title: Former U.S. Air Force Pilot Arrested for Providing Defense Services to the Chinese Military

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: Former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., also known by the call sign “Runner,” 65, a U.S. citizen, was arrested today in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Brown was charged by criminal complaint for providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Brown is expected to have his initial appearance before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on February 26, 2026. “The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “When U.S. persons – whether military or civilian - provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department. The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA." “Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. “The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the U.S. armed forces to modernize China’s military capabilities. This arrest serves as a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardize our national security.” “As an Air Force Officer, Brown took an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, he broke that oath, and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice and my prosecutors are steadfast in our commitment to use every lawful tool available to keep American military expertise where it belongs – here in America.” “Providing U.S. military training to our adversaries represents a significant threat to national security,” said Lee M. Russ, Executive Director of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Office of Special Projects. “AFOSI remains committed to countering the threat posed by those who violate the trust placed in them and endanger our service members.” As alleged in the complaint, since at least in or around August 2023, Brown willfully conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force, known as the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This training was a defense service under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Brown, a U.S. person under the ITAR, lacked the required license from the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to provide that training to foreign persons or foreign military units. Brown served for over 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, leaving active duty in 1996 with the rank of Major. During his lengthy military career, Brown commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft, including the F-4 “Phantom II,” F-15 “Eagle,” F-16 “Fighting Falcon,” and the A-10 “Thunderbolt II” (Warthog). Brown then served as a commercial cargo pilot and, most recently, as a contract simulator instructor for two different U.S. defense contractors training U.S. military pilots on flying the A-10 and the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. According to the complaint, in or around August 2023, Brown began arranging the terms of his contract to train Chinese military pilots, using a co-conspirator to negotiate with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who in 2016 pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to conspiring to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors and steal sensitive military and export-controlled data for the PRC. He was sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Su Bin and his company PRC Lode Technology Company were also added to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List in 2014. Throughout these communications, Brown consistently stated his intent to train PRC military pilots in combat aircraft operations. In the resumé he prepared for his application, Brown wrote his “objective” as “Instructor Fighter Pilot.” A co-conspirator told Brown that he hoped Brown would be assigned to “my base, but otherwise you’ll go where is the local equivalent as the [U.S. Air Force] Weapon School.” Later, he stated to a co-conspirator that, upon his arrival in China, “Now…. I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!” In December 2023, Brown traveled to China to begin his work training PRC military pilots. After his arrival, Brown answered question for three hours about the U.S. Air Force on his first day in the PRC and then, on his second day, prepared and presented a brief about himself for the PLAAF. Brown remained in China until he traveled to the United States in early February 2026. The charges against Brown follow similar charges filed against former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan in the District of Columbia in September 2017. Duggan was charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, as well as for conspiring to engage in international money laundering. Like Brown, Duggan received significant training during his career as a pilot in the U.S. military, then used that training for the benefit of the Chinese military. In particular, Duggan is alleged to have trained Chinese military pilots on the tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with takeoff from and landing on an aircraft carrier. Duggan was arrested in Australia in October 2022 and is currently pending extradition to the United States. In June 2024, the United States, along with the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, published a bulletin warning that “China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to target current and former military personnel from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations and other Western countries to help bolster the PLA’s capabilities.” In February 2025, Gen. James B. Hecker, the then-commander of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, stated : “Once you fly on our team, even after you hang up your uniform, you have a responsibility to protect our tactics, techniques and procedures.” The case against Brown is being investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office, with valuable assistance from the FBI’s Louisville, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles Field Offices. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations also provided substantial assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Beau Barnes and Acting Deputy Chief Sean Heiden of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven B. Wasserman from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from National Security Division Paralegal Specialist Derra McQuaig. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. * * * An indictment, complaint, or criminal information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former U.S. Air Force Pilot Arrested, Charged with Providing Defense Services to the Chinese Military

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: WASHINGTON –Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., 65, a former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot, was arrested today in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and charged by criminal complaint for providing, and conspiring to provide, unauthorized defense services to Chinese military pilots in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Brown, also known by the call sign “Runner,” is expected to have his initial appearance tomorrow, February 26, before a magistrate judge in the Southern District of Indiana. “As an Air Force officer, Brown took an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. He allegedly broke that oath and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice and my prosecutors are steadfast in our commitment to use every lawful tool available to keep American military expertise where it belongs – here in America.” “The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “When U.S. persons – whether military or civilian - provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department. The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA." “Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. “The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the U.S. armed forces to modernize China’s military capabilities. This arrest serves as a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardize our national security.” According to the complaint, since August 2023, Brown willfully conspired with foreign nationals to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force, known as the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This training was a defense service under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Brown lacked the required license from the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls to provide that training to foreign persons or foreign military units. Brown served for more than 24 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired in 1996 with the rank of Major. During his military career, Brown commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft, including the F-4 “Phantom II,” F-15 “Eagle,” F-16 “Fighting Falcon,” and the A-10 “Thunderbolt II” (Warthog). Brown then served as a commercial cargo pilot and, most recently, as a contract simulator instructor for two different U.S. defense contractors training U.S. military pilots on flying the A-10 and the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. In August 2023, Brown began arranging the terms of his contract to train Chinese military pilots, using a co-conspirator to negotiate with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who in 2016 pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to conspiring to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors and to steal sensitive military and export-controlled data for the PRC. Su Bin was sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Su Bin and his company PRC Lode Technology Company also were added to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List in 2014. Throughout these communications, Brown consistently stated his intent to train PRC military pilots in combat aircraft operations. In the resumé he prepared for his application, Brown wrote his “objective” as “Instructor Fighter Pilot.” A co-conspirator told Brown that he hoped Brown would be assigned to “my base, but otherwise you’ll go where is the local equivalent as the [U.S. Air Force] Weapon School.” Later, Brown stated to a co-conspirator that, upon his arrival in China, “Now…. I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!” In December 2023, Brown traveled to China to begin his work training PRC military pilots. After his arrival, Brown answered questions for three hours about the U.S. Air Force on his first day in the PRC and then, on his second day, prepared and presented a brief about himself for the PLAAF. Brown remained in China until he traveled to the United States in early February 2026. The charges against Brown follow similar charges filed in September 2017 against former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan in the District of Columbia. Duggan was charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, as well as for conspiring to engage in international money laundering. Like Brown, Duggan received significant training during his career as a pilot in the U.S. military, then used that training for the benefit of the Chinese military. In particular, Duggan is alleged to have trained Chinese military pilots on the tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with takeoff from and landing on an aircraft carrier. Duggan was arrested in Australia in October 2022 and is currently pending extradition to the United States. “Providing U.S. military training to our adversaries represents a significant threat to national security,” said Lee M. Russ, Executive Director of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Office of Special Projects. “AFOSI remains committed to countering the threat posed by those who violate the trust placed in them and endanger our service members.” “Retired U.S. Air Force Major Gerald Brown allegedly sold out his country to train Chinese pilots with his expertise in United States’ combat aircraft techniques. Brown’s alleged betrayal exposed sensitive military tactics, threatening the security of our nation, our armed forces, and our allies,” said FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle. “May today’s arrest emphasize the FBI’s steadfast promise to defend the homeland against all foreign and domestic adversaries.” In June 2024, the United States, along with the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, published a bulletin warning that “China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to target current and former military personnel from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations and other Western countries to help bolster the PLA’s capabilities.” In February 2025, Gen. James B. Hecker, the then-commander of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, stated : “Once you fly on our team, even after you hang up your uniform, you have a responsibility to protect our tactics, techniques and procedures.” The case against Brown is being investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office, with valuable assistance from the FBI’s Louisville, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles Field Offices. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations also provided substantial assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven B. Wasserman from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney Beau Barnes and Acting Deputy Chief Sean Heiden of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, with assistance from National Security Division Paralegal Specialist Derra McQuaig. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. * * * An indictment, complaint, or criminal information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Portland Man Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Federal Prison for  Sex Trafficking Three Minors

