title: Twenty-one alleged Arlington, TX street gang members charged with RICO conspiracy, murder, drug and gun crimes

body_text: Twenty-one alleged violent members of a criminal street gang in Arlington, Texas have been federally charged with racketeering, murder and assault in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, and gun crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson. The defendants were charged by complaint on Tuesday, November 4. As of Friday, November 7, all were in custody, and 17 began initial appearances that day before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Texas. The rest had their initial appearances today. Court documents reflect that the FBI and Arlington Police Department began investigating the Arlington-based criminal street gang known as “Kiccdoe” in April 2024 after a Kiccdoe gang member was shot and killed on the campus of an Arlington high school. The murder resulted in multiple alleged retaliation shootings between Kiccdoe and other Arlington gangs. According to court records, Kiccdoe members committed a lengthy pattern of murder, drive-by shootings, robberies, assaults, firearm offenses, and trafficking of fentanyl, marijuana, and other narcotics in Arlington and other North Texas cities. Over a three-year period from approximately early 2022 through this year, Kiccdoe members terrorized many parts of Arlington’s communities with these violent offenses and threats of violence. The Kiccdoe gang originated from the 600 block of East Arkansas Lane on the eastside of Arlington. To demonstrate their association with the gang, members used words such as “kiccdoe,” “KDN” (for “Kiccdoe Nation”), “6,” or “600” on public social media accounts. They also wore clothing bearing the same inscriptions and produced and distributed online songs and videos about their gang activities and crimes. Social media post of alleged Kiccdoe member Blake Scott with “600” gang clothing. As alleged in Tuesday’s complaint, violent acts that Kiccdoe members called “stripes” were required to join the gang, remain in good standing as a gang member, and maintain the gang’s violent reputation in the community. Specific crimes identified in the complaint in furtherance of racketeering include a murder, six attempted murders, nine robberies, numerous assaults with dangerous weapons, ongoing sales of fentanyl and marijuana, and continuing threats of violence, all undertaken to obtain and preserve the profits, power, and territory of Kiccdoe members while keeping victims in fear of the gang and its members. Marijuana advertised for sale on social media by alleged gang member Kyron Oates. Photos of alleged gang member LaMarion Austin posted on social media with a gun, large quantities of marijuana, and cash. Those charged in the complaint include: • Michael Mensah, 18, of Grand Prairie, Texas, charged with conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering (RICO conspiracy), assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Raphael Opare, 19, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Dillen Opare, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Isaiah Wiley, 21, of Dallas, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. • Kyron Oates, 22, of Grand Prairie, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. • Vernell Woods, 19, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • DeMarco Westmoreland, 19, of Mansfield, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Cortez Atkinson, 18, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Bradley McArthur, Jr., 21, of Fort Worth, Texas charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • DaTraven Warren, 18, of Mansfield, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. • Sadedrick Wilson, 22, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Joseph Hill, 18, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Chauncey Ross, 22, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. • Marcus Shaw, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • KeyShawn Burton, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • LaMarion Austin, 21, of Dallas, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Blake Aaron Scott, 22, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. • Sir James Mack Williams, 21, of Arlington, Texas, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. • Jaylen Jeshawn Franklin, of Arlington, Texas, 22, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. • JaMarion Manogin, 20, of Forney, Texas, charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence in aid of racketeering. • Jakayla Totten, 21, of DeSoto, Texas, charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. “The outstanding, collaborative work of our law enforcement partners has made Arlington residents safer today, because 21 alleged violent gang members and associates have been arrested and taken off the streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with federal and local law enforcement agencies, will continue to pursue justice against brazen offenders, who organize and terrorize our communities with relentless acts of violence.” “The FBI is committed to working with our state and local law enforcement partners on the Tarrant County Safe Streets Task Force to protect our communities. Alongside the Arlington Police Department, we made a significant impact on violent crime through the arrest of violent gang members and the seizure of firearms and drugs. These arrests demonstrate the importance of partnerships in combatting the violence that plagues our communities,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The members of this gang have been involved in numerous violent offenses in our community, including shootings, aggravated assaults, robberies, and more,” said Chief Al Jones of the Arlington Police Department. “By getting these individuals off our streets, we are making Arlington safer. I’m extremely proud of the outstanding investigative work that got us to this point. I’m also incredibly grateful to our federal partners for helping us combat violent crime in our city.” A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, the defendants face statutory maximum sentences ranging from ten years in federal prison up to life imprisonment. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and Arlington Police Department, with assistance in apprehending and arrests by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fort Worth Police Department, the Garland Police Department, the North Richland Hills Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, NORTEX Metro SWAT (comprised of Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and Coppell Police Departments), and the North Tarrant Regionals SWAT (comprised of Hurst, Euless, Bedford, and Grapevine Police Departments). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Beck. This investigation 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 OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods.


