title: New River Couple Convicted of $12 Million AHCCCS Fraud Scheme

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Thvoughn Lynden Curry, 34, and Alexis Daneen Curry, 34, both of New River, Arizona, were recently convicted in federal court based on their scheme to defraud the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s Medicaid Agency, of over $12 million. Following a four-day bench trial before Senior U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow, both defendants were convicted of one count of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, three counts of Health Care Fraud, and eight counts of Transactional Money Laundering. Their sentencings are scheduled for May 4, 2026. “Individuals, like the Currys, who exploit and undermine government healthcare programs for personal gain will be identified, investigated and held accountable in federal court,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “The men and women of IRS Criminal Investigation follow the money with precision and persistence, tracking every dollar stolen through fraud, corruption and other illicit means. I appreciate their work along with the AHCCCS Office of Inspector General and the Mesa Police Department, who were critical to bringing these two fraudsters to justice.” According to the evidence presented at trial, the Currys defrauded AHCCCS through “1 Family Clinic, LLC,” their purported outpatient behavioral health clinic in Mesa, Arizona. They first defrauded AHCCCS by submitting a fraudulent application to enroll as an AHCCCS provider. In so doing, they falsely stated that Alexis Curry was the 100% owner and only managing employee of 1 Family Clinic. They falsely omitted that Thvoughn Curry, who had an active, outstanding warrant for felony fraud charges at the time, was also an owner and managing employee of 1 Family Clinic. Once approved by AHCCCS based on the fraudulent application, the Currys engaged in fraudulent billing practices. Between approximately Feb. 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023, the Currys routinely billed AHCCCS in a uniform, nearly identical pattern for services that were not actually provided. Throughout the course of the scheme, 1 Family billed an average of more than 12 hours of service per member per day—despite being open just eight hours per day on weekdays, five hours on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. As a result of their fraudulent billings, AHCCCS paid 1 Family Clinic more than $12 million—funds that were intended to be used for legitimate healthcare services for low-income individuals. The evidence at trial showed that the Currys spent much of the money they received from AHCCCS on themselves. They purchased properties and luxury vehicles, including a 2019 Lamborghini Urus for more than $300,000. “Medicaid provides an essential service to some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory. “For these fraudsters to exploit this system and steal millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars is unconscionable. This guilty verdict marks a significant step toward justice for those victimized by the Currys and serves as a reminder that IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are experts at following the money. We remain steadfast in our commitment to uncovering fraud and ensuring fraudsters are held fully accountable for their crimes.” “AHCCCS remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the safety of our members and safeguarding the integrity of our programs, which rely on federal and taxpayer resources,” said Roberta Harrison, Interim Director of AHCCCS. “The AHCCCS Office of Inspector General continues to vigorously investigate fraud, waste, and abuse and will carry out its responsibilities in full compliance with federal, state, and agency regulations.” “This case is a great example of how agencies work in cooperation with the common goal of holding offenders accountable for their crimes,” said Mesa Police Chief Dan Butler. “We are thankful for the relationships we have built with our partner agencies. It is rewarding to see the impressive results of everyone coming together to see justice served.” Both defendants face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison per count of conviction, a fine, and restitution owed to AHCCCS. IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation with substantial assistance from the Mesa Police Department and AHCCCS-Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Corbet and Lindsay Short, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-1293-PHX-GMS RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-040_Curry # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Pasadena Commercial Real Estate Broker Sentenced to 2 Years in  Federal Prison for Years-Long Pattern of Obstructing the IRS

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley man and commercial real estate broker was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for engaging in a years-long pattern of obstructing the IRS from collecting taxes he owed, leading that agency to collect $770 in tax liabilities when he earned approximately $1 million from his employment during that time. Gabriel David Guerrero, 60, of Pasadena, was sentenced by United States District Judge Percy Anderson, who also ordered him to pay $509,492 in restitution. Guerrero pleaded guilty in June 2025 to one count of corruptly obstructing or impeding, or endeavoring to obstruct or impede, the due administration of the Internal Revenue Code. Guerrero is a commercial real estate broker who for years did not file timely federal individual income tax returns, specifically for the years 1998, 1999, and 2001 through 2005. He later owed tax liabilities for the years 2012 and 2013. After the IRS assessed taxes against Guerrero and attempted to collect them him via the sending of dozens of notices, Guerrero took steps to conceal his income and assets from the IRS. For example, he made extensive use of cash and cashier’s checks; submitted a false form to the IRS that significantly understated his income; and used a nominee bank account to deposit income. Despite the IRS’s issuance of dozens of levies to bank accounts and brokers with whom Guerrero worked throughout the collection action from October 2013 to November 2017, the IRS obtained only $770 towards Guerrero’s tax liabilities for 1998, 1999, 2001 through 2005, 2012, and 2013 despite Guerrero earning approximately $1 million in income from his work as a commercial real estate broker over that same time frame. “[Guerrero’s] conduct betrays a long-running and calculated effort to obstruct the Treasury, aggravated because [Guerrero] did not need to commit these violations, given he was well-compensated as a commercial real estate agent and maintained a commensurate lifestyle, including a home valued at $4,000,000 and monthly car lease payments of $1,200 and $1,100,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Steven M. Arkow of the Major Frauds Section and Justice Department Trial Attorney Robert A. Kemins of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section prosecuted this case.


title: Former Maui Police Officer Sentenced to 65 Months for Unjustified Tasing

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Carlos Frate, 41, a former Maui Police Department officer, was sentenced today to 65 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for using unreasonable force against an arrestee. Frate previously pled guilty in August 2025 to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. Frate admitted that on Jan. 6, 2024, Frate repeatedly tased an arrestee, even though the arrestee was not resisting or posing any threat. Frate admitted that he knew that his force was unjustified, but he nonetheless continued to tase the arrestee despite the arrestee’s pleas for him to stop. “The defendant’s acts were abusive and unbecoming of the oath he swore to protect the public,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Law enforcement officers who abuse their positions of power will be held accountable by this Administration.” “Today’s sentence should serve as a reminder that no one is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii. “Our law enforcement officers play an invaluable role in our community, serving at the frontline in preventing and investigating crime, protecting our citizens, and keeping Hawaii safe. We entrust them with enormous power and expect them to wield that power responsibly and constitutionally. While the vast majority of law enforcement officers conduct their duties with honor, integrity, and restraint, we are committed to bring to justice those who on the rare occasion violate the public trust by abusing their power or using excessive force.” “Trust between our citizens and the men and women of law enforcement who serve them is foundational to the safety and success of any community,” said Special Agent in Charge David Porter of the FBI Honolulu Field Office. “By using excessive force and abusing the power entrusted in him, the defendant didn’t just break the law — he betrayed the community’s trust and made the job more difficult for the vast majority of law enforcement putting in good work every day. The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively investigate any officers who violate the public trust and their duty to serve.” FBI investigated the case based on a referral from the Maui Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese for the District of Hawaii and Trial Attorney Julia White of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.


