title: Citizen of India Unlawfully Living in Greenbrier County Pleads Guilty in Marriage Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: BECKLEY, W.Va. – Aakash Prakash Makwana, 29, a citizen of India unlawfully residing in Ronceverte, pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft. Makwana admitted that he committed the offense as part of a scheme to marry a United States citizen to evade U.S. immigration laws. According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 23, 2019, Makwana arrived in the United States on a J-1 non-immigrant visit under which he worked in hotel hospitality and culinary service. As part of his guilty plea, Makwana admitted that he knew the J1 visa was valid for one year and that he remained in the United States after the visa was not extended and expired on November 24, 2020. In or around August 2021, Makwana conspired with others to marry a U.S. citizen for $10,000 so he could apply for Lawful Permanent Residence status, also known as obtaining a Green Card. Makwana was living in White Sulphur Springs and working at an area convenience store without legal authorization. As part of this scheme, Makwana married the U.S. citizen on September 3, 2021, falsified a residential lease agreement in White Sulphur Springs to make it appear that he and the U.S. citizen lived together, and added the U.S. citizen’s name to his utility bills and bank accounts. Makwana admitted that he committed aggravated identity theft when he included the name and signature of the residential property’s manager on the falsified lease agreement without the property manager’s authorization. After learning that the marriage fraud scheme did not work, Makwana filed a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Makwana admitted that he falsely claimed in the petition that he suffered domestic violence and emotional abuse at the hands of the U.S. citizen he married as part of the fraud scheme. Makwana further admitted that he filed the petition to continue to stay in the United States while his claims were considered and to increase his chances of obtaining a Green Card. Makwana is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025, and faces a mandatory penalty of two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Makwana is also subject to removal from the United States. The U.S. citizen, Kalee Ann Huff, pleaded guilty on February 20, 2025, to marriage fraud and perjury. Huff, 28, now living in Fairbury, Illinois, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12, 2025. Huff’s brother-in-law, Joseph Sanchez, pleaded guilty on January 29, 2025, to participating in an immigration marriage fraud conspiracy. Sanchez, 33, of Fairbury, Illinois,is scheduled to be sentenced on May 30, 2025. “This case reflects another unacceptable attempt to undermine our nation’s immigration laws, and the commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to enforce those laws to uphold public safety, national security, and the rule of law in our country,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-190. ###


title: For the Second Time, Maryland Man Convicted at Trial of Making Violent Threats Against Federal Judges

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Keith Dougherty, 69, of College Park, Maryland, was convicted today at trial of one count of threatening to assault and murder United States judges with the intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with them while they were engaged in the performance of official duties, and with the intent to retaliate against them on account of their performance of official duties, and three counts of mailing threatening communications. Dougherty was charged by indictment in July of last year with those offenses. As detailed in court filings and proven at trial, the defendant has mailed and/or filed motions containing threatening language directed at federal judges, on numerous occasions and in several federal districts. He had already been prosecuted and convicted by a federal jury in December of 2021 for such filings and served a 41-month prison term in that case, followed by a three-year period of supervised release. Just months into that supervised release, he uttered more threatening communications, so his supervised release was revoked, and he was returned to prison. While back in prison serving the violation sentence, he again mailed and/or filed the same sort of threatening language, resulting in the July 2024 charges and today’s trial conviction. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum possible term of 40 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. “No judge should have to fear that one of their rulings might provoke a violent attack in response,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Keith Dougherty knows that threatening judges is a crime. He’s already been prosecuted, convicted, and served previous time for sending these vile communications. His behavior is unacceptable, and today’s verdict ensures he’ll answer for it and remain safely behind bars.” The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph LaBar.


title: Mission real estate agent indicted for fraud scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 45-year-old Mission man has made an appearance in McAllen federal court on wire fraud charges, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. According to the four-count indictment, Sergio Efrain Zamora Jr. sold multiple homes by forging signatures on the documents and transferring titles to his business. The charges allege, beginning in June 2021, Zamora orchestrated a real estate fraud scheme by selling multiple homes without the homeowners’ authorization. He allegedly forged signatures on documents and transferred property titles to his business. The victims-some of whom were his own family and friends-were unaware their homes were being sold, according to the charges. Zamora allegedly created fraudulent documents, including warranty deeds and contracts of sale, to make the transactions appear legitimate. According to the indictment, he forged paperwork as part of the scheme. He allegedly profited illegally by using the proceeds to pay off debts and, in some cases, by receiving funds directly from the fraudulent closings. The charges allege the scheme caused a total loss of $655,000 to the victims and the title company. If convicted, Zamora faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan is prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Truck driver receives maximum sentence for smuggling 36 illegal aliens in trailer

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 34-year-old Alamo resident has been ordered to prison for smuggling people into the United States from multiple countries, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Eusebio Cavazos pleaded guilty Feb. 13. U.S. District Judge David Morales has now ordered Cavazos to serve the statutory maximum of 60 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence regarding numerous sentencing enhancements applied in the case. These included transporting over 25 aliens, recklessness for locking the aliens in the back of a cold trailer with no means of escape, transporting a minor and using his skills as a truck driver to commit the crime. In handing down the sentence, Judge Morales noted he would have sentenced Cavazos to a higher sentence if not for the statutory maximum of 60 months. On Dec. 13, 2024, Cavazos drove a tractor-trailer into the primary inspection lane at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Sarita. Upon initial inspection, a K-9 alerted to the possible presence of humans in the trailer. Authorities referred him to secondary inspection where they discovered 36 illegal aliens in the back of the trailer and nothing else. It was 54 degrees inside and the doors were locked and sealed with no means of escape. A total of 15 were from Guatemala, 10 from Honduras, eight from Mexico and three from El Salvador. All were illegally present in the United States, five of whom had allegedly been previously removed and have pending charges for illegal reentry. Cavazos admitted someone had hired him to drive all 36 illegal aliens from a point near Donna to Houston. He expected to receive $1,000 per alien he was transporting. “Human smuggling is a dangerous, and sometimes deadly, practice, and those that choose to engage in it deserve the maximum punishment available,” said Ganjei. “All it would have taken here is a car accident or a cooling malfunction for these people to have lost their lives.” Cavazos has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith prosecuted 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 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 Neighborhood .


