title: Former Liberian Rebel General Pleads Guilty to Immigration Fraud

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A New Jersey man pleaded guilty yesterday to using and possessing a green card that he unlawfully obtained by making false statements about his involvement in the civil war in the West African nation of Liberia. According to court documents, Laye Sekou Camara, 46, of Mays Landing, New Jersey, was a general with a Liberian rebel group from approximately 1999 to 2003 and fought against the Liberian government that was led by then-President Charles Taylor. Camara, also known as K-1 and Dragon Master, entered the United States pursuant to an immigrant visa and later obtained Lawful Permanent Resident status and a green card by falsely stating on immigration forms that he had never participated in extrajudicial killings or other acts of violence; had never been involved with a paramilitary unit, rebel group, or guerilla group; and had never engaged in the recruitment or use of child soldiers. Camara pleaded guilty to three counts of using and one count of possessing a fraudulently obtained green card. According to the indictment, Camara used the green card when he applied for a Pennsylvania identification card in 2017, applied for a New Jersey home health care aide license in 2020, and sought employment at a New Jersey-based home health care agency in 2020, and he was in possession of the green card when he was arrested in 2022 at JFK International Airport in New York before attempting to board an international flight. Camara is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and Special Agent in Charge Edward V. Owens of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia made the announcement. HSI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia. Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linwood C. Wright Jr., Patrick J. Brown, and Kelly M. Harrell for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case. Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement online tip form .


title: Three High-Ranking MS-13 Gang Members Plead Guilty to Racketeering Charges in Connection With Nine Murders

