title: Illegal Alien from Mexico Indicted After Agents Seized Large Quantities of Narcotics, Including 22 Pounds of Fentanyl Powder

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment against an alleged drug trafficker, living in the United States illegally, for multiple drug crimes after agents seized large quantities of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine from defendant’s residence. FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force Ruben Flores Enriquez, 28, of Mexico, illegally residing in West Valley City, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on February 2, 2026. According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in February 2026, the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF), initiated a criminal investigation into Enriquez and other members of a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large quantities of narcotics in the District of Utah. On February 23, 2026, a search warrant was executed on Enriquez’s residence in West Valley City. During the search, agents located and seized approximately 1,466 grams of blue counterfeit pills which field-tested positive for fentanyl; 9,811 grams of a powder-like substance, which tested positive for fentanyl; 1,373 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine; and 679 grams of field-tested heroin. Enriquez was arrested. FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force Enriquez is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF). Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Nielsen of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Attachments: ruben_flores_enriquez.indictment.pdf ruben_flores_enriquez.complaint.pdf rubenfloresenriquez.dm_.pdf


title: Illegal alien with prior sexual assault conviction sentenced to federal prison for returning to the United States a sixth time

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for illegally reentering the United States again, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Jose Mario Cervantes-Luna pleaded guilty Dec. 10, 2025. U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now ordered Cervantes-Luna to serve 24 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In imposing the sentence, the court noted Cervantes-Luna's repeated removals, significant criminal history, and the danger he posed to the community given his previous sexual offense conviction. Cervantes-Luna has prior convictions for illegal reentry and sexual assault of a minor under 14 years of age. Authorities previously removed him from the United States in 2004, 2011 and three times in 2012. On Dec. 17, 2020, law enforcement discovered him once again in the United States with no authorization to be in the country. Cervantes-Luna has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Alum and Benjamin Hostetter prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Bowling Green Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison followed by 20 Years of Supervised Release for Using AI to Create Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A Bowling Green man was sentenced on March 9, 2026, for using artificial intelligence (AI) to produce over 1,300 images of child sexual abuse material. U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kori Beck Bumgarner, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin W. Jackson of the Homeland Security Investigations Nashville made the announcement. Ray Gordon, 37, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, followed by a 20-year term of supervised release, for one count of producing obscene visual representations of child abuse and one count of possessing obscene visual representations of child abuse. For more than a year, Gordon used an AI image generator to create detailed and obscene images of minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In many instances, the images Gordon created depicted young toddlers and preteen girls engaged in sexual activity with adults and in pain. In December 2023, Gordon was found in possession of over 1,300 unique images of child sexual abuse material that he had created. United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Unfortunately, child predators are using AI to produce child sexual abuse material. It is tragic how deviants continually adapt new technology to further their twisted and evil fetishes. Our office will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that these deviants are stopped and sent to federal prison.” Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kori Beck Bumgarner stated, “The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is pleased with the outcome in this case. Justice was served, and this offender has been held accountable for his actions. The twenty-year period of supervision will provide an important safeguard for our community, helping to protect children and ensure continued oversight. Measures like this are valuable tools that help keep our communities safe.” There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Zimdahl prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” ###


title: Guatemalan Illegal Alien Indicted For Assaulting Federal Officer

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JACOBO EDUARDO US-REAL (“US-REAL”) , age 18, a native of Guatemala, was indicted on March 5, 2026, for assaulting a federal officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to court documents, on or about January 14, 2026, US-REAL assaulted an Officer of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), during the performance of her official duties, inflicting bodily injury upon the federal officer. While conducting illegal immigration field operations in Metairie, Louisiana, ICE-ERO approached a vehicle owned by a known alien with a prior order of removal. The occupants of the vehicle refused to exit the vehicle and attempted to flee in the vehicle. One of the occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot. A scuffle ensued between law enforcement officers and the remaining two occupants during which pepper spray was deployed. The driver fled on foot but was ultimately caught and arrested. US-REAL was handcuffed and placed in the rear of a law enforcement vehicle. While an ICE-ERO agent was assisting US-REAL by flushing his eyes with water, he headbutted the agent, bit her, and fled on foot while handcuffed behind his back. US-REAL was later apprehended by ICE agents. If convicted, US-REAL faces up to eight (8) years of imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (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). U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Veters, Jr. and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Kippers of the General Crimes Unit. * * *


title: Grand Jury Returns Indictments

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments yesterday. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation, and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Madison Felon Charged With Resisting Arrest, Drug and Gun Crimes Daquan Thompson also charged with damaging law enforcement vehicle Daquan Thompson, 21, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with damaging government property, forcibly resisting a federal law enforcement officer; methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking, possessing a firearm as a felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The indictment alleges that on February 24, 2026, Thompson resisted, opposed, impeded, and interfered with Deputy Marshals of the United States Marshals Service during an arrest. The indictment also alleges that Thompson used his legs and feet to cause over $1,000 in damage to a vehicle belonging to the United States Marshals Service. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Thompson illegally possessed a Glock 23 handgun as a felon, possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and cocaine intended for distribution, and possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the methamphetamine trafficking charge, Thompson faces a minimum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. If convicted of the felon in possession charge, Thompson faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking charge carries a minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the charge involving cocaine. Finally, he faces a maximum of 1 year in prison for resisting and impeding, and a maximum of 10 years for damaging the government vehicle. The charges against him are the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, FBI, and the Monona Police Department. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force is comprised of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Glinzak is handling the case. Rice Lake Man Charged With Distributing Child Pornography Jenson Clements, 20, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing child pornography. The indictment alleges that he distributed two images of child pornography on May 17, 2025. If convicted, Clements faces a minimum penalty of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charges against him are the result of an investigation conducted by the Wausau Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Rice Lake Police Department, and the Barron County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger is handling the case . This investigation was 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. Madison Man Charged with Cocaine Trafficking Christian Garrett, a.k.a. “Tone,” 26, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing cocaine base intended for distribution. The indictment alleges that on February 25, 2026, Garrett possessed approximately 280 grams or more of cocaine base intended for distribution. If convicted, Garrett faces a mandatory minimum of ten years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Madison Police Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Levins is handling the case. Madison Man Charged with Distributing Cocaine Damien J. Thomas, 43, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing cocaine. The indictment alleges that Thomas distributed the cocaine on August 22 and August 30, 2022. If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Dane County Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the case. Dunn County Man Charged With Illegally Possessing Firearm and Ammunition Andrew V. Johnson, 30, Menomonie, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The indictment alleges that Johnson possessed a Ruger 9mm pistol and Ruger 9mm ammunition on October 22, 2025 . If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Menomonie Police Department, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling the case. Minnesota Man Charged With Traveling in Interstate Commerce for Purpose of Illicit Sexual Conduct With a Minor Creighton Mithaugen, 37, Faribault, Minnesota, is charged with traveling in interstate commerce to have illicit sexual conduct. The indictment alleges that on February 13, 2026, Mithaugen traveled to engage in illicit sexual conduct. If convicted, Mithhaugen faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Rhinelander Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger is handling the case. This investigation was 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. La Crosse Man Charged with Distributing Cocaine and Fentanyl Jerome Sinclair, 35, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing cocaine and fentanyl and maintaining a premises for drug distribution. The indictment alleges that Sinclair distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on October 13 and November 10, 2025, and distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine on November 4, 2025. The indictment alleges that Sinclair maintained a drug premises from November 4, 2025, to December 17, 2025. If convicted of the charges involving distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Sinclair faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. The remaining drug distribution charge and the maintaining a drug involved premises charge each carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison. The charges against Sinclair are the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling the case. Federal prosecutions by the U.S. Department of Justice involving drugs and guns are part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Jamestown woman arrested, charged with possession of methamphetamine

