recipient and keeping the other $100 as profit. The indictment alleges Bedi pocketed at least $600,000 in SNAP benefits for food items that were never sold. Both wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud are punishable by up to twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the FBI, and the Washington State Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Victoria Cantore.


title: Ex-Employee Sentenced in Theft of $333,000 From Her Former Non-Profit Employer

body_text: WASHINGTON - Laura Lee Dudley, 45, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 11 months in prison for her role in a years-long conspiracy to steal more than $393,340 from her nonprofit employer by making unauthorized personal purchases on the organization’s corporate credit card, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Dudley exploited a position of financial trust to systematically steal from a nonprofit. She spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on gift cards and personal items while records were falsified to cover the theft,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “My office will continue to root out fraud and corruption and bring to justice those who exploit positions of trust.” Dudley pleaded guilty on Oct. 21, 2025, before Judge Carl J. Nichols to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. In addition to the 11-month prison term, Judge Nichols ordered Dudley to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $393,340.57, jointly and severally with her co-defendant, and a criminal forfeiture money judgment of $333,825. According to court papers, Dudley was employed by a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that provided educational programs, training, and development assistance in the Middle East and North Africa. She joined the organization in January 2008, initially as an administrative assistant responsible for purchasing supplies on a corporate credit card. She later transferred to the Accounts Receivable Department as an accountant. Beginning on or about Jan. 1, 2020, Dudley and co-conspirator Daniel Park began using the organization’s corporate credit card to purchase items on Amazon. They bought gift cards, electronics, and beauty products for their personal use. Dudley and Park had the packages shipped to both the organization’s headquarters and their personal residences. The organization paid the credit card bill each month. Employees were required to log all credit card purchases and upload supporting invoices into an electronic expense system. To conceal the scheme, Dudley and Park failed to report their unauthorized purchases and, in some instances, Park created fake invoices that were uploaded into the log to cover the personal transactions. The scheme was facilitated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Park was among the few employees working in person at the organization’s headquarters, enabling him to receive Amazon packages on Dudley’s behalf. Dudley also came into the office periodically to pick up her deliveries. The fraud was discovered when the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer questioned the volume of Amazon purchases in the Administration Department. Law enforcement subsequently uncovered Dudley’s participation and determined that she had received about $333,825 of the about $393,340 stolen from the organization. She was terminated by the organization on May 3, 2022. Park previously was sentenced to eight months of incarceration. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane G. Lucas of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section. 25cr58 Follow us on Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube Or at https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc


title: Eau Claire Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Receiving Child Pornography

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Scott Graham, 41, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 10 years in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography. This term of imprisonment is to be followed by 25 years of supervised release. Graham pleaded guilty to this charge on January 14, 2026. Graham and Natasha Rivas, 24, North Bergen, New Jersey, exchanged approximately 150 videos, 81 images, and 23 downloaded links containing child sexual abuse material of prepubescent or pubescent females. They repeatedly talked about sexually exploiting children. Rivas ultimately sent Graham sexually explicit images of children in her care. Judge Peterson noted that while Rivas created the images, Graham encouraged her and directed her actions. So, while Graham did not participate in a hands-on offense, Judge Peterson found that Graham should still be held accountable for what happened to the children. Judge Peterson also noted that Graham had a long history and high-volume engagement with child pornography. Natasha Rivas was sentenced on April 9, 2026, in the District of New Jersey to 110 months in federal prison. The charges against Graham and Rivas were the result of an investigation conducted by the Eau Claire Police Department and the FBI, with assistance from the New Jersey United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case. This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Brothers Sentenced for Leading Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution Network Linked to Sinaloa Cartel

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Brothers Eduardo and Francisco Mendoza were sentenced in federal court to 15 years and 10 years in prison, respectively, for leading a fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution network supplied by the Sinaloa Cartel. Eduardo Mendoza was sentenced today; Francisco Mendoza was sentenced April 17. According to public documents, the brothers and other members of their organization were identified through a long-term wiretap investigation. As the investigation unfolded, agents identified the Mendoza Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which operated in the Imperial County and trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl. Investigators learned that the Mendoza DTO was supplied by a Sinaloa Cartel-linked source of fentanyl supply in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. The Mendoza DTO obtained drugs from Mexico and then distributed the drugs throughout the Imperial Valley and elsewhere, including as far as New York. Eduardo Mendoza was the lead defendant charged in a 12-defendant indictment with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. In 2024, agents conducted a multi-district takedown, which led to Eduardo Mendoza’s arrest in Oregon and Francisco Mendoza’s arrest in the Imperial Valley, California. In his plea agreement, Eduardo Mendoza admitted that he participated in the conspiracy between at least 2020 through his arrest in June 2024. Through the multi-year investigation, agents repeatedly seized methamphetamine and fentanyl that was being distributed by the organization, including some of the seizures highlighted below. “Imperial Valley. New York. Las Vegas. Oregon,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, “This was a sprawling investigation into prolific drug traffickers. But we wiretapped their phones, seized their drugs, and brought them to justice.” “The sentencing of Eduardo and Francisco Mendoza marks a significant victory in our ongoing fight against transnational criminal organizations that threaten the safety of our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Murphy, HSI San Diego. “This case demonstrates the dedication and collaboration of law enforcement partners to dismantle drug trafficking networks responsible for distributing dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine. HSI remains committed to pursuing those who endanger lives through the illicit drug trade and to protecting our communities from the devastating impact of narcotics.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shivanjali Sewak and Kevin Mokhtari. DEFENDANTS Case Number 24-cr-0504-CAB Eduardo Mendoza, AKA “Casper” 33 Niland, CA Francisco Javier Mendoza, AKA “Pancho” 35 Niland, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl (21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846) Maximum Penalties: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine. INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Homeland Security Investigations Drug Enforcement Administration Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Department of Justice Office of Enforcement Operations U.S. Border Patrol U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives U.S. Postal Inspection Service Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation California Highway Patrol Brawley Police Department El Centro Police Department Calexico Police Department Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Imperial County District Attorney’s Office Imperial County Probation Department Imperial Police Department Westmorland Police Department Calipatria Police Department Imperial Valley - Law Enforcement Coordination Center Imperial County Child Protective Services San Diego County Sheriff’s Office U.S. Marshals Service This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Joins Partners in Recognizing 45th Annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 19-25, 2026