title: Four Dominican Men Extradited to the United States for Allegedly Operating Elder Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – Four Dominican nationals have been extradited to the United States for their alleged roles in connection with a transnational “call center” operation in the Dominican Republic that tricked hundreds of elderly victims in the United States into believing that their grandchildren or other close family members were in trouble and needed money. In total, the investigation identified over 400 victims with an average age of 84, including at least 50 in Massachusetts, and more than $5 million in losses. Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, 33; Joel Jose Cruz Rodriguez, a/k/a “Paflow,” 33; Edward Jose Puello Garcia, 45; and Joel Francisco Mathilda Leon, 26, were arrested in August 2025 in the Dominican Republic and extradited on Sept. 30, 2025. They appeared in federal court in Boston on Oct. 1, 2025 and were detained pending trial. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024 with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy. According to the charging documents , the defendants, allegedly led by Castanos Garcia, ran a sophisticated “call center” operation in the Dominican Republic that tricked hundreds of elderly victims in the United States into believing that their grandchildren and other close family members were in trouble and needed money. Once the defendants obtained the money, they allegedly laundered their illicit proceeds back to the Dominican Republic. Castanos Garcia allegedly oversaw call centers in the Dominican Republic, where he employed co-conspirators who spoke English and carried out what are commonly known as “grandparent scams.” These scams would begin with an “Opener” employee, who would call victims and pretend to be a grandchild who was in an accident. Then, a “Closer” would allegedly follow up with another call, pretending to be the grandchild’s attorney, asking for a sum of money to pay for the grandchild’s attorney’s fees. Castanos Garcia allegedly ran these call center locations with the help of several managers, including Cruz Rodriguez and Puello Garcia, who allegedly supervised, instructed and paid the employees. As alleged in the indictment, callers for Castanos Garcia’s call centers would instruct elderly victims to provide cash to “runners” in the United States, including Joel Francisco Mathilda Leon. Most often, the callers would instruct victims to give the packages with cash to rideshare drivers who were ordered to the victim’s house by a runner. The runners would then allegedly have the unsuspecting rideshare drivers deliver the packages to the runners at nearby locations. In some cases, the callers would allegedly direct the victims to ship packages of cash to specified addresses via mail or commercial carriers. Often times, the call center would allegedly call victims again and ask for additional funds for their grandchildren, sometimes two or three additional times. For example, callers would allegedly claim that there had been a “mix up” or that a “pregnant women’s baby was lost in the crash.” At times, co-conspirators would allegedly order unwitting rideshare drivers to drive the elderly victims to the bank to withdraw additional funds. It is further alleged that, at the direction of Castanos Garcia’s and others, the runners would engage in financial transactions with the victims’ money, including depositing cash into bank accounts and delivering it to co-conspirators in New York and elsewhere. Operators of the scheme relied on money launderers in the United States and the Dominican Republic to transmit proceeds from victims in the United States to Castanos Garcia and others in the Dominican Republic. Members of the public who believe they may be victims of this case, or other elder fraud scams, should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Suspected fraud can also be reported on the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center . The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the loss to the victim. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the amount of laundered funds, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Kevin Neal, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs; the Dominican National Police; División Especial de Investigación del Crimen Organizado Internacional (DEICROI); Central de Investigaciones Criminales (DICRIM); and the Ministerio Publico. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ### ADDENDUM Defendant Alleged Role Charges Status Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, 33, of the Dominican Republic Call Center Operator Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Joel Jose Cruz Rodriguez, a/k/a “Paflow,” 33, of the Dominican Republic Call Center Manager Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Edward Jose Puello Garcia, 44, of the Dominican Republic Call Center Manager Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Joan Manuel Mathilda Leon, 27, of the Dominican Republic and the Bronx, N.Y. Recruited and oversaw “runners”; runner Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud Money Laundering Conspiracy. In Custody Luis German Santos Burgos, a/k/a “Mambo Flow,” 32, of the Dominican Republic and Dorchester, Mass. Call Center Affiliate Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Gerardo Heriberto Nuñez Nuñez, 41, of the Dominican Republic Money Launderer Money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Ransel St Arlin Tavarez Jimenez, 26, of the Bronx, N.Y. Recruited and organized “runners”; runner Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. At-Large Joel Francisco Mathilda Leon, 26, of the Bronx, N.Y. Runner Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Andry Joel Baez Santana, 31, of the Bronx, N.Y. Runner Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Jose Osvaldo Polanco Batista, a/k/a “Obbi,” 28, of Winter Park, Fla. Runner Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. At-Large Chaman Samael Silverio Balbuena, a/k/a “Chammy,” 31, of Defiance, Mo. Runner Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Manuel Nicolas Rivera Cueto, 25, of Santa Clara, Cal. Runner Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. In Custody Jose Arony Fermin Vasquez, a/k/a “Chiky,” 31, of N.J. Runner Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy. At-Large


title: Federal Jury finds Millington Man Guilty of Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – On October 30, 2025, after a four-day trial, a federal jury found Michael Fruitticher, 37 , of Millington, guilty of production and attempted production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the verdict today. According to information presented in court, between at least July 2011 and continuing through May 2014, Fruitticher video-recorded a child nude in the shower, photographed the child nude and in lingerie in sexually lascivious poses, and photographed himself raping the child. DNA results revealed Fruitticher’s and the child’s DNA on an item of lingerie worn by the child in one series of photographs. In May 2019, federal and state law enforcement officers investigating the case found devices containing the child sexual abuse material in Fruitticher's possession. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Violent crimes against children, including the production of materials depicting child rape and sexual abuse, are heinous violations of the rule of law. We are committed to removing child sex offenders from our community and to protecting our children from those who would do them harm.” Sentencing is set for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, before United States District Judge Mark S. Norris. Fruitticher is facing a sentence of 15 to 40 years of imprisonment. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative that marshals federal, state, and local resources to apprehend individuals who exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. The case was investigated by the Millington Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Delery and P. Neal Oldham, who prosecuted this case, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the case. ### For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Five Albuquerque Men Plead Guilty to Federal Firearms and Drug Charges

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

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Five Albuquerque men have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a firearms and drug trafficking conspiracy that involved selling machine gun conversion devices and cocaine. According to court records, between February 2024 and July 2024, Micah Maestas , 20, Dominic Ramirez , 22, Daniel Garcia , 19, Oscar Ruiz Salmeron , 20, and his brother, Jesus Ruiz Salmeron , 20, sold firearms equipped with machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as "Glock switches," along with cocaine. During the investigation, the defendants sold modified firearms and distributed controlled substances to an undercover law enforcement officer in multiple transactions. Law enforcement linked firearms sold by the defendants to multiple shooting incidents in the Albuquerque area through ballistics evidence. Jesus Ruiz Salmeron was captured on video firing a fully automatic weapon near Albuquerque High School. Maestas pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine, using firearms in drug trafficking crimes, trafficking firearms, dealing firearms without a license and using firearms in drug trafficking crimes and possession and transfer of a machinegun. Ramirez and Garcia pleaded guilty to dealing firearms without a license, distribution of cocaine and using a firearm in relation to drug trafficking. Oscar Ruiz Salmeron pleaded guilty to trafficking firearms. Jesus Ruiz Salmeron pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. Under the terms of their plea agreements, Maestas , Ramirez , and Garcia each face a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years. Oscar Ruiz Salmeron and Jesus Ruiz Salmeron faces up to 10 years imprisonment. Maestas is scheduled to be sentenced November 6, 2025. Sentencing hearings for the remaining defendants have not been scheduled. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Shawn Stallo, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jack E. Burkhead is prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Guatemalan National Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Illegal Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in New Bedford was sentenced on Oct. 1, 2025 in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Manuel Ruiz Luis, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia Kobick to six months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Ruiz Luis pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. In May 2025, Ruiz Luis was indicted by a federal grand jury. Ruiz Luis was first deported from the United States to Guatemala in April 1996 and reentered the United States illegally sometime thereafter. Ruiz Luis was removed from the United States a second time on March 28, 2012. Sometime after his March 2012 removal, Ruiz Luis illegally reentered the United States without permission. Prior to his 2012 removal, Ruiz Luis had multiple criminal convictions including one charge of operating under the influence and four separate charges of operating a motor vehicle without a license. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra W. Amrhein of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Lowell Man Arrested on Drug Distribution Charges