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Taylor Hernandez, 31, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on January 15, 2026, members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force executed a search warrant of Hernandez’s person and her Falconer Street residence, seizing approximately 181 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 23.5 grams of suspected fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and $4,165.00 in cash. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Acting Chief Scott Forster, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Southwest Georgia Repeat Offender Sentenced for Illegal Gun Possession

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: ALBANY, Ga. – A Moultrie, Georgia, resident with prior felony convictions was sentenced to prison for illegally possessing four firearms discovered during an investigation into armed drug trafficking in the community. Johnny Will Murray, Jr., 41, of Moultrie, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands. Murray, Jr. was found guilty at trial of one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on Nov. 3, 2025. There is no parole in the federal system. “Repeat offenders who illegally arm themselves, disregard the law and endanger the community will be prosecuted in federal court,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Our highest priority is to ensure justice and work alongside our law enforcement partners to strengthen public safety for everyone in the Middle District of Georgia.” According to court documents and statements referenced at trial, on Nov. 11, 2021, the Moultrie Police Department executed a search warrant at Murray, Jr.’s home on suspicion of armed drug trafficking. Officers found approximately two ounces of methamphetamine, two digital scales, several empty vacuum-sealed bags and a rifle in his bedroom. Inside the bedroom closet was a safe with three more firearms, magazines, ammunition and $5,600. Officers also found a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine floating on top of the water in a toilet. Murray, Jr. has several past felony convictions; it is illegal for a felon to possess a firearm. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The Moultrie Police Department and the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Daniels prosecuted the case for the Government.


title: Hammond Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison

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

body_text: HAMMOND- Jeremiah Hicks, 38 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to distributing heroin and cocaine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Hicks was sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, Hicks sold heroin and cocaine to another person on two occasions in August 2023. During an execution of a search warrant on his residence, law enforcement recovered a semi-automatic pistol and U.S. currency. Hicks has multiple felony convictions, including a 2012 possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and a 2018 dealing in a narcotic drug. “The Defendant has forfeited over 12 years of his life because he chose to peddle this poison in our communities. We appreciate the hard work of the professionals at the BATFE and the Hammond Police Department that went into the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of this repeat offender. The Northern District of Indiana is safer due to their efforts,” said Mildred. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the Hammond Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.


title: Illinois Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: HAMMOND- DeAndre Johnson, 42 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Johnson was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, between October 2023, and March 2024, Johnson conspired with his co-defendant, Fernando Porras, Jr., and others to distribute controlled substances on six occasions. Porras was previously sentenced to 96 months incarceration. “The Defendant has forfeited the next six years of his life for agreeing to peddle this poison in our communities, and it is through the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County Combined Task Force - Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) that the Defendant was caught, prosecuted, and sentenced,” said Mildred. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County Combined Task Force - Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Toth.


title: Illegal alien pleads guilty to firearm possession as a part of Operation Take Back America

component: USAO - Mississippi, Northern

body_text: GREENVILLE, MS – A Mexican national, illegally in the United States, pled guilty to the illegal possession of firearms in front of United States District Court Chief Judge Debra M. Brown. Sentencing will be held at a later date at which the defendant faces a statutory maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison. According to court documents, Daniel Mireles-Reyna was arrested on December 26, 2025, on the Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo, Mississippi. Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement Rangers with the National Park Service discovered that Mireles-Reyna had a loaded stolen handgun in his pocket. Rangers also located two other firearms including a Glock handgun and a Draco 7.62 firearm in the defendant’s car. Information provided during the defendant’s guilty plea also noted that Rangers located ammunition for these firearms and suspected narcotics. During the investigation into the defendant, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) learned that Mireles-Reyna was not a citizen of the United States and was illegally and unlawfully present in the United States following his illegal entry from Mexico. Scott Leary, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, reiterated that “Beginning in 2020, our borders were opened and drugs and undocumented aliens poured into our country. Crime rates rose as drug prices dropped. To combat this reality, Operation Take Back America was initiated to protect communities from the rise of violent crime and cheap narcotics and to combat transnational criminal organizations that have so decimated our communities. As part of this initiative, federal law enforcement has worked tirelessly to stop illegal immigration. The right to possess firearms does not extend to those who enter our country illegally. Rangers with the National Park Service did an outstanding job seizing deadly firearms from an illegal alien in our district. Our law enforcement officers place themselves in harm’s way every day protecting the people of our State, I applaud them. We thank the Rangers of the National Park Service and HSI for their diligent work on this case.” “This case demonstrates the importance of vital partnerships among federal law enforcement agencies,” stated Matt Wright, acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI. “HSI remains firmly committed to protecting public safety, and we are proud to have worked with the Rangers of the National Park Service to bring Mireles-Reyna to justice for his federal firearms violations.” The law enforcement Rangers of the National Park Service and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Herzog Jr. is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Former Bank CFO Convicted at Trial of Bank Fraud Scheme Involving a Columbus Car Wash and Undisclosed Debts in $4.3 Million Loan Fraud

