title: Orlando Area Tax Return Preparers Preliminarily Enjoined from Preparing Returns for Others

component: Civil Division

body_text: Note: View order here . Today, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida issued a preliminary injunction against Orlando area tax return preparers Juan Humberto Garcia, Marcos Yariel Figueroa, and Garcia’s tax return preparation business, The Tax Master of BVL Inc. (Defendants). The court issued the injunction following a hearing where the government presented evidence that showed the Defendants engaged in a pattern of preparing and filing false returns that understated their customers’ federal income tax liabilities and claimed inflated tax refunds by: Fabricating medical expenses, charitable donations, and personal property taxes as deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A; and Fabricating or inflating business losses on Form 1040 Schedule C. In granting the government’s motion, the court primarily relied on the deposition testimony from over a dozen of the Defendants’ customers who all testified that they did not know about the fraudulent deductions claimed by the Defendants. In addition to finding strong proof that the Defendants fabricated deductions and losses, the court determined that the government would face irreparable harm absent an injunction. The court noted in this regard that the Defendants continued to prepare fraudulent returns even after they were served with a copy of the government’s complaint. The injunction bars Garcia, Figueroa, and The Tax Master from preparing and filing tax returns for others, working for or having an ownership stake in any tax return preparation business, and advising anyone about the preparation of a tax return. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Joshua Wu of the Civil Division’s Tax Litigation Branch made the announcement. Attorney Franklin D. Sandrea-Rivero of the Tax Litigation Branch is handling this matter. Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers 10 tips to avoid tax season fraud and ways to safeguard their personal information. In the past decade, the Department of Justice has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website . An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page . If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Civil Division, Tax Litigation Branch with details. Garcia et al PI Order_0.pdf


title: CBP supervisor among more than 411 new cases filed as part of Southern District’s border enforcement efforts

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A total of 413 individuals have been charged in immigration and border security enforcement efforts from Feb. 6-12, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The cases include charges against 17 people allegedly involved in human smuggling. A total of 167 people were charged with illegal entry, while another 227 face charges of felony reentry after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felony convictions such as narcotics offenses, violent crimes and immigration crimes. The remaining four individuals charged this week relate to other immigration crimes and a false statement charge. One recent case involves Andres Wilkinson , a Customs and Border Protection supervisor charged in Laredo with harboring an illegal alien. According to the complaint, Wilkinson allegedly allowed the illegal alien and her minor child to reside at his home, provided financial support and permitted her to use vehicles registered in his name. The charges further allege he knowingly transported her through Border Patrol checkpoints. If convicted, Wilkinson faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. In additional cases, criminal complaints allege five individuals attempted to unlawfully reenter the country within 10 months of their most recent removals. According to court documents, Mexican nationals Edgar Madrid-Orozco, Lauriano Santos-Rios and Aaron Nava-Carillo were previously removed April 11, July 9, and August 31, respectively. Authorities removed Belize national Edwin Rene Mancillas-Suriano May 22, while Guatemalan national Juan Dieguez-Nolasco was removed Dec. 30, 2025. Each defendant allegedly has prior felony convictions, including battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, illegal reentry, aggravated sexual abuse and assault of a family member. Authorities later found all five in the United States without legal authorization. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison. In a separate case in Houston, a Belize national illegally residing in Conroe pleaded guilty to assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. During a targeted enforcement operation, Sindi Vanessa Moreno-Flores attempted to flee arrest, scratched an ICE agent’s arm and hands and swung her handcuffed arm at the agent before authorities restrained her and took her into custody. In McAllen, 36-year-old Mexican national Angel Fabian Moreno-Rodriguez was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison. During a traffic stop in Donna, law enforcement discovered approximately five kilograms of fentanyl concealed in vacuum-sealed packages inside a cardboard box on the front passenger seat of his vehicle. Moreno-Rodriguez admitted he was paid to transport the narcotics. Also announced this week was the conviction of Gonzalo Chavez for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Law enforcement observed Chavez’s vehicle near the Rio Grande before conducting a traffic stop and discovering four illegal aliens attempting to conceal themselves. At trial, the jury heard evidence showing Chavez coordinated with smugglers in Mexico to transport the aliens after they crossed the river. Chavez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners. The cases are 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. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Mansfield Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Child Exploitation After Producing Explicit Videos

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A Mansfield woman who produced sexually explicit videos of a child pled guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of children this week, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. Marisa Witkop, 31, was indicted on the charges by a federal grand jury in October last year. For each count, she faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, for a total maximum sentence of 120 years’ imprisonment. According to court documents, Witkop produced four videos of a nine-year-old child, some of which she distributed using a social media application. Sentencing is scheduled for June 9, 2026, in Fort Worth before Senior United States District Judge Terry R. Means. The U.S. Secret Service and Mansfield Police Department handled the investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, is prosecuting the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”


title: Washington State Woman Charged with Threatening to Murder a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Members of the Officer’s Family

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota Federal Grand Jury returned a three-count Indictment, charging Brenna Marie Doyle, age 18, with threating to murder a federal law enforcement officer, threatening to murder members of the law enforcement officer’s immediate family, and with interstate transmission of communications threatening to injure the federal agent and their immediate family members, United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today. According to court documents, on January 14, 2026, in response to an immigration enforcement action, a large group of protesters in Minneapolis vandalized and significantly damaged FBI-owned vehicles, stealing weapons and ammunition, and seizing government-owned equipment and documents containing federal employees’ phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and driver’s license numbers. FBI personnel were on scene to investigate an officer-involved shooting and not for any immigration enforcement. One of the individuals whose personal information was confiscated and broadcast on the Internet was an FBI Special Agent. On January 16, 2026, the Special Agent received a series of threatening voicemail messages on their government-issued cell phone. Subsequent investigation identified the phone number associated with three of those threatening calls as belonging to Brenna Marie Doyle. The voicemail messages threatened to kill the Special Agent and members of their immediate family. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent.


title: District Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder Charge

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Dearay Wilson, 30, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to second-degree murder while armed for his role in the shooting death of 50-year-old D.C. resident Jeremy Black on the evening of June 29, 2021, in Northwest D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Wilson entered a guilty plea before Superior Court Judge Neal E. Kravitz, on February 13, 2026. Judge Kravitz ordered that Wilson remain held without bond pending sentencing. Wilson will next appear before Judge Kravitz for sentencing on April 10, 2026. According to court documents, Wilson and three others armed themselves with firearms before driving a vehicle to Johnson Avenue Northwest. Once in the area, they fired multiple shots at a group of people outside an apartment building in the 1400 block of R Street Northwest. Black, the victim, was an innocent bystander walking through the area with his wife and two friends following dinner at a local restaurant. Black and a friend were crossing Johnson Avenue when Wilson and his co-conspirators indiscriminately fired over 45 rounds on a busy public street. Black was struck and killed by a single gunshot wound to his left torso. After the shooting, Wilson and his co-conspirators fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Merikas, Kathleen Gibbons, and Sarah Santiago. The case was indicted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sitara Witanachchi. 2021 CF1 006737


title: St. Paul Woman Indicted by a Minnesota Federal Grand Jury for inflicting Bodily Injury on a Federal Law Enforcement Officer in the Performance of His Official Duties

