title: Federal Jury Convicts New Orleans Man of Carjacking and Being an Armed Career Criminal

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced today that a federal jury convicted 30-year-old, JOVANTE MATTHEWS (“MATTHEWS”) ,of committing an armed carjacking that occurred on April 3, 2024, in the 2900 block of Hollygrove Street. The jury also found that MATTHEWS met the legal definition of being an “Armed Career Criminal.” MATTHEWS had been charged in a three-count federal indictment. Count 1 charged him with Carjacking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119. Count 2 charged him with brandishing a firearm during, and in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). Count 3 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The Government also charged MATTHEWS with a sentencing enhancement for being an Armed Career Criminal, alleging that he had three previous convictions for crimes of violence. According to the evidence introduced at trial, on April 3, 2024, at approximately 12:00 noon, MATTHEWS approached two contractors who were renovating a house on Hollygrove Street. He produced a semi-automatic handgun, put it to the head of one of the victims and demanded his keys and wallet. The victims complied and Matthews drove off in their Ford F-350 work truck, that belonged to a construction company. After the victims reported the incident, New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officers arrived at the scene, and obtained a neighbor’s security camera video. The video showed the perpetrator, who wore distinctive clothing, walking up to the truck and the victims at 11:58 am, but did not capture the actual robbery. After NOPD officers put out a bulletin on the stolen truck, two Levee Board police officers observed the truck in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled at a high rate of speed. As the truck sped through the intersection of Franklin Ave. and Mendez Street, it collided with an 18-wheel truck, causing a massive crash. MATTHEWS was caught inside the stolen truck wearing the carjacking victim’s jacket and carrying the victim’s wallet. Police also located a semi-automatic firearm on the driver’s side floorboard of the truck. Officers then noted that MATTHEWS was wearing the same distinctive clothing that the perpetrator had been wearing in the pre-carjacking surveillance footage. To prove that MATTHEWS was an Armed Career Criminal, prosecutors proved at a sentencing hearing that MATTHEWS committed an armed carjacking on May 16, 2022 in the 500 block of South White Street. Additionally, prosecutors proved that MATTHEWS also committed an armed carjacking on May 18, 2022 at 12:45pm in the 2600 block of Canal Blvd, and, later that day, an armed robbery in the 1000 Block of Ursuline Street. A review of MATTHEWS criminal history revealed that on June 3, 2023, MATTHEWS pled guilty in Criminal District Court to all three of these robbery offenses and to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Although sentenced to serve 5 years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections, MATTHEWS did not actually serve the full five years, as he was arrested on this latest carjacking on April 3, 2024. Based on his current conviction, MATTHEWS now faces a statutory sentence of up to 15 years for the Carjacking offense, not less than 7 years, and up to life imprisonment for Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. Any sentence imposed on this count will have to be served consecutively to any other sentence. He also faces a sentence of not less than 15 years, and up to life, for being an Armed Career Criminal. In total, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 22 years to life in prison. He will be formally sentenced on November 5, 2025, by United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (A.T.F.), the New Orleans Police Department, and the Levee Board Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit and Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Fort Worth man who attempted to apply for two passports with stolen identities sentenced to over eight years in federal prison

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A Fort Worth man who attempted to apply for two passports with stolen identities was sentenced Wednesday to over eight years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson. Phillip Sean Anthony, 42, was indicted in February 2024 and pled guilty in November to the federal offenses of making a false statement in an application for a passport and aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced Wednesday to 100 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ada Brown. According to court documents, Anthony first applied for a United States Passport on August 16, 2023, using a birth certificate and a debit card in an identity that he had stolen. When he failed to receive that passport, Anthony applied for a second passport on January 2, 2024. This time he used a driver’s license, a birth certificate, and a debit card in a second identity that he had stolen. When investigators later searched Anthony’s residence, they discovered birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and credit and debit cards in several names, including the names that Anthony used in support of his false passport applications. At Wednesday’s sentencing, the prosecutor introduced evidence showing that Anthony had previously been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. During that previous prosecution, Anthony fled to California for three years using a passport in another identity. Additionally, the prosecutor explained that, at the time Anthony falsely applied for passports in 2023 and 2024, he was under indictment in Dallas County, Texas, for sexual assault of a child. In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown described Anthony as a “prolific criminal mastermind” who has led a “life of con.” The U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan P. Niedermair prosecuted the case.


title: Indictment Charges Danbury Man with Meth Trafficking Offense

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wallingford Police Chief John Ventura today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging BRANDT MENDELSON, 30, of Danbury, with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. The indictment was returned on June 17, 2025, and Mendelson was arrested yesterday. He was released on a $100,000 bond. As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, on January 18, 2025, Wallingford Police stopped a vehicle Mendelson was driving and arrested him for driving under the influence. At the time of his arrest, Mendelson possessed numerous counterfeit Adderall pills that contained methamphetamine and were packaged to be shipped through the U.S. Mail. If convicted of the charge, Mendelson faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wallingford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.


title: Olive Branch Man Sentenced to Five Years and Ordered to Pay  Millions after PPP Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Mississippi, Northern

body_text: Oxford, MS – Montreal Hudson, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Michael P. Mills to over five years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering following his trial conviction in January. Judge Mills sentenced Montreal Hudson to a 70-month jail sentence followed by five years of supervised release for his role in a PPP fraud scheme that was presented to a federal jury and resulted in a guilty verdict on January 17, 2025. Hudson was also ordered to pay $3,526,517 in restitution. The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to provide funding for small businesses affected by the economic downturn associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic. According to court documents, Zipora Hudson, her son, Montreal Hudson, and Deandre Jones utilized Zippy Bee, LLC as a tax preparation business in Charleston, MS, to create and file hundreds of PPP loan applications on behalf of borrowers that were not eligible to receive the loans. The defendants created fraudulent Schedule C tax documents to claim gross income amounts that far exceeded the real income for a particular business or claimed gross income amounts for businesses that never existed. The documents were created in order to receive PPP loans in amounts ranging from $19,000 to $20,833 per loan. For their efforts, the defendants required the borrowers to pay them a kickback out of the proceeds of each loan. The defendants used the illegally obtained money to purchase luxury vehicles and real estate, among other things. U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Lisa Fontanette of the IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office made the announcement. Montreal Hudson was convicted alongside Zipora Hudson in the January jury trial. Zipora Hudson was sentenced in April of this year to 5 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. Deandre Jones, also of Olive Branch, MS, previously pled guilty in the case. The scheme was initially uncovered during the course of a civil investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Leary and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Wright prosecuted the case on behalf of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi. The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division along with investigators from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department's response to the pandemic, please visit Justice.gov/Coronavirus and Justice.gov/Coronavirus/CombatingFraud . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form .