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that a federal jury in the District of Nebraska convicted Aaron T. Luneke, 44, of Columbus, Nebraska, on both counts of a federal indictment charging him with bank fraud and attempted bank fraud. The jury returned its verdict on Friday, March 6, 2026, following a two-week trial before the Honorable Brian C. Buescher, United States District Judge, in Omaha, Nebraska. Luneke, who served as the Chief Financial Officer of Bank of the Valley in Columbus, from July 2018 through May 2022, was found guilty of one count of bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344 (Count II) and one count of attempted bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2 (Count I). The evidence at trial established that from approximately February 2021 through June 2021, Luneke devised and executed a scheme to defraud two federally insured financial institutions in connection with Legacy Express Wash, a car wash construction project in Columbus. As to the attempted bank fraud, the jury found that Luneke attempted to defraud Stearns Bank, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, by using fraudulent and inflated contractor invoices to artificially inflate the valuation of the car wash property in pursuit of a $3.5 million refinancing loan. The evidence further established that Luneke failed to disclose significant personal debts owed to family members in connection with the Stearns Bank loan application. As to the bank fraud, the jury found that Luneke defrauded Bank of the Valley by submitting fraudulent and inflated invoices from contractors as the basis for additional construction loan proceeds, obtaining two loans totaling approximately $4,320,000. The evidence showed that Luneke, who was the bank’s own CFO at the time, exploited his position to facilitate the fraud from the inside. Trial testimony from witnesses including Bank of the Valley’s president, its former chief credit officer, and compliance personnel revealed the extent of Luneke’s scheme. The government presented evidence that Luneke orchestrated a pattern of inflated invoices, and undisclosed financial obligations to deceive both lending institutions into advancing funds and approving loans they otherwise would not have approved. The evidence also showed that Luneke relied on a series of corporate shell entities to conceal that additional individuals were benefiting from his ownership interest in the car wash. Luneke faces a maximum penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment on each count, as well as fines of up to $1,000,000 per count. Sentencing is scheduled for June 10, 2026. “Mr. Luneke exploited his position of power to conceal a pattern of deception that defrauded his employer. Financial crimes erode public trust and confidence in our country’s economy, so we will remain steadfast in our efforts to investigate those using illegal means to enrich themselves for personal gain. The FBI is thankful for the investigative work by our partners that led to the conviction of Mr. Luneke,” said Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “This case highlights the risk that trusted bank insiders will abuse their position to perpetrate fraud, and in this instance obtain millions of dollars from financial institutions,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Kansas City Region. “The FDIC OIG stands firm in its commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice individuals who seek to threaten the safety and soundness of our Nation’s financial institutions, especially those who exploit their positions to do so.” “The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) will continue to relentlessly investigate and pursue the prosecution of those who defraud financial institutions, particularly the Federal Home Loan Bank and its members, no matter who commits the crimes. Officers of financial institutions who have a duty to conduct honest business must be held accountable. We are proud to have partnered with the United States Attorney’s Office along with our colleagues with the FRB-OIG, FDIC-OIG, and the FBI,” said Acting Inspector General Chris Schrank. “Aaron Luneke abused his position as a bank executive to orchestrate a fraud scheme for his own personal gain and has now been brought to justice for his actions,” said Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “We are proud to have worked alongside our federal law enforcement partners to achieve this result.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Field Office; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General; the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General; and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Office of Inspector General. The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Lynch and Sarah Hinrichs and tried with the assistance of Special Assistant United States Attorney Alejandro A. Abreu.


title: West Columbia Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Robert K. Bonesteel, 63, of West Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 21 years in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material. * Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that in November 2023, law enforcement agencies executed an undercover chat operation targeted at identifying child sex offenders. During the chat operation, undercover officers posed as a 14-year-old boy and chatted with Bonesteel on a social media application. Bonesteel discussed “ravaging” him and engaging in oral sex, before agreeing to meet the child at his home in Lexington where Bonesteel believed he was home alone. Bonesteel arrived at what he believed to be the minor’s home with condoms and was arrested. Following his arrest, law enforcement searched Bonesteel’s phone and discovered that Bonesteel had produced and disseminated child sexual abuse material. Further social media messages revealed that Bonesteel coached other individuals on how to groom children and sexually abuse them. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Bonesteel to 260 months imprisonment, to be followed by a term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. The court ordered that restitution be paid to the minor victim. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the U.S. Secret Service, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein prosecuted the case. ###


title: Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Government Theft

component: USAO - Delaware

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, man was sentenced on March 10, 2026, to 18 months in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds and ordered to pay $866,171 in restitution. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly imposed the sentence. Congress created the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a federal tax credit, to provide emergency financial assistance in connection with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERC was introduced in 2020 to incentivize businesses to continue paying employees during the pandemic. At first, the ERC provided for a 50% credit on up to $10,000 in wages per employee per calendar year for businesses that were either closed by government order or that had a 50% drop in gross receipts due to the pandemic. By 2021, the percentage credit increased to 70% per employee per quarter. To obtain ERC, entities had to file an IRS Form 941 setting forth their eligibility for ERC. According to court documents, Andre Summerville, 55, participated in a tax scheme designed to defraud the United States out of money intended to help small businesses weather the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Summerville, who operated a Delaware-based business, provided an associate with his personal and business information. That information was used to submit false tax forms to the IRS seeking ERC to which Summerville was not entitled. Based on those false filings, the IRS sent Summerville over $866,000 worth of checks that Summerville then deposited into his own accounts. More than $170,000 of those funds were then withdrawn in cash. Summerville also used the money to buy luxury items and to transfer tens of thousands of dollars to other people involved in the scheme. U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace commented on the case, “Congress passed COVID-19 relief legislation to help hard-working Americans cope with the financial turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an insult to the American taxpayer when fraudsters like Andre Summerville divert those relief funds to enable themselves to lead lives of luxury. My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and hold responsible all those who steal from the government and the American people to line their own pockets.” “Mr. Summerville deliberately defrauded a government program designed to assist eligible businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Yesterday’s sentencing holds Mr. Summerville accountable for his criminal actions and shows that our office will continue working to bring charges against individuals who commit these crimes.” This case was investigated by IRS-CI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse S. Wenger prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 25-127. ###


title: Boston Lawyer Sentenced to Over Three Years in Prison for Stealing Over $2 Million from Clients

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston lawyer was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for defrauding two of his clients of over $2 million. Patrick J. Dolan, 60, of North Attleboro and Haverhill, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 39 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Dolan was also ordered to pay $2,022,833 in restitution as well as $2,087,372.55 money judgment. In October 2025, Dolan pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud. Dolan was charged in July 2025 . Between November 2018 and November 2024, Dolan devised a scheme to defraud his clients and other individuals who entrusted Dolan to maintain funds in accounts he controlled for their benefit. Specifically, Dolan stole over $2 million that he was holding in escrow pending the outcome of a family trust lawsuit in which Dolan represented one of the parties. Dolan used the stolen funds for himself and his family members, including by making transfers to shell companies, using funds to make mortgage, tuition and student loan payments as well as using funds to pay for personal items and services. In addition, Dolan stole at least $87,500 from a supplemental needs trust that Dolan established for another client and used those funds to make a down payment towards the purchase of real property located in Haverhill, where Dolan subsequently resided with his family. Dolan also made false statements to his clients and others regarding the stolen funds, falsified bank statements and falsified accounting records. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions prosecuted the case.