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota Federal Grand Jury has returned a true bill of indictment charging Claire Louise Feng, age 27, with inflicting bodily injury on a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent on January 24, 2026, United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today. According to court documents, on January 24, 2026, CBP and HSI officers were attempting to establish and maintain a secure perimeter near Nicollet Avenue, between 27th and 28th St. in Minneapolis, following an officer involved shooting. While a CBP officer attempted to arrest an individual who threw a chemical canister toward deployed federal law enforcement officers, Feng tackled the CBP officer. In response, a HSI special agent took Feng to the ground. As the HSI special agent gained control of Feng, she forcibly bit his right ring finger, severing the tip of his right ring finger, leaving the bone exposed. The case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent.


title: San Diego Woman Sentenced to 63 Months in Embezzlement and Money Laundering Scheme

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Ping “Jenny” Gao of Point Loma was sentenced in federal court today to 63 months’ custody after admitting that she embezzled and laundered more than $8.5 million from her employer’s bank accounts. U.S. District Judge James E. Simmons, Jr. also ordered Gao to pay $3,295,000 in restitution to victims of the offense – Nautical Hero Group, LLC and Vitality International Management, LLC. According to admissions in her plea agreement, Gao worked for three aviation investment firms – Nautical Hero Group, LLC, Axiom United Holdings, LLC, and Vitality International Management, LLC – based at Montgomery Field airport and owned by the same employer. She funneled company funds into accounts she fraudulently created and then went on a spending spree, buying a $160,000 Porsche and a $2.9 million home with views overlooking San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline. When her employer discovered the theft and sued in San Diego Superior Court, Gao falsely claimed her actions were authorized by the real owner of the companies in China and the person who sued her was an “imposter.” To support this false defense, Gao paid more than $100,000 of embezzled funds to people in China to fabricate evidence, which she then knowingly filed with the Superior Court to oppose a motion for a preliminary injunction. Gao also committed perjury at her deposition in the civil matter by claiming the funds in the companies’ bank accounts belonged to her. Though the Superior Court issued multiple orders barring Gao from further spending, transferring, or dissipating the proceeds during the pendency of the civil case, Gao disregarded the orders and continued to make transactions with the embezzled proceeds. Those transactions included wiring $1.6 million overseas to a bank account in Hong Kong, China. According to the United States’ Sentencing Memorandum, Gao knowingly completed more than 300 financial transactions in violation of court orders and purposefully deceived her own lawyers into unwittingly filing fabricated evidence to the Superior Court to support her false defense. In September 2023, the civil case went to trial and Gao testified in her defense. Gao committed perjury again by claiming the funds were from her investments in China. She also falsely claimed that one of the managers of the companies was helping to move her funds into the United States using “underground banks” to avoid Chinese laws limiting overseas transfers. The Superior Court ultimately ruled against Gao and converted the preliminary injunction into a permanent injunction. Despite the permanent injunction, Gao continued to dissipate proceeds in violation of the court order. This included selling the $160,000 Porsche to CarMax for $75,000 and exchanging a $70,000 cashier’s check from proceeds of that transaction with another individual for cash. According to her plea agreement, Gao admitted that she transferred more than $1 million of the embezzled funds to her personal bank accounts and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxuries and at high-end fashion stores. There is also more than $3.29 million of embezzled funds that were squandered or remain unaccounted for to date. “The cover-up is often worse than the crime,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “Those who fabricate evidence and lie under oath to conceal their crimes undermine our judicial system – and they will be held accountable.” “The lengths that Gao took to hide her criminal activity are appalling in and of themselves, showing a complete disregard for our justice system,” said TJ Holland, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Today’s sentence reflects the magnitude of these types of financial crimes. FBI San Diego is dedicated to using all of its resources to investigate any criminal activity impacting our local industries and ensure a fair and just outcome for the victims.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Swan. DEFENDANTS Case Number 23-CR-2380-JES Ping Gao, aka Jenny Gao, Gao Ping Age: 55 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1343 Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison and fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater Concealment Money Laundering – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater INVESTIGATING AGENCY Federal Bureau of Investigation


title: Kansas City Man Charged with Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was charged with child pornography offenses in a now-unsealed federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Missouri. Luis Leony Valentin, 34, was charged by federal criminal complaint with production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography over the internet, and possession of child pornography. Following his arrest today, Valentin had his first appearance in court. An affidavit filed with the complaint alleges that Valentin communicated over the internet with a 14-year-old to obtain depictions of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Valentin possessed numerous videos of child pornography of minor females. The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and the FBI. Project Safe Childhood 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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the "resources” tab.


title: California Man Charged with Interstate Transmission of Threats to Injure Five Federal Law Enforcement Officers

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota Federal Grand Jury returned a five-count Indictment, charging James Patrick Lyons, age 45, with interstate transmission of threats to injure five federal law enforcement officers on January 18, 2026, United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today. According to court documents, on January 14, 2026, in response to an immigration enforcement action, a large group of protesters in Minneapolis vandalized and significantly damaged FBI-owned vehicles, stealing weapons and ammunition, seizing government-owned equipment, and taking documents containing federal employees’ phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and driver’s license numbers. FBI personnel were on scene to investigate an officer-involved shooting and not for any immigration enforcement. Five of the individuals whose personal information was confiscated and broadcast on the Internet were FBI Special Agents. On January 18, 2026, those five Special Agents received a series of threatening text messages on their government-issued cell phones. Subsequent FBI investigation identified the phone number associated with one particular threatening text message received by the Special Agents as belonging to James Patrick Lyons. All five text messages used similar language and asserted in part that the sender knew who the Special Agents were and where to find them. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent.


title: 27 Members And Associates Of Tren De Aragua Splinter Faction Anti-Tren Charged With 2024 Double Murder In The Bronx, And Sex Trafficking, Kidnapping, Racketeering, And Other Offenses