title: Mesa Residents Sentenced to Prison for Fraud Targeting AHCCCS

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Eric Riley, 39, and Britney Gooch, 38, both of Mesa, were recently sentenced by U.S. District Judge Krissa M. Lanham for defrauding the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s Medicaid agency. Riley was sentenced on Feb. 6, 2026, to 24 months of imprisonment. Gooch was sentenced on Feb. 20, 2026, to 12 months and one day of imprisonment. Riley and Gooch were also ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution to AHCCCS. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty to Healthcare Fraud. Riley and Gooch defrauded AHCCCS through their company, New Horizons Behavioral Health, a behavioral health clinic in Mesa. Through New Horizons, they exploited AHCCCS’s American Indian Health Program (AIHP) between 2020 and 2022 by falsely billing for services that were not provided to AIHP patients. As a result of the fraudulent billing submissions, Riley and Gooch obtained approximately $3.3 million in illegitimate proceeds from AHCCCS. “This case is about protecting American taxpayers, restoring the public’s trust, and safeguarding critical health care resources for the communities that truly need them,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Working with our FBI and AHCCCS-OIG partners, we not only secured convictions in this case, but also maximized the recovery of stolen money through the $3.3 million restitution order.” FBI Phoenix conducted the investigation with substantial assistance from the AHCCCS Office of Inspector General. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-24-01794 RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-041_Riley, Gooch # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Leader of Nationwide Theft Ring Who Purchased Stolen Catalytic Converters from Sacramento for $38 Million Pleads Guilty

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Navin Khanna, 42, Holmdel, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, conspiracy to commit promotional money laundering, and interstate transportation of stolen property, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, between October 2019 and March 2024, Navin Khanna and his family members and co-conspirators operated DG Auto and purchased stolen catalytic converters from California and across the nation for more than $600 million. Ten other New Jersey residents and three California residents were charged in this nationwide investigation that dismantled a catalytic converter theft ring. Catalytic converter theft has become prevalent across the nation because of their value, relative ease of stealing, and their lack of identifying markings. Thieves steal catalytic converters from vehicles on the street for the precious metals they contain, which may be more valuable per ounce than gold, and then sell them to buyers. The black-market price for certain catalytic converters from California, like the Toyota Prius, can be more than $1,200 each. Navin Khanna purchased more than $38 million of catalytic converters stolen from the Sacramento region from Tou Vang and his family, who operated Vang Auto. Tou Vang would ship Navin Khanna pallets of catalytic converters weighing more than 1,000 pounds and containing a single type of high-value catalytic converter, such as the Toyota Prius. Navin Khanna received so many stolen Toyota Prius catalytic converters that their parts code – GD3‑EA6 – was put on the vanity license plate of one of Navin Khanna’s McLaren’s. Tou Vang was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in transporting thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines, laundering money, and other related crimes. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the IRS Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Sacramento Police Department, Davis Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Livermore Police Department, and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica M.A. Alegría and Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case. Navin Khanna will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins at a later date.


component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Carlos Frate, 41, a former Maui Police Department officer, was sentenced today to 65 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for using unreasonable force against an arrestee. Frate previously pled guilty in August 2025 to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. Frate admitted that on January 6, 2024, Frate repeatedly tased an arrestee, even though the arrestee was not resisting or posing any threat. Frate admitted that he knew that his force was unjustified, but he nonetheless continued to tase the arrestee despite the arrestee’s pleas for him to stop. “Today’s sentence should serve as a reminder that no one is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “Our law enforcement officers play an invaluable role in our community, serving at the frontline in preventing and investigating crime, protecting our citizens, and keeping Hawaii safe. We entrust them with enormous power and expect them to wield that power responsibly and constitutionally. While the vast majority of law enforcement officers conduct their duties with honor, integrity, and restraint, we are committed to bring to justice those who on the rare occasion violate the public trust by abusing their power or using excessive force.” “The defendant’s acts were abusive and unbecoming of the oath he swore to protect the public,” said Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division. “Law enforcement officers who abuse their positions of power will be held accountable by this Administration.” “Trust between our citizens and the men and women of law enforcement who serve them is foundational to the safety and success of any community,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “By using excessive force and abusing the power entrusted in him, the defendant didn’t just break the law—he betrayed the community’s trust and made the job more difficult for the vast majority of law enforcement putting in good work every day. The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively investigate any officers who violate the public trust and their duty to serve.” FBI investigated the case based on a referral from the Maui Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese and Trial Attorney Julia White of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.


title: Two Alleged Tongan Crip Gang Members Face Firearm Charges Following Salt Lake City Shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed today charging two alleged Tongan Crip Gang Members (TCG), one of whom is a convicted felon, with firearm crimes following the January shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Salt Lake City. SLC Police Dept. Ryan Daniel Toutai, aka “Lost One,” 32, of Salt Lake City, and Fineeva Pomona Maka, aka “Finloc,” 26, of Millcreek, Utah, were indicted by a federal grand jury on February 25, 2026. According to the allegations in court documents, both Toutai and Maka had previously been pictured with one of the firearms that was used at the shooting on January 7, 2026. As alleged, on January 7, 2026, the Salt Lake City Police Department received numerous reports of “shots fired” at an LDS church in Salt Lake City. Upon officers’ arrival, they encountered multiple victims with gunshot wounds. As law enforcement secured and processed the scene, they recovered .40 caliber casings, 9mm caliber casings, and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol with serial number 322-90515. Toutai was on scene when officers arrived and was detained after he failed to comply with officers’ requests to move away from first responders rendering aid to a victim. Pursuant to a search warrant, Toutai’s phone was seized and contained photo and video evidence that he had previously possessed the Ruger 9mm, with the same serial number, recovered from the scene. Toutai was identified as the creator of the images and videos based on a distinctive tattoo on his left hand. SLC Police Dept. According to court documents, Toutai’s phone also contained documentation of events hours before the shooting. Toutai took several photos and videos of himself and his co-defendant Maka. Screenshots from videos depict Maka holding a small black pistol that is consistent with the Ruger LC9. As a multi-convicted felon, Maka is restricted from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Prior to the shooting, Maka, who was on parole for a prior conviction, was ordered to wear a GPS Ankle monitor. Evidence from the GPS ankle monitor combined with physical evidence collected from the scene, strongly corroborates Maka’s possession of the Ruger firearm on January 7, 2026. Additionally, photo and video evidence show Toutai and Maka claiming TCG membership and interacting with other TCG members. Toutai is charged with unlawful disposition of a firearm. Maka is charged with felon in possession of a firearm. Their initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for March 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated by the Salt Lake City Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. toutai_maka_indictment.pdf fineeva_maka._motion_for_detention.pdf ryan_toutai.motion_for_detention.pdf


title: Prior felon pleads guilty to cyberstalking

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Daniel Richter, 47, of Middle Island, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to cyberstalking. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that, between December 24, 2023, and March 27, 2024, Richter sent hundreds of threatening and sexual emails via the internet to Victim 1’s personal email address. He threatened not only Victim 1, but members of her family as well. For instance, over a two-day period in February 2024, Richter sent over 50 email messages to Victim 1’s personal email address, including one email mentioning Victim 1’s son by name. He also sent multiple emails and/or Google voicemails to Victim 1 on an almost daily basis, which became more threatening as time progressed. Richter threatened to visit Victim 1 in person and threatened to kill her. In March 2024, Richter traveled from California to the Western District of New York, where he was arrested at a local hotel. Law enforcement found photos of Victim 1, handwritten notes of Victim 1’s phone number, as well as a black knit ski mask, and several bottles of women’s hair dye in Richter’s hotel room. In September 2020, Richter was convicted of interstate communication of threat to injure in the Western District of New York and was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera. Sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, before Judge Sinatra. # # # #


title: Fentanyl dealer going to prison for 144 months

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Wayne McDaniels, 42, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that in November 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at McDaniels’ Maria Street apartment. Law enforcement seized over 400 individually packed bags of fentanyl, significant quantities of bulk fentanyl and cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and two loaded firearms. The search warrant was part of a larger investigation into a group of drug dealers that had been selling fentanyl and crack cocaine from various drug houses for years. McDaniels was a leader in the group. One of these drug houses included a Jay Street residence, where McDaniels’ six-month-old nephew died from a fentanyl overdose on August 1, 2022. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of David Cirencione, and the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (GRANET). # # # #


title: Prior felon arrested on gun and drug charges

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Tehran Muhammad, 40, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute, and distribute, crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is handling the case, stated that in February 2025, the DEA and Buffalo Police began investigating the fatal overdose of an individual at Sisters of Charity Hospital. According to the complaint, on February 13, 2025, a victim was discovered unresponsive inside of a bathroom stall at the hospital. Burned tinfoil with suspected fentanyl was found near the victim, who was admitted to the hospital. The following day, February 14, 2025, the victim was pronounced dead due to non-traumatic anoxic brain injury caused by drug intoxication and overdose. Investigators reviewed the victim’s medical records, cellular telephone, and surveillance footage from the hospital near the time of the overdose. They discovered that beginning on February 12, 2025, the victim began communicating with a “Cuzo Dope,” who was later identified a Muhammad. According to text messages, the victim reached out to Muhammad to purchase drugs on February 12 and February 13, 2025. Cell phone data and surveillance video also indicate that both the victim and Muhammad were in the area of the hospital near the time of the overdose. Subsequent investigation also included two controlled purchases from Mohammad. On February 27, 2026, search warrants were executed at Muhammad’s Seminole Parkway residence, during which investigators seized a rifle, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. In 2005, Muhammad was convicted of Attempted Burglary 1st and Rape 1st and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Muhammad made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was held pending a detention hearing on March 4, 2026 before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Craig Macy. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Prior felon pleads guilty to gun and drug charges

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Derrel Lemorn Moore, Jr. a/k/a Derrel Austin, 47, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life and a $1,000,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna M. Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that in January 1996, Austin was convicted of multiple felony charges in Erie County Court, including kidnapping, burglary and robbery. Part of his sentence included lifetime parole. On February 17, 2022, New York State Parole officers and the Niagara Falls Police officers searched Austin’s 7th Street residence, seizing approximately 17 grams of cocaine, 44 grams of fentanyl, 40 suboxone packages, and a pistol. The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Nicholas Ligammari, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra. # # # #


title: Armed Felon and Methamphetamine Trafficker from Oahu Sentenced to Over 14 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Douglas Neddles Keikilani Junior Manago, 46, of Ewa Beach, was sentenced on February 24, 2026, in federal court by Senior United States District Judge Helen Gillmor to 178 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for possessing methamphetamine and a firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony. Manago pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement in November 2025. He was remanded into custody following his sentencing. According to court records, Manago was distributing methamphetamine on Oahu. The charges to which he pled guilty stem from two separate traffic stops and subsequent search warrants executed on vehicles Manago was driving. Manago admitted that he possessed methamphetamine intending to distribute it to others, as well as a firearm that he was prohibited from possessing due to a prior felony conviction. In total, Manago was held responsible for over three pounds of methamphetamine. The FBI and Honolulu Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret C. Nammar prosecuted the case. This prosecution was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Hawaii comprises agents and officers from ICE-HSI, FBI, ATF, CBP, CGIS, DCIS, DEA, DSS, IRS-CI, NCIS, USMS, USPIS and HHIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii.


title: St. Thomas Jury Finds BVI Man Guilty of Possession of a Counterfeit Permanent Resident Card

component: USAO - Virgin Islands

body_text: St. Thomas, VI –United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that on February 25, 2026, a federal jury convicted Nigel Cooper, 52, of the British Virgin Islands, for possession of a counterfeit alien registration card, also known as a “permanent resident card.” District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney presided over the trial. During trial, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer testified that on October 30, 2025, Cooper presented himself for inspection at the Cruz Bay, St. John, CBP office. Cooper presented a valid BVI passport for entry into the United States. However, upon further inspection, CBP officers found a permanent resident card in his wallet. Evidence presented at trial further revealed that the card, which bore Cooper’s name and photograph, had an identifying number registered to a female Chinese national. Records checks revealed no record of Cooper having applied for a permanent resident card in the United States, and none was issued to him. An expert witness in forensic document analysis testified that the card was counterfeit. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, during an interview of the defendant, CBP officers learned that the defendant purchased the permanent resident card from a Missouri store during the summer of 2025. The conviction carries up to a ten-year sentence of imprisonment. The District Court will schedule a sentencing hearing to determine the defendant’s sentence. This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant United States Attorney Denise N. George of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands is prosecuting the case.


title: Repeat Offender Sentenced for Distributing Meth Twice on Supervised Release

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ALBANY, Ga. – A Southwest Georgia man, who was on federal supervised release for a prior drug felony when he was caught distributing methamphetamine twice in the region, was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for his crimes this week. Frederick Dewayne Donald, 37, of Cairo, Georgia, was sentenced to serve a total of 180 months in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner on Feb. 26. Donald pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Case No. 1:25-CR-11-001 on Nov. 13, 2025. In addition, Donald’s sentence includes revocation of his supervised release in Case No. 7:18-CR-41-001, for which he was convicted for one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in the Middle District of Georgia on Nov. 12, 2020, and was sentenced to serve 96 months in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. “Recidivist offenders who make the choice to break the law must be prevented from further endangering our community and be held accountable for their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “I commend our federal, state and local law enforcement partners for their role in bringing this individual to justice.” “Methamphetamine destroys lives, families and neighborhoods,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “This individual not only returned to drug trafficking after a prior conviction but did so while under court supervision. That pattern of behavior demonstrates why enforcement and accountability are critical to protecting our communities.” “We are committed to relentlessly targeting those who traffic dangerous drugs,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Repeat offenders who continue to push deadly substances into our communities will be held accountable, and the drugs they traffic will be removed from our streets. Together with our federal, state and local partners, we will remain tireless in our efforts to safeguard Georgia’s communities.” “This case demonstrates how a routine traffic violation can lead to a federal prosecution, highlighting our commitment to working alongside local, state and federal partners to ensure offenders are held accountable for their actions,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens, III, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. According to court documents and statements referenced in court, a Georgia State Patrol trooper pulled Donald over for making an improper U-turn on Dec. 18, 2023. The trooper observed that Donald’s hands were shaking and smelled marijuana coming from the car. At the time, Donald was on federal supervised release since June 21, 2023, for a prior conviction in the Middle District of Georgia for distributing methamphetamine. A search of the car was conducted, and law enforcement found 151 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone and amphetamine pills located in the center console, along with a digital scale. Donald resisted arrest, but the trooper was ultimately able to safely take him into custody. He was later released on state bond. On Nov. 11, 2024, a Grady County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled Donald over for a traffic stop. The deputy saw multiple bags in the driver’s door; Donald was arrested for driving without a license. Law enforcement found 448 grams of methamphetamine, three digital scales and several empty bags commonly used to package drugs in Donald’s car. The DEA, the GBI, the GSP and the Grady County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Criminal Chief Leah McEwen prosecuted the case for the Government.


title: Huntington Man Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: FORT WAYNE – On February 27, 2026, Lucas Kern, 46 years old, of Huntington, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Kern was sentenced to 168 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in January 2024, law enforcement received information regarding an individual using an email account to access child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement later learned that this account was registered to Lucas Kern’s home in Huntington, Indiana. When confronted in August 2025 with an image that had been uploaded or saved to his email address, Kern admitted to receiving the image. A subsequent search of Kern’s cell phone revealed a large number of images and videos of child sexual abuse material. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from Huntington County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dawn Ransom. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: Four Foreign Nationals Sentenced in February for Illegally Reentering the United States After Deportation

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that four foreign nationals convicted separately of illegally reentering the United States after prior deportations were sentenced this month. Fernando Hernandez-Mercano , 33, a Mexican national, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Murphy to 18 months in prison for illegal reentry. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be removed from the United States for the third time. Hernandez-Mercano’s prior removals were both in April of 2012, after encounters with the U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) became aware that the defendant was again in the U.S. illegally, and, between May 2022 and August 2024, had been arrested in Pennsylvania four times for driving under the influence. Immigration officers took him into custody in May of last year and he was charged by indictment with illegal reentry in June, pleading guilty in September. Jose Osmon-Flores , aka Wilson Omar Santos-Paz, 32, a Honduran national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez to 15 months in prison for illegal reentry. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be removed from the United States again. The defendant had previously been removed from the U.S. in April 2012, after he was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol near Laredo, Texas. In January 2023, ICE learned that Osmon-Flores had been arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department for the sexual abuse of his then-three-year-old daughter. Pursuant to a guilty plea, the defendant was convicted in July 2025 in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas of indecent assault on a person less than 13 years of age and unlawful contact with a minor – sexual offenses. He was sentenced to a term of 11½ to 23 months of confinement but received credit for time served and was immediately released. Days later, on July 11, 2025, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) conducted a joint operation, surveilling a Philadelphia address where Osmon-Flores was believed to reside. After confirming the defendant’s identity, they arrested him without incident on a criminal complaint and warrant. Osmon-Flores was charged by indictment with illegal reentry in August and pleaded guilty in October. Leonel Hernandez-Martinez , 41, a Guatemalan national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Kai N. Scott to eight months in prison for illegal reentry. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be removed from the United States again. Hernandez-Martinez had previously been removed from the U.S. four times: in January 2011, after an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Washington, D.C., area; October 2016, after the U.S. Border Patrol encountered him in Arizona; January 2019, after an illegal reentry conviction in the Middle District of Pennsylvania; and in April 2021, following an illegal reentry conviction in the District of New Mexico. The defendant’s criminal history also reflects convictions in the commonwealth of Virginia, for identity theft (2008), forgery, trespass, and driving while intoxicated (2010). Last summer, ICE learned that Hernandez-Martinez was in Lancaster County Prison. He was taken into federal custody in August, charged by indictment with illegal reentry in September, and pleaded guilty in October. Ivan Josue Ruiz Hernandez , aka Josue Ivan, 26, a Honduran national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Timothy J. Savage to time served, approximately two and a half months, for illegal reentry. Having completed his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again. Ruiz Hernandez had previously been removed from the U.S. in January 2014. After he was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol in April 2018, he was charged with illegal reentry in the District of New Mexico, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 38 days’ confinement, after which he was again deported to Honduras. ICE became aware that the defendant had entered the U.S. illegally once again and took him into custody on a criminal complaint in December of last year. He was charged by information with illegal reentry and pleaded guilty in January, waiving prosecution by indictment. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The cases were investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, HSI, and the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alisa Shver, Sara Solow, Mark Sendek, and Josh Davison.


title: Creator Of “OnlyFake” Charged And Pleads Guilty To Selling More Than 10,000 Digital Fake Identification Documents

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced today that Ukrainian national YURII NAZARENKO, a/k/a “Yuriy Nazarenko,” a/k/a “Uriel Septimberus,” a/k/a “Tor Ford,” a/k/a “John Wick,” has been charged and pled guilty for his role in operating the website “OnlyFake,” which sold fake photos of identification documents such as passports and driver’s licenses (“Digital Fake IDs”). NAZARENKO pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with identification documents, authentication features, and information before U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett. “We rely on government issued IDs to combat terrorism, hijackings, fraud, money laundering, and a host of other crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “OnlyFake’s manufacture of fraudulent IDs and other documents puts us all at risk and must be stopped.” “Yurii Nazarenko developed a website to produce more than 10,000 fake identification documents, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from these illicit sales. This platform offered its clients a myriad of criminal opportunities, including bypassing traditional regulations to launder money. The FBI will not tolerate any individual who exploits technology to allow others to conceal their true identity for potentially nefarious purposes,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. According to the charging documents and statements made in public filings and public court proceedings: OnlyFake offered its customers the ability to generate various types of Digital Fake IDs. For example, OnlyFake allowed its customers to generate fake U.S. identification documents, including digital versions of driver’s licenses for each of the fifty states, United States passports, United States passport cards, and Social Security cards. OnlyFake also offered customers the ability to generate fake digital versions of identification documents of various other countries, including passports for approximately 56 countries other than the United States. OnlyFake customers could customize the type of Digital Fake ID they wanted, including whether the Digital Fake ID should appear to be a scan of a real identification document, or appear to be a photograph of a real identification document taken on a surface like a table. Photos of the menu to generate a Digital Fake ID and of a fake United States passport generated through OnlyFake are below: Customers paid OnlyFake for Digital Fake IDs in cryptocurrency. OnlyFake offered discounts for bulk purchases of Digital Fake IDs and offered packages of as many as 1,000 Digital Fake IDs at once. NAZARENKO operated and controlled OnlyFake. From approximately 2021, up to and including 2024, OnlyFake received at least approximately hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers purchasing Digital Fake IDs, and OnlyFake was used to generate at least approximately 10,000 Digital Fake IDs. Banks and cryptocurrency exchanges generally require individuals seeking to open accounts to provide some type of government-issued identification document to prove their real identity (called Know Your Customer, or “KYC” programs) in order to prevent money laundering. Many of those financial institutions allow individuals to submit scans or photographs of their government-issued identification documents to establish their identity. The Digital Fake IDs sold by OnlyFake allowed individuals to circumvent KYC programs and to launder money by concealing their real identities. * * * NAZARENKO, 27, of Ukraine, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to commit fraud in connection with identification documents, authentication features, and information, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. NAZARENKO also agreed to forfeit $1,200,000, representing the proceeds of OnlyFake’s activity. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. NAZARENKO is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Garnett on June 26, 2026. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI. He also thanked Romanian authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance in securing Nazarenko's September 2025 extradition from Romania. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Angela Zhu are in charge of the prosecution.


title: TALLAHASSEE MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR FEDERAL GUN CHARGES STEMMING FROM SHOOTINGS IN QUINCY

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

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Sincere M. Perkins, 25, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after having previously been convicted at jury trial of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a machine gun. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office continues to produce successful prosecutions under Operation Take Back America , which was launched by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to devote the full might of the Department of Justice toward removing violent felons like this defendant from our communities. Our residents deserve to feel safe on our streets, and that is exactly what we will accomplish by aggressively prosecuting violent thugs who threaten our communities and sending them to federal prison.” Evidence at trial demonstrated that members of the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force located the defendant at an apartment in Tallahassee because of an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Officers attempted to call out the defendant, who eventually emerged from the apartment and was taken into custody. During a subsequent search of the apartment, officers found multiple firearms, including a pistol that had been modified to fire as a machinegun. Ballistics from two of the recovered firearms matched shell casings from a shooting that had occurred a month and a half earlier in Quincy, Florida, in which two teenagers were shot. The defendant’s DNA was found on both firearms that had been used in the shooting, and a recorded jail call indicated that the defendant was knowingly in possession of the firearms. At sentencing, the judge found that the defendant had been one of the shooters. Acting U.S. Marshal Greg Leljedal remarked, “The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force goes after the worst of the worst. Working with law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal level, our mission is to quickly locate and apprehend dangerous felons like Sincere Perkins before they can victimize anyone else. The evidence in this case clearly demonstrates that the community is safer with Perkins behind bars.” This sentence was the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Marshal Service, the Quincy Police Department, the State Attorney’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit, and the Tallahassee Police Department, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER PLEADS GUILTY TO EIGHT COUNTS OF SEX CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Perry Crane Walker, II, 44, of Tallahassee, pleaded guilty in federal court to six counts of sexual exploitation to children, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of transfer of obscene material to minors. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our excellent state and federal law enforcement partners are relentlessly pursuing every sick predator like this defendant who seeks to victimize and sexually exploit our kids online, and when they catch them my office stands ready to aggressively prosecute and seek maximum punishments for their heinous crimes. It remains a top priority of my office to ensure our kids are safe in our communities and online.” Court documents reflect that between December 26, 2024, and October 10, 2025, Walker used social media applications to meet and communicate with children between 13-15 years of age. The investigation revealed that during his online communications, the defendant enticed and induced the minors to produce and send him images and videos constituting child pornography. Court records also revealed that, as a result of the defendant’s illicit communications with the children, one of the social media platforms submitted a CyberTip report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which notified the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. An investigation revealed that some of the children resided in Europe. Pursuant to search warrants, the defendant’s business and residence were searched and his electronic devices were seized as evidence. A search of the defendant’s devices confirmed that he had been sexually exploiting the children using social media, and that he received and possessed multiple child pornography images and videos. Walker faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment, on each of the sexual exploitation of children counts; a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, on the receipt of child pornography count; and a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment on the transfer of obscene materials to minors count. The case involved a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen. Sentencing is scheduled for May 11, 2026, at 11:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: PENSACOLA SERIAL FELON PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL DRUG DISTRIBUTION AND WEAPONS CHARGES

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marcel Kamill Mickles, 49, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of distribution of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in close collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, this serial felon has been stopped before he can continue terrorizing our communities and flooding our streets with more deadly drugs. This is exactly the kind of case Operation Take Back America was launched for, as President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi committed the full might of the Department of Justice toward eliminating the threats to our communities from violent, drug-peddling criminals like this defendant. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute violent drug traffickers until our residents get the safe, drug-free communities they deserve.” Court documents reflect that Mickles distributed cocaine in May and June of 2025. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mickles’ Pensacola residence in June 2025, during which they found five loaded firearms, a bulletproof vest, multiple bags of controlled substances including cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, and other drug distribution-related items. Mickles is a multi-time convicted felon, and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Based on prior convictions, Mickles faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum of life imprisonment. The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton. Sentencing for Mickles is scheduled for May 19, 2026, at 9:00am, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Palmetto Man Charged with Illegal Disposal of a Deceased Body

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – Matthew Edward Zoladz (36, Palmetto) has been charged by federal indictment with a violation of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act and a violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. If convicted on all counts, Zoladz faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to the indictment, on December 8, 2022, Zoladz illegally dumped the body of Victim 1 into ocean waters. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King. Indictment


title: U.S. Attorney Moore Capito to Announce Sentence of Ex-Law Firm Office Manager for Bank Fraud

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito will address the media this afternoon at the Sidney L. Christie U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Huntington following the sentencing of Todd M. Chapman. Chapman, 58, of Huntington, pleaded guilty earlier to bank fraud, admitting that he embezzled at least $602,000 from a now-defunct Huntington law firm while its office manager. WHO: United States Attorney Moore Capito WHAT: Media Availability WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. WHERE: Sidney L. Christie U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building 845 Fifth Avenue, Huntington *** NOTE: the media availability is contingent upon the completion of the sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. *** A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. ###


title: Armed drug dealer pleaded guilty to federal crimes

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – John Broadway, a Brunswick County man, pleaded guilty to selling fentanyl, possession with intent to sell fentanyl and methamphetamine and possession of a gun to help sell drugs. Broadway faces at least 5 years and up to life in federal prison. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Broadway sold fentanyl to a Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) confidential informant. A small child was present at his home during the drug deal. The BCSO executed a search warrant at his home and found methamphetamine, fentanyl, $8,800 and 18 guns. “If you sell drugs, we will find you, prosecute you, and throw you in prison for a long time. Stop poisoning your community to make a little bit of money before rotting in prison. This is a lose-lose-lose proposition, so cut it out.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to removing illegal firearms and dangerous narcotics from our communities. The collaboration between our Narcotics Unit, the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office sends a clear message: if you choose to traffic drugs and illegally possess firearms in Brunswick County, we will work relentlessly - across every level of law enforcement - to hold you accountable.” said Brunswick County Sherriff Brian Chism. W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the guilty plea before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The BCSO and ATF investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Severo is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on our website . Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER .


title: Prominent Lawyer Convicted at Trial of Tax Evasion and Mortgage Fraud

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury in Greenbelt, Maryland convicted Thomas C. Goldstein — a prominent appellate attorney who argued more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and co-founded the widely read legal website SCOTUSblog — yesterday of tax and mortgage fraud. “I thank the jurors for their service and careful attention during this lengthy trial,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Yesterday’s verdict holds Thomas Goldstein accountable for cheating the tax system and lying to mortgage lenders. Mr. Goldstein is a sophisticated attorney who concealed millions of dollars in income, manipulated his law firm’s books and deceived lenders – all to fund his gambling and lifestyle. This investigation, prosecution, and conviction reflects the dedicated work of the prosecutors and agents who brought this case to trial on behalf of the United States. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue those who evade their tax obligations and mislead financial institutions.” “Goldstein chose fraud and deceit over honesty and tried to cheat the American taxpayer while living a lavish lifestyle,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “He gambled that he wouldn’t get caught, and that gamble did not pay off. Our office, along with our law-enforcement partners, is committed to holding those accountable who break the law, no matter who they are.” "Mortgage laws exist to protect lenders and borrowers from fraudsters like Goldstein," said Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox of the FBI Washington Field Office. "His conviction should serve as a message to all prospective homebuyers: The FBI will investigate and bring to justice individuals who try to cheat the system by lying on their mortgage applications, so we can level the playing field for every hardworking American who wishes to buy a home." “This is precisely the type of conduct IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and our law enforcement partners are committed to deterring,” said Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the IRS-CI Washington, D.C. Field Office. “Today’s conviction of the defendant sends a clear message that we have the tools and resolve to protect our tax system by investigating, prosecuting, and holding accountable those who seek to defraud the United States.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Goldstein, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, was the sole owner of Goldstein & Russell, P.C., a boutique law firm specializing in appellate litigation, including litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court. Goldstein was also a high-stakes poker player, frequently playing in games involving tens of millions of dollars. Between 2016 and 2023, Goldstein stopped paying taxes on time, as required by law, and engaged in a scheme to evade his taxes for 2016. Goldstein carried out the scheme by hiding millions of dollars in poker wins and losses from the government, diverting legal fees payable to his law firm to his personal bank account to satisfy poker-related debts, directing people to pay his creditors instead of sending payments directly to him, and using the law firm’s assets to satisfy his poker debts and then causing those payments to be falsely classified as “legal-fee” expenses on the firm’s books and records. As a result, Goldstein underreported his income and did not pay all the taxes that he owed, while spending millions on personal expenses such as poker, travel and luxury goods. In 2021, Goldstein submitted false mortgage applications to two separate mortgage lending companies, seeking financing to purchase a $2.6 million dollar home in Washington, D.C. On those mortgage applications — which required Goldstein to list all his liabilities and debts — Goldstein omitted millions of dollars of liabilities, including more than $14 million he owed at the time on two promissory notes, as well as taxes he owed the IRS. Goldstein’s false statements to one of the mortgage lenders enabled him to obtain a $1.98 million loan. The jury convicted Goldstein of tax evasion, assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, willful failure to timely pay taxes and making false statements to mortgage lenders. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion, three years in prison for each count of helping to prepare false tax returns, one year in prison for each count of willful failure to pay taxes, and 30 years in prison for each count of making false statements to mortgage lenders. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not been set. IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI are investigating the case. Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Emerson Gordon-Marvin and Hayter L. Whitman of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adeyemi Adenrele for the District of Maryland, are prosecuting the case.


title: Prominent Lawyer Thomas Goldstein Convicted of Tax Evasion and Mortgage Fraud

body_text: Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury convicted a prominent appellate attorney who argued more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and co-founded the widely read legal website SCOTUSblog, of tax and mortgage fraud. The jury found Thomas C. Goldstein, 55, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, guilty of tax evasion, assisting with preparing false tax returns, willfully failing to timely pay taxes, and making false statements to mortgage lenders. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the conviction with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Department of Justice (DOJ) – Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox, FBI – Washington Field Office. “Goldstein chose fraud and deceit over honesty and tried to cheat the American taxpayer while living a lavish lifestyle. He gambled that he wouldn’t get caught – and that gamble did not pay off,” Hayes said. “Our office, along with our law-enforcement partners, is committed to holding those accountable who break the law – no matter who they are.” “I thank the jurors for their service and careful attention during this lengthy trial,” Duva said. “This verdict holds Thomas Goldstein accountable for cheating the tax system and lying to mortgage lenders. Mr. Goldstein is a sophisticated attorney who concealed millions of dollars in income, manipulated his law firm’s books and deceived lenders – all to fund his gambling and lifestyle. This investigation, prosecution, and conviction reflect the dedicated work of the prosecutors and agents who brought this case to trial on behalf of the United States. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue those who evade their tax obligations and mislead financial institutions.” “This is precisely the type of conduct IRS Criminal Investigation, and our law enforcement partners are committed to deterring,” Carter said. “Today’s conviction of the defendant sends a clear message, that we have the tools and resolve to protect our tax system by investigating, prosecuting, and holding accountable, those who seek to defraud the United States.” “Mortgage laws exist to protect lenders and borrowers from fraudsters like Goldstein,” Cox said. “His conviction should serve as a message to all prospective homebuyers: The FBI will investigate and bring to justice individuals who try to cheat the system by lying on their mortgage applications, so we can level the playing field for every hardworking American who wishes to buy a home.” According to evidence presented at trial, between 2016 and 2023, Goldstein served as sole owner of Goldstein & Russell, P.C., a boutique law firm specializing in appellate litigation, including litigation before the United States Supreme Court. Goldstein was also a high-stakes poker player, frequently playing in games involving tens of millions of dollars. During that timeframe, Goldstein stopped paying taxes on time, as required by law, and engaged in a scheme to evade paying his taxes for 2016. Goldstein took various steps to carry out the scheme, including concealing millions of dollars in poker wins and losses from the government. He also diverted legal fees, payable to his law firm, to his personal bank account to satisfy poker-related debts; directed people to pay his creditors instead of sending payments directly to him; and used the law firm’s assets to satisfy his poker debts. Then he caused those payments to be falsely classified as “legal-fee” expenses on the firm’s books and records. As a result, Goldstein underreported his income and did not pay all the taxes that he owed. Instead of paying his taxes, he spent millions on personal expenses such as poker, travel, and luxury goods. In 2021, Goldstein submitted false mortgage applications to two separate mortgage lending companies, seeking financing to purchase a $2.6-million home in Washington, D.C. On those mortgage applications — which required Goldstein to list all his liabilities and debts — he omitted millions of dollars of liabilities, including more than $14 million he owed at the time on two promissory notes, as well as taxes he owed the IRS. His false statements to one of the mortgage lenders enabled him to obtain a $1.98-million loan. Goldstein faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion, three years for each count of helping to prepare false tax returns, one year for each count of willful failure to pay taxes, and 30 years for each count of making false statements to mortgage lenders. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The sentencing date has not been set. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the IRS-CI and FBI for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adeyemi Adenrele, along with Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Emerson Gordon-Marvin and Hayter L. Whitman, DOJ Criminal Division Tax Section, who are prosecuting this federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Former Executive of Commercial Roofing Company Pleads Guilty to Multimillion-dollar Bid Rigging Conspiracy

component: Antitrust Division

body_text: The former president and chief executive officer of a commercial roofing company pleaded guilty yesterday to a conspiracy to rig bids for commercial roofing projects in Florida. Gregg Wallick of Fort Lauderdale, Florida has pleaded guilty for his participation in a conspiracy to suppress and eliminate competition by rigging bids on commercial roofing projects in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. According to documents filed in the Southern District of Florida, Wallick and his co-conspirators colluded before bidding on commercial roofing projects. Wallick and his co-conspirators agreed on the prices they submitted to their customers, including which of the co-conspirators would submit an intentionally high bid to corruptly assist the other. This type of antitrust crime is known as a “comp” or “cover” bidding scheme. Wallick’s criminal conduct, which began at least in or around September 2020 and lasted through at least in or around February 2022, affected a variety of commercial projects and resulted in his company illegally obtaining more than $3.5 million. “Bid rigging is cheating, plain and simple,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Daniel W. Glad of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The defendant’s bid rigging scheme was an unfair, illegal cheat code used against vulnerable customers who needed roofing services in a hurricane-prone area, and the Antitrust Division’s commitment to finding and prosecuting these schemes is unbreakable” “Wallick’s actions illegally drove up the costs of commercial roofing projects by turning the multiple bid process on its head. Instead of providing truly competitive bids on roofing projects to prospective customers, he and his co-conspirators presented intentionally higher bids in a scheme to line their pockets with ill-gotten gains,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “This anti-competitive conduct is unacceptable and illegal. We encourage people who may be victims of such schemes to report this information to the FBI immediately.” Wallick pleaded guilty to one felony count of restraining trade by conspiring to rig bids, in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The maximum penalty for individuals is 10 years in prison and a $1 million criminal fine. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled in this case. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Trial Attorneys Ronald P. Fiorillo II and Lara E.V. Trager, of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section, are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. To learn more about the PCSF, or to report information on bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation and other anticompetitive conduct related to government spending, go to www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force . Whistleblowers who voluntarily report original information about antitrust and related offenses that result in criminal fines or other recoveries of at least $1 million may be eligible to receive a whistleblower reward. Whistleblower awards can range from 15 to 30 percent of the money collected. For more information on the Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program, including a link to submit reports, visit www.justice.gov/atr/whistleblower-rewards .


title: Toledo Man Indicted for Pointing a Laser at a Flying Aircraft

body_text: TOLEDO, Ohio - A 41-year-old Lucas County man was indicted in federal court for flashing a laser pointer at an aircraft while in flight. In January, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Branden Jay Lounsbury, of Toledo, with one count of Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft or its Flight Path. Lounsbury was arrested in Michigan on Feb. 10. According to a recently unsealed indictment, he allegedly aimed a laser pointer at an Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter while on its flight path on June 2, 2025. Because the helicopter was flying in United States’ airspace, this alleged action is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 39A(a). Pointing a laser at an aircraft while in flight can create a risk of permanent injury to the pilot’s eyesight and can cause the aircraft to crash. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Tangeman , following an investigation by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Toledo Police Department. If convicted, Lounsbury faces up to five years in federal prison. The sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Former Home Depot associate sentenced to federal prison for stealing more than $4 million from company

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Felecia Ingram has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for stealing over $4 million in gift cards from The Home Depot. “While employed at The Home Depot, the defendant abused the trust placed in her and stole a staggering $4 million from the company,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “She engaged in a calculated scheme that involved entering false gift card orders, which she later deleted to cover her tracks. She has now been sentenced to federal prison to pay for her deceit.” “Exploiting her position for personal gain, this criminal thought she could use her knowledge of her employer’s business practices to conceal a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme,” said Robert Donovan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service Atlanta Field Office. “Thanks to the tireless work of our agents, cooperation from the Home Depot, and the skill of the prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she will spend the next three years in prison paying for her crimes.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Starting in 2008, Felecia Ingram was a gift card sales associate for The Home Depot. From March 2020 through July 2021, when fewer employers were working onsite due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she used her facility access credentials to steal over 8,000 physical gift cards from The Home Depot Store Support Center. After stealing the cards, Ingram used her network access credentials to activate the stolen gift cards by creating false orders for them. The false orders made it appear that the cards were sent to corporate events and used for legitimate business purposes. Ingram later deleted the false orders in the system to conceal her thefts. She then made millions by selling the stolen gift cards on the black market. Ingram used the money primarily to fund an extravagant gambling lifestyle. The Home Depot uncovered the fraud after its gift card team identified a discrepancy in the gift card ledger balances. The investigation determined that, in less than a year and a half, Ingram had stolen approximately 8,325 cards with a total value of $4,085,043. Felecia Ingram, 53, of Covington, Georgia, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. to three years, one month in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Ingram was also ordered to pay restitution to The Home Depot in the amount of $3,946,776. Ingram was convicted of access device fraud on May 1, 2025, after she pleaded guilty. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. The Home Depot provided valuable assistance and cooperation during the criminal investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen H. McClain prosecuted the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to Nearly 16 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: Cesar Delfin-Cervantes, 28, of Salem, Oregon, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. According to court records, Delfin-Cervantes was a leader in a multi-state and international drug trafficking organization. His father, Juan Carlos-Delfin, was also a member of the drug trafficking organization. Law enforcement’s investigation revealed that the organization arranged for large shipments of methamphetamine to be delivered through a network of couriers from Mexico to California and then to Salem, Oregon, where Delfin-Cervantes and his father resided. From there, Delfin-Cervantes organized delivery of the drugs to the Treasure Valley area. Over a span of approximately five months, investigators seized over 215 pounds of methamphetamine from the drug trafficking organization. Over a period of approximately two years, the organization transported and sold hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Delfin-Cervantes to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Delfin-Cervantes’ father was convicted in the District of Idaho of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute after a federal jury trial in December of 2025 and is set for sentencing on April 21, 2026. Delfin-Cervantes’ sister, Esmeralda Delfin-Cervantes, is also alleged to be a member of the drug trafficking organization and has federal drug trafficking charges pending in the District of Oregon. U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (the Boise and Salem Resident Agencies), the Nampa Police Department Special Investigations Unit, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Boise Police Department, the Meridian Police Department, the Oregon High Desert Drug Task Force, the Salem Police Department, and the Oregon State Police, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Morse and Christopher Booker prosecuted this case. The High Desert Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. They are supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). ###


title: Sturgis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison  for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Sturgis, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on February 23, 2026. Kaine Sander, 22, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Sander was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in September 2025. He pleaded guilty on October 31, 2025. In June of 2025, in Meade County, Sander was the passenger in a car stopped by a police officer for having a cracked windshield. Sander possessed a revolver along with ammunition and THC. Sander had previously been convicted of a felony and as a result, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. To do so constitutes a federal felony crime. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sturgis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case. Sander was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: MS-13 Clique Leader and Others Indicted on Rico Conspiracy Charges