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sex trafficking three minor victims. Eric Lamont Harris, 51, was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. According to court documents, Harris began trafficking 15-year-old Minor Victim 1 in Spring 2022. Minor Victim 1 was a ward of the state and reported missing in March 2022. Harris began trafficking 16-year-old Minor Victim 2 in June 2022. In July 2022, Harris brought Minor Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 from Portland to Kennewick, Washington, with the intent that they engage in prostitution at a hotel he booked in Kennewick. After Minor Victim 2’s parents reported her missing, the FBI and Kennewick Police recovered Minor Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 in Kennewick. Harris met 17-year-old Minor Victim 3 in June 2022 and began trafficking her in August 2022. Each victim lived with Harris while he trafficked them. Harris booked hotel rooms for the minor victims’ commercial sex dates, transported them to and from those dates, facilitated the posting of online escort advertisements featuring the minor victims, and received thousands of dollars’ worth of commercial sex proceeds from the minor victims. On September 16, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an eight-count second superseding indictment charging Harris with transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, three counts of sex trafficking of a child, three counts of sex trafficking of a child – benefitting from participation in a venture, and sexual exploitation of children. On November 6, 2025, Harris pleaded guilty to the eight-count indictment on the fourth day of his ten-day trial. This case was investigated by the FBI, the Portland Police Bureau, the Kennewick Police Department, and the Medford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charlotte Kelley and Robert Trisotto prosecuted the case. This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website .


title: Court Sentences Mobile County Woman For Possessing A Firearm As An Eight Time Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL - On February 23, 2026, United States District Court Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Heather Ashley Stringfellow to 77 months’ imprisonment for Possession of a Firearm as a Convicted Felon. Court documents show that on August 2, 2024, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant at the Stringfellow’s home in Grand Bay, Alabama, where she was found in bed in the master bedroom. Under that bed, deputies located a Taurus GX4 semi-automatic pistol. Deputies also found a purse belonging to Stringfellow which contained marijuana, Xanax bars, and a baggie containing a small amount of methamphetamine. Stringfellow admitted to deputies that several individuals sold drugs from the home. During the investigation deputies obtained a screen shot from a cellular telephone in which the defendant was texting with another individual. In the text messages Stringfellow sent a picture of the Taurus firearm and stated: “I bought a pistol.” The picture matched the firearm seized. Stringfellow also made a recorded phone call from the Metro Jail in which she asked another person to sign an affidavit saying the weapon belonged to her (the other person’s) deceased father. The other person’s deceased father previously owned and lived in the trailer where the defendant was living at the time of the search and the false ploy was to represent that the deceased man left the weapon in the trailer under the box spring. Stringfellow had been previously convicted of the following eight felonies: Money Laundering, on or about October 16, 2017, in United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama; Possession of a Controlled Substance, on or about April 2, 2013, in the Circuit Court for Mobile County, Alabama; Identity Theft, on or about April 2, 2013, in the Circuit Court for Mobile County, Alabama; Obstructing Justice-False Identification, on or about April 2, 2013, in the Circuit Court for Mobile County, Alabama; Possession of a Forged Instrument, 2nd degree, on or about October 19, 2011, in the Circuit Court for Mobile County, Alabama; Robbery, 2nd Degree, on or about May 11, 2011, in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama; Possession of a Forged Instrument, 2nd Degree, on or about October 5, 2006, in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama; and Theft of Property, First Degree, on or about October 5, 2006, in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney George F. May prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


title: Mexican National Convicted of Aggravated Identity Theft

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON- A Mexican national man, illegally residing in Kentucky, was convicted on Tuesday by a federal jury in Lexington for making false statements regarding citizenship and aggravated identity theft-related charges. After two hours of deliberation, following a two day trial, the jury convicted 39-year-old Joel Sanchez-Mendoza for one count of making a false statement of citizenship to engage in unlawful employment, one count of making a false statement of citizenship to engage to obtain a Kentucky Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and two counts of aggravated identity theft. According to testimony at trial, Sanchez-Mendoza assumed the identity of an American citizen by using their name, date of birth, and social security number. With this information, he was able to obtain employment and a Kentucky CDL. Paul McCaffrey, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division, jointly announced the conviction. The investigation was conducted by HSI and USPO. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walker. Sanchez-Mendoza will appear for sentencing on June 25, 2026. He faces maximum of 48 months in prison, consecutive to any other sentence. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence. — END —


title: Federal Court Sentences Guam Brothers and a Mexican Illegal Alien for Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announces that the U.S. District Court of Guam has imposed sentences on defendants involved in a multi‑state drug‑trafficking and money‑laundering conspiracy operating between Guam and the U.S. mainland. Jeremy Laitan Cruz , age 40, from Dededo, Guam was sentenced on February 23, 2026 to 120 months imprisonment for his role. He was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(A)(viii), and Conspiracy to Engage in Monetary Transactions with Proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(h) and 2. The Court also imposed five years of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and $200 special assessment fee. Eric Shawn Cruz , age 35, of Dededo, Guam, previously pleaded guilty and sentenced on October 9, 2025, to 120 months imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty (50) or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Count 1), in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841 (a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii) and Conspiracy to Engage in Monetary Transactions with Proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity (Count 34), in violation of 18 U.S.C § 1956(h) and 2. The Court also imposed five years of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and $200 special assessment fee. Jonovan Michael Cruz , age 33, from Dededo, Guam, was a co‑defendant and sibling of Jeremy and Eric. His case was dismissed due to his untimely passing. Jose Quevedo Salazar , age 33, a citizen of Mexico and an illegal alien in the United States, residing in Florida, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced on October 9, 2025, to 24 months imprisonment, with credit for time served, for Conspiracy to Engage in Monetary Transactions with Proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(h) and 2. The Court also imposed one year of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and $100 special assessment fee. From at least September 3, 2023, to September 12, 2023, Jeremy Cruz and his brothers Jonovan and Eric conspired to distribute methamphetamine on Guam. The brothers coordinated the purchase of methamphetamine from the U.S. mainland, arranged for its shipment to Guam, and planned to distribute the drugs locally while sharing the proceeds. Investigators found that the conspirators used Facebook Messenger to coordinate shipment, pricing, and distribution. In early September 2023, Eric Cruz—then residing in Florida—mailed a parcel containing approximately 228 grams of methamphetamine to a Guam address provided by Jeremy Cruz. Jonovan and Jeremy exchanged tracking information, and a screenshot of the tracking number was inadvertently posted publicly on social media. On September 12, 2023, federal agents located the parcel upon its arrival in Guam, obtained a search warrant, and seized the methamphetamine before delivery. The brothers exchanged messages afterward expressing concern that the shipment had been intercepted. From at least July 2023 through October 23, 2023, Jeremy Cruz, his brothers, and Salazar engaged in a money‑laundering scheme designed to conceal the source and ownership of proceeds from methamphetamine distribution. Cruz, his brothers, and Salazar used multiple intermediaries and methods to move funds between Guam, Florida, and California, disguising the illicit nature of the transactions. “We will continue our aggressive enforcement efforts against drug traffickers who use our mail system to facilitate their illegal activity,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Anyone involved with the shipment of drugs in the mail can become the target of an investigation and face substantial time in a federal prison. This case demonstrates effective law enforcement in combatting drug trafficking across multiple jurisdictions. I applaud the efforts of our agency partners in this successful operation.” “Today’s sentencing sends a stern warning to all drug traffickers who peddle drugs and endanger the safety and wellbeing of our island communities. There will be accountability for your actions, and these types of illicit activities will not be tolerated,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Los Angeles Field Division, which oversees Guam. “Our successful partnerships and collaboration with federal, state and local agencies underscore DEA’s unwavering commitment to protect the United States by disrupting the illicit methamphetamine supply chain, reducing its availability, and saving lives.” “Our message with the sentencing of Jeremy Laitan Cruz is clear: We will aggressively investigate and bring to justice every individual using the U.S. Mail to transport crystal methamphetamine into Guam,” said Stephen Sherwood, Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s San Francisco Division. “Achieving successful case resolutions in Guam such as with U.S. v. Cruz, et al. , is only possible due to our strong partnerships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Guam, members of the Guam Interdictions and Anti-Narcotics Trafficking (GIANT) Task Force, and our federal law enforcement partners. The GIANT Task Force Members include the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, Guam Police Department, and Guam Army National Guard Counter Drug Program.” The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency and the Guam Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin K. Petersburg prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.


title: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Local Doctor of Almost $500,000

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Miramar, Florida man pled guilty yesterday to perpetuating a two-year scheme to defraud a Lynchburg doctor out of nearly a half million dollars. Tommie Lee Nelson, 65, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. At sentencing, Nelson faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. According to court documents, beginning around April 2020, the victim, a Lynchburg doctor, sought to purchase a commercial building in Danville, Virginia, in partnership with an agricultural cooperative. Nelson represented himself to the victim as a “hard money” lender who could assist in purchasing the building. Through Nelson’s fraudulent representations, he convinced the victim to wire him several payments from July 2020 and into 2021, ultimately totaling almost $500,000. Despite Nelson’s representations, these payments did not go toward the building purchase. Instead, Nelson spent the victim’s money at casinos and for his personal benefit. By 2021, the purchase agreement had fallen through, and Nelson stopped responding to the victim’s calls. Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.


title: Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against New Jersey for Interfering with Federal Immigration Laws

body_text: Yesterday, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill over New Jersey’s new Executive Order No. 12 that interferes with the federal government’s enforcement of its immigration laws. “Federal agents are risking their lives to keep New Jersey citizens safe, and yet New Jersey’s leaders are enacting policies designed to obstruct and endanger law enforcement,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “States may not deliberately interfere with our efforts to remove illegal aliens and arrest criminals — New Jersey’s sanctuary policies will not stand.” The Executive Order prohibits ICE and other federal immigration officials from conducting secure arrests of criminal illegal aliens inside nonpublic areas of state property including state correctional facilities. Not only are New Jersey’s sanctuary policies illegal under federal law, but, as alleged in the complaint, New Jersey’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities results in the release of dangerous criminals from police custody who would otherwise be subject to removal, including illegal aliens convicted of aggravated assault, burglary, and drug and human trafficking, onto the streets. On her first day in office, Attorney General Bondi instructed the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal immigration laws or impede lawful federal immigration operations. The Department’s list of sanctuary jurisdictions published on August 5, 2025, precedes New Jersey’s latest Executive Order. Regardless, Attorney General Bondi has vowed to bring litigation to end such policies nationwide. Today’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal sanctuary city policies across the country, including in New York, Minnesota, and Los Angeles, California.


title: United States Attorney For The Middle District Of Pennsylvania Reappointed To Continue As The United States Attorney For The Middle District of Pennsylvania

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian D. Miller has been reappointed by the United States District Court to continue as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Chief District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann administered the oath of office to Mr. Miller yesterday in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller was originally appointed by United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi on October 27, 2025, for 120 days. This new order by the District Court Judges appoints Mr. Miller as United States Attorney until the vacancy is filled by the President. In September 2025, President Trump nominated Mr. Miller to be the United States Attorney, and his nomination is pending before the United States Senate. Previously, Mr. Miller was confirmed by the United States Senate to be the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery on June 2, 2020. Mr. Miller’s prior positions include Senior Associate White House Counsel; Inspector General of the United States General Services Administration (Senate confirmed on July 22, 2005); Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General; Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia; Special Counsel on Health Care Fraud for the Deputy Attorney General; and Counsel to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. He has also served as Acting General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2025. As a federal prosecutor, Mr. Miller litigated civil and criminal cases involving terrorism and terrorist financing, drug-related conspiracies and murder, and the False Claims Act. As an inspector general, Mr. Miller is known for his investigation of a lavish GSA conference in Las Vegas. Mr. Miller was honored to receive the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, the EOUSA Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an AUSA, and the David M. Walker Excellence in Government Performance and Accountability Award, which recognizes and honors government audit professionals who have made sustained contributions to improve government performance and accountability through their leadership in transforming government organizations. Mr. Miller received his bachelor’s degree from Temple University and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He resides in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. # # #


title: PENSACOLA MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR METHAMPHETAMINE AND FIREARM CHARGES