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Acting Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), John A. Condon, and Co-Director of Joint Task Force Vulcan (“JTFV”), Christopher Eason, announced a 38-count Superseding (“S4”) Indictment (the “S4 Indictment”) charging 27 members of the Anti-Tren faction of the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (“TDA”) with offenses including racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering in connection with an April 15, 2024, double murder in the Bronx, murder-for-hire conspiracy, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy, and other offenses. 21 of the 27 defendants charged in the S4 Indictment were previously charged in a 12-count Indictment. Of the six newly added defendants, five are now in federal custody. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. To date, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has charged approximately 38 members or associates of TDA and Anti-Tren. “As alleged, these members of Anti-Tren, a splinter faction of the terrorist organization Tren de Aragua, planned and carried out a series of horrific crimes, including gunpoint robberies, murders, and the exploitation of vulnerable young women through sex trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Tren de Aragua is in the business of murder, sex trafficking, and intimidation, and they brought that business to New York while being unlawfully present in the United States. Today’s charges reflect our commitment to bankrupt TDA and bring its members to justice. The gang members charged today exerted ruthless control over sex trafficking victims through intimidation, brutality, and threats of violence against them and their loved ones—leaving lasting trauma in their wake. The women and men of the SDNY are unwavering in their commitment to bankrupt gangs that corrupt our neighborhoods, prey on the vulnerable, and pursue violence as a way of life.” “HSI New York continues to stand at the forefront of investigations against vicious criminal enterprises like Tren de Aragua and Anti-Tren,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon. “Through their use of ruthless tactics and blatant disregard for human life, TdA and its offshoots are among the fastest emerging transnational criminal organizations to encroach upon American soil. HSI New York, through the Homeland Security Task Force, continues to target these gangs that seek to perpetrate destruction and terror in our communities. Together, alongside our law enforcement partners, we are committed to ensuring that no corners of the TdA and Anti-Tren enterprises are beyond the reach of justice.” “TdA and its faction Anti-Tren grew from a prison gang to a transnational criminal organization to a foreign terrorist organization. The violence and horrific acts as charged here including the double murder, murder for hire, kidnapping, and sex trafficking will be met with the full weight of our justice system,” said JTFV Co-Director Christopher Eason. “The charges against these TdA associates and Anti-Tren members are directly in line with JTFV’s mission: a collaborative, whole of government effort to destroy TdA and its factions. We are grateful for our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to investigate and bring these important charges.” According to the allegations contained in the S4 Indictment: [1] Anti-Tren is a criminal organization almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of TDA. Anti-Tren operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, and in New Jersey, and elsewhere around the country, including in Illinois and Washington. The purposes of Anti-Tren included: Preserving and protecting the power and territory of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at members and associates of TDA. Enriching the members and associates of Anti-Tren through, among other things: The unlawful smuggling of individuals, including women and girls from Venezuela, into the U.S.; The sex trafficking of young women or “multadas” who had been unlawfully smuggled into the U.S.; The trafficking of controlled substances, including “tusi”; and Armed robberies. Keeping victims and potential victims in fear of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence. Promoting and enhancing Anti-Tren and the reputation and activities of its members and associates. Providing assistance to members and associates of Anti-Tren who committed crimes for and on behalf of Anti-Tren, such as lodging and interstate transportation for members and associates of Anti-Tren to flee prosecution, or bail money for members or associates of Anti-Tren who are detained. Protecting Anti-Tren and its members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by members of Anti-Tren. Anti-Tren engaged in human smuggling and sex trafficking of young women or “multadas,” into the U.S. in exchange for debts that the young women would pay back by engaging in commercial sex work. And like TDA, members of Anti-Tren enforced compliance among these young women by, among other things: Threatening to kill the young women and their families, Assaulting the young women, Shooting or killing the young women, and Tracking down and kidnapping the young women who tried to flee. Members of Anti-Tren also committed and conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit, acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, to protect and to expand Anti-Tren’s criminal operations, resolve disputes within Anti-Tren, to retaliate against rival organizations, including Tren de Aragua itself, and to maintain control over sex trafficking victims. Anti-Tren members and associates also trafficked controlled substances, committed robberies, and obtained, possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition. The new charges in the S4 Indictment allege, among other things, that: On or about April 15, 2024, YENDER MATA, ERVIN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Coco,” a/k/a “Coquito,” and KERLYN NATALIY PEREZ-LOPEZ, a/k/a “Mou,” conspired to murder and caused the murders of Jhombeyker Jose Bisbal Pina and Adrian Mendoza Isturiz, who were shot to death in the Bronx. In or about April 2025, GUILLERMO ENRIQUE FREITES-VELAZQUEZ and ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER conspired to kill an individual in New York (“Intended Victim-1”). From in or about February 2025 until in or about March 2025, DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA and JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino” conspired to kill another individual in New York (“Intended Victim-2”). In or about April 2025, ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER and others conspired to kill an individual in Florida (“Intended Victim-3”). On or about October 5, 2024, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ordered KELLEN JASPE BUSTAMANATE to shoot an Anti-Tren member in the leg as a form of gang punishment. On or about the same day, BARRIOS GARCIA also ordered ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino,” to shoot a different Anti-Tren member in the leg, also as gang punishment. In or about January 2025, KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” a/k/a “Inmortalidad,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and YEFERSON PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flacot,” a/k/a “Flacote,” conspired to commit and did commit a gunpoint home invasion robbery of an individual (“Robbery Victim-1”) and Robbery Victim-1’s family in Yonkers. In or about January 2025, KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” a/k/a “Inmortalidad,” ANDERSON ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, MARIO PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” Wilfredo Jose AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ, a/k/a “Kabuvy,” and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON, conspired to commit a gunpoint robbery of a drug trafficker (“Robbery Victim-2”) in the Bronx. In or about 2024, LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” engaged in sex trafficking of a young woman from Venezuela (“Trafficking Victim-1”) whom VELASQUEZ-HURTADO threatened with a gun, caused to be kidnapped, and whose immigration documents VELASQUEZ-HURTADO caused to be seized. In or about 2024, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino,” JESUS RUBEN LOPEZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Lopez,” and DANGER LEONER SANCHEZ ALFONZO, a/k/a “Danger,” engaged in sex trafficking of another young woman from Venezuela (“Trafficking Victim-2”). * * * A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI New York, Seattle, Chicago, and Portland, and the NYPD. He also thanked Joint Task Force Vulcan; the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office; the Aurora Police Department in Aurora, Colorado;; the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service (“USMS”); the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s National Gang Unit and New York Human Intelligence Division; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s New York and Chicago Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”); U.S. Marshals Service-District of Oregon; U.S. Customs and Border Patrol-New York; the New York City Crime Analysis Center at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; the Computer Crimes Unit at the NYPD; the King County, Washington Sheriff’s Office; and the Seattle Police Department. This case is a part of JTFV, which was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and is now expanded to target Tren de Aragua. The JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; and the District of Nevada, as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, USMS, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department 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. This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations & Crime Unit and JTFV. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jun Xiang, Kathryn Wheelock, Timothy Ly, and Andrew K. Chan are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. COUNT CHARGE DEFENDANTS MAX. PENALTIES 1 Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO ENRIQUE FREITES-VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a “Cachorrito,” ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro,” ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER, LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote,” JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito,” YENDER MAYKIER MATA, KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a “Care de Peo” Life in prison 2 Sex trafficking conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1594(c) REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro,” LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito” Life in prison 3 Alien importation and harboring for immoral purpose – conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 371 REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro,” LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito” Five years in prison 4 Drug trafficking conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846 REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a “Cachorrito,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote,” YENDER MAYKIER MATA, KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a “Care de Peo” 20 years in prison 5 Firearm use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2 REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a “Cachorrito,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote,” YENDER MAYKIER MATA, KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a “Care de Peo” Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison 6 Obstruction of justice 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(c) and 2 LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” 20 years in prison 7 Unlicensed dealing of firearms 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 2 STEFANO PACHON-ROMERO Five years in prison 8 Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a fugitive from justice and illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(2) and (5), and 2 ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO 15 years in prison 9 Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2 JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito,” 15 years in prison 10 Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2 WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON 15 years in prison 11 Murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2 YENDER MATA, ERVIN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito” KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ, a/k/a “Mou” Life in prison or death Mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison 12 Firearms use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) and 2 YENDER MATA, ERVIN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito” KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ, a/k/a “Mou” Life in prison Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison 13 Murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2 YENDER MATA, ERVIN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito” KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ, a/k/a “Mou” Life in prison or death Mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison 14 Firearms use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) and 2 YENDER MATA, ERVIN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito” KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ, a/k/a “Mou” Life in prison Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison 15 Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) YENDER MATA, ERVIN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito” KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ, a/k/a “Mou” 10 years in prison 16 Murder-for-hire conspiracy resulting in death 18 U.S.C. § 1958 YENDER MATA, ERVIN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Coco,” “Coquito” KERLYN NATALI PEREZ-LOPEZ, a/k/a “Mou” Life in prison or death Mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison 17 Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) GUILLERMO ENRIQUE FREITES-VELAZQUEZ, ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER 10 years in prison 18 Murder-for-hire conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1958 DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN 10 years in prison 19 Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN 10 years in prison 20 Murder-for-hire conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1958 and 2 ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER 10 years in prison 21 Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2 KELLEN JASPE BUSTAMANTE, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho” 20 years in prison 22 Firearms use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) and 2 KELLEN JASPE BUSTAMANTE, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho” Life in prison Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison 23 Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2 JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino” 20 years in prison 24 Firearms use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) and 2 JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino” Life in prison Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison 25 Conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(6) KELLEN JASPE BUSTAMANTE, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho” Three years in prison 26 Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery 18 U.S.C. § 1951 KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote” 20 years in prison 27 Hobbs Act Robbery 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2 KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote” 20 years in prison 28 Firearms use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii) and 2 KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote” Life in prison Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of seven years in prison 29 Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery 18 U.S.C. § 1951 KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, MARIO PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON 20 years in prison 30 Firearms use, carrying, and possession conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 924(o) KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, MARIO PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON 20 years in prison 31 Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2 KEISWUEL ORLANDO PALACIOS-MILANO, a/k/a “Oturache,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, MARIO PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON 20 years in prison 32 Sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2 LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito” Life in prison 33 Kidnapping in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2 LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito” Life in prison 34 Unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking and forced labor 18 U.S.C. §§ 1592(a)(1), (a)(2), (c) and 2 LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito” 5 years imprisonment 35 Sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1), and 2 JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino,” JESUS RUBEN LOPEZ GONZALEZ, DANGER LEONER SANCHEZ ALFONZO Life in prison 36 Kidnapping in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2 JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino” Life in prison 37 Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2 JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino” 20 years in prison 38 Firearms use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii) and 2 JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ENRIQUE GUSTAVO BOADA YANEZ, a/k/a “Chino” Life in prison Mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of seven years in prison [1] The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Illinois Man Charged with Interstate Transmission of Text and Voicemail Threats to Injure Federal Law Enforcement Officer