title: Pryor man sentenced to 2 years in prison for strangulation and assault

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BILINGS – A Pryor man who admitted strangling and assaulting his dating partner was sentenced today to two years in prison to be followed by three of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. Thomas Larson Medicinehorse III, 19, pleaded guilty in January 2025 to strangulation and assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating or intimate partner. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that on February 5, 2024, Medicinehorse and the victim, referred to here as Jane Doe, got into an argument. The altercation turned physical, and Medicinehorse strangled Doe by placing his hands around her throat. Doe’s vision went dark and she could not breathe. The next day, February 6, 2024, Medicinehorse and Doe got into another argument. Medicinehorse struck Doe on the face, arms, and legs, causing bruising and swelling to her right eye and various bruises on her arms and legs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, BIA, and Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Mexican national sentenced to 70 months for possession of sexually explicit images and videos of children

body_text: BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 47-year-old Mexican man has been sentenced for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Felix Raymundo Mora-Gonzalez pleaded guilty Feb. 20. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now sentenced Mora-Gonzalez to 70 months in federal prison. He was further ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution to the known victims and will serve 25 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Mora-Gonzalez will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Mora-Gonzalez was arrested Feb. 21, 2023, in connection with his involvement in an alien smuggling investigation. Mora-Gonzalez was originally arrested for harboring illegal aliens. However, the investigation uncovered a cell phone at the stash house that belonged him. A forensic examination of the cell phone revealed Mora-Gonzalez knowingly possessed 29 videos and nine images of CSAM. He also pleaded guilty to the alien smuggling charges and was previously sentenced to 15 months. Mora-Gonzalez will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ana C. Cano, Israel Cano and Joe Esquivel prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page . For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page .


title: California Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Smuggle Pesticides & Veterinary Drugs into the United States

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: Ruben Montes, of Calexico, California, was sentenced today in federal court to 16 months in prison and ordered to pay $12,710 in forfeiture for conspiring to smuggle and distribute more than $3 million worth of Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs that are not approved for use in the United States. “A secure border is vital to ensuring the health and safety of Americans,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting those who violate our environmental and customs laws and jeopardize the health and safety of our citizens.” “Bringing in and selling pesticides and veterinary drugs illegally puts both people and the environment at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. “These unregulated products can be harmful to animals, insects, and humans. Our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who chooses profit over public safety.” According to filings and evidence presented in court, Montes coordinated the smuggling of pesticides and veterinary drugs from Mexico into the United States since 2020. The primary pesticides involved were Taktic and Bovitraz, which are not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in the United States. The smuggled veterinary drugs included Tylocet, Terramicina, Tetragent Ares and Catarrol, which are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States. Montes requested that his co-conspirators bring pesticides and veterinary drugs — unavailable for purchase in the United States — from Mexico into the United States. Montes and his co-conspirators brought them into the United States without declaring them at the border. He and his co-conspirators then hid the pesticides and veterinary drugs in storage units in Calexico and retrieved them for distribution throughout the United States. Specifically, Montes and his co-defendant Gutierrez, who remains at large, supplied most of the pesticides and veterinary drugs to individuals charged in another case, United States v. Toledo , et. al., (case number 22-cr-1965-JAH, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California). Montes was also involved in shipping about 150 packages of unapproved products to another co-conspirator in Texas. According to the EPA, the active ingredient in the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz is amitraz, which is toxic to bees if released into hives, and then ultimately to humans when it ends up in honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Misuse of amitraz-containing products in beehives can result in exposures that could cause neurological effects and possibly reproductive effects in humans from the consumption of contaminated honey. Signs of neurotoxicity from exposure to amitraz have been documented in multiple animal species and include central nervous system depression, decrease in pulse rate, and hypothermia. Assistant Section Chief Stephen Da Ponte of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabet Brown for the Southern District of California prosecuted the case.


title: Grants Pass Man Charged in Federal Court for Trafficking Fentanyl and Illegally Possessing a Firearm

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: MEDFORD, Ore.—A Grants Pass, Oregon, man is facing federal charges for trafficking fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm, announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. Christopher Smith, 38, has been charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to the complaint, approximately one year ago, investigators with the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) task force and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) obtained information that Smith was actively distributing fentanyl throughout Josephine County, Oregon from his residence in Grants Pass. On May 9, 2025, investigators executed a state search warrant on Smith’s residence where they located and seized approximately 400 grams of fentanyl, two digital scales with fentanyl residue, two 3D printers, two ghost guns, 74 additional firearms, and an unmarked firearm suppressor. Smith was present during the search and placed under arrest. Smith made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. This case was investigated by RADE and DEA and is being prosecuted by John C. Brassell, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. RADE a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. RADE includes members from Oregon State Police, the Grants Pass Police Department, Josephine County Probation & Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.


title: Albany Sex Offender Sentenced for Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Stephen Brisee a/k/a Sage Brisee, age 31, of Albany, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison following a guilty plea to all six counts of an indictment charging distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, made the announcement. Brisee previously admitted to receiving and distributing videos of adults subjecting girls between the ages of 6 months and 10 years to sexual penetration. A search of a phone revealed Brisee’s possession of a collection of other child pornography images. At the time of the offenses, Brisee was a registered sex offender on post-release supervision following a New York State conviction for promoting a sexual performance by a child. Brisee had been released from state prison only months prior to committing this new offense. United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “This conduct was especially egregious because the defendant was released from prison for another child pornography offense less than six months before. With our law enforcement partners my office will continue to take all available actions to hold sex offenders accountable to the fullest extent to the law when they commit new crimes.” HSI Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan stated: “Brisee received and shared images depicting some of the most inhumane crimes imaginable against defenseless children and babies as young as 6 months old. Our community is significantly safer with this repeat sex offender no longer roaming freely. I thank HSI Albany personnel and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York for ensuring this defendant was sent back to prison where he can no longer hurt children." United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 20-year-term of supervised release and ordered Brisee to pay $3,000 in restitution. Brisee will be required to continue to register as a sex offender upon release from imprisonment. HSI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Grand Jury Returns Four Indictments

