title: Newport News man convicted for series of armed bank robberies

body_text: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Newport News man today on charges of bank robbery, bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Tyrone K. Jefferson, 38, worked for a rental car company where he had access to rental cars and license plates owned by the company. Jefferson stole several license plates and a sedan from the company. From Feb. 4 to Feb. 26, 2025, Jefferson used the sedan to rob a credit union and two banks. In each robbery, Jefferson threw a bag to a teller and demanded that it be filled with money, with no dye or trackers. Jefferson brandished a firearm during two of the robberies. He also used the stolen vehicle to visit a Portsmouth casino after the robberies. On Feb. 27, 2025, Newport News Police attempted to stop the stolen sedan, but the driver fled at a high rate of speed, abandoned the vehicle, and escaped on foot. Police located mail, court documents and other paperwork addressed to Jefferson in the vehicle. On March 7, 2025, Jefferson robbed another credit union by brandishing a firearm and demanding that a teller fill a bag with money. Jefferson then fled on foot. On March 27, 2025, police traced Jefferson to the same Portsmouth casino, to which he traveled in a rented vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, police recovered rental paperwork in Jefferson’s name, a stolen handgun, and an extended magazine. Jefferson has five previous felony convictions, including for assault of a federal employee (2018 for macing a Navy police officer); carrying a concealed weapon (2008); possession of stolen property and hit and run (2008); grand larceny (2011); and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and eluding police (2006). Jefferson faces a mandatory minimum of 21 years and up to life in prison when sentenced on July 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI’s Norfolk Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Henrico County Police Division and Newport News Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mack Coleman and Alyson C. Yates are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-cr-53.


title: Former Bay City Civic Leader Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for  Defrauding Non-Profits and Driving Historic Theatre into Bankruptcy

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: BAY CITY – A former Bay City civic leader was sentenced today in connection with a multi-year scheme that defrauded two Bay City non-profit organizations of more than $750,000 and drove one of them into bankruptcy, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Caleb Rowell, Director, Bay City Department of Public Safety. Michael Bacigalupo, 64, of Essexville, Michigan, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson to 24 months in federal prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $196,641.17 to the Bay County Historical Society, and $151,000 to the Bay City State Theatre or its successor and to serve a two-year term of supervised release following his incarceration. According to court records, between June 2020 and November 2023, Bacigalupo simultaneously served as Director of the Bay City Downtown Development Authority, Chief Operating Officer of the Bay City State Theatre (BCST), and Executive Director of the Bay City Historical Society (BCHS). He exploited these positions to fraudulently divert funds to the renovation of the Wenona Park Bandshell, without the authorization of either organization’s board. In the first phase of the scheme, Bacigalupo approached the Bay County Growth Alliance (BCGA), a local non-profit lender, and obtained an $800,000 loan using the BCST building as collateral. He falsely represented to BCGA that the BCST Board had approved the transaction and provided fabricated board minutes to substantiate that lie. Bacigalupo deposited the loan proceeds into BCST accounts and diverted them to the Bandshell project without the Board’s knowledge. After making partial repayments of $277,000, he ceased payments altogether, leaving an unpaid balance of at least $523,000. Unable to service a debt it never authorized, BCST defaulted and declared bankruptcy. Separately, from November 2020 through January 2022, Bacigalupo diverted $231,541 from BCHS toward the Bandshell project by manipulating the organization’s accounting records and fabricating contractor invoices. Left without the funds Bacigalupo had misappropriated, BCHS was unable to complete planned renovations to its own museum and was forced to lay off staff. Bacigalupo also fraudulently obtained approval of a $900,000 federal grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation by misrepresenting the identity of the applicant and the purpose of the funds. When MEDC sought documentation to support an initial $450,000 disbursement, Bacigalupo submitted fabricated invoices and falsified accounting records. MEDC determined the documentation was insufficient and ultimately withheld the grant entirely. United States Attorney Gorgon stated, “Fraud in the garb of civic leadership is still fraud. And this man’s fraud hurt cherished Bay City organizations.” This case was investigated by the Bay City Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William Thomas Orr and Ryan A. Particka


title: Dayton man who allegedly participated in shootout at downtown bus hub arrested by federal agents for possessing machinegun

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: DAYTON, Ohio – James Thomas Hurt, 25, of Dayton, was arrested by federal agents and charged with a firearms crime in connection with a shooting at the RTA bus hub in downtown Dayton in September 2025. Hurt appeared in federal court here this afternoon. According to court documents, Hurt possessed a machinegun during the shooting at the bus hub during the morning of Sept. 26, 2025. Surveillance video allegedly showed Hurt being assaulted by other individuals before running and returning fire. Hurt allegedly discarded his firearm in a trash can in a parking garage near East Fourth Street. Hurt later returned to the trash can, allegedly to locate his weapon, but it had already been seized by Dayton police officers. Officers subsequently discovered additional evidence, including ammunition and Glock switches, or machinegun conversion devices, buried in an area near the RTA bus hub where Hurt was observed on surveillance digging shortly after the shooting. At the time of his arrest yesterday evening, Hurt was allegedly in possession of 10 suspected machinegun conversion devices, two of which were swift links made for AR-type firearms. Hurt is charged with illegal possession of a machinegun, a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case. A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. 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: Mt. Pleasant Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography  on the Isabella Reservation

body_text: Bay City, MI –A 56-year-old resident of Mt. Pleasant was sentenced today to 168 months in prison for possession of child pornography announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. United States District Judge David M. Lawson also imposed 5 years of supervised release on Daniel Anthony Quezada who pled guilty on December 3, 2025. According to court records, on or about September 17, 2025, on the Isabella Reservation, Quezada knowingly possessed thousands of images and videos of child pornography that had traveled in interstate commerce. Quezada was previously convicted in 2000 for criminal sexual conduct in the 2 nd degree (person under 13), children distributing obscene material, and children accosting. Quezada was also convicted in 2006 for criminal sexual conduct in the 2 nd degree (person under 13). “This monster repeatedly sexually abused children. And then he continued to feed on the images of their abuse. A man like this has no place among us,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roy Kranz .


title: Norfolk Navy sailor sentenced to 10 years in prison  for coercing a minor to engage in sex