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.— Every April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor crime victims, promote their rights, and recognize victim advocates. This year’s observance, the 45th annual commemoration, takes place April 19-25, 2026, with the theme: “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities .” The U.S. Attorney’s Office joins its federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners in taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of providing necessary services at the earliest possible stages of victimization, investigations, and prosecutions. Early intervention helps prevent further victimization and encourages victim involvement in the criminal justice system, mitigating the cycle of violence and restoring hope for the future. “We remain steadfast in our mission to protect the rights of crime victims,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “My office will continue to vigorously advocate for crime victims and ensure justice is sought on their behalf.” Over the last several months, the District of Oregon has prosecuted a number of victim-focused cases including: United States v. Hugo Gomez-Soto : A federal jury in Portland found Hugo Gomez-Soto guilty for distributing fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose death of a Portland, Oregon, man. United States v. Javier Francisco Vigil : Javier Francisco Vigil pleaded guilty on the second day of trial to attempted murder of a police officer, robbery, and felon in possession of a firearm (Armed Career Criminal Act) related to an armed robbery of the Wildhorse Resort and Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in 2022. United States v. Misael Flores Ramirez : Misael Flores Ramirez was sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting multiple minors online and receiving sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victims. United States v. Daniel Andrew McGee : Daniel Andrew McGee was sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for a federal hate crime after assaulting a victim on the basis of their sexual orientation. United States v. Eric Lamont Harris : Eric Lamont Harris pleaded guilty on day four of his jury trial and was sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison for sex trafficking three minors. United States v. Steven Daniel Griswold : Steven Daniel Griswold was sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for ordering live-streamed child sexual abuse material from child sex traffickers in the Philippines in exchange for money. United States v. Michael Cambalik : Michael Cambalik was sentenced to over 33 years in federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor after he directed the minor victim to send him child sexual abuse material. United States v. Harold Charley : Harold Charley was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually abusing two minors on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. United States v. Kenneth Green : Kenneth Green was sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for ordering live-streamed child sexual abuse and traveling to the Philippines to engage in illicit sexual activity while working as a firefighter for the Lake Oswego Fire Department. Additionally, in the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Oregon has collected more than $20 million through criminal and civil actions, much of which is used to pay restitution to victims and to fund federal and state victim compensation and assistance programs. During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local, and tribal agencies host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. OVC and U.S. Attorney’s Offices encourage widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year. For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to assist victims in your community, please visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov . For ongoing updates from OVC and ideas for how you can support crime victims throughout the year, please subscribe to OVC’s email notifications at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/subscribe/ . If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe you have been the target or victim of a crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency or your nearest FBI field office immediately. The FBI Portland Field Office can be reached at (503) 224-4181 or by submitting tips online at tips.fbi.gov .


title: Maryland Man Indicted on Child Sexual Exploitation Charges

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury indicted a Maryland man today, in connection with child sexual exploitation crimes. Gleybar Josue Ramirez-Clemente, 21, of Frederick, Maryland, is charged with sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Ramirez-Clemente pretended he was a minor while engaging with the victim on a social media platform and when he eventually sexually exploited the child. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, Interim Chief Kevin Meyer, Frederick Police Department (FPD), and J. Charles Smith III, State’s Attorney for Frederick County. According to the indictment, from July through October 2025, Ramirez-Clemente used his Instagram internet-based account to solicit a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. On August 18, 2025, Ramirez-Clemente then coerced the minor to produce two sexually explicit videos. Then on November 26, law enforcement found Ramirez-Clemente in possession of child sexual abuse material. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding. If convicted, Ramirez-Clemente faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child, a minimum of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life for coercion and enticement, and a maximum sentence of 10 years for possession of child sexual abuse material. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, FPD, and State’s Attorney’s Office for Frederick County for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Interstate Drug Trafficking Conspirator Enters Guilty Plea

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Malachi Brian Maurice Younger, 23, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, Younger was involved in a conspiracy to distribute illicit drugs in Berkeley County, West Virginia. On March 28, 2024, law enforcement seized large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, along with packaging materials, a digital scale, razor blades, and cash, from a stolen Jeep operated by Younger. In the following months, investigators repeatedly observed Younger engaging in hand-to-hand drug transactions in Maryland and West Virginia, often using a stolen black Jaguar SUV. On July 27, 2024, Younger fled from Pennsylvania State Police in the same Jaguar and was found in possession of additional fentanyl mixtures, oxycodone, drug paraphernalia, and cash. Younger will be sentenced for his conviction at a later date. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration-Hagerstown investigated. Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime and drug trafficking. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Reports More Than $4.3M in Criminal and Civil Collections for January-March

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: CLEVELAND – The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) has announced that criminal and civil collections for the Northern District of Ohio during the first three months of the calendar year totaled $4,338,795.21. As the chief federal law enforcement officer for the 40 northern counties in Ohio, U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer is responsible for enforcing collections resulting from settlements, restitution paid to crime victims, or money owed to the U.S. Government. In criminal division cases, monetary penalties included as part of a defendant’s judgment are enforced soon after sentencing and are not suspended due to a defendant’s incarceration. In civil division matters, the amounts collected are often the results of monetary settlements. The months of January, February and March represent the second quarter (Q2) of the USAO’s Fiscal Year 2026 which runs Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 31, 2026. The Civil Division collected $1,584,586.83 during Q2. Notable cases contributing to the amounts include: Dr. Mohammed Kanawati, D.D.S. – The USAO and Drug Enforcement Administration reached a settlement with Pepper Pike, Ohio, dentist Mohammed Ali Kanawati, D.D.S. The settlement resolved civil penalty claims arising under the Controlled Substances Act for failure to maintain complete and accurate records. Kanawati paid a $450,000 civil penalty in full. MP Lab Solutions, LLC – The USAO and Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reached a settlement with MP Lab Solutions, LLC, located in Highland Heights, Ohio. The settlement resolved claims related to alleged false claims to Medicare for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits. MP Lab Solutions has paid the $200,000 settlement in full. The Criminal Division collected $2,754,208.38 during Q2. Notable cases contributing to the amounts include: U.S. v. Davis Lu - Davis Lu, 55, a citizen of China residing in Houston and authorized to legally work in the U.S., was convicted in 2025 by a federal jury of intentionally damaging protected computers by creating destructive computer code that he deployed on his former employer’s network. Lu was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to repay $326,073.04 in restitution to his former employer, Eaton Corporation. This amount has now been paid in full. U.S. v. Soumya Rudra - Soumya Rudra, 42, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and to possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography. Rudra was sentenced to 30 years prison and ordered to pay a $17,000 assessment paid to the Defined Monetary Assistance Victims Reserve, a $5,000 assessment paid to the Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund, and a $50,000 fine paid to the Crime Victims Fund. The fines and assessments have been paid in full.


title: Williston Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm Possession by a Convicted Felon

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

body_text: Gainesville, Florida – Michael Theondra Mozell, Jr., 32, of Williston, Florida, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “With this successful prosecution, another dangerous criminal will be kept off our streets. President Donald J. Trump and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche launched Operation Take Back America to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice toward protecting our communities from violent criminals, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute cases like this to deliver on that promise.” Court documents reflect that during the course of a traffic stop in Gainesville, Florida, a .25 caliber pistol, five grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were seized from the defendant’s vehicle. The defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition as he has prior felony convictions for attempted robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, aggravated assault with deadly weapon, and possession of cocaine. “This case is a testament to the skilled, proactive work of our deputies and the strong partnership we share with the U.S. Department of Justice,” said Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott. “Through coordinated efforts, a repeat violent felon who once again chose to illegally possess a firearm has been held accountable and removed from our streets. This outcome reflects our unwavering commitment to public safety and ensuring that those who pose a continued threat to our community face meaningful consequences.” The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt. 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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Georgia Man Indicted for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Edward Blake Langford, 42, of Winder, Georgia, has been indicted in federal court for attempted enticement of a minor. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges. Langford appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for May 26, 2026, at 8:30 am, before District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee, Florida. If convicted, Langford faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment. The case is being jointly investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. 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 . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Hialeah Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing 100 Kilograms of Marijuana  and Five Firearms for Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Jose Ruben Curet Villa (41, Hialeah) has pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Curet Villa faces a minimum penalty of 40 years, up to life, in federal prison. The date for his sentencing hearing has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to the plea agreement, in April 2024, Curet Villa made an illegal arrangement with his co-conspirators to set up “pop-up shops,” where he sold and distributed large volumes of marijuana at five locations in Jacksonville. He conspired with others, including those who provided locations and security for these temporary businesses. On two occasions, a confidential informant made controlled purchases of marijuana from Curet Villa and his co-conspirators at these pop-up shops. Based on their investigation, law enforcement believed that Curet Villa was transporting marijuana from the townhome where he was staying to the pop-up shops. On November 15, 2024, law enforcement executed search warrants at various locations associated with Curet Villa, including the townhome where Curet Villa had been staying and was present. Items recovered included: a money counter, vacuum sealers, plastic bags and marijuana residue, scales, cash, five firearms (one of which was stolen), 113 rounds of ammunition, and more than 298 pounds of marijuana. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lasry. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).