title: HAYWARD MAN SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS FOR BANKRUPTCY FRAUD AND CONTEMPT OF COURT

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Bernard Seidling, 74, Hayward, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to seven years in federal prison for bankruptcy fraud and criminal contempt of court. He was also ordered to pay a $500,000 fine. A jury convicted Seidling of these crimes after a four-day trial in federal court in Madison. “Seidling was a recurring and shameless financial predator,” said U.S. Attorney O’Shea. “I am grateful to our tireless prosecutors and the many partners who worked to hold him accountable: the U.S. Trustee’s Office, the FBI, the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspectors.” “Mr. Seidling's sentence reflects the FBI's commitment to ensuring public trust by pursuing individuals who defraud others for personal gain,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle. “The FBI will continue to work diligently with our partners to pursue justice and combat any fraud which negatively impacts financial institutions and the American people.” Seidling filed for bankruptcy in 2022. On the schedules he filed at the beginning of the case, Seidling falsely stated he had no real estate, retirement accounts, trusts, partnerships, or business-related property, and that he had only one bank account with a balance of $195. In reality, Seidling had approximately $20 million in assets hidden behind dozens of sham trusts and partnerships. Seidling’s schedules also stated he had not sold real estate in the past two years, when in fact he sold a waterfront home in Key West, Florida, for more than $3 million in 2021. Over Seidling’s objection, the bankruptcy court converted the case from a reorganization to a liquidation. At that point, Seidling began falsely representing that he could not meaningfully participate in the bankruptcy due to his physical and mental health, and Seidling argued the bankruptcy court should indefinitely pause the proceeding. During the period of Seidling’s alleged incapacitation, he continued to manage his businesses, conduct banking activity, and play tennis at a club in Key West, where he lived during the winter months. Seidling also represented himself and participated in state court litigation during this time. Regarding the contempt conviction, Seidling violated an order issued by the bankruptcy court. That order prohibited Seidling from transferring assets held by 37 of Seidling’s businesses, plus any other business entity Seidling was associated with, while the bankruptcy proceeded. The order further prohibited Seidling from directing or instructing anyone else to transfer assets. Seidling violated the order by transferring real estate and draining bank accounts. He hid more than $1,000,000 in cash in a crawl space under his house. Seidling also used an unwitting individual to transfer a parcel of real estate. At sentencing, Judge Peterson explained that a number of reasons warranted the above-guideline sentence, including the length and scope of Seidling’s criminal conduct. In addition to the charged conduct, Judge Peterson found that Seidling committed perjury during his testimony at the criminal trial. Judge Peterson commented that he had never seen a more “systematically dishonest defendant” who “resolutely resisted taking responsibility” for his actions. Seidling’s criminal history also played a role in the sentence. Seidling had two prior federal convictions: a 1991 conviction for interference with commerce by threats or violence and a 2009 conviction for 50 counts of mail fraud. The 2009 conviction involved Seidling using small claims court to obtain judgments against victims without serving the victims with process. Drawing a connection between that case and the present one, Judge Peterson noted Seidling was skilled at using courts to extort people. Given this history, Judge Peterson found Seidling was a danger to reoffend. Throughout the criminal case, Seidling was represented by a court-appointed attorney. In order to obtain representation at public expense, a defendant must represent that he cannot afford representation. Judge Peterson found Seidling’s claim of indigency was false, and the court ordered Seidling to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for the cost of his defense. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The United States also received assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith P. Duchemin and Megan R. Stelljes handled the prosecution.


title: Ten Members and Associates of Violent Car-Theft Ring  Indicted on Racketeering, Carjacking, Robbery, and Firearm Charges

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A superseding indictment was unsealed today charging Montez Moore, 20, Duane Benson, 20, Aniya Sheperd, 20, Brandon Irons, 19, Allen Brown, 23, Markaveon Jackson, 19, Raynell Moore, 22, Lavatrice McCully-Collins, 24, Peontay Roddy, 21, and Noah Hornburg, 23 — all of St. Louis, Missouri — with crimes including racketeering conspiracy, carjacking, robbery, and firearm charges related to their participation in “the Strikers,” a violent, interstate stolen car ring. According to court documents, between September 2023 and March 2024, the Strikers engaged in car dealership burglaries, illegal interstate vehicle sales and thefts, shootings, carjacking, robbery, and other criminal acts throughout Missouri and Illinois. “As alleged, the Strikers enterprise stole approximately 50 vehicles and inflicted nearly $3 million in losses while carrying out a violent crime spree across Missouri and Illinois,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their reckless actions endangered communities and dealt a serious blow to local businesses. This kind of brazen, lawless conduct will not be tolerated, and the Justice Department is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to protect the public and hold those responsible fully accountable.” “Thanks to the Justice Department’s Violent Crime Initiative, we were able to expand an existing indictment to hold more members of the Strikers responsible for a litany of violent crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Drake for the Eastern District of Missouri. “As we said when we announced St. Louis’ inclusion in the VCI last year, we are targeting and dismantling the criminal organizations that are disproportionately driving violent crime in St. Louis.” “This was a violent, organized crime operation that spanned across state lines, left a trail of stolen vehicles and cost millions of dollars in losses,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This case demonstrates the power of the RICO statute to dismantle interstate criminal enterprises and reflects the FBI’s unwavering commitment to pursuing those who use violence and intimidation to profit from crime.” In a single burglary, defendants and others burglarized a dealership in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and stole seven high-end vehicles worth approximately $855,000. To hide their identities during the burglaries, the defendants would wear gloves, dark clothing, and masks. In one incident, defendants Hornburg, Moore, and Irons led police on a high-speed chase, driving on a public street reaching speeds over 110 mph. In another incident, after police seized one of the stolen cars, defendants Shepard, Benson, and others broke into the police impound lot and stole the car back. After stealing the vehicles, the defendants allegedly concealed their stolen nature or location by attaching stolen out-of-state dealer plates and covering or removing vehicle identification numbers. The stolen vehicles would then be used in other crimes or sold through social media advertising. The Strikers would often advertise a sales price at such a discount that prospective buyers should have suspected the vehicles were stolen. In one Instagram posting, defendants offered for sale a 2019 Infiniti q70 for $3000, a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE 400 for $1500, and a 2014 BMW 528i for $2500. In one alleged carjacking and robbery, defendants Benson and Moore pulled up to a BP gas station in a stolen blue 2017 BMW 330i that had been taken from a dealership in Springfield, Illinois. They briefly waited for a lottery machine technician to walk out of the store and as captured on store surveillance, ambushed him at gunpoint, robbed him, and highjacked his white Silverado pickup. Image Credit: Case 4:24-cr-00233, U.S. v. Benson A screenshot showing a January 2024 robbery and carjacking in Cool Valley, Missouri If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy. Defendants Moore and Benson face up to an additional 30 years in prison if convicted of carjacking, robbery and use of a firearm in connection thereof. Defendant Aniya Shephard faces up to an additional 10 years in prison if convicted of possessing a machinegun. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Jared A. Hernandez of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nino Przulj for the Eastern District of Missouri are prosecuting the case. This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative in St. Louis conducted in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Missouri and local, state, and federal law enforcement. The joint effort addresses violent crime by employing, where appropriate, federal laws to prosecute gang members and their associates in St. Louis. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Gun Crimes