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Texas man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sex, and the coercion of seven other minor victims. According to court documents, Dominic Nathanial Torres, 23, a U.S. Navy sailor stationed in Norfolk, used multiple social media platforms to communicate with minors in a sexually explicit manner. Torres strategically targeted middle and high school age girls through social media, and then bypassed the security protocols of age restricted social media communities by presenting himself as a minor and using younger photos. Torres requested and received sexually explicit images and videos from minor victims and sent the minors sexually graphic photos and videos of himself. During the Summer of 2024, Torres contacted a minor female via a social media platform. Torres knew the victim was 16 years old and portrayed himself as a minor. After communicating with the minor through multiple mediums including text messages, Torres convinced the minor to meet in person. He travelled to the minor’s neighborhood, picked her up near her home, and engaged in sex with her on two separate occasions. Torres attempted to video his sexual encounter with the minor. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigated this case. 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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-10.


title: Southfield Couple Pleads Guilty in $1.2M Pandemic Fraud Conspiracy

body_text: DETROIT – Catherine Spidell-Ferguson pleaded guilty today to participating in a $1.2 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced. Spidell-Ferguson’s husband, D’Angelo Ferguson, pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to commit bank fraud based on his involvement in the same conspiracy. Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations-Detroit. According to plea documents, D’Angelo Ferguson admitted to participating in the submission of three separate PPP loan applications, which included false representations and fictitious supporting documents. As part of the scheme, D’Angelo Ferguson claimed each company had a certain amount of monthly income, along with monthly payroll expenses for certain employees. Both the number of employees and the monthly payroll expenses were fictitious. The documents used to support the supposed monthly income for the companies were false. Court documents indicate that Catherine Spidell-Ferguson admitted to her participation in the submission of the application for one of these bogus loans. In total, the amount fraudulently obtained by the couple in the scheme was approximately $1.2 million. “Fraud is a plague on our Nation. It takes many forms—and all of them weaken our economy and steal from the American taxpayer. Name a program, and someone is trying to scam it. It is time to make the scammers pay,” said Gorgon. Sentencing before United States District Judge Laurie J. Michelson will occur after a presentence report is prepared. Both Ferguson and Spidell-Ferguson face possible maximum sentences of not more than 30 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole, fines of not more than $1,000,000, and up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dorval Norwood.


title: Mexican National, illegally present in the U.S., sentenced to prison for unlawful firearms possession

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 25-year-old Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Arturo Perez Ramirez was arrested by Seattle Police on December 1, 2024. He was driving a stolen car in south Seattle. He was the sole person in the car and was stopped after a short police chase. A Firearm was later found in the vehicle. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said, “Terrorizing a community is not something we can tolerate.” According to records filed in the case, Ramirez was brought to the U.S. from Mexico as an infant. He had multiple run-ins with the law as a juvenile and as an adult. Ramirez is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a conviction for attempted robbery. He was sentenced to more than 57 months in prison in February 2023. In asking for a 37-month sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “His convictions run the gamut from violent robberies and firearm offenses to stolen cars, escapes, thefts, and eluding. He spent a considerable amount of his youth detained in juvenile facilities. If facing criminal justice system consequences served as a deterrent for the defendant, he would not be facing deportation to a country in which he has not resided since infancy.” Ramirez likely will be referred to removal proceedings following prison. Judge Martinez stressed that should he return to the U.S. he would face increasingly longer sentences. The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.


title: Businessman and Two Attorneys Sentenced for Their Roles in Multimillion Dollar Scheme to Bribe Hawaii County Public Official

component: Criminal Division

body_text: Three men have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to pay bribes to a public official at the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) in exchange for his official actions in connection with affordable housing development agreements worth more than $11,000,000. Hawaii (Big Island) attorney, Gary Charles Zamber, 56, of Keaau, Hawaii, was sentenced to 70 months in prison. Former Big Island businessman, Rajesh Pankaj Budhabhatti, 65, of Morro Bay, California, was sentenced to 90 months in prison. Former Big Island attorney, Paul Joseph Sulla, 79, of Hilo, Hawaii, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. On June 4, 2025, a jury in the District of Hawaii convicted Sulla, Zamber, and Budhabhatti on all counts of a superseding indictment. The three defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and nine counts of honest services wire fraud for their roles in a scheme to bribe Alan Scott Rudo, a Housing Specialist at the OHCD. Sulla was also convicted of money laundering. “This wasn’t just corruption – it was a calculated betrayal of the very community the defendants were supposed to serve,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Instead of building homes for struggling families looking for an onramp to a better life, the defendants built a scheme to enrich themselves, paying millions in bribes and kickbacks while pretending to help those in need. That kind of greed doesn’t just break the law – it erodes trust, damages institutions, robs honest businesses of opportunities and harms American citizens. The Criminal Division is committed to pursuing those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain.” “Driven by greed, the defendants sought to enrich themselves at the expense of the Hawaiian community, diverting millions in much needed affordable housing resources intended to benefit Hawaii County’s poor and disadvantaged into the defendants’ own pockets,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii. “Public corruption undermines faith in our institutions and will not be tolerated. We pledge to hold accountable those who seek to victimize the people of Hawaii by compromising our public officials and institutions for their own greed and personal gain.” “This sentencing marks another step toward accountability for those who pollute the integrity of our government institutions with bribes and kickbacks,” said Special Agent in Charge David Porter of the FBI Honolulu Field Office. “The defendants’ criminal schemes amounted to more than bribery and fraud — they stole opportunities from Big Island families and our community as a whole. The FBI, alongside our partners, will never stop working to pursue those who undermine the public’s trust and weaken the foundations of our community through corruption and deceit.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sulla, Zamber, and Budhabhatti conspired to pay bribes and kickbacks to Rudo in exchange for Rudo’s agreement to use his official position to ensure that Hawaii County approved three affordable housing agreements (AHAs) benefitting the defendants’ development companies, Luna Loa Developments LLC, West View Developments, LLC and Plumeria at Waikoloa LLC. Although the defendants promised in the AHAs to build affordable housing for the citizens of Hawaii County, their development companies never built a single unit. Through the AHAs, the defendants fraudulently obtained more than $11,000,000 worth of land and excess affordable housing credits (AHCs). From that amount, the defendants paid or attempted to pay Rudo approximately $1,931,778 in bribes and kickbacks. Sulla was sentenced on April 23. Zamber and Budhabhatti were sentenced on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, respectively. Rudo, who pleaded guilty and testified at trial, will be sentenced at a later date. Zamber’s and Sulla’s law licenses are currently suspended, prohibiting them from practicing law in Hawaii. The FBI Honolulu Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney William J. Gullotta of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Margaret Nammar for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.