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today and on January 16, 2025, in federal court in Central Islip, three members of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including nine murders committed on Long Island and elsewhere between 2016 and 2017. David Sosa-Guevara, also known as “Risky,” the New York regional leader of the Hollywood Locos Salvatruchas (Hollywood) clique of MS-13, and Victor Lopez-Morales, also known as “Persa,” a high-ranking member of the Hollywood clique, pleaded guilty on January 16, 2025. Kevin Torres, also known as “Inquieto” and “Quieto,” the New York regional leader of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of MS-13, pleaded guilty on January 17, 2025. Collectively, the three defendants pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in connection with their respective roles in nine MS-13 driven murders: (1) the April 26, 2016 murder of Samuel Martinez-Sandoval in Freeport; (2) the April 29, 2016 murder of Oscar Acosta in Brentwood; (3) the May 21, 2016 murder of Kerin Pineda in Freeport; (4) the September 4, 2016 murder of Josue Amaya-Leonor in Roosevelt; (5) the September 5, 2016 murder of Marcus Bohannon in Central Islip; (6) the October 10, 2016 murder of Javier Castillo in Freeport; (7) the October 14, 2016 murder of Carlos Ventura-Zelaya in Roosevelt; (8) the July 21, 2017 murder of Angel Soler in Roosevelt; and (9) the August 29, 2017 murder of David Rivera in Maryland, as well as narcotics trafficking. Additionally, Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales pleaded guilty to participating in an August 2017 conspiracy to kidnap an individual identified in the superseding indictment as “John Doe #3.” The three guilty plea proceedings were held before United States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst. When sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack, pursuant to the terms of their plea agreements, Sosa-Guevara and Torres each face up to 65 years in prison, and a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison. Victor Lopez-Morales faces up to 60 years in prison and minimum sentence of 40 years. Carolyn Pokorny, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Robert E. Waring, Acting Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and Anne T. Donnelly, Nassau County District Attorney, announced the guilty pleas. “The defendants have admitted to their participation in numerous murders savagely committed with machetes and guns, all on behalf of the MS-13 and to increase their status in that depraved criminal organization,” stated Acting United States Attorney Pokorny. “As a result of the guilty pleas, the defendants will be severely punished by serving decades in prison and provide some measure of relief and closure to the families of the many victims.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy stated: “MS-13 callously used murder in an attempt to exert control over territory for their ruthless gang operations. As demonstrated by the guilty pleas of these three, high-ranking MS-13 members for their roles in nine murders, this type of extreme and senseless violence will not go unpunished. The FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to bring to justice members of MS-13 or any other violent gang using violence and murder to terrorize our communities.” "These defendants used their rank in the gang to help orchestrate multiple brutal murders and other crimes,” stated SCPD Acting Commissioner Waring. “We in law enforcement will never stop working to fight the pervasive violence sowed throughout these gangs.” “The charges brought forth is a clear example of the results when Law Enforcement Personnel from Federal and Local Agencies combine their efforts and resources,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder. “Their relentless and continued investigations resulted with the charging of these criminals who were responsible for committing these murders. This combined investigation demonstrates the diligence of the well trained and determined investigators. The Nassau County Police Department remains committed in working with our law enforcement partners halting any gang activity on our streets and keeping our residents safe. I would like to thank all of the assisting agencies and their investigators on a job well done.” “These defendants carried out vicious and senseless violence to instill fear and assert their dominance. Today’s guilty pleas bring us one step closer to ridding this dangerous gang activity from Nassau County communities,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly. “Together with our partners, we remain committed to protecting Long Island from this criminal organization’s brutality and ensuring individuals involved in these devastating acts are held accountable for their crimes.” According to court filings and statements made during the guilty plea proceedings, Torres was the New York regional leader of the Sailors clique, Sosa-Guevara was the New York regional leader of the Hollywood clique, and Lopez-Morales was a high-ranking member of the Hollywood clique. The defendants admitted to committing the crimes set forth below in order to maintain and increase their membership and status within the gang, and to further the mission of the MS-13. April 26, 2016 Murder of Samuel Martinez-Sandoval The defendants pleaded guilty to the murder of 20-year-old Martinez-Sandoval, which was carried out in April 2016, by the defendants and other members from the Sailors, Hollywood and Normandie Locos Salvatruchas cliques, who planned a joint operation to lure and kill Martinez-Sandoval because they believed that he was a member of the rival Sureños gang. On April 26, 2016, MS-13 members convinced Martinez-Sandoval to drive with them to a secluded, wooded area near Freeport Lake in Roosevelt, under the guise of smoking marijuana. Separately, more than a half dozen MS-13 members, including the defendants, armed with machetes and other weapons, had gathered at a designated location along Freeport Lake where it was agreed that the other gang members would bring the victim. When Martinez-Sandoval arrived, Sosa-Guevara, Torres, Lopez-Morales and the other MS-13 members surrounded and attacked the victim, each taking turns hacking him with a machete and other weapons. After the victim was killed, the MS-13 members dug a shallow grave and buried the victim. However, because the initial hole was not deep enough to conceal Martinez-Sandoval’s body, a group of MS-13 members went back the following day, reburied the victim and covered his body with cement and dirt. Martinez-Sandoval’s body was not found until September 2024. April 29, 2016 Murder of Oscar Acosta Torres pleaded guilty to the murder of 19-year-old Acosta. In early 2016, Torres, as leader, ordered a “greenlight” authorizing other gang members to murder Acosta because the gang suspected that he was associating with the rival 18th Street gang after previously aligning himself with the MS-13. Torres assigned roles as to which members would take the lead in planning and carrying out the murder. On April 29, 2016, MS-13 members met Acosta in a wooded area near an elementary school in Brentwood where he had been lured under the guise of smoking marijuana. They brutally beat Acosta with tree limbs, knocking him unconscious. They bound Acosta’s hands and feet, wrapped an article of clothing around his mouth to prevent him from making noise and summoned other MS-13 members who arrived in two cars. The MS-13 members loaded Acosta into the trunk of one of the cars and drove to a more secluded area in Brentwood near the abandoned Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital. The MS-13 members then removed Acosta, who was still alive, from the trunk and carried him deeper into the woods where they took turns hacking him to death with a machete. The murder was supervised by the local leaders of the Sailors clique who reported back to Torres once completed. After killing Acosta, the MS-13 members buried his body in a shallow grave. Acosta’s body was discovered by law enforcement nearly five months later, on September 16, 2016, during a search for another MS-13 victim. His cause of death was homicidal violence, including sharp and blunt force injuries to his head and torso. May 21, 2016 Murder of Kerin Pineda The defendants also pleaded guilty to the murder of 20-year-old Pineda, who, like Acosta, was killed because of his suspected membership in the 18th Street gang. Torres, again, ordered the “greenlight” for Pineda, marking him for death. In response, MS-13 members from the Sailors and Hollywood cliques, including Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales, devised a plan to kill Pineda. On May 21, 2016, MS-13 members, armed with machetes, lured Pineda to a secluded wooded area near the Merrick-Freeport border. Torres, Lopez-Morales, and Sosa-Guevara acted as lookouts for police and coordinated the attack, staying in contact with the MS-13 members in the woods while they waited for Pineda. When Pineda arrived, he was surrounded and violently attacked by the group of MS-13 members, each of whom took turns hacking and slashing him with the machetes. Pineda’s body was then buried in a hole that had been dug in the ground the day before, in anticipation of the murder. Before leaving the scene, the MS-13 members contacted the lookouts – Torres, Lopez-Morales, and Sosa-Guevara – who advised them that they could safely come out of the woods and drove them away from the scene. September 4, 2016 Murder of Josue Amaya-Leonor Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales pleaded guilty for their roles in the murder of 19 year-old Amaya-Leonor on September 4, 2016. Like the other victims, Amaya-Leonor was lured to a secluded wooded area and killed because of his perceived association with the 18th Street gang. On the evening of the murder, MS-13 members convinced Amaya-Leonor to venture deep into the Roosevelt Preserve, in Roosevelt, to smoke marijuana. Sosa-Guevara was in communication with the gang members by cell phone and was directing them on where to bring the victim. Once there, Amaya-Leonor was surrounded by the MS-13 members who were armed with machetes; he was struck repeatedly, and killed. Thereafter, Lopez-Morales, who was in the immediate area of the murder looking out for police, arrived on the scene and supervised the other MS-13 members as they dug a hole and buried Amaya-Leonor’s body, which was not found until May 2018 – over a year and a half after the murder had occurred. September 5, 2016 Murder of Marcus Bohannon Torres pleaded guilty to authorizing the murder of 27-year-old Marcus Bohannon. On September 4, 2016, members of the Sailors clique met at the house of local clique leaders Alexi Saenz and Jairo Saenz, in Central Islip, where Torres directed the gang members to go out hunting for rival gang members to kill. The MS-13 members separated into several cars and drove around Central Islip and Brentwood, until one of the cars spotted Bohannon walking along Lowell Avenue in Central Islip in the early morning hours of September 5. Suspecting that Bohannon was a member of the rival Bloods gang, two MS-13 members, carrying firearms, got out of the vehicle, approached him and started shooting. Bohannon was struck nine times, including in his head, neck, and chest, and died from his wounds. October 10, 2016 Murder of Javier Castillo Torres also pleaded guilty to the murder of 15-year-old Javier Castillo. In October 2016, the MS-13 targeted Castillo because he was believed to be a member of the 18th Street gang. On October 10, 2016, members of the Sailors clique in Brentwood convinced Castillo, who lived in Central Islip, to go with them to Freeport – approximately 30 miles away – to smoke marijuana. Torres authorized the members of the clique operating in Brentwood to bring Castillo to his territory in Freeport to be killed. The MS-13 members took Castillo to an isolated marsh area along the water in Cow Meadow Park, in Freeport, where they attacked and killed him, taking turns hacking him with a machete. Torres also served as the lookout for police in the area during the murder. Thereafter, the MS-13 members dug a hole and buried Castillo’s body, which was not recovered until one year later, in October 2017. October 14, 2016 Murder of Carlos Ventura-Zelaya Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales pleaded guilty to the murder of 24-year-old Ventura-Zelaya, who had been marked for death by the MS-13 because of his suspected membership in the rival 18th Street gang. On the day of the murder, Ventura-Zelaya was observed at a deli in Roosevelt by a member of the Hollywood clique. Sosa-Guevara mobilized other members of the clique to kill Ventura-Zelaya and conducted surveillance of the victim until the other gang members arrived. The gang members tasked with carrying out the murder first drove to pick up a gun from Lopez-Morales. After obtaining the weapon, the group drove in the direction of the deli to look for and kill the victim. Once they spotted Ventura-Zelaya walking on Hudson Street in Roosevelt, two MS-13 members got out of the car, approached him and one of them fired multiple times, striking and killing the victim. They then ran back to the car and drove away from the scene. July 21, 2017 Murder of Angel Soler Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales also pleaded guilty to the murder of 15-year-old Soler. The MS-13 suspected Soler was an 18th Street gang member, and Sosa-Guevara ordered his murder. Lopez-Morales and other MS-13 members carried out the murder, luring Soler to wooded lot near Milburn Creek in Roosevelt to smoke marijuana. The group attacked Soler with machetes and a pickaxe, and buried his body in a shallow grave. The following day, MS-13 members went back to lay cement over Soler’s body, in order to better conceal it. Soler’s remains were recovered in October 2017. August 2017 Conspiracy to Kidnap John Doe #3 Lopez-Morales and Sosa-Guevara also admitted that, just weeks after the Soler murder, they and other MS-13 members planned the kidnapping, assault, and/or murder of John Doe #3, an MS-13 member who had violated the rules of the gang. Specifically, Sosa-Guevara assigned Lopez-Morales and two other MS-13 members to carry out the kidnapping and attack. Lopez-Morales was instructed that, once they had John Doe #3, to wait for further guidance from MS-13 leadership as to whether to kill or brutally assault him. On August 6, 2017, Lopez-Morales and the other gang members’ plan to kidnap John Doe #3 was foiled by law enforcement, who had been intercepting the calls arranging the attack, pursuant to court-ordered wiretaps of certain MS-13 members’ cell phones, and Lopez-Morales was taken into custody. August 29, 2017 Murder of David Rivera Sosa-Guevara also admitted to his participation in the murder of 16-year-old Rivera in Maryland. To avoid law enforcement in New York, Sosa-Guevara and another Hollywood member from Long Island relocated to Maryland where they connected with the local Hollywood clique. After arriving, Sosa-Guevara learned of a plan to kill a rival gang member and directed the other Long Island member of his clique to participate. On August 29, 2017, Sosa-Guevara drove the other gang member to a park outside of Edgewater, Maryland, for him to participate in the Rivera murder. The victim was brought to that location by other MS-13 members, attacked with machetes and killed. After the murder, Sosa-Guevara drove the member of his clique away from the scene. Rivera’s body was not found until June 7, 2024. Narcotics Trafficking Conspiracies Finally, Torres pleaded guilty to conspiring with the members of the Sailors clique to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales pleaded guilty to conspiring with members of the Hollywood clique to distribute marijuana. These charges stemmed from the MS-13 cliques’ street-level sales of cocaine and marijuana on Long Island, the proceeds of which were used to help finance the MS-13’s criminal operations. * * * * These guilty pleas are the latest achievements in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13, a violent, transnational criminal organization. The MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States. With numerous branches, or “cliques,” the MS-13 is the most violent criminal organization on Long Island. Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York. A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults. Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 70 murders in the Eastern District of New York, resulting in the convictions of dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, NCPD, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Hempstead Police Department, the Rockville Centre Police Department and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci and Megan E. Farrell are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Jared Rosenblatt of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and Paralegal Specialist Kerry Ucci and Automated Litigation Specialist Michael Compitello. The Defendants : VICTOR LOPEZ-MORALES (also known as “Persa”) Age: 36 Roosevelt, New York DAVID SOSA-GUEVARA (also known as “Risky”) Age: 33 Roosevelt, New York KEVIN TORRES (also known as “Quieto” and “Inquieto”) Age: 29 Freeport, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-251 (S-1)(JMA)