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that CARDELL GLOVER , ( “GLOVER” ), age 24, was sentenced on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, by United States District Judge Darrel J. Papillion, after previously pleading guilty to a three-count indictment. Count One charged GLOVER with being a felon in possession a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Count Two charged GLOVER with possession of a stolen firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and (a)(2). Count Three charged GLOVER with possession of a machine gun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o) and 924(a)(2). GLOVER was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment as to each of the three counts of the indictment, to be served concurrently. Judge Papillion also ordered that GLOVER be placed on supervised release for three years as to each of the three counts, to be served concurrently, and pay a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, on July 9, 2024, a rideshare driver reported to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) that her weapon had been stolen. She also works as a security guard and had placed her work firearm, a Glock Model 19 Gen 5, nine-millimeter pistol, in her trunk earlier that afternoon prior to starting her rideshare work. She reported to law enforcement that she had picked up a fare, a male and a female passenger, at the Dollar General and allowed them to place their groceries in the trunk of her car. When they arrived at the passengers’ destination, an apartment complex in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, the passengers retrieved the groceries from the trunk and went to an unknown second floor apartment. The rideshare driver then looked in the trunk of her vehicle to discover her firearm missing. She had said that the first name of the passenger who ordered the ride was “Dell.” GLOVER pled guilty to the entire indictment and admitted that he stole the Glock pistol. GLOVER also admitted that, at the time of its recovery, the Glock pistol, was equipped with machinegun conversion device, making it a machinegun as defined by the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. § 5845(b)). 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. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Mohave Valley Arizona Woman Sentenced to  118 Months in Prison for Assaulting a Child

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Starla Shaffer, 36, of Mohave Valley, Arizona, was sentenced on June 25, 2025, by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 118 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Shaffer previously pleaded guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Between January 1, 2022, and September 21, 2022, Shaffer assaulted a three-year-old minor victim by shaking and striking her on the face, buttocks, chest, and back, while the victim was in her care. Shaffer’s assault caused permanent and life-threatening injuries to the minor victim. Both Shaffer and the minor victim are enrolled members of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. The FBI Phoenix Division’s Lake Havasu office and the Fort Mojave Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina J. Reid-Moore, District of Arizona, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-24-08052-PCT-DJH RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-102_Shaffer # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Federal grand jury indicts Cheektowaga man on multiple sex trafficking charges

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a nine-count indictment charging Darryl Lamont Paul, a/k/a Darryl Lamont, 59, of Cheektowaga, NY, with sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, transportation across state lines of an individual with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, and using and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, for the last 25 years, Lamont has owned NoLimit Entertainment (NLE), a company that provides entertainment, including nude dancers and topless bartenders, for parties such as stags and birthdays. Lamont is accused of conspiring with others to recruit young vulnerable women from area strip clubs, to work for NLE, and he would also refer young women to these strip clubs for additional employment. During that time, Lamont is accused of using force, fraud, and coercion to sex traffic a total of six victims. He is also accused of transporting one of the victims across state lines to engage in prostitution. In addition, from 2021 to March 13, 2025, Lamont maintained a Beach Road apartment in Cheektowaga, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using cocaine. Lamont was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained. The indictment is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Pennsylvania man going to prison for 20 years for receipt of child pornography

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Dylan C. Irvin, 26, of Bradford, PA, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that sometime in June or July 2023, Irvin engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old female (victim). Irvin used his cellular telephone to record the sexual activity and then received the video on a Snapchat account he controlled. On March 5, 2024, Irvin was arrested on state charges related to the sexual contact, at which time his cell phone was seized. A search of the phone recovered the video of Irvin and the victim. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler. # # # #


title: South Korean woman pleads guilty, sentenced for illegal re-entry

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Youngshin Nam a/k/a Yejin Nam, 41, a citizen of South Korea, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to illegal re-entry. She was then sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who handled the case, stated that on April 3, 2024, Nam attempted entry by plane at an airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was refused admission to the United States. She was sent back to South Korea and advised that she was no longer eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program for five years. In July 2024, Nam was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Texas and removed from the United States in September. On May 4, 2025, Nam attempted entry into the United States at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry in Niagara Falls, NY. Nam presented, as proof of identity, a South Korean passport containing the name Yejin Nam. The vehicle was then referred for secondary inspection. Initially, Nam did not comply with routine electronic fingerprinting, before agreeing to submit her fingerprints. This resulted in a positive response revealing that Nam was issued an immigration fingerprint identification number in the name “Youngshin Nam.” The number was issued after Nam’s arrest by Border Patrol agents in Texas in July 2024. Subsequent investigation determined that Nam submitted a falsified application for the Visa Waiver Program, on which Nam falsely and fraudulently answered “NO” to questions concerning her use of any other names or aliases and denied previously being refused admission to 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. The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy. # # # #


title: Brockport woman awaiting sentencing on fraud charge, pleads guilty to making false statements