body_text: BOSTON – A Lowell man was arrested and charged on Oct. 1, 2025 for allegedly distributing cocaine base (crack cocaine). Marc Sanchez, 31, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The defendant made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Oct. 1, 2025 and remains detained in federal custody. According to court filings, Sanchez was allegedly dealing crack cocaine out of his residence in a large apartment complex in Lowell. Specifically, it is alleged that on Sept. 17, 2025, a cooperating witness arranged to meet Sanchez at his apartment to purchase an ounce and a half of crack cocaine. It is also alleged that at the time of meeting Sanchez was observed meeting with an unknown drug supplier in a car outside his apartment building to acquire powder cocaine. Sanchez then allegedly returned to his apartment with the cooperating witness, where Sanchez “cooked” the powder cocaine into crack cocaine, separated and weighed the substance, and then sold it to the cooperating witness. It is further alleged that Sanchez used phone numbers and cars registered in other people’s names to deal crack cocaine. According to court documents, there are at least four outstanding arrest warrants for Sanchez in connection with open criminal cases in Derry District Court in New Hampshire, and in Boston, Lawrence and Lowell District Courts in Massachusetts. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Greg C. Hudon, Superintendent of the Lowell Police Department made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Billerica, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover and Salem (Mass.) Police Departments and the Manchester, New Hampshire Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 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 details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Peabody Man Pleads Guilty to Extortion

body_text: BOSTON – A Peabody man, and Gangster Disciple gang member, pleaded guilty on Sept. 30, 2025 to making threats of physical violence to extort money from two victims. Damien Willette, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make interstate communications with the intent to extort and making interstate communications with intent to extort. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Jan. 21, 2026. Willette was indicted in March 2025 along with co-conspirators William Walley and Michael O’Shea. Willette was the cellmate of Walley in March 2023 and, later, the cellmate of O’Shea from May 2023 through June 2023. Willette and his alleged co-conspirators threatened two individuals – a former Gangster Disciple who was recruited into the gang by Willette (Victim 2) and their romantic partner (Victim 1) – while serving state prison sentences. Willette expected Victim 2 to provide him with financial assistance during his incarceration from November 2020 to May 2024, as well as to his alleged fellow incarcerated gang members. Gangster Disciple gang members refer to this practice as “aid and assistance.” Willette told Victim 2 that he would be “blessed out” of the gang if he continued to provide “aid and assistance.” However, Victim 2 attempted to disassociate from the Gangster Disciples gang soon after his recruitment. When Victim 2 stopped providing assistance, Victim 1 continued on his behalf. On or about March 2023, Willette and his alleged co-conspirators started threatening the victims with physical violence if they stopped providing money to them while they were incarcerated. For example, Willette warned the victims that if they failed to provide “aid and assistance,” Victim 2 would not be “blessed out” when Willette was released from state prison. Willette specified that he would have gang members pistol whip the victims that “it’s going to be bad for you and everyone you know” if they failed to provide “aid and assistance.” The charge of conspiracy to make interstate communications with the intent to extort provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of making interstate communications with intent to extort provides for a sentence up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction and the Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. 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 gun violence and other violent crime, 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 Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/PSN . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty and Sentenced to Time Served for Illegal Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Waltham pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Oct. 1, 2025 in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. Kevin Elizar Reyes-Andres, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to time served (approximately three months). The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. Reyes-Andres was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2025. Reyes-Andres was deported from the United States to Guatemala on Feb. 27, 2019. Sometime after his February 2019 removal, Reyes-Andres illegally reentered the United States without permission. On May 19, 2025, he was arrested by immigration authorities in Waltham. On that date, a car stop was initiated. Reyes-Andres fled and was later observed getting into another vehicle, attempting to flee again on foot before being apprehended. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Dominican National Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking and Unlawful Reentry into the United States

body_text: BOSTON – A Dominican national, unlawfully residing in Chelsea Mass., was sentenced on Sept. 30, 2025 in federal court in Boston for selling five kilograms of fentanyl to an undercover agent after unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. Luis Alberto German-Peguero, a/k/a “Alberto Chirry,” 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, German-Peguero pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl,and one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien. German-Peguero is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and, in November 2020, was removed from the United States following a state drug trafficking conviction in Plymouth Superior Court, for which he served more than one year in prison. Sometime after his removal, German-Peguero unlawfully reentered the United States. On March 22, 2023, German-Peguero sold five kilograms of fentanyl to an undercover agent in Peabody. German-Peguero was subsequently arrested in Newton on April 14, 2023 and determined to be unlawfully present in the United States. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Mescalero Man Charged with Child Abuse

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man has been charged with child abuse after firing a weapon near his two young children and placing them in a situation that endangered their lives. According to court documents, on August 26, 2025, Emilio Morales , 24, a non-Indian, went to a residence located within the exterior boundaries of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. Upon arrival, Morales fired a weapon into the air multiple times and forced entry into the home. Once inside, he took his two-year-old son from his crib while armed and threatened to harm himself in front of the child. Morales then seized his four-year-old daughter and continued making threats of self-harm. When officers arrived on scene, Morales demanded that they shot him while he was holding his daughter. The children’s safety was secured after a brief standoff. Both children are enrolled members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Morales is charged with child abuse and will remain in custody pending trial. If convicted of the current charges, Morales faces up to three years in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jackson K. Dering V is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Former Massachusetts Resident Living in California Sentenced for PPP Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A Los Angeles man who formerly resided in Randolph, Mass. was sentenced on Oct. 1, 2025 in federal court in Boston for submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of multiple companies he owns and controls. Rindal Pierre-Canel, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun to two years’ probation. In June 2025 , Pierre-Canel pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud. The defendant was arrested and charged in January 2025. Between March 2021 and May 2021, Pierre-Canel submitted three fraudulent applications seeking and receiving over $50,000 in PPP funds. Two of the applications were submitted in Pierre-Canel’s own name and the third application was submitted using the stolen personal identifying information of a victim. The submissions included false representations about the existence and income of businesses and included false tax documents in support of these false representations. Pierre-Canel used the funds he received from the fraudulent PPP loan applications on personal expenses, including flights to California and purchases of designer clothing. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Cambridge (Mass.) and Hermosa Beach (Calif.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division's prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at: Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud .


title: Mescalero Man Charged with Assault

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man has been charged for allegedly assaulting a woman by dragging her beneath a moving vehicle, causing serious bodily injuries. According to court documents, on September 14, 2024, Thurman Allen Paz , 46, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and Jane Doe were in a vehicle when Paz began to strike her in the face and head. Jane Doe attempted to get out of the vehicle while it was moving and was dragged underneath. As a result, Jane Doe sustained serious bodily injuries. Paz is charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the current charge, Paz faces up to 10 years in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jackson K. Dering V is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Alabama Doctor Pleads Guilty to $6 Million Telemedicine Health Care Fraud Scheme

body_text: BOSTON – An Alabama-based doctor pleaded guilty on Oct. 1, 2025 in federal court in Boston to a $6 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic testing primarily used to detect mutations in genes that could indicate a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers. Tommie Robinson, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 14, 2026. Robinson was charged in August 2025 . Between December 2018 and March 2021, Robinson worked with telemedicine companies to sign medical documentation, including doctors’ orders, for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment and genetic testing. The orders Robinson signed were pre-populated based on telemarketing calls made to Medicare beneficiaries. Robinson generally did not contact the beneficiaries himself and had no medical relationship with the beneficiaries. DME suppliers and laboratories ultimately submitted claims to Medicare for these signed orders. As a result of Robinson’s participation in this scheme, over $6 million in claims were submitted to Medicare for DME and genetic testing that were medically unnecessary, based on false documentation and tainted by kickbacks. The charge of health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Robert Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Kelly M. Lawson, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office; and Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, North East Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Units are prosecuting the case.


title: El Salvadoran National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – An El Salvadoran national, unlawfully residing in Chelsea, was sentenced on Oct. 3, 2025 in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. Juan Carlos Gil-Ochoa, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to a time served sentence (approximately five months). The defendant is now subject to deportation proceedings. In August 2025 , Gil-Ochoa pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. In June 2025, Gil-Ochoa was indicted by a federal grand jury. He was arrested by immigration authorities on May 12, 2025. Gil-Ochoa was deported from the United States to El Salvador on April 29, 2013. Sometime after his April 2013 removal, Gil-Ochoa illegally reentered the United States without permission. On May 12, 2025, he was arrested by immigration authorities in Chelsea. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston; and Chelsea Police Chief Keith E. Houghton made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Massachusetts Woman Who Leaked Federal Grand Jury Information Sentenced

body_text: BOSTON – A Dracut, Mass. woman was sentenced on Oct. 2, 2025 in federal court in Boston for disclosing information presented to a federal grand jury to unauthorized individuals. Jessica M. Leslie, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to two years of supervised release, with two months to be served in home detention. In August 2025 , Leslie pleaded guilty to one count of criminal contempt after being charged on July 11, 2025 . Beginning in May 2022, Leslie was sworn as a federal grand juror and was advised of the obligation of secrecy imposed by the federal rules. On various dates between Aug. 11, 2022 and March 4, 2024, Leslie disclosed sealed information to unauthorized individuals, including the names of various witnesses appearing before a federal grand jury, the substance of witness testimony and other evidence presented to the grand jury, in violation of the Federal Rules and court order. Leslie talked explicitly about two matters in the grand jury to a friend, who then publicly posted about and engaged in private chats on those matters, sharing specific details passed on by Leslie. In one instance, the friend posted about a sealed indictment before the targets were arrested. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Chief of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Zuni Man Indicted for Federal Charges in Triple Homicide

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man has been indicted on federal charges in connection with the deaths of three individuals on July 4. According to court documents, on July 4, 2025, Willis Kylestewa , 41, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, killed John Doe, Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. Kylestewa is charged with three counts of second-degree murder and will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Kylestewa faces any number of years up to life in prison. U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department and Zuni Open Space. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Marshall and Amy Mondragon are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Statement Of United States Attorney Jay Clayton On The Convictions Of Michael Castillero, Francine Lanaia, And Brian Martinsen

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: “Our pre-IPO markets are important to investors, entrepreneurs, and our economy. Their integrity is critical to our continued leadership in technology, healthcare, energy, and other key industries. A unanimous jury has found that Michael Castillero, Francine Lanaia, and Brian Martinsen committed securities fraud, wire fraud, and investment adviser fraud through their firm, StraightPath Venture Partners. The defendants used high-pressure sales tactics, false and misleading disclosures, and hidden exorbitant fees to defraud retail investors seeking to invest in private companies that had not yet had initial public offerings. I commend the career prosecutors and law enforcement agents for their work to protect investors in this important marketplace. We and our law enforcement partners are focused on our pre-IPO markets and our listed small cap markets. Our message is clear: marketing and trading in less well-known securities does not give you a pass to commit fraud.”


title: Crownpoint Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal DUI Crash

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Crownpoint man pleaded guilty to federal charges after a fatal crash involving alcohol and prescription opioids. According to court documents, on July 3, 2024, Joey Martin , 55, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was driving on State Highway 371 in Crownpoint, New Mexico, when he swerved to avoid a semitruck and lost control. His passenger was killed in the crash. After the crash, Martin admitted to taking opioid pain medication an hour or two prior. Martin pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. At sentencing, Martin is subject to a sentence of up to eight years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Martin will be subject to up to three years to life of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today. The Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pahl is prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: U.S. ATTORNEY HEAP ANNOUNCES FORFEITURE OF OVER  $1 MILLION IN CRYPTOCURRENCY AS A RESULT OF A FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING INVESTIGATION

component: USAO - Georgia, Southern

body_text: SAVANNAH, GA: Margaret E. Heap, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, today announced that, through a civil asset forfeiture action, the government has seized and forfeited approximately $1,185,922.91 of cryptocurrency, which was recently liquidated into U.S. currency, as a result of a financial investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit and United States Secret Service (USSS). “The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and United States Secret Service worked diligently to locate, seize, and forfeit these funds, and are now working to identify eligible victims who may be compensated with forfeited funds,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “This forfeiture is a testament to the drive and ingenuity of the investigative team, and the partnership between our office and the United States Secret Service.” The case was opened following a report of a sophisticated fraud attempted against a real estate agent in Richmond Hill, Georgia, near Savannah. The Secret Service had previously spoken with realtors in the area about fraud targeting the real estate industry and received the report based on their outreach. The investigation exposed a global fraud and money laundering operation and resulted in the disruption of an international criminal organization. “With the continued evolution of cryptocurrency fraud, our outreach efforts are crucial to preventing unsuspecting Americans from falling victim to these crimes,” said USSS Savannah Resident Office Agent in Charge James Reno. “It was through these outreach efforts that the fraud in this case was identified, and we remain committed to educating the public and working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring perpetrators of these crimes to justice.” As set forth in the civil complaint, in April 2023, a real estate agent and resident of Richmond Hill, Georgia, contacted the USSS Savannah Resident Office regarding communication with a person claiming to be a potential home buyer. The purported home buyer made out to have an extensive financial background with cryptocurrency. The real estate agent recognized the hallmarks of fraud and contacted the Secret Service. Using the information the fraudster gave to the real estate agent and the Internet Crime Complaint Center referenced below, the Secret Service identified another real estate agent in North Carolina who had more than $200,000 in cryptocurrency stolen by the same criminal organization. The North Carolina victim was persuaded to download a cryptocurrency application, which was a fake version of a real cryptocurrency exchange. The Secret Service traced the cryptocurrency transactions and identified a larger money laundering operation involving more than $100 million laundered over a short period, leading to the United States seizing over $1 million. In 2024, the property was forfeited through a federal civil forfeiture case in Savannah. The Secret Service is continuing its investigation and is working to identify victims eligible for consideration for compensation with the forfeited funds. The Internet Crime Complaint Center, is run by the FBI and serves as the country’s hub for reporting cybercrime. Visit www.ic3.gov to report a crime, and for updated information and other cyber fraud schemes. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. The United States was represented by Senior Litigation Counsel J. Bishop Ravenel. Civil Complaint Order of Forfeiture


title: Morgan Lake Man Charged with Assault

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Morgan Lake man has been charged with assaulting an officer using his vehicle. According to court documents, on September 28, 2025, officers from the Navajo Nation Police Department responded to a report of a suspected drunk driver. When they arrive in the area, the driver, Kendall Benally , 42, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, refused to obey commands and attempted to flee in his vehicle, striking and injuring an officer and a marked unit in the process. Benally then exited the vehicle and fled on foot and attempted to hide from officers. Benally was found and arrested a short time later. Benally is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing. If convicted of the current charges, Benally faces five years in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack E. Burkhead is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Newton Man Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison for Federal Firearm Offense

body_text: BOSTON – A Newton man was sentenced on Oct. 8, 2025, in federal court in Boston for illegally possessing two firearms and ammunition. James Welch, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In June 2025, Welch pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Welch was charged in February 2025 . On Feb. 28, 2025, during a search of Welch’s Newton residence, a pistol and a rifle, as well as ammunition were recovered. Welch is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions. The charge of possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of a $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. The Newton Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric L. Hawkins of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Bibb County murderer sentenced to 25 years on federal firearms charges

body_text: ATLANTA – Sterling Breynard Bell was sentenced to federal prison for firearms charges related to the murder of a young woman whose body was found along a highway near Macon, Georgia, nearly a decade ago. “The diligence of a federal special agent solved a murder and prevented the conviction of an innocent man,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “By using tools designed to test ballistics, the federal agent linked a gun seized from Bell to shell casings recovered from a murder scene two years earlier. The man initially charged the murder was exonerated, and Bell was brought to justice.” “This case underscores the vital role that the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network plays in solving violent crimes,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “By linking the firearm used in this tragic murder to Sterling Bell, our agents demonstrated the power of technology in the pursuit of justice.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On August 7, 2016, the body of 27-year-old Kendra Roberts was found along a highway near Macon, Georgia. Roberts had been shot multiple times at close range, including twice to the face and once to the back of the head. The next day, Roberts’s boyfriend was charged with the murder. Roberts’s boyfriend remained in custody for months. However, without realizing any connection to Roberts’s murder, the Clarkston Police Department seized a Glock 9mm pistol from Sterling Bell just ten days after the murder. The Bibb County deputies who were investigating Roberts’s murder were unaware that Bell had purchased that Glock mere weeks before the murder by lying to the seller about his daily drug use. In 2018, an ATF special agent used the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to confirm that Bell’s gun was the murder weapon. ATF continued to investigate Bell and learned that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and refused to take his prescribed medication. Bell was arrested on federal firearms charges in October 2018, while the charges against Roberts’s boyfriend were dismissed. Bell later admitted to killing Roberts and was sentenced by a state judge to 20 years of imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 1/3 of the sentence. On October 1, 2025, Chief U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May sentenced Sterling Breynard Bell, 35, of Clarkston, Georgia, to 25 years in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. While on supervised release, Bell will be required to submit to mental health and substance abuse treatment. On July 3, 2025, Bell pleaded guilty to one count of false statements to a federal firearms licensee and two counts of illegal possession of a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurel B. Milam and Phyllis Clerk prosecuted the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Fruitland Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal DUI Crash that Killed a 16-Month-Old Child

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Fruitland man pleaded guilty to a federal crime after a fatal car crash involving drugs that resulted in the death of a baby. According to court documents, on April 3, 2024, Dewayne Earl Blackie, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was driving on a two-lane highway near Shiprock, New Mexico, when he collided with two other cars that were pulled over on the right-hand side of the road. A 16-month-old child was ejected from his vehicle. The child died from blunt-force injuries. After the wreck, methamphetamines and marijuana were found in Blackie ’s system. Blackie pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. At sentencing, Blackie is subject to a prison sentence of up to eight years. Upon his release from prison, Blackie will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Tohatchi Man Indicted on Federal Assault Charges

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Tohatchi man has been indicted on federal charges in connection with a violent assault. According to court documents, on June 23, 2025, Jeremy Yazzie , 41, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted the victim with a knife. As a result of the assault, the victim suffered serious bodily injury. Yazzie is charged with assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury and will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Yazzie faces up to life in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today. The Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Zuni Man Pleads Guilty to Shooting a Shotgun at Another Man

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man is facing an agreed-upon 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to the federal felonies of assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence and discharging that firearm. According to court documents, at about 9:50 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2025, Cody Laweka , an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, drove with another person to a home on the Pueblo of Zuni. The person with whom Laweka drove had a shotgun in his truck bed. On the way to this residence, Laweka asked to use this shotgun. When Laweka arrived at the residence, he exited the vehicle with the shotgun and shot at least twice at a car occupied by John Doe. After this shooting, Laweka got back into the truck with the other person and left the scene. No one was hit by Laweka ’s gunshots. At the time Laweka committed these crimes crime, he was on supervised release for committing a prior federal crime. Sentencing in this case is not yet scheduled. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Pueblo of Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones and Nicholas Marshall are prosecuting this case. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Registered Sex Offender from Uxbridge Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

body_text: BOSTON – An Uxbridge man pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2025 in federal court in Worcester to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Scott Morrill, 52, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 22, 2026. Morrill was arrested and charged in April 2025 . Morrill utilized a Google account to store hundreds of images of CSAM material. Google identified the use of their services to store CSAM and notified the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children. A subsequent investigation identified CSAM material stored both in the defendant’s Google account and on a computer that he possessed at his home. At the time of the offense, Morrill was on federal supervised release for a 2013 conviction of distribution of child pornography, for which he was sentenced to five years in federal prison. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of not less than 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Uxbridge Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Mexican National and Son Charged for Allegedly  Trafficking More than 75 Firearms and Bulk Ammunition

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A Mexican national and his son were charged by Criminal Complaint for Trafficking Firearms purchased from a gun show. Andres Avila, 48, a Mexican national, is charged with Trafficking Firearms and being an Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. His son, Anthony Avila, 22, of Houston, Texas, is also charged with Trafficking Firearms. Agents saw two individuals, later identified as Andres Avila and Anthony Avila (“Andres” and “Anthony”), allegedly engaging in activities consistent with straw purchasing and firearms trafficking. Andres and Anthony were seen wearing backpacks and working together to purchase firearms. When their backpacks were full, it is alleged that they emptied their bags into large totes kept beneath a specific vendor’s table. Court documents show that they paid cash to purchase firearms from private sellers in an attempt to avoid law enforcement detection. After making several purchases and spending more than six hours at the gun show, agents observed Andres and Anthony leaving in a vehicle with a Texas license plate. When law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, they found large quantities of bulk ammunition marked in the vehicle, consistent with ammo purchased at the gun show. A records check showed that Andres was not in the United States legally and is a prohibited person from receiving or possessing firearms. A second records check showed that Anthony was the son of Andres. Agents interviewed the vendors sitting at the booth where the guns were stored in totes. They explained that Andres is not legally inside the United States and discovered that there were more than 75 firearms in the totes. Apparently, the vendors met Andres and Anthony through a Texas pawn shop and explained they would pay cash to purchase firearm magazines. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Dowdell is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Operation Take Back America is 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, 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 and Project Safe Neighborhoods.


title: Shiprock Woman Sentenced for Child Abuse

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock woman was sentenced to five years of probation after failing to seek medical care for her injured son. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on March 15, 2024, Avondale Johnson , 32, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was arrested after Navajo Nation Police responded to a concerned citizen's report that Johnson 's minor son was living in a disabled car without heating or cooling and was left unattended for hours at a time. When officers arrived, they found the minor in the car wearing a soiled diaper and complaining of arm pain. Medical examination revealed the minor had a displaced spiral fracture in his upper arm that was approximately one week old. Johnson admitted she knew her son was injured but did not seek medical care. Johnson pled guilty to recklessly permitting the abandonment or abuse of a child, with no death or great bodily harm. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Sudbury CPA Charged With and Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the IRS and Pandemic Relief Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – The owner of a Sudbury accounting firm and a real estate company has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty to paying an executive more than $1.6 million in compensation and fringe benefits under the table, and to making a fraudulent application for more than $179,000 in pandemic relief, through a multi-year scheme. Charles D. Katz, 63, was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and two counts of loan fraud. The defendant pleaded guilty on Oct. 20, 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 2, 2026 before U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin. According to the charging documents, Katz and an employee, who served as the Director of Corporate Services at Katz’s accounting firm and as Chief Operating Officer at Katz’s real estate firm, allegedly agreed that Katz would pay the employee off the books so that the employee would have tax-free income and so that Katz’s firms, CD Katz LLC and Gebsco Realty Corporation, would have lower employment taxes. Over time, Katz allegedly paid the employee’s family, provided rent-free housing to the employee’s ex-wife, paid college tuition for the employee’s children, and paid personal expenses that the employee and the employee’s ex-wife charged on corporate credit cards. All told, it is alleged that Katz paid the employee at least $1,668,487 in unreported income and avoided taxes of at least $835,105. It is also alleged that in 2020, Katz and the employee fraudulently applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans for both of Katz’s firms and obtained $179,900 which Katz used in part to fund the under-the-table compensation he paid the employee. The charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of loan fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, restitution, and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil, Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Nampa Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Idaho

body_text: BOISE – William Walls, 52, of Nampa, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for attempted sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. According to court records, Walls used his cellphone to surreptitiously record three female children in the bathroom of his apartment. Walls was babysitting the victims at the time. The video captured one of the children showering and the other two children changing their clothes. Walls was convicted of three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child following a jury trial in May of this year. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Walls to serve ten years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Walls will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction. “Our office remains steadfastly committed to protecting Idaho’s children from abuse and exploitation,” U.S. Attorney Davis said. “I am grateful for our partnership with local agencies like the Nampa Police Department. We are united in our efforts to hold sexual offenders accountable and bring justice to victims.” U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of Nampa Police Department, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kassandra McGrady and Erin Blackadar 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. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Former Suffolk County Jail Officer Sentenced to Prison for Wire Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A Quincy man was sentenced on Oct. 8, 2025 in federal court in Boston for falsely claiming to sell repossessed vehicles as a law enforcement officer. Defendant claimed to be a Boston Police Detective, Massachusetts State Police Trooper and County Sheriff. Recardo S. Beale, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to 90 days in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Beale was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $199,885.00. In May 2025 , Beale pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud. Beale was an Officer for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department from approximately April 2021 to November 2021. Between approximately October 2023 and February 2024, Beale claimed to six individuals that as a law enforcement officer, he had access to repossessed vehicles that he could sell at a low price. At various times, Beale identified himself to these individuals as a Sheriff, a Boston Police Detective and/or a Massachusetts State Police Trooper. Beale did not, in fact, hold any of these positions when he made such representations. In reliance on Beale’s false representations, the individuals gave tens of thousands of dollars to Beale for purported repossessed vehicles. Among the vehicles that Beale falsely promised to sell were a BMW, an Audi and a Mercedes. Beale never delivered any such vehicles as Beale did not have any such repossessed vehicles available for sale. On separate occasions, Beale met with two separate individuals at the Suffolk County House of Correction purportedly to show them repossessed vehicles. During one such meeting on Nov. 17, 2023, Beale met with an individual inside a secure area of the House of Correction. Surveillance video showed Beale wearing a Suffolk County Correction Officer Academy hoodie, blue tactical pants like those worn by jail guards and black boots also similar to those worn by jail guards. Beale did not show any vehicles to the individual on Nov. 17, 2023, claiming that a fictious captain was also involved in the sale, and not available. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Office; and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Merck and John Mulcahy of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: Bloomfield Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Bloomfield man was sentenced to 208 months prison for sexually abusing an incapacitated minor victim. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, between February 26 and February 27 of 2016, Donovan Pete , 44, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with a sleeping minor victim. Pete pled guilty to sexual abuse. Upon his release from prison, Pete will be subject to 15 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany DuChaussee is prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty to Stabbing Two Men

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man admitted in court to stabbing two men after a day of heavy drinking on the Navajo Nation in 2022. According to court documents, on Sunday, October 9, 2022, Harley Etcitty , 21, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, stabbed two people following a day of heavy drinking. Etcitty stabbed one victim in his back and chest; he stabbed the other victim (who was asleep at the time) in his head. Etcitty pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. At sentencing, Etcitty faces up to 20 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Etcitty will be subject to three years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency pf the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting this case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Pueblo Pintado Man Pleads Guilty to Murder

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Pueblo Pintado man admitted to fatally shooting another man after a night of heavy drinking and a physical altercation. According to court documents, on March 17, 2025, in McKinley County, Thurman Curley , 36, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, shot and killed John Doe following a physical altercation after a night of heavy drinking. Curley pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. At sentencing, Curley faces up to eight years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Curley will be subject to five years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Mescalero Man Pleads Guilty to Violent Assault and Strangulation

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man admitted to assaulting and strangling a victim, leaving them with serious injuries. According to court documents, on March 13, 2025, Philman Sam Pike , 24, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, assaulted the victim by punching, strangling and suffocating them, causing them to lose consciousness and causing them extreme physical pain. Pike pleaded guilty to assault by strangling. At sentencing, Pike faces up to 10 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Pike will be subject to three years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jackson K. Dering V is prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Transportation company agrees to settle allegations of impersonating military members to obtain Department of War moving business

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – Denali Group, Inc. (“Denali”) has agreed to pay $3.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false customer satisfaction surveys while posing as U.S. Department of War and Coast Guard personnel. “Denali’s fake surveys gave them an unfair advantage over other contractors and shortchanged our military families moving through Scott Air Force Base,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Companies doing business with the federal government are expected to act with honesty and integrity, and we will use all our criminal and civil tools to protect taxpayer dollars from waste, fraud, and abuse.” Denali, an Alaskan-based transportation company, participated in the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3) as a transportation service provider. DP3 provides moving and storage services to Department of War (DoW), formerly the Department of Defense (DoD), and Coast Guard personnel, including coordinating the movement of service members’ personal property when they relocate. DP3 is administered by the United States Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. During the relevant period, transportation service providers competed for DP3 shipments, and the number of shipments awarded by the Government to each company depended heavily upon scores in customer satisfaction surveys. These surveys were to be completed by DoW and Coast Guard personnel, or members of their households, after their personal property items were shipped through DP3. "This outcome demonstrates the steadfast collaboration and determination by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our investigative partners to ensure the integrity of the contracting process associated with the Defense Personal Property Program," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch, DCIS Southwest Field Office. "We remain committed to safeguarding those programs that contribute to elite military readiness, as well as the wellbeing of our warfighters and their families." The United States alleges that, between January 2015 and March 2019, Denali employees submitted false customer satisfaction surveys to the Government with perfect scores for Denali. Evidence collected in the investigation showed that Denali employees called the customer survey line using call spoofing applications to mask their phone numbers and impersonated DoW or Coast Guard personnel during the surveys by disguising their voices, speaking with accents, or using voice changing technology through the spoofing applications. “This settlement highlights the strong collaboration between Army CID and our law enforcement partners in protecting U.S. Army Soldiers and assets,” said Special Agent in Charge John McCabe, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Midcentral Field Office. “This outcome underscores our unwavering commitment to identifying those who defraud the U.S. Government.” “Defrauding the Government through falsified surveys is an affront to America and Air Force families, directly undermining the very communities they inhabit,” said Special Agent William A. Rouse, Special Agent in Charge, Department of the Air Force (DAF), Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Procurement Fraud (PF) Detachment 4, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. “Justice has been served, and we extend our gratitude to the investigative team for their diligence.” According to allegations, Denali submitted false surveys with perfect scores, even when service members were unsatisfied with the moving services. The United States claims that by submitting false customer satisfaction surveys to the Government and inflating its performance scores, Denali fraudulently induced the Government into awarding Denali more DP3 shipments than it otherwise would have received. USTRANSCOM administratively removed Denali from DP3 in 2022. "Integrity is essential to the contracting process, and collaboration among investigative agencies plays a critical role in upholding it," said Jennifer Desautel, Director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency. "When contractors falsify records, it not only undermines Americans' trust in their government but also highlights the need for accountability. DCAA auditors are proud to work alongside investigative partners to provide assurance throughout the contracting process." The investigation was conducted by the DoD Office of Inspector General, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The United States was represented in this matter by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Barke. To report fraud, waste, and abuse within the DoW, visit www.dodig.mil/hotline or call 1-800-424-9098. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Española Man Pleads Guilty to String of Armed Robberies that Led to Shooting Death

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – An Española man pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a 2022 crime spree that left one person dead. According to court documents, on August 9, 2022, Ricky Eddie Martinez, Jr. , 34, robbed the Dandy Burger restaurant, taking over $100. The next day, Martinez robbed a Shell gas station and took $352. On August 11, 2022, Martinez robbed a Walgreens, firing his weapon toward liquor cabinets when the cashier could not open the register, then forcibly took the register and its contents. On August 16, 2022, Martinez attempted to rob a Blake's Lotaburger, jumped over the counter, struggled with cashier John Doe 2, and shot and killed him. Martinez also struck John Doe 3, another employee and brother of John Doe 2, with his firearm and shot at him but missed. As a previously convicted felon, Martinez is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Martinez pleaded guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery, using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and, as part of a global plea agreement with the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, also agreed to plead guilty in state court to offenses related to the murder of John Doe 2 and other crimes against John Doe 3. Additional robberies committed during the crime spree, including incidents at a Chevron Gas Station, 420 Emporia Smoke Shop, Chalupp's Pizza, Family Dollar, and Dollar General, were not charged federally but are being considered for restitution. At sentencing, Martinez faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison on the federal charges. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department, Taos Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley and Brittany DuChaussee are prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Brazilian National Sentenced for Selling a Dozen Firearms and Ammunition Without a License

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully living in Fall River and on Cape Cod was sentenced on Oct. 3, 2025 for selling 12 firearms and large capacity magazines without a license. Alason Ferreira-Peixoto, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley to 35 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Ferreira-Peixoto pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license and one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Between June 2024 and August 2024, Ferreira-Peixoto sold 12 firearms to cooperating witnesses without the required license in exchange for cash. Ferreira-Peixoto also conspired with others to obtain the firearms in South Carolina and sell them in Massachusetts. In addition to firearms, Ferreira-Peixoto also sold ammunition and magazines, some of which were large capacity magazines. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Barnstable and Fall River Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and John Reynolds of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Prior Sex Offender Who Repeatedly Sexually Assaulted a Child and Produced Child Pornography Receives 25 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on October 6, 2025, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Rodney A. Hanes (age: 59) to 25 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by life on supervised release, after Hanes pled guilty to child enticement and producing child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2422 and 2251. According to court records, in June 2024, then 58-year-old Hanes, who was previously convicted of felony sexual assault in 1995, was living in Manitowoc County when he met a 14-year-old female from Outagamie County on Snapchat. Hanes subsequently picked up the victim during the nighttime hours near her home, took her to a parking lot, and sexually assaulted her. For the next seven months, Hanes continued to sexually assault the victim at locations in Outagamie and Brown County, including after-hours at his workplace. Hanes also supplied the victim with methamphetamine and took numerous pictures and videos of the sexual assaults. In January 2025, the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department received a tip, immediately investigated it, and arrested Hanes at his workplace. Law enforcement also seized his phone, which contained child pornography that he had produced. At his sentencing hearing, Judge Griesbach emphasized the severity of Hanes’s conduct in targeting a child, and that a lengthy prison term was needed to achieve just punishment, deterrence, and protection of the public. The case was investigated by the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. # # # For further information contact: Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero (414) 297-1700 Follow us on X


title: Zuni Man Charged for March 2025 Shooting

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man has been charged after he opened fire in a residential area, seriously wounding the victim, then lied to police about his involvement. According to court documents, on March 20, 2025, Shane Austin Loretto , 31, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, discharged a shotgun from the front seat of a vehicle, hitting the victim, who was seated in another vehicle across the street, in the face and neck with buckshot. A witness drove the victim to a local hospital where he was treated. During a subsequent interview, Loretto claimed he had heard about the gunshots but did not know where where they came from. Law enforcement located the shotgun and ammunition in a safe inside a shed adjacent to Loretto 's residence. Loretto is charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing. If convicted of the current charges, Loretto faces 10 years in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty to Murder in Shiprock Home Break-in

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man admitted to breaking into a home and killing a man who tried to stop him from attacking another resident. According to court documents, on June 27, 2025, Armondo Paul , 25, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, went to a home in Shiprock, New Mexico. He shut off the electricity to the home, then kicked open the back door and assaulted one of the occupants. When a second occupant, John Doe, attempted to intervene on behalf of the first occupant, Paul stabbed Doe in the neck with a kitchen knife Paul had brought from his own home. John Doe died at the scene from the injury Paul caused. Paul pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. At sentencing, Paul faces up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, Paul will be subject to up to five years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Feder-al Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.


title: Two Men Charged with Firearm Possession in School Zone

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Two Las Cruces men have been charged with possession of a firearm in a school zone after being arrested with weapons near an elementary school. According to court documents, on the night of September 6, 2025, Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) responded to reports of shots fired at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico. There, officers recovered numerous shell casings from the parking lot. Shortly after the shooting, police received reports of two males walking through a neighborhood near Hermosa Heights Elementary School carrying firearms. An LCPD sergeant made contact with John Anthony Orta , 24, and Steven Mendoza , 21, directly across from the school. At the time, Orta had a handgun in his waistband and Mendoza was concealing a partially disassembled AR-15 style pistol in his pants. Both men were intoxicated and were initially arrested for Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon under state law. During subsequent interviews, Orta admitted carrying the handgun for protection but denied involvement in the shooting. Mendoza acknowledged being at the park and later walking near Hermosa Heights Elementary School with the AR-15 style pistol. Young Park displays posted signage indicating it is a Safe School Zone where firearms are prohibited. The shooting scene was approximately 540 feet from Lynn Middle School, and the arrest location was approximately 100 feet from Hermosa Heights Elementary School grounds. Ballistic analysis determined the shell casings recovered from Young Park did not match either firearm possessed by Orta or Mendoza . Orta and Mendoza are charged with possession of a firearm in a school zone. If convicted of the current charges, each faces up to five years in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is prosecuting both cases. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.