title: Fully Suspended Sentence Handed Down for Robbery and Carjacking Spree

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Antonio Gaither, 17, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, for a spree of robberies and carjackings that took place in September 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Gaither, who was sixteen years old at the time of the offenses and who was charged pursuant to Title 16, pleaded guilty on August 29, 2025, to one count of carjacking, one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery. At Gaither’s sentencing on April 24, 2026, the United States requested a sentence of twelve years of incarceration, representing a sentence at the top of his sentencing guidelines for each count, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Honorable Judge Jennifer DiToro sentenced Gaither to a fully suspended sentences of 48 months for carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and 24 months for each count of robbery, with 18 months of supervised probation. The Court’s sentence was entered pursuant to the Youth Rehabilitation Act, over the government’s objection, which permits a sentence beneath the mandatory minimum term of seven years of incarceration for carjacking and five years of incarceration for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. On March 17, 2026, Gaither’s co-defendant, Derrick West, also received a suspended sentence over the government’s objection. According to the proffer of facts, on September 19, 2024, at approximately 10:31 p.m., in the 500 block of 48th Place NE, Gaither, his co-defendant Derrick West and two additional suspects, pulled up next to the first victim, while she was parking her car. Two of the suspects exited their vehicle and one pointed a firearm at the victim and ordered her to exit her vehicle. Two of the suspects took the victim’s car, and all four suspects fled the scene. Separately, on September 20, 2024, at approximately 12:45 a.m., in the 800 block of P Street, NW, Gaither, West, and additional suspects approached the victim, who was sitting in his vehicle with his doors unlocked. One of the suspects opened the driver’s side door and ordered the victim to exit the vehicle, while another suspect assaulted the victim, striking him about the face and body. The victim exited the vehicle and fled in fear of his safety. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle, taking with them the victim’s wallet, credit cards and phone which were inside the car. In addition, on September 30, 2024, at approximately 5:21 p.m., in the 100 block of 35 th Street, NE, Gaither and West approached a third victim, who was talking on his cell phone as he walked away from his vehicle. One of the defendants grabbed the victim’s phone out of his hand. Both Gaither and West demanded the victim’s car keys. Out of fear for his safety, the victim handed over the keys, but he was still punched in the face several times by both defendants. The defendants took the victim’s cell phone and fled the scene in his vehicle. Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the work of Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Roberts and Ben Helfand, who prosecuted the case. 2024 CF3 011077


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 two-week period ending April 24, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico: 124 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326) 22 individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324) 125 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325) 134 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 sexual assault of a minor, narcotics trafficking, robbery, DUI, illegal weapons possession, alien smuggling, child molestation, narcotics trafficking, drug possession, unauthorized use of a vehicle and prior immigration offenses. 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: In One Week, DOJ’s New Fraud Division Secures $300M in Funding for Prosecutorial Support While Announcing More Indictments, Convictions, and Sentences Representing Millions In Taxpayer Fraud

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division announced the following actions from across the country to hold individuals accountable for schemes that attempted or succeeded in defrauding the American taxpayers. “Our message is clear: Steal from the American taxpayer, and you will answer to federal prosecutors," said Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “With our partners nationwide, we are holding criminals accountable and protecting taxpayer money. We will leave no stone unturned in our war against fraud.” Notably, on April 22 nd , the Justice Department announced the availability of $300 million in funding to prevent and prosecute fraud and other crimes nationwide. This grant program will strengthen investigative and prosecutorial capacity, expand intergovernmental coordination, and enhance the ability of jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute fraud and other crimes. Friday, April 24 A New York man was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiring to launder the proceeds of a $24.4 million pharmacy fraud scheme. The defendant laundered the proceeds of the scheme through various trading companies, which gave the appearance of legitimate business, facilitated the kickbacks and bribes, and distributed profits among the pharmacies’ owners. A West Virginia man was sentenced to five years of federal probation after admitting that he obtained a $2 million loan through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for his business and instead converted at least $1.4 million of the proceeds for his personal enrichment. Thursday, April 23 The Criminal Division, D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office, and their law enforcement partners announced a series of coordinated actions by the Scam Center Strike Force against overseas criminal organizations that have defrauded Americans of billions of dollars. These actions include charges against two Chinese nationals and $700 million in restrained cryptocurrency. A Missouri man pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a scheme to fraudulently obtain two Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans totaling $92,233.32, guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. A Missouri woman was sentenced to 41 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining $2.3 million in funds intended to feed hungry Missouri children. Wednesday, April 22 A Washington man was arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma for multiple counts of wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud, resulting in more than $600,000 loss to federal nutrition program. A man in Maryland pleaded guilty to bank fraud after admitting to fraudulently obtaining $160,000 in COVID-19 relief funds and attempting to obstruct justice. He faces a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for bank fraud. Five New Orleans men were indicted for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, the Federal Gun Control Act, and committing bank fraud. A D.C. woman was sentenced to 11 months in prison for her role in a years-long conspiracy to steal more than $393,340 from her nonprofit employer by making unauthorized personal purchases on the organization’s corporate credit card. A Missouri medical doctor was arrested on an indictment that accuses him of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid and providing prescription drugs to friends, people suffering from substance use disorders and those with whom he had sexual relationships. A Florida woman was indicted by a federal grand jury charging her with two counts of wire fraud involving Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program funds. Tuesday, April 21 A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania was indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of wire fraud and theft of government property, accepting bribes to approve more than $500,000 in fraudulent unemployment compensation claims. Monday, April 20 Five Romanian nationals have been charged for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to steal nearly $1 million worth of food assistance benefits from low-income families and individuals in Ohio and California. A Florida woman who orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently obtain approximately $465,489 in COVID-19 relief funding was sentenced to 18 months’ incarceration in Newark federal court. A Cayman national who renounced his U.S. citizenship pleaded guilty to evading payment of more than $1.5 million of federal income tax liabilities. His sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, as well as restitution and monetary penalties. A New York man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for defrauding the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) of approximately $1.1 million in loans awarded under the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Brockton, Mass., has been arrested and charged with healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft. A Jefferson Parish resident was sentenced to 70 months in prison for obtaining over $350,000 in funds through numerous Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans using falsified tax forms, and also fraudulently obtained Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds in the names of numerous purported renters. A Florida man was sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in a $33 million health care fraud and kickback scheme in Newark, New Jersey. Friday, April 17 A Kauai man was sentenced to 14 months in prison following his guilty plea for making a false statement to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for $1.4 million in funds. A Detroit surgeon was sentenced to 12 months in prison for his involvement in a scheme to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for psychotherapy services. Six St. Louis area residents were indicted for their involvement in a $8.3 million pandemic fraud scheme, and three were arrested. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. Updated April 24, 2026


title: Illegal Firearm Possession Lands Oklahoma City Man in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – NAIM BILAL EVANS , 38, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 96 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. According to public records, on April 19, 2025, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a metro convenience store following reports of a man with a firearm. When officers arrived, they encountered Evans crossing the street and recovered an AR-15 firearm from a nearby trash can. Surveillance video from outside the store showed Evans kicking the store’s front door while armed with the firearm. On May 20, 2025, a federal grand jury charged Evans with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded to the charge on August 29, 2025. At a sentencing hearing on April 22, 2026, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Evans to serve 96 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, Judge Wyrick noted Evans’ repeated criminal history related to firearms. Public records reflect that Evans has prior felony convictions in Oklahoma County District Court, including pointing a firearm in case number CF-2008-939 and being a felon in possession of a firearm in case number CF-2018-157. This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Gridley prosecuted the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Illegal Alien With Prior Felony Convictions Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the United States