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota Federal Grand Jury returned a one-count Indictment, charging Jose Alberto Ramirez, age 29, with interstate transmission of threats to injure a federal law enforcement officer on January 15, 2026, United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today. According to court documents, on January 14, 2026, in response to an immigration enforcement action, a large group of protesters in Minneapolis vandalized and significantly damaged FBI-owned vehicles, stealing weapons and ammunition, seizing government-owned equipment, and taking documents containing federal employees’ phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and driver’s license numbers. FBI personnel were on scene to investigate an officer-involved shooting and not for any immigration enforcement. One of the individuals whose personal information had been compromised and broadcast on the Internet was an FBI Special Agent, who began receiving a series of threatening texts and voicemails on their government-issued cell phone on January 15, 2026, and for several days thereafter. A subsequent investigation identified the phone number associated with one particular voicemail and two particular threatening text messages sent to the Special Agent as belonging to Jose Alberto Ramirez. The messages asserted that the caller/sender knew where the Special Agent’s parents and children lived and advised the Special Agent to “get home safe and fast.” The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent.


title: Jonathan D. Frost Pleads Guilty To Three Felony Charges Related To $70 Million Dollar Fraud Scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. On February 11, 2026, Jonathan D. Frost, 42, of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, entered pleas of guilty to three felonies at the federal courthouse in downtown Chattanooga. Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Christopher H. Steger, Frost waived his right to indictment by a grand jury and entered guilty pleas to all counts in the charging document. The specific charges include Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. According to the facts laid out in the written plea agreement, Frost participated in a scheme in which investments were solicited for the purpose of building and operating a facility that would use solar power to extract hydrogen gas from water. However, the funds that were raised were never used for building a hydrogen plant but were instead converted to the personal use of Frost and his co-conspirators. In the plea agreement, Frost agreed to a monetary judgment being taken against him of not less than $70,000,000. The plea agreement filed with the court indicates there is no agreement regarding the sentence to be imposed. It will be determined by the judge at the time of sentencing. A sentencing hearing before Chief United States District Judge Travis R. McDonough is currently set for August 7, 2026. Frost faces up to a combined 45 years in federal prison. This case is prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Dale, Christopher Poole, and Frank Clark represent the United States. The Eastern District of Tennessee Victim Witness Program has established the following website to provide victims of the scam with important notifications and updates concerning the case: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/victim-witness-assistance . The FBI encourages anyone who invested money as part of this scheme to contact Hydrogen-Victims@fbi.gov . ###


title: U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico Weekly Immigration and Border Crimes Report

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics for this week. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies. In the one-week period ending February 13, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico: 66 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326) 4 individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324) 55 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325) 33 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. 797) and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. 1382), arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico. Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions for drug trafficking. These cases are 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. These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children. The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.