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Patricia Hutchins, 53, of Brockport, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to making a false statement, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2021, U.S. Postal Inspectors executed a search warrant at Hutchins’ Greece residence and seized documents, cash, and electronic devices that were either used in or derived from various wire fraud schemes, including Unemployment Insurance fraud, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud, and elder fraud. In October 2022, Hutchins was arrested on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. On May 1, 2024, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing on that charge. As part of her plea agreement, Hutchins she was required to pay restitution to two victims: $20,052.00 to reimburse a financial institution for a fraudulent PPP loan disbursement and $25,100.00 to an elderly individual who had been duped into “paying off a debt for a friend” by sending that money to Hutchins. Hutchins was in a position to make those restitution payment because she was about to gain a substantial sum from the sale of her home. On October 16, 2024, Hutchins appeared in federal court for sentencing. At that time, she stated that she had invested the entire proceeds of her home sale in a retirement account and did not have any money for restitution. As a result, her sentencing was delayed and she was ordered to withdraw the funds from the retirement account and use them to pay restitution to her victims. On December 4, 2024, Hutchins appeared once again for sentencing. This time, she advised the court that she used all her money to buy gift cards for an individual she claimed was Kenny Chesney. However, Hutchins had used that excuse with law enforcement two previous times when she was actually stealing money from victims and the government. A review of Hutchins’ financial records confirmed that the proceeds from the sale of her residence—approximately $47,000—were deposited into her bank account one month before her scheduled sentencing on October 16, 2024. In the month leading up to the sentencing, she pulled approximately $15,000.00 out of the account by purchasing 80 $250.00 gift cards at merchants such as Walgreens, Tops, Wegman’s, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. After the original sentencing was adjourned, and she was directed by the Court to gather funds to pay restitution, Hutchins purchased another 40 gift cards totaling approximately $8,500.00. As of November 29, 2024, there was only approximately $1,000 left in her account and her victims had yet to receive any restitution. While investigating Hutchins’ disbursement of the restitution funds, law enforcement discovered that she had engaged in even more credit card fraud than was originally discovered. For example, she had used a victim’s bank account to make 17 payments on her personal credit card totaling over $14,000. The plea agreement requires Hutchins to pay restitution to these victims as well, brining her total restitution owed to approximately $60,000. The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division and the U.S. Department of Labor. Hutchins will be sentenced on both the fraud and making false statement charges on October 7, 2025, before Judge Geraci. # # # #


title: Founder And Former CEO Of Artificial Intelligence Start-Up SKAEL Pleads Guilty To Securities Fraud And Wire Fraud

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Baba Nadimpalli, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of SKAEL, Inc. (SKAEL), pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors by misleading them about the company’s revenue, annual recurring revenue (ARR), and other financial and sales information. Nadimpalli, 42, a citizen of Australia who previously resided in San Francisco, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 17, 2024. According to his plea agreement, Nadimpalli founded SKAEL in 2016 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 2016 until July 2022. SKAEL was a San Francisco-based, software-as-a-service company that provided corporate clients with artificial intelligence and automation software to assist with mundane, time-intensive tasks by building “Digital Employees.” SKAEL earned revenue by charging implementation fees for the building of Digital Employees and subscription fees for their use once built. From January 2020 until about February 2022, SKAEL raised over $40 million in three rounds of financing. In order to induce prospective and existing investors to invest, Nadimpalli provided false information regarding SKAEL’s customer and sales information, revenue, and ARR. Nadimpalli knew that ARR, which reflected the company’s monthly subscription revenue times 12, was an important metric for investors in considering their investments in SKAEL. In or around 2021, Nadimpalli provided materially false information to investors in advance of their investments in SKAEL, including representing that SKAEL was receiving ARR from certain companies that did not subscribe to its software and services; overstating ARR from certain customers who were SKAEL customers; and representing that customers who had terminated their subscriptions were current customers with ARR. In or around February 2022, SKAEL raised approximately $30 million in a Series A preferred stock offering that valued SKAEL at approximately $230 million after closing. In connection with the stock offering, Nadimpalli directed the creation of an electronic data room for potential investors that contained (1) a spreadsheet that Nadimpalli maintained that contained materially false information about the company’s ARR and customers; (2) materially false financial statements; and (3) an investor presentation that contained materially false information about the company’s ARR, revenue, and customer adoption. Nadimpalli further admitted to providing an investor and a financial employee with false bank account information that included purported customer payments that had not actually been deposited. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement. Nadimpalli is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer on Sept. 17, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $5 million fine for the count of securities fraud in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) & 78ff and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5, and 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Stern and Ilham Hosseini are prosecuting this case with the assistance of Mark DiCenzo and Lynette Dixon. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI thank the San Francisco Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which also filed a civil enforcement action against Nadimpalli in the Northern District of California.


title: Honduran National Sentenced To Three Years In Federal Prison For Illegal Reentry And Controlled Substance Offenses

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Erlan Eduardo Cruz-Acosta was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison for illegal reentry following removal, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Senior U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick handed down the sentence. Cruz-Acosta, 41, a national of Honduras, was indicted by federal grand juries on March 30, 2022, and Feb. 8, 2024. On Nov. 7, 2024, Cruz-Acosta pleaded guilty to one count each of illegal reentry following removal, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to the plea agreement, Cruz-Acosta was convicted in 2006 of taking indecent liberties with a child in Fairfax County, Virginia, for which he was sentenced to two years in prison and then later sentenced to three months for violating his probation by absconding. In 2008, Cruz-Acosta was deported from the United States. He returned to the United States that same year. In 2009, Cruz-Acosta was convicted in San Francisco Superior Court of selling a controlled substance and sentenced to 42 days in custody. He was convicted in federal district court of illegal reentry following deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326, and was sentenced in April 2009 to 18 months in federal prison. Thereafter, he was again deported from the United States in June 2010. Cruz-Acosta again illegally entered the United States in March 2014. Two months later, in May 2014, he was convicted in federal district court in Arizona of illegal reentry of a removed alien, sentenced, and deported a third time. Sometime after his removal in July 2016, Cruz-Acosta reentered the United States and was found in the United States on or about June 22, 2021. Cruz-Acosta also admitted that in November 2023, he knowingly distributed 7.8 gross grams of methamphetamine in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. He further admitted to possessing approximately 29.7 grams gross weight of a substance containing fentanyl, 26.4 grams gross weight of cocaine base, 8.9 grams gross weight of cocaine salt, and 4.9 grams gross weight of heroin, along with various denominations of U.S. currency, a digital scale, and a machete. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris, and ICE Field Office Director Sergio Albarran made the announcement. In addition to the prison term, Judge Orrick also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered him to forfeit $358 in U.S. currency, a digital scale, a machete, and a machete sheath. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Chen and Eli J. Cohen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alethea Sargent prosecuted the case with the assistance of Alycee Lane. The prosecution is the result of investigations by the DEA and ICE.


title: Tenderloin Drug Dealer Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison For Fentanyl Trafficking, Supervised Release Violation

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Henry Alvarado was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco while on federal supervised release. Alvarado was also sentenced to 12 months and one day for violating the terms of his supervised release, to run concurrently with his 60-month sentence. Senior U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick handed down the sentence. Alvarado, 34, a national of Honduras, was charged by criminal complaint on April 17, 2023, and indicted by a federal grand jury on May 2, 2023. On March 10, 2025, Alvarado pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. According to the plea agreement, on multiple occasions in March 2023, Alvarado sold fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, selling in total 173 grams of methamphetamine and 110 grams of fentanyl. At the time of his offense, Alvarado was on federal supervised release from a prior federal drug trafficking conviction. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris made the announcement. In addition to the prison term, Judge Orrick also sentenced the defendant to a four-year period of supervised release and a $200 fine. The defendant has been in federal custody since April 19, 2023. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily R. Dahlke and Michael G. Lagrama prosecuted the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk and Helen Yee. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA and the San Francisco Police Department.


title: Massachusetts Man to Serve 18 Months for Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for trafficking fentanyl into Maine. U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Alvin Dorsey , 39, to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on January 24, 2025. According to court records, in June 2023, a confidential source of information working at the direction of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arranged the purchase of two “sticks” (i.e., 20 grams) of fentanyl from a drug dealer who was the target of a federal investigation. Ultimately, it was Dorsey who showed up in Biddeford bearing the drug order, and who consummated the transaction with the informant. Dorsey was later charged by a grand jury with distributing fentanyl, leading to his arrest and prosecution. DEA investigated the case, with support provided by the DEA Airport Group, the Massachusetts State Police Airport Group, and the Biddeford Police Department. ###


title: Scarborough Man Admits Federal Firearm Charge

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine : A Scarborough man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction. According to court records, in November 2024, South Portland police officers approached James Selberg-Stross , 33, while he was inside a vehicle parked at a gas station. An officer observed that Selberg-Stross had a handgun on his lap. A loaded magazine for the handgun was found elsewhere in the vehicle. Selberg-Stross was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal history, which includes a federal conviction for possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute. Selberg-Stross faces up to 15 years in federal prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the South Portland Police Department. Project Safe Neighborhoods : 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psn . ###


title: Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering the US After a Prior Removal

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Mexican national pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior removal. According to court records, on May 10, 2025, Miguel Gomez-Sanchez , 45, was arrested by the Maine State Police for operating under the influence on I-95. Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) determined Gomez-Sanchez had previously been removed from the U.S. several times. He was most recently removed in 2022 after being convicted for illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior removal. Gomez-Sanchez faces a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. ICE-ERO investigated the case. Operation Take Back America: This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). ###


title: SERIAL FELON ON SUPERVISED RELEASE CONVICTED OF ILLEGALLY POSSESSING FIREARMS

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

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lee Manuel Colson, 45, of Tallahassee, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury yesterday for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The verdict was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our community is safer now that we are returning this repeat felon back behind bars where he belongs. My office is fully committed to fulfill the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by targeting and aggressively prosecuting the criminals victimizing our communities. Thanks to the tenacious prosecutors in my office and the hard work of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, this dangerous felon will be removed from our streets.” Evidence at trial showed that on July 11, 2024, the United States Probation Office conducted a search of Colson’s residence and found that he was in possession of two pistols in a drawer in his bedroom. Colson admitted to officers that the firearms were present. Colson has 22 prior felony convictions, including prior federal convictions for drug-trafficking and firearm offenses for which he served 90 months in prison. Colson faces up to 17 years in prison at sentencing and an additional term of supervised release. The case involved an investigation by the United States Probation Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph A. Ravelo and James A. McCain. Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2025, at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark E. Walker. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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). 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Local Union President Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Making False Statements

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A former president of a local union chapter representing employees of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court in Portland to wire fraud and making false written statements. According to court records, Kyle Chasse , 38, embezzled over $10,000 in union funds between 2020 and 2022, while serving as the union’s president. As part of the scheme, Chasse withdrew cash and made debit purchases using the union’s bank account, all without authorization by the union. The debit transactions included purchases from bars, restaurants, vending machines, and other businesses. Chasse made false statements to cover up his fraudulent use of the funds. These false statements included a union financial disclosure form filed with the federal government, in which Chasse misrepresented the amount of money he had received from the union. Chasse faces up to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Office of Labor-Management Standards of the U.S. Department of Labor investigated the case. ###


title: WANTED FUGITIVE PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Jesse Jay Perez, 29, of Naples, Florida, pled guilty in federal court to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the dedication of Gainesville Police Officers, this wanted fugitive is back where he belongs, behind bars. My office is committed to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who unlawfully possess weapons or ammunition and pose a risk to the safety and security of our fellow citizens.” Court documents reflect that on January 1, 2025, Officers of the Gainesville Police Department encountered Perez during a traffic stop and determined there was a felony fugitive warrant for his arrest from the State of California. At the time of the stop, Perez was carrying a backpack that contained a machete, a pellet rifle, a flare gun, 13 magazines, 380 rounds of various ammunition, and all the component parts necessary to build a “ghost gun” assault rifle. Perez is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition as a result of a prior felony conviction. Perez faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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). 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Repeat Child Sex Offender in Southern Utah Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: ST. GEORGE, Utah – A convicted sex offender, Jaycee Stewart, 33, of St. George, was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment today after he pleaded guilty to charges involving receipt of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, comes after Stewart pleaded guilty to the charges on November 4, 2024. In addition to his term of imprisonment, the court sentenced Stewart to a lifetime of supervised release, and ordered him to pay restitution to the victims. According to court documents and statements made at Stewart’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on April 12, 2023, a child disclosed to their elementary school teacher that they were being sexually abused by Stewart. The victim said that Stewart occasionally used an item to sexually abuse them. The victim also stated that Stewart had numerous photographs of “naked girls” and images of children that were “inappropriate” in his room. Following an executed search warrant on Stewart’s residence, officers found multiple images of child sexual abuse hanging on his walls and a stack of images of child sexual abuse on his printer, in binders, and in Stewart’s closet. Stewart also had a digital frame that cycled through approximately 22,000 images of child sexual abuse. In sum, Stewart was in possession of tens of thousands of files depicting child sex abuse materials. Stewart was previously convicted in Utah state court of possession of child pornography in 2015. Additionally, Stewart has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two victims and is pending sentencing in state court. The St. George Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 197 Months in Prison

body_text: FORT WAYNE –Derek L. Taylor, 47 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Taylor was sentenced to 197 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in August and September 2023, Taylor distributed cocaine. Search warrants resulted in the recovery of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and M30 pills containing fentanyl, along with three handguns, a stolen semi-automatic rifle, multiple digital scales, baggies, and a substantial amount of powder used in the distribution of narcotics. Taylor was previously convicted twice of distributing drugs and was also previously convicted of felony battery, making him a career offender for purposes of federal sentencing. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the FBI, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. Also assisting this investigation was the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Three Defendants Charged with Assaulting Federal Law Enforcement Officers, Other Offenses During Protests Near Local ICE Office

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—Three defendants made their first appearances in federal court today after committing various offenses—including assaulting federal officers and creating a hazard on federal property—during ongoing protest gatherings near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland. Julie Winters, 46, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony of attempted assault of a federal officer. Aziel Chambers, 20, of Merlin, Oregon, has been charged by information with the misdemeanor offenses of assault on a federal officer, creating a hazard on federal property, and failing to obey a lawful order. Rachel Jean Pope, 28, of Portland, has been charged by information with the misdemeanor offense of assault on a federal officer. According to court documents and information shared in court, on June 24, 2025, several individuals gathered near an ICE office in South Portland where, for weeks, individuals have repeatedly targeted the building and federal law enforcement officers with threatening statements, discharging pepper spray, and throwing rocks, trash, and bricks. At approximately 11:00pm, two individuals attempted to set a U.S. flag on fire in the driveway of the building. To clear the driveway, federal officers dispensed less than lethal means, including gas canisters, to disperse the crowd. Pope picked up one of the metal canisters and threw it towards the officers, hitting one of the officers. At approximately 11:15pm, federal officers observed an individual, later identified as Winters, attempting to light an incendiary device next to the guard shack of the building. As FPS officers engaged with Winters, she pulled a large knife from her backpack and began waiving the blade toward the officers. Winters threw the knife at an officer, but it did not strike the officer. Winters began to flee but an officer deployed a taser, bringing Winters to the ground. As officers attempted to secure Winters, she pulled a second large knife from her waistband. An officer disarmed Winters and arrested her. The same evening, Chambers pointed a laser pointer at a federal officer, striking the officer in the eye. Chambers was also charged with failing to comply with an officer’s orders to leave the premises on June 17, 2025, and for throwing an object at federal property on June 20, 2025. All three defendants made their first appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Winters was detained pending future court proceedings. Pope and Chambers were released on conditions pending future court proceedings. Attempting to assault a federal officer and inflict bodily injury is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment. Misdemeanor assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to one year in federal prison. Failure to obey a lawful order and creating a hazard on federal property are Class C misdemeanors and carry a maximum penalty of 30 days in prison. These cases were investigated by the FBI, FPS and ICE. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. A criminal complaint and an information are only accusations of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Operation Catch Me if You Can: Elusive Nigerian Ringleader of Nationwide Bank Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracies Convicted After Two and a Half Week Trial

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Oluwaseun Adekoya, a/k/a “Ace G.,” a/k/a “BRODA,” a/k/a “Legendary, a/k/a “SANTA,” a/k/a “SANTANA,” a/k/a “Sammy LaBanco,” a/k/a/ “Sean Maison,” a/k/a ”Kiing_maison,”,” age 39, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey, was convicted by a jury of bank fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and nine counts of aggravated identity theft for his role as the mastermind of a nationwide conspiracy to steal identities and impersonate customers at banks and credit unions throughout the United States. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. “With the last set of pleas in this case, I said, ‘and then there was one;’ now, there are none,” United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said. “I commend the work of the FBI Albany, local law enforcement agencies and credit unions across the country, and Broadview Federal Credit Union here in Albany for bringing this relentless scammer to justice.” Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli said, “Mr. Adekoya was the mastermind of a complex web of deception, but he couldn’t escape the reach of the FBI and our partners. We are incredibly grateful to the numerous state and local law enforcement and banking institution partners who helped bring this investigation to a successful conviction. Our communities should rest assured the FBI will continue to use every investigative tool we have to bring to justice anyone looking to line their pockets at the expense of hard-working Americans.” The government called over 60 witnesses at trial, which lasted two and a half weeks. Proof at trial established that from the comfort of his luxury apartment in New Jersey, Adekoya, a career fraudster, obtained publicly available information regarding people’s home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”) at localized credit unions throughout the United States, shifting his focus over time to different parts of the country to avoid law enforcement scrutiny. He then utilized encrypted messaging platforms, like Telegram, to obtain Social Security numbers, account numbers, mother’s maiden names, and other personal identifying information (“PII”) for individuals he had identified as having substantial amounts of equity available in their HELOCs. Adekoya then recruited a vast web of managers located all over the country, who he supplied this information to, along with fake driver’s licenses for lower-level workers to use to impersonate the HELOC customers and conduct withdrawal transactions on their accounts. To insulate himself from detection, Adekoya utilized a web of “burner” phones and encrypted messaging applications and laundered his substantial share of the proceeds through bank accounts in other people’s names. Adekoya also reinvested some of the proceeds into continuing the fraud scheme by purchasing air and bus travel for coconspirators, fake driver’s licenses, and rental cars used to drive workers to credit unions. As set forth in pretrial pleadings, Adekoya – who was admitted to the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident in 2000 – has been convicted of numerous increasingly sophisticated identity-fraud related felonies since he was 23 years old in 2008. He has never been removed from the country. The investigation into Adekoya began in May 2022, when Broadview Federal Credit Union (formerly CAP COM Federal Credit Union and State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU)), headquartered in Albany, identified a series of impersonation transactions at its branches in the Capital Region and referred the case to the FBI-Albany. The ensuing investigation led to the discovery of Adekoya as the mastermind of the nationwide operation and the prosecution of 13 additional coconspirators, all of whom have pled guilty for their roles in the offenses. The defendant’s conspiracies were brought to a screeching halt by his federal arrest on an initial indictment on December 12, 2023. He has since been detained and the government twice superseded the indictment to add additional coconspirators and charges. Evidence at trial showed that when the FBI attempted to enter the defendant’s luxury apartment on December 12, 2023, to execute a federal search warrant, Adekoya wiped the primary phone he had used to orchestrate the conspiracy. Nonetheless, the FBI seized numerous “burner” phones used by Adekoya to perpetrate the charged crimes. The FBI also seized of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of luxury merchandise, including Rolex watches, a $51,000 Tiffany engagement ring, and designer handbags and shoes, and approximately $26,000 in a bank account used by the defendant to launder his proceeds. Those items have since been forfeited by the government. Adekoya’s sentencing is scheduled for October 30, 2025, before the Honorable Mae A. D’Agostino, U.S. District Judge. He faces a mandatory minimum of 2 years’ incarceration, a maximum of 32 years’ incarceration, restitution, forfeiture of the fruits of his offenses, up to five years of supervised release, and is subject to removal and deportation following his sentence. The following defendants previously pled guilty in connection with the conspiracies and all face sentencing later this year: David Daniyan, a/k/a “Bamikole Laniyan,” a/k/a “David Enfield,” a/k/a “Africa,” age 61, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and one count of aggravated identity theft; Kani Bassie, a/k/a “$,” age 36, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and one count of aggravated identity theft; Davon Hunter, a/k/a “Scams,” age 27, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft; Christian Quivers, a/k/a “Denzel Carter,” a/k/a “E,” of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft; Jermon Brooks, a/k/a “JayB,” a/k/a “beezy,” age 20, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft; Akeem Balogun, 56, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Victor Barriera, 64, of Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Danielle Cappetti, 46, of Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Jerjuan Joyner, 50, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Gaysha Kennedy, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Crystal Kurschner, 44, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Leslie Lucchese, 53, of Manhattan, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; and Sherry Ozmore, 56, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. FBI-Albany investigated the case and obtained invaluable assistance from numerous law enforcement agencies all over the country. Those include the FBI Field Offices in New York, Newark, Richmond, Chicago and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Brooklyn/Queens, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; La Crosse, Wisconsin; Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and York, Pennsylvania. Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; New York law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police; Cohoes PD; Colonie PD; Elmira PD; Corning PD; Plattsburgh PD; Albany County Sheriff’s Office; and Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies including the Pennsylvania State Police and Franklin County District Attorney’s Office; Alabama law enforcement agencies including the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Gasden PD, and Rainbow City PD; Georgia law enforcement agencies including the Georgia State Patrol, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow PD; Kansas law enforcement agencies including Lawrence PD and Overland Park PD; New Hampshire law enforcement agencies including Rochester PD, Manchester PD, and Amherst PD; the Delaware State Police; Maryland law enforcement agencies including the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; the Virginia State Police; Wisconsin law enforcement agencies including Onalaska PD and Eau Claire PD; and Indiana law enforcement agencies including the Allen County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark, Mathew M. Paulbeck, and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting this case.