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally reentering the United States after being removed on three prior occasions from the country. According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings, on April 27, 2025, Cesar Daniel Reyes-Rodriguez was found in the United States after he was previously deported to Mexico on June 25, 2019; October 18, 2019; and On June 23, 2023. On April 26, 2025, officers with the North Las Vegas Police Department arrested Reyes-Rodriguez for his fourth DUI since 2016. Reyes-Rodriguez was previously convicted of his third DUI, a felony, in 2018. Reyes-Rodriguez also has previous felony convictions for Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell out of the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada (2018), and Illegal Reentry after Deportation out of the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada (2021). Reyes-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of Deported Alien Found in the United States. After serving his prison sentence he will be deported to Mexico for a fourth time. First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement. The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case. Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form . 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: Okemah Resident Pleads Guilty To Sexual Abuse Of A Minor

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Raymond Lewis Spain, age 66, of Okemah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Indictment alleged that beginning in or about March 2020, and continuing until in or about March 2024, Spain knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a victim who had attained the age of 12 years, but had not attained the age of 16 years, and who was at least four years younger than the defendant. The crime occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Spain will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.


title: Central District of Illinois Recognizes Crime Victims’ Rights Week and Welcomes New Facility Dog

component: Office for Victims of Crime (OJP)

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois is recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19-25, 2026. This year’s theme is “Listen. Act. Advocate”—reminding us of our ongoing responsibility to provide the highest level of service to victims in our community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, which serves 46 counties, is proud to join the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and communities throughout the United States in raising awareness of victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and their advocates. The U.S. Attorney’s Office works diligently to prosecute crimes and is equally committed to identifying the needs of victims and advocating for the most effective way to meet those needs. As part of this commitment, we have introduced Maisy, the nation’s first U.S. Attorney’s Office Facility Dog, to enhance the support services available to victims. Maisy works directly with victims coping with trauma, providing support and comfort as they navigate the criminal justice system. Victims of crime deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. It is essential that we work together to empower survivors. We are grateful for the many law enforcement agencies, social service organizations and community partners who work with us each year to support victims in the Central District of Illinois. If you would like to learn more about victim services and Maisy, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil . For more information about the Office for Victims of Crime and National Crime Victims’ Rights week you may visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/about .


title: Driver Sentenced to Prison Term for His Role in the Killing of an Innocent Bystander

body_text: WASHINGTON – Daniel Bangura, 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for charges stemming from the July 2023 shooting of 46-year-old Donald Childs, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Marks pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed on January 13, 2026. Bangura also pleaded guilty on that day to obstruction of justice. The Honorable Danya A. Dayson sentenced Bangura to the 66-month prison term to be followed by three years of supervised release. His co-defendant, Iesha Marks, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12, 2026. “Today’s sentencing reflects the serious consequences that come with participating in senseless violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The defendant may not have pulled the trigger, but he played an undeniable role in the death of an innocent man standing on his own street.” According to the government’s evidence, at 2:43 p.m. on July 30, 2023, Bangura drove Marks to the 100 block of Farragut Street, NW. As they rode through a busy intersection, Marks extended her arm out of the front passenger window and fired multiple shots directly into Farragut Street, striking and killing Mr. Childs, who was standing on the sidewalk. Bangura sped away from the scene and drove Marks to Pennsylvania in order to dispose of the murder weapon. Bangura has been in custody since he was indicted in May of 2025. Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmin Emrani, who prosecuted the case. 2025 CF1 005760


title: New Jersey Man Sentenced To 42 Months For $9 Million Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that ARSEN LUSHER was sentenced to 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho for perpetrating a scheme to defraud more than 20 investors of nearly nine million dollars. On August 18, 2025, LUSHER pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. “Today’s 42-month sentence comes at the end of a too common story: a fast-talking fraudster promising exceptional returns but not giving investors basic information,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Arsen Lusher lied to victims about the nature of his business to line his own pockets. When the walls came closing in, Lusher doubled down, creating false documents to try to lull his victims into a false sense of security about their investments. Lusher’s fraud was brazen, and it cost his victims nearly $9 million. A good rule of thumb for investors: no audit, no investment.” According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court: From at least 2017 through at least February 2021, the defendant engaged in a scheme in which he and his associates solicited investments from victims, usually by representing that the defendant had a profitable trucking business that enjoyed delivery and installation contracts with multiple large retailers. The defendant and his associates typically represented that the victims’ investments would fund the purchase of trucks and guaranteed the victims high rates of return over a fixed period—typically between 30 and 40 percent over one or two years. In that way, the defendant succeeded in raising approximately more than $40 million from his victims during the scheme. But the defendant did not have a large trucking business, and he did not invest the victims’ money into any trucking business. Instead, the defendant paid earlier victims with later victims’ funds, sustaining the scheme for years. While he was stealing money from the victims, the defendant lived a lavish life. For example, the defendant gambled millions of dollars at casinos and online, winning as much as $100,000 in a single sitting. The defendant also used funds from his companies’ corporate bank accounts to finance personal expenses. On a trip to China in April 2019, the defendant spent thousands of dollars in a high-end shopping spree, including a $3,210.76 charge from a Louis Vuitton store and a $12,932.24 charge at a Hermès store in Hong Kong. The defendant paid those expenses from his business bank accounts. During the scheme, neither the defendant in his personal capacity nor any of the companies that the defendant used to perpetrate the scheme filed federal tax returns. After years of fraud, in late 2020 and early 2021, the scheme collapsed, leaving the victims with losses of at least $8,740,440. As the scheme came crashing down, the defendant created numerous false documents and caused them to be shared with his victims for the purpose of continuing to solicit investments and lulling victims into a false sense of security with respect to their investments. For example, in January 2021, the defendant created and caused to be sent to a particular victim (“Victim-1”) a falsified email, in which the defendant altered account balances for two of the companies that the defendant used to perpetrate the scheme that had been reported to the defendant by an employee from a particular bank (“Bank-1”). The email that the defendant received from Bank-1 is shown below left; the email that the defendant altered and caused to be sent to Victim‑1 is below right. Instead of “8,767.26,” and “$320.76,” the defendant altered the email to state that his companies had account balances of $ 1,22 8,767.26 and $ 987, 320.76 (italics and bold added). * * * In addition to the prison term, LUSHER, 49, of Millstone, New Jersey, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $8,740,440 in forfeiture and $8,740,440 in restitution. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Rosenberg is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Salisbury Methamphetamine Distributor Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Salisbury, N.C., man was sentenced yesterday for distributing methamphetamine, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Kenta Montrice Wright, 44, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. According to court records, law enforcement began an investigation into Wright for distributing methamphetamine in the Charlotte area. Between March and July 2025, Wright sold methamphetamine to an individual working with law enforcement twice. On July 21, 2025, Wright was arrested at his home in Salisbury. Following his arrest, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and vehicle, where they found more methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, two firearms, one of which was stolen, various calibers of ammunition, and other firearms accessories. During the conspiracy, Wright was responsible for the distributing more than 640 grams of methamphetamine. Wright is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gastonia Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Washington of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte was in charge of the prosecution. 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: District of Arizona Charges 288 Individuals for  Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this Week

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from April 17 through April 24, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 288 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 147 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 113 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 24 cases against 28 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona. These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Recent matters of interest include: United States v. Jesus Jose Alvarez-Ramirez. On April 24, 2026, Jesus Jose Alvarez-Ramirez was charged by criminal complaint with Bringing an Alien to the United States Unlawfully. On April 23, a U.S. Border Patrol Agent responded to a radio call about three individuals traveling near Dateland, Arizona. When the agent approached the group, which included Alvarez-Ramirez, another adult male, and an unaccompanied male juvenile, they were attempting to conceal themselves in brush to avoid detection. Agents determined that Alvarez-Ramirez acted as a foot guide for the group, bringing them from Mexico into the United States. They also learned that Alvarez-Ramirez’s fee for crossing was waived and that he would eventually receive payment for acting as a foot guide. It was determined the three individuals were citizens of Mexico, all unlawfully present in the United States. [Case number: 26-MJ-01328] 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-067_April 24, 2026, Immigration Enforcement (note PR originally sent out as #068 to media) # # # 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: United States Prevails in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Alleging Excessive Force by Border Patrol

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO –A federal judge has ruled in favor of the United States in a civil lawsuit brought by the estate of a human smuggler fatally shot during a smuggling incident, rejecting allegations that Border Patrol agents used excessive force. The plaintiffs included the son of deceased smuggler Silvestre Estrada, as well as two individuals who were being smuggled, Francisco Madariaga and Jaime Madariaga-Gonzalez. U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia ruled that the Border Patrol agents’ use of force was reasonable and that deadly force was justified when Estrada drove toward them in a threatening manner, leading the agents to reasonably fear for their safety. The court also found that less-than-lethal alternatives were not viable given the rapidly evolving situation. The allegations stemmed from the shooting death of Estrada on May 14, 2021. That evening, at approximately 10:13 p.m., Border Patrol agents using surveillance technology observed Estrada as he picked up the cousins on the shoulder of State Route 94. The Madariagas, who are cousins, were both undocumented aliens with Mexican citizenship and no legal right to enter or remain in the United States. The Madariagas had crossed the United States/Mexico border days before. Agents using fully marked Border Patrol vehicles found Estrada’s vehicle, and engaged Estrada by activating their service vehicle lights and sirens. Initially, Estrada pulled over and yielded to the agents. However, as agents approached Estrada’s vehicle, Estrada sped off, and a high-speed pursuit began. The length of pursuit was approximately four miles and lasted approximately six minutes. During the pursuit, Estrada swerved in and out of the eastbound and westbound lanes of State Route 94, and at times was driving over 80 miles per hour. At trial, the Madariagas testified that, during the pursuit, they were both frightened and believed they might get into an accident. Ultimately, Estrada’s vehicle entered a Circle K gas station from State Route 94. Several Border Patrol vehicles were pursuing Estrada at that time. Some continued the pursuit by following Estrada into the Circle K, while others surrounded the gas station and remained outside on State Route 94. Estrada sped through the Circle K property apparently looking for an exit. Estrada attempted to reach the property’s entrance/exit to escape the property but was blocked by a high curb that Estrada crashed his vehicle into. The right front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage. Unable to proceed further, Estrada backed up to a point where he was blocked in by a Border Patrol vehicle. Estrada stopped the vehicle for four seconds. As stated by Judge Battaglia in his written ruling, “[w]hile the vehicle was stopped, Agents approached the vehicle because almost everyone—including the Madariagas—believed the vehicle chase was over . . . . Although everyone else believed the vehicle chase was over, Estrada apparently thought otherwise.” After briefly stopping, and as a Border Patrol agent approached, Estrada revved the vehicle and then accelerated forward in the direction of the approaching agent, getting within a few feet of the agent in 1.6 seconds. Two agents, who assessed the situation as creating imminent danger of serious injury or death to the agent in front of Estada’s vehicle, fired upon Estrada’s vehicle. Almost immediately after shots were fired, Estrada’s vehicle turned back towards State Route 94, in the direction of another agent, who also assessed the same risk and danger to himself and also fired one shot towards Estrada. Estrada was struck and killed by one of the bullets. The Madariagas were not struck by any of the gunshots. In his ruling, Judge Battaglia wrote about one agent: “One cannot expect (the agent) to have gambled with his own life by speculating on Estrada’s intent or planned trajectory and hopefully jumping away. Clearly, Estrada gambled with his own life.” The judge wrote that another agent involved in the shooting “had little choice or option once Estrada revved up and then accelerated the vehicle in his direction.” “The Court’s ruling confirms that these Border Patrol agents acted lawfully and appropriately under dangerous and rapidly evolving circumstances,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “Federal agents are authorized to use reasonable force to protect themselves and others while carrying out their mission to secure our borders.” “The safety of our agents is paramount, and any act of violence directed at them will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker, “The court’s decision affirms our agents’ authority to act in defense of themselves and the public when faced with imminent threats.” This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Glen Dorgan, Lisa Hemann and Shital Thakkar. PLAINTIFFS Case Number 22-cv-00373-AJB-BJW Silvestre Estrada a minor, by and through is proposed guardian ad litem Emily Prieto Francisco Madariaga Jaime Madariaga-Gonzalez DEFENDANT United States of America SUMMARY OF CHARGES Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”): Wrongful Use of Deadly Force Assault/Battery of Francisco Madariaga and Jaime Madariaga-Gonzalez Negligent Use of Force