title: New York Man Who Used TikTok and Snapchat to Prey on Girls Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES PAGLIARO, 27, of Middletown, New York, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to multiple child exploitation offenses. According to court documents and statements made in court, in approximately October 2024, Pagliaro began messaging a 15-year-girl (“minor victim”) in Connecticut on TikTok. In December 2024, the minor victim told Pagliaro that she was 15 years old, and they began text messaging. In January 2025, Pagliaro traveled to Connecticut at least three times to engage in sexual conduct with the minor victim. In February 2025, a forensic examination of the minor victim’s iPhone revealed hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victim, and more than 11,000 text messages and more than 300 iOS and FaceTime calls between Pagliaro and the minor victim. In the messages, Pagliaro instructed the minor victim to perform specific sex acts, including sadistic and masochistic conduct. Pagliaro also asked the minor victim to recruit another minor to engage in sexual conduct with him. The investigation further revealed that Pagliaro also exchanged sexually explicit messages, images, and videos with a 15-year-old girl in the United Kingdom, a 15-year-old girl in New Jersey, and a 16-year-old girl in Florida. He also initiated contact with thousands of other minors on TikTok and Snapchat. In March 2025 alone, Pagliaro sent messages, many of which were sexually explicit, to approximately 600 Snapchat users who appeared to be minors, and sent sexually explicit images of himself to at least 68 of those Snapchat users. Pagliaro, who has been detained since his arrest on March 19, 2025, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; and traveling to engage in sexual activity with a minor, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for May 8. This investigation has been conducted by HSI New England, HSI New York, the Orange County (N.Y.) Sheriff’s Office, and the Danbury, Ridgefield, and Watertown Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: Registered Sex Offender from Worcester Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offense

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON - A Worcester man was sentenced to over a decade in prison on Feb. 4, 2026 in federal court in Boston for possessing hundreds of files depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Andres DeJesus, 66, was sentenced by United States District Judge Richard G. Stearns to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In October 2025, DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. On Aug. 8, 2025, DeJesus arrived at Logan Airport from the Dominican Republic. DeJesus had been refused entry into the Dominican Republic because of his status as a registered sex offender. Upon his return to Logan Airport, a search was conducted of his luggage, when several articles of children’s clothing and a large amount of chocolate and other sweets were found. A Zip file on DeJesus’ cell phone had three videos containing CSAM. A later forensic examination of the cell phone revealed at least 600 images of CSAM. In 2010, in the Middlesex County Superior Court, DeJesus was found guilty of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, possession of child pornography and posing or exhibiting a child in a sexual act. DeJesus was sentenced to eight years to eight years and one day in state prison. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office; and Chief Paul B. Saucier of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Cape Girardeau Man Admits Identity Theft, Pandemic Fraud

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: CAPE GIRARDEAU – A Cape Girardeau man on Friday admitted stealing identities to fraudulently apply for pandemic loans, file tax returns and seek state benefits. Myles Benjamin Depew, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to three counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He admitted using the name of one person to fraudulently apply for and receive an $11,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) in June of 2020. The next month, Depew used someone else’s name to fraudulently apply for and receive a $14,000 EIDL loan. Finally, he used a third person’s identity to open a checking account with a West Virginia-based bank. Depew prepared two fraudulent Missouri state tax returns, triggering a refund deposit of $2,060 into the account in February of 2022 and $8,668.49 in April of 2023. U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration agents interviewed Depew, who said he stole the identities of 10 to 15 people and used those to fraudulently apply for about $50,000 in benefits from the state of Missouri. Depew estimated that he had spent about $40,000 on gambling at the casino, $5,000 on food and another $5,000 on methamphetamine. Depew worked as a tax preparer and had access to names, birthdates and Social Security numbers. Depew is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both prison and a fine. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to other charges, and a fine of up to $250,000. The U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Willis is prosecuting the case.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Concludes Investigation Into Fatal Shooting

body_text: WASHINGTON - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or District of Columbia charges against Metropolitan Police Department Officer Epshane Porter for a shooting that occurred on November 17, 2025, and fatally injured a 25-year-old District resident (D.C.) at the side of 1221 47 th Place, N.E., Washington, D.C. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the MPD Internal Affairs Division conducted a comprehensive review of the incident, which included a review of law enforcement accounts, crime-camera footage, BWC footage, physical evidence, recorded radio communications, forensic reports, and reports from MPD. According to the evidence, Porter was patrolling the neighborhood with another officer. The officers observed a group of men standing outside of 4725 Minnesota Avenue, N.E. When the group observed the police, D.C. and another male began to run away in separate directions. Officer Porter chased after D.C. Porter gave commands during the chase for D.C. to display his hands to the officer. The foot chase ended when D.C. entered a small, fenced area alongside 1221 47 th Place, N.E. Porter gave several additional commands for D.C. to stop reaching for his hip area. In addition to ignoring the commands, D.C. and Porter had a brief physical encounter. Porter discharged his weapon at this point. The police recovered a .45 caliber Glock from D.C.’s pocket. Despite life-saving measures, D.C. would ultimately succumb to his wounds and be declared dead. After a careful, thorough, and independent review of the evidence, federal prosecutors found insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer willfully violated the civilian’s rights. Investigations generally The U.S. Attorney’s Office reviews all police-involved fatalities to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to conclude that any officers violated either federal criminal civil rights laws or District of Columbia law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources necessary to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are investigated fully and completely. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division investigates all police-involved fatalities in the District of Columbia.


title: Jury Convicts Tuba City Man of Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Robbery

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Feb. 5, 2026, a federal jury found Derick Lee Myron, 45, of Tuba City, Arizona, guilty of one count of Second-Degree Murder, three counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, two counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, four counts of Discharging a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence, and one count of Robbery. The guilty verdict followed an eight-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi. Sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2026. On April 29, 2024, Myron shot and killed an unarmed victim and shot and seriously injured two others, on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. Myron then stole a truck, ran over the victim he had killed, and fled the crime scene. He later disposed of the truck in a canyon in Cameron, Arizona. Over the next two days, Myron hid the firearm he used to shoot the victims, and evaded arrest by hiding in the Moenkopi Wash. A conviction for Second Degree Murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of $250,000, and not more than five years of supervised release. The remaining convictions include additional penalties that could amount to more than 10 years in prison. The FBI Phoenix Division’s Flagstaff office and Navajo Nation Police Department jointly conducted the investigation in this case, with assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Flagstaff Police Department, and Coconino County Sherrif’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Genevieve A. Ozark (Phoenix) and Dimitra H. Sampson (Flagstaff), District of Arizona, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-24-08050-PCT-MTL RELEASE NUMBER: 2026- 026_Myron # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Twelfth and Final Member of ‘21st and Vietnam’ Crew Sentenced to 101 Months on Narcotics, Weapons Counts

