body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Alonso Alfredo Nunez, also known as “Bullet,” 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Thursday, Jan. 23, to 15 years in federal prison without parole. On April 10, 2024, Nunez pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Nunez admitted that he and co-defendant Jaloany Garcia-Medina, also known as “J. Lo,” 22, of Kansas City, Kan., working together, sold fentanyl on multiple occasions to a confidential informant working for the Jackson County Drug Task Force. Nunez and Garcia-Medina sold approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills to a confidential informant on each of six separate occasions during the six months of the conspiracy from July 25 to Dec. 18, 2022. A different FBI confidential source reported that Nunez was supplied 200 to 500 fentanyl-laced pills weekly from July 2022 through December 2022. Garcia-Medina has pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and awaits sentencing. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force and the FBI.


title: Yuba County Man Charged with Being Felon in Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Ignacio Valencia, 33, of Plumas Lake, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. According to court documents, Valencia was found in possession of a loaded, Glock model 20, 10 mm caliber handgun as well as a magazine containing 25 rounds of 10 mm ammunition. Valencia is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition after being convicted of four felonies: possession of a controlled substance for sale, being a felon in possession of a firearm, evading a peace officer in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, and being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Elk Grove Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Vanek is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Valencia faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Glen Burnie Man Sentenced to Federal Prison in Connection With Multi-State Dogfighting Conspiracy

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Mario Damon Flythe, 50, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, to six months in federal prison and six months of home detention – followed by three years of supervised release; a $10,000 fine, and an additional $2,800 in a forfeiture money judgment, for his involvement in a multi-state dogfighting conspiracy. Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office- Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service – Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Clinton Fuchs, U.S. Marshal for Maryland; and Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Chief. Flythe is affiliated with the same dogfighting enterprise as co-defendant Frederick Douglass Moorfield, Jr. The defendant also operated a kennel under the name “Razor Sharp Kennels,” and used his home to keep, train, and breed dogs for dogfighting for several years. A review of Flythe’s cellphone records uncovered numerous message exchanges connected to dogfighting — primarily over the instant-messaging applications WhatsApp and Telegram — with members of a group known as the “DMV Board.” In addition to arranging dog fights and wagers, Flythe and the DMV Board discussed the breeding and training of fighting dogs, procuring supplies for the maintenance and feeding of fighting dogs, and law enforcement criminally prosecuting dogfighters. Additionally, Flythe and others discussed indictments of other members of the DMV Board and speculated about the identity of a potential “snitch.” Flythe’s instant messages also revealed several exchanges arranging or “hooking” dogfights. During these conversations, Flythe identified the weight and sex of the dog he wanted to sponsor in a fight. Other dogfighters then proposed a fight against their own dog or matched Flythe with another contact who had a dog in the same weight class. The dogfighters then agreed on wagers and set a date for the fight, usually six to eight weeks after arranging the match. In addition to stating the winner’s fee for each fight, dogfighters agreed on forfeit or “fit” payments if a dogfighter backed out prior to the fight. After hooking a fight, Flythe trained his dogs in a process known as a “keep.” Flythe’s typical keep schedule for a dog involved physical training — using treadmills, weighted collars, and other accessories — a diet plan, and steroids. Flythe obtained steroids and other veterinary drugs through various contacts in his dogfighting network instead of obtaining legitimate veterinary prescriptions. When Flythe sponsored a dog, the fight only ended after a dog died or if the owner forfeited the match by the dog quitting the fight or the owner picking up the dog. Several times between 2019 and 2023, Flythe received monetary payments through CashApp in connection with dogfighting activities. Flythe also sent money to dogfighting contacts related to the dogfighting enterprise. On September 6, 2023, during a search of Flythe’s home, investigators recovered a total of seven pit-bull type dogs from the premises. Authorities found four dogs chained to posts or poles in fenced-in cages in the property’s backyard, and three dogs in large metal cages in the basement. Flythe acknowledged that he bred and/or trained dogs for the purposes of sponsoring them for dogfights. U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI; U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Marshals Service; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Animal Control; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia for their valuable assistance in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Levin who prosecuted the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: 22 locals arrested in multi-count money laundering and narcotics indictments

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A total of 29 people are now in custody for money laundering and drug trafficking criminal violations following a major law enforcement operation in Houston and other areas in the United States, announced acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. The coordinated law enforcement effort spanned multiple jurisdictions and states to include Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina and other parts of Texas. Those arrested in the Houston area have begun to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray. The charges contained in four different indictments allege crimes occurred between April 2022 and October 2024. Houston grand juries returned the indictments in October and November 2024. They allege the individuals engaged in a multi-national trade-based money laundering network operating in the United States and in international markets. Criminal organizations including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) allegedly used the network to launder illicit funds through the purchase and sale of cellular telephones. Francisco Jaramillo-Valdovinos aka Chico Jaramillo, allegedly a top CJNG commander, is one of those charged. He is considered a fugitive and a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts or any of the other fugitives in the case is asked to contact the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at 713-693-3000. The arrests are the culmination of a 21-month Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Noch. During the investigation, law enforcement allegedly seized multi-hundred kilograms of cocaine, heroin, meth, marijuana and alprazolam as well as millions of dollars in drug proceeds. As part of the arrests, authorities also seized 85 kilograms of meth, 10 kilograms of cocaine, 17 firearms, $481,000 from a bank account and approximately $566,000 of bulk cash. If convicted, many charged with drug trafficking offenses face up to life in federal prison and could pay millions in fines. Those charged with money laundering offenses face up to 20 years in federal prison. The Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation along with police departments in Houston and Galveston with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and local police departments and sheriffs’ offices throughout the country. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Bauman, Sherin Daniel and Leo J. Leo III are prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Former Government Contractor Convicted of Defrauding FEMA and Georgia-Based Litigation Funding Company

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Following an eight-day trial, Tiffany Brown was found guilty by a jury of defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) in connection with a nearly $156 million contract she was awarded to provide self-heating meals to the residents of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, and for fraudulently obtaining $700,000 in litigation advances from the Litigation Funding Group of Georgia (“LFG”) by falsely claiming that she had settled with a logistics company who failed to deliver the meals to FEMA. “Brown resorted to extraordinary lengths to defraud FEMA during a critical period when individuals were in desperate need of food resources during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “Our Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will remain vigilant in pursuing and prosecuting individuals who exploit the devastation caused by natural disasters as an opportunity to commit fraud.” “We will continue to investigate and support the prosecution of fraudsters who target vulnerable populations for their own gains,” said DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D. “Brown greedily deceived the federal government during a natural disaster to enrich herself,” said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue any person who seeks to defraud the government, especially during times of tragedy.” According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges and other information presented in court: On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Puerto Rico. In its wake, FEMA issued a solicitation for 40 million self-heating meals per week to deliver to the island. Meals requiring a microwave or an external heating source, such as for boiling water, were unacceptable. FEMA issued the meal solicitation because it had exhausted its existing supply of self-heating meals from its own warehouses, primary vendors, and federal agency partners in responding to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma— both Category 4 hurricanes that impacted broad swaths of Texas, Louisiana, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On September 28, 2017, Brown submitted a proposal to FEMA falsely representing that her Georgia-based company, Tribute Contracting LLC, could provide the necessary self-heating meals. In doing so, Brown misrepresented that Tribute: (a) could deliver 10 million meals per day utilizing 210 trucks; (b) would provide 300,000 meals prepositioned; and (c) had partnered with C.H. Robinson, a major shipping and logistics broker, to meet FEMA’s delivery requirements. But Tribute was incapable of delivering 10 million meals, never prepositioned any meals, and did not have the claimed partnership. A FEMA contacting officer spoke with Brown after receiving Tribute’s proposal. The contracting officer knew that U.S.-based manufacturers could not produce the number of meals that Brown claimed in her proposal. In response, Brown falsely represented that she was procuring the self-heating meals from Action Meals, a Canadian manufacturer. Brown sent FEMA a doctored image of an Action Meals package with a fraudulent expiration date. Based on her conversation with the contracting officer, Brown submitted a revised proposal falsely representing that she had firm confirmation from her “core suppliers for 30 million self-heating meals in 30 days” and that she could begin delivering one million meals a day beginning on October 7, 2017. On October 3, 2017, FEMA awarded Tribute and Brown a $155,982,000 contract requiring the delivery of 30 million self-heating meals between October 7 and October 23, 2017. FEMA had to confirm that Tribute’s proposed meal was “technically acceptable” before approving the delivery. FEMA approved Brown’s proposal in part because it understood that Brown would deliver self-heating meals manufactured by Action Meals. Unbeknownst to FEMA, Brown had not secured a supplier when she was awarded the FEMA contract. After being awarded the contract, Brown repeatedly mispresented to FEMA the status of her suppliers and timing of deliveries. On October 19, 2017, FEMA terminated its contract with Brown and Tribute. Before doing so, however, FEMA paid Brown $255,000 based on her submission of fraudulent invoices and bills of ladings claiming that she had successfully delivered 50,000 self-heating meals. Brown in fact had delivered 50,000 non-compliant, dehydrated meals. After FEMA terminated the contract, Brown continued making false representations to FEMA. For example, Brown submitted fraudulent invoices in December 2017 and June 2019 claiming to have purchased tens of thousands of dollars of heaters. In March 2019, Brown falsely represented to LFG that she had a tentative $5 million settlement with a logistics company, Total Quality Logistics (“TQL”). Brown claimed that TQL was willing to settle with her because it failed to timely deliver meals to FEMA, which she claimed was the reason FEMA terminated her contract. In truth, TQL obtained a default judgment against Brown for unpaid deliveries. To secure the fraudulent litigation financing, Brown provided LFG with a mix of actual and fabricated documents. For instance, she provided the real FEMA contract, but a fraudulent tentative settlement agreement, and fabricated emails between TQL’s general counsel and “Jerry Rosenstein,” Tribute’s purported in-house counsel. Brown further perpetrated the fraud by using her attorney to create the illusion that she was a successful government contractor who was negotiating directly with TQL. Brown later falsely claimed she settled with TQL for $6.5 million, which she evidenced by an agreement that TQL’s CEO supposedly signed. The scheme unraveled when TQL did not pay the $6.5 million, and Brown’s attorney received an email from a “James Wilson,” who was supposedly an in-house attorney at TQL. “James Wilson” wrote that he was willing to release the settlement funds in exchange for $500,000. Investigators later determined that Brown was responsible for creating the fake “Jerry Rosenstein” and “James Wilson” personas. Tiffany Brown, 45, of Atlanta, Georgia is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. by U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. Brown was found guilty by a federal jury on January 17, 2025, of 11 counts of major disaster fraud, 17 counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government money, and three counts of money laundering. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Chief Counsel. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Jessica C. Morris are prosecuting 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: Tucson Woman Sentenced to 60 Months for Transporting Illegal Aliens for Profit

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Sharnesia Latrice Cooley, 31, of Tucson, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 60 months in prison for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit and Transporting Illegal Aliens for Profit. Cooley was found guilty at trial on November 1, 2024. On February 2, 2024, near Naco, a United States Border Patrol camera operator observed four suspected undocumented noncitizens approach a 2011 Volkswagen Routan. Another Border Patrol agent responded and observed the group get into the Routan. When Border Patrol was able to stop the vehicle, they found that it was only occupied by Cooley, who was the driver, her two-year-old minor son and a co-defendant, Mariana Garcia-Tapia. A search of the area revealed four seriously injured people strewn along the road just east of the San Pedro Bridge. Their injuries were consistent with having jumped from a moving vehicle. It was determined that all four were illegally present within the United States. One of the undocumented noncitizens admitted that they made arrangements to be smuggled into the United States for a sum of money. All four were transported to the hospital with injuries including serious head trauma. The co-defendant, Garcia-Tapia, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Any Person on July 10, 2024. She was sentenced on November 15, 2024, to 60 months in prison by Judge Rash with an additional 12 months in prison to run consecutive to her sentence for violating the conditions of her supervised release in a separate case (CR-22-00816-002-PHX-DJH). Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Renee Quezada and Caroline Allen, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR 24-00910-TUC-SHR RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-009_Cooley # # # 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 X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Fifth Defendant in San Antonio Firearm Burglary Crew Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

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

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison as the final defendant in a case involving a five-man burglary crew. According to court documents, Victor Valenciana aka Vick, 30, and his four co-conspirators targeted and burglarized Ford pickup trucks in the parking lots of retail locations, malls and restaurants. Together they stole firearms, high-value items and occasionally the vehicles themselves. To evade law enforcement detection, the individuals would rent vehicles and use them to travel to the burglary locations. Additionally, they would steal license plates from similar-looking vehicles and install the stolen license plates on the rental vehicles. In all, the group stole and sold more than 100 firearms from vehicles in the San Antonio area between July 2021 until January 2022. On Oct. 5, 2022, Valenciana, Alejandro Arias, 26, Richard Hernandez aka Panek, 26, Andrew Blue Riojas, 26, and Aureliano Villareal aka AJ, 28, all from San Antonio, were charged in a 17-count indictment, which included on count of conspiracy to receive and possess stolen firearms and multiple counts of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. Valenciana was arrested Nov. 17, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty Aug. 14, 2024, to the conspiracy charge and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. “These five criminals will spend a combined 53 years in federal prison for their activity thanks to the investigative work and partnerships of our outstanding federal and local law enforcement agencies,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I continue to ask residents to ensure that, if you must leave a firearm in your vehicle, you do so safely and properly. Thieves continue to target specific vehicles and can successfully break in and escape in a matter of seconds.” “This sentence serves as notice to would be offenders that ATF is committed to breaking the cycle of firearms trafficking no matter how it occurs,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston Division. “The vast majority of firearms stolen from vehicles, end up being used as crime guns. We encourage gun owners to practice safe storage of firearms and to remember that your vehicle is not a safe. ATF will continue to leverage every resource that we have to see to it that each offender is held to account for their criminal behavior.” “Criminal networks that steal firearms and high-value items not only jeopardize public safety, but also fuel illegal activity across our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “These defendants were part of a poly-criminal organization that targeted vehicles to steal firearms, which were then sold and trafficked, some recovered in Mexico, posing a serious threat to public safety. This sentencing underscores HSI’s commitment to dismantling these criminal networks and protecting the American public.” “We sincerely thank our federal partners for their vital support in cracking down on vehicle burglars targeting firearms,” said Chief William McManus for the San Antonio Police Department. “Their collaboration is making our community safer.” Valenciana and his co-conspirators received a combined 639 months in federal prison. Arias was sentenced to 150 months on Jan. 16; Hernandez was sentenced to 78 months in prison Dec. 19, 2024; Riojas was sentenced to 151 months Aug. 15, 2024; and Villareal was sentenced to 140 months July 16, 2024. ATF, HSI and SAPD investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Nowinski prosecuted the case. ###