title: Anchorage man sentenced to 7 years for robbing two banks in 24 hours

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man was sentenced yesterday to seven years in prison for robbing two banks last year. According to court documents, on Sept. 16, 2025, Ezekiel Thomas, 38, was released on bail in several pending state cases, including a bank robbery in Bethel. In the afternoon of Sept. 18, a man entered a bank in Anchorage and gave a demand note to a bank employee. The note implied people would be hurt if the employee did not provide money. The employee gave him $590, and the man left the bank. The next day, agents with the FBI Anchorage Field Office received a call from the Palmer Police Department regarding a robbery at a bank in Palmer. Officers detained the bank robber and believed he was the same subject from the Anchorage bank robbery that occurred a day prior. Law enforcement identified the subject as Thomas. According to court documents, the day of the robbery, Thomas entered the Palmer bank and gave an intimidating note to a bank employee. The employee gave Thomas roughly $2,270 and he left the bank before being detained by Palmer law enforcement. “Mr. Thomas is a career criminal that chose to brazenly rob two banks while out on state bail over a span of 24-hours,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “Thank you to Palmer Police Department for their swift response that resulted in Mr. Thomas’ arrest, and to the FBI for their diligent investigation that brought this reoffender to justice.” “Spanning multiple communities in Alaska, Mr. Thomas carried out these bank robberies while he was already on state probation for a prior bank robbery conviction. His crimes demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and for the safety of others,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Following a collaborative investigation with local law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this sentence reflects our shared commitment to public safety and holding repeat offenders like Mr. Thomas accountable.” The FBI Anchorage Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from Palmer Police Department and the Anchorage Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bradley prosecuted the case.


component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU – Three men have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to pay bribes to a public official at the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) in exchange for his official actions in connection with affordable housing development agreements worth more than $11,000,000. Hawaii (Big Island) attorney, Gary Charles Zamber, 56, of Keaau, Hawaii, was sentenced to 70 months in prison. Former Big Island businessman, Rajesh Pankaj Budhabhatti, 65, of Morro Bay, California, was sentenced to 90 months in prison. Former Big Island attorney, Paul Joseph Sulla, 79, of Hilo, Hawaii, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. On June 4, 2025, a jury in the District of Hawaii convicted Sulla, Zamber, and Budhabhatti on all counts of a superseding indictment. The three defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and nine counts of honest services wire fraud for their roles in a scheme to bribe Alan Scott Rudo, a Housing Specialist at the OHCD. Sulla was also convicted of money laundering. “This wasn’t just corruption – it was a calculated betrayal of the very community the defendants were supposed to serve,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Instead of building homes for struggling families looking for an onramp to a better life, the defendants built a scheme to enrich themselves, paying millions in bribes and kickbacks while pretending to help those in need. That kind of greed doesn’t just break the law – it erodes trust, damages institutions, robs honest businesses of opportunities and harms American citizens. The Criminal Division is committed to pursuing those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain.” “Driven by greed, the defendants sought to enrich themselves at the expense of the Hawaiian community, diverting millions in much needed affordable housing resources intended to benefit Hawaii County’s poor and disadvantaged into the defendants’ own pockets,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii. “Public corruption undermines faith in our institutions and will not be tolerated. We pledge to hold accountable those who seek to victimize the people of Hawaii by compromising our public officials and institutions for their own greed and personal gain.” “This sentencing marks another step toward accountability for those who pollute the integrity of our government institutions with bribes and kickbacks,” said Special Agent in Charge David Porter of the FBI Honolulu Field Office. “The defendants’ criminal schemes amounted to more than bribery and fraud — they stole opportunities from Big Island families and our community as a whole. The FBI, alongside our partners, will never stop working to pursue those who undermine the public’s trust and weaken the foundations of our community through corruption and deceit.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sulla, Zamber, and Budhabhatti conspired to pay bribes and kickbacks to Rudo in exchange for Rudo’s agreement to use his official position to ensure that Hawaii County approved three affordable housing agreements (AHAs) benefitting the defendants’ development companies, Luna Loa Developments, LLC, West View Developments, LLC and Plumeria at Waikoloa, LLC. Although the defendants promised in the AHAs to build affordable housing for the citizens of Hawaii County, their development companies never built a single unit. Through the AHAs, the defendants fraudulently obtained more than $11,000,000 worth of land and excess affordable housing credits (AHCs). From that amount, the defendants paid or attempted to pay Rudo approximately $1,931,778 in bribes and kickbacks. Sulla was sentenced on April 23. Zamber and Budhabhatti were sentenced on January 30 and February 6, respectively. Rudo, who pleaded guilty and testified at trial, will be sentenced at a later date. Zamber’s and Sulla’s law licenses are currently suspended, prohibiting them from practicing law in Hawaii. The FBI Honolulu Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Margaret Nammar and Trial Attorney William J. Gullotta of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.


title: SDTX exceeds 20,000 charged as 480 more cases filed in ongoing border security enforcement efforts

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – Since the implementation of Operation Take Back America, the Southern District of Texas has filed a total of 20,069 cases against 20,374 individuals in immigration and related matters, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Among those, are 484 people charged between April 17-23: 175 for illegal entry, 275 for felony reentry after removal, 33 in human smuggling cases and another one for an immigration-related crime. Many have prior convictions for narcotics, violent crime, sexual offenses, other immigration violations and more. One illegal alien charged this week has a prior conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the charges. Authorities allegedly found Mexican national Fernando Flores-Bautista near Roma, despite having been removed March 29. Another illegal alien facing charges this week is Mexican national Carlos Guadalupe Aquino-Pacheco. According to the complaint, authorities encountered him while conducting a traffic stop near McAllen. Court documents allege he has a prior conviction for interference with commerce by threats or violence. Aquino-Pacheco was previously removed Oct. 4, 2023, according to the charges. Two others also charged with felony reentry after prior removal include Mexican nationals Dionicio Rodriguez-Hernandez and Francisco Javier Velasquez-Vela, found near Hidalgo and Roma, respectively. The complaints allege they have previous convictions such as transporting/harboring aliens, illegal reentry and/or aggravated burglary. All four face up to 20 years in federal prison, if convicted. In addition to the new cases, eight members of Mara Salvatrucha aka MS-13 have now received federal prison sentences ranging from 35-50 years for their respective roles in a racketeering conspiracy involving witness tampering and multiple murders, including victims as young as 14. They admitted involvement in killings ordered by MS-13 leadership in El Salvador. Members targeted rival gang members, perceived cooperators and others to maintain or elevate their rank within the organization. Following the killings, they provided photographic proof to leadership, sometimes further mutilating victims to demonstrate compliance. Also of note this week, Roma resident Lizandro Monroy was ordered to serve 37 months in federal prison for using a minor in a human smuggling scheme. The court noted similarities to his prior convictions, including involvement in pursuits. Authorities observed a raft crossing near a known human smuggling pickup location in June 2025. Monroy had directed a 15-year-old to pick up three aliens before fleeing from a traffic stop, leading to a pursuit and crash that injured one individual. Monroy recruited and paid the minor, provided the route and supplied a phone to receive instructions. The cases are 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 10 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: Convicted felon illegal alien convicted for unlawfully being in United States