title: Justice Department files nationwide lawsuit alleging Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose

component: Civil Division

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In a civil complaint filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the Justice Department alleges that Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co. and various subsidiaries (collectively, Walgreens) dispensed millions of unlawful prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and then sought reimbursement for many of these prescriptions from various federal health care programs in violation the False Claims Act (FCA). Walgreens is one of the country’s largest pharmacy chains, with over 8,000 pharmacies across the United States. “This lawsuit seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for the many years that it failed to meet its obligations when dispensing dangerous opioids and other drugs,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Our complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled millions of controlled substance prescriptions with clear red flags that indicated the prescriptions were highly likely to be unlawful, and that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions, including controlled substance prescriptions, without taking the time needed to confirm their validity. These practices allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Walgreens stores.” “Today’s announcement demonstrates that we are doubling down on our commitment to both combat the opioid crisis and enforce corporate accountability,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Maya D. Song for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will continue to work with colleagues across the nation to confront these issues and deter pharmacies from failing to honor their obligation to ensure that these powerful drugs are provided only to those with a true medical need.” The government’s complaint alleges that, from approximately August 2012 through the present, Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice. Among the millions of unlawful prescriptions that Walgreens allegedly filled were prescriptions for dangerous and excessive quantities of opioids, prescriptions for early refills of opioids and prescriptions for the especially dangerous and abused combination of drugs known as the “trinity,” which is made up of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant. The complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled these prescriptions despite clear “red flags” that indicated that the prescriptions were highly likely to be unlawful. Walgreens allegedly ignored substantial evidence from multiple sources that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions, including from its own pharmacists and internal data. The complaint further alleges that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly without taking the time needed to confirm each prescription’s validity. Walgreens also allegedly deprived its pharmacists of crucial information, including by preventing pharmacists from warning one another about certain prescribers. The complaint alleges that by knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, Walgreens violated the CSA and, where Walgreens sought reimbursement from federal health care programs, also violated the FCA. The complaint alleges that Walgreens’s actions helped to fuel the prescription opioid crisis and that, in some particularly tragic instances, patients died after overdosing on opioids shortly after filling unlawful prescriptions at Walgreens. If Walgreens is found liable, it could face civil penalties of up to $80,850 for each unlawful prescription filled in violation of the CSA and treble damages and applicable penalties for each prescription paid by federal programs in violation of the FCA. The court also may award injunctive relief to prevent Walgreens from committing further CSA violations. “As alleged in the complaint, Walgreens continually disregarded its obligations under the Controlled Substances Act and False Claims Act by illegally dispensing powerful controlled substances and unlawfully seeking reimbursement from federal health care programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “These laws are critically important in protecting our communities from the dangers of the opioid epidemic. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that opioids are properly dispensed and that taxpayer funds are only spent on legitimate pharmacy claims.” “The damage caused by the opioid crisis continues to reverberate in the Middle District of Florida and around the country,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The filing of this civil complaint is a major step in our continued effort to confront those responsible for the harm they have done to our communities.” “Pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring that only lawful controlled substance prescriptions are dispensed – Walgreens failed to do just that,” said U.S. Attorney Erek Barron for the District of Maryland. “We are committed to holding Walgreens accountable for its role in the opioid epidemic that has devastated communities across the country, including in Maryland.” “This country is in the midst of a serious opioid epidemic, and New York is no exception,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carolyn Pokorny for the Eastern District of New York. “Walgreens, which operates one of the largest pharmacy chains in the United States, including nearly 300 pharmacies in the Eastern District of New York during the relevant time period, repeatedly ignored its obligations to ensure that these drugs did not fall into the wrong hands. My office will continue to work with others in the Justice Department to combat the opioid crisis by holding pharmacies that fill unlawful prescriptions accountable.” “Walgreens and its pharmacists have an obligation to ensure that every prescription they fill is legitimate and issued responsibly. As this lawsuit alleges, Walgreens failed in this obligation, and many times ignored the red flags that warned of suspicious prescribing practices,” said DEA Principal Deputy Administrator George Papadopoulos. “Walgreens placed the public in danger by disregarding their responsibility. DEA will continue to pursue any individual or corporation that chooses profit over patient safety and we will hold them accountable.” “Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health care programs count on pharmacies to dispense drugs responsibly. When pharmacies disregard federal laws and put profits ahead of patients, they endanger Americans’ health and compromise taxpayer dollars,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains diligent in pursuing entities involved in unlawful behavior that abuses the public’s trust in health care services.” Four different whistleblowers who previously worked for Walgreens in various parts of the country filed whistleblower actions under the qui tam provisions of the FCA. Those provisions authorize private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, as it has done here. The four cases have been consolidated and are captioned United States ex rel. Novak v. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. No. 18 C 5452 (NDIL). The United States’ intervention in this matter underscores the government’s commitment to combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant Director Amy DeLine, Senior Litigation Counsel Donald Lorenzen and Trial Attorney Nicole Frazer of the Justice Department’s Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant Director Natalie Waites and Trial Attorney Joshua Barron of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Wuerker for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie R. Raedy for the Northern District of Illinois, Chief of the Civil Division Randy Harwell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Tapie for the Middle District of Florida, Chief of the Civil Division Thomas Corcoran for the District of Maryland, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot M. Schachner for the Eastern District of New York. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Colorado and the Southern District of California, the DEA, HHS-OIG, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Health Agency (DHA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Inspector General and FBI Chicago Field Office provided substantial assistance in the investigation. The Justice Department is committed to holding responsible those who have fueled the opioid crisis by violating the law. In March 2023, the Associate Attorney General announced the creation of the Opioid Epidemic Civil Litigation Task Force, which formalizes and enhances coordination of the department’s existing work and will consider new initiatives. Because of the scope and duration of the crisis, the Task Force includes U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, DEA and other department components. The Task Force steers the department’s civil litigation efforts involving actors alleged to have contributed to the opioid epidemic, including by diverting prescription opioids. The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Additional information about the Fraud Section of the Civil Division and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/fraud-section. For information about the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, visit: • Middle District of Florida, justice.gov/usao-mdfl; • Northern District of Illinois, justice.gov/usao-ndil; • District of Maryland, justice.gov/usao-md; • Eastern District of New York, justice.gov/usao-edny; and • Eastern District of Virginia, justice.gov/usao-edva. For information about the federal agencies involved in this investigation and their work to combat the opioid crisis and federal health care fraud, visit: • DEA at dea.gov; • FBI at fbi.gov; • HHS at hhs.gov; • DHA at health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-Agency; • OPM at opm.gov; and • DOL at dol.gov. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.


title: Man Who Sexually Assaulted Teen Girl Sentenced to 20 Years for Kidnapping

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A 46-year-old man who raped a 14-year-old on video while his friend filmed the assault was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Lukumond Adebola Olatunji, 46, and his coconspirator, Vincent Jerome Thompson, 42, were indicted in January 2022. Mr. Thompson pleaded guilty in June 2024 to production of child pornography and aiding and abetting; two months later, Mr. Olatunji pleaded guilty to kidnapping a minor. Mr. Olatunji was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to 240 months in federal prison, and ordered to register as a sex offender. Mr. Thompson received the same sentence in October. According to plea papers, the men admit that on Oct. 23, 2021, they approached a 14-year-old girl and offered her a ride home. They then drove to an alleyway where Mr. Olatunji sexually assaulted her in the backseat of the car. Mr. Thompson recorded the assault on his cell phone, providing commentary as the assault progressed. On the video, the child can be heard saying, “I don’t want to do it no more,” and “can we go?” The pair then took the child to a nearby motel, where both men continued to sexually assault her. After approximately five hours inside the motel room, the child ran out of the room carrying her backpack and shoes. Police responded and searched the motel room, where they found condom wrappers and drug paraphernalia. In interviews with law enforcement, both men admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with the child. Mr. Olatunji admitted that the child repeatedly told them that she did not want to have sex anymore. Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle A. Winters, Jenna Rudoff (fmr.), and Joe Magliolo (fmr.) are prosecuting the case.


title: Barre, Vermont Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud of Elder Victim

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on January 17, 2025, Jessica Russell, 42, of Barre, Vermont, pleaded guilty before Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to two counts of wire fraud. According to court records, Russell defrauded an elderly Vermont victim of over $84,000. Russell befriended her victim who had lost a son. Russell built rapport with the victim by calling her “mom” and falsely telling her that Russell herself had lost a child. The elderly victim gave Russell a power of attorney, but it only authorized Russell to take legal actions that the victim would have taken, if they were able. As the elderly victim’s health and mental state declined, Russell opened a joint checking account with the victim. That account was funded with over $132,000 that came from the sale of the victim’s home. Of that money, Russell used $68,000 to buy a house in Barton, Vermont and over $16,000 to buy a 2017 Mitsubishi SUV. Russell put the house in her own name, falsely telling other people that she had bought it with her own money or that she had inherited it. Russell put the SUV in her name as well. Last year, Russell communicated with a car dealership about making repairs to the SUV which she continued to represent as belonging to her. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 12, 2025, in Burlington. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and Vermont State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Owyang. Russell is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls.


title: New York Man Who Tried to Withdraw Money from Massachusetts Bank Accounts Using Fake Passports Pleads Guilty

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A New York man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to using counterfeit United States passport cards in the name of three Massachusetts residents in order to withdraw money from their bank accounts. Jean Andre Bontiffe, 41, pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud, one count of forgery or false use of a Passport and one count of aggravated identity theft. Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2025. Bontiffe was previously charged by criminal complaint in October 2023. On Aug. 9, 2022, Bontiffe was arrested in New York for attempting to pass through TSA screening at LaGuardia Airport using a counterfeit California driver’s license in the same name as one of the Massachusetts victims. A subsequent investigation revealed that, between July 20 and July 22, 2022, Bontiffe traveled to Massachusetts from New York, and made nine attempts to withdraw money from bank accounts that belonged to three victims from Massachusetts – stealing a total of $13,800. On July 20, 2022, Bontiffe entered a TD Bank branch in North Andover, Mass. and presented a United States passport and a Discover credit card, both in the name of a Massachusetts resident who had an account at the bank, as proof of identity and attempted to withdraw $4,500 from that account. Due to unmatched signatures, the bank denied the transaction and confiscated the passport and credit card prior to Bontiffe fleeing the scene. The charge of making or using a forged passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Paul Creazzo, Chief of the Mamaroneck (New York) Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Justice Department Files Nationwide Lawsuit Alleging Walgreens Knowingly Filled Millions of Prescriptions that Lacked a Legitimate Medical Purpose

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Note: View the complaint here. WASHINGTON – In a civil complaint filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the Justice Department alleges that Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co. and various subsidiaries (collectively, Walgreens) dispensed millions of unlawful prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and then sought reimbursement for many of these prescriptions from various federal health care programs in violation the False Claims Act (FCA). Walgreens is one of the country’s largest pharmacy chains, with over 8,000 pharmacies across the United States. “This lawsuit seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for the many years that it failed to meet its obligations when dispensing dangerous opioids and other drugs,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Our complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled millions of controlled substance prescriptions with clear red flags that indicated the prescriptions were highly likely to be unlawful, and that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions, including controlled substance prescriptions, without taking the time needed to confirm their validity. These practices allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Walgreens stores.” The government’s complaint alleges that, from approximately August 2012 through the present, Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice. Among the millions of unlawful prescriptions that Walgreens allegedly filled were prescriptions for dangerous and excessive quantities of opioids, prescriptions for early refills of opioids and prescriptions for the especially dangerous and abused combination of drugs known as the “trinity,” which is made up of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant. The complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled these prescriptions despite clear “red flags” that indicated that the prescriptions were highly likely to be unlawful. Walgreens allegedly ignored substantial evidence from multiple sources that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions, including from its own pharmacists and internal data. The complaint further alleges that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly without taking the time needed to confirm each prescription’s validity. Walgreens also allegedly deprived its pharmacists of crucial information, including by preventing pharmacists from warning one another about certain prescribers. The complaint alleges that by knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, Walgreens violated the CSA and, where Walgreens sought reimbursement from federal health care programs, also violated the FCA. The complaint alleges that Walgreens’s actions helped to fuel the prescription opioid crisis and that, in some particularly tragic instances, patients died after overdosing on opioids shortly after filling unlawful prescriptions at Walgreens. If Walgreens is found liable, it could face civil penalties of up to $80,850 for each unlawful prescription filled in violation of the CSA and treble damages and applicable penalties for each prescription paid by federal programs in violation of the FCA. The court also may award injunctive relief to prevent Walgreens from committing further CSA violations. “As alleged in the complaint, Walgreens continually disregarded its obligations under the Controlled Substances Act and False Claims Act by illegally dispensing powerful controlled substances and unlawfully seeking reimbursement from federal health care programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “These laws are critically important in protecting our communities from the dangers of the opioid epidemic. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that opioids are properly dispensed and that taxpayer funds are only spent on legitimate pharmacy claims.” “The damage caused by the opioid crisis continues to reverberate in the Middle District of Florida and around the country,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The filing of this civil complaint is a major step in our continued effort to confront those responsible for the harm they have done to our communities.” “Pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring that only lawful controlled substance prescriptions are dispensed – Walgreens failed to do just that,” said U.S. Attorney Erek Barron for the District of Maryland. “We are committed to holding Walgreens accountable for its role in the opioid epidemic that has devastated communities across the country, including in Maryland.” “This country is in the midst of a serious opioid epidemic, and New York is no exception,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carolyn Pokorny for the Eastern District of New York. “Walgreens, which operates one of the largest pharmacy chains in the United States, including nearly 300 pharmacies in the Eastern District of New York during the relevant time period, repeatedly ignored its obligations to ensure that these drugs did not fall into the wrong hands. My office will continue to work with others in the Justice Department to combat the opioid crisis by holding pharmacies that fill unlawful prescriptions accountable.” “The Justice Department has prioritized both combating the opioid crisis and upholding corporate accountability, and the action we are announcing today affirms our resolve,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Maya D. Song for the Eastern District of Virginia. “My office is pleased to partner with our colleagues from across the nation to confront these issues and deter pharmacies and pharmacists from failing to honor their obligation to ensure that these dangerous drugs are only provided to those with a true medical need.” “Walgreens and its pharmacists have an obligation to ensure that every prescription they fill is legitimate and issued responsibly. As this lawsuit alleges, Walgreens failed in this obligation, and many times ignored the red flags that warned of suspicious prescribing practices,” said DEA Principal Deputy Administrator George Papadopoulos. “Walgreens placed the public in danger by disregarding their responsibility. DEA will continue to pursue any individual or corporation that chooses profit over patient safety and we will hold them accountable.” “Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health care programs count on pharmacies to dispense drugs responsibly. When pharmacies disregard federal laws and put profits ahead of patients, they endanger Americans’ health and compromise taxpayer dollars,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains diligent in pursuing entities involved in unlawful behavior that abuses the public’s trust in health care services.” Four different whistleblowers who previously worked for Walgreens in various parts of the country filed whistleblower actions under the qui tam provisions of the FCA. Those provisions authorize private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, as it has done here. The four cases have been consolidated and are captioned United States ex rel. Novak v. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. No. 18 C 5452 (NDIL). The United States’ intervention in this matter underscores the government’s commitment to combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant Director Amy DeLine, Senior Litigation Counsel Donald Lorenzen and Trial Attorney Nicole Frazer of the Justice Department’s Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant Director Natalie Waites and Trial Attorney Joshua Barron of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie R. Raedy for the Northern District of Illinois, Chief of the Civil Division Randy Harwell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Tapie for the Middle District of Florida, Chief of the Civil Division Thomas Corcoran for the District of Maryland, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot M. Schachner for the Eastern District of New York and Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Wuerker for the Eastern District of Virginia. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Colorado and the Southern District of California, the DEA, HHS-OIG, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Health Agency (DHA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Inspector General and FBI Chicago Field Office provided substantial assistance in the investigation. The Justice Department is committed to holding responsible those who have fueled the opioid crisis by violating the law. In March 2023, the Associate Attorney General announced the creation of the Opioid Epidemic Civil Litigation Task Force, which formalizes and enhances coordination of the department’s existing work and will consider new initiatives. Because of the scope and duration of the crisis, the Task Force includes U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, DEA and other department components. The Task Force steers the department’s civil litigation efforts involving actors alleged to have contributed to the opioid epidemic, including by diverting prescription opioids. The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . Additional information about the Fraud Section of the Civil Division and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/fraud-section . For information about the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, visit: Middle District of Florida, justice.gov/usao-mdfl ; Northern District of Illinois, justice.gov/usao-ndil ; District of Maryland, justice.gov/usao-md ; Eastern District of New York, justice.gov/usao-edny ; and Eastern District of Virginia, justice.gov/usao-edva . For information about the federal agencies involved in this investigation and their work to combat the opioid crisis and federal health care fraud, visit: DEA at dea.gov ; FBI at fbi.gov ; HHS at hhs.gov ; DHA at health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-Agency ; OPM at opm.gov ; and DOL at dol.gov . ###