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Geoffery Bartee Dale, 38, of Pensacola, Florida was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the outstanding work of our local and federal law enforcement partners, this drug trafficker’s scheme has been dismantled and he’ll spend the next 15 years in federal prison. The Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America initiative was launched to target and eliminate drug trafficking operations like this one that have flooded our communities with deadly poison and threatened the health and safety of our residents. My office will continue to deliver successful prosecutions like this one to keep violent drug traffickers in prison where they belong and give our residents the safe and drug-free streets they deserve.” According to court records, in February and March of 2024, the defendant was a target of a joint law enforcement investigation. On March 8, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Pensacola residence, during which investigators located over 3,100 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a large amount of marijuana, four firearms, ammunition, over $129,000 in United States currency, and other drug distribution related items. Law enforcement also obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s storage unit, where they found more than 4,400 grams of methamphetamine, a large amount of marijuana, three firearms, and ammunition. The defendant has two prior felony convictions. “This amount of methamphetamine represents a public health threat capable of impacting an entire region,” said DEA Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “Getting this trafficker off the streets will make communities safer and get the State of Florida closer to being Fentanyl and Methamphetamine free.” The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Pensacola Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Etherton. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ROBBING GAINESVILLE BANK

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Patrick Shane Johnson, 51, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to bank robbery and bank theft. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America means one less violent criminal on our streets threatening our public safety. Great work by the Gainesville Police Department to quickly apprehend this offender, and great work by my office to aggressively prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.” Court documents reveal that on August 27, 2025, the defendant entered a Wells Fargo bank on Archer Road and passed a note to a teller. The note read, “This is no joke, it is an armed bank robbery. All of the money now I am armed.” The defendant grabbed over $1,000 cash and fled. The Gainesville Police Department responded and immediately apprehended the defendant. Johnson faces up to 50 years’ imprisonment upon sentencing, which is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department and the Federal Burau of Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 15 years in Prison for Exploitation of Oshkosh Minor

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on February 23, 2026, Zachary J. Vogt (age: 20) of West Chester, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Byron B. Conway following his conviction for Production of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a). According to court documents, in October 2024, Vogt began corresponding online with a minor child located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The exchanges between the two quickly became sexual in nature. The child’s parents discovered the online activity and warned the minor and Vogt that all interaction must cease. Vogt ignored that warning. In June 2025, despite knowing that the child was underage, Vogt travelled from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin to engage in sexual activity with the child. Vogt sexually abused the child and recorded the abuse on his cellular phone. Law enforcement subsequently recovered the images, and Vogt was arrested. In determining that 180 months’ imprisonment was an appropriate sentence, Judge Conway noted the incredibly serious nature of the offense and highlighted that the defendant had been warned to cease contact with the child. Judge Conway cited strong need to deter others from enticing children online and found a need to protect the public from online sexual predators like Vogt. Following the defendant’s release from federal prison, he will spend 15 years on supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law. “This defendant is clearly a sick and dangerous individual,” said U.S. Attorney Schimel. “He was given the chance to terminate his online sexually explicit activity with the child but ignored that warning and escalated his criminal conduct by crossing multiple states to sexually exploit the child. The only way to keep the community safe from him is to lock him up. The law enforcement community has no higher priority than to protect our kids, and if you harm them, we are coming for you.” This case was investigated by the City of Oshkosh Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble. 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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. # # # For further information contact: Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero (414) 297-1700 Follow us on X


title: Former Omro Alderman Sentenced for Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on February 20, 2026, Jason A. Reeves (age: 44), of Omro, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 66 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to a charge of Receipt of Child Pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(2)(A). According to court documents, Reeves, then a City of Omro Alderman, was the subject of a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Based on that CyberTip, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at Reeves’ residence resulting in the discovery of numerous videos and images of child sexual abuse material (child pornography) which he received via various internet platforms. Reeves resigned his elected position following his arrest. U.S. District Court Judge Byron B. Conway noted the serious nature of the offense committed by Reeves and the profound effect that such crimes have on the child victims, even many years after their abuse has stopped. Judge Conway concluded significant prison is necessary to deter this behavior and protect the public. Following his prison term, Reeves will spend 10 years on supervised release and will be required to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law. “Even though this offender never had direct contact with any of the children abused in the images he accessed, his conduct directly caused long-lasting, severe harm to those children. Every time someone accesses, views or downloads child pornography, they are directly contributing to a worldwide industry that is profiting off the ongoing sexual abuse of children,” stated U.S. Attorney Schimel. “Anyone who does this belongs in prison, no matter who they are.” “Mr. Reeves was an elected official who violated the trust of the residents he was elected to serve,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI is committed to protecting children from exploitation. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat the exploitation and victimization of children.” “Protecting the most vulnerable members in our community remains a top priority of the Sheriff's Office and working with our federal partners maximizes our resources” said Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz. This case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Green Bay Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble. 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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. # # # For further information contact: Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero (414) 297-1700 Follow us on X


body_text: Second Defendant Pleads Guilty for Role in $10 Million International Fraudulent Market Survey Conspiracy CONCORD – An Alabama man pleaded guilty today for his role in an international scheme to sell fraudulent market survey data, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Daniel Harriman, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for June 15, 2026. According to the public record, Op4G and Slice were market research companies based in New Hampshire and Illinois, respectively. Clients would hire the companies to conduct market research surveys. As part of their business model, Op4G and Slice maintained “panels” consisting of individuals potentially eligible to take surveys. Stoudt initially worked for Op4G before moving over to Slice. In 2014, several conspirators, including Harriman, decided to increase company revenues by generating fabricated survey data. To execute the scheme, the conspirators recruited “ants”, who pretended to be legitimate survey takers but instead were paid a nominal fee for completing surveys that produced false market research data. Some of the conspirators even served as “ants” and fraudulently took large quantities of surveys themselves, receiving significant payments. To evade detection, the conspirators exchanged instructions with each other and the “ants.” These instructions included directions on how to answer survey screener questions, provided parameters on how long “ants” should remain on surveys, and encouraged the use of virtual private network (VPN) services to conceal real IP addresses. Between 2014 and the beginning of 2025, Op4G and Slice billed over $10 million to clients for work tainted with fraudulent survey data. In more recent years, false market research data was used to generate approximately 90% of Op4G and Slice’s revenues. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The FBI led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case. Co-defendant Frank Hayden pleaded guilty on February 2, 2026 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12, 2026.


title: Millington Man Sentenced to 4½ Years for Domestic Violence Against Service Member Spouse

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – Jared Goodman , 34 , was sentenced to federal prison for committing domestic violence against his service member spouse in the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Goodman previously pleaded guilty on November 10, 2025 to one count of domestic violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2261. On February 20, 2026, Chief United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Goodman to 54 months in prison for his crime. According to information presented in court, Goodman met his victim in December 2022. She was an active-duty service member who was stationed at Naval Support Activity Mid-South and lived in military housing on the Naval Base in Millington. The couple married in October of 2023, and Goodman moved into her residence. On Christmas Eve of 2023, Goodman became angry with the victim and forcefully assaulted her, causing a lumbar spine fracture. In addition to the prison term, Chief United States District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman also ordered Goodman to serve a five-year period of supervision following his release from custody. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: “Perpetrators of domestic violence seek to control their victims to perpetuate their violent acts. This victim was particularly brave to come forward and report her abuse. Though these cases are not often brought in federal court, when we have jurisdiction, we will hold offenders accountable for their violent conduct.” “NCIS remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting those who serve our nation and their families from harm, including domestic violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Arturo Hernandez of the NCIS Central Field Office. “This investigation highlights the critical importance of collaboration to ensure the safety and security of our warfighters as well as the communities in which they live and work.” This case was investigated by the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). The case was prosecuted on behalf of the government by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Crum. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Gallup man arrested for assault causing serious injuries

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Gallup man is facing federal charges after allegedly attacking an adult victim inside a vehicle, causing serious facial injuries. According to court documents, on December 31, 2025, Dennison Billy, Jr. , 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly assaulted an adult victim while the victim was driving and Billy was in the passenger seat of a vehicle. Responding officers found Billy highly intoxicated in the passenger seat and the victim nearby with visible blood and multiple injuries, including facial trauma, bruising, and a swollen finger. The victim reported exiting the vehicle to avoid further assault. Blood and hair were observed inside the vehicle. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The victim later reported Billy had been drinking and became argumentative before striking the victim multiple times, causing a possible loss of consciousness. As a result of the assault, the victim sustained serious injuries, including a fractured orbital wall and fractured nasal bones. Billy told law enforcement he had consumed a large amount of alcohol, claimed he blacked out, and said he did not remember the incident. Billy is charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Billy faces 10 years in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Jicarilla Apache Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case. An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Arizona man pleads guilty to assault and firearms offenses

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man has pleaded guilty to federal charges for assaulting a woman with a rifle after she tried to intervene in a suspected domestic violence incident. According to court documents, on August 24, 2024, Jane Doe 2 saw Curley Nakai Jr. , 25, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engage in what she believed was a domestic violence incident involving Jane Doe 1. Concerned, she followed the pickup truck in which Nakai was a passenger to the Basha’s grocery store parking lot. At the parking lot, Nakai exited the truck carrying a rifle, made threatening gestures toward Jane Doe 2, including pointing the rifle at her, and told her to leave. Jane Doe 2 drove some distance away but remained in the parking lot. During the incident, Jane Doe 1 exited the vehicle and walked away. Nakai pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. At sentencing, Nakai faces not less than five years and up to life in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.


title: Chinese illegal alien sentenced to 8 years in prison for role in fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans’ retirement & savings accounts

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: DAYTON, Ohio – Xiangyang He, 41, a Chinese national and illegal alien living in Los Angeles, was sentenced in U.S. District Court here to 96 months in prison for his role as a courier in a fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans. He personally picked up more than half a million dollars in cash and gold from older victims, including at least one victim in Ohio. “Retired Americans unknowingly give away their hard-earned retirement savings to criminals like He, an illegal alien who preyed on a vulnerable population,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “This sort of conspiracy uses deceptive tactics and fear to steal millions of dollars in savings and retirement accounts from hardworking Americans. My office will do everything we can to protect our elderly citizens. And we want folks to be aware of these schemes so they can protect themselves from future fraud attempts.” According to court documents, victims of the scam are usually contacted initially through a message sent to their computer or cell phone or an unsolicited phone call by a person purporting to be an employee or customer service representative from a legitimate business. A conspirator then directs the victim to contact either a “security official” for the given company or a “government employee” for more information. The conspirators represent to the victim that an IP address, bank account or other account has been compromised, and victim information has been used in some sort of criminal activity for which they are being investigated. The scheme perpetrators often use fictitious employee identification numbers or names of legitimate government employees. They also tell victims there is a warrant for their arrest or their life savings will be seized. Finally, elderly victims are instructed to withdraw large amounts of cash or purchase gold bars from online brokers and give the cash or gold to a “government employee” at a specific time and place for purported safe keeping in secure government accounts. From late February through early April 2024, He flew to at least six different states to pick up approximately 17 packages from victims ages 65 or older. Packages included $35,000 to $73,000 in cash or gold. On April 4, 2024, He traveled to the Southern District of Ohio to retrieve funds from a victim and was subsequently arrested. The defendant was indicted by a grand jury in April 2024 and pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiring to commit wire and bank fraud. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jason Rees, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announced the sentence imposed on Feb. 23 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth L. McCormick and Special Assistant United States Attorney Dwight K. Keller are representing the United States in this case. Anyone who suspects they or a loved one is a victim of such a fraud can report it by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, or go to the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website for more information at www.Justice.gov/elderjustice . # # #


title: Member of Transnational Fraud Network Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy that Stole Millions from American Consumers

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Florida man was sentenced to six years in prison yesterday for his participation in a scheme to steal millions of dollars from American consumers’ bank accounts. “This sentence holds accountable yet another member of a transnational criminal network that stole millions of dollars from unsuspecting Americans across the country,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These schemes are designed to be difficult to detect – spanning multiple jurisdictions and relying on layers of conspirators to obscure their operations – making them especially harmful to victims who often do not realize they have been targeted until it is too late. With 22 defendants charged in four districts, this prosecution reflects the Criminal Division’s commitment to dismantle every layer of criminal enterprises that prey on Americans, no matter how far their operations reach.” “Global criminal groups use U.S.-based individuals to exploit our nation’s banking system and launder money stolen from innocent victims,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “I applaud our law enforcement partners for helping to bring this criminal to justice. We must and shall be as relentless in using every legal tool available to punish these individuals.” “Despite hiding their actions behind fake companies, these suspects will pay for their abuse of people’s information and the banking system,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations Group. “By exploiting victims from the payday loan list, these criminals took what little was left from people already struggling to make ends meet. The United States Postal Inspection Service will continue to relentlessly pursue criminals who exploit this country’s hardworking citizens and the U.S. Mail for unlawful purposes.” According to court documents, Michael Young, 44, of Hollywood, Florida, was part of a criminal enterprise responsible for stealing millions of dollars from the bank accounts of unknowing consumers across the United States. The enterprise obtained “lead lists” that contained victims’ banking information – some of which derived from payday loan applications – and used it to make unauthorized debits against victims’ bank accounts. Members of the enterprise falsely claimed to banks that victims had authorized the transactions. The enterprise also used numerous shell entities and money laundering techniques to conceal its actions. For years, Young worked for a co-conspirator based in Southern California who ran the domestic side of the operation, assisting foreign co-conspirators with obtaining lead lists, establishing U.S. banking relations and coordinating nominal owners or “signers” for shell entities. Through that work, Young participated in nearly every aspect of the scheme. Young later replicated the scheme himself to make more money. In June 2025, Young pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. In total, 22 defendants have been charged and seven have been convicted in connection with this scheme. Notices of upcoming hearings may be found here . The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Wei Xiang and Meredith B. Healy of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica E. Tait for the Central District of California prosecuted the case. The department urges individuals to be on the lookout for unauthorized debits to their accounts. Regularly check your bank, credit card and other financial statements and contact your financial institution if you see a charge you do not recognize. Report any fraudulent debit you identify to law enforcement. Reports may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.


title: Man with Two Machine Gun Conversion Devices by NC State Fair and Lenovo Center Pleaded Guilty

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – A Raleigh man pleaded guilty to possessing machine gun conversion devices in the parking lot next to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds and the Lenovo Center where NC State and the Hurricanes play in Raleigh, North Carolina. A United States Magistrate Judge signed a complaint on October 27, 2025, charging Luis Alberto Guerra-Martinez with possession of a machine gun. A Grand Jury for the Eastern District of North Carolina returned an indictment on November 18, 2025. “Bad hombres bringing illegal guns to crowded parking lots are up to no good. Thanks to the alert officer who sniffed out this nefarious plot before any blood was spilled. Stay alert, stay alive.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. "Observant local officers acted quickly, discovering multiple weapons, including a machine gun in this subject's car parked outside a concert of 15,000 people. This is an outstanding example of the FBI Raleigh Durham Safe Streets Task Force, the Raleigh Police Department, the Wake County Sheriff's Office, and the Dunn Police Department uniting for one purpose, to keep our communities safe. The FBI is committed to working with our state and local partners to bring the full weight of federal charges against anyone who may pose a threat to the homeland," said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. According to court documents and other information presented in court, on October 24, 2025, law enforcement stopped Guerra-Martinez as he drove erratically in the parking lot between the N.C. State Fair and the Lenovo Center. The N.C. State Fair was in full swing with tens of thousands of members of the public at the time. Also, popular youth rapper performed was a concert at the Lenovo Center at the same time. As Guerra-Martinez exited his vehicle, law enforcement detected the odor of marijuana coming from his car. Guerra-Martinez attempted to run away from the car as officers approached. They searched the car. The search yielded five guns, two drop in sears. A drop in sear converts a semi-automatic gun into a fully automatic machine gun. The search also yielded 35 grams of marijuana, THC vape cartridges, a digital scale, a ski mask, a Lenovo center radio, three Santa Muerte candles, one machete and one hunting knife, and two cell phones. Guerra-Martinez had recently been fired from Lenovo where he had worked as a janitor for a third-party contractor. At sentencing, Guerra-Martinez faces up to 10 years in prison. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement today. The FBI Raleigh Safe Streets Taskforce, WCSO, RPD and DPD investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aria Merle and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Van Trigt are prosecuting the case.


title: Ten Drug Dealers Handed Lengthy Federal Prison Sentences for Trafficking Kilos of Fentanyl, Meth, and Cocaine

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

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Ten defendants have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a multi‑county fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine trafficking operation spanning Indianapolis, Muncie, Terre Haute, and other areas within the Southern District of Indiana. Defendant Charge(s) Sentence Joshua Kendall, 44, of Indianapolis Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances 33 years’ imprisonment; 10 years of supervised release Wesley Young, 49, of Hudson, New York Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances 23 years’ imprisonment; 5 years of supervised release David Bork, 38, of Indianapolis Distribution of 500 Grams of More of a Substance Containing Methamphetamine 14 years’ imprisonment; 5 years of supervised release Alex Members, 47, of Indianapolis Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances 13 years’ imprisonment; 5 years of supervised release Tia Wampler, 36, of Bloomington, Indiana Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances 10 years’ imprisonment; 5 years of supervised release Brian Connelly, 57, of Romney, Indiana Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or More of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine 10 years’ imprisonment; 5 years of supervised release Fynn Fox, 55, of Indianapolis Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances 8 years, 1 month imprisonment; 3 years of supervised release Terry Pounds, 48, of Muncie, Indiana Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams of More of a Substance Containing Cocaine 5.5 years’ imprisonment; 5 years of supervised release Richard Moore, 46, of Marion, Indiana Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances 5 years’ imprisonment; 4 years of supervised release Taneesha Robertson, 45, of Indianapolis Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances 4 years’ imprisonment; 2 years of supervised release Between October 2022 and November 2023, Moore, Kendall, Young, Robertson, Wampler, Fox, and Members conspired to operate a large‑scale drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine across multiple Indiana counties. Kendall, who was identified as the leader of the Indianapolis based distribution network, often used threats to intimidate and control subordinates carrying out his directives. In total, the group was responsible for distributing at least 108 kilograms of methamphetamine , 4 kilograms of Fentanyl , and 6 kilograms of cocaine . On November 8, 2023, law enforcement executed multiple simultaneous search warrants at the defendants’ homes and vehicles, which were being used to store and distribute narcotics and drug‑trafficking proceeds. Officers seized 25,000 Fentanyl pills, 2 pounds of methamphetamine, 348.8 grams of cocaine base, 225 grams of cocaine, and 487 grams of Fentanyl laced with Xylazine. Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer that can slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels, and can decrease the effectiveness of reviving overdoses through use of Narcan. The following firearms, ammunition, and other items were seized and forfeited: C.A.I. Stalb P9R 9mm handgun Charter Arms Undercover .38 Special revolver Kel Tec .380 caliber handguns (x2) Kimber Custom .45 caliber handguns (x2) MI2AK l2-gauge shotgun Norinco SKS 7.62 rifle Ruger .45 caliber handguns (x2) Sig Sauer P365 9mm handgun Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .38- caliber handgun Springfield Hellcat 9mm handgun Springfield 40 caliber handgun 38 caliber Taurus revolver Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun Glock Model 19 9mm handgun Springfield XD semiautomatic $18,981 in cash At least five digital scales Cutting agents, including Phenyltetrahydroimidazothiazole (PTHIT) Hundreds of rounds of assorted ammunition Multiple cell phones “Dismantling a drug trafficking organization responsible for pumping massive quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl into our communities is a major victory for law enforcement and for every Hoosier,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Because of the exceptional, collaborative work of our federal, state, and local partners, we achieved a remarkable outcome that sends a crystal‑clear message to major drug dealers: we will continue our relentless pursuit to dismantle your illicit operations and protect the people of Indiana.” “The scope of this drug trafficking organization and the volume of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine it distributed posed a serious threat to communities across central and southern Indiana,” said DEA Indianapolis District Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gerald Dooley. “Because of the strong collaboration between our federal and local law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we were able to dismantle this network and remove significant quantities of dangerous drugs and firearms from our streets.” “These sentences send a clear message: if you profit from pumping fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into our neighborhoods, you will pay for it with your freedom,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “These individuals trafficked poison for profit, fueling addiction and violence across Indiana. These prison sentences remove both the dealers and their drugs from our streets — and that makes our communities safer. IRS-CI will continue to work relentlessly with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and shut down every level of these operations and hold accountable anyone who chooses to traffic poison in our communities.” “It is remarkable what law enforcement agencies can achieve when they work together in true partnership said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo. These individuals brought devastation and chaos to the people of Indiana. Because of their actions, they faced the full force of coordinated law enforcement efforts. Now, they will face the consequences of their crimes within the prison system.” The Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, IMPD, and Vigo County Drug Task Force investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Olivier, Lindsay E. Karwoski and Patrick Gibson, who prosecuted this case. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Crossroads of America comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Services, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indiana National Guard, Indiana State Police, HIDTA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Plainfield Police Department, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. ###


title: Mission Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison  for Voluntary Manslaughter

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Mission, South Dakota man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on February 23, 2026. Michael Barrera, age 18, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Barrera was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2025. He pleaded guilty on November 20, 2025. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in May of 2025, in the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On that date, Barrera drove to a residence near Mission and entered armed with a shotgun and confronted the victim, an adult male. Barrera argued with the victim and a struggle ensued, during which Barrera shot the victim in the left shoulder, fatally wounding him. Barrera then fled the scene. On June 4, 2025, Barrera was arrested at a residence in Rapid City, South Dakota. 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. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case. Barrera was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison  for Possessing an Unregistered Firearm

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The sentencing took place on February 23, 2026. Alan Leon Red Willow, 25, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Red Willow was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm by a federal grand jury in July 2025. He pleaded guilty on October 31, 2025. In March of 2024, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Red Willow was driving a stolen vehicle. Law enforcement recognized this vehicle as stolen and approached the vehicle. Red Willow unsuccessfully tried to evade law enforcement. Inside the car underneath Red Willow’s seat, law enforcement found a sawed-off shotgun that was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Certain firearms, such as shotguns with a barrel length under 18 inches or an overall length under 26 inches, must be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. It is a federal crime for a person to possess such a firearm that is not registered to him. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case. Red Willow was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Contractor Who Committed $1.7 Million in Pandemic Fraud Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Cristian M. Stevens on Tuesday sentenced a St. Louis area contractor who fraudulently obtained $1.7 million in pandemic loans to three years in prison and ordered her to repay the money. Coretta “Cory” Elliott, 53, owned and operated CMT LLC, a contractor that provided commercial construction, demolition, roofing, landscaping and remediation services. CMT also did business as CMT Roofing LLC. Elliott fraudulently obtained a first draw Paycheck Protection Program loan of $875,000 for CMT Roofing in 2020 and a second draw loan of $833,333 in 2021 by falsely certifying that the loans would be used for business-related purposes. She also inflated her company’s monthly payroll to get larger loans. She later received forgiveness of the loans by falsely claiming in two applications that she used the money for payroll and other legitimate business expenses. PPP loans were intended to help save businesses and the jobs of their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic by funding payroll, lease payments, utility payments and other business expenses. Elliott saw the loans as a way to “save herself financially,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith said during Tuesday’s hearing. Elliott diverted $200,000 into her investment account and used a total of $559,455 to pay dues owed by her companies to various construction unions. Those union dues pay for health insurance, sick pay and vacation pay. She used more of the PPP loan money for other personal purposes. "We will never know whether Coretta Elliott’s business would have legitimately qualified for disaster relief funds. However, by submitting substantial false information across multiple applications, she fraudulently secured $1.7 million in funds," said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. "Her deceit not only led to her unlawfully obtaining far more than she may have otherwise been entitled to, but it also gave her an unfair competitive advantage over other local contractors. This type of criminal conduct, driven by greed, undermines the integrity of the disaster relief system and harms those who play by the rules." Elliott pleaded guilty in November in U.S. District Court to two counts of wire fraud. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith prosecuted the case.


title: Kyle Man Sentenced to over 3 Years in Federal Prison  for Assaulting a Woman in the Pine Ridge Reservation

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on February 23, 2026. Clay Loafer, 30, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,915.20 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Loafer was indicted for Kidnapping and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in March of 2025. He pleaded guilty on November 3, 2025. Loafer was convicted of brutally assaulting a woman with whom he had a brief relationship by repeatedly striking and punching her about her face and body. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Loafer was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Last of Six People Charged in Scheme to Remove or Destroy Evidence Left in Impounded Vehicle Has Been Arrested

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the arrest of the last of six defendants charged in connection with a scheme to remove or destroy evidence from a vehicle impounded by the Pennsylvania State Police. The six defendants — Tyree Goldsmith, 38, Kyle Smith, 41, Lamont Sparrow, 38, Latonya Upchurch, 57, and Taleah Goldsmith, 39, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Shafiq Taylor, 30, of Glenolden, Pa. — were charged by second superseding indictment, which was unsealed in August of last year, and all but Sparrow were arrested soon thereafter. Last week, the U.S. Marshals Service located Sparrow and took him into custody. He made his initial appearance in federal court in Philadelphia before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynne A. Sitarski. All six defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of tampering with objects or proceedings, and one count of destruction or removal of property to prevent search or seizure. Tyree Goldsmith, Smith, Sparrow, and Taylor have also been charged with one count of malicious damage by means of fire to a vehicle used in interstate commerce. In addition, Tyree Goldsmith, Taleah Goldsmith, and Upchurch have been charged with two counts of wire fraud, and Tyree Goldsmith with one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon and use of fire to commit a felony. The indictment alleges that the defendants’ conspiracy arose from a traffic stop that resulted in Tyree Goldsmith’s vehicle being impounded. As detailed in the indictment, on April 27, 2024, at approximately 3:29 a.m., members of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) conducted a traffic stop of Tyree Goldsmith while he was operating his Ford F-450 in Philadelphia. After observing marijuana and a scale in plain view inside the truck, PSP troopers advised Goldsmith that they would be requesting a tow truck and impounding his vehicle at the PSP barracks, pending a search warrant. The troopers further advised the defendant that criminal charges may be filed, depending on what they recovered from inside the F-450. A short time later, the vehicle was towed to the PSP Philadelphia Barracks impound lot. Early the same morning, PSP troopers obtained and executed a Philadelphia County search warrant for the Ford F-450, recovering a .40 Glock semiautomatic pistol loaded with 19 live rounds of ammunition, nine plastic bags containing marijuana, a digital scale, and $865 in U.S. currency. The indictment alleges that, between approximately April 27, 2024, and April 29, 2024, the six defendants, and others, created and executed a plan to gain entry into the PSP Philadelphia Barracks impound lot, in order to remove the gun, marijuana, and other items from the Ford F-450. They allegedly did so at the behest of Tyree Goldsmith, who was on federal supervision and state parole, and sought to avoid being charged with additional crimes that would violate the conditions of his release. After breaking into the impound lot and discovering that the firearm and drugs had already been removed from the Ford F-450, the indictment alleges, the defendants decided to set fire to the vehicle, believing that, if the truck were destroyed, PSP would not be able to use the recovered items as evidence against Tyree Goldsmith. The indictment further alleges that Tyree Goldsmith purchased an insurance policy prior to the Ford F-450 being set on fire, and, after he, Smith, Sparrow, Taylor, and others ignited a blaze on April 29, 2024, that damaged the truck, he directed Upchurch and Taleah Goldsmith to file a fraudulent insurance claim for the vehicle. This case is currently scheduled to go to trial in October. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Arena and Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Martin. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.


title: Port Saint Lucie Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud and Lying on Naturalization Application

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Port Saint Lucie tax preparer was sentenced Feb. 11 to 36 months in federal prison for defrauding taxpayers of more than $175,000 and attempting to obtain U.S. citizenship by concealing his crimes from immigration officials. U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks imposed the sentence on Wislet Metayer, 45, and ordered him to pay $167,792.45 in restitution. A federal jury in West Palm Beach previously convicted Metayer of 32 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns and one count of making a false statement related to naturalization. “This defendant abused the trust of his clients and stole from the American taxpayer,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “He inflated refunds to increase his fees, costing the U.S. Treasury more than $175,000. At the same time, he attempted to obtain U.S. citizenship while concealing his crimes. Fraud in our tax system and dishonesty in our immigration process will not be tolerated.” “When you turn tax forms into tools for bogus refunds —you’re stealing from every honest taxpayer,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of the IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “Metayer chose to cheat the system and even lied in a bid for citizenship. A jury saw through it, and the court delivered accountability. IRS Special Agents will continue protecting the integrity of the tax system and work with our partners to hold accountable those who engage in fraud.” According to court records, Metayer worked as a professional tax preparer from approximately 2019 through 2025. To attract customers and justify inflated preparation fees, Metayer prepared and filed dozens of federal income tax returns containing false business losses, deductions, and credits—without his customers’ knowledge—in order to increase their refunds. As a result of this scheme, the U.S. Treasury suffered losses exceeding $175,000. Metayer is a Haitian national and lawful permanent resident of the U.S. In March 2024, while his tax fraud scheme was ongoing, Metayer applied to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. As part of the application process, Metayer was required to disclose whether he had ever been convicted of, charged with, or arrested for a crime or offense and whether he had ever committed a crime or offense for which he was not arrested. Metayer concealed his ongoing criminal conduct and falsely denied committing any such offenses. Metayer will be subject to removal from the U.S. after completing his prison sentence. U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Special Agent in Charge Loecker; and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement. IRS‑CI Florida Field Office and HSI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Osborne prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 25-cr-14036. ###


title: SDNY Announces Corporate Enforcement And Voluntary Self-Disclosure And Cooperation Program For Financial Crimes

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today the Office’s new Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Program for illegal activity involving fraud and financial misconduct affecting market integrity. The program, building on years of experience with corporate self-reporting, a focus on individual accountability, and a commitment to the interests of victims, is designed to protect investors, root out wrongdoing more quickly, and strengthen the integrity of the financial markets by encouraging companies to promptly disclose misconduct and take swift remedial measures. The program establishes clear guidelines and predictable treatment for companies that voluntarily disclose certain classes of criminal activity to this Office. Under this program, eligible companies that self-report qualifying illegal activity, fully cooperate with law enforcement, commit to ongoing reporting of criminal conduct for three years, and remediate harm caused by the misconduct will have a clear, agreed path to a declination. Specifically, the Office will extend a conditional declination letter to qualifying companies shortly after they make a qualifying self-report. After a company satisfies its cooperation and remediation obligations and restitutes victim losses, the Office will provide a final declination letter, concluding the matter without criminal charges. “The self-reporting program rests on a simple principle: prompt corporate disclosure and cooperation in rooting out and remedying wrongdoing is in the best interest of victims, shareholders, employees, and our markets generally,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “When companies do the right thing—report quickly, cooperate fully, and remediate harm—they should know where they stand. With this program, we expect there will be strong alignment among corporate fiduciary duties, corporate cooperation with the Department of Justice, and the interests of victims, shareholders, and the public generally. To be sure, companies that choose not to cooperate proactively and are found to have engaged in criminal conduct, will face significant corporate consequences.” The program builds on the Office’s longstanding practice of favorably weighing voluntary disclosures and sincere cooperation in its charging decisions. Consistent with this new program, the Office already has extended a conditional declination letter to a self-reporting company within a month of that company making a disclosure. These types of self-reports also enable the Office to focus on holding individuals accountable. During U.S. Attorney Clayton’s tenure, the Office has brought criminal charges against individual executives and employees based on information originally obtained through corporate self-disclosures and will continue to do so. These actions demonstrate that early disclosure and cooperation under this program will help this Office hold accountable individual wrongdoers, while also offering swift resolution and certainty to self-reporting entities that commit to remediation and cooperation. Additional details about the SDNY Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Program for Financial Crimes, including information about eligibility criteria and a model conditional declination letter, are available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website. Please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/self-reporting-program .


title: South Florida Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Global Scheme that Stole Millions of Dollars from American Consumers

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A South Florida man has been sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for participating in a transnational scheme to steal millions of dollars from American consumers’ bank accounts, the Justice Department announced today. Michael Young, 44, of Hollywood, Florida, was sentenced Monday afternoon by United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi. Young pleaded guilty in June 2025 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. “Global criminal groups use U.S.-based individuals to exploit our nation’s banking system and launder money stolen from innocent victims,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “I applaud our law enforcement partners for helping to bring this criminal to justice. We must and shall be as relentless in using every legal tool available to punish these individuals.” “This sentence holds accountable yet another member of a transnational criminal network that stole millions of dollars from unsuspecting Americans across the country,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These schemes are designed to be difficult to detect – spanning multiple jurisdictions and relying on layers of conspirators to obscure their operations – making them especially harmful to victims who often do not realize they have been targeted until it is too late. With 22 defendants charged in four districts, this prosecution reflects the Criminal Division’s commitment to dismantle every layer of criminal enterprises that prey on Americans, no matter how far their operations reach.” According to court documents, Young was part of a criminal enterprise responsible for stealing millions of dollars from the bank accounts of unknowing consumers across the United States. The enterprise obtained “lead lists” that contained victims’ banking information – some of which derived from payday loan applications – and used it to make unauthorized debits against victims’ bank accounts. Members of the enterprise falsely claimed to banks that victims had authorized the transactions. The enterprise also used numerous shell entities and money laundering techniques to conceal its actions. For years, Young worked for a co-conspirator based in Southern California who ran the domestic side of the operation, assisting foreign co-conspirators with obtaining lead lists, establishing U.S. banking relations and coordinating nominal owners or “signers” for shell entities. Through that work, Young participated in nearly every aspect of the scheme. Young later replicated the scheme himself to make more money. In total, 22 defendants have been charged and seven have been convicted in connection with this scheme. Notices of upcoming hearings may be found here . The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Monica E. Tait of the Major Frauds Section and Justice Department Trial Attorneys Wei Xiang and Meredith B. Healy of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted this case. The Department of Justice urges individuals to be on the lookout for unauthorized debits to their accounts. Regularly check your bank, credit card and other financial statements and contact your financial institution if you see a charge you do not recognize. Report any fraudulent debit you identify to law enforcement. Reports may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.