body_text: HOUSTON – A 36-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Bryan has been found guilty of unlawfully reentering the country without authorization, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G. E. Marck. A federal jury deliberated less than three hours before finding Luis Alberto Banda Acosta guilty following a three-day trial. The jury heard that on Feb. 4, 2024, authorities conducted a traffic stop on a pickup truck Banda was driving. Evidence showed Banda has multiple felony convictions, including failure to identify, possession of a controlled substance and driving while intoxicated. The jury also heard that he had been previously removed from the United States on two occasions. The defense attempted to convince the jury Banda was involuntarily present in the country under duress, was kidnapped and forced to swim across the border. However, the jury heard evidence that he was freely and voluntarily residing in the United States to include his travel to many places, receiving pay stubs and making purchases at a lingerie store. The jury did not believe Banda’s claims and found him guilty as charged. They also rejected testimony from a defense expert, disregarding his statements about kidnappings and forced entries into the United States. U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen presided over trial and set sentencing for June 30. At that time, Banda faces up to two years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Alum and Lauren Valenti prosecuted the case with research assistance from Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Law and Robin Whitney. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Mother arrested in failed smuggling attempt of minor

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – An illegal alien who resided in Austin has been charged for her role in a failed attempt to smuggle an 8-year-old child into the United States by a stranger, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Mexican national Nanzy Rodriguez-Sanchez has made her initial appearance in Laredo federal court and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing May 7. Co-conspirators Jesus Luciano, 34, Austin, and Mexican national Maribel Jaimes-Hernandez, 27, were previously charged for their roles in the scheme. The charges allege all three participated in a scheme to smuggle Rodriguez-Sanchez’s minor child into the United States. On Oct. 2, 2025, Luciano allegedly attempted to bring the minor into the country by bus in exchange for $5,000. Luciano was a stranger to the child, according to the allegations. The complaint alleges he provided a birth certificate and claimed the child as his own, but authorities later determined the document belonged to another child. Jaimes-Hernandez had allegedly provided the birth certificate in exchange for $1,000 to facilitate the smuggling attempt. If convicted, Rodriguez-Sanchez and Jaimes-Hernandez face up to 10 years in federal prison for their respective roles as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Luciano previously pleaded guilty and could also receive up to 10 years. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Manuel A. Cardenas Jr. is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint or indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of a Firearm Found During Traffic Stop

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who possessed a firearm as a felon was sentenced on April 22, 2026, to 24 months in federal prison. Keontis Dontrell Cunningham, age 29, from Chicago, received the prison term after a November 14, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon. In 2024, as he was driving, law enforcement officers stopped Cunningham based on an outstanding warrant. During the traffic stop, officers located a gun in the car. Cunningham was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions, including an aggravated assault conviction from Tennessee. Cunningham was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Cunningham was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Cunningham was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole L. Nagin and Dan Chatham and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-00062.


title: Six-Time Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison After Police Find Him with a Gun

body_text: A Cedar Rapids man who possessed a gun after having six felony convictions was sentenced April 22, 2026, to five years in federal prison. James Merlin Hall, age 48, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 19, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon. Information from the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Hall was previously convicted of six felony offenses. On May 20, 2024, police officers searched Hall’s recreational vehicle and located a gun inside. Hall was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his felony convictions. Hall was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Hall was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. 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. Hall is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S.A. Hudson and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-cr-35. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Felon who Possessed a Firearm that was Used in a Robbery Sentenced to Prison

body_text: A man who possessed a firearm as a felon was sentenced on April 23, 2026, to 60 months in federal prison. Blake Allen Ott, age 23, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 10, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon. In October 2024, while searching Ott’s home, law enforcement officers found a loaded gun in his bedroom. They also found cash and marijuana around the home. Evidence showed that Ott was involved in distributing controlled substances. Prior to October 2024, Ott gave the gun to another person who used the gun to rob a home in Dubuque. Ott was aware the gun would be used in a robbery. Ott’s prior convictions include participation in a riot and robbery. Ott was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Ott was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Ott is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin and Dan Chatham and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Dubuque Drug Task Force. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-01038. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Dubuque Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: A prohibited person who possessed a gun was sentenced April 23, 2026, to more than three years in federal prison. Nathan Frazier Stark, age 48, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 29, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. On January 24, 2024, officers searched defendant’s home in Dubuque, Iowa. During the search, officers found a revolver that had an obliterated serial number, Stark’s cell phone, and a bag containing approximately 2.35 grams of methamphetamine on a table in the kitchen. At the guilty plea, Stark admitted that he possessed the firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Stark was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Stark was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Stark is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-1004. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Former Sober Home Owner and Operator Sentenced for Kickback Conspiracy and Health Care Fraud

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Charlotte, North Carolina, woman, Delores Jordan, 57, and Ernest Williams, 52, of Lexington, Ky., were sentenced this week to 60 months and five years of probation respectively, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for their roles in a kickback conspiracy and health care fraud. Serenity Keeper’s, LLC (“Serenity Keepers”), owned by Jordan, was a sober home company based in Fayette County, Ky., that purported to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment services and housing for individuals enrolled in its program. Serenity Keepers allegedly used urine drug tests for their clients for non-medical reasons, such as ensuring sobriety. Beginning in 2019 through February 2022, Williams ran several sober homes operating as Serenity Keepers. According to her plea agreement, in the fall of 2019, Jordan solicited kickbacks from an individual in exchange for the referral of urine drug testing from Serenity Keepers to various urine drug testing labs. Jordan received these kickbacks in the form of check, cash, and electronic payments for the referral of urine drug testing from Serenity Keepers to three different urine drug testing labs. In October 2021, the kickbacks increased to $5,000 and were paid to Jerome Davis, one of Jordan’s co-defendants, in the form of consulting payments, paid as checks, or ACH payments to Davis’s company X-Tremly for Christ, LLC. Through the scheme, Jordan and Serenity Keepers caused Medicaid and Medicare to pay three different urine drug testing labs approximately $2,569,946 for urine drug testing referred to them, in exchange for unlawful kickbacks paid to Jordan. Willams performed urine drug testing on the residents of the homes he operated knowing the tests were not ordered by a medical provider and would not be reviewed by a medical provider. As further part of the scheme, between August 2019 and March 2022, Serenity Keepers billed Medicaid for peer support services that were not provided by licensed peer support specialists. At Jordan’s direction, Williams stated that individuals living in his sober homes received six hours of peer support services per day, knowing that was not true. Over that time frame, Williams received $365,374.72, a percentage of the amount billed to Medicaid for the homes he managed. Dashawn Dawkins was convicted earlier in April 2026 for his role in the kickback conspiracy and health care fraud conspiracy. Lily Bell, who paid the kickbacks to Dawkins, Jordan, and Davis, and who facilitated the abuse of the Nurse Practitioner’s stolen identifiers, pled guilty to aggravated identity theft. Jerome Davis pled guilty to his role in the kickback conspiracy and was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day of incarceration. Under federal law, Jordan and Williams must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, they will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years. Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky Attorney General, Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate K. Smith. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs – END –