title: Woman Sentenced To 20 Years For Killing Sister-in-Law

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa woman was sentenced today for Second Degree Murder in Indian Country and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Alexis Danielle Flanner, 26, to 240 months followed by five years of supervised release. In July 2022, Tulsa Police officers were dispatched for shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found Estrella Mendoza, deceased from a gunshot wound. Officers watched security footage that showed Flanner and Estrella enter the store together. After the pair left the store, Estrella was seen crawling away from Flanner before she collapsed. Flanner was seen fleeing the scene. A witness stated that he tried to help Estrella. Before going unconscious, Estrella said that Flanner shot her. Officers went to Flanner’s residence, where they found the vehicle she left in that had fresh blood splatter and the firearm used. Flanner told officers that she was mad at her sister-in-law, Estrella because she would not return her marijuana grinder. Flanner is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Jolly and Valeria Luster prosecuted the case.


title: Maryland Man Convicted of Wire Fraud in Hampshire County

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal jury has convicted a Maryland man of four wire fraud charges. Duane Dixon, Jr., age 35, of Towson, Maryland, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. The jury heard testimony that as part of a fraud conspiracy an individual impersonating a landowner contacted a realtor in Winchester, Virginia. The imposter claimed to have authority to sell a parcel of real estate located in Hampshire County, West Virginia. Although having no legal rights to the property, the imposter listed the property for sale through the realtor. As part of the fraud scheme, deposit information for a bank account belonging to, and controlled by Dixon, a co-conspirator of the imposter, was emailed to a real estate closing agent in an attempt to acquire control of the proceeds from the sham transaction. The imposter continued to make contact via email in his attempt to have funds wired to Dixon’s bank account. When subsequently contacted by an undercover employee of the FBI, Dixon repeatedly lied about his relationship with the sender of the attempted wire transaction and his knowledge regarding the transactions. Dixon’s fraudulent statements were made with the intent to complete the sham transaction. The jury determined that the email communications made in furtherance of the scheme constituted separate acts of wire fraud and returned guilty verdicts on three counts of wire fraud count and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Dixon faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod Douglas and Dan Salem prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.


title: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion and Wire Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Robert Rahrle, age 34, formerly of Florida and now residing in the Northern District of New York, pled guilty Wednesday to tax evasion and wire fraud. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, and Harry Chavis, Jr. Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement. As part his guilty plea, Rahrle admitted that from 2017 through 2024, he ran a fraudulent online gift basket website called iCare Gifting Solutions LLC. iCare purported to cater to families of incarcerated individuals, promising to send care packages into prisons. iCare charged hundreds of customers approximately $50 per gift basket but never sent the gift packages. In addition to defrauding iCare’s customers, Rahrle evaded his federal taxes. He self-prepared and filed tax returns for tax years 2017 and 2018 that falsely reported business losses and failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars of gross receipts. Sentencing is scheduled for June 11, 2025. Rahrle faces up to five years in federal prison on the tax evasion charge and up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge, along with a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of up to three years. He also could be fined up to $250,000 or an alternative fine based on his gain or the victims’ losses, owes restitution to the IRS of approximately $175,000 and restitution to the victims of his fraud, and will be required to forfeit a money judgment of $2 million to the United States. A federal district court judge will determine Rahrle’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by IRS-CI, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Criminal Investigation Division of the U.S. Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Former OSBI Investigator Of Sexual Abuse Of A Minor

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Jordan Francis Toyne, 36, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of three counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. The jury trial began with testimony on January 21, 2025, and concluded on January 23, 2025, with the guilty verdicts. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that Toyne sexually assaulted a minor over a period of time beginning in the Summer of 2020 until 2023, when the victim reached 16 years of age. The United States also presented evidence that Toyne sexually abused another minor in 2021. At the time of the assaults, Toyne served as an investigator with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit. Toyne resigned from his post prior to the completion of an internal investigation conducted by the OSBI. The victims were unrelated to Toyne’s official duties with the OSBI. However, the United States presented evidence Toyne used his specialized knowledge as a Child Crimes Investigator to groom the victims and evade detection of his crimes. The guilty verdicts were the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Owasso Police Department, together with cooperation and special assistance from OSBI. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the victim is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Pittsburg County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Emily Wittlinger represented the United States.


title: Five Defendants Sentenced in Options Trading Scheme

body_text: ATLANTA – Milan Patel has been sentenced to prison in connection with a years-long market manipulation scheme in which he and his co-conspirators conceived, drafted, and disseminated false rumors about publicly traded companies and then profitably traded on these rumors by purchasing and selling mainly short-term call options. “The defendants used their financial acumen to manipulate the securities markets by releasing false information about publicly traded companies,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “Our Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute all forms of securities fraud.” “These sentencings should serve as a reminder to anyone attempting to tilt the balance of financial markets in their direction using insider trading, investigating this illegal behavior is a top priority of the FBI and you will be held accountable,” said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges and other information presented in court: Between approximately October 2017 and January 2020, Milan Patel, Bart Ross, Mark Melnick, Anthony Salandra, and Charles Parrino conspired to trade securities—primarily short-term call options—in large, publicly traded companies based on materially false rumors about those companies that they generated and disseminated. These materially false rumors were intended to increase the price of the securities (both the underlying stock and options). Call options are essentially a contract that gives the options’ holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy shares of the underlying stock at a set price per share—the option’s strike price—on or before a set future date (the option’s expiration date). Generally, the holder of a call option benefits when the price of the underlying stock increases. Short-term call options are ones that generally expire within a week. Ross, Salandra, and Parrino, were formerly registered brokers with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and were responsible for drafting some of the fraudulent rumors. The conspirators would often refine a proposed rumor by exchanging drafts among themselves using the Trillian instant messaging application. Melnick was a day trader and T3 Live Senior Trading Strategist who often provided technical evaluations on whether a particular false rumor would be successful. These rumors were carefully crafted to: (a) appear plausible enough to other market participants to move the price of the underlying security; and (b) move the price of the security in a particular direction—namely move the stock or option price up—so that Patel and the other conspirators could profitably trade on the rumors. Patel was responsible for disseminating the rumor via Trillian to multiple accounts, which would in turn result in the false rumor being distributed over one or more market subscription services, including Trade The News, TradeXchange, and Benzinga, as well as various Twitter accounts. Before Patel disseminated the rumor, the co-conspirators would acquire a position in the publicly traded company that was the subject of the rumor. The co-conspirators purchased short-term call options often mere seconds before Patel disseminated the rumor. The conspirators often purchased short-term call options because the price of such options is more sensitive than the price of the underlying stock. The conspirators profited from their scheme by selling the options (or other securities) after they increased in price. They would then sell off their positions shortly after the rumor was disseminated and the price of the option or underlying stock had increased. In total, the defendants executed more than 500 trades and made $2,651,320 in profits as a result of their fraudulent scheme. U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May sentenced the defendants in the case as follows: •Milan Patel, 49, of Cumming, Georgia, was sentenced on January 23, 2025, to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Patel was convicted on August 20, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud. •Charles Parrino, 59, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was sentenced on January 17, 2025, to one year and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Parrino was convicted on September 27, 2022, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. •Mark Melnick, 44, of Marlboro, New Jersey, was sentenced on December 18, 2024, to three years’ probation with the first six months to be served on home confinement. He was also ordered to pay a $4,000 fine. Melnick was convicted on September 21, 2021, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. •Anthony Salandra, 60, of Delray Beach, Florida, was sentenced on December 5, 2024, to three years’ probation with the first six months to be served on home confinement. Salandra was convicted on April 11, 2022, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. •Bart Ross, 60, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced on September 7, 2022, to three years’ probation. Ross was convicted on December 18, 2020, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex R. Sistla prosecuted the case. The SEC is investigating potential civil violations of the U.S. securities laws relating to above-described scheme. In connection with its investigation, the SEC filed separate civil enforcement actions against Patel, Parrino, Melnick, Salandra, and Ross in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. 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: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Final Sentencing of Trio Which Orchestrated a Multi-Million Dollar Tax Evasion Scheme

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – The third and final defendant in a complex tax evasion scheme that operated for over a decade was sentenced this week, concluding a case involving millions of dollars in unpaid taxes. Stacy Underwood , 53, of Albuquerque, was sentenced to time served, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $5.5 million in restitution for her involvement in the scheme. David Wellington , 66, of Albuquerque, was previously sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to pay over $5.5 million in restitution for his role in devising and operating the tax evasion scheme and is permanently prohibited from running any business advising clients or dealing with the IRS. Jerry Shrock , 49, of Meadowview, Virginia, was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to pay $1.5 million in taxes, interest, and penalties. According to court documents, between 2005 and 2015, Wellington and Underwood operated National Business Services, LLC, which specialized in creating Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) for clients seeking to evade federal taxes. The pair organized at least 192 LLCs in New Mexico and opened at least 114 bank accounts for these clients. Underwood served as the sole signer for 99 of these accounts, allowing clients to conduct financial transactions anonymously. From January 1, 2011, to July 31, 2018, over $40 million was deposited into clients' accounts nominally controlled by Underwood. Shrock had three LLCs formed by National Business Services while undergoing an IRS audit. Between 2011 and 2015, Shrock deposited nearly $4.9 million into a bank account opened for one of his LLCs, concealing over $4.3 million in income without ever filing tax returns. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office, made the announcement today. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy Peña is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Woman Charged With Discharging Firearm During Assault of United States Border Patrol Agent

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Teresa Youngblut, 21, and who is believed to be from Washington state, has been charged by criminal complaint with one count of using a deadly weapon while assaulting a United States Border Patrol agent, and one count of using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to that assault. Her initial court appearance has not yet been scheduled. According to the charging affidavit, during the afternoon of January 20, 2025, a United States Border Patrol agent initiated a traffic stop of a Toyota Prius on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont. The car was occupied by Youngblut and a man who was a citizen of Germany and whose immigration status was in question. Youngblut and her companion had come to the attention of law enforcement a few days earlier when a hotel employee in Lyndonville expressed concern about them being dressed in tactical clothing and protective gear, while also being armed. Law enforcement also observed the couple in the Prius earlier on January 20 at a Walmart parking lot in Newport, Vermont. At that time, the German man was seen wrapping unidentifiable objects with aluminum foil while seated in the vehicle. According to the affidavit, during the January 20 vehicle stop, both Youngblut and her companion were armed. During the stop, Youngblut fired her handgun without warning toward at least one of the Border Patrol Agents while outside the vehicle. Her German companion also tried to draw a firearm, and at least one Border Patrol Agent fired his service weapon. The exchange of gunfire resulted in Border Patrol Agent David Maland sustaining fatal injuries. Youngblut and her companion were also shot. The German man was pronounced dead at the scene, and Youngblut was taken to the hospital for medical care. The investigation into this incident is ongoing. It is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with substantial assistance from the Vermont State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations, United States Border Patrol, the Newport, Vermont, Police Department, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher stated: “The events leading to this prosecution tragically demonstrate how the men and women of law enforcement regularly put their lives on the line as they try to keep our communities and our country safe. The United States Attorney’s Office is deeply grateful for those with the courage to do such dangerous work. We intend to honor them, and the memory of Border Patrol Agent Maland, by performing our prosecutorial duties so that justice may be done.” Drescher also commended the investigative collaboration demonstrated by the FBI, Vermont State Police, ATF, and the other agencies involved. Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albany Field Office, stated: “Agent Maland bravely served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. He continued that service when he answered the call to protect and serve as a law enforcement officer, making him a shining example of service over self. This arrest proves the FBI, together with our partners, will work diligently to ensure any individual who uses a firearm to assault such a public servant will be brought to justice.” “The senseless and tragic killing of a United States Border Patrol agent is a stark reminder of the immense sacrifices law enforcement officers make to protect our nation,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Boston Field Division. “ATF stands resolute with our partners to bring justice to the individual responsible. Our deepest condolences go out to the agent’s family, colleagues, and all who are grieving this profound loss.” Chief United States Border Patrol Agent Robert Garcia stated: “We appreciate all our law enforcement partners' response to this tragic event as we continue our mission of protecting this nation’s border and ensuring public safety.” The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations and that Youngblut is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Youngblut faces a maximum prison sentence of life and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years if convicted of the charges in the complaint. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Lasher. Youngblut is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.


title: Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle Pesticides into the United States

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Ruben Montes of Calexico, California, pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring to smuggle and distribute more than $3 million worth of Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs that are not approved for use in the United States. In pleading guilty, the defendant acknowledged that since at least November 2020, he coordinated the smuggling of pesticides and veterinary drugs from Mexico into the United States. Montes also admitted to smuggling the chemicals and drugs into the United States from Mexico himself and distributing them within the United States. The primary pesticides involved were Taktic and Bovitraz, which are not registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in the United States. The smuggled veterinary drugs included Tylocet, Terramicina, Tetragent Ares and Catarrol, which are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. Montes admitted that he and others hid the pesticides and veterinary drugs in storage units in Calexico and retrieved them for distribution throughout the United States. According to experts at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the active ingredient in the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz is amitraz, which is toxic to bees, if it is released into hives, and humans when it ultimately ends up in honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Misuse of amitraz-containing products in beehives can result in exposures that could cause neurological effects and possibly reproductive effects in humans from the consumption of contaminated honey. Signs of neurotoxicity from exposure to amitraz has been documented in multiple animal species, and include central nervous system depression, decrease in pulse rate, and hypothermia. “These substances not only threaten the health and safety of our communities but also undermine the integrity of U.S. regulatory safeguards designed to protect consumers and the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Our office is committed to holding accountable those who prioritize profit over public safety." “The defendant's conduct put consumer's health and the honeybee industry at risk,” said Benjamin Carr, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s criminal enforcement program in California. “The pesticides he distributed were smuggled into the United States from Mexico. The illegal use of amitraz puts adulterated honey in the marketplace and contributes to pest resistance threatening honeybee colonies vital for our food production. The defendant in this case made millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains through the illegal sale of this unregistered pesticide.” “Today's guilty plea is the result of a long-term Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigation, worked in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), into an organization that conspired to smuggle Mexican pesticides into the U.S.,” said Shawn Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of HSI in San Diego. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice criminals who introduce substances that threaten the safety of our communities.” “The FDA regulates animal drugs as part of its mission to protect the public health, which includes ensuring that prescription animal drugs are lawfully obtained, distributed, and dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles Grinstead, FDA Ofﬁce of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Ofﬁce. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who attempt to evade the law.” The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Houston on April 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabet Brown from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and Senior Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte from the Environmental Crimes Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. DEFENDANT Case Number 23CR2377 Ruben Montes Age: 60 Calexico, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C. Section 371 Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Homeland Security Investigations U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigations Division U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations California Department of Toxic Substances Control


title: Honduran National Extradited to the United States for Fentanyl Trafficking

body_text: SACRAMENTO , Calif. — An indictment was unsealed today charging Honduran national Abner Estrada Cruz, 25, with conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams fentanyl and seven counts of distributing fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. Estrada Cruz was extradited from Honduras to the United States to face the charges against him. The indictment stems from a two-year DEA-led multi-agency investigation into a Honduran fentanyl drug trafficking ring operating out of Honduras, San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon. During the course of the investigation, DEA seized more than 16 pounds of fentanyl powder trafficked into the Eastern District of California from Estrada Cruz’s co-conspirators. Those co-conspirators – Yahir Alexander Arteaga Cruz, Carlos Samir Colindrez-Erazo, and Aronis Jose Hernandez Aguilar – have been charged in the same conspiracy by separate indictment in the Eastern District of California in Sacramento (2:24-cr-0246-DAD). Several additional members of the Drug Trafficking Organization were indicted in the District of Oregon in Portland. Estrada Cruz acted as the operations manager of the organization, taking orders, arranging deliveries, and helping to run the organization from San Francisco, Portland, and Honduras. He was arrested in Honduras and surrendered to the United States following extradition proceedings. This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the California Department of Justice Bureau of Investigation Fentanyl Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Honduras to secure the arrest and extradition of Estrada Cruz. If convicted of the conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, Estrada Cruz faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. The specific mission of the OCDETF Sacramento Strike Force is to identify, investigate, and prosecute the most significant criminal organizations operating in the Eastern District of California. OCDETF Sacramento Strike Force is composed of agents and officers from DEA, FBI, HSI, IRS-CI, USMS, ATF, USPIS, BLM, USFS, the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the California National Guard, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Justice, and the Central Valley California HIDTA.


title: Maryland Man Convicted Of Money Laundering Offenses Related To Computer Intrusions

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Maryland man was convicted yesterday for money laundering offenses related to funds that were obtained through unlawful computer intrusions that targeted a victim’s 401(k) retirement plan, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced. Oladapo Sunday Ogunbiyi, 43, of Bowie, Maryland, was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, two counts of money laundering, and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. The jury returned the verdict following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Ogunbiyi conspired with others to launder funds obtained through an unlawful computer fraud scheme in which they obtained unauthorized access to a 401k account belonging to the victim. The co-conspirators then added a bank account belonging to another individual to the victim’s 401k account without the victim’s knowledge or authorization. This account was designated as the account to receive withdrawals from the victim’s 401k account. Thereafter, $246,390 was transferred to the bank account belonging to the account that had been added without the victim’s knowledge or consent. Ogunbiyi’s co-conspirator directed that the fraud proceeds be converted into cashier’s checks, which were provided to Ogunbiyi. Ogunbiyi then deposited the cashier’s checks into business bank accounts under his control and withdrew the funds in a series of ATM and counter withdrawals designed to conceal the source of the money, which he used for personal expenditures. The counts of money laundering and money laundering conspiracy carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. The counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2025. Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, including the FBI’s Cyber Crimes Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Kober of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit and Peter A. Laserna of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark. 25-019 ### Defense counsel: Jason A. Seidman, Esq., Freehold, New Jersey


title: Kidnapper of Alexandria, VA, Couple Sentenced to 108 Months in Federal Prison

body_text: WASHINGTON – Robbie Terrell Clark, 27, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 108 months in federal prison for his role in the September 2022 kidnapping and robbery of a pair of victims in Alexandria, Virginia. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., for the District of Columbia and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. Clark pleaded guilty on May 21, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson, to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. In addition to the 108-month prison-term, Judge Berman Jackson ordered Clark to serve four years of supervised release. According to court documents, Clark and his co-conspirators stalked their intended victims before kidnapping and robbing them at gunpoint inside their Alexandria, Virginia apartment building. On September 2, 2022, the co-conspirators planted a GPS tracking device on one of the victim’s Mercedes, which they used to monitor the victims’ locations. On September 3, 2022, the victims attended a family gathering in Maryland. Seizing the opportunity to catch their victims unaware, Clark and his co-conspirators traveled from Washington, D.C. to Virginia in a stolen white Kia and to the victim’s home, where they laid in wait, armed with guns and carrying zip ties. Clark and his co-conspirators were wearing dark clothing, masks, and latex gloves. When the victims returned home later that night, Clark and his co-conspirators ambushed them in their parking garage at gunpoint, stealing two Audemars Piguet watches worth $120,000, another $63,500 worth of jewelry, other clothing, and the keys to a victim’s Mercedes. After robbing them, and pistol-whipping them with their guns, Clark and the co-conspirators led the victim couple to one of the victim’s apartments. Inside, the co-conspirators continued to hold the victims at gunpoint and ransacked the residence, demanding money. The co-conspirators were unable to locate any money before a security alarm was triggered and the co-conspirators fled, leaving behind several plastic zip ties. Clark and his co-conspirators fled the apartment building shortly before 2 a.m. on September 4, 2022, in the stolen white Kia and the victims’ Mercedes and returned to the District. Law enforcement found the stolen Mercedes hours later in Maryland with the GPS tracking device still attached. Following a lengthy investigation, Clark was identified as a participant and arrested on August 16, 2023, in Washington, D.C. He has been held since. At the time of the incident, Clark had a felony conviction in Maryland for possessing a handgun in a vehicle. Clark’s co-conspirator, Tyree McCombs, pleaded guilty on August 14, 2024, to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery in connection with this offense as well as to a separate kidnapping committed two months later. McCombs is awaiting sentencing. This case was investigated by FBI Washington Field Office's Violent Crimes Task Force. The Fairfax County Police Department assisted with the investigation. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Mayer-Dempsey and Charles R. Jones for the District of Columbia. 22cr377


title: California Man Sentenced To 87 Months For Role In $50 Million Wire And Securities Fraud Scheme

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A California man was sentenced on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, to 87 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas for his role in a $50 million internet-enabled fraud scheme, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced. Allen Giltman, 59, of Irvine, California, previously pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to a two-count Information charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud. According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Between 2012 and October 2020, Giltman and others engaged in an internet-based financial fraud scheme, which generally involved the creation of fraudulent websites to solicit funds from investors. At times, the fraudulent websites were designed to closely resemble websites being operated by actual, well-known, and publicly reputable financial institutions; at other times, the fraudulent websites were designed to resemble legitimate-seeming financial institutions that did not exist. Victims of the fraud scheme typically discovered the fraudulent websites via internet searches. The fraudulent websites advertised various types of investment opportunities, most prominently the purchase of certificates of deposit, or CDs. The fraudulent websites advertised higher than average rates of return on the CDs to lure potential victims. The fraudulent websites used a variety of means to appear legitimate and to gain and maintain the trust of prospective investors, including by (a) displaying the actual names and logos of real financial institutions; (b) purporting that the institutions were members of and/or regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, or New York Stock Exchange; (c) claiming that deposits made to the institutions associated with the fraudulent websites were FDIC insured; and (d) using FINRA and/or FDIC member identification numbers issued to real financial institutions and real FINRA broker-dealers. After discovering one of the fraudulent websites, victims would contact an individual via telephone or email as directed on the sites. As alleged in the Information, this individual was Giltman. During his communications with victims of the fraud scheme, Giltman impersonated real FINRA broker-dealers by using their names and FINRA CRD numbers. Giltman would then provide the victims with applications and wiring instructions for the purchase of a CD. The funds wired by the victims would then be moved to various domestic and international bank accounts, including accounts in Russia, the Republic of Georgia, Hong Kong, and Turkey. None of the victims received a CD after wiring the funds. To date, law enforcement has identified at least 150 fraudulent websites created as part of the scheme. At least 70 victims of the fraud scheme nationwide, including in New Jersey, collectively transmitted funds that they believed to be investments in the aggregate amount of at least approximately $50 million. * * * In addition to the prison term, Judge Salas sentenced Giltman to 3 years of supervised release and ordered forfeiture of numerous assets seized from Giltman at the time of his arrest in 2020. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) previously filed a civil complaint against Giltman based on the same conduct. Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of the FBI under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark. He also thanked the SEC for the assistance provided by its Enforcement Division. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony P. Torntore, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Cybercrime Unit in Newark. 25-020 ### Defense counsel: Nina Marino, Esq. and Jennifer Lieser, Esq, Beverly Hills, California


title: Statement from U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr.

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: Please find below a statement from U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. regarding an order from U.S. District Judge Mehta to amend the conditions of release in case number 1:22-cr-15 (USA v. RHODES, III et al) "If a judge decided that Jim Biden, General Mark Milley, or another individual were forbidden to visit America’s capital—even after receiving a last-minute, preemptive pardon from the former President—I believe most Americans would object. The individuals referenced in our motion have had their sentences commuted – period, end of sentence.” -U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Edward R. Martin, Jr. Attached, please find the United States' motion to vacate supervised release and probation in this matter.


title: 12 Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar Business Email Compromise Scheme

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a 12-count indictment alleging conspiracy, wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering against 12 individuals for defrauding multiple victims in a nationwide scheme. The indictment alleges that the defendants listed below were involved in a business email compromise scheme that defrauded the victims out of millions of dollars. These types of fraud target both companies and individuals. Demani Jawara Bosket, 50, of Saluda Nkem Ajoku 55, of Pflugerville, Texas Walter Clayron Ruff Jr., 51, of Gaston Tanya Lawshawn Bosket, 51, of Saluda Jahbir Rolando Fowle, 45, of Charlotte, North Carolina Anthony Jerome Savage, 46, of Charlotte, North Carolina Micheal Raymond Bevans-Silva, 38, of Savannah, Georgia Carlise Raymion Roland, 32, of Jacksonville, Florida Daniel Alexander Edwards, 51, of Jacksonville, Florida Danny Heard II, 41, of Jacksonville, Florida Raymone Tyshay Scott Sr., 48, of Jacksonville, Florida Jamian Joshaun Butler, 45, of Jacksonville, Florida The perpetrators of these types of frauds typically employ the use of “spoofed” emails that appear to be the genuine email address of a legitimate business or banking institution. In reality, the email address is a slight variation of the true email address, and the victim is instead communicating with perpetuators of the scheme. The indictment alleges that the defendants accessed the victims’ computer systems to monitor email communications for potential financial transactions and bank transfers. The defendants used this information to identify the victims’ points of contact, financial accounts, communications, and business practices. The defendants then used spoofed emails to impersonate internal personnel, business partners, vendors, or other interested parties. The defendants would then initiate payments or direct financial transfers to bank accounts they controlled. The defendants then shared and intermixed the stolen funds between their own bank accounts, before sending a portion of the money out of the country. The defendants are alleged to have victimized multiple individuals and businesses, including construction companies, private equity firms, title companies, and law firms in South Carolina, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Japan. The defendants face a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment and fines of $1,000,000. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. before the Honorable Paige J. Gossett. The case was investigated by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lothrop Morris and T. DeWayne Pearson are prosecuting the case. All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ###


title: Two men sentenced to over seven years in prison for laundering proceeds from an elder fraud scheme

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two men were sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for their roles in laundering over $6 million in elder fraud proceeds. According to court documents, Fei Liang, 42, of Flushing, New York, and Ziguang Li, 36, of Las Vegas, Nevada, opened bank accounts for fictitious businesses. These bank accounts were used to launder the proceeds of fraud. Liang’s and Li’s co-conspirators operated a nationwide “tech support” scam or other similar elder fraud scheme, in which they targeted unsuspecting victims who logged onto their computer to use one or more online services from various corporations. The conspirators falsely advised victims of purported criminal or technical issues with their accounts associated with these online services, and that to address these issues they were required to wire money to business accounts. The accounts to which the victims wired money were controlled by the conspirators. Money from the scam was directed to the accounts opened by Liang and Li. The accounts were then used to wire the proceeds to other members of the conspiracy, domestically and internationally. During a search of Li’s residence, law enforcement recovered a handwritten list of the fictitious businesses used to further the money laundering scheme, records associated with bank accounts that received victim-funded wires, and copies of documents bearing personal identifiable information (PII). Law enforcement also recovered Li' s cellphones and computers, which contained victims’ PII, business documents, identification documents, Employer Identification Numbers, and bank account information for at least 25 different entities, including fictitious businesses that provided victim-funded transfers to Li. Liang pled guilty on Sept. 6, 2024, and was sentenced on Dec. 13, 2024. Li, pled guilty on Nov. 1, 2024, and was sentenced today. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and and Special Agent in Charge Scott Moffit, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Cybercrimes Investigation Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Hood and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth R. Simon Jr. prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-170.


title: Cushing Man Sentenced to Serve Five Years in Federal Prison after Firearm and Stolen Truck, Log Splitter, and Other Items are Found on Property

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – JIM BOB STORY , 49, of Cushing, has been sentenced to serve 60 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction and receiving and concealing stolen property, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On April 3, 2024, a federal Grand Jury returned a two-count Indictment against Story, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and receiving and concealing stolen property. According to public record, on February 21, 2024, officers with the Sac and Fox Nation Tribal Police Department received information that a stolen vehicle was being kept on Story’s property. After executing a search warrant, authorities recovered a rifle and ammunition, as well as other items previously reported as being stolen out of Cushing including a welder and a log splitter. Public record further reflects that Story has a lengthy criminal history that includes felony convictions for second-degree burglary in case number CF-2003-82 and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in case number CF-2002-204, both in Payne County District Court, and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Lincoln County District Court case number CF-2004-195. This case is in federal court because Story is a member of the Sac and Fox Nation and these crimes took place on land held in trust for the Sac and Fox Nation. At the sentencing hearing on January 15, 2024, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman sentenced Story to serve 60 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing her sentence, Judge Dishman noted Story’s extensive criminal history and the need to deter Story from future crimes. This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sac and Fox Nation Tribal Police Department, and the Cushing Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon prosecuted the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Fentanyl Death in Indian Country Leads to Lawton Man's Conviction for Fentanyl Distribution and Drug Conspiracy

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal jury has convicted BREON MONTE BELLAMY , 36, of Lawton, Oklahoma, of distribution of fentanyl and drug conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On September 4, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Superseding Indictment against Bellamy, charging him with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and drug conspiracy resulting in death. On January 16, 2025, after a four-day trial, a federal jury found Bellamy guilty on the lesser-included offenses of distribution of fentanyl and drug conspiracy. Evidence presented at trial indicated that on August 21, 2023, Bellamy sold fentanyl to Reecy Bench, 22, at a casino in Lawton, Oklahoma . Bench then gave a portion of the fentanyl to Joanie Wilson, 38, while still at the casino. The federal investigation suggested that some of this fentanyl was then distributed to another Stephens County resident who died of fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity on August 23, 2023. Both Bench and Wilson have previously pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. At sentencing, Bellamy faces up to 60 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. This case is in federal court, in part, because Bench is a member of the Choctaw Nation, and a portion of the crimes occurred within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation. This case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lawton Police Department, and demonstrates the importance of the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” campaign. More information about “One Pill Can Kill” can be found at https://www.dea.gov/onepill . Further information about the danger associated with fentanyl distribution and use can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16O7TkhFH9k . Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaleigh Blackwell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Joynes are prosecuting the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Porcupine Man Found Guilty of Shooting Deaths of Girlfriend and Unborn Baby

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted McKenzie Big Crow, age 20, of Porcupine, South Dakota, of Involuntary Manslaughter, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on January 23, 2025. The convictions relating to the shooting deaths each carry a maximum penalty of eight years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The firearm conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. A federal grand jury indicted Big Crow in June of 2024 for Second Degree Murder, Unborn Victims of Violence Act, Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. On August 20, 2023, near Porcupine, Big Crow was illegally in possession of a Savage Arms Model 62, semiautomatic rifle. The barrel had been sawed off, and the defendant taped components of an Airsoft rifle to the gun to make it appear like an AK-47. Big Crow claimed he put the rifle in a backpack and that the gun discharged when he bumped the bag against a door. The gunshot struck 19-year-old Ashton Provost in the chest, killing her and her unborn child within minutes. The gun was later found hidden under Big Crow’s bed. On the day of the shooting, Big Crow had drugs in his system including marijuana, cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has been set for April 25, 2025. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Philadelphia Woman Who Sexually Abused a One-Year-Old Girl, Manufactured and Distributed Child Pornography, Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Tyleeya Williams, 22, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert to 40 years in prison and lifetime supervised release for sexually abusing and exploiting a child in her care and multiple child pornography offenses. In May of 2023, Williams was charged by indictment with the manufacture and attempted manufacture of child pornography, two counts of distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. She pleaded guilty to all four charges in June of last year. As part of her guilty plea, Williams admitted that she sexually abused a one-year-old girl in her care, and that she had planned the abuse with another child sex offender with whom she was communicating online. The defendant photographed her molestation of this child and distributed those images of her abuse – which included the child’s face – via the internet. Williams also admitted that she had trafficked thousands of images and videos showing the sexual abuse of dozens of other children, sharing that material with groups of child sex offenders online. “Tyleeya Williams was entrusted with the care and protection of this little girl, but instead sexually abused and exploited her,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “The defendant further victimized this child by documenting the abuse and sharing the horrific images with other sex offenders. While Williams’ 40-year sentence can’t reverse the immeasurable harm she’s done, it prevents her from harming anyone else’s child and is a measure of justice for all the innocents whose images she collected and shared. My office and the FBI will never stop working to hold accountable criminals ready and willing to hurt our children.” “The crimes Tyleeya Williams committed are among the most egregious the FBI investigates,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Even in the face of such horrific crimes, our office remains unwavering in our pursuit of justice against those who abuse and exploit our most vulnerable.” This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov . The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.


title: Columbia County Man Sentenced To 20 Years For Distribution Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, FL – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced William Ervin Daniels (45, Lake City) to 20 years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse material. He pleaded guilty on September 24, 2024. According to court documents, on November 16, 2023, Daniels distributed two videos containing child sex abuse material (CSAM) in a group called “Da Litl Kidz Gc” on a social media application. He identified his name and phone number in his account profile on the app. Daniels was also listed as an administrator for the group to which he distributed the videos. Moreover, his phone contained a cache of thousands of videos and images of CSAM. During the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Daniels had abused a minor in his care on at least two occasions. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Milliron. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Pfizer Agrees to Pay Nearly 60M to Resolve False Claims Allegations Relating to Improper Physician Payments by Subsidiary

component: Civil Division

body_text: Note : View the settlement here . Pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer), on behalf of its wholly-owned subsidiary Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (Biohaven), has agreed to pay $59,746,277 to resolve allegations that, prior to Pfizer’s acquisition of the company, Biohaven knowingly caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and other federal health care programs by paying kickbacks to health care providers to induce prescriptions of Biohaven’s drug Nurtec ODT. “Through this settlement and others, the government has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that drug companies do not use kickbacks to influence physician prescribing,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will use every tool at its disposal to prevent pharmaceutical manufacturers from undermining the objectivity of treatment decisions by health care providers.” The anti‑kickback statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and other federal health care programs. The statute is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives. The settlement announced today resolves allegations that from March 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2022, Biohaven paid improper remuneration, including in the form of speaker honoraria and meals at high end restaurants, to health care professionals to induce them to prescribe the migraine medication Nurtec ODT in violation of the anti-kickback statute. The United States alleged that Biohaven selected certain health care providers to be part of the Nurtec speaker bureau and provided them paid speaking opportunities with the intent that the speaker honoraria and meals would induce them to prescribe Nurtec ODT. The government further alleged that certain prescribers who attended multiple programs on the same topic received no educational benefit from attending repeat programs and that certain Biohaven speaker programs were attended by individuals with no educational need to attend, such as the speakers’ spouses, family members, or friends, or colleagues from the speakers’ own medical practice. The United States contends that this conduct persisted until October 2022, when Pfizer acquired Biohaven and terminated the Nurtec speaker programs. “Patients deserve to know that their doctor is prescribing medications based on their doctor’s medical judgment, and not as a result of financial incentives from pharmaceutical companies,” said U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross for the Western District of New York. “This settlement reflects our commitment to hold those who violate the laws accountable, regardless of their status or prestige.” “Violations of the anti-kickback statute, such as those alleged in this settlement, can unduly influence prescribers and negatively impact taxpayer-funded health care,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to collaborate with law enforcement partners to ensure that providers and corporations are held accountable if they attempt to bypass laws meant to protect the integrity of federal health care programs.” “Investigating schemes that undermine the integrity of TRICARE, the health care system for military members and their families, is a top priority for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to work with our partner agencies and the Department of Justice to pursue corporations that attempt to corrupt the TRICARE system.” The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Patrica Frattasio, a former sales representative at Biohaven. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Patricia Frattasio v. Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd., No. 6:21-CV-06539 (W.D.N.Y.). Approximately $50.2 million of the settlement constitutes the federal portion of the recovery and approximately $9.5 million constitutes a recovery for State Medicaid programs. Ms. Frattasio will receive approximately $8.4 million as her share of the federal recovery in this case. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York. Trial Attorney Jessica Sarkis of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell for the Western District of New York handled the matter. The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Venezuelan Citizen Arrested and Charged with Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien

component: USAO - Tennessee, Middle

body_text: NASHVILLE – Elmer Humberto Aparicio Castillo, 28, of Nashville, Tennessee, was charged yesterday with unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Robert E. McGuire. Aparicio Castillo is a citizen of Venezuela who is unlawfully present in the United States with a criminal history related to immigration offenses. “This prosecution demonstrates our continued commitment to enforcing the law, especially against those who are prohibited from carrying firearms,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire. According to court documents, on January 8, 2025, federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Nashville and other law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at 2334 Hobson Pike in Antioch, Tennessee. As the agents approached the house to execute the search warrant, five male occupants, including Aparicio Castillo, fled on foot from the back of the residence. All were caught. Following his arrest, officers conducting a safety sweep recovered a Glock 23, Gen 4 .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine with a maximum capacity of 31 rounds which was loaded with 19 9mm rounds. After waiving his Miranda rights, Aparicio Castillo admitted that the pistol had been in his possession and that he had thrown it away as he ran from the house. This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting the case. A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # # # #


title: Syracuse Man Sentenced to 168 Months for Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Lawrence Boone, age 28, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to 168 months in federal prison for multiple counts of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement. On several occasions from August through November 2023, Boone sent and received images and videos of child pornography from other users on a smartphone messaging application. At the time of his arrest, Boone possessed over 3,000 unique files constituting child pornography on four different electronic devices. The files discovered on Boone’s devices included images of prepubescent minors, images that involved sadistic and masochistic conduct, and images involving the sexual abuse of toddlers and infants. United States Chief District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered Boone to serve a 15-year term of post-incarceration supervised release and to forfeit the electronic devices used to commit the offense. Boone will be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison. The case was investigated by HSI, the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the NYSP Troop D Computer Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Pasco Man Sentenced To Over 11 Years For Possessing And Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William Jung has sentenced Anthony Joseph Fresco (68, New Port Richey) to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The court also ordered Fresco to forfeit electronic devices used in the commission of the offense, pay $33,000 in restitution to the victims, and register as a sex offender. Fresco entered a guilty plea on October 18, 2024. According to court documents, in January 2023, Fresco communicated with an undercover FBI agent over the internet. During their conversation, Fresco discussed his sexual desire for minors and distributed two images and one video of CSAM to the undercover agent. After a search of Fresco’s electronic devices, law enforcement discovered that Fresco had distributed images and videos of CSAM in various online groups, as well as possessed hundreds of images and videos of CSAM, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Sentence for Illegal Re-entry

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: HAMMOND –Eulises Yobani Rafael-Garcia, age 28, a citizen of Mexico and resident of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his plea of guilty to the felony charge of illegal re-entry. Rafael-Garcia, who has been in custody since his arrest on April 5, 2024, was sentenced to time served and ordered transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings. According to documents in the case, Rafael-Garcia was previously removed from the United States three times and has a prior conviction for misdemeanor illegal entry. Additionally, during the investigation, Rafael-Garcia admitted to having previous ties to drug-trafficking organizations. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with support from the National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers and assistance from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the United States Marshals Service, Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis Sohn.


title: Midlevel leader of drug distribution ring sentenced to 12 years in prison for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – A 46-year-old Spanaway, Washington man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 12 years in prison for his leadership role in a drug distribution ring selling fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Puget Sound region, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sean Michael Moinette has been in custody since March 2023, in connection with the arrest of over two dozen conspirators, including some with ties to an Aryan prison gangs. At the sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “the impact [of drug trafficking] on our community is almost immeasurable.” “This defendant was deeply involved in distributing drugs, arranging couriers, and seeking various sources of supply. But when confronted with the information that his fentanyl was too strong and causing overdoses, he did not skip a beat and continued to scheme about moving his poison in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. According to records filed in the case, Moinette was identified as a mid-level manager of a drug distribution cell tied to the Aryan Family and Omerta prison gangs. A wiretap investigation in summer of 2022 revealed that Moinette was buying large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, and fentanyl-laced pills multiple times per week. Moinette continued to distribute large quantities of fentanyl powder even after discussions with his supplier that their customers were “dropping like flies.” In other wiretap calls, he discussed using women as “live shipping containers” to transport fentanyl out of state. In sentencing Moinette, Judge Estudillo said, “Talking about using mules and transportation of drugs through airplanes up to Alaska . . . It’s hard to believe that’s just talk.” When a drug redistributor was stopped and her car impounded, Moinette was heard on the wire scheming to break into the police impound yard to try to get the drugs out of the vehicle. The break-in did not occur. Law enforcement arrested members of the drug distribution conspiracy on March 22, 2023, in a coordinated takedown involving ten swat teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers. On that day alone officers seized 177 firearms, more than ten kilos of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills and more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona. Those seizures are in addition to the estimated 223 pounds of methamphetamine, 830,000 fentanyl pills, multiple-pound quantities of fentanyl powder, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, $338,000 of suspected drug proceeds, and 48 firearms law enforcement seized from members of the conspiracy during the two-year investigation. Asking for a 13-year prison sentence, prosecutors wrote to the court that Moinette “continued to distribute fentanyl despite knowing that his fentanyl was having deadly consequences, and he forced his mules to transport this deadly substance using suppositories through the omni-present threat of violence that led one of his couriers to immediately respond “I know” when he threatened to stab her.” Moinette is the eighth member of the drug conspiracy to be sentenced. Some defendants have received prison sentences of as much at 13 years in prison. Less culpable defendants have been sentenced to 14-50 months in prison. Drug ringleader Jesse James Bailey pleaded guilty last November and is scheduled for sentencing on February 28, 2025. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Max Shiner, Zach Dillon, and Jehiel Baer.