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation, and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. MINOCQUA MAN CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING Cory Kromray, 39, Minocqua, Wisconsin, is charged with eight counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. The indictment alleges that between September 2018 and April 2025, Kromray accepted money from investors and promised to use their funds to trade stocks, mutual funds, cryptocurrency, and foreign currency exchange market, for the benefit of the investor. However, the indictment alleges that Kromray failed to invest the money as promised and he used the majority of the money for his own purposes. If convicted, Kromray faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charges. Kromray faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on the charges of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. The charges against him are the result of an investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Wegner is handling the case. MADISON MAN CHARGED WITH TRAFFICKING COCAINE AND HEROIN Timothy Clark, 62, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing cocaine and heroin and possessing cocaine intended for distribution. The indictment alleges that from February 28, 2025, to April 2, 2025, Clark distributed cocaine and heroin, and on April 24, 2025, he possessed cocaine and cocaine base intended for distribution. The indictment additionally alleges Clark used a premises in Madison for the purpose of distributing drugs from February 28, 2025, to April 24, 2025. If convicted, Clark faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charges against him are the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Madison Police Department, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, and ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, which consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers (TFOs) from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ayala is handling the case. SUN PRAIRIE MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY POSSESSING FIREARM Kordarow Moore, 35, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon. The indictment alleges that on September 22, 2024, Moore, knowing he had previously been convicted of an offense punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, knowingly possessed a loaded Century Arms 39mm pistol. If convicted, Moore faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force also assisted with the investigation. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers (TFOs) from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard is handling 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). BELOIT MAN CHARGED WITH TAKING UNDELIVERED MAIL Cale Tinder, 36, Beloit, Wisconsin, is charged with detaining and opening U.S. mail while employed as a U.S. Postal Service employee. The indictment alleges that Tinder took letters, cards and items sent through the mail that he was entrusted to deliver, opening some of the items and storing the undelivered mail at his home in Beloit. The indictment alleges that Tinder engaged in this activity from on or about February 8, 2024, to August 28, 2024. If convicted, Tinder faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson is handling the case.


title: Fishers Man Sentenced to 202 Months in Prison

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

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Taurean Young, 40 years old, of Fishers, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Young was sentenced to 202 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in May 2023, Young sold a pound of high purity methamphetamine on two separate occasions. In June 2023, law enforcement found Young with a firearm and also recovered a pound of methamphetamine, four ounces of fentanyl, a firearm, and body armor from his residence. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration including the DEA North Central Laboratory and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: San Jose Chiropractor Pleads Guilty To Aiding And Assisting In Filing Of False Tax Return

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN JOSE – Tae Hyun Lee pleaded guilty in federal court today to aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false tax return for the year 2019. According to court documents and statements made in court, Lee, 62, of San Jose, a self-employed chiropractor and the sole owner and operator of a business called Gentle Chiropractic Care, hid income generated by his chiropractic practice from the individual who prepared his income tax returns and from the IRS. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, Lee cashed more than $1.4 million in checks payable to his chiropractic practice at a check cashing business rather than depositing them into the practice’s bank account, and also deposited checks and electronic payments into his personal bank accounts. Lee then told the individual who prepared his income tax returns for those three years that all of the practice’s income had been deposited into the practice’s bank account, which was not true. Lee’s tax return preparer prepared income tax returns reporting only the income deposited into the practice’s bank account. This resulted in the taxable income and tax due reported on Lee’s income tax returns for 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be materially underreported. Specifically, Lee caused the majority of Gentle Chiropractic Care’s income during these years to be unreported on his income tax returns. In total, Lee caused a tax loss to the IRS of at least $439,028. Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge of the Oakland Field Office Linda Nguyen made the announcement. Under the plea agreement, Lee pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2), which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts. Any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by IRS-CI.


title: Tulsa Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charge

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Demarrio Lee Hannah, aka Demario Hannah, aka Mario Hannah, age 36, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. The Indictment alleged that on June 22, 2024, Hannah knowingly possessed a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition, despite having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police. The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.


title: Seminole Resident Sentenced For Involuntary Manslaughter

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lucas Wayne Cullum, aka Lucus Wayne Cullum, age 26, of Seminole, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for one count of Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. The charge arose from an investigation by the Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police Department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On July 17, 2024, Cullum pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on November 23, 2022, Cullum failed to devote attention to driving, causing the death of a passenger. While driving at a high rate of speed, Cullum crossed the opposing lane of traffic on State Highway 59 and left the roadway. Cullum abruptly swerved the vehicle back to the right, crossed both lanes of traffic, exited the roadway, and struck a tree. As Cullum fled the scene of the crash on foot, the car caught fire with two occupants inside. One passenger was seriously injured but was able to escape the vehicle. The other passenger was unable to escape and died from injuries sustained in the crash and the resulting fire. The crime occurred in Seminole County, within the boundaries of the Seminole Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Cullum will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.


title: Wagoner Resident Sentenced For Federal Drug And Firearm Crimes

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Christopher Kent Leondis Honeycutt, age 44, of Wagoner, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and 84 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. The charges arose from an investigation by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. On November 5, 2024, Honeycutt pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, on January 24, 2024, Sequoyah County deputies conducting a traffic stop discovered Honeycutt in possession of 436 grams of methamphetamine, scales, baggies, a ledger, a semi-automatic pistol, and 56 rounds ammunition. At the time of the stop, Honeycutt had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Honeycutt will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.


title: Okmulgee Resident Sentenced For Federal Drug And Firearm Crimes

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Richard Tyrone Dawson, age 35, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, and to 41 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police. On October 8, 2024, Dawson pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, on October 16, 2023, officers conducting a traffic stop on Dawson’s vehicle discovered an outstanding warrant for his arrest through the Muscogee Nation. Law enforcement subsequently seized 29 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded .40 caliber pistol from the vehicle. At the time of the arrest, Dawson had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Dawson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.


title: Tahlequah Resident Sentenced For Federal Drug And Firearms Crimes

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Trae Allen Cordell, age 31, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 262 months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and 60 months for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. On November 6, 2024, Cordell pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, on April 3, 2024, law enforcement serving a search warrant on Cordell’s residence seized two large bags containing smaller baggies amounting to 1,257 grams of methamphetamine, as well as two loaded semi-automatic pistols. At the time of the arrest, Cordell had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Cordell will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. Cameron McEwen and Jessie K. Pippin represented the United States.


title: Tulsa Resident Sentenced For Leaving The Scene Of A Fatal Accident

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gary Wayne Fraser, age 54, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death in Indian Country. The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Weleetka Police Department. On September 9, 2024, Fraser pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on January 15, 2023, Fraser caused a collision resulting in death, failed to render reasonable aid, and fled the scene of the accident in order to avoid prosecution. While driving a pickup truck outside Weleetka, Oklahoma, Fraser crossed over the center line and struck a pedestrian walking in the oncoming lane. Law enforcement investigating a possible collision found the victim laying on the side of the road with visible injuries and Fraser’s empty truck stranded in a ditch with noticeable damage to the front end. The crime occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Fraser will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan W. Howanitz represented the United States.