title: United States Attorney’s Office Hosts the Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Continuance of the Security and Education Project for Child Development

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: Noel Del Pilar, PPA Certified & Craftsman Photographer, FFBPR Master Photographer, WPPI Speaker SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between 14 State agencies for the continuance of the Proyecto de Seguridad y Educación para el Desarrollo de la Niñez (Security and Education Project for Child Development). Although not a signatory to the MOU, the United States Attorney’s Office collaborates closely with the signatory agencies to achieve the goals of the MOU on behalf of Puerto Rico’s children. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office reiterates our commitment to working with state and local agencies to improve the quality of life, well-being, development, and safety of our school-aged children and the community at large. By partnering with these agencies, we will be able to offer educational opportunities and workshops to students and continue our collective efforts to protect and serve the children of Puerto Rico through unity, trust, and respect,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The objective of the Security and Education Project for Child Development (hereinafter the Project) is to prevent and control high-risk behaviors that may be detrimental to the well-being of Puerto Rican youth. Likewise, the aim is to provide young people with tools to help them face the challenges inherent in adolescence, one of the most crucial stages of human development. The Puerto Rico Department of Education is the lead agency, and they will continue to coordinate efforts, share information and provide resources, along with their partner agencies, for the successful continuation of the Project. The other Puerto Rico agencies signing the MOU together with the Puerto Rico Department of Education are: the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Department of the Family, the Department of Public Safety and its component bureaus: Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps Bureau (NCBPR), Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Services Corps Bureau (NCEM), Special Investigations Bureau (NIE), Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Bureau (NMEAD), 911 Emergency Systems Bureau (NSE911); the Puerto Rico Police Bureau; the Traffic Safety Commission; and the Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development. ###


title: Chinese National Arrested at JFK International Airport on Federal Charges for Illegally Photographing Military Aircraft at Nebraska Air Force Base

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: Tianrui Liang, 21, of China, has been charged by complaint for conduct related to illegally documenting Air Force planes located at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, announced United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. Offutt Air Force Base is a key base in the Air Force’s Strategic Command. Liang was allegedly present at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in the days leading up to his visit to the Air Force installation in Nebraska. Liang crossed the Canadian-United States border on March 28, 2026, from Vancouver, Canada, to Washington on a valid B1/B2 visa. A complaint affidavit filed in the District of Nebraska alleges that Liang drove to New York after being confronted by the FBI in Nebraska. The FBI obtained an arrest warrant for Liang who was subsequently arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Following Liang’s arrest on April 7, Liang appeared in a federal magistrate court for the Eastern District of New York on the Nebraska federal charge. The magistrate judge released Liang and refused a government request for a stay to allow federal prosecutors in Nebraska to appeal the release to a federal judge in the District of Nebraska. Federal prosecutors in Nebraska then successfully appealed Liang’s release and he was then taken back into federal custody on April 10, 2026, by order of the Chief District Court Judge for the District of Nebraska. Liang is presently in the custody of the United States Marshals Service and is being brought to the District of Nebraska for further proceedings in the case. “Any individuals who unlawfully attempt to acquire sensitive information about military aircraft located in the District of Nebraska will be held maximumly accountable under federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods. The criminal complaint is only a charge. Liang has not been convicted and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he is subject to a term of imprisonment of up to 1 year. The investigation into whether more serious charges are implicated by the facts in this case is ongoing. The arrest warrant was pursued to prevent Liang fleeing the country while the investigation was ongoing. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donald Kleine and Matt Lierman with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Brendan P. Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Justice Department Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana Subject to a Qualifying State-issued License in Schedule III, Strengthening Medical Research While Maintaining Strict Federal Controls

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: In accordance with President Trump’s December 18, 2025, Executive Order on Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the issuance of an order immediately placing both FDA-approved products containing marijuana and marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, as well as the initiation of an expedited administrative hearing process to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The new hearing , beginning June 29, 2026, will provide a timely and legally compliant pathway to evaluate broader changes to marijuana’s status under federal law. Together, these actions provide immediate and long-term clarity to researchers, patients, and providers alike while still maintaining strict federal controls against illicit drug trafficking. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is placing both FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana, and medicinal marijuana products subject to a qualifying state-issued license in Schedule III under his authority to reschedule drugs to carry out the United States’ obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. This action recognizes the longstanding regulation of medical marijuana by state governments and the need for a common-sense approach to this reality. “The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.” “Under the direction of President Trump and Acting Attorney General Blanche, DEA is expeditiously moving forward with the administrative hearing process — bringing consistency and oversight to an area that has lacked both,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “Our men and women in law enforcement remain committed to fighting drug cartels, the fentanyl epidemic, and protecting American lives.” Separately, the Department announced procedural updates to expedite the ongoing rulemaking process required to fully remove marijuana from Schedule I and place it into Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Under the prior administration, a notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2024, followed by a notice of hearing on August 29, 2024. Upon further review, the DEA is withdrawing the prior notice of hearing and terminating those proceedings in order to move more efficiently toward the completion of marijuana’s complete redesignation. This action will accelerate the administrative process, include firm deadlines, and allow DEA to proceed in the most expeditious manner consistent with federal law. DEA will hold a new administrative hearing beginning June 29, 2026, regarding the proposed rescheduling of marijuana. A new notice of hearing is being published in the Federal Register to govern these proceedings and facilitate a timely resolution of the rulemaking. Today’s order is reflective of the Department of Justice’s continued dedication to common-sense policies and the prioritization of the safety and well-being of all Americans.