title: Repeat sex offender sentenced for possessing child sex abuse material

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Keith Wolf, a registered sex offender who spent nearly a decade in state prison for child molestation and sexual exploitation of children, has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a large collection of child sex abuse material. A law enforcement investigation revealed that Wolf started to build that collection and distribute images from it shortly after his release from state custody. “Wolf is a predator with an appetite for innocent children,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “His decision to re-engage in exploitation shows his irrepressible depravity, disrespect for the law, and danger to the community. Thankfully, the Court’s sentence ensures Wolf’s removal from society for a decade. In the interim, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to protect children by using every asset available to hunt and punish these offenders.” “Once is too many times for child exploitation. As repeat offender, Wolf has demonstrated his inability or willingness to reform. Removing him from our community is the best way to enhance the safety of our children,” said Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman, “We appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta for their continued support in holding criminals responsible for their actions.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In October 2023, Google sent multiple cyber tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to a Google user who had disseminated child sex abuse material to other users through Google chat. NCMEC notified the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office because the Google user had accessed the internet from an address in Cumming, Georgia. The Sheriff’s Office identified the offending Google user as Keith Wolf, who had previously been convicted of child molestation in 2012 and sexual exploitation of children in 2016. Wolf was released from state prison in August 2023, just a few weeks before Google began sending its tips to NCMEC. Deputies executed a search warrant at Wolf’s residence and recovered Wolf’s cell phone. A review of that device revealed hundreds of images and dozens of videos of depicting sexual abuse of prepubescent children, including infants and toddlers. Keith Matthew Wolf, 36, of Cumming, Georgia, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, and $19,000 in restitution. Wolf pleaded guilty to possession of child sex abuse material on September 16, 2025. This case was investigated by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 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: Lowell Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A Lowell man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Steven Estrada Ramirez, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In November 2025 , Estrada pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography Estrada was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024 . Estrada was identified as a participant in multiple groups on a mobile chat application in which the primary purpose of the groups was for users to share and view CSAM. At the time of his arrest, Estrada was found to be in possession of a USB drive containing over 700 video files depicting CSAM, including files depicting children who appeared to be approximately one to eight years old. Additionally, the home screen of Estrada’s cell phone depicted an image of CSAM and the phone contained over 5,000 images and videos depicting CSAM. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ .


title: Michigan Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft Charges

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Michigan man has been sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release with special conditions for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after purchasing nearly 2,500 stolen login credentials from a malicious dark web marketplace and using them to make fraudulent financial transactions and offering some for sale on other cybercriminal internet sites, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. According to court documents, from approximately February 2020 to November 2020, Andrew Shenkosky, 30, devised and executed a scheme while residing in Minnesota to defraud and obtain money through false pretenses. Shenkosky accomplished his scheme by purchasing and accessing stolen account information from the Genesis Market, an illicit online marketplace that was ultimately taken down by the FBI in or about April 2023. Genesis Market compiled hundreds of thousands of stolen login credentials, including cell phone numbers, account numbers, email addresses, usernames, and passwords from malware-infected computers of victims across the world, and offered that stolen information for sale on the dark web. According to court documents, Shenkosky purchased an account on Genesis Market using a cryptocurrency Coinbase account he fraudulently created in the name of one of his victims, using the victim’s driver’s license. In furtherance of his scheme, Shenkosky purchased 2,468 stolen credentials of various victims on Genesis Market. Shenkosky then used the stolen data to, among other things, make an unauthorized withdrawal from one victim’s bank account without their knowledge or authorization and transferred the funds to a PayPal account under his control. He also attempted to withdraw money from other victims’ accounts, but the transfers were reversed. Shenkosky also offered and attempted to sell one victim’s stolen account data and personal information on a now-defunct cybercriminal forum named Raid Forums. When imposing the sentence, Judge Joan N. Ericksen noted that financial fraud crimes “go[] beyond actual financial loss” and impact victims’ “core insecurity that affects the way people live their lives.” “Darknet marketplaces are a borderless powerhouse of criminal activity, allowing criminals like Shenkosky to steal money from unsuspecting victims and laundering the proceeds of their illegal activity,” said Chris Dotson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office. “Make no mistake, this significant sentence reflects the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to dismantle networks operating with criminal intent, and sends a clear and unambiguous message that we will continue to evolve in the ways we ‘follow the money’ of illegal enterprise, employing all the tools and techniques at our disposal and drawing on our strong partnerships at home and around the globe.” This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Cybercrime Unit and the FBI Minneapolis and Detroit Field Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.


title: DOJ, VA Sign Agreement to Improve Care for Nation’s Most Vulnerable Veterans

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will help some of America’s most vulnerable Veterans get the ongoing care they need. VA cares for hundreds of Veterans who are unable to make their own health care decisions and have no family or legal representation to help them. This includes some Veterans who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. The MOU gives DOJ the authority to appoint VA attorneys as special assistant U.S. attorneys. That appointment will give VA attorneys the legal authority to initiate and participate in state court guardianship or conservatorship proceedings in cases where a legal decision-maker is required for post-acute transitions of care for these vulnerable Veterans. The appointment of a legal guardian or conservator can be a lifeline for Veterans in this situation. Among other things, a legal guardian or conservator can help Veterans avoid unwarranted continued hospitalization, protect their rights, and promote appropriate transitions of care from VA hospitalization to other forms of VA care or care in the community, if appropriate. “The Department of Justice is proud to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs to support our nation's brave Veterans by ensuring that they have the best legal resources available when it comes to making medical decisions and receiving timely care,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We owe our Veterans a debt we can never fully repay — but we can give them the support they deserve.” “Our new partnership with the Justice Department reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every Veteran receives timely, appropriate care, even in complex cases,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. Under President Trump, VA is always improving benefits and services for Veterans. This includes: Completing 82,083,918 direct care appointments in FY2025, up 4.1% from FY2024. Offering Veterans more than 2.2 million appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care. Opening 33 new health care clinics during the second Trump Administration, expanding health care access for Veterans around the country. Reducing the backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits by 64%, after it increased 24% during the Biden Administration.