title: Hugo Resident Sentenced For Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jeffery Scott Pinkston, age 40, of Hugo, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for one count of Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. On November 14, 2024, Pinkston pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, from November 2022 until June 2024, Pinkston knowingly possessed visual depictions of a minor under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct, which Pinkston accessed intending to view. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . We encourage anyone who suspects or has information regarding child sexual exploitation, trafficking of minors, sextortion, child pornography, or any other means of child exploitation to immediately contact law enforcement. You can file a report through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.cybertipline.com , through the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or through Homeland Security Investigations at 1-877-4-HSI TIP. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Pinkston will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Pippin represented the United States.


title: Okmulgee Resident Pleads Guilty To Stalking

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Garrick Davaughn McCrary, age 29, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Stalking, punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00. The Indictment alleged that beginning in April 2023 until January 16, 2025, intending to injure, harass, intimidate, or place a person under surveillance, McCrary used facilities of interstate or foreign commerce, including social media and internet websites, to engage in a course of conduct that caused substantial emotional distress to the victim and placed the victim in reasonable fear of serious bodily injury. The charge arose from an investigation by the Okmulgee Police Department, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. McCrary will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.


title: Bryan County Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Charge

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Sean Paul Duer, age 58, of Durant, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Information of one count of Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, punishable by up to twenty years in prison. The Information alleged that on May 12, 2024, Duer knowingly and intentionally possessed a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, intending to distribute it. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Durant Police Department. The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Duer will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard J. Lorenz and Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.


title: McCurtain County Resident Sentenced For Drug Distribution

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Herman Will Sanders, Jr., age 40, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine. The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. On November 18, 2024, Sanders pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on June 5, 2023, Sanders knowingly and intentionally distributed approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Sanders will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Lorenz represented the United States.


title: LeFlore County Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Charge

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jessica Marie Campbell, age 43, of Spiro, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Information of one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine, punishable by at least 5 years up to 40 years in prison and a fine of $5,000,000.00. The Indictment alleged that on June 7, 2023, Campbell knowingly and intentionally distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the District 27 Violent Crime Task Force, and the District 16 Drug Task Force. The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Campbell was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.


title: Buffalo felon arrested on new gun charge

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that William Morrison, Jr., 26, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, late in the evening of July 19, 2024, Buffalo Police responded to the area of Ashley and Mohr Streets for a report of a man with a gun. The caller indicated the suspect, later identified as Morrison, was wearing an ankle bracelet and was waiving a black pistol around. The caller then reported that the suspect was inside an Ashley Street residence, which was referred to as a “dope house.” When officers arrived, they observed Morrison running from the rear of the residence. Morrison was quickly apprehended. Officers searched the area of the yard where Morrison had fled and recovered a loaded 9mm handgun. In November 2019, Morrison was convicted of a felony gun charge in Erie County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Morrison made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was held pending a detention hearing. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alfonse Wright, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Waco Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jay Gilmore, 40, of Waco, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 8, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Distribution of Child Pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Gilmore to 200 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Gilmore’s release from prison, he will begin a 20-year term of supervised release. Gilmore was also ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution. After receiving information indicating Gilmore was in possession of an unapproved electronic device, United States Probation officers conducted a search of the defendant’s residence. A total of 25 unapproved devices were collected by Probation. The electronics were turned over to the Lincoln Police Department for forensic evaluation. That evaluation revealed 165 images of child pornography. There was also evidence Gilmore visited various websites which are indicative of child pornography and incest. At the time Gilmore received the child pornography, he had been previously convicted in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska of receipt and distribution of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. §2252A(a)(2) at case number 4:11CR3000. 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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's 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. This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.


title: Norfolk Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Alexzandra Blanco, 24, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 14, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Blanco to 240 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Blanco is released from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Blanco will also forfeit $4,200.00 in United States currency and a 2019 Dodge Ram truck to the United States as drug proceeds. On March 17, 2023, Blanco and her boyfriend, co-defendant Tremain Monroe, were out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. After the bars closed, at approximately 2:00 a.m., several people gathered at an apartment in Norfolk. Blanco was involved in providing fentanyl to a victim who overdosed but was revived by Narcan. Law enforcement then purchased M-30 fentanyl pills from Monroe on three separate occasions in April 2023. On May 3, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Monroe and Blanco’s residence. Law enforcement seized 221 fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia, more than 5 pounds of methamphetamine, and $4,200.00 in United States currency. Blanco was convicted after a jury trial in February 2025. Monroe pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced by Judge Buescher to 210 months’ imprisonment on October 23, 2024. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Overdose Drug Task Force, which is comprised of law enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Florida Equipment Manufacturer Sentenced for Tax Evasion

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: A Florida man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for evading nearly $2.4 million in taxes on income he earned from his business. The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Roger Whitman manufactured and sold Rife machines, devices that use energy waves to purportedly treat a wide range of medical conditions. Between 2002 and 2018, Whitman generated millions of dollars in gross receipts from the sale of such equipment. Whitman also has a long history of non-compliance with his tax obligations, having not filed an individual income tax return since 1997 and not made any tax payments since 2000. In 2012, the IRS assessed nearly $800,0000 in taxes against Whitman for 2002 through 2009 and then began trying to collect these taxes from him. To thwart the IRS’s collection efforts, Whitman formed a trust with his girlfriend serving as the trustee. Whitman then directed his income from the business into the trust’s bank accounts and used the funds from these accounts to pay personal expenses. In approximately July 2019, to further thwart IRS efforts, Whitman formed a new entity to operate his business. Through his actions, Whitman caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $2.4 million. In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge John Antoon II for the Middle District of Florida ordered Whitman to serve one year of supervised release and pay $2,314,220.15 in restitution to the IRS. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorney Melissa Siskind of the Tax Division prosecuted the case, with assistance and support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.


title: Memphis Man Indicted for Distributing Fentanyl Which  Caused Three Fatal Overdoses

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN - Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the indictment of Darian Glover , 28 . Glover has been arrested and charged with distributing fentanyl which caused the deaths of three people. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Collierville Police Department. “Our hearts go out to the victims’ families in this tragic case,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “Fentanyl is a scourge plaguing America, and the dedicated men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration will stop at nothing to rid this poison from our communities.” “We appreciate the partnership we have with the DEA,” said Chief Dale Lane of the Collierville Police Department. “It is vitally important that law enforcement organizations work together to interdict illegal fentanyl, disrupt supply chains, and hold those accountable for distributing this deadly drug.” On April 10, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Glover. The indictment alleges that on or about June 21, 2024, Glover distributed fentanyl that resulted in the deaths of three people. If convicted, Glover faces a term of federal imprisonment of not less than 20 years and not more than life. There is no parole in the federal system. In addition, Glover can be fined up to $1,000,000 and sentenced to a term of supervised release of at least three years after his time in custody. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law. If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of the factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. ### 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: Government Contractor NORESCO Agrees to Resolve Allegations of Overcharging Federal Agencies

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – NORESCO, LLC, a government contractor headquartered in Westborough, Mass., has agreed to a $9,585,141 settlement to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by overcharging numerous federal agencies for energy improvements in connection with 29 federally-funded energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs). ESPCs allow federal agencies to procure energy savings and facility improvements with no up-front costs. Under the contracts, NORESCO obtained loans from banks and other financial entities to pay for the cost of installing a variety of energy savings upgrades in federal buildings worldwide. Following completion of the projects, the agencies then paid NORESCO in installments for cost of the projects, including any financing charges, using the energy savings that the projects created. Today’s settlement resolves allegations that NORESCO overcharged the government in two ways. First, NORESCO inflated the price of one project for the United States Navy by including improper contingency costs. Specifically, after Navy contracting personnel partially rejected NORESCO’s request to include certain contingency costs in the price of the project, NORESCO instructed two of its subcontractors to add a total of $3.46 million to their sub-contractor bids to address potential unknown contingencies and did not disclose the inclusion of those additional contingency costs to the Navy. Shortly after becoming aware of the government’s investigation of this conduct, NORESCO refunded the contingency costs to the Navy project. Second, NORESCO overcharged several federal agencies, including the Navy, for financing costs on a total of 29 energy savings projects. During the course of the government’s investigation of the Navy conduct, NORESCO self-disclosed that it had calculated the financing costs incorrectly over the life of several contracts. As a result, NORESCO inappropriately profited, or stood to profit, from the portion of project payments based on the incorrect financing costs. At the time of the self-disclosure, NORESCO calculated that it had improperly received an aggregate of $1,466,180 in excess payments and that, uncorrected, the projected excess financing costs would ultimately result in an aggregate overpayment of $5,645,655 on the 29 projects. NORESCO worked with the affected agencies to repay or credit the entire $5,645,655 across those 29 projects. NORESCO cooperated with the government in this matter and voluntarily self-disclosed one issue. NORESCO has been credited for their cooperation under the Department of Justice’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation and remediation into account in FCA cases. As part of the settlement, NORESCO acknowledged and accepted responsibility for the facts which form the basis of this settlement. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Greg Gross, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Economic Crimes Field Office; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Inspector General; Joseph Dattoria, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Investigations Division; U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations; and Patrick J. Hegarty, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. The matter was handled by Brian LaMacchia, Chief of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit and the Justice Department’s Senior Trial Counsel Kelley Hauser.


title: Former Hendry County Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced To Federal Prison For Civil Rights Violation

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Sheri P. Chappell has sentenced Tyler Williams (30, Hendry County) to 33 months in federal prison for violating an individual’s civil rights and obstructing justice. A federal jury found Williams guilty on February 7, 2025. According to evidence presented at trial, on July 4, 2023, Williams, while acting under color of law as a deputy sheriff with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, willfully deprived the civil rights of an individual by throwing him to the ground while he was handcuffed, knocking him unconscious. Williams then wrote a false justification for the use of force in an incident report, obstructing justice. The case was investigated by the FBI Tampa Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick L. Darcey and Jesus M. Casas.


title: Administrator Of Online Criminal Marketplace Extradited From Kosovo To The United States

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the extradition of Liridon Masurica (33, Gjilan, Kosovo), also known as “@blackdb.” Masurica is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and five substantive counts of fraudulent use of 15 or more unauthorized access devices. If convicted on all counts, Masurica faces a maximum penalty of 55 years in federal prison. Masurica, a citizen and resident of Kosovo, was taken into custody by authorities in Kosovo on December 12, 2024, and extradited on May 9 to the United States pursuant to the extradition treaty between the United States and the Republic of Kosovo. Masurica made his initial appearance in federal court in Tampa on May 12, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Lindsay Saxe Griffin, and was ordered detained pending trial. According to the indictment, Masurica was the lead administrator of BlackDB.cc—an online criminal marketplace in operation from 2018 until present. BlackDB.cc illegally offered for sale compromised account and server credentials, credit card information, and other personally identifiable information of individuals primarily located in the United States, including those located within the Middle District of Florida. Once purchased, cybercriminals used the items purchased on BlackDB.cc to facilitate a wide range of illegal activity, including tax fraud, credit card fraud, and identity theft. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This investigation was led by the FBI in cooperation with Kosovo Police’s Cybercrime Investigation Directorate. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons. Substantial assistance was provided by the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Sofia, Bulgaria and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs in securing the arrest and extradition of Masurica. Additionally, Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosova and Kosovo Police’s Cybercrime Investigation Directorate provided substantial assistance in the arrest of Masurica.


title: Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Reentry and to Selling Green Cards and Counterfeit Social Security Cards

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national residing in Woburn, Mass. pleaded guilty on May 8, 2025 in federal court in Boston to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation as well as to selling fraudulent Social Security cards and Legal Permanent Resident cards, often referred to as “Green Cards.” Liene Tavares DeBarros, Jr., 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature and one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2025. Tavares DeBarros was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in March 2025. Tavares DeBarros was previously deported from the United States in July 2010. Sometime after his removal, Tavares DeBarros unlawfully reentered the United States. In mid-2024, law enforcement was notified that Tavares DeBarros was selling counterfeit identity documents. As part of the investigation, law enforcement contacted the defendant in an undercover capacity requesting his services. Subsequently, in October 2024, Tavares DeBarros sold a counterfeit Social Security Number Card and a Green Card to an undercover officer in exchange for $250. Later, in December 2024, Tavares DeBarros sold two more counterfeit Social Security cards and two Green Cards to another undercover officer in exchange for $500. The charge of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and unlawful production of document or authentication feature provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unlawful reentry provides for a sentence of up to two years, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Labor Racketeering and Fraud, Northeast Region; and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds III of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity and benefit fraud schemes.


title: DC U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Announces the 15th Annual Anti Violence Youth Summit ‘Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful’

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is pleased to announce its upcoming 15th Annual Anti Violence Youth Summit, titled ”Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful “ scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Doors will open at 9:00 a.m., and the program will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. The summit will be held at The Catholic University of America in the Pryzbyla Center, where it has been successfully hosted in previous years. “The Youth Summit empowers everyone, especially our youth, to take part in the President’s initiative to Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful,” said U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Jr. “Now in its 15th year, the Youth Summit empowers young people with vital information and tools to build safer, stronger communities,” said Supervisory Community Outreach Specialist Baretta Francis. “This summit brings together youth, community organizations, law enforcement and other partner organizations to address issues impacting youth throughout the District and will focus on a variety of subjects, including opioid abuse prevention, gun violence prevention, and mental health awareness.” “The Catholic University of America values its years-long partnership with the USAO on the Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Youth Summit held each summer on our campus in Northeast, DC,” said Jacques Moore, Office of Events and Conference Services at Catholic University.


title: Praetorian Shield and Two Individuals Agree to Pay $221,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Connected to Fraudulently Obtained Small Business Contracts and Kickbacks

component: Civil Division

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Praetorian Shield Inc., formerly a Delaware company, and Grady Baker, and his wife Ranya, have agreed to pay the United States $221,000 to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently obtaining small business set-aside contracts. This settlement further resolves allegations that Praetorian and the Bakers violated the Anti-Kickback Act. The settlement is based on Praetorian Shields’ and the Bakers’ financial condition and ability to pay. “The Bakers’ conduct in fraudulently obtaining government small business contracts thwarts the purpose of the small business program, which is meant to support small and disadvantaged businesses, and deprives legitimate businesses of opportunities intended by Congress” said Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. “This settlement demonstrates our office’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the federal contracting programs and to holding accountable those who seek to gain an unfair advantage through deception.” The settlement resolves allegations that between 2016 and 2023, Praetorian and the Bakers falsely represented that Praetorian was a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). They made these false claims to obtain small business set-aside contracts awards from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for security services at federal buildings. Praetorian was a purported small business subcontractor to Paragon Systems Inc. (Paragon), one of the federal government’s largest security guard providers at federal buildings throughout the U.S. The U.S. alleged that Paragon, acting through former high-ranking corporate executives, knowingly engaged in a fraudulent scheme to use purported small businesses that it controlled, such as Praetorian, to obtain DHS set-aside contracts for which Paragon was itself ineligible. Grady Baker, who served as Paragon’s vice president of operations, allegedly instructed Ranya Baker to incorporate Praetorian using her middle and maiden names. Ranya Baker did not typically use her middle or maiden names for business or personal purposes. The Bakers controlled Praetorian, along with other high-level Paragon executives, and Grady Baker served as Praetorian’s de facto director of operations. Through Grady Baker and other Paragon executives’ operational control, the Bakers and Praetorian knew that Praetorian was not an eligible small business. But they forged forward with devising the scheme to obtain DHS small business contracts for Paragon. This settlement also resolves allegations that Praetorian and the Bakers provided more than $188,000 in kickbacks to Paragon executives and that Ms. Baker received $98,000 in kickbacks from another Paragon subcontractor, Patronus Systems, Inc. In November 2024, the United States resolved related civil claims against Paragon, recovering $52 million. Additionally, another purported small business, Athena Services International LLC (ASI), and its joint venture with Paragon, Athena Joint Venture Services LLC (AJVS) — along with their owner, Alisa Silverman — previously agreed to pay more than $1.6 million to resolve their liability in connection with the alleged Paragon small business contracting fraud scheme. This settlement is the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, and DHS-OIG. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Marquardt and Senior Trial Counsel A. Thomas Morris, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, who handled this matter. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Florida Man Found Guilty by Jury

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Late yesterday, Stephen Forte, 63 years old, of Lakeland, Florida, was found guilty of two felony counts after a one-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Specifically, Forte was found guilty of abusive sexual contact and interference with the duties of a flight crew member, both committed within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States for conduct occurring on a flight from St. Petersburg, Florida to South Bend, Indiana. Sentencing is scheduled for September 5, 2025, at 10:00 am. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the St. Joseph County Airport Authority Department of Public Safety. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Hannah T Jones.


title: Portland Gang Leader Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Possessing a Weapon in Prison

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A known leader of Portland’s 18 th Street Gang was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison Friday for his leadership role in a local drug trafficking conspiracy and for possessing a weapon while in federal prison. Noah Herrera, 26, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. According to court documents, Herrera was a second-in-command leader of the 18th Street Gang in Portland, working regularly with the gang’s local leader, Gustavo Torres-Mendez, who was sentenced in May 2024 to 164 months in federal prison. Together, the two men led various gang-driven activities including trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl in the Portland area. During this time, the 18th Street Gang was heavily armed and sold drugs acquired near the Mexico border in California to local buyers in and around Portland. The government’s investigation exposed several major episodes in the gang’s activities. In August 2022, agents seized nearly nine pounds of methamphetamine after Herrera organized a transaction in Portland. Only weeks later, in early September 2022, federal agents monitoring the two leaders’ activities learned they and subordinate 18th Street Gang members had collected over $126,000 in cash after which Herrera and Torres-Mendez dispatched two members to California to purchase and pick up drugs. Agents monitored the return of the load vehicle, which was stopped near Grants Pass, Oregon, and over 104 pounds of methamphetamine and a smaller quantity of cocaine were seized. The methamphetamine was packaged in 56 separate plastic food containers. On November 17, 2022, agents arrested Herrera and executed a search warrant at his Vancouver, Washington, home, where they found two loaded Glock pistols, ammunition, additional quantities of drugs, two scales with drug residue, a drug ledger, over $5000 in cash and several cell phones. Agents also executed a search warrant at a residence in North Portland which had been used by the 18th Street Gang throughout the investigation as a meeting place and stash house. There, agents found and seized ten handguns in locations throughout the main rooms, a short-barreled shotgun, extended magazines, ammunition, body armor as well as additional drug evidence, packaging equipment and scales. On September 25, 2023, while housed at FCI Sheridan pending trial, prison guards found Herrera in possession of a shiv (a six-inch sharpened piece of metal) prohibited by federal law. On January 10, 2025, Herrera pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, and possessing a dangerous weapon in a federal facility. This case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by Thomas H. Edmonds and Nicole M. Bockelman, Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Oregon. The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit www.justice.gov/ocdetf .


title: Former Henry County Jail Corrections Officer Sentenced for Excessive Force on an Inmate

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS— Curtis Doughty, 28, of Muncie, has been sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law. According to court documents, Doughty was employed as a corrections officer in the Henry County Jail, as well as a member of the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT). On February 13, 2024, Doughty participated in a scheduled search of an inmate housing pod in the jail. During the search, inmates were moved into a holding area in the recreation yard and ordered to sit on the floor facing the wall while officers searched the cells for contraband. Doughty was one of two officers responsible for directing inmates to face the wall and remain seated. When inmate M.F. turned his head away from the wall, Doughty, without warning, shot his pepper ball gun at point blank range into the inmate’s spine. The pepper ball shot caused bodily injury to the inmate. Doughty then yelled to the other inmates in the holding area, “congratulations, you all inhale that now,” in reference to the pepper ball gas. Shortly after the incident, other members of the SERT team reported it to a commander. The commander pulled Doughty from duty and sent him home, recognizing the egregious use of force. Prior to the incident, Doughty had received training on defensive tactics, physical tactics, Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) training, jail physical and defensive tactics, and new jail officer training. Doughty had been trained on the “response to resistance ladder,” which states that inmates need to be “actively resistant” to justify use of the pepper ball gun. However, M.F. was not resisting and no force was necessary under this scenario. “Corrections officers are empowered by the government to care for inmates. When a corrections officer takes the law into their own hands and uses excessive force to punish inmates, they endanger not only that inmate, but they create a greater incentive to resist rather than cooperate, and thereby endanger their colleagues as well,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Today’s sentencing underscores our unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for all individuals, regardless of their occupation or authority.” “Everyone, regardless of their status or circumstance, is entitled to dignity and no one should fear for their safety at the hands of those tasked with their care,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans. “When correctional officers act with such disregard for those in their care, it is a betrayal of the oath they took to protect, not harm. The FBI will continue to work to ensure civil rights are protected inside every facility.” The FBI investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter A. Blackett and Carolyn A. Haney, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Op Sweet Silence Defendant Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Serve 20 Years in Prison

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus resident, arrested and prosecuted under the multi-agency law enforcement effort called Operation Sweet Silence, confessed to leading a major drug trafficking conspiracy in the community and agreed to serve 20 years in prison under a binding plea agreement with the final two co-defendants entering guilty pleas in federal court late Friday. Tommie Mullins, Jr. aka “TJ” aka “Bo” aka “Mini,” 31, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute before U.S. District Judge Clay Land on May 6. As part of his binding plea agreement, Mullins will serve 20 years in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release. Nine co-defendants pleaded guilty: Trenton Thomas aka Bubbles, 25, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 9 and faces a maximum of life imprisonment; Trenton Clemons, 48, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 9 and faces a maximum of life imprisonment; Adrian Palmer aka AP, 24, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 6 and faces a mandatory minimum of ten years imprisonment; Darius Jenkins, 23, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 25 and faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment; Christopher Hill, 36, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of use of a communication facility to facilitate drug felony on April 25 and faces a maximum of four years imprisonment; Corey Turner aka “Lito” aka “Lito Red,” 33, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute on April 22 and faces a mandatory minimum of ten years up to a maximum of life imprisonment; Anthony Champion, 45, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine on April 22 and faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment; Javonta Paden, 24, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana on April 22 and faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment; and Adrian Pleasants, 29, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana on April 22 and faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment. The sentencing for Mullins and his co-defendants is scheduled for Aug. 7. There is no parole in the federal system. “Armed criminal organizations that traffic methamphetamine and large quantities of illicit drugs pose a serious threat to the safety of our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “Our office is dedicated to collaborating with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal organizations and hold their associates accountable.” “Illicit drugs devastate our communities, resulting in significant suffering by those addicted and their families,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “We will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to prevent this poison from finding its way onto our streets.” “The DEA is deploying all resources available to combat criminal organizations that are destroying our communities with drugs, guns and violence,” said Jae W. Chung, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “This is a huge victory for the citizens we serve,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. “There is strength in collaboration when we combine our resources to go after criminal enterprises involving street gangs, drug dealers and convicted felons. We will continue this fight for safer streets and a safer community.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, federal and local law enforcement conducted Operation Sweet Silence from Aug. 2022 until May 2024, an extensive investigation into the illegal activities of the Zohannon criminal street gang involving armed drug trafficking. Mullins coordinated multiple drug transactions with co-conspirators in Columbus and drug suppliers elsewhere, including a major supplier in Seattle, Washington, for the distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana. Under surveillance, investigators determined that Mullins used his Cove Circle residence—where he resided with his brother, co-conspirator Turner—as a primary distribution location frequented by members of his drug trafficking organization. Based on intercepted calls during a court-authorized wiretap, FBI and DEA agents learned co-conspirators facilitated and received directions from Turner and Mullins to conduct drug transactions on their behalf. For example, on March 7 and 18, 2023, federal agents monitored the coordination and delivery of a one-kilogram methamphetamine package from California via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to a house on Urban Avenue in Columbus used by Turner and his co-conspirators. On March 22, 2023, co-conspirators Trenton Thomas, Paden, Pleasants and Palmer, flew to Seattle, Washington, to purchase marijuana and transport it back to Columbus. Before the trip, intercepted calls between Thomas and a middleman in Seattle, Washington, discussed arrangements for the purchase of 300 pounds of marijuana from a Hispanic supplier in Seattle, and that Mullins was supposed to communicate with the middleman. Mullins received incoming calls from the Hispanic supplier during this time. The four co-conspirators were taken into custody by the FBI at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport two days later; eight pieces of luggage were seized containing 232 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana seizure then triggered a series of calls and messages over court-authorized wiretaps and the Muscogee County Jail (MCJ) communication system between co-conspirators, including Clemons, and others expressing frustration over the marijuana seizure. Clemons was also a known distributor in the Mullins drug trafficking organization. On April 15, 2024, FBI and DEA agents surveilled Mullins and Clemons to travel from Columbus to a music studio in Atlanta and meet with a co-conspirator. A few hours later, a GMC Denali arrived across the street; the co-conspirator retrieved three large bags, including a green gift bag, from the GMC Denali and returned inside the studio. Mullins and Clemons then exited the studio carrying the same green gift bag. Clemons emptied the contents of the green gift bag into a blue suitcase and placed the suitcase into Mullins’ vehicle. Mullins then dropped Clemons at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta; Clemons subsequently caught a Groome transportation bus back to Columbus with the blue suitcase. Agents were waiting at the Groome headquarters in Columbus when the shuttle arrived approximately two hours later; they observed Clemons exit the bus, retrieve the blue suitcase, and place it in a car driven by a woman. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and based on the positive alert by a drug canine, agents searched and located 3,952 grams of methamphetamine separated into four bags inside the blue suitcase. Clemons was arrested. Mullins and Palmer shared a source of supply located on the West Coast. A search warrant was executed for Mullins’ Instagram account, which found a series of messages between Mullins and a West Coast supplier of marijuana between April 23, 2023, and May 18, 2023. Subsequent intercepts with others, including Palmer, showed several drug conversations for “squares” (usually denotes a pound or kilogram of hard narcotics, typically methamphetamine) and marijuana. A conversation involving Palmer discussed “loading up on these squares” and getting “about 10 of them” to recoup some money they lost from the large marijuana seizure. Palmer utilized co-defendant Jenkins to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. Palmer was arrested at Club Hill Apartments on Sept. 27, 2023, in possession of drugs, a digital scale and plastic baggies. FBI located approximately a kilogram of methamphetamine in his car, packaged in 33 separate baggies. Inside his apartment, agents located a plastic container and spoons with suspected methamphetamine residue, over 50 pouches of prepackaged suspected marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. On Sept. 24, 2023, Turner was arrested during a traffic stop by the Columbus Police Department, where he was the front seat passenger. At the time, Turner tossed a stolen, loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol from the window. Turner possessed 439 grams of marijuana and two baggies of cocaine. Agents intercepted calls with Champion in March 2023, who was seeking to purchase a half-kilogram of cocaine. Under surveillance, agents observed a co-conspirator visit a trap house operated by other co-conspirators and then enter Champion’s car; Champion was recorded shortly later calling the co-conspirator to complain about the contents and the weight of the drug package, stating, “This ain’t even a whole, it’s a half” and returning to the trap house. A later call discussed arrangements to meet the co-conspirator to remedy the drug shortage. On Oct. 5, 2022, Mullins was at the Sacramento International Airport when a canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in Mullins’ suitcase. A search of that suitcase revealed over $29,000 in cash, which was confiscated as suspected drug proceeds. Federal agents discovered messages in Mullins’ Instagram account related to the Sacramento search and seizure as part of this investigation. 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 case was investigated by FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office with critical assistance from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office; the Russell County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office; the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office; the Sacramento County, California, Sheriff’s Office; and the Muscogee County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Hansis of the Middle District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Matthew P. Mattis of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Wesley Chapel Man Sentenced In Quit Claim Deed Fraud Scheme