title: On Last Day, United States Attorney Markenzy Lapointe Reflects on the District’s Accomplishments

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: Today is my last day as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Since announcing my resignation , I have continued reflecting on my experiences over the past two years – ones made extraordinary by the attorneys, support professionals, and law enforcement partners who serve the Southern District of Florida. I am proud of the office’s many accomplishments and take this opportunity to share some of those. National Security and Hate Crimes The office protected our nation and local communities from security threats, both foreign and domestic. For example, we have secured convictions against six individuals (five of whom received life sentences) in an ongoing prosecution charging defendants for their roles in planning and carrying out the assassination of a sitting head of state: then-Haitian president Jovenel Moïse . In addition, we charged a defendant with attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate (now United States President-elect Donald J. Trump) in the weeks leading up to the 2024 election. The office obtained a conviction and significant prison sentence for Victor Manuel Rocha, a former United States diplomat and National Security Council member who betrayed his oath to our country by operating as a covert agent of the Cuban government ; successfully prosecuted a South Florida man for attempting to bomb the New York Stock Exchange ; and secured decades-long prison sentences for two former Colombian soldiers turned armed revolutionaries who attempted to kill United States military personnel with a car bomb outside a base at the Colombia-Venezuela border. We combatted hate crimes too, using both enforcement and outreach. For example, the office successfully prosecuted the woman who made anti-Semitic phone threats to the former Executive Director of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, as well as the man who assaulted a Muslim United States Postal Service employee while she delivered mail wearing her hijab. The office collaborated with local law enforcement, religious, and other leaders to teach our communities to identify, prevent, and report hate crimes. We used town hall events, print and social media, a public service announcement , and other channels to communicate our message. Violent Crimes, Narcotics Trafficking, and Firearms Crimes As strong as the office’s commitment to battling national security and hate crimes, was its commitment to battling violence, gun crimes, and narcotics trafficking. The office put behind bars the South Florida kidnappers who dumped their victims (two of whom died) on the side of a road after torturing them. We did the same with another kidnapper who held a rideshare driver at gunpoint during a forced cross-country trip. In a case that involved murder contracts, arson, poisoning, and other violence, the office charged several men with furthering a Miami real estate mogul’s terror campaign against the wife he wanted dead. We combatted gun crimes by aggressively prosecuting international firearms smugglers , unlicensed dealers, and felons who illegally possessed these weapons. From January to May 2024 alone, we indicted 13 defendants on federal gun offenses and seized over 140 firearms. Stopping domestic and transnational narcotics traffickers from flooding our communities with their poison was a top priority. For example, we sent seven Sinaloa Cartel members and associates to prison for fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking. The office is also part of a team prosecuting Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia , one of the cartel’s leaders. When a former British Virgin Islands Premier worked with others to traffic cocaine into our country and launder money, we successfully prosecuted him: a jury found him guilty and a judge sentenced him to 11 years in prison. On deadly fentanyl, we attacked every link of the supply chain. The office charged Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and Chinese nationals with trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States. We secured convictions and decades-long prison sentences for fentanyl distributors and dealers whose product killed people, including a baby . Our asset forfeiture and civil division lawyers battled the drug trade from a financial angle. We secured millions in forfeiture judgments against international drug trafficking organizations (including a vast one headquartered in the Dominican Republic), whose members laundered dirty money through real estate purchases, sophisticated bank transactions, and other means. We also achieved a $475 million settlement in a False Claims Act civil lawsuit claiming that a drug manufacturer had falsely marketed its opioid product as abuse-resistant, knowing that it was, in fact, highly addictive and easy to abuse. Financial Frauds, Cyber, and Corruption Crimes We prosecuted hackers, doctors, business executives , local law enforcement personnel, foreign officials, and others on crimes ranging from cyber, identity theft , and insider trading to the full panoply of frauds: health care , securities , Ponzi schemes , mortgage , tax , cryptocurrency-related , and more. In a cybercrimes case with worldwide impact, the office was part of the prosecution team that disrupted Blackcat, the sophisticated ransomware group whose remote kidnappings of sprawling computer networks, including ones supporting critical American infrastructure, caused tens of millions of dollars in losses to victims around the world. As a result of our work, victims were able to proceed with their data and network operations. In a fraud case that sounded patient-safety alarm bells at nursing schools, licensing boards, and medical facilities across the country, the office successfully prosecuted dozens of fraudsters involved in a scheme to sell fake school diplomas and transcripts to aspiring nurses. On health care fraud matters, the work of our civil division was impressive. For example, the office successfully litigated a False Claims Act civil lawsuit alleging that a Florida man and his laboratories conspired to fraudulently bill Medicare for cancer genomic tests that were medically unnecessary and procured through illegal kickback payments. The owner of the laboratories agreed to pay over $27 million to settle the case . The office also held accountable criminals who defrauded Covid-19 pandemic relief programs, stealing money intended for small business owners and others who economically struggled during the pandemic. In the last two years alone, criminal prosecutors have charged many defendants, including dozens of officers and staff employed with local law enforcement and corrections departments: Broward Sheriff’s Office , Miami-Dade Police Department , City of Miami Police Department , Florida Department of Corrections , and Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department . Civil division litigators have recovered over $9.6 million, and asset forfeiture division litigators have secured multi-million-dollar forfeiture orders, in pandemic-related fraud cases. Corrupt government officials who abused their power faced justice in this district. In one matter, we secured a conviction against a City of Miami police officer who illegally stopped vehicles to steal kilograms of cocaine and drug cash. In another, the office successfully prosecuted a former comptroller general of Ecuador (whose job it was to protect public funds and root out corruption in that country) for soliciting and taking over $10 million in bribes and laundering it through Miami real estate purchases and bank transactions. Following a three-week jury trial, guilty verdict, and asset forfeiture trial in that case, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni was sentenced to a decade in prison and ordered to forfeit $16.5 million. We also secured a conviction against his son , a former Miami banker, for his part in the scheme. The office expanded enforcement efforts for certain non-violent crimes by launching a Whistleblower Non-Prosecution Pilot Program with twin goals: helping to identify high-level offenders within significant governmental and private organizations and encouraging organizations to develop robust compliance programs. Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Matters The office aggressively combatted human trafficking and child exploitation, using enforcement and outreach. We secured a 30-year prison sentence against a cruise ship employee who used hidden cameras planted in staterooms to secretly record children; a 15-year prison sentence for a Miami attorney and former prosecutor who solicited minors online; long prison terms (14 and 30 years) for cross country sex-traffickers ; and a conviction against a man who forced women and girls into commercial sex acts through beatings, near-drownings, food deprivation, and other violence and intimidation. Through a public service announcement , visits to schools and community centers, and other engagement, we warned parents and children about the dangers of online sex crimes and offered tips to identify and prevent them. Interacting with the community has been one of the most meaningful parts of this job. Moving Forward Beginning January 18, 2025, First Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Davis, who has served the office for over 30 years, will be Acting United States Attorney. Having witnessed the passion, dedication, and commitment that the members of the office bring to their jobs – including the 45 lawyers we hired despite budget challenges – I know that I leave the district in strong and capable hands. -Markenzy Lapointe * * * * *


title: U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber announces resignation

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Jessica D. Aber announced today that she is resigning as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), effective January 20, 2025, at 11:59 pm, after serving in the role for more than three years. “I’ve had the privilege of spending my career as a prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia working alongside talented, hard-working public servants who manage matters affecting citizens here and across the world.” said U.S. Attorney Aber. “Concluding my service to the District as its U.S. Attorney has been an honor beyond measure. I am deeply grateful to Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and to President Biden for the opportunity to lead this office, and to Attorney General Garland for his steadfast leadership. I am proud of the work we have done with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to enforce the law and build community trust.” After working in private practice, U.S. Attorney Aber began her service in EDVA in 2009 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, prosecuting financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime, and child exploitation cases. From 2015 to 2016, she served on a detail assignment as counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. From 2016 until becoming U.S. Attorney, Ms. Aber served as the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for EDVA. Ms. Aber was nominated by President Biden on Aug. 10, 2021, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 5, 2021. Maya D. Song, who currently serves as the First Assistant United States Attorney, will become the Acting United States Attorney upon U.S. Attorney Aber’s departure. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.


title: Los Angeles-Area Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Seeking Millions of Dollars in COVID-Related Tax Credits for Nonexistent Business

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles-area man pleaded guilty today a federal felony charge and admitted to seeking more than $65 million from the IRS by falsely claiming on tax returns that his nonexistent farming business was entitled to COVID-19-related tax credits. Kevin J. Gregory, 57, pleaded guilty to one count of making false claims to the IRS. Gregory has been in federal custody since May 2023. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, Congress authorized an employee retention tax credit that a small business could use to reduce the employment tax it owed to the IRS, also known as the “employee retention credit.” To qualify, the business had to have been in operation in 2020 and to have experienced at least a partial suspension of its operations because of a government order related to COVID-19 (for example, an order limiting commerce, group meetings or travel) or a significant decline in profits. The credit was an amount equal to a set percentage of the wages that the business paid to its employees during the relevant time period, subject to a maximum amount. Congress also authorized the IRS to give a credit against employment taxes to reimburse businesses for the wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. This “paid sick and family leave credit” was equal to the wages the business paid the employees during the sick or family leave, also subject to a maximum amount. According to his plea agreement, from November 2020 to April 2022, Gregory made false claims to the IRS for the payment of nearly $65.4 million in tax refunds for a purported Beverly Hills-based farming-and-transportation company named Elijah USA Farm Holdings. The IRS issued a portion of the refunds Gregory claimed, and Gregory used that portion – more than $2.7 million – for personal expenses. Specifically, in January 2022, Gregory made a false claim to the IRS for the payment of a tax refund in the amount of $23,877,620, which he submitted as part of Elijah Farm’s quarterly federal tax return. Gregory claimed Elijah Farm employed 33 people, paid nearly $1.6 million in quarterly wages, had deposited nearly $18 million in federal taxes, and was entitled to nearly $6.5 million in COVID-relief tax credits. In fact, Gregory knew that Elijah Farm employed nobody and paid wages to no one and had not made federal tax deposits to the IRS in the amounts stated on his tax return. United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton scheduled a May 16 sentencing hearing, at which time Gregory will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Valerie L. Makarewicz of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. More information on the Justice Department’s response to the pandemic may be found here . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF online complaint form .


title: Windermere Woman Charged With COVID Relief Fraud

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the filing of a criminal complaint charging Carolina Amesty (30, Windermere) with two counts of theft of government property related to COVID relief fraud. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Small Business Administration–Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Testerman and Diane Hu. In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by contacting the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.


title: Foreign National Facing Federal Charges  Related to $6-Million-Plus Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland –James Aliyu, 29, the last of three defendants charged in a $6-million business email compromise (BEC) scheme, has been extradited from South Africa to the United States to face federal indictment. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Aliyu, Kosi Goodness Simon-Ebo, 30, and Henry Onyedikachi Echefu, 31, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a BEC scheme that resulted in the loss of more than $6 million. All three are Nigerian citizens that resided in South Africa at the time of the crimes. Federal authorities returned this indictment on June 24, 2019, and unsealed it on July 6, 2022, upon the defendants’ arrests outside the U.S. Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Baltimore. According to the seven-count indictment, from February 2016 until at least July 2017, the defendants conspired with others to perpetrate a BEC scheme. The indictment alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators, some of whom resided in Maryland, gained unauthorized access to individual and business email accounts. Co-conspirators then allegedly sent false wiring instructions to the victims’ email accounts from spoofed emails, which are forged with sender addresses, to deceive the victims into sending money to bank accounts, known as drop accounts, that were controlled by perpetrators of the scheme. The indictment also alleges that the defendants conspired to commit money laundering. They planned to disburse the fraudulently obtained funds to other accounts by initiating account transfers, withdrawing cash, obtaining cashier’s checks, and by writing checks to other individuals and entities, to hide the true ownership and source of the assets. Additionally, the defendants are charged with wire fraud, related to the BEC scheme. Specifically, Simon-Ebo is charged in three wire-fraud counts in which he wired $6,343,533.10 collected from victims to accounts controlled by conspirators. Simon-Ebo and Echefu were previously extradited from Canada, pled guilty , and have been sentenced. If convicted, Aliyu faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and for each count of money laundering and wire fraud. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. The individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. U.S. Attorney Barron commended HSI’s Mid-Atlantic El Dorado Task Force for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked the South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, and the South African Police Service. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing Aliyu’s extradition from South Africa. OIA and the Department of Justice Canada’s International Assistance Group also provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of both Echefu and Simon-Ebo. Mr. Barron also recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes, who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Oakland Money Services Business Owner Sentenced To One Year In Prison For Conspiracy To Commit Money Laundering

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: OAKLAND – Jose Luis Garcia, the co-owner of Envios Express, a money transmitting business in Oakland, was sentenced this week to 12 months in federal prison. The Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr., United States District Judge, handed down the sentence on Jan. 15, 2025. Garcia, 57, of Oakland, was indicted in July 2023 and pleaded guilty in September 2024 to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h). According to court documents and Garcia’s plea agreement, Garcia and his wife, who was also charged in this case, owned a money transmitting business on International Boulevard in Oakland that operated under several names, including Envios Express. The business was a local agent of and contracted with national wire service companies to provide wire transfer services to the public. As a local agent, Garcia had access to wire services that facilitated the transfer of funds from Oakland to other parts of the United States, Mexico, Honduras, and other foreign countries. Garcia completed annual Anti-Money Laundering training through these wire service companies. As the designated anti-money laundering compliance officer for Envios Express, he agreed to monitor the store’s outgoing wires for structuring activity intended to evade reporting requirements. Garcia admitted using fake sender names and IDs to process multiple structured wires to conceal the fact that a single sender was wiring amounts greater than $3,000, which he knew would have triggered mandatory federal reporting requirements. He accepted large amounts of cash, sometimes as much as $9,000 or more, from unidentified customers, who asked that the cash be wired to well-known drug trafficking areas of Mexico or to persons in Honduras, without recording the true identity of the sender. Garcia misused the names and IDs of legitimate customers to send large amounts of cash for unidentified customers in order to evade reporting requirements. He also kept roughly 15,000 digital images of California driver’s licenses and Honduran, Mexican, and other national identity cards on cell phones, which he used to meet the wire companies’ ID requirements. In August 2022, Garcia agreed to a request by a confidential source to wire $9,200 in cash to recipients in Mexico without providing an ID or using the sender’s real name as federal law requires. Garcia structured the $9,200 in cash in four wires, using fake names for the sender on the receipts, and charged an under-the-table fee of $50 for each of the wires. In addition to the prison term, Judge Gilliam ordered the defendant to serve three years of supervised release. United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge of the Oakland Field Office Linda Nguyen, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Francisco Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris made the announcement. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel Pastor and Nicholas Parker are prosecuting the case with assistance from Amanda Martinez and Andy Ding. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by IRS-CI and DEA.


title: Last Member of Deadly Trio Sentenced to 14 Years for Second Degree Murder in 2020 Shooting in Southeast DC

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Niko Hall, 33, of Washington, DC, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for second degree murder while armed for shooting and killing a man on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget Fitzpatrick and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Hall pleaded guilty on November 11, 2024, before Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt who, in addition to the prison time, ordered five years of supervised release. Hall is the final defendant to be sentenced for the crime. Co-defendants Kyrie Wells and Darquise Montgomery also pleaded guilty, on January 3, 2023, and July 6, 2023, respectively, to second degree murder while armed. Wells was sentenced to 14 years in prison; Montgomery was sentenced to 12 years of in prison. According to the government’s evidence, on Saturday, September 26, 2020, the three defendants murdered Anthony Lee, 25, by shooting him in the back as Mr. Lee walked away from them, apparently unaware of the danger he was in. At around 11:22 p.m., as Mr. Lee and a companion walked south on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Hall came out of the Mellon Market with his handgun drawn and joined the two other men. The three of them lined up across the sidewalk, after one of them cleared potential witnesses out of the way. The gunmen then opened fire on Mr. Lee and his companion from behind. There had been no interaction between the victims and their assailants before the shooting and the victims were unarmed. Hall was the first to begin shooting and the last to stop. He opened fire on a busy street, with multiple witnesses present, in front of busy Saturday commercial traffic. After Mr. Lee was shot, he fell to the ground one of the co-defendants, apparently acting in concert with the defendant and armed with an assault rifle, opened fire on Mr. Lee’s companion, firing at least 13 times. The defendant was arrested almost exactly a month later, on October 20, 2020, and has been in custody ever since. In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists LaShone Samuels and Stephanie Siegerist and Victim/Witness Advocates Latrice Washington-Williams and Jenn Allen. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Keefer and Thomas Faulkner who prosecuted the case, and U.S. Attorney Peter V. Roman and Deputy Chief Laura Bach, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Mother and Son Convicted of CARES Act Fraud

component: USAO - Mississippi, Northern

body_text: Oxford, MS – Zipora Hudson and Montreal Hudson, both of Olive Branch, Mississippi, were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering following a federal jury trial that concluded on January 15, 2025. Deandre Jones, also of Olive Branch, Mississippi, previously pled guilty in the case. The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to provide funding for small businesses affected by the economic downturn associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic. According to court documents, Zipora Hudson, her son, Montreal Hudson, and Deandre Jones utilized Zippy Bee, LLC tax preparation business in Charleston, MS, to create and file hundreds of PPP loan applications on behalf of borrowers that were not eligible to receive the loans. The defendants created fraudulent Schedule C tax documents to claim gross income amounts that far exceeded the real income for a particular business or claimed gross income amounts for businesses that never existed. The documents were created in order to receive PPP loans in amounts ranging from $19,000 to $20,833 per loan. For their efforts, the defendants required the borrowers to pay them a kickback out of the proceeds of each loan. The defendants used the illegally obtained money to purchase luxury vehicles and real estate, among other things. “Zipora Hudson, Montreal Hudson, and Deandre Jones stole millions of dollars from American taxpayers while taking advantage of programs designed to help keep businesses afloat during a national crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring those who committed pandemic benefit fraud to justice and will use all available tools to recover the stolen monies.” “The defendants fraudulently took money from the government that was supposed to assist businesses with keeping their personnel employed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are continually pursuing and investigating individuals who took advantage of a program that was created to provide relief to small businesses so they could pay their employees and other expenses.” Sentencing for Zipora Hudson and Montreal Hudson is set for April 24, 2025, and both defendants face a maximum penalty of 30 years for the wire fraud conspiracy and 20 years for the money laundering conspiracy. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The scheme in the instant case was initially uncovered during the course of a civil investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Leary and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Wright prosecuted the case on behalf of United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division along with investigators from the United States Attorney’s Office.


title: Marion Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for  Possessing Firearms as a Felon on Multiple Occasions

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who unlawfully possessed firearms was sentenced today to more than two years in federal prison. Yasir Jinnah, age 33, from Marion, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 13, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. In a plea agreement, Jinnah admitted that on February 13, 2023, March 31, 2023, and April 26, 2024, he knowingly possessed firearms as a felon and as an unlawful user of marijuana. In May 2012, Jinnah was convicted in Illinois state court of unlawful sale of a firearm, a felony. As a felon, Jinnah is prohibited from possessing a firearm. During 2023 and 2024, Jinnah posted photos and videos to social media of himself possessing firearms, shooting firearms, possessing marijuana, and smoking marijuana. On February 13, 2023, Jinnah’s car was stopped for a traffic violation on Interstate 80 by a trooper with the Iowa State Patrol. After a drug dog alerted on the car, the trooper searched the car and found a loaded Glock 9mm pistol in the center console and three loaded 30-round 9mm magazines in a backpack on the rear seat. On March 31, 2023, during the execution of a search warrant at Jinnah’s residence in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, officers found in bedroom nightstands two loaded Glock 9mm caliber pistols and four additional fully loaded 9mm magazines. Officers also found in the bedroom seven additional Glock 9mm magazines along with 137 rounds of 9mm ammunition. In the kitchen, officers found a loaded Beretta .40 caliber pistol and three additional loaded .40 caliber magazines. On April 26, 2024, during the execution of a search warrant at Jinnah’s residence in Marion, Iowa, officers found in a bedroom a loaded Glock 9mm caliber pistol and an additional magazine containing 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm caliber pistol and an additional magazine containing 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Officers also found a bag with five additional magazines containing 109 rounds of 9mm ammunition. In a hallway closet, officers found a Maverick Arms 12-gauge shotgun along with 10 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition. Jinnah was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Jinnah was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Jinnah 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 Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Marion Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-30. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Kansas man pleads guilty to child pornography possession

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials which was found on multiple electronic devices. According to court documents, Alexander James Rosell, 34, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Rosell's activity was discovered through an international investigation into a particular dark web website, as well as reports made against IP addresses connected to a residence to which he had access. During a search warrant at the home, investigators found Rosell had child pornography images on a cell phone and multiple laptops. Rosell was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Wichita Police Department, and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case. Project Safe Childhood 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Fort Dodge Woman Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Meth Conspiracy

body_text: A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area was sentenced January 17, 2025, to 126 months in federal prison. Carolyn Michaels (Woodman), 60, recently from Ankeny, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 19, 2024, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine in a protected zone. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Michaels was involved in a conspiracy that distributed at least 50 kilograms of methamphetamine in 2023/2024. Additional evidence showed Michaels distributed a total of six ounces of methamphetamine over three transactions to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. During a search warrant at Michaels’ residence, law enforcement seized drug use/trafficking paraphernalia, including: several cellular telephones, a scale, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. Michaels admitted to obtaining pound quantities of methamphetamine from sources in Fort Dodge and re-distributing it in ounce to ¼ pound quantities to several persons in Fort Dodge area. Michaels was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Michaels was sentenced to 126 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve an 8-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Michaels is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa DCI Laboratory, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Webster County Attorney’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-3012. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: After Takedown, Opioid Overdose Rates Fall in Abilene

body_text: Opioid overdose rates in Abilene fell precipitously following a large-scale takedown of fentanyl traffickers, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. According to Abilene Police Department data collected by OD MAP , from January 1, 2024 to September 11, 2024, Abilene suffered 41 overdoses, including nine that were fatal, for an average of 4.9 overdoses per month. Victims ranged in age from 13 to 72. On September 11, a federal grand jury indicted 12 alleged fentanyl traffickers who were arrested the next week. All were detained pending trial. Following that takedown, Abilene saw just three overdoses, none of them fatal, through the end of the year, for an average of 0.8 overdoses per month. In addition, according to the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the street price of fentanyl pills rose from roughly $8 per pill to between $20 and $30 per pill, making fentanyl less accessible to at-risk users. “This is precisely why the U.S. Attorney’s Office does the work it does – and why I am proud to have led the Northern District of Texas for the past two years,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “To see our fentanyl prosecutions having tangible impacts on the lives of the people of Abilene is immensely gratifying. I want to laud the hard work of our local law enforcement partners, especially the Abilene Police Department and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, for helping to make this happen.” To date, 10 of the 12 defendants indicted on Sept. 11 have entered guilty pleas and await sentencing. The other two await trial and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Agencies involved in the fight against fentanyl in the region include the Abilene Police Department, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – all members of North Texas HIDTA and the OCEDTF Program. The Fort Worth Branch of the United States’s Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threat the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Antitrust Division Releases 10-Year Workload Statistics Report

component: Antitrust Division

body_text: The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division today issued its 10-year workload statistics report, summarizing the Division’s work enforcing the federal antitrust laws from 2015 through 2024. These statistics can be found here. The report reflects the critical enforcement and advocacy work the Antitrust Division has done on behalf of American consumers, taxpayers, and workers. This includes efforts to put a stop to conduct by monopolists or groups of competitors that harm consumers and workers; block mergers that threaten competition; prosecute anticompetitive crimes; ensure proper application of the antitrust laws in courts throughout the United States; and advocate for pro-competition policies across federal and state governments and with other countries. More information about the Antitrust Division can be found at www.justice.gov/atr .


title: Sex Offender Admits Child Exploitation Offenses, Threatening Minors

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GREGORY BUTTS, 54, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a child exploitation offense. According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2016, Butts was convicted in Connecticut state court of illegal sexual contact with a child. In November 2020, family and friends of two missing juveniles in Colorado posted information about the missing juveniles on social media pages and included a phone number asking the public to call with information. Butts, with his own phone number blocked, called the number and spoke to a female friend of the missing juveniles, who recorded the conversation. Butts stated that he was with the missing juveniles and had had sexual contact with them. He threatened to harm the missing juveniles if the conversation were recorded or if law enforcement were contacted, and threatened the female friend who answered the phone. He then said that he would return the missing juveniles if the female friend would have sexual intercourse with him. Shortly after the juveniles had been reported missing, they returned home. They were not harmed and had not been kidnapped. Investigators determined that the call emanated from a lightly-populated area in Sprague, Connecticut, and that Butts was a registered sex offender living in the area who was on probation following a state conviction for illegal sexual contact with a minor. After a Connecticut probation officer identified Butts’ voice on the recording, probation officers searched Butts’ residence and another residence where he also had been staying and seized a computer, storage devices, multiple cell phones and other items. Forensic analysis of the seized items revealed more than 10,000 images and videos of child pornography, and downloaded conversations Butts had with minors on Snapchat and other social media applications. In the chats, Butts engaged in sexually explicit conversations, made numerous threats and demanded, and sometimes received, sexually explicit photos. Butts pleaded guilty to possession of a child pornography, which, based on his criminal history, carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Butts has been detained since March 4, 2022. This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Haven, Connecticut and Loveland, Colorado, with the assistance of the Connecticut Office of Adult Probation, Connecticut State Police, and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy V. Gifford and Daniel E. Cummings. U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of New London for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker Announces Alaska's Designation as Jurisdiction of Focus Under the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA)

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – United States Attorney S. Lane Tucker announced that Attorney General Merrick Garland has designated Alaska as a jurisdiction of focus under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA). U.S. Attorney Tucker stated, “Alaska’s inclusion in VAWA provides significant resources for the District of Alaska’s ongoing work to reduce violence against women and children and promote rural justice in Alaska. This work, along with our successful efforts to reduce the flow of illegal narcotics into our State, and to find and prosecute white collar criminals who exploit our most vulnerable, is a tribute to the hard-working women and men of this United States Attorney’s Office.” U.S. Attorney Tucker continued, “Serving with them in our work to uphold the rule of law and pursue justice fairly and equitably has been the honor of a lifetime. Thank you to our law enforcement partners and to the community members who work with us in these efforts, and to my U.S. Attorney colleagues for their tireless efforts all across the country.”