title: FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES FOR REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Donschee Ricky Montrell Foster, 33, of Pensacola, Florida, was indicted a federal grand jury charging him with one count of possession of obscene material, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of being a registered sex offender while committing child exploitation crimes. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today. Jury trial is scheduled for April 6, 2026, at 8:30 am before United States District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, Foster faces a mandatory minimum 20 years’ imprisonment. Foster remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service in the Santa Rosa County Jail pending trial. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pensacola Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case. 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 available 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: Two Individuals Plead Guilty for Introducing Adulterated Animal Drugs into Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Adrián García Hernández pleaded guilty on March 10, 2026, to introducing adulterated animal drugs into Puerto Rico, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. According to court documents, Adrián García-Hernández, 50, of Dorado, Puerto Rico pleaded guilty to one count of introducing adulterated animal drugs into interstate commerce, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §331(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). The adulterated animal drugs being imported into the United States by García-Hernández were not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). García-Hernández, who is not a licensed veterinarian in Puerto Rico, caused 50 boxes of “Equiet Xilacina 10%,” commonly referred to as “xylazine,” among other animal drugs, to be mailed from Bogota, Colombia to Puerto Rico via Federal Express. The shipment was detained and seized by United States Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) officers on October 22, 2024. García-Hernández also caused 23 boxes of “Equiet Xilacina 10%,” to be mailed from Bogota, Colombia to Puerto Rico via Federal Express, which were detained and seized by CBP on November 20, 2024. García-Hernández is scheduled by sentenced by District Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán on June 9, 2026. In a separate case, on December 5, 2025, Waldemar Ojeda Ramos, 49, of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico pleaded guilty to one count of delivering adulterated animal drugs for payment and one count of misbranding of animal drugs in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(c) and (k) of the FDCA. According to the plea agreement, Ojeda Ramos, who is not a licensed veterinarian, sold ten vials of xylazine, 50 ml, on March 30, 2023. The ten vials of xylazine included five vials of Procin, a prescription animal drug containing xylazine manufactured in Mexico, and five vials of Xilazil, a prescription animal drug that contained xylazine manufactured in Argentina. Ojeda Ramos also sold nine vials of xylazine, 50 ml, on October 4, 2023, including Xilacina and Xilapet, which are prescription animal drugs containing xylazine manufactured in Mexico. Neither Procin, Xilazil, Xilacina, nor Xilapet are approved for veterinary use in the United States by the FDA. Ojeda Ramos is scheduled to be sentenced by District Judge Francisco A. Besosa on March 23, 2026. Xylazine is a non-opiate sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant commonly known as “tranq”. FDA-approved xylazine is used as an analgesic and as a preanesthetic to local and general non-human anesthesia, and as such, any animal drugs that contained xylazine are prescription drugs, available only by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. While xylazine is not approved for use in humans, it has been detected in the illicit drug supply and in human drug overdoses. Xylazine is not shown to be safe for use in humans and has resulted in serious and life-threatening side effects. As a result, FDA issued Import Alert 68-20 on February 28, 2023, to prevent finished drug products containing xylazine from entering the United States market. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico (USAO-DPR) and its law enforcement partners remain committed to enforcing import laws like the FDCA which protect the United States and Puerto Rico from public health and safety risks. The FDA, DEA, and CBP investigated these cases which are being prosecuted by FDA Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyrsten L. Melander. The USAO-DPR, FDA, DEA, and CBP coordinated this action through the Department of Justice’s Trade Fraud Task Force, a cross-agency law enforcement effort that also involves the Criminal and Civil Divisions’ Fraud Sections, the Environment and Natural Resources Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide. The Task Force was created to leverage all of the Department’s tools and authorities to prevent trade fraud that deprives the government of vital revenue, threatens critical domestic industries, undermines consumer confidence, and weakens national security. The Task Force is designed to pursue enforcement actions against parties who seek to evade tariffs and other duties, as well as smugglers who seek to import prohibited goods into the American economy. The Justice Department encourages whistleblowers to alert the government to credible allegations of fraud, including utilizing the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act or through the Criminal Division’s Corporate Whistleblower Program at CorporateWhistleblower@usdoj.gov using the form available here . ###


title: PRIOR FELON PLEADS GUILTY TO SELLING ADULTERATED ANIMAL DRUGS

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Scott Robinson, 51, of Pace, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of Drug Adulteration. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Complying with federal laws that are in place to ensure the safety of regulated medications is not optional. This defendant knowingly flouted those requirements for several years, but thanks to the excellent investigative work of our federal law enforcement partners, his scheme has been dismantled.” Court documents reflect that from 2022 to 2025, the defendant, via his website, advertised and sold the animal drug toltrazuril to customers across the United States. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, toltrazuril is deemed an adulterated new animal drug, which is subject to specific requirements for its production, labeling, and sale. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted multiple purchases of items labeled and advertised as toltrazuril from the defendant’s website. Those items were tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and confirmed to contain toltrazuril. The defendant never complied with FDA regulations regarding his production, labeling, and sale of toltrazuril. Robinson faces up to one year imprisonment on each count, followed by a term of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson. Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. 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: Guatemalan Illegal Alien With Prior Conviction for Attempted Rape Found Guilty of Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Yesterday, in federal court in Brooklyn, Maynor Perez Baten, a national of Guatemala, was convicted of illegal reentry into the United States having previously been deported after a conviction for an aggravated felony. In November 2022, Perez Baten was found in the Eastern District of New York without the consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to apply for readmission. The verdict was returned after a two-day trial before United States District Judge Ramon E. Reyes. When sentenced, Perez Baten faces up to 20 years in prison. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), announced the verdict. “With today’s verdict, the defendant has been held accountable for brazenly re-entering the United States after he was deported for a serious felony conviction, the attempted rape of a child, and then endangering the community once again by driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The defendant clearly has no respect for the laws of our nation and will be returned to Guatemala after completing his sentence.” “Maynor Perez Baten's attempted rape of a child and his subsequent decision to illegally re-enter the United States highlight his flagrant and repeated disregard for the criminal justice system,” stated HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Alfonso. “His choice to return after removal, without authorization and despite his depraved felony record, demonstrates a brazen contempt for community safety and the rule of law that protects it. I commend personnel from HSI New York and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York for their unyielding commitment to identifying, investigating, and arresting violent offenders who pose a threat to those we are sworn to serve." According to court filings, Perez Baten illegally entered the United States in 2009. In May 2011, he was arrested on a felony charge of first-degree rape. The victim was 12 years old. In October 2011, Perez Baten was convicted of attempted rape in the first degree and sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment. The defendant was released from New York State custody in April 2014 and deported to Guatemala. Perez Baten later returned to the United States illegally a second time, after which he was arrested by members of the New York City Police Department for driving while intoxicated in Staten Island. In April 2024, he was indicted for illegal reentry by a grand jury in the Eastern District of New York. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Vincent Chiappini is in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Cleon Thomas. The Defendant : MAYNOR PEREZ BATEN Age: 36 Staten Island, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-130 (RER)


title: PANAMA CITY METH TRAFFICKER RECEIVES 17 YEARS IN PRISON

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Calvin Eugene Williams, 35, of Panama City, Florida, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to two separate methamphetamine charges. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “For years, this drug dealer flooded our streets with poison, plaguing our communities with addiction, blight, and despair. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launched Operation Take Back America as a promise to our citizens that the Department of Justice will not stand idly by while criminals like this defendant terrorize our communities, and that we will root out and eliminate those criminal threats wherever they exist. This successful prosecution and substantial prison sentence delivers on that promise, but we won’t stop this fight until our streets are safe and drug-free.” Court documents reflect that the defendant was arrested on April 19, 2024, by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office after being stopped with six-ounces of methamphetamine and approximately 95 pressed-pills containing fentanyl. The defendant subsequently bonded out of jail and was stopped on March 11, 2025, by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) on I-10. During the traffic stop, FHP troopers developed probable cause to search the vehicle and found a firearm and approximately 10 pounds (4450.1 grams) of 97% pure methamphetamine hydrochloride. The defendant had two cellphones which contained evidence of his drug-trafficking. “This seizure absolutely will save lives,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “Our agents and law enforcement partners prevented poison from reaching our North Florida neighborhoods.” “Drug traffickers who bring poison like methamphetamine and fentanyl into our community need to understand something clearly: we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will work tirelessly with our state and federal partners to make sure you face the consequences,” said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford. “This 17-year sentence sends a strong message, if you threaten the safety of the citizens of Bay County, you will be held accountable. Our deputies will continue to pursue those who profit from addiction and destruction, and we will not stop until our community is safer.” Williams was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison. When Williams is released, he will be on supervised release for a period of 12 years. The case involved an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain. 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: Victim Advisory- Divine Youth Case Updates

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: CASE NAME: United States v. E’mon Ambers, et al. , Crim. No. 3:26-cr-24; United States v. T’Aisya Squire , Crim. No. 3:26-cr-11 COURT: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division CASE SUMMARY: In January and February 2026, charges were filed against four defendants who allegedly operated a scheme to defraud Medicaid through a mental health agency known as Divine Youth Counseling, LLC. On February 17, 2026, defendants E’mon Ambers, Armone’ Ambers, and TraQuan Brown were charged in a 12-count criminal indictment in Criminal Case No. 3:26-cr-24. Count One of the indictment charges the three defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; Counts Two through Four charge health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347; Counts Five through Seven charge aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A; Counts Eight and Nine charge payment of illegal kickbacks, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b)(2)(B); Counts Ten through Twelve charge transactional money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957. On Jan. 22, 2026, defendant T’Aisya Squire was charged in a single-count criminal information in Criminal Case No. 3:26-cr-11 with making false statements relating to health care matters, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1035(a)(2). E’mon Ambers, Armone’ Ambers, Brown, and Squire each worked at Divine Youth and allegedly participated in the same scheme. According to court documents, between January 2022 and October 2025, Divine Youth submitted more than $11 million in fraudulent claims to Medicaid for mental health services known as Crisis Stabilization and Mobile Crisis. The scheme had two primary components. The coconspirators allegedly falsely claimed that two mental health professionals simultaneously provided services to Medicaid recipients, when in truth, at most a single mental health professional was present for the service. The false claims that two professionals provided “Team Treatment” services caused millions of dollars of loss to Medicaid. The coconspirators allegedly paid more than $470,000 in illegal kickbacks in the form of purchasing hotel rooms for Medicaid recipients. The coconspirators allegedly used the hotel rooms to incentivize recipients to obtain Medicaid services from Divine Youth, a practice the coconspirators knew and understood was wrong and unlawful. Additional aspects of the scheme are set forth in the charging documents. CASE STATUS: In United States v. E’mon Ambers , et al., Crim. No. 3:26-cr-24, the case is currently scheduled for a jury trial to begin on May 4, 2026. In United States v. T’Aisya Squire , Crim. No. 3:26-cr-11, Squire is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on March 16, 2026. VICTIM RESPONSE : To ensure that members of the public, including potential victims of the alleged fraud scheme perpetrated through Divine Youth, are informed of developments in this ongoing case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has established a page on its website, available at the following link: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/united-states-v-emon-ambers-et-al-crim-no-326-cr-24-united-states-v-taisya-squire-crim-no The website currently includes a copy of the indictment and other pleadings filed in the cases. Victims with questions can call 1-866-DOJ-4YOU (1-866-365-4968) (TDD/TTY:1-866-228-4619; International 1-502-213-2767) and reference the above case names and docket numbers. Victim impact statements can be emailed to EDVA Victim Witness, or mailed to: U.S. Attorney’s Office Attn: Victim Witness 919 E Main St, Suite 1900 Richmond, VA 23219 Contact Victim/Witness Coordinator United States Attorney’s Office 919 E Main St, Suite 1900 Richmond, VA 23219 (804)-819-7429 Sarah.Lesniewski@usdoj.gov


