component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: Manchester Man Indicted for Receiving and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material and for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender CONCORD – A Manchester man was indicted this week for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and for failing to register as a sex offender, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Michael McBride, age 53, was indicted by a federal Grand Jury on multiple counts of receiving and attempting to receive CSAM, as well as counts of CSAM possession and failure to register as a sex offender. He will appear in federal court in Concord on a later date. According to the charging documents and statements made in court, McBride was previously convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and state law for crimes related to aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and abusive sexual conduct involving a minor. Due to his prior federal conviction, McBride was required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Thereafter, in September in October 2025, McBride received and possessed CSAM. During this time, from at least September 2023 and continuing until at least October 2025, McBride failed to register as a sex offender in the State of New Hampshire as required by SORNA. The charging statutes provides a minimum sentence of 15 years for receipt and attempted receipt of CSAM and a minimum sentence of 10 years for possession of CSAM. The SORNA charge provides a maximum sentence of 10 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Marshal’s Service are investigating this case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Brentwood and Kingston Police Departments and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.


title: Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Dismantle San Angelo Drug Trafficking Ring – 48 Arrested as Part of “Operation Concho Valley Shakedown”

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Forty-eight alleged drug traffickers and violators from San Angelo and the surrounding areas have been arrested as part of an 18-month-long narcotics operation, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould at a press conference in San Angelo, Texas today. “This message should send a loud and clear message to drug dealers in the Concho Valley. We are coming for you,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This operation is proof of concept for state, local, and federal agents coming together to dismantle an alleged drug trafficking network. As U.S. Attorney, I will put more time, attention, and resources into ensuring that the Concho Valley is safe.” “Operation Concho Valley was a decisive, collaborative effort. By combining resources and expertise, we dismantled this drug trafficking organization and removed a dangerous presence that had cast a shadow over West Texas communities. These drugs fuel addiction, breed violence, and destroy families. The network we targeted was importing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and lethal fentanyl — substances that threaten public safety and the quality of life for residents,” said DEA San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Miguel Madrigal. Twenty-four of the alleged drug dealers were federally indicted on May 13, 2026, and were arrested following a large-scale drug bust in San Angelo last week. Another 24 alleged violators were charged by local district attorneys on felony and misdemeanor offenses related to the operation. Those charged in three separate federal indictments include: Oscar Leonel Casillas Jr. , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Cedrick Jerrod Jones , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine George Henry Walker , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Marcus Maurice Parker , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Shunte Gregory Ray , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine Tasha Diane Rose , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Juan Carlos Sanchez , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm Audry Michelle Allen , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Carlos Gregory Lopez Jr. , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Amanda Marlene Burney , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Michael Todd Holleman , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine Daniel Arizola , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Alissa Johnn Catrett , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine Jeannetta Antonetta James , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine Brian Matthew Epperson , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine Brandon Chappell , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine Bannon Dalhart Roe , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Marcella Sanchez Hererra , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine Roy Gene Nichols Jr. , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Ray Enriquez , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine Rebecca Salcedo Leon , charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine Eric Hernandez , distribution and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine Armando Meza , distribution and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine Those charged by the 51st District Attorney, Allison Palmer, and the 119th District Attorney, John H. Best, include 16 additional state felony cases and 9 misdemeanor cases, alleging various drug offenses, evading arrest offenses, and other violations. The operation involved over 30 agents, officers, and deputies from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s San Antonio Field Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Angelo Field Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, the San Angelo Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshal’s Office, the U.S. Customs & Border Patrol – Air & Marine Operations – San Angelo, and the Abilene Police Department. Over the course of the operation, agents seized over 35 kilograms of methamphetamine, 303 grams of cocaine, and 10 firearms. “Operation Concho Valley Shakedown” was a San Angelo-area first: a comprehensive narcotics investigation that involved seven separate local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and the combined efforts of federal and state prosecutors. The collaboration by the agencies was evident in the attached video taken during the takedown that occurred on May 28, 2026. If convicted, some defendants face a sentence of up to life in federal prison. This HSTF investigation was conducted by agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s San Antonio Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Angelo Field Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, the San Angelo Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshal’s Service, U.S. Customs & Border Patrol – Air & Marine Operations – San Angelo, and the Abilene Police Department, with the prosecution being led by the Abilene Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. “Operation Concho Valley Shakedown” is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting, the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.


title: Mustang Man Charged with Distributing Synthetic Opioid Resulting in Death

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal indictment has been unsealed, charging SHANE MICHAEL BURGESS , 24, of Mustang, Oklahoma, with distributing a controlled substance analogue resulting in death, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. According to the Indictment, on December 12, 2025, Burgess distributed a substance containing N-Propionitrile Chlorphine, a synthetic opioid known as cychlorphine, to another individual. The Indictment further alleges that the recipient died as a result of using the cychlorphine distributed by Burgess. On June 2, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Burgess with distribution of a controlled substance analogue resulting in death. If found guilty, Burgess faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in federal prison, as well as a fine of up to $1,000,000. The public is reminded that this charge is merely an allegation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Joynes is prosecuting the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Maryland Man Convicted of Defrauding Private Jet Customers for $15M

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury in the District of Maryland convicted a Maryland man yesterday who owned and operated a company which offered charter flights on private jets. He defrauded his victims of approximately $15 million by falsely promising to use their upfront $150,000 payments to help the company buy a plane in exchange for a block of discounted flight hours and a promise that their money would be protected. “Patrick Britton-Harr stole millions of dollars from his customers by lying to them about how he would use and protect their money,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He used his business as a front to fraudulently induce his clients to make down payments for services never provided. Meanwhile, he bought yachts, expensive jewelry, and lined his own pockets. The prosecutors and agents who brought this case vindicated the victims. If you prey on, trick, and defraud people, you will be investigated and prosecuted.” “This conviction sends a strong message that if you scam and defraud others, we’re coming after you with the full weight of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “We will always seek justice for victims. Through his greed and deceitful actions, Mr. Britton-Harr showed a total disregard for the law and others. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law-enforcement partners, is committed to holding accountable individuals who prey on and take advantage of unsuspecting people.” “This conviction holds Patrick Britton-Harr accountable for the lies he told and the millions of dollars he stole from customers to bankroll his extravagant lifestyle,” said Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to protect victims from fraudsters and will go after anyone who takes advantage of investors for personal gain.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Patrick Britton-Harr, 43, of Annapolis, Maryland, owned and controlled AeroVanti and its affiliated entities. AeroVanti was a private air club that offered members access to flights on private jets. Britton-Harr set up a “one-time membership opportunity” that invited “Top Gun” members to pay $150,000 upfront to help the company buy a plane in exchange for a block of discounted flight hours. Britton-Harr promised to use their money to purchase specific aircraft, and he promised to protect their money by delivering the titles of the aircraft to escrow. The Top Gun members collectively paid approximately $15 million in upfront payments to purchase five aircraft. But instead of buying those aircraft, Britton-Harr misappropriated members’ money for his own personal benefit, including to purchase yachts and jewelry, to pay his living expenses, and to rent a $10,000 per month home near Tampa, Florida. The evidence at trial further established that Britton-Harr then attempted to conceal his fraud by obtaining a $1.5 million loan to purchase one of the aircraft he had already claimed to have purchased with Top Gun member funds by withholding material information from the lender to obtain the loan. The jury convicted Britton-Harr of six counts of wire fraud. A sentencing date has not been set. Britton-Harr faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In May 2025, Britton-Harr was separately indicted with multiple counts of health care fraud and one count of money laundering related to his participation in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for expensive respiratory tests. He is scheduled to begin trial on that indictment in October 2026. The FBI Baltimore Field Office and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Trial Attorney Ariel Glasner of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Evans for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. Fraud Section Trial Attorney Tara Shinnick provided significant assistance.


title: Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearms Stolen During Gun Store Robbery

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 3, 2026, to possessing stolen firearms, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Jaemir Beard, 19, of the Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on March 17, 2025, Beard and two juvenile males were found in possession of six firearms that had been stolen from a firearms store in Mars, Pennsylvania, through a burglary earlier that day. Beard and one of the juveniles were attempting to sell the firearms through social media and text messages. At the time of his arrest, Beard also was in possession of a key to the stolen vehicle used in the commission of the burglary. Judge Colville scheduled sentencing for October 1, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Barbara K. Doolittle is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Northern Regional Police Department, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Beard.


title: Wood County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Christian Gale Biles, 21, of Vienna, was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 29, 2024, law enforcement officers intercepted a suspicious package that had been shipped from California through the U.S. Mail and addressed to Biles’ residence in Vienna, West Virginia. Officers obtained and executed a search warrant for the package and found it contained approximately 5 pounds of methamphetamine. Officers resealed the package and conducted a controlled delivery of about 49 grams of methamphetamine. On March 4, 2024, Biles took possession of the package when it was delivered to the Vienna address. Officers arrested Biles later that day during a traffic stop, obtained and executed a search warrant for his residence, and found the package of methamphetamine on the kitchen counter. As part of his guilty plea, Biles admitted that he knew the package contained methamphetamine in advance of his receiving it, that he took possession of the methamphetamine contained in the package, and that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to another individual. Investigators determined that Biles previously took possession of a package shipped from California to his address that contained approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney D. Keith Randolph prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-164. ###


title: One of Atlanta Police Department's Top 5 Most Wanted Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Charge

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

body_text: ATLANTA - Marcus Lydell Molden, Jr, who was recently listed on the Atlanta Police Department’s top five fugitives list, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. In addition to the federal charges, Molden also faces charges in Fulton County for various violent crimes and gang-related offenses. “A convicted felon several times over, Marcus Molden was strictly prohibited from possessing any firearm, let alone an illegally converted machinegun with an extended magazine,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Thankfully, shortly after Molden secured a position on the Atlanta Police Department’s ignoble ‘most wanted’ list, federal and local law enforcement captured him, seized his ultra-dangerous weapon, and made our community safer.” “Violent offenders must understand there are serious consequences for the illegal possession of firearms. ATF and our law enforcement partners will dedicate all necessary time and resources to ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” said ATF Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ryan Todd. “Getting Marcus Molden off the streets was a priority for the Atlanta Police Department because of the danger he posed to our community,” said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. “I am proud of the officers and investigators whose relentless work led to his arrest, and I am grateful for the strong partnership with our federal law enforcement partners that helped bring this case to a successful outcome. This guilty plea reflects the impact of coordinated enforcement efforts and our shared commitment to holding violent offenders accountable. Most importantly, it means a dangerous offender has been removed from our streets, making Atlanta safer for the residents, businesses, and visitors we serve every day.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In the summer of 2025, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) classified Molden, a convicted felon, as one of APD’s most wanted fugitives. In July 2025, officers and detectives with APD’s gangs and automobile crimes units, along with federal law enforcement partners, observed Molden enter the passenger seat of a vehicle with a firearm tucked in his waistband. After stopping the vehicle, officers found a black Glock pistol under the passenger seat. The magazine was designed to hold up to 22 rounds of ammunition, and a machinegun conversion device, which allowed the gun to function as a fully automatic firearm, was attached to the pistol. Sentencing for Marcus Lydell Molden, Jr, a/k/a Meat, 25, is scheduled for September 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Victoria M. Calvert. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. Members of the public are reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent of the pending Fulton County charges, and it will be the State’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The federal case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Atlanta Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve A. Hsieh is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. This case is also 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 Department 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. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Use of Stolen Identities and Credit Card Information in Rental Car Fraud Scheme

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 54 months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal identity theft laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on William Knight, 32, on June 3, 2026. According to information presented to the Court, from in and around October 2022 to in and around February 2023, Knight and other conspirators used personal identification information and credit card numbers of individuals that the conspirators had purchased through the dark web to rent vehicles from a rental car company. An employee of the rental car company was also part of the conspiracy. The conspirators then rented the vehicles to others in the community, many of whom were involved in drug trafficking and other illegal conduct. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the United States Secret Service and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Knight.


title: Junction City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.—A Junction City, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. Trevor Alan Slocum-Lammers, 31, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. According to court documents, in August 2023 a cloud storage account associated with Slocum-Lammers uploaded CSAM. On July 30, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant and interviewed Slocum-Lammers, who admitted to possessing CSAM. On Sept. 19, 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Slocum-Lammers with possession of child pornography. On Oct. 9, 2025, Slocum-Lammers pleaded guilty. The FBI investigated this case in collaboration with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and Oregon State Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren. Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org . This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury delivered a verdict that is sending a Maryland man to prison stemming from a wire-fraud scam. The jury found Patrick Britton-Harr, 43, of Annapolis, guilty of six counts of wire fraud in connection with a private-jet service scheme. Britton-Harr, who owned and operated a company that offered charter flights on private jets, defrauded customers by making false promises about how he planned to use their money. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty verdict with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Justice Department, Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Greg Thompson, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG). “This conviction sends a strong message that if you scam and defraud others, we’re coming after you with the full weight of the law,” Hayes said. “We will always seek justice for victims. Through his greed and deceitful actions, Mr. Britton-Harr showed a total disregard for the law and others. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law-enforcement partners, is committed to holding accountable individuals who prey on and take advantage of unsuspecting people.” “Patrick Britton-Harr stole millions of dollars from his customers by lying to them about how he would use and protect their money,” Duva said. “He used his business as a front to fraudulently induce his clients to make down payments for services never provided. Meanwhile he bought yachts, expensive jewelry, and lined his own pockets. The prosecutors and agents who brought this case vindicated the victims. If you prey on, trick, and defraud people, you will be investigated and prosecuted.” “This conviction holds Patrick Britton-Harr accountable for the lies he told and the millions of dollars he stole from customers to bankroll his extravagant lifestyle,” Paul said. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to protect victims from fraudsters and will go after anyone who takes advantage of investors for personal gain.” “Consumers who invest in aviation services deserve honesty and transparency, not deception. Patrick Britton-Harr abused his customers’ trust by misrepresenting how their money would be used and then enriching himself at their expense,” Thompson said. “This verdict reflects the commitment of DOT-OIG and our law enforcement partners to holding accountable those who engage in fraud and threaten the integrity of the transportation industry.” According to evidence presented at trial, Britton-Harr owned and controlled AeroVanti, Inc. and its affiliated entities. Through AeroVanti, a private air club offering members access to private jets, Britton-Harr set up a limited-time opportunity that invited “Top Gun” members to pay $150,000 upfront to help the company buy a plane in exchange for a block of discounted flight hours. He promised to use their money to purchase specific aircraft, and he pledged to protect their money by delivering the aircraft titles to escrow. The Top Gun members collectively paid approximately $15 million in upfront payments to purchase five aircraft. But instead of buying the aircraft, Britton-Harr misappropriated members’ money for his own personal benefit. This included purchasing yachts and jewelry, paying for his living expenses, and renting a $10,000 per month home near Tampa, Florida. Evidence at trial further established that Britton-Harr then attempted to conceal his fraud by obtaining a $1.5 million loan to purchase one of the aircraft he already claimed that he purchased with Top Gun member funds by withholding material information from the lender to obtain the loan. Britton-Harr faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison per count. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Additionally, in May 2025, a federal jury separately indicted Britton-Harr on multiple counts of health care fraud and one count of money laundering related to his participation in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for expensive respiratory tests. The health care fraud trial is slated for October 2026. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and DOT-OIG for their work in investigating these cases. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ari D. Evans and Fraud Section Attorney Ariel Glasner who prosecuted this federal case, along with Fraud Section Trial Attorney Tara Shinnick who provided significant assistance. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Philadelphia Man Charged With Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Preston Serrano, aka “Jared,” “naggotfiggas,” and “6_____#0,” 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment with three counts of use of an interstate commerce facility to entice a minor, and attempt to entice a minor, to engage in sexual conduct, three counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, one count of receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession and attempted possession of child pornography. The defendant has been detained in federal custody since May 6, following his arrest on a criminal complaint and warrant. As alleged in the indictment and other court filings, from approximately April 2022 to October 2025, Serrano used online platforms to sexually exploit several minor girls, persuading these minors to self-produce sexually explicit images or videos of themselves and send these images to him. The indictment also alleges that he received and possessed child pornography. If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov . The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Philadelphia, with assistance from HSI Norfolk, the Newport News (Va.) Police Department, the Chatham County (Ga.) Police Department, and the Thunder Bay Police Department in Ontario, Canada, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Morgan. For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov . To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.


title: Cleveland, Oklahoma, Man Charged with Threatening to Assault and Murder a United States Senator and His Family

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – Today, an indictment was unsealed charging a Cleveland, Oklahoma, man with eight counts related to threatening to assault and murder a Senator and his family. David Glen Shuck, 63, is charged with three counts of Threatening to Assault and Murder a Member of Congress with Intent to Impede, Intimidate, Interfere, and Retaliate; three counts of Interstate Communication with a Threat to Injure; and two counts of Threatening to Assault and Murder an Immediate Family of a Member of Congress with Intent to Impede, Intimidate, Interfere, and Retaliate. Court documents show that Shuck called a United States Senator on three separate occasions in March 2026. Shuck is charged with allegedly attempting to interfere and retaliate against a Senator by threatening to kill him and his family members. The United States Capitol Police and the FBI are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Michel and Stephane Ihler are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This case is part of the nationwide National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 initiative, which is a White House directed, interagency effort to integrate federal, state, and local partners in protecting First Amendment rights while targeting individuals and organizations engaged in political violence and is led by the investigative and prosecutorial Joint Task Force Vanguard.


title: Southeast Missouri Man Admits Victimizing Five Children

body_text: CAPE GIRARDEAU – A Southeast Missouri man on Thursday admitted recording his sexual abuse of five young girls in 2024 and 2025. Lantz D. Crawford, 26, of Ripley County, near Doniphan, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to five counts of production of child pornography. He admitted recording his sexual abuse of five girls, ages 2, 4, 5, 6 and 6, between the summer of 2024 and late 2025. In December of 2025, the mother of the 4-year-old girl contacted the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office after her daughter reported the abuse. Crawford’s phone was seized and investigators found child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving young children. Crawford faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison at sentencing, scheduled for September 3. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will recommend 60 years in prison. The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hunter is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Urbana Woman for Pandemic Era Unemployment Benefit Fraud

body_text: URBANA, Ill. – A federal grand jury indicted an Urbana woman, Titianna Ammons, of the 1100 block of North Busey Avenue, on three counts of wire fraud for allegedly defrauding the U.S. Department of Labor and Illinois Department of Employment Security from October of 2020 to October of 2021. The indictment alleges that Ammons applied for and received unemployment insurance benefits from around October 24, 2020, until around September 10, 2021. Beginning in January of 2021, Ammons’s unemployment insurance benefits included approximately $300 extra per week in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits that were authorized and paid in connection with the presidentially declared major disaster and emergency proclamation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. The indictment alleges that, during the time Ammons was receiving unemployment insurance benefits, she worked for and received money from various entities, including as an elected District 11 representative on the Champaign County Board. Nonetheless, Ammons falsely certified to the Illinois Department of Employment Security that she did not work and did not receive any wages while receiving benefits. As a result, she received unemployment insurance benefits to which she was not entitled, according to the indictment. Ammons was served with a summons to appear in federal court in Urbana for arraignment on June 11, 2026. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalties for each of the alleged crimes charged are a maximum of thirty years of imprisonment, a maximum five-year term of supervised release, a maximum $1 million fine, and restitution. Agencies participating in the investigation include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene Miller is representing the government in the prosecution. Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.