title: Florida Man Charged with Mailing a “White Powder” Letter to the New York State Attorney General’s Office

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Henry Garcia, age 63, of Vero Beach, Florida, has been indicted for mailing a letter containing a hoax white powder that was reasonably believed to contain a biological weapon. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. As alleged in the indictment, on February 22, 2024, Garcia mailed a threatening letter that contained a suspicious white powder to the New York State Attorney General’s Office in Albany. The white powder was not hazardous but was intended to appear as a biological weapon and to threaten the recipient, New York State Attorney General Letitia James. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “As alleged, the defendant mailed a white powder to Attorney General Letitia James here in Albany. No public servant, regardless of political affiliation, should be subjected to this kind of despicable, abhorrent conduct, which is clearly meant to intimidate and threaten public officials in the exercise of their official duties. Anyone engaging in this type of behavior – targeting New York State officials in Albany – should expect to be prosecuted in the Northern District of New York to the fullest extent of the law and no plea bargain will be offered for this conduct.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated: “No public official should live in fear simply for showing up and doing the job they were elected to do. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force stands ready to aggressively investigate and bring to justice any individual looking to disturb the important work of our government leaders with dangerous threats of violence.” The charge filed against Garcia carries a maximum term of 5 years in prison a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Garcia made an initial appearance yesterday in Fort Pierce, Florida, and was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police, New York State Department of Health, New York State Attorney General's Office, United States Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Indian River County (Fl.) Sheriff’s Office, and the Martin County (Fl.) Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.


title: Keene Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for His Role in the Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Keene man was sentenced yesterday in federal court for his role in sexually exploiting a minor female victim under the age of 12-years-old to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM), Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces. Paul Baird, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to 300 months in federal prison and 20 years of supervised release. In March 2025, Baird pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the production of child sexual abuse material. “The defendant committed an appalling betrayal of trust by abusing a child in his care to produce sexually exploitative material,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack. “Yesterday’s lengthy sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes and ensures that he will not be able to harm other children. This office has zero tolerance for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.” "Yesterday’s sentencing of Paul Baird underscores our staunch commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. The heinous acts committed by Baird are a stark reminder of the critical importance of our work in combating child exploitation,” said Special agent in charge of HSI New England Michael J. Krol. “HSI New England, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue justice for victims and ensure that perpetrators of such abhorrent crimes are held accountable.” According to the court documents and statements made in court, on or about January 29, 2024, Paul Baird illegally engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor female victim he was babysitting for the purpose of producing a CSAM. He took at least one sexually explicit photograph of the minor victim’s genitalia and shared three sexually explicit images of the minor victim on a dark website dedicated to CSAM. At the time of his arrest, Paul Baird was employed as a bus driver by the Student Transportation of America, which is a school transportation company that services the Contoocook Valley (ConVal) School District. The Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. The Keene Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ . ###


title: Convicted Murderer Sentenced to 63 Months for Unlawful Firearm Possession

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Willie Green, age 42, of Albany, was sentenced on Monday to 63 months in prison following his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement. In previously pleading guilty, Green admitted that on January 1, 2022, he possessed a loaded pistol in Albany. A prior felony conviction prohibited him from possessing the pistol. Green has an extensive criminal history that includes a 2024 murder conviction, which was secured by the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. The sentence in this case will run consecutive to the 25 years-to-life term he is serving on his state murder conviction. United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “Willie Green cannot serve enough prison time for the crimes he’s committed. He should never get out, and if he is granted parole by New York State, he will be immediately taken to federal prison to start serving his term of imprisonment in this case. Albany is safer if this murderer stays locked up for good.” ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller stated: “This sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to holding violent offenders accountable—especially those who continue to possess firearms despite felony convictions. This individual not only admitted to carrying a loaded firearm illegally, but he is also serving a 25-to-life sentence for murder. His actions represent the very threat to public safety that ATF and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to prevent. Thank you to our partners at Albany PD and U.S. Attorney’s Office NDNY for their efforts.” Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release to begin when Green is released from federal prison. ATF investigated this case with the assistance of the Albany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn .


title: New Jersey CPA Pleads Guilty to Conspiring with Others to Defraud the United States

component: Tax Division

body_text: A New Jersey Certified Public Accountant (CPA) pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to defraud the United States by promoting fraudulent tax shelters to his high-income clients. According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2018 and 2019, Ofer Gabbay, a CPA, of Paramus, New Jersey, conspired with others, including Jack Fisher, James Sinnott, and their assistant Kate Joy to promote fraudulent syndicated conservation easement tax shelters to their clients. These tax shelters facilitated high-income taxpayers in claiming unwarranted and inflated charitable contribution tax deductions in connection with the donation of a conservation easement over land. To carry out the scheme, Gabbay and others instructed clients to provide backdated checks, agreements and other documents to support the unwarranted tax deductions. Gabbay then prepared false tax returns for his participating clients. Fisher and Sinnott were sentenced to 25 year and 23 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in the scheme. Joy remains a fugitive. Gabbay faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Senior Litigation Counsel Richard Rolwing and Trial Attorney Parker Tobin of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.


title: California Man Guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property and Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property from Metairie Business

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JAMES BLOCKER (“JAMES BLOCKER”) , a California resident, pled guilty on June 12, 2025, to the indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 (Count 1), and interstate transportation of stolen goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2314 (Count 2). According to the indictment , JAMES BLOCKER, and others, conspired to transport cigarettes that were stolen during a burglary at the Imperial Trading Company in New Orleans on November 21, 2024. The group then traveled out of state, before being apprehended in Fort Stockton, Texas the following day while in possession of the cigarettes. The group was further implicated in similar burglaries in North Carolina and Texas in February of 2024. For Count 1, JAMES BLOCKER faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. As to Count 2, JAMES BLOCKER faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, up to 3 years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; the Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office, the Knightdale Police Department, the Atlanta Police Department, the Rockmart Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Fort Stockton Police Department, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: TWO-TIME CONVICTED FELON FROM LEVY COUNTY CHARGED WITH POSSESSING A GUN AND AMMUNITION

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Kashone Demetrious Bing, 20, of Levy County, FL, was indicted by a federal grand jury this week charging him with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today. Bing is scheduled for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Midori Lowry on July 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in Gainesville, Florida. If convicted, Bing faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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). 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 available 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Fayetteville Woman Sentenced to Prison in a $3.5 Million in Federal Student Aid Scheme

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Fayetteville woman was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the theft of millions from the federal student aid program. Cynthia Denise Melvin, age 60, pled guilty to the charge on February 26, 2025. The court also ordered Melvin to pay $3,641,473 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Education. “This case represents one of the most significant federal student aid fraud schemes ever prosecuted in North Carolina,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who seek to steal from programs that help students who need it, as they pursue an education.” “I’m proud of the work of OIG special agents and our law enforcement colleagues for shutting down yet another student aid fraud ring and holding Ms. Melvin accountable for her criminal actions,” said Andrew Balceniuk, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Regional Office. “The Office of Inspector General is committed to stopping student aid fraud rings, and we will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who participates in them.” According to court documents and other information presented in court, between approximately 2016 and 2023, the defendant organized, led, and conspired with approximately 80 “straw students” and others to fraudulently apply for federal student aid at multiple community colleges in North Carolina, including Wake Technical Community College, Cape Fear Community College, and Fayetteville Technical Community College. Federal investigators from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General (OIG), estimate that the scheme resulted in more than $4.7 million in financial aid awards, of which more than $3.5 million was disbursed. Based on the fraud losses, OIG indicates the scheme is the largest of its kind prosecuted in the State of North Carolina. Federal Student Aid (FSA), an office within the U.S. Department of Education, is responsible for administering financial aid programs to assist qualified students in their pursuit of post-secondary education, including grants, loans, work study funds, and other disbursements. FSA also develops, distributes, and processes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After a school applies a financial award to a student’s tuition and fees, any remaining balance is refunded to the student for education-related expenses. According to the investigation, Melvin collected personal identifying information (PII) of straw students in North Carolina and used that information to submit fraudulent applications for admission at the targeted schools. Thereafter, Melvin attempted to make it appear that the straw students were attending classes, completing coursework, and communicating with the targeted schools when, in fact, Melvin impersonated the straw students for these and other purposes. To obtain financial aid, Melvin submitted FAFSA forms for the straw students through FSA’s website and concealed her identity as the preparer. During the execution of a federal search warrant at Melvin’s residence, OIG investigators recovered evidence establishing the operation and mechanics of the scheme, including PII and coursework for straw students, FSA account usernames and passwords, and bank account and routing numbers. Daniel P. Bubar, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief Judge Richard E. Myers, II. The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam F. Hulbig prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-14-M.


title: FEDERAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST DIXIE COUNTY MAN FOR TRAFFICKING IN METHAMPHETAMINE

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Ronald Carl Peavy II, 49, of Old Town, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge. Peavy is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida on July 1, 2025, at 2:15 p.m. If convicted, Peavy faces up to life imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Adam Hapner. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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). 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: ILLEGAL ALIEN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING A GUN AND AMMUNITION IN FLORIDA

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Camerino Perez Perez, a/k/a “Squirrel,” 41, of Levy County, FL, was indicted by a federal grand jury this week charging him with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today. Perez is scheduled for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Midori Lowry on July 1, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in Gainesville, Florida. If convicted, Perez faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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). 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 available 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison  for Voluntary Manslaughter

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on June 18, 2025. Luke Standing Bear, age 19, was sentenced to eight 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. A federal grand jury indicted Standing Bear in July 2024. He pleaded guilty on March 21, 2025. On July 6, 2024, Standing Bear was in his neighborhood, in the Eastridge community in Pine Ridge, where he tried to fight several other men. The victim, who was one of the men whom Standing Bear tried to fight, told Standing Bear to go home. Standing Bear went back to his house and armed himself with a knife. Standing Bear returned to the scene of the first argument and got into another argument with the victim. Standing Bear was disarmed by bystanders, but then retrieved a second knife from his home and returned again to the street where the victim was standing. Standing Bear approached the victim after being insulted and stabbed the victim one time in the ribs. The victim took one step and collapsed to the ground. The knife had pierced several internal organs and the victim’s aorta. The victim survived the flight to the hospital in Rapid City but died during surgery. 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 FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case. Standing Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.