title: Albuquerque Man Charged with Aiming Laser at Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man is facing federal charges after allegedly aiming the beam of a laser pointer at a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and striking the cockpit over a dozen times. According to public court documents, on October 7, 2025, Jorge Pinon Armendariz , 47, directed a green laser at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Metro 1 helicopter while it was assisting ground operations. The laser struck the aircraft multiple times, including repeated hits to the pilot’s eyes. Still image from the recording from inside the helicopter at the time of the strike Using the aircraft’s onboard camera, the crew tracked the laser beam first to a vehicle in a McDonald’s drive-thru and later to a nearby residence. Ground deputies responded to the residence, and Armendariz fled the scene. Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies identified Armendariz as the individual who repeatedly aimed the laser beam at Metro 1 that night. At the time of the incident, Armendariz had an active state warrant for violating conditions of pretrial release in a state case allegedly involving receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, New Mexico had the second-highest number of reported laser incidents per capita in 2024 and 2025, second only to Washington, D.C. Armendariz is federally charged with aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 39A. If convicted of the current charges, Armendariz faces up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jena Ritchey is prosecuting the case. View the Indictment (Armendariz).pdf View the Motion to Detain (Armendariz).pdf An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Porcupine Man of  Five Charges of Abusive Sexual Contact

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a federal jury has convicted Gary Pourier, age 59, of Porcupine, South Dakota, of five charges of Abusive Sexual Contact, following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on April 16, 2026. The charges carry a sentence of up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, and a $500 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Pourier was indicted in August 2024. In July of 2024, Pourier was at the Common Cents Convenience Store near Porcupine when he made contact with the 10-year-old female victim. Pourier sexually fondled the young girl inside the store. After the victim left the store, she reported to a guardian what had happened. Law Enforcement with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety responded to the scene as well as the child’s home. Based on the child’s age, the Federal Bureau of Investigation also responded. The investigation revealed that Pourier made contact with the child, fondled her breasts, and pulled her into his body and would not let the child immediately leave. The investigating agent with the FBI discovered that this was not the first time Pourier had been accused of sexually touching a child. In 2005, Pourier engaged in sexual contact with two young female children while their mothers attended a cultural ceremony. Both children reported the contact several months later and an investigation was initiated by the FBI in 2006. In 2006, Pourier admitted to becoming aroused while playing with the children. Pourier, however, was never charged. In the fall of 2024, the FBI learned of another victim. Pourier sexually touched a teenaged girl inside a truck in the summer of 2023, following a sundance ceremony. In total, Pourier was indicted for sexually touching four victims. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for August 3, 2026. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. If you or anyone you know has information about additional crimes Pourier might have committed, please contact FBI Special Agent Brian Healy at 605-343-9632.


title: Montgomery County Man Charged With Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses, Illegal Gun Possession

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Anthony Greene, aka “Maino” and “Von,” 37, of Trooper, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment with two counts each of manufacture of child pornography; use of an interstate commerce facility to entice a minor, and attempt to entice a minor, to engage in sexual conduct; and receipt of child pornography, and one count each of possession of child pornography and possession of a firearm by a felon. The defendant is scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday for an arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott W. Reid. The indictment alleges that from March to June 2025, Greene used social media platforms to sexually exploit several minors, who ranged in age from 13 to 17. In some instances, the defendant used these platforms to persuade the minors to self-produce sexually explicit images or videos of themselves. In other instances, he encouraged them to transmit sexually explicit images of minors. The indictment further alleges that he possessed child pornography and possessed a firearm as a felon. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov . The case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigative Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda McCool and Meghan A. Farley. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.


component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: Meet the Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office: Questions and Answers with Darci Graham National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2026 Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect Victims. Serve Communities. Pictured: Darci Graham, Victim Witness Coordinator Q: How did you become interested in working with victims of crime? A: Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with individuals impacted by crime, helping them navigate complex legal processes while ensuring they feel supported and informed. I have a background in criminal justice and victim advocacy, with experience in both military and federal systems. Early in my career as a police officer in the early 2000s, I witnessed a criminal justice system that often did not fully include victims, and many individuals had little to no voice in the courtroom. That experience significantly shaped my perspective and commitment to this work. I later participated in one of the first victim impact panels in Louisiana, which, at the time, focused on rehabilitation efforts as defendants prepared to reenter society. Those experiences continue to drive my passion for strengthening victim services, ensuring that victims are heard, respected, and meaningfully included throughout the justice process, and building programs that make a lasting difference in people’s lives. Q: What are your responsibilities? A: As the Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office, I ensure that victims of federal crimes are informed of their rights, supported throughout the criminal justice process, and connected to resources that promote safety, stability, and healing. My role centers on advocacy, communication, and coordination. I work directly with victims to explain the court process, provide updates on their case, and ensure their voices are heard—particularly through opportunities like victim impact statements. I also help coordinate services such as safety planning, referrals to counseling, and assistance navigating financial or logistical challenges related to the case. At its core, this work is about making sure victims are not navigating the system alone. Q: How have you worked with victims in your past roles? A: My background spans law enforcement, military service, victim advocacy, and systems management. I began my career as a police officer, where I served as both a Rape Crisis Officer and a Domestic Violence Investigating Officer. In those roles, I responded to and investigated sensitive cases, worked directly with victims in crisis, and ensured they were supported while navigating the justice process. I later transitioned into victim advocacy, where I have worked with victims of violent crime, domestic violence, and sexual assault in both civilian and military settings. I have provided crisis support, helped individuals understand and navigate the legal system, coordinated with prosecutors and investigators, and ensured victims received consistent communication and access to resources throughout their cases. In these moments, I believe an advocate should be calm in the storm—someone who can provide clarity, stability, and support when everything feels overwhelming. Across all these roles, my focus has remained consistent: supporting individuals during difficult moments, treating them with dignity and respect, and helping them navigate complex systems with clarity and confidence. Q: What do you believe is the most important aspect of victim services? A: I believe one of the most important aspects of victim services is ensuring victims can be heard. The victim impact statement is a powerful part of that—it allows individuals to share how the crime affected their lives in their own words. It also helps humanize the crime, giving the Court a fuller understanding of the real impact beyond the facts of the case. When supported properly, it can help victims reclaim their voice and, for some, be a meaningful step in the healing process. At the same time, it’s always a personal choice, and our role is to support and empower victims in whatever they decide. Q: What support is available for crime victims? A: There are a wide range of resources available to support crime victims. These include victim advocacy services, counseling, crisis intervention, legal information, and financial assistance in certain cases. At the federal level, victims also have specific rights, including the right to be informed, to be present at proceedings, and to be heard at key stages of the process. Additionally, national resources such as the Office for Victims of Crime and the National Crime Victim Hotline provide guidance and support to individuals seeking help. The most important message is that support exists—and no one needs to feel alone in the process. Q: What message would you like to share during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week? A: This year’s theme—Listen. Act. Advocate. —is a reminder that supporting victims requires more than awareness. It requires action, collaboration, and a commitment to ensuring that every victim is heard and supported. Whether you are a professional in the justice system or a member of the community, we all play a role in creating an environment where victims feel safe coming forward and accessing the help they need. Q: So that victims who work with you get a chance to know you better, what’s an interesting fact about you? A: An interesting fact about me is that I had the opportunity to meet John Walsh and was featured briefly on America’s Most Wanted during coverage of the Baton Rouge Serial Killer case. I assisted in a segment focused on teaching women firearm safety and awareness.


title: Dutchess County Couple Charged In Credit Card And Identity Theft Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), Ketty Larco-Ward, announced today the arrest of OPEYEMI OLUJOBI, a/k/a “Tyler Olujobi,” and JENNIE DAVIDSON. OLUJOBI and DAVIDSON are charged with using stolen credit cards in the names of hundreds of victims, which they had mailed to them as part of a conspiracy to fraudulently take over those victims’ accounts and make over half a million dollars in unauthorized purchases. OLUJOBI and DAVIDSON were arrested in Poughkeepsie, New York, this morning and are expected to appear this afternoon in White Plains federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause. “As alleged, Tyler Olujobi and Jennie Davidson enriched themselves by impersonating hard-working New Yorkers and exploiting the good credit their victims had spent years building,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “After using the U.S. Postal Service to further their scheme, the defendants embarked on a half-million-dollar spending spree at retail stores across the Tri-State Area. This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting New Yorkers from thieves who profit from other people’s hard-earned credit, and we will continue to bring perpetrators of these shameless fraud schemes to justice.” “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is firmly committed to investigating those who use the U.S. Mail to steal personally identifying information and take advantage of the American public,” said USPIS Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward. “The deliberate use of someone else’s identity for financial gain will not be tolerated, and postal inspectors will continue to work tirelessly to put a stop to complex bank and mail fraud schemes such as this.” As alleged in the Complaint: [1] From at least May 2023 through October 2024, OLUJOBI, DAVIDSON, and/or their co-conspirators contacted a publicly traded consumer financial services company (“Victim Bank-1”) and used other people’s names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, and addresses to falsely identify themselves as the true accountholders of over 200 store credit card accounts. After gaining access to the cardholders’ accounts, the perpetrators changed the address listed on the account to one of four addresses in Hopewell Junction, New York (one of which was OLUJOBI and DAVIDSON’s residence). They also changed victims’ phone numbers to one of many controlled by participants in the scheme. Once they completed these steps, the perpetrators reported the victims’ card lost or stolen and requested that a new card be shipped to the address on file ( i.e. , one of the Hopewell Junction addresses). After they obtained their victims’ credit cards, OLUJOBI, DAVIDSON, and/or their co-conspirators used those cards at various retail locations to make around $575,000 in unauthorized purchases of gift cards and other merchandise. Video surveillance associated with many of these transactions shows OLUJOBI and DAVIDSON using the stolen cards. If a transaction was declined or a credit limit was approached, OLUJOBI, DAVIDSON, and/or their co-conspirators promptly contacted Victim Bank-1 and requested to have the charges approved or the credit limit raised. At times, DAVIDSON disposed of the proceeds of certain fraudulent transactions by loading tens of thousands of dollars of her fraud proceeds into an online betting account to obscure the illicit source and then transfer those funds into her personal bank account. * * * OLUJOBI, 28, and JENNIE DAVIDSON, 29, both of Poughkeepsie, New York, are each charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; conspiracy to commit access device fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of seven and a half years in prison; access device fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison. DAVIDSON is also charged with money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of the USPIS. The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reyhan Watson and Isabelle Lelogeais are in charge of the prosecution. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Mexican National Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Smuggling Liquid Meth into U.S. in Propane Tanks

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 210 months in prison for importing 163 kgs of liquid methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. According to court documents, on June 5, 2022, Paul Ivan Palmero-Martinez, 51, pulled up to the Eagle Pass Port of Entry driving a Ford F350 tow truck. He stated that he was traveling from Piedras Negras to San Antonio to purchase motor bikes for his business in Mexico, and that he had nothing to declare. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers (CBPO) directed Palmero-Martinez to secondary inspection, where he stated he was traveling to San Antonio to purchase an engine. A CBPO opened the back compartment of Palmero-Martinez’s vehicle and located two large propane tanks that looked and smelled as if they were recently painted. A K9 alerted to the smell of narcotics. Further inspection revealed anomalies in the propane tanks, which were then cut open to reveal six large packages of methamphetamine with a total weight of 168.2 kgs. Palmero-Martinez told ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents that a co-conspirator was supposed to pay him for transporting the methamphetamine to San Antonio. He further admitted that he had previously transported the F350 from Mexico to San Antonio through the Del Rio Port of Entry to establish a crossing history and that he received $800 from the co-conspirator for doing so. Following his arrest, Palmero-Martinez was charged in a four-count indictment. He pleaded guilty to one count on Sept. 19, 2022. Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses presided over the case. ICE HSI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. ###


title: Federal jury convicts man of kidnapping after he abducted and sexually assaulted Gwinnett County woman

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA – On April 16, 2026, following a four-day trial, a federal jury convicted Alfredo Capote of kidnapping. Capote tied up the victim’s teenaged son, sexually assaulted the victim, abducted her, and drove her to several Georgia cities over the course of two days. At the time of the kidnapping, Capote was under indictment for fraud and money laundering. “While on pretrial release facing serious federal charges, Capote kidnapped and sexually assaulted his then-girlfriend repeatedly before she escaped and ran to safety,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “The victim’s family deserved justice for her terrifying ordeal, especially after the victim was gunned down mere weeks after her rescue. I am grateful for the strong federal and local law enforcement partnerships throughout Georgia that led to Capote’s capture, charging, and conviction.” “This was a deliberate and brutal crime carried out against a victim who trusted the defendant,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI and our partners worked tirelessly to get justice for the victim’s family, and today’s verdict sends a clear message that we will not stop until violent offenders are held accountable.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: on April 7, 2016, Alfredo Capote and an unknown, masked man went to the house of the victim, who Capote was dating at the time. Capote staged a ruse in which he led the victim and her then-17-year-old son to believe that the masked man was robbing Capote and looking for Capote’s money at the victim’s house. After the armed, masked man tied up the victim in her bedroom, the masked man and Capote tied up her son in his bedroom. Capote, who was also armed, returned to the victim’s bedroom and sexually assaulted her. Capote then took the victim from her home in Duluth, Georgia to a friend’s house in Austell, Georgia, where he sought assistance getting a new phone and a place to stay for the night. Unaware that a kidnapping was ongoing, the friend booked a hotel room for Capote, where Capote again sexually assaulted the victim. The following day, Capote took the victim to Perry, Georgia to another friend’s house. While Capote was driving with the victim in Perry, the victim escaped by jumping out of the car and running to a nearby gas station. At the time of the kidnapping, Capote was on bond facing more than a dozen counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering in the Northern District of Georgia. During the kidnapping, Capote cut off a court-ordered ankle monitor to facilitate his evasion of law enforcement. Capote remained a fugitive for over a year and was arrested in Louisiana on April 18, 2017. Sentencing for Alfredo Capote, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, is scheduled for July 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Perry Police Department, Gwinnett County Police Department, Cobb County Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren E. Renaud and Skye Davis are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chloe Smith and Robert Shapiro. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Two illegal aliens have been indicted for separate assaults on federal officers at the Livingston Detention Facility in the Eastern District of Texas

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – Two illegal aliens have been indicted for assaulting federal employees at a detention facility in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. The assaults are alleged to have occurred at the IAH Polk Adult Detention Facility in Livingston where both individuals were being held pending their removal from the United States. Andrei Siskov, 41, a Russian national illegally in the United States, was indicted by a federal grand jury this week and charged with assaulting or impeding federal officers. The two-count indictment alleges that on February 22, 2026, and again on April 4, 2026, Siskov assaulted detention officers who were contract employees of the Department of Homeland Security. On February 22, Siskov spit a mouthful of saliva in the face of a detention officer. On April 4, Siskov punched a detention officer in the face causing injury to the officer and leaving visible marks. Siskov faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. Rosbin Melgar-Lopez, 31, a Guatemalan national illegally in the United States, was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with assaulting or impeding a federal officer. The indictment alleges that on March 19, 2026, Melgar assaulted a Department of Homeland Security deportation officer. On that date, Melgar bit a detention officer on the forearm causing injury. Melgar faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. These cases are being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston. A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Convicted Sex Offender Receives Multiple Life Sentences in Prison

component: USAO - Alabama, Northern

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A convicted sex offender will serve life in prison for the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of numerous children across the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Axon sentenced Graham Daniel Ash, 42, of Pinson, Alabama, to four life sentences plus 280 years in prison followed by a life term of supervised release. In December 2025, Ash pleaded guilty to an 11-count indictment, which included the sexual exploitation of children, transportation of child pornography, coercion and enticement of minors, possession of child pornography, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, and penalties for registered sex offenders. Ash was previously convicted of electronic solicitation of a child in Jefferson County, Alabama, in 2022. According to court documents, beginning in August 2023, Ash distributed images and videos of child sexual abuse material in his online correspondence with an undercover FBI agent with the District of Columbia Field Office. A federal search warrant was subsequently executed on Ash’s residence in Pinson, Alabama. Agents recovered a laptop and two smashed cell phones from Ash’s residence. Following the search warrant, FBI Agents in the District of Columbia and Northern District of Alabama continued their investigation into Ash. Search warrants for Ash’s online accounts and the forensic examination of his seized devices revealed evidence of other crimes that Ash committed between February and October 2023. Those crimes occurred in the Northern District of Alabama and elsewhere and involved minor victims located throughout the United States. In his communications with these children, Ash repeatedly coerced and directed children to perform sexually explicit acts in the images and videos he demanded of them. Ash also traveled out of state to rape and sodomize an 11-year-old child. The investigation has led to the identification of more than 25 minor victims, who range in age from 7 to 14 years, residing in various states. Ash was also charged in an indictment in the District of Columbia and pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor. That court sentenced him in April 2025 to 216 months in federal prison. If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org . The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The FBI Birmingham Field Office, Violent Crimes Against Children Unit, and FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. Other federal and state law enforcement agencies in Missouri, Texas, California, Connecticut, West Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Florida, Indiana, New York, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Colorado, and Maryland were instrumental in identifying and locating the minor victims. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White prosecuted the case.


title: Foreign National Sentenced for Unlawfully Photographing Vital U.S. Military Installations

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Polish national was sentenced Monday for photographing and video- and audio-recording vital U.S. military installations and aircraft, equipment, and operations without approval of the installation commander. According to court documents, Michal Miroslaw Rokita is a foreign national who travelled on a passport issued by Poland to the United States with the intent to unlawfully take images and audio recordings of vital U.S. military installations and equipment. From about April 7, 2026, to April 14, 2026, Rokita took photographs of installations and equipment of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) and the Tonopah Test Range (TTR), without first obtaining permission of the military installation commander. The NTTR and the TTR are designated under 18 U.S.C § 795 and Executive Order No. 10104 as vital military installations and are located within Nevada. At various times Rokita met with a person who is a naturalized U.S. citizen and operates a website identified as DreamlandResort.com. Rokita provided photographs and video- and audio-recordings to the person. On April 11, 2026, Rokita met with the person in Las Vegas to participate in a livestream event on YouTube titled “Our fearless Field Investigator Michal reports from his recent recon mission to Tikaboo Peak.” During the livestream, Rokita and the other person showed and described a large number of photographs and video recordings. Rokita and two other people discuss the content of the livestream at 23:00 of the livestream, U.S. v. Michal Miroslaw Rokita, Case No. 226-mj-00296 Rokita pleaded guilty to one count of photographing defense installations without authorization and one count of publication of photographs of defense installations without authorization. U.S. Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier III sentenced Rokita to time served. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Keaton Southwick for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations PJ Detachment 1, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case. ###


title: Eagle Butte Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a jury has convicted Shane Bruguier, age 47, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, of one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on April 16, 2026. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 30 years and up to life in custody, a $250,000 fine, five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. Bruguier was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025. The evidence presented at trial established that between January 13, 2015, and November 29, 2015, the 8-year-old victim awoke to Bruguier rubbing her vagina after he had pulled down her underwear. The offense occurred in Eagle Butte, SD, within the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to state court. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Bruguier was placed in the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending sentencing.


title: Orleans Parish Man Sentenced for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney David I. Courcelle announced that DANIEL HANKTON , ( “HANKTON” ), age 34, was sentenced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, by United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion, after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). HANKTON was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. HANKTON was wanted by New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) detectives in connection with an aggravated assault that occurred on February 5, 2025. On March 12, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m., NOPD observed an individual matching HANKTON’s description near the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd. and South Rampart Street. The individual was walking with a female who matched the description of HANKTON’s girlfriend. NOPD then confirmed that the individual was HANKTON, and observed that HANKTON was carrying a concealed handgun on his right side. At this point, NOPD officers arrested HANKTON , and retrieved a loaded firearm from the front right side of his waistband. The weapon was identified as a Glock Model 17, nine-millimeter caliber pistol. Upon further inspection of the firearm, officers discovered that the upper receiver of the firearm had been stolen out of Jefferson Parish, but the lower receiver had not. United States Attorney David I. Courcelle praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the Violent Crime Unit. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Leader of Chicago Street Gang Sentenced to Life in Prison for Participating in Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Multiple Murders

body_text: CHICAGO — A leader of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang in Chicago has been sentenced to life in federal prison for participating in a criminal organization that terrorized the West Side of Chicago for two decades by committing murders, robberies, extortions, witness tampering, and drug dealing. LABAR SPANN, 47, of Chicago, was convicted in December 2025 after a five-week trial in federal court in Chicago on all four counts against him, including racketeering conspiracy, two murders in aid of racketeering, and extortion. The jury found that Spann committed a total of four murders in a premeditated manner as part of the racketeering conspiracy, including the killings of Rudy Rangel on June 4, 2003; Willie Woods on April 16, 2003; George King on April 8, 2003; and Maximillion McDaniel on July 25, 2000. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin imposed a life sentence on Spann during a hearing in federal court in Chicago. Given the gravity of Spann’s crimes, the life sentence was a mandatory penalty under federal law. The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Illinois Secretary of State Police Department, Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. “At defendant’s direction, his co-conspirators ruthlessly murdered, extorted, and robbed anyone in their way, from rival gang members, to law enforcement cooperators, to innocent bystanders,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan C. Morrissey, Michelle J. Parthum, and Emily C.R. Vermylen argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “His actions ended the lives of four men, depriving their families of time with their loved ones. The harm and pain caused to these families can never be repaired.” The Four Corner Hustlers operated primarily in the Chicago neighborhoods of West Garfield Park and North Lawndale on the city’s West Side, as well as in the former LeClaire Courts public housing development on the city’s Southwest Side. According to evidence presented at Spann’s trial, the gang dealt drugs and robbed and extorted rival dealers, while using violence and intimidation to prevent victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement. The gang engaged in numerous acts of violence, including multiple murders and armed robberies. During the trial, the jury heard testimony from other members of the Four Corner Hustlers, eyewitnesses to numerous crimes, law enforcement officers who responded to crime scenes, and expert witnesses who analyzed forensic and other evidence. Spann was indicted in 2017 along with eight other members of the Four Corner Hustlers and two additional defendants. All the defendants were convicted.


title: Tampa Man Indicted for Interstate Communication of Threats to Injure

body_text: Tampa, Florida – Alexander Justin McAfee (34, Tampa) has been charged by indictment with two counts of interstate communication of a threat to injure. If convicted, McAfee faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count. McAfee made his initial appearance in federal court on April 17, 2026, and has been detained pending trial. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to the indictment and information presented during court proceedings, on April 8, 2026, McAfee published a video threatening FBI Director Kash Patel. The following day, McAfee published a video threatening Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Capitol Police and the United States Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Muriel Moore. Indictment


title: Violent drug dealer sentenced to 15 years in prison after MARTA shooting

body_text: ATLANTA – Robert Lyles, a violent repeat offender with a lengthy criminal history, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after he fired a gun at a fellow passenger on the platform of a downtown Atlanta MARTA station. As a multi-convicted felon, Lyles was prohibited from possessing a firearm. “Completely indifferent to the safety of innocent people, Lyles shot at a complete stranger inside Atlanta’s busiest MARTA station,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Lyles was initially charged locally, but he was released on bail and later re-arrested for another gun-possession offense and family violence battery. Thankfully, federal agents who learned of Lyles’s case presented it for federal prosecution, ensuring appropriate punishment for a violent and dangerous predator.” “The cooperation between agencies such as ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and local law enforcement is critical to addressing the ongoing threat of gun violence. Through strong partnerships and coordinated efforts, we can take proactive measures to protect our communities and prevent future tragedies,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ryan Todd. According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On August 4, 2022, Lyles got into an argument with a stranger at the Five Points MARTA station in downtown Atlanta. After a couple of minutes, Lyles drew a stolen pistol from his waistband, fired a shot in the direction of the other man, and fled the scene. Approximately five days later, when officers found Lyles standing by the entrance to the same MARTA station, Lyles was carrying the stolen firearm he had used in the shooting. In March 2024, more than a year and a half later, a Fulton County grand jury indicted Lyles for crimes related to the shooting. However, by that point, Lyles had been released from local custody. Federal agents then sought intervention by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which initiated a federal prosecution in December 2024. In March 2025, Lyles appeared in federal court and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service without bail. Lyles has a long and violent criminal history. In 2002, 2006, and 2014, Lyles was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. In 2006, he was convicted of simple battery after cutting another person with a knife. In 2013, he was convicted of family violence battery and child cruelty. In 2014, he was convicted of felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer after kicking an officer in the groin and striking him in the chest while attempting to swallow cocaine he had just been arrested for possessing. In 2015, he was convicted of family violence aggravated assault after pointing a handgun at the mother of his child. Most of Lyles’s state-court sentences were probated, suspended, or commuted. Robert Lyles, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today to fifteen years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on January 13, 2026, to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the MARTA Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Evert and Jonell L. Lucca 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .