title: Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Series of Bank Robberies

body_text: Providence- A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island to charges stemming from a series of bank robberies. Joseph Hickson, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to his role in the robberies of a TD Bank in Cranston, Rhode Island and a Washington Trust Bank in East Providence, Rhode Island. Hickson is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district court judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. According to court documents, Hickson robbed TD Bank on April 28, 2019 and Washington Trust Bank on May 28, 2019. During each robbery, Hickson passed bank tellers a note indicating that he had a gun and specified the currency denominations he wanted. Collaborative investigative efforts by the Cranston Police Department, the East Providence Police Department, and the Franklin, Massachusetts Police Department developed Hickson as a suspect in the Rhode Island robberies, in addition to a robbery that occurred on May 16, 2019, at the Digital Federal Credit Union in Franklin, Massachusetts. Hickson was arrested on May 29, 2019, at a casino in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Hickson admitted his involvement in the robberies and subsequent search warrants recovered evidence from Hickson’s car and residence linking him to the crimes. Hickson was thereafter charged with bank robbery by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and pleaded guilty, serving a prison term in Massachusetts before being brought back to Rhode Island to face his federal bank robbery charges in this district. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron. The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cranston Police Department, the East Providence Police Department, and the Franklin, MA Police Department.


title: Former Kokomo Police Department Officer Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Minor, Lying to Investigators, and Destruction of Records

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Following a five-day trial, a federal jury has found former Kokomo Police Department officer, Sinmi Asomuyidem 33, guilty of charges related to his on-duty sexual assault of a 14-year-old and related obstruction. “Police officers are entrusted with extraordinary authority and responsibility to protect the public. The defendant’s reprehensible actions betrayed that trust,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This verdict sends a clear message: officials who abuse their power and violate the constitutional rights of children will be held accountable.” “While this administration strongly supports the men and women of law enforcement who are steadfastly committed to making our communities safe, we will not tolerate those who abuse the powers entrusted to them,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas Wheeler II for the Southern District of Indiana. “The defendant used those powers to sexually abuse a 14-year-old girl and then lied and destroyed evidence to cover up his crimes. The jury saw through his lies and held him accountable for his crimes,” “The defendant used his position of trust and the appearance of assistance to isolate and assault a child, then took steps to obstruct the investigation by destroying records and lying to law enforcement. These actions reflect a complete disregard for the law, the victim, and the public trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue justice for victims and hold offenders fully accountable.” In particular, jurors found Asomuyide guilty of willfully depriving the victim, who was then 14 years old, of her constitutional rights by sexually assaulting her. The jury found that the defendant’s conduct included kidnapping and abusive sexual contact of a child under the age of 16. Jurors also found Asomuyide guilty of lying to the Indiana State Police in attempt to cover up the assault by denying having sexual contact with the victim and lying about the presence of other corroborating evidence. Jurors also found Asomuyide guilty of deleting a messaging application he had been using to communicate with the minor victim prior to the sexual assault in attempt to cover up the assault. Asomuyide faces up to life in prison at sentencing. The case was investigated by the FBI. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Blackett and Senior Sex Crimes Counsel Tara Allison who prosecuted this case.


title: Michigan Man Indicted for Threat to Bomb Fifth Third Field

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: TOLEDO, Ohio – A 35-year-old man has been indicted for making a willful threat to damage a minor league baseball stadium by means of explosives. On June 3, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Nikolas Samir Salemassi, aka Nikolas Ford, of Trenton, Michigan, with making Threatening Communications Involving Explosives. According to allegations in court documents, Salemassi made a call to Fifth Third Field on Washington Street in Toledo and to 911 emergency on April 28. During the calls, he stated that it was “not a joke” and that there were several bombs placed around the stadium. Law enforcement conducted a sweep of the stadium but did not find any indication of explosives. During the investigation, agents learned that Salemassi was in Toledo to perform at an open mic night as a comedian at the time and that he was out on probation for a separate offense. If convicted, Salemassi faces up to five years in prison. This case is being investigated by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency and Toledo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Tangeman is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Illegal alien living in Dallas sentenced to federal prison as part of  Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: PLANO, Texas – An illegal alien has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Abrahan Solano-Zarate, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on June 10, 2026. According to information presented in court, beginning in 2021, Solano-Zarate, a Mexican national who was illegally living in Dallas, was part of a cocaine distributing conspiracy responsible for trafficking a large amount of cocaine from Mexico into the Eastern District of Texas and beyond. Solano-Zarate admitted to being personally responsible for the distribution of at least five kilograms of cocaine. 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 towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson. ###


title: New Orleans Man Guilty of Felony Drug and Gun Charges

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On June 5, 2026, defendant, GLENN TATE (“TATE”) , age 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe to Count Two, Count Four, Count Five, Count Six, Count Seven, Count Eight, Count Nine, Count Ten, Count Eleven, and Count Thirteen of the superseding indictment pending against him, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. Counts Two, Four and Five charged the defendant with distribution of fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). Counts Six and Eight charged the defendant with distribution of fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). Counts Seven and Thirteen charged the defendant with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Counts Nine and Ten charged the defendant with distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(B). Count Eleven charged the defendant with distribution of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C). As to each of Counts Two, Four, Five, and Eleven, TATE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. For each of Counts Six and Eight, the penalties are a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release. For each of Counts Nine and Ten, the penalties are a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release. For Counts Seven and Thirteen, the maximum penalties are up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Each charge carries a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. TATE is set for sentencing on September 10, 2026. According to court documents, on August 24, 2023, undercover agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an operation to locate fentanyl distributors in the French Quarter. Through this effort, agents located TATE’s co-defendant and eventually began controlled purchases directly from TATE. Through 2023 and into 2024, agents conducted eight purchases from TATE of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. In total, agents purchased over 200 grams of fentanyl and over 200 grams of methamphetamine from TATE . TATE also sold a firearm to the undercover agents, though he himself is prohibited from firearm possession because he is a previously convicted felon. 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. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Dawkins and Brittany L. Reed of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Guatemalan National Pleas Guilty to Being an Illegal Immigrant in Possession of a Firearm and Illegally Entering the United States

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Guatemalan National illegally residing in the Branson, Taney County, Mo., area, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of Illegal Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Immigrant, and Illegal Entry into the United States. Edilberto Gonzalez-Barrera, 40, pleaded guilty before District Judge Douglas Harpool to being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm, and illegally entering into the United States. Upon serving any period of imprisonment ordered by the Court at the time of sentencing, Gonzalez-Barrera will then be deported to his native country of Guatemala. On March 29, 2026, officers with the Branson, Missouri Police Department responded to Cox Hospital in Branson, Mo., in response to a male who had come into the hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. Officers learned that Gonzalez-Barrera, an individual who illegally entered the United States, had possessed a firearm, and as he was cleaning the firearm, it accidentally discharged, shooting off the lower end of one of his fingers. Upon determining that Gonzalez-Barrera was illegally within the United States, local law enforcement contacted agents with the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration Customs Enforcement (HSI-ICE). Agents responded and determined that Gonzlez-Barrera was illegally in the United States, as he was a citizen of Guatemala, without permission to enter or remain within the United States. Under federal statutes, Gonzalez-Barrera is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole for the offense of being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm, and six months imprisonment for illegally entering the United States. The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Branson Missouri, Police Department. Operation Take Back America This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Texas Couple Sentenced for Running an Illegal Pyramid Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Texas couple was sentenced yesterday to 40 years each in prison for running a fraudulent chain-referral pyramid scheme, following their convictions by a jury on conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering charges in January 2026. “At the peak of the pandemic, LaShonda and Marlon Moore launched an investment fraud scheme and cheated struggling Americans out of $30 million,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This fraud scheme exploited people out of their hard-earned money at a time when they needed it most. Opportunistic fraudsters like the Moores belong in prison.” “The Moores’ get rich quick scheme has earned them a well-deserved stay in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Playing games with other peoples’ money while promising unrealistic returns is stealing and will be prosecuted and punished.” “The harm caused by greed-driven, deceptive investments promising returns too good to be true cannot be overstated,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “The mission of the USPIS continues, to aggressively investigate such schemes and hold fraudsters fully accountable.” “Those who exploit uncertainty and hardship for personal profit undermine the safety and security of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Christina Foley of the U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office. “The Moores took advantage of trust and hope during a time of national crisis, causing significant harm to thousands of victims. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: the Secret Service remains steadfast in our mission to investigate and disrupt these schemes, and those who prey on vulnerable communities for personal gain will be held fully accountable.” “The Moores used a polished image and a reality TV appearance to build trust, but behind the scenes, they orchestrated a deceptive pyramid scheme built on fake ‘playing boards’ and false promises of 800% returns,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Dallas Field Office. “This scheme deliberately targeted the African American community, exploiting cultural trust and community ties. These sentences make it clear: if you abuse trust and exploit communities, you will face justice.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, LaShonda Moore, 38, and Marlon Moore, 39, of Frisco, Texas, co-founded and ran “Blessings in No Time,” known as “BINT,” an illegal chain-referral pyramid scheme that targeted victims during the COVID‑19 pandemic from June 2020 to June 2021. BINT targeted and recruited victims with false and misleading promises through weekly live-stream video broadcasts to thousands of participants across the United States during the COVID-19 shutdown. Victims were falsely promised that they would earn 800% returns on each $1,400 investment and were guaranteed a refund if they were unsatisfied. The Moores falsely held out BINT as a way for people to help their own community by paying “blessings” of at least $1,400 to participants who had already joined. The Moores falsely promised that new participants’ “blessing” payments would be paid back eight-fold within a few weeks. BINT was falsely presented as an altruistic invitation-only community to help others during the economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants structured BINT to operate on “playing boards” that had positions for participants on four levels: eight Fires, four Winds, two Earths, and one Water. Once eight new participants were recruited to fill all eight Fire positions on the playing board, each Fire was directed to “bless” or pay at least $1,400 to the participant in the Water position. A Water participant then received eight payments totaling more than $11,000. After a Water participant received his or her payment, other participants at lower levels would move up one level on the playing board and then be required to recruit new participants into the Fire positions to perpetuate the scheme. To profit from the investment scheme, the defendants placed themselves in positions on the playing boards so that they received many of the ultimate payments, and they otherwise diverted substantial money to themselves that was paid by the participants. The defendants’ pyramid scheme victimized more than 10,000 people across the country and inflicted more than $30 million in victim losses. USPIS, USSS, and IRS-CI investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Theodore Kneller and Adam L.D. Stempel of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin Jr. for the Eastern District of Texas prosecuted the case.


title: Drug Lab Found in Berkeley County Home Lands Man in Federal Prison

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Methamphetamine sold from a Berkeley County man’s home leads investigators to a drug laboratory and sends the occupant to prison, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. Joseph Paul Boyer, 34, of Gerrardstown, West Virginia, was sentenced to 168 months in prison. Boyer was selling large quantities of methamphetamine from his home. Investigators executed a search warrant on his residence and seized approximately 85 grams of methamphetamine, several marijuana plants, syringes, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia. During another search, officers discovered an active clandestine drug laboratory in Boyer’s garage and seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, ketamine, and cocaine base. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. The Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney's Office assisted. Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.


title: Jacksonville Chiropractor Sentenced to a Year in Prison for Healthcare Fraud and Related Offenses

component: Department of Justice

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Sean Rondeau, a 56-year-old chiropractor in Jacksonville, Illinois, was sentenced today to a year and a day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for defrauding health insurance companies of more than a quarter million dollars. His convictions include healthcare fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and five counts of wire fraud. At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Rondeau had submitted more than 2,000 separate fraudulent claims. The government noted that each of these fraudulent submissions were the result of an intentional choice by Rondeau and required his direct action. When Rondeau learned he was under investigation, he leveraged his relationships with his clients to convince them to sign false documents in an attempt to hide what he had done. Also at the hearing, U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless noted that Rondeau committed these crimes after he had previously been caught committing fraud more than a decade ago. Judge Lawless found that Rondeau continued submitting false claims even after he knew he was being investigated for the current fraud. The judge ordered Rondeau to pay more than $268,000 in restitution. A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Rondeau in August 2024, and he pleaded guilty to all nine counts in December 2025. The statutory penalties for healthcare fraud are up to 10 years’ imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. The statutory penalties for mail fraud and wire fraud are up to 20 years’ imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas F. McMeyer represented the government in the prosecution. On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Orange County Man Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaint Alleging He Defrauded Bank Out of Nearly $100 Million

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with defrauding a bank out of nearly $100 million by manipulating title policies to make collateral that had been pledged to the bank look more valuable than it truly was. Mahender Makhijani, 44, of Corona del Mar, is charged with bank fraud. He is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in the United States District Court in Santa Ana. “When criminals are allowed to deceive lenders, the spillover effects can harm consumers and businesses,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Today’s arrest highlights our office’s continued determination to combat threats to our nation’s banking system.” “Today’s arrest highlights the strength of IRS Criminal Investigation’s financial expertise. As alleged, Mr. Makhijani falsified title insurance records, concealed true lien positions, and used a network of shell companies to mislead a federally insured bank out of nearly $100 million,” said Darren Lian, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Our special agents followed the money through layered transfers and disguised accounts, uncovering a scheme designed to deceive at every turn. When individuals manipulate documents and abuse financial systems for personal gain, IRS CI will expose the truth and ensure they are held accountable.” “Schemes like the one outlined in today’s complaint pose a significant risk to banks and the nation’s financial system,” said Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG). “FDIC-OIG will work tirelessly alongside our law enforcement partners to identify threats and protect the system, keeping it safe for both financial institutions and consumers.” “The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) vigorously investigates, and pursues the prosecution of, those who defraud the Federal Home Loan Bank System and its members,” said James Shields, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Western Region. “We are committed to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable criminals who seek to enrich themselves by defrauding the banking system.” “Today’s arrest demonstrates that those who allegedly engage in fraudulent activity that impacts the safety and soundness of financial institutions will be held accountable for their actions,” said Brian Tucker, Special Agent in Charge, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Makhijani controls Cantor Group V LLC, a Newport Beach-based company with a lending relationship with Bank #1. Under the terms of their agreement, Bank #1 advanced nearly $100 million to Cantor for Cantor to originate or buy loans secured by real estate. Cantor was supposed to then pledge the loans it secured, and their underlying collateral, to Bank #1, paying back the bank from the loans’ proceeds. Their agreement’s terms required Cantor to only pledge to Bank #1 loans in which Cantor had secured the first lien in the underlying collateral, which would make Bank #1 first in line to foreclose on the underlying property should the loan’s borrower be in default. By contrast, a second or later lien is worth much less as collateral because Bank #1’s ability to foreclose on the property would be subordinated to other creditors. As part of its due diligence to ensure Cantor had only pledged first lien-backed loans, Bank #1 required Cantor to submit title insurance policies that showed Cantor’s first lien position. From September 2024 to April 2025, Makhijani falsified title insurance policies to make them falsely state that Cantor was in the first lien position with respect to certain real estate serving as collateral. In fact, other creditors were ahead of Cantor. To falsify the title policies, Makhijani or a subordinate edited them in Adobe and then edited or removed the metadata, such as by printing out the altered title policies before scanning them. After falsifying the title policies, Makhijani caused his then-employee to submit the false title insurance policies to Bank #1. Makhijani also engaged in several teleconferences with Bank #1’s representatives and lied about the title issues that Bank #1 had identified. In December 2024, he caused a spreadsheet with false explanations for the title issues to be submitted to Bank #1. In making its lending decisions to Cantor, Bank #1 relied on the false information Makhijani provided. Had it known the true value of the collateral that Cantor had pledged, Bank #1 would have considered Cantor to be in default and then demanded full and immediate repayment, which would have required Cantor to repay Bank #1 nearly $100 million. In August 2025, Bank #1 filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court in connection with the alleged fraud. 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, Makhijani would face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. FDIC-OIG; IRS Criminal Investigation; the FBI; FHFA-OIG; and the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are continuing to investigate this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Y. Fu and Gregory W. Staples of the Orange County Office are prosecuting this case. Assistant United States Attorney Tara B. Vavere of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the asset forfeiture portion of this case.


title: Randolph, Vermont Woman Sentenced to 21 Months’ Imprisonment for Illegal Possession of Firearms

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: BURLINGTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on June 9, 2026, Donna Robinson, age 44, of Randolph, Vermont was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a term of 21 months of imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Robinson previously pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon. According to court records, Robinson was arrested after law enforcement responded to a shooting that occurred at a residence in Barre, Vermont on April 24, 2025. Investigators determined that Robinson and her significant other had gone to the residence to confront another individual about a drug-related dispute. While there, Robinson’s significant other tried to hand a firearm to Robinson. The gun fired, fatally wounding Robinson’s significant other. Law enforcement subsequently located two firearms concealed under rocks outside the residence. Robinson, who had previously been convicted of felony drug offenses and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms, admitted to law enforcement that she had previously handled and shot both firearms and that she moved the firearms after the shooting. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Vermont State Police; and the Barre City Police Department for their investigative efforts in this case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Cate. Robinson was represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.


title: Two defendants sentenced to federal prison for theft of mail, bank fraud and identity theft in Augusta

body_text: SAVANNAH, Georgia: A federal judge has ordered two defendants to be confined in federal prison after conviction for mail theft, bank fraud and identity theft. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall and announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Joshua M. Holmes , 21, of Miami, was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to Theft of Mail, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft. Holmes’ codefendant, Coleshia Carter , 22, of East Point, Georgia, was also sentenced during court proceedings to 24 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft. There is no parole in the federal system. “The actions of these defendants not only impacted the business victims in and around Augusta, but also undermined the integrity of our financial systems,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “Let this case serve as a reminder that crime does not pay, and that we will do whatever we can to serve justice and safeguard our communities.” As described in court documents, from January 2023 to January 2024, the defendants took part in a mail theft scheme in which they would steal mail from Augusta area U.S. postal receptacles and washed checks found in the mail to create counterfeit checks which were then deposited into unauthorized accounts or used for large purchases. “This sentencing is a statement that mail theft will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to partner with fellow law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to collectively pursue criminals who victimize Postal customers.” The FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigated the cases, which were prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia First Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Estes. “These sentences should make clear that those who illegally use Americans’ personal information to facilitate fraud will face serious consequences,” said Matthew Ploskunak, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in FBI Atlanta’s Augusta office. “The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to deliver justice for the victims of complex fraud schemes.”


title: Former National Park Service Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Property

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – James Masters, 38, of Victor, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property. According to court documents and statements made in court, from in or around October 2025 to in or around February 2026, Masters was employed by the National Park Service when he stole approximately $150 from a donation box at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, part of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in Lansing, Fayette County. As part of his guilty plea, Masters admitted that he used his position to access and remove money from the donation box without permission or authority on several occasions, and covered surveillance cameras to avoid detection. Masters is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000. Masters also owes $150 in restitution. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the National Park Service. United States Magistrate Judge Dwane L. Tinsley presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy L. McLaughlin and Erik S. Goes are prosecuting 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. 2:26-cr-60. ###


title: Texas Man Indicted for $4 Million Investment Scam

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On May 14, 2026, SHAWN R. WARE, SR., age 53, was indicted on six-counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to the indictment, WARE obtained over $4 million from over twenty victims between 2019 and the present, by falsely promising to invest the victims’ funds in fictitious business ventures. WARE promised the victims that they would receive significant returns on their investments within a short period of time. WARE induced victims to send him money by telling victims that he would invest their funds in real estate, a website business, computer equipment, sound equipment for rappers, and a night club. The indictment further alleges that WARE spent the victims’ money on luxury items and personal travel. When victims requested that their money be returned, WARE concocted phony excuses for the unavailability of their funds, and asked victims to send him additional money to do such things as “close out” a deal, release funds from overseas, move funds from a foreign bank account, or pay taxes. If convicted of Counts One through Six, WARE faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, per count. A mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count is also applicable. U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Oahu Woman Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Destroying Cellphone Evidence to Thwart Federal Firearms Investigation

component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Jordan Ishida, 27, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact by destroying two cellphones that were evidence in a federal firearms case. According to information presented to the court, on November 5, 2023, Honolulu Police Department (HPD) officers were dispatched to a reported crime scene on Kapiolani Boulevard in Honolulu. Upon arrival, HPD officers encountered Chris Hong Tran and Ishida outside Tran’s vehicle. HPD officers recovered a magazine loaded with nine 9mm rounds of ammunition from Tran’s pocket, as well as a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol and a pepper ball gun from Tran’s vehicle. HPD officers also recovered an additional magazine loaded with six 9mm rounds of ammunition from the roadway near Tran’s vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Tran shot pepper balls at numerous individuals before brandishing the 9mm firearm at a bystander outside of a nightclub. The FBI had been actively investigating Tran—a felon with two prior federal convictions for methamphetamine trafficking—for firearms offenses when he was arrested for the November 5, 2023 incident. The next day, Tran was charged federally for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Knowing that Tran had been charged and that the FBI was looking for the two cell phones Tran had on the night of his arrest, Ishida destroyed one of the phones on November 7 and discarded it in a sewer drain, and she gave the second phone to another individual with instructions to destroy it. Ishida testified at an evidentiary hearing that was held in connection with her sentencing. The court found Ishida’s testimony to be untruthful and, as a result, applied an additional sentencing enhancement for obstruction of justice. Tran was previously sentenced on February 13, 2025 to 108 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for the underlying firearms offense. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Eucker prosecuted the case.


title: Chickaloon man sentenced to prison for COVID-19 fraud conspiracy

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Chickaloon man was sentenced yesterday to two years in prison for orchestrating a scheme to defraud the U.S. government of COVID-19 relief funds. According to court documents, Christopher Staggs, aka “Chrisopher Blackburn,” 44, fraudulently obtained over $170,000 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The CARES and ARPA Acts included the Paycheck Protection Loan Program (PPP) and the temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provided temporary benefits to individuals who lost work because of the pandemic. Staggs defrauded both programs during the criminal scheme and related offense conduct. Shortly following the passing of the CARES Act in 2020, Staggs began using his Chicago-based LLC, “ABN Circle,” as a front to file false and fraudulent unemployment insurance applications in Alaska and other states. Staggs harvested personally identifiable information (PII) from individuals who were either completely unaware or believed Staggs was assisting them in applying for unemployment benefits. Staggs would receive the payments for each individual’s unemployment insurance. Staggs then paid some of these individuals a fraction of the unlawful proceeds he received in their name, while others had their identity stolen and received no proceeds. Staggs then split the remaining proceeds between him and his co-conspirators. The investigation revealed a spreadsheet that laid out the scheme in detail; including the names used to file the false applications; his victims’ social security numbers; usernames and passwords associated with accounts used to file the false applications; and the total amount of laundered proceeds. Law enforcement also discovered detailed emails he sent to his co-conspirators explaining both the spreadsheet and the nature of the scheme. On July 18, 2024, Staggs and co-defendant Zeb Bewak, 42, of Anchorage, were indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Staggs was also indicted on eight counts of wire fraud, and Bewak was also indicted on even counts of wire fraud. On Feb. 18, 2026, Staggs pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and on March 6, 2025, Bewak pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Bewak is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2026. At sentencing, the Court also ordered Staggs to serve three years on supervised release following completion of his prison sentence. The Court ordered restitution to be determined at a later date. “For years, Mr. Staggs used his intelligence to defraud people and systems, as well as avoid accountability. He saw the global pandemic as an avenue to continue that thirst, facilitating a grubby scheme upon the government that also victimized the very people the victim-programs were intended to assist,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “This kind of manipulation is unacceptable. My office is committed to using every available resource, like the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, to neutralize threats to the American purse.” “In the wake of a global health crisis, Mr. Staggs and his co-conspirators selfishly exploited taxpayer-funded programs to line their own pockets, diverting resources away from those in need,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Together with our partners, the FBI will aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone who seeks to abuse government programs for personal gain.” The FBI Anchorage Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander prosecuted the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. ###


title: Cleveland Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Manufacturing Illegal Pills Trafficked Out of a Home Day Care

body_text: CLEVELAND – A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for manufacturing fentanyl and methamphetamine pills in Cleveland and using his home day care as part of the drug trafficking operation. Larry Crenshaw-Broadnax was sentenced to 144 months (12 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl. He was also ordered to serve 5 years of supervised release after imprisonment. In January 2023, federal agents were conducting an investigation into drug trafficking in Northeast Ohio, which led them to identify Crenshaw-Broadnax as a suspect. According to court documents and evidence presented in court, during a search warrant execution at a warehouse connected to the defendant, agents discovered thousands of blue-colored pills. Several bags containing a white powder substance or multicolored tablets were also found. Additionally, agents located several industrial pill press machines and a five-gallon bucket filled with a binding agent used to make pills. The pills and powder were submitted for lab analysis and tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl. During a search of the defendant’s residence, investigators discovered that it served as a home day care. Pills and powder substances were found there and later confirmed to contain fentanyl and methamphetamine. Agents also seized two handguns, one of which was loaded and found hidden in a children’s toy toolbox. In total, agents seized 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and 315 grams of fentanyl. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Cleveland Field Office. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Crook for the Northern District of Ohio.


title: Missouri Man Admits $284,000 Pandemic Rental Assistance Fraud

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A Moberly, Missouri man on Wednesday admitted fraudulently obtaining $284,000 that was supposed to provide rental assistance to Missouri residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Steven W. Hendren, 33, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of wire fraud. He admitted submitting a series of fraudulent applications for rental assistance to the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) from March 2021 through June 2024. The MHDC administered the State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR) program, which was designed to provide emergency assistance for rent, utility bills and other expenses during the pandemic. Hendren submitted numerous fraudulent SAFHR applications, falsely listing himself as a landlord. He included fake lease agreements and financial statements. He submitted other applications in which he fraudulently inflated rent amounts and altered lease agreements and financial statements to back up his lies. The MHDC wired a total of $284,840 to Hendren’s account, much of which Hendren used for personal expenses, including the purchase of a 2020 GMC Yukon. Hendren is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8. The charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both prison and a fine. He will also be ordered to repay the money. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: FOUR FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CHARGED WITH CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS FOR INMATE ASSAULTS

body_text: A federal grand jury returned a seventeen-count indictment charging four former East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office (EBRSO) employees, assigned to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison (EBRPP), for civil rights violations announced United States Attorney Kurt Wall. The indictment charges two former deputies and two former corporals with crimes relating to the abuse of rights under color of law, conspiracy, making a false report, and witness tampering: Aaron Johnson, age 29, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, was charged with three counts of abuse of rights under color of law for assaulting unresisting and handcuffed inmates in isolated areas of the prison not covered by surveillance, including an incident where Johnson allegedly struck a pretrial detainee in the head with a metal folding chair. Kenyaki Domino, age 29, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged with two counts of abuse of rights under color of law for assaulting unresisting and handcuffed inmates in isolated areas of the prison not covered by surveillance, including an incident where Domino allegedly slammed an inmate’s head into a doorframe during an escort. Darius Powell, age 24, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Lionel James, age 30, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were charged with two counts and one count, respectively, for abuse of rights under color of law for their conduct. All four men were also charged with conspiring to cover up the assaults of EBRPP prisoners as well as falsifying reports about the incidents. Johnson and Powell also face counts of witness tampering. According to the indictment, the defendants used areas within EBRPP that did not have security cameras, such as the sally port area and interview rooms, to assault inmates and a detainee by attacking them while they were isolated and unresisting. All four attacks resulted in bodily injury, and three involved the use of dangerous weapons. The defendants conspired with one another to cover up the attacks by creating false cover stories that omitted the use of force. The conspiracies also involved text discussions between the defendants regarding EBRSO investigators and the falsification of reports. The indictment also describes a social media post created by Powell that contained pictures and statements about one of the assaults. While employed at EBRPP, Johnson served as a field training officer responsible for providing deputies with on-the-job training, and Domino and James were responsible for supervising deputies. In a related case, Christian Morris, age 29 of Zachary, Louisiana, a former corporal with EBRSO, pleaded guilty on June 2, 2026, to one count of abuse of rights under color of law for failing to intervene despite having the means and opportunity to do so while an inmate was being assaulted. The defendants face up to ten years imprisonment on the abuse of rights and conspiracy counts and up to twenty years imprisonment on the false report and witness tampering offenses. “An overwhelming majority of law enforcement personnel are extremely professional and proficient in their duties,” said U.S. Attorney Wall. “However, when someone in a position of trust has violated that responsibility, it is our job to make certain that they are held accountable. Thanks to East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux and his office for their complete cooperation in this matter and additional thanks to our partners at the FBI for a very thorough investigation.” “The FBI appreciates the cooperation of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office in this investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “The FBI works closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office in cases like this, and we take these types of allegations against law enforcement officers very seriously.” U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Johnson and Assistant United States Attorney April Leon lead the prosecutions. NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.


title: Kansas City Man Found Guilty of Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was found guilty by a federal jury today for illegally possessing a firearm. Kassim Aquil, 46, of Kansas City, Mo., was found guilty of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm following a two‑day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. Following the presentation of evidence, the jury deliberated for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes before returning a guilty verdict. Evidence presented at trial showed that on July 20, 2023, members of the Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force, led by the United States Marshals Service, with support from Task Force Officers with the Kansas City Missouri, Police Department, executed an arrest warrant against Aquil in the 3300 block of Karnes Avenue in Kansas City. The arrest warrant was issued against Aquil for violations of the federal supervised release he was under from a prior conviction of being a felon in possession of ammunition. When task force members approached, Aquil exited his car and ran eastbound through residential yards, eventually crossing six lanes of traffic on Southwest Trafficway before being detained in an adjacent field. Task force officers deployed tasers multiple times during the pursuit. While fleeing, Aquil removed a firearm from his waistband and threw it to the ground. Officers later recovered the firearm, a loaded Jimenez Arms 9mm pistol. Aquil was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions, including a federal conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition and a federal conviction for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Aquil faces up to 15 years in federal prison without parole for the firearm offense and up to an additional two years’ imprisonment for violating the terms of his supervised release. The statutory maximum penalties are provided for informational purposes only. The court will determine the final sentence based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Kirkpatrick and David Barnes for the Western District of Missouri. The investigation was conducted by the United States Marshals Service, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. Operation Take Back America This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Justice Department, FBI Disable 13 Websites Backed by Suspected Chinese Agents That Sought Sensitive U.S. Information from Security Clearance Holders

body_text: Thirteen internet domains used to target U.S. persons, including current and former security clearance holders with access to classified and sensitive U.S. government information, were seized today by federal authorities. “These domain seizures offer a glimpse at how foreign actors can use promises of easy money to lure Americans into revealing sensitive or classified information that they are duty‑bound to protect,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Anyone approached online with offers of easy income for vague ‘consulting’ work should treat those overtures with extreme caution and remain vigilant for warning signs of malicious targeting.” “Today’s seizures send a clear message that any attempts to exploit Americans trusted with access to our nation’s most sensitive information will be exposed and dismantled,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “These sham consulting sites were crafted to deceive, but thanks to the persistent work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, this scheme, like so many others, has been stopped in its tracks. We will always protect the integrity of our workforce and safeguard the trusted information that underpins our national security.” “The fake consulting company domains seized by the FBI illustrate the lengths the Chinese government’s intelligence services will go to as they try to use AI-generated content to trick, recruit, or coerce current and former U.S. security clearance holders into sharing sensitive information,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. “The FBI and our partners have observed China’s intelligence services resort to using AI, professional networking sites, and online payment platforms to target Americans, and we have taken actions to defend the homeland and our national security. The FBI is grateful for all of the assistance provided by our private sector and domestic and international partners.” “For too long, the Chinese government has tried to exploit U.S. government employees behind the cover of fake companies and phony job postings,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Wierzbicki of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Counterintelligence and Cyber Division. “Today, we shut them down. These seizures will prevent these fraudulent sites from being used to target Americans with access to sensitive information. The FBI will continue to use every tool available to protect Americans and our national security from this threat.” “The Chinese government continues to pursue U.S. innovation, research, and sensitive information through a variety of deceptive techniques, including fraudulent job postings and online recruitment efforts,” said Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “By seizing these domains and exposing these tactics, we are working to protect national security, safeguard American ingenuity, and help the public recognize and defend against these threats. We urge anyone approached with suspicious job opportunities or recruitment efforts to remain vigilant, recognize the warning signs, and report suspicious activity to the FBI.” According to the affidavit filed in support of the seizure warrants, beginning in November 2023, the conspirators created at least 13 fake consulting company websites. The websites and their associated job postings advertised generic “consulting” jobs and included statements indicating their purpose was to recruit current or former U.S. government and U.S. military employees to provide expertise to unspecified clients. The websites were typically linked or referenced within the entities’ job postings on hiring platforms. The methods and means used by the conspirators include (1) the use of aliases, fictitious personas, and the stolen identities of actual persons; (2) the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated photographs; (3) relatively large payments for research reports; (4) the use of Telegram and other encrypted applications; (5) pressure to provide “exclusive” or “insider” information; and (6) the transfer of money from places and accounts located overseas to places and accounts located in the United States. According to court documents, the conspirators recruited applicants through job postings, on social media and other platforms including Upwork, Expertia AI, Hubstaff Talent, Wellfound, and Post Job Free. The postings related to topics of interest to the government of the People’s Republic of China. The conspirators targeted current and former security clearance holders and other Americans who have access to classified and sensitive U.S. government information. The fake positions included “Senior Analyst” and “International Affairs Consultant” jobs. The recruiters pressured candidates to share confidential information and reports from “insider” sources in violation of their official duties. The scheme used contracts and confidentiality agreements to give their bogus consulting companies an air of legitimacy. The conspirators have denied any involvement by any foreign government. The affidavit alleges that the conspirators offered money to applicants and recruits in exchange for sensitive information, paid for reports using online payment accounts in the names of fictitious individuals, and used cryptocurrency to conceal the conspirators’ identities and the true source of the payments. These payments allowed for the flow of money from places outside the United States to places inside the United States in furtherance of the conspiracy. According to the affidavit, the conspirators used the following domains in their conspiracy to commit bribery of current and former public officials, identity theft, and international money laundering: Centrik Global Consulting, centrikglobalconsulting.com (CENTRIK); Rightinfo Consulting, rightinfoconsult.com (RIGHTINFO); Finnacle-Vesper Consulting (FV), finnaclevesperconsulting.com; CYDF Consulting, cydfconsulting.com (CYDF); Pulse Wave Global, pulsewaveglobal.com (PWG); Catalyst Global Solutions, catalystglobalsolutions.com (CGS); Horizzen, thehorizzen.com (HORIZZEN); GeoIndopacific, geoindopacific.com (GEOINDOPACIFIC); Global Peace Foundation – Indonesia, gpf-ina.org (GPFI); SafeSec Group, safesec-group.com (SAFESEC); The TruthInfo, thetruthinfo.com (TRUTHINFO); Vandercons.com; and Gulf Peace Foundation, gulfpeace.org (GULF PEACE). The domains seized today include centrikglobalconsulting.com; rightinfoconsult.com; finnaclevesperconsulting.com; cydfconsulting.com; pulsewaveglobal.com; catalystglobalsolutions.com; thehorizzen.com; geoindopacific.com; gpf-ina.org; safesec-group.com; thetruthinfo.com; Vandercons.com; and gulfpeace.org. Following the seizures, the FBI placed takeover pages on the seized websites to warn site visitors that the sites were rendered inoperable in order to disrupt the intended illegal activity and money laundering tied to the domains. Today’s seizure was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolie F. Zimmerman for the District of Columbia, along with the FBI’s Washington Field Office and Norfolk Field Office, with substantial assistance from Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the Department of Justice’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division and Paralegal Kate Abrey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If you have information concerning the websites, please contact the FBI at 1-800-Call-FBI (225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.


title: DOJ, FBI Disable 13 Websites Backed by Suspected Chinese Agents That Sought Sensitive U.S. Information from Security Clearance Holders

body_text: domain_names_x_warrant_and_affidavit_redacted.pdf WASHINGTON – Thirteen internet domains used to target U.S. persons, including current and former security clearance holders with access to classified and sensitive U.S. government information, were seized today by federal authorities, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Today’s seizures send a clear message that any attempts to exploit Americans trusted with access to our nation’s most sensitive information will be exposed and dismantled,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “These sham consulting sites were crafted to deceive, but thanks to the persistent work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, this scheme, like so many others, has been stopped in its tracks. We will always protect the integrity of our workforce and safeguard the trusted information that underpins our national security.” Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement were Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg of the Department of Justice, FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel Wierzbicki of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Counterintelligence and Cyber Division and Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “These domain seizures offer a glimpse at how foreign actors can use promises of easy money to lure Americans into revealing sensitive or classified information that they are duty‑bound to protect,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Anyone approached online with offers of easy income for vague ‘consulting’ work should treat those overtures with extreme caution and remain vigilant for warning signs of malicious targeting.” “For too long, the Chinese government has tried to exploit U.S. government employees behind the cover of fake companies and phony job postings,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel Wierzbicki of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Counterintelligence and Cyber Division. “Today, we shut them down. These seizures will prevent these fraudulent sites from being used to target Americans with access to sensitive information. The FBI will continue to use every tool available to protect Americans and our national security from this threat.” “The Chinese government continues to pursue U.S. innovation, research, and sensitive information through a variety of deceptive techniques, including fraudulent job postings and online recruitment efforts,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “By seizing these domains and exposing these tactics, we are working to protect national security, safeguard American ingenuity, and help the public recognize and defend against these threats. We urge anyone approached with suspicious job opportunities or recruitment efforts to remain vigilant, recognize the warning signs, and report suspicious activity to the FBI.” According to the affidavit filed in support of the seizure warrants, beginning in November 2023, the conspirators created at least 13 fake consulting company websites. The websites and their associated job postings advertised generic “consulting” jobs and included statements indicating their purpose was to recruit current or former U.S. government and U.S. military employees to provide expertise to unspecified clients. The websites were typically linked or referenced within the entities’ job postings on hiring platforms. The methods and means used by the conspirators include (1) the use of aliases, fictitious personas, and the stolen identities of actual persons; (2) the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated photographs; (3) relatively large payments for research reports; (4) the use of Telegram and other encrypted applications; (5) pressure to provide “exclusive” or “insider” information; and (6) the transfer of money from places and accounts located overseas to places and accounts located in the United States. According to court documents, the conspirators recruited applicants through job postings, on social media and other platforms including Upwork, Expertia AI, Hubstaff Talent, Wellfound, and Post Job Free. The postings related to topics of interest to the government of the People’s Republic of China. The conspirators targeted current and former security clearance holders and other Americans who have access to classified and sensitive U.S. government information. The fake positions included “Senior Analyst” and “International Affairs Consultant” jobs. The recruiters pressured candidates to share confidential information and reports from “insider” sources in violation of their official duties. The scheme used contracts and confidentiality agreements to give their bogus consulting companies an air of legitimacy. The conspirators have denied any involvement by any foreign government. The affidavit alleges that the conspirators offered money to applicants and recruits in exchange for sensitive information, paid for reports using online payment accounts in the names of fictitious individuals, and used cryptocurrency to conceal the conspirators’ identities and the true source of the payments. These payments allowed for the flow of money from places outside the United States to places inside the United States in furtherance of the conspiracy. According to the affidavit, the conspirators used the following domains in their conspiracy to commit bribery of current and former public officials, identity theft, and international money laundering: Centrik Global Consulting, centrikglobalconsulting.com; Rightinfo Consulting, rightinfoconsult.com; Finnacle-Vesper Consulting, finnaclevesperconsulting.com; CYDF Consulting, cydfconsulting.com; Pulse Wave Global, pulsewaveglobal.com; Catalyst Global Solutions, catalystglobalsolutions.com (CGS); Horizzen, thehorizzen.com; GeoIndopacific, geoindopacific.com; Global Peace Foundation – Indonesia, gpf-ina.org; SafeSec Group, safesec-group.com; The TruthInfo, thetruthinfo.com; Vandercons.com; and Gulf Peace Foundation, gulfpeace.org. The domains seized today include centrikglobalconsulting.com; rightinfoconsult.com; finnaclevesperconsulting.com; cydfconsulting.com; pulsewaveglobal.com; catalystglobalsolutions.com; thehorizzen.com; geoindopacific.com; gpf-ina.org; safesec-group.com; thetruthinfo.com; Vandercons.com; and gulfpeace.org. Following the seizures, the FBI has placed or will place takeover pages on the seized websites to warn site visitors that the sites were rendered inoperable in order to disrupt the intended illegal activity and money laundering tied to the domains. Today’s seizure was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolie F. Zimmerman, along with the FBI’s Washington Field Office and Norfolk Field Office, with substantial assistance from Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Paralegal Kate Abrey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If you have information concerning the websites, please contact the FBI at 1-800-Call- FBI or online at tips@fbi.gov. Follow us on Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube Or at https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc


title: San Antonio Heroin Dealer Sentenced in Homeland Security Task Force Case

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison for trafficking more than 2.5 kilograms of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the Homeland Security Task Force investigation. According to court documents, from June 28, 2024, to Oct. 15, 2025, Jose Luis Hernandez aka “Chino,” 46, delivered heroin to a buyer three times. Hernandez first delivered 3.4 ounces of heroin as a “sample” to the buyer. Hernandez later delivered 16.4 ounces of heroin and 1.99 kilograms of heroin. Hernandez coordinated smuggling the heroin into the United States from Mexico. Hernandez was charged in a four-count indictment on Oct. 15, 2025. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 27, 2026, to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez presided over the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock prosecuted the case. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from FBI; ICE HSI; DEA; ATF; U.S. Border Patrol; USMS; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Texas Department of Public Safety; as well as local police departments and sheriff’s offices, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. ###


title: Eagle Pass Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – An Eagle Pass man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 30 years in prison for production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons. According to court documents, on April 17, 2025, Eagle Pass Police Department (EPPD) responded to an incident involving a recording device found in a store dressing room. EPPD identified Reginaldo Gonzalez Jr., 21, as the perpetrator. Gonzalez admitted to placing the recording device in the dressing room to record women while they were undressed. Additionally, Gonzalez admitted that he had child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his cell phone. EPPD contacted Homeland Security Investigations agents the following day. HSI conducted a records check on the National Center for Missing Children (NCMEC) and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) database for the phone number belonging to Gonzalez. Results revealed that there were three CyberTipline reports associated with the phone number. Over the course of the investigation, HSI agents learned that Gonzalez was employed as a pharmacy tech at the store where the recording device was found, and that after his shift on April 17, he went to the fitting room, found a hole in the ceiling, and recorded people changing in the fitting room. He further explained that he recorded additional family members secretly in the bathroom using his cell phone, specifically, a prepubescent minor family member. One video found on Gonzalez’s phone, depicting the nude minor victim, is 24 minutes and 37 seconds long and was saved in a file on Dec. 26, 2024. During the investigation, HSI discovered numerous photos and videos of child pornography saved on the Defendant’s device, including an image that depicted a class roster with student ID’s along with several screenshots of school emails. There was a folder labeled “girls” that contained 31 folders with a total of 197 items, which were categorized and identified to belong to several high school students. The login information for 144 Snapchat accounts belonging to several students was saved into the device. Defendant also admitted to having hacked accounts belonging to the students to access their personal photographs and then attempted to anonymously extort them to create CSAM. Gonzalez was arrested on April 19, 2025, and has remained in federal custody since. On May 14, 2025, he was indicted on one count of production of child pornography, to which he pleaded guilty on Sept. 29, 2025. U.S. District Judge Ernest Gonzalez presided over the case. HSI investigated the case with assistance from EPPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nallely Duarte 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 . ###


title: FBI El Paso, FBI San Antonio Sweep Crime Off Texas Streets Through Operation Spring Cleaning

body_text: SAN ANTONIO — Following the recent Justice Department announcement that revealed the results of Operation Spring Cleaning, U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons announced the local contributions from the two FBI divisions in the Western District of Texas. Operation Spring Cleaning is a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the FBI to combat gang-related threats and enhance public safety. The operation coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement and targeted the illegal flow of firearms and narcotics in our communities. The operation began on March 1 and ended May 31. In the nationwide total, Operation Spring Cleaning led to over 1,100 arrests, over 600 charges filed, and almost 600 search warrants conducted. The operation also resulted in the seizure of nearly 1,000 illegal firearms—dozens of which were equipped with machinegun conversion devices (MCDs)—and more than 2,700 pounds of illegal narcotics. “I applaud our FBI partners across the El Paso and San Antonio divisions, who have led this initiative with the assistance of state and local law enforcement to crack down on the violent crime that infiltrates our communities, ” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons. “It’s operations like this that reinforce the freedom and liberty we have as Americans.” “During Operation Spring Cleaning, FBI El Paso and our Midland Resident Agency worked alongside our state, local, and federal partners to surge more resources to address threats posed by local gangs towards our neighborhoods,” said Jarod Brown, Special Agent in Charge, FBI El Paso Field Office. “Our gang personnel shared intelligence and participated in operations to dismantle the gang’s ability to inflict violent crime on our community. The FBI's priority is to defend our communities by leveraging our resources to help our partners.” “Through Operation Spring Cleaning, the FBI San Antonio Safe Streets Task Force, including the San Antonio Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, took coordinated, sustained action against violent criminal enterprises and the networks that enabled their illicit activities,” said Daniel Faith, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “During one day of this operation, law enforcement seized 24 firearms from a criminal enterprise known to operate in high-traffic commercial areas throughout San Antonio. These efforts demonstrated our joint commitment to dismantling violent criminal organizations and preventing acts of violence in the communities we serve.” ###


title: Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A Chicago man that distributed fentanyl was sentenced on June 8, 2026, to 13 years in federal prison. Deorey Hayes‑Davis, age 31, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a January 16, 2026, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Information disclosed at the sentencing hearing showed that, between April 2023 and May 2023, Hayes‑Davis distributed several hundred fentanyl pills and fentanyl powder to customers in Waterloo, Iowa. On the evening of May 27 or the morning of May 28, 2023, a woman ingested fentanyl that she had obtained from Hayes‑Davis. She died from a fentanyl‑related overdose. Around the time of the overdose, Hayes‑Davis provided two locked duffel bags—one that contained approximately seven firearms and another that contained drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine—to a customer. The customer later opened the duffel bags and distributed a portion of the drugs before the rest was recovered by law enforcement officers. Hayes‑Davis was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Hayes‑Davis was sentenced to 156 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a four‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Hayes‑Davis is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Kansas City is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, covering Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. HSTF Kansas City is composed of agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the State Investigative Agencies for Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, and the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. This HSTF case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by HSTF Kansas City, with the assistance of the Tri‑County Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25‑CR‑02019‑CJW. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Gainesville Career Criminal Sentenced To 174 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms Offense

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

body_text: Gainesville, Florida – Tyrese Da’jon Jones, 26, was sentenced to 14 and a half years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This violent career criminal has amply demonstrated that the only way we can stop him from committing further crimes and endangering our community is by keeping him locked behind bars. Thanks to the investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, and the aggressive prosecution by my office, that is exactly what we will do. The safety of our communities is not negotiable, and my office will continue to fight hard every day to remove dangerous criminals from our neighborhoods and deliver the crime-free streets our citizens deserve.” Court records reflect that on July 2, 2025, the defendant held a co-worker at gunpoint inside her vehicle for several hours. When law enforcement arrived, the defendant fled on foot and pointed his firearm at officers before he was apprehended. At the time of his arrest, the defendant was a felon and could not legally possess a firearm based upon his multiple prior convictions for offenses involving drugs and guns. “This sentencing is the result of outstanding work by our deputies and our federal law enforcement partners. On July 2, 2025, Tyrese Jones, a convicted felon who had no business possessing a firearm, held a female victim against her will at gunpoint and then pointed that firearm at responding deputies. The deputies involved were fortunate to escape without injury and were able to safely take him into custody before anyone was seriously hurt or killed,” said Sheriff Chad Scott. “This was an extremely dangerous situation created by an individual who demonstrated a complete disregard for the law and the safety of others. Thanks to this federal sentence, a violent offender will remain off our streets and will not be able to threaten our community in the near future. We remain committed to aggressively pursuing those who illegally possess firearms and use them to victimize others.” The case involved an investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Dubuque Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: A Dubuque man who distributed over 119 pounds of methamphetamine in approximately two months was sentenced on June 8, 2026, to 25 years in federal prison. David Allen Parker, age 54, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 12, 2026, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Information disclosed at the sentencing hearing showed that, between May 2024 and July 2024, Parker obtained and distributed over 119 pounds of methamphetamine. Parker had four prior convictions for drug trafficking, including a prior federal conviction in 2003. Parker was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Parker was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a ten‑year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Parker is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24‑CR‑01038‑CJW. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: TD Bank Insider Sentenced to Prison for Accepting Bribes, Laundering Millions to Colombia

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A former retail banker at TD Bank, N.A., Leonardo Ayala, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for accepting bribes and facilitating the laundering of more than $5.5 million to Colombia, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. Ayala, 26, previously pleaded guilty before the Honorable Esther Salas to a two-count Information charging him with conspiring to launder monetary instruments and for receipt of bribes by a bank employee. Judge Salas imposed the sentence in Newark federal Court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Ayala accepted bribes and exploited his position as a retail banker at TD Bank to help launder narcotics proceeds to Colombia. From June to November 2023, Ayala opened fraudulent accounts, issued over 150 debit cards to shell companies, and unblocked debit cards that TD Bank had restricted due to suspicious activity. These bank accounts and debit cards were used to make more than 12,000 ATM withdrawals in Colombia, funneling approximately $5.5 million out of the United States. In exchange, Ayala received more than $6,000 in bribes from his co-conspirators. U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey; Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Newark Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) New York Region made the announcement. U.S. Attorney Frazer also thanked the Morristown Police Department for its assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea Rooney of the Bank Integrity Unit of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section are prosecuting the case. The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s (MNF) mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations. MNF’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. ### Defense counsel: Stephen Natoli, Esq.


body_text: A former retail banker at TD Bank N.A., Leonardo Ayala, 26, of Homestead, Florida, was sentenced today to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for accepting bribes and facilitating the laundering of more than $5.5 million to Colombia. According to court documents, Ayala accepted bribes and exploited his position as a retail banker at TD Bank to help launder narcotics proceeds to Colombia. From June to November 2023, Ayala opened fraudulent accounts, issued over 150 debit cards to shell companies, and unblocked debit cards that TD Bank had restricted due to suspicious activity. These bank accounts and debit cards were used to make more than 12,000 ATM withdrawals in Colombia, funneling approximately $5.5 million out of the United States. In exchange, Ayala received more than $6,000 in bribes from his co-conspirators. Ayala pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with conspiring to launder monetary instruments and accepting bribes as a bank employee. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey; Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Newark Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) New York Region made the announcement. The IRS-CI Newark Field Office and the FDIC OIG New York Region investigated the case. Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea Rooney of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Pesce for the District of New Jersey prosecuted the case. The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s (MNF) mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations. MNF’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.


title: Dulce Man Charged After Allegedly Threatening Children with Firearm

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce man is facing federal child abuse charges after allegedly confronting an adult and two minors outside a residence with a pistol and attempting to force his way into the home while the victims barricaded the door with their bodies. According to court documents from May 8, 2026, Andrew Fredrick Gunhammer , 26, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, approached an adult and two minors outside a residence in Dulce, New Mexico, pulled a pistol from his backpack, and began to load it with a magazine. The adult and minors ran into the residence and used their bodies to block the door when Gunhammer attempted to force entry. A fourth person inside the house told Gunhammer to leave because they were calling the police. Gunhammer fled to another residence on the same street. Officers from the Jicarilla Apache Police Department arrived at a separate residence that Gunhammer fled to and took him into custody. Inside the residence, officers located the backpack in a bedroom and the pistol with one chambered round under a mattress. Inside the backpack, officers located several rounds of different ammunition and drug paraphernalia. Gunhammer is charged with child abuse and will remain in federal custody pending trial which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Gunhammer faces three years in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Jicarilla Apache Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


body_text: Claremont Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm After Felony Conviction CONCORD – Last week a federal grand jury indicted a Claremont man for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Gerald Hayden, age 45, appeared before the Court this afternoon for his detention hearing. According to court filings and statements made in court, Hayden is alleged to have been involved in a shootout with another individual during a drug dispute in Claremont, New Hampshire, in April of 2025. According to the allegations set forth in the indictment, Hayden was a previously convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms at that time. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm provides a maximum prison term of 15 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation. The Claremont Police Department and the Manchester Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin are prosecuting the case.


title: Repeat Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 12 years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Distribution

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – An illegal alien with previous state convictions for drug trafficking was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. Faustino Soto-Martinez, 54, a Mexican citizen, was sentenced on May 8, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Krissa M. Lanham. According to court documents and information discussed at sentencing, on March 11, 2024, in Sun City, Arizona, Soto-Martinez possessed and intended to sell 40,000 fentanyl pills, approximately 4.2 kilograms of fentanyl, to an undercover agent. “Soto-Martinez’s 12-year sentence reflects his repeated disregard for the law and the devastating effects that fentanyl inflicts on individuals, families and communities across America,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office in partnership with the DEA and local law enforcement agencies will continue to fight for Arizonans and dismantle the organizations that distribute these deadly drugs into our communities.” At sentencing, Soto-Martinez’s criminal history was taken into consideration, including multiple state drug trafficking convictions. In 2005, he was convicted in three separate state drug trafficking cases and sentenced to five years in prison for each, which he served concurrently. Shortly after he was released, he was again convicted for possession of methamphetamine for sale and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The DEA East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program conducted the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: 24-CR-00615 RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-093_Soto-Martinez # # # 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.