title: Muskegon Man Involved in Shooting Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, today announced that United States District Judge Jane M. Beckering sentenced Malik Jones-Smith (30, Muskegon, Michigan) to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for his supervised release violation associated with the new conviction. A jury previously found Jones-Smith guilty of the offense on November 13, 2025, following a three-day trial. In the early morning of December 28, 2024, following a shooting in Muskegon Heights, Jones-Smith and another individual drove away from a Muskegon police officer in a van and then fled on foot. Near the van, police found a stolen pistol loaded with a round partially fed in the chamber and one additional round in the magazine. A search of Jones-Smith’s cell phone showed that he uploaded a video on Snapchat less than 10 hours before with the same firearm: The search of his phone also showed that Jones-Smith and his passenger in the van were involved in the Muskegon Heights shooting. At the time of the offense, Jones-Smith was on federal supervised release for a prior conviction of distributing fentanyl. Jones-Smith was released from federal custody only 16 days before he possessed the firearm. Other evidence found from a search of his Snapchat account and phone show videos of Jones-Smith possessing other firearms before this shooting, including on October 30, 2024, while still in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at a halfway house, and on December 14, 2024, three days after he began federal supervised release. United States Attorney Timothy VerHey said, “Jones-Smith got into a shootout a little more than two weeks after being released from prison for his last felony, and after promising to be a law-abiding citizen if he got released into the community. He deserved to get the maximum possible sentence for this conduct, and that is exactly what he got. My office will not tolerate gun violence, especially by convicted felons.” “Working daily to put an end to gun violence in the Muskegon area is the top priority of our agency. This sentencing demonstrates our collective commitment to using all available resources to remove dangerous offenders from the streets and improve public safety in our community.” said Muskegon Police Chief Tim Kozal. “Violent offenders who choose to carry and use firearms do not just destroy communities, they destroy their own futures by putting themselves on a path that leads straight to prison,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Malik Jones-Smith can no longer threaten our neighborhoods thanks to the strong collaboration of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Together, FBI Detroit will continue to do our part to crush violent crime by stopping offenders who attempt to terrorize our communities.” The Muskegon Police Department - Muskegon Major Case Initiative, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vito S. Solitro and Clay Stiffler prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Missouri Sex Offender Admits Producing AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A sex offender from Farmington, Missouri on Tuesday admitted failing to register the social media accounts that he used to promote AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Joel Kerbrat, 70, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of failing to update his registration as a sex offender. Kerbrat was convicted of possession of child pornography in a 2010 case. After his release from prison, he was placed on supervised release for life and required to register as a sex offender. Registration includes a requirement to also register “internet identifiers,” including any social media accounts. On July 18, 2024, Kerbrat’s federal probation officer visited him at his home in Farmington. The officer spotted a laptop and cell phone in plain view. The officer found a program to generate AI images on the laptop, as well as a profile for an AI-generated teenage girl. Kerbrat admitted that he had used the AI program to create images depicting child pornography. A forensic examination of the devices revealed that Kerbrat had an unregistered account on Discord, another on LiveChat and an unregistered email address. Kerbrat was a member of a Discord group where members discussed and promoted the production of AI-generated pornographic images. Kerbrat also utilized a website, which he visited hundreds of times, to create AI images of child pornography. One of the website pages he visited was titled “build a preteen.” Kerbrat admitted as part of his plea agreement that he utilized the AI program to create 52 images containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving depictions of prepubescent girls, 251 images of “potential CSAM” involving depictions of teenage girls, hundreds of images depicting nude children and thousands of depictions of adult pornography. Kerbrat is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15 for the current offense and for violating his supervised release. The failure to register charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The U.S. Probation Office of the Eastern District of Missouri investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Illegal Alien from Venezuela Arrested and Charged after Assaulting a Federal Agent and Grabbing His Gun While Resisting Arrest

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – An illegal alien from Venezuela was charged in a criminal complaint with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and grabbing and possessing the officer’s firearm – all of which occurred while the illegal alien was resisting arrest, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Detroit and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit acting Field Office Director Kevin Raycraft. Charged was Arnoldo Jose Marquez-Pulido, 33, an illegal alien from Venezuela who appeared at the US-Mexico border crossing in San Ysidro, California in April, 2024. Despite having no visa or other travel document that would allow him to lawfully enter the United States, Marquez-Pulido was paroled into the United States. Marquez-Pulido will be appearing in federal court in Detroit this afternoon for his initial appearance. The government will be seeking to hold Marquez-Pulido in custody during the pendency of his case. As alleged in the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers assigned to the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), acting on information they received that illegal aliens were working as delivery drivers at a business in Utica, Michigan, began conducting surveillance in the area. Agents observed a car registered to Marquez-Pulido, who agents determined was in the United States illegally, depart the parking lot of the business and began following him. Agents activated their vehicle emergency equipment and attempted a traffic stop. Marquez-Pulido briefly stopped then fled in his car at a high rate of speed. To avoid a dangerous vehicle chase, agents deactivated their emergency equipment and continued to follow Marquez-Pulido. Marquez-Pulido returned to the business location where he fled on foot. After Marquez-Pulido ignored a Task Force agent’s commands to stop, the agent tackled Marquez-Pulido as he tried to flee into the business. Marquez-Pulido forcibly resisted arrest, assaulting the task force agent by striking the agent in the face with his elbow. Marquez-Pulido then reached for the agent’s service firearm, a Glock Model 19 pistol. Marquez-Pulido was able to remove the firearm from the agent’s holster and briefly wield it before he lost control of the gun when the agent flipped him over. Additional Task Force officers and agents arrived on scene and recovered and secured the firearm from the ground where it landed after it slipped from Marquez-Pulido’s possession. Marquez-Pulido continued to forcibly resist and had to be restrained. During the commission of this offense, Marquez-Pulida caused the agent to suffer a contusion to his elbow, abrasions on his knees and hands, and a contusion to his right cheek. Another agent suffered a contusion to his knee. Both agents were treated at the hospital and released. “Some say that enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is unfair because illegal aliens are all harmless. Today’s allegations break that narrative. High speed flight from arrest, fighting federal agents, and grabbing an agent’s gun are not ‘harmless.’ And what’s ‘unfair’ is the fact that Americans pay the price for dangerous illegal aliens,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon. “Homeland Security Investigations remains committed to holding accountable those who threaten law enforcement and public safety,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “Attacks like this endanger not only our agents, but everyone in the vicinity. HSI Detroit will continue to respond decisively whenever our agents and partners are confronted with violence.” “Every day ICE Detroit officers work closely with our federal partners to safeguard our communities and uphold the integrity of our nation’s immigration system,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit acting Field Office Director Kevin Raycraft. “At a time when ICE officers are facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults, ERO Detroit will relentlessly target illegal aliens who resort to violence against our officers and work to ensure they are removed from our communities A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent. As a felony trial cannot be held on a complaint, a decision to seek an indictment will be made in the near future. This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. 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 Finds Tampa Convicted Felon Guilty of Possessing a Firearm  Under the Armed Career Criminal Act

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Shannon Pernell Brown (40, Tampa) guilty of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute it. Brown faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison under the Armed Career Criminal Act. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 3, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to evidence presented at trial, on August 31, 2024, Brown attempted to flee from officers from the Tampa Police Department on an electric bicycle after they attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. Brown subsequently lost control of the bicycle as he turned a corner and crashed. Officers detained him and located more than a pound of marijuana in multiple packages along with a digital scale in a backpack that he was wearing. Officers also recovered a loaded Glock handgun in a separate satchel that Brown was wearing across his chest. Brown had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including trafficking in cocaine and two convictions for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell or deliver, each of which occurred on a different occasion. As a convicted felon, Brown is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.


title: Aetna Agrees to Pay $117.7 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

component: Civil Division

body_text: Aetna Inc., a national insurer incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $117,700,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting or failing to withdraw inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for its Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees in order to increase its payments from Medicare. Under the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare beneficiaries may opt out of traditional Medicare and enroll in private health plans offered by insurance companies known as Medicare Advantage Organizations, or MAOs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays MAOs a fixed monthly amount adjusted for various risk factors that affect expected health expenditures for the beneficiary. In general, CMS pays MAOs more for sicker beneficiaries expected to incur higher healthcare costs. To make these “risk adjustments,” CMS collects medical diagnosis codes from the MAOs. The United States alleges that Aetna submitted inaccurate and untruthful patient diagnosis data to CMS in order to inflate the risk adjustment payments it received from CMS, failed to withdraw the inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis data and repay CMS, and falsely certified in writing to CMS that the data was accurate and truthful. The settlement announced today resolves these allegations. “The government pays private insurers over $530 billion each year to care for Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “We will continue to hold accountable insurers that knowingly submit inaccurate or unsupported diagnoses to improperly inflate reimbursement.” “The government pays Medicare Advantage Organizations to facilitate vital healthcare to our seniors and other vulnerable citizens. When corporations or individuals threaten the Medicare Advantage program by diverting those limited government resources through fraud, waste, or abuse, we will continue to pursue all available remedies against them,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “Medicare Advantage relies on accurate reporting and attempts to manipulate the system undermine both the program’s integrity and the beneficiaries it serves,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s settlement makes clear that no company is beyond accountability, no matter how large or well known. Those who seek to exploit Medicare Advantage should expect to be identified and held responsible, and HHS‑OIG will continue to protect taxpayer funds and the integrity of this vital program.” The United States contends that, for payment year 2015, Aetna operated a “chart review” program in which it paid diagnosis coders to review medical records (also known as “charts”) and identify all medical conditions that the charts supported. Aetna relied on the results of those chart reviews to submit additional diagnosis codes to CMS to obtain additional payments. However, Aetna’s chart reviews did not substantiate some diagnosis codes previously reported by Aetna to CMS. Aetna did not delete or withdraw those diagnosis codes, which would have required Aetna to reimburse CMS. The United States alleges that Aetna used the results of its chart reviews to identify instances where Aetna could seek additional payments from CMS while ignoring those same results when they indicated Aetna was overpaid. The settlement also resolves further allegations that, for payment years 2018 to 2023, Aetna knowingly submitted or failed to delete or withdraw inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for morbid obesity to increase the payments it received from CMS for beneficiaries enrolled in its MA plans. The medical records for individuals diagnosed as morbidly obese typically include one or more Body Mass Index (BMI) recordings. Aetna submitted or failed to delete inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for morbid obesity for individuals whose recorded BMI was inconsistent with a diagnosis of morbid obesity, and these codes increased the payments made by CMS. The civil settlement related to morbid obesity resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Mary Melette Thomas v. Aetna Inc. , et. al., number 24-cv-339 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower, a former Aetna risk-adjustment coding auditor, to receive a $2,012,500 share of the settlement amount. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with HHS-OIG. The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud or 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The matter was handled by Fraud Section Attorneys Nelson Wagner and Edward Crooke and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Carr and Gregory B. in den Berken, and Civil Chief Gregory David, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. Aetna CR agreement.pdf Aetna MO agreement.pdf


title: Visitors Caught Defacing Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Property Fined $500 and Banished for One Year

body_text: MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that four visitors to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore were fined and banished from the park for one year after engaging in acts of vandalism there. On July 25, 2025, while on a routine marine patrol, United States Park Rangers contacted multiple vessels along the cliffs making up the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The occupants of these vessels had been carving large letters into the cliff faces and had collected over 100 pounds of rocks with the intent to take them home. Park rangers cited the Illinois visitors for defacing and collecting park resources. On December 9, 2025, the defendants were ordered to appear in U.S. District Court in Marquette for a mandatory appearance on the violations. Each of the four was ordered to pay a $500 fine and received a one-year ban from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. One of the four was ordered to pay an additional $250 fine for taking the rocks. U.S. Attorney VerHey said, “Pictured Rocks is one of Michigan’s iconic natural wonders. There is no other place like it, and we will not get another one. Everyone is welcome to see and enjoy this beautiful place, but no one is allowed to inflict damage on it. Anyone who does will be punished: these four people were lucky to get off with a fine and banishment because the judge could have given each of them six months in jail. I applaud the Park Rangers for putting a stop to this vandalism.” "This case is a great example of how our Park Rangers use proactive marine patrols to investigate criminal violations and protect park resources." said Pictured Rocks Chief Ranger Joseph Hughes, "I would like to remind all park visitors that as we spend time outdoors, it’s important to be conscious of our actions. It takes all of us to protect this wonderful place." Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore spans over 42 miles of Lake Superior coastline, including towering sandstone cliffs, deep forests, pristine wetlands and over 100 miles of trails.


title: Rockland County Man Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Investors In Investment Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that SOLOMON LICHTENSTEIN pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik to securities fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors in two investment vehicles he managed and promoted. “Solomon Lichtenstein solicited and received millions of dollars from friends, relatives, and members of his community on the back of false statements and misrepresentations regarding his investment qualifications and strategy, track record, and returns,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “When investment advisers abuse the trust of their clients and use New Yorkers’ hard-earned money for their personal benefit, our Office will hold them criminally accountable.” According to the Information, plea agreement, and statements made in court: Over a period of roughly two years from July 2022 through August 2024, LICHTENSTEIN defrauded investors in two investment entities he operated. He raised more than $3 million from dozens of victims. LICHTENSTEIN falsely represented to investors and prospective investors that his unique trading and risk mitigation strategies were generating large returns. In reality, he invested less than $600,000 of the funds he received and incurred significant losses on those funds through losing trades. LICHTENSTEIN also took approximately $1 million in investor funds for personal use, including home mortgage payments, travel and dining expenses, and cash withdrawals. Accounting for funds that were returned, investors lost more than $1.5 million through LICHTENSTEIN’s scheme. * * * LICHTENSTEIN, 30, of Stony Point, New York, pled guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. LICHTENSTEIN is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8, 2026. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a separate civil action against LICHTENSTEIN, for its assistance and cooperation in the investigation. The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reyhan Watson, James McMahon, and John Sarlitto are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Jacksonville Man Sentenced to 28 Months in Federal Prison for Threatening a Witness on Facebook

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Jesse Lee McKenzie (43, Jacksonville) to 28 months in federal prison for threatening to retaliate against a witness in a federal case. McKenzie pleaded guilty on October 28, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, an associate of McKenzie was indicted for distribution of methamphetamine, a federal offense. In July 2025, McKenzie made a post to his Facebook page in which he identified a witness in that drug trafficking case, both by name and by posting a photo of the witness. In the same post, McKenzie stated the witness was a “snitch” and threatened physical harm, including that McKenzie would “wire that snitch box up” in retaliation for the witness’s involvement in the drug trafficking case. McKenzie also solicited information about the witness’s whereabouts by stating he would “tip” in exchange for information about the witness’s location. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney. 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).