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced John Alberto Stolard (48, Wesley Chapel) to one year and one day in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud involving quit claim deeds. The court also ordered Stolard to forfeit $747,388.30, which are traceable to Stolard’s proceeds from the offense. Stolard pleaded guilty on October 3, 2024. According to court records, Stolard obtained fraudulent quit claim deeds in connection with five different properties—all owned by a victim Stolard had worked with and knew personally. Stolard obtained $827,000 in fraud proceeds by obtaining mortgages on five properties he did not actually own through fraudulent quit claim deeds he filed with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. Stolard and a co-conspirator forged the victim-owner’s name on quit claim deeds and then filed these fraudulent deeds with the court. Using the fraudulent deeds, Stolard applied online for mortgage loans, using the victims’ properties as collateral, and ultimately obtained $827,000 in mortgage loans. U.S. Secret Service, Tampa Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Robert Engel stated, “Through our investigation, we uncovered how selfish greed nearly caused devastating financial losses for an innocent victim. Mr. Stolard epitomized the betrayal of trust, abusing his position to steal over $800,000 in property while fraudulently posing as the rightful owner. Thanks to the men and women of our Tampa Field Office, the United States Attorney's Office, and our partners at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their swift and dedicated work. We are pleased that justice was served.” This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.


title: 189 Arrested in Immigration Crackdown Under the 'Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful' Initiative

body_text: WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Jr. joined with other federal law enforcement leaders to announce today that as a result of a joint federal law enforcement initiative, authorities arrested 189 individuals following a joint federal immigration-related enforcement operation in the District of Columbia over the past week. As part of the operation, authorities apprehended 189 illegal aliens during an enhanced targeted immigration enforcement operation focusing on egregious criminal alien offenders operating in and around Washington, D.C., May 6–9. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and this administration’s focus on law and order, these arrests represent a major step forward in making Washington, D.C., safer for legal citizens and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “These arrests make clear that violating our nation’s immigration laws will not be ignored.” “The District of Columbia is exponentially safer today because of countless hours of investigative work and dedication to duty displayed by ICE Washington, D.C., and our law enforcement partners,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C., Field Office Director Russell Hott. “Working with our partner agencies, ICE officers and agents arrested 189 illegal aliens and removed them from the streets of our Nation’s Capital. Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in the city of Washington, D.C. Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid. I commend the efforts of everyone involved, as all were truly committed to the success of this operation. ICE Washington, D.C., remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing criminal offenders from our Nation’s Capital and surrounding communities.” Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include the following: • A 47-year-old illegally present Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes drug possession, illegal reentry, aggravated assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and sexual assault. His current criminal charges include unlawful reentry of a previously deported alien, disorderly conduct, lewd acts, possession of a controlled substance, sex abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possessing an open container. Additionally, he has numerous gang-affiliated tattoos on his arms, legs, and chest. • A 25-year-old illegally present Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes threat to kidnap, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, threats to bodily harm, and simple assault. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole. • A 30-year-old illegally present Salvadoran alien whose criminal history includes simple assault, driving while intoxicated, brandishing a machete, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole. • A 36-year-old illegally present Mexican alien whose criminal history includes misdemeanor larceny, misdemeanor indecent exposure, possession of an open container, simple assault, theft, unlawful entry, and possession of a prohibited weapon (knife). He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole. This law enforcement activity is part of President Donald Trump’s Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Executive Order. The Executive Order directs a coordinated federal effort to reduce crime, enhance public safety, and restore pride in the nation’s capital through targeted enforcement, improved policing, and strategic partnerships. It also calls for the beautification of public spaces, stricter enforcement of quality-of-life laws, and the removal of graffiti and encampments on federal lands to ensure D.C. remains clean, secure, and reflective of America's strength and heritage. Participating agencies include U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Virginia Department of Corrections; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshals Service; and U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service. Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form. All charges are merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.