title: West Mifflin Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of Ammunition

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Davion Xavier Thompson, 22, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on January 23, 2026, Thompson—who has several prior firearms-related felony convictions—possessed an unserialized Glock-style handgun with an extended magazine. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for October 20, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Pending sentencing, Thompson will remain detained. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Narcotics Task Force, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (DANET), Stowe Township Police Department, and McKees Rocks Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Thompson. 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 Department 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: Reno Man Indicted for Second Degree Murder of a Woman

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: RENO – A Reno man was charged in an indictment and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Reno on Wednesday for allegedly murdering a woman in February 2022. According to allegations in the indictment and statements made in court, on or about February 2, 2022, Delshay Astor participated in the murder of Anna Scott on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. Anna Scott was shot and killed, then her body was put into her car and set on fire. The victim was a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. “This indictment reflects my Office’s continued commitment to ensure that no victim is left behind, no matter how much time has passed,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “It is my hope that our pursuit of justice and accountability for Anna’s gruesome death will bring some comfort to Anna’s family, friends and community.” “FBI Las Vegas has a strong, long-standing commitment to investigating violent crime on tribal lands alongside our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “We do not forget. We do not give up. And we will hold violent offenders accountable, no matter how long it takes.” “While the arraignment of Mr. Astor on Wednesday does not bring Anna back, it serves as an important step in finally delivering justice to her family, friends, and community,” Sheriff Darin Balaam said. “While this complex investigation took over four years, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and our law enforcement partners did not forget, and we did not give up. Indicting Mr. Astor would not have been possible without the partnership of the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to holding those responsible accountable in a court of law.” If convicted, Astor faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, and Sheriff Darin Balaam for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement. The FBI and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The United States Marshals Service also assisted with operational support. Assistant United States Attorney Penelope Brady is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Gregory M. Gilmore Is Sworn In as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois

component: USAO - Illinois, Central

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gregory M. Gilmore was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois by United States Magistrate Judge Douglas J. Quivey on June 1, 2026, at the federal courthouse in Springfield, Illinois. U.S. Attorney Gilmore was nominated by President Donald J. Trump on January 13, 2026, and confirmed by the United States Senate on May 18, 2026. President Trump signed Gilmore’s commission on May 27, 2026. Gilmore is the thirty-third U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. The first was William J. Allen in 1855; Allen served in what was then known as the Southern District prior to District reorganizations within Illinois. “As a longtime federal prosecutor, it is my honor to serve as the United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois,” Gilmore said. “Our Office’s mission is to do justice, ensure community safety, and safeguard the rights of victims. I consider myself fortunate to lead excellent attorneys and support staff across our District as we work with our law enforcement partners to achieve these goals, and I know I have benefited from observing and learning from those who led the Office before me. The Central District of Illinois is a wonderful place to live and work; we will always work to improve to better serve our fellow citizens.” Gilmore previously served as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, where he has worked since 1994. He has held various leadership positions in the Office, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney (2021 to 2025); Criminal Chief (2018 to 2021); Civil Chief (2013 to 2015); and Criminal Supervisor of the Springfield Division (2007 to 2010). As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Gilmore represented the government in a wide variety of criminal prosecutions and tried over 25 cases to jury verdict. Prior to attending law school, Gilmore worked as a Certified Public Accountant at a big four accounting firm and for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Before joining the Office, Gilmore clerked for a state appellate court judge. Gilmore obtained his law degree from DePaul University where he was a member of the Law Review. He obtained his undergraduate degree from DePaul as well. Gilmore has lived in Central Illinois with his wife, Kelly, for more than thirty years, where they raised their three children.


title: Man Who Stole Cedar Falls ATM and Led Officers on  High-Speed Chase Pleads Guilty

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who stole an ATM and then led officers on a high-speed chase for approximately 40 minutes pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. John Fitzgerald Bennett, age 56, from Gilbertville, Iowa, was convicted of one count of credit union larceny. In a plea agreement, Bennett admitted that on May 3, 2025, he stole a pickup truck from a home in Waterloo. He then drove the truck to a parking lot in Cedar Falls. Bennett walked down the street and stole a forklift from a construction site. He drove the forklift to a credit union in Cedar Falls and attempted to use the forklift to lift an interactive teller machine off the ground. The machine tipped over and Bennett could not maneuver the forklift to successfully steal the machine. Bennett then drove the forklift further down the street to a second credit union. There, he successfully used the forklift to steal an ATM. Bennett drove the forklift with the ATM back to the parking lot where he had stashed the stolen pickup truck. Bennett used the forklift to move the ATM into the back of the pickup truck and drove away. Law enforcement officers responded to alarms from both credit unions and found Bennett in the stolen pickup truck. Bennett fled and led officers on a high‑speed chase, including on Interstate 380, for approximately 40 minutes and a total of 46 miles. He reached speeds of 100 miles per hour in a 65 mile-per-hour zone. Ultimately, Bennett drove over multiple sets of “stop sticks,” which deflated most of the truck’s tires. Finally, the truck was so damaged that it stopped moving. When the truck stopped, the tires were gone and the tire rims and running boards were resting on the ground. The stolen ATM from the second credit union was in the back of the truck. Bennett has a prior federal conviction for one count of credit union burglary and aiding and abetting, and one count of credit union larceny and aiding and abetting. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Bennett remains in custody of the United States Marshal. Bennett faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Cedar Falls Police Department, the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, the Waterloo Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-2068. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Previously Removed Illegal Alien from Mexico Charged for Drug an Immigration Crimes in the District of Utah

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging a previously removed illegal alien from Mexico with drug and immigration crimes after law enforcement seized drugs from a residence in Salt Lake County. Francisco Javier Gonzalez-Diaz, 40, residing illegally in West Jordan, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on May 19, 2026. According to allegations in court documents, on May 14, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in West Jordan. Prior to the execution of the search warrant, Gonzalez-Diaz, the target of the investigation, was located by law enforcement in his vehicle. During the search of Gonzalez-Diaz’s residence, law enforcement located and seized 471 grams of fentanyl pills, 120 grams of heroin, and 303 grams of methamphetamine. All the drugs field-tested positive. According to immigration officials, Gonzalez-Diaz is not a citizen of the United States and has been removed from the United States on at least one prior occasion. Gonzalez-Diaz is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alien. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for June 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Special Assistant United States Attorney Pete Reichman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law .


title: Dayton man pleads guilty to illegally possessing machinegun

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: DAYTON, Ohio – A defendant who was arrested as part of the Dayton downtown violent crime reduction initiative pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to illegally possessing a machinegun. Rondell Coleman, 18, of Dayton, was indicted in February after Dayton police officers encountered Coleman during a domestic violence incident. Coleman admitted to carrying a stolen pistol with a machinegun conversion device in his pants. The pistol was loaded with ammunition and had a high-capacity magazine. Coleman faces up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Dayton Police Chief Eric Henderson announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Christina E. Mahy is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Addiction Recovery Care Founder Indicted for Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, KY- The founder and owner of Addiction Recovery Care, LLC (ARC), Timmy G. Robinson, Jr., 50, was indicted on Thursday for one count of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. The indictment alleges that in July 2025, Robinson caused ARC to enter into a sales agreement wherein the buyer made a $2.7 million advance payment in exchange for ARC’s rights to an anticipated tax refund from the IRS called an Employee Retention Credit (ERC). This ERC was calculated based on ARC’s payroll information for the first quarter of 2021. In September 2025, Robinson caused ARC to assign its rights to another ERC, based on the second quarter of 2021 payroll, to the same buyer. According to the indictment, in November 2025, notwithstanding these prior sales and assignments, Robinson caused ARC to sell the very same assets – its first and second quarter 2021 ERCs – to a second buyer. Robinson falsely represented that the assets were available to purchase and, in an electronically signed sales agreement transmitted via interstate wire, falsely represented that the assets had not previously been sold or encumbered. As a result, the second buyer paid ARC a $4.7 million advance payment for the ERCs on November 12, 2025. This conduct is alleged to constitute wire fraud. Robinson then engaged in significant monetary transactions with these proceeds, which are alleged to constitute money laundering. According to the indictment, when the IRS issued the ERC payments to ARC in December 2025, Robinson directed ARC not to repay either buyer. Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigations, Detroit Field Division; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the indictment. The investigation was conducted by the IRS-Criminal Investigations and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul McCaffrey is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. A date for Robinson appear in court has not yet been scheduled. Robinson faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge and 10 years in prison on each of the money laundering charges. Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial where the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. — END —


title: Making America Safe Again: DOJ to Award $300 Million to Model Cities Dedicated to Restoring Law and Order

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: WASHINGTON — The Justice Department today announced the Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a whole-of-city approach directing nearly $300 million in federal funding to transform public safety in America’s cities. Through this initiative, two to four cities will be selected to receive awards supporting the implementation of comprehensive and innovative strategies to reduce crime, restore law and order, and enhance public safety. Proposals from qualifying cities are due September 1. “This administration is leveraging every authority to ensure the safety of all Americans,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Model Cities Initiative will supercharge our law enforcement partners and restore the rule of law to America’s neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Our message is clear: We will help those who help us Make America Safe Again.” “The Model Cities Initiative presents an exceptional opportunity to enhance and modernize public safety infrastructures and reduce rates of violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Law enforcement in Arizona has a long history of working together to protect our communities. I encourage cities in Arizona to apply for the grant funding, and I look forward to our continued cooperation.” Investments will be made in a variety of areas addressing public safety, behavioral health, and related staffing, equipment, and services with the goal of leveraging federal resources to build capacity, strengthen accountability, and deliver measurable reductions in crime that can serve as a model of innovation for replication nationwide. Eligible applicants include local government entities serving a population of at least 100,000. The MCI initiative will support a range of allowable activities, including: Hiring and retention of sworn and non-sworn personnel directly engaged in or supporting violent crime reduction efforts. Purchase or lease of equipment, tools, or technology that reduce crime and restore law and order including but not limited to real-time crime centers; forensic and DNA tools; body-worn cameras; license plate readers; artificial intelligence systems; small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS; ballistic identification systems; and information technology upgrades. Training and professional development that support intelligence-led policing, violent crime investigations, crisis response, correctional practices that strengthen reentry outcomes, and coordination with state and federal law enforcement partners. Facility Costs including lease, rental, or renovation expenses for space directly used in program operations, such as service delivery sites, training facilities, real-time crime centers, or intelligence analysis centers. Mental health and substance use services that directly support prevention, crisis response, screening and early intervention, treatment, case management, and related services addressing issues linked to public safety outcomes, including services provided in correctional facilities and in the community. Reentry, transitional support, and recidivism reduction programs and services designed to reduce repeat offending, support transitions from custody, and promote successful reintegration into communities, including operational costs for county jails and state prisons that support reentry preparation. Victim services for American victims of crime, including, emergency assistance, case management, shelter and temporary housing, medical and dental care, advocacy, transportation, childcare, legal services, and employment assistance. Youth crime prevention and intervention services that address risk factors for juvenile delinquency and violence, including gang intervention and suppression programs. Cities will apply through a whole-of-city approach. That means that city leaders, including the mayor, sheriff, county prosecutor, and others will work together to submit one application that proposes a persuasive vision of how this money can be awarded strategically throughout their city to improve law enforcement engagement, victim services, detention and reentry services, and preventive programs. Additional information about the award is available at www.justice.gov/grants . The planned competition is a multi-phase process. DOJ anticipates making initial award decisions in late 2026. To apply for this award, please submit application materials to MCIapplications@usdoj.gov . For any questions related to the MCI Call for Applications, you can send your inquiry to MCIquestions@usdoj.gov . If you have questions about the grants, please call the Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs at 202-514-2007. RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-090_Model Cities Initiative Grants # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Luzerne County Resident Indicted on Federal Charges of Sexually Exploiting a Minor

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal child sexual exploitation laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The three-count Indictment named Christopher Jones, 27, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, on May 1, 2026, Jones did knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully coerce and entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Additionally, on May 3, 2026, and May 4, 2026, Jones produced and attempted to produce material that depicted the sexual exploitation of a minor. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Four Tren De Aragua Members Who Illegally Entered The U.S. Plead Guilty To Murdering Two U.S. Citizens On NYC Street

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Acting Attorney General for the United States, Todd Blanche, United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, Director of Joint Task Force Vulcan (“JTFV”), Jacob Warren, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, and Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Pete Gizas, announced today that four members of the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (“TdA”), KEIBER JAEN MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Keybe,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol,” and KEINEYER IBARRA-MUJICA, a/k/a “Keiner,” each pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote to two counts of murder through the use of a firearm and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in connection with their participation in the May 24, 2024, murders of Claretha LaQuesha Daniels and Justin Lawless and the non-fatal shooting of a third victim (“Victim-3”), all of whom were unarmed American citizens and residents of New York City. A fifth codefendant and member of TdA, JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” pled guilty last week to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in connection with his participation in, among other crimes, a September 30, 2024, gunpoint carjacking in New York City. Three additional codefendants previously pled guilty to other offenses and have been sentenced, and all eight in-custody defendants charged in the TdA prosecution before Judge Cote have now been convicted. “As they have now admitted, these four members of Tren de Aragua entered the United States illegally and then brutally murdered Claretha LaQuesha Daniels and Justin Lawless on May 24, 2024, in the middle of a residential street in the Bronx, which resulted in another victim being shot and injured,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “This recent Memorial Day Sunday marked a tragic date: two years to the day that Ms. Daniels and Mr. Lawless lost their lives. We extend our deep condolences to the family members of these victims and hope that today’s guilty pleas bring some comfort to them. We are committed to investigating and charging all members of TdA and other international gangs who flout our immigration laws and flood our streets with guns, drugs, sex trafficking, and violence. Today, we delivered two things every New York family wants: these four gun-toting, murderous criminals off our streets; and a message to international gangs—‘stay out of the United States.’” “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors, these four Tren de Aragua gang members will now face justice for their part in the ruthless and senseless murders of two Americans and the attempted murder of a third person in the Bronx two years ago,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “As a former AUSA who prosecuted violent crimes and gangs in the Bronx, this case hits home for me. Tren de Aragua is a terrorist organization with no place and no future in the United States, and this Department of Justice will not stop until we have rooted out, dismantled, and destroyed them.” “I’m thankful that the victims and their families finally get the justice they deserve,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Tren de Aragua is one of the most vicious gangs on planet earth. They rape, maim, and murder for sport. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are targeting and removing gang members from our communities and ensuring those that committed crimes in our country face justice.” “Although TdA started as a prison gang in Venezuela, it became a transnational criminal organization and foreign terrorist organization that gained a foothold in many cities in the United States, including New York City,” said JTFV Director Jacob Warren. “As they have now admitted, these four TdA members killed two unarmed American citizens in the Bronx during a brutal shooting on a public street, and they will finally be held accountable for their crimes. This case is directly in line with JTFV’s mission: a collaborative, whole-of-government, and nationwide effort to totally eliminate TdA. To date, we have charged over 260 members and associates of TdA as part of these efforts. We are grateful for the ongoing partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to investigate this case.” “The NYPD will not allow violent gangs to terrorize our streets and threaten our communities,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “These defendants, members of Tren de Aragua, viciously took two lives and shot a third victim, but thanks to our multi-agency investigation, they are now being held accountable. I thank the NYPD investigators and our federal law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts in this case. Together, we will continue to take down gangs, remove guns from our streets, and keep our neighborhoods safe.” “These defendants carried out acts of cruelty and calculated violence that resulted in the cold-blooded murders of Claretha Daniels and Justin Lawless and left a third victim grievously wounded, shattering families and communities in ways that can never be fully repaired,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Pete Gizas. “Their conduct is emblematic of the Tren de Aragua’s ruthless model of transnational gang activity, spanning the Bronx, Queens, and well beyond our borders—where extortion, human smuggling, sex trafficking, narcotics distribution, and gun violence are deployed to entrench their criminal enterprise and spread fear. HSI New York, through the Homeland Security Task Force, will not yield an inch of authority or control to criminal street gangs that threaten the safety of our communities.” According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Information and other public filings in this case: TdA is a criminal organization that operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, as well as internationally in Venezuela, Peru, and elsewhere. The purposes of TdA included: Preserving and protecting the power and territory of TdA and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, robbery, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at former members and associates of TdA who associated with a splinter organization known as Anti-Tren. Enriching the members and associates of TdA through, among other things: The unlawful smuggling of individuals, including young women from Venezuela, into Colombia, Peru and the U.S.; The sex trafficking of young women (whom members and associates of TdA often refer to as “multadas”) who had been unlawfully smuggled into Peru and the U.S.; The trafficking of controlled substances, including a mixed substance called “tusi” that contains ketamine; And armed robberies, including carjackings. Keeping victims and potential victims in fear of TdA and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence. Promoting and enhancing TdA and the reputation and activities of its members and associates. Providing assistance to members and associates of TdA who committed crimes for and on behalf of TdA, such as lodging and interstate transportation for members and associates of TdA to flee prosecution. Protecting TdA and its members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by members of TdA. Members and associates of TdA transported young women, again often referred to by members and associates of TdA as “multadas,” from Venezuela into Peru and the U.S. in exchange for debts that the young women would pay back to TdA by engaging in commercial sex work. Members of TdA enforced compliance among these young women by, among other things: Threatening to kill the young women and their families, Assaulting the young women, Shooting or killing the young women, And tracking down and kidnapping the young women who tried to flee. Members of TdA also committed and conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit, acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, to protect and expand TdA’s criminal operations; resolve disputes within TdA; to retaliate against rival organizations, including Anti-Tren; and to maintain control over sex trafficking victims. TdA members and associates also trafficked controlled substances, committed robberies, and obtained, possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition. On May 24, 2024, TdA members JAEN MARTINEZ, GONZALEZ CASTRO, MORILLO-GOMEZ, and IBARRA-MUJICA agreed to kill Claretha LaQuesha Daniels and Justin Lawless and to shoot Victim-3 in the vicinity of 2290 Davidson Avenue in the Bronx, New York. JAEN MARTINEZ, GONZALEZ CASTRO, MORILLO-GOMEZ, and IBARRA-MUJICA then aided and abetted, caused, and otherwise facilitated the shooting of Daniels, Lawless, and Victim-3, which resulted in the deaths of Daniels and Lawless, and multiple non-fatal gunshot wounds to Victim-3. Claretha LaQuesha Daniels was 44 years old, and Justin Lawless was 36 years old. * * * A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), including the Field Offices in New York, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, and Hawaii, and the NYPD. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office in Colorado; the Aurora Police Department in Aurora, Colorado; Joint Task Force Vulcan; the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service (“USMS”); the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Gang Unit and New York Human Intelligence Division; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s New York Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”); and the New York City Crime Analysis Center at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. This case is part of Joint Task Force Vulcan (“JTFV”), which was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and now expanded at the direction of the Attorney General to target Tren de Aragua. JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Western District of Virginia; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; District of Nevada; and District of Arizona; as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), HSI, ATF, USMS, and the Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New York comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, and the IRS with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations and Crime Unit and Joint Task Force Vulcan. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jun Xiang, Kathryn Wheelock, Timothy Ly, Andrew K. Chan, and Jared Hoffman are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Ananya Sankar and Sandy Alcantara. COUNT CHARGE DEFENDANTS MAX. PENALTIES One (S3 Information) Murder through the use of a firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j), and 2 KEIBER JAEN MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Keybe,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol,” KEINEYER IBARRA-MUJICA, a/k/a “Keiner” Life in prison Two (S3 Information) Murder through the use of a firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j), and 2 KEIBER JAEN MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Keybe,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol,” KEINEYER IBARRA-MUJICA, a/k/a “Keiner” Life in prison Three (S3 Information) Firearm use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), and 2 KEIBER JAEN MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Keybe,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol,” KEINEYER IBARRA-MUJICA, a/k/a “Keiner” Life in prison Mandatory consecutive sentence of 5 years in prison One (S2 Indictment) Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama” 20 years in prison Six (S2 Indictment) Firearm use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), and 2 JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama” Life in prison Mandatory consecutive sentence of 5 years in prison


title: CEO of Iran Tech Company Arrested on Federal Charge of Supplying U.S. Equipment to Iran’s Nuclear and Military Establishment

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – A dual U.S.-Iranian national and CEO of an Iran-based technology company was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with violating U.S. sanctions against Iran by acquiring sophisticated U.S.-origin networking, security, and encryption equipment for Iranian customers — including the Iranian regime’s nuclear and military establishment. Jamshid Ghomi, 63, of Newport Coast, is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Ghomi is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. “Ghomi is accused of aiding our declared enemies by selling U.S.-origin computer networking parts to Iran and earning millions of dollars in violation of U.S. sanction laws,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Our nation’s laws prohibiting doing business with one of the world’s largest state sponsors of terrorism must be enforced and obeyed. We will hold him accountable by seeking an appropriate prison sentence and by seizing his assets, including his $35 million Newport Beach mansion.” “Today’s arrest reflects our commitment to disrupt the illegal flow of American technology to foreign nations, especially our adversaries. As alleged, Mr. Ghomi spent years exploiting United States financial systems and procurement channels to move controlled equipment to Iran while hiding his activities behind front companies and falsified documentation,” said Darren Lian, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. “We will continue to work with our partners to safeguard national security by utilizing our financial investigative expertise.” The IEEPA and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States, including its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR prohibit the export, re-export, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from OFAC. According to the affidavit filed with the complaint, Ghomi is the founder, owner, and CEO of Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh Co. Ltd. (FPR), a Tehran-based computer networking company. For more than a decade, Ghomi has used FPR to procure U.S.-origin networking equipment for customers in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. At no time did Ghomi or FPR obtain a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) authorizing those transactions. Ghomi identified, negotiated, purchased, and arranged the shipment of large quantities of controlled U.S. technology for his own company. From 2011 to 2023, he used his own eBay and PayPal accounts to make hundreds of purchases of computer-networking equipment, directing the goods to intermediaries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2023, Ghomi personally negotiated the purchase of U.S.-origin networking equipment directly from suppliers in Minnesota and Nebraska, routing it through a UAE front company and on to FPR in Iran. None of these items could be lawfully exported to Iran without a license from OFAC. From 2014 to 2018, Ghomi arranged the smuggling of more than 250 metric tons (275.6 U.S. tons) of networking equipment into Iran, using freight forwarders and intermediaries in Dubai to disguise that Iran was the true destination. Ghomi knew this conduct was illegal and took deliberate steps to conceal it. He directed his UAE co-conspirators to keep his name off shipping paperwork, to omit invoices from shipments bound for Iran, and on at least two occasions to hide U.S.-origin computer equipment inside larger shipments. He used front companies in the UAE to obscure his role, and he personally received warnings on invoices and software licenses that exporting these goods to Iran was prohibited. Ghomi and his co-conspirators referred to Iran as “Motherland” in their internal correspondence concerning the equipment’s procurement. FPR’s annual sales exceeded $10 million, and its clientele included hundreds of Iranian companies and government entities, many of which were subject to U.S. sanctions. A relatively small but significant portion of that business went to the most sensitive end-users in Iran: the Iranian regime’s nuclear and military establishment. From 2017 to 2023, FPR supplied U.S.-origin computer networking equipment to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) – the Iranian government agency responsible for Iran’s nuclear program, including its centrifuge and uranium-enrichment programs. The U.S. State Department sanctioned AEOI in 2020 for playing a leading role in Iran's nonperformance of its nuclear commitments, including exceeding the limits on its uranium stockpile and enrichment levels. According to the affidavit, AEOI required FPR to register as an approved vendor, which it did in 2021 and 2022. From 2014 to 2022, FPR supplied U.S.-origin networking, security, and encryption equipment to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics — the Iranian ministry responsible for research, development, and manufacturing across Iran’s defense enterprise -- and to affiliated military and defense-electronics entities. FPR’s 2017 contract with Iran Computer Industries, signed by Ghomi, expressly identified the buyer as the “Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics — Iran Computer Industries.” Ghomi laundered the proceeds of his illegal business into the United States, depositing FPR’s Iranian sales revenue into its operating account at a sanctioned Iranian bank and then sweeping those funds to himself. Within days, he received matching wires into his U.S. accounts from a rotating set of unrelated trading companies and exchange houses in the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Turkey, and the UAE. Those wires bore false descriptions such as “Buying Goods” and “For Consulting Fees.” From 2011 to 2024, Ghomi moved more than $15 million from Iran into his U.S. bank accounts and into a construction escrow account held on his behalf. He falsely reported those funds to the IRS as a foreign inheritance. Ghomi’s federal tax returns reported almost no income, his highest reported income in any year being $20,684. Ghomi claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal tax break for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families, in seven different tax years. Over the same period, Ghomi reported more than $1.7 million in home-mortgage interest and $1.25 million in state and local real-estate taxes on his federal income tax returns. Ghomi funded the construction of his Orange County mansion with the proceeds of his sanctions-evasion scheme. Ghomi purchased a vacant lot in Newport Coast in March 2010 for $4,490,000 and paid approximately $10,490,371 to construct the residence from 2010 to 2013. From May 2011 to August 2015, foreign-source wires totaling more than $7 million flowed into the escrow account funding the home’s construction. These wires came from many of the same trading companies as the transfers from FPR’s operating account, were handled by the same FPR employees, and bore the same false descriptions. A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Ghomi would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. IRS Criminal Investigation, in coordination with the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney David C. Lachman of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case, with valuable assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.


component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: WASHINGTON — The Justice Department today announced the Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a whole-of-city approach directing nearly $300 million in federal funding to transform public safety in America’s cities. Through this initiative, two to four cities will be selected to receive awards supporting the implementation of comprehensive and innovative strategies to reduce crime, restore law and order, and enhance public safety. Proposals from qualifying cities are due September 1. “This administration is leveraging every authority to ensure the safety of all Americans,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Model Cities Initiative will supercharge our law enforcement partners and restore the rule of law to America’s neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Our message is clear: We will help those who help us Make America Safe Again.” Investments will be made in a variety of areas addressing public safety, behavioral health, and related staffing, equipment, and services with the goal of leveraging federal resources to build capacity, strengthen accountability, and deliver measurable reductions in crime that can serve as a model of innovation for replication nationwide. Eligible applicants include local government entities serving a population of at least 100,000. The MCI initiative will support a range of allowable activities, including: Hiring and retention of sworn and non-sworn personnel directly engaged in or supporting violent crime reduction efforts. Purchase or lease of equipment, tools, or technology that reduce crime and restore law and order including but not limited to real-time crime centers; forensic and DNA tools; body-worn cameras; license plate readers; artificial intelligence systems; small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS; ballistic identification systems; and information technology upgrades. Training and professional development that support intelligence-led policing, violent crime investigations, crisis response, correctional practices that strengthen reentry outcomes, and coordination with state and federal law enforcement partners. Facility Costs including lease, rental, or renovation expenses for space directly used in program operations, such as service delivery sites, training facilities, real-time crime centers, or intelligence analysis centers. Mental health and substance use services that directly support prevention, crisis response, screening and early intervention, treatment, case management, and related services addressing issues linked to public safety outcomes, including services provided in correctional facilities and in the community. Reentry, transitional support, and recidivism reduction programs and services designed to reduce repeat offending, support transitions from custody, and promote successful reintegration into communities, including operational costs for county jails and state prisons that support reentry preparation. Victim services for American victims of crime, including, emergency assistance, case management, shelter and temporary housing, medical and dental care, advocacy, transportation, childcare, legal services, and employment assistance. Youth crime prevention and intervention services that address risk factors for juvenile delinquency and violence, including gang intervention and suppression programs. Cities will apply through a whole-of-city approach. That means that city leaders, including the mayor, sheriff, county prosecutor, and others will work together to submit one application that proposes a persuasive vision of how this money can be awarded strategically throughout their city to improve law enforcement engagement, victim services, detention and reentry services, and preventive programs. Additional information about the award is available at www.justice.gov/grants . The planned competition is a multi-phase process. DOJ anticipates making initial award decisions in late 2026. To apply for this award, please submit application materials to MCIapplications@usdoj.gov . For any questions related to the MCI Call for Applications, you can send your inquiry to MCIquestions@usdoj.gov . ### OAG 26-587 If you have questions, please use the contacts in the message or call the Office of Public Affairs at 202-514-2007.


title: Statement from the Civil Division on U.S. District Court Ruling in Rhode Island

component: Civil Division

body_text: The Civil Division issued the following statement on a recent ruling in the District of Rhode Island: “Department of Justice attorneys are properly held to the highest standards of ethical conduct. In a May 13, 2026 order, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island accused Civil Division attorneys of misrepresenting or withholding information in litigation concerning certain administrative subpoenas. “Such accusations against Department attorneys are rare and serious. The Department treats them accordingly and is committed to taking all appropriate remedial action where warranted. “The Civil Division has thoroughly reviewed the District Court’s allegations and concluded that they are without merit. Our attorneys did not misrepresent facts, withhold relevant information, or otherwise mislead the Court. The Department stands behind its attorneys without reservation and has appealed the District Court’s erroneous order.”


title: Repeat Child Sex Offender from Colorado Sentenced to 150 Months in Prison

body_text: ST. GEORGE, Utah – A child sex predator from Colorado was sentenced today in Southern Utah to 150 months’ imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release after he travelled from Colorado to Utah to have sex with who he thought was a 13-year-old girl, when in fact he was communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer. The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, comes after Cody Williams, 31, of Grand Junction, Colorado, pleaded guilty on January 22, 2026, to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. According to court documents and statements made at Williams’s sentencing and change of plea hearings, for over a month, Williams exchanged dozens of sexual messages with whom he thought was a 13-year-old girl. In reality, Williams was communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer. Williams told the undercover officer, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl, that he would teach her about various sexual acts and sent her links to sexually explicit videos to teach her. Williams also repeatedly asked for sexually explicit photos of the “13-year-old” girl in return. Working in an undercover capacity, the officer and Williams made plans to meet to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Ahead of meeting, law enforcement followed Williams from his home in Colorado to the planned meeting place in Utah and arrested him. Officers executed a search warrant for Williams’s cell phone and found the text message thread between Williams and the undercover officer posing as the teenage girl. Williams has a history of sex offenses against minors. In 2021, he was convicted in Colorado State Court of unlawful sexual contact after committing a sexual assault against a 14-year-old child. “Communities are safer with predators like Williams behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Williams is a repeat and dangerous sex offender, and my office has zero tolerance for people who threaten the safety of our most vulnerable population and repeatedly break the law.” “This sentence illustrates HSI’s strong commitment to protect our children from predators like Williams who attempt to exploit children,” said HSI Rocky Mountain Region SAC Steven Cagen. “The teamwork of HSI working with Grand County Sheriff’s Office and the U. S. Attorney’s Office ensures this predator is behind bars and we hope this brings some closure to the victim.” The case was investigated jointly by the Grand County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .