title: Utah Man Sentenced to Prison After Making Death Threats to the Salt Lake County Sheriff and Others Over the Foreclosure of His Property

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Ryan Gregory Bracken, 44, of West Valley City, Utah, was sentenced today to 60 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release after he made repeated death threats to the Salt Lake County Sheriff, other government offices, and a local law firm. The sentence, imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart, comes after Bracken was found guilty by a federal jury in October 2024 of four counts of stalking and one count of interstate communication of threats. See prior press release here . According to court documents, evidence presented at trial, and statements made at Bracken’s sentencing hearing, between March 20, 2024 and April 2, 2024, Bracken made specific threats to kill law enforcement officers and hold other victims responsible for “treason,” the penalty for which he described as “death.” Bracken believed those he threatened were responsible for – or could somehow stop – the foreclosure of his residence. Bracken also made threats of hangings and shootings, with repeated references to the caliber of ammunition he planned to use to shoot anyone who came on his property, which was subject to foreclosure. For example, Bracken made multiple threats that if the Sheriff’s sale of his property occurred, he would hold the Sheriff responsible for “treasonous acts” and that she would “swing from a rope.” As Bracken’s threats grew more extreme, a multi-agency operation was launched to protect the public from his threatened acts of violence. “The safety of our citizens is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah. “Bracken’s conduct was extreme, unabated, and dangerous. It is our hope the victims he terrorized may find peace in knowing he is behind bars and justice was served.” "I want to thank all the agencies involved in this investigation and bringing it to a closure,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera. “I appreciate the U.S. Attorney's Office for prioritizing the safety of our community and our public servants." "The circumstances Mr. Bracken found himself in were not the making of those he callously threatened to harm but the consequences of his actions," said HSI Salt Lake City Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brandon Crane. "We will aggressively pursue those threatening public servants for performing their sworn duties and serving our communities and ensure that individuals like Mr. Bracken face justice for their actions." The case was investigated jointly by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.


title: Texas Man Indicted After Escape From Federal Custody

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Texas man has been indicted for escaping from federal custody, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on October 11, 2024, Ismael Benavidez, 48, was in custody of the Bureau of Prisons and lawfully confined to the Volunteers of America Residential Reentry Center in the District of Minnesota when he walked away without authorization. Benavidez was serving an initial sentence of 40 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Harbor Illegal Aliens on October 25, 2018, in the Western District of Texas. The indictment charges Benavidez with one count of escape from custody. At his arraignment hearing today in U.S. District Court, Benavidez was ordered to be detained pending further proceedings by Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead is prosecuting the case.


title: Undocumented Individual Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Voting Fraud and Passport Fraud

component: USAO - Alabama, Northern

body_text: HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – An undocumented individual has been sentenced in connection with her fraudulent assumption of a United States citizen’s identity and her use of that identity to vote in multiple elections and obtain multiple United States passports, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Resident Agent in Charge Joseph R. Wysowaty of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Atlanta Resident Office. U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke sentenced Angelica Maria Francisco , 42, of Russellville, to 60 months in prison. In September 2024, Francisco pleaded guilty to two counts of false claims of citizenship in connection with voting, one count of false statements in application for a United States passport, five counts of use of a United States passport obtained by false statements, and one count of aggravated identity theft. “This sentence sends a clear message that any attempts by non-U.S. citizens to vote in the Northern District of Alabama are unacceptable and will result in serious consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona. “Maintaining the sanctity of the U.S. election system is one of the most important responsibilities of federal law enforcement. My office will remain vigilant in carrying out this mission and, to that end, will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who seek to undermine our elections.” According to the plea agreement, in 2011, Francisco assumed the identity of a United States citizen. Francisco used the false identity to obtain a United States passport in 2011. She subsequently used the United States passport to travel to and from her native country of Guatemala in 2012, 2015, and 2018. Using the same false identity, Francisco also registered to vote in Alabama in 2016 and voted in the 2016 and 2020 primary and general elections. And in 2021, Francisco used the same false identity to apply for and receive a renewed passport, which she used to travel to and from Guatemala in 2022. DSS investigated the case with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the East Metro Area Crime Center, and the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Janich prosecuted the case.


title: Hino Motors, a Toyota Subsidiary, Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay Over $1.6B to Resolve Emissions Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: The U.S. Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FBI, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and State of California today reached criminal and multiple civil resolutions, valued at over $1.6 billion, with Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino Motors), Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. and Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc. (collectively, Hino) for violations related to the submission of false and fraudulent engine emission testing and fuel consumption data to regulators and the illicit smuggling of engines into the United States. These resolutions are subject to approval by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. This unlawful conduct allowed Hino, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, to improperly secure approvals to import and sell, and cause to be imported and sold, more than 110,000 diesel engines in the United States from 2010 to 2022. These engines were primarily installed in heavy-duty trucks manufactured and sold by Hino nationwide. “Today, Hino Motors, a subsidiary of Toyota, agreed to plead guilty to engaging in a criminal conspiracy to mislead regulators and consumers that violated federal environmental laws and endangered public health,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “No company is above the law. I am grateful to our federal and state partners for their work to hold Hino accountable for its criminal misconduct.” “Hino knew the requirements that engines must meet to be certified to operate in the United States, yet it falsified data for years to skirt regulations,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Hino’s actions led to vast amounts of excess air pollution and were an egregious violation of our nation’s environmental, consumer protection and import laws. Today’s plea agreement and civil settlements, on behalf of myriad federal entities, mark the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting our environment and holding companies accountable for corporate wrongdoing.” “Corporate crimes such as these endanger the health and well-being of innocent Americans, as well as the environment in which we all live,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan. “My office is committed to aggressively seeking justice when corporate actors violate air quality standards and place our community at risk in order to increase their sales.” “Hino Motors engaged in a years-long scheme to alter and fabricate emissions data in order to get a leg up over its competitors and boost their bottom-line,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “To further this fraudulent scheme, Hino violated laws and regulations intended to protect American’s health and the environment. The FBI is committed to working with our partners across the U.S. government to ensure that corporate bad actors who purposefully violate the law are held accountable for their criminal actions.” “Providing false information to federal agencies subverts regulations designed to protect the public and reduce costs for consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work closely with its partners to hold accountable companies that prioritize profit over complying with the law.” “EPA and the American consumer rely on true and accurate data from engine manufacturers to protect our nation’s air quality. Hino’s actions directly undermined EPA’s program to protect the public from air pollution,” said Acting EPA Administrator Jane Nishida. “Today’s criminal charges and civil settlement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to hold companies like Hino Motors, Ltd. accountable for knowingly violating environmental laws and regulations that protect public health and the environment.” “CBP works with partner government agencies to prioritize the enforcement of environmental laws and is driving meaningful change in trade practices,” said Executive Assistant Commissioner AnnMarie Highsmith of CBP’s Office of Trade. “This settlement is an example of CBP’s role in enforcing laws that facilitate legitimate trade and protect the American economy, creating a level playing field for American businesses and ensuring that consumers have access to fair, safe products.” “Misleading federal regulators is a brazen crime that is reflected in the size and scope of today’s settlement agreement which holds Hino Motors accountable for their wrongdoing,” said Inspector General Eric J. Soskin of DOT. “The judicial actions taken today demonstrate the ongoing commitment of DOT-OIG to work with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to investigate improper and illegal conduct of automotive corporations that submit false fuel consumption values.” “Hino knowingly took unlawful advantage of California’s incentives designed to accelerate the adoption of clean transportation technologies, which safeguard the health and safety of Californians from pollution,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to hold manufacturers like Hino accountable for breaking California’s laws. I want to thank our federal and state partners for their collective work on reaching this critical settlement.” Global Resolution Details As part of the global resolutions, Hino Motors, Ltd. has agreed to plead guilty to engaging in a multi-year criminal conspiracy. The plea agreement, which is subject to approval by the court, requires it to pay a criminal fine of $521.76 million, serve a five-year term of probation — during which it will be prohibited from importing any diesel engines it has manufactured into the United States — and implement a comprehensive compliance and ethics program and reporting structure. Hino Motors, Ltd. has also agreed to entry of a forfeiture money judgment against it in the amount of $1.087 billion. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Hino’s future payments towards its civil settlement obligations, as well future payments as part of a civil class action settlement brought by private plaintiffs, will be credited towards its criminal forfeiture money judgment obligation. In separate civil resolutions of environmental, customs and fuel economy claims by the federal government and the State of California, Hino will pay a civil penalty of $525 million based on its demonstrated financial condition. The global resolution includes the second largest criminal fine and fourth largest civil penalty in the history of EPA’s mobile source program. Other provisions of the civil agreement include: A mitigation program, valued at $155 million, to offset excess air emissions from the violations by replacing marine and locomotive engines, and installing locomotive idle reduction technology systems, throughout 49 states (excluding California), including the reduction of over 41,000 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions; A recall program, valued at $144.2 million, to modify violative engines in 2017-2019 heavy-duty trucks so they comply with U.S. and California emissions laws; $123.6 million to fund mitigation projects and enforcement costs in California; and $30.3 million to resolve California False Claims Act claims. EPA discovered Hino’s noncompliance as a result of conducting confirmatory testing of Hino’s engines. On Jan. 10, EPA voided engine approvals, called “certificates of conformity,” for Hino’s 2010-2019 diesel engines for heavy-duty trucks and nonroad equipment. This is the largest voiding action ever taken by EPA, reflecting the egregiousness of the conduct and the flagrant disregard for EPA’s certification program. That program is designed to provide a level playing field for vehicle and engine manufacturers seeking to do business in the United States. Conduct Admitted to by Hino Motors, Ltd. As part of its plea agreement, Hino Motors, Ltd. admits that between 2010 and 2019, it submitted and caused to be submitted false applications for engine certification approvals. Hino Motors, Ltd. engineers regularly altered emission test data, conducted tests improperly and fabricated data without conducting any underlying tests. Hino Motors, Ltd. further admits that it submitted fraudulent carbon dioxide emissions test data, which resulted in false fuel consumption values being calculated for its engines. Hino Motors, Ltd. engineers also failed to disclose software functions that could adversely affect engines’ emission control systems. As a result of the fraud, Hino Motors, Ltd. imported and sold over 105,000 non-conforming engines between 2010 and 2022. Emissions Reductions EPA estimates that Hino’s engines emitted levels of NOx, particulate matter, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) above the regulatory limits. Hino’s recall is designed to bring model year 2017-2019 truck engines into compliance with emissions standards. Its mitigation projects around the country will fully offset the lifetime excess emissions of all violative engines. These mitigation projects include: Replacing more than 35 older, dirtier marine and locomotive engines with engines certified to the strictest EPA diesel emission standards, and Installing idle reduction technology in over 135 locomotives. The mitigation projects will reduce emissions by at least 41,941 tons of NOx, 376 tons of particulate matter, 6,199 tons of CO2, and 135 tons of N 2 O. The NOx reductions alone are estimated to be equivalent to removing over 110,000 heavy-duty trucks from operation. NOx and particulate matter are associated with serious health effects, including asthma attacks, respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular issues, which can lead to lung damage and premature death. CO 2 and N 2 O are climate-impacting greenhouse gases, which can also endanger public health and welfare. The Clean Air Act requires vehicle and engine manufacturers to submit testing data showing that their products meet air pollution emission standards in order to obtain certifications from EPA and California. As part of the certification process, manufacturers must conduct emission testing and submit test data demonstrating compliance with standards. Manufacturers must also disclose software functions that could affect engines’ emission controls. Further, motor vehicle engines must comply with emissions requirements to be lawfully imported into the United States. NHTSA regulations require that manufacturers like Hino provide fuel consumption values for each model year because these standards are designed to conserve fuel and increase efficiency. The charges in the criminal information filed against Hino Motors, Ltd. are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. A plea hearing date has not yet been set. Future case updates will be listed at www.justice.gov/enrd/environmental-crime-victim-assistance/current-case-information-crime-victims . Individuals can contact the Justice Department regarding victim rights and services or the status of this case at (833) 676-181 or at crimevictimprogram.enrd@usdoj.gov ; please mention or put in the subject line: 198-01902. The Justice Department uses the Victim Notification System (VNS) to provide victims with case information and updates related to this case. If you believe you are a victim of the conduct described in the plea agreement and criminal information, please visit www.justice.gov/enrd/case/hino-motors-ltd . The proposed global civil settlement consent decree is subject to a 30-day comment period and final court approval. More information on the consent decree and the process for submitting comments is available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees . This settlement agreement is part of a coordinated group of settlements resolved by the United States against Hino by EPA, NHTSA, CBP, and California with resolved False Claims Act and other state-only claims on behalf of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Attorney General. Special agents of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID)’s Ann Arbor Field Office and FBI’s Detroit Field Office are investigating the criminal case. Senior Trial Attorney Banumathi Rangarajan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Yahkind for the Eastern District of Michigan are prosecuting the criminal case, with support from EPA’s Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel. The Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, CBP’s Office of Chief Counsel and Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel-Detroit, DOT-OIG and NHTSA provided assistance. Senior Counsel David Laufman Weigert and Senior Attorney Alexandra Sherertz with ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Gentner of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and Senior Legal Advisor Meetu Kaul and Attorney-Advisors Kayla Steinberg and Ian Altendorfer with EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), Air Enforcement Division are handling the civil settlements. Engineers with EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality and OECA provided critical assistance. CARB played an active and supportive role throughout the development and pursuit of the civil case and settlement negotiations by EPA and ENRD. Trial Attorneys Marilee Miller and Paulina Stamatelos with the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling NHTSA-related claims. Assistant Chief Counsel Karen Hiyama and Attorney Jason W. Williams with CBP’s Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel-Detroit are handling CBP-related claims. Hino Motors Ltd Criminal Information.pdf Hino Motors Ltd Plea Agreement.pdf


title: Foreign National Sentenced For Unlawful Reentry

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Adan Garcia-Nava, a/k/a Adan Garcia, age 36, of Mexico, was sentenced to eight months in prison for one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. The charge arose from an investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division. On September 19, 2024, Garcia-Nava pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on May 20, 2024, Garcia-Nava, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously deported and removed on four prior occasions. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Garcia-Nava will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Lorenz represented the United States.


title: Durant Resident Sentenced For Assault With A Dangerous Weapon With Intent To Do Bodily Harm

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Hr’Lee Wayde Hisaw, age 23, of Durant, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm, in Indian country. The charge arose from an investigation by the Ada Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On September 26, 2024, Hisaw pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on February 18, 2024, Hisaw fired a semiautomatic handgun at the victim’s vehicle as it drove away from a residence. The crime occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Hisaw will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.


title: Wilburton Resident Sentenced For Failure To Register As Sex Offender

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Aniseto Bernal Lara, Jr., age 56, of Wilburton, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender. The charge arose from an investigation by the United States Marshals Service Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force. On August 20, 2024, Lara pleaded guilty to the charge. On July 26, 1985, Lara was convicted of felony Sexual Assault in the State of Texas and required to register as a sex offender. Lara was advised of the requirements to register as a sex offender and to inform law enforcement of any change in residency. According to investigators, from September 1, 2023, and until October 23, 2023, Lara failed to register as a sex offender despite moving into and living at a residence in Latimer County, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Lara will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Bove represented the United States.


title: Shawnee Resident Pleads Guilty To Felony Assault Charge

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dustin James Coggins, age 34, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Indictment charging him with one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. The Indictment alleged that on August 2, 2024, Coggins assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, intending to do bodily harm. The crime occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charge arose from an investigation by the Okemah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Coggins will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Soverly and Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.


title: Sequoyah County Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Crime

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Christopher Ray Amundson, age 38, of Roland, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Indictment alleged that on June 1, 2023, Amundson knowingly and intentionally possessed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, with the intent to distribute it. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Amundson was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.


title: Choctaw County Resident Pleads Guilty To Distributing Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Karen Sue Freeman, age 64, of Grant, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Indictment alleged that on March 13, 2024, Freeman knowingly and intentionally distributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hugo Police Department, and the Durant Police Department. The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea, and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Freeman will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Geizura represented the United States.


title: Drug Dealer Sentenced to 151 Months in Federal Prison

body_text: Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that on January 13, 2025, defendant Joselito Lumanlam Cura, age 58, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court of Guam to 151 months imprisonment. A jury previously found him guilty of three counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Hydrocholoride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The Court also ordered five years of supervised release and a mandatory $400 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits. Between July 27, 2021, to September 7, 2021, Cura delivered 355 grams of methamphetamine over the course of three controlled purchases by a government informant. The drugs had an average purity of 97 percent and a street value of $44,375 to $62,125. On October 12, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cura’s residence, where they found $22,051 in currency, digital scales, a money counter, firearms, and other drug paraphernalia. “Drugs and firearms are a dangerous combination,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Armed drug dealers will always attract the attention federal law enforcement. Combatting this activity remains a high priority for our office. I applaud the work of our federal and local partners in holding Cura accountable.” The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Guam Police Department conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen F. Leon Guerrero prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 135 Months & Ordered to Pay $81,000 in Restitution to Victims for Transportation of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Benjamin Baustian, age 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for transportation of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Baustian to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Baustian will be placed on a 5-year term of supervised release. Baustian was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $81,000.00 to twenty-six identified victims of his crimes and imposed special assessments of $5,000.00 under each of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) and the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (AVAA). This investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) began with a “cyber tip” received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspicious Internet activity. NCMEC’s resulting report to the NSP indicated that a video file consisting of child pornography involving a 9 to12-year-old female victim was uploaded from Baustian’s residential Internet Protocol (IP) address to Dropbox, a cloud storage service, on May 15, 2023. On October 3, 2023, NSP served a warrant to search for child pornography at Baustian’s residence in Omaha. Investigators seized Baustian’s electronic devices for forensic examination. An NSP investigator observed approximately 2,110 image files and approximately 299 videos of child pornography involving a prepubescent child, with ages varying from 4 to 12 years of age. The investigator observed approximately 59 image files and approximately 78 videos files constituting child pornography involving a pubescent child from 12 to 15 years of age. Some of the material involved toddlers and bestiality. Two hundred and seventy-five known victims were identified by hash value comparison of the digital files, of whom twenty-six sought restitution. Illegal drugs such as marijuana, mushrooms (psilocyn), cocaine, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products were also seized from Baustian’s residence during the search. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.


title: Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tony Torres Perez, age 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced January 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Perez to 188 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Perez is released from prison, he will begin a 8-year term of supervised release. On May 17, 2022, Perez was arrested in Hastings for reckless driving on a motorcycle. The officer observed Perez with a fanny pack that he tried to hide. Inside the fanny pack was marijuana, meth, a scale, and drug paraphernalia. This case was investigated by the Grand Island Police Department.


title: Winnebago Man Sentenced for Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tylan Joseph Walker, age 21, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for voluntary manslaughter in Indian Country. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Walker to 97 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Walker’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. On March 30, 2024, Walker was drinking and socializing with friends. At one point, he and a female friend met up with a 19-year-old Winnebago man and spent time drinking and talking. After a minor disagreement between the two men, Walker started a fist fight and then stabbed the 19-year-old male in the upper thigh area. The victim bled profusely and was unresponsive by the time emergency services arrived on scene. Despite extensive efforts by emergency services and medical staff at two hospitals, the victim ultimately succumbed to his wounds and died on April 3, 2024. Before handing down Walker’s 97-month sentence, Judge Buescher heard testimony from several members of the victim’s family, who asked the court to consider the deep pain and trauma experienced by their family and the Winnebago community as a whole because of Walker’s actions. This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Federal Inmate Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Breaking Fellow Inmate’s Jaw

body_text: PEORIA, Ill. – Travis Jay Nyhoff, 42, who is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Illinois (FCI-Pekin), was sentenced on January 10, 2025 to 33 months’ imprisonment for aggravated battery. The sentence will run consecutive to the term of imprisonment Nyhoff is presently serving for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Joe B. McDade, the court considered the following uncontested information regarding the assault. On December 8, 2023, Nyhoff had approached another inmate from behind as the inmate was watching television in the common area, yanked his chair out from beneath him, and proceeded to strike the inmate across the face with the chair and then hurl the chair at the wall. The unprovoked attack was documented by security footage. The inmate sustained a broken lower jawbone, a laceration to his face that penetrated his oral cavity, and several dislodged teeth. He later underwent surgery to repair his jawbone. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Nyhoff with assault in April 2024, and he entered a guilty plea in August 2024. The statutory penalties for aggravated battery are two to five years’ imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.


title: Niagara Falls man going to prison for five years on meth charge

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jevon Flynn, 30, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who handled the case, stated that on March 26, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Niagara Falls, during which they located Flynn in a bedroom, with his hands near a clothing hamper. A backpack and a pair of pants were found in the clothing hamper. A plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine was found in the backpack, while two plastic baggies were found in the pants, one contained suspected fentanyl, and the other contained blue-colored pressed pills. Investigators also seized another quantity of suspected methamphetamine and eight grams of suspected crack cocaine. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti. # # # #


title: Sex offender going to prison for 10 years on new charges

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jeffrey Paden, 58, of Kennedy, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography following a prior conviction, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that in June 2015, Paden was convicted on a federal charge of possession of child pornography and sentenced to serve 57 months in prison and five years’ supervised release. On August 29, 2023, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at Paden’s residence based on information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Several electronic devices were seized, including a thumb drive and a laptop computer. Approximately 83 images of child pornography were stored on the thumb drive and approximately 468 images on the laptop computer. Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors, and violence against children. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie P. Feroleto, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. # # # #


title: Justice Department and FBI Conduct International Operation to Delete Malware Used by China-Backed Hackers

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: Note : View the affidavit here . PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, the Justice Department, and the FBI announced today a multi-month law enforcement operation that, alongside international partners, deleted “PlugX” malware from thousands of infected computers worldwide. As described in court documents unsealed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a group of hackers sponsored by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), known to the private sector as “Mustang Panda” and “Twill Typhoon,” used a version of PlugX malware to infect, control, and steal information from victim computers. According to court documents, the PRC government paid the Mustang Panda group to, among other computer intrusion services, develop this specific version of PlugX. Since at least 2014, Mustang Panda hackers then infiltrated thousands of computer systems in campaigns targeting U.S. victims, as well as European and Asian governments and businesses, and Chinese dissident groups. Despite previous cybersecurity reports , owners of computers still infected with PlugX are typically unaware of the infection. The court-authorized operation announced today remediated U.S.-based computers infected with Mustang Panda’s version of PlugX. “This wide-ranging hack and long-term infection of thousands of Windows-based computers, including many home computers in the United States, demonstrates the recklessness and aggressiveness of PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Working alongside both international and private sector partners, the Department of Justice’s court-authorized operation to delete PlugX malware proves its commitment to a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to protecting U.S. cybersecurity.” “The FBI worked to identify thousands of infected U.S. computers and delete the PRC malware on them. The scope of this technical operation demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to pursue PRC adversaries no matter where they victimize Americans,” said FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs. The international operation was led by French law enforcement and Sekoia.io, a France-based private cybersecurity company, which had identified and reported on the capability to send commands to delete the PlugX version from infected devices. Working with these partners, the FBI tested the commands, confirmed their effectiveness, and determined that they did not otherwise impact the legitimate functions of, or collect content information from, infected computers. In August 2024, the DOJ and FBI obtained the first of nine warrants in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania authorizing the deletion of PlugX from U.S.-based computers. The last of these warrants expired on January 3, 2025, thereby concluding the U.S. portions of the operation. In total, this court-authorized operation deleted PlugX malware from approximately 4,258 U.S.-based computers and networks. The FBI, through the victims’ internet service providers, is providing notice to U.S. owners of Windows-based computers affected by this court-authorized operation. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office and Cyber Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the National Security Cyber Section of DOJ’s National Security Division led the domestic disruption operation. This operation would not have been successful without the valuable collaboration of the Cyber Division of the Paris Prosecution Office, French Gendarmerie Cyber Unit C3N, and Sekoia.io, a private French cybersecurity technology company. The FBI continues to investigate Mustang Panda’s computer intrusion activity. If you believe you have a compromised computer or device, please visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) . You may also contact your local FBI field office directly; FBI Philadelphia can be reached at 215-418-4000. The FBI strongly encourages the use of antivirus software, as well as the application of software security updates to help prevent reinfection.


title: Monroeville Dogfighter Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – Gecoby Penn, age 37, was sentenced on Friday to two years in prison after entering guilty pleas to seventeen counts of possessing a dog for the purpose of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture. Penn entered his guilty pleas on May 3, 2024. According to court documents, on Saturday, July 29, 2023, law enforcement with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that there had been a dogfighting event on Thursday, July 27, 2023, hosted by Gecoby Penn. The source reported that there were multiple dog fighting matches and as a result many dogs had been injured. The source was able to describe lacerations to the dogs’ bodies and one dog had a gaping laceration to the head and facial area. On August 3, 2023, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on Penn’s property. The officers seized thirty-eight dogs. Twenty-one of the dogs had injuries and/or scarring consistent with dogfighting. The dogs were tied-up outside without access to shelter or water, and temperatures on that day were in excess of 100 degrees. Also seized during the search warrant were modified treadmills (manual and electric) for dog fight conditioning, injectable veterinary canine medications and syringes, a weighted dog vest, chains and weighted collars, a 4-wheeler mounted running collar, a Flying Jinny rotary runner, a training pool, a dogfight corral with bloodstains, a wooden arena, and canine remains. The blood stains on the wooden arena were sent for laboratory testing and were confirmed to contain canine DNA. The remains on the property were examined by a veterinarian and confirmed to be canine remains. The thirty-eight seized dogs were treated by veterinarians. Twenty-two of them had to be euthanized. At sentencing, Judge DuBose imposed a 24-month sentence of incarceration and a 3-year term of supervised release upon Penn’s discharge from prison. During his term of supervised release, Penn will not be permitted to own or possess any dogs. Penn was ordered to pay $62,408.06 in restitution to the Monroe County Animal Shelter, $2,348 to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and $1,700 in special assessments. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Monroe County Sherriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Drug Trafficker and Convicted Felon Sentenced on Federal Drug and Firearms Charges

body_text: MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two men in Monroe yesterday. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the defendants as follows: Desmond K. Hollins , 47, of Monroe, was sentenced to 128 months (10 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. In November 2022, officers with the Metro Narcotics Unit in Monroe executed a search warrant at Hollins’ home in Monroe. During that search, law enforcement officers found methamphetamine, a digital scale, and packaging material, as well as four firearms and various rounds of ammunition. The seized narcotics were sent to the crime lab for analysis and was confirmed to be a mixture and substance of methamphetamine and weighed 322.75 grams. Hollins pleaded guilty on September 4, 2024, to the charges and agreed to forfeiture of the four seized firearms and ammunition. Justin Wright , 45, of West Monroe, was sentenced to 96 months (8 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On August 15, 2023, officers with the West Monroe Police Department went to a residence in West Monroe after receiving a report that Wright was firing a pistol in his yard. When law enforcement officers arrived, they found Wright standing in his yard with a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm pistol in his front waist band. Wright has previous felony convictions for attempted possession of a firearm by a felon and simple arson and knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He was arrested and charged with one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Wright pleaded guilty to the charge on September 24, 2024. These cases were investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Monroe Police Department, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, and West Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Seth D. Reeg. # # #


body_text: Note : View the affidavit here . The Justice Department and FBI today announced a multi-month law enforcement operation that, alongside international partners, deleted “PlugX” malware from thousands of infected computers worldwide. As described in court documents unsealed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a group of hackers sponsored by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), known to the private sector as “Mustang Panda” and “Twill Typhoon,” used a version of PlugX malware to infect, control, and steal information from victim computers. According to court documents, the PRC government paid the Mustang Panda group to, among other computer intrusion services, develop this specific version of PlugX. Since at least 2014, Mustang Panda hackers then infiltrated thousands of computer systems in campaigns targeting U.S. victims, as well as European and Asian governments and businesses, and Chinese dissident groups. Despite previous cybersecurity reports , owners of computers still infected with PlugX are typically unaware of the infection. The court-authorized operation announced today remediated U.S.-based computers infected with Mustang Panda’s version of PlugX. “The Department of Justice prioritizes proactively disrupting cyber threats to protect U.S. victims from harm, even as we work to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This operation, like other recent technical operations against Chinese and Russian hacking groups like Volt Typhoon, Flax Typhoon, and APT28, has depended on strong partnerships to successfully counter malicious cyber activity. I commend partners in the French government and private sector for spearheading this international operation to defend global cybersecurity.” “Leveraging our partnership with French law enforcement, the FBI acted to protect U.S. computers from further compromise by PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “Today’s announcement reaffirms the FBI’s dedication to protecting the American people by using its full range of legal authorities and technical expertise to counter nation-state cyber threats.” “This wide-ranging hack and long-term infection of thousands of Windows-based computers, including many home computers in the United States, demonstrates the recklessness and aggressiveness of PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “Working alongside both international and private sector partners, the Department of Justice’s court-authorized operation to delete PlugX malware proves its commitment to a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to protecting U.S. cybersecurity.” “The FBI worked to identify thousands of infected U.S. computers and delete the PRC malware on them. The scope of this technical operation demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to pursue PRC adversaries no matter where they victimize Americans,” said Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office. The international operation was led by French law enforcement and Sekoia.io, a France-based private cybersecurity company, which had identified and reported on the capability to send commands to delete the PlugX version from infected devices. Working with these partners, the FBI tested the commands, confirmed their effectiveness, and determined that they did not otherwise impact the legitimate functions of, or collect content information from, infected computers. In August 2024, the Justice Department and FBI obtained the first of nine warrants in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania authorizing the deletion of PlugX from U.S.-based computers. The last of these warrants expired on Jan. 3, 2025, thereby concluding the U.S. portions of the operation. In total, this court-authorized operation deleted PlugX malware from approximately 4,258 U.S.-based computers and networks. The FBI, through the victims’ internet service providers, is providing notice to U.S. owners of Windows-based computers affected by this court-authorized operation. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office and Cyber Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the National Security Cyber Section of Justice Department’s National Security Division led the domestic disruption operation. This operation would not have been successful without the valuable collaboration of to the Cyber Division of the Paris Prosecution Office, French Gendarmerie Cyber Unit C3N, and Sekoia.io. The FBI continues to investigate Mustang Panda’s computer intrusion activity. If you believe you have a compromised computer or device, please visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) . You may also contact your local FBI field office directly. The FBI strongly encourages the use of anti-virus software as well as the application of software security updates to help prevent reinfection.


title: Former Northeastern University Employee Sentenced for Staging a Hoax Explosion and Making False Statements

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A former Northeastern University employee was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for staging a hoax explosion and making false statements to a federal law enforcement agent about the hoax. Jason Duhaime, 47, formerly of Massachusetts and San Antonio, was sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. In June 2024, Duhaime was convicted of intentionally conveying false and misleading information related to an explosive device and two counts of making materially false statements to a federal law enforcement agent. Duhaime was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Oct. 2, 2022, and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 27, 2022. “Bomb hoaxes are not a harmless act, they inflict fear, divert resources and put both first responders and the public at real risk as they race to the scene,” said United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This sentence should send a clear message to everyone who engages in bomb threats and swatting incidents that you will be held accountable and that one phone call may land you in jail.” “Jason Duhaime apparently thought he could get away with staging a hoax explosion and lying to us about it, but this sentencing proves how wrong he was,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Hoax explosive devices and fictious letters threatening violence cause real-world damage. It drains law enforcement resources, diverts us from responding to an actual crisis, puts innocent people at risk, and instills unnecessary fear in the community. FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force takes all threats to life seriously and so should anyone thinking about making one. We will investigate, identify you, and ensure you’re held accountable for your actions.” In September 2022, Duhaime was employed as the New Technology Manager and Director of the Immersive Media Lab (the “Lab”) at Northeastern University (“Northeastern”). At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2022, Duhaime called the Northeastern Police Department and reported that he was injured by sharp objects expelled from a plastic case he opened inside the Lab that evening. Specifically, Duhaime told an emergency police dispatcher that he and a Northeastern student who was working in the Lab that evening had collected several packages—including two plastic “Pelican cases”—from a mail area and brought them into the Lab. Duhaime said that when he opened one of the cases inside a storage closet, “very sharp” objects flew out of the case and under his shirt sleeves, causing injuries to his arms. Duhaime also reported that the case contained an anonymous “violent note” threatening to “destroy the lab” and stating: “In the case you got today we could have planted explosives but not this time!!! Take notice!!! You have two months to take operations down or else!!!!! WE ARE WATCHING YOU.” Duhaime’s report and concern about a second, unopened Pelican case triggered a significant law enforcement response that included, among other things, the assistance of the Boston Police Department’s bomb squad, multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies and the evacuation of a portion of the Northeastern campus. In statements to first responders and in subsequent interviews with law enforcement on both Sept. 13 and 14, 2022, Duhaime provided statements about the incident that were consistent with what he told the emergency police dispatcher. He expressly denied fabricating his story about the Pelican case, the anonymous threat letter and the injuries to his arms. During a search of Duhaime’s office at Northeastern on Sept. 14, 2022, several laptop computers were found. A subsequent forensic examination of one of the computers revealed a word-for-word electronic copy of the anonymous threat letter that Duhaime claimed was inside the Pelican case. According to evidence presented during the trial, this electronic copy of the threat letter was created and printed between approximately 2:50 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2022, just hours before he reported the incident to the police. Duhaime printed the letter using a removable USB drive, which he disposed of at the campus fitness center shortly before the incident. U.S. Attorney Levy; FBI SAC Cohen; Michael A. Davis, Vice President of Campus Security and Chief of Police at Northeastern University; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Casey and Timothy H. Kistner of the National Security Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Greenup County Man Sentenced for  Distribution of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: ASHLAND, Ky. – A Greenup County man, Richard Burton, 50, was sentenced on Monday, to 174 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, for distribution of child pornography. According to his guilty plea, on January 10, 2024, law enforcement received a tip regarding child pornography on the social media platform Kik and discovered Burton was the owner of the flagged account. After reviewing the account, law enforcement found at least eight pictures or videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Burton’s person and his electronic devices. On the devices, they located additional evidence, which corroborated the evidence found in the Kik records, along with messages revealing that Burton sent and received child pornography. Burton admitted to knowingly distributing and possessing the child pornography. Under federal law, Burton must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 25 years. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . – END –


title: Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jack Rocker (19, Tampa) pleaded guilty on December 16, 2024, to possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Rocker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Rocker will also be required to register as a sex offender and pay restitution to the victims. The government is also seeking forfeiture of Rocker’s cellphone, thumb drive, and laptop which were used to commit the offense. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2025. According to court filings, Rocker was a member of a network of racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists called “764.” Members of “764” use online social media communications platforms as mediums to support the possession, production, and sharing of extreme gore media and CSAM. On January 19, 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search at Rocker’s home and seized his cellphone, thumb drive, and laptop, all of which contained CSAM. At the time, the FBI determined that Rocker’s devices contain more than 8,300 images and videos of CSAM, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, masochistic sexual behavior, and bestiality. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ilyssa Spergel and Karyna Valdes. 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: United States Attorney Zachary A. Myers Announces His Departure

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS— United States Attorney Zachary A. Myers announced today that he has tendered his resignation to the President and the Attorney General and will conclude his service effective January 18, 2025. “It has been a privilege to lead this office of talented professionals who strive every day to make the public safer, hold lawbreakers accountable, and ensure that our rights are protected,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “The rule of law is not self-executing. It requires the hard work and sacrifice of public servants acting with dedication and fairness. Alongside our outstanding law enforcement partners, we sought to maximize our impact for the public’s benefit and always strove to do the right thing the right way. I am so very proud of all we accomplished together and know that the office will continue to do extraordinary work on behalf of the people we serve. I am deeply grateful to the President for nominating me, and to the Attorney General, Senator Young, Former Senator Braun, and Congressman Carson for their support. Serving on behalf of the United States has been the professional honor of a lifetime.” Under Myers’ leadership, the United States Attorney’s Office successfully implemented his strategic plan , focused on maximizing the impact of the office by bringing cases against the most serious offenses and offenders, expanding the office’s resources, working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and increasing community outreach: Combatting Gun Violence and Other Violent Crimes Combatting gun violence has been a top priority for the office throughout U.S. Attorney Myers’ tenure. The office has focused on bringing impactful cases against offenders who engage in serial gun crimes and who continue to illegally arm themselves notwithstanding a significant, violent criminal history. During Myers’s tenure, the office has successfully prosecuted the murders of a mail carrier during the pandemic, a victim of a series of online marketplace robberies, and fellow inmates at the federal prison in Terre Haute. The office has focused on gun trafficking as a source of violence, prosecuting two brothers who manufactured and distributed machine guns intended for ISIS, and offenders who illegally trafficked guns to violent criminals in Indianapolis, Chicago, and allegedly Mexico. The office responded to the illegal proliferation of “Glock switches” and “ghost guns,” securing significant federal prison sentences against criminals who illegally manufactured and trafficked the weapons in Evansville , Franklin , and Indianapolis. U.S. Attorney Myers secured a partnership with the City of Indianapolis to create three Special Assistant U.S. Attorney positions to increase the resources available to federally prosecute armed, violent criminals in the city . U.S. Attorney Myers prioritized the office’s LEATH Initiative , a partnership initiated in 2020 to focus federal prosecution resources on illegally armed domestic abusers in honor of IMPD Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call. Over the past three years, the office has brought significant cases , securing serious federal prison sentences for illegally armed domestic abusers. U.S. Attorney Myers and prosecutors in the office have increased outreach to better inform domestic violence service providers, law enforcement, and local prosecutors and judges about federal gun laws and the office’s commitment to addressing domestic gun violence through federal prosecution. Disrupting the Trafficking of Deadly Drugs The acceleration of drug overdoses caused thousands of deaths and tremendous suffering in Indiana and nationwide, largely fueled by the explosion in the availability of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, manufactured by cartels based in Mexico and smuggled into the United States. Under U.S. Attorney Myers, the office has focused its efforts on disrupting the trafficking of fentanyl , methamphetamine, and other deadly drugs by targeting the traffickers causing the most harm in our communities. Working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the office successfully dismantled prolific drug trafficking conspiracies , took down a drug trafficking outlaw motorcycle gang , and prosecuted traffickers responsible for pumping poisons into neighborhoods from Kokomo , to Indianapolis, to Evansville. The office targeted significant traffickers who were responsible for bringing fentanyl from Mexico into our communities , armed themselves with arsenals including with machineguns , and engaged in violence including dog fighting. Working closely with our partners at the DEA and other law enforcement agencies, the office sought justice for deaths resulting from fentanyl trafficking, including drugs sold through social media , and allegedly causing the death of a toddler and near-fatal overdose of an infant . U.S. Attorney Myers worked closely with our community and law enforcement partners on numerous community outreach and engagement efforts to spread awareness of the dangers of counterfeit fentanyl pills, and that “ One Pill Can Kill .” Fighting Hate and Discrimination As U.S. Attorney, Myers prioritized protecting federal civil rights, significantly expanding staffing and outreach to prosecute hate crimes and stop illegal discrimination. Myers and the office’s civil rights attorneys have led the United Against Hate initiative, educating communities across the district about the Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts and how to report hate and bias incidents. Under U.S. Attorney Myers, the office successfully prosecuted a violent hate crime against an Asian-American student and antisemitic death threats against offices of the Anti-Defamation League . The office also secured court orders halting unlawful discrimination against a police officer with HIV and a Muslim group seeking to build a religious seminary and residential housing . Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking U.S. Attorney Myers prioritized prosecution of heinous criminals who sexually exploited and trafficked our children. Under his leadership, the office worked closely with Indiana’s nationally-renowned Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and other law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the predators who seek gratification through abuse of the most vulnerable. Under U.S. Attorney Myers’ leadership, the office prosecuted pedophiles who identified and groomed their victims using online platforms and games including Roblox , Snapchat , Instagram , and Kik . The office secured decades-long prison sentences against a man who solicited a hitman to murder his child victim and her family , two predators who conspired to sexually exploit a child they drugged with methamphetamine , parents who recorded themselves sexually abusing their baby , and a couple who conspired with Jared Fogle to sexually exploit children . U.S. Attorney Myers and the office’s prosecutors also worked to expand the office’s efforts to fight human trafficking , bringing impactful prosecutions against pimps and abusers who trafficked children for sex, and investing significant resources in outreach including hosting a two-day training seminar for law enforcement and victim organizations. Holding Public Officials Accountable for Violations of Public Trust Government officials who engage in corruption betray the public’s trust in furtherance of personal gain. Law enforcement officers who violate Hoosiers’ civil rights betray the public’s trust and erode support for their sisters and brothers who serve honorably. Under U.S. Attorney Myers, federal prosecutors successfully disrupted a culture of public corruption in Muncie’s City Hall and held three former Indiana state legislators accountable for taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from casino companies. U.S. Attorney Myers’ significantly increased the resources dedicated to investigating and prosecuting law enforcement officers engaged in police brutality, and under his leadership the office secured serious prison sentences for five Muncie police officers responsible for a series of illegal beatings and their attempted coverup, an IMPD Sergeant who stomped on the head of a defenseless arrestee on Monument Circle, and a New Castle police Lieutenant who assaulted three defenseless men causing serious injuries, including a fractured spine. Combatting Frauds Against Individuals, Businesses, and the Government Under U.S. Attorney Myers’ leadership, the office prioritized criminal prosecution and civil enforcement of fraud and abuse targeting government programs, small businesses, and vulnerable individuals. The office worked with its law enforcement and Justice Department partners to bring indictments in an alleged $45 million fraudulent virtual school scheme , dismantle a nationwide “grandparent scam,” hold an insurance broker accountable for a multi-million dollar “Ponzi” scheme, and aggressively pursue civil enforcement including recovering $345 million from a hospital system alleged to have illegally overpaid doctors to incentivize referrals . * * * During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Myers served in additional leadership roles including as chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Cyber and Intellectual Property and as a member of various committees and working groups developing policy and addressing issues relating to cybercrime and technology. Myers regularly spoke to public and private sector groups about cybercrime, cybersecurity, and the importance of working with federal law enforcement in responding to a critical cyber incident. Before assuming office as U.S. Attorney, Myers spent more than a decade as an AUSA in the Southern District of Indiana and the District of Maryland focused on cyber- and technology-facilitated offenses. He earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University, graduate degree from George Washington University, and law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. Before becoming a federal prosecutor, Myers worked in the private sector and on Capitol Hill. Myers grew up in Indianapolis and is the first Black person to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the district. * * * Upon U.S. Attorney Myers’ departure, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Childress will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney under the Vacancies Reform Act. Mr. Childress first joined the Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2001. He previously served as both First Assistant United States Attorney and Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and the Central District of Illinois. ###


title: New York Man Sentenced for Role in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: BOSTON – A New York man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that shipped dozens of parcels containing kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to various addresses throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Felix Baez Munoz, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In September 2024, Baez Munoz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Baez Munoz was identified as a drug and money courier for a DTO that trafficked kilograms cocaine from Puerto Rico through the mail. The cocaine inside these packages was typically hidden inside innocuous consumer goods, such as air fryers. The packages were addressed to various addresses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In May 2020, federal agents surveilled Baez Munoz as he transported a duffle bag from Massachusetts to New York. After stopping Baez Munoz in New York, he consented to a search of the duffle bag, which resulted in the seizure of $387,030 of suspected drug proceeds. U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. The Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division and Homeland Security Investigations in Boston provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: U.S. Attorney Mark Totten Announces Departure

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Highlights Office’s Work to Uphold the Rule of Law, Keep the District Safe, and Protect Civil Rights GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced his departure effective Monday, January 20, 2025. President Biden nominated Totten on November 12, 2021, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him on April 27, 2022. He took the oath of office and began service on May 5, 2022. “I’m incredibly proud of the work my team and I have done to protect the public, especially our more vulnerable citizens like children and seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “Over the past few years, we’ve secured major wins in our fight against gun violence, child exploitation, public corruption, hate crimes, consumer fraud, drug poisonings, and other threats. I’m so grateful to have served alongside the amazing team in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and the privilege I’ve been given to advance our mission.” WATCH: Message from U.S. Attorney Mark Totten Over the past few years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan has furthered its mission to uphold the rule of law, keep the District safe, and protect civil rights in several important ways: Gun violence . In 2021 the nation and Michigan had one of highest violent crime rates in three decades and gun violence became the #1 cause of death among children. To help address this spike, the Office focused on two primary drivers of violence: firearms traffickers and shooters. Cases included the prosecution of Darnell Bishop and Dontrell Nance (who kidnapped a Dunham Sports manager in Benton Harbor and stole 123 guns); the prosecution of Craig Hunnicutt, Jr. (a Grand Rapids man who opened fire and shot multiple victims in the parking lot of a convenience store); and the prosecution of Avis Coward (a Lansing man who illegally possessed a gun that a two-year-old child used to accidentally kill himself). In addition, the Office ran the Safe Summer programs in 2023 and 2024 , pledging to prosecute all cases that involved a crime gun to address the rise of gun violence during the warmer months. Violence against women . The Office also prioritized the prosecution of firearms offenders who committed violence against women. Cases included the prosecution of Mitchell Pierce (Muskegon man who stalked his ex-wife and threatened to torture and kill her); and Alexander Dominic (Grand Rapids man who beat and choked multiple domestic partners). Crimes against children . Access to cell phones and the internet has rendered children more vulnerable than ever, including to criminal networks around the world. The FBI’s investigation and the Office’s successful prosecution of Samuel and Samson Ogoshi , who ran a sextortion scheme from Nigeria that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Marquette, Mich., created a new benchmark for how law enforcement responds to this ever-growing threat. Other cases protecting children included the prosecution of Richard Densmore (member of violent 764 terror network who manipulated children to create sexual images and commit self-harm); Arisknight Winfree (Lansing-based sexual predator who preyed on au pairs, including gagging and raping at least one victim); and Rashad Trice (Lansing man who kidnapped and killed 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith, leaving her body in a Detroit alley). Public corruption . The Office’s mission to uphold the rule of law includes rooting out public corruption. The prosecution of Rick Johnson , former Speaker of the Michigan House, for brazenly soliciting and accepting bribes as Chair of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board, was one of the largest public corruption cases in state government in a generation. Civil rights . In 2023 the Office announced the creation of a Civil Rights Team, hired an additional Assistant U.S. Attorney dedicated to civil rights cases, and launched the United Against Hate program to educate the public about federal hate crimes. The Office backed-up this commitment with two successful hate crimes prosecutions: Nathan Weeden (member of a white supremacist group convicted at trial for hate crimes targeting Black and Jewish people and defacing a Michigan synagogue with Neo-Nazi symbols); and Seann Pietila (Pickford, Mich. resident who plotted a mass-shooting attack on a synagogue in East Lansing). In addition, the office also prosecuted Joshua Brereton (committed arson against the Planned Parenthood clinic in Kalamazoo) and secured a civil settlement with Darrell Jones (Muskegon landlord who the Office alleged repeatedly sexually harassed his female tenants). Consumer fraud . These criminals prey on senior citizens and their crimes can lead to financial ruin for their victims. The Office successfully prosecuted several consumer fraud cases including one against Irfan Gill (international telemarketing scheme that defrauded over 1,500 seniors with cable and satellite television). Environmental crime . In addition to direct crimes against people, the Office also prosecuted environmental crimes, protecting air, water, and public lands. In the Diesel Freak case, the office prosecuted and convicted multiple companies and individuals involved in a scheme to disable emission-control systems on semi-trucks. These schemes can drastically increase emissions of harmful air pollutants associated with serious health risks. This major Clean Air Act case represented one of the largest aftermarket deletion schemes ever prosecuted in the United States. Illegal drugs . Lastly, the Office worked to dismantle the regional-level pipelines that bring drugs into Michigan communities. This work was especially important over the past few years as the number of drug-related deaths reached the highest number ever recorded both in the United States and here in Michigan, driven primarily by the spread of fentanyl. An example of this effort is the prosecution of James Smith , a supplier responsible for the distribution of fentanyl in Kalamazoo that resulted in the death of at least 6 people during a 24-hour period in April 2023. In addition to these and other cases, U.S. Attorney Totten prioritized efforts to strengthen relationships with law enforcement, community partners, and the eleven federally recognized Tribes in the District. During his term, Totten visited all 49 counties in the Western District of Michigan, meeting with county sheriffs, county prosecutors, and other community partners. In 2023, for example, Totten participated in 311 meetings and other events as part of his community outreach efforts. U.S. Attorney Totten was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he lives today. He previously served as Chief Legal Counsel in the Executive Office of the Governor for the State of Michigan from 2019-2022. Prior to entering government service, Totten was a law professor at Michigan State University from 2008-2018, where he taught criminal law and criminal procedure. From 2011-2013 he served part-time as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney handling criminal appeals in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. He was a judicial law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and began his career as an attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Appellate Staff, in Washington, D.C. Totten received his B.A. from Cedarville College and his law degree and a Ph.D. in ethics from Yale University. The U.S. Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Michigan. The District covers 49 counties , including the western half of Michigan’s lower peninsula and the whole of the upper peninsula. The main office is in Grand Rapids, but the District also has a staffed office in Marquette and unstaffed offices in Lansing and Kalamazoo. As U.S. Attorney, Totten managed a team of approximately 42 attorneys and 48 support staff. At the national level, Totten served as a member on several U.S. Department of Justice bodies: the Terrorism & National Security Subcommittee; the Civil Rights Subcommittee; and the Environmental Justice Subcommittee. ###


title: Brockton Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Passport Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced yesterday for lying that his United States passport had been lost in order to secure a replacement to enter the country, when in fact, the passport had been confiscated by the prosecutor’s office in Cabo Verde following his arrest for the murders of two victims. Johnny Barros Brandao, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to five years in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. In October 2024, Brandao was convicted of one count of passport fraud. On March 27, 2014, in Cabo Verde, Brandao allegedly shot an individual in the head using a .45 caliber revolver, took one million and five hundred thousand Cape Verdean Escudos from the victim and then dumped the victim’s body on the side of a road next to a waste dump. On July 26, 2021, Brandao allegedly shot and killed another individual using a 9mm caliber firearm and threw the victim’s body off a bank at the same place as the 2014 victim. Brandao was arrested in Cabo Verde on these charges. On Dec. 12, 2022, after a period of pretrial detention, Brandao was released subject to supervision. The Cabo Verde court also ordered that Brandao not depart Cabo Verde – confiscating his Cabo Verdean national ID card as well as his United States and Cabo Verde passports. On Dec. 28, 2022, Brandao applied for a replacement United States passport at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. In the section of the form that directs the applicant to explain how his prior passport was lost or stolen, Brandao reported he had lost his passport in Dakar, Senegal while out to dinner on Dec. 25, 2022. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Special Agent in Charge Matthew O’Brien of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Services. Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan Cleary, David Tobin and Brian Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. Johnny Barros Brandao, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to five years in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. In October 2024, Brandao was convicted of one count of passport fraud. On March 27, 2014, in Cabo Verde, Brandao allegedly shot an individual in the head using a .45 caliber revolver, took one million and five hundred thousand Cape Verdean Escudos from the victim and then dumped the victim’s body on the side of a road next to a waste dump. On July 26, 2021, Brandao allegedly shot and killed another individual using a 9mm caliber firearm and threw the victim’s body off a bank at the same place as the 2014 victim. Brandao was arrested in Cabo Verde on these charges. On Dec. 12, 2022, after a period of pretrial detention, Brandao was released subject to supervision. The Cabo Verde court also ordered that Brandao not depart Cabo Verde – confiscating his Cabo Verdean national ID card as well as his United States and Cabo Verde passports. On Dec. 28, 2022, Brandao applied for a replacement United States passport at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. In the section of the form that directs the applicant to explain how his prior passport was lost or stolen, Brandao reported he had lost his passport in Dakar, Senegal while out to dinner on Dec. 25, 2022. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Special Agent in Charge Matthew O’Brien of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Services. Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan Cleary, David Tobin and Brian Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Justice Department Sues KKR for Serial Violations of Federal Premerger Review Law

component: Antitrust Division

body_text: The Justice Department today filed a civil lawsuit against KKR & Co. Inc. and over a dozen of its investment advisors and funds (collectively, KKR) for repeatedly flouting the premerger antitrust review process. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the complaint alleges that KKR senior executives, deal teams and investment funds evaded antitrust scrutiny for at least 16 separate transactions by failing to comply with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act). “KKR’s rinse-and-repeat failures to provide complete and accurate information about its mergers and acquisitions were systemic,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Through document omissions, alterations, and failures to report deals, KKR threatened the integrity of the Division’s premerger reviews and, in some cases, obscured the market impact of its deals and serial acquisitions.” The HSR Act requires parties to a merger, acquisition, or other transaction above a certain size to submit a premerger filing to the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission to aid in the agencies’ enforcement of merger law. As a sophisticated private equity firm in the business of buying and selling companies, KKR is familiar with the HSR Act and its requirements. Since 2021, KKR was required to make more than 100 premerger filings under the HSR Act. The department’s complaint alleges that over the course of two years — 2021 and 2022 — KKR failed to make complete and accurate premerger filings for at least 16 transactions. Specifically, KKR violated the HSR Act by: Altering documents in HSR filings for at least eight transactions. For example, in April 2021, a KKR partner instructed a deal team member to edit a portion of an Investment Committee report in advance of the HSR review process by circling the “Competitive Behavior” section of a diligence chart and writing “[need to revise for HSR purposes]” in the document. The KKR deal team member did not merely revise the language but deleted it entirely before submitting the altered document to the Antitrust Division. Failing to make any HSR filing for at least two transactions. KKR did not submit an HSR filing prior to consummating an acquisition valued at $6.9 billion. It also did not submit a filing prior to consummating an acquisition worth between $376 million and $919 million. Systematically omitting required documents in HSR filings for at least 10 transactions. KKR repeatedly certified that it had complied with the HSR Act but did not include required documents in those filings. In many cases, KKR only identified such documents in response to an Antitrust Division investigation. The complaint cites internal documents that reveal a pervasive culture of noncompliance with the HSR Act at KKR. One KKR employee who omitted and altered multiple documents from an HSR Act filing described KKR’s approach to its premerger filing obligations: “I’ve always been told less is more ?.” In response, a more senior executive replied, “I believe in less is more too….” As alleged in the complaint, KKR’s conduct allowed it to repeatedly evade legally mandated scrutiny of its investment business and reap millions of dollars in revenues from closing transactions without proper prior review by the federal antitrust agencies. In some cases, KKR’s misconduct obscured the threat its deals posed to competition, including serial acquisitions affecting important markets. By preventing the federal antitrust agencies from effectively investigating the potential anticompetitive effects of KKR’s transactions, KKR imperiled competition and potentially harmed consumers across the nation. The HSR Act authorizes civil penalties for violations of the Act at more than $50,000 per day per violation. As a result, the maximum penalty for KKR’s alleged violations exceeds $650 million. The complaint also seeks structural relief as well as other equitable relief, including compliance measures. KKR is a global investment firm headquartered in New York. It is one of the world’s largest investment firms with over $500 billion in total assets under management.


title: Chinese Telecommunications Company Pleads Guilty to Conspiring To Steal Technology From Illinois-Based Motorola Solutions

body_text: CHICAGO — A Chinese telecommunications company has admitted in federal court in Chicago that it conspired to steal digital mobile radio technology developed by Illinois-based Motorola Solutions, Inc. HYTERA COMMUNICATIONS CORP. LTD. pleaded guilty on Monday in the Northern District of Illinois to a federal charge of conspiracy to steal trade secrets. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Hytera may be fined up to $60 million. The Court must also order Hytera to make full restitution to Motorola, in an amount to be determined by the Court at sentencing. The sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 6, 2025, before U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr. According to the plea agreement, Hytera, through the acts of individuals acting to benefit the company, knowingly conspired to steal at least one trade secret from Motorola. In 2008, the individuals agreed to take documents and source code related to Motorola’s digital mobile radio technology, and then used some of that information to develop Hytera products, some of which were later sold in Illinois, the plea agreement states. Hytera stated in the plea agreement that the individuals knew and/or reasonably believed that some of the information they agreed to steal was reasonably protected and kept secret by Motorola, and that taking at least one trade secret would potentially injure Motorola. The plea agreement was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven J. Dollear, Melody Wells, Thomas P. Peabody, and Wesley Morrissette. hytera_plea_agreement.pdf