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – Eight individuals connected to a Baltimore County-based MS-13 clique, including the leader of a New Jersey gang, now face a superseding indictment in federal court in connection with RICO Conspiracy charges. Several members and associates of the MS-13 clique known as “Los Ghettos Criminales Salvatruchas” (LGCS) allegedly committed firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, and robbery crimes associated with the conspiracy. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Christopher R. Heck, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Maryland; Charles Doerrer, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Baltimore; and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD). The indictment charges Luis “Duke” Melendez Serrano, 19, of El Salvador; Kevin Melendez Serrano, 23, of El Salvador; Alex “30” Pena Martinez, 19, of Honduras; William “36” “Midnight” “Oso” Rivera Nolasco, 19, of Owings Mills, Maryland; German “19” “Viejo Raro” “Raro” Lisandro Benites Moreno, 32, of El Salvador; Melanie “Mala,” Pina Verde, 22, of Owings Mills, Maryland; Joshua Palacios, 18, of El Salvador; and Nilson Montecinos, 21, of Honduras with allegedly participating in the conspiracy. According to the superseding indictment, prior to his incarceration, Benites Moreno led an LGCS clique in New Jersey. Then, since at least December 2024, Benites Moreno continued leading LGCS even though he was incarcerated in a New Jersey state prison. Benites Moreno facilitated the gang’s firearm trafficking, drug distribution, money laundering, and violence. Additionally, Benites Moreno called into LGCS meetings that occurred in Baltimore County and exerted control over the gang when committing assaults and robberies. As also described in the superseding indictment, throughout 2025, Pina Verde allowed LGCS members to store firearms and narcotics at her apartment and permitted LGCS to conduct its business from her apartment. She also acted as an intermediary between Benites Moreno – who was in prison – and the non-incarcerated LGCS members. According to court documents, from at least January 28, 2025, through October 16, 2025, Luis Melendez Serrano, Pena Martinez, Rivera Nolasco, and Kevin Melendez Serrano conspired to knowingly traffic firearms to individuals who were ineligible to legally possess them. During this period, Luis Melendez Serrano, Pena Martinez, and Rivera Nolasco also trafficked controlled substances, including methamphetamine and marijuana. Additionally, in September 2025, Palacios, Montecinos, and other LGCS members committed multiple assaults and robberies as part of their membership and association with the clique. During one of these robberies, an LGCS member racked the slide of a handgun and placed it against the victim’s head. Also, during these robberies, the LGCS members directed the victims to apologize to LGCS leadership, including Benites Moreno. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, which seeks to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a collaborative and comprehensive response to the growing threat to public safety and national security. The HSTF integrates personnel, including law enforcement agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, from federal agencies to combat crime in our communities. Additionally, this case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI, ATF, and BCPD for their work in the investigation, along with HSI-Newark and the New Jersey Department of Corrections for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. O’Donohue III and Stanton M.B. Lawyer who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Telemedicine Company Owner Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for $56M Medicare Fraud Scheme

body_text: The owner of two telemedicine companies was sentenced today to 7 years in prison and ordered to pay $27.9 million in restitution for his role in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for unnecessary durable medical equipment. “Instead of connecting patients with legitimate care, Reinaldo Wilson used his telemedicine companies to exploit Medicare and line his own pockets,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He stole over $27.9 million by submitting false and fraudulent claims, robbing a program designed to provide medical care to America’s seniors. The Criminal Division will aggressively prosecute those who defraud Medicare and exploit taxpayer-funded programs meant to serve the people who have paid into the system.” “Over the span of only two years, Wilson amassed over $56 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, through a cadre of crooked medical providers and co-conspirators, leveraging durable medical equipment for personal financial gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy of the FBI’s Newark Field Office. “When criminals defraud Medicare, they undermine the U.S government. The FBI will always work to apprehend theses fraudsters and put an end to their schemes.” “Today's sentence underscores the serious consequences for those who exploit Medicare for personal gain,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “This sentence reflects our commitment to holding individuals accountable when they manipulate providers, target vulnerable patients, and attempt to conceal fraud behind complex schemes. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure anyone who abuses federal health care programs is exposed and brought to justice.” According to court documents and statements made in court, Reinaldo Wilson, 57, formerly of Richmond Hill, Georgia, owned and operated two telemedicine companies located in Bayonne, New Jersey between 2017 and 2019. Through these companies, Wilson and others paid illegal kickbacks to medical providers to sign orders for orthotic braces for Medicare beneficiaries, even though the beneficiaries did not need the braces. Wilson and others illegally sold the signed orders to purported marketing companies that often re-sold the orders to brace companies, which in turn submitted claims for the unnecessary braces to Medicare. Wilson and his co-conspirators at marketing companies cajoled beneficiaries into accepting as many braces as possible. Providers working for Wilson’s telemedicine companies signed orders for four or more orthotics a piece for over 3,000 beneficiaries, and more than 40 beneficiaries received orders for 10 or more orthotics. Wilson also attempted to conceal his crimes by creating a new telemedicine company and convincing a member of his church that it was an investment opportunity. He took $20k from this member and had her open the company and bank accounts in her name, which he then took control of. During the conspiracy, Wilson and others submitted over $56 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, of which Medicare paid over $27.9 million. In March 2021, Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud. The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), and HHS-OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Darren C. Halverson and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: St. John the Baptist Parish Men Guilty of Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ANDRES CRUZ GARCIA (“CRUZ GARCIA”), age 33, DARIEL HERNANDEZ GARCIA (“HERNANDEZ GARCIA”) , age 33, and RICARDO JIMENEZ RAMOS (“JIMENEZ RAMOS’) , age 58, residents of Laplace, Louisiana, plead guilty before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion to conspiracy to possess, and possession with intent to distribute, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 846, and possession with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. For each count, the three men face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, on September 10, 2023, St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office deputies seized 69 kilograms of cocaine from the Laplace residence of co-conspirator, EDEL FREYRE-SOTO. Continued investigation by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the deputies revealed that CRUZ GARCIA , HERNANDEZ GARCIA, JIMENEZ RAMOS , and others, conspired to conduct large-scale cocaine transactions utilizing a vessel off the coast of the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico). On March 19, 2024, DEA agents seized 85 kilograms of cocaine from a residence in Laplace where HERNANDEZ GARCIA , JIMENEZ RAMOS , and MARCOS QUINTERO OTERO, another co-conspirator, were living. This cocaine was smuggled in through a marina at Grand Isle, and this organization intended to distribute it throughout the United States. HERNANDEZ GARCIA and JIMENEZ RAMOS will be sentenced on June 2, 2026. CRUZ GARCIA will be sentenced on June 9, 2026. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Orleans comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the DEA and St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Sarver, now serving with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Schiffman, of the Narcotics Unit for the Eastern District of Louisiana.