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Van Robinson, 44, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 101 months for his participation in the violent, armed gang of drug dealers known as the “21st and Vietnam” crew which distributed an array of narcotics in Northeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Robinson was a key member of a crew that menaced our community around 21 st Street and Maryland Avenue for years with its toxic mix of lethal drugs and random violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “With Robinson’s sentencing today, the 21 st and Vietnam crew has definitively been put out of business.” Robinson, aka “Boogie,” pleaded guilty on March 19, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In addition to the prison term, Judge Beryl A. Howell ordered Robinson to serve three years of supervised release. According to court documents, the 21st and Vietnam crew distributed crack cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs in significant quantities and were involved in two shootings charged in connection with this case: a March 7, 2024, incident in which co-defendant Charles Manson opened fire on a passerby walking his dog near the crew’s open-air drug market; and an April 19, 2024, drive-by shooting, committed by co-defendants Briyon Shuford and Trevon Palmer, which wounded four people and terrorized others. Robinson was an active member of 21 st and Vietnam, which staged a takeover of an apartment complex and used it as a headquarters for the crew’s operations. Robinson was observed by law enforcement on a near daily basis in and around the apartment complex on the 1900 block of I Street NE during the course of the investigation, working with his co-conspirators to sell drugs. During the execution of a search warrant on May 15, 2024, at Robinson’s residence, investigators recovered a loaded Glock 27 firearm, 14 grams of suspected fentanyl, and an assortment of drug trafficking paraphernalia. Robinson is the twelfth and final member of the 21 st and Vietnam crew to be sentenced in this case. Damien Jenkins, aka “Woe,” was sentenced to 151 months Trevon Palmer, aka “Rocky,” was sentenced to 192 months Charles Manson, aka “Cheese,” was sentenced to 170 months Jamiek Bassil, aka “Onion,” was sentenced to 135 months Nathaniel Russell, aka “Thump,” was sentenced to 42 months Briyon Shuford, aka: “Breezy,” was sentenced to 161 months Jason Green was sentenced to 115 months Ahmed Mikal Bailey was sentenced to 30 months Jerome Powell was sentenced to 27 months Lydell Douglas was sentenced to 24 months Abrian Walker was sentenced to 12 months with 6 months home confinement Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement were DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Goumenis of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Division Office, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office, and Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. The case was investigated by the DEA Washington Division, the FBI Washington Field Office, and the MPD. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Duvall and Solomon Eppel. 24cr226


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 114 Border-Related Cases This Week

number: CAS26-0213-USAO Filed 114 Border Related Cases this Week

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 114 border-related cases this week, including charges of bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city). In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here . A sample of border-related arrests this week: On February 8, Raul Rodriguez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 55 packages containing 137 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in the front and rear bumpers of the defendant’s vehicle’s as he tried to cross the border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. On February 11, Gelacio Ortiz-Dominguez, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested and charged with Attempted Entry after Deportation. According to a complaint, Ortiz was intercepted by Customs and Border Protection officers as he ran northbound in the primary vehicle lanes at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The defendant was previously removed from the U.S. in 2022, and at least twice before that. On February 9, Juan Manuel Estrada Cortez and Manuel Monterrosa Mendoza, citizens of Mexico, were arrested and charged with Transportation of Illegal Aliens. According to a complaint, the defendants were arrested by Border Patrol agents north of the border, about eight miles east of Tecate, after a brief chase. The defendants and three others fled their disabled vehicle after its tires were deflated by the Border Patrol’s Vehicle Immobilization Device was deployed. The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners. Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Healthcare executives guilty in multimillion-dollar healthcare fraud conspiracy

body_text: SHERMAN, Texas – Two healthcare executives have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a multimillion-dollar fraud conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Mouzon Bass, III, 60, of Highland Park, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Lance Wilson, 57, of Allen, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The guilty pleas were heard by U.S. Magistrate Judge Aileen Goldman Durrett this week. According to information presented in court, Bass, the sole owner and president of Vivature, a healthcare billing company, and Wilson, a senior executive at Vivature, were involved in conspiracies to defraud others in connection with COVID-19 testing and an athletic training billing scheme. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is up to 20 years in federal prison, a potential fine, and restitution at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the U.S. Probation Office. This case is being investigated by FBI, Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anand Varadarajan and Adrian Garcia. ###


title: Leader of Tijuana-based Fentanyl Trafficking Organization Sentenced

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Alejandro Salinas of Tijuana, Mexico, was sentenced in federal court today to 240 months in prison for leading an organization that trafficked large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico. Salinas previously pleaded guilty to participating in an international conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. The case is part of an investigation of a drug trafficking organization referred to as “The Office,” which operated a convenience store for illegal drugs in Tijuana, open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, for mostly American buyers. The Office sold a variety of narcotics at its Tijuana store, including fentanyl and methamphetamine. At the same time, The Office sent drugs into the United States, acting as a drug wholesale and delivery service for users and distributors in San Diego County and elsewhere. The organization employed “runners,” typically U.S. citizens, who smuggled drugs across the international border to fill orders. Investigators estimate The Office operated for at least five years and made several million dollars during that time, moving hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl and other controlled substances into the United States. Salinas held a leadership role in the organization from approximately 2020 to 2022, a time period during which he and his co-conspirators took advantage of the rise in demand for fentanyl during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the indictment of Salinas and his co-conspirators in April 2023 and coordination with Mexican authorities, the Attorney General of Mexico seized and closed The Office’s Tijuana storefront in January 2024. “The Office operated as a 24-hour storefront for spreading addiction and death,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “We showed them it was closing time.” “The leader of this organization was responsible for the smuggling of deadly narcotics, including fentanyl into our community and throughout the United States for years,” said Kevin a Murphy, HSI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge. “HSI San Diego remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting our community and our nation by identifying, disrupting, and dismantling these criminal organizations.” The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Salinas. DEFENDANTS Case Number 23cr618 Alejandro Salinas Age: 48 Tijuana, MX SUMMARY OF CHARGES International Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 959, 960, 963 Maximum penalty: Life in prison INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Homeland Security Investigations Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Drug Enforcement Administration San Diego Sheriff’s Department This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.


title: Colchester Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Involvement in Swanton Homicide

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on February 13, 2026, Dominique Troupe, 39, of Colchester, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford to a term of 240 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release. Troupe previously was convicted by a jury on May 7, 2024, of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, aiding and abetting the use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense wherein the firearm was discharged, conspiracy to commit robbery, and possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute after a six-day trial. Eric Raymond and Jesse Sweet were previously sentenced to twelve and six years, respectively, for their roles in the case following guilty pleas. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, by at least July of 2021, Troupe was a source of cocaine base (also known as “crack cocaine”) to residents of Swanton, Vermont, with whom he conspired to distribute the drug. During the second half of 2021, Troupe maintained a consistent cocaine base distribution operation in the Swanton area that was trafficking multiple ounces of cocaine base each week. In January 2022, however, a rival distributor of cocaine base moved into the residence at 45 First Street in Swanton, resulting in a significant diminution in Troupe’s sales. To address this problem, two of Troupe’s Swanton-based re-distributors, Eric Raymond and Jesse Sweet, came up with the idea to rob the rival drug dealer of his drugs and money. When Troupe learned of this idea, he turned it into reality. Trial evidence showed that during the early morning of February 2, 2022, Troupe employed Eric Raymond, as well as another unidentified associate of Troupe, to attempt the armed robbery at 45 First Street. Troupe supplied a firearm to Eric Raymond to use during the crime and drove the men to and from the robbery. Tragically, during the attempted armed robbery, Elijah Oliver, 22, of Massachusetts was shot twice and killed. Following the murder of Oliver, Troupe left Vermont for a period of time and instructed a co-conspirator to cancel the cell phone account he had been using. After a couple of months, Troupe returned to Vermont and continued distributing cocaine base, including to a law enforcement confidential source. When Troupe was arrested on September 7, 2022, he was in possession of 188.9 grams of cocaine base. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of Vermont State Police, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Swanton Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Turner and recently retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher. Troupe was represented by Kevin Henry, Esq.


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the Country

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after a prior removal. U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Alfredo Gonzalez-Peleaz , 43, to time served. Gonzalez-Peleaz had been incarcerated since November 11, 2025. According to court records, in November 2025, a Border Patrol agent encountered Gonzalez-Peleaz and his brother, Isidro Gonzalez-Peleaz, leaving a jobsite in Calais. The Border Patrol agent conducted a field immigration inspection of the two men and determined that they were Mexican citizens and did not have any documentation to be in the U.S. legally. A review of immigration records confirmed Gonzalez-Peleaz had been removed from the country in January 2012, at Calexico, California. U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case. Isidro Gonzalez-Peleaz also received a sentence of time served, which Judge Woodcock imposed earlier today. Operation Take Back America : This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. ###


title: Arizona Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearms After Communicating Online with Australian Killers

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – An Arizona man who came to law enforcement’s attention as part of an investigation into the murder of two police officers and one civilian in Queensland, Australia, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to three years in prison for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. Donald Day, Jr., 61, of Heber, Arizona, was sentenced on Feb. 12, 2026, by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Day previously pleaded guilty to being a Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. “Donald Day Jr. chose to use online platforms to advocate for violence against law enforcement and public officials, disregarding the danger his actions created,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Day regularly shared the same rhetoric with a family in Australia, who tragically took the lives of their neighbor and two constables. Our thoughts continue to be with the colleagues and families of those lost in Queensland. I’m proud of the work done by this justice team to hold Day accountable for his crimes.” "Donald Day Jr.'s use of social media to encourage attacks on law enforcement officers and government officials around the world was despicable," said Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke. "This case exemplifies the lengths FBI Phoenix will go to avenge law enforcement partners, including those murdered overseas. Day's crimes were as harmful as the attacks they incited. Today's sentence shows that threats posted online will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted, and we'd like to thank the Queensland Police Service and the United States Attorney's Office for their dedication to ensuring justice was served." “The tragic events of 12 December 2022 will forever be marked as a dark day for the QPS and Queensland communities. The loss of constable Matthew Arnold and constable Rachel McCrow, and neighbour, Alan Dare, continues to weigh heavily on the QPS family and the broader Queensland community, and our thoughts remain with their families, friends, and colleagues,” said Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scalon. “The QPS deeply values the strong partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, whose collaboration has been instrumental in bringing this matter to justice. The sentencing of Donald Day Jr. and legal proceedings highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing serious crimes that transcend borders. We remain committed to working closely with our national and international law enforcement partners to ensure justice for the victims and their families.” Day, who had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, was residing on a rural property outside Heber, Arizona, when he began communicating anti-law enforcement sentiments via social media with the Trains, three Australian family members who murdered two police officers and a neighbor on their rural Queensland property. In a video post shortly after the killings, the Trains stated “[t]hey came to us, and we killed them. If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward.” They specifically mentioned Day in their video, saying “We’ll see you when we go home. We’ll see you at home, Don. Love you.” The Trains died later that day after a standoff with Australian law enforcement. When Day learned of their death, he made an online post stating, “[w]ell, like my brother…, like my sister…, it is no different for us. The devils come for us, they [expletive] die.” Day made this statement after publicly posting on a social media platform that he is an “x-con, who’s armed to the teeth”. A later search of Day’s property revealed nine firearms, including a short-barreled rifle, and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition, a shooting range, and an elevated shooting position. FBI Phoenix conducted the investigation with assistance from the Queensland Police Service, Australia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pimsner, Abbie Broughton, and Glenn McCormick, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-08132-PCT-JJT RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-027_Day # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after prior removals. U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Isidro Gonzalez-Peleaz , 41, to time served. Gonzalez-Peleaz had been incarcerated since November 11, 2025. According to court records, in November 2025, a Border Patrol agent encountered Gonzalez-Peleaz and his brother, Alfredo Gonzalez-Peleaz, leaving a jobsite in Calais. The Border Patrol agent conducted a field immigration inspection of the two men and determined that they were Mexican citizens and did not have any documentation to be in the U.S. legally. A review of immigration records confirmed Gonzalez-Peleaz had been removed from the country in November 2006, at Brownsville, Texas; December 2012, at Calexico, California; March 2013, at Calexico, California; and August 2018, at San Luis, Arizona. U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case. Alfredo Gonzalez-Peleaz also received a sentence of time served, which was imposed by Judge Woodcock earlier today. Operation Take Back America : This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. ###


title: Twenty-Seven Members and Associates of Tren de Aragua Splinter Faction Anti-Tren Charged With 2024 Double Murder in New York and Sex Trafficking, Kidnapping, Racketeering, and Other Offenses

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

body_text: A 38-count superseding indictment (S4 indictment) was unsealed today charging 27 members of the Anti-Tren faction of the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TDA or TdA) with offenses including racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering in connection with an April 15, 2024, double murder in the Bronx, New York, murder-for-hire conspiracy, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy, and other offenses. Twenty-one of the 27 defendants charged in the S4 indictment were previously charged in a 12-count indictment. Of the six newly added defendants, five are now in federal custody. To date, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has charged approximately 38 members or associates of TDA and Anti-Tren. “As alleged, these members of Anti-Tren, a splinter faction of the terrorist organization Tren de Aragua, planned and carried out a series of horrific crimes, including gunpoint robberies, murders, and the exploitation of vulnerable young women through sex trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). “Tren de Aragua is in the business of murder, sex trafficking, and intimidation, and they brought that business to New York while being unlawfully present in the United States. Today’s charges reflect our commitment to bankrupt TDA and bring its members to justice. The gang members charged today exerted ruthless control over sex trafficking victims through intimidation, brutality, and threats of violence against them and their loved ones — leaving lasting trauma in their wake. The women and men of the SDNY are unwavering in their commitment to bankrupt gangs that corrupt our neighborhoods, prey on the vulnerable, and pursue violence as a way of life.” “Homeland Security Investigations New York continues to stand at the forefront of investigations against vicious criminal enterprises like Tren de Aragua and Anti-Tren,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Through their use of ruthless tactics and blatant disregard for human life, TdA and its offshoots are among the fastest emerging transnational criminal organizations to encroach upon American soil. HSI New York, through the Homeland Security Task Force, continues to target these gangs that seek to perpetrate destruction and terror in our communities. Together, alongside our law enforcement partners, we are committed to ensuring that no corners of the TdA and Anti-Tren enterprises are beyond the reach of justice.” “TdA and its faction Anti-Tren grew from a prison gang to a transnational criminal organization to a foreign terrorist organization. The violence and horrific acts as charged here including the double murder, murder for hire, kidnapping, and sex trafficking will be met with the full weight of our justice system,” said Co-Director Christopher Eason of Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV). “The charges against these TdA associates and Anti-Tren members are directly in line with JTFV’s mission: a collaborative, whole of government effort to destroy TdA and its factions. We are grateful for our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to investigate and bring these important charges.” According to the allegations contained in the S4 indictment, Anti-Tren is a criminal organization almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of TDA. Anti-Tren operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, and in New Jersey, and elsewhere around the country, including in Illinois and Washington. The purposes of Anti-Tren included: Preserving and protecting the power and territory of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at members and associates of TDA; Enriching the members and associates of Anti-Tren through, among other things: The unlawful smuggling of individuals, including women and girls from Venezuela, into the United States, The sex trafficking of young women or “multadas” who had been unlawfully smuggled into the United States, The trafficking of controlled substances, including “tusi,” and Armed robberies; Keeping victims and potential victims in fear of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence; Promoting and enhancing Anti-Tren and the reputation and activities of its members and associates; Providing assistance to members and associates of Anti-Tren who committed crimes for and on behalf of Anti-Tren, such as lodging and interstate transportation for members and associates of Anti-Tren to flee prosecution, or bail money for members or associates of Anti-Tren who are detained; and Protecting Anti-Tren and its members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by members of Anti-Tren. Anti-Tren engaged in human smuggling and sex trafficking of young women or “multadas,” into the United States in exchange for debts that the young women would pay back by engaging in commercial sex work. Like TDA, members of Anti-Tren enforced compliance among these young women by, among other things: Threatening to kill the young women and their families, Assaulting the young women, Shooting or killing the young women, and Tracking down and kidnapping the young women who tried to flee. Members of Anti-Tren also committed and conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit, acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, to protect and to expand Anti-Tren’s criminal operations, resolve disputes within Anti-Tren, to retaliate against rival organizations, including Tren de Aragua itself, and to maintain control over sex trafficking victims. Anti-Tren members and associates also trafficked controlled substances, committed robberies, and obtained, possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition. The new charges in the S4 indictment allege, among other things, that: On or about April 15, 2024, Yender Mata, Ervin Hernandez, also known as “Coco” and “Coquito,” and Kerlyn Nataliy Perez-Lopez, also known as “Mou,” conspired to murder and caused the murders of Jhombeyker Jose Bisbal Pina and Adrian Mendoza Isturiz, who were shot to death in the Bronx. In or about April 2025, Guillermo Enrique Freites-Velazquez and Roiman Noe Bello Ferrer conspired to kill an individual in New York (Intended Victim-1). From in or about February 2025 until in or about March 2025, David Valencia-De La Rosa and Johan Carlos Mujica-Urpin, also known as “Sobrino,” conspired to kill another individual in New York (Intended Victim-2). In or about April 2025, Roiman Noe Bello Ferrer and others conspired to kill an individual in Florida (Intended Victim-3). On or about Oct. 5, 2024, Jesus David Barrios Garcia, also known as “Morocho,” ordered Kellen Jaspe Bustamanate to shoot an Anti-Tren member in the leg as a form of gang punishment. On or about the same day, Barrios Garcia also ordered Enrique Gustavo Boada Yanez, also known as “Chino,” to shoot a different Anti-Tren member in the leg, also as gang punishment. In or about January 2025, Keiswuel Orlando Palacios-Milano, also known as “Oturache” and “Inmortalidad,” Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco, and Yeferson Prieto Galviz, also known as “Flacot” and “Flacote,” conspired to commit and did commit a gunpoint home invasion robbery of an individual (Robbery Victim-1) and Robbery Victim-1’s family in Yonkers. In or about January 2025, Keiswuel Orlando Palacios-Milano, also known as “Oturache” and “Inmortalidad,” Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, Mario Pereda, also known as “Cara de Hombre,” Wilfredo Jose Avendaño Carrizalez, also known as “Kabuvy,” and Carlos Gabriel Santos Mogollon, conspired to commit a gunpoint robbery of a drug trafficker (Robbery Victim-2) in the Bronx. In or about 2024, Luis Jose Velasquez-Hurtado, also known as “Chito,” engaged in sex trafficking of a young woman from Venezuela (Trafficking Victim-1) whom Velasquez-Hurtado threatened with a gun, caused to be kidnapped, and whose immigration documents Velasquez-Hurtado caused to be seized. In or about 2024, Jesus David Barrios Garcia, also known as “Morocho,” Enrique Gustavo Boada Yanez, also known as “Chino,” Jesus Ruben Lopez Gonzalez, also known as “Lopez,” and Danger Leoner Sanchez Alfonzo, also known as “Danger,” engaged in sex trafficking of another young woman from Venezuela (Trafficking Victim-2). A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. U.S. Attorney Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI New York, Seattle, Chicago, and Portland, and the NYPD. He also thanked Joint Task Force Vulcan; the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office; the Aurora Police Department in Aurora, Colorado; the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS); the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Gang Unit and New York Human Intelligence Division; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s New York and Chicago Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); U.S. Marshals Service-District of Oregon; U.S. Customs and Border Protection-New York; the New York City Crime Analysis Center at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; the Computer Crimes Unit at the NYPD; the King County, Washington Sheriff’s Office; and the Seattle Police Department. This case is a part of JTFV, which was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and is now expanded to target Tren de Aragua. The JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; and the District of Nevada, as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, USMS, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department 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. This case is being handled by JTFV and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jun Xiang, Kathryn Wheelock, Timothy Ly, and Andrew K. Chan for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Honduran Man Sentenced For Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – DENIS EDGARDO BUEZO-ZELAYA (“ BUEZO ”), age 33, was sentenced on February 3, 2026 after previously pleading guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to court documents, BUEZO was removed from the United States on August 13, 2014, and was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on February 3, 2024, and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter. BUEZO was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Darrel James Papillion to time-served, to be followed